Importance

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Abstract

An electrical contact device is provided for use in establishing an electrical connection between an access terminal and an electronic card which may be inserted in the access terminal. The access terminal has contact members which are movable in a direction transverse to the surface of the card to establish electrical connection with terminal contact areas on the card. Prior to operating the electrical connection established between the access terminal and the card for a transaction, the conductive quality of the connection established with each card contact zone is tested by providing each contact member in the form of two pins engaging each contact zone of the card at two respective spaced apart zones and performing a measurement of the ohmic resistance of the circuit thus established through said contact zones. If the resistance measured is too high, a cleaning current may be passed through this circuit. If the resistance measured remains too high, a warning signal is made to appear at the terminal.

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First Claim