Dynamic information storage or retrieval – Simultaneous diverse types of storage or retrieval
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-29
2003-04-01
Dinh, Tan (Department: 2653)
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
Simultaneous diverse types of storage or retrieval
C235S454000, C705S057000, C380S201000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06542444
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of European Patent Application No. 991 06 359.5, filed on Mar. 29, 1999, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information carrier as well as to a method for manufacturing and a use of such an information carrier.
2. Discussion of Background Information
Data media in the form of CDS or CD-ROMs or in DVD format are generally known. It has already been proposed that these types of data media be used as business cards, for example, by giving them a quadratic shape and designing them so that they can be centered in a reading device a CD or DVD reader.
Furthermore, it has been proposed to provide such devices with semiconductor chips for storing additional data as described in DE 42 42 247, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the invention provides a data carrier of the type mentioned above that can be read reliably. The data carrier includes a plastic body, at least one metal layer arranged in the plastic body carrying information encoded in CD or DVD format, a semiconductor chip arranged in the plastic body, a communication device for connecting the semiconductor chip with an external apparatus, and a balancing system or mechanism for balancing an unbalance caused by the semiconductor chip.
The balancing system or mechanism ensures that the data carrier is read with high rotational speed. Preferably, balancing is achieved by a counterweight which lies (in respect to the carrier's central opening) opposite to the semiconductor chip. Alternatively, the plastic body can be designed to be lighter on the side receiving the semiconductor chip, e.g. by setting back or trimming a corner of the card.
The invention also provides a data carrier of the type mentioned initially which can be easily connected to reading apparatus. In this aspect of the invention, the data carrier includes a plastic body, at least one metal layer arranged in the plastic body carrying information encoded in CD or DVD format, a semiconductor chip arranged in the plastic body, and an antenna for connecting the semiconductor chip with an external apparatus. By providing an antenna, the semiconductor chip can be easily connected to a suitable transceiver. Moreover, the antenna can, for example, be arranged on the surface of the plastic body. Alternatively, it can be formed by the metal layer.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a data carrier including a plastic body, at least one metal layer arranged in the plastic body carrying information encoded in CD or DVD format, a semiconductor chip arranged in the plastic body, and contact pads connected to the semiconductor chip and arranged at an outside of the plastic body for connecting the semiconductor chip with an external apparatus, wherein the contact pads are formed by the metal layer.
In another aspect of the invention, the semiconductor chip of the data carrier does not affect production and/or capacity of the optical storage. In this aspect, the data carrier includes a plastic body, at least one metal layer arranged in the plastic body carrying information encoded in DVD format, a semiconductor chip arranged in the plastic body, a communication device for connecting the semiconductor chip with an external apparatus, wherein the data carrier includes two plastic layers, and wherein the metal layer carrying information encoded in DVD format is arranged in a first plastic layer and the semiconductor chip and the communication device are arranged in a second plastic layer.
By using the two layer geometry of a DVD and using the upper layer for the semiconductor chip, the lower layer can be used fully for optical storage. A typical thickness of the first plastic layer may be approximately 0.6 mm for compatibility with standard DVD readers. Preferably, the second plastic layer has a width of approximately 0.2 mm, such that both layers add up to the width of approximately 0.8 mm. Moreover, this corresponds to the standard ISO format for chip cards.
In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a data carrier exploiting the advantages of the combination of the semiconductor chip and the optical storage. In this aspect, the data carrier includes a plastic body, at least one metal layer arranged in the plastic body carrying information encoded in CD or DVD format, a semiconductor chip arranged in the plastic body comprising a counter for counting a number of accesses to the information, and a communication device for connecting the semiconductor chip with an external apparatus.
This provides the possibility of keeping track of the number of accesses to the optically stored data, e.g. for licensing and billing purposes. In particular, the counter can be used to disable access to the optically stored information after a certain number of accesses. This is particularly efficient when the data on the disk is encrypted and the chip holds the keys for encrypting it.
In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a data carrier that can be easily manufactured. In this aspect, the data carrier includes a plastic body, at least one metal layer arranged in the plastic body carrying information encoded in CD or DVD format, an opening in the plastic body for receiving a spindle of a disk drive, an annular insert arranged in the plastic body around the opening, a semiconductor chip arranged in the annular insert, and a communication device arranged in the plastic body for connecting the semiconductor chip with an external apparatus.
By placing the chip in an annular insert, it can be mounted easily. At the same time, since it is close to the spindle, its unbalancing effect is small. If an antenna is arranged in the annular insert, all electronic parts can be installed in one single step. Preferably, the inner diameter of the annular insert is larger than the inner diameter of the opening, i.e. the edge of the opening is formed by the plastic body. This simplifies centering and prevents the application of radial forces to the annular insert.
In another aspect, there is provided a method for producing data carriers of the type mentioned above in an efficient manner. In this aspect, the method for producing a data carrier having a plastic body, at least one metal layer arranged in the plastic body carrying information encoded in CD or DVD format, and a semiconductor chip arranged in the plastic body includes providing a matrix carrying the information encoded in a relief and having a projection, casting a first part of the plastic body against the matrix, coating a side of the first part of the plastic body shaped by the matrix with metal for forming the metal layer, and coating the metal layer with a second part of the plastic body, wherein a recess is formed in the plastic body by the projection and wherein the semiconductor chip is inserted into the recess.
This method allows for the preparation of the plastic body in substantially conventional manner and to position the semiconductor chip after the casting of the first part of the body.
The data carrier according to the present invention can e.g. be used as an identity card, credit card, business card or driver's license. It can also be used as a data carrier for film and video data or for computer programs. Of course, the invention is not limited to the card types just mentioned.
In particular, the data carrier can also be used for storing protected information. Based on the data stored in the semiconductor chip, it can be determined if the reader is authorized to access the data. For this purpose, the semiconductor chip can be provided with a decryption key or a credit counter.
According to the invention, a semiconductor component which can be connected with an external device, is arranged in the plastic body of the information carrier. This permits the in
Dinh Tan
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
OMD Productions AG
LandOfFree
Carrier card capable of storing information data in CD or... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Carrier card capable of storing information data in CD or..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Carrier card capable of storing information data in CD or... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3002964