A communication device such as pager (100) includes a controller (110) which decodes an incoming high priority message (402) and stores it in memory (112). A user control (116) such as a "Read" control switch is then used to present at least a portion of the high priority message on a display (106). Once the high priority message has been read, the message data of the high priority message is persistently presented on display until a user decides to delete the message. Depending on the size of the display, a portion or all of the message data is presented. If the display is too small to accommodate at one time all message data of a high priority message, portions of the message data of the high priority message are displayed for a predetermined period on a rotating basis. If there are more than one high priority message that are to be persistently displayed, each high priority message is displayed for a predetermined period on a rotating basis.

A transaction terminal includes a housing, an elongated finger recess defined by the housing, and a finger scanner sensor disposed in the recess. The elongated finger recess may include a length of at least approximately a two knuckle distance. An outer surface region of the housing and the finger recess may define a web receiving area adapted to receive a web of a hand. The transaction terminal can include a card cavity formed integral with the elongated finger recess.

A point of sale transaction terminal that has a signature capture pad mounted within a platen that is recessed within the top surface of the terminal housing. A screen protector is mounted over the signature pad and is registered thereon so that the protector covers the signature pad. A bezel is mounted upon said platen within the recess of the housing so that the bezel surrounds the periphery of the protector and the capture pad. A latching mechanism is located beneath the bezel which serves to removably secure the bezel to the platen. An access port is provided in said housing that allows restricted access to the latching mechanism for unlatching the bezel.

There is described a method and apparatus for processing a card. A card that is processed can have a corresponding card holder. In one embodiment, a card reader can be provided for reading information of a card. A card reader in one embodiment can be configured to sense a level of degradation of a card. A card reader in one embodiment can be in communication with a remote processor system.

A transaction terminal including a motherboard and a display coupled to the motherboard. The transaction terminal further includes a removable data carrier reader coupled to the motherboard and an optical reader coupled to the motherboard, the optical reader having a field of view. The transaction terminal further includes a user interface coupled to the motherboard and a shroud disposed proximate to the optical reader, the shroud emitting light.