EP1902405A1

EP1902405A1 - Method for producing an electronic object comprising a data transfer stage and the obtained object

Info

Publication number: EP1902405A1
Application number: EP06777350A
Authority: EP
Inventors: François MOUTEL; Thierry Karlisch; Pierre-André COLLET
Original assignee: Gemplus SCA
Current assignee: Thales DIS France SA
Priority date: 2005-06-20
Filing date: 2006-06-16
Publication date: 2008-03-26
Also published as: US20090203262A1; FR2887357A1; WO2006136535A1; CN101243457B; CN101243457A; US20110281466A1; US7975375B2; US8439261B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a portable electronic object comprising contact pads arranged on a plane and a thickness which differs from the thickness of a standard smartcard. Said method consisting in electrically connecting the object to the data transfer station connectors is characterised in that it consists in delivering a data transfer station (10) comprising an electric probe connector (11) and in submitting the object to the data transfer station in such a way that the contact pads thereof are accessible to the electric probes in a direction perpendicular to the plane. The object obtainable by the inventive method, in particular the UBS key or a PCMCIA card or reader are also disclosed.

Description

Method of manufacturing an electronic object comprising a data transfer step and object obtained

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a portable electronic object having contact pads and having a thickness different from that of a standardized smart card and the objects obtained.

More particularly, the method relates to a step of personalization and / or electrical initialization of the object or electrical transfer of data.

It finds application more preference in the manufacture of personalized keys of the USB key type, but can be applied to other objects of various thicknesses having electrical contacts, such as memory cards, including the type MMC (multimedia card) , SD, reader or PCMCIA type card.

The USB sticks are intended to be connected to a USB peripheral port (named after the Universal Serial Bus Standard in English) of a telecommunications device such as a personal computer. In general, a USB key has a portion entering the port of the device and a portion remaining outside the port for manipulation. The key usually has a metal ring surrounding the contacts.

The field of use is as vast as that of smart cards and / or card readers (Data security, Internet access, Identification, e-commerce, online payment, cryptography ... etc.) The application PCT / FR 02/03247 describes a method of manufacturing a USB dongle, in which a module is cut with contact pads compatible with the USB format, from a smart card, and then adjusted. thickness, at least at the level of the contact pads, so as to have a thickness in accordance with the USB standard. There is no mention of personalization and / or electrical initialization after the key has a thickness greater than that of a smart card.

Electrical customization and / or initialization of USB sticks is performed by manual insertion into a suitable connector. These are operations that consist in charging via electrical contacts data in a memory of the object that may be necessary for its operation (data, program, encryption key). In other cases, the operation may also include pre-loading media type data.

It may also consist of an electrical or electronic test operation of a circuit of the object, with or without an electronic memory.

These operations will subsequently be considered feasible using a data transfer station.

The invention aims to solve these disadvantages. Its main purpose is to enable data transfer (test, initialization, electrical customization, charging ...), by electrical contact on a portable electronic object at high speeds and automatically.

It also aims to facilitate manufacturing operations of these objects. For this purpose, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electronic portable object, said method comprising the following steps:

providing an object having contact pads in a plane,

providing a data transfer station having at least one connector with electrical probes and having means for automatically gripping the object,

- automatic electrical connection of the contact pads of the object to the connector of the data transfer station,

presenting the object at the data transfer station so that the contact areas of the object are accessible directly by the electrical probes of the connector in a direction perpendicular to the plane;

The method is distinguished in that the object has a thickness distinct from that of a standardized smart card, and in that said automatic gripping means of the object are able to accommodate a thickness of the object distinct from that of a standardized smart card.

According to one embodiment, the object is provisionally fixed on a support body by means of fixing means.

Thus, thanks to the invention, it is possible to customize and manufacture electronic products having thicknesses that are totally different from a chip card by means of a card support whose surface is preferably substantially equal to that of a card to a card. chip so as to use the existing machine park. According to a particular mode of implementation:

the method comprises a preliminary step according to which the object is configured so as to open the electrical contacts at the surface through at least one window formed on one face of the object;

Thus, it is still possible to use the smart card machine park for electronic objects a priori not designed for this purpose, for example because it has a thicker original than a smart card and / or differently accessible connectors.

According to other modes of implementation:

the card body is in ISO format of the smart cards;

- The object is selected from a USB key, an MMC card, a mass memory card, any card having surface electrical contacts and a thickness greater than 1 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the object is a USB key comprising a gripping body and a connector extending in the extension of the body, said connector having a ring surrounding linear contact pads.

It is distinguished in that windows are dimensioned in the ring so as to achieve electrical customization and / or initialization through said openings of said ring.

According to other modes of implementation:

the ring comprises at least one contact access window extending transversely across all the contacts;

the fixing means comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive fixed to the support card body; the fixing means comprise connecting straps to the card body having a predetermined line of rupture;

the object is attached to the shoulder straps so as to be completely positioned above the general plane of the map plane;

an initial part of the object is fixed on the card body and a manufacturing operation is carried out while it remains attached to the card body, said operation being chosen from an assembly operation of the complementary parts of the object at the initial part, graphic printing, packaging;

the initial part of the object is made at the same time as the card body by injection molding and the complementary parts are assembled, the initial part being extractable from the card body;

the initial part can be extracted from the card body by breaking a predetermined line of rupture around the object;

the initial part is chosen from a lower shell, an upper shell, an integrated circuit support body and / or an integrated circuit module.

The invention also relates to the product resulting from the above process.

In particular, it relates to a portable electronic memory object having contact pads, said object being fixed using temporary fixing means on a support card and having contact pads accessible in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the body of the body. map.

The object is distinguished in that it has a thickness greater or less than that of the support card.

According to one embodiment, the object is configured in such a way as to open all the electrical contacts on the surface through at least one window on one side of the object. At the very least, it is the contact areas necessary for a data transfer that must emerge.

According to a particular embodiment, the invention relates to an electronic portable object having at least one face and contact pads, tracks or main electrical connectors arranged under this face, said object having a so-called main opening so as to make the tracks accessible. contact or main connectors through this opening in a direction (J), characterized in that it comprises at least one window formed in said face so as to make accessible the main contact pads, tracks or electrical connectors useful for a transfer electric through the window and according to the direction different from the direction (J).

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates a connector of a terminal for receiving a USB key;

- Figure 2 illustrates a partial top view of a USB key showing a metal ring;

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevational view of the personalization and / or electrical initialization step schematizing the electrical probes;

- Figures 4, 4a respectively illustrate an elevational view of a ring and partial top view of a USB key showing a metal ring according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figures 5, 5a respectively illustrate an elevational view and partial top view of a USB key showing a metal ring according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a key obtained by the assembly of FIG. 7;

- Figure 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the components of a key according to the invention being assembled according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a display of keys obtained according to the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an object of the PCMCIA type configured according to one embodiment of the invention.

The manufacturing method according to the invention is concerned with portable electronic memory objects which have contact areas and which have a thickness distinct from that of a standardized smart card; In particular, according to ISO 7816 the thickness is equal to about 0.76 mm.

Preferably, the thickness of these objects is clearly greater than 0.66 mm, for example 1 mm and in particular, of the order of 3-7 mm for a USB key; However, the invention does not exclude much thinner objects at 0.76 mm, for example less than 0.4 mm, as long as there is a significant difference, for example, more than 0.5 mm with a standard thickness of smart card body at 0.76 mm.

The modules (dielectric associated with contact pads connected to a chip coated with resin) intended to be permanently inserted into a card body cavity are excluded; indeed, the modules to be wired in particular by permanent-effect adhesive are not clean electronic entities used independently of a card body. The object can be chosen from a USB key, an MMC card, a mass memory card, any card having electrical contacts surface and a thickness as above.

We know the customization of electronic memory object such as mini-SIM smart cards which are detached from the card body once electrically personalized but the problem arises for objects which have different thicknesses and which are generally produced by elsewhere according to various methods separate from those for obtaining smart cards.

According to the invention, the method comprises a step of personalization and / or electrical initialization of the object and / or data transfer.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, this step consists in the prior art, in particular for a USB key 1, to connect the key to a connector 3 of a terminal / personalization station. This operation is carried out manually and then any kind of data, program or secret keys or other are introduced into the object via this interface by the connectors 4.

The USB key of the prior art comprises a ring 2 surrounding contact pads 12 in extension of a gripping body 2B.

The ring comprises windows 2C to allow a first original function which is to engage the leaf springs 3A, 3C for holding the connector of FIG.

According to a feature of implementation of the invention, the object is first fixed on a support body 6 by means of fixing means and is presented at a personalization and / or initialization station 10, or transfer totally different from the prior art as indicated later.

In the example, in Figure 3, the object is in this case a USB key 5, and the support body 6 is advantageously in the format of a smart card and PVC plastic.

Other sizes or thicknesses may be suitable, and the body may be of another plastic material but may also be of a different material for example cardboard, paper, metal or other.

According to another characteristic, the object is fixed with temporary fixing means (allowing the object to be removed) so as to have its contact pads accessible by a connector with straight probes in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the card body. .

In the example, the key is fixed with three integral pins 7 of the card. They comprise notches 8 cooperating with angles of the gripping body 9 to hold the key on the support body 6.

Advantageously, these pads slightly exceed the total thickness of the key so as to provide a support plane to another card that would be stacked and thus allow stable and regular stacking despite curved shapes of the keys.

Alternatively, the fastening means 7, 8 may comprise a pressure-sensitive adhesive (not shown) attached to the support card body. They may also comprise connecting straps 17 to the card body 6B and have a predetermined line of rupture or pre-tension. cutout 18 all around as explained in a preferred example below.

The fastening means can cooperate with forms of the object to maintain it, for example an angular contour 9A of the gripping body.

According to another characteristic of implementation, the customization and / or initialization 10 is performed using the rectilinear electric probes 11 represented by four arrows in the figure. These probes have a geometric configuration adapted to the configuration of the electrical contact pads of the USB key and they just need to land perpendicularly on the contact pads 12.

The inventors have found that the automatic electrical customization station 10 comprises gripping means, generally used to enter a chip card in ISO format and bring it to different workstations but whose design offers a fairly high tolerance in the computer. thickness of the map. This tolerance is several millimeters, and can currently reach 15 mm. This station can therefore accommodate objects having different thicknesses and shapes by means of such gripping means optionally adjustable or variable input opening.

The card gripper indeed has a gripping mechanism and maintenance comparable to a clothes peg with a fairly large opening. Other mechanisms may be suitable as a jack system that squeezes the object.

The personalization installation comprises means for bringing and positioning the key with its support in the means of gripper gripping that grip and hold the assembly for manipulations between operating positions.

Advantageously, the installation may comprise several gripping means and an electrical transfer station for each gripping means mounted for example in the form of a barrel. Thus, the electrical transfer takes place in masked time during the movement of the object in the production line.

This way of doing things is relatively easy for objects that already have contact surfaces opening to the surface. However, in the case of a USB key with metal ring, the contacts are not all easy to access.

Therefore, the method further comprises an implementation variant in which a preliminary step consists of configuring the object so as to open the electrical contacts at the surface through at least one window formed on one side of the object.

In Figure 4, the relevant face is a metal ring 13 surrounding the linear contact pads of the connector 12 and extending in extension of the gripping body 9 of the key.

Prior to the complete assembly of the key, a ring specific to the implementation of the invention has been created, providing and dimensioning at least one opening or window 14 in the ring 13 so as to allow electrical customization and / or or initialization through said openings. In one example, FIGS. 4 and 4a, a single contact access window 14 extends transversely over all the contacts. It measures for example 9.7 x 2 mm. In another example, FIG. 5, 5a two windows 15 of respective dimensions equal to 3.5 x 2mm are formed in the ring 16 and leave free access to the contact pads.

The windows may be designed to still allow their first original function which is to engage the holding spring blades 3A, 3C of a connector such as that illustrated in FIG.

In FIG. 6, the USB key 5 is fixed to straps 17 themselves connected to the support body 6B so as to be completely positioned above the general plane of the map plane or at least above a lower plane 19 of the support body 6B.

This allows stacking of cards with mutual self-centering.

Referring to Figure 7, we will now describe a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention to obtain the key illustrated in Figure 6.

According to a first step of this mode, an initial portion 20 of the object 5 is fixed on a card body 6B and a manufacturing operation referred to below is carried out while it remains attached to the card body.

These operations may comprise an assembly operation of complementary parts 21, 22 of the object to the initial part, graphic printing 23, packaging. For graphic printing, it is possible to perform in particular ink jet printing. Thus, rather than directly fixing the finite object on the card in particular with fastening means 7 indicated above, an element 20 of the object is fixed which is subsequently completed with the remaining elements 21, 22, 13 .

In the example, it is a lower shell 20 of the key that is attached by straps 17 to a card body.

According to an advantageous step, the initial part of the object is produced at the same time as the card body by injection molding and the complementary parts are assembled, the initial part being extractable from the card body. If necessary, pre-cutting can be performed mechanically, for example punching.

In the example, the initial part is the lower shell of the key but one could consider retaining something else such as the upper shell 22 or a support body 21 of integrated circuit 23 or an integrated circuit module.

Preferably, the initial portion is extractable from the card body by breaking a predetermined line of rupture around the object.

In the example, this line is formed by a recess 18 all around the hull and by thinning straps at the limit of the lower hull. The straps hold the hull to a level located totally above the upper general map plane 24.

The assembly of the key is illustrated by mounting steps in the order of the arrows (A, B, C). In particular, it assembles a lower shell having two essential parts: a concave portion 20 providing a receiving space 25 of a portion 21 of a support and a flat 26 or plate extending the concave portion.

After assembly, the chip support 21 rests totally on the lower shell and the flat part extends completely under a front part of the support comprising the contact pads 12.

The flat part has the function of completing the thickness of the support at the contact pads so as to have a total thickness at this level in accordance with the USB standard.

The chip carrier has a thickness of about 0.76 mm while the USB thickness to be achieved is about 1.95 mm.

The support may comprise on its underside a transverse groove 27a adjacent to the module. It has the function of being housed in a corresponding rib 27b of the housing located at the junction of the two subparts 25/26 of the lower shell and block the support 21 in position.

Other attachment means, removable or not, in particular by gluing, clip, slide known to those skilled in the art to hold the support in place in the shell can complete the shell and / or the support.

The key can be used in this way or with a metal ring 13, if it comes together, to circle the flat surface and the contact pads of the support 21. An upper half-shell 22 is disposed above the support so as to cover a part of the support, in this case the rear part of the support, outside the contact areas and come to fit on the lower shell and come take the chip carrier 21 sandwiched.

The upper half-shell may comprise a shoulder 28 of the width of the metal ring and which extends towards the front of the shell. The shoulder may extend for example to the limit of the contact pads after assembly on the support.The ring or metal ring 13 can then come / circling together the flat, the shoulder, the contacts to ensure a maintenance additional half of the upper and lower half shells.

The upper half-shell can be nested, using any fastening means adapted to the lower half-shell. The assembly of the shells can be done in particular by clipping, gluing, ultrasonic welding, screwing ...

Finally, to complete the key, the front portion of the shell may comprise means for fixing a protective cap.

The card body may comprise an orifice 29 (FIG. 6) making it possible to suspend the keys or objects resulting from the method.

FIG. 8 illustrates displays 30 comprising the object 5 of the invention without any other conditioning than that offered by the support card. If necessary, an additional envelope such as a transparent plastic film is affixed to each face of the key. Thanks to the invention, the same support 6B is used for at least electrical personalization, data transfer and packaging purposes, whereas neither the initial thickness of the card support nor its origin predestined to bring it closer to the an object manufactured elsewhere and having a different thickness.

In FIG. 9, an electronic portable object comprises at least one face 35 and electrical tracks 36 arranged under this face. These electrical tracks can test, initialize, customize, load the electronic circuit of the object.

The tracks may be contact pads or electrical connectors. In the example, these are electrical tracks arranged on a circuit board 37 of the object. In fact, the opening is formed on the passage of the conductors useful for carrying out an electrical transfer.

According to one embodiment, the object comprises a window formed in the face so as to make tracks accessible through this window in a first direction F.

The object may comprise a second so-called main window so as to make accessible the contact pads or connectors 37 through the second window in a direction J different from the first direction F. It is generally via these connectors 37 that are normally made the electrical transfers of data or signals mentioned above.

In the example, the object represents a PCMCIA card 39 seen from below. As, it presents a format substantially equal to that of a Smart card (except the thickness), it does not require a card support to be personalized, tested ....

The object could also have a smart card reader function by having a smart card connector, disposed for example on the face opposite to the face 35.

According to another embodiment, the PCMCIA card could comprise openings or windows 40 arranged on one side in the vicinity of the main connector 37.

In this case, it is the main connectors that are accessible in a different direction F 'and more practical than the direction J for automated customization.

Claims

A method of manufacturing an electronic portable object, said method comprising the following steps:

providing an object having contact pads in a plane,

presentation of the object at the data transfer station so that the contact areas of the object are accessible directly by the electrical probes of the connector in a direction perpendicular to the plane, characterized in that the object has a a thickness distinct from that of a standardized smart card, and in that said automatic gripping means of the object are able to accommodate a thickness of the object distinct from that of a standardized smart card.

2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the object is fixed temporarily on a support body (6B) by means of fixing means.

3. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a prior step according to which the object is configured so as to open the surface of the electrical contacts (12) through at least one window (14,15) arranged on one side of the object.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card body is in ISO format of smart cards (54 mm x 85 mm).

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the object is selected from a USB key, an MMC card, a mass memory card, any card having surface electrical contacts and a thickness. greater than 1 mm.

6. Method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the object is a USB key comprising a gripping body (9) and a connector extending in the extension of the body, said connector having a ring (13) surrounding linear contact areas (12), characterized in that:

at least one window (14, 15) is dimensioned in the ring so as to carry out the data transfer through said window.

7. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ring comprises at least one window (14) for access to contacts extending transversely across all contacts.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temporary fixing means comprise a pressure-sensitive adhesive attached to the support card body.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing means comprise notches (7) with a notch (9A) extending perpendicularly to the surface of the support card body.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening means comprise straps (17) for connection to the support card body having a pre-cut (18) or a predetermined line of rupture.

11. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the object is attached to the shoulder straps so as to be completely positioned above the upper plane (24) of the support card.

12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one fixes an initial portion (20) of the object on the card body (6B) and performs a manufacturing operation while the initial part. remains attached to the card body, said operation being selected from an assembly operation of complementary parts (21, 22, 13) of the object to the initial part, graphic printing, packaging.

13. Process according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the initial part of the object is produced at the same time as the card body by injection molding and the complementary parts (21, 22, 13) are assembled. initial being extractable from the card body.

14. Method according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the initial portion is extractable from the card body by breaking a predetermined line of rupture around the object.

15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the initial portion is selected from a lower shell (20), shell upper (22), integrated circuit support body (21) and / or an integrated circuit module.

16. Electronic portable object comprising contact pads (12) in a plane and accessible in a direction perpendicular to the plane, said object being fixed by means of temporary fastening means (7, 17) on a support card (6B) , characterized in that the object (5) has a thickness greater or less than that of the support card.

17. Object according to claim 16, characterized in that it is configured so as to open the surface of all the electrical contacts through at least one window (14, 15) formed on one side of the object.

18. Object according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that the card body is in ISO format of smart cards.

19. Object according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that it constitutes a USB key, an MMC card, a mass memory card, any card having surface electrical contacts and a thickness greater than 1 mm.

20. Object according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the object is a USB key comprising a gripping body (9) and a connector extending in the extension of the body, said connector having a ring ( 13) surrounding linear contact areas (12) and having at least one window (14, 15) on one face of the ring, characterized in that: the window is dimensioned so as to be located opposite all the contact areas.

21. Object according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the ring comprises at least one window (14) for access to contacts extending transversely across all contacts.

An object according to any one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the object is secured with a pressure-sensitive adhesive attached to the holder body.

23. Object according to any one of claims 16 to 22, characterized in that the object is connected to the card body by means of straps (17) having a predetermined line of rupture.

24. Object according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the object is attached to the shoulder straps being completely positioned above the upper general plane 24 of the map (6B).

25. An electronic portable object having at least one face and contact pads, tracks or electrical connectors (12) main disposed under this face, said object having a so-called main opening so as to make accessible the main contact pads or connectors (37). ) through this opening in a direction (J), characterized in that it comprises at least one window (14, 38) formed in said face so as to make accessible the contact pads, tracks or electrical connectors (12, 36 ) main useful to an electrical transfer through the window and in the direction different from the direction (J).

26. Portable electronic object according to one of claims 25, characterized in that it represents a PCMCIA card.

27. Object according to one of claims 25, constituting a USB key comprising a gripping body and a connector extending in the extension of the body, said connector having a ring surrounding linear contact pads, characterized in that said window is located in the ring (13) facing the electrical contact pads.