Abstract: To provide a mutual authentication system which is not required to erase master key when a slave device is replaced. The storage part stores a temporary key which is key data used temporarily and a master key which is key data used for authentication. The storage part stores the temporary key. The key confirmation unit inquires whether the slave device stores the master key. The key confirmation response unit confirms whether the master key has already been stored in the storage part for an inquiry from the master device and responds. The key introduction unit encrypts the master key by using the temporary key and transmits to the slave device. The key storage unit decrypts the encrypted master key by using the temporary key and stores in the storage part. The main authentication unit and the sub-authentication unit authenticate with each other by using the master key.

Abstract: To provide a mutual authentication system which is not required to erase master key when a slave device is replaced. The storage part stores a temporary key which is key data used temporarily and a master key which is key data used for authentication. The storage part stores the temporary key. The key confirmation unit inquires whether the slave device stores the master key. The key confirmation response unit confirms whether the master key has already been stored in the storage part for an inquiry from the master device and responds. The key introduction unit encrypts the master key by using the temporary key and transmits to the slave device. The key storage unit decrypts the encrypted master key by using the temporary key and stores in the storage part. The main authentication unit and the sub-authentication unit authenticate with each other by using the master key.

Abstract: A card reader performs a reading operation of reading magnetic data by scanning the magnetic data in a first direction and a writing operation of writing the magnetic data by scanning the magnetic data in a second direction. Prior to these reading operation and writing operation, a head moving mechanism performs a preparatory operation of moving a magnetic head positioned in a head retracted position to a head contact position and a preliminary operation of moving the magnetic head slightly (e.g., about 1 mm) in the same direction as a scanning direction when the reading operation and the writing operation are performed. By performing the preliminary operation, even if a backlash caused by wearing due to use, gaps present for reasons of design, or the like increases and an unloaded area increases, a phenomenon that the head moving mechanism 8 operates unloaded during the preliminary operation can be eliminated.

Abstract: A demodulation method comprising acquiring a series of reversal time intervals corresponding to reversals of magnetization in the magnetic data to store the series of reversal time intervals into a memory; sequentially comparing a first determination reference time with each of the reversal time intervals stored in the memory to generate the demodulated data; determining whether or not the demodulated data is correct; and sequentially comparing, for the series of reversal time intervals stored in the memory, a second determination reference time with the reversal time interval that is a comparison target to generate the demodulated data when it is determined that the demodulated data is not correct at the first determination step. Determination whether or not the time length corresponding to the single bit in the immediately preceding demodulated data is an abnormal value may be performed.

Abstract: A card processing system may include a card reader read data recorded in the card or record data to the card; and a host control section to control the card processing system. The card reader may include a card insertion part include an insertion port and a control section. The card insertion part may include a light emitting part. The control section may be connected with the host control section and be configured to perform light emission control which controls an emission color and an emitting method. The host control section may be configured to specify a host-side combination of an emission color and an emitting method and be configured to perform the light emission control. The host control section may previously set a predetermined combination of an emission color and an emitting method based on the host side combination of the emission color and the emitting method.

Abstract: A card reader for use with a card incorporated with an IC chip may include an insertion port into which the card is inserted; a metal detection mechanism structured to detect an external connection terminal of the IC chip provided in the card; and a tip end detection mechanism structured to detect a tip end in an inserting direction of the card inserted into the insertion port. The metal detection mechanism and the tip end detection mechanism may be disposed so that, when the tip end detection mechanism detects the tip end in the inserting direction of the card inserted into the insertion port in a correct posture, the metal detection mechanism detects the external connection terminal.

Abstract: A card processing system may include a card reader read data recorded in the card or record data to the card; and a host control section to control the card processing system. The card reader may include a card insertion part include an insertion port and a control section. The card insertion part may include a light emitting part. The control section may be connected with the host control section and be configured to perform light emission control which controls an emission color and an emitting method. The host control section may be configured to specify a host-side combination of an emission color and an emitting method and be configured to perform the light emission control. The host control section may previously set a predetermined combination of an emission color and an emitting method based on the host side combination of the emission color and the emitting method.

Abstract: Provided is a card reader that accepts and processes the short side of a substantially rectangular IC card conforming to international and JIS standards, said card reader being capable of easily determining whether or not the orientation of the inserted IC card is correct. This card reader comprises: an insertion port wherein a card having a built-in IC chip is inserted; a metal detection mechanism for detecting an external connection terminal of the IC chip formed in the card; and a tip detection mechanism for detecting the tip, in the insertion direction, of the card inserted from the insertion port. In this card reader, the metal detection mechanism and the tip detection mechanism are provided such that, when the tip detection mechanism detects the tip, in the insertion direction, of the card inserted in the correct orientation from the insertion port, the metal detection mechanism is arranged at a position that detects the external connection terminal.

Abstract: A method of self-testing an IC card reader. The IC card reader communicates data with an IC card. The IC card reader sends the result of the communication to a higher level apparatus. Before the higher level apparatus issues an IC card execution command, the IC card is activated so as to determine whether the communication with the IC card is normal or abnormal based on success or failure of the activation, followed by storing the test result.

Abstract: A method of self-testing an IC card reader. The IC card reader communicates data with an IC card. The IC card reader sends the result of the communication to a higher level apparatus. Before the higher level apparatus issues an IC card execution command, the IC card is activated so as to determine whether the communication with the IC card is normal or abnormal based on success or failure of the activation, followed by storing the test result.

Abstract: A communication method of an IC card reader/writer which transmits a telegraphic message from a host device to an IC card or from said IC card to said host device is disclosed. The host device divides the data into blocks, each of which is of a size smaller than the capacity of a memory device equipped in said IC card reader/writer to transmit said data to IC card reader/writer, and attaches a code to each of said data blocks to indicate whether or not the block is the final data block.

Abstract: A communication method of an IC card reader/writer which transmits a telegraphic message from a host device to an IC card or from said IC card to said host device is disclosed. The host device divides the data into blocks, each of which is of a size smaller than the capacity of a memory device equipped in said IC card reader/writer to transmit said data to IC card reader/writer, and attaches a code to each of said data blocks to indicate whether or not the block is the final data block.