Card reader
AssigneeNCR Corporation
InventorsStuart Masterton, Barrie Clark
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
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 and to confirm that the predetermined passage is clear of foreign bodies, wherein the image capture device is arranged to capture images of the interior at less than 5 degrees from the plane containing travel path of a card.
A card reader as claimed in clam 1, wherein the angle is less than 2 degrees.
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 and to confirm that the predetermined passage is clear of foreign bodies, wherein the image capture device is positioned above or below the predetermined passage and an image of the entry slot is achievable using an optical device which is retractably movable into the predetermined passage.
A method of operating a card reader having an entry slot through which a card can be inserted into the interior of the card reader, the method comprising:
- imaging a surface of an inserted card to provide a first captured image which is representative of topography of the card;
- and
- analyzing the first captured image to determine whether or not a filament is wrapped around the card.
A method of operating a card reader having a shutter which covers an entry slot through which a card can be inserted into an interior chamber of the card reader, the method comprising:
- periodically opening the shutter before a card is inserted through the entry slot;
- imaging at least a portion of the interior chamber of the card reader in response to the shutter periodically opening to provide a first captured image;
- and
- analyzing the first captured image to determine whether or not a foreign object has been inserted through the entry slot into the interior chamber of the card reader.
A card reader comprising:
- a number of surfaces defining an entry slot through which a card can be inserted into an interior chamber along a predetermined passageway;
- a camera arranged to capture an image which is representative of a least a portion of the predetermined passageway;
- and
- a controller arranged to analyze the captured image to determine if a foreign object which is other than a card has been inserted into the interior chamber along the predetermined passageway.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.