Card reader and foreign matter detection method thereof

Abstract

A card reader that handles cards such as magnetic cards and a foreign object detection method thereof detect the arrangement of a stolen component or the like as a foreign object without being limited to a specific shape of foreign object and without a special sensor such as an electrostatic capacity sensor. The card reader (1) has: a main body portion (4); an insertion opening (3) that opens to the main body portion (4) to insert a card (2); a conveyance path (41) that is provided inside the main body portion (4) to convey the inserted card (2); a plurality of sensors (PD1-PD3, PDi, SW) that detect the insertion of the card (2) into the insertion opening (3) and the conveyance state of the card (2) on the conveyance path (41); and a control portion (50) that monitors state transitions in the detection results of the card (2) by the plurality of sensors (PD1-PD3, PDi, SW) and determines that a foreign object is inserted in the card reader (1) when a state transition of a form different from a prescribed state transition is detected.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a card reader and a foreign matter detection method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] A card reader that performs at least one of reading and writing of data on a card such as a magnetic card is used, for example, on an upper device such as an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). The card reader is generally composed of a card insertion port into which a card is inserted by a user and a main body portion that introduces the card inserted into the card insertion port and performs reading / writing of data on the card. A path, i.e., a conveyance path, for conveying the card is formed in the main body portion, and a motor for driving a roller or a driving roller for conveying the card, several sensors for detecting a position of the card on the conveyance path, and a magnetic head for reading / writing data on the card are provided. Further, in the main body portion, a card insertion detection switch that detects insertion of the card and a shutter member that can be opened / closed are provided at a position close to the card insertion port.

[0003] In recent years, the number of events in which a foreign matter, i.e., a stolen component, is provided in a card reader to illegally acquire information written on a magnetic card, i.e., to steal, has increased, and this has become a great social problem, and a strong desire to detect the foreign matter provided in the card reader has arisen. As a method of detecting the foreign matter provided in the card reader, in Patent Literature 1, a method is disclosed in which, in a card reader that targets a magnetic card, a front magnetic head that detects a magnetic field from the card is provided in the vicinity of the card insertion port, and when the front end of the card is detected by a sensor provided on the conveyance path to detect the front end of the card, monitoring of the magnetic field on the front magnetic head is started, and thereafter, if the magnetic field is not detected on the front magnetic head, when the moving distance of the card during the period in which the magnetic field is not detected reaches a predetermined value or more, it is determined that a foreign matter is actually inserted instead of a card. Since the foreign matter such as a stolen component does not have a magnetic stripe or even if it has a false magnetic stripe, the length thereof is shorter than that of a magnetic stripe on a regular magnetic card, and thus this method utilizes the fact that the moving distance of the foreign matter during the period in which the magnetic field is not detected on the front magnetic head is longer than that of a regular magnetic card.

[0004] In Patent Literature 2, a method is disclosed in which, after the card insertion detection mechanism detects that the card is inserted into the card insertion port, the sensor provided on the conveyance path detects the front end of the card, and thereafter, when the card insertion detection mechanism becomes unable to detect the card at a timing at which the card is inserted, the sensor on the conveyance path also does not detect the card, control to close the shutter member is performed, and in a case in which the shutter member does not move to the closed position despite the performance of the control, it is determined that a foreign matter is inserted. This method is a method of determining whether a foreign matter is inserted in the card reader by utilizing the fact that the foreign matter has a specific shape that is different from that of a regular card.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a card reader having a shutter member provided between an insertion port and a main body portion and an electrostatic capacity sensor provided inside the main body portion to detect the presence or absence of a theft prevention member, the shutter member is opened to introduce a card into the inside of the main body portion when it is detected that the card has been inserted into the insertion port, the shutter member is closed once the card is introduced into the inside of the main body portion, and thereafter, reading and writing of data of the card are performed inside the main body portion.

[0006] Prior Art Documents

[0007] Patent Documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-219824

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-219825

[0010] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-219826 SUMMARY

[0011] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0012] In the methods described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, when a foreign object is pushed into and disposed in the card reader, it cannot be detected at a timing other than when the card reader is in a state in which it operates when a card is taken into its inside, for example, at a timing when the taking-in process is interrupted by forcibly occurring a jam or the like while the card is being taken in and the shutter member remains open. When a foreign object is forcibly pushed into the card reader in a state in which the shutter member is closed at the time of standby, it also cannot be detected. In addition, in the methods described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is premised that the foreign object has a specific shape, and when a foreign object of an unexpected shape is disposed in the card reader, it cannot be detected. The method described in Patent Document 3 can detect a foreign object of a shape that cannot be detected by the methods described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, but it is necessary to provide an electrostatic capacity sensor in the card reader, which becomes a major factor of cost increase and the like. In addition, since it is difficult to additionally provide an electrostatic capacity sensor to the card reader, in an existing card reader that does not have an electrostatic capacity sensor, it is difficult to perform detection of a foreign object by the method of Patent Document 3.

[0013] An object of the present application is to provide a card reader and a foreign object detection method thereof that can detect the disposition of a foreign object without being limited to a specific shape of the foreign object and without a special sensor such as an electrostatic capacity sensor.

[0014] TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0015] A card reader of one embodiment of the present application is a card reader that processes a card, and includes a main body portion, an insertion opening that opens to the main body portion to insert a card, a conveyance path that is provided inside the main body portion and conveys the inserted card, a drive mechanism that conveys the card on the conveyance path, a plurality of sensors that detect insertion of the card into the insertion opening and a state of conveyance of the card on the conveyance path, and a control portion that monitors a state transition in a detection result of the card by the plurality of sensors, and determines that a foreign object is inserted into the card reader when a state transition of a form different from a predetermined state transition is detected.

[0016] In the card reader provided with the plurality of sensors that detect insertion of the card into the insertion opening and the state of conveyance of the card on the conveyance path, a case where the detection results of the card by the plurality of sensors are combined is referred to as a pattern. When the foreign object is for the purpose of theft, since it is necessary to continue to remain in the card reader in a state that cannot be detected by the sensor, a notch or an opening or the like is formed at a position corresponding to the sensor, and the shape is generally different from that of a normal card. The pattern changes with insertion or conveyance of the card, but the shapes of the normal card and the foreign object are different, or a tool used to push the foreign object into the card reader is detected by the sensor, and thus it is considered that a state transition from a certain pattern to which pattern is different between a case where the normal card is inserted and a case where the foreign object is arranged in the card reader. Thus, in this embodiment, the state transition in the detection result of the card is monitored, and when a state transition of a form different from a predetermined state transition is detected, it is determined that a foreign object is inserted into the card reader. Thus, in this embodiment, it is not limited to a foreign object of a specific shape, and in addition, it is not necessary to use an additional component such as an electrostatic capacity sensor, and thus it is possible to detect arrangement of the foreign object into the card reader.

[0017] In the card reader of this embodiment, it can also be that a shutter member that is provided close to the insertion opening to restrict access to the inside of the main body portion and an open / close sensor that detects whether the shutter member is in an open state or a closed state are further provided, and the control portion determines the insertion of the foreign object on the basis of the state transition including the detection result of the open / close sensor. By providing the shutter member and determining the insertion of the foreign object on the basis of the state transition including the open / close state of the shutter member, it is possible to further prevent the foreign object such as a theft component from being arranged in the card reader.

[0018] In the card reader of the present embodiment, in a case where the magnetic head is provided along the conveyance path, it is preferable that the plurality of sensors include: a sensor provided in correspondence with the position of the magnetic head; at least one sensor provided at a position between the magnetic head and the shutter member; and at least one sensor provided on the opposite side of the insertion opening from the magnetic head. Such a sensor is generally provided in a card reader provided with a magnetic head, i.e., a magnetic card reader, and thus when the magnetic card reader is controlled by firmware, by changing / updating the firmware, an existing magnetic card reader can be used as a card reader based on the present embodiment.

[0019] In the card reader of the present embodiment, it can also be that the length of the conveyance path between the shutter member and the magnetic head and the length of the portion of the conveyance path on the opposite side of the insertion opening from the magnetic head are both longer than the length of the card along the conveyance direction. A card reader of this form performs reading and writing of data by reciprocating the card relative to the magnetic head in a state where the shutter member is closed, and by applying the present embodiment to such a card reader as well, detection of foreign matter such as a theft prevention member can be performed more reliably.

[0020] The foreign matter detection method of one aspect of the present embodiment is a foreign matter detection method in a card reader having a main body, an insertion opening that opens to the main body to insert a card, a conveyance path provided inside the main body and that conveys the inserted card, and a plurality of sensors that detect insertion of the card into the insertion opening and a conveyance state of the card on the conveyance path, and in the plurality of sensors, detection of the card is performed, and when it is detected that a state transition in the detection results of the plurality of sensors is in a form different from a prescribed state transition, it is determined that a foreign matter has been inserted into the card reader.

[0021] As described above, it is considered that a state transition in the detection results of the plurality of sensors differs between a case where a normal card is inserted and a case where a foreign matter is disposed inside the card reader. Thus, in the foreign matter detection method of the present embodiment, a state transition in the detection results of the sensors is monitored, and when it is detected that a state transition in a form different from a prescribed state transition occurs, it is determined that a foreign matter has been inserted into the card reader. Thus, without being limited to a foreign matter of a specific shape, and without having to use an additional member such as an electrostatic capacity sensor, it is possible to detect disposition of a foreign matter into the card reader. Also, generally, since the plurality of sensors that detect insertion of the card into the insertion opening and a conveyance state of the card on the conveyance path are provided on the card reader, the foreign matter detection method of the present embodiment can perform detection of a foreign matter in an existing card reader.

[0022] In the foreign matter detection method of the present mode, a card reader that judges the insertion of a foreign matter based on a state transition including the detection result of the opening / closing sensor can also be used, the card reader is provided with a baffle member disposed near the insertion port and limiting access to the inside of the main body, and an opening / closing sensor that detects whether the baffle member is in an open state or a closed state, and the second sensor is disposed between the insertion port and the baffle member. Card readers provided with a baffle member or an opening / closing sensor are common, and according to the present mode, by judging the insertion of a foreign matter based on a state transition that also includes the opening / closing state of the baffle member, it is possible to more reliably detect the placement of a stolen component or the like as a foreign matter in the card reader.

[0023] In the foreign matter detection method of the present mode, when a card reader provided with a magnetic head disposed along the conveyance path is used, the plurality of sensors can include a sensor disposed corresponding to the position of the magnetic head, at least one sensor disposed at a position between the magnetic head and the baffle member, and at least one sensor disposed on the opposite side of the insertion port from the magnetic head. Since such sensors are generally provided in card readers provided with a magnetic head, i.e., magnetic card readers, when a magnetic card reader is controlled by firmware, by changing / updating the firmware, it is possible to use an existing magnetic card reader as a card reader based on the present mode.

[0024] In the foreign matter detection method of the present mode, when the card reader is a magnetic card reader, in the card reader, the length of the conveyance path between the baffle member and the magnetic head and the length of the portion of the conveyance path on the opposite side of the insertion port from the magnetic head are both longer than the length of the card along the conveyance direction. In a card reader of this form, in a state in which the baffle member is closed, data is read and written by reciprocating the card relative to the magnetic head, and by applying the present mode to a card reader of this form as well, it is possible to more reliably detect a stolen component or the like as a foreign matter.

[0025] Effects of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, in a card reader, foreign matters are not limited to a specific shape, and the placement of a foreign matter can be detected without a special sensor such as an electrostatic capacity sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a card reader of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 (a) of FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a card reader, Figure 1 (b) of FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the output state of each sensor with respect to a normal card.

[0028] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the card reader shown in FIG. 1. Figure 1

[0029] Figure 3 ​is a state transition diagram indicating state transitions at the time of taking in or discharging a regular card.

[0030] Reference Signs List

[0031] 1... card reader; 2... card; 3... insertion port; 4... main body portion; 6... shutter member; 41... conveyance path; 42... conveyance roller; 43... magnetic head; 50... control portion; 51... read / write circuit; 52... conveyance motor; 53... solenoid; PD1-PD3, PDi... card sensor; SHT... shutter opening / closing sensor; SW... card insertion detection sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Next, a mode for carrying out the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 (a) of FIG. 1 shows the structure of a card reader according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 The card reader 1 shown in (a) of FIG. 1 performs various processes including reading and writing of data on a card 2 such as a magnetic card. Here, the card 2 is a card having at least a magnetic stripe.

[0033] The card reader 1 has an insertion port 3 into which the card 2 is inserted by a user, and a main body portion 4 provided with the insertion port 3 to introduce the card 2 inserted into the insertion port 3 and perform various processes on the card 2. On the main body portion 4, in the vicinity of the insertion port 3, a card insertion detection sensor SW that detects whether or not the card 2 is inserted into the insertion port 3 is installed. The card insertion detection sensor SW can be constituted by, for example, a switch that mechanically detects the card 2, can be a sensor that detects that the card 2 is inserted by interrupting the light path between a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion by the card 2, or can be a sensor that has a front magnetic head and detects the card 2 by detecting the magnetic stripe of the card 2. Any form of card insertion detection sensor SW can be used as long as it is a sensor that can reliably detect that the card 2 is inserted into the insertion port 3. On the main body portion 4, in the vicinity of the insertion port 3, a shutter member 6 that is openable and closable for preventing illegal access to the inside of the main body portion 4 and the like is provided. The shutter member 6 is provided at a position inside the main body portion 4 further than the card insertion detection sensor SW. On the shutter member 6, a shutter opening / closing sensor SHT that detects whether the shutter member 6 is in an open state or a closed state is connected. In this structure, the card insertion detection sensor SW is provided on the side of the insertion port 3 further than the shutter member 6, that is, on the side in front of the eyes of the user when the card 2 is inserted in the state of use of the card reader.

[0034] In the interior of the main body 4, there are provided a conveyance path 41 for conveying the card 2 when processing the card 2 is performed, conveyance rollers 42 provided along the conveyance path 41 for conveying the card 2, a magnetic head 43 provided at the substantially center of the length direction of the conveyance path 41, and a plurality of card sensors for detecting the card 2 and the like. In the illustrated example, there are provided three pairs of conveyance rollers 42 and four card sensors PD1 to PD3 and PDi. The conveyance rollers 42 are driven by a conveyance motor 52 (refer to Figure 2 ) and a drive mechanism for conveying the card 2 on the conveyance path 41 is formed by the conveyance rollers 42 and the conveyance motor 52.

[0035] The four card sensors PD1 to PD3 and PDi are sensors for detecting the conveyance state of the card 2 on the conveyance path 41, and more specifically, detect the presence of the card 2 at the positions where these card sensors PD1 to PD3 and PDi are provided on the conveyance path 41. The card sensor PD1 of the four card sensors PD1 to PD3 and PDi is provided at a position close to the insertion port 3, the card sensor PD2 is provided in correspondence with the position where the magnetic head 43 is provided, and the card sensor PD3 is provided on the side opposite to the insertion port 3 with the position where the magnetic head 43 interposed. The card sensor PDi is provided at a position closer to the insertion port 3 than the card sensor PD2. When the dimension of the card 2 in the conveyance direction of the card 2 is set as the length L of the card 2, in the illustrated example, the interval between the card insertion detection sensor SW and the card sensor PD1 is shorter than the length L, the distance between the closing position of the baffle member 6 and the card sensor PDi is longer than the length L, the distance between the card sensor PD1 and the card sensor PD2 is shorter than the length L, the distance between the card sensor PD1 and the card sensor PD3 is longer than the length L, and the distance between the card sensor PDi and the card sensor PD3 is shorter than the length L. Further, as can be understood from the description, the length of the conveyance path 41 between the closing position of the baffle member 6 and the magnetic head 43 is longer than the length L, and the length of the portion of the conveyance path 41 on the side opposite to the insertion port 3 with the magnetic head 43 interposed is also longer than the length L, so that the card 2 for reading and writing data can be conveyed back and forth on both sides of the magnetic head 43 with the magnetic head 43 interposed in the state where the baffle member 6 is in the closing position. As the card sensors PD1 to PD3 and PDi, for example, optical sensors and the like that detect an object by blocking a light path by the object can be used, and electrostatic capacity sensors that detect an object by detecting a change in electrostatic capacity can also be used as appropriate.

[0036] Figure 2is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the card reader 1 of the present embodiment. As the electrical structure, the card reader 1 performs control of the operation of the card reader 1 and input and output of data with the host device, and is provided with a control section 50 that outputs an alarm to the host device when a foreign object is detected, a read / write circuit 51 provided between the magnetic head 43 and the control section 50, a conveyance motor 52 that drives the conveyance roller 42, and a solenoid 53 that opens and closes the shutter member 6. The conveyance motor 52 and the solenoid 53 are controlled by the control section 50. The detection outputs of the card insertion detection sensor SW, the shutter opening and closing sensor SHT, and the card sensors PD1 to PD3, PDi are input to the control section 50. The control section 50 is constituted, for example, by a microprocessor.

[0037] When the card 2 is subjected to some processing by the card reader 1, the card 2 is taken into the main body section 4 and is conveyed along the conveyance path 41 inside the main body section 4 according to the content of the processing. The taking of the card 2 from the insertion port 3, the conveyance of the card 2 along the conveyance path 41, and the discharge of the card 2 from the insertion port 3 are performed and controlled by the control section 50 driving the conveyance motor 52 based on the detection results of the sensors PD1 to PD3, PDi, SHT, and SW. In the card reader 1 of the present embodiment, a space is prepared in which the card 2 is movable in two directions along the conveyance path 41 between one side and the other side sandwiching the magnetic head 43 in a state in which the shutter member 6 is closed. Also, the reading and writing of data of the card 2 by the magnetic head 43 are performed while the card 2 is conveyed between the one side and the other side across the magnetic head 43.

[0038] The sensors PD1 to PD3, PDi, SHT, and SW are arranged along the conveyance direction of the card 2 in the card reader 1. As a result, when the card 2 is taken from the insertion port 3 and then conveyed along the conveyance path 41, the detection results in the sensors PD1 to PD3, PDi, SHT, and SW change over time with the movement of the card 2. Figure 1 (b) of FIG. 10 shows how the detection results of the sensors PD1 to PD3, PDi, SHT, and SW change according to the position of the card 2 on the card reader 1. With regard to the card sensors PD1 to PD3, PDi and the card insertion detection sensor SW, "ON" in the detection result indicates that the card 2 is being detected, and "OFF" indicates that the card 2 is not being detected. With regard to the shutter opening and closing sensor SHT, "ON" indicates that the shutter member 6 is in an open state, and "OFF" indicates that the shutter member 6 is in a closed state.

[0039] The case in which the detection results from the sensors are combined is referred to as a "pattern", as shown in Figure 1P2). After that, the card 2 is pushed in, the shutter member 6 opens, so the shutter opening / closing sensor SHT also becomes "ON" (mode P3). When the card 2 is taken in by the feed rollers 42, the card sensor PD1 becomes "ON" (mode P4). When the card 2 is further fed toward the left direction in the figure, i.e., the inside of the card reader 1, the card insertion detection sensor SW becomes "OFF" (mode P5) because the card 2 cannot be detected, and then the shutter member 6 closes, and the shutter opening / closing sensor SHT also becomes "OFF" (mode P6). If the leading end of the card 2 reaches the position of the card sensor PDi, the card sensor PDi becomes "ON" (mode P7), and then the card sensor PD2 also becomes "ON" (mode P8). When the card 2 is further fed toward the inside than mode P8, the card sensor PD1 becomes "OFF" (mode P9), and then the card sensor PD3 becomes "ON" (mode P10), and then the card sensor PDi becomes "OFF" (mode P11). In the state where the card 2 is fed to the inside of the card reader 1, only the card sensor PD3 becomes "ON" (mode P12). When the card 2 is fed in the right direction in the figure and finally discharged from the insertion slot 3, the modes are generated in the reverse order from mode P12 to mode P1.

[0040] In the card reader 1 of the present embodiment, the modes generated when a normal card 2 is inserted and fed are only the above-mentioned modes P1 to P12, which are 12 modes. Then, when the transition between the generated modes is focused on, the mode number is only transitioned between modes which are increased or decreased by 1. For example, it does not directly transition from mode P2 to mode P5, but transitions to mode P5 via mode P2, mode P3, and mode P4. Even when the feeding direction of the card 2 is reversed, it is bound to return to mode P11 after mode P12. After mode P12, it does not directly transition to mode P10. The transition to mode P5 is limited to mode P4 or mode P6. Figure 3 is a state transition diagram showing the state transition between the modes which can occur with respect to the normal card 2. The solid line transition shows the state transition when the card 2 is moved toward the left direction in the figure Figure 1 in the figure, and the dashed line transition shows the state transition when the card 2 is moved in the right direction in the figure.

[0041] In order to prevent the illegal setting of a foreign object in the card reader 1 for the purpose of theft or the like, the foreign object is made into a shape that is not detected by the sensors in the state of being set in the card reader 1, to prevent the setting of the foreign object from being discovered. Specifically, the position corresponding to each sensor in the state of being set in the card reader 1 is made into a shape of an opening or a notch. Since an opening or a notch does not normally exist on the regular card 2, the shape of the regular card 2 and the foreign object differ, particularly in the presence or absence of an opening or a notch. The pattern changes with the insertion of the card 2 into the card reader 1 or the progress of conveyance on the conveyance path 41, and since the regular card 2 and the foreign object differ in shape, the tool for pushing the foreign object into the card reader 1 is sometimes detected by the sensors, so it is considered that the form of the state transition between patterns differs between the case of insertion of the regular card 2 and the case of arrangement of the foreign object in the card reader 1. When the foreign object is arranged in the card reader 1 for the purpose of theft or the like, the state in which the detection results of all the sensors are "OFF" is set, that is, pattern 1 is set. If it is the regular card 2, it can only transition from pattern P2 to pattern P1, but when the foreign object is arranged in the position of, for example, the magnetic head 43 of the card reader 1, it can be sufficiently expected that, for example, the edge portion of the opening or the notch on the foreign object will be detected by the card sensors PD1 and PDi during the arrangement. The pattern in which the card sensor PD1 becomes "ON" is patterns P4 to P6, and the pattern in which the card sensor PDi becomes "ON" is patterns P7 to P10, and in the case of direct transition from any one of patterns P3 to P10 to pattern P1, since such a transition does not occur in the regular card 2, it can be determined that the foreign object is inserted in the card reader 1.

[0042] Thus, in the card reader 1 of the present embodiment, the control section 50 discriminates the combination of the detection results of the sensors, that is, the pattern, based on the outputs of the sensors PD1 to PD3, PDi, SHT, and SW, always monitors the state transition between patterns, and when a state transition of a form different from the state transition that can occur in the regular card 2, that is, a prescribed state transition, is detected, determines that a foreign object is inserted in the card reader. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 the case of the card reader 1 shown in FIG. 8, the prescribed state transition is the transition shown in Figure 3 . This foreign object detection processing can be performed by firmware in a microprocessor or the like that constitutes the control section 50. In the state transition of a form different from the prescribed state transition, there is also included the case where a pattern that does not occur in the regular card 2, that is, a pattern other than patterns P1 to P12, occurs. Also, when the control section 50 determines that a foreign object is inserted, an alarm is output to the host device, and the foreign object insertion error is stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) or the like in the control section 50 until the error is cleared by a prescribed procedure, and a foreign object insertion error is returned to all card transaction operation requests, and no operation such as intake, conveyance, or the like of the card 2 is performed. Thus, the control section 50 prevents theft by a theft device or the like.

[0043] As described above, the card reader 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to foreign objects of a specific shape, and it can detect the placement of foreign objects on the card reader without using additional components such as a capacitance sensor. Furthermore, since a sensor that is normally installed in the card reader is used as the sensor, foreign object detection can be performed through firmware-based software processing, so existing card readers can be easily converted into card readers based on this method through firmware updates.

[0044] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the card reader 1 shown, multiple sensors are provided to detect the insertion of the card 2 into the insertion port 3 and the transport status of the card 2 in the transport path 41. These include a card insertion detection sensor SW and four card sensors PD1-PD3 and PDi. In addition, a baffle opening / closing sensor SHT is provided. However, in this type of card reader, the number of these sensors can be increased or decreased. Furthermore, the arrangement of the sensors such as the card sensors on the transport path 41 is not limited to the positions described above. The number or arrangement of the sensors is arbitrary, as long as the state change in the detection results of each sensor can distinguish between a regular card 2 and a foreign object.

[0045] In the card reader based on this method, the baffle component 6 located near the insertion port 3 is not a necessary component. However, it is preferable to provide the baffle component 6, not only to prevent foreign objects such as stolen parts from entering the interior of the main body 4, but also to prevent raindrops and dust from entering the interior of the main body 4.

Claims

1. A card reader for processing a card, wherein, has: a main body; an insertion opening that opens to the main body to insert the card; a conveyance path that is provided inside the main body to convey the inserted card; a drive mechanism that conveys the card on the conveyance path; a plurality of sensors that detect insertion of the card into the insertion opening and a conveyance state of the card in the conveyance path; and a control unit that monitors state transitions in detection results of the card by the plurality of sensors, determines that a foreign object is inserted into the card reader when a state transition different from a prescribed state transition is detected, a state in which the card is not inserted into the insertion opening and all of the plurality of sensors become closed is defined as a first state, a state in which the card is inserted into the insertion opening and conveyed along the conveyance path and at least one of the plurality of sensors becomes open is defined as a second state, a state in which the card is ejected from the insertion opening and all of the plurality of sensors again become closed is defined as a third state, when a state transition pattern of the plurality of sensors from the first state to the second state is different from a state transition pattern of the plurality of sensors from the second state to the third state, the control unit determines that the foreign object is inserted into the card reader. Further provided are:

2. The card reader of claim 1, wherein, a shutter member that is provided near the insertion opening to restrict access to the inside of the main body; an opening / closing sensor that detects whether the shutter member is in an open state or a closed state, the control unit judges insertion of the foreign object based on the state transitions including the detection result of the opening / closing sensor.

3. The card reader according to claim 2, wherein a magnetic head is provided along the conveyance path, the plurality of sensors include a sensor provided corresponding to a position of the magnetic head, at least one sensor provided at a position between the magnetic head and the shutter member, and at least one sensor provided on an opposite side of the insertion opening from the magnetic head.

4. The card reader according to claim 3, wherein a length of the conveyance path between the shutter member and the magnetic head and a length of a portion of the conveyance path that becomes the opposite side of the insertion opening from the magnetic head across the magnetic head are each longer than a length of the card in a conveyance direction.

5. A foreign object detection method that is a foreign object detection method in a card reader that has a main body, an insertion opening that opens to the main body to insert a card, a conveyance path that is provided inside the main body to convey the inserted card, and a plurality of sensors that detect insertion of the card into the insertion opening and a conveyance state of the card on the conveyance path, in the foreign object detection method, detection of the card is performed in the plurality of sensors, when a state transition in a detection result of the plurality of sensors is detected to be in a form different from a prescribed state transition, it is determined that a foreign object is inserted into the card reader, a state in which the card is not inserted into the insertion opening and all of the plurality of sensors become closed is defined as a first state, a state in which the card is inserted into the insertion opening and conveyed along the conveyance path and at least one of the plurality of sensors becomes open is defined as a second state, a state in which the card is ejected from the insertion opening and all of the plurality of sensors again become closed is defined as a third state, when a state transition pattern of the plurality of sensors from the first state to the second state is different from a state transition pattern of the plurality of sensors from the second state to the third state, the control unit determines that the foreign object is inserted into the card reader. the card is inserted into the insertion port and transported along the transport path, and at least one of the plurality of sensors becomes an open state defined as a second state, the card is ejected from the insertion port and all of the plurality of sensors again become a closed state defined as a third state, when the state transition pattern of the plurality of sensors from the first state to the second state is different from the state transition pattern of the plurality of sensors from the second state to the third state, it is determined that the foreign object is inserted into the card reader.

6. The foreign object detection method according to claim 5, wherein the card reader is provided with a baffle member disposed near the insertion port and limiting access to the inside of the main body portion, and an opening / closing sensor detecting whether the baffle member is in an open state or in a closed state, and the second sensor is disposed between the insertion port and the baffle member, the insertion of the foreign object is determined based on the state transition including the detection result of the opening / closing sensor.

7. The foreign object detection method according to claim 6, wherein in the card reader, a magnetic head is disposed along the transport path, the plurality of sensors include a sensor disposed in correspondence with the position of the magnetic head, at least one sensor disposed at a position between the magnetic head and the baffle member, and at least one sensor disposed on the opposite side of the insertion port from the magnetic head.

8. The foreign object detection method according to claim 7, wherein in the card reader, the length of the transport path between the baffle member and the magnetic head and the length of the portion of the transport path on the opposite side of the insertion port from the magnetic head across the magnetic head are each longer than the length of the card along the transport direction.

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