System and methods to prevent unauthorized usage of card readers

1. A card reader comprising:

a card reader front-end; and

a processor, coupled with the card reader front-end, configured to:

receive a set of parameters related to a location, orientation, and motion of the card reader from a set of sensors coupled with the processor, and

utilize the set of parameters and first scenario configuration data to evaluate a first rule to limit an operation of the card reader, wherein the first scenario configuration data is based on a selection of a usage location of the card reader either being static or in motion.

2. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein an external device is coupled with the card reader.

3. The card reader of claim 2 , wherein the set of sensors is located within the external device.

4. The card reader of claim 2 , wherein the evaluation of the first rule is performed on the external device.

5. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein the processor utilizes the set of parameters and second scenario configuration data to evaluate a second rule.

6. The card reader of claim 1 , further comprising a communications subsystem coupled to the processor.

7. The card reader of claim 6 , wherein the communications subsystem receives the first scenario configuration data from external sources.

8. The card reader of claim 6 , wherein the evaluation of the first rule is performed by a backend host coupled to the communications subsystem.

9. The card reader of claim 8 , wherein the processor utilizes the set of parameters and second scenario configuration data to evaluate a second rule.

10. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein the first rule is based on an interface between a card and the card reader.

11. A method for reading a card in a usage location, the method comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a set of parameters related to a location, orientation, and motion of a card reader from a set of sensors coupled with the processor;

evaluating, by the processor, one or more rules based at least in part on the set of parameters and a set of scenario configuration data, wherein the set of scenario configuration data is based on a selection of a usage location of the card reader as either being static or in motion; and

limiting, by the processor, an operation of the card reader based on the evaluation of the one or more rules.

12. The method of claim 11 , further wherein the set of scenario configuration data is based on a classification of a portability of the card reader.

13. The method of claim 12 , further wherein the classification of the portability of the card reader comprises selecting one of fixed, mobile or handheld.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more rules is based on at least one of a range of accelerations and a range of velocities.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more rules is based on matching a plan or a route.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the set of parameters comprise at least one of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and altimeter readings.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the set of parameters comprise at least one of accelerometer and gyroscope readings.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more rules is based on at least one of a displacement and an orientation of the card reader.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more rules is based on either an amount of a transaction or a currency of the transaction.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the card is either a loyalty card or a card issued by a private business.