Method for communicating with a portable data medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a card reading device for communicating with a portable data medium (2) such as a credit card or smart card. The reader included at least one first electrical contact (44) that cooperates with at least one second electrical contact (24) of the portable data medium through a connector (3). The connector (3) comprises a sheet (31) having at least one area forming a first conducting element (34) disposed so as to cooperate with each of the first and second contacts (24, 44) of the portable data medium and reader. The device comprises a first applicator for applying a compressing force to the contacts (24, 44) in order to press the first conducting element (34) against each of the first and second contacts (24, 44) and for discontinuing the application of the force in order to move the first conducting element (34) away from the contacts (24, 44). The first conducting element (34) comprises an electrically conductive mass made of elastomer. In line with each conducting element (34) is a switch which serves to detect the presence of the card in the reader. The switch includes a contact (44) and a conducting pad (39) which serves as a switching element that cooperates with a pair of fixed contacts (49a, 49b). The device includes a lip (80) configured to close a slot through which the portable data medium is inserted, which the data medium is not present.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.