Electrical Contact Patents (Class 235/441)
  • Patent number: 8733652
    Abstract: The present invention may be deployed in an interface between a security module (CH) housed on a chip card (CC) and a host device (HST) comprising a chip card reader (RDR). In the case where the security module (CH) operates at frequencies which are high enough to generate unwanted electromagnetic interference, the invention allows for a substantial reduction in such interference by providing a converter module (CVT) which allows the host device to operate at lower frequencies while a limited number of short, shielded connections are used to interface with the security module (CH).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nagravision S.A.
    Inventors: Karl Osen, Ernest Odoom
  • Patent number: 8733632
    Abstract: There is provided a mobile subscriber unit for a financial transaction token. The subscriber unit interfaces with a financial token or card that is in communication with the subscriber unit. The financial token or card has an onboard energy source so that the card token may operate away from proximity to a merchant terminal (e.g.; a POS terminal). In one implementation, the onboard power storage device includes a rechargeable battery or capacitor such as a thin-film capacitor that stores sufficient energy to power the subscriber unit's onboard electronics and/or the electronics of a financial token in communication with the subscriber unit. The subscriber unit may be a component of another consumer device such as a computing device, communications device, an item of clothing, an item of jewelry, a cell phone, a PDA, an identification card, a money holder, a wallet, a purse, a briefcase, or a personal organizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Faith, Ayman A. Hammad
  • Publication number: 20140131442
    Abstract: A card reader for use with a mobile device includes a card reader body having an information reading area configured to receive a card, an information reader configured to read information stored on the card and a connection device disposed on the card reader body and configured to be removably connected to the mobile device. The card reader also includes a first arm extending in the first direction away from the card reader body and spaced apart from the connection device and an opposing second arm extending in the first direction away from the card reader body and spaced apart from the connection device. The first arm and the second arm are configured to contact the mobile device and limit movement of the card reader body with respect to the mobile device when the card reader body is connected to the mobile device via the connection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Banc of America Merchant Services, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Morrow, Keith Alan Newbrough, Cormac Eubanks, Adam Christopher Wrigley, Francois Duc Nguyen, Quinn Slater Huffstetler
  • Patent number: 8704641
    Abstract: A method and RF SIM card communication system using a tag recognition to control the RF communication range, a tag for providing data information is installed on a mobile communication terminal equipped with an RF SIM card, a tag reader module for reading out and transmitting the data information is installed on an RF card reader device, setting a card reading condition for the card reader device as: under the condition that the tag reader module reads out the tag data information, the RF card reader module, based on the data information of the tag, establishes wireless communication link with and transfers data to the RF SIM card in the mobile terminal. The present invention is not affected by the shielding effect of the mobile communication terminal, thereby avoids the cumbersome calibration process for the RF SIM card transceiver power and receiver sensitivity in existing technologies, this both brings convenience to the users, and further facilitates of widespread use of RF SIM cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nationz Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Shan Zhu
  • Patent number: 8668143
    Abstract: A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) or other device (e.g., mobile telephone) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable to communicate data to a magnetic stripe read-head. Gift cards may be inputted by a user into such a payment card or other device such that a user can combine gift cards. Similarly, a user be provided with a global payment account that can be utilized in multiple countries that have different standards for formatting data. A user may be provided with a default country (e.g., United States) but may have a way to select that the user is in a different country (e.g., Japan). Accordingly, a user may select that a Japanese data structure be transmitted through a magnetic stripe reader when the user is in Japan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, David Lambeth, Bruce Cloutier
  • Publication number: 20140061309
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a card payment apparatus includes a member having a magnetic strip reader configured to read account information from a magnetic strip of a first payment card and an integrated chip (IC) reader configured to read account information from an IC chip of a second payment card; a sliding face configured to allow the first payment card to slide thereon, when the magnetic strip reader reads the account information from the magnetic strip; and a card receptacle configured to receive the second payment card, when the IC reader reads the account information from the IC chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: KT Corporation
    Inventors: Youngbin CHO, Sung-chul KIM, Youn-pil JEUNG
  • Patent number: 8662382
    Abstract: A non-contact storage medium fixing structure includes a non-contact storage medium that has a memory unit which stores predetermined information of an object to be controlled, a pair of wire connection guide members respectively provided at at least two positions on a body of the non-contact storage medium, and a wire connection member that fixes the non-contact storage medium at a predetermined position of the object to be controlled, by way of the pair of wire connection guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Frontech Limited
    Inventors: Shunji Baba, Shigeru Hashimoto, Yasushi Kasahara
  • Patent number: 8662394
    Abstract: An electronic system comprising a printed circuit having first and second opposite surfaces, an electronic component attached to the second surface and a first device of protection against access attempts on the first surface side. The system comprises a second protection device at least partially covering, on the second surface side, the electronic component, and comprising at least one tab. The printed circuit comprises at least one through opening, the tab extending in the opening and being attached to the printed circuit. The tab comprises at least one conductive portion electrically contacting at least one first conductive track of the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Compagnie Industrielle et Financiere d'Ingenierie “Ingenico”
    Inventors: Eric Bonnet, Alain Eck, Vincent Hernandez
  • Patent number: 8628011
    Abstract: A card personalization device for producing a portable USB object having a device that is capable of recognizing cards that are operating according to the ISO standard and cards operating according to the USB standard. The recognition device being coupled to a device for switching the power supply terminals on the contact pads corresponding to the USB or ISO power supply contacts of the card in accordance with the type of the detected card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Emmanuel Thibaudeau
  • Patent number: 8615196
    Abstract: A portable apparatus is capable of switching between a plurality of smart cards and associated circuits to provide a user various independent electronic wallet functions via a single portable apparatus, thereby increasing utilization flexibility and convenience. The portable apparatus includes at least a first smart card and a second smart cart, a near-field communication (NFC) unit, and a control circuit. The first smart card and the second smart card respectively include a first interface and a second interface. The NFC unit is coupled to the first smart card and the second smart card via the first interface and the second interface, respectively. The NFC unit is capable of performing NFC with external apparatuses. The control circuit controls the NFC unit to communicate with either the first smart card or the second smart card using control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Chien-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 8608072
    Abstract: A memory card socket is provided. The memory card socket includes an outer case, an inner case which is movable within the outer case and includes a slot into which a memory card is insertable. The memory card socket also includes a locking portion which locks the inner case to the outer case upon a withdrawal of the memory card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Won Jeong, Jong-Deok Choi
  • Publication number: 20130320088
    Abstract: A subscriber identity module having function of radio frequency identification (RFID) reader includes a card slot, a base, an identification module, an identification chip, and a plurality of reader pads. The card slot has a plurality of phone pins and a plurality of reader pins. The base is disposed in the card slot and has a first accommodating area and a second accommodating area. The identification module is disposed in the first accommodating area and is electrically connected to the phone pins. The identification chip is disposed in the second accommodating area. The reader pads are disposed on the base and are adjacent to the identification chip, and the reader pads are electrically connected to the identification chip and the phone pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: SMART APPROACH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Lung Lin, Chia-Yu Pan
  • Publication number: 20130306726
    Abstract: A portable power bank with card reading function includes a battery unit, a charging unit, a control unit, a voltage converting unit, a first card reading unit, and a connection interface unit. The battery unit is coupled with the charging unit and the voltage converting unit. The control unit is coupled with the charging unit, the voltage converting unit and the first card reading unit. The connection interface unit is coupled with the voltage converting unit and the control unit. The first card reading unit is configured for a first removable electronic card to insert thereinto. An electronic device is removably connected to the connection interface unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: John Wong
  • Patent number: 8585045
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a recording medium with embedded information is disclosed, which comprises: a Y shape channel mechanism including a first channel, a second channel and a third channel, wherein all the channels are joined with each other at the inner end; a processing device including a magnetic head mechanism which is located in the first channel and used for reading magnetic information of the recording medium and a print mechanism located on one side of the third channel or one side of the second channel ; and a guide mechanism, located at the joining position of the first channel, a second channel and the third channel and used for guiding the recording medium to be conveyed among the channels. A method for processing a recording medium with embedded information is also disclosed. The solution can realize the reading of the magnetic information and the overturn of the recording medium so that the printing on both sides of the recording medium can be realized by using one print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Shangdong New Beiyang Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lei Zheng, Lei Che, Qiangzi Cong, Tianxin Jiang, Mingdong Huang
  • Publication number: 20130299584
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a decoder, a coupling card reader and an application system. The decoder includes a card base which is produced from at least one type of materials selected from paper card, plastic card, metal thin card or organic glass thin card. The surface of the card base is applied with conducting coating. The conducting coating is provided with a plurality of conducting logic expression regions. Different conducting logic expression regions possess individual and independent conductive nature. The conductive nature of each conductive logic expression region on the conductive coating together form a sole conductive logic data coding for differentiating a specific decoder so that the decoder can be distinguished from other decoders. The present application is also directed to a card reader to be used with the decoder. The present application enhances the security level of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Chun AU
  • Patent number: 8573500
    Abstract: An electronic token system including a token receptacle and a portable token. The token receptacle includes a receptacle body with an outer surface having a first, generally planar array of electrical contacts, which are arranged in a dense-packed configuration that minimizes the surface area occupied by the planar array, consistent with sufficient electrical separation between adjacent contacts. The token receptacle also includes a first alignment feature and a first retention feature. The portable token includes an enclosure for enclosing at least a portion of the receptacle body, the enclosure having a second alignment feature for mating engagement with the first alignment feature and a second retention feature for holding the portable token in removable connection with the first retention feature. The token also includes a second, generally planar array of electrical contacts for electrical communication with the corresponding electrical contacts of the first planar array mounted in the token receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: ATEK Products, LLC.
    Inventors: Glen Eric Jennings, William Stifle
  • Patent number: 8568391
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus for use by a surgeon can include a tray and a plurality of surgical instruments. The tray can have a plurality of structures located on an upper side of the tray for receiving the plurality of surgical instruments. The tray can receive a separate control unit. The tray can also have a fluid reservoir receiver for receiving a bottle or container of fluid, such as balanced salt solution. The fluid reservoir receiver can include one or more features, including, a spike, an air vent, and a light. A separate container can be used to place the bottle or container of fluid into the fluid reservoir receiver on the tray. This separate container can include a collapsible section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute
    Inventors: Ralph Kerns, Mark Humayun, Matthew T. McCormick, Trent Spencer Wells, Lawrence Chong, Jaw Chyng Lue
  • Patent number: 8561900
    Abstract: A data acquisition device includes a wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication of data with a data accumulation device in which data is accumulated, a type registration unit wherein data types of necessary data are registered beforehand, a type comparison unit for comparing the data type of data received via the wireless communication unit with data types registered in the type registration unit, a data extracting unit for extracting only data of which the data type matches, and a data holding unit for holding the extracted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Matsuo, Daisuke Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8544745
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with a heat-dissipating card connector for use with a card reader connected to an electronic device. The connector has a body configured to receive a card that has circuitry, when the card is inserted into the card reader. The connector body includes a plurality of electronic contacts that engage the card circuitry and operationally link the card to the electronic device. The connector body includes at least one heat conductive spring that includes a card engaging portion. The card engaging portion contacts the card and directs heat from the card when the card is inserted in the card reader. A heat directing element, also part of the heat conductive spring, transfers heat from the card engaging portion to a heat-dissipating structure of the electronic device when the card is inserted in the card reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Genesis Technology USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Loyd Mullins, Chi-Lun Lin, Zhuo Chen
  • Patent number: 8544752
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory card includes memory card controllers conforming to two or more different specifications, a memory card controller changeover switch configured to enable one of the memory card controllers in response to an indication supplied from an exterior, and a nonvolatile memory that has data therein written from and data therein read to an external device under control of the enabled one of the memory card controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaharu Adachi
  • Patent number: 8544743
    Abstract: A smart card reader including a smart card reading assembly including a plurality of smart card chip communication contacts and a static electricity discharge element assembled with the smart card reading assembly, the static electricity discharge element including a plurality of static electricity discharge contacts contacting multiple diverse surfaces of a smart card for discharge of static electricity thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Verifone, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Hong, Spencer Ting, Nang Hui Chan, Eng Joo Yap, Amihay Avital, Ehud Kirmayer
  • Patent number: 8543163
    Abstract: A signal enhancer chip for a radio frequency identification system and a signal enhancer are disclosed. The signal enhancer chip includes: a receiving circuit, a sending circuit and a power supply module. The receiving circuit comprises a demodulation amplification module and a digital quantizing module. The sending circuit comprises a logic control module and a modulation module. The demodulation amplification module is for amplifying and demodulating the received communication signal sent by a dual interface SIM card. The digital quantizing module converts an analog communication signal output from the demodulation amplification module to the digital communication signal. The logic control module processes the digital communication signal output from the digital quantizing module and generates a subsidiary carrier wave signal necessary for returning to a reader. The modulation module generates a communication signal to be sent according to the subsidiary carrier wave signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Shanghai Quanray Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Kewei Jin
  • Publication number: 20130233925
    Abstract: A reader device includes a housing for receiving a smart card, a processor in electronic communication with an integrated circuit chip of the smart card when the smart card is received in the housing, a wireless communications device in electronic communication with the processor for enabling the reader device to transmit first encrypted information wirelessly and to receive second encrypted information wirelessly, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor that includes one or more routines executable by the processor. The one or more routines include a cryptographic module adapted to encrypt first information to create the first encrypted information and decrypt the second encrypted information to obtain second information. In addition, a communication system that includes the reader device and a computing device, wherein the reader device and computing device are able to wirelessly exchange information in a secure manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Mihal Lazaridis, Kwok Ching Leung, Benjamin William Boomhour, Scott Douglas Rose, Scott William Totzke, Ryan Mitchell Bayne, Herbert Anthony Little
  • Publication number: 20130233924
    Abstract: A smartcard unit includes at least a smartcard and an attachment enabling the smartcard unit to be worn by a user. The smartcard is accessible to an external reader. A reader unit interfaces with the smartcard to enable an external computer to communicate with the smartcard. The smartcard unit or the reader unit has structure to align the reader unit relative to the smartcard unit in an alignment for communicative interfacing while the smartcard unit is being worn. The smartcard unit or the reader unit has a retainer to secure the reader unit in alignment relative to the smartcard so that the smartcard unit is reversibly separable from the reader unit without damage, in response to a force less than is necessary to detach or damage another part of said system, other than along a longitudinal axis of the smartcard or of a pair of components being separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher J. Burns
  • Publication number: 20130221100
    Abstract: An adapter is provided for adapting a Secure Digital (SD) card for use with a Smart Card reader. The adapter comprises an improved Smart Card with a memory device physically connected thereto. A controller may also be provided for use with the Smart Card reader, the controller being configured to identify whether a conventional Smart Card or an adapter that includes an SD card socket has been presented to the Smart Card reader. The controller may be arranged to control communication between the Smart Card reader and an SD card in the SD card socket and to control access to the SD card memory accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: CONTROL TECHNIQUES LTD
    Inventor: Control Techniques Ltd
  • Publication number: 20130214047
    Abstract: An IC card seat protector includes a plastic part including a first and second side arms and a connecting arm connecting therebetween, a flexible printed circuit at least covering the top, bottom and outer lateral faces of the plastic part, a first and second conductive strips; the first side arm has a first through hole formed on one end thereof and the second side arm has a second through hole formed on one end thereof; the first conductive strip is inserted into the first through hole and one end thereof connects to the flexible printed circuit while the other end thereof is exposed on the bottom face of the first side arm; and the second conductive strip is inserted into the second through hole and one end thereof connects to the flexible printed circuit while the other end thereof is exposed on the top face of the second side arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: SHENZHEN XINGUODU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuelei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8511558
    Abstract: Portable smartcard devices, methods of operating smartcard devices, systems including a smartcard device and a terminal, and computer readable storage media including instructions for smartcard devices are provided. According to some embodiments, the smartcard includes a controller for executing commands received from a terminal, where execution of at least one command affects a power consumption of the smartcard device during subsequent execution of at least one other command. Optionally, the command which modifies smartcard power consumption is issued by the terminal in accordance with a power consumption decision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk IL Ltd.
    Inventor: Dani Dariel
  • Patent number: 8505828
    Abstract: A chip card receives and processes what-ever combination of contact data and contact-less data is available to allow multiple functionalities for the chip card. A micro-computer of the chip card is adapted to simultaneously receive and process contact data from a contact interface and contact-less data from a contact-less interface. In addition, the chip card includes a power voltage selector for selecting a contact bias to supply power to the micro-computer when-ever the contact bias voltage is available since the contact bias voltage is more stable than a contact-less bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zang-Hee Cho
  • Patent number: 8496182
    Abstract: A shutter mechanism of a card reader including a shutter part for opening/closing a card path through which a card is transferred. The shutter part includes: a closing part for closing the card path; a card contacting section, which contacts an end part of the card inserted into the card path, located at a further frontward position from the closing part in a direction X1; and shaft sections, having their rotation axis in a direction Y, for supporting the closing part and the card contacting section so as to keep them rotatable. The closing part and the shaft sections are located at their corresponding positions that are displaced from each other in a direction X. The closing part and the card contacting section rotate on the shaft sections to open the card path, when the end part of the card contacts with the card contacting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventor: Mamoru Mizawa
  • Patent number: 8485449
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to devices, methods and systems for managing access to a memory card, such as a smart card, by a plurality of accessing devices. Certain embodiments relate to a smart card reader (SCR) for managing concurrent access to a smart card by a plurality of accessing devices, the SCR comprising: a processor; a channel manager responsive to the processor for interfacing with the smart card; a communication interface responsive to the channel manager for communicating with the plurality of accessing devices; and wherein, when a session is open on a first channel between a first accessing device and the smart card and the channel manager is configured to issue an open channel command to the smart card to cause the smart card to open a second channel between the smart card and the second accessing device in response to the session request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Michael Edwin McCallum
  • Patent number: 8485443
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an integrated circuit (IC) card may include a bottom surface in contact with a chassis of an information handling system (IHS) to form a slot for receiving at least one type of IC card and a top surface in communication with a transmitting element for sensing a first type of IC card inserted within the slot. The apparatus further includes a contact field disposed on the bottom surface, the contact field for sensing a second type of IC card inserted within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin Mundt, Andrew Thomas Sultenfuss
  • Publication number: 20130161390
    Abstract: A multi-chip card comprises a plurality of sub-cards, each sub-card including an integrated circuit chip. Each chip comprises electrical contacts, and each of the subcards may be moved to occupy an active position of the card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Rodriquez
  • Patent number: 8472199
    Abstract: A solid state drive is disclosed. The solid state drive includes a circuit board having opposing first and second surfaces. A plurality of semiconductor chips are attached to the first surface of the circuit board of the solid state drive, and the plurality of semiconductor chips of the solid state drive include at least one memory chip that is at least substantially encapsulated in a resin. An in-line memory module-type form factor circuit board is also disclosed. The in-line memory module-type form factor circuit board has opposing first and second surfaces. A plurality of semiconductor chips are attached to the first surface of the in-line memory module-type form factor circuit board, and these semiconductor chips include at least one memory chip that is at least substantially encapsulated in a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Jin-Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 8459548
    Abstract: A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) or other device (e.g., mobile telephone) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable to communicate data to a magnetic stripe read-head. Gift cards may be inputted by a user into such a payment card or other device such that a user can combine gift cards. Similarly, a user be provided with a global payment account that can be utilized in multiple countries that have different standards for formatting data. A user may be provided with a default country (e.g., United States) but may have a way to select that the user is in a different country (e.g., Japan). Accordingly, a user may select that a Japanese data structure be transmitted through a magnetic stripe reader when the user is in Japan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, David Lambeth, Bruce Cloutier
  • Patent number: 8446729
    Abstract: A modular mass storage system and method that enables cableless mounting of ATA and/or similar high speed interface-based mass storage devices in a computer system. The system includes a printed circuit board, a system expansion slot interface on the printed circuit board and comprising power and data pins, a host bus controller on the printed circuit board and electrically connected to the system expansion slot interface, docking connectors connected with the host bus controller to receive power and exchange data therewith and adapted to electrically couple with industry-standard non-volatile memory devices without cabling therebetween, and features on the printed circuit board for securing the memory devices thereto once coupled to the docking connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: OCZ Technology Group Inc.
    Inventor: Franz Michael Schuette
  • Publication number: 20130119130
    Abstract: A secure smart card reader is disclosed that is enabled to make reader signatures on data representative of events and actions which may be security related and which may include data representative of reader commands received from a host or remote application, smart card commands exchanged with an inserted smart card, data presented to a user for approval, and/or configuration parameters applied when dealing with any of the foregoing. The smart card reader may be adapted to maintain logs of events and actions which may include exchanging reader commands, exchanging smart card commands, and/or interactions with a user. The logs may include data representative of the reader commands received, the smart card commands exchanged, data presented to the user for approval, and/or configuration parameters applied when dealing with any of the foregoing. The secure smart card reader may be adapted to generate a reader signature over the logs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Vasco Data Security, Inc.
    Inventor: Vasco Data Security, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8439261
    Abstract: A method for producing a portable electronic object having contact pads arranged on a plane with a thickness which differs from the thickness of a standard smartcard. The object is electrically connected to data transfer station connectors, by delivering a data transfer station having an electric probe connector and submitting the object to the data transfer station in such a way that the contact pads thereof are accessible to the electric probes in a direction perpendicular to the plane. Objects obtainable include UBS keys or PCMCIA cards or readers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Gemalto SA
    Inventors: Pierre-André Collet, Thierry Karlisch, François Moutel
  • Patent number: 8430323
    Abstract: An electronic device that includes a first and second interfaces adapted to establish communication with an external electronic entity, an element for processing a secret value, that is adapted to react to reception of a message via either interface, and a control element adapted to update an indicator of use of the element for using a secret value via either interface, to apply a first inhibition to communication using the first interface as a function of the indicator, and to apply a second inhibition to communication using the second interface as a function of the indicator, wherein for at least one value of the indicator the second inhibition is different from the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Oberthur Technologies of America Corp.
    Inventor: Christophe Goyet
  • Patent number: 8397990
    Abstract: A host device is configured to read and write information from and into a card and to supply a supply voltage that belongs to a first voltage range or a second voltage range which is lower than the first voltage range, and issues a voltage identification command to the card. The voltage identification command includes a voltage range identification section, an error detection section, and a check pattern section. The voltage range identification section includes information indicating which one of the first voltage range and the second voltage range the supply voltage belongs. The error detection section has a pattern configured to enable the card which has received the voltage identification command to detect errors in the voltage identification command. The check pattern section has a preset pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Akihisa Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8395523
    Abstract: A method and system for preventing fuel theft includes one or more tamper detection sensors mounted on a fuel dispenser, the tamper detection sensors being operable to detect dislocation of one or more portions of the fuel dispenser's shell. A dispenser security controller is communicatively coupled to the one or more tamper detection sensors and is operable to generate a trigger signal in response to receiving a tamper detection signal from the one or more tamper detection sensors. A dispenser transaction-termination switch is electrically coupled to the fuel dispensing circuit and in signal communication with the dispenser security controller and is operable to simulate a fuel pump handle hang up and/or a transaction not-authorized condition in response to a trigger signal from the dispenser security controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventors: James V. Wolf, John R. Garrity
  • Patent number: 8370640
    Abstract: A reader element is associated with an identity verification element. The reader element has a biometric input device and is configured, through enrollment of a biometric element is used to encrypt a character sequence associated with the identity verification element. In a verification phase subsequent to the enrollment, a user may be spared a step of providing the character sequence by, instead, providing the biometric element. Responsive to receiving the biometric element, the reader element may decrypt the character sequence and provide the character sequence to the identity verification element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Richard Paul Sibley, Dinah Lea Marie Davis, Ravi Singh
  • Patent number: 8355256
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus is provided for holding a data storage device. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket to receive the data storage device, and a latching unit. The bracket includes a first side plate. The latching unit includes a fixing tray fixed to the first side plate, a sliding member slidably mounted in the fixing tray, and a pushing member pivotably mounted to the fixing tray. The pushing member includes a pressed portion operable of resisting against the sliding member, and a moving portion to abut against the data storage device. When the sliding member is slid in the fixing tray to move the pressed portion, the pushing member is rotated. Therefore, the moving portion is rotated to eject the data storage device from the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Tang Peng, Jia-Qi Fu
  • Patent number: 8348162
    Abstract: A foreign substance detection device for a card reader includes an emitting module (1), a receiving module (2) and a control processing module (3). The emitting module (1) is embedded on a wall surface of a card reader insertion opening (101) for emitting detection waves to a detection area (103) in front of the card reader insertion opening (101). The receiving module (2) is embedded on the wall surface of the card reader insertion opening (101) for receiving the detection waves emitted by the emitted the emitting module (1). The control processing module (3) identifies whether the receiving module (2) receives the detection wave reflected by the foreign substance in the detection area (103), and determines whether the foreign substance exists in the detection area (103) according to the determination result. A card reader socket which includes a case (100) and the foreign substance detection device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GRG Banking Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dahai Xiao
  • Publication number: 20120325908
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with a heat-dissipating card connector for use with a card reader connected to an electronic device. The connector has a body configured to receive a card that has circuitry, when the card is inserted into the card reader. The connector body includes a plurality of electronic contacts that engage the card circuitry and operationally link the card to the electronic device. The connector body includes at least one heat conductive spring that includes a card engaging portion. The card engaging portion contacts the card and directs heat from the card when the card is inserted in the card reader. A heat directing element, also part of the heat conductive spring, transfers heat from the card engaging portion to a heat-dissipating structure of the electronic device when the card is inserted in the card reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Gregory Loyd Mullins, Chi-Lun Lin, Zhuo Chen
  • Patent number: 8328098
    Abstract: Provided are a chip card and a method for operating the same, in which the chip card operates in a contact mode for processing contact-type data or a contactless mode for processing contactless-type data, according to priority information for contact-type data and contactless-type data, when data to be processed in a second mode is received while the chip card is operating in a first mode. Accordingly, when the chip card is operating in a first mode for processing first data, the chip card may ignore second data, to be processed in a second mode, that is received when a priority of the first data is higher than a priority of the second data. Alternatively, if the priority of the second data is higher than the priority of the first data, the chip card may switch operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chanyong Kim
  • Publication number: 20120305648
    Abstract: A hybrid terminal device includes a payment card reader and smart phone and is configured to facilitate financial transactions. The hybrid terminal device is configured to secure the payment card reader, such as from bugging devices, etc. The payment card reader may be secured by a portion of a body of the hybrid terminal device configured to block access to a card slot of the payment card reader when in a closed position. The payment card reader may be secured by a security screen enclosing all or part of the card reader, which includes tamper detection systems, such as traces and blind switches. The payment card reader includes a module configured to detect tamping with the card reader, for example by detecting shorting or breaking of traces or triggering of blind switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: LIQUID PAYMENT SOLUTIONS PTE LTD
    Inventors: Sanjay Sondhi, Robert Todd Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8286879
    Abstract: A connector for inserting a subscriber identity module (SIM) card includes a main body, a card reader and an electric connector. The main body includes at least two interfaces. The card reader is installed in one of the interfaces, and the card reader includes a card insertion mechanism and a printed circuit board. The electric connector is installed in another interface. After the SIM card is inserted into the card reader, a computer can be connected to a network to achieve a high-speed networking function at any place where a mobile phone can receive signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Nai-Chien Chang
  • Patent number: 8286874
    Abstract: A host device is configured to read and write information from and into a card and to supply a supply voltage that belongs to a first voltage range or a second voltage range which is lower than the first voltage range, and issues a voltage identification command to the card. The voltage identification command includes a voltage range identification section, an error detection section, and a check pattern section. The voltage range identification section includes information indicating which one of the first voltage range and the second voltage range the supply voltage belongs. The error detection section has a pattern configured to enable the card which has received the voltage identification command to detect errors in the voltage identification command. The check pattern section has a preset pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Akihisa Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8274713
    Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus for acquiring an image of a document including a housing having an internal space, a substantially transparent window, a CCD sensor array, a light source for illuminating the document and an opaque cover device for blocking light from escaping the internal space of the housing through the transparent window. The cover device includes an opaque wall that combined with the document, operationally blocks the escaping of light from the internal space of the housing. The cover device further includes a primary insertion slit, a document removing mechanism and a removal slit for removing a small form document through the removal slit. Optionally, the cover device further includes a second insertion slit for inserting the small form document. The width of the second insertion slit is smaller than the width of the first insertion slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventors: Iuval Hatzav, Ilan Ben-Shahar, Giyora Sharaby, Daniel Hatzav
  • Patent number: 8272573
    Abstract: A portable data carrier (1) comprising a contact pad (2) according to ISO 7816-2 as a physical interface for communication has a contactless interface device (7) for communication with an end device according to a contactless communication protocol via a preset activated contact assignment of the contact pad (2), and at least one contact interface device (4, 5, 6) for communication according to a contact-type communication protocol via a further activated contact assignment of the contact pad (2). In an initialization phase of the data carrier (1) a control device (3) activates a second contact interface device (4, 5, 6), besides an already activated contact interface device (4, 5, 6), only when the former does not use a contact assignment of the contact pad (2) that collides with the contact assignment of the contactless interface device (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Eglof Hartel