Patent ID: 8433904

Claim:
A portable smart card reader device for reading a smart card having an integrated circuit chip, one or more contacts in electronic communication with said integrated circuit chip, and a front face having personal or identifying information provided thereon, comprising: a housing having a channel arranged to receive and hold said smart card, said channel being defined by at least a first flange portion and a second flange portion and a lower portion, said channel being arranged to receive and hold said smart card on at least three sides in a manner wherein the lower portion covers said one or more contacts when said smart card is received in said housing and in a manner wherein at least a portion of the front face of the smart card having said personal or identifying information is exposed when said smart card is received in said housing to enable said personal or identifying information to be visible, said housing being sized to extend beyond a length and width of said smart card when received in said housing and including one or more attachment mechanisms for enabling said reader device to be worn; a first processor, said first processor being in electronic communication with said integrated circuit chip through said one or more contacts when said smart card is received in said housing; and a first wireless communications device in electronic communication with said first processor for enabling the reader device to wirelessly transmit first encrypted information and to wirelessly receive second encrypted information.