Card Reader Shutter Mechanism for Special Shaped Card Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing card readers struggle to discriminate between cards with special shapes, particularly those without magnetic stripes or with nonstandard magnetic stripe lengths, leading to difficulties in determining the correct processing for various card types.

Innovation Solution

A card reader system with a card insertion port, a card feeding passage, a card surface abutting member, an abutting member sensor, and a control section that uses detection results from these components to determine if a card is special shaped, even without a magnetic stripe, and adjusts processing accordingly, utilizing a contact type detection mechanism and open-and-close sensors to simplify the structure and enhance discrimination capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a card reader uses a pre-head and card detect switch to discriminate card shapes, then it can detect magnetic stripe cards with special shapes, but it cannot discriminate cards without magnetic stripes or with nonstandard magnetic stripe lengths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard discrimination capabilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy for special shaped cards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the magnetic stripe detection method with a mechanical detection system consisting of a card surface abutting member and abutting member sensor. This mechanical system directly contacts the card surface to detect shape characteristics, eliminating dependence on magnetic stripes and enabling detection of all card types including those without magnetic stripes or with nonstandard lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a card surface abutting member as an intermediary component between the card insertion port and the detection system. This abutting member contacts the card surface and transmits shape information to the abutting member sensor, serving as a mediator that enables indirect detection of card shapes without requiring direct magnetic stripe reading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the card reader relies on magnetic stripe presence and standard length for card discrimination, then it can process standard magnetic stripe cards, but it fails to identify various special shaped cards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard processing automationVSAvoidsupport for special shaped cards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from magnetic stripe characteristics (presence, length) to mechanical contact characteristics (surface abutting position, contact force). This parameter change enables the system to detect card shapes based on physical contact patterns rather than magnetic properties, thereby supporting diverse card types including special shaped cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the card reader uses contact type detection mechanism with card surface abutting member, then it can detect all card types including those without magnetic stripes, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverage for card typesVSAvoiddetection mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the card surface abutting member to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a mechanical contact element for shape detection and a guide for card insertion. The abutting member sensor integrates with the existing card detection mechanism, allowing one component system to handle all card types (with magnetic stripes, without magnetic stripes, various shapes) that previously required separate detection systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively discriminates various special-shaped cards, allowing for appropriate processing based on their shape, including cards without magnetic stripes or with nonstandard magnetic stripe lengths, ensuring correct handling and processing within the card reader.

Implementation Method 1

an abutting member sensor for detecting a protruding and retreating state of the card surface abutting member to and from the card feeding passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical contact detection:

Implementation Method 2

a card insertion detection mechanism for detecting whether the card is inserted from the card insertion port or not

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical contact detection:

Data Source

PatentUS8313027B2Card reader and control method therefor

Publication Date: 2012.11.20 SANKYO SEIKI MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A card reader may include a card insertion port, a card feeding passage along which a card is carried, a card surface abutting member such as a shutter member capable of abutting with a surface of the card, an abutting member sensor for detecting a position of the shutter member, a card insertion detection mechanism, and a control section for discriminating whether the card is a special shaped card or not on a basis of detection results of the abutting member sensor and the card insertion detection mechanism. A control method may include a shutter opening step, a feeding and stop step in which the card is carried by a first feeding distance in a taking-in direction and stopped, a shutter closing step in which the shutter member is moved in a direction for closing the card feeding passage, and a discrimination step in which the card is discriminated whether the card is a special shaped card or not on the basis of a detection result by the open-and-close sensor after the shutter closing step.