Smart Card Reader

Living in today's world, it is impossible to not be influenced and not make use of smart card in our daily lives. A smart card reader is a device that the smart card communicates with, and fulfills the necessary task that it is programmed for. The communication between the smart card and the card reader can be carried out physically by placing the smart card inside the reader, or it can also be achieved with the help of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

These readers are also known as card programmers, Interface Devices (IFD), Card Acceptance Devices (CAD) or card terminals. These types of card readers, or terminals, can be standalone devices or they can be hardware units that need to be connected to a computer in order to gain access to the smart card itself. The different types of readers that are available today are serial card readers, keyboard card readers and PC Card readers.

Smart Card

Before we delve into more information about the software and hardware of smart card readers, let us first understand what exactly is a smart card and what it does. Also known as an Integrated Circuit Card (ICC), a smart card is a small credit card sized device with a microprocessor and other circuits embedded inside it. They are generally made of synthetic plastic, and they are used for a variety of purposes, as the following list will show you.

• They are used in ATM cards, credit cards and debit cards and contain the Personal Identification Number (PIN) and the account details of an individual.
• They are used in SIM cards which need to be placed inside a mobile phone, and this is necessary to acquire the services of a network provider.
• They can be used as electronic wallets, and can be used as a payment mode at many different sources.
• They can be used to pay for many public transportation services.
• They can be used for identification and time log purposes in business organizations.
• They can carry immense data and details about an individual, and this has many benefits when the person goes to acquire health care facilities.
• Smart cards can be used as identification proof in many countries around the world.
• They can be used to store information about personnel on the Armed Forces, and special military smart card readers are required to access this information. The network security provided by the microprocessor on the smart card is what it makes it such a popular method of distributing information. The reader and the computer actually 'talk' to the microprocessor and thus access the information on it. This is the primary difference between a smart card and any other data storage device.

Smart Card Reader - Best Buy

Smart card readers that work on contact come in two different types - landing contact readers, and sliding (or friction) contact readers. Landing contact readers require the card to be placed inside them completely, and hence offer better security features. On the other hand, friction contact readers just require the types of smart cards to be swiped across it and it will register the data on the card instantly. Many computers are also available today that have smart card reader keyboards, and these are extremely useful in corporate organizations. There are also some USB smart card readers available, and these can be attached to a computer via a USB dongle. Here are some sample readers that you can consider buying if you wish to work with these smart cards and understand its complete importance.

• EZ Mini Smart Card USB Reader
• ACF30 USB Floppy Bay Smart Card Reader
• ACR38U Smart Card USB Reader
• EZ100PU PC SC Smart Card Reader USB Interface
• USB Interface Keyboard Smart Card Reader for Mac
• USB SCR338 Keyboard
• Omnikey 3121
• GemPC USB-SL
• EH880 Secure Smart Card Terminal
• BlackBerry Smart Card Reader

There are many more choices that are available at a number of technological solutions companies. Whether you want something for your business, or for your personal use, you will find solutions from a number of different sources and you will also get plenty of information on smart cards pros and cons. You must remember though, that the purpose for which you will be using the smart card should be legitimate and it should be approved by the Government of your country. There are many countries where nation-wide smart cards are used for different purposes, and it would be illegal for you to get a reader that could read the data on these cards. Needless to say, it will be very difficult to get your hands on such a reader in the first place, and it will also be very secure.

When a solutions company provides you with smart card technology for your business, they will also provide you with a software download so that you can calibrate the settings of the reader for your business only. The microprocessor on your card will only be read by your reader, and the security levels will also be decided by you. With so many different advantages, smart card readers are coming on in a big way today.