Multi-application contactless smart card
First Claim
1. A contactless multi-application smart card comprising:
- a processor having stored thereon a plurality of applications, wherein said processor is able to operate in a contact mode, in a contactless mode and in a mixed contact-contactless mode;
a selection mechanism to enable a user to select a state among of a plurality of states, each one of said states corresponding to a respective application among said plurality of applications; and
circuitry to;
enable said processor to sample the state of said selection mechanism, wherein said circuitry is to sample the state of the selection mechanism if a radio frequency (RF) signal from a contactless reader is present, by;
extracting contact supply voltage from said RF signal,maintaining a contact mode power up sequence, andengaging said processor in said mixed contact-contactless mode operation so as to enable said processor to sample a state of said selection mechanism;
wherein said processor is to run said selected application based upon the sampled state of the selection mechanism.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-application contactless smart card system and method. The user may select application using selection mechanism located on the smart card or at the contactless reader. The selection means may be connected to the contact I/O pin of the processor of the smart card. In some embodiments, the processor of the smart card may read the user selection through the contact I/O pin during a simulated contact transaction, evoke the desired application and perform the contactless transaction. During the simulated contact transaction power up sequence is preserved by extracting power signals to the contact VDD pin from the RF signal. Alternatively, the state of the selection mechanism may be sampled continuously or at convenient time intervals, enabling further switching between applications during a single contactless session.
150 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A contactless multi-application smart card comprising:
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a processor having stored thereon a plurality of applications, wherein said processor is able to operate in a contact mode, in a contactless mode and in a mixed contact-contactless mode; a selection mechanism to enable a user to select a state among of a plurality of states, each one of said states corresponding to a respective application among said plurality of applications; and circuitry to; enable said processor to sample the state of said selection mechanism, wherein said circuitry is to sample the state of the selection mechanism if a radio frequency (RF) signal from a contactless reader is present, by; extracting contact supply voltage from said RF signal, maintaining a contact mode power up sequence, and engaging said processor in said mixed contact-contactless mode operation so as to enable said processor to sample a state of said selection mechanism; wherein said processor is to run said selected application based upon the sampled state of the selection mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of operating a contactless multi-application smart card containing a processor having stored thereon a plurality of applications, wherein said processor is able to operate in a contact mode, in a contactless mode and in a mixed contact-contactless mode, said method comprising:
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providing a selection mechanism having a plurality of states, each of said states corresponding to respective application; upon presence of a radio frequency (RF) signal from a contactless reader proximate to said card; extracting contact supply voltage from said RF signal, maintaining contact mode power up sequence, and engaging said processor in a mixed contact-contactless mode operation; determining the state of said selection mechanism by said processor; and initiating by said processor said corresponding application based on said determined state. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification