Computerized data-bearing card and reader/writer therefor

• US 4,829,166 A
• Filed: 08/13/1987
• Issued: 05/09/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald W. Froelich
• Original Assignee: Ronald W. Froelich
• Inventors: Froelich, Ronald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Williams, H. L.
• Application Number:
  US07/085,419
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/492, 235/380, 340/825.33, 340/825.34, 902/4, 902/24, 902/25, 902/26
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0728 the arrangement being an optical or sound-based communication interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07779 the inductive antenna being a coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07783 the coil being planar
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1097 Optical sensing of electronic memory record carriers, such as interrogation of RFIDs with an additional optical interface

Abstract

A computerized data-bearing card which includes an internal microcomputer chip which includes a random access memory, a read-only memory and a programmable read-only memory, and which is constructed so that digitized data may be read from and written into the microcomputer by an independent reader/writer unit. Communication between the card and the reader/writer unit is by means of interactive photoelectric transducers provided in the card and the reader/writer unit. The circuitry within the card is electrically energized by electromagnetic induction from the reader/writer unit, thereby obviating any need for internal batteries, electrical connections to external power supplies and electric switches. Clock signals from the microcomputer are also supplied to the reader/writer unit by interactive photoelectric transducers.

Claims

1. In combination, a computerized data-bearing card and a read/writer unit, comprising:

a thin card-like member insertable into said reader/writer unit and containing microcomputer means;

first electrical-light transducer means mounted on said card-like member and connected to said microcomputer means for converting electrical output signals from said microcomputer means into light signals for introduction into the reader/writer unit, said first electrical-light transducer means including a first transducer for converting electrical data signals from said microcomputer means into corresponding light data signals and a second transducer for converting electrical clock signals from said microcomputer means into corresponding light clock signals;

electrical signal processing means included in said reader/writer unit;

first light-electrical transducer means mounted on said reader/writer unit and responsive to light signals from said first electrical-light transducer means for introducing electrical input signals to said electrical signal processing means;

second electrical-light transducer means mounted on said reader/writer unit and connected to said electric signal processing means for converting electrical output signals from said electrical signal processing means into light signals;

second light-electrical transducer means mounted on said card-like member connected to said microcomputer means and responsive to light signals from said second light-electrical transducer means for introducing for introducing electrical input signals to said microcomputer means;

power supply means mounted on said card-like member for supplying power for said micromputer means and including a first power transfer winding embedded in said card-like member, a diode bridge rectifier embedded in said card-like member, and a Zener diode connected directly across said diode bridge rectifier to regulate the output from said power supply;

an oscillator mounted on said reader/wreiter unit for generating an alternating current electric power signal of a predetermined frequency;

a second power transfer winding mounted on said reader/writer unit and connected to said oscillator; and

a magnetic core mounted on said reader/writer unit for supporting said second winding, said core having an air gap therein for receiving said card-like member and adapted to produce a magnetic field in said air gap for generating current in said first winding to produce power for said microcomputer means when said first winding is inserted into the air gap.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said first and second light-electrical transducer means each comprises at least one light-sensitive transistor.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said first and second electrical-light transducer means each comprises at least one light emitting diode.

4. The combination defined in claim 2, in which said first and second electrical-light transducer means each comprises at least one light emitting diode.

5. A portable computerized data-bearing device containing information relating to the owner, comprising:

a thin card-like member capable of being conveniently carried by the owner in a wallet, or the like;

a microcomputer embedded in said card-like member and including a central processing unit and memory means connected to said central processing unit, said memory means including a random access memory for storing data which are lost when the microcomputer is de-energized, a read-only memory for storing the program for the central processing unit and other standardized data relating to the owner and a programmable read-only memory for storing additional data relating to the owner, the data stored in the read-only memory and in the programmable read-only memory being retained therein when the microcomputer is de-energized;

photoelectric transducer means mounted on aid card-like member and connected to said microcomputer and responsive to light signals incident thereon for introducing electric input signals to said microcomputer;

electro-phototransducer means mounted on said card-like member and connected to said microcomputer and responsive to electric output signals from said microcomputer for generating corresponding light output signals, said electro-phototransducer means including a first electro-phototransducer connected to said microcomputer and responsive to electrical data output signals from said microcomputer for generating data light output signals from said microcomputer for generating clock light output signals;

power supply means connected to said microcomputer and including a power transfer winding embedded in said card-like member, said power supply means being normally passive and normally establishing the microcomputer in a de-energized state, but said power supply means being responsive to an external magnetic field for generating electric power for said microcomputer only in the presence of said magnetic field, said power supply means including a diode bridge rectifier embedded in said card-like member and a Zener diode connected directly across said diode bridge rectifier to regulate the output from said power supply.

6. The computerized data-bearing device set forth in claim 5, in which said photoelectric transducer means comprises at least one light sensitive transistor.

7. The computerized data-bearing device set forth in claim 5, in which said electro-phototransducer means comprises at least one light emitting diode.

8. The computerized data-bearing device set forth in claim 6, in which said electro-phototransducer means comprises at least one light emitting diode.