US6137710A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connecting apparatus, and information processing apparatus
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
•
Filing: 1999-09-14
•
Granted: 2000-10-24
•
Expires: 2019-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A connecting apparatus, which can be used in combination with a plurality of IC, cards. The connecting apparatus holds an inserted smart card (first IC card) having a first flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof and holds a memory card (second IC card) having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof and smaller than the first IC card. The connecting apparatus comprises a first connecting device having a slot into which the smart card is inserted and a connecting electrode which is so formed as to contact the flat type connecting terminal when the smart card is inserted into the slot; a second connecting device having a slot into which the memory card is inserted and a connecting electrode which is so formed as to contact the flat type connecting terminal when the memory card is inserted into the slot. The second connecting device is formed at a side, of the first connecting device, in which the connecting electrode of the first connecting device is formed, such that a region in which the connecting electrode is formed is exposed.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Iwasaki
- 👤 Toshio Yajima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:50
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/0013; G06K7/0021; G06K7/0034; G06K7/0043; G06K7/0056; G06K7/0073; G06K7/0086; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/22; G06Q20/229; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; H; H01; H01R; H01R27/00; H01R27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of electrical payment through a first integrated circuit (IC) card using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving the first IC card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of: allowing a user to insert the first IC card into the first slot; allowing the user to insert the second IC card into the second slot; attempting to authenticate an identity of the user by using encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; processing payment from the user through the first IC card in response to a valid authentication; and sending information for storage on the second IC card.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of electrical payment through a first integrated circuit (IC) card using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving the first IC card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of: allowing a user to insert the first IC card into the first slot; allowing the user to insert the second IC card into the second slot; attempting to authenticate an identity of the user by using encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; processing payment from the user through the first IC card in response to a valid authentication; and sending information for storage on the second IC card.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of allowing a user to download digital content data by using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving a first integrated circuit (IC) card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of: allowing the user to insert the first IC card into the first slot; allowing the user to insert the second IC card into the second slot; processing payment for the digital content data through the first IC card; and sending the digital content data to the second IC card after the payment is processed.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of allowing a user to download digital content data by using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving a first integrated circuit (IC) card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of: allowing the user to insert the first IC card into the first slot; allowing the user to insert the second IC card into the second slot; processing payment for the digital content data through the first IC card; and sending the digital content data to the second IC card after the payment is processed.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of electrical payment through a first integrated circuit (IC) card using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving the first IC card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of: allowing insertion of the first IC card into the first slot; allowing insertion of the second IC card into the second slot; reading account data stored in the first IC card; authenticating encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; processing a payment through the first IC card in response to the authentication of the encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; and writing renewed account data into the first IC card.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of electrical payment through a first integrated circuit (IC) card using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving the first IC card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of: allowing insertion of the first IC card into the first slot; allowing insertion of the second IC card into the second slot; reading account data stored in the first IC card; authenticating encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; processing a payment through the first IC card in response to the authentication of the encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; and writing renewed account data into the first IC card.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the first IC card is a smart card.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the first IC card includes a central processing unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the second IC card is a memory card.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the second IC card comprises: a flat type connection terminal; and at least one serial access memory element.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of downloading digital content data using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving a first integrated circuit (IC) card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the first IC card into the first slot; inserting the second IC card into the second slot; reading account data stored in the first IC card; authenticating encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; processing a payment through the first IC card in response to a valid authentication of the encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; writing renewed account data into the first IC card; and writing the digital content data into the second IC card.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of downloading digital content data using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving a first integrated circuit (IC) card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the first IC card into the first slot; inserting the second IC card into the second slot; reading account data stored in the first IC card; authenticating encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; processing a payment through the first IC card in response to a valid authentication of the encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; writing renewed account data into the first IC card; and writing the digital content data into the second IC card.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the digital content data comprises at least one of music data, video data, and image data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the digital content data is compressed before it is written into the second IC card.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the first IC card is a smart card.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the first IC card includes a central processing unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the second IC card is a memory card.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the second IC card comprises: a flat type connection terminal; and at least one serial access memory element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
129 words
A connecting apparatus for connecting a first IC card having a first face and a first flat type connecting terminal located on the first face and a second IC card having a first face and a second flat type connecting terminal located on the first face, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the connecting apparatus comprising: a first slot capable of holding the first IC card; a first connecting electrode capable of contacting the first flat type terminal when the first IC card is inserted into the first slot; a second slot capable of holding the second IC card; and a second connecting electrode capable of contacting the second flat type terminal when the second IC card is inserted into the second slot.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
129 words
A connecting apparatus for connecting a first IC card having a first face and a first flat type connecting terminal located on the first face and a second IC card having a first face and a second flat type connecting terminal located on the first face, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the connecting apparatus comprising: a first slot capable of holding the first IC card; a first connecting electrode capable of contacting the first flat type terminal when the first IC card is inserted into the first slot; a second slot capable of holding the second IC card; and a second connecting electrode capable of contacting the second flat type terminal when the second IC card is inserted into the second slot.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second connecting electrode is formed to expose a region of the first connecting electrode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode are formed on the same sides, respectively, of the first and second slots.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first slot and the second slot are situated so that an insertion direction of the first IC card and an insertion direction of the second IC card are substantially the same.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein an opening of the first slot and an opening of the second slot are substantially coplanar.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first slot and the second slot are situated so that the first IC card and the second IC card overlap and so that first ends of the first and second IC cards coincide with each other.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first IC card complies with ISO7810, and an area of the second IC card is not greater than an area of the first IC card.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first IC card has a central processing unit (CPU) and the second IC card is a memory card.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second IC card has a thickness in compliance with ISO7810.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second IC card complies with JEDEC MO-186.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second IC card comprises a serial access type memory element connected with the second flat type connecting terminal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein the serial access type memory element is one of a NAND type flash memory and an AND type flash memory.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising interface circuitry operatively connecting the first connecting electrode to the second connecting electrode and driving the first IC card and the second IC card in parallel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the interface circuitry is formed on an exposed region adjacent to the second connecting electrode.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the interface circuitry comprises at least a central processing unit (CPU).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the interface circuitry comprises circuitry that decodes and encodes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising a connector that connects an external circuit with the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein the connector is a two-piece type connector.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein the connector is an edge-type connector.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
87 words
An information processing apparatus for driving a first IC card having a first flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof and a second IC card having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the information processing apparatus comprising an interface circuit capable of driving in parallel the first IC card through the first flat type connecting terminal and the second IC card through the second flat type connecting terminal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
87 words
An information processing apparatus for driving a first IC card having a first flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof and a second IC card having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the information processing apparatus comprising an interface circuit capable of driving in parallel the first IC card through the first flat type connecting terminal and the second IC card through the second flat type connecting terminal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the interface circuit comprises at least a central processing unit (CPU).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the interface circuit decodes and encodes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
66 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the first IC card comprises circuitry that decodes and encoding data input or output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card and wherein the interface circuit decodes and encodes data input to an output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
66 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the first IC card comprises circuitry that DES-decodes and DES-codes data input or output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card and wherein the interface circuitry RSA-decodes and RSA-codes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a waveform shaping circuit.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 39, wherein the waveform shaping circuit is a Schmitt trigger circuit.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
154 words
An information processing apparatus comprising: a casing; a substrate accommodated in the casing and having a central processing unit (CPU) mounted thereon; connecting apparatus comprising a first slot into which a first integrated circuit (IC) card can be inserted, the first IC card comprising a first flat type connecting terminal, a second slot into which a second IC card can be inserted, the second IC card comprising a second flat type connecting terminal, a first connecting electrode capable of contacting the first flat type connecting terminal, and a second connecting electrode capable of contacting the second flat type connecting terminal; interface circuitry on the substrate capable of operatively connecting the first IC card and the second IC card and of controlling in parallel signals transmitted between the CPU and the first IC card and the second IC card; and wiring connecting the interface circuitry with the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
154 words
An information processing apparatus comprising: a casing; a substrate accommodated in the casing and having a central processing unit (CPU) mounted thereon; connecting apparatus comprising a first slot into which a first integrated circuit (IC) card can be inserted, the first IC card comprising a first flat type connecting terminal, a second slot into which a second IC card can be inserted, the second IC card comprising a second flat type connecting terminal, a first connecting electrode capable of contacting the first flat type connecting terminal, and a second connecting electrode capable of contacting the second flat type connecting terminal; interface circuitry on the substrate capable of operatively connecting the first IC card and the second IC card and of controlling in parallel signals transmitted between the CPU and the first IC card and the second IC card; and wiring connecting the interface circuitry with the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a CPU.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
36 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, wherein the interface circuitry decodes and encodes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
42 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, further comprising common connection wiring connecting the interface circuitry with at least one of a power supply terminal and a ground terminal of the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, wherein the interface circuitry is mounted on the substrate and comprises a waveform shaping circuit.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein the waveform shaping circuit is a Schmitt trigger circuit.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
110 words
An information processing apparatus, comprising connecting apparatus comprising: a slot capable of receiving an integrated circuit (IC) card, the IC card including a flat type connection terminal, a connecting electrode capable of contacting the flat type connecting terminal, and interface circuitry capable of accessing the IC card through the connecting electrode and the flat type connection terminal, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a counter that counts a number of times of contact between the connecting electrode and the flat type connecting terminal and circuitry comparing a predetermined value with the number of times of contact and stopping access to the IC card when the counted value reaches the predetermined value.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
110 words
An information processing apparatus, comprising connecting apparatus comprising: a slot capable of receiving an integrated circuit (IC) card, the IC card including a flat type connection terminal, a connecting electrode capable of contacting the flat type connecting terminal, and interface circuitry capable of accessing the IC card through the connecting electrode and the flat type connection terminal, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a counter that counts a number of times of contact between the connecting electrode and the flat type connecting terminal and circuitry comparing a predetermined value with the number of times of contact and stopping access to the IC card when the counted value reaches the predetermined value.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
32 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 47, wherein the connecting electrode is exchangeably formed and wherein the interface circuitry resets a counter value when the connecting electrode is exchanged.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
46 words
The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 47, wherein the connecting electrode discriminates an unused state and a used state from each other and wherein a value counted by the counter is reset only when the connecting electrode in the unused state is exchanged.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
142 words
An information processing apparatus capable of holding an inserted integrated circuit (IC) card having a first flat type connecting terminal on a first face, and an inserted second IC card having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first face, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the information processing apparatus comprising: first connecting apparatus comprising a slot into which the first IC card is inserted and a first connecting electrode which is formed to contact the first flat type connecting terminal when the first IC card is inserted into the first slot; and a second connecting apparatus comprising a slot into which the second IC card is inserted and a second connecting electrode which is formed to contact the second flat type connecting terminal when the second IC card is inserted into the second slot.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
142 words
An information processing apparatus capable of holding an inserted integrated circuit (IC) card having a first flat type connecting terminal on a first face, and an inserted second IC card having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first face, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the information processing apparatus comprising: first connecting apparatus comprising a slot into which the first IC card is inserted and a first connecting electrode which is formed to contact the first flat type connecting terminal when the first IC card is inserted into the first slot; and a second connecting apparatus comprising a slot into which the second IC card is inserted and a second connecting electrode which is formed to contact the second flat type connecting terminal when the second IC card is inserted into the second slot.
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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) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-04-24 | 2004-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-24 | 2008-04-24 | 2008-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-24 | 2012-04-24 | 2012-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |