Importance

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Abstract

A smart card reader includes a smart card holder that is mounted to a PCMCIA card at a ninety-degree angle. The upstanding position of the smart card holder makes it easier for users to insert smart cards into it. Moreover, the position of the smart card holder enables connectors for cellular telephones, modems, network cards and the like to be connected in an adjacent PCMCIA slot without interfering with the operation of the smart card reader. Moreover, the provision of a separate smart card holder frees space within the PCMCIA card for housing a modem or other device performing electrical functions. In this way, a single smart card reader provides two or more separate functions, neither of which interferes physically with adjacent PCMCIA cards. As such, electronics for cellular telephones, modems, network connections and the like may be incorporated into the PCMCIA portion of the reader with connectors for these applications being on the trailing end of a smart card reader's PCMCIA card. In a second embodiment, the connection between the smart card holder and the PCMCIA card is hinged so that the smart card holder may lie flat atop the PCMCIA card.

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First Claim