Abstract:
A card reader comprises an entry slot to allow access for a card into the interior of the card reader along a predetermined passage. The card reader further comprises a controller and an image capture device arranged so as to monitor the interior of the card reader.

Description:
[0001]     The present invention relates to a card reader, and particularly to an apparatus and method for detecting an attempted unauthorized interference with a card within the card reader.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     A card reader can normally read either a magnetic stripe card or a smart card (also referred to as an integrated circuit card). There are some integrated card readers which can read both magnetic stripe and smart card, which are known as hybrid card readers. To read a magnetic stripe, the stripe must move relative to a magnetic read head; however, to read a smart card having conducting terminals, the card terminals must align, make contact, and remain in contact with terminals used for reading the smart card.  
         [0003]     The present invention can be utilized with any type of card reader although it is most appropriate for an automatic card reader as opposed to a dip card reader.  
         [0004]     Card readers are used in apparatus, such as an automated teller machine (ATM), where a user may insert a magnetic stripe card, a smart card, or a combined magnetic stripe and smart card to conduct a transaction.  
         [0005]     One disadvantage of card readers is the increasing prevalence of attempted fraud associated with card readers, especially ATM card readers.  
         [0006]     The entrance to a card reader is particularly vulnerable, for example, to the insertion of certain devices intended for the fraudulent capture of an authorized user&#39;s card or the information thereon. There exists at present several known methods by which a customer or user&#39;s card details can be obtained by fraud, for example, the introduction of Lebanese or Marseille Loops into the card reader. Also information can be obtained indirectly by the introduction of an Algerian V into the card reader or directly by the attachment of a skimming device at the entrance to the card reader.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     It is among the objects of an embodiment of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of the above disadvantages or other disadvantages associated with card readers.  
         [0008]     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a card reader comprising an entry slot to allow access for a card into the interior of the card reader along a predetermined passage, and a card reader controller, characterized by an image capture device arranged so as to monitor the interior of the card reader.  
         [0009]     According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a self-service terminal (SST) incorporating a card reader according to the first aspect of the invention.  
         [0010]     According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operation of a card reader according to the first aspect of this invention, the method comprising the step of periodically imaging the interior of the card reader.  
         [0011]     Preferably, the method includes the step of imaging the position of a card guide-plate or drive rollers.  
         [0012]     Preferably, the method includes the step of periodically opening the shutter in order to image the immediate exterior of the card reader from within the reader.  
         [0013]     Alternatively, the method includes the steps of imaging the surface of an inserted card and determining from the topography of the card, whether or not a filament is wrapped around the card.  
         [0014]     The SST may be an automated teller machine (ATM). Alternatively, the SST may be a retail point of sale (PoS) terminal. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following specific description, given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a card reader according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a schematic front view of the card reader of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view of the card reader of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the card reader of  FIG. 1  interfacing with a card. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     Reference is now made to FIGS.  1  to  3 , which show a card reader  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The card reader  10  has a bezel  12  which includes a transparent cover  20  that aligns with an LED (not shown) in the bezel  12 .  
         [0021]     The bezel  12  has a card entry slot  26  arranged to pass an inserted card into a card chamber  27  in the card reader housing portion  16 .  
         [0022]     The card reader  10  further comprises a magnetic read head  28  for reading a magnetic stripe on a card; a pin or portcullis style shutter  30  for locking a card within the reader  10  and preventing a tool from being used to open the shutter; a solenoid  32  for activating the shutter  30 ; and a card sensor  34  for sensing the presence of a card.  
         [0023]     The housing portion  16  incorporates a controller  50 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , for controlling the operation of the card reader  10 . The controller  50  is coupled to a communications interface  52 , in addition to being coupled to the shutter mechanism (including the pin shutter  30  and solenoid  32 ), the magnetic read head  28 , the smart card interface  42 , and the card sensor  34 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  also illustrates a hybrid card  60  having a magnetic stripe  62 .  
         [0025]     Throughout this specification and claims the term foreign object or foreign body is intended to include, but not be limited to: dental floss, wire, VCR tape, fishing line and adhesive tape.  
         [0026]     In accordance with the present invention the entrance to the card slot  26  can be monitored internally by using an ‘Image Capture Device’ (ICD), in the form of a miniature camera  70 , arranged to view the full width of the card entrance slot  26 . This arrangement enables the immediate detection of interference with the reader, and allows system software, within the controller  50  to immediately (within a few clock-cycles) recognize the fact that an unauthorized action is occurring, and to take whatever action is deemed necessary to ensure the protection of customer details. In particular the controller  50  can arrange to close the pin shutter  30 .  
         [0027]     In addition, the ICD system is arranged to immediately detect any inappropriate movement of the card guide-plates  40 ,  42 . Detecting any movement of the guide-plates  40 ,  42  and/or guide rollers (not shown) will also assist the controller  50  in identifying the presence of a foreign object within the card reader  10 .  
         [0028]     Alternatively a foreign object can be detected directly by analyzing the view through the card travel area or chamber  27 .  
         [0029]     In addition the card reader shutter  30  can be opened periodically in order to ascertain whether external interference has occurred.  
         [0030]     A further benefit of the system is that due to the high resolution of the ICD, any embossing on the surface of the card  60  can be detected. In this way the system can identify whether a genuine card  60  has been introduced. As it is common practice for fraudsters to use ‘blank stock’, the system can identify a potential fraudulent action and allow the card  60  to be retained by the reader  10 , by the closure of the shutter  30 .  
         [0031]     In a method of processing in accordance with the present invention the captured image (either real-time or snapshot) will be transferred to a binary file, and the post-processing includes taking a ‘pixel-count’ relating to the area of interest. A software algorithm is utilized in order to compare the captured image with pre-defined ‘good-state’ parameters.  
         [0032]     The ICD device, in the form of a camera  70 , is positioned such that it facilitates the image capture of the entire width of the card throat  43 . This can be achieved by situating the camera  70  at the extreme rear of the card reader chamber  27 . Clearly, in order to allow for complete and full functionality of the card reader  10 , it is necessary to mount the camera  70  such as to allow for the passage of an inserted card  60 . Alternatively, the image capture device  70  is positioned above or below the passageway  27  and an image of the entry slot  26  is achievable using an optical device  72 , such as a mirror or prism, in the passageway  27 .  
         [0033]     It has been determined that in order for this invention to function well that the image must be taken from less than 5 degrees (and preferably less than 2 degrees) from the plane containing the card in order to detect a filament.  
         [0034]     Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment within the scope of the invention, for example, it will be appreciated that the card reader may be a card reader and writer.