Connecting apparatus, and information processing apparatus

• US 6,137,710 A
• Filed: 09/14/1999
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Yajima, Toshio, Iwasaki, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, TRONG Q
• Application Number:
  US09/395,766
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/382, 380/4, 380/20, 365/51, 365/52, 365/63
• US Class Current: 365/52
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0021 for reading/sensing record carriers having surface contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0034 the connector being capable of simultaneously receiving a plurality of cards in the same insertion slot
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0043 the plurality of cards being cards of different formats, e.g. SD card and memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0073 having multiple insertion slots, the respective slots suited for the same or different card form factors
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0086 the connector comprising a circuit for steering the operations of the card connector
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/229 Hierarchy of users of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

A connecting apparatus, which can be used in combination with a plurality of IC, cards. The connecting apparatus holds an inserted smart card (first IC card) having a first flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof and holds a memory card (second IC card) having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof and smaller than the first IC card. The connecting apparatus comprises a first connecting device having a slot into which the smart card is inserted and a connecting electrode which is so formed as to contact the flat type connecting terminal when the smart card is inserted into the slot; a second connecting device having a slot into which the memory card is inserted and a connecting electrode which is so formed as to contact the flat type connecting terminal when the memory card is inserted into the slot. The second connecting device is formed at a side, of the first connecting device, in which the connecting electrode of the first connecting device is formed, such that a region in which the connecting electrode is formed is exposed.

Claims

1. A method of electrical payment through a first integrated circuit (IC) card using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving the first IC card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing a user to insert the first IC card into the first slot;

allowing the user to insert the second IC card into the second slot;

attempting to authenticate an identity of the user by using encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card;

processing payment from the user through the first IC card in response to a valid authentication; and

sending information for storage on the second IC card.

2. A method of allowing a user to download digital content data by using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving a first integrated circuit (IC) card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing the user to insert the first IC card into the first slot;

allowing the user to insert the second IC card into the second slot;

processing payment for the digital content data through the first IC card; and

sending the digital content data to the second IC card after the payment is processed.

3. A method of electrical payment through a first integrated circuit (IC) card using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving the first IC card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing insertion of the first IC card into the first slot;

allowing insertion of the second IC card into the second slot;

reading account data stored in the first IC card;

authenticating encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card;

processing a payment through the first IC card in response to the authentication of the encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; and

writing renewed account data into the first IC card.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first IC card is a smart card.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first IC card includes a central processing unit.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the second IC card is a memory card.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the second IC card comprises:

a flat type connection terminal; and

at least one serial access memory element.

8. A method of downloading digital content data using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving a first integrated circuit (IC) card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting the first IC card into the first slot;

inserting the second IC card into the second slot;

reading account data stored in the first IC card;

authenticating encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card;

processing a payment through the first IC card in response to a valid authentication of the encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card;

writing renewed account data into the first IC card; and

writing the digital content data into the second IC card.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the digital content data comprises at least one of music data, video data, and image data.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the digital content data is compressed before it is written into the second IC card.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first IC card is a smart card.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first IC card includes a central processing unit.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the second IC card is a memory card.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the second IC card comprises:

a flat type connection terminal; and

at least one serial access memory element.

15. A connecting apparatus for connecting a first IC card having a first face and a first flat type connecting terminal located on the first face and a second IC card having a first face and a second flat type connecting terminal located on the first face, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the connecting apparatus comprising:

a first slot capable of holding the first IC card;

a first connecting electrode capable of contacting the first flat type terminal when the first IC card is inserted into the first slot;

a second slot capable of holding the second IC card; and

a second connecting electrode capable of contacting the second flat type terminal when the second IC card is inserted into the second slot.

16. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second connecting electrode is formed to expose a region of the first connecting electrode.

17. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode are formed on the same sides, respectively, of the first and second slots.

18. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first slot and the second slot are situated so that an insertion direction of the first IC card and an insertion direction of the second IC card are substantially the same.

19. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein an opening of the first slot and an opening of the second slot are substantially coplanar.

20. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first slot and the second slot are situated so that the first IC card and the second IC card overlap and so that first ends of the first and second IC cards coincide with each other.

21. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first IC card complies with ISO7810, and an area of the second IC card is not greater than an area of the first IC card.

22. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first IC card has a central processing unit (CPU) and the second IC card is a memory card.

23. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second IC card has a thickness in compliance with ISO7810.

24. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second IC card complies with JEDEC MO-186.

25. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second IC card comprises a serial access type memory element connected with the second flat type connecting terminal.

26. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein the serial access type memory element is one of a NAND type flash memory and an AND type flash memory.

27. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising interface circuitry operatively connecting the first connecting electrode to the second connecting electrode and driving the first IC card and the second IC card in parallel.

28. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the interface circuitry is formed on an exposed region adjacent to the second connecting electrode.

29. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the interface circuitry comprises at least a central processing unit (CPU).

30. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the interface circuitry comprises circuitry that decodes and encodes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.

31. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising a connector that connects an external circuit with the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode.

32. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein the connector is a two-piece type connector.

33. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein the connector is an edge-type connector.

34. An information processing apparatus for driving a first IC card having a first flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof and a second IC card having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the information processing apparatus comprising an interface circuit capable of driving in parallel the first IC card through the first flat type connecting terminal and the second IC card through the second flat type connecting terminal.

35. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the interface circuit comprises at least a central processing unit (CPU).

36. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the interface circuit decodes and encodes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.

37. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the first IC card comprises circuitry that decodes and encoding data input or output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card and wherein the interface circuit decodes and encodes data input to an output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.

38. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the first IC card comprises circuitry that DES-decodes and DES-codes data input or output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card and wherein the interface circuitry RSA-decodes and RSA-codes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.

39. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a waveform shaping circuit.

40. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 39, wherein the waveform shaping circuit is a Schmitt trigger circuit.

41. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a casing;

a substrate accommodated in the casing and having a central processing unit (CPU) mounted thereon;

connecting apparatus comprising

a first slot into which a first integrated circuit (IC) card can be inserted, the first IC card comprising a first flat type connecting terminal,

a second slot into which a second IC card can be inserted, the second IC card comprising a second flat type connecting terminal,

a first connecting electrode capable of contacting the first flat type connecting terminal, and

a second connecting electrode capable of contacting the second flat type connecting terminal;

interface circuitry on the substrate capable of operatively connecting the first IC card and the second IC card and of controlling in parallel signals transmitted between the CPU and the first IC card and the second IC card; and

wiring connecting the interface circuitry with the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode.

42. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a CPU.

43. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, wherein the interface circuitry decodes and encodes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.

44. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, further comprising common connection wiring connecting the interface circuitry with at least one of a power supply terminal and a ground terminal of the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode.

45. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, wherein the interface circuitry is mounted on the substrate and comprises a waveform shaping circuit.

46. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein the waveform shaping circuit is a Schmitt trigger circuit.

47. An information processing apparatus, comprising

connecting apparatus comprising:

a slot capable of receiving an integrated circuit (IC) card, the IC card including a flat type connection terminal,

a connecting electrode capable of contacting the flat type connecting terminal, and

interface circuitry capable of accessing the IC card through the connecting electrode and the flat type connection terminal, wherein

the interface circuitry comprises a counter that counts a number of times of contact between the connecting electrode and the flat type connecting terminal and circuitry comparing a predetermined value with the number of times of contact and stopping access to the IC card when the counted value reaches the predetermined value.

48. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 47, wherein the connecting electrode is exchangeably formed and wherein the interface circuitry resets a counter value when the connecting electrode is exchanged.

49. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 47, wherein the connecting electrode discriminates an unused state and a used state from each other and wherein a value counted by the counter is reset only when the connecting electrode in the unused state is exchanged.

50. An information processing apparatus capable of holding an inserted integrated circuit (IC) card having a first flat type connecting terminal on a first face, and an inserted second IC card having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first face, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the information processing apparatus comprising:

first connecting apparatus comprising a slot into which the first IC card is inserted and a first connecting electrode which is formed to contact the first flat type connecting terminal when the first IC card is inserted into the first slot; and

a second connecting apparatus comprising a slot into which the second IC card is inserted and a second connecting electrode which is formed to contact the second flat type connecting terminal when the second IC card is inserted into the second slot.