Interconnection scheme for integrated circuit card with auxiliary contacts
First Claim
1. A removably insertable integrated circuit (IC) card for use in a computer system, comprising:
- an integrated circuit (IC) board, said IC board comprising an external I/O interface for transferring a first set of signals between said IC board and an external device;
a frame for holding said IC board, said frame comprising;
a first I/O receptacle located along a first frame edge for providing a signal path for said first set of signals between said external device and said external I/O interface of said circuit board; and
an auxiliary I/O receptacle located along a second frame edge for providing an alternate signal path for at least one of said first set of signals between said IC board and said external device; and
a flexible conducting strip coupled to said auxiliary I/O receptacle and said first I/O receptacle such that said alternate signal path is formed and passes through said flexible conducting strip and through said auxiliary I/O receptacle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing alternate signal paths between a removably insertable integrated circuit (IC) card in a computer system and an external device is described. The method and apparatus includes an IC card designed for coupling with the external device through a rear I/O receptacle located along the rear IC card edge, the IC card also including an auxiliary side contacts along a side edge. The method and apparatus includes the use of a flexible conducting strip to connect each of the auxiliary side contacts along the side edge to the appropriate pins of the rear I/O receptacle. In this manner the IC card contains alternate signal paths to the external device, being capable of coupling to the external device in either a rear-connecting scheme or a side-connecting scheme, the adaptation to side contacts having been achieved with minimal redesign of the rear-connecting IC card.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A removably insertable integrated circuit (IC) card for use in a computer system, comprising:
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an integrated circuit (IC) board, said IC board comprising an external I/O interface for transferring a first set of signals between said IC board and an external device; a frame for holding said IC board, said frame comprising;
a first I/O receptacle located along a first frame edge for providing a signal path for said first set of signals between said external device and said external I/O interface of said circuit board; andan auxiliary I/O receptacle located along a second frame edge for providing an alternate signal path for at least one of said first set of signals between said IC board and said external device; and a flexible conducting strip coupled to said auxiliary I/O receptacle and said first I/O receptacle such that said alternate signal path is formed and passes through said flexible conducting strip and through said auxiliary I/O receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for providing alternate signal paths between a personal computer integrated circuit (IC) card and an external device, comprising the steps of:
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placing at least one primary contact along a first frame edge of said IC card for transferring a first signal between said IC card and said external device; placing an auxiliary contact along a second frame edge of said IC card for providing an alternate signal path for said first signal between said IC card and said external device; and placing on said IC card a flexible conducting strip coupled to said primary contact and said auxiliary contact such that said alternate signal path is formed and passes through said flexible conducting strip.
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6. A frame apparatus for holding the body of a removably insertable integrated circuit (IC) card for use in a computer system, said frame apparatus comprising:
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a first receptacle placed along a first frame edge for electrical coupling to an external I/O interface of said IC card for transferring a first set of signals between said IC card and an external device; a second receptacle placed along a second frame edge; and a flexible conducting strip coupled to said first receptacle and to said second receptacle; wherein signals on the IC card are capable of being transferred to an external device along a path which includes said flexible conducting strip.
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Specification