The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 22, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 28, 2000
James A. Somerville, Hershey, PA (US);
Paul G. Rutledge, Lancaster, PA (US);
Kevin P. Kady, Highlands, NJ (US);
Berg Technology, Inc., Reno, NV (US);
Abstract
Card reading apparatus capable of accepting different sized disconnectible electronic cards, including memory storage cards such as larger smart cards and smaller S.I.M. (signature identification module) cards, includes a reader housing assembly which encloses a connection chamber. A conventional connector in the connection chamber has a plurality of resilient contacts projecting toward a course to be taken by a memory storage card as it is inserted through an entry slot into the housing assembly. Each memory storage card is rectangular and includes a similarly sized and positioned plurality of contact pads thereon for mechanical and electrical engagement, respectively, with the plurality of resilient contacts on the connector in the connection chamber when inserted into the connection chamber through the entry slot and advanced to a seated position. Mutually engageable alignment mechanisms are provided both on the reader housing assembly and on each of the disconnectible memory storage cards to assure that each of the contact pads is in mechanical and electrical engagement, respectively, with the plurality of resilient contacts on the connector in the connection chamber when an associated disconnectible memory storage card is advanced to the seated position.