UniSwipe mag stripe reader for PDAs
Company: Semtek Innovative Solutions Corp.

Many mobile merchants already carry personal digital assistants (PDAs) of one stripe or another. Now, they can add swipe capability by sliding their PDA into an accessory. Semtek added the UniSwipe to the company's line of mobile swipe and docking products.

The device gives PDAs such as the Dell Axim, HP iPAQ and other handhelds the ability to accept data input from magnetic stripe cards. When the UniSwipe is used with the company's new UniDock, the combination allows the PDA to be mounted, charged and connected via serial port to peripherals, such as printers, GPS receivers and scanners.

The UniSwipe and UniDock leverage the company's power-management patents for handheld devices. The capability permits the units to attach to and communicate with a handheld PDA or smart phone using only the electrical power available from the host device, according to Semtek Product Manager Garrett Bartolotta.

This enables mobile merchants to accept credit card payments or input information from a mag stripe card into the handheld, while effectively managing power usage.

The UniSwipe reads from one to three tracks of data with a swipe in either direction. The data is decoded and output to the PDA application.

Other features include a DC-in charger port (for use with a five-volt cigarette adapter or PDA wall charger); an RS232 interface; and multiple vehicle-mounting options for delivery drivers and mobile merchants.

The UniSwipe also offers an on-board audio loudspeaker system for amplifying the host PDA audio output for use as a hands-free accessory.

Both products were developed in collaboration with Revolve Design, a maker of mobile docking products for handheld computers. Semtek's card readers connect through wireless handheld devices and support industries requiring mobile commerce applications, on-site lead retrieval and immediate identity verification.

Semtek Innovative Solutions Corp.
858-300-3380
www.semtek.com