Patent ID: 6138916
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
In a reader/writer apparatus for a contact-type smart card having a landing contact mechanism and a frame forming a card slot for receiving a smart card, a card latch mechanism comprisingan elongated latch lever arm pivotally mounted to said frame independently of and separate from said landing contact mechanism and having a latch head element positioned in an open region of said frame adjacent a card entry portion of said card slot;spring means cooperative with a card inserted into said card slot to a card read position to drive said latch lever arm to a card latch position with said latch head element positioned in said card slot behind said trailing edge of said inserted card to prevent manual withdrawal of said inserted card; andlatch release means operative to return said latch lever to a card insert position with said latch head element thereon withdrawn from said card slot to permit said inserted card to be withdrawn from said card slot.