Card reader having discriminator contact

摘要

A card reader for a point-of-sale system that is configured to accept both magnetic strip-type and integrated circuit (IC) chip-type payment cards. The card reader is a component of a point-of-sale system including a portable computing device in communication with the card reader that is configured to present a first graphical user interface (GUI) when a magnetic stripe-type card is detected and a second GUI when an IC chip-type card is detected in the card reader. The card reader comprises a slot configured to receive the payment card, a magnetic reading device and an IC chip reading device. The card reader also includes a discriminator contact disposed within the slot that is configured to conduct across a surface of a metal pad of the IC chip-type card prior to the CI chip reading device making contact with the IC chip.

主权项

1. A card reader configured to accept both magnetic stripe cards and integrated circuit (IC) chip cards, the card reader being a component of a point-of-sale system including a portable computing device in communication with the card reader, wherein the portable computing device is configured to present a first graphical user interface when a magnetic stripe card is accepted within the card reader, and a second graphical user interface when an IC chip-type card is accepted within the card reader, the card reader comprising:
a slot configured to receive a payment card used during a point-of-sale transaction, the payment card being a magnetic stripe-type card or an IC chip-type card; a magnetic reading device included in the slot that is configured to read data off a magnetic stripe of a magnetic stripe-type card; an IC chip reading device included in the slot that is configured to read data off an integrated circuit of an IC chip-type card; and an electrical contact disposed within the slot that is configured to conduct across a surface of a metal pad of the IC chip-type card prior to the IC chip reading device making contact with the integrated circuit, and the electrical contact being further configured to create an electrically detectable signal when in contact with the metal pad; a controller in electrical connection with the electrical contact, that is configured to interpret the electrically detectable signal when the electrical contact is in contact with the metal pad of the IC chip-type card, the controller being further configured to cause the portable computing device to present the first graphical user interface when the payment card is a magnetic stripe-type card, and to cause the portable computing device to present the second graphical user interface when the payment card is an IC chip-type card and the electrical contact is in contact with the metal pad of the IC chip-type card; and a solenoid-actuated stopper in electrical communication with the electrical contact to stop an IC chip-type card at a desired location within the slot.