Universal smart card

• US 7,946,501 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matteo Amoroso
• Original Assignee: Fabrizio Borracci, Matteo Amoroso
• Inventors: Borracci, Fabrizio
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TAYLOR, APRIL ALICIA
• Application Number:
  US11/967,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20080164325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/492, 235/375, 235/381, 235/382, 235/487, 705/17, 705/18, 705/41, 705 64- 67
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0718 the sensor being of the biometric kind, e.g. fingerprint sensors fingerprint sensors in general G06V40/13; biometric access-control systems in general, see G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/367 involving electronic purses or money safes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication

Abstract

Universal electronic card, of the smart card or intelligent card type, similar to a form of plastic card, with integrated circuital elements which are integrated in the thickness of the stratified card and within it at least one microchip, structured integrally with: i—a microprocessor associated to a memory; ii—an interchangeable flat battery within the card-thickness able to power-supply the microprocessor and the memory; iii—at least one data transmission device connected to the microprocessor and/or to the memory; iv—one fingerprint reader device integrated in it and to the processor system to read the imprint of the user, checking its authenticity before allowing the access at its various functions.

Claims

1. A smart card, comprising:

a substantially flat, plastic card;

a circuit of electronic elements integrated in the plastic card, including

a microprocessor;

a memory on which data is stored;

at least one wireless transmission module;

an antenna connected to said wireless transmission module that wirelessly transmits data stored on said memory;

a user interchangeable, substantially flat battery supplying power to said circuit; and

a user interface comprising

an LCD screen;

a hard programming key;

a software module;

wherein said hard programming key sends a signal to said software module activating a programming mode, during which data is received and stored in said memory, and

wherein said software module deactivates said programming mode immediately after all data has been received by said memory;

a hard transmission key that, when activated, causes the card to enter a transmission mode, during which data stored in said memory is transmitted by said antenna, and which automatically turns off when data is no longer being transmitted; and

a fingerprint reader that reads the imprint of a user and compares it to an imprint stored on the card to verify the authenticity of the user before allowing access to any functions of the card and before allowing the card to enter either the programming mode or the transmission mode.

2. The smart card of claim 1, wherein said memory comprises a removable memory card.

3. The smart card of claim 2, wherein said removable memory card is a compact flash card.

4. The smart card of claim 2, wherein said removable memory card is an SD card.

5. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data stored on said memory includes telephone number data.

6. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data stored on said memory includes address data.

7. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data stored on said memory includes financial data.

8. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data stored on said memory includes audio files.

9. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data stored on said memory includes video files.

10. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data stored on said memory includes photos.

11. A smart card, comprising:

a substantially flat, plastic card;

a circuit of electronic elements integrated in the plastic card, including

a microprocessor;

a memory on which data is stored;

at least one wireless transmission module;

an antenna connected to said wireless transmission module that wirelessly transmits data stored on said memory;

a user interchangeable, substantially flat battery supplying power to said circuit; and

a user interface comprising

an LCD screen;

a hard programming key;

a software module;

wherein said hard programming key sends a signal to said software module activating a programming mode, during which data is received and stored in said memory, and

wherein said software module deactivates said programming mode immediately after all data has been received by said memory;

a hard transmission key that, when activated, causes the card to enter a transmission mode, during which data stored in said memory is transmitted by said antenna, and which automatically turns off when data is no longer being transmitted; and

a fingerprint reader that reads the imprint of a user and verifies the authenticity of the user before allowing the card to enter either the programming mode or the transmission mode.

12. The smart card of claim 11, wherein said memory comprises a removable memory card.

13. The smart card of claim 12, wherein said removable memory card is a compact flash card.

14. The smart card of claim 12, wherein said removable memory card is an SD card.

15. The smart card of claim 13, wherein the data stored on said memory includes telephone number data.

16. The smart card of claim 13, wherein the data stored on said memory includes address data.

17. The smart card of claim 13, wherein the data stored on said memory includes financial data.