Hybrid Card Reader

This invention relates to readers of a variety of different cards used in commercial transactions, cards such as smart cards, optical character cards, and magnetic stripe cards.

Smart cards, checks with optical characters and magnetic stripe cards are in widespread use. The readers for these cards, of course, also are in widespread use. The ubiquitous magnetic stripe reader includes a slot into which a card is moved, for example, by hand past a read (and possibly write head) to obtain the user and bank identification number.

The smart card contains a microprocessor chip and memory and is capable of storing a far greater amount of information about participants in a commercial transaction. But the reader for such a card is more complicated and requires that electrical contacts be made between the reader and electrodes on the card.

Recently, readers have appeared which are capable of reading both types of cards. The most familiar of these readers is of the insert type where a card is inserted into a slot where it resides during the transaction. The reader is capable of responding to the insertion of the card to ascertain the information recorded there. In one instance, electrical contacts are pressed against an inserted card in positions to contact electrodes on the card if such electrodes are present. If no electrodes are present, of course, no contact is made and the positions of the contacts are irrelevant. The reader also has a magnetic head positioned to read a magnetic stripe if it is present. If a card is both a smart card and a magnetic stripe card, the reader has the capacity to read information from both recording systems and to relay information to a controller or computer.

It is to be noted that magnetic stripe information is captured by moving a card with respect to a read head whereas information is obtained from a smart card over time while the card is maintained in a secure position. Consequently, a smart card presently is locked in position by a resident locking device while a magnetic stripe card is positioned under user control and not captured. A resident locking device has been found inadequate to seat the smart card for proper operation thus leading to data errors.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a hybrid card reader includes a selective lock for capturing only a smart card. The magnetic stripe card is not captured and can be removed under operator control at any time. The selective lock mechanism is responsive to the insertion of a card into the insert reader when a set of contacts physically contacts electrodes on the card. A signal generated in response to the insertion of a card notifies a controller that a card is present. The controller activates power to the contact and, if the electrodes are present, at this time, activates a latch mechanism to capture the card. An end-of-transaction signal releases the latch.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a hybrid card reader in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic top and side views of the reader of FIG. 1, respectively, with the enclosure removed; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a portion of the reader of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the contact assembly for smart cards.

FIG. 1 shows a hybrid smart card and magnetic card reader 10 in accordance with the principles of this invention. The reader is connected to a host computer 11 which is signalled that a card is in place in the reader as will become clear hereinafter.

FIG. 1 specifically shows an insert reader 10 including an opening at 13 for receiving a magnetic card or a smart card, the latter having a plurality of electrodes thereon as is well known.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of the components of the reader of FIG. 1. The figure also shows a smart card 14 in place within the reader. The distal end of the card is supported by support 15 of FIG. 3 which acts as a bearing surface when the card is inserted and contact fingers 16 contact the electrodes (18) on the card.

The reader includes a sensor 20, of FIG. 3, which senses the presence of a card. The sensor is operative to signal a host computer or controller (11) of the presence of a card. The host supplies power to the reader and interrogates the reader to determine if contacts to electrodes are made. If contacts are made, the host signals solenoid 21 to lock the card in place.

Solenoid 21 operates a cam rod pushing against a pivoting latching arrangement. The latching arrangement includes a hook which engages the proximal edge of a card. The cam rod is designated 29 in FIG. 3 and communicates with a pivoting member 30. Member 30 rotates about pivot 32 to move hook 33 to engage a card edge.

The latching arrangement also is operative to move a card further into the reader. Such movement is only slight causing the distal edge of the reader to engage a switch 34, shown in FIG. 3. Switch 34 is operative to permit power to be supplied to the contact fingers from a power supply (not shown) and to effect relative movement of the contact fingers and the electrodes to ensure that low impedance connection is achieved.

The latching arrangement has the property that it takes more energy to latch than to open in the event of a power failure. As a manual override, a user exerting a force of five pounds can withdraw the card even if the hook is engaging the card edge. To permit such an extraction, hook 33 has a ramped edge 35 along which the proximal edge of a card rides forcing the hook downward as shown. The solenoid is reset by such forced movement.