Abstract: In a method of prolonging an electrical connection between a card that has a readable and a writeable memory and a reader/writer of the card, a writing cycle commenced on the card has time to be completed before the electrical connection is broken. The card is placed in the reader on a sliding carriage that moves with the card, during which time the card and the reader are in electrical contact. An inner contact breaker allows a signal permitting writing on the card when the card reaches its end position. An outer contact breaker allows a signal permitting reading of the card before the card reaches its end position.