Card reader/writer station for use with a personal memory card using differential data transfer
First Claim
1. A card reader/writer station for use with a portable data card, the card reader/writer station including memory means for storing data and processor means for processing data and comprising:
- input/output means for communicating with at least one portable data card, the input/output means being operably connected to and communicating with the processor means and memory means and including capacitive coupling means for differentially transferring data from the reader/writer station to the data card and from the data card to the reader/writer station;
energy coupling means for transmitting magnetic energy from the reader/writer station to the data card, the magnetic energy providing operating power for the data card at a constant level predetermined by the memory means, the energy coupling means including energy sensing means for sensing the level of magnetic energy being transferred to the data card and energy control means operably responsive to the memory means and the sensing means for providing the constant level of operating power to the data card; and
the capacitive coupling means and the energy coupling means providing in combination a complete communication interface between the reader/writer station and the data card.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A personal memory card system is arranged for use with a memory card which looks and feels much like an ordinary credit card. No ohmic electrical contact is required between the card and a reader/writer in an associated station for transferring data to and from the card and operating power to the card. The need for conductive contacts in transferring data between the reader/writer and the card is avoided through use of a capacitive interface formed when insulated metallic plates on the card are aligned in close proximity with corresponding plates on the reader/writer. Operating power is transferred to the card through an inductive interface formed when a flexible flat inductor embedded in the card is aligned in close proximity to another inductor in the reader/writer. Data to and from the card and power to the card are reliably transferred even after some time of normal use since there are no exposed metallic surfaces to corrode or to which particles may collect. In addition, the potential of damage to the card from electrostatic discharges is minimized since an insulator is provided between the electrical inputs to the card and any sources from which this discharge might occur. The personal memory card system is also arranged to permit an authorized user to selectively reprogram a memory card with new and different data as desired.
63 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A card reader/writer station for use with a portable data card, the card reader/writer station including memory means for storing data and processor means for processing data and comprising:
-
input/output means for communicating with at least one portable data card, the input/output means being operably connected to and communicating with the processor means and memory means and including capacitive coupling means for differentially transferring data from the reader/writer station to the data card and from the data card to the reader/writer station; energy coupling means for transmitting magnetic energy from the reader/writer station to the data card, the magnetic energy providing operating power for the data card at a constant level predetermined by the memory means, the energy coupling means including energy sensing means for sensing the level of magnetic energy being transferred to the data card and energy control means operably responsive to the memory means and the sensing means for providing the constant level of operating power to the data card; and the capacitive coupling means and the energy coupling means providing in combination a complete communication interface between the reader/writer station and the data card. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A card reader station for use with a portable data card, the card reader station including memory means for storing data and processor means for processing data and comprising:
-
means for communicating with at least one portable data card, the communicating means being operably connected to and communicating with the processor means and memory means and including capacitive coupling means for differentially transferring data from the the data card to the reader station; energy coupling means for transmitting magnetic energy from the reader station to the data card, the magnetic energy providing operating power for the data card at a constant level predetermined by the memory means, the energy coupling means including energy sensing means for sensing the level of magnetic energy being transferred to the data card and energy control means operably responsive to the memory means and the sensing means for providing the constant level of operating power to the data card; and the capacitive coupling means and the energy coupling means providing in combination a complete communication interface between the writer station and data card. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification