239results about "Sensing by galvanic contacts" patented technology

A pocket-size RFID reader apparatus having a contactless interface and a slot for insertion of a contactless smart card fob, and having a biometric sensor, thereby providing two levels of personalization. The apparatus may have a wireless interface; and a slot for insertion of a wireless SD I / O device. The apparatus may have a slot for insertion of an external memory device. The apparatus may have a mechanical connection (contact) interface. The apparatus may also have an RF interface for reading an electronic immobilizer within the apparatus.

A pocket-size RFID reader apparatus having a contactless interface and a slot for insertion of a contactless smart card fob, and having a biometric sensor, thereby providing two levels of personalization. The apparatus may have a wireless interface; and a slot for insertion of a wireless SD I / O device. The apparatus may have a slot for insertion of an external memory device. The apparatus may have a mechanical connection (contact) interface. The apparatus may also have an RF interface for reading an electronic immobilizer within the apparatus.

A dual-sided smart card reader, and method for operating the same, is disclosed. The dual-sided smart card reader permits the simultaneous insertion of at least two different smart cards from opposing sides. The dual-sided smart card reader may additionally include a biometric verification device, such as a fingerprint scanner, for comparing biometric information from an operator of the reader to biometric information stored on a smart card.

An interface card comprising a substrate with indicia formed thereon. The card is configured for insertion into a read device. The read device has a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane arranged to overlay the interface card so as to present the indicia to a user of the read device through the membrane. The read device also comprises a memory for storing a service identifier for identifying a service to be received from an external device according to indicia selected by the user and data stored in the memory and associated with the indicia.

Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies. Each ejectable component assembly may include a tray that can be loaded with one or more types of removable module, such as a mini-SIM card and a micro-SIM card, and inserted into the device. Each assembly may also include a base coupled to a circuit board for electrically coupling with the removable module, a cage for biasing the module down against the base, and a guide for retaining the module at a functional insertion position within the device.

A dual-sided smart card reader, and method for operating the same, is disclosed. The dual-sided smart card reader permits the simultaneous insertion of at least two different smart cards from opposing sides. The dual-sided smart card reader may additionally include a biometric verification device, such as a fingerprint scanner, for comparing biometric information from an operator of the reader to biometric information stored on a smart card. Also, the dual-sided smart card reader may additionally include a pulse monitor, such as a sensor, to detect a pulse of an operator of the reader.

Transaction cards useful for making purchases of goods and / or services are provided having a display for showing information thereon. More specifically, the transaction cards of the present invention provide information directly on the face of the transaction card that is received via a wireless chip and / or antenna embedded within the transaction card. The transaction cards may be “stored-value” cards, credit cards, debit cards, or other transaction cards. In addition, the transaction cards may store information thereon within one or more magnetic stripes and / or within microchips embedded within the transaction card. The information relates to credit limit information or balance information. Alternatively, the information may be displayed on means for holding the transaction card, such as a slipcover. In addition, the information may be requested and displayed on a portable communication device, such as a cellular telephone, a pager, a personal digital assistant, a personal computing device, or other like devices.

A read device (1) for reading an interface card (10) is disclosed. The card (10) is configured for insertion into the read device (1). The card (10) comprises indicia (14) formed thereon and a memory (19) having data stored therein for communicating with an external device. The read device (1) comprises a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (10) upon receipt of the card (10) in the read device (1). The read device (1) also comprises a central processing unit for sending a service identifier, and a specific portion of the data to the external device. The specific data is related to a user selected indicia (14), wherein the external device provides a service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of the data.

A smartcard-enabled BPID Security Device integrates a smartcard reader with a biometric authentication component to provide secured access to electronic systems. The device allows for an individual to insert a smartcard into an aperture in the physical enclosure of the BPID Security Device, allowing the smartcard and the BPID Security Device to electronically communicate with each other. The smartcard-enabled BPID Security Device is based on a custom application specific integrated circuit that incorporates smartcard terminals, such that the BPID Security Device can communicate directly with an inserted smartcard. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the smartcard-enabled BPID Security Device is based on a commercial off-the-shelf microprocessor, and may communicate with a commercial off-the-shelf microprocessor smartcard receiver using a serial, USB, or other type of communication protocol. The device allows for enrolling a user's credentials onto the smartcard-enabled BPID Security Device. The device also allows for authenticating an individual using the smartcard-enabled BPID Security Device.

An intelligent ID card holder comprises a receptacle for receiving the smartcard to facilitate intelligent ID card based transactions. The card holder further comprises one or more sensors of a user's features and a microcomputer for confirming the user's identity. The holder communicates with the ID card by electrical contacts or RF antenna. The sensor collects data representative of features of the current user of the card, and the microcomputer compares stored data in the memory with the sensed data to determine whether the current user is the authentic user. In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent ID card holder comprises a card holder with a cutaway viewing area showing a portion of the ID card surface, such as a photograph of the authentic user, while the ID card is inserted in the holder.

A portable personal interface for a smartcard comprises a receptacle for receiving the smartcard to facilitate smartcard based transactions comprising one or more sensors of a user's features and a microcomputer for confirming the user's identity. A memory holds stored data representative of features of an authentic user of the card. A sensor on the interface collects data representative of features of the current user of the card, and a microcomputer compares the stored data with the sensed data to determine whether the current user is the authentic user. The features of the authentic user of the card can be stored on the card or in the memory of the interface, in which case the card comprises an identification code that correlates to specific stored data representative of one or more user's features. In the preferred embodiment, the portable personal interface comprises a smartcard sleeve.

A mixed mode smart card is disclosed including an internal circuit having a CPU, a contactless mode processor adapted to prosecute a contactless mode operation, and a contact mode processor adapted to prosecute a contact mode operation. The mixed mode smart card also comprises a power voltage control block receiving contact and contactless mode power source voltages and supplying the internal circuit with an internal power source voltage derived either during an entire period of mixed mode operation.

A stored value card device has a housing comprising an upper shell and a lower shell. The card device is dimensioned similar to typical credit cards and contains a circuitry for producing an audio / visual message in an inner space formed between the upper and lower shells, which are shaped like opposing trays. The two shells join together through a simple complementary engagement. A card component slides out from the bottom of the lower shell, which has two-tiered structure for mounting the card component. An electronic message device is retained in the cubic space of the housing which includes a power supply, a processing device, an audio and / or video player, and a switch triggered by a push button on the upper shell, thereby the stored value card device provides two independent operations as an electronic message player and as a convertible card in a thin profile at the same time.

A dual-sided smart card reader, and method for operating the same, is disclosed. The dual-sided smart card reader permits the simultaneous insertion of at least two different smart cards from opposing sides. The dual-sided smart card reader may additionally include a biometric verification device, such as a fingerprint scanner, for comparing biometric information from an operator of the reader to biometric information stored on a smart card.

A card reading machine includes a card reader for reading data on a magnetic card and a device for preventing reading of the data on the magnetic card by illegal card reading devices operatively associated with the card reading machine. The device for preventing may include an oscillator, a driver circuit and a coil for generating electromagnetic signals similar to data on a card. A method for preventing reading of data on a magnetic card by in illegal card reader in operative association with an apparatus having a card reader intended to read the data on the magnetic card includes producing a signal ruining the data collected by the illegal card reader. The apparatus having a card reader may include an insertion slot in which case the method may further include producing the signal near the insertion slot.

A hand-held battery-operated device for interrogating and / or programming ISO7816 smart cards by means of an ISO7816 compliant card slot, in conjunction with a display, a keypad and barcode reader for data entry, a battery backup RAM for temporary storage of collected data, flash memory for storage of proprietary information provided by a smart card issuer, a RS232 port and RF link for communication with a host computer, in-system programming port for updating the flash program, all connected operatively to an internal microprocessor which perform clock or power glitching to access internal information of a smart card to determine whether the card has been tampered, compromised, and functionality.

A combined structure of a USB plug with a built-in card-reading slot, and more particular, a combined structure for the patent application U.S. Pat. No. 7,575,481 that permit a convenient manufacturing and meets different needs. An isolation base is provided in cooperation with two or three different isolation pieces which are joined by a hooked connection to create a module. The isolation pieces are each provided with an engaging slot. It is possible to choose the desired terminal set of certain type to achieve the predetermined functions of a certain USB specification. A metal housing meeting the specification of USB A-type plug dimensions encloses the compound connection module, thereby creating a first slot for the electric connection with the female connector of USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. Meanwhile, a second slot is provided for the insertion of the thin-type Micro SD / T-Flash memory card. Accordingly, a USB plug with a built-in card-reading slot is created. Moreover, the USB plug is an independent connection element that allows for a convenient connection with circuit boards or electronic products having different functions. As a result, the requirements of different electronic products are fulfilled.

A mounting structure of a card connector includes a connector body surface mounted on a wiring circuit board. An IC card can be withdrawably inserted into the connector body so that the IC card can be connected to the wiring circuit board through the connector body. The connector body includes a card insertion space which is disposed at an angle of inclination with respect to an upper surface of the wiring circuit board. A card inlet / outlet port is formed at an upper inclination end of the card insertion space such that the IC card inserted into the card insertion space through the card inlet / outlet port is retained for connection at an angle of inclination.

A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card connecting device for a portable electronic device which is adapted to further reduce a thickness of the portable electronic device by limiting the height of the SIM card connecting device. The device includes: a printed circuit board (PCB); one or more patterned contacts provided on the PCB and being coupled with one or more contacts formed on the SIM card; and a housing mounted on the PCB for allowing the SIM card to be inserted into / extracted from the housing. The housing presses the inserted SIM card so that the contacts of the SIM card and the patterned contacts come into substantial pressurized contact and / or pressurized contact with each other, depending on a shape of the patterns. According to the present invention, the SIM card mounting space can be reduced, and the portable electronic device can have a further reduction in thickness.

The IC card is capable of providing a plurality of services to an external device on one card, and comprises: a interface for the external device; a switch disposed on the IC card and that selects a service; a memory unit recording a information corresponding to a plurality of services and having a plurality areas each storing different information from another areas in security level; a CPU reading / writing information from / to the memory unit based on the service selected by the switch, and provides the selected service to the external device by way of the interface; a security level judgment unit judging the security level on an access status by the application to the memory areas; and a display unit displaying a kind of selected service or a security level of the service.

This invention relates to a method (and a corresponding terminal) of detecting a presence of a circuit extending arrangement inserted between a physical interface, connected to a terminal, and a smart card, the physical interface being adapted to receive the smart card, the method comprising the steps of measuring at least one electrical characteristic of the physical interface, and determining whether a circuit extending arrangement, changing at least one characteristic of said physical interface, is coupled to said physical interface on the basis said measurement. In this way, simple and efficient detection of a tampering / spy circuit is provided.

A chip card holding mechanism includes a support bracket, a tray, one or more resilient members and a latching assembly. The support bracket defines a receiving space with an opening. The resilient member is fixed in the support bracket. The tray defines a rectangular groove to receive a chip card. The tray is slidably mounted to the support bracket via the opening, received in the receiving space engageably by the latching assembly and resisting the resilient member.

The invention concerns a method solving security problems resulting from the addition of a security circuit to a smart card reading terminal by providing said security circuit with means for counting the number of times the security circuit is activated for certain sensitive operations. When the total of said operations reaches a fixed value, the security circuit is prevented from operating until it is re-initialized again. Optionally, the circuit may have to be replaced by another.

A card reader includes a card locking mechanism locking a card medium in an immovable holding position when the card medium inserted from a card insertion port provided in a front section of a card reader body stops because of abnormal stopping, thus preventing wrongful removal of the card medium by withdrawal. The card locking mechanism includes a spindle able to rotate via a spindle pin at one end inside the card reader body at the card insertion port, and a stopper configuration enabling direct contact with a surface of the card medium provided along a periphery at another end. A rotation radius includes a distance from the spindle pin to the stopper configuration being gradually increased from one end of the stopper configuration to another end to increase locking force by contact with the card medium.

The invention discloses a chip card retaining structure which comprises a body, a tray and a cover plate, wherein the tray is used for bearing a chip card, the cover plate is fixed to one end of the tray, an installing hole and a concave port communicated to the installing hole are formed in the body, the tray enters and exits the interior of the body through the installing hole, the cover plate is separably contained in the installing hole, the cover plate comprises an operation plate made of elastic materials and a fixing board fixed to the operation plate, the fixing board is connected to the tray, and the operation plate is arranged by adjoining the concave port. The chip card retaining structure is made of the elastic materials, and a user can operate the chip card retaining structure conveniently.