Automated banking machine Anti-skimming card reader

Abstract

A card reader for an automated banking machine is provided. The card reader includes a processor and a card transport. The card transport moves at least one card a plurality of cycles between a first position and a second position within the card transport. The card transport continuously moves the card in a first direction for a first time period at a first speed, then continuously moves the card in the first direction for a second time period at a second speed which is slower than the first speed. Subsequent to the second time period, the card transport moves the card in the first direction for a third time period, during which the card stops and starts moving more than five times. Both the second and third time periods vary from cycle to cycle responsive to a variable parameter determined by the at least one processor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60 / 715,667 filed Sep. 9, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates to an anti-skimming card reader. Specifically this invention relates to a card reader for an automated banking machine which operates in a manner which minimizes the opportunity for unauthorized skimming devices to read user information from a card. BACKGROUND ART [0003] Automated banking machines are well known. A common type of automated banking machine used by consumers is an automated teller machine (“ATM”). ATMs enable customers to carry out banking transactions. Common banking transactions that may be carried out with ATMs include the dispensing of cash, the receipt of deposits, the transfer of funds between accounts, the payment of bills and account balance inquiries. The types of banking transactions a customer can carry out are deter...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide an anti-skimming card reader device that is operative to minimize the ability of an unauthorized skimming device from acquiring account information from the card.

[0015] To prevent a magnetic sensor of an unauthorized skimming device from reading the magnetic information form the card, the card reader may move the card with motions which interfere with the ability of an unauthorized magnetic sensor to accurately read information from the card.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately prior art motorized card readers are susceptible to being used by thieves to acquire the account information from the user's card.

This has been done by placing an unauthorized magnetic stripe reading device adjacent and / or inside the card slot of the card reader and / or ATM.

Such an unauthorized device may be constructed to match the visual appearance of the fascia of the ATM to trick a user into thinking that the device is an integral feature of the ATM.

Through use of unauthorized magnetic stripe readers and / or hidden cameras a thief may acquire sufficient information to steal money from the user's account.

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