Self-service terminal

• US 6,422,475 B1
• Filed: 06/08/2000
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Atleos Corp.
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: May, David C. C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US09/589,695
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/441, 235/492, 235/449, 235/482
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/2055 Anti-skimming aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs

Abstract

A self-service terminal (10) incorporating an anti-fraud device is described. The anti-fraud device has a search coil (20) for detecting metal, where the search coil (20) is located in the vicinity of a user interface element (36). The search coil (20) may be located in the throat (22) of the card reader module (14d) so that the search coil (20) is in the vicinity of an area liable to placement of a fraudulent third party device. A method of preventing fraud at an SST, and an anti-fraud device for use with an SST are also described.

Claims

1. A self-service terminal comprising:

means defining a user interface element including a magnetic card reader; and

an anti-fraud device for detecting metal in an alien card reader positioned in the front vicinity of the magnetic card reader.

2. A self-service terminal according to claim 1, wherein the anti-fraud device comprises a search coil which is located in the vicinity of the user interface element.

3. A self-service terminal according to claim 2, further comprising a card reader module which comprises the search coil.

4. A self-service terminal according to claim 3, wherein the card reader module includes means defining a throat in which the search coil is located.

5. A self-service terminal according to claim 3, wherein (i) the card reader module includes means defining an entry/exit slot, and (ii) the search coil is annular in shape so that the coil surrounds the entry/exit slot.

6. A self-service terminal comprising:

means defining a user interface element including a magnetic card reader;

an anti-fraud device for detecting presence of metal in an alien card reader positioned in the front vicinity of the magnetic card reader; and

a controller for generating an alert signal when presence of metal in the front vicinity of the magnetic card reader is detected for more than a predetermined amount of time.

7. A self-service terminal according to claim 6, wherein the anti-fraud device comprises a search coil which is located in the vicinity of the user interface element.

8. A self-service terminal according to claim 7, further comprising a card reader module which comprises the search coil.

9. A self-service terminal according to claim 8, wherein the card reader module includes means defining a throat in which the search coil is located.

10. A self-service terminal according to claim 8, wherein (i) the card reader module includes means defining an entry/exit slot, and (ii) the search coil is annular in shape so that the coil surrounds the entry/exit slot.

11. A self-service terminal according to claim 8, wherein the search coil includes a ferrite core and is rod-shaped.

12. An anti-fraud device for use with a self-service terminal having at least one user interface element including a magnetic card reader, the anti-fraud device comprising:

a search coil for detecting metal in an alien card reader positioned in the front vicinity of the magnetic card reader.

13. An anti-fraud device according to claim 12, wherein the search coil is annular in shape.

14. An anti-fraud device according to claim 12, wherein the search coil is rod-shaped.

15. A method of preventing fraud at a self-service terminal having a user interface element including a magnetic card reader, the method comprising:

searching for metal in an alien card reader positioned in the front vicinity of the magnetic card reader; and

generating an alert signal in response to detecting metal in the front vicinity of the magnetic card reader.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:

determining the length of time for which metal has been detected; and

comparing the length of time for which metal has been detected with a predetermined time.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein generating an alert signal comprises:

generating an alert signal if the length of time exceeds the predetermined time.

18. An automated teller machine comprising:

a user interface panel having a slot for receiving a magnetic card;

a magnetic card reader module disposed behind said slot; and

means for detecting an alien card reader in front of said slot.

19. A machine according to claim 18 wherein said detecting means are configured for detecting metal in front of said slot.

20. A machine according to claim 19 wherein said detecting means are disposed behind said slot.

21. A machine according to claim 20 wherein said detecting means comprise:

a search coil disposed between said panel slot and an entry slot of said card reader module; and

a controller operatively joined to said search coil.

22. A machine according to claim 21 wherein said search coil is wound around a ferrite rod.

23. A machine according to claim 21 wherein said search coil is annular without a ferrite core, and surrounds said entry slot.

24. A machine according to claim 21 wherein said controller is configured to monitor output of said coil for a predetermined time period to determine presence of metal in front of said panel slot.

25. A machine according to claim 21 wherein said coli has a short detecting range less than about 10 cm.

26. A machine according to claim 21 wherein said card reader module further includes a transport mechanism disposed behind said coil for pulling said card through said panel slot and entry slot.