Smart card which operates with the USB protocol

• US 6,581,122 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2000
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1998
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Gemplus SCA
• Original Assignee: Gemplus (Thales SA)
• Inventors: Sarat, Jean-Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Auve, Glenn A.
• Application Number:
  US09/453,879
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 710/301, 710/302, 710/305, 710/315, 710/107, 235/370, 235/382, 235/492, 235/375
• US Class Current: 710/301
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07733 the record carrier containing at least one further contact interface not conform ISO-7816
• 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 7/0013 by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers connectors in general H01R13/00; connectors for SIM cards used in mobile phones or the like H04B1/3816
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0086 the connector comprising a circuit for steering the operations of the card connector
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00

Abstract

A smart card that is compatible with the USB protocol and may be compatible with multiple different protocols includes a standard set of contacts that comply with the protocols of a published standard. Another contact, not designated by the standard, may be added and used to indicate whether the card is to operate in one of a number of protocol modes. When the card is to operate in the USB mode, a simple start-up procedure is employed which does not require strict timing constraints, enabling a less expensive interface device to be used. The interface device can be connected to any bus of a computer which operates in accordance with a desired protocol. Due to the flexibility and functionality offered by smart cards that have microprocessors incorporated therein, the multi-protocol smart card can be used to drive, or otherwise communicate with, any of a variety of peripheral devices, whether or not a personal computer is present in the system. The smart card can also be configured to function as a hub between a computer CPU and peripheral devices connected to the USB by being fitted with two USB ports to allow for simultaneous communication between the CPU and the peripheral devices.

Claims

1. A USB protocol smart card system, comprising:

a user card containing a microprocessor and associated memory, and a plurality of contacts for transferring data to and from said microprocessor and memory, said contacts including a first set of contacts respectively associated with a set of signals that conform to an ISO protocol, said set of contacts including a first data contact;

a second data contact in addition to the contacts in said set of contacts; and

an interface device for connection to said user card, and having a set of mating contacts which correspond to the contacts in said user card, to transfer data between said user card and said interface device via said first and second contacts in accordance with the USB protocol.

2. The smart card system of claim 1, wherein said second data contact of the user card is not used when said user card operates in accordance with said ISO protocol.

3. The smart card system of claim 1, wherein said second data contact is normally maintained at a predetermined voltage level during operation in accordance with said ISO protocol, and said interface device switches said second data contact to a different voltage level when the user card is to operate in accordance with said USB protocol.

4. The smart card system of claim 3, wherein said USB protocol provides for two modes of operation, and said interface device places said first and second data contacts at first and second voltage levels, respectively, when one of said modes of operation is to be employed, and places said first and second data contacts at said second and first voltage levels, respectively, when the other of said modes of operation is to be employed.

5. A USB protocol smart card, having:

a plurality of contacts for transferring data to and from said card, said contacts including a first set of contacts respectively associated with a set of signals that conform to an ISO protocol, said set of contacts including a first data contact;

a second data contact in addition to the contacts in said set of contacts; and

a microprocessor responsive to signals on said first and second data contacts for transferring data in accordance with said ISO protocol when a first pair of predetermined voltage levels are present at said first and second data contacts, and for transferring data in accordance with a USB protocol when a second pair of predetermined voltage levels are present at said first and second data contacts.

6. The smart card of claim 5, wherein said second data contact is not employed to transfer data when said microprocessor operates in accordance with said ISO protocol.

7. The smart card of claim 5 wherein said USB protocol provides for two modes of operation, and said microprocessor operates in one of said modes when said second pair of predetermined voltage levels are present at said first and second data contacts, and operates in the other of said modes when a third pair of predetermined voltage levels are present at said first and second data contacts.

8. The smart card of claim 7 wherein said third pair of voltage levels is the inverse of said second pair of voltage levels.

9. The smart card of claim 7 wherein said two modes of operation respectively pertain to different rates for transferring data.

10. A smart card system, comprising:

a user card having a microprocessor, an associated memory storing at least one application program, and a plurality of contacts comprising a set of contacts, including a first data contact, which are respectively associated with a set of signals that conform to an ISO protocol, and a second data contact in addition to the contacts in said set of contacts for transferring data to and/or from said microprocessor and memory;

a peripheral device which is operable in accordance with said application program; and

a connector for connecting said peripheral device with said contacts to thereby enable said microprocessor to communicate with said peripheral device via said first and second data contacts, in conformance with the USB standard, to control the operation of said peripheral device in accordance with said application program.

11. The smart card system of claim 10, wherein said peripheral device does not contain a processor.

12. The smart card system of claim 10, wherein said peripheral device comprises one of a PIN pad, a display device or a modem.