Smart card system, apparatus and method with alternate placement of contact module

• US 6,705,531 B1
• Filed: 07/02/2001
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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): HESS, DANIEL A
• Application Number:
  US09/897,235
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/487, 235/384, 235/451, 235/375
• 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 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 19/07769 the further communication means being a galvanic interface, e.g. hybrid or mixed smart cards having a contact and a non-contact interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07779 the inductive antenna being a coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07783 the coil being planar
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/08 using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means
• 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 smart card that can be personalized with indicia or graphic designs over an entire surface of one face of the smart card. The entire surface of the one face can be utilized for personalization by placing the contact module on an opposite face of the smart card.

Claims

1. A smart card system, comprising:

a smart card, comprising;

a front portion for displaying indicia;

a rear portion laminated to the front portion;

a circuit laminated between the front and rear portions;

an antenna laminated between the front and rear portions;

a power converter laminated between the front and rear portions, the power converter in communication with the antenna and the circuit, wherein the power converter supplies a power supply voltage to the circuit;

a contact module located on the rear portion in communication with the circuit;

wherein the contact module and the front portion are located on opposite sides of the smart card; and

a portable power supply in wireless electromagnetic communication with the power converter, wherein the portable power supply is external from a smart card reader.

2. The smart card system according to claim 1, wherein the circuit is an integrated circuit.

3. The smart card system according to claim 2, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises:

a microprocessor;

a memory in communication with the microprocessor; and

an input/output controller in communication with the processor.

4. The smart card system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply voltage ranges from about 3 volts to about 5.25 volts.

5. The smart card system according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic stripe disposed on the rear portion of the smart card.

6. The smart card system according to claim 1, wherein the contact module is in physical electrical contact with the circuit.

7. The smart card system according to claim 1, wherein a depression is formed on the rear portion for receiving the contact module.

8. The smart card system according to claim 1, further comprising an optical transceiver disposed on the rear portion of the smart card.

9. The smart card system according to claim 1, wherein the smart card has physical dimensions of a conventional credit card.

10. The smart card system according to claim 9, wherein the physical dimensions of the smart card vary from about 85.47 mm to 85.72 mm in length, about 53.92 mm to 54.03 mm in width and about 0.70 mm and 0.90 mm in thickness.

11. The smart card system according to claim 9, wherein the physical dimensions of the smart card are about 85.60 mm length by 53.98 mm width by 0.80 mm thickness.

12. The smart card system according to claim 9, wherein the physical dimensions of the smart card vary from about 3.36″

to 3.37″

in length, about 2.12″

to 2.13 in width and about 0.028″

to 0.035″

in thickness.

13. The smart card system according to claim 9, wherein the physical dimensions of the smart card are about 3.4″

length by 2.1″

width by 0.3″

thickness.

14. The smart card system according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear portions are formed from plastic.

15. The smart card system according to claim 14, wherein the plastic is selected from the group consisting of ABS and PVC.

16. The smart card system according to claim 1, wherein the front portion has a surface area which is entirely available for receiving indicia.

17. The smart card system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a smart card reader for receiving the smart card and transferring information between the smart card reader and the smart card by way of the contact module disposed on the rear portion of the smart card.

18. The smart card system according to claim 17, wherein the smart card reader further comprises a contactless reader portion for wirelessly reading the smart card.

19. The smart card system according to claim 1, wherein the portable power supply generates electromagnetic energy for energizing the smart card.

20. The smart card system according to claim 19, wherein the electromagnetic energy is radiated from the portable power supply to the smart card.

21. The smart card system according to claim 19, wherein the portable power supply is enabled upon receiving an external electromagnetic signal.

22. The smart card system according to claim 1, wherein the portable power supply further comprises:

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.

23. The smart card system according to claim 22, wherein energy from the battery is wirelessly radiated to the smart card when the portable power supply receives a signal from the smart card.

24. The smart card system according to claim 23, 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.

25. The smart card system according to claim 22, 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.

26. The smart card system according to claim 22, further comprising a housing with a retainer for receiving the smart card.

27. The smart card system according to claim 26, 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.

28. A method for transacting information in a smart card system including a smart card and a smart card reader, comprising:

generating a first electromagnetic signal having a first frequency;

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

transmitting a signal to the smart card by way of a contact module disposed on a rear portion of the contact smart card, wherein the smart card includes a front portion for displaying indicia and wherein the contact module and the front portion of the smart card are located on opposite sides of the smart card; and

initiating communication between the smart card and the smart card reader when the smart card is inserted in the smart card reader.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein transmitting the signal includes transmitting the signal from the smart card reader.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein transmitting the signal includes transmitting the signal from the portable power supply.

31. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

receiving a second electromagnetic signal; and

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

32. The method according to claim 28, further comprising enabling the wireless radiation of the first electromagnetic signal upon receiving a signal from a switch contact closure.