PCMCIA card with secure smart card reader

• US 6,371,376 B1
• Filed: 04/16/1999
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ho J. Dan
• Original Assignee: Ho J. Dan
• Inventors: Dan, Ho J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US09/293,543
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 380/25, 380/23, 235/375, 235/441, 235/493, 235/492, 235/382, 235/382.5, 235/379, 235/380, 235/486, 235/487
• US Class Current: 235/486
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• 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

Abstract

A system is disclosed for incorporating a security feature in a PCMCIA memory card or like instrument for protecting information contained in electrical signals being exchanged through the PCMCIA card between a source card containing the information, e.g., a smart IC card, and a computer in which the information is used. PCMCIA cards are accomodatable in a special input slot in laptop or notebook type computers having an I/O interface that cooperates with a similar interface on an edge of the card. The interface is coupled, for transferring signals to and from the computer, to a PCMCIA chip in the card, which chip may also be coupled to a card reader having an I/O contact portion on another edge for mating with the edge of a smart card to transfer signals there between and to and from the interface to the laptop or notebook. The card reader includes a security processor, coupled to the PCMCIA chip, for encrypting and decrypting information and data transferred through the PCMCIA card between the card reader and the interface to the PC. The security processor has an associated memory for storing information and programming therein and the combination operates to protect the information or data in the PCMCIA card memory or the smart card from undesired access through the computer from any network to which the computer may be connected.

Claims

1. A transmission card device comprising:

a card transmission interface, on said device, for exchanging electrical signals in accordance with a standard protocol and adapted to be inserted into a computer slot containing a cooperating computer transmission interface for exchanging electrical signals in accordance with said standard protocol, wherein said standard protocol is that of the PCMCIA standard and said transmission interfaces comprise a PCMCIA interface;

first processor means, on said device, for exchanging electrical signals containing information with said card transmission interface;

reader means, on said device, for transferring electrical signals containing information to and from an external instrument containing information to be transferred as electrical signals; and

security processor means, on said device, coupled between said first processor means and said reader means, for encrypting and decrypting said information being transferred.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said security processor means comprises a security memory.

3. A device according to claim 2, further comprising a power source for maintaining information and programming in said security processor means.

4. A device according to claim 2, further comprising switch means for providing a path to enter programming into said security processor means.

5. A device according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting tampering with said transmission card device.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first processor means comprises a PCMCIA chip.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said reader means comprises a card reader.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said reader means comprises contacts for cooperating with a smart IC card reader.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said computer transmission interface comprises means for coupling power from said computer to operate said transmission card device.

10. A method for operating a transmission card device with a security feature, comprising the steps of:

providing a card transmission interface, for exchanging electrical signals in accordance with a standard protocol, on said transmission card device, wherein said standard protocol is that of the PCMCIA standard and said card transmission interface comprises a PCMCIA interface;

inserting said transmission card device into a computer slot containing a cooperating computer transmission interface for exchanging electrical signals in accordance with said standard protocol between the computer and said transmission card device;

exchanging electrical signals containing information through said computer and card transmission interfaces with a first processor on said transmission card device;

transferring through a reader, on said transmission card device, electrical signals containing information to and from an external instrument containing information to be transferred as electrical signals; and

coupling a security processor, on said transmission card device, between said first processor and said reader, for encrypting and decrypting said information being transferred.

11. A method according to claim 10, comprising the further step of providing a power source, on said transmission card device, for maintaining information and programming in said security processor.

12. A method according to claim 10, comprising the further step of providing a switch controlled path to enter programming into said security processor.

13. A method according to claim 10, comprising the further step of providing a tamper detecting switch in said transmission card device.

14. A method according to claim 10, wherein said first processor comprises a PCMCIA chip.

15. A method according to claim 10, wherein said reader comprises a smart card reader.

16. A method according to claim 10, wherein said computer transmission interface couples power from said computer to operate said transmission card device.

17. In a PCMCIA card having:

a PCMCIA interface;

first processor means for transferring electrical signals containing information to and from said PCMCIA interface;

a card reader for transferring electrical signals containing information to and from an external card containing information to be transferred as electrical signals;

wherein the improvement comprises;

second processor means, coupled to said first processor means and said card reader, for encrypting and decrypting said information contained in said electrical signals.

18. A card device comprising:

a PCMCIA interface;

first processor means for exchanging electrical signals containing information with said PCMCIA interface;

a card reader means for transferring electrical signals containing information to and from an external card containing information to be transferred as electrical signals; and

security processor means, coupled between said first processor means and said card reader means, for encrypting and decrypting said information being transferred.