Information processing device and foreign matter detection method

An information processing device structured to process information of an information recording medium having been inserted inside may include a communication part which receives a radio wave of a specific frequency band, and a foreign matter detection part structured to detect that a foreign matter has been attached in response to an intensity of the radio wave received by the communication part being greater than or equal to a threshold value for a predetermined time.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Application No. 2018-202161 filed Oct. 26, 2018, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

At least an embodiment of the present invention may relate to an information processing device structured to perform reading of information recorded in an information recording medium such as a card and/or recording of information to an information reading device. Further, at least an embodiment of the present invention may relate to a foreign matter detection method in the information processing device.

BACKGROUND

An information processing device such as a card reader structured to perform reading of magnetic data recorded in a card and/or recording of magnetic data to a card has been widely utilized. In an industry such as a financial institution where a card reader is utilized, a so-called skimming has become a serious problem in which a skimming device including a magnetic head is attached to a card insertion part of a card reader to illegally acquire magnetic data of a card by the magnetic head. Tricks of skimming by a criminal have been diversified and crafted every year, and a situation has also occurred that a card-shaped skimming device including a skimming magnetic head for reading magnetic data of a card is attached inside the card reader.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-219971 (Patent Literature 1), a technique is disclosed in which insertion of a skimming device to an inside of a card reader is detected. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-18380 (Patent Literature 2), a technique is disclosed in which a disturbing magnetic field is generated to prevent illegal reading of information by a skimming device attached to the outside.

It is advantageous for preventing a crime that a technique for detecting attachment of a skimming device is provided by combining a plurality of techniques, not limited to the technique described in Patent Literature 1. For example, as a skimming device, it is conceivable to provide with a function in which information is illegally read from a card and is recorded inside, and the information is transmitted to an external equipment by using short-range wireless communication. Therefore, crime prevention performance is required to enhance for a skimming device having such a function.

SUMMARY

In view of the problem described above, at least an embodiment of the present invention may advantageously provide an information processing device and a foreign matter detection method in the information processing device which are capable of detecting that a foreign matter such as a skimming device having a wireless communication function has been attached to the information processing device.

According to at least an embodiment of the present invention, there may be provided an information processing device structured to process information of an information recording medium having been inserted inside, and the information processing device includes a communication part which receives a radio wave of a specific frequency band, and a foreign matter detection part structured to detect that a foreign matter has been attached when a state that an intensity of the radio wave received by the communication part is not less than a threshold value continues for a predetermined time.

According to at least an embodiment of the present invention, there may be provided a foreign matter detection method in an information processing device structured to process information of an information recording medium having been inserted inside, and the foreign matter detection method includes receiving a radio wave of a specific frequency band and, when a state that an intensity of the radio wave is not less than a threshold value continues for a predetermined time, detecting that a foreign matter other than the information recording medium has been attached to the information processing device.

Effects of the Invention

According to at least an embodiment of the present invention, an information processing device and a foreign matter detection method in an information processing device are provided which are capable of detecting that a foreign matter such as a skimming device having a wireless communication function has been attached to the information processing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(Structure of Card Reader)

FIG. 1is an explanatory plan view showing a structure of a card reader1as an information processing device in accordance with at least an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is an explanatory side view showing a structure of a card detection mechanism15aand a conveyance roller26shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a block diagram showing a host apparatus3on which the card reader1shown inFIG. 1is mounted and the card reader1.

A card reader1is a device which is structured to perform reading of information recorded in a card2as an information recording medium and/or recording of information to a card2and is mounted and used in a host apparatus3(seeFIG. 3) such as an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). As shown inFIG. 1, the card reader1includes a card insertion part5formed with an insertion port4into which a card2is inserted and a main body part6. An inside of the main body part6of the card reader1is formed with a card conveyance passage7where a card2inserted through the insertion port4is conveyed, and the card reader1includes a card conveyance mechanism8(seeFIG. 2) structured to convey the card2along the card conveyance passage7.

In the card reader1, a card2is conveyed in the “X” direction shown inFIG. 1and the like. Further, a card2is inserted in the “X1” direction inFIG. 1and the like and is ejected in the “X2” direction. In other words, the “X1” direction is an inserting direction of a card2to the insertion port4, and the “X2” direction is an ejecting direction of the card2from the insertion port4. Further, the “Z” direction shown inFIG. 1and the like which is perpendicular to the “X” direction is a thickness direction of a card2having been inserted into the insertion port4, and the “Y” direction shown inFIG. 1and the like which is perpendicular to the “X” direction and the “Z” direction is a width direction of the card2. In the following descriptions, the “X” direction is defined as a front and rear direction, the “Y” direction is defined as a right and left direction, and the “Z” direction is defined as an upper and lower direction. Further, in the front and rear direction, a side (“X2” direction side) where the insertion port4is formed is referred to as a “front” side, and the opposite side (“X1” direction side) is referred to as a “rear (back)” side. Further, in the upper and lower direction, one side (“Z1” direction side) is referred to as an “upper” side, and the opposite side (“Z2” direction side) is referred to as a “lower” side.

A card2is, for example, a rectangular card made of vinyl chloride whose thickness is about 0.7-0.8 mm. Further, a card2is a contact type IC card with a magnetic stripe conforming to the international standard (ISO/IEC7811) or the JIS standard (JISX6302). As shown inFIG. 1, a rear face (under face) of a card2is formed with a magnetic stripe2ain which magnetic data are recorded. Further, an IC chip is incorporated into the card2, and a front face (upper face) of the card2is formed with an outside connection terminal2bof the IC chip. The magnetic stripe2aand the outside connection terminal2bare formed at predetermined positions prescribed by the international standard or the JIS standard.

The card reader1includes a magnetic head24(seeFIG. 1), which is structured to perform at least one of reading of magnetic data recorded in the magnetic stripe2aand recording of magnetic data to the magnetic stripe2a, and an IC contact block12having a plurality of IC contact springs11structured to contact with the outside connection terminal2bof the card2in the inside of the main body part6.

Further, the card reader1includes a shutter member13structured to close the card conveyance passage7, a card insertion detection mechanism14structured to detect a card2having been inserted into the insertion port4, card detection mechanisms15a,15b,15cand15dstructured to detect presence or absence of a card2in the card conveyance passage7, and a control part17structured to control the card reader1. The control part17is connected with a host control part18which is a control part of the host apparatus3(seeFIG. 3).

The card insertion part5is connected with a front end of the main body part6. The card conveyance passage7includes, as shown inFIG. 2, an upper guide member19structuring an upper face of the card conveyance passage7and a lower guide member20structuring a lower face of the card conveyance passage7. The upper guide member19and the lower guide member20is formed of resin material or the like having an insulation property or conductivity. As shown inFIG. 1, the magnetic head24and the IC contact block12are disposed in the inside of the main body part6. The magnetic head24is disposed so that a gap part of the magnetic head24faces the card conveyance passage7from a lower side. The IC contact block12is disposed on a rear side with respect to the magnetic head24. Further, the IC contact block12is disposed so as to face the card conveyance passage7from an upper side. The magnetic head24is electrically connected with the control part17(seeFIG. 3).

The IC contact block12is connected with a movement mechanism21(seeFIG. 3) structured to move the IC contact block12between a contactable position where the IC contact springs11are capable of contacting with an outside connection terminal2bof a card2and a retreated position where the IC contact springs11are retreated so as not to contact with the outside connection terminal2bof the card2(specifically, retreated to an upper side). The movement mechanism21is connected with the control part17. The IC contact springs11are electrically connected with the control part17. The control part17supplies an electric current to the IC contact springs11.

The card insertion detection mechanism14is disposed on the rear side with respect to the insertion port4and detects a card2which is inserted into the insertion port4. The card insertion detection mechanism14is a width detection mechanism structured to detect a width of a card2(width in the right and left direction) inserted into the insertion port4and thereby detect the card2having been inserted into the insertion port4. The card insertion detection mechanism14is electrically connected with the control part17.

The shutter member13is disposed in a boundary portion between the card insertion part5and the main body part6, in other words, in a rear end side portion of the card insertion part5. The shutter member13is connected with the shutter drive mechanism25(seeFIG. 3). The shutter drive mechanism25is connected with the control part17. The shutter member13is movable between a closing position (position shown by the two-dot chain line inFIG. 2) where the card conveyance passage7is closed and an open position (position shown by the solid line inFIG. 2) where the shutter member13is retreated from the card conveyance passage7to open the card conveyance passage7.

The card detection mechanisms15a,15b,15cand15dare disposed in the inside of the main body part6. The card detection mechanisms15a,15b,15cand15dare respectively disposed in a shifted state in the front and rear direction. The card detection mechanism15bis disposed on the rear side with respect to the card detection mechanism15a, the card detection mechanism15cis disposed on the rear side with respect to the card detection mechanism15b, and the card detection mechanism15dis disposed on the rear side with respect to the card detection mechanism15c. As shown inFIG. 3, the card detection mechanisms15a,15b,15cand15dare electrically connected with the control part17. Further, as shown inFIG. 2, each of the card detection mechanisms15a,15b,15cand15dis a transmission type optical sensor having a light emitting part15A and a light receiving part15B which are disposed so as to face each other. InFIG. 2, the card detection mechanisms15b,15cand15dare not shown. As shown inFIG. 2, the light emitting part15A and the light receiving part15B are disposed in a state that the card conveyance passage7is interposed therebetween in the upper and lower direction.

When no card2is existed between the light emitting part15A and the light receiving part15B, the light receiving part15B receives a light from the light emitting part15A. In this case, the card detection mechanisms15a,15b,15cand15dare set in an OFF state. In this state, when a card2is inserted between the light emitting part15A and the light receiving part15B, the light going to the light receiving part15B from the light emitting part15A is blocked, and the card detection mechanisms15a,15b,15cand15dare set in an “ON” state. As described above, the card detection mechanisms15a,15b,15cand15ddetect a card2by turning from an OFF state to an ON state.

As shown inFIG. 2, the card conveyance mechanism8includes three conveyance rollers26(seeFIG. 1, one disposed on the most front side is shown inFIG. 2) structured to contact with a card2and convey the card2along the card conveyance passage7, a motor28(seeFIG. 3) structured to drive the respective conveyance rollers26, and a power transmission mechanism (not shown) structured to transmit power of the motor28to the respective conveyance rollers26. The respective conveyance rollers26are disposed in the inside of the main body part6. In other words, the conveyance rollers26are disposed on the rear side with respect to the card insertion detection mechanism14.

As shown inFIG. 2, a pad roller29is disposed for the conveyance rollers26so as to face each conveyance roller26. Each conveyance roller26and each pad roller29are faced each other in the upper and lower direction. Further, the pad roller29is urged toward the conveyance roller26, and a card2is conveyed in a state sandwiched between the conveyance roller26and the pad roller29.

As shown inFIG. 1, the main body part6is provided with a communication module40for performing wireless communication by utilizing a radio wave of a specific frequency band (for example, 2.4 GHz band). In this embodiment, the communication module40is configured so as to perform communication conforming to a standard (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)) for performing one-to-one wireless communication (communication in which an apparatus capable of simultaneously performing communication is restricted to only one apparatus). The communication module40is connected with the control part17. The communication module40structures a communications part.

(Conceivable Structural Example of Skimming Device)

FIG. 4is a view showing a conceivable structural example of a skimming device which is to be inserted into the inside of the card reader1.FIG. 5is a plan view showing a state that the skimming device50shown inFIG. 4has been inserted into the main body part6of the card reader1.

A skimming device50shown inFIG. 4is provided with a main body part in a rectangular plate shape whose width in the right and left direction is substantially the same as a width of a card2. The main body part of the skimming device50shown inFIG. 4is formed with a cut-out part50afor avoiding contact with the conveyance roller26located at the most front side in the inside of the main body part6of the card reader1. Further, the main body part of the skimming device50shown inFIG. 4is formed with a through-hole50bso that, when the skimming device50has been attached to the main body part6of the card reader1, light going from the light emitting part15A to the light receiving part15B of the card detection mechanism15ais not blocked. The skimming device50shown inFIG. 4is inserted into the main body part6by pushing it by hand through the insertion port4.

An end part (tip end) on the rear side in the front and rear direction of the main body part of the skimming device50shown inFIG. 4is formed with a forged magnetic stripe51, and a magnetic head52for reading magnetic information from a magnetic stripe of a regular card2is formed on a left side adjacent to the magnetic stripe51. The magnetic stripe51is recorded with the same information as the information recorded in a tip end of a magnetic stripe2aof a regular card2.

The main body part of the skimming device50shown inFIG. 4further includes a communication module53configured to perform wireless communication. The communication module53is configured so that information read from a regular card2by the magnetic head52is capable of being transmitted to an external equipment through the communication module53. In this embodiment, the communication module53is configured so as to perform communication conforming to the communication standard (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)) which is the same as the communication module40in the card reader1.

The control part17of the card reader1shown inFIG. 3integrally controls the entire card reader1, and specifically, the control part17includes various processors where programs are executed to perform processing, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The various processors include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is a general-purpose processor executing a program to perform various processes, a programmable logic device (PLD) which is a processor such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) whose circuit structure is capable of being changed after manufactured, a dedicated electric circuit which is a processor having a circuit configuration exclusively designed for executing a specific process such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like. More specifically, the configurations of the various processors are electric circuits obtained by combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

When a regular card2is inserted into the insertion port4and the insertion of the card2is detected by the card insertion detection mechanism14, the control part17moves the shutter member13from the closing position to the open position. As a result, the card reader1is set in a state that the card2is capable of being taken into the inside of the main body part6.

Further, also in a case that a skimming device50having a magnetic stripe51shown inFIG. 4is inserted into the insertion port4and the insertion of the skimming device50is detected by the card insertion detection mechanism14, the control part17moves the shutter member13from the closing position to the open position. As a result, as shown inFIG. 5, the card reader1is set in a state that the skimming device50is capable of being inserted into the inside of the main body part6.

(Function of Control Part)

FIG. 6is a functional block diagram showing the control part17shown inFIG. 3. The control part17executes a program so that the control part17functions as a foreign matter detection part17A and a coping processing part17B.

The foreign matter detection part17A monitors a radio wave received by the communication module40. The foreign matter detection part17A detects that a foreign matter other than a card2, specifically, a skimming device has been attached to the main body part6in a case that a state that an intensity of a radio wave received by the communication module40is not less than a predetermined threshold value “Th” continues for a predetermined time “T”.

As shown inFIG. 5, in a state that a skimming device50has been inserted, a distance between the communication module53and the communication module40of the main body part6is small and thus, an intensity of a radio wave which is sent from the communication module53and is received by the communication module40becomes high. Further, as shown inFIG. 5, in a state that the skimming device50has been inserted, unless the skimming device50is taken out, a state is continued that the intensity of the radio wave received by the communication module40is high.

On the other hand, a user who utilizes the host apparatus3including the card reader1may possess an apparatus including a communication module of the same standard as the communication module40. Also in such a case, a distance between the communication module of the apparatus possessed by the user and the communication module40of the main body part6becomes small. Therefore, an intensity of a radio wave which is sent from the communication module of the apparatus possessed by the user and is received by the communication module40is high. However, the user will leave from the card reader1after utilization of the host apparatus3is finished. Therefore, a state that a distance between the communication module of the apparatus possessed by the user and the communication module40of the main body part6is small does not continue until exceeding a time period that the user is utilizing the host apparatus3. Accordingly, when the threshold value “Th” is set to be a sufficiently large value and the time “T” is set to be a maximum time (for example, 10 minutes, 30 minutes or one hour) which is assumed that a user utilizes the host apparatus3, the skimming device50can be detected by the foreign matter detection part17A.

The coping processing part17B performs at least one of notification processing to an external device and reception stop processing of a card2when detected by the foreign matter detection part17A that a foreign matter has been attached to the main body part6. Specifically, the reception stop processing of a card2is processing in which the shutter member13is forcibly moved to the closing position. The notification processing to an external device is, for example, processing in which information indicating insertion of a skimming device is transmitted to the host control part18of the host apparatus3.

(Details of Foreign Matter Detection Processing)

FIG. 7is a flow chart for explaining a foreign matter detection operation of the control part17. When the card reader1starts up, the foreign matter detection part17A determines whether a radio wave is received by the communication module40or not (step S1). When a radio wave is not received (step S1: NO), the processing of the step S1is repeated.

When the foreign matter detection part17A receives a radio wave (step S1: YES), it is determined whether a reception intensity of the radio wave is not less than the threshold value “Th” or not (step S2). In a case that the reception intensity is less than the threshold value “Th”, (for example, only in a case that an apparatus including a communication module which performs communication with the same standard as the communication module40is located in a somewhat separated place from the card reader1), the foreign matter detection part17A returns the processing to the step S1.

When the reception intensity is not less than the threshold value “Th” (for example, in a state that a person possessing an apparatus including a communication module which communicates with the same standard as the communication module40is utilizing the card reader1or, in a state that the skimming device50has been inserted into the main body part6, the foreign matter detection part17A increases a count value (unit: second) of a counting timer by one (1). The count value is set to be zero in an initial state. Then the foreign matter detection part17A determines whether a count value of the counting timer has reached to the time “T” or not (step S3).

When the count value of the counting timer is less than the time “T” (step S3: NO), the foreign matter detection part17A returns the processing to the step S2. In this embodiment, in a case that the determination of the step S2becomes “NO” after the processing of the step S3, the count value of the counting timer is reset to zero at that point.

When the count value of the counting timer has reached the time “T” (step S3: YES), in other words, when a state that the intensity of the radio wave received by the communication module40is not less than the threshold value “Th” has continued for the time “T”, the foreign matter detection part17A determines that a skimming device50which is a foreign matter has been attached to the card reader1and, in this manner, attachment of the skimming device50is detected (step S4).

After that, the coping processing part17B notifies the host apparatus3of the skimming device50having been attached and, in addition, performs reception stop processing of a card2(step S5), and the process is ended. In this case, in the step S5, only notification to the host apparatus3or only reception stop processing of a card2may be performed.

(Effects of Card Reader in this Embodiment)

As described above, the card reader1detects attachment of a foreign matter based on an intensity of a radio wave and a duration time of a state that the intensity is not less than the threshold value “Th”. Therefore, a skimming device50having a wireless communication function can be detected with a high probability. As a result, security performance can be enhanced. Further, in addition to an intensity of a radio wave, a duration time of a state that the intensity is not less than the threshold value “Th” is utilized for detection of a foreign matter and thus, even when a user possessing an apparatus having a wireless communication function is utilizing the card reader1, detection of the foreign matter can be performed with a high degree of accuracy.

(First Modified Embodiment of Card Reader)

FIG. 8is a flow chart for explaining a modified embodiment of the foreign matter detection operation of the control part17. A flow chart shown inFIG. 8is the same as that inFIG. 7except that a step S11is added between the step S1and the step S2. InFIG. 8, the same reference signs are used in the same processing as that inFIG. 7and their descriptions are omitted.

When the determination of the step S1becomes “YES”, the foreign matter detection part17A acquires information included in the radio wave received by the communication module40and determines whether the information includes identification information of an apparatus of a transmission source of the radio wave or not (step S11).

The identification information of an apparatus is information such as a category (smart phone, game machine, tablet or the like) of the apparatus or its model name. In a case that the radio wave received by the communication module40is sent from a communication module of Bluetooth (registered trademark) and, when the apparatus mounting this communication module is an apparatus other than a skimming device, an identification information such as a category of the apparatus or its model name should be included in the radio wave. On the other hand, the radio wave received by the communication module40is sent from a communication module of Bluetooth (registered trademark) and, when the apparatus mounting this communication module is a skimming device, there is high possibility that identification information is not included in the radio wave.

Therefore, in a case that identification information is included in the information of the received radio wave (step S11: YES), the foreign matter detection part17A determines that the transmission source of the radio wave which is received by the communication module40is not a skimming device but an apparatus possessed by a user, and the processing is returned to the step S1.

On the other hand, in a case that identification information is not included in the information of the received radio wave (step S11: NO), the foreign matter detection part17A determines that there is high possibility that the transmission source of the radio wave received by the communication module40is a skimming device, and the processing is advanced to the step S2.

(Effects of Card Reader in First Modified Embodiment)

As described above, processing of the step S2and subsequent steps is performed only when identification information is not included in the information of the radio wave received by the communication module40and thus, a processing load of the control part17is reduced.

In accordance with at least an embodiment of the present invention, in the above-mentioned card reader1and the card reader1in the first modified embodiment, a module other than performing one-to-one wireless communication, in other words, a module which is capable of performing one-to-plural number wireless communication may be adopted as the communication module40.

(Second Modified Embodiment of Card Reader)

FIG. 9is a view showing a second modified embodiment of a functional block of the control part17of the card reader1shown inFIG. 1. A function of the control part17is the same as that inFIG. 6except that a pairing processing part17C is added.

When it is detected by the foreign matter detection part17A that a foreign matter (skimming device50) has been attached, the pairing processing part17C performs pairing processing with a transmission source of the radio wave received by the communication module40through the communication module40.

FIG. 10is a flow chart for explaining a foreign matter detection operation of the control part17shown inFIG. 9. The flow chart shown inFIG. 10is the same as that inFIG. 7except that a step S21is added after the step S5. InFIG. 10, the same reference signs are used in the same processing as that inFIG. 7and their descriptions are omitted.

After the step S5, the pairing processing part17C performs pairing processing (step S21) with the transmission source (for example, a communication module53of a skimming device50) of the radio wave received in the step S1. In a state that a person who has attached the skimming device50to the card reader1is not near the card reader1and connection between the communication module53of the skimming device50and another apparatus is not established, pairing can be performed between the communication module53of the skimming device50and the communication module40of the card reader1by processing of the step S21.

(Effects of Card Reader in Second Modified Embodiment)

As described above, when pairing is performed between the communication module53of the skimming device50and the communication module40of the card reader1, another apparatus is unable to be connected with the communication module53of the skimming device50. Therefore, even when information is illegally read from the card2and stored in a memory of the skimming device50, the information stored in the memory is prevented from being read out.

In this case, it is conceivable that the pairing is unable to be performed as a result of the processing in the step S21. For example, it is conceivable that a person who has attached the skimming device50is near the card reader1and communication is established between an apparatus possessed by the person and the communication module53of the skimming device50.

Also in this case, it is unlikely that the person stays near the card reader1for a long time. Therefore, in such a case, it is preferable that the processing of the step S21is repeatedly performed. According to this structure, pairing can succeed at a time when the person who has attached the skimming device50leaves from the card reader1. As a result, information can be prevented from being read out by the skimming device50and the security can be enhanced.

Alternatively, it may be structured that, when pairing fails, an interfering radio wave by which communication between the communication module53of the skimming device50and another apparatus can be disconnected is generated to prevent reading of the information.

Alternatively, when pairing fails, it is preferable to notify to the host apparatus3that a person who has attached the skimming device50is near. According to this structure, a manager of the host apparatus3patrols near the card reader1to keep the person away from the card reader1. As a result, pairing is capable of succeeding.

In accordance with at least an embodiment of the present invention, the processing of the step S21shown inFIG. 10may be performed after the step S5of the flow chart shown inFIG. 8.

In the card readers1described in the embodiment, the first modified embodiment and the second modified embodiment, a detection object is a card-shaped skimming device50which is inserted into the main body part6. However, even in a case of a skimming device which is attached outside the main body part6, specifically, in the vicinity of the insertion port4, when the skimming device is provided with a wireless communication function, the skimming device is detected as a foreign matter similarly to the embodiments described above. Further, it is conceivable that a skimming device is structured of a card-shaped insertion unit for reading information of a card2and a communication unit for receiving information with wireless communication from the insertion unit, and the insertion unit is attached inside the card reader1and the communication unit is attached to an outer peripheral face (side face or bottom face) of the card reader1. Also in this case, according to the card reader1, the skimming device can be detected as a foreign matter.

The card readers1in the embodiment, the first modified embodiment and the second modified embodiment are card readers1in which a card is automatically conveyed. However, the present invention may be applied to a manual type card reader in which a card is manually inserted and taken out.

As described above, the following matters are disclosed in the present specification

An information processing device structured to process information of an information recording medium having been inserted inside, comprising a communication part which receives a radio wave of a specific frequency band, and a foreign matter detection part structured to detect that a foreign matter has been attached when a state that an intensity of the radio wave received by the communication part is not less than a threshold value continues for a predetermined time.

For example, in a state that a skimming device having a wireless communication function has been attached to a device, there is high possibility that the skimming device sends a radio wave for transmitting information to an external equipment. In this state, a distance between the skimming device and the information processing device becomes shorter and thus, the intensity of the radio wave received by the communications part is increased. Further, the skimming device is located at a fixed position and thus, a state that the intensity of the radio wave is increased continues for a long time. According to the above-mentioned structure (1), attachment of a foreign matter is detected based on the intensity of a radio wave and a duration time of a state that the intensity is not less than a threshold value and thus, a skimming device having such a wireless communication function can be detected with high probability. As a result, the security performance is enhanced.

The information processing device described in the above-mentioned structure (1), in which the foreign matter detection part determines whether or not identification information of an apparatus of a transmission source of the radio wave is included in the information included in the radio wave received by the communication part and, only when the foreign matter detection part determines that the identification information is not included in the information, the foreign matter detection part performs processing which determines whether a state that the intensity of the radio wave is not less than the threshold value continues for the predetermined time or not.

According to the above-mentioned structure (2), in a case that identification information is included in the information from an apparatus of a transmission source of the radio wave, the determination can be omitted. It is conceivable that a radio wave of the specific frequency band is sent from an electronic apparatus possessed by a user who utilizes the information processing device. However, in a case of such an electronic apparatus, its identification information can be acquired. On the other hand, in a case of a skimming device, there is high possibility that its identification information cannot be acquired. Therefore, when the determination is performed only in a case that identification information is not included in the information received from an apparatus, a processing load can be reduced.

The information processing device described in the above-mentioned structure (1) or (2), in which the communication part performs communication with an external equipment conforming to a standard for performing one-to-one wireless communication, and the information processing device further includes a pairing processing part which performs pairing processing with a transmission source of the radio wave through the communication part in a case that the foreign matter having been attached is detected.

According to the above-mentioned structure (3), for example, in a case that it is detected that a skimming device has been attached, pairing can be performed with the skimming device. Therefore, communication between a skimming device and another apparatus other than the information processing device cannot be performed. As a result, reading of information through a skimming device by a person who has attached the skimming device can be prevented and security performance can be enhanced.

The information processing device described in one of the above-mentioned structures (1) through (3), the information processing device further comprising a coping processing part which performs at least one of notification to an external device and reception stop of an information recording medium when the foreign matter having been attached is detected.

According to the above-mentioned structure (4), a fraudulent act utilizing a skimming device can be prevented effectively.

A foreign matter detection method in an information processing device structured to process information of an information recording medium having been inserted inside, the foreign matter detection method comprising receiving a radio wave of a specific frequency band and, when a state that an intensity of the radio wave is not less than a threshold value continues for a predetermined time, detecting that a foreign matter other than the information recording medium has been attached to the information processing device.

According to the above-mentioned method (5), a foreign matter such as a skimming device can be detected with a high degree of accuracy to effectively prevent a fraudulent act utilizing the skimming device.