Patent ID: 8047437

Claim:
A card access apparatus that is adapted to be connected to a plurality of types of cards, the apparatus comprising: a single slot adapted to accommodate the plurality of types of cards, said slot comprising: a plurality of connection points adapted for the respective types of cards; and a plurality of signal buses that connects the connection points to a card control unit; wherein when one type of the types of cards is inserted in the slot and connected to one of the connection points adapted for said one type of the types of cards, the one type of card including a metal plate on an external surface of the card having an insulator coating applied thereon, at least one of the signal buses connected to at least one of the connection points adapted for at least one other type of the types of cards is electrically isolated from said at least one of the connection points, and wherein data is exchanged between the inserted card and the slot through the one of the connection points adapted for said one type of the types of cards in an opening part in the slot, the opening part having the plurality of connection points.