FR2762698A1 - Protection of magnetic heads in card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

The protection is provided by a barrier (13) displaced by a spring so it closes the slot in all the directions in which it is accessible. The barrier is a plate (7) that can tilt in the vertical direction about a transverse pivot (12,13). The plate has a rectangular hole to allow the head (11) to project into the plate when no card is inserted. When a card is inserted it passes under the plate, and pushes the head down against a spring (14). The outer edge (21) of the barrier has a chamfered edge which allows the barrier to be lifted when an object is inserted with a force greater than a set threshold value.

Description

PROTECTION DEVICE FOR A MAGNETIC HEAD OF IW LEZ1 DE
CARDS
The present invention relates to the field of magnetic card readers, that is to say provided with a magnetic track for storing information intended to be read by a magnetic head by scrolling of the magnetic track in front of this head. The invention applies more particularly to the protection of the magnetic head of the reader when no card is inserted into it.

 Such readers generally include a card guide slot so that its magnetic strip passes in front of the read head during a passage of the card, generally actuated manually, in the slot. In certain cases, the reader is also provided with a device for reading a smart card in order to be able to receive both smart cards and magnetic cards. If necessary, the same card can be provided with a magnetic strip and a chip.

 The magnetic head of a reader is generally mounted on a spring to ensure good contact with the magnetic strip of the card. It follows that the magnetic head is permanently accessible and risks being damaged by the introduction of small objects (needles, paper clips, etc.) into the slot.

 In a chip card reader, s, the card insertion slot is generally protected by a flap or spring-loaded roller. Such a solution cannot, in practice, be transposed to the protection of a magnetic head. Indeed, if for a chip, the reading is static, the reading of a magnetic track requires a displacement in front of the reading head. Consequently, magnetic card readers are generally provided with a slot open in two different directions so that the reading takes place while the card is driven by the user or by a motor. Some magnetic card readers even have a slot open in three directions ("swipe" type readers).

 Standards impose conditions for the protection of the magnetic heads of card readers. In particular, standard NF EN 60/529 stipulates that the head must not be able to be touched by a metal rod 1 mm in diameter introduced into the slot and subjected to a force of less than 100 grams.

 The present invention aims to provide a device for protecting a magnetic head which prevents contact, with the magnetic head, of an object inserted into the access slot to this head if this object is not subjected with a force. greater than a predetermined threshold. In particular, the invention aims to propose a device which complies with standard NF EN 60/529.

 The invention also aims to provide such a device which is automatically deactivated when a card is inserted into the slot.

 The invention also aims to propose a protection device which is particularly simple and reliable.

 The invention also aims to propose a device which can be implemented regardless of the type of reader.

 To achieve these objects, the present invention provides a device for protecting a magnetic head of a magnetic card reader, the head being accessible from an open slot in at least two different directions. The device comprises a wall which is resiliently urged towards a position for closing the slot in all of its opening directions, said wall being provided with an end part inclined towards the inside so that it is retractable under the action of 'an object inserted into the slot against the inclined part with a force greater than a predetermined threshold.

 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wall is stressed by a first spring whose force conditions said threshold.

 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wall is suitable for masking the magnetic head in all the ooplanar directions at the slit.

 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wall is pivotally mounted about an axis parallel to a first direction of opening of the slot through which a card can be inserted.

 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wall is located, with respect to the magnetic head, 1 opposite to the plane of the slot.

 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wall is located on the same side of the magnetic head relative to the plane of the slot.

 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic head is biased by a second spring perpendicular to the plane of the slot.

 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wall comprises a part coming, at rest, to bear on the magnetic head, the second spring being dimensioned so that the magnetic head retracts under the action of said part of the wall.

 The present invention also provides a card reader comprising at least one head for reading a card provided with at least one magnetic strip, and a head protection device of the aforementioned type.

 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the reader is of the type further comprising a chip reader, the magnetic reading head being housed in a housing near a front face for inserting a card.

 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the protection device is integral with a protection roller of the puoe reading device.

These objects, characteristics and advantages, as well as others of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which
Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a card reader according to a first embodiment of the present invention
FIG. 2 schematically represents a first embodiment of a device for protecting a magnetic head of a reader as shown in FIG. 1
FIGS. 3A and 3B are sectional views of a magnetic reading zone of a reader as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a variant of the first embodiment of the protection device, respectively, in the active position and in the inactive position
FIG. 4 represents a second embodiment of a protection device according to the present invention applied to a card reader of the "swipe" type
FIG. 5 represents a third embodiment of a device for protecting a magnetic head according to the present invention; and
FIG. 6 represents an advantageous variant of the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

 The same elements have been designated by the same references in the different figures. For reasons of clarity, only the elements necessary for the understanding of the invention have been shown in the figures and will be described later.

 Figure 1 is a partial general view of a first embodiment of a card reader equipped with a protection device according to the present invention.

 The reader comprises a housing 1 provided, in a projecting part 2 accessible by the user, with a slot 3 for inserting a card 4. The projecting part 2 of the housing 1 comprises a cutout 5 constituting a socket for finger to correctly insert the card and remove it from the housing. This cut 5 defines, with a first side wall 6 of the housing 1, a zone 7 for magnetic reading. Zone 7 is intended to contain conventional means for reading a magnetic stripe carried by the card 4, in particular, a magnetic head (not shown in FIG. 1). The slot 3 extends from the vicinity of the wall 6 to at least the opposite end of the cutout 5 and, preferably (as shown in Figure 1), to the vicinity of a second wall lateral 8 of the part 2 which defines a third side of the finger grip 5, opposite to the side defined by the reading area 7. This thus improves the guiding of the card during its introduction into the housing.

The slot 3 is therefore open towards the outside in two different directions which define a passage plane for the card 4.

 Preferably, the area of the slot 3 formed in a front face 9 of the housing 1 is provided with inclined faces 10 to facilitate the introduction of the card.

 In the example shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the reader is a mixed reader intended to be able to read both smart cards and magnetic strip cards and, where appropriate, mixed cards, ie provided with both a chip and a magnetic stripe.

 If the card 4 is a chip card, this chip is conventionally read by a chip reading device located, in the housing 1, backwards in the direction of introduction of the card relative to the front face 9. If necessary, this reading device can be associated with a mobile carriage for transporting the card 4 so that it is entirely contained in the housing 1 during reading, or be positioned so that the card is read. while a portion of it is still ao accessible in the cutout 5 as 1 'illustrates in Figure 1.

 If the card 4 is provided with a magnetic strip, this track, generally consisting of a longitudinal strip in the direction of introduction of the card, is read by the head contained in the zone 7. This reading is preferably carried out when removing the card from the box.

 FIG. 2 schematically represents a first embodiment of a device for protecting a read head 11 of a reader as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the projecting part 2 of the housing 1 does not was only partially represented. In particular, all the walls of the projecting part 2 have not been shown to reveal the interior of the housing.

 The protection device 12 is intended to prevent contact of the head 11 by an object (for example, a rod of small diameter) introduced by the slot 3 with a force below a determined threshold.

 The device 12 here consists of a frame 13 surrounding the head 11. The head 11 is generally biased by a spring 14 in the direction of the card (not shown in Figure 2) to ensure good reading. The head 11 and the spring 14 are, for example, housed in an interior part 15 of the zone 7 relative to the slot 3. The protection device 12 is here housed in an upper part 16 of the zone 7.

 In the embodiment of Figure 2, the frame 13 is pivotally mounted about an axis A parallel to the plane thereof. The axis A is, for example, common to an axis of a roller 17 for closing the slot 3 with respect to the chip reading device (not shown). The roller 17 is generally mounted in cradles 18 allowing it to move vertically during the introduction of a card against a restoring force exerted by a spring 19. The amount of the frame 13, proximal and parallel to the axis A is fixed to the roller 17 in this embodiment.

 According to the present invention, the frame 13 is overlapped in the direction of the lower part 15 of the zone 7 by means of a thrust spring 20.

 Thus, when no card is inserted in the reader, the frame 13 rests on the lower part 15 of the area 7, thus masking the read head 11. The spring 20 is, according to the invention, chosen so that the force that it exerts corresponds to the limit force for which the introduction of an object from the slot 3 must not cause the pivoting of the frame 13. For example, the spring 20 is dimensioned so that the introduction of a rod 1 mm in diameter with an effort of 100 grams does not cause the frame 13 to pivot.

 When a card is inserted into the housing 1 through the slot 3, the thrust exerted by this card causes the frame 13 to pivot around the axis A and the magnetic track of the card thus comes into contact with the head 11. When the card 4 arrives at the level of the roller 17, a continuation of the thrust causes the ascent of the roller 17 in the cradles 18 against the force exerted by the spring 19 to allow a continuation of the introduction of the card towards back of housing 1.

 In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the springs 14, 19 and 20 are all thrust springs. Note however that tension springs may also be used in place of one or more of these springs. The directions of the respective displacements of the head 11, of the frame 13 and of the roller 17 have been illustrated by arrows fl, f2 and f3.

 Preferably, the upright of the frame 13, parallel and proximal to the front face 9, has an inclined edge 21 to facilitate the introduction of the card.

 It will be noted that the forces exerted by the springs 14 and 19 have no correlation with the force exerted by the spring 20. The dimensioning of the springs 14 and 19 is linked to the force with which a card is generally introduced, whereas the force of the spring 20 is linked to the protection threshold which it is desired to bring to the read head.

 Figures 3A and 3B show, partially and in section, the reading area 7 of a reader as shown in Figures 1 and 2, provided with a device 12 'for protecting a magnetic head 11 according to a variant of the first embodiment. According to this variant, the frame 13 of the device 12 ′ is pivotally mounted about an axis A ′ independently of the roller 17 (FIG. 2) or other means of protection of the chip reading device. . For example, the axis A 'is carried by brackets 22 fixed to the housing 1 so as not to hinder the passage of the card.

 FIG. 3A illustrates the active position of the device 12 ′, that is to say the position in which the frame 13 rests, at least partially, on the upper surface 23 of the part 15. FIG. 3B represents the protection device 12 ′ in the inactive position, that is to say when a card 4 is engaged by the slot 3. In this position, the frame 13 is entirely contained in the upper part 16 of the zone 7.

 Note that the position of the spring 20 relative to the axis A (Figure 2) or A '(Figures 3A and 3B) is not critical, provided that this position is consistent with the force of the spring to meet the threshold desired for deactivation of the protection device. The choice of the position of the spring 20, along an upright of the frame 13, perpendicular to the axis A, may even be used to adjust, from one reader to another, the deactivation limit of the device 12 or 12 'using identical springs 20.

 FIG. 4 represents a second embodiment of a magnetic card reader equipped with a device for protecting a read head according to the present invention. This figure represents, in top view and partially in section, a slot reader open in three directions.

 Such a reader generally consists of a base 30 provided with two projecting walls 31 and 32, parallel to one another and perpendicular to the surface of the base 30. The walls 31, 32 define between them a slot 33 intended for the passage of a magnetic card in front of a read head 11 emerging from a first wall 31 and urged by a spring 14 'in the direction of a second wall 32. In this type of reader, the card is manually driven in a sliding movement between the walls 31, 32 from one end to the other of these s walls and resting on the base 30. The walls 31 and 32 define with cheeks 34 generally perpendicular and upper walls 35 and 36 , parallel to the base 30, of the housings 37 and 38. The housing 37 contains the magnetic head 11 and the spring 14 '. The depth of the slot 33, defined by the height of the walls 31 and 32 is less than the height of a card to keep the grip of the latter during all manual scrolling.

 According to the present invention, the housing 38 is associated with a device 39 for protecting the magnetic head 11 in the absence of a card engaged in the slot 33. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the device 39 consists of 'a cap 40 passing through the wall 32 and whose peripheral edges form a frame 13', for example circular, intended to rest, in the absence of a card, against the face of the wall 31 external to the housing 37. The cap 40 is pivotally mounted about an axis A "by means of at least a first connecting arm 41. A second arm 42, opposite the arm 41 relative to the cap 40, is biased by a spring 20 'to constrain the cap 40 in the direction of the wall 31. In the example shown, the spring 20 ′ is a tension spring, a first end of which is connected to the arm 42 and a second end of which is connected to the internal face of the wall 32.

 The walls 31 and 32 are provided with openings adapted for the passage, respectively, of the read head 11 and of the cap 40.

 In the absence of a card in the slot 33, the device 39 is active and the cap 40 rests by its peripheral edge 13 'on the external face of the wall 31. In this position, the spring 20' prevents the battery from being head 11 by an object, for example a rod, introduced into the slot 33 with an insufficient force relative to the tensile force of the spring 20 '.

 When a magnetic stripe card is engaged in the slot 33 with sufficient force, it causes the cap 40 to pivot for access to the magnetic head 11.

 Figure 5 shows, schematically, a third embodiment of a protection device according to the present invention. This third embodiment applies as well to a reader as represented in FIGS. 1 to 3 as to a reader as represented in FIG. 4.

 According to this embodiment, the protection device 50 consists of a sleeve 51 surrounding the magnetic head 11 and the displacement of which is linear along the axis of the head 11. In the example shown, the sleeve 51 crosses the same reader wall as the magnetic head 11 but its movement is independent of that of the head. Assuming that FIG. 5 partially represents a shoe-type reader, the springs 14 ′ of the head 11 and 20 "of the device 50 are then both contained in the housing 37 and generate parallel forces in the same direction. The sleeve 51 crosses the wall 31 in the direction of the wall 32. The base 52 of the sleeve 51 is open for the passage of the spring 14 'and of the head 11. The free end of the sleeve 51 has inclined faces 21' to facilitate deactivation of the device 50 for the passage of a card. If necessary, several springs 20 "may be distributed around the head 11 to avoid any risk of blocking of the sleeve 51 by offsetting of the latter following the introduction of a card.

According to a variant not shown of this embodiment, the position of the sleeve is reversed, that is to say that it is guided from the wall 32 and that the thrust springs 14 'and 20 "generate parallel forces but opposite directions.

 Note that in the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the frame 13 is not necessarily made up of four uprights. Indeed, only two uprights are necessary, one at the front face 10 and the other, perpendicular, at the level of the finger grip 5. Similarly, in a shoe type reader as shown in the figure 4, the cap 40 may have only three sides if its open side is very close to the base 30. However, the production of a frame 13, a cap 40 or a sleeve 51 completely surrounding the head improves the distribution of efforts when a card is inserted.

 It will also be noted that the second embodiment of the protection device also applies to a reader as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Likewise, the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 3A and 3B also applies to a reader "swipe" type.

 An advantage of the present invention is that it ensures the electrical safety of the magnetic head by avoiding any contact of the latter with a metal rod, for example, a needle or a paper clip which would be introduced accidentally into the slot intended for the card. .

 Another advantage of the present invention is that the protection device improves the protection of the magnetic read head against dust and liquids.

 FIG. 6 represents an advantageous variant of the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B. The frame 13, instead of being hollowed out to allow the passage of the magnetic head 11, is full and even includes a boss tending to push the head 11 downwards into the rest position. Of course, the spring 20 of the frame is then "stronger" than the spring 14 of the head.

 This variant increases the shortest distance between the head 11 and the insertion slot 3. It is therefore possible to bring the head 11 closer to the front face 9, while respecting the minimum electrical insulation to be guaranteed between the head and the slot 3. The thus being able to bring the head 11 closer to the insertion slot makes the apparatus more ergonomic, in particular by reducing the insertion depth of the cards and of the blank 5.

 Of course, the present invention is susceptible of various variants and modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art. In particular, the frame, cap or sleeve may have any general shape (square, circular or other) provided that in the active position of the device, it masks the magnetic head relative to the different directions of opening of the slot. In addition, for the sake of simplification, the respective positions of the various elements have been indicated in accordance with their respective positions in the figures. Note, however, that the orientation of the reader does not matter.

Claims (11)

 1. Device (12, 12 ', 38, 50) for protecting a magnetic head (11) of a magnetic card reader (4), the head being ac accessible from a slot (3, 33) open in at at least two different directions, characterized in that it comprises a wall (13, 39, 51) elastically urged towards a position for closing the slot in all of its opening directions, said wall being provided with an end portion ( 21) inclined inwards so that it is retractable under the action of an object inserted into the slot against the inclined part with a force greater than a predetermined threshold.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall (13, 39, 51) is biased by a first spring (20, 20 ', 20 "), the force of which coats said threshold.  3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall (13, 39, 51) is suitable for masking the magnetic head (11) in all directions ooplanar to the slot (3, 33).  4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wall (13, 39) is pivotally mounted about an axis (A, A 'A ") parallel to a first opening direction the slot (3, 33) through which a card (4) can be inserted.  5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wall (13, 39) is located, relative to the magnetic head (11), 1 opposite to the plane of the slot (3, 33).  6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the wall (51) is located on the same side of the magnetic head (11) relative to the plane of the slot (33).  7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the magnetic head (11) is biased by a second spring (14, 14 ') perpendicular to the plane of the slot.  8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the wall comprises a part coming, at rest, bearing on the magnetic head (11), the second spring (14, 14 ') being dimensioned so that the magnetic head retracts under the action of said part of the wall.  9. Card reader comprising at least one head (11) for reading a card (4) provided with at least one magnetic strip, characterized in that it comprises a device (12, 12 ', 38, 50) head protection according to any one of claims 1 to 8.  10. Card reader according to claim 9, of the type further comprising a chip reader, characterized in that the magnetic reading head (11) is housed in a housing (1) near a front face (9) introduction of a card (4).  11. Reader according to claim 10, characterized in that the protection device (12) is integral with a roller (16) for protection of the chip reading device.