Abstract: A card reader for reading magnetic stripe cards which are manually inserted, and withdrawn, by a user. The card is constrained to follow a path which displaces the card laterally while the card is outside the reader, and before the magnetic stripe reaches a magnetic sensor within the reader. The lateral displacement prevents an illicit magnetic sensor, positioned externally to the reader by a hacker, from reading the magnetic stripe, since the stripe is moving in an incorrect direction while the card is external to the reader.

Abstract: A card reader (10), and particularly a manual insertion hybrid dip card reader, is described. The card reader (10) comprises a magnetic read head (28) for reading a magnetic stripe (62) on a card (60), and an integrated circuit interface (42) for reading terminals (64) on an integrated circuit card (60). The interface (42) is mounted on a moveable carrier (40) for moving relative to the magnetic read head (28) while the interface (42) is coupled to the card terminals (64). The carrier (40) may be biased towards an entrance of the card reader (10), and may be nearer the entrance than the magnetic read head (28). A self-service terminal including such a card reader is also described.

Abstract: A card reader module (10) is described. The module (10) includes a trap mechanism (20) operable to trap a card (60) within the module (10) in response to the module (10) detecting a card (60) therein that cannot be transported. The trap mechanism (20) may be implemented by a width switch (22) and associated interlock (24), where the width switch (22) is located within a throat portion (14) of the card reader module (10). On detecting a jammed card, the width switch (22) is locked to prevent removal of the card. The module (10) may also include a magnetic head (28) operable to erase data stored on a magnetic stripe (62) on a card (60) if the trap mechanism (20) is not able to prevent removal of the card (60). A self-service terminal (70) for preventing fraud and a method of preventing fraud using the module (10) are also described.

Abstract: A security system is provided for use in association with a media entry slot (14, 24) on the user interface (12) of a self service terminal (10), such as a automated teller machine (ATM). At least three profile sensors (60a-60e) are arranged to detect the profile of the leading edge of an object (16) inserted into the slot, (14, 24). An access control means allows objects having a leading edge profile corresponding to a predetermined profile only to access a restricted zone such as the card reader module or a depository. This arrangement reduces the risk of fraudulent access to sensitive parts of the self service terminal via the media entry slots provided on its user interface (12).

Abstract: A card reader (10), and particularly a manual insertion hybrid dip card reader, is described. The card reader (10) comprises a magnetic read head (28) for reading a magnetic stripe (62) on a card (60), and an integrated circuit interface (42) for reading terminals (64) on an integrated circuit card (60). The interface (42) is mounted on a moveable carrier (40) for moving relative to the magnetic read head (28) while the interface (42) is coupled to the card terminals (64). The carrier (40) may be biased towards an entrance of the card reader (10), and may be nearer the entrance than the magnetic read head (28). A self-service terminal including such a card reader is also described.

Abstract: A motorized card reader module (14d) is described. The module (14d) has a transport system (22,26) that is operable to transport a card (30) into the card reader module (14d) in a stop/start manner until the card (30) is fully enclosed by the card reader module (14d), and thereafter to transport the card (30) in a continuous manner so that a magnetic stripe on the card (30) can be accurately read by a reading head (24) in the module (14d), but not by a third party reading head located outside the module (14d). A method of preventing fraud at an SST, and an SST having a motorized card reader module are also described.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) incorporating an anti-fraud device is described. The anti-fraud device has a search coil (20) for detecting metal, where the search coil (20) is located in the vicinity of a user interface element (36). The search coil (20) may be located in the throat (22) of the card reader module (14d) so that the search coil (20) is in the vicinity of an area liable to placement of a fraudulent third party device. A method of preventing fraud at an SST, and an anti-fraud device for use with an SST are also described.

Abstract: An anti-fraud device (100) for use with a self-service terminal (12), such as an ATM, is described. The device (100) has a housing (130) that is adapted for covering an entry slot (26) for a motorized card reader module so that only part of the width of a card (28) is accessible by a user when presented to the user by the motorized card reader module. The housing (130) has a profiled edge (132) for simultaneously exposing part of the width of a card and covering part of the width of a card. The housing (130) may be mounted on a plate (140) for coupling to an ATM. A fraud prevention system; a method of preventing fraud at an SST; and an SST incorporating an anti-fraud device are also described.

Abstract: A card reader module (10) is described. The module (10) includes a trap mechanism (20) operable to trap a card (60) within the module (10) in response to the module (10) detecting a card (60) therein that cannot be transported. The trap mechanism (20) may be implemented by a width switch (22) and associated interlock (24), where the width switch (22) is located within a throat portion (14) of the card reader module (10). On detecting a jammed card, the width switch (22) is locked to prevent removal of the card. The module (10) may also include a magnetic head (28) operable to erase data stored on a magnetic stripe (62) on a card (60) if the trap mechanism (20) is not able to prevent removal of the card (60). A self-service terminal (70) for preventing fraud and a method of preventing fraud using the module (10) are also described.

Abstract: A reader (20) for a magnetic card for an automated teller machine (40) or other self-service financial terminal comprises a magnetic reading head (22), a wave shaper (26), and a data memory (28) to supply card-related data to a central authorization position. A wave shape monitor (30) is preset with a threshold amplitude, and detects the amplitude of analogue signals from the wave shaper; if the signals are readable but below the threshold level, the same magnetic reading head (22) or a different magnetic head (34) is instructed to rewrite the magnetic data on the card.

Abstract: A card alignment mechanism for an integrated circuit contact (ICC) card (30) has first and second arms (12,14) biased towards each other about the same pivot point (16) by a spring (24). One arm (12) carries a card read head (18), the other arm (14) carries a card stop lip (20). A solenoid (28) rotates the arms about the pivot point (16); the card stop lip (20) on the second arm (14) contacts the card (30), and the first arm (12) continues to rotate until the spring (24) is fully compressed, when the card read head (18) is correctly positioned with respect to the card. When the mechanism is incorporated in an automated teller machine (ATM), the arms (12,14) can be retracted to their rest position, and the card (30) moved past the mechanism to a card capture bin (45) without restriction.

Abstract: A card sensor to operate the entry shutter (120) of an ATM 50 as a magnetic sensor (118) in a well (116) on the lower surface of an entry slot (110). A pair of inverted U-shaped springs (134) project into the slot (110) beyond the sensor (118). When a card (113) complying with ISO standard 7810 is inserted into the slot, the springs (134) are compressed, the magnetic stripe (132) on the card (130) contacts the sensor (118), and the shutter (120) is opened. If a thinner card, such as a telephone card or a public transport ticket (140), is inserted into the slot, the springs (134) are compressed insufficiently for any magnetic stripe (142) on the card to contact the sensor (118).

Abstract: The invention relates to a card reader system (10) including a detector (58') for determining a predetermined irregular mode of operation of the reader system. The invention is characterized by a card invalidation device (21, 24, 26) operable to render a card (2) permanently non-usable in response to the detection of the predetermined irregular mode of operation.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism (40) for a self-service transaction terminal (10) includes a shutter in the form of a hollow cylinder (42) having a slot (46). The shutter (42) is rotatable about a core member (44) from an open position wherein the slot (46) is aligned with a card entry slot (24) in the terminal (10) to a closed position wherein the slot (46) is aligned with a feed path (90) along which a card (70) may be fed to a reader/writer (94). The core member (44) is provided with a slot (78) and card feed rollers (60,62). When the card (70) is fed reversely after processing, the shutter (42) rotates from the closed to the open position where the user can withdraw the card (70). The shutter construction prevents unauthorized access to the card reader/writer (94) via the card entry slot (24) of the terminal (10).

Abstract: A shutter control mechanism for controlling the movement of a pivoted shutter (20) suitable for controlling the passage of a user's card (6) in a self-service terminal (10) such as an ATM (automated teller machine), for example, includes a rotatable cam (23) having a cam track (24) which cooperates with a pin (30) on the shutter (20). Rotation of the cam (23) causes the pin (30) to move in the cam track (24) thereby causing the shutter (20) to pivot to open and close the card passage (2) alternately. Thus, the shutter (20) is held positively both in the open and in the closed position.