Registers – Records – Conductive
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-06
2001-04-17
Pitts, Harold I. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Records
Conductive
C235S487000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216955
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an electronic smart card adapted to be emplaced in a PCMCIA interface, provided for this purpose, the interface being adapted to be plugged into a card reader and comprising at least one recess, whose dimensions permit only partial nsertion of the smart card.
The state of the art can be defined by FR-A-2.664.724, which has for its object an electrical connector which is adapted to receive a miemory card of flat shape, containing an electronic circuit and carrying, on one of its large surfaces, ohmic contacts which, during use of the card, are electrically connected with supplemental contacts provided on the connector. To permit the detection of false cards, the connector comprises a detector for detection of the electromagnetic field, disposed in a region comprised between an entry slot for the card in the connector and the place occupied by the electronic circuit of the card in the connector when the card occupies the position in which its ohmic contacts are in contact with the contacts of the connector.
This document defines the conventional usage which is made of a smart card. This card comprises moreover within it, recognition means, which implies that the card must be completely inserted so that these means have an effect and that the reader or the like receiving this card will be provided with means adapted to take account of these recognition means. This is absolutely not the case of the present invention, in which the smart card is inserted only partially in the reader.
FR-A-2.696.032 provides a device to carry out monetary transactions with microprocessor cards such as bank cards which comprise, in a housing, a coupler for the card with a microprocessor, a slot located in line with the coupler for the partial introduction of a microprocessor card, a keyboard for entering at least one confidential code associated with a card introduced into the coupler, a means to process and validate the transaction.
In this case, the card is partially inserted into the housing, nevertheless the use of said card requires the input of a confidential code at the level of said housing, which does not guarantee absolute safety.
EP-A-0 696 010 relates to a portable interface for one or several electronic smart cards, the interface beiag adapted to be plugged into a card reader, comprised by a module, adapted to be disposed in the card reader and comprising at one end means adapted to be plugged into electrical connection with the card reader, a ferrule secured to the other end of the module comprising a slot to introduce the smart card, a recess adapted to receive at least partially the smart card and passing through at least a portion of said ferrule, said recess comprising guide means and positioning means for the smart card, and electrical connection means with areas of electrical contact of the smart card.
The problem with this document is identical to that raised in connection with the preceding document. The input of a confidential code into a keyboard external to the card can be easily penetrated by technology, unless this operation takes place in a secured location, which is rarely the case.
The present invention provides for solving this problem by permitting an identification of the card itself without indication of the confidential code passing through the central unit of the computer.
There is also known FR-A-2.661.762 which relates to a process and device for transaction between at least one data support adapted to be plugged in, with a microcircuit, at least one first data support that can be plugged into a microcircuit and at least one second data support through an interface circuit. The first data support is a microcircuit support which contains all the data for identification, control and management of the interface circuit and of the transaction.
The first data support is of complicated structure which integrates a memory and means for analyzing data.
There is also known from FR-A-2.615.984 a smart card comprising a memory to reserve programs and data, and having a microphone and a loudspeaker. The words corresponding to the data or to a command are converted into a signal by the microphone. These,signals can be directed toward an outlet terminal of the card under control of the latter or alternatively, the card can preserve and analyze the voice and give corresponding control signals or numerical data.
The provided smart card has a very particular application and comprises a memory and means for analyzing data, thereby forming a complex card.
WO92/22043 has an intelligent transportable terminal which permits transmitting to a data receiver the data from a data generator, subjected, as the case may be, to supplemental processing. The transmission of the data in a receiving apparatus can take place at a moment and at a place different from those for the introduction of the data. The terminal is preferably provided with interfaces with devices for coupling that cannot be worn out and preferably comprises a protection against reading or unauthorized reading or unauthorized introduction of data into the terminal. Developments of the invention comprise a structure that can be encased in the cavity of the ashtray of a vehicle and means for transmission for induction of the supply energy, as well as means for coupling to data transfer terminals.
The proposed structure to avoid unauthorized data reading is not in the smart card format and is hence unadaptable to coact with a smart card reader.
The invention relates to an electronic smart card adapted to be emplaced in a PCMCIA interface or other reader, provided for this purpose, the interface being adapted to be plugged into a card reader and comprising at least one recess, whose dimensions permit only a partial insertion of the smart card, characterized by the fact that the portion of the smart card, which cannot be inserted into the PCMCIA interface or the like, comprises at least one recognition means.
The recognition means is carried by one of the surfaces of the smart card.
The recognition means is constituted by a keyboard.
The recognition means is constituted by a voice recognition.
The portion of the smart card that is not inserted comprises a display to validate the recognition.
According to a modified embodiment, the card operates with one interface with two recesses, the dimensions of the other recess permitting a total or partial insertion of another smart card, characterized by the fact that the partially insertable card is provided with the validation of the operation or operations to which the totally or partially insertable card is subject.
The data from the partially inserted card moving toward the totally or partially inserted card passes via the imicroprocessor of the PCMCIA interface or the like without transmission to other electronic equipment.
Each button of the keyboard is in connection with two of the regions of electrical contact of the electrical connection means.
Each button in connection with two regions of electrical contact, one disposed on the abscissa and the other on the ordinate, said button corresponding to the intersection of the two regions.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4864115 (1989-09-01), Imran et al.
patent: 0 552 078 (1993-07-01), None
patent: 0 696 010 (1996-02-01), None
patent: 2 615 984 (1988-12-01), None
patent: 2 661 762 (1991-11-01), None
patent: 2 189 741 (1987-11-01), None
patent: 61-143892 (1986-07-01), None
patent: WO 92/22043 (1992-12-01), None
Genevois Christophe
Le Roux Jean Yves
Pitts Harold I.
SCM Schneider Microsysteme-Microsystemes, Schneider Entwicklungs
Young & Thompson
LandOfFree
Smart card with partial insertion and identifying means does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Smart card with partial insertion and identifying means, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Smart card with partial insertion and identifying means will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2475121