A card processing apparatus detects an insertion/non-insertion of a card and a position of an inserted card regardless of any existence/non-existence of an opaque part on any position of the card. A first card detector is disposed at a first position in a conveying path, a second card detector is disposed at a second position after the first card detector, and a third card detector is disposed at a third position in the conveying path. A conveying mechanism is controlled by detection signals outputted from the first to third card detectors. Each of the card detectors include an operating member movable from a standby position to a shifted position due to contact with the card. A sensor detects any displacement of the operating member, wherein one of the detection signals provides a detection/non-detection of a card, an insertion or non-insertion of a card and an inserted card position.

A card reader includes a digital connector such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug or an Apple Lightning plug. The digital connector includes a corresponding connector interface, which provides voltage to at least a card reader interface and an integrated circuit (IC) of the card reader. The card reader interface outputs an analog transaction information signal upon reading the card. The IC generates a digital version of the analog transaction information signal, encrypts the digital version, converts that into an analog audio signal. The audio signal can then be sent to the connector interface, which converts it into a digital signal such as a USB or Apple Lightning signal that is sent by the digital connector to a mobile device. Alternately, the audio signal can be sent to a microcontroller that converts the audio signal to a digital format such as USB, and then to the digital connector.

A card reader for use with a card incorporated with an IC chip may include an insertion port into which the card is inserted; a metal detection mechanism structured to detect an external connection terminal of the IC chip provided in the card; and a tip end detection mechanism structured to detect a tip end in an inserting direction of the card inserted into the insertion port. The metal detection mechanism and the tip end detection mechanism may be disposed so that, when the tip end detection mechanism detects the tip end in the inserting direction of the card inserted into the insertion port in a correct posture, the metal detection mechanism detects the external connection terminal.

A card reader for use with a card may include a card insertion part formed with an insertion port into which the card is inserted; and a magnetic head provided in the card insertion part and structured to contact with the card. A magnetic gap in a straight shape may be formed at a tip end of the magnetic head where the card is to be contacted. When a forming direction of the magnetic gap formed in the straight shape is a gap direction, the gap direction may be inclined with respect to a first direction perpendicular to an inserting direction of the card when viewed in a thickness direction of the card inserted into the insertion port.

Systems and methods for reading from a transaction instrument are disclosed. In some examples, a system receives a signal from a reader interface in response to an interaction between the reader interface and the transaction instrument. The system amplifies the signal using an amplifier and based on a gain of the amplifier to generate an amplified signal. In some examples, the system converts the amplified signal. The system decodes data from the amplified signal. The system adjusts the gain of the amplifier based on the data. The system outputs the data, in some cases in an encrypted form.

Systems and methods for reading from a transaction instrument are disclosed. In some examples, a system receives a signal from a reader interface in response to an interaction between the reader interface and the transaction instrument. The system amplifies the signal using an amplifier and based on a gain of the amplifier to generate an amplified signal. In some examples, the system converts the amplified signal. The system decodes data from the amplified signal. The system adjusts the gain of the amplifier based on the data. The system outputs the data, in some cases in an encrypted form.