US 5,594,233 A · Multiple standard smart card reader

Abstract

A card reader (16) having a single entry slot (18) for cards (2), and an electronic control means (35) for controlling the operation of the reader (16). The reader (16) further includes a smart card reading section (26) incorporating a plurality of terminals (34,38,36) respectively adapted to read contact smart cards, inductive contactless smart cards and capacitive contactless smart cards. A pair of endless belts (28) are arranged to form a feed path (30) there between. A card (2) inserted through the entry slot (18) is received between the endless belts (18) and transported through the card reader (16) and positioned in the smart card reading section (26) so that smart card terminals (6,8 or 10) on the card (2) are located beneath corresponding smart card terminals (34,36 or 38) in the card reader (16). Data can then be read from the card (2) if the card (2) is a contact smart card, an inductive contactless smart card or a capacitive contactless smart card.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A card reader (16) comprising:

an entry slot (18) for cards (2);
a smart card reading section (26) including a plurality of smart card reading means (34,38,36) for reading multiple types of ISO standard smart cards, said multiple types of ISO standard smart cards including contact smart cards, capacitive contactless smart cards and inductive contactless smart cards;
transport means (28) for moving a card (2) inserted through said entry slot (18) along a path through said reader (16) and for positioning said card (2) in said smart card reading section (26);
and
electronic control means (35) for:
activating said plurality of smart card reading means (34,38,36) in sequence while said card (2) is positioned in said smart card reading section (26),
determining which type of ISO standard smart card has been inserted into said reader if said card is an ISO standard smart card (16), and
implementing an appropriate communications protocol to read data from said card (2) if it is determined that said card (2) is an ISO standard smart card.

5 more elements

A method of operating a card reader (16), comprising the steps of:

receiving a card (2) within said card reader (16);
conveying said card (2) past a magnetic stripe read head (32) so as to read any data stored on a magnetic stripe (4) on said card (2);
bringing said card (12) to rest adjacent a plurality of smart card reading means (34,38,36) for reading multiple types of ISO standard smart cards, said multiple types of ISO standard smart cards including contact smart cards, capacitive contactless smart cards and inductive contactless smart cards;
sequentially activating said plurality of smart card reading means (34,38,36) in sequence while said card (2) is positioned in said smart card reading section (26),
determining which type of ISO standard smart card has been inserted into said reader if said card is an ISO standard smart card (16), and
implementing an appropriate communications protocol to read data from said card (2) if it is determined that said card (2) is an ISO standard smart card.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multiple standard smart card reader

Life of this patent

Multiple standard smart card reader

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15