Electrical Contact Patents (Class 235/441)
  • Publication number: 20120234917
    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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Won JEONG, Jong-Deok CHOI
  • Patent number: 8267766
    Abstract: A system and method of printing lottery tickets produces a prize structure with ticket books containing all available prizes. A game generation file is then generated withholding the high tier prizes. A list of validation numbers is then created from ticket books that hold only low tier winning ticket values. In one embodiment, only validation numbers associated with tickets having no redemption value are included in the list Individual validation numbers are then selected at random from the created list of validation numbers, and high tier ticket prize data is assigned to each record associated with a selected validation number. The information is stored in a new file that can be contained on a separate file server from the original generation file, invoking increased access control and monitoring for additional security purposes. The new file contains the raw ticket data that is used in the printing of the tickets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: GTECH Printing Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lazar
  • Patent number: 8256677
    Abstract: A holographic read only memory card which can be coupled to and read by a card reader to which electronic read only memory cards can also be coupled to and read by the card reader is disclosed. The holographic read only memory card comprises: a housing having a compartment for receiving a holographic storage medium; a holographic storage medium having stored thereon holographic data; and optionally a an electronics panel member having an electronic memory component which can be read by the card reader when the holographic read only memory card is coupled to the electronic card reader. The housing comprises one or more card locating members to thereby repeatedly position the holographic read only memory card each time the holographic read only memory card is coupled to the electronic card reader so that the holographic data can be read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: InPhase Technologies, Inc., Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Harris, Hiroshi Kamada, Motofumi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8251289
    Abstract: A data protecting electronic device is adapted to read and store information, and includes: a circuit board; a first loop circuit, having a first contact and a second contact, constituting a wire mesh, and positioned on the circuit board; a substrate, configured on the circuit board; a data reading element, electrically connected to the first loop circuit, and one end thereof being passed through the circuit board to position on the substrate; a cover, covering the circuit board; a flexible circuit board, stuck to inner faces of the cover, and including a second loop circuit having a third contact and constituting the wire mesh; an electrical conductor, having a first end connected to the second contact and a second end connected to the third contact; and a conducting element, electrically connected to the first contact and covered by the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Uniform Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Tsung Chen
  • Patent number: 8245944
    Abstract: Portable communication device for at least mono-directional communication with a terminal, comprising a micro-module including a chip that comprises an antenna allowing the micro-module to communicate with a terminal when the antenna is placed in the immediate vicinity of the terminal, the device being characterized in that it comprises a reader receiving the removable micro-module, said antenna being held by said reader such that the micro-module is removable relative to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Gemalto SA
    Inventor: Joseph Leibenguth
  • Patent number: 8240578
    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 for managing concurrent access to a smart card, wherein when a channel manager receives a close session request from a first accessing device, and a first session is open on a first channel for the first accessing device and a second session is open on a second channel for a second accessing device, the channel manager is configured to: issue a close channel command to the smart card to close the second channel; issue the close session request from the first accessing device to the smart card; and issue a further session request to the smart card to re-open the first channel, and continue the second session on the re-opened first channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Michael E. McCallum
  • Publication number: 20120193414
    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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: CABINET DEBAY
    Inventor: Emmanuel Thibaudeau
  • Patent number: 8210432
    Abstract: A method and system for encoding a numeric value by the placement of indicia at fixed sensing locations on a substrate, each indicium chosen from two or more sets of indicia, each set producing different responses in a sensor, and for decoding the numeric value by sensing the presence and character of the indicia with a set of sensors apposed to the fixed sensing locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Pure Imagination, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wallace, Philip Trevor Odom
  • Patent number: 8205798
    Abstract: A card holding apparatus of the present invention includes a seal member 12 that is provided so as to surround the periphery of a contact terminal portion 11. When a lid 3 is positioned in a closed position with a smart card 100 retained by the lid 3, the seal member 12 comes into close contact with the periphery of a terminal 101. Thus, even when foreign matter such as water or dust intrudes into a space between the lid 3 and a housing 1, adhesion of such foreign matter to contact terminals 11a or the terminal 101 can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Fujita, Syuji Yasuoka, Isao Shimada
  • Patent number: 8186591
    Abstract: Certain existing commands, such as USAT/SAT/CAT commands, are modified to allow management of various types of contactless applications to be performed. Such commands are exchanged via a communication bus between a secure element and a contactless function (CLF) module to support a contactless service. The secure element may be a type of smart card and the external device may be an access gateway for transportation, a point-of-sale (PoS) terminal, or some other application for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Jolivet
  • Patent number: 8190206
    Abstract: A SIM card comprising at least a first interface and a second interface different from the first interface is disclosed. In some embodiments, the SIM card is operative to receive data through the first interface, store the received data within the SIM card, and send back the stored data via the second interface. This enables a host operatively coupled with the SIM card to write data to the SIM card via the first interface and to read back the data via the second interface. Furthermore, a technique for extending the SIM EEPROM storage by keeping a portion of the file in flash is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Sandisk IL Ltd.
    Inventors: Menahem Lasser, Eitan Mardiks
  • Patent number: 8191120
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a powerless lockable UFD system and a method for securely protecting information stored and retrieved on UFDs (USB flash drives) that does not require electric power in order to enter a password to the UFD. The system also features an alarm and reset mechanism for clearing entered passwords. Passwords are concealed from the sight of a viewer for further protection. The system can be similarly incorporated into peripheral devices such as hard-disk drives (HDDs), printers, scanners, cameras, and portable memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: SanDisk IL Ltd.
    Inventors: Erez Baum, Donald Rich, Itzhak Pomerantz
  • Patent number: 8186600
    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: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., ltd.
    Inventor: Zang-Hee Cho
  • Publication number: 20120126009
    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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: NAGRAVISION S.A.
    Inventors: Karl OSEN, Ernest Odoom
  • Patent number: 8179264
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag device includes an antenna unit including a dielectric substrate that has two through holes extending from a first surface to a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first conductive layer disposed over the first surface of the dielectric substrate, a second conductive layer unit disposed over the second surface of the dielectric substrate and having opposite second conductive layers spaced apart from each other such that a spacer is formed between the second conductive layers, and two connecting conductors each disposed in a corresponding through hole in the dielectric substrate and interconnecting electrically a corresponding second conductive layer and the first conductive layer. A radio frequency identification module is disposed to span the spacer and is attached to the second conductive layer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: China Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Sung-Lin Chen, Shih-Kang Kuo, Ken-Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 8173008
    Abstract: A method for determining an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes inserting the analyte test strip into a test meter. The insertion is such that an electrical connector pin of the test meter travels along an electrical contact pad of the analyte test strip, and across a meter identification feature disposed on the electrical contact pad, during the insertion. Moreover, during the insertion, a signal processing module of the test meter measures an electrical characteristic via the electrical connector pin as the electrical connector pin travels along the electrical contact pad and across the meter identification feature. The method also includes identifying the analyte test strip, using the signal processing module, based on the electrical characteristic measured as the analyte test strip is inserted into the test meter and, thereafter, applying the bodily fluid sample to the analyte test strip upon notification by the test meter that the identification indicates that such applying is appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: LifeScan, Inc.
    Inventor: Koon-wah Leong
  • Publication number: 20120104096
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a biological measuring device with auto coding capabilities. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the biological measuring device with auto coding capabilities includes a test strip having a substrate and at least a first contact pad and a second contact pad provided on the substrate; and a code reader having at least a first metal pin and a second metal pin to couple to the first contact pad and the second contact pad to obtain coding information associated with the test strip, wherein the code reader is capable of reading the coding information based on a movement of the test strip before the test strip is placed still in relation to the code reader for a proper reading of a sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Cheng-Che Lee, Wen-Hai Tsai, Keng-Hao Chang, Chiu-Chin Yang, Waken Chen, Jih-Hsin Yeh
  • Publication number: 20120097742
    Abstract: A card reader module includes a substrate, an insulating body, a housing, a plurality of pins, and a control chip. The housing covers the insulating body and the substrate. The pins are connected to the substrate near the front side of the housing and fixed on the insulating body. The control chip is disposed within the housing and mounted on the substrate near the rear side of the housing. By the above structure, the size of the card reader module can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: I O INTERCONNECT, LTD.
    Inventor: Gary Kung
  • Patent number: 8162216
    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: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Akihisa Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8157180
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device having multiple communication modes is provided. The integrated circuit device includes a transceiver coupled to first and second data lines. The integrated circuit device further includes a voltage control circuit. The voltage control circuit determines whether or not an external device is connected to the integrated circuit device. In the case where the external device is connected to the integrated circuit device, the voltage control circuit controls the voltage of the first data line so as to cause the external device to not recognize the integrated circuit device for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zang-Hee Cho
  • Patent number: 8141782
    Abstract: A card connector which can interchangeably couple a holographic memory card or an electronic memory card to a card reader and/or writer which can then read and/or write to the coupled holographic memory card or electronic memory card. The card connector comprises: a memory card receiving section which can interchangeably receive the holographic memory card or the electronic memory card; and one or more card positioning members which cooperate with one or more card locating members on the coupled holographic memory card or the coupled electronic memory card to thereby repeatedly position the coupled holographic memory card or the coupled electronic memory card each time the holographic memory card or the electronic memory card is coupled to the card reader and/or writer, and is in a fully inserted card position, so that data can be read from and/or written to the coupled holographic memory card or the coupled electronic memory card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignees: InPhase Technologies, Inc., Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Harris, Hiroshi Kamada, Motofumi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8136730
    Abstract: A storage medium connecting device which enables electrical connection of a card-type storage medium with a substrate via a socket is provided. The storage medium connecting device includes an exterior member having an insertion port for allowing the card-type storage medium to be inserted into the socket; a connection section provided in a vicinity of the insertion port for connecting the socket to the substrate; and a cover member which extends from the insertion port in a direction of inserting the card-type storage medium and covers the connection section, the cover member being provided on the exterior member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Arimoto
  • Patent number: 8127988
    Abstract: A method for transferring a signal between a calculator device having a USB connector and a remote device is described. The method includes: connecting the calculator device with the remote device using the USB connector; transmitting a signal from the remote device to the calculator device using the USB connector; and receiving the transmitted signal from the remote device. A calculator device having a USB connector is described. The calculator device includes a processor for executing one or more instructions, a memory connected with the processor and storing data and instructions for execution by the processor, and a USB connector connected with the processor and connectable to a remote device for transferring a signal between the calculator device and the remote device. The calculator device is responsive to a signal received over the USB connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sasha Lapeira, Maria Pinsky, Jessie Kraemer, Cyrille de Brebisson
  • Publication number: 20120048935
    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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin Mundt, Andrew Thomas Sultenfuss
  • Publication number: 20120043382
    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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: VERIFONE, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel HONG, Spencer Ting, Nang Hui Chan, Eng Joo Yap, Amihay Avital, Ehud Kirmayer
  • Publication number: 20120043383
    Abstract: A system includes an apparatus for identifying an item with inclusion of a contact smart card to store the authenticity information of the item, and a card reader to allow examination of the authenticity being conducted locally and/or remotely. The identifying apparatus further has a locking means and a disabling means. The locking means prevents normal use of the item in a locked position. The disabling means will disable the contact smart card when the locking means is unlocked. The identifying apparatus further has a releasing means to be engaged with the locking means and disabling means. The card reader includes a central operating unit, an interface to the contact smart card, an interface to an external device and an interface to users. The interface to the contact smart card includes an adaptor of contact smart card and a fastening means to secure the identifying apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: JIANMIN LIU
  • Patent number: 8112315
    Abstract: A system and method for a physically-based gift key enabling a purchaser to deliver a single, fully integrated gift item to a recipient and including an electronic greeting card and store credits redeemable online is presented. The method includes the steps of activating a gift key, customizing an electronic greeting card associated with the gift key at a host site via physical or wireless linkage of a gift key to a first local computer, accessing the greeting card at the host site via linkage of the gift key to a second local computer, and redeeming store credit associated with the gift key at a retail website accessible from the host site. The system includes gift key and host computer system directly or indirectly controlling a host site. A local computer automatically launches a website at host or retailer levels when the gift key is linked to the local computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher P. Dooley, Paul S. Nielsen, Loren Taylor
  • Patent number: 8086494
    Abstract: A system and method for a physically-based gift key enabling a purchaser to deliver a single, fully-integrated gift item to a recipient and including an electronic greeting card and store credits redeemable online is presented. The method includes the steps of activating a gift key, customizing an electronic greeting card associated with the gift key at a host site via physical or wireless linkage of a gift key to a first local computer, accessing the greeting card at the host site via linkage of the gift key to a second local computer, and redeeming a store credit associated with the gift key at a retail website accessible from the host site. The system includes a gift key and a host computer system directly or indirectly controlling a host site. The gift key has a housing, an integrated circuit within the housing, and a connector or wireless interface extending from the housing so as to allow linkage of the gift key with a computer remotely located with respect to the host and retailer sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignees: Product Spring, LLC, Taylored Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Dooley, Paul S. Nielsen, Loren Taylor
  • Patent number: 8085544
    Abstract: A data card includes a casing, a circuit board in the casing, a plug electrically connected with the circuit board and a cap part capable of covering the plug; wherein one end of the casing is provided with the plug; a card slot is defined in the casing at a joint of the casing and the plug, and the cap part covers a notch of the card slot when the plug is inserted into the cap part. The invention is mainly used in wireless data signal receiving or transmitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuai Zhao
  • Patent number: 8079519
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a structure for making a security document and/or a document of value, or for making an article secure, the structure comprising at least one electronic device and at least one at least partially fibrous layer having a window arranged to receive the electronic device, at least in part, the method comprising the following steps: placing at least part of the electronic device in the window in the layer; and then depositing a resin in the window so as to encapsulate the electronic device, at least in part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Arjowiggins Security
    Inventors: Paolo Pepori, Pierre Doublet
  • Patent number: 8079530
    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: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Michael E. McCallum
  • Patent number: 8070068
    Abstract: A transaction product includes a lens, a slide, an actuating mechanism, a housing and an account identifier. The slide depicts a plurality of scenes, and each of the plurality of scenes is separately depicted on a different portion of the slide. The actuating mechanism is positioned to cause movement of the slide to change which one of the plurality of scenes aligns with and is viewable through the lens at a given time. The housing substantially encloses the lens, the slide and the actuating mechanism. The account identifier is coupled with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal such that value can be added to or deducted from the account using the account identifier. Other product, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted C. Halbur, Adam W. Reynolds, Jessica M. Trebrake, Timothy P. Clegg, Primoz Samardzija
  • Patent number: 8065025
    Abstract: A configuration tool for configuring a frequency converter includes an interface with connector poles for connecting the configuration tool to the frequency converter and feeding configuration data from the configuration tool to the frequency converter. To facilitate the configuration of an unelectrified frequency converter, the configuration tool includes a battery or an electromagnetic field generator for conveying the energy required for electrifying at least the memory of the frequency converter to the frequency converter during the configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventor: Panu Virolainen
  • Patent number: 8061608
    Abstract: A card reader includes a hollow base provided with a USB standard metal casing at one side, and an electric module mounted in the USB standard metal casing and the hollow base and defining with the USB standard metal casing an electronic card receiving space for accommodating an electric card such that the accommodated electronic card is insertable with the USB standard metal casing into a USB port of an electronic apparatus for two-way data transfer (reading or storing) between the electronic card and the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Chant Sincere Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shih-Hung Liao, Chen-An Wu, Yu-Chien Chueh, Wu-Hsiung Chen
  • Patent number: 8061609
    Abstract: A space-efficient card reader for various electronic devices includes a plurality of adjacent, spaced-apart electrical connector pins extending outwardly from a portion of a printed circuit board (PCB) in an electronic device. A cover is configured to overlie the PCB portion, and includes a plurality of adjacent, spaced-apart apertures formed therein. Each aperture is configured to receive a respective one of the connector pins therethrough when the cover is in a secured position overlying the PCB portion. A receptacle is secured to an outer surface of the cover, and is configured to removably receive a card therein such that electrical contacts on the card make contact with the connector pins extending through the apertures in the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Gustav Fagrenius, Henrik Fristedt, Göran Schack
  • Patent number: 8052055
    Abstract: Methods and systems of the present invention employ perturbation techniques for configuring RFID-tag-reader networks in order to achieve increased overall efficiency of a network of RFID-tag readers. According to described embodiments of the present invention, individual RFID-tag readers within a multi-RFID-tag-reader network may be removed or shut down, or RFID-tag readers may be displaced relative to one another, in order to remove interferences between RFID-tag readers and to increase the interrogation efficiency of the multi-RFID-tag-reader network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Vinay Deoalikar, John Recker, Malena Mesarina, Salil Pradhan
  • Patent number: 8047437
    Abstract: A card access apparatus is provided that is adapted to be connected to plural types of cards, the apparatus including plural connection points adapted for the respective types of cards, and plural signal buses that connect the connection points to a card control unit. When one type of card is connected to its corresponding connection point, at least one signal bus connected to a connection point adapted for at least one other type of card is electrically isolated from its corresponding connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keitaro Ado
  • Publication number: 20110259957
    Abstract: The present utility provides a Debit and Credit card transaction device, wherein it comprises a microprocessor or micro-controller (MCU), a magnetic stripe card reader or a smart card reader and a power regeneration circuit, wherein the microprocessor connects with the magnetic stripe card reader or smart card reader, the power regeneration circuit and the microphone input of the communication device, wherein the power regeneration circuit connects with the microprocessor, magnetic stripe card reader or smart card reader and the headphone output of the communication device. The present utility presents a Debit and Credit transaction device which can be used in conjunction with a communication device. It is a low cost device which can carry out secure debit, PIN debit and credit transactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: BBPOS LIMITED
    Inventor: HWAI SIAN TSAI
  • Patent number: 8042744
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag including a substrate, an RFID chip, a chip contact part, a folding circuit and a radiation part is provided. The chip contact part is formed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the RFID chip. The folding circuit is formed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the chip contact part. The folding circuit has a winding part, which forms a hollow region, for compensating the antenna electric length. The radiation part is formed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the folding circuit, wherein one terminal of the winding part of the folding circuit is open, and the other terminal is electrically coupled to the radiation part. At least one of the folding circuit and the radiation part is asymmetric to the chip contact part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jiun-Jang Yu, Hsin-Hsien Yeh, Hong-Ching Lin, Chiung-Hsiung Chen
  • Publication number: 20110253789
    Abstract: The invention relates to an identification system, comprising an information carrier or a group of such information carriers, which allow a clear association of information. The invention further relates to the use of said information carriers, and to a device for reading said information carriers, wherein the information carriers are associated with a random action of a data processing system by way of the structured information layer thereof or can trigger such action. The invention furthermore relates to information carriers for access control systems, payment systems, ticket systems, and marketing application. According to the invention, overlaps of the information layer can be provided by applying additional layers, which achieve several advantages according to the invention, such as optically rendering the information layer unrecognizable, and resulting increased safety of the information carrier against manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Jan Thiele, Sascha Voigt, Andre Kreutzer, Matthias Foerster
  • Publication number: 20110253788
    Abstract: The present invention detects the current flowing through the contacts of the smart card reader due to the presence of a “shim”. Small value resistors are connected in series with either the Power connection or the Ground connection, or both. Values are typically 47 milliohms to 100 milliohms. The use of such small values ensures that little voltage is dropped across the resistors and that the card is therefore adequately powered. With no card present, the current through these resistors should be zero and therefore the voltage across the resistors will also be zero. Amplifier circuits are employed to monitor and amplify the voltage across the resistors and in the “PayPod” design the amplifier outputs are connected to analogue to digital inputs on the microprocessor. Where the microprocessor (or other processing electronics) used has no analogue to digital inputs, separate analogue to digital circuits may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew Campbell, Brian Docherty, James Churchman, Kevin Maidment, Nick McGarvey
  • Patent number: 8033466
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a cabinet on whose end surface is formed a slot for insertion of a card; a card access unit that has a terminal that contacts an electrode of the card inserted from the slot. The card access unit is disposed in a position spaced from the slot, houses part, on a front end side of the insertion direction, of the card, and accesses the card via the terminal. The electronic further includes an electronic part disposed on a shield plate that is placed on the bottom surface, in a position overlapping with the card access unit. The shield plate serves also as a guide plate that guides the card inserted from the slot, to the card access unit in conjunction with the bottom surface of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Ikki Tatsukami, Yoshiaki Tamura
  • Patent number: 8028922
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a card reader into which a card is inserted and which reads out information carried on the card; a power supply unit which supplies power to the card reader; a detection unit which detects the insertion of a card into the card reader and the ejection of a card from the card reader; and a control unit which controls the power supply unit. When the detection unit detects the insertion of a card, the control unit causes the power supply unit to start the supply of power to the card reader, and when the detection unit detects the ejection of the inserted card, the control unit causes the power supply unit to shut off the supply of power to the card reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Iwashima
  • Publication number: 20110226855
    Abstract: A card reader payment terminal including an electronic circuit including at least one printed circuit board, to which are connected electronic components, including a microcontroller designed to control different peripherals, where the microcontroller is connected to an associated microprocessor, where the card reader payment terminal is configured to receive a smart card comprising the associated microprocessor, where the associated microprocessor comprises a connector compatible with the standardized connector of smart cards for connection with the microcontroller, where the microcontroller and the associated microprocessor operate in parallel for executing a task, and where the associated microprocessor is adapted to calculate a security operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: GEMALTO SA
    Inventor: Dominique Quesselaire
  • Patent number: 8020775
    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. Such a magnetic emulator may comprise non-magnetostrictive material such that the magnetic emulator may be fabricated in a wide variety of fabrication processes. Additionally, magnets may be added to amplify the signal of a magnetic emulator. In doing so, a magnetic emulator may provide a large amount of signal while consuming a reduced amount of electrical energy when compared to a magnetic emulator that does not include the presence of one or more magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey David Mullen, David Lambeth, Bruce Cloutier
  • Patent number: 8011577
    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: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey David Mullen, David Lambeth, Bruce Cloutier
  • Patent number: 8011590
    Abstract: A portable communication device for at least mono-directional communication with a terminal is disclosed. The portable communication device includes a micro-module including a chip that has an antenna allowing the micro-module to communicate with the terminal when the antenna is placed in the immediate vicinity of the terminal. The portable device further includes a reader receiving the removable micro-module, and the antenna is held by the reader such that the micro-module is removable relative to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Gemalto SA
    Inventor: Joseph Jerome Leibenguth
  • Publication number: 20110204136
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrical device activated by conductive ink patterns applied to an activation strip which includes a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in an array adjacent to each other. Also included is reader circuitry connected to said plurality of electrical contacts and a housing arranged to contain said reader circuitry and to locate the plurality of electrical contacts. The invention is arranged so that the housing locates the plurality of contacts to facilitate movement of an activation strip relative to the contacts with the contacts touching the activation strip and the contacts arrayed across the width of the activation strip. The provision of an activation strip is also within the scope of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: CREATA (USA) INC.
    Inventor: Timothy Harry Bush
  • Patent number: 8005426
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for controlling a mobile terminal device is provided, wherein said device comprises a smartcard module and a near field communication module. In a first operation a smartcard operation on said mobile terminal device is started which results in an activation or switching on of said smartcard module. The smartcard application may be started by a user or based on the location of said mobile terminal device. That is the case for instance if the mobile terminal device is located in the area of a point of sales terminal, the smartcard application will automatically starts. Further, time controlled starting of certain applications is conceivable. Then it may be determined if said started smartcard application is an application for performing data transactions with external entities and in case of an affirmative determination a connection between said smartcard module and said NFC-module will be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Heikki Huomo, Olli Immonen, Mia Lahteenmaki, Kimmo Ramo
  • Patent number: 7988048
    Abstract: A control chip of a card reader providing at least one card detection pin for detecting memory cards connected to corresponding read/write interfaces. The card detection pin is for the prevention of mutual interference caused by the memory cards connected with shared pins of the control chip. The card detection pin of the memory card may be used for the detection of another memory card being inserted into or pulled out from a read/write interface when the control chip of the card reader is accessing a memory card. An interference-acknowledgement signal is generated for the prevention or correction of accessing errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Zhong Jin, Chih-Ching Chien, Li-Cong Hou