User authentication

A method comprising:

• detecting insertion of an authentication token to a first position in an authentication token receiver of an authentication token reader, wherein the authentication token reader includes a bias member configured to apply an ejection force to the authentication token while the authentication token is at the first position;
• in response to detecting the insertion of the authentication token and while the authentication token is retained at the first position by an insertion force applied by a user, prompting the user to input a user password;
• while the authentication token is retained at the first position by the insertion force applied by the user, receiving user input including the user password;
• while the authentication token is retained at the first position by the insertion force applied by the user, reading authentication data from a memory of the authentication token, wherein if the user ceases to apply the insertion force prior to completion of reading the authentication data, the ejection force moves the authentication token from the first position to a different position without the user being authenticated;
• and
• determining whether the user is authenticated based on the authentication data if the user continuously applied the insertion force during reading of the authentication data.

A system comprising:

• an authentication token receiver including a bias member configured to apply that applies an ejection force to an authentication token while the authentication token is at a first position within the authentication token receiver;
• a processor;
• and
• memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to:
• detect presence of the authentication token at the first position in the authentication token receiver;
• in response to detecting the presence of the authentication token and while the authentication token is retained at the first position by an insertion force applied by a user, prompt the user to input a user password;
• while the authentication token is retained at the first position by the insertion force applied by the user, receive user input including the user password;
• while the authentication token is retained at the first position by the insertion force applied by the user, read authentication data from a memory of the authentication token, wherein if the user ceases to apply the insertion force prior to completion of reading the authentication data, the ejection force moves the authentication token from the first position to a different position without the user being authenticated;
• and
• determine whether the user is authenticated based on the authentication data if the user continuously applied the insertion force during reading of the authentication data.