# US 10,318,959 B2 · System and methods to prevent unauthorized usage of card readers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,318,959 B2 - Document ID: US10318959B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/046,573 - Filed: 2018-07-26 - Published: 2018-11-22 - Granted: 2019-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-04 - Assignees: Bbpos Limited - Applicants: Bbpos Limited - Inventors: Hwai Sian Tsai; Chi Wah Lo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10318959B2 ## CPC - G06Q 20/409: {Device specific authentication in transaction processing} - G06K 7/06: by means which conduct current when a mark is sensed or absent, e.g. contact brush for a conductive mark - G06K 7/10009: {sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves} - G06K 7/10405: {the interrogation device including an arrangement for sensing environmental parameters, such as a temperature or acceleration sensor, e.g. used as an on/off trigger or as a warning means} - G06Q 20/34: using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards - G06Q 20/352: {Contactless payments by cards} - G07F 7/0893: {the card reader reading the card in a contactless manner} - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) ## Abstract A contactless card reader comprises a contactless card reader front-end coupled to a processor. A communications module is coupled to the processor and a set of sensors is coupled to the processor. The set of sensors determines parameters related to the location, orientation and motion of the card reader. The processor receives the parameters from the set of sensors and utilizes the parameters and scenario configuration data to evaluate a rule. The result of the evaluation of the rule results in a limitation on the operation of the card reader. The communications module is configured to intermittently receive the scenario configuration data from external sources. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A card reader comprising: a card reader front-end coupled to a processor; a communications module coupled to the processor; and the processor receiving a set of parameters related to a location, orientation and motion of the card reader from a set of sensors coupled to the processor, and utilizing the set of parameters and first scenario configuration data to evaluate a first rule, wherein the evaluation of the first rule results in a limitation on the operation of the card reader, and said first scenario configuration data is based on a classification of a first mobility of the card reader, wherein the classification of the first mobility of the card reader comprises selection of a usage location of the card reader either being static or in motion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, wherein an external device is coupled to the card reader. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The card reader of claim 2, wherein the set of sensors is located within the external device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The card reader of claim 2, wherein the evaluation of the first rule is performed on the external device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, wherein the processor utilizes the set of parameters and second scenario configuration data to evaluate a second rule; and said second scenario configuration data is based on a classification of a second mobility of the card reader. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, wherein the communications module receives the first scenario configuration data from external sources. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, wherein the evaluation of the first rule is performed by a backend host coupled to the communications module. ### Claim 8 A method of securing a card reader for operation in a usage location, the method comprising: enabling installation of the card reader in the usage location, wherein said installation comprises classifying a mobility of the card reader, and further wherein said classifying the mobility of the card reader comprises selecting the usage location either being in motion or being static; enabling configuration of the card reader with a scenario, wherein the scenario is based on the classifying of the mobility of the card reader, enabling the card reader to receive a set of parameters from a set of sensors, wherein the set of parameters is related to a location, orientation and motion of the card reader; enabling the card reader to evaluate a rule based on the set of parameters, wherein the rule is based on the scenario; and enabling limitation of operation of the card reader based on said evaluating of the rule. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further wherein the installation further comprises classifying a portability of the card reader; and the scenario is further based on the classifying of the portability of the card reader. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further wherein said classifying the portability of the card reader comprises selecting one of fixed, mobile or handheld. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the rule is based on a range of velocities. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the rule is based on matching a plan or a route. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the set of parameters comprise Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) readings. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the set of parameters comprise accelerometer readings. ### Claim 15 A method for reading a card in a usage location, the method comprising: providing a card reader comprising a card reader front-end and a communications module, wherein the card reader front-end and communications module are coupled to a processor; and enabling the processor to: receive a set of parameters related to a location, orientation and motion of the card reader from a set of sensors coupled to the processor, utilize the set of parameters and scenario configuration data to evaluate one or more rules, wherein the evaluation of the one or more rules results in a limitation on the operation of the card reader, and said scenario configuration data is based on a classification of a mobility of the card reader, wherein the classification of the mobility of the card reader comprises selection of a usage location of the card reader either being static or in motion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further wherein one of the one or more rules is based on a type of a card. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further wherein said enabling of the processor comprises providing an interface for installing the card reader in the usage location. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further wherein said enabling of the processor comprises authentication. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein said authentication comprises verification. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the evaluation of one of the one or more rules results in a disabling of the operation of the card reader, and said card reader requires reverification before resuming operation.