US5574270A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chip card system provided with an offset electronic circuit
Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
•
Filing: 1993-06-10
•
Granted: 1996-11-12
•
Expires: 2013-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A chip card system provided with an offset portable electronic circuit includes a module that integrates one or more electronic components, a reader 4 of this module, an intermediate means 3 directly linked with the reader 4 and a conveyance means 2 to provide for the transmission of information between the module 1 and the intermediate means 3, and vice versa. The intermediate means is a chip card that enables access to standard readers. The module can be used to set up a complex application without any problem as regards available surface areas. Moreover, the reliability obtained is that of the mounting of electronic components. It is far greater than that obtained in the technology of mounting a chip in a chip card.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis Steffen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/0008; H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A smart card unit, comprising: an intermediate card which physically corresponds to a standard smart card physical format, and which includes thereon connectors in a standard smart card connector format and in a standard smart card connector location, but which does not include any active circuitry whatsoever; and a portable pocket-size electronic module comprising one or more integrated circuits which implement normal smart card operation, and permanently connected to said intermediate card by a flexible connector; whereby said portable pocket-size module can interface to a standard card reader through said flexible connector and said intermediate card.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A smart card unit, comprising: an intermediate card which physically corresponds to a standard smart card physical format, and which includes thereon connectors in a standard smart card connector format and in a standard smart card connector location, but which does not include any active circuitry whatsoever; and a portable pocket-size electronic module comprising one or more integrated circuits which implement normal smart card operation, and permanently connected to said intermediate card by a flexible connector; whereby said portable pocket-size module can interface to a standard card reader through said flexible connector and said intermediate card.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The smart card unit of claim 1, wherein said integrated circuits have a pinout arrangement which is standard in applications other than smart cards.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The smart card unit of claim 1, wherein said module also comprises a battery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The smart card unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of said integrated circuits has an area greater than 20mm 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The smart card unit of claim 1, wherein said intermediate card does not include any active circuitry whatsoever.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The smart card unit of claim 1, wherein said connector is a flat flexible plastic body with patterned metal film traces therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The smart card unit of claim 1, wherein said connector is permanently connected to said intermediate card and to said portable electronic module.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
A smart card unit, comprising: a flexible intermediate card which physically corresponds to a standard smart card physical format, and which includes thereon connectors in a standard smart card connector format and in a standard smart card connector location; and a rigid portable pocket-size electronic module comprising one or more integrated circuits which implement normal smart card operation, and connected to said intermediate card by a flat flexible connector which is oriented so that said portable pocket-size module and said intermediate unit can be folded together compactly when not in use; whereby said portable pocket-size module can interface to a standard card reader through said flexible connector and said intermediate card.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
A smart card unit, comprising: a flexible intermediate card which physically corresponds to a standard smart card physical format, and which includes thereon connectors in a standard smart card connector format and in a standard smart card connector location; and a rigid portable pocket-size electronic module comprising one or more integrated circuits which implement normal smart card operation, and connected to said intermediate card by a flat flexible connector which is oriented so that said portable pocket-size module and said intermediate unit can be folded together compactly when not in use; whereby said portable pocket-size module can interface to a standard card reader through said flexible connector and said intermediate card.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The smart card unit of claim 8, wherein said integrated circuits have a pinout arrangement which is standard in applications other than smart cards.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The smart card unit of claim 8, wherein said module also comprises a battery.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The smart card unit of claim 8, wherein at least one of said integrated circuits has an area greater than 20mm 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The smart card unit of claim 8, wherein said intermediate card does not include any active circuitry whatsoever.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The smart card unit of claim 8, wherein said connector is a flat flexible plastic body with patterned metal film traces therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The smart card unit of claim 8, wherein said connector is permanently connected to said intermediate card and to said portable electronic module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
92 words
A smart card unit, comprising: a plastic intermediate card which physically corresponds to a standard smart card physical format, and which includes thereon connectors in a standard smart card connector format and in a standard smart card connector location; and a portable pocket-size electronic module, comprising one or more integrated circuits which implement normal smart card operation within a hermetic encapsulation material, permanently connected to said intermediate card by a flexible connector; whereby said portable pocket-size module can interface to a standard card reader through said flexible connector and said intermediate card.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
92 words
A smart card unit, comprising: a plastic intermediate card which physically corresponds to a standard smart card physical format, and which includes thereon connectors in a standard smart card connector format and in a standard smart card connector location; and a portable pocket-size electronic module, comprising one or more integrated circuits which implement normal smart card operation within a hermetic encapsulation material, permanently connected to said intermediate card by a flexible connector; whereby said portable pocket-size module can interface to a standard card reader through said flexible connector and said intermediate card.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The smart card unit of claim 15, wherein said integrated circuits have a pinout arrangement which is standard in applications other than smart cards.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The smart card unit of claim 15, wherein said module also comprises a battery.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The smart card unit of claim 15, wherein at least one of said integrated circuits has an area greater than 20mm 2 .
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The smart card unit of claim 15, wherein said intermediate card does not include any active circuitry whatsoever.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The smart card unit of claim 15, wherein said connector is a flat flexible plastic body with patterned metal film traces therein.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The smart card unit of claim 15, wherein said connector is permanently connected to said intermediate card and to said portable electronic module.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
111 words
A smart card unit, comprising: an intermediate card which physically corresponds to a standard smart card physical format, and which includes thereon connectors in a standard smart card connector format and in a standard smart card connector location; and a portable pocket-size electronic module comprising one or more integrated circuits which implement normal smart card operation, and permanently connected to said intermediate card by a flexible connector; wherein said portable pocket-size electronic module is substantially thicker than said intermediate card, and does not conform to said standard smart card physical format; whereby said portable pocket-size module can interface to a standard card reader through said flexible connector and said intermediate card.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
111 words
A smart card unit, comprising: an intermediate card which physically corresponds to a standard smart card physical format, and which includes thereon connectors in a standard smart card connector format and in a standard smart card connector location; and a portable pocket-size electronic module comprising one or more integrated circuits which implement normal smart card operation, and permanently connected to said intermediate card by a flexible connector; wherein said portable pocket-size electronic module is substantially thicker than said intermediate card, and does not conform to said standard smart card physical format; whereby said portable pocket-size module can interface to a standard card reader through said flexible connector and said intermediate card.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The smart card unit of claim 27, wherein said integrated circuits have a pinout arrangement which is standard in applications other than smart cards.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The smart card unit of claim 27, wherein said module also comprises a battery.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The smart card unit of claim 25, wherein at least one of said integrated circuits has an area greater than 20mm 2 .
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The smart card unit of claim 24, wherein said intermediate card does not include any active circuitry whatsoever.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The smart card unit of claim 23, wherein said connector is a flat flexible plastic body with patterned metal film traces therein.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The smart card unit of claim 22, wherein said connector is permanently connected to said intermediate card and to said portable electronic module.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for interfacing to a standard smart card reader, comprising the steps of: inserting, into a standard smart card reader, an intermediate card which physically corresponds to a standard smart card physical format, and which includes thereon connectors in a standard smart card connector format and in a standard smart card connector location, but which does not include any active circuitry whatsoever; said intermediate card being permanently connected, through a flexible connector, to a portable pocket size electronic module comprising one or more integrated circuits; and electronically communicating between said portable pocket-size module and said standard card reader through said flexible connector and said intermediate card to perform normal smart card operation.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for interfacing to a standard smart card reader, comprising the steps of: inserting, into a standard smart card reader, an intermediate card which physically corresponds to a standard smart card physical format, and which includes thereon connectors in a standard smart card connector format and in a standard smart card connector location, but which does not include any active circuitry whatsoever; said intermediate card being permanently connected, through a flexible connector, to a portable pocket size electronic module comprising one or more integrated circuits; and electronically communicating between said portable pocket-size module and said standard card reader through said flexible connector and said intermediate card to perform normal smart card operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3702464A
Cited
US4277837A
Cited
US4423319A
Cited
FR2554262A1
Cited
US4660422A
Cited
US4849617A
Cited
US4870604A
Cited
EP0313882A2
Cited
US4800543A
Cited
US4999601A
Cited
US4941841A
Cited
US4916441A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-12 | 2000-05-13 | 2000-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | 2004-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-12 | 2008-05-13 | 2008-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |