Magnetic card reader comprising a stationary magnetic reading head and a metal strip

Abstract

The invention relates to a magnetic card (2) reader (1), which comprises: - an electronic card (5) which is intended to receive and process data from a magnetic card; - a magnetic reading head (6) which is intended to read data contained in a magnetic card and to transmit these data to the electronic card; - a zone (7) for passing through a magnetic card, which comprises guide means (8) which are intended to guide the magnetic card as it slides in the passage zone. The reading head is mounted so that it is stationary on the magnetic card reader. The guide means comprise elastic deformation means (10) which are intended to deform the magnetic card when it slides in the passage zone so as to allow the magnetic card to be read. The elastic deformation means are made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 100,000 MPa.

Description

Magnetic card reader comprising a fixed magnetic reading head and a metal blade Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of magnetic card readers as well as to electronic payment terminals comprising such magnetic card readers. Technical background

[0002] To obtain satisfactory reading of a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card by a magnetic card reader, it is necessary that, when the magnetic card passes through the reader, the magnetic reading head is in contact with the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card and that this contact is of good quality. Since magnetic cards are rigid, deformable means of moving the magnetic reading head allowing the magnetic reading head to be pressed against the magnetic card when it slides in a guide member of the magnetic card reader have thus been developed.The force applied to the magnetic reading head by these deformable means for moving the magnetic reading head must be calculated so as to avoid significantly increasing the insertion force required for the magnetic card to pass through the card reader in order to prevent a user of the device from feeling a blocking sensation when the magnetic card passes through the reader and to minimize the risk of incorrect reading of the magnetic strip due to jerky movement.

[0003] Such magnetic card readers have disadvantages. First of all, they are fragile. Indeed, due to the presence of a displacement of the magnetic reading head, the electronic connection between this magnetic reading head and an electronic card of the magnetic card reader is made using a flexible printed circuit which, by nature, is fragile. In addition, such flexible printed circuits are expensive and complex to integrate during the assembly of the reader. Beyond flexible printed circuits, the deformable means of moving the head also include parts that are expensive, fragile and complex to implement during assembly. In particular, they must be adapted to each type of magnetic reading head. In addition, it is necessary to provide protection against the electromagnetic environment and this is complicated to implement since the magnetic reading head regularly changes position.

[0004] The invention aims in particular to provide a magnetic card reader capable of reliably reading the data present on a magnetic card, which is robust and simple and economical to manufacture.

[0005] To this end, the subject of the invention is a magnetic card reader comprising:- an electronic card intended to receive and process data originating from a magnetic card,- a magnetic reading head intended to read data contained in at least one magnetic strip of a magnetic card and to transmit this data to the electronic card,- a passage zone for a magnetic card in which a magnetic card is intended to slide, comprising guide means intended to guide the magnetic card when the magnetic card slides in the passage zone, characterized in that the reading head is fixedly mounted on the magnetic card reader,in that the guide means comprise elastic deformation means intended to come into contact with the magnetic card in order to deform it when the magnetic card slides in the passage zone so as to allow reading of the magnetic strip of the magnetic card by the reading head, and in that the elastic deformation means are made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 100,000 MPa, preferably 130,000 MPa.,

[0006] Thus, the fact that the magnetic reading head is fixedly mounted on the reader makes it possible to avoid the need for flexible printed circuits for the connection between the magnetic reading head and the electronic card, which reduces manufacturing costs and facilitates the assembly of the magnetic card reader during its manufacture. In addition, the magnetic card reader thus obtained is also more robust due to the absence of a flexible printed circuit and deformable means for moving the head. The deformable means for moving the head are in fact fragile elements that are complex to implement on the reader. According to one embodiment, the magnetic reading head is soldered onto the electronic card, which facilitates the assembly of the magnetic reading head on the electronic card since no intermediary is necessary.Eliminating these intermediaries not only facilitates assembly but also reduces manufacturing costs and makes the device more robust since, with the total number of parts in the device decreasing, the overall risk of wear is reduced. In addition, the fact that the magnetic reading head is directly soldered onto the electronic card improves the security of the magnetic card reader because fraudulent interception of data passing from the magnetic reading head to the electronic card is then more complicated.

[0007] The fact that the elastic means for deforming the magnetic card are part of the guide means is advantageous because it is a part of the magnetic card reader which can easily be modified to be adapted to the different types of magnetic cards or magnetic reading heads used in order to obtain a desired force to be applied to the magnetic card.

[0008] The fact that the elastic deformation means are made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 100,000 MPa advantageously makes it possible to reduce the size of the magnetic card reader. Indeed, elastic deformation means having a Young's modulus less than 100,000 MPa, for example between 2,000 and 4,000 MPa for elastic deformation means made of plastic, require that these elastic deformation means be very thick in order to obtain a sufficient counter-pressure force to deform the magnetic card as it slides in the passage zone so as to press it against the reading head and ensure reading under good conditions of the magnetic reading tracks of the magnetic card.Furthermore, the elastic deformation means made from materials having a Young's modulus of less than 100,000 MPa must have complex geometries in order to provide a sufficiently large counter-support force to enable reliable reading of the data from the magnetic card. Thus, the use of elastic deformation means having a Young's modulus greater than 100,000 MPa, for example greater than 200,000 MPa, makes it possible to provide, for an equivalent counter-support force, that the elastic deformation means are thinner and therefore less bulky. Furthermore, it is possible to use simple shapes for producing the elastic deformation means, which, in addition to reducing the size, reduces manufacturing costs and complexity.

[0009] A magnetic card is an electronic card with a magnetic stripe on which data is stored by magnetic recording. The magnetic stripe of this magnetic card can be read by a magnetic reading head in order to obtain the information stored in this magnetic card and possibly transmit it to an electronic card which can then process this data. Magnetic cards are used, for example, as bank cards, parking access cards, identification cards, or even access cards for secure rooms.

[0010] The invention may also include the following optional features, taken alone or in combination.

[0011] The elastic deformation means are made of metal or metal alloy. The use of such materials has several advantages. Firstly, these materials are not or practically not affected by the temperature conditions to which magnetic card readers may be subjected. Indeed, these materials retain their properties, particularly for temperatures ranging from -20°C to +70°C. This is not the case for other materials such as plastic which, in very cold temperatures, for example -20°C, becomes more rigid and fragile and presents a significant risk of cracking, and which, in very high temperatures, for example +70°C, softens, which reduces the counter-support force that the elastic deformation means are capable of generating, thus leading to frequent reading errors.Furthermore, this softening leads to a risk of permanent plastic deformation, rendering the elastic deformation means inoperative. Secondly, unlike other materials, for example plastic materials, metal and metal alloys are more resistant and will not undergo permanent deformation due to fatigue. Thirdly, the use of elastic deformation means made of metal or metal alloy allows the static electricity generated by the passage of the magnetic card to be discharged more effectively before reaching the reading head, which reduces the risk of damaging the latter or disrupting the reading of the magnetic strip. Metals and metal alloys that can be used are, for example, steel, stainless steel, platinum, titanium, chrome, bronze, beryllium bronze, copper or brass.

[0012] Preferably, the elastic deformation means are made of stainless steel. This material is particularly resistant to environmental conditions, whether in terms of temperature or humidity. The use of such a material thus makes it possible to extend the life of the magnetic card reader, particularly when it is positioned outdoors. The stainless steel used is, for example, SUS304 stainless steel.

[0013] The elastic deformation means comprise a support blade intended to come into contact with the magnetic card in order to deform it when the magnetic card slides in the passage zone so as to allow reading of the magnetic strip of the magnetic card by the reading head. It is understood that it is the deformation of the magnetic card and not the movement of the magnetic reading head which ensures permanent contact between the magnetic strip of the magnetic card and the magnetic reading head when the magnetic card slides in the passage zone.The deformation of the magnetic card is preferably such that the magnetic stripe is in contact with the magnetic reading head over its entire length, that is to say that the magnetic stripe is pressed into contact with the magnetic reading head by the support blade from one of its longitudinal ends and then slides so that the magnetic stripe travels over its entire length along the magnetic reading head to its other longitudinal end. This ensures that the entire magnetic stripe has been correctly read by the magnetic reading head. The use of a support blade makes it possible to limit the size of the elastic deformation means. Indeed, a blade has a flattened, thin shape, which occupies little space. The use of a support blade is made possible by the fact that the elastic deformation means are made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 100,000 MPa.Indeed, for a Young's modulus lower than 100,000 MPa, the blade would not be rigid enough to provide a counter-support force allowing the magnetic strip of the magnetic card to be sufficiently pressed against the magnetic reading head in order to obtain reliable reading of the magnetic strip.

[0014] Advantageously, the support blade is arranged so that, during a first contact between a magnetic card sliding in the passage zone and the support blade, the angle formed between the plane in which the magnetic card extends and the tangent to the point of contact on the support blade is less than 45°, preferably less than 15°. Such an angle makes it possible to obtain a sufficient counter-support force to allow reliable reading of the magnetic strip of the magnetic card while minimizing the insertion force that a user must provide when inserting and sliding the magnetic card in the passage zone.It is noted that an angle less than 45° could not be used with elastic deformation means having a Young's modulus less than 100,000 MPa since they would not allow sufficient counter-support force to be obtained to press the magnetic card against the magnetic reading head in such a way as to allow reliable reading of the magnetic strip.

[0015] Advantageously, the support blade comprises at least one lateral flap forming an obstacle to the insertion of the magnetic card into the passage zone in a predetermined undesired insertion direction. An undesired insertion direction is, for example, an insertion direction that does not allow the magnetic strip of the magnetic card to be read by the reading head or an insertion direction in which the magnetic card would be likely to damage a component of the magnetic card reader or the magnetic card itself. It is thus in particular possible to prevent, in a simple manner, the insertion of a magnetic card into the passage zone in an insertion direction that is likely to damage one or more components of the magnetic card reader, such as the support blade or the magnetic reading head. Preferably, the lateral flap is obtained by a stamping technique that does not generate a sharp edge.

[0016] The support blade comprises a first longitudinal end fixed relative to the magnetic card reader and a second longitudinal end movable in translation parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support blade. This is a simple means of allowing movement of the support blade when a magnetic card slides in the passage zone, this movement making it possible, thanks to the elasticity of the elastic deformation means, to generate the counter-support force making it possible to press the magnetic card against the magnetic reading head. This mobility of the second longitudinal end of the support blade advantageously makes it possible to reduce the insertion force applied by a user when inserting the magnetic card into the passage zone. Thus, the sliding of the magnetic card in the passage zone is done without jerking, thus ensuring good reading conditions of its magnetic strip by the magnetic reading head.The reduction in insertion effort also improves the user's comfort when using the magnetic card reader.

[0017] Advantageously, the first and second longitudinal ends of the support blade are connected to each other by a connecting portion of the support blade which is convex in the direction of the magnetic reading head, the curvature of the connecting portion not reversing between the first and second longitudinal ends of the support blade. The fact that the curvature of the connecting portion is not reversed between the first and second longitudinal ends makes it possible to reduce the size of the support blade and to facilitate the manufacture of the latter.

[0018] Advantageously, the magnetic card reader comprises a magnetic card guide member forming a support for the support blade, this support blade being housed in a recess of this guide member so that the first and second longitudinal ends of the support blade are in contact with a bottom of the recess and the connecting part of the support blade projects outside the recess. This arrangement is particularly compact. In addition, the magnetic card guide member also makes it possible to guide a movement of the second longitudinal end of the support blade.

[0019] Advantageously, the magnetic card reader comprises means for guiding the second longitudinal end of the support blade in translation, comprising a shouldered pin, fixed relative to the magnetic card reader, intended to cooperate with a guide recess of the support blade so as to limit the movement of the second longitudinal end of the support blade only in a translation direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support blade. It is thus possible to better control the movement of the second longitudinal end of the support blade and therefore to better control the counter-support force applied to the magnetic card. Preferably, the guide pin is made of a metal or metal alloy material. This improves the service life of the guide pin, in particular with regard to the wear caused by friction between this shouldered pin and the support blade.According to a particular embodiment, the shoulder pin is formed by a screw and a spacer.

[0020] Advantageously, the elastic deformation means are interposed between the reading head and tamper detection means positioned in the magnetic card reader so as to limit the spacing between these tamper detection means and the reading head, the spacing preferably being less than the dimension of the reading head of the magnetic card reader, measured parallel to the spacing direction, so as to prevent an additional reading head from being fraudulently introduced between the reading head of the magnetic card reader and the tamper detection means. This improves the security of the magnetic card reader. Indeed, by reducing the spacing between the tamper detection means and the reading head, the fraudulent introduction of an additional reading head is prevented.It is noted that the presence of burglary detection means is made possible, or at least facilitated, by the fact that the elastic deformation means have a reduced size.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the recess of the magnetic card guide member is inserted between the reading head of the magnetic card reader and the tamper detection means. This results in a particularly compact magnetic card reader.

[0022] Advantageously, the burglary detection means comprise a support in the general form of a plate, the faces of which are at least partially covered with a network of conductors connected to an electronic circuit triggering an alarm as soon as damage to a conductor is detected, in particular by destruction or short-circuiting. This further reinforces the security of the magnetic card reader. Such a network of conductors is commonly called a lattice. The burglary detection means are, for example, capable of detecting that the support has been damaged, in particular by drilling, or that the support has been removed from its location. Following the triggering of the alarm, provision may be made to implement any means making it possible to limit the consequences of the burglary.

[0023] The invention also relates to an electronic payment terminal comprising a magnetic card reader as described above. Such a payment terminal according to the invention is particularly advantageous when used outdoors and / or in self-service, where its enhanced security and / or its resistance to external conditions are particularly useful. Brief description of the figures

[0024] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely as a non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0025] is a perspective view of an electronic payment terminal comprising a magnetic card reader according to the invention;

[0026] is a sectional view of the electronic payment terminal of the;

[0027] is a perspective view of the elastic deformation means and the magnetic card guide member; and

[0028] is an exploded view showing a magnetic card and part of the components of the magnetic card reader of the payment terminal of Figures 1 and 2. Detailed description

[0029] An embodiment of a magnetic card reader 1 according to the invention, integrated into an electronic payment terminal 3 according to the invention, is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0030] The electronic payment terminal 3 therefore comprises the magnetic card reader 1 according to the invention as well as a conventional chip card reader 4 (). The electronic payment terminal 3 comprises two lateral edges, an upper edge and a lower edge. The upper and lower edges are understood to be the usual orientations of use of an electronic payment terminal 3. Thus, the upper edge corresponds to the distal edge, that is to say the longitudinal edge furthest from the user when he uses the electronic payment terminal 3 and the lower edge corresponds to the proximal edge, that is to say the longitudinal edge closest to the user when he uses the electronic payment terminal 3. In the present case, in addition to the conventional location of the chip card reader 4 at the lower edge, the magnetic card reader 1 2 is also located at the lower edge of the electronic payment terminal 3.Of course, according to other embodiments, the terminal may be of a type other than an electronic payment terminal 3, for example a terminal for controlling access to a parking lot, an identification terminal, or a terminal for controlling access to a secure room.

[0031] The magnetic card reader 1 comprises in particular an electronic card 5, a magnetic reading head 6, a zone 7 for passing a magnetic card 2 and means 8 for guiding the magnetic card 2 ().

[0032] In the present case, the terminal being an electronic payment terminal 3, the magnetic card 2 is a payment card type card. It comprises three magnetic tracks 9 intended for the magnetic storage of data. Of course, the magnetic card 2 may comprise a different number of magnetic tracks 9 depending on the embodiments.

[0033] The electronic card 5 is intended to receive and process data from the magnetic card 2, this data being read and transmitted by the magnetic reading head 6.

[0034] The magnetic reading head 6 is intended to read data contained in at least one of the magnetic tracks 9 of the magnetic card 2 and to transmit this data to the electronic card 5 so that it can be processed there. In the present case, the electronic card 2 comprises three magnetic tracks 9 and the magnetic reading head 6 consequently comprises a housing having three air gaps each intended to allow the reading of one of the magnetic tracks 9 of the magnetic card 2. The magnetic reading head 6 is fixedly mounted on the electronic card 5. More particularly, the magnetic reading head 6 is welded directly onto the electronic card 5 (figures 2 and 4).This avoids the presence of connection intermediaries and consequently reduces production costs while reducing the fragility of the device, such connection intermediaries generally comprising parts sensitive to mechanical wear and fragile such as a flexible printed circuit. Of course, according to alternative embodiments, it can be provided that the magnetic reading head 6 is fixed on the electronic card 2 by any other suitable fixing means.

[0035] The magnetic card 2 passage zone 7 is formed by a slot provided in the lower edge of the electronic payment terminal 3. This passage zone 7 is the one in which the magnetic card 2 is intended to slide when a user wishes to use it on the electronic payment terminal 3. This magnetic card 2 passage zone 7 comprises the guide means 8 which are intended to guide the magnetic card 2 as it slides into the slot.

[0036] In the present case, the guide means 8 comprise a guide member 15 and elastic deformation means 10 intended to come into contact with the magnetic card 2 in order to deform it when the magnetic card 2 slides in the passage zone 7 - that is to say in the slot - so as to allow reading of the magnetic tracks 9 of the magnetic card 2 by the magnetic reading head 6.

[0037] In the present case, the elastic deformation means 10 comprise a support blade 11 intended to come into contact with the magnetic card 2 in order to deform it during a sliding of the magnetic card 2 in the passage zone 7 so as to press the three magnetic tracks 9 of the magnetic card 2 against the three air gaps of the magnetic reading head 6 in order to ensure good quality contact between these elements. The elastic deformation means 10 are made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 100,000 MPa, in particular a metal or a metal alloy. Such a material makes it possible to use a support member having a simple and thin shape, here a shape of a support blade 11.Indeed, with a lower Young's modulus, it is necessary to provide a support member having a significant thickness and / or a complex shape to generate a sufficient counter-support force to press the magnetic tracks 9 of the magnetic card 2 against the reading head 6 in order to read data under good conditions. Thus, it is for example not possible to provide that the support member is formed by a blade made of a material having a Young's modulus of less than 100000 MPa, at the risk of obtaining a magnetic card 2 reader 1 with unsatisfactory reading reliability. In the present case, the support blade 11 is made of stainless steel, such as SUS304 stainless steel. The use of stainless steel is advantageous because this material is particularly resistant to environmental conditions, whether in terms of temperature or humidity, in particular resistance to corrosion.The use of a metal or metal alloy, for example stainless steel, makes it possible, for example, to ensure that the support blade 11 will continue to perform its function even under extreme temperature conditions, ranging for example from – 20°C to + 70°C. The use of such materials thus makes it possible to extend the service life of the magnetic card reader, particularly when it is positioned outdoors.

[0038] The support blade 11 comprises a first longitudinal end 12 fixed relative to the magnetic card reader 1 and a second longitudinal end 13 movable in translation parallel to a longitudinal axis A of the support blade (). At its second longitudinal end 13, the support blade 11 comprises a recess 19 for guiding the support blade 11. This recess 19 may have different shapes depending on the embodiments. For example, it may be provided that the recess is formed by an oblong hole.

[0039] The first and second longitudinal ends 12, 13 of the support blade 11 are connected to each other by a connecting portion 14 of the support blade which is convex in the direction of the magnetic reading head, the curvature of the connecting portion not reversing between the first and second longitudinal ends of the support blade (Figures 3 and 4). The shape of the support blade 11, and in particular the fact that its connecting portion 14 has a curvature not reversing between the longitudinal ends 12, 13, makes it possible to reduce the size of the elastic deformation means 10. The magnetic card reader 1 is thus more compact. Of course, according to other embodiments, it is possible to provide for the support blade 11 to have a different shape.

[0040] As indicated previously, the guide means 8 comprise a member 15 for guiding the magnetic card 2. This guide member 15 forms a support for the support blade 11 (). The guide member 15 extends substantially over the entire length of the passage zone 7 and comprises a depression 16. The support blade 11 is housed in this depression 16 so that the first and second longitudinal ends 12, 13 of the support blade 11 are in contact with a bottom of the depression 16 and the connecting part 14 of the support blade 11 projects outside the depression 16 (). The depression 16 makes it possible to further improve the compactness of the magnetic card 2 reader 1.

[0041] The support blade 11 is fixed in the bottom of the recess 16 at its two longitudinal ends 12, 13. As indicated previously, the first longitudinal end 12 of the support blade 11 is fixed without freedom of movement. This fixing is carried out for example in the present case using a fixing screw 17 (figures 3 and 4). With regard to the second longitudinal end 13 of the support blade, the magnetic card reader 1 comprises means 18 for guiding in translation the second longitudinal end 13 of the support blade 11 (figures 3 and 4). These guide means 18 comprise a shoulder pin, fixed relative to the magnetic card reader 1. This shoulder pin is formed in the present case by a guide screw 20 and a spacer 21 (figures 3 and 4). In other embodiments, the shoulder pin is formed differently. For example, the guide pin is formed as a single piece.The guide screw 20 and the spacer 21 are intended to cooperate with the guide recess 19 of the support blade 11 so as to limit the displacement of the second longitudinal end 13 of the support blade 11 only in a translation direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the support blade 11 (). The displacement of the support blade 11 during the insertion of the magnetic card 2 is thus controlled and it is simpler to control the counter-support force that the support blade 11 will provide.

[0042] In the, the magnetic card 2 is shown at the moment of its sliding in the passage zone 7 where it comes into contact with the support blade 11, before the latter deforms the magnetic card 2. It is noted that the support blade 11 is arranged so that, during a first contact between the magnetic card 2 sliding in the passage zone 7 and the support blade 11, the angle α formed between the plane in which the magnetic card 2 extends and the tangent to the point of contact on the support blade 11 is less than 45°. Such an angle α makes it possible to obtain a sufficient counter-support force for reliable reading of the magnetic tracks 9 of the magnetic card 2 by the magnetic reading head 6 while minimizing the insertion force that a user must provide when he inserts and slides the magnetic card in the passage zone.It will be noted that preferably, the angle α is less than 15° to allow an optimal counter-pressure force for reliable reading of the magnetic tracks 9 of the magnetic card 2 by the magnetic reading head 6 while minimizing the insertion force that a user must provide when inserting and sliding the magnetic card in the passage zone. In the example described, the angle α is 7°.

[0043] The support blade 11 comprises two lateral flaps 22 forming an obstacle to the insertion of the magnetic card 2 into the passage zone 7 in a predetermined undesired insertion direction F. As can be seen for example in Figures 1 and 2, in this case the desired insertion direction L is a lateral direction, i.e. from one lateral edge to the other of the magnetic card reader 1. The front lateral flap 22 here prevents a front insertion, i.e. from the lower edge to the upper edge of the magnetic card reader 1. This insertion direction F is not desired for several reasons. First of all, in view of the arrangement of the magnetic reading head 6, the insertion of a magnetic card 2 in a front insertion direction F would not allow the magnetic tracks 9 of the magnetic card 2 to be read by the magnetic reading head 6.In addition, a frontal insertion of the magnetic card 2 presents a risk of damage to the magnetic card reader 1, in particular a risk of damage to the support blade 11 or the magnetic reading head 6. In the present case, the side flaps 22 have been formed by stamping so as not to generate sharp edges on the support blade 11. The number of side flaps 22 varies according to the embodiments. For example, it may be provided that the support blade 11 only comprises the front side flap 22.

[0044] The magnetic card reader 1 further comprises tamper detection means 23 positioned in the magnetic card reader 1 so as to limit the spacing H between these tamper detection means 23 and the reading head 6 (figures 2 and 4). In the present case, the tamper means 23 are fixed under the guide member 15 so that the elastic deformation means 10 are interposed between the reading head 6 and the tamper detection means 23. The spacing H is preferably less than the dimension of the reading head 6 of the magnetic card reader 1 2, measured parallel to the spacing direction, so as to prevent a reading head from being fraudulently introduced between the reading head 6 of the magnetic card reader 1 2 and the tamper detection means 23.Thus, it is understood that this spacing H varies according to the embodiments, in particular according to the reading heads 6 which can be used with a given magnetic card reader 1. It is noted that the presence of the tamper detection means 23 is made possible by the reduced size of the support blade 11.

[0045] The recess 16 of the guide member 15 of the magnetic card 2 is itself interposed between the reading head 6 and the tamper detection means 23.

[0046] In the present case, the burglary detection means 23 comprise a support in the general form of a plate, the faces of which are at least partially covered with a network of conductors, also called a lattice, connected to an electronic circuit, for example the electronic circuit of the electronic card 5, triggering an alarm as soon as damage to at least one of the conductors is detected, in particular damage by destruction – drilling for example – or short-circuiting. The security of the magnetic card reader 1 is thus improved since an attempt to fraudulently introduce a reading head into the passage zone 7 can be easily detected.

[0047] The operation of the electronic payment terminal 3 comprising the magnetic card reader 1 2 according to the embodiment of the invention presented above is described below.

[0048] When a user wishes to make a payment with his magnetic card 2, which in this case is therefore a bank card, he inserts it into the magnetic card 2 passage zone 7 formed by the slot provided in the lower edge of the electronic payment terminal 3 with the magnetic tracks 9 of the magnetic card 2 directed upwards with reference to figures 1 to 4. The user slides the magnetic card 2 in the insertion direction L in this slot and the magnetic card 2 is, initially, guided by guide means 8 formed by the walls of the housing of the electronic payment terminal 3 and the guide member 15. The magnetic card 2 is in particular supported in the bottom of the slot by its upper edge.The user continues to slide the magnetic card 2 in the insertion direction L and, from the moment when the magnetic card 2 reaches the support blade 11 of the elastic deformation means 10, the magnetic card 2 moves this support blade 11 against the force of its elastic return force and the latter in return exerts an elastic force against the magnetic card 2 so as to deform it and press the parts of the magnetic tracks 9 which pass opposite the air gaps of the magnetic reading head 6 against these air gaps.

[0049] As indicated previously, it is noted that the first contact between the magnetic card 2 and the support blade 11 is made with an angle α which is sufficiently small to facilitate the movement of the support blade 11 and to avoid the user feeling a blockage during sliding. The support blade 11 is thus configured so that the counter-support force applied to the magnetic card 2 is high enough to deform the magnetic card 2 sufficiently so as to establish satisfactory contact with the magnetic reading head 6 and low enough to avoid creating for the user a sensation of a stop or discontinuity in the sliding movement of the magnetic card 2. Such a discontinuity in the sliding movement, beyond being detrimental to the user's experience, would also harm the quality of the reading of the magnetic card 2.

[0050] Throughout the sliding of the magnetic card 2, the support blade 11 successively presses a part of the magnetic tracks 9 opposite the air gaps of the magnetic reading head 6 so that at the end of the sliding, the three magnetic tracks 9 have each been read over their entire length. Once the support blade 11 is no longer moved by the magnetic card 2, it is elastically returned to the rest position, ready to press another magnetic card 2 against the magnetic reading head 6. The data which have been read by the magnetic reading head 6 are transmitted directly to the electronic card 5 which can process them in a known manner.

[0051] If an attempt is made to fraudulently introduce a magnetic reading head into the passage zone 7, for example by attempting to introduce a reading head into the passage zone 7 from below with reference to Figures 1 to 4, it will be noted that access to the passage zone 7 is blocked by the support of the tamper detection means 23. Thus, in order to fraudulently introduce a magnetic reading head, it is necessary to damage or remove these tamper detection means 23, thereby triggering the alarm. Furthermore, even if, for some reason, the alarm were not triggered, the gap H is small enough to prevent the introduction of a second reading head into the passage zone 7 so that fraudulent introduction is not possible.

[0052] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art. List of references

[0053] 1: magnetic card reader2: magnetic card3: electronic payment terminal4: chip card reader5: electronic card6: magnetic reading head7: magnetic card passage area8: magnetic card guiding means9: magnetic strip10: elastic deformation means11: support blade12: first longitudinal end of the support blade13: second longitudinal end of the support blade14: connecting part between the longitudinal ends of the support blade15: magnetic card guiding member16: recess17: fixing screw18: translational guiding means of the support blade19: support blade guiding recess20: guide screw21: spacer22: lateral flap23: tamper detection meansα: angle between the plane of the magnetic card and the tangent at the point of contact with the support bladet: tangent at the point of contact between the support blade and the magnetic card A : longitudinal axis of the bladesupportF: unwanted insertion directionL: insertion directionH: distance between the tamper detection means and the reading head

Claims

Magnetic card (2) reader (1) comprising:- an electronic card (5) intended to receive and process data from a magnetic card (2),- a magnetic reading head (6) intended to read data contained in at least one magnetic track (9) of a magnetic card (2) and to transmit this data to the electronic card (5),- a magnetic card (2) passage zone (7) in which a magnetic card (2) is intended to slide comprising guide means (8) intended to guide the magnetic card (2) when the magnetic card (2) slides in the passage zone (7),characterized in that the reading head (6) is fixedly mounted on the magnetic card (2) reader (1),in that the guide means (8) comprise elastic deformation means (10) intended to come into contact with the magnetic card (2) in order to deform it when the magnetic card (2) slides in the passage zone (7) so as to allow reading of the magnetic track (9) of the magnetic card (2) by the reading head (6), and in that the elastic deformation means (10) are made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 100,000 MPa., Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to claim 1, in which the elastic deformation means (10) are made of metal or metal alloy. Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to claim 2, in which the elastic deformation means (10) are made of stainless steel. Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the elastic deformation means (10) comprise a support blade (11) intended to come into contact with the magnetic card (2) in order to deform it when the magnetic card (2) slides in the passage zone (7) so as to allow reading of the magnetic track (9) of the magnetic card (2) by the reading head (6). Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to claim 4, in which the support blade (11) is arranged so that, during a first contact between a magnetic card (2) sliding in the passage zone (7) and the support blade (11), the angle (α) formed between the plane in which the magnetic card (2) extends and the tangent (t) at the point of contact on the support blade (11) is less than 45°, preferably less than 15°. Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to claim 4 or 5, in which the support blade (11) comprises at least one lateral flap (22) forming an obstacle to the insertion of the magnetic card (2) into the passage zone (7) in a predetermined undesired insertion direction (F). Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the support blade (11) comprises a first longitudinal end (12) fixed relative to the magnetic card (2) reader (1) and a second longitudinal end (13) movable in translation parallel to a longitudinal axis (A) of the support blade (11). Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to claim 7, in which the first and second longitudinal ends (12, 13) of the support blade (11) are connected to each other by a connecting part (14) of the support blade (11) which is convex in the direction of the magnetic reading head (6), the curvature of the connecting part (14) not reversing between the first and second longitudinal ends (12, 13) of the support blade (11). Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to claim 8, comprising a member (15) for guiding the magnetic card (2) forming a support for the support blade (11), this support blade (11) being housed in a recess (16) of this guide member (15) so that the first and second longitudinal ends (12, 13) of the support blade (11) are in contact with a bottom of the recess (16) and the connecting part (14) of the support blade (11) projects outside the recess (16). Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising means (18) for guiding in translation the second longitudinal end (13) of the support blade (11) comprising a shouldered pin (20, 21), fixed relative to the magnetic card (2) reader (1), intended to cooperate with a recess (19) for guiding the support blade (11) so as to limit the movement of the second longitudinal end (13) of the support blade (11) only in a translation direction parallel to a longitudinal axis (A) of the support blade (11). Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the elastic deformation means (10) are interposed between the reading head (6) and tamper detection means (23) positioned in the magnetic card (2) reader (1) so as to limit the spacing (H) between these tamper detection means (23) and the reading head (6), the spacing (H) preferably being less than the dimension of the reading head (6) of the magnetic card (2) reader (1), measured parallel to the spacing direction, so as to prevent an additional reading head from being fraudulently introduced between the reading head (6) of the magnetic card (2) reader (1) and the tamper detection means (23). Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to claims 9 and 11 taken together, in which the depression (16) of the member (15) for guiding the magnetic card (2) is interposed between the reading head (6) of the reader (1) and the tamper detection means (23). Magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to claim 11 or 12, in which the tamper detection means (23) comprise a support in the general shape of a plate, the faces of which are at least partially covered with a network of conductors connected to an electronic circuit triggering an alarm as soon as damage to a conductor is detected, in particular by destruction or short-circuiting. Electronic payment terminal (3) comprising a magnetic card (2) reader (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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