Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
  • G06K19/04—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the shape

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for transferring information between said device and an associated reader, comprising an electronic circuit formed at least by a memory and a sensor for transferring information.
• Cards of this kind generally have an electronic chip connected by conductive tracks to contacts which allow an appropriate reader to transfer information between the card and a server. Due to the way of transferring the information and to avoid fraud, the credit and / or access cards are large enough so that the information can be read inside the reader without the contacts being accessible from outside of it.
• contactless information transfer devices In recent years, there have also been contactless information transfer devices. These devices emit an electromagnetic wave or other optoelectronic signal containing information which is received and decoded by an appropriate reader. These devices are generally the size of a credit card.
• EP-A-0 971 332 describes an information transfer device which partly solves this problem. This device is produced in the form of a bracelet which can be attached to an arm of a user or to the leg of an animal for example.
• this device has several drawbacks. First of all, it is unsightly and not very discreet, which limits its use. Then, it is not realistic to imagine wearing as many bracelets as you wear credit or access cards. Consequently, this device can only be used in very specific applications in which the aesthetic and practical questions are secondary to the advantages provided by the invention. In addition, replacing the electronic part or updating it consists in replacing the entire device, which generates a waste of material.
• the present invention proposes to overcome the drawbacks of the devices of the prior art by providing a small, discrete information transfer device which can be worn freely in different ways.
• a single device can be used for many different purposes and use different communication standards, which reduces the number of devices to be transported.
• a device as defined in the preamble and characterized in that it comprises a housing provided with a housing in which the electronic circuit is placed.
• the housing comprises means for fixing to a support.
• the sensor can be an antenna, an electronic detector or an optical detector.
• the housing is advantageously formed of an envelope and a cover.
• the fixing means comprise a rod cooperating with a recess of a fixing element.
• the envelope may have substantially the shape of a spherical cap.
• the transfer device can form an earring, a clasp or a button of clothing.
• the memory can contain at least one of the following information: identification code, access code, start-up code, positioning code, available amount, alpha-numeric file, image file, personal data.
• the memory is programmable by a user.
• the device of the invention comprises at least one contact accessible from outside the housing and connected to said electronic circuit.
• the envelope preferably has a polygonal base.
• FIG. 3 to 5 show variants of devices according to the invention, with a fixing element associated therewith.
• FIG. 11 illustrates a particular embodiment in which the device is used as a backup device
• FIG. 12 and 13 illustrate two particular embodiments of the invention, in which it is associated with a garment
• FIG. 14 is a top view of a particular application of the invention.
• Figure 15 is a sectional view of the application of Figure 14.
• the device 10 for transferring information is formed essentially of an electronic circuit 11 and of a housing 12.
• the housing is generally formed of two parts, namely an envelope 13 and a cover 14. These two parts define a housing 15 in which is placed the electronic circuit 11.
• the cover 14 can be made integral with the casing 13 by screwing, gluing, welding or by mechanical pinching. This fixation may be final. However, depending on the applications, it may be desirable to be able to remove the cover in order to access the electronic circuit.
• the electronic circuit 11 essentially comprises a printed circuit board 16 on which is placed at least one microprocessor 17 and at least one memory 18.
• the circuit includes a microprocessor and a memory.
• the operation of the device is however identical if it comprises several microprocessors and several memories.
• the memory can contain different information depending on the application. This information can be an identification code, a sum of money available for banking operations, for the payment of transport, for access to a place, access data or a product or service reference for example. .
• the microprocessor 17 is arranged to process the information contained in the memory 18 and to manage the transmission of information between the device of the invention and a reader which is associated with it.
• the electronic circuit 11 also includes a sensor arranged to detect signals containing information.
• This sensor can be an antenna 19 formed of several turns of conductive wire and arranged to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves containing the information to be processed.
• the sensor can also be formed by one or more electronic and / or optical detectors depending on the type of signal containing the information.
• the electronic circuit 11 can also include a power supply 20, for example in the form of a battery.
• a power supply is not essential since it is possible to supply energy to the components from outside the device. This energy transfer can be made without contact, by induction. It can also be achieved by means of contacts accessible from outside the housing.
• the housing 12 according to the invention may include a fixing element 21 cooperating with a closing element 22.
• the fixing and closing elements have complementary shapes so that these two elements can be held together by pinching for example.
• the shapes can be such that the two elements can be assembled and separated from each other, as illustrated by Figures 3 and 4 in particular.
• These elements 21, 22 can also be assembled in such a way that they can no longer be separated without destroying them, as illustrated by FIG. 5.
• the choice of the assembly mode depends on the application.
• the device can also be fixed by gluing or slipped into a housing of a garment for example.
• FIG. 6 illustrates an application in which the device 10 can be attached to a support and be detached from it.
• This support can be a bracelet, a watch strap or the like.
• This embodiment allows the device to be used as a clasp, which makes it possible to wear it discreetly and without hindrance.
• the device may contain personal information relating to the user. This information can be that generally contained on a bank, identity or access card. The information may also contain an access code to a building, a vehicle, an appliance or a facility, emergency medical indications such as a blood group or allergy to a given medicine, information relating to a medical treatment or any other information that may be useful.
• the device can be used as a clasp for a bracelet, a shirt, a uniform or a dress in general, a bag or any other object linked to the user.
• the device can also be applied to a wristwatch bracelet with or without a fixing strap.
• FIG. 7 describes an embodiment in which the device 10 is closed permanently. It is used to tie together for example a bundle of leaves constituting a folder.
• the device may contain various information relating to the file, such as an identification code, a summary of the content or any other useful information which can be stored in the memory.
• the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 is similar to that of FIG. 7.
• the device is associated with a packaging which can be an archive box, a postal parcel or any other container or packaging.
• the device information can be an identification code replacing a bar code, a code linked to a recipient or any other relevant information concerning in particular the container and / or its products.
• FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate two modes of operation of the device of the invention.
• the device 10 is used in the form of an earring, although any other shape would also be suitable.
• the information contained in the device can be read by an appropriate reader 23 which can in particular be a portable telephone or a reader associated with a portable telephone. This information can be transmitted by the telephone to a network such as a network 24 linked to a bank.
• FIG. 10 represents an interactive guiding device. This can be used for example in a museum or during exhibitions or fairs in which terminals 25 are installed.
• the transmission device according to the invention contains a code entered by the user corresponding for example to a place in the museum or a specific event that he wishes to visit.
• a display 26 can indicate, depending on the code and the data entered by the user, what is the path to follow to reach the chosen location.
• This application can also be combined with the management of access control to an event or to a means of transport ticket for example.
• FIG. 11 describes an embodiment in which the device 10 according to the invention can be used as a distress button.
• the device 10 comprises an envelope 13 similar to the envelope described in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, and a second part 22 'linked elastically to the first part.
• the elastic connection between the two parts can be achieved for example by means of an elastic washer 27.
• Figures 12 and 13 illustrate two embodiments in which the device 10 is associated with a piece of clothing.
• the device is fixed to a cap 28.
• the device is fixed to a zipper 29. It is quite clear that this same device can be associated with any type of dress or uniform.
• Figures 14 and 15 describe an embodiment in which the device 10 according to the invention is associated with a card 30 of the existing credit card type. As illustrated in particular in FIG. 15, the device is fixed to the card 30 by means of a counter piece 31 which keeps the element in place. This device makes it possible to add additional functions to an existing card.
• the device can be fixed on all kinds of support or be introduced into a piece of clothing, definitively or detachably, in particular in a lining, in place of a button, in a closure with slide. It can also be attached to a blank or existing card in order to add functions to this card.
• the device may contain a pusher which, for example, triggers a distress signal.
• the envelope has the shape of a spherical cap. It is clear that other forms can be envisaged depending on the application.
• the base of the envelope may in particular have a square, triangular, oval or polyhedral shape.
• the section of the envelope is generally similar to an arc of a circle, but other curves are of course conceivable.
• the information contained in the device can be permanently written or modified using an appropriate reader.
• the device can interact with payment systems, in particular location guidance. They can be used by humans for some applications and by animals for others.
• the device can easily contain the equivalent of several credit cards and / or access cards, which avoids having to transport a large quantity. It is possible, when purchasing a new credit card, to charge the device according to the invention with the content of this new card. Thus, when the device is read by an appropriate reader, it is possible to select the service provision used from those available on the device of the invention. This has the advantage of being able to personalize the device since each user can choose the services with which he works.
• the device can also be made so as to be compatible with several reading standards, which gives great flexibility of use. This can be achieved by having several independent circuits in the device.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=25738912

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (5)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2001
  • 2001-06-05 WO PCT/CH2001/000346 patent/WO2001095250A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-06-05 EP EP01933530A patent/EP1299853A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-06-05 AU AU2001260007A patent/AU2001260007A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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