Patents by Inventor Francois Droz

Francois Droz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20140283978
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fabricating electronic cards, that comprises the following steps: A) forming a plurality of card bodies in the form of a thick sheet (36) in which is respectively imbedded a plurality of electronic units or modules (28); B) printing a plurality of first patterns (14) on a first face (21) of said thick sheet in a printing station in which ink is applied on the first face for making said first patterns; C) applying a first at least partially transparent coating (38) on each printed first pattern, that adheres to said card body. In an advanced embodiment, the method also comprises printing a plurality of second patterns (40) on the inner surface of a film (38) forming said first coating. Preferably, the printing of the first patterns is carried out in an offset type station for printing high definition patterns, essentially of the security type. The second patterns define personal data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: NagraID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Publication number: 20140234572
    Abstract: The plastic sheet (22), involved in the formation of a plurality of smart cards which respectively include a plurality of electronic units, is formed of a first material (2), having a first hardness or a first Vicat softening temperature, and of a second material (6) having a second hardness lower than the first hardness, respectively a second Vicat softening temperature lower than the first Vicat softening temperature. The second material is located in a plurality of areas of the plastic sheet which are respectively intended to at least partially receive said plurality of electronic units, via penetration of this plurality of electronic units into the second material during fabrication of the plurality of smart cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: NagraID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Patent number: 8733662
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a card including an electronic module by providing a frame or a plate having at least one aperture for receiving the electronic module. At least one part of the peripheral area of the aperture is deformed or crushed by localized application of pressure, so as to reduce locally the thickness of the frame or plate in the peripheral area. The electronic module is brought opposite the corresponding aperture so a zone of the electronic module is superposed on a part of the peripheral area, and a material connection is established between the part of the peripheral area and the corresponding zone of the electronic module for assembling the electronic module to the frame or plate before a resin is subsequently added to at least one side of the electronic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: NagraID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Publication number: 20130286611
    Abstract: The smart card (98A) comprises an external connector (90), which is formed of an insulating support (6) and a plurality of external metal contact pads (4) arranged on the external face of said insulating support. The card body has a housing in which the external connector is arranged and includes an electronic unit and/or an antenna electrically connected to a plurality of internal metal contact pads (20), which are arranged underneath the external connector and respectively aligned with the plurality of external metal contact pads. The plurality of external metal contact pads are respectively electrically connected to the plurality of internal metal contact pads by a plurality of metal parts (100), which are each at least partially formed by a solder material and which traverse said insulating support through respective apertures (92).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: NAGRAID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Publication number: 20130247432
    Abstract: The card forming a support for a valuable object, particularly a small precious metal ingot incorporated in said card, includes a core with a through aperture in which said valuable object is arranged, said through aperture having larger dimensions than those defined by the contour of said valuable object in the main geometric plane of said card. This valuable object is located in a central area of the through aperture so that a transparent peripheral area surrounds the valuable object inside said through aperture. The valuable object is embedded in a transparent resin which entirely fills the area peripheral to said valuable object between said object and the contour of the through aperture, so that the space remaining in the aperture around the valuable object is entirely filled by the resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: NAGRAID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Patent number: 8528824
    Abstract: The assembly (22) involved in the fabrication of electronic cards comprises a plate (14) exhibiting a plurality of apertures (16) in which are respectively housed a plurality of electronic modules (2). These electronic modules are assembled to the plate 14 by fixing means, in particular by fixing bridges leaving a slot (26) over the major part of the surround of the electronic module. For example the fixing means are formed by projecting parts (18) at the periphery of the apertures (16), these projecting parts exhibiting a smaller thickness than the thickness of the plate (14) and serving as supports for the electronic modules, in particular for a substrate (12) of these modules. Fixing is performed for example by welding or adhesive bonding. The invention also relates to an intermediate product formed by such an assembly and a filing material that fills at least the major part of the remaining space in the apertures (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: NagraID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Patent number: 8511571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a card including a digital display arranged in a core defining the central portion of the card. The card further comprises a plastic layer the major portion of which is opaque, and a transparent display portion. In a preferred variant, the plastic layer is covered with a transparent film attached thereto by a thin glue layer defining an adhesion interface. More particularly, the invention relates to an intermediate product intervening in a batch manufacture of such cards, wherein the intermediate product is formed by an opaque plastic sheet having a plurality of apertures defining windows for a respective plurality of corresponding electronic displays, and wherein a plurality of transparent parts are respectively arranged in the plurality of apertures and assembled to the opaque plastic sheet. The invention also relates to a manufacturing method of such an intermediate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: NagraID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Patent number: 8448872
    Abstract: The invention relates to a card (38) including a digital display (10) arranged in a node (4) defining the central portion of the card. It further comprises a plastic layer (40) the major portion (42) of which is opaque, and a transparent display portion (44). A pattern (14) is printed on the upper face of the plastic layer (40), in particular by an offset printing technique. The plastic layer (40) is covered with a transparent film (12) attached thereto by a thin glue layer (34) defining an adhesion interface. The electronic display (10) is fully integrated in the card (38) and the printed pattern (14) exhibits a good contrast on the opaque portion of said plastic layer. Furthermore, a good adhesion is obtained between all the layers of the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: NagraID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Patent number: 8402646
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing complex electronic cards is provided, each card including an electronic device or assembly formed of a first electronic unit at least partially arranged in a window in a solid bottom layer of the card and a second electronic unit, incorporated in the body of the card, at least partially formed by resin provided on the solid bottom layer. In order to prevent the resin from flowing into a slit between the lateral wall of the window and the second unit inserted therein, a protective film is arranged to cover the edge of the rear face of the first unit and a zone peripheral to the aperture in the solid layer. The electronic device or assembly is first formed and then placed on the bottom solid layer. The protective film is arranged between the two units after or when the electronic device or assembly is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: NagraID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Patent number: 8316535
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic device and a device manufactured according to this method including an assembly of at least two insulating sheets, at least one electronic element, a first insulating sheet including at least one window in which the electronic element is at least partially lodged. One face of the electronic element flushes with the external surface of said first insulating sheet. The device may further include an internal module located between the two insulating sheets, a layer of filling material, an adhesive protection film extending over a region covering at least the outline of the window, said protection film being situated between the first insulating sheet and the layer of filling material covering the protection film and the internal module, conductive connection areas electrically linked to the internal module through an opening of the protection film and positioned on an internal face opposite to the external face of the electronic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nagraid SA
    Inventor: Francois Droz
  • Publication number: 20120224344
    Abstract: A method for fabricating electronic cards includes: A) forming a plurality of card bodies in the form of a thick sheet in which is respectively imbedded a plurality of electronic units or modules; B) printing a plurality of first patterns on a first face of the thick sheet in a printing station in which ink is applied on the first face for making the first patterns; and C) applying a first at least partially transparent coating on each printed first pattern, that adheres to the card body. The method also includes printing a plurality of second patterns on the inner surface of a film forming the first coating. Preferably, the printing of the first patterns is carried out in an offset type station for printing high definition patterns, essentially of the security type. The second patterns define personal data. The printed thick sheet defines an intermediate product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: NAGRAID SECURITY SA
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Publication number: 20120217309
    Abstract: Card incorporating a transponder, including an electronic unit and an antenna electrically connected to the electronic unit, wherein the antenna is formed by an uninsulated conductor track, which is arranged on an insulating support. The track defines at least one winding and has first and second ends respectively located on either side of the at least one winding. The electronic unit is arranged inside or outside the at least one winding on a side of the first end, to which it is electrically connected. The second end of the track is electrically connected to the electronic unit by an electric wire fitted with an insulating sheath crossing the at least one winding, wherein the first and second end parts of the electric wire are at least partially stripped to assure there are electrical contacts necessary for an electrical connection between the second end of the track and the electronic unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: NagralD S.A.
    Inventor: François DROZ
  • Publication number: 20120206869
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a card including an electronic module provides a frame or plate having at least one aperture for receiving the electronic module, is characterized in that at least one part of the peripheral area of at least one aperture is deformed to locally reduce the thickness of the frame in the at least one part of the peripheral area, in that the electronic module is brought opposite the corresponding aperture so that at least one zone of the electronic module is superposed on the at least one part of the peripheral area, and in that a connection is established between the at least one part of the peripheral area and the at least one corresponding zone of the electronic module for assembling the electronic module to the frame before a resin is added at least on one side of the electronic module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: NAGRAID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Patent number: 8218332
    Abstract: The aim the disclosed process is to ensure maximum precision both at the level of the manufacturing of an electronic assembly from a chip with small dimensions as well as the level of the placement of such an assembly on an insulating substrate. This aim is achieved by a placement process on a support, called substrate, of at least one electronic assembly consisting of a chip including at least one electric contact on one of its faces, said contact being connected to a segment of conductive track, and said placement being carried out by means of a placement device holding and positioning said assembly on the substrate, comprising the following steps: formation of a segment of conductive track having a predetermined outline, transfer of the track segment onto the placement device, seizing of the chip with the placement device carrying the track segment in such a way that said track segment is placed on at least one contact of the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nagraid S.A.
    Inventor: Francois Droz
  • Patent number: 8127997
    Abstract: This invention proposes a manufacturing process for a transponder in the form of a card or a label able to resist to flexions or twisting without interrupting the connections of the electronic components. The process of assembling at least one electronic component including sensibly flat conductive areas that are connected to conductive tracks placed on the surface of a generally flat substrate comprises the steps of placing the substrate on a work surface, the face including conductive tracks being oriented upwards, placing the electronic component into a cavity of the substrate situated in a zone including the conductive tracks, the conductive areas of the component coming into contact with the corresponding tracks of the substrate and applying a layer of insulating material which extends at once on the electronic component and at least on a substrate zone surrounding said component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nagraid S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Patent number: 8119458
    Abstract: The aim the disclosed process is to ensure maximum precision both at the level of the manufacturing of an electronic assembly from a chip with small dimensions as well as the level of the placement of such an assembly on an insulating substrate. This aim is achieved by a placement process on a substrate, of at least one electronic assembly comprising a chip having at least one electric contact on one of its faces, said contact being intended to be electrically connected to a conductive track segment. The electronic assembly is built on a holding device which seizes and holds at least one conductive track segment previously formed and a chip. A placement device places this electronic assembly thus built at a predetermined position relative to the substrate and embeds or inserts said electronic assembly into the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Nagraid S.A.
    Inventor: Francois Droz
  • Publication number: 20110311768
    Abstract: The invention relates to a card including a digital display arranged in a core defining the central portion of the card. The card further comprises a plastic layer the major portion of which is opaque, and a transparent display portion. In a preferred variant, the plastic layer is covered with a transparent film attached thereto by a thin glue layer defining an adhesion interface. More particularly, the invention relates to an intermediate product intervening in a batch manufacture of such cards, wherein the intermediate product is formed by an opaque plastic sheet having a plurality of apertures defining windows for a respective plurality of corresponding electronic displays, and wherein a plurality of transparent parts are respectively arranged in the plurality of apertures and assembled to the opaque plastic sheet. The invention also relates to a manufacturing method of such an intermediate product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: NAGRAID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Publication number: 20110154662
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of manufacturing complex electronic cards each including an electronic device or assembly (40) formed of a first electronic unit (4) at least partially arranged in a window in a solid bottom layer of the card and a second electronic unit (10), incorporated in the body of the card, at least partially formed by a resin provided on the solid bottom layer. In order to prevent the resin from flowing into a slit between the lateral wall of the window and the second unit inserted therein, a protective film is arranged to cover the edge of the rear face of the first unit and a zone peripheral to the aperture in the solid layer. According to the invention, the electronic device or assembly (40) is first formed and then placed on the bottom solid layer. The protective film is arranged between the two units after or when the electronic device or assembly is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: NAGRAID S.A.
    Inventor: François Droz
  • Patent number: 7942339
    Abstract: An electronic card includes an element for transmitting a signal to a user of the electronic card, an electronic unit, an electric energy source, a switch actuatable by a user of the electronic card and an application introduced into the electronic unit. The electronic unit includes an element for detecting actuation of the switch, arranged for determining whether the actuation ends within a first time interval from the start of actuation (t0), the end of the first time interval occurring after transmission (t1) of a signal perceptible to the card user, or for determining whether the switch actuation ends within a second time interval (T2max) from the start of transmission (t1) of the user perceptible signal, the application being actuated or the actuation thereof being validated when the detection element has detected the end (t2) of the switch actuation within the first time interval or the second time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: NagraID Security SA
    Inventors: Philippe Guillaud, Cyril Lalo, François Droz
  • Publication number: 20110003436
    Abstract: The aim the disclosed process is to ensure maximum precision both at the level of the manufacturing of an electronic assembly from a chip with small dimensions as well as the level of the placement of such an assembly on an insulating substrate. This aim is achieved by a placement process on a substrate, of at least one electronic assembly comprising a chip having at least one electric contact on one of its faces, said contact being intended to be electrically connected to a conductive track segment. The electronic assembly is built on a holding device which seizes and holds at least one conductive track segment previously formed and a chip. A placement device places this electronic assembly thus built at a predetermined position relative to the substrate and embeds or inserts said electronic assembly into the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Francois DROZ