GB2550545A

GB2550545A - Method of sanitizing a slot of a magnetic-or smart-card reader

Info

Publication number: GB2550545A
Application number: GB1607066.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Black Stephen
Original assignee: Formology Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Formology Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2016-04-22
Filing date: 2016-04-22
Publication date: 2017-11-29

Abstract

A method 100 of sanitizing a slot / opening, 10, of a card reader, 12, (e.g. a chip and PIN machine or POS smartcard /credit card reading device). The method comprising the steps of providing, S01, a dummy card, 14, which engages with the card slot, whereby a majority of an exterior major surface, 22, of the dummy card comprises an antimicrobial agent; inserting, S02, the card into the card opening such that the exterior surface of the card contacts with at least an interior surface of the slot; retaining, S03, the dummy card in position against the interior surface of the card recess for a predetermined duration whereby the antimicrobial agent sanitises the interior surface of the slot; and withdrawing, S04, the card from the slot once the predetermined period has elapsed. The antimicrobial may be a metal based biocide. This is preferably a silver based biocide or a copper based biocide. The card reader may be energised via an electromagnetic field generated by the card reader. The dummy card may be formed as part of a door handle hanger and the card may be inserted into a keycard lock (e.g. a hotel room door lock)

Description

Method of Sanitizing a Slot of a Magnetic- or Smart-Card Reader

The present invention relates to a method of sanitizing a slot of a card reader, preferably but not necessarily exclusively a slot of a magnetic- or smart-card reader. The invention further relates to a kit of parts for sanitizing a smart card reader over a period of time.

Slotted card readers perform their functions by receiving a card, such as a smart card or card having a magnetic strip, within their slots, so as to allow for an interaction between the card and card reader to occur. This is often associated with payment methods using debit or credit cards, but card readers are used in other contexts, such as in security doors to allow access to prohibited or restricted regions of a building, or in keycard entry to hotel rooms and other secure areas, for example.

The cards used in such contexts are regularly handled by the user, and therefore are usually dirty and present a thriving breeding ground for microbes, thereby acting to enhance the spread of germs and disease. When the cards are introduced into the slot of the card reader, the microbes contaminate the slot, and can thus be transmitted between cards. Slotted card readers therefore present a potential health hazard.

Whilst the cards themselves are readily sanitizable of a user so desires, the slots, particularly the enclosed variety, are designed to receive the thin cards, and therefore are not easily cleaned even if a hygiene routine was being implemented, which is rare.

The present invention seeks to provide a means of readily sanitizing the slots of card readers in order to limit the transmission of microbes between cards and thus crosscontamination between users.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of sanitizing a slot of a magnetic- or smart-card reader, the method comprising the steps of a] providing a dummy card which is complementarily-dimensioned to the slot, at least a majority of an exterior major surface of the dummy card comprising an antimicrobial agent; b] inserting the dummy card into the slot such that the exterior major surface of the dummy card contacts at least an interior surface of the slot; c] retaining the dummy card in position against the interior surface of the slot for a predetermined duration whereby the antimicrobial agent sanitizes at least a portion of the interior surface of the slot; and d] withdrawing the dummy card from the slot once the predetermined duration has elapsed.

The said dummy card referred to herein and throughout is preferably devoid of embedded or retained electronic data.

By providing a mechanism by which the interior surface of a slot of a card reader can be cleansed, sanitized or sterilised of microbes, the potential for the transmission of disease using cards such as debit or credit cards can be significantly reduced or eliminated. The present invention provides for a simple method of performing said sanitization, which ensures that cross-contamination

Preferably, the antimicrobial agent may be a metal-based biocide, and more preferably may be a silver- or copper-based biocide. During step c], the card reader may be energised to enhance the antimicrobial properties of the metal-based biocide via an electromagnetic field generated by the card reader.

The provision of an antimicrobial agent such as silver or copper inhibits the proliferation of microbes on the exterior major surface of the dummy card and any surface with which it comes into contact. Impregnable metal biocides can be readily applied to the surface of a card-like core, creating an efficient and cost-effective sanitizer.

Optionally, the method may further comprise a step e] which is subsequent to step d] of disposing of the dummy card. The dummy card may be formed having a pulp-based core onto which the antimicrobial agent is applied, and in one embodiment, the pulp-based core may be a cardboard core.

The provision of a cost-effective and readily disposable dummy card allows the sanitization to occur, with the dummy card being disposed of, thereby limiting the potential for onward transmission of any microbes which have not been destroyed.

The predetermined duration may exceed one minute, may preferably exceed one hour, or more preferably may exceed eight hours.

The duration for which the dummy card needs to retain its position may be selected by the user according to the necessitated cleanliness and/or practical requirements, and the advantage of the present system is that the timing of the sanitization can be achieved simply by user insertion and extraction of the dummy smart card.

The dummy card may be at least in part compressible, an uncompressed thickness of the dummy card being greater than a minimum slot depth, during step b], a majority of the exterior major surface of the dummy card contacts an opposing interior surface of the slot. Additionally or alternatively, the dummy card may be at least in part compressible, so that the dummy card fills an entire inner volume of the slot. Furthermore, the dummy card may be shaped to match or substantially match the shape of a smart card such that, during step b], the dummy card contacts at least an interior surface of a slot designed to receive a smart card, in which case, the dummy card may have a thickness which is greater than that of a smart card, so as to ensure a contact of both major sides of the dummy card with the said interior surface of the slot and an opposite interior surface of the slot. In an alternative embodiment, the dummy card may be formed as an elongate strip such that, during step b], the dummy card contacts at least an interior surface of an elongate slot designed to receive a magnetic stripe of a card.

Given that it is preferable that the antimicrobial agent works effectively throughout the entire volume of the slot, there are several adaptations to the dummy card which can be considered in order to improve its ability to sanitize all crevices of the slot, which may be different dependent upon the type of slot which needs sanitization.

During step a], the dummy card may be provided so as to be formed as part of a hanger for a door handle.

Alternative uses of the presently suggested method can be considered; the dummy card is not solely for use with a smart card reader. For example, keycard activated door locks in a hotel use keycards which are handled by a vast number of people. As such, the complementary card reader slots are likely extremely dirty. There may be several ways by which the sanitization of such slots can be encouraged.

Preferably, during step a], the dummy card may be provided having an indicia portion, the indicia portion including instructions for steps b] to d] of the method, and additionally or alternatively, the dummy card may be provided having a handle to assist with the insertion and withdrawal of steps b] and d].

One of the main obstacles to use of a particular sanitization product is that a user is unclear about the operation of the product. As such, if the steps of the present method are well-indicated on the dummy card, then it may act as an encouragement to the user to proceed with sanitization.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for sanitizing at least one smart card reader over a period of time, preferably using a method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the kit of parts comprising a plurality of dummy cards, each dummy card become formed from a pulp-based material which has an exterior surface which at least in part comprises an antimicrobial agent. The plurality of dummy cards may be provided as a perforated sheet of dummy cards, each dummy card being tearably releasable from the perforated sheet of dummy cards.

The provision of a plurality of disposable dummy cards for the sanitization of a slot of a card reader can ensure that a user actively sanitizes the slot over a protracted period of time, maintaining the cleanliness of the card reader for other users.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of sanitizing a slot of a magnetic- or smart-card reader, the method comprising the steps of a] providing a dummy card which is engagable with the slot, at least part of an exterior major surface of the dummy card comprising a biocide; b] engaging the dummy card with the slot such that the exterior surface of the dummy card contacts at least an interior surface of the slot; c] retaining the dummy card in position against the interior surface of the slot for a predetermined duration whereby the biocide sanitizes the interior surface of the slot; and d] disengaging the dummy card from the slot once the predetermined duration has elapsed.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective representation of a first embodiment of a slot of a card reader being sanitized using a method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the card reader being a smart card reader;

Figure 2 shows a perspective representation of a second embodiment of a slot of a card reader being sanitized using a method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the card reader being a magnetic strip reader; and

Figure 3 shows a front representation of a third embodiment of a slot of a card reader being sanitized using a method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the card reader being a keycard door lock.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a method, indicated globally at 100 of sanitizing a slot 10 of a magnetic or smart card reader, such as the chip-and-PIN point-of-sale smart card reader 12 depicted, using a dummy card 14 having a biocide on an outer surface thereof which is engagable with the smart terminal 12. A typical card reader comprises a slot 10 within which a magnetic strip or smart card is insertable in order to effect an action, typically but not exclusively a payment transaction. For instance, the smart card reader 12 illustrated has a card-reader housing 16 which encases the electronic components of the smart card reader 12. On an exterior surface of the smart card reader 12 is provided a user interface 18, such as a keypad, and a display screen 20 which can display information to a user regarding the nature of the transaction.

The slot 10 of the smart card reader 12 allows for engagement of a compatible smart card with the electronic components of the smart card reader 12, so as to allow the transactions to occur. Typically, there will be a smart-card reader contact pad which is positioned inside the slot at or adjacent to an interior surface of the slot 10, and which contacts a smart card contact pad of an inserted smart card, completing a circuit arrangement with an integrated circuit of the smart card.

Other types of slotted card reader are also available, such as those having elongate slots to permit a magnetic stripe of a card to be swiped therethrough. Such an arrangement can be seen in Figure 2; similar or identical components of this second embodiment of the invention are referred to using similar or identical reference numerals to those used above, and further detailed description will be omitted for brevity. Only the steps showing the insertion of the dummy card 114 are shown for simplicity. The magnetic strip card reader 112 is formed having an elongate body 116, which has an elongate slot 110 extending along the body 116, through which a smart card may be swiped. In order to sanitize the slot 110, the dummy card 114 may be formed as an elongate strip, which can be positioned in the slot 110.

Any of the slots of card readers 12, 112 are liable to retain microbes and germs which can be transmitted to the smart card as it is inserted into the slot. Referring specifically to the configuration illustrated in Figure 1, a dummy card 14 enables the sanitisation of such a slot 10. It will be appreciated, however, that the function of the embodiment depicted in Figure 2 will operate in a similar way to that described hereafter.

In the present invention, a dummy card 14 is intended to be a card which is engagable with the slot 10 whilst lacking or being devoid of the necessary components to activate the card reader under normal circumstances. For example, with the smart card reader 12 described above, the dummy card 14 will lack an integrated circuit which is interactable with the electronic components of the smart card reader 12. Alternatively, where the slot is part of a swipable card reader, the dummy card 14 will lack a magnetic strip. The term ‘dummy’ used herein and throughout is therefore intended to mean electronically inactive and/or representative of an original but lacking in operationally electronic features.

In a preferred embodiment, the dummy card 14 is intended to be formed as a single-use or few-use disposable card, and is therefore preferably formed from inexpensive materials. For instance, the dummy card 14 may be formed having at least a core of a pulp-based or fibrous material, such as cardboard, at least part of, and preferably the entirety of, an exterior major surface 22 of which includes a biocide, preferably an antimicrobial agent. However, other materials could be used for the dummy card 14, such as polymeric cores, foil material, wood, or other plastics materials. Where an exterior major surface 22 is referred to above, this could refer to part of, the whole of, any or all of the main outward facing surfaces of the dummy card 14. For instance, only one of the two major surfaces of the dummy card 14 may include an antimicrobial agent. although it is preferred that at least a majority of each opposing external major surface 22 is antimicrobial to some extent and preferably to a whole extent in both mutually perpendicular dimensions, typically being width and length.

For example, a thin cardboard card could be provided which is laminated with a polymeric material having one or more antimicrobial agents interspersed, carried or impregnated therein, and preferably over the entire plane thereof. One such antimicrobial agent might be a metal-based biocide such as silver ions or nanoparticles, or silver- or copper-based materials or compounds, which are known to inhibit the growth of microbes via sterilisation. However, it will be appreciated that one or more antimicrobial agents could feasibly be applied directly to the exterior major surface 22 of the dummy card 14, either forming a distinct layer or impregnating a core body of the dummy card 14. Furthermore, it may be possible to form the dummy card 14 from a material which is intrinsically antimicrobial, thereby eliminating the need to apply a separate antimicrobial layer or element to a core of the dummy card 14. Many such antimicrobial agents are known, for example, zeolites, silica gels, ammonium ions or phosphate compounds, and a wide range of compounds formed from silver, copper, zinc, mercury, tin, lead, bismuth, cadmium or chromium, but the list is extensive, and is too numerous to list in detail here. It is preferred that an antimicrobial agent is used which has a higher toxicity to microbes than to humans.

In order to sanitize the slot 10 of the card reader 12, it is possible to provide, step SOI, a dummy card 14 which is engagable with, and preferably complementarily-shaped to, the slot 10, with at least part of, and preferably a majority of, an exterior major surface 22 of the dummy card 14 including an antimicrobial agent.

The dummy card 14 may then be inserted, step S02, into the slot 10 of the card reader 12 such that the external surface 22 of the dummy card 14 comes into contact with an inner surface of the slot 10. Subsequently, the dummy card 14 can be retained, step SOS, in position against the interior surface of the slot 10 for a predetermined duration, thereby allowing the antimicrobial agent to sanitize the interior surface of the slot 10. Once the predetermined duration had elapsed, the dummy card 14 can be withdrawn, step S04.

The predetermined duration will likely be dependent upon the efficacy of the antimicrohial agent used, as well as the context in which the card reader 12 is to be used. For instance, where the card reader 12 is a card reader of a door lock for a hotel door, it may not be feasible to leave the dummy card 14 in situ for an extended period of time. In such a scenario, it may be possible to retain the dummy card 14 in position for more than one minute, or more preferably, for more than one hour, for instance, whilst other cleaning tasks are performed. However, where the card reader 12 is a point-of-sales terminal in a shop, the card reader 12 would typically be left overnight, in which case, the dummy card 14 may be retained in situ for a period in excess of eight hours, for example.

The dummy card 14 may be provided as a single-use or few-use disposable card, in which case, the method may include the additional step of disposing of the dummy card 14 following removal from the slot 10.

It may be advantageous to provide a dummy card 14 which is dimensioned identically or substantially similarly to a smart card, ensuring that the dummy card 14 is engagable with a slot 10 in an identical or similar manner to that of an ordinary smart card which would be configured to engage with the slot 10. However, it may be beneficial to provide a dummy card 14 which has a greater thickness than a smart card so as to ensure a consistent contact between the interior surfaces of the slot 10 and the exterior major surfaces 22 of the dummy card 14. Similarly, it may be possible to form the dummy card 14 from a cushioned, compressible or spongiform material, such that there is some give in the body of the dummy card 14. This may allow the dummy card 14 to at least partially mould to the internal dimensions of the slot 10, and preferably fill or substantially fill an entire volume of the slot 10 to a greater extent than an ordinary magnetic- or smart-card with user data and/or electronic circuitry carried thereby, which may be important where a ribbed or contoured slot 10 is provided. This is a relatively common feature of automated teller machines, for example, to prevent excessive wear to the slot 10. The uncompressed body of the dummy card 14 having such a form, may have a thickness which is greater than a minimum slot depth, and therefore may enforce compression of the dummy card 14 upon insertion into the slot 10.

Where the antimicrobial agent is a metal-based biocide, such as a silver-based or copper-based biocide, it may be possible to activate or energise the card reader 12, at least partially, whilst the dummy card 14 is retained within the slot 10. The electromotive force generated by the card reader 12 may beneficially enhance the antimicrobial properties of the silver or copper ions through induced energisation, for instance, leading to an improved sanitization effect.

Since the antimicrobial agent which is applied to the dummy card 14 may be different for different circumstances, it may be beneficial to provide a display portion or an indicia portion 23 on, preferably an exterior major surface 22 of the dummy card 14, onto which instructions can be provided so as to explain to the user the best means by which the sanitization can be achieved, for example, by providing details relating to an optimal duration for which the dummy card 14 ought to be retained in the slot 10 in order to be effective.

The dummy card 14 may be provided having a handle or gripping portion which enables simple insertion and extraction of the dummy card 14 within the slot 10. Such a handle may also assist with retention of the dummy card 14 in place, either by the additional mass of the handle, or by providing a complementary shape which retains the dummy card 14 against or in the card reader 12. The handle may be formed from the same material or a different material to the rest of the dummy card 14.

Whilst it will be appreciated that the most likely use of the present dummy card 14 arrangement is in the sanitization of smart card readers 12, other scenarios might also be useful. For instance, where the dummy card 214 is to be inserted into the slot of a keycard door lock 212 of a hotel room door, it may be possible to provide the dummy card 214 so as to be formed with, for example, a ‘do not disturb’ hanger 224, engagable with a handle 224 of the keycard door lock 212. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 3; again, similar or identical reference numerals will be used for corresponding similar or identical components to the embodiments described above, and further detailed description is omitted for brevity.

Since the hotel will be providing the hangers 224 regardless of whether they sanitize the card readers 212, such an arrangement provides the hotel cleaners with an option to sanitize the card readers without needing significant changes to existing items in the hotel. The dummy card 214 could be releasably or permanently engagable with the door hanger 214, for instance, or could be a foldable part 228 of the door hanger 224 which is insertable into a slot 210 of the lock 212.

Given that the dummy cards 14, 114, 214 may be used as single-use card, it may be advantageous to fabricate a plurality of the dummy cards 14, 114, 214 as part of a, preferably perforated, sheet of dummy cards, which may be tearably or frangibly releasable from one another. This may allow a user to extract a single dummy card 14, 114, 214 from the sheet each time a dummy card 14, 114, 214 is required.

It is therefore possible to provide a method of sanitizing a slot of a magnetic or smart card reader by providing a dummy card which can be inserted into the slot so as to contact with the interior surface or surfaces thereof The dummy card, being provided with an antimicrobial exterior major surface, is then able to sanitize the slot by extended exposure to the antimicrobial agent over a predetermined duration.

The words ‘comprises/comprising’ and the words ‘having/including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

1. A method of sanitizing a slot of a magnetic- or smart-card reader, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing a dummy card which is complementarily-dimensioned to the slot, at least a majority of an exterior major surface of the dummy card comprising an antimicrobial agent; b] inserting the dummy card into the slot such that the exterior major surface of the dummy card contacts at least an interior surface of the slot; c] retaining the dummy card in position against the interior surface of the slot for a predetermined duration whereby the antimicrobial agent sanitizes at least a portion of the interior surface of the slot; and d] withdrawing the dummy card from the slot once the predetermined duration has elapsed.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agent is a metal-based biocide.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, the metal-based biocide is a silver- or copper-based biocide.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein, during step c], the card reader is energised to enhance the antimicrobial properties of the metal-based biocide via an electromagnetic field generated by the card reader.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a step e] which is subsequent to step d] of disposing of the dummy card.

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dummy card is formed having a pulp-based core onto which the antimicrobial agent is applied.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pulp-based core is a cardboard core.

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined duration exceeds one minute.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the predetermined duration exceeds one hour.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the predetermined duration exceeds eight hours.

11. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dummy card is at least in part compressible, an uncompressed thickness of the dummy card being greater than a minimum slot depth, such that, during step b], a majority of the exterior major surface of the dummy card contacts an opposing interior surface of the slot

12. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dummy card is at least in part compressible, so that the dummy card fills an entire inner volume of the slot.

13. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dummy card is shaped to match or substantially match the shape of a smart card such that, during step b], the dummy card contacts at least an interior surface of a slot designed to receive a smart card.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the dummy card has a thickness which is greater than that of a smart card, so as to ensure a contact of both major sides of the dummy card with the said interior surface of the slot and an opposite interior surface of the slot.

15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the dummy card is formed as an elongate strip such that, during step b], the dummy card contacts at least an interior surface of an elongate slot designed to receive a magnetic stripe of a card.

16. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein during step a], the dummy card is provided so as to be formed as part of a hanger for a door handle.

17. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein during step a], the dummy card is provided having an indicia portion, the indicia portion including instructions for steps b] to d] of the method.

18. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding clams, wherein the dummy card is provided having a handle to assist with the insertion and withdrawal of steps b] and d].

19. A kit of parts for sanitizing at least one smart card reader over a period of time using a method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the kit of parts comprising a plurality of dummy cards, each dummy card become formed from a pulp-based material which has an exterior surface which at least in part comprises an antimicrobial agent.

20. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plurality of dummy cards is provided as a perforated sheet of dummy cards, each dummy card being tearably releasable from the perforated sheet of dummy cards.

21. A method of sanitizing a slot of a magnetic or smart card reader, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing a dummy card which is engagable with the slot, at least part of an exterior major surface of the dummy card comprising a biocide; b] engaging the dummy card with the slot such that the exterior surface of the dummy card contacts at least an interior surface of the slot; c] retaining the dummy card in position against the interior surface of the slot for a predetermined duration whereby the biocide sanitizes the interior surface of the slot; and d] disengaging the dummy card from the slot once the predetermined duration has elapsed.