Card Feed Unit Perpendicular Insertion Skimming Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card feed systems are vulnerable to skimming attacks, where thieves install unauthorized reading devices over the card slot or channel, allowing them to steal magnetic strip data during legitimate transactions.
Innovation Solution
A card feed unit that guides the card into the receipt position with a movement perpendicular to the longitudinal readout direction, preventing unauthorized reading during insertion, and includes guiding elements, a protruding arm-shaped receipt member, and signaling means to detect tampering or misuse, such as electrical detection loops or fluid pressure monitoring, to prevent skimming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional card slot or channel is used for card insertion, then the card can be easily inserted and read, but the system becomes vulnerable to skimming attacks where unauthorized reading devices can be installed over the card slot
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the card in the traditional direction (parallel to the magnetic strip) past a stationary reading head, the patent inverts the approach by moving the card perpendicular to the magnetic strip direction. This causes the card to pass under the reading head in a direction that makes skimming attacks ineffective, as the magnetic strip moves across rather than past the reading head.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimension of card movement from the traditional one-dimensional motion parallel to the magnetic strip to a two-dimensional motion that includes perpendicular movement. The card is fed into the device and moved perpendicular to the magnetic strip direction, creating a new spatial relationship between the card, reading head, and potential skimming devices.
2Reliability
If guiding elements and protruding arm-shaped receipt members are added to guide the card perpendicularly, then skimming is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guiding elements and a protruding arm-shaped receipt member as intermediary components that facilitate the perpendicular card movement. These intermediaries guide the card into the correct orientation and position, enabling the security function without requiring complex control systems or multiple moving parts.
3Reliability
If signaling means such as electrical detection loops or fluid pressure monitoring are integrated, then tampering detection capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the existing structural components. The protruding arm-shaped receipt member serves both as a card guiding element and as a structural component that can incorporate signaling means. The guiding elements serve both their primary card guidance function and act as mounting structures for detection loops or pressure sensors, reducing the need for separate components.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1I
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a Card feed unit for transferring a data carrier of card information of a multi-services cards, such as a bank card or credit card, to a reading head of a reading unit for at least reading out of card information, the card feed unit comprising: - attachment means for attaching the card feed unit in an arrangement respective of the reading head that is suitable for transporting the data carrier of the card in the direction of the meeting head, - a receipt position for receipt of the card, - a transfer assembly for transferring the card by means of the transfer assembly in the direction of the reading head, in which: - the card feed unit is suitable for, during insertion of the card in the receipt position, receiving the card in the receipt position by means of an insertion operation with a direction of movement that, at least as seen in one direction, is substantially perpendicular to the readout direction of the card for preventing that the card is readable during the insertion operation.