Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-05
2001-09-25
Lee, Michael G. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
C235S435000, C235S441000, C235S479000, C235S483000, C235S486000, C235S492000, C361S736000, C361S737000, C439S567000, C439S630000, C439S954000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293464
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to card readers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Card readers mounted to circuit boards are used in many electronic devices to provide various capabilities. The size of the card reader depends upon the dimension of the card that contains the stored information. With the increased interested in miniaturizing electronic devices, such as for example, cellular Telephones, pagers, toys and the like, there is need to decreased the amount of space required for the circuit board. In addition to the board space required for the card reader, space is also required to mount various electronic components, such as resistors, capacitors and the like, that also occupy space on the board. It is desirable therefore to provide a card reader that helps to minimize the size of the circuit board used in the electronic apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a card reader that alleviates problems associated with the prior art. The card reader includes an insulated hosing, having a top wall, opposed side walls, a closed arid, and an open end defining a card-receiving slot and an array of terminals. The housing also defines a board-mountable face. The terminals have respective board connecting sections exposed along the board mounting face for connection to circuits of the circuit board and card-connecting sections exposed in the card receiving slot. The card receiving slot is spaced upwardly a selected distance from the board mounting face. The top wall includes an opening therethrough in communication with the card-receiving slot remote from the card-connecting sections and board-connecting sections of the terminals. The opening is aligned with a corresponding opening in the housing beneath the card-receiving slot whereby portions of the board beneath the housing are exposed for access from above the card reader after mounting to the board and when a card is no disposed in the card-receiving slot. Low profile electronic components can then be mounted on the exposed portion of the circuit board, tested or removed therefrom. Owing to the placement off the desired electronic components beneath the card reader, the circuit board required for the electronic device can be made substantially smaller.
The invention is further directed to a card reader comprising a housing including a top wall, card-receiving slot, and a board-mounting face, said card-receiving slot being spaced upwardly a selected distance from said board-mounting face; and said top wall including an opening therethrough in communication with said card-receiving slot, said opening being aligned with a corresponding opening in said housing beneath said card-receiving slot, whereby portions of a board beneath said housing are exposed for access from above said housing after mounting to said board, when a card is not disposed in said card-receiving slot, thereafter permitting low profile electronic components to be mounted on said exposed portions of said board tested or removed therefrom.
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Le Uen-Chau
Lee Michael G.
LandOfFree
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