Smart card readers are becoming increasingly prevalent.

Smart card readers are also known as card readers, smart card programmers, card terminals, card acceptance devices (CAD), or interface devices (IFD).

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Desktop Smart Card Reader

The most common smart card readers read ISO 7816 compliant cards. These are credit card-sized smart cards with contacts.

Smart card readers are used to read data from and write data to smartcards. Cardreaders can easily be integrated into a PC running Windows 98/Me, 2000, XP, and Vista.

Desktop Smart Card Reader

Some computer systems come already equipped with a built-in smart card reader.

As contactless smart cards are being deployed in more places, smart card readers that support ISO 14443 and ISO 15693 contactless cards are becoming more prevalent.

Smart card readers will soon be an integral part of any standard PC. However, currently you still need to connect a reader to the USB port, the PCMCIA (PC-Card), ExpressCard or the serial RS232 port of a computer system.

Computer systems with keyboards that include an integrated smart card reader/writer are now available.

Smart Card Reader for PCMCIA port
used for mobile applications

Smart card readers are used as smart card programmers to configure and personalize integrated circuit cards.

This means that not only CPU-based smart cards, but also simple memory cards, can be programmed using a smart card reader.

(Of course, the cardreader must support the appropriate protocol such as the asynchronous T=0, T=1 or synchronous I2C protocols.)

Smart Card Reader for ExpressCard 54 port

Smart card readers can also be found in the form of a USB dongle - a great way to develop a hardware token and deploy reader and card in one device.

USB dongles are also frequently used with GSM phones containing a SIM smart card. Phone numbers can be edited on a PC using a USB smart card dongle.

Smart Card USB dongle -
a Smartcard reader/writer for SIM cards

Smart card readers can also write to smart cards. So, when someone talks about a smart card reader they really mean a smart card reader/writer.

PC-link Smart Card Reader
for secure PIN entry

Certain cardreaders already come with advanced security features such as secure PIN entry, secure display or even integrated fingerprint scanners for the next-generation of multi-layer security and three-factor authentication.
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Smart Card Reader with integrated fingerprint scanner
for authentication including biometrics

Smart card readers are also available as chipsets for reader integration on board level into embedded systems such as intelligent printers, USB dongles, smart card encoders for card printers.