APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A CARD SLOT

• US 20140054459A1
• Filed: 02/22/2012
• Published: 02/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cennox Atm Parts Ltd. (Cennox Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Cennox Atm Parts Ltd. (Cennox Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Scott, Kate
• Application Number:
  US14/000,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20140054459A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/338.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/12 using one transmitter and one receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/14 Inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/225 for detecting or indicating tampering
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/26 Servicing, repairing or coping with irregularities, e.g. power failure or vandalism
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/2055 Anti-skimming aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0873 Details of the card reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10

Abstract

An apparatus and method for monitoring a card slot is provided. The apparatus is for monitoring a card slot for the presence of unauthorised objects or devices and comprises a photon coupled interrupter having a light source configured for placement at a first side of the card slot to be monitored, the light source being configured to emit light across the card slot; a light sensor configured for placement at a side of the card slot opposite to the first side, the light sensor being configured to sense light from the light source that has propagated across the card slot; and control circuitry for controlling the light source to emit light and for determining the presence of an object or device in the card slot from a signal output from the light sensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring a card slot for the presence of unauthorised objects or devices, the apparatus comprising:

a photon coupled interrupter having;

a light source configured for placement at a first side of the card slot to be monitored, the light source being configured to emit light across the card slot;

a light sensor configured for placement at a side of the card slot opposite to the first side, the light sensor being configured to sense light from the light source that has propagated across the card slot; and

control circuitry for controlling the light source to emit light and for determining the presence of an object or device in the card slot from a signal output from the light sensor.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photon coupled interrupter further comprises:

a first optical component for receiving the light emitted by the light source and for directing the emitted light across the card slot.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first optical component is configured to direct the emitted light across the full height and width, or substantially the full height and width, of the card slot.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first optical component is configured to receive the light emitted by the light source and to generate collimated light or narrowly-spaced parallel beams of light.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first optical component comprises a lens.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first optical component comprises a positive converging lens or a collimating lens.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first optical component is configured to receive the light emitted by the light source and to generate a gradually diverging beam of light.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first optical component is a prism.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first optical component comprises one or more fibre optic scopes.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the photon coupled interrupter further comprising:

a second optical component for collecting light at the side of the card slot opposite the first side and for directing the collected light to the light sensor.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second optical component comprises a lens.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second optical component comprises a positive converging lens or a collimating lens.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second optical component comprises one or more fibre optic scopes.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to emit infrared light or laser light.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine the presence of an unauthorised object or device in the card slot if a signal output from the light sensor indicates an object or device is present in the card slot for more than a predetermined time period.

16. A card reader, comprising:

a card slot into which a card can be inserted; and

an apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for monitoring the card slot for the presence of an unauthorised object or device.

17. An automatic teller machine, ATM, comprising:

a card slot into which a card can be inserted; and

an apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for monitoring the card slot for the presence of an unauthorised object or device.

18. A method for monitoring a card slot for the presence of unauthorised objects or devices, the method comprising:

placing a light source of a photon coupled interrupter at a first side of the card slot to be monitored, the light source being configured to emit light across the card slot;

placing a light sensor of a photon coupled interrupter at a side of the card slot opposite to the first side, the light sensor being configured to sense light from the light source that has propagated across the card slot;

operating the light source to emit light across the card slot towards the light sensor; and

detecting the presence of an object or device in the card slot on the basis of the amount of light received by the light sensor.

19. An apparatus for monitoring a card slot for the presence of unauthorised objects or devices, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A method for monitoring a card slot for the presence of unauthorised objects or devices, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawing.