Patent US4499371A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4499371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrical connection system
Assignee: Flonic SA
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Filing: 1982-09-30
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Granted: 1985-02-12
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Expires: 2002-09-30
Abstract
Abstract In an electrical connection system between a payment card (10) including an integrated memory circuit (11), and an information transfer apparatus (15) for reading and writing data in the memory circuit, terminals (14) of the card (10) are covered with a protective layer of a plastic material (13) which is perforable and recoverable (self-healing), and the transfer apparatus is provided, for each terminal, with a projection (16) of hard metal ending at a point (17) to be urged with a defined force on to the corresponding terminal in the card through the protective layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Rene Rose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/067; G06K19/07; G06K19/077; G06K19/07743; G06K7/00; G06K7/0013; G06K7/0021; H; H10; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/071; H10W72/072; H10W72/07251; H10W72/20; H10W72/50; H10W72/541; H10W72/5449
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for establishing an electrical connection between a portable memory card carrying an electronic circuit covered externally with a protective layer and electrical apparatus for reading said card, wherein: said card includes at least a pair of discrete coplanar terminals disposed therein and connected to said electronic circuit, and a protective layer disposed over at least each of said card terminals formed from a perforable plastic material; and said electrical apparatus includes at least one pair of electrically conductive probes having tips disposed in the same plane, means for axially urging said probe tips through said protective layer and into contact with said card terminals and a source of electrical current for said probe tips, whereby said probe tips simultaneously contact said terminals to establish an electrical connection between said electrical apparatus and said electronic circuit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for establishing an electrical connection between a portable memory card carrying an electronic circuit covered externally with a protective layer and electrical apparatus for reading said card, wherein: said card includes at least a pair of discrete coplanar terminals disposed therein and connected to said electronic circuit, and a protective layer disposed over at least each of said card terminals formed from a perforable plastic material; and said electrical apparatus includes at least one pair of electrically conductive probes having tips disposed in the same plane, means for axially urging said probe tips through said protective layer and into contact with said card terminals and a source of electrical current for said probe tips, whereby said probe tips simultaneously contact said terminals to establish an electrical connection between said electrical apparatus and said electronic circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said plastic material is also self-healing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said plastic material is a silicone elastomer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the tips of said probes are formed of a hard conductive metal or alloy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 4, wherein said probe tips are formed from tungsten or steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 4, wherein each said card terminal is formed from a conductive metal or alloy of lower hardness than said tips.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said terminals are formed from the group of metals including copper, silver, indium or alloys thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the radius of each of said probe tips is between 5 and 100 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said protective layer of perforable material is limited to the useful zone of contact between each said card terminal and the tip of each said probe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said card terminals are secured to said protective layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 10, wherein said electronic circuit, said card terminals and said protective layer are embedded in an auxiliary protective layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit includes a memory means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said electrical apparatus includes data processor means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
139 words
Electronic transaction apparatus comprising: a portable memory card including electronic memory means for storing data therein and at least a pair of discrete coplanar terminals connected to the memory means, at least the pair of terminals and the memory means being covered with a protective layer formed from a perforable plastic material; and data transfer apparatus including: at least a pair of electrically conductive probes having tips disposed coplanar to each other and spaced apart for contacting the terminals of the memory card; means for axially urging the probe tips through the protective layer of the card to cause the probe tips to contact the card terminals; and means, connected to the probe tips, for supplying electrical power to energize the electronic memory means and for reading and writing data between the data transfer apparatus and the memory means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
139 words
Electronic transaction apparatus comprising: a portable memory card including electronic memory means for storing data therein and at least a pair of discrete coplanar terminals connected to the memory means, at least the pair of terminals and the memory means being covered with a protective layer formed from a perforable plastic material; and data transfer apparatus including: at least a pair of electrically conductive probes having tips disposed coplanar to each other and spaced apart for contacting the terminals of the memory card; means for axially urging the probe tips through the protective layer of the card to cause the probe tips to contact the card terminals; and means, connected to the probe tips, for supplying electrical power to energize the electronic memory means and for reading and writing data between the data transfer apparatus and the memory means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
126 words
A portable memory card for use with a data transfer apparatus of the type having at least one pair of electrically conducting probes having tips, comprising: a support of insulating material having a substantially flat face; an integrated circuit chip mounted on said face of said support; at least a pair of conductive coplanar terminals disposed substantially adjacent said integrated circuit chip; means for connecting said circuit chip with said conductive terminals; and an external elastic protective layer disposed on said substantially flat face, said protective layer comprising a perforable plastic material disposed over at least said conductive terminals, whereby said plastic material may be perforated by said probe tips of said apparatus in order to establish an electrical contact between said tips and said terminals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
126 words
A portable memory card for use with a data transfer apparatus of the type having at least one pair of electrically conducting probes having tips, comprising: a support of insulating material having a substantially flat face; an integrated circuit chip mounted on said face of said support; at least a pair of conductive coplanar terminals disposed substantially adjacent said integrated circuit chip; means for connecting said circuit chip with said conductive terminals; and an external elastic protective layer disposed on said substantially flat face, said protective layer comprising a perforable plastic material disposed over at least said conductive terminals, whereby said plastic material may be perforated by said probe tips of said apparatus in order to establish an electrical contact between said tips and said terminals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The portable memory card of claim 15 wherein said plastic material is self healing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The portable memory card of claim 15 wherein said plastic material is a silicone elastomer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The portable memory card of claim 15 wherein said terminals are disposed in the same plane as said integrated circuit chip.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The portable memory card of claim 15 wherein said terminals are disposed on said integrated circuit chip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4007355A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-02-12 | 1988-08-13 | 1989-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-02-12 | 1992-08-13 | 1993-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-02-12 | 1996-08-13 | 1997-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |