CARD READER AND METHOD FOR DETECTING FOREIGN OBJECT IN CARD READER

Abstract

To provide a card reader which can reliably detect an object inserted therein with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A card reader includes a card conveyance path comprising upper and lower conveyance paths to convey an inserted card into a device; and a reading unit that reads information recorded on the card. Lower concave and convex portions are provided on an upper surface of the lower conveyance path behind the reading unit. Upper concave and convex portions are provided on a lower surface of the upper conveyance path so as to be fitted to the lower concave and convex portion. A pressing unit is provided to maintain a fitted state of the lower and upper concave and convex portions when no object is present. A detection sensor is provided to detect a state there is a gap between the lower and upper concave and convex portions. The detection sensor detects that there is a gap between the lower and upper concave and convex portions, to recognize that an object has been inserted between the lower and upper concave and convex portions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a card reader and a method for detecting a foreign object in a card reader. [Background technology]

[0002] In transaction processing devices such as automated teller machines (ATMs), a skimming device (skimmer) is installed in the card reader to illegally obtain information recorded on the card (card information) (a practice known as skimming). Skimming is often carried out by placing an illegal reading head (magnetic head) over the card insertion slot of a card reader to steal card information. As a countermeasure against skimming, a disturbing magnetic field has been generated near the insertion slot, which prevents the unauthorized reading of magnetic data.

[0003] However, in recent years, in order to avoid the disturbing magnetic field near the card insertion slot mentioned above, small, thin skimming devices have been inserted and installed inside the card insertion slot (behind the reading head of the card reader) to illegally obtain card information while avoiding the disturbing magnetic field.

[0004] As a countermeasure against such new skimming methods, for example, technology has been developed to detect whether a skimming device has been installed inside a card reader. For example, JP 2020-24537 A (Patent Document 1) and JP 2017-219971 A (Patent Document 2) disclose technology for detecting foreign objects such as skimming devices installed behind the magnetic head of a card reader.

[0005] That is, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a metal sensor that detects metal is arranged inside the housing of a card reader, and metal foreign objects such as skimming devices are detected with high accuracy. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology in which a capacitance sensor is arranged behind a shutter member for closing a card passage (card transport path), and a skimming device attached inside the card reader is detected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-24537 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-219971 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] By employing the techniques of the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is possible to detect foreign objects such as skimming devices attached to the rear (rear side) of the reading unit of a card reader.

[0008] However, in the above-mentioned technology, since a metal sensor or a capacitance sensor is used to detect a skimmer, it may be difficult to reliably detect a skimming device (foreign object) depending on the material, installation position, size, etc., of the member covering the electronic circuit of the skimmer. In addition, recently, very thin skimming devices are sometimes installed, and a high-precision sensor is required to detect them, which poses a problem of high costs. In addition, in order to detect them reliably, it is necessary to install many sensors over a wide area along the transport path, which leads to increased manufacturing costs.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a card reader and a method of detecting foreign objects in a card reader that can reliably detect an object attached inside the card reader with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one example of the present invention is a card reader comprising a card transport path formed by an upper transport path and a lower transport path for taking in an inserted card into the device, and a reading unit for reading information recorded on the card, wherein a lower uneven portion is provided on the upper surface of the lower transport path behind the reading unit of the card transport path, and an upper uneven portion is provided on the lower surface of the upper transport path so as to fit into the lower uneven portion, the lower uneven portion and the upper uneven portion maintain a fitted state when no object is present, and a detection sensor is provided for detecting changes in the distance between the lower uneven portion and the upper uneven portion.

[0011] Another example of the present invention is a method for detecting foreign objects in a card reader having a card transport path composed of an upper transport path and a lower transport path for transporting an inserted card into the device, and a reading unit for reading information recorded on the card, the method including a lower uneven portion provided on the lower transport path behind the reading unit of the card transport path, and an upper uneven portion provided on the upper transport path so as to fit with the lower uneven portion, the lower uneven portion and the upper uneven portion maintain a fitted state when no object is present, a change in the distance between the lower uneven portion and the upper uneven portion is detected, and when the card is not inserted and a change in the distance is detected, it is determined that a foreign object is present. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the card reader of the present invention, an object placed inside the card reader can be reliably detected with a simple configuration. Also, according to the foreign object detection method in the card reader of the present invention, it is possible to reliably detect that the object is a foreign object with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a card reader according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of the card reader in a state where a card is inserted in the card reader according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the card reader according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of the card reader according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the card reader according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic method for detecting a foreign object. [Figure 7] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating a foreign object detection method in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating a foreign object detection method in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view of the card reader according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view of the card reader according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view of the card reader according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an internal side view of the card reader according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view of the card reader according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view of the card reader according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of a card reader according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of a card reader according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific examples. Note that the present invention is not limited to the examples described below. That is, the present invention can be modified in various ways, including the examples described below. In addition, in the drawings used in the following description, the same parts and components are designated by the same reference symbols (numbers), and descriptions of parts and components that have already been described may be omitted.

[0015] Example 1 Next, the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 14. Figs. 1 and 2 are external perspective views of the card reader in the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a top view of the card reader, Fig. 4 is a front view seen from the card insertion slot side, and Fig. 5 is a side view seen from the side. Fig. 6 is a view for explaining the basic concept of the foreign object detection method, and Fig. 7 is a view for explaining the foreign object detection method in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 8 to 12 are views showing a specific configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, the direction in which the card is transported is the X direction, the width direction of the card is the Y direction, and the vertical direction (up and down direction) of the card transport path is the Z direction.

[0016] First, the appearance and functions of the card reader will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. In Figs. 1 to 5, card reader 1 has card insertion slot 11. Card reader 1 also has lower frame 141 and upper frame 142, and has card transport path 15 formed therein for transporting cards. Card transport path 15 includes lower transport path 151 formed in lower frame 141 and upper transport path 152 formed in upper frame 142. Card transport path 15 includes a drive mechanism for transport. Reference numeral 13 denotes an upper lid, and a printed circuit board 14 is provided on the underside of upper lid 13.

[0017] In FIG. 1, the side of the card 2 on which an arrow indicating the card insertion direction is printed is the front side, and the opposite side is the back side. A magnetic stripe 21 is formed on the back side of the card 2. Information required for handling, such as an account number and a personal identification code (hereinafter, "card information") is recorded on the magnetic stripe 21. The card 2 is inserted in the X direction from the card insertion slot 11 by a user, and is transported into the card reader 1 by the card transport path 15. The card 2 is inserted with the front side facing up. During this transport, the card information recorded on the magnetic stripe 21 provided on the back side of the card 2 is read by a reading unit (here, a magnetic head 121) provided in the protruding portion 12 on the right side near the card insertion slot. The magnetic head 121 is disposed at a position where the card information recorded on the magnetic stripe 21 of the card 2 can be read. FIG. 2 shows the state in which the card 2 is inserted all the way into the card reader 1. 3 is a top view of the card reader 1, Fig. 4 is a front view seen from the direction of the arrow X in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a side view seen from the direction of the arrow Y. The read card information is used for transactions between the user and the financial institution. Thereafter, the card reader 1 drives a drive mechanism (not shown) to transport (discharge) the card 2 from the transport path to the card insertion slot 11 in order to return the card 2 to the user.

[0018] In this embodiment, a magnetic card is used as the card, but the present invention is not limited to magnetic cards. For example, the present invention can be applied to a card reader for reading card information recorded in an IC such as an IC card.

[0019] A fraudster who commits skimming inserts, for example, a skimmer equipped with a thin magnetic head from the card insertion slot 11 to the rear side of the magnetic head 121. The present invention provides a card reader that can simply and reliably detect such an object even when a skimmer (a skimming device) is installed in this way.

[0020] In the case where a foreign object such as a skimmer is inserted into a card reader by someone, the present invention can detect the foreign object without using a metal sensor or a capacitance sensor. Next, the basic concept (outline) for this is explained with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the card transport path on the side of the card reader 1 (corresponding to Fig. 5).

[0021] 6A, the card transport path 15 is made up of a lower transport path 151 and an upper transport path 152. The lower transport path 151 is pressed against the upper transport path 152 by a pressing portion 154 formed by a spring or the like attached to a base 153. In other words, when no card is inserted, there is no space (gap) between the lower transport path 151 and the upper transport path 152. In this embodiment, the lower transport path 151 is provided in the lower frame 141, and the upper transport path 152 is provided in the upper frame 142.

[0022] Next, as shown in Fig. 6B, when the card 2 is inserted in the X direction (to the right in the figure) from the card insertion slot 11, the lower transport path 151 moves downward by the thickness of the card 2, and the card is inserted. Whether or not a card is inserted can be recognized by a detection signal from a card detection sensor (e.g., an optical sensor) provided near the card insertion slot. The card detection sensor is not shown here.

[0023] 6(C), when the card 2 is removed, the lower transport path 151 returns to its original position by the action of the pressing portion 154. In this way, when no foreign object such as a skimmer is inserted, the gap (spacing) between the lower transport path 151 and the upper transport path 152 occurs only when a card is inserted, and returns to zero when no card is inserted.

[0024] 6D, when a foreign object 3 such as a skimmer is inserted when no transaction is being performed (when no card is inserted), the lower conveying path 151 is displaced downward by its thickness d. By detecting this displacement, i.e., the presence of the gap d between the conveying paths, it is possible to recognize (detect) that a foreign object has been inserted.

[0025] However, some actual skimming devices are extremely thin, like a razor blade. When such an extremely thin skimming device is installed in the card transport path 15, a sensor with extremely high detection accuracy is required to accurately detect the slightest displacement, and special measures such as minimizing design tolerances are required. However, it is difficult to increase the detection accuracy beyond a certain level, and reducing the design tolerances increases the manufacturing time and the manufacturing costs, making this unrealistic. Furthermore, even if it were possible to increase the detection accuracy and design accuracy to their limits, new problems such as an increased possibility of false detection could occur.

[0026] Therefore, in embodiment 1 of the present invention, a new configuration is adopted that can reliably detect an object (foreign matter) by increasing the change in the gap between the lower transport path 151 and the upper transport path 152 that form the card transport path 15, even if the thickness of the object (foreign matter) is extremely small.

[0027] Next, the foreign object detection method in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. As can be seen from FIG. 7, in this embodiment, a lower uneven portion 155 having an uneven widthwise cross section is provided on the upper surface of the lower transport path 151. The height Wo of the lower uneven portion 155 is made larger than the thickness Wt of the card. In other words, Wo>Wt. For example, Wo is set to be at least twice as large as Wt. This lower uneven portion 155 is provided behind (at the back side) the reading unit in the transport direction X. In addition, an upper uneven portion 156 is provided on the lower surface (surface on the lower transport path side) of the upper transport path 152 so as to mesh (fit) with the lower uneven portion 155. These upper and lower uneven portions may be formed by forming the transport path surface in an uneven shape, or a separate member having an uneven shape may be formed on the transport path surface. The upper and lower uneven parts may be provided over the entire width of the conveying path, but as long as they can detect foreign objects such as skimmers installed behind the reading part, they do not have to be provided over the entire width of the conveying path. The lower uneven part 155 and the upper uneven part 156 are designed to maintain the interlocking state when no object is present. For the sake of simplicity, the lower uneven part 155 is pressed upward from below by a pressing part 154 such as a spring, so that the interlocking state of the upper and lower uneven parts is maintained. Therefore, when there is no object, the lower uneven part 155 and the upper uneven part 156 maintain the interlocking state. That is, in this embodiment, a "detection guide 17" consisting of the lower uneven part 155 and the upper uneven part 156 is provided, and a pressing part 154 is provided that generates a force to push up the lower uneven part 155 from below so that the interlocking state is maintained when no object is present. The configuration for maintaining the engagement between the upper and lower concave and convex portions is not limited to the example shown here.

[0028] In this way, by providing detection guide 17 consisting of lower uneven portion 155 and upper uneven portion 156 behind the reading portion, when no object is inserted, lower uneven portion 155 and upper uneven portion 156 are in an engaged state (fitted state), as shown in Fig. 7(A). In other words, when card 2 is not inserted into card reader 1, lower uneven portion 155 is pushed up by pressing portion 154, and lower uneven portion 155 and upper uneven portion 156 are maintained in close contact (fitted state), so the vertical distance is minimized.

[0029] 7B, when card 2 is inserted into the card insertion slot and transported into card reader 1, the convex surfaces of the concave-convex portions open to the extent of the card thickness. In other words, when the card is inserted, the distance W between lower concave-convex portion 155 and upper concave-convex portion 156 becomes W=Wo+Wt, which is the sum of height Wo of the concave-convex portions and card thickness Wt.

[0030] The amount of change in the gap between the two transport paths from the card uninserted state in FIG. 7(A) to the card inserted state in FIG. 7(B) can be made significantly larger than when the detection guide 17 consisting of the upper and lower uneven parts is not provided (FIG. 6). Even if an object that is much thinner than the thickness of a card (thickness of the foreign object is approximately zero) is inserted into the transport path, the change in the gap will be greater than the gap height Wo of the uneven parts. With this configuration, if any object (whether a card or a foreign object) is present, a large change in the gap occurs. Therefore, if a large gap W occurs between the upper and lower uneven parts when the card 2 is not inserted into the card reader 1, it can be determined that some foreign object other than a card is present.

[0031] In this way, in the case of the card transport path 15 having the detection guide 17 made up of upper and lower uneven parts, if the object has a certain rigidity, even if the object is extremely thin, the distance between the lower uneven part 155 and the upper uneven part 156 will change significantly. Therefore, the detection sensor that detects the change in distance can be a simple detection sensor with low detection accuracy that can detect whether or not a change in distance has occurred. For example, an optical sensor that can detect the blocking and reception of light depending on the presence or absence of a detection object, or a proximity sensor that detects whether or not a detection object is approaching can be used as such a detection sensor.

[0032] Next, a specific configuration example of a detection sensor that detects a change in the interval between the lower uneven portion and the upper uneven portion due to the insertion of a foreign object will be described with reference to the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8(A), an optical sensor 16 consisting of a light emitting portion 161 and a light receiving portion 162 is attached to the printed circuit board 14 connected to the upper transport path 152. A light shielding plate 160 is attached to the lower transport path 151 to prevent the light receiving portion 162 from receiving (blocking) the light from the light emitting portion 161 when the interval (gap) between the upper and lower transport paths is at a minimum. This light shielding plate 160 functions as a detection body for detecting a change in the interval between the lower uneven portion 155 and the upper uneven portion 156. When a card is not inserted, the light sensor 16 is turned OFF (light blocking state) by the light shielding plate 160. As shown in FIG. 8B, when a card 2 or foreign object 3 is inserted into the card transport path 15, the lower transport path 151 is pushed down against the spring force, and the light shielding plate 160 also moves down with it, and the light from the light emitter 161 is detected by the light receiver 162 and turns ON (light-projecting state). The OFF and ON states of the optical sensor 16 occur not only when a card is present, but also when a foreign object 3 is inserted. In other words, the sensor is OFF when there is no object, and ON when an object is present. Therefore, when no card 2 is inserted, the optical sensor 16 turns ON, making it possible to detect (determine) that a foreign object 3 has been inserted.

[0033] In addition, in FIG. 8, an example is shown in which the light shielding plate 160, which is the detection body, is attached to the lower conveying path 151, and the optical sensor 16 is installed on the side of the upper conveying path 152, but the optical sensor may be attached to the lower conveying path and the light shielding plate 160 to the upper conveying path. In addition, although the case where an optical sensor is used has been described here, a sensor other than an optical sensor may also be used. For example, it is also possible to implement the present invention by using a proximity sensor (proximity switch) that detects whether or not the detection body has approached. In other words, the present invention can be realized as long as it is a detection sensor that can detect a change in the distance between upper and lower uneven parts.

[0034] Next, based on the above outline, a specific structure of the card reader 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0035] FIG. 9 shows the card reader 1 in FIG. 1 with the upper cover 13 removed, and comprises an upper frame 142 having a printed circuit board 14 mounting the main control circuitry etc. and an upper transport path 152, and a lower frame 141 having a lower transport path 151.

[0036] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the printed circuit board 14 is removed from Fig. 9. Light-shielding levers 143 and 144, which are detection bodies that move up and down together with a lower transport path 151 included in a lower frame 141, protrude from the lower frame 141 side through holes in an upper frame 142 including an upper transport path 152. The upper frame 142 also has an insertion detection lever 146 that detects that a card 2 has been inserted from the card insertion slot 11, and a card insertion completion detection lever 145 that detects that the card has been inserted all the way. With the insertion detection lever 146 and the card insertion completion detection lever 145, it is possible to detect (recognize) whether or not a card 2 has been inserted into the card reader 1.

[0037] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the lower frame 141 in FIG. 10 with the upper frame 142 removed. The lower frame 141 includes a lower transport path 151, and a lower uneven portion 155 is provided on the upper surface of the lower transport path 151. In this embodiment, the lower uneven portion 155 is configured separately from the lower transport path 151, but it may be configured to be integrated with the lower transport path 151 as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The lower uneven portion 155 is disposed behind (at the back side) the magnetic head 121, which is the reading portion, and an upward pressing force is generated by the pressing portion. The light shielding levers 143 and 144 (having the same function as the light shielding plate 160) are attached to the lower uneven portion 155 or the lower transport path 151, and move in synchronization with (corresponding to) the vertical movement of the lower uneven portion 155.

[0038] Fig. 12 is a side view of the lower frame 141 in Fig. 11. As shown in (A), the light-shielding levers 143 and 144 are connected to a lower uneven portion 155 and move up and down in synchronization with (corresponding to) the movement of the lower uneven portion 155.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 12B, the lower uneven portion 155 is provided with link arms 147 and 148 to form a parallel link structure. This allows the lower uneven portion 155 to move up and down in a parallel state. The link arms 147 and 148 are provided with torsion springs 171 and 172, respectively, which apply a force in the rotation direction to the link arms. This causes the lower uneven portion 155 to be lifted upward by the link arms. In other words, the lower uneven portion 155 maintains a state of being fitted with the upper uneven portion 156, and the gap between them becomes smaller when no object is present. Instead of the torsion spring, other members (for example, a structure in which the upper and lower uneven portions are connected by a tension spring) may be used to generate a force that fits the upper and lower uneven portions together.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 12C, when an object (e.g., card 2) is inserted, lower uneven portion 155 is pushed downward against the spring force of torsion springs 171 and 172, and lower uneven portion 155 descends. Accordingly, light blocking levers 143 and 144 also descend (not shown). Due to the parallel link mechanism, even if an object is present at the end of lower uneven portion 155, lower uneven portion 155 descends while remaining parallel as a whole. This descent widens the gap between lower uneven portion 155 and upper uneven portion 156, and the presence of an object can be detected by detecting the change in the gap. Then, when an object is detected and card 2 is not inserted, it can be determined that some foreign object other than a card is present.

[0041] 13 is a diagram showing the upper frame 142 in FIG. 10 as viewed from below in the Z direction, and has an upper uneven portion 156 which fits into a lower uneven portion 155 of the lower frame 141. In FIG.

[0042] 14 shows the state in which optical sensors 181 and 182 are attached to the printed circuit board 14 at positions that are turned on and off by the vertical displacement (displacement in the Z direction) of the light-shielding levers 143 and 144. In this figure, the upper frame 142 is not shown for ease of viewing. Both optical sensors 181 and 182 are composed of a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section, and in the card insertion waiting state, the upper tips of the light-shielding levers 143 and 144 are located between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section, resulting in the light-shielding state (OFF) (corresponding to (A) in FIG. 8). When an object such as a card or a foreign object is inserted, the lower concave and convex sections 155 are pressed down, and the light-shielding levers 143 and 144 also move down accordingly. As a result, the tip portion moves out from between the light-emitting and light-receiving parts of the optical sensors 181 and 182, causing the optical sensors 181 and 182 to enter a light-emitting state (ON) (corresponding to Figure 8(B)), making it possible to detect the insertion of an object (a card or foreign object).

[0043] In addition, since the parallel link mechanism (consisting of link arms 147, 148, etc.) allows lower uneven portion 155 to move up and down while maintaining a parallel state, in principle one optical sensor would be sufficient, but considering the possibility that a foreign object may not be detected accurately due to the position or shape of the foreign object, tolerances during device assembly, backlash due to aging, etc., multiple detection sensors (here, optical sensors 181, 182) are provided along the card transport direction in this embodiment 1. The number of detection sensors may be three or more.

[0044] In addition, by making the lower uneven portion 155 and the upper uneven portion 156 entirely or partially out of metal, it is made difficult to secure space for installing a skimmer or the like by scraping the inside with a file or the like, thereby preventing such fraudulent acts.

[0045] According to the above-described embodiment 1 of the present invention, since the lower concave-convex portion and the upper concave-convex portion are in a fitted state and a large change in the gap occurs when an object is inserted, an object inserted and attached inside the card reader (behind the reading unit) can be reliably detected with a simple configuration. When the presence of an object is detected in a state where a card is not inserted, it is possible to determine that a foreign object has been inserted. For example, when the detection sensor is operated by a check command or the like from a higher-level device (not shown), and the detection sensor detects a state where the gap between the upper and lower concave-convex portions is open in a state where a card cannot be present in the device (except during a transaction operation, etc.), it can be determined that a foreign object such as a skimmer has been inserted. In addition, when the detection sensor is operated all the time and a state occurs where the detection sensor detects an object in a state where a card cannot be present in the device, the control unit (provided on the printed circuit board 14) of the card reader 1 can spontaneously report (notify) an abnormality detection (foreign object detection) to the higher-level device. In addition, the presence of a foreign object may be displayed on a display device or an alarm may be generated by a buzzer or the like.

[0046] Example 2 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 15. The basic configuration of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment already described, so the description will be omitted. Here, only the configuration parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described.

[0047] Fig. 15 is a drawing corresponding to Fig. 7 in Example 1, and shows an enlarged schematic front view of protrusion 12 of card insertion slot 11. Magnetic head 121 that reads card information on a magnetic stripe is attached to protrusion 12.

[0048] In this embodiment 2, a height adjustment unit 151A on the conveying path side and a height adjustment unit 153A on the base side are provided on the lower conveying path 151 and the base 153, respectively. This point differs from the case of embodiment 1. The opposing height adjustment units 151A and 153A limit the downward movable range of the lower conveying path 151, and when the lower conveying path is at its maximally lowered state, the gap (i.e., the gap for inserting a card) between the lower end of the upper uneven portion 156 and the upper end of the lower uneven portion 155 is Wd.

[0049] Here, if the thickness of the card, including the error, is Wc, and the minimum thickness of the skimmer or other foreign object is Ws, then Wd<( Wc +Ws), it will be impossible to insert a card if a foreign object such as a skimmer is inserted, preventing the unauthorized reading of card information when a card is inserted without the user realizing that a skimmer has been installed in the card reader.

[0050] According to this embodiment 2, while having the same effects as embodiment 1, it is possible to prevent unauthorized reading of card information even if the detection sensor does not function properly due to a malfunction (end of life) or if the skimmer detection function is not applied in the operation of the device.

[0051] The height adjustment units 151A and 153A can be molded integrally with the lower transport path 151 and the base 153, respectively. The height adjustment units 151A and 153A can be configured to be detachable from the lower transport path 151 and the base 153, respectively, so that the height of the gap Wd can be adjusted.

[0052] Example 3 Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration of the third embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment already described, so the description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the configuration parts that are different from the first embodiment.

[0053] In the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, there is a possibility that the magnetic stripe 21 on the back side of the card 2 and the lower uneven portion 155 come into contact when the card is inserted. Therefore, by repeatedly inserting and removing the card 2, the magnetic stripe of the card 2 may be worn down by contact with the lower uneven portion 155, and the card may be used for a long period of time, which may cause problems (deterioration) in reading the card information recorded on the magnetic stripe. To avoid this, in the third embodiment, the concave portion of the lower uneven portion 155 is arranged so as to be in the center of the magnetic data of each track of the magnetic stripe, thereby preventing deterioration of the card information (magnetic data) recorded on the magnetic stripe.

[0054] 16 shows a specific configuration of the magnetic head 121 of this Example 3, and is an enlarged schematic diagram seen from the direction of the card insertion slot. The card 2 has a magnetic stripe 21 on the back side. In this example, the magnetic stripe 21 has three tracks 21A, 21B, and 21C. Meanwhile, the magnetic head 121 provided on the card reader side also has three corresponding magnetic heads 121A, 121B, and 121C.

[0055] 16, the recesses of lower concave-convex portion 155 are positioned at the center of each of three tracks 21A-21C of the magnetic stripe of card 2. As a result, even if the bottom surface of card 2 comes into contact with lower concave-convex portion 155, the tracks 21A-21C constituting magnetic stripe 21 of card 2 do not come into contact with lower concave-convex portion 155, preventing deterioration due to wear. As the three magnetic heads 121A-121C are provided at positions that read the vicinity of the center of each track, magnetic data can be read satisfactorily even if wear occurs in other portions.

[0056] Thus, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the effects of the first embodiment can be obtained, and deterioration due to wear of the magnetic stripe of the card can be prevented. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1...card reader, 2...card, 3...foreign object, 11...card insertion slot, 12...projection, 13...upper cover, 14...printed circuit board, 15...card transport path, 16...optical sensor, 17...detection guide, 121...magnetic head, 141...lower frame, 142...upper frame, 143...light shielding lever, 144...light shielding lever, 145...card insertion completion detection lever, 146...insertion detection lever, 147...link arm, 148...link Ink arm, 151... lower conveying path, 152... upper conveying path, 153... base, 154... pressing portion, 155... lower uneven portion, 156... upper uneven portion, 160... light shielding plate, 161... light emitting portion, 162... light receiving portion, 171... torsion spring, 172... torsion spring, 181... optical sensor, 182... optical sensor, 21A to 21C... tracks, 121A to 121C... magnetic head, 151A... height adjustment portion, 153A... height adjustment portion.

Claims

1. A card reader comprising: a card transport path formed of an upper transport path and a lower transport path for taking in an inserted card into the device; and a reading unit for reading information recorded on the card, a lower uneven portion is provided on an upper surface of the lower transport path behind the reading unit of the card transport path, and an upper uneven portion is provided on a lower surface of the upper transport path so as to fit with the lower uneven portion; the lower concave-convex portion and the upper concave-convex portion maintain a fitted state when no object is present; A card reader provided with a detection sensor that detects a change in the distance between the lower concave-convex portion and the upper concave-convex portion.

2. 2. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the reading section is a magnetic head for reading information recorded on a magnetic stripe formed on the card.

3. 3. The card reader according to claim 2, wherein the lateral center portion of each track of the magnetic stripe of the card is configured to face a concave portion of the lower concave-convex portion.

4. 2. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the detection sensor is composed of a detection body that moves in response to a change in the relative spacing between the lower concave-convex portion and the upper concave-convex portion in the vertical direction, and a position detection sensor that detects the movement of the detection body.

5. 5. The card reader according to claim 4, wherein the detection body is a light blocking plate, and the position detection sensor is an optical sensor for detecting a change in the position of the light blocking plate.

6. 5. The card reader according to claim 4, wherein the position detection sensor is a proximity sensor which detects whether or not the detection object approaches.

7. 2. The card reader according to claim 1, further comprising a parallel link mechanism in which the lower uneven portion is supported by a plurality of link arms in order to maintain the fitted state between the lower uneven portion and the upper transport path, and a spring that applies a force to move the lower uneven portion upward.

8. 2. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said detection sensors are provided along a direction in which said card is transported.

9. 2. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the lower concave-convex portion and the upper concave-convex portion are made of metal in part or in whole.

10. 2. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein when the detection sensor detects the maximum gap, the distance between the upper end surface of the lower uneven portion and the lower end surface of the upper uneven portion is smaller than the sum of the thickness of the card and the thickness of a foreign object that may be inserted.

11. A method for detecting a foreign object in a card reader having a card transport path composed of an upper transport path and a lower transport path for transporting an inserted card into the device, and a reading unit for reading information recorded on the card, comprising: a lower uneven portion provided on the lower transport path behind the reading unit of the card transport path, and an upper uneven portion provided on the upper transport path so as to fit with the lower uneven portion, the lower concave-convex portion and the upper concave-convex portion maintain a fitted state when no object is present; Detecting a change in the distance between the lower concave-convex portion and the upper concave-convex portion; A foreign object detection method for a card reader, which determines that a foreign object is present when the card is not inserted and a change in the distance is detected.

12. 12. A method for detecting a foreign object in a card reader according to claim 11, wherein the reading section is a magnetic head for reading information recorded on a magnetic stripe formed on the card.

13. 12. The method for detecting foreign objects in a card reader according to claim 11, wherein the change in the gap is detected by a position sensor which detects the movement of a detection body which moves in response to the relative positional movement in the vertical direction between the lower concave-convex portion and the upper concave-convex portion.

14. 12. The method for detecting foreign matter in a card reader according to claim 11, further comprising detecting a change in the distance between the lower uneven portion and the upper uneven portion using a plurality of detection sensors installed in the conveying direction.

15. The method for detecting a foreign object in a card reader according to claim 11, A method for detecting a foreign object in a card reader, comprising the steps of: notifying the presence of the foreign object when it is determined that the foreign object is present.

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