Patent ID: 7143934
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: G06K,G07F

Abstract:
1. An electronic security device for automated teller machines to avoid card fraudulent actions, which is applicable to an automated transaction machine for the detection of the insertion of a foreign instrument or body into a card-in/card-out transaction passage, said card-in/card-out transaction passage including a primary portion, and an intermediate portion that includes a movable wall that can block the card-in/card-out passage, with said passage extending from a card input opening on an external front panel of the device through the primary portion then the intermediate portion to an internal operational area in the automated teller machine, said device further comprising, inside the card-in/card-out passage, at least one optoelectronic sensing barrier transversally aligned to said passage and located in the primary portion and in front of said movable wall; wherein the optoelectronic sensing barrier comprises light transmitter and receiver means that are, relative to the passage, transversely aligned on opposite sides of the passage and occupy the entire width of the passage, so that the transmitter means emits light through the entire width of the passage to reach the receiver means to detect whether the optoelectronic sensing barrier is partially or completely blocked by the foreign instrument or body.