Contactless Electronic Communication Device with Optional Auxiliary Power Source

• US 20140374493A1
• Filed: 09/11/2014
• Published: 12/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gemalto SA (Thales SA)
• Original Assignee: Gemalto SA (Thales SA)
• Inventors: Rincel, Philippe, Caye, Nathalie, Desfontaines, Thierry
• Granted Patent: US 9,152,906 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0709 the source being an interrogation field
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0727 the arrangement being a circuit facilitating integration of the record carrier with a hand-held device such as a smart phone of PDA
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0775 arrangements for connecting the integrated circuit to the antenna
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07754 the connection being galvanic
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07762 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier wearable, e.g. having the form of a ring, watch, glove or bracelet record carriers for insertion in the human body for medical purposes A61B90/00; record carriers adapted for attachment to animals A01K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/00 Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

A device having a card (40) and a support (PC). The card has (a) no internal battery, (b) a single antenna (10) that receives electromagnetically data and power, (c) a data processor, (d) rectifying and filtering circuitry receiving the electromagnetic input and supplying at output terminals (A, B) a voltage to the processor. and (e) two terminals (36, 38) on an external surface of the card which are connected to the output terminals (A, B). The support is mechanically and electrically connectable to the card. It has (a) a power source that may be a battery, (b) surface terminals that mate with the card'"'"'s external terminals, (c) a switch for connecting the power source to the surface terminals, and (d) a mechanism for holding together the card and support with the card'"'"'s and the support terminal'"'"'s electrically engaged to one another.

Claims

1. A combination, comprising

an electronic module that wirelessly communicates with a reader, said module being embodied in a carrier having an antenna that receives electromagnetic signals from the reader, said electronic module including:

a processor that processes electromagnetic signals received by the antenna, and

a rectifying and filtering circuit that converts electromagnetic signals received by the antenna into a supply voltage that is supplied to said processor via a pair of output terminals;

said carrier having a pair of contacts on an exterior surface thereof that are electrically connected to said pair of output terminals, respectively; and

a holder to which said carrier is physically connectable, said holder being separate from a reader with which the electronic module communicates, and including;

a compartment for a source of electrical power,

a pair of terminals that mate with the surface contacts of the carrier when the carrier is connected to the holder, and

a pair of conductors that connect said terminals with a source of power disposed within said compartment.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said carrier is a card, and the holder is a card holder.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said holder is a watch.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said carrier is a card, and the holder is a mobile telephone.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the source of electrical power is a removable battery.

6. The combination of claim 1, further including a manual switch for disconnecting the electrical power source from at least one of the output terminals of the electronic module.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the manual switch is disposed on the holder.

8. The combination of claim 6, wherein the manual switch is disposed on the carrier.

9. A method, comprising:

connecting a carrier having (a) an antenna that receives electromagnetic signals, (b) an electronic module that includes (i) a processor that processes electromagnetic signals received by the antenna, and (ii) a rectifying and filtering circuit that receives the electromagnetic signals from the antenna at a pair of input terminals and converts the electromagnetic signals into a supply voltage that is supplied to said processor via a pair of output terminals, and (c) a pair of contacts on an exterior surface thereof that are electrically connected to said pair of output terminals, to

a holder that includes (a) a source of electrical power, (b) a pair of terminals that mate with the surface contacts of the carrier, and (c) a pair of conductors that connect said terminals with the source of power,

to thereby provide power to the electronic module for wireless communication with a reader.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said carrier is a card, and the holder is a card holder.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said holder is a watch.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said carrier is a card, and the holder is a mobile telephone.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the source of electrical power is a removable battery.

14. A method, comprising:

using a carrier having (a) an antenna that receives electromagnetic signals, (b) an electronic module that includes (i) a processor that processes electromagnetic signals received by the antenna, and (ii) a rectifying and filtering circuit that receives the electromagnetic signals from the antenna at a pair of input terminals and converts the electromagnetic signals into a supply voltage that is supplied to said processor via a pair of output terminals, and (c) a pair of contacts on an exterior surface thereof that are electrically connected to said pair of output terminals, and that is connected to

a holder that includes (a) a source of electrical power, (b) a pair of terminals that mate with the surface contacts of the carrier, and (c) a pair of conductors that connect said terminals with the source of power,

to wirelessly communicate with a reader.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said carrier is a card, and the holder is a card holder.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said holder is a watch.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said carrier is a card, and the holder is a mobile telephone.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the source of electrical power is a removable battery.