Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Plural-contact coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-28
2001-05-22
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Plural-contact coupling part
C361S737000, C439S946000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234844
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electronic card reading apparatus for receiving a card in which integrated circuits are incorporated to have electronic functions and, more particularly, to such apparatus capable of accepting different sized electronic cards.
2. Description of Earlier Developments
With the development of the integrated chip technique in recent years, integrated circuits on a great scale in a small chip have come to be realized and a variety of electronic cards of credit card size and shape have been devised for a wide variety of applications. Thus, so-called “smart cards” have come to be well-known in the industry with embedded computer chips connected to metallic contact pads on a major surface. These smart cards are insertable into card readers which make electrical contact with the pads of the card through contacts mounted in the card reader housing. Some card readers are provided with end of position switches to detect that a card has been inserted and is located in a read position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,587 discloses a card reader offering such a possibility and further provides a hinged cover for minimizing the entry of dust and debris in the connection region.
A similar but separate line of innovation has resulted in a so-called “SIM-card” which is of a size much smaller than a smart card. SIM is an acronym for “subscriber identity module” and a SIM-card also has embedded computer chips connected to metallic contact pads on a major surface. In this instance, though, the SIM-card is insertable into an item of electronic equipment such as a telephone and provides vital information about its owner. This item of electronic equipment is provided with a SIM-card reader capable of reading the information provided on the embedded microchip. In some instances, for example, the information presented on the SIM-card is necessary to enable the item of electronic equipment to be used by the owner or other authorized persons. A patent disclosing a known construction of SIM-card reader is U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,805 to Reichardt et al. which includes a hinged receptacle or cover movable between an initial position and a card reading position.
It was with knowledge of the foregoing that the present invention has been conceived and is now reduced to practice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Card reading apparatus capable of accepting different sized disconnectible 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.
A primary feature, then, of the present invention is the provision of improved electronic card reading apparatus for receiving disconnectible memory storage cards in which integrated circuits are incorporated to have electronic functions.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of such electronic card reading apparatus which is capable of accepting different sized disconnectible memory storage cards.
Still another feature of the present invention is the provision of such electronic card reading apparatus including a reader housing assembly enclosing a connection chamber including a connector therein with a plurality of resilient contacts projecting toward a course to be taken by a disconnectible memory storage card as it is inserted into the housing assembly, the housing assembly having an entry slot in communication with the connection chamber for reception therethrough of a disconnectible memory storage card being inserted into the connection chamber and first and second rectangular disconnectible memory storage cards, each including 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, and mutually engageable alignment mechanisms 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.
Other and further features, advantages, and benefits of the invention will become apparent in the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not to be restrictive of the invention. The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate one of the embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention in general terms. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the disclosure.
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patent: 4931622 (1990-06-01), Ohtsuki et al.
patent: 5281148 (1994-01-01), Thompson
patent: 5660568 (1997-08-01), Moshayedi
patent: 5679007 (1997-10-01), Potdevin et al.
patent: 5752857 (1998-05-01), Knights
patent: 5780827 (1998-07-01), Zolkos et al.
patent: 5814805 (1998-09-01), Reichardt et al.
patent: 5854891 (1998-12-01), Postlewaite et al.
patent: 5906516 (1999-05-01), Sato et al.
patent: 5911587 (1999-06-01), Vermeersch
patent: 5993261 (1999-11-01), Klatt et al.
Kady Kevin P.
Rutledge Paul G.
Somerville James A.
Berg Technology Inc.
Patel Tulsidas
Perman & Green LLP
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