DE19638314A1 - Digital chip card for chip card telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

The digital chip card has a digital memory chip (22). Cooperating contacts (24) connect to corresponding contacts within the telephone handset (10), upon insertion of the chip card. The card allows the telephone to be switched from a standard telephone operating mode to an alternate operating mode in dependence on the data stored on the chip card and/or within the telehone. A microprocessor control is used for verification of identification criteria provided by the inserted chip card, before automatic selection of a number stored on the chip card.

Description

The invention relates to a digital chip card, in particular for use with a digital smart card phone, the one Read / write device for the chip card comprises.

In DE 40 08 790 C2 a telephone network is included stationary and mobile participants described, in which the stationary participants of conventional networks each an individual subscriber line with the only one Switch are connected. The connection of the Mobile subscribers with the connection point are made via a single subscriber line to which parallel several transceivers are connected, the are assigned to a corresponding number of mobile subscribers. So that the individual assignment of a personal identifier character is created for each subscriber line uses a plug-in card with individual coding, the is plugged into each subscriber set to ent according to the coding of the plug-in card individually mark and identi from the exchange  make it editable. Anyone using the intercom Person is then due to her in any part plug-in card inserted in the relevant Subscriber set available.

In this context, the document further refers DE-PS 38 10 305.

What in particular this plug-in card with individual Coding causes, however, is not in the publication explained in more detail.

Smart cards are also included in an essay entitled "Smart Cards "in" Scientific American ", August 1996, pp. 24-29, described.

The object of the invention is a chip card, in particular for use with a digital smart card telephone according to the to create the type mentioned, in which the chip card ever effects a desired function as required.

This problem is solved in that the chip card with a switch device in operative connection, which inserted valid chip card the normal phone operation (function like a standard telephone) on one of the Normal operation switches operation, whose Function by ge in the phone and / or in the chip card stored data is set.

In this way, an extremely high degree of flexibility achieved for the functioning of such a phone.

According to a further development, a controller is provided especially a microprocessor control, which after reading the validity of the chip card based on Identification criteria checked.  

According to yet another embodiment of the invention a controller is provided which a from the chip card reads out certain keyboard layouts for the phone and can take effect, what the handling of certain Use cases greatly facilitated.

According to yet another embodiment is a controller provided that data from the chip card to be monitored Is able to read out election sequences.

According to yet another embodiment, the keyboard is of the phone with a special key, which with a controller is connected such that when loading make a certain, predetermined election sequence is solved.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention a storage device is provided to store the characters monitor selected election sequence, as well as a Comparator device for comparing the selected cached dialing sequence, as well as by a genera Gate device for a selection stored on the card sequence if the saved dialing sequence matches with the election sequence to be monitored.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention the phone shortcut key generator devices to a predetermined dialing sequence when a key is pressed or generate a key combination. In the case is it is favorable if the predetermined dialing sequence is thereupon it is checked whether the strings to be monitored points and this by another, e.g. B. on the chip card saved sequence replaced, but the other characters unchanged changes.  

According to yet another embodiment, the chip card is combined with a SIM module to enable integration into mobile and to facilitate landline applications.

The chip card can be one with a microprocessor equipped, so-called "active" card (processor card) represent. The chip card can have free EEPROM memory have for certain applications, e.g. B. for speed dialing function. Furthermore, the card can be a card number contain the function of the card as a "calling card" or relieved as a "credit card".

The card can also be placed in a magnetic strip (or in the chip integrated) a credit card function included in Cooperation with a bank or credit card organization a telephone bill or the like directly at the request of the user makes debitable.

The invention is illustrated by means of exemplary embodiments explained, which are shown in the drawings.

It shows:

Fig. 1 shows a smart card phone for an IC card according to the invention of forming in a top view; including an associated smart card;

Fig. 2 in a block diagram the operation of the smart card and the digital smart card phone;

Fig. 3 uses of the smart card, for. B. in a network with integrated smart card phones and other applications; and

Fig. 4. the use of the chip card in connection with a PC (personal computer).

In Fig. 1, a digital smart card phone 10 can be seen in plan view, which may have the shape of a conventional desktop device, for example consisting of a Grundge housing 14 with a handset 12 , keypad 16 and a slot 18 into which a credit card-sized chip card 20 are inserted can, which chip card carries a digital memory chip 22 , as well as suitably arranged electrical contacts 24 , which come into electrical connection with the inserted card with corresponding connection contacts in the phone.

An electrical connection is made to the chip 22 to read out from this corresponding with the aid of functional devices within the card telephone 10 or einzuspeichern data in this IC card through these contacts.

Instead of the read / write device described above can also those with opto-electrical devices be provided, or the reading and enrollment of data using magnetic stripes.

Within the phone, a switching device 26 is seen before, which is shown in Fig. 1 only as a block with the control of the inserted chip card, the phone from normal operation, in which the phone works like a conventional standard phone, on a different from this normal operation Operation can be switched, the function of this operation which differs from the normal function can be determined by either data stored in the telephone or (and) data stored in the chip card.

In FIG. 2, the relationship is explained again in the form of a block circuit diagram in more detail: sub-linking of a shifted chip card with the reader / writer 24, the IC card 20 is read and the chip card content possibly evaluated as to whether it is a for this phone approved chip card. If the chip card is valid, further information can be read from this chip card, or data can be written in according to predetermined process sequences. Under the control of this data a switch device 26 is then actuated, which can control the function of the telephone at 28 in such a way that it either works like a normal telephone or as a telephone that has special properties. For example, the keyboard assignment 30 could be modified such that when certain number keys are pressed, the corresponding number is not selected, for example to output a corresponding number of pulses, but instead of this single number a sequence of numbers (dialing sequence) is triggered. Which sequence of digits is linked here, for example, to a respective key, can be defined in a memory 32 , or else in the memory chip 20 .

The various functions of the telephone can expediently be controlled by a microprocessor, for example by the microprocessor controller 34 which can be seen in FIG. 2. Such a microprocessor control is particularly well suited to checking the data present after the chip card has been read in to determine whether certain identification criteria are met. Likewise, the microprocessor control could ensure that a certain keyboard layout is read out of the chip card, which then becomes valid for the keyboard of the telephone. On the other hand, the microprocessor controller can also monitor the telephone with the aid of a memory 32 or a memory 36 to determine which dialing sequence the user has entered into the keyboard. This entered dialing sequence can then be stored in the buffer, and then this dialing sequence can be implemented with further stored dialing sequences. This makes it possible to filter out certain dialing sequences or parts of dialing sequences and replace them with others, for example if, as a result of the network areas connected to the telephone, he does not need the usual digit sequences, but only modified numerical sequences. This can be the case if the network is switched to another network. A pulse generator 38 can be provided, for example, to generate such modified character strings, as shown in FIG. 2. Such predetermined dialing sequences can also be monitored in the event that dialing sequences are automatically generated by the telephone when a key or a key combination is pressed. If these dialing sequences occur, they may be replaced by other character strings, which are either stored on the chip card or otherwise specified beforehand. Only the strings to be monitored are replaced by the stored sequence, while the remaining characters can be left unchanged.

The arrangement is thereby in the structure and in the way of working extraordinarily simple and yet flexible.

The chip has proven to be particularly advantageous to combine the card with a SIM module because it creates a Switch assembly that is inexpensive to build arises practically all modes of action as described above were realized.

In Fig. 3 is a card phone of FIG. 1 shown in connection with different networks, for example, is a card telephone 10, controlled by a "smart card" 20 via a data link 50 (such as a telephone line) ver with a so-called switching network 52 connected, which is also called "Service Switching Point" (SSP). Further lines 54 lead to this switching matrix, for example to the network of Deutsche Telecom AG ( 56 ), via which other telephone systems 110 can be reached. Via the Deutsche TELECOM, for example, a mobile radio network can then also be reached, for example the mobile radio switching center 60 designated MSC, from which a connection is established to the radio station controller 62 , BSC, which in turn is connected to radio base stations BTS, 64. From these radio base stations BTS, 64 , wireless radio telephones or cell phones 66 can then be addressed. In Fig. 3 are still ver distributed service control points with which the various network areas are interconnected, see the reference numbers 68 , 70th These are then in turn connected to further switching networks 152 , where either further private connections 210 are connected directly, or else via larger telephone systems 72 , for example in a hospital (PABX). These different telephones in turn may be controllable with chip cards.

The chip card phones and their control by the chip card now enable the ver different sequences of digits for the different telephone to generate nets in that normally from the loading digit sequences entered by for the ent speaking networks replaced the required sequences of digits will. The operator therefore does not have to ver know different sequences of digits that the individual networks for need their function, but practically chooses only that Previously usual digits for them, whereby the modification to the necessary sequence of digits is done by the chip card.  

FIG. 3 also shows the possibility of using the “intelligent” card 20 in an ATM 76 in a manner known per se, or as access control 78 in areas into which only certain persons authorized by the card are to have access. Also shown is the possibility of linking the card 20 to a petrol pump 74 for fuel or the like, in order, for. B. refuel a certain amount of fuel and automate the associated billing process
The advantage of the new card is that all these different functions are implemented in one card. The previously common variety of cards - a separate card for each function - and the associated need to carry around a large number of such cards with each other are thus eliminated.

According to FIG. 4, the chip card 20 can also be used in conjunction with a personal computer 80 to z. B. Access to so-called on-line services 82 . By means of a chip card 20 that can be inserted into the computer 80 , the online service could be enabled to automatically identify the user identified by the chip card, for which purpose a SIM on the card is used. Alternatively or additionally, the operator can be authenticated by a password or a PIN (personal identification number). Billing and payment of the services used by the user of the online service (eg "CompuServe") could then be carried out using the chip card, which could either work as a "credit card" or as proof of an already paid Amount.

Claims (12)

1. Digital chip card, in particular for use for a digital chip card telephone ( 10 ) which comprises a read / write device ( 24 ) for the chip card ( 20 ), characterized in that the chip card comes into operative connection with a switch device ( 24 ), which, when a valid chip card ( 20 ) is inserted, switches the telephone ( 10 ) from normal operation (function like a standard telephone) to an operation which differs from normal operation, the function of which is determined by data stored in the telephone ( 10 ) and / or in the chip card ( 20 ) is. 2. Digital chip card according to claim 1, characterized by a (microprocessor) control which, after reading the chip card ( 20 ), checks its validity on the basis of identification criteria. 3. Digital chip card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized marked by a controller ( 34 ) from the chip card ( 20 ) reads a certain keyboard layout ( 30 ) for the phone ( 10 ) and can be effective. 4. Digital chip card according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a controller is provided which is able to read out data from the chip card ( 20 ) for election sequences to be monitored. 5. Digital chip card according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the keyboard ( 16 ) of the phone ( 10 ) comprises a special key which is connected to a controller such that when it is actuated, a certain, predetermined dialing sequence is triggered becomes. 6. Digital chip card according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a storage device ( 32 ) for storing the characters of a selected election sequence to be monitored, and a comparator device for comparing the selected, cached dialing sequence, and by a generator device for one on the card Stored dialing sequence if the stored dialing sequence matches the dialing sequence to be monitored. 7. Digital chip card according to one of claims 1 to 6, the phone being short code key generator means has, for generating a predetermined dialing sequence when pressing a key or a key combination nation, characterized in that the predetermined Election sequence is then checked to see if it is about has awake strings and these by a other, e.g. B. sequence stored on the chip card replaced, but leaves the other characters unchanged.   8. Digital chip card according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the chip card with a SIM module is combined to integrate into mobile and to facilitate landline applications. 9. Digital chip card according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the chip card with a Microprocessor-designed "active" card (processor map). 10. Digital chip card according to claim 9, characterized records that the card has free EEPROM memory for certain applications (e.g. speed dial function). 11. Digital chip card according to claim 9, characterized records that the card contains a card number that the function as a calling card and credit card relieved. 12. Digital chip card according to claim 9, characterized records that in a magnetic stripe (or in the chip integrated) a credit card function is included, in collaboration with a bank or credit cards organization of a telephone bill or the like on request makes direct debits.