Smart Card System - detailed description-2nd para #0066

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
2nd paragraph
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a conventional personal computer system which is configured to operate with a smart card. As is typical, the computer system might include a central processing unit (CPU) 10 and the basic input and output devices that are employed by the user to interact with programs being executed by the CPU, such as a keyboard 12 and a monitor 14. In addition, the system shown in FIG. 1 includes a smart card reader 16 as another peripheral device. In a conventional arrangement, the reader conforms to the ISO standard, and the exchange of information between a smart card and the reader is carried out in accordance with a protocol established by that standard. The reader can be connected to the CPU via a standard input/output port, such as an RS232 serial port. Alternatively, the structure of the reader might be incorporated into the housing for the CPU or the keyboard, which would then include an appropriate slot for insertion of the smart card.

United States Patent 6,199,128 Inventors: Sarat; Jean-Marc (Belmont, CA)