What Is A “Smart Card Reader”?
A “Smart Card” is a computer chip contained on a circuit board. The smart card is typically used instead of a memory card in a device where the memory needs to be protected. Security information enabling access is programmed into the smart card. A “Smart Card Reader” is an interface which permits a device (such as a satellite television unit) to talk to the smart card. There are a wide variety of smart card readers, most of which can also write to the smart card. Within the context of a satellite television unit, a “smart card reader” built into the unit permits an individual to watch programming authorized by the “smart card”.
