US5445525A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interconnection scheme for integrated circuit card with auxiliary contacts
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1994-05-12
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Granted: 1995-08-29
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Expires: 2014-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for providing alternate signal paths between a removably insertable integrated circuit (IC) card in a computer system and an external device is described. The method and apparatus includes an IC card designed for coupling with the external device through a rear I/O receptacle located along the rear IC card edge, the IC card also including an auxiliary side contacts along a side edge. The method and apparatus includes the use of a flexible conducting strip to connect each of the auxiliary side contacts along the side edge to the appropriate pins of the rear I/O receptacle. In this manner the IC card contains alternate signal paths to the external device, being capable of coupling to the external device in either a rear-connecting scheme or a side-connecting scheme, the adaptation to side contacts having been achieved with minimal redesign of the rear-connecting IC card.
Inventors
- 👤 Neal E. Broadbent
- 👤 Duncan D. MacGregor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:53
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/02; H05K5/0256; H05K5/026; H05K5/0265; H05K5/0269; G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/067; G06K19/07; G06K19/077; H05K5/0273; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/946
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A removably insertable integrated circuit (IC) card for use in a computer system, comprising: an integrated circuit (IC) board, said IC board comprising an external I/O interface for transferring a first set of signals between said IC board and an external device; a frame for holding said IC board, said frame comprising: a first I/O receptacle located along a first frame edge for providing a signal path for said first set of signals between said external device and said external I/O interface of said circuit board; and an auxiliary I/O receptacle located along a second frame edge for providing an alternate signal path for at least one of said first set of signals between said IC board and said external device; and a flexible conducting strip coupled to said auxiliary I/O receptacle and said first I/O receptacle such that said alternate signal path is formed and passes through said flexible conducting strip and through said auxiliary I/O receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A removably insertable integrated circuit (IC) card for use in a computer system, comprising: an integrated circuit (IC) board, said IC board comprising an external I/O interface for transferring a first set of signals between said IC board and an external device; a frame for holding said IC board, said frame comprising: a first I/O receptacle located along a first frame edge for providing a signal path for said first set of signals between said external device and said external I/O interface of said circuit board; and an auxiliary I/O receptacle located along a second frame edge for providing an alternate signal path for at least one of said first set of signals between said IC board and said external device; and a flexible conducting strip coupled to said auxiliary I/O receptacle and said first I/O receptacle such that said alternate signal path is formed and passes through said flexible conducting strip and through said auxiliary I/O receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The removably insertable IC card of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said flexible conducting strip is located in a plane separate from the plane of the IC board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The removably insertable IC card of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said flexible conducting strip is placed along a perimeter path defined by said first frame edge and said second frame edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The removably insertable IC card of claim 2, wherein the removably insertable IC card is a PCMCIA standard card for use in portable computer systems.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for providing alternate signal paths between a personal computer integrated circuit (IC) card and an external device, comprising the steps of: placing at least one primary contact along a first frame edge of said IC card for transferring a first signal between said IC card and said external device; placing an auxiliary contact along a second frame edge of said IC card for providing an alternate signal path for said first signal between said IC card and said external device; and placing on said IC card a flexible conducting strip coupled to said primary contact and said auxiliary contact such that said alternate signal path is formed and passes through said flexible conducting strip.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for providing alternate signal paths between a personal computer integrated circuit (IC) card and an external device, comprising the steps of: placing at least one primary contact along a first frame edge of said IC card for transferring a first signal between said IC card and said external device; placing an auxiliary contact along a second frame edge of said IC card for providing an alternate signal path for said first signal between said IC card and said external device; and placing on said IC card a flexible conducting strip coupled to said primary contact and said auxiliary contact such that said alternate signal path is formed and passes through said flexible conducting strip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
A frame apparatus for holding the body of a removably insertable integrated circuit (IC) card for use in a computer system, said frame apparatus comprising: a first receptacle placed along a first frame edge for electrical coupling to an external I/O interface of said IC card for transferring a first set of signals between said IC card and an external device; a second receptacle placed along a second frame edge; and a flexible conducting strip coupled to said first receptacle and to said second receptacle; wherein signals on the IC card are capable of being transferred to an external device along a path which includes said flexible conducting strip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
109 words
A frame apparatus for holding the body of a removably insertable integrated circuit (IC) card for use in a computer system, said frame apparatus comprising: a first receptacle placed along a first frame edge for electrical coupling to an external I/O interface of said IC card for transferring a first set of signals between said IC card and an external device; a second receptacle placed along a second frame edge; and a flexible conducting strip coupled to said first receptacle and to said second receptacle; wherein signals on the IC card are capable of being transferred to an external device along a path which includes said flexible conducting strip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-28 | 1999-02-27 | 1999-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-28 | 2003-02-27 | 2003-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-28 | 2007-02-27 | 2007-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |