Smart card which operates with the USB protocol
First Claim
1. A USB protocol smart card system, comprising:
- a user card containing a microprocessor and associated memory, and a plurality of contacts for transferring data to and from said microprocessor and memory, said contacts including a first set of contacts respectively associated with a set of signals that conform to an ISO protocol, said set of contacts including a first data contact;
a second data contact in addition to the contacts in said set of contacts; and
an interface device for connection to said user card, and having a set of mating contacts which correspond to the contacts in said user card, to transfer data between said user card and said interface device via said first and second contacts in accordance with the USB protocol.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A smart card that is compatible with the USB protocol and may be compatible with multiple different protocols includes a standard set of contacts that comply with the protocols of a published standard. Another contact, not designated by the standard, may be added and used to indicate whether the card is to operate in one of a number of protocol modes. When the card is to operate in the USB mode, a simple start-up procedure is employed which does not require strict timing constraints, enabling a less expensive interface device to be used. The interface device can be connected to any bus of a computer which operates in accordance with a desired protocol. Due to the flexibility and functionality offered by smart cards that have microprocessors incorporated therein, the multi-protocol smart card can be used to drive, or otherwise communicate with, any of a variety of peripheral devices, whether or not a personal computer is present in the system. The smart card can also be configured to function as a hub between a computer CPU and peripheral devices connected to the USB by being fitted with two USB ports to allow for simultaneous communication between the CPU and the peripheral devices.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A USB protocol smart card system, comprising:
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a user card containing a microprocessor and associated memory, and a plurality of contacts for transferring data to and from said microprocessor and memory, said contacts including a first set of contacts respectively associated with a set of signals that conform to an ISO protocol, said set of contacts including a first data contact;
a second data contact in addition to the contacts in said set of contacts; and
an interface device for connection to said user card, and having a set of mating contacts which correspond to the contacts in said user card, to transfer data between said user card and said interface device via said first and second contacts in accordance with the USB protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A USB protocol smart card, having:
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a plurality of contacts for transferring data to and from said card, said contacts including a first set of contacts respectively associated with a set of signals that conform to an ISO protocol, said set of contacts including a first data contact;
a second data contact in addition to the contacts in said set of contacts; and
a microprocessor responsive to signals on said first and second data contacts for transferring data in accordance with said ISO protocol when a first pair of predetermined voltage levels are present at said first and second data contacts, and for transferring data in accordance with a USB protocol when a second pair of predetermined voltage levels are present at said first and second data contacts. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A smart card system, comprising:
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a user card having a microprocessor, an associated memory storing at least one application program, and a plurality of contacts comprising a set of contacts, including a first data contact, which are respectively associated with a set of signals that conform to an ISO protocol, and a second data contact in addition to the contacts in said set of contacts for transferring data to and/or from said microprocessor and memory;
a peripheral device which is operable in accordance with said application program; and
a connector for connecting said peripheral device with said contacts to thereby enable said microprocessor to communicate with said peripheral device via said first and second data contacts, in conformance with the USB standard, to control the operation of said peripheral device in accordance with said application program. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A smart card that communicates over an I/O channel using the USB protocol, said smart card comprising:
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a microprocessor that performs smart card functions;
means for generating and receiving signals formatted in the USB protocol that correspond to smart card functions performed by the microprocessor; and
a set of contacts for transferring said signals between the smart card and the I/O channel. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A portable smart device for communicating over an I/O channel using the USB protocol, said device comprising:
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a microprocessor that performs smart card functions;
means for generating and receiving signals formatted in the USB protocol that correspond to smart card functions performed by the microprocessor; and
a set of contacts for transferring said signals between the portable smart device and the I/O channel. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A smart card apparatus for communicating over an I/O channel using the USB protocol, said apparatus comprising:
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processing means that perform smart card functions and that generate and receive signals formatted in the USB protocol that correspond to said smart card functions; and
a set of contacts for transferring said signals between the smart card apparatus and the I/O channel. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification