DE19515713A1 - Chip-card reader for telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

A reading device is usable both for chip-cards (standard- or full-size cards) (C) as well as for SIM-cards (plug-in SIM-cards) (5). It includes guides (30-32) for positioning the chip-card, as well as the SIM-card (S), in such a way over a contacting device that the contacts of the contacting device come to lie on the contact matrix of the respective card. The guides specifically position the cards as well as the SIM-cards so that the cards have a corresponding or matching outer edge.

Description

The present invention relates to a reading device for chip cards and SIM cards.

Readers (also CCAD = Chip Card Acceptor Device are known in the art. However, there are conventional reading devices either for reading from Chip cards (also standard, full size or ID1 cards called) or to read the (smaller) SIM cards (also PLUG-IN-SIM cards) designed and suitable.

An adapter is also known which enables a SIM card from a smart card reader ge will read. However, it is inconvenient and impractical for the user of a SIM card, first in one To fit or have to insert the adapter and the adapter then insert into the smart card reader. Abge As a result, it will often happen that the SIM card User does not have such an adapter on hand if he does the SIM card with a conventional chip card reader want to use.

It would therefore be desirable, particularly in the area of GSM phones to provide a reading device that both for reading chip cards as well as for reading SIM Cards is suitable, without using a Adapters.

The problem now arises that dimensions and the relative position of the contact fields with respect to the Side edges of both smart cards and SIM Cards are standardized according to ISO 7816, with the distances the corresponding side edges to the contact fields Chip card and SIM card because of the different size of course the cards are different.  

For example, a chip card has a first row of contacts (contacts C1-C4 according to ISO 7816) and a second row of contacts (Contacts C5-C8 according to ISO 7816), being the first contact row a distance of approx. 11.25 mm from the stop edge (left edge according to ISO 7816) and where the second row of contacts a distance of approx. 18.87 mm from has the stop edge.

The SIM card also has a first and a second Contact row (contacts C1-C4 or C5-C8 according to ISO 7816). However, the distance of the first row of contacts to that Stop edge (left edge according to ISO 7816) approx. 5.0 mm and the distance of the second row of contacts to the stop edge is approximately 12.62 mm.

However, it has now been found that the distances between the second and first row of contacts on the SIM card edge opposite the stop edge (right edge according to ISO 7816) approximately the distances between the first and second row of contacts of the chip card to its stop edge correspond so that by rotating the SIM card by 180 ° (in the main level of the map), d. H. by changing the Edge from the left to the right side (according to ISO 7816), a within a permissible tolerance, but essentially the same distance between the stop edge and contact fields for chip cards and SIM cards is obtained.

This results in positioning the contact fields on a corresponding contacting device (reading contacts of the reading device) a matching one Outside edge of chip card and SIM card.

This matching outer edge of the cards can be used as Stop edge can be used in a reading device, so that only one limit switch for both the chip card as well as for the SIM card.  

Now smart cards are usually pre-read direction along the main plane of the chip card inserted, whereas SIM cards usually in one Direction approximately perpendicular to it (from above) will.

Two limit switches could be used namely one for chip cards and one for SIM cards. However, they would move in different directions moving actuators of these limit switches mutually disturb or an actuation of the other end positions obstruct or prevent the switch.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an end position provide switch that is suitable for both types of cards is. This switch must be used for grinding as well touchdown actuation or a combination of both be suitable.

To solve this problem, it is suggested that Limit switch in the area of the edge between stop and provide support surface of the reading device. Of the Switch has a fixed and a movable Contact element, wherein the movable contact element or an actuator (actuator) is designed for this, that when dragging or touching the Switch is switched. The mobile protrudes Contact element or the actuator in the card slot or the space for card recording, an area of the Actuator or contact element substantially parallel to the bearing surface of the reading device and wherein one other surface of the actuator or contact element in the essentially parallel to the stop surface of the read device, ie essentially perpendicular to the the former area.  

Preferably, however, a force should be exerted on the movable contact element or the actuator in be any direction within the angular range of 90 ° between the stop surface and the contact surface of the harvest lead device to switch the switch. This protrudes the contact element or the actuator ramp-like in the Room for card admission or the card slot. The The switch is operated by displacing the Ramp in any direction from the room to the cards recording if a chip card or a SIM card is inserted or inserted.

According to a preferred embodiment, the Ramp with the stop surface and with the support surface an angle of 45 °. According to another embodiment for example, the movable contact element has one Leg with an arcuate end, with an arc section in the room for card admission or the card slot protrudes.

Since the contact arrangement on the chip card and on the SIM card is standardized, results from turning the SIM Map by 180 ° (compare above) the problem that the Contact assignment on the twisted SIM card no longer fits with the contact assignment of the reading device.

This problem can be solved by using SIM cards with changed contact assignment can be used. However is this solution because of the standardization and Dissemination of standardized SIM cards is not practical.

A switchover in the reader is therefore proposed gene that the contact assignment of the reading device of the adapts each inserted card type. To do this, the Reading device but recognize whether a smart card or a SIM card is inserted. After the end positions  switch for both cards is the same, is another Sensing device required for differentiation.

Because the SIM card has a smaller width than the chip card also has a guide for the chip card also a narrower, side guide for the SIM card be provided to properly over the SIM card the contacting device of the reading device position.

A management framework is used to solve this problem suggested.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention are spring-loaded, lateral guide rails seen the ge card slot for the smart card reduce to the width of the SIM card if necessary.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the Invention is a retractable guide frame for the SIM card provided when inserting a chip card is lowered.

For this purpose, the guide frame is ramped at the end of the introduction well bevelled to insert the chip card and that To facilitate lowering the frame.

The SIM card is like the chip card in the Reader inserted and not like conventional used wisely. Since only one sliding operation of the limit switch comes into consideration is a be special limit switch as described above not required. A limit switch as for is sufficient conventional smart card readers. However, it should be noted that also uses the limit switch described above could be.  

Another is to identify the inserted card type Switch required.

This switch can be in the area of the lead frame be arranged on the bevelled corner of the SIM Map is adapted, and then serves next to the end positions switch as a second presence switch for the SIM Map.

However, the switch can also be operated by the Lowering the lead frame when inserting the chip card, so that the switch as a second presence switch for the chip card.

The presence switches are then with a switch device connected to the contact assignment of the Reading device according to the inserted card changes.

The switching device has the following function:
When the lead frame is up, the second presence switch is activated, either by the frame itself or by an inserted SIM card. If the first presence switch (limit switch) is also switched, a first contact assignment applies, which is suitable for a SIM card rotated by 180 ° and which is also rotated by 180 ° to the standardized contact assignment.

If a standard chip card is used, the Frame moved down and the second Presence switch is not switched. If in the end position switch is actuated in this state, this means that a standard smart card is working properly is inserted and the contact assignment is made by the Switching device selected as it is standard is provided, d. H. vice versa as in the above case.  

According to a further preferred embodiment of the Invention is a guide frame with two card guides intended. A chip card can be placed in an upper one Card slot or a SIM card Card in an underlying, narrower card shaft are introduced, the contacting direction of the reading device adjustable in height or is spring-loaded to the inserted card to be able to contact. The leadership framework and the Contact devices are bevelled or with a Provide a ramp to insert the respective card facilitate or to the contacting device in the correct height position with respect to each bring inserted card.

The card inserted can be recognized by a switch done by lowering or Raising the contacting device is actuated. Alternatively, two limit switches could differ Licher height are provided, the operation of the respective limit switch an indication of is the type of card inserted and the limit switch signal to both detect the correct position the inserted card as well as to recognize the cards type and for the corresponding switching of the reading device is used.

It should be noted that in this embodiment, both the conventional orientation of the SIM card as well novel orientation of the SIM card rotated by 180 ° Can find application. It just needs the cards slot for the SIM card so that the SIM card to contact properly over the Contact field of the reading device is arranged.  

According to a further embodiment of the invention the chip card or SIM card is read in this way device introduced that the matching Outside edge of the cards as seen in the insertion direction at the back lies. This means that a chip card or SIM card is inserted pushed that their rear edge in the inserted state the map in the same position near the open end of the card slot of the reading device comes to lie. Due to the different size of the Cards then result in a different position the one in the front of the card Stop edge. This situation also arises with the conventional orientation of chip card and SIM Card according to ISO 7816. In both cases the position the stop edge to be sensed to determine can that the respective card properly over the Contact field has been positioned before starting the reading process is started. The card limit switch should do so be trained that switching takes place only when the tips of the contact elements on the contact fields of the inserted card or one galvanic connection between all contact elements the reading device and the corresponding contact fields is made on the card. These requirements apply both when using a chip card and with a SIM card.

According to the present invention, the size is decreased differentiated the cards or the different stop edge balanced with a plunger. This solution is both with conventional positioning of chip card and SIM card applicable, as well as the one described above, innovative positioning of the SIM card rotated by 180 ° applicable if they match edge of smart card and the SIM card is not the front stop edge. For Positioning of the SIM card is in a card guide a retractable frame for chip cards. On  Scarf outside the area of the chip card ter signals the end position of the chip card. An in the retractable frame is pre-tensioned ram Using a SIM card moves from its rest position and also operates the switch. The one in his Freedom of movement restricted upwards or downwards stored guide frame is adjusted by spring force pressed at the top and thus enables correct positioning SIM card. The leadership framework is so out forms that it is flush when using a chip card Dome surface of the contact elements in the working position is lowered.

The guide frame can be designed so that it only provides a lateral guidance of the SIM card, or that he three-sided fixation of the inserted SIM card provides, for example by an essentially U- shaped, circumferential groove, so that when the SIM Card the stop edge is moved into this groove. Thereby can protect the limit switch or the actuator or ram against mechanical damage will.

It is also possible to insert the cards from above provide, so that the respective card from above the contact arrangement is lowered instead of over it to be pushed.

A limit switch is in the area of the stop edge to provide. The switch has a fixed and a movable contact element, the movable contact element or an actuator for it in the card slot or the space for card admission protrudes.

The limit switch can do so in a conventional manner be trained to insert a card is operated. Alternatively, the limit switch could  be formed as described above, the movable contact element or an actuator (actuator) for it is designed such that when grinding or touching the switch is switched.

According to a preferred embodiment, the Ramp with the stop surface and with the support surface an angle of 45 °. According to another embodiment for example, the movable contact element has one Leg with an arcuate end, with an arc section in the room for card admission or the card slot protrudes.

The guide frame is preferably by means of a lateral one Guide pin stored. Have these pilot pins preferably an elliptical cross section to a the guide frame tilts slightly when lowering enable to facilitate the insertion of the chip card and mechanical loads on the guide frame Reduce.

Further details, advantages and objects of the invention result from the following description of Exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. In the Drawing shows:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a chip card and a SIM card from below, ie on the contact surfaces, the SIM card is shown once in a conventional orientation and once rotated by 180 °.

Figure 2 shows a part of a Lesevor direction according to the invention, wherein an embodiment of an actuator for a limit switch is shown.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but with an alternative embodiment of the end position switch actuator.

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a reading device according to the Invention, a chip card and a SIM card are shown in dashed lines in their end position.

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the reading device according to the Invention along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the guide frame for the SIM card according to a first embodiment example;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the reading device according to the invention, wherein on the one hand a chip card is inserted and on the other hand a SIM card is inserted;

A sectional view of a reading device according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein a chip card is inserted Fig. 8;

.. 9 is a section through a reading device to the embodiment of Figure 8, in which a SIM card is inserted according to Fig here;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a reading apparatus according to Fig 8 or 9 without inserting a card.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a Lesevor direction according to another embodiment of the invention with inserted smart card;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a reading device according to FIG. 11 with a SIM card inserted;

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of a section of the reading device according to FIG. 11 or 12 without a card inserted;

FIG. 14 shows a section along the line AA in FIG. 13;

Figure 15 is a partial section through the pickup device along the line BB in Figure 13 with inserted smart card..;

16 is a partial section through the pickup device along the line BB in Figure 13 with an inserted SIM card..; and

Fig. 17 shows a detail of the limit switch according to the invention without an inserted card.

In Fig. 1 a smart card C with their standardized contact pads C1-C8 is shown schematically. With S 'is a SIM card in conventional orientation according to ISO 7816, whereas S is a SIM card that has been rotated 180 ° relative to S' and now with the same position of the contact fields (but different contact assignment C1-C8) one has matching stop edge with the chip card.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a section of a reading device 1 , which has a support surface 2 and a stop surface 3 . An actuator or actuator 4 for a limit switch is designed such that the switch is switched both when grinding and when touching actuation. In the illustration, a sliding actuation means a movement of the actuator 4 to the right (arrow a) and a touchdown actuation means a movement downwards (arrow b). The actuator 4 protrudes into the card slot or the space for receiving cards, a surface 5 of the actuator 4 is substantially parallel to the support surface 2 of the Lesevor device 1 and another surface 6 of the Be 4 operator is substantially parallel to the stop surface 3 of the reading device 1 , that is to say essentially perpendicular to the former surface 5 .

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment similar to that of Fig. 2, wherein in Fig. 3 the actuator 14 projects like a ramp into the card receiving space or the card slot to enable a force to be exerted on the actuator 14 in any direction leads within the angular range of 90 ° between the stop surface 13 and the support surface 12 of the reading device 10 for switching the switch. The actuation of the switch is carried out by displacing the ramp 17 in any direction from the room for card insertion when a chip card C or a SIM card S is inserted or inserted. The ramp 17 forms with the stop surface 13 and the support surface 12 an angle of 45 °.

FIGS. 4 and 5 shows a reading device 20, wherein in Fig. 4 is a smart card C, and a SIM card S in dashed lines are shown in their final position. The here shown ge reading device 20 has a support surface 22 and a stop surface 23rd A limit switch 24 has a fixed contact element 25 and a movable contact element 26 with an arcuate end 26 a, an arc portion of which projects into the space for receiving cards, ie between the support surface 22 and the stop surface 23 . The limit switch 24 is actuated both when a stop edge of a card on the support surface 22 moves towards the stop surface 23 (sliding actuation) and when the stop edge of a card moves along the stop surface 23 towards the support surface 22 . Generally speaking, the limit switch 24 is actuated when a chip or SIM card moves in any direction within the angular range of 90 ° between the abutment surface 23 and the abutment surface 22 of the reading device 20 towards the edge 27 between the abutment surface 22 and the abutment surface 23 , when the card finally rests both on the bearing surface 22 and also lies on the stop surface 23 .

In FIG. 6, a guide frame SIM card S 30 for a. The guide frame 30 is used to guide the smaller SIM card and is retractable when using a chip card. The guide frame 30 has first and second grooves 31 , 32 , in which the SIM card is guided. The SIM card is inserted into the guide frame 30 with the edge with the beveled corner (according to ISO 7816) ahead. To ensure this alignment of the SIM card (polarization), a chamfered area 33 of the groove and the guide frame is provided in the front region of the groove 31 , which corresponds to the chamfered corner of the SIM card S. An end position switch 34 is attached in the area of the stop surface of the reading device.

Another presence switch 35 is functionally connected to the guide frame 30 and is closed when the guide frame is at the top and open when the guide frame is at the bottom. This switching assignment of the switch 35 can of course also be selected in reverse. The second presence switch 35 is also actuated when a SIM card is in the guide frame.

The presence switches 34 , 35 are connected to a switching device (not shown) which changes the contact assignment of the reading device in accordance with the inserted card.

The switching device has the following function:
When the lead frame is up, the second presence switch is activated, either by the frame itself or by an inserted SIM card. If the first presence switch (limit switch) is also switched, a first contact assignment applies, which is suitable for a SIM card rotated by 180 ° and which is also rotated by 180 ° to the standardized contact assignment.

If a standard chip card is used, the Frame moved down and the second Presence switch is not switched. If in the end position switch is actuated in this state, this means that a standard smart card is working properly is inserted and the contact assignment is made by the Switching device selected as it is standard is provided, d. H. vice versa as in the above case.

The guide frame 30 is chamfered at its open end 36 in order to achieve the sinking of the guide frame when a chip card is inserted.

Fig. 7 shows the retractable guide frame 30 shown in FIG. 6 with an inserted SIM card S. Both presence switches 34 , 35 are actuated. On the other hand, the rigid guide 37 of the reading device is shown with a chip card C inserted, the recessed guide frame 30 being indicated in dashed lines. Here, only the first presence switch 34 on the stop surface of the reading device is actuated.

In FIGS. 8 to 10, a further alternative is off operation example of a reading device 40 is shown. A guide frame 41 is fixedly attached to a base part 42 . The guide frame 41 has two card guides, namely a guide for a chip card and an underlying, smaller guide for a SIM card.

The guide for the chip card has lateral grooves 43 and 44 in which the chip card is guided. Furthermore, the chip card lies on a first contact surface 45 . The grooves 43 and 44 and the bearing surface 45 form a first card slot.

The guide for the SIM card has two lateral guide shoulders 46 , 47 , on which the SIM card is guided, in that the SIM card is supported by a spring-loaded contacting device 48 of the reading device 40 , which is height-adjustable or resiliently supported by means of springs 49 , is pressed against the guide shoulders 46 , 47 . The guide shoulders 46 , 47 together with a support surface 50 of the lowered contacting device define a second card slot.

The guide frame 41 and the contacting device 48 are to be brought chamfered or (the contactor 48 ramp 51) provided with a ramp to facilitate insertion of the respective card and device to the contactor 48 into the correct heightwise position in relation to the respectively inserted card .

The detection of the card inserted is carried out by two limit switches 52 , 53 , one limit switch being provided for each card slot.

Fig. 11-17 show another embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 11, the reading device 100 is shown inserted with a smart card C, 12 against it, Fig., The reading device 100 with an inserted SIM card S. The chassis 101 of the reading device 100 comprises a support 102 for elevational guidance of the respectively inserted card.

A guide frame 103 is used to guide the smaller SIM card and is retractable when using a chip card. The guide frame 103 is biased upwards by means of springs 104 . The guide frame 103 has circumferential, U-shaped grooves on its inside, in which the SIM card is guided. The edge of the SIM card is inserted into the guide frame 103 with the corner (according to ISO 7816) beveled back.

The guide frame 103 is beveled at its open end, ie provided with ramps 105 to achieve or facilitate the sinking of the guide frame 103 when inserting a chip card.

Lateral guide grooves 106 are provided in the chassis 101 for guiding a chip card.

As can be seen in FIGS. 13-15, a limit switch 107 is provided in the area of the stop edge, ie at the end of the card slot, in the chassis 101 . The scarf ter 107 has a fixed contact element 108 and a movable contact element 109 , wherein the movable contact element 109 projects into the card slot.

In Fig. 17, the limit switch is not shown in betätig system state 107th When a chip card is inserted, the movable contact element 109 is pressed by the chip card C itself against the fixed contact element 108 , whereby the switch is closed (see FIG. 15).

When a SIM card is used, the SIM card S moves a plunger 111, which is seen in the guide frame 103 and biased by a spring 110 to the left (in FIGS. 15 and 16), against the movable contact element 109 and thus indirectly actuates the limit switch 107 (see Fig. 16). The plunger has a flange 112 , which on the one hand serves to limit a movement of the plunger 110 to the left when it stops against a projection 113 in the guide frame 103 and, on the other hand, serves as a support for the helical spring 111 extending around part of the plunger 110 . The coil spring 111 is thus guided by the plunger 110 in a recess 114 of the guide frame 103 .

In contrast, the plunger 110 is sunk together with the guide frame 103 when using a chip card, so that the plunger 110 is not actuated, but the limit switch 107 is actuated directly by the chip card, as has already been described above.

As can be seen in FIG. 13, the guide frame 103 is supported by means of lateral guide pins 115 . These guide pins 115 have an elliptical cross section and are each guided in a recess 116 in the chassis 101 (see FIG. 14) to allow the guide frame 103 to tilt slightly when lowered, to facilitate the insertion of the chip card and mechanical Reduce stress on the guide frame.

Claims (26)

1. Reading device ( 1 , 10 , 20 , 40 , 100 ), characterized in that it is used both for chip cards (standard or full-size cards) (C) and for SIM cards (plug-in SIM Cards) (S, S ') can be used. 2. Reading device ( 20 , 40 , 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reading device ( 20 , 40 , 100 ) has guide means ( 30-32 , 37 , 41 , 43-47 , 103-106 , 115 , 116 ) for positioning the chip card (C) and the SIM card (S, S ') in such a way over a Kontaktiervor direction ( 48 ) that the contacts of the contacting device ( 48 ) come to lie on contact fields (C1-C8) of the respective card. 3. Reading device ( 20 , 40 , 100 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide means ( 30-32 , 37 , 41 , 43-47 , 103-106 , 115 , 116 ) the chip card (C) and the SIM Position the card (S, S ') in such a way that the cards have a matching outer edge. 4. Reading device ( 20 , 40 , 100 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the common outer edge is the stop edge of the respective card arranged in the insertion direction at the front. 5. Reading device ( 20 , 40 , 100 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the common outer edge is the rear edge of the respective card arranged in the insertion direction. 6. Reading device ( 1 , 10 , 20 , 40 , 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reading device ( 1 , 10 , 20 , 40 , 100 ) has an end position switch ( 24 , 34 , 107 ) for both types of cards owns. 7. reading device ( 1 , 10 , 20 , 40 , 100 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the limit switch ( 24 , 34 , 107 ) has a fixed contact element ( 25 , 108 ) and a movable contact element ( 26 , 109 ), wherein the movable contact element ( 109 ) or an actuator ( 4 , 14 ) protrudes into the card slot for receiving a chip card or SIM card and is designed such that the switch ( 24 , 34 , 107 ) is switched when actuated by sliding or touching down becomes. 8. Reading device ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that a surface ( 5 ) of the actuator ( 4 ) or contact element is substantially parallel to a bearing surface ( 2 ) of the reading device and wherein another surface ( 6 ) of the actuator ( 4 ) or contact element is essentially parallel to a stop surface ( 3 ) of the reading device, that is to say essentially perpendicular to the former surface ( 5 ). 9. Reading device ( 10 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the contact element or the actuator ( 14 ) projects like a ramp into the card slot. 10. Reading device ( 10 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the ramp ( 17 ) with the stop surface ( 13 ) and with the support surface ( 12 ) forms an angle of 45 °. 11. Reading device ( 20 , 40 , 100 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the movable contact element ( 26 ) has a leg with an arcuate end ( 26 a), an arc portion thereof projecting into the card slot. 12. Reading device ( 1 , 10 , 20 , 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a switching device is provided for adapting the contact assignment of the contacting device of the reading device to the card inserted in each case. 13. Reading device ( 20 , 40 , 100 ) according to one of claims 2-12, characterized in that the guide means ( 30-32 , 37 , 41 , 43-47 , 103-106 , 115 , 116 ) a guide frame ( 30 , 41 , 103 ). 14. Reading device ( 20 , 100 ) according to claim 13, characterized in that the guide frame ( 30 , 103 ) is retractable bar. 15. Reading device ( 20 , 100 ) according to claim 14, characterized in that the guide frame ( 30 , 103 ) is resiliently biased upwards. 16. Reading device ( 20 ) according to one of claims 13- 15, characterized in that the guide frame ( 30 ) has identification means ( 33 ) for detecting the correct insertion of the SIM card. 17, reading apparatus (20) according to claim 16, characterized in that the guide frame (30) has lateral guide grooves (31, 32), wherein the identification means (33) in the front region of the one groove (31) has a abge chamfered region (33) the groove ( 31 ) and the guide frame, which corresponds to the chamfered corner of the SIM card (S). 18. Reading device ( 20 ) according to claim 17, characterized in that a further presence or limit switch ( 35 ) is attached in the beveled area for detecting the correct insertion of the SIM card. 19. Reading device ( 20 , 100 ) according to one of claims 14-18, characterized in that a further switch ( 35 ) is provided which is actuated by lowering the guide frame ( 30 , 103 ). 20. Reading device ( 40 ) according to any one of claims 13-19, characterized in that the contacting device ( 48 ) of the reading device ( 40 ) is adjustable in height or adaptable. 21. Reading device ( 40 ) according to claim 20, characterized in that the contacting device ( 48 ) is resiliently biased upwards. 22. Reading device ( 40 ) according to one of claims 20 or 21, characterized in that the contacting device ( 48 ) is chamfered at one end in a ramp-like manner. 23. Reading device ( 40 ) according to one of claims 20-22, characterized in that two limit switches ( 52 , 53 ) are provided, one for a chip card and one for a SIM card, and wherein the limit switches ( 52 , 53 ) can also be used to identify the type of card used. 24. Reading device ( 40 ) according to one of claims 20-23, characterized in that a further switch is provided which is actuated by lowering or raising the contacting device ( 48 ). 25. Reading device ( 20 , 40 , 100 ) according to one of claims 13-24, characterized in that the guide frame ( 30 , 41 , 103 ) is chamfered at the open end in a ramp-like manner. 26. Reading device ( 100 ) according to any one of claims 13- 25, characterized in that a resiliently biased plunger ( 110 ) is provided in the guide frame ( 103 ), specifically for actuating the limit switch ( 107 ) by a SIM card (S, S ′).