Ncr Corporation

John Gardner

Kenneth J Peters

Steven A Carnegie

During a transaction using a magnetic card (,), test data is written to the card (,) at a constantly increasing frequency rate. The test data is then read from the card (,) and the high frequency cut-off point f,of the card (,) (i.e. the maximum write frequency above which it is no longer possible to read the test data from the card (,)), is determined. The high frequency cut-off point f,of a magnetic card (,) will gradually decrease over the lifetime of the card as the quality of the magnetic stripe (,) of the card (,) deteriorates. The high frequency cut-off point f,of the card (,) is compared with the high frequency cutoff point f,&prime; of the card (,) in the previous transaction using the card (,). If the difference between the cut-off frequencies f,and f,&prime; lies within a predetermined acceptable range, the card (,) is regarded as authentic and the transaction is allowed to proceed. If the difference in the cut-off frequencies f,and f,&prime; lies outside this predetermined acceptable range, there is a substantial risk that the card (,) is a counterfeit card and hence the card is retained and the transaction terminated.

Method of authenticating a magnetic card

A self-service terminal in the form of an automated teller machine (ATM) comprises a card reader having a transport path and a card entry slot at one end of the transport path for receiving a user identification card from an ATM user to enable the ATM user to gain access to the ATM. A card resides in a position adjoining the card reader and is movable between a first position and a second position along the transport path. A transport mechanism moves the card between the first and second positions. A processor unit controls the transport mechanism to move the card between the first and second positions to detect the presence of a fraud tool device along the transport path. The presence of a fraud tool device along the transport path of the card reader is detected when the card is unable to be moved from one position to the other position. The card may be a cleaning card which cleans parts of the card reader as the card moves between the first and second positions.

Self-service terminal (SST) and method of operating the SST to control

A self-service terminal in the form of an automated teller machine (ATM) is provided for communicating across a network with a remote terminal. The ATM comprises a card reader having a transport path and a card entry slot at one end of the transport path for receiving a user identification card from an ATM user to enable the ATM user to gain access to the ATM. A card resides in a position adjoining the card reader and is movable between a first position and a second position along the transport path of the card reader. A transport mechanism is provided for moving the card between the first and second positions. A processor unit is provided for controlling the transport mechanism to move the card between the first and second positions in response to command signals received from the remote terminal. The card may be a diagnostic type of card having a size which is substantially identical to the size of a standard magnetic stripe card. The processor unit controls the transport mechanism to move the diagnostic card between the first and second positions perform a maintenance operation of the card reader in response to the command signals from the remote terminal. Alternatively, the card may be a cleaning type of card having a size which is substantially identical to the size of a standard magnetic stripe card. The processor unit controls the transport mechanism to move the cleaning card between the first and second positions to clean parts of the card reader in response to the command signals from the remote terminal.

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Fife, United Kingdom

John Gardner