System and method for detecting a foreign object
A system and method is described for detecting a foreign object inserted into a card reader. The card reader has a housing having an internal portion and a card entry slot formed therein. A reader device for reading information from a card is mounted within the internal portion of the housing. A transport mechanism is within the internal portion of the housing and includes a structure having one or more distinctive patterns on an upper surface thereof. A camera is mounted within the housing above the transport mechanism in a position to allow an image to be taken of the upper surface of the structure of the transport mechanism. A controller is coupled to the camera to receive images therefrom and configured to compare each image received from the camera to a reference image to determine when a foreign object has been inserted into the internal portion of the housing.
1. A card reader, comprising:
a housing having an internal portion and a card entry slot formed therein;
a reader device for reading information from a card, the reader device mounted within the internal portion of the housing;
a transport mechanism within the internal portion of the housing for receiving a card via the card entry slot and transporting the card to the reader device, the transport mechanism including a structure having one or more distinctive patterns on an upper surface thereof, each distinctive pattern being a dazzle pattern;
a camera mounted within the housing above the transport mechanism, the camera mounted in a position to allow an image to be taken of the upper surface of the guide member structure of the transport mechanism; and
a controller coupled to the camera to receive images therefrom, the controller configured to compare each image received from the camera to a reference image to determine when a foreign object has been inserted into the internal portion of the housing.
2. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein the structure having one or more distinctive patterns on an upper surface thereof is a guide member structure.
3. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein the one or more distinctive patterns provide a unique background on the structure.
4. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein the structure has three different distinctive patterns.
5. The card reader of claim 4 , wherein each distinctive pattern is a different dazzle pattern.
6. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein the reference image is generated during a manufacturing process.
7. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein the reference image is generated during an installation process.
8. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein the controller generates an alarm signal upon the determination that a foreign object has been inserted into the internal portion of the housing.
9. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein the controller disables a self-service terminal associated with the card reader upon the determination that a foreign object has been inserted into the internal portion of the housing.
10. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein the card reader device is a card read/write head or a chip reader unit.
11. The card reader of claim 1 , wherein the controller provides the camera with a signal that causes the camera to generate an image.
12. The card reader of claim 11 , wherein the signal is provided after each user transaction is completed.
13. The card reader of claim 11 , wherein the signal is provided on a periodic basis.
14. A self-service terminal, comprising:
a card reader, the card reader comprising:
a housing having an internal portion and a card entry slot formed therein;
a reader device for reading information from a card, the reader device mounted within the internal portion of the housing;
a transport mechanism within the internal portion of the housing for receiving a card via the card entry slot and transporting the card to the reader device, the transport mechanism including a structure having one or more distinctive patterns on an upper surface thereof, each distinctive pattern being a dazzle pattern;
a camera mounted within the housing above the transport mechanism, the camera mounted in a position to allow an image to be taken of the upper surface of the guide member structure of the transport mechanism; and
a controller coupled to the camera to receive images therefrom, the controller configured to compare each image received from the camera to a reference image to determine when a foreign object has been inserted into the internal portion of the housing.
15. A method of detecting a foreign object within a card reader, comprising:
generating an image of an internal portion of the card reader, the internal portion including a structure having one or more distinctive patterns on an upper surface thereof, each distinctive pattern being a dazzle pattern;
comparing the generated image with a reference image;
determining that a foreign object has been inserted into the card reader based on the comparison of the generated image with the reference image; and
generating an alarm signal upon the determination that a foreign object has been inserted into the card reader.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more distinctive patterns provide a unique background on the structure.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the structure has three different distinctive patterns.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein each distinctive pattern is a different dazzle pattern.