Read head array stitching

摘要

Read head array stitching techniques are described. A card reader includes an array of magnetic sensors (a read head array) for retrieving account information from a magnetic stripe of a financial transaction card. The magnetic sensors can be arranged in rows and columns. During a card swipe, each magnetic sensor receives a series of readings. A processor determines relative bit rates for each series of readings. The processor determines which sensor corresponds to which track of the magnetic stripe based on a comparison of the relative bit rates. The processor generates a data stream for at least one track based on portions of readings from each sensor during periods of time the sensor is determined to correspond to the track.

主权项

1. A device comprising:
a read head array having a sensor matrix, the sensor matrix comprising multiple columns and multiple rows of magnetic sensors, each column being positioned at a non-zero distance from another column; and one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising:
receiving card swipe data from the read head array, the card swipe data generated by the read head array during a card swipe, wherein in the card swipe, a magnetic stripe of a financial transaction card moves across the sensor matrix, and wherein the card swipe data comprises one or more signals read from the magnetic sensors, each signal having a corresponding bit rate;determining a misalignment between data tracks and the rows of magnetic sensors, wherein determining the misalignment is based on:
a difference between a first bit density of encoding information on a first track and a second bit density of encoding information on a second track, anda difference between a first bit rate of a first signal read from a first row of the magnetic sensor and a second bit rate of a second signal read from a second row of the magnetic sensor; andsubmitting data read from a second row of magnetic sensors as account information encoded in the first track for further processing of the card swipe.