Use of small electronic circuit cards with different interfaces in an electronic system
First Claim
1. A method of operating an electronic device, comprising:
- inputting a security code to the electronic device by inserting a first non-volatile memory card into a receptacle of the device on which the security code is stored,comparing the inputted security code with a security code stored in a non-volatile manner within the device, and, if the security codes compare, enabling operation of the electronic device,after inputting the security code from the first card, removing said first card from the receptacle,thereafter inputting data to the electronic device that is utilized in the operation thereof by inserting a second non-volatile memory card into said receptacle on which the data is stored, andthereafter operating the enabled electronic device with the use of said data.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Electronic systems, such as automobile radios, portable and other computing devices, and global positioning system receivers, often require that a correct security code be inputted from a small memory card that is removably inserted into a card slot of the system before the system is rendered operable in total or in part, or before certain data can be retrieved. The same type of memory card is also used to store digital data that is utilized by the system in conjunction with its function that is enabled by the security code, such data cards being removably inserted into the same card slot as the card containing the security code. Alternately, both the utilization data and the security code are included on a single card. An example application is an automobile radio wherein data supplied by the second card are of music that is reproduced through the radio'"'"'s audio system.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A method of operating an electronic device, comprising:
-
inputting a security code to the electronic device by inserting a first non-volatile memory card into a receptacle of the device on which the security code is stored, comparing the inputted security code with a security code stored in a non-volatile manner within the device, and, if the security codes compare, enabling operation of the electronic device, after inputting the security code from the first card, removing said first card from the receptacle, thereafter inputting data to the electronic device that is utilized in the operation thereof by inserting a second non-volatile memory card into said receptacle on which the data is stored, and thereafter operating the enabled electronic device with the use of said data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
- 7. In an electronic non-volatile memory card adapted for removable insertion into a receptacle of a host device to establish electrical connection therebetween through mechanical connection with electrical contacts on the card, wherein a physical shape of the card, an arrangement of the contacts and an electrical interface through the contacts for accessing the non-volatile memory therein all conform to a first card standard, and further wherein a security code is stored within the card and accessible through the card contacts according to an electrical interface of a second published card standard, the first and second published card standards specifying incompatible physical card shapes, arrangements of contacts and electrical signal interfaces, the security code being adapted for use to enable access to the non-volatile memory within the card according to the electrical interface of the first card standard.
-
10. An electronic system, comprising:
-
a first electronic card having a shape and arrangement of contacts according to a first published card standard, and non-volatile re-programmable memory accessible therethrough, an electronic device having a receptacle into which the first electronic card is removably insertable to form a mechanical and electrical connection between the contacts of the card and the device but wherein a second electronic card having a shape and arrangement of contacts according to a second published card standard is not operatively insertable into the receptacle to make such a mechanical or electrical connection with the receptacle of the device, and wherein the first electronic card contains data of a security code that is readable by the device through the card contacts by an electrical interface according to the second published card standard that is distinct from an electrical interface according to the first published card standard. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
Specification