Portable smart card communication device

• US 6,801,787 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2000
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cubic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cubic Corporation
• Inventors: Page, Kevin J., Carta, David R., Kelly, Guy M., Plum, Don P., Ravenis, II, Joseph V.J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US09/721,192
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/558, 455/550.1, 455/575.1, 455/90.2, 455/90.3, 455/91, 455/95, 455/73, 455/74, 455/344, 708/109, 379/419, 379/433.09
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A transceiver assembly is designed to receive a controller module or to be inserted into a controller module to form a portable smart card communication device. The transceiver assembly includes a transceiver and a connector to electrically connect the controller module to the transceiver. The controller module establishes a communication link between itself and a smart card by sending and receiving signals and data through the connector. Information is read from the smart card and forwarded to the controller module. Information is transmitted through the transceiver assembly and stored on the smart card. The controller module can easily be disconnected from the transceiver assembly for use with other transceiver assemblies.

Claims

1. A smart card transceiver assembly for connection to a controller module, the smart card transceiver comprising:

a housing adapted to releasably insert into the controller module; and

a transceiver within the housing adapted to establish a communication link between a smart card and the controller module.

2. A smart card transceiver assembly in accordance with claim 1, the transceiver adapted to receive control signals from the controller module.

3. A smart card transceiver assembly in accordance with claim 2, the transceiver responsive to the control signals by establishing the communication link.

4. A smart card transceiver assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a connector mounted on the housing and electrically connected to the transceiver, the connector adapted to convey signals between the transceiver and the controller module when the housing is received by the controller module.

5. A smart card transceiver assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the controller module comprises a slot adapted to secure the housing to the controller module.

6. A smart card transceiver assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein the housing further comprises a transceiver area adapted to enclose the transceiver.

7. A smart card transceiver assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the transceiver comprises:

an antenna,

a receiver, and

a transmitter.

8. A smart card transceiver assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein the transceiver is adapted to communicate with the smart card using radio frequency signals.

9. A smart card transceiver assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the controller module is a personal digital assistant.

10. A proximity card transceiver assembly comprising:

a housing adapted to be accepted by a personal digital assistant;

a connector mounted on the housing and adapted to interface to a peripheral connector of the personal digital assistant; and

a transceiver inside the housing electrically connected to the personal digital assistant through the connector and peripheral connector, wherein the transceiver is adapted to respond to control signals sent from the personal digital assistant by establishing a communication link between the personal digital assistant and a proximity card.

11. A proximity card transceiver in accordance with claim 10, wherein the housing fits within a cradle portion of the personal digital assistant, the cradle portion having the peripheral connector therein for connection to the connector of the housing, the housing further comprising a securing means for securing the housing to the cradle portion.

12. A portable proximity card system comprising:

a housing designed to be insertable into a personal digital assistant;

a connector mounted on the housing and adapted to interface to the personal digital assistant;

a transceiver inside the housing electrically connected to the personal digital assistant through the connector; and

a proximity card adapted to communicate using a protocol;

wherein the transceiver is adapted to respond to control signals sent from the personal digital assistant by establishing a communication link between the personal digital assistant and a proximity card using the protocol.