Dual-orientation card reader
AssigneeCardtronics USA, Inc.
InventorsJant Albrent Kristdict Rafols Caceres, Clemence Orl Ceriales Cadano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dual probe card reader system accommodates Europay®, Mastercard®, and Visa® (EMV) cards in multiple orientations while retaining existing card reader footprints. The system includes a mechanism with two probes positioned to connect with EMV chips in different orientations when cards are facing up. The dual probe mechanism retains other existing card reader parts, enabling detection of EMV chips through either probe position. The system includes an updated probe printed circuit board and modified probe schematics to support both EMV positions. This technique provides enhanced compatibility with chip-based cards while minimizing replacement of existing card reader infrastructure through reuse of current device footprints.
Claims20
A card reader comprising:
- a housing having a card slot configured to receive a chip-based card;
- a first probe positioned within the housing to connect with a chip when the chip-based card is inserted face up with a leading edge of the chip-based card being adjacent to the chip;
- a second probe positioned within the housing and rotated 180 degrees relative to the first probe to connect with the chip when the chip-based card is inserted face up with a trailing edge of the chip-based card being adjacent to the chip;
- a push mechanism configured to push the first probe or second probe into contact with the chip;
- a printed circuit board including a controller, the first probe, and the second probe, wherein the first probe includes a first pad with a first pin located in a bottom rightmost corner of the first pad, and the second probe includes a second pad with a first pin located in a top leftmost corner of the second pad;
- and
- a control board configured to read data from the chip through either the first probe or second probe.
A method comprising:
- detecting a chip-based card inserted into a card slot of a card reader;
- determining whether the chip-based card is inserted face up with a leading edge of the chip-based card being adjacent to a chip of the chip-based card or face up with a trailing edge of the chip-based card being adjacent to the chip;
- selecting either a first probe or a second probe based on an insertion orientation of the chip-based card, wherein the second probe is rotated 180 degrees relative to the first probe, wherein the first probe and the second probe are positioned on a printed circuit board with the first probe having a first pad with a first pin located in a bottom rightmost corner of the first pad, and the second probe having a second pad with a first pin located in a top leftmost corner of the second pad;
- activating a push mechanism to push a selected probe into contact with a chip on the chip-based card;
- and
- reading data from the chip through the selected probe.
A system, comprising:
- a card reader housing configured to receive a chip-based card;
- and
- a dual probe mechanism within the card reader housing comprising:
- a first probe positioned to connect with a chip when the chip-based card is inserted face up with a leading edge of the chip-based card being adjacent to the chip;
- a second probe rotated 180 degrees relative to the first probe and positioned to connect with the chip when the chip-based card is inserted face up with a trailing edge of the chip-based card being adjacent to the chip;
- a push mechanism configured to selectively engage either the first probe or second probe with the chip;
- a printed circuit board including the first probe and the second probe, wherein the first probe includes a first pad with a first pin located in a bottom rightmost corner of the first pad, and the second probe includes a second pad with a first pin located in a top leftmost corner of the second pad;
- and
- a control board configured to read data from the chip through an engaged probe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.