US5940510A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transfer of valuable information between a secure module and another module
Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products Inc
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Filing: 1996-01-31
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Granted: 1999-08-17
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Expires: 2016-01-31
Abstract
Abstract The present invention rotates to system, apparatus and method for communicating valuable data from a portable module to another module via an electronic device. More specifically, the disclosed system, apparatus and method are useful for enabling a user to fill a portable module with a cash equivalent and to spend the cash equivalent at a variety of locations. The disclosed system incorporates an encryption/decryption method.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen M. Curry
- 👤 Donald W. Loomis
- 👤 Michael L. Bolan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:40
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/108; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/36; G06Q20/367; G06Q20/3672; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/382; G06Q20/3821; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/409; G06Q20/4097; G06Q20/40975; G07F7/0806; G07F7/0813; G07F7/0826
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A system for communicating data securely, comprising: a first portable module comprising: a nonvolatile memory for storing a first data; a first real time clock circuit for time stamping data transactions; a counter for counting a transaction count; an input/output circuit; a substantially unique electronically readable identification number readable by said input/output circuit; and a memory control circuit in electrical communication with said nonvolatile memory, said real time clock, said counter, and said input/output circuit; a portable module reader that can be placed in communication with said first portable module, said portable module reader can be connected to a plurality of other devices; a secure microcontroller based module in electronic communication with said portable module reader, said secure microcontroller comprising: a microcontroller core; a math coprocessor, in communication with said microcontroller core, for processing encryption calculations; an energy circuit for storing energy; a memory circuit connected to said microcontroller core; a memory circuit in communication with said microcontroller core; and a second real time clock circuit in communication with said microcontroller, said combination of said portable module reader and said secure microcontroller performing secure data transfers with said first portable module.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A system for communicating data securely, comprising: a first portable module comprising: a nonvolatile memory for storing a first data; a first real time clock circuit for time stamping data transactions; a counter for counting a transaction count; an input/output circuit; a substantially unique electronically readable identification number readable by said input/output circuit; and a memory control circuit in electrical communication with said nonvolatile memory, said real time clock, said counter, and said input/output circuit; a portable module reader that can be placed in communication with said first portable module, said portable module reader can be connected to a plurality of other devices; a secure microcontroller based module in electronic communication with said portable module reader, said secure microcontroller comprising: a microcontroller core; a math coprocessor, in communication with said microcontroller core, for processing encryption calculations; an energy circuit for storing energy; a memory circuit connected to said microcontroller core; a memory circuit in communication with said microcontroller core; and a second real time clock circuit in communication with said microcontroller, said combination of said portable module reader and said secure microcontroller performing secure data transfers with said first portable module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system for communicating data securely of claim 1, wherein said plurality of other devices includes at least one of a credit card reader, a cash machine, an automatic teller machine, and a phone line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system for communicating data securely of claim 1, wherein said first data is a packet of encrypted data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system for communicating data securely of claim 1, wherein said first portable module communicates with said portable module reader via a single wire bus comprising a single bidirectional communication wire and a ground connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system for communicating data securely of claim 1, wherein said first module can create random public/private key sets for encryption purposes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system for communicating data securely of claim 1, wherein said secure microcontroller can create random public/private key sets for encryption purposes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-16 | 2003-02-15 | 2003-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-16 | 2007-02-15 | 2007-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-16 | 2011-02-15 | 2011-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |