Compact Card Reader Integrating Magnetic Head and Smart Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compact payment terminals are limited by their thickness, which is greater than that of modern communication devices, due to the combination of a magnetic head and a smart card connector, affecting aesthetics and portability, and often only support magnetic card reading with limited contactless interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A card reader design that integrates a magnetic head and a smart card connector on a printed circuit board with a movable magnetic head within an opening, sharing a common card reading volume, allowing for reduced thickness and simultaneous reading of both magnetic and smart cards, with enhanced security features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a magnetic head and smart card connector are integrated in conventional separate configurations, then both card reading functions are supported, but the device thickness increases beyond that of modern communication devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the magnetic head and smart card connector into a single integrated assembly where both components share a common card insertion slot and operational volume. The magnetic head is positioned within an opening of the printed circuit board, and the smart card connector is arranged to share the same spatial envelope, allowing both functions to operate from a single card slot without increasing overall device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic head is nested within the opening of the printed circuit board, and the smart card connector is positioned to share the same operational space. This nesting arrangement allows the magnetic reading function to be embedded within the overall card reading assembly, enabling dual functionality within a compact footprint that matches the thickness of modern communication devices.
2Measurement precision
If the magnetic head is made movable to ensure optimum contact with magnetic cards, then reading accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic head is designed to be movable within the opening of the printed circuit board, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to maintain optimum contact with the magnetic stripe during card insertion. This dynamic adjustment ensures accurate reading while keeping the mechanical mechanism simple, as the movement is constrained within the existing opening structure rather than requiring additional complex positioning systems.
3Reliability
If a secure enclosure is added for signal transmission protection, then security is enhanced, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opening in the printed circuit board serves multiple functions: it provides the structural pathway for card insertion, houses the movable magnetic head, defines the operational volume for the smart card connector, and simultaneously acts as the secure enclosure for signal transmission protection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate security housing, maintaining thin device profile while ensuring signal integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b-2
AI summary
The invention relates to a card reader (20, 30, 40) comprising a printed circuit board (201), a magnetic head (202) and a chip card connector (308). According to the invention, said magnetic head and said chip card connector share a common card-reader operating volume (5).