External power supply system, apparatus and method for smart card

• US 6,616,054 B1
• Filed: 07/02/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Norton, Stephen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TAYLOR, APRIL ALICIA
• Application Number:
  US09/897,619
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/382, 235/384, 235/492, 235/451, 340/572, 340/825
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0701 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for power management
• 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

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for providing an external electrical power supply to a proximity smart card for driving the internal electronics of the smart card. The external electrical power supply is separate from a power source of a smart card reader or an internal battery. The external power supply energizes the smart card by way of magnetic induction by radiating power over an electromagnetic link between the external power supply and the smart card.

Claims

1. A smart card power supply system, comprising:

a smart card having an antenna for receiving electromagnetic energy; and

a portable power supply in wireless electromagnetic communication with the smart card; and

a smart card reader including a power supply electromagnetically coupled to the smart card;

wherein the portable power supply generates electromagnetic energy for energizing the smart card; and

wherein the electromagnetic energy is radiated from the portable power supply to the smart card.

2. The smart card power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the smart card is energized from a combination of the smart card reader power supply and the portable power supply.

3. A smart card power supply system, comprising:

a smart card having an antenna for receiving electromagnetic energy; and

a portable power supply in wireless electromagnetic communication with the smart card;

wherein the portable power supply generates electromagnetic energy for energizing the smart card;

wherein the electromagnetic energy is radiated from the portable power supply to the smart card; and

wherein the portable power supply is enabled upon receiving an external electromagnetic signal.

4. The smart card power supply system according to claim 3, wherein the external electromagnetic signal is generated by a smart card reader.

5. A method of supplying power to a smart card from a portable power supply, comprising:

generating a first electromagnetic signal having a first frequency; and

wirelessly radiating the first electromagnetic signal to a smart card tuned to the first frequency from a portable power supply ohmically detached from a smart card and a smart card reader.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

receiving a second electromagnetic signal; and

enabling the wireless radiation of the first electromagnetic signal upon receiving the second electromagnetic signal.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising enabling the wireless radiation of the first electromagnetic signal upon receiving a signal from a switch contact closure.

8. A portable power supply for a smart card, comprising:

a battery ohmically detached from a smart card and a smart card reader;

an oscillator in communication with the battery; and

an antenna coupled to the oscillator.

9. The portable power supply according to claim 8,

wherein energy from the battery is wirelessly radiated to the smart card when the portable power supply receives a signal from the smart card.

10. The portable power supply according to claim 8, wherein energy from the battery is wirelessly radiated to the smart card when the portable power supply receives a signal from the smart card reader.

11. The portable power supply according to claim 8, further comprising a switch in communication with the battery, wherein the switch enables the wireless radiation of energy from the portable power supply to the smart card.

12. The portable power supply according to claim 8, further comprising a housing with a retainer for receiving the smart card.

13. The portable power supply according to claim 12, further comprising a latch mechanically coupled to the housing for receiving the smart card, wherein the portable power supply is enabled when the smart card is inserted in the latch.