Power supply system of a device designed to cooperate with a removable electronic medium such as a card and device equipped with such a system
First Claim
1. A transaction terminal adapted to cooperate with a portable electronic medium such as a credit card or the like having a non-volatile memory and a first processing circuit, said terminal comprising a second processing circuit for processing data recorded in the memory of the card, the first and second processing circuits being adapted to transfer data therebetween to permit transactions between the terminal and the card;
- a main supply circuit connected to a main power source for generating a first voltage and for supplying the first voltage to the processors of the terminal and the card;
first means for compensating for failure of the main power source, especially during said transfer of data, said first means comprising a backup power supply circuit adapted to be connected to an auxiliary power source for generating a second voltage corresponding to the first voltage;
a detector circuit for monitoring the main power source and for generating a control signal upon failure of the main power source during a transaction;
second means responsive to the control signal for automatically connecting the auxiliary power source to the backup power supply circuit and for causing the backup power supply circuit to apply the second voltage to the card; and
a timing circuit responsive to the control signal for controlling the second means so as to maintain said second voltage applied to the card for a predetermined period of time after said failure sufficient to enable a transaction in progress to be completed and for thereafter disabling the backup power supply circuit and disconnecting the backup power supply circuit from the auxiliary power source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a power supply system for a device designed to cooperate with a portable electronic medium, e.g., a credit or identification card having integrated electronic circuits therein. This system comprises a main power supply circuit (5a) that applies at least one voltage (V) to a processing unit (3) by means of a main supply source (6a) and an auxiliary backup supply circuit (5b) by means of an auxiliary supply source (6b). A detector circuit (7) detects any anomaly of the main source (6a) and automatically connects the auxiliary source (6b) in order to apply the voltage (V) to the unit (3).
The invention is more particularly applicable to the supply of a transaction terminal or unit which cooperates with portable electronic mediums, e.g., credit or identification cards.
45 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A transaction terminal adapted to cooperate with a portable electronic medium such as a credit card or the like having a non-volatile memory and a first processing circuit, said terminal comprising a second processing circuit for processing data recorded in the memory of the card, the first and second processing circuits being adapted to transfer data therebetween to permit transactions between the terminal and the card;
- a main supply circuit connected to a main power source for generating a first voltage and for supplying the first voltage to the processors of the terminal and the card;
first means for compensating for failure of the main power source, especially during said transfer of data, said first means comprising a backup power supply circuit adapted to be connected to an auxiliary power source for generating a second voltage corresponding to the first voltage;
a detector circuit for monitoring the main power source and for generating a control signal upon failure of the main power source during a transaction;
second means responsive to the control signal for automatically connecting the auxiliary power source to the backup power supply circuit and for causing the backup power supply circuit to apply the second voltage to the card; and
a timing circuit responsive to the control signal for controlling the second means so as to maintain said second voltage applied to the card for a predetermined period of time after said failure sufficient to enable a transaction in progress to be completed and for thereafter disabling the backup power supply circuit and disconnecting the backup power supply circuit from the auxiliary power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- a main supply circuit connected to a main power source for generating a first voltage and for supplying the first voltage to the processors of the terminal and the card;
Specification