Smart card reader with electrostatic discharge protection

A method of removing electrostatic charge from a smart card inserted into a slot of a smart card reader, comprising the steps of:

• providing an array of protrusions spaced on centers of up to about 0.05 inch, selected ones of said protrusions having a sharp tip;
• disposing said array of protrusions proximate a slot of a smart card reader so that said array of protrusions is not electrically connected to a ground;
• inserting a smart card having an electrostatic charge thereon into said slot;
• generating an electric field proximate said sharp tips and said surface of said card using said electrostatic charge of said card and said sharp tips;
• and
• utilizing said electric field to neutralize said electrostatic charge on said card, wherein said providing step comprises:
• providing a sheet of conductive material;
• forming a plurality of aligned holes through said sheet;
• and
• cutting said sheet along a line passing through said aligned holes.

A method of removing electrostatic charge from a smart card inserted into a slot of a smart card reader, comprising the steps of:

• providing an array of protrusions spaced on centers of up to about 0.05 inch, selected ones of said protrusions having a sharp tip,
• disposing said array of protrusions proximate a slot of a smart card reader so that said array of protrusions is not electrically connected to a ground;
• inserting a smart card having an electrostatic charge thereon into said slot;
• generating an electric field proximate said sharp tips and said surface of said card using said electrostatic charge of said card and said sharp tips;
• and
• utilizing said electric field to neutralize said electrostatic charge on said card, wherein said providing step comprises:
• providing a screen made of a conductive material, said screen having a first plurality of spaced strands, a second plurality of spaced strands coupled to and disposed generally orthogonal to said first plurality of spaced strands, and a plurality of apertures defined by intersections of said first and second plurality of spaced strands;
• and
• cutting said screen along a diagonal of contiguous ones of said apertures.

A method of removing electrostatic charge from a smart card inserted into a slot of a smart card reader, comprising the steps of:

• providing an array of protrusions spaced on centers of up to about 0.05 inch, selected ones of said protrusions having a sharp tip;
• disposing said array of protrusions proximate a slot of a smart card reader so that said array of protrusions is not electrically connected to a ground;
• inserting a smart card having an electrostatic charge thereon into said slot;
• generating an electric field proximate said sharp tips and said surface of said card using said electrostatic charge of said card and said sharp tips;
• and
• utilizing said electric field to neutralize said electrostatic charge on said card, wherein said providing step comprises:
• providing a sheet of conductive material;
• forming a plurality of parallel rows of apertures through said sheet;
• and
• cutting said sheet along a diagonal of contiguous ones of said apertures.