Card reader and a method for reading of cards

• US 7,104,457 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Todos AB
• Original Assignee: Todos AB
• Inventors: Skygebjerg, Per
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US10/482,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20040169079A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,539 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/380, 235/381, 235/383, 235/385, 235/486, 235/492, 345/168, 345/169, 379/433.01, 379/433.09
• US Class Current: 235/486
• 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: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40975 using encryption therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable card reader for communication with card provided with a chip, such as so called smart cards. The reader comprises processing means, a card holder for holding the card in contact with connection means to form a connection between said chip and said processing means, a display and entering means for manually entering information into the reader. The entering means comprises a roller for scrolling a predetermined set of input items, simultaneously being displayed on the display, and an entry key for selecting a presently chosen one of said input item.

Claims

1. A portable card reader for accessing access code from a card provided with a chip, comprising:

a processor;

a card holder for holding the card in contact with a connector to form a connection between the chip and said processor, wherein the card is a smart card or integrated circuit card;

a display; and

entering means for manually entering alphanumerical characters into the reader, wherein said entering means includes a roller for scrolling a predetermined set of input items, simultaneously being displayed on the display, and an entry key for selecting a presently chosen one of the input items, said portable card reader having an elongated form, with a length less than 50% longer than the width of the card to be read, and wherein said entered alphanumerical characters are useable in said card for accessing an access code, whereby said access code is presentable on the display.

2. A card reader according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined set of input values includes alpha numerical characters.

3. A card reader according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined set of input items includes at least one control character.

4. A card reader according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least two sets of input items, wherein entry of at least one input item from a first set of input items enables entry of a second set of input items.

5. A card reader according to claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to display information, provided by the card, on the display.

6. A card reader according to claim 1, further comprising:

an energy supply.

7. A card reader according to claim 1, wherein the card holder includes a card slot formed in the reader, in which the card is at least partly insertable.

8. A card reader for retaining access codes from a smart card, according to claim 1.

9. A card reader according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined set of input values includes alpha numerical characters usable as personalizing information for accessing at least one of information and services on the card.

10. A card reader according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined set of input items includes at least one control character including at least one of “

delete”

, “

back space”

, “

accept input/OK” and

“

return to a higher menu level”

.

11. A card reader according to claim 1, further comprising:

a battery.

19. A card reader according to claim 1, wherein the card reader weighs less than 50 grams.

12. A portable card reader for accessing access codes from a card provided with a chip, comprising:

means for forming a connection between the chip of a smart card or integrated circuit card and a processor; and

means for entering alphanumerical characters into the portable card reader, wherein said means for entering includes means for scrolling through a plurality of input items, simultaneously being displayed, and means for selecting a chosen one of the input items, said portable card reader having an elongated form, with a length less than 50% longer than the width of the card to be read, and wherein said entered alphanumerical characters are useable in said card for accessing an access code, whereby said access code is displayed.

13. A card reader according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of input values includes alpha numerical characters.

14. A card reader according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of input items includes at least one control character.

15. A card reader according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of input items includes at least two sets of input items, wherein entry of at least one input item from a first set of input items enables entry of at least one input item from a second set of input items.

16. A card reader according to claim 12, further comprising:

an energy supply.

17. A card reader according to claim 12, wherein the means for forming a connection includes a card slot formed in the card reader, in which the card is at least partly insertable.

18. A card reader for retaining access codes from a smart card, according to claim 12.

20. A card reader according to claim 12, wherein the card reader weighs less than 50 grams.