Card positioning method and card reader

A card reader for reading at least data from an IC card including a communication terminal, comprising:

• a conveyance path including an insertion opening at one end through which the IC card is inserted from a front end of the IC card;
• a conveyance roller provided along the conveyance path, the conveyance roller conveying the IC card;
• a motor that drives the conveyance roller;
• an IC contact block that electrically contacts the communication terminal of the IC card;
• a plurality of sensors provided in the conveyance path along a conveyance direction of the IC card, the plurality of sensors detecting the IC card;
• and
• a control unit that controls the motor, based on outputs of the plurality of sensors, wherein
• each of the plurality of sensors is an optical sensor that detects that an optical path is blocked by the IC card being conveyed,
• a first sensor of the plurality of sensors is provided along the conveyance path at a position that is on a side of the one end of the conveyance path relative to the IC contact block, and
• when a position of the IC card in the conveyance path, the position allowing the communication terminal to be electrically contacted with the IC contact block, is defined as a communication position, the control unit controls the motor to execute an extended positioning process including:
• a first conveyance step for conveying the IC card inserted into the insertion opening along the conveyance path toward an alternate end of the conveyance path;
• and a second conveyance step for reversing the conveyance direction of the IC card after the first conveyance step, then further conveying the IC card by a predetermined distance when the first sensor detects a rear end of the IC card, and stopping conveying the IC card, to position the IC card at the communication position within the conveyance path.