CH685166A5 - A portable storage device. - Google Patents

Description

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CH 685 166 A5

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description

Technical field

The invention relates to a portable storage device with a storage unit for storing digital data, which is housed in a dimensionally stable housing and has a data port for entering and reading out the digital data.

State of the art

Cards with magnetic stripes, electronic memory circuits (chip cards) and even with integrated processors (so-called smart cards) are generally known today and are preferably used in cashless payment transactions. They are very flat and, due to their dimensions, can be carried comfortably in your wallet.

Access control is also a known application of memory cards. Accordingly, access is only granted if the card contains a predefined stored code. Additional security can result from the fact that the owner has to enter a personal secret code (PIN) into the door opening system.

The known memory cards have the advantage that they are handy and yet not too small; however, these advantages are lost as soon as you have to carry several cards around with you. In order to facilitate the overview of the available cards, special cases are available in which the individual cards e.g. can be inserted in transparencies and are put together to form a small booklet. Of course, the cards have to be removed for use, which is sometimes quite cumbersome.

In principle, it is advantageous if such electronic data storage devices require little space and can always be carried by the user. If they are too small, they are not only easier to lose, but are generally more difficult to handle.

An identification means is known from EP-0 261 618 B1, which can be hung on a keychain in order to be available at any time. The storage device has a flat body, suitably made of plastic, with a narrower part with a trapezoidal cross section and a wider part serving as a handle. The handle protrudes on the front wall of the machine when the identification means is inserted into the machine in the predetermined position. At the front end of the narrower part there are sockets, which run in the longitudinal direction of the mentioned part and which are contacted by corresponding contacts of the machine for reading out the data (plug). In order to prevent the identification means from being pulled out of the machine prematurely, a transverse channel is provided on the narrow front part of the housing, into which a locking member can engage.

The known storage device proves to be unwieldy in practice.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is now to provide a portable storage device of the type mentioned which is practical, handy, robust and space-saving.

According to the invention, the solution is that the storage device corresponds in shape and dimension to a conventional key for a cylinder lock, so that the storage device can be carried comfortably on a keychain. This results in optimal manageability, a space-saving storage option for a plurality of storage devices and the availability at all times.

The storage device is preferably less than 4 mm overall, in particular at most 3 mm thick. The thickness over all is for a conventional key which is particularly preferred and suitable as a pattern, e.g. about 2.5 mm. The smaller the thickness of the storage device, the better it can be carried on the keychain. If the thickness is too small, it should be difficult to ensure the desired housing stability.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the housing forms a particularly circular handle, a beard that is narrow in relation to the handle, and two insertion boundaries arranged symmetrically between the handle and beard. (With a conventional key, a beard is understood to mean the part of the key that moves the lock.) This corresponds to the most widespread form of a key for a cylinder lock. It has proven itself extremely well in everyday use. Of course, modifications are also possible (different handle, e.g. triangular, different insertion limits, other geometrical dimensions, etc.).

The data port is advantageous e.g. in the form of contact points on a flat side of the beard. Openings are preferably provided in the housing, behind which electrical contacts are provided. Like the pins of a cylinder lock, contact pins can penetrate the openings in the housing.

In this way, e.g. Provide 32 contact connections. With a suitable choice of beard length, more or fewer contacts can be accommodated. The contacts may be attached only on one side, which is easier to implement in terms of design. It is also possible to achieve coding by the selected placement of contact openings. The flat side of the key bit can also be formed without recesses. The contact points are then in one plane with the flat side of the key.

The storage unit is e.g. an electronic memory circuit (EPROM, EEPROM etc.), which is housed in the handle. In the beard itself there are only the contact connections (conductor tracks, contact areas). If only a few contacts5

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connections must be available, the memory circuit may also be placed in the beard itself.

A device for storing and / or storing digital data from resp. A storage device of the type mentioned above is characterized by a slot, which is matched to the beard of the key-like housing, for inserting the storage device and a data exchange interface which interacts with the data port in the slot.

As an interface e.g. serve a contact pin arrangement. However, contactless transmission of the data is also conceivable. With contactless data transmission there are no problems with dirty contact surfaces.

Contact pins that are movable perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the memory device are particularly preferred. These are inserted into the contact openings when or after the data key according to the invention is inserted. The contact pins can e.g. be pressed into the slot from the side by means of springs. Instead of springs, e.g. a motor can also be used which brings all the contact pins arranged on the same side of the slot onto the contact electrodes at the same time. A contact switch can be used, for example, to determine whether or not the memory key according to the invention is fully inserted into the slot.

The storage device according to the invention is advantageously integrated in an overall system which comprises a large number of personal data keys and input / output devices. The input / output devices can e.g. Connect to a PC or a computer network so that the data stored on the data key can be displayed, processed or stored in a database. Such a system can e.g. be used as a medical information system. The patient carries the data key on his keychain. The family doctor who owns a reader / writer can save important personal medical data on the data key. The pharmacist can read out the medication, another doctor can make important diagnoses and laboratory results etc. In the event of an emergency delivery to the hospital, the hospital doctor can read out the data, which enables optimal patient care. Such an information system can also lead to cost savings, since in some cases unnecessary laboratory tests can be avoided.

However, the data key according to the invention also has other applications, be it in the security area, in cashless payment transactions or elsewhere.

The data key according to the invention can be used in an organization (e.g. in the military) or in a company to store personal data (personal data, training, position, etc.). However, it could also be used in general as a personal key to obtain loans, insurance benefits, rental cars, etc. Due to the particularly large storage capacity, pictures (passport photos, fingerprints etc.) can also be saved. The data key according to the invention could therefore also be used as a passport, identity card, ticket, etc. (identification key).

Further advantageous features and combinations of features of the invention result from the detailed description and the entirety of the claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and in connection with the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 An arrangement e.g. as a medical information system;

2a, b, c a data key according to the invention in side view, front view and top view;

3a, b, c a device for contacting the data key shown in the side view (broad side), the front view and the further side view (narrow side);

Fig. 4 shows the section l-l of Fig. 1 by the beard of the data key.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the drawings.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 shows schematically the overall system. A data key 1 according to the invention, which is yet to be described in detail, can be read by locally separate read / write stations 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 if it is inserted into the respective keyhole 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 of the read / write stations 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 becomes. Each of these read / write stations 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 is e.g. connected to a PC 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 per se known design in terms of data technology.

The operation of the information processing system according to the invention will be explained using an example. The data key 1 is worn on the keychain by the patient. The data key 1 is “loaded” at his family doctor who owns the PC 3.1 and the reading / writing station 2.1. I.e. that e.g. the medication prescribed to the patient in the form of digital codes on the data key 1 resp. be permanently stored in its storage unit.

If the patient now visits another doctor (reading / writing station 2.2, PC 3.2), the latter can read out the relevant data from key 1. For example, he sees which medications, diagnoses etc. the patient has.

Depending on the programming of key 1, this can e.g. can also be used as a recipe. At the pharmacist (reading / writing station 2.3, PC 3.3), the relevant data can be displayed on the screen of PC 3.3.

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The whole system is modular. The different PCs do not need to be able to communicate with each other. Each patient carries the relevant data in a form that can only be read by authorized persons.

The central part of the information system described above, namely the data key 1, will be described in detail below.

2a, b, c show different views of the data key 1. As can be easily seen, the shape and dimensions of the data key do not differ in principle from a conventional metal key for actuating a cylinder lock. It has a circular disc-shaped handle 5 (diameter e.g. 22 mm) with a hole 6 arranged close to the edge (diameter e.g. 7 mm, distance to the edge e.g. 2 mm). The hole 6 allows the data key to be hung on a keychain in a conventional manner. A long (e.g. 27 mm), narrow (e.g. 7 mm) beard 7 is formed on the handle. Between the handle 5 and the beard 7 two laterally projecting, nose-shaped insertion limits 8.1, 8.2 are provided.

The outer shape of the data key 1 is determined by e.g. housing 10 composed of two half-shells (cf. FIG. 4) is formed from plastic or another suitable dimensionally stable material.

On the flat side of the beard 7, several openings 9.1, ..., 9.8 are made in the housing. Contact pins can be pushed through these to establish a data connection between the memory unit accommodated in the data key (e.g. EEPROM) and an externally arranged circuit for reading and changing the memory content.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged section along the line I-1 according to FIG. 2c. In the example according to FIG. 4, openings 9.7, 9.8, 9.9 are provided in the housing 10 on both flat sides of the beard. The openings are preferably conical. Gold contacts 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are arranged on a printed circuit board 11 on the inside immediately behind the openings 9.7, 9.8, 9.9. Conductor paths, not shown, connect the gold contacts 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 to corresponding connections of an integrated electronic memory circuit, which is accommodated in the handle 5. The openings 9.7, 9.8, 9.9 and the gold contacts 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 represent a data port.

In the keyhole of the read / write station there are movable contact pins e.g. 14 arranged, which are in the openings e.g. 9.9 can insert. (It goes without saying that contact pins are provided for all contact areas of the data key.)

With the pointed front end 12 and the sloping side walls of the openings 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, it has the following relationship: According to a preferred embodiment, the pin 14 is pressed into the keyhole (ie the cavity provided for receiving the beard) perpendicularly to the key insertion direction . When the data key is inserted, it is pushed back through the beveled front end 12 and slides into the predetermined opening 9.9 after the key bit has been completely inserted. When the data key is removed, the pin is automatically pushed back through the conical wall of the opening, releasing the electrical contact.

3a-c schematically shows a device for contacting the data key 1 for reading and writing data (data exchange interface). A component 16 has a slit-shaped cavity, which serves as a keyhole 15. The dimensions of the cavity are matched to the beard of the data key 1. The key bit can be inserted with little play. The component 16 is fastened to a rear flat component 19 with screws 20.2, 20.3, 20.6, 20.7. Adjacent to the broad sides of the component 16, a component 17, 18 is arranged on both sides. These are also screwed to component 19 with screws 20.1, 20.5, 20.4, 20.8.

Aligned with the openings 9.1,..., 9.8 (cf. FIG. 2c) provided on the beard 7 of the data key, holes 16 are provided in the components. In each of these there is a contact pin e.g. 21 slidably mounted in its longitudinal axis. A spring 22 presses the contact pin 21 perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the data key 1 into the keyhole 15 or. into the corresponding opening of the key bit. Behind the spring, on the side of component 17 facing away from component 16, are wire connections e.g. 23 provided for each contact pin. The wire connections 23 are in a suitable manner with an electronic circuit for reading and writing data from resp. connected to the storage unit (e.g. an EEPROM).

The components 16, 17, 18, 19 described are located behind a front plate 25 (indicated schematically in FIG. 3a) of the read / write station. In order to facilitate the insertion of the data key 1, a frame 24 which provides a funnel-shaped feed is provided in front of the keyhole 15.

An advantage of the described embodiment is that a large number of connections can be implemented by arranging the contacts on the broad side (instead of on a narrow side) of the beard. Correspondingly, large capacity memory chips can be accommodated in the data key. It is e.g. possible without problems, e.g. 32 contacts, i.e. 16 to be provided on each broad side. The storage capacity of the electronic data memory can be correspondingly large.

In principle, it is also possible to accommodate a plurality of storage units which are separate from one another and each have associated contact connections in the data key 1. Depending on how the contact pins are arranged in the keyhole of the read / write station. which part is present and which is not can be accessed by one or the other storage unit or both. Access to the stored data can be graded depending on the authorization. In the system explained with reference to FIG. 1, the pharmacist could, for example

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only access the medication while the doctor can read and change all the data.

The division of the memory into zones of different access authorization can of course also be implemented in software. For this purpose, in addition to the electronic memory, a small processor could also be accommodated in the data key, which only allows access to the memory content after a security code has been checked.

The data key according to the invention can also have the properties of a conventional cylinder lock key. This results in a double backup. Not only is the correct electrical and software control sufficient, but a mechanical coding must also match. Mechanical coding is the way in which the cylinder of a conventional cylinder lock is deblocked with the correct key. With such a combination solution, e.g. the key is in the lock and e.g. be rotated by 90 ° before electrical contact can take place. The electrical contact can be made via the pins of the cylinder lock itself or via separate contact pins.

Instead of springs which press the contact pins individually onto the gold contacts of the data key, the pins arranged on the same side of the keyhole can also be part of a coherent block which, after the data key has been inserted completely, is moved forward with an electric drive for the purpose of contacting.

Since contact surfaces usually get dirty very quickly, it is advantageous if the contact pins rub something on the contacts before or when contacting the data key in order to achieve a cleaning effect. For this reason, it could be advantageous not to quasi accommodate the contact surfaces, but to arrange them on a flat outer surface of the housing.

In the case of particularly flat data keys, one housing half can serve as a printed circuit board, conductor tracks, contact areas etc. being formed directly on the inside of the housing and the electronic components being soldered using SMD technology. The second half of the housing is welded onto the first. The invention can be implemented with the technology known from the manufacture of super-flat watches without fundamental difficulties.

In principle, contacts can also be provided on the narrow side of the beard or at its tip.

To ensure that signals are only applied to the contact elements arranged in the keyhole only when the data key is fully inserted, e.g. a mechanical contact switch can be arranged at a suitable location, which is actuated by the data key itself.

Instead of contact pins that are lowered vertically onto the gold contacts, e.g. pincer-shaped contact elements can also be provided,

the from the narrow side of the key on the beard resp. the contact surfaces are pushed. This would also create the frictional contact mentioned above.

In summary, it can be stated that the invention has created a robust, small but handy storage device with an extremely wide range of uses and a large potential for storage capacity.

Claims (12)

Claims 1. Portable storage device with a storage unit for storing digital data, which is housed in a dimensionally stable housing and has a data port for inputting and reading out the digital data, characterized in that the said storage device corresponds in shape and dimension to a conventional key for a cylinder lock so that it can be worn on a keychain. 2. Storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a total of at most 4 mm, in particular at most 3 mm thick. 3. Storage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has, in particular, a circular disc-shaped handle (5), a beard (7) which is narrow in comparison to the handle (5) and two laterally arranged between the handle (5) and the beard (7), preferably has symmetrically designed insertion limits (8.1, 8.2). 4. Storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that the data port (9.1 9.9, 13.1, ..., 13.3) is formed on a flat side of the beard (7). 5. Storage device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the data port in the housing (10) openings (9.1, .... 9.9) and behind the openings (9.1, ..., 9.9) arranged electrical contacts (13.1 13.3) includes. 6. Memory device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the memory unit comprises an integrated circuit, in particular an EEPROM, accommodated in the handle (5). 7. Device for storing and / or storing digital data from resp. into a memory device according to claim 1, characterized by a slot (15) matched to the beard (7) of the key-like memory device for inserting the memory device (1) and a data exchange interface (21, 22) effective in the slot. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the data exchange interface comprises contact pins (21) movable perpendicular to the insertion direction of the memory device (1). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the contact pins (21) by means of springs (22) are pressed into the slot from the side. 10. The system is known as an information system, especially for patient-related medical data. 5 10th 15 20th 25th 30th 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 5 G CH 685 166 A5 characterized by several storage devices (1) to be carried by the respective patient on the keychain and several devices for storing and / or storing data. 11. Storage device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the data port comprises means for a contactless transmission of the data. 12. Device according to one of claims 7 to g, characterized in that the data exchange interface comprises means for contactless transmission of data. 5 10th 15 20th 25th 30th 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 6