Patent ID: 7118038

Claim:
A card reader which reads or writes data from or to a card inserted through a card insertion port into a card reader body via a card transport path wherein the card reader comprises: a shutter provided near the card insertion port to open or close the card transport path; a first detector for detecting one of both side end portions in a card width direction of the card inserted therein at a first end of the card insertion port in the card width direction; a sensor for detecting a change in the first detector; a locking member being capable of switching positions of the shutter between an open-position and a close-and-lock position; a controller for controlling switching positions of the locking member between the open position and the close-and-lock position of the shutter; and a second detector, which is provided at a second end which is opposite to the first end in the card width direction of the card insertion port for detecting the other of the both side ends of the card in the card width direction of the card inserted therein and for switching states of the locking member between a stationary mode and a movable mode such that when the card is inserted into the card insertion port, the second detector sets the locking member in the movable mode and the controller starts up based on the sensor output to move the locking member to the open position of the shutter to allow the shutter to be opened or closed, wherein the first detector detects one of both side end portions of the card at the first end of the card insertion port and the controller moves the locking member based on the sensor output due to the detection of the first detector such that the shutter is allowed to be opened when the second detector sets the locking member to the movable mode.