Smart card reader
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a smart card reader ( 10 ) that enables a user to insert a smart card ( 20 ) into an open receptacle ( 15 ) that includes tabs ( 16 ) or a lip ( 32 ) that resiliently holds the smart card ( 20 ) within the receptacle ( 15 ). The present invention provides users a novel and useful design to reduce smart card abrasion as opposed to the card readers of the prior art. The present invention relates to a card reader ( 10 ) for usage with a smart card ( 20 ) comprising: a receptacle ( 15 ), where the receptacle ( 15 ) includes at least one open side; at least one placement tab ( 16 ), where the at least one placement tab ( 16 ) extends into the receptacle ( 15 ) and secures the placement of the smart card ( 20 ) in the receptacle ( 15 ); and a plurality of contacts ( 18 ) residing within the receptacle ( 15 ) where the plurality of contacts ( 18 ) connect to a smart chip ( 22 ) within the smart card ( 20 ) upon placement of the smart card ( 20 ) in the receptacle ( 15 ).
1. A card reader for usage with a smart card to reduce card abrasion comprising:
a an open receptacle, where the receptacle includes at least air open side, a bottom surface, a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall and a longitudinal wall;
at least one placement tab, where the at least one placement tab extends from the first lateral wall, the second lateral wall and longitudinal wall into the receptacle and secures the placement of the smart card in the receptacle; and
a plurality of contacts residing within the receptacle where the plurality of contacts connects to a smart chip within the smart card upon placement of the smart card in the receptacle.
2. The card reader according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contacts resiliently contact the smart chip within the smart card.
3. The card reader according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a contact plate within the receptacle of the card reader that includes the plurality of contacts; and
a plurality of electrical leads from the contact plate.
4. A card reader for usage with a smart card to reduce card abrasion comprising:
an open receptacle, where the receptacle includes a bottom surface, a closed lateral side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and an open lateral side;
a one-piece receptacle lip that forms a placement tab extending from the first and second longitudinal sides and the closed lateral side over the bottom surface into the receptacle and securing the placement of the smart card in the receptacle along the entire length of the one-piece receptacle lip; and
a plurality of contacts residing within the receptacle where the plurality of contacts connects to a smart chip within the smart card upon placement of the smart card in the receptacle.
5. The card reader according to claim 4 , wherein said one-piece receptacle lip that forms the placement tab extends into the receptacle at a fixed spacing from the bottom surface and said plurality of contacts reside on a fixed contact pad on the bottom surface of the receptacle in an area uncovered by the receptacle lip, said lip resiliently maintains the smart card in contact with the plurality of contacts on the uncovered fixed contact pad.
6. A method of having a card restraining tab smart card interface to reduce card abrasion comprising:
providing an open receptacle to minimize card area contact within a smart card reader;
enclosing the open receptacle on three sides of the receptacle with a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall and a longitudinal wall;
attaching placement tabs along the first lateral wall, second lateral wall and longitudinal wall;
inserting a smart card into the receptacle and engaging said placement tabs;
placing a contact plate within the smart card reader;
aligning the contact plate with a smart chip residing on a smart card; and
resiliently connecting the contact plate to the smart chip.