A card processing apparatus includes a card insertion opening, and a card insertion detection sensor. A magnetic card is to be inserted in the card insertion opening. The card insertion detection sensor is configured to detect the magnetic card inserted in the card insertion opening. A magnetic head is provided near the card insertion opening and is configured to detect a change in an electromagnetic field and output a magnetic signal. A control unit is configured to: receive the magnetic signal from the magnetic head when the card insertion detection sensor detects the magnetic card; receive magnetic signal from the magnetic head when the card insertion detection sensor does not detect the magnetic card; acquire the magnetic signal when the magnetic signal includes a predetermined pattern; and discard the magnetic signal when the magnetic signal does not include the predetermined pattern.

Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus, and method for a communication network. Certain embodiments provide an apparatus comprising: a first reader configured to read a user insertable integrated circuit configured to identify a user in a communications network; a second reader configured to read a user insertable integrated circuit configured to identify a user in a communications network; at least one memory storing computer program instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform: generating a control signal responsive to removal of an integrated circuit from the second reader.

A point of sale (POS) device includes a nest portion and a cradle portion. The nest portion includes one or more payment card or near field communication (NFC) readers. The cradle portion couples to differently-sized interchangeable frames, which in turn help secure a mobile computing device to the cradle portion of the POS device. The mobile computing device is connected via a connector to the rest of the POS device. Payment card information read by the readers is conveyed to the mobile computing device over the connector for processing. The POS device may also include tamper detection circuitry.

The invention relates to a switch spring arrangement in a card reader, comprising a contact carrier which is integrated into the card reader and includes a plurality of pockets, open on one side, for accommodating holding elements of a spring contact element, and a spring contact element that has two mounting arms to be secured in the contact carrier as well as a spring arm which can be actuated by a card and is placed between the mounting arms.

A magnetic information processing device for use with a magnetic recording medium storing a magnetic signal may include a magnetic card detection unit comprising a sensor and being structured to detect insertion of the magnetic recording medium; a magnetic head structured to read the magnetic signal recorded in the magnetic recording medium, and output the magnetic signal as an analog signal; a signal detection unit structured to amplify the analog signal output from the magnetic head, and output a detection output signal when the analog signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value of a magnetic detection sensitivity; and a judgment unit structured to judge that the detection output signal output by the signal detection unit is different from the magnetic signal recorded in the magnetic recording medium, when no insertion of the magnetic recording medium is detected by the magnetic card detection unit.

Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus, and method for a communication network. Certain embodiments provide an apparatus comprising: a first reader configured to read a user insertable integrated circuit configured to identify a user in a communications network; a second reader configured to read a user insertable integrated circuit configured to identify a user in a communications network; at least one memory storing computer program instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform: generating a control signal responsive to removal of an integrated circuit from the second reader.

A point of sale (POS) device includes a nest portion and a cradle portion. The nest portion includes one or more payment card or near field communication (NFC) readers. The cradle portion couples to differently-sized interchangeable frames, which in turn help secure a mobile computing device to the cradle portion of the POS device. The mobile computing device is connected via a connector to the rest of the POS device. Payment card information read by the readers is conveyed to the mobile computing device over the connector for processing. The POS device may also include tamper detection circuitry.

A contact type card reader may include a card conveying passage, a card conveying mechanism, a contact block having a contact spring structured to contact the external connection terminal of the card; a guide mechanism; a block urging member; a first stopper; and a second stopper. The guide mechanism may guide the contact block to a standby position, a communication position, and a card eject position. At the standby position and the card eject position, the contact block may be disposed on a first direction side relative to where the contact block is disposed at the communication position. The contact block may include a block-shaped spring holder; a turning; and a stopper urging member.

A shimmer detection apparatus for detecting a shimmer within a chip card reader is provided. The shimmer detection apparatus comprises processing circuitry, memory, and a first sensor in electronic communication with the processing circuitry. The first sensor comprises at least one sensor coil. The at least one sensor coil of the first sensor is disposed proximate to contacts of the chip card reader and is operative to generate a first magnetic field when electrical current flows through the at least one sensor coil. The first sensor is operative to measure at least one electrical value from the first magnetic field. The processing circuitry is operative to receive information representative of at least one electrical value of said first sensor. The memory comprises stored therein information representative of at least one predetermined electrical value. A multiplexer and hand-detection functionality is provided. Tampering-detection methods are also provided.

A contact type card reader may include a card conveying passage, a card conveying mechanism, a contact block having a contact spring structured to contact the external connection terminal of the card; a guide mechanism; a block urging member, a first stopper; and a second stopper. The guide mechanism may guide the contact block to a standby position, a communication position, and a card eject position. At the standby position and the card eject position, the contact block may be disposed on a first direction side relative to where the contact block is disposed at the communication position. The contact block may include a block-shaped spring holder; a turning; and a stopper urging member.