EP2052353A1 - Dispositif de carte pour connexion à un réceptacle usb - Google Patents

Dispositif de carte pour connexion à un réceptacle usb

Info

Publication number
EP2052353A1
EP2052353A1 EP07805483A EP07805483A EP2052353A1 EP 2052353 A1 EP2052353 A1 EP 2052353A1 EP 07805483 A EP07805483 A EP 07805483A EP 07805483 A EP07805483 A EP 07805483A EP 2052353 A1 EP2052353 A1 EP 2052353A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
card device
region
card
usb receptacle
electrical contacts
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07805483A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Raz Dan
Itzhak Pomerantz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Western Digital Israel Ltd
Original Assignee
SanDisk IL Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from EP06118912A external-priority patent/EP1755072A3/fr
Priority claimed from US11/464,499 external-priority patent/US7377448B2/en
Application filed by SanDisk IL Ltd filed Critical SanDisk IL Ltd
Priority to EP07805483A priority Critical patent/EP2052353A1/fr
Publication of EP2052353A1 publication Critical patent/EP2052353A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
    • G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
    • G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
    • G11B33/0488—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs in boxes or containers comprising additional sound reproducing or activating means
    • 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
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • 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
    • 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
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/0772—Physical layout of the record carrier
    • G06K19/07732—Physical layout of the record carrier the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks
    • 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
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/0772—Physical layout of the record carrier
    • G06K19/07733—Physical layout of the record carrier the record carrier containing at least one further contact interface not conform ISO-7816
    • 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
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/07737—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier consisting of two or more mechanically separable parts
    • G06K19/07739—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier consisting of two or more mechanically separable parts comprising a first part capable of functioning as a record carrier on its own and a second part being only functional as a form factor changing part, e.g. SIM cards type ID 0001, removably attached to a regular smart card form factor
    • 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
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/07743—External electrical contacts
    • 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
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/08—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means
    • G06K19/10—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means at least one kind of marking being used for authentication, e.g. of credit or identity cards
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
    • H01R12/51—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to card-like devices and, in particular, it concerns a card device configured for connecting directly to a standard USB receptacle.
  • Flash memory drives and other devices based on similar technology are packaged in several forms and shapes, such as a key-holder, a pen, a pocketknife etc.
  • One useful form factor for flash memory drive is that of a plastic card that can be carried in a credit card wallet, and may serve additional functions, such as for use as a smart card, a credit card or an identification card.
  • the thickness of the connector plate of the USB plug Due to the specifications of the USB standard, there is a narrow tolerance for the thickness of the connector plate of the USB plug, which has to be a minimum of about 1 mm. This thickness is almost twice as much as available in credit cards and smart cards, and in some cases, considerably more than twice the preferred thickness dimension of the card.
  • PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2005/124932 to Atsmon et al. discloses (in Figure 6b) a further approach according to which the thickness of the card is increased by doubling over the card on itself.
  • the proposed approach does not seem to allow use of a conventional rectangular credit-card-type device, but rather requires a plug-width projecting element similar to the embodiments of Atsmon shown in Figures 8-11. It is desired to have a card that has the shape and thickness of a standard credit card, carries a USB connector, and is most preferably made of one piece in a process of stamping and printing.
  • the present invention relates to a card made of a single part, preferably with the shape and thickness of a standard credit card, that contains a USB connector for connecting any digital device that is embedded in the card with a host device.
  • a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a "USB Flash Disk” (or “UFD”), a well known non- volatile memory device, such as the
  • DiskOnKey product available commercially from M-Systems (Kfar Saba, Israel).
  • the UFD can typically be connected to a host device (computer, PDA, Cellular phone etc.) by a USB connector, designed according to the USB specifications available from http://www.usb.org/developers/docs.
  • a host device computer, PDA, Cellular phone etc.
  • a USB connector designed according to the USB specifications available from http://www.usb.org/developers/docs.
  • the main feature of the present invention is that the card maintains its substantially rectangular shape before, and preferably also after, being used as a UFD.
  • the USB connector is located in a position that enables its insertion directly into a USB socket of the host device when the card is temporarily bent or folded.
  • the invention uses the elasticity of the material from which the body of the card is made, and utilizes its spring action to ensure proper contact of conducting pins of the connector to the corresponding pins in the USB socket.
  • One preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in a co- assigned unpublished US patent application no 11/444,385 of which this application is a continuation-in-part, and appears here as Figures 8A-8C.
  • a card device for connection to a USB receptacle comprising a substantially rectangular body formed from flexible material and including:
  • the substantially rectangular body further includes at least one cut passing adjacent to the first region and defining an edge of the plug configuration.
  • the preformed fold line extends substantially perpendicular to the cut.
  • the substantially rectangular body includes two parallel cuts on opposite sides of the first region and defining edges of the plug configuration.
  • the preformed fold line extends between, and substantially perpendicular to, the two parallel cuts.
  • the parallel cuts do not intersect a periphery of the substantially rectangular body.
  • the substantially rectangular body further includes a third cut such that the parallel cuts and the third cut together define a plug-forming region of the body inset from a periphery of the substantially rectangular body.
  • the plug configuration defines a direction of insertion, and wherein the at least one preformed fold line extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of insertion. According to a further feature of the present invention, the plug configuration defines a direction of insertion, and wherein the at least one preformed fold line extends substantially parallel to the direction of insertion.
  • the at least one preformed fold line includes at least two preformed fold lines, the preformed fold lines defining edges of the plug configuration.
  • an entirety of the substantially rectangular body is folded along at least three substantially parallel fold lines to form the plug configuration.
  • the substantially rectangular body has a thickness less than half a minimum effective thickness required for mechanical engagement with the USB receptacle.
  • a card device for connection to a USB receptacle comprising a substantially rectangular body formed from flexible material and including:
  • FIG. IA is a front view of a first embodiment of a card device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, for connection to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. IB is a side view of the card device of Figure IA connected to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 2A is a front view of a first variant of the card device of Figure IA, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention
  • FIG. 2B is a side view of the card device of Figure 2A connected to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 3 is a front view of a second variant of the card device of Figure IA, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention
  • FIG. 4A is a front view of a second embodiment of a card device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, for connection to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 4B is a schematic isometric view of the card device of Figure 4A configured ready for connection to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 5A is a front view of a third embodiment of a card device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, for connection to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 5B is a side view of the card device of Figure 5A connected to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 6A is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a card device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, for connection to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 6B is a schematic enlarged end view of the card device of Figure 6A configured ready for connection to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 7A is a front view of a fifth embodiment of a card device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, for connection to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 7B is a schematic enlarged end view of a plug configuration from the card device of Figure 7 A inserted into a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 8A is a front view of a sixth embodiment of a card device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, for connection to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 8B is a schematic side view of the card device of Figure 8A connected to a USB receptacle;
  • FIG. 8C is an end view of the card device of Figure 8 A ready for connection to a USB receptacle.
  • the present invention is card device for connection to a USB receptacle.
  • the principles and operation of card devices according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
  • a common basis to all embodiments of the present invention is the provision of a card device having a substantially rectangular body formed from flexible material and including electronic circuitry electrically connected to a set of electrical contacts deployed on a surface of a first region of the body.
  • the body is formed with a thickness no more than 0.9 mm, and preferably less than 0.5 mm, rendering its thickness insufficient for reliable engagement with a USB receptacle.
  • at least part of the card device is flexed, bent or folded in such a manner that the inherent resilience of the card material provides a force for pressing the set of contacts against the electrical contacts of the USB receptacle.
  • At least part of one or more fold in the card is inserted into an inner volume of the USB receptacle.
  • the flexing occurs entirely outside the volume of the USB receptacle.
  • the card device for connection to a USB receptacle.
  • the card device has a substantially rectangular body 10 formed from flexible material and including: electronic circuitry 12 electrically connected to a set of electrical contacts 14 deployed on a surface of a first region 16 of body 10. It is a particular feature of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention that body 10 further includes at least one preformed fold line 18 ( Figures 1A-5B) or 42 and 44
  • Figures 6A- 7B passing adjacent to first region 16 and defining a line for folding a corresponding second region of the body relative to the first region of the body from a flat state ( Figures IA, 2A, 3, 4 A, 5 A, 6 A and 7A) to a folded state ( Figures IB, 2B, 4B 5 5B, 6B and 7B).
  • the configuration of the electrical contacts and the at least one preformed fold line is such that, when the body is folded along the at least one preformed fold line, the first and second regions of body 10 form a plug configuration sized for insertion into a USB receptacle with electrical contacts 14 positioned to contact electrical contacts of the USB receptacle, and such that a resilient bias of the second region(s) to return to the flat state of the device generates a contact force of the electrical contacts against contacts of the USB receptacle.
  • body 10 being "substantially rectangular".
  • substantially rectangular is used to refer to any shape of which the majority is bounded by edges lying on a rectangle, and in which no plug portion or other element projects significantly beyond the boundary of the peripheral rectangle.
  • the phrase includes cases where the corners of the card are sharp or are rounded to various degrees, or where plural edges together forming a side of the rectangle are misaligned to an extent which does not interfere with the overall visual impression of a rectangular card.
  • This electronic circuitry may be any electronic circuitry known for inclusion within a credit card, smart card, identity tag or USB peripheral device. Preferred examples include, but are not limited to, a flash memory chip. Similarly, the stored content of the chip may be any stored content suited to a particular intended application, as will be clear to one ordinarily skilled in the art.
  • the thickness of body 10 need not be uniform over the area of the card.
  • the thickness of an 5 embedded chip typically in the region of 0.09 mm, may cause a noticeable thickening of the corresponding region of the card.
  • body 10 includes two parallel cuts 24, 26 on opposite sides of region 16 which define edges of the plug configuration, corresponding also to a direction of insertion of the device. Cuts 24 and 26 preferably extend between about 50% and 5 90% of the length (longer dimension) of body 10. Electronic circuitry 12 is typically confined to the space between the cut lines. In this embodiment, preformed fold line 18 extends between, and substantially perpendicular to, cuts 24 and 26, thereby defining a folded back second region 28 which provides the resilient force to press contacts 14 against the contacts of a USB socket. 0
  • the resulting plug configuration is best seen in Figure IB in which regions
  • second region 28 is sufficiently long that its end remains outside the receptacle when engaged, thereby ensuring that the device is easily removed from the receptacle 5 after use.
  • engagement of the plug configuration within the socket may be enhanced by using a shorter second region 28 the entirety of which lies within the USB receptacle on insertion.
  • first region 16 and/or surfaces of second region 28 can be provided with conductive contact surfaces deployed to 0 contact the shielding of the USB receptacle and provide electrical grounding of the device.
  • the plug configuration is shown here inserted into a USB receptacle 100 of a relatively thin host 102, such as a notebook computer, PDA or cellular telephone. Since the host body is relatively thin, the side flaps 30, 32 of body 10 which do not take an active part in engagement with the receptacle are preferably flexed upwards 5 to lie on the upper corner of the host device, thereby also providing some additional resilient bias of the contacts 14 against the contacts of the receptacle.
  • an employee identity badge including various printed information such as an identity picture 70, a company emblem 72, a serial number 74 and/or the name and other details of the authorized card holder 76.
  • instructions for use 78 may also be printed on the front or rear surface of the device.
  • the card device may include a magnetic strip,
  • L 5 an RP transponder chip or any other internal or external feature known for incorporation into a thin card- like device.
  • card devices of the present invention include, but are not limited to: ordinary business cards carrying electronic data; identity cards of all types; credit cards; smart cards; and other memory cards.
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B show a variant of the embodiment of Figures IA and IB suitable for use with a host such as a desktop computer 104 where the USB receptacle 100 is typically disposed in a relatively large surface far from the edge of the host.
  • each flap is preferably provided 5 with an additional preformed fold line 34 to allow folding of at least part of each flap away from the area of the plug configuration.
  • the folded configuration is shown in Figure 2B.
  • the embodiment of Figures 2A and 2B is analogous to that of Figures IA and IB. Additional printed information shown in Figure IA has been omitted for clarity of presentation.
  • FIG. 3 shows a further variant in which a single cut 24 is used in conjunction with part of the peripheral edge of body 10, and parallel thereto, to define the edges of the plug configuration.
  • flap 30 is enlarged and there is no second flap.
  • the side view of this embodiment is exactly as shown in Figure 2B.
  • the end of the strip making up the plug configuration may either be formed by a second edge of body 10 as shown, or by an additional cut perpendicular to cut 24 (not shown).
  • the structure and function of this embodiment is similar to that of the embodiment of Figures IA and IB.
  • the strip of body 10 making up the plug configuration extends to part of the external periphery of the body. While this is acceptable for many applications, it may in some cases be preferably to ensure that the outer periphery of body 10 is a continuous unbroken edge. This may be particularly advantageous where the device is to be inserted into a slot or into a flat pocket in a credit card wallet or the like, since any cut extending to the edge of the card is likely to catch on the edges of the pocket during insertion. Positioning of the connector away from the peripheral edge of the device also provides greater protection for the connector against mechanical damage and renders the entire card less susceptible to damage. Examples of two such embodiments are now illustrated in Figures 4A-5B.
  • Figures 4A and 4B show a further embodiment of the present invention where parallel cuts 24 and 26 do not intersect a periphery of the substantially rectangular body. Instead, a third cut 36, substantially perpendicular to cuts 24 and 26, connects between the ends of the cuts so that, together, they define a plug-forming region of the body inset from a periphery of the substantially rectangular body.
  • second region 28 is defined by the space between fold line 18 and cut 36.
  • Fold lines 34 here serve to fold down the entire "U"-shaped region 38 of card 10 surrounding the plug-forming strip, leaving the strip itself to function in a manner fully analogous to that of Figures 2 A and 2B.
  • the embodiment of Figures 4A and 4B is similar in structure and function to that of the previous embodiments.
  • Figures 5A and 5B show another embodiment of the present invention where parallel cuts 24 and 26 do not intersect a periphery of the substantially rectangular body.
  • the central strip between the cuts and the side strips outside the cuts fold in opposite directions, the center upwards and the sides rearwards, to achieve a scissors-like folded structure as shown in Figure 5B.
  • body 10 is formed with an additional three fold lines 40 along each outer edge.
  • a similar effect may be obtained using only the central fold line of each outer edge and adding a fold line at each end of the central strip.
  • the structure and operation of the embodiment of Figures 5A and 5B are similar to those of the embodiments previously described.
  • FIGS 6A-7B in contrast to the previous embodiments where at least one preformed fold line extends perpendicular to the direction of insertion, these embodiments illustrate examples where at least one preformed fold line extends substantially parallel to the direction of insertion.
  • body 10 features two preformed fold lines 42 and 44 which define the edges of the plug configuration when folded.
  • body 10 is provided with one or more additional fold line 46, each preferably substantially parallel to fold lines 42 and 44 to allow the entirety of body 10 to fold into a plug configuration, preferably without use of any cut lines.
  • This folded plug configuration is shown end-on and enlarged in Figure 6B.
  • FIGS 7A and 7B illustrate a further embodiment employing fold lines 42 and 44 to define the edges of the plug configuration.
  • each fold line has a corresponding second region 48 and 50, respectively, which folds under first region 16 to form a spring element on each side of the plug configuration.
  • a pair of cut lines 52 and 54 delineate the outer edges of regions 48 and 50. Small secondary cuts 56 are also typically required in order to free regions 48 and 50 to fold.
  • Figure 7B shows an enlarged end view of the plug configuration inserted into a USB receptacle 100. The folded-back side flaps have been omitted from Figure 7B for simplicity of presentation.
  • the plug configuration may be formed at the periphery of the card device or centrally within the card, and may optionally employ an edge of the card instead of one of the cut lines.
  • Figures 8A-8C although the embodiments of the present invention described thus far all include a fold in body 10, it should be noted that it is possible to employ distributed flexing of the body over a large region to achieve similar flexible biasing of contacts 14 against the contacts of a USB receptacle. This is particularly true where the flexing occurs largely outside the receptacle. An example of such an embodiment is shown here in Figures 8A-8C.
  • Figure 8A shows a card device in which body 10 has two parallel cut lines 24 and 26 defining a plug-forming strip in which are located electronics 12 and contacts 14.
  • body 10 has two parallel cut lines 24 and 26 defining a plug-forming strip in which are located electronics 12 and contacts 14.
  • no localized fold lines are provided.
  • insertion of the plug-forming strip into an USB receptacle is achieved simply by flexing the central strip upwards into a different plane from the adjacent flaps, as illustrated in Figures 8B and 8C.
  • the resilience of the material of the card device here serves as an external spring which tends to close the parts of the card device back to their coplanar starting position.
  • the resulting downward force on the lower outer edge 106 of the receptacle 100 as shown tends to generate a leverage on the tip portion of the inserted strip, thereby pressing contacts 14 against the corresponding receptacle contacts.
  • the various technologies needed for implementing the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention and variants thereof are well known in the art.
  • the production technologies typically include some or all of the following processes: A. Embedding a flash memory and a memory controller in a plastic card. This process is known in the art and is available commercially as a service provided by Emosyn America Emosyn America, Sunnyvale, CA U.S.A.
  • USB connector on a plastic card is known in the art, and is available commercially as a service provided by LB .D. A Ltd, Rishon Lezion, Israel.
  • the thickness of a typical plastic card, such as a credit card, used for the present invention is preferably less than half, and most preferably no more than about 33% of the nominal thickness required of a USB connector plate for reliable engagement with a USB receptacle.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de carte dont le corps généralement rectangulaire est fait d'une matière flexible et comporte des éléments de circuit électronique connectés électriquement à un ensemble de contacts électriques. Au moins une partie du dispositif de carte est fléchie, courbée ou pliée de telle manière que la résilience inhérente à la matière dont la carte est faite fournit une force permettant pousser l'ensemble des contacts contre les contacts électriques d'une prise USB.
EP07805483A 2006-08-14 2007-08-14 Dispositif de carte pour connexion à un réceptacle usb Withdrawn EP2052353A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07805483A EP2052353A1 (fr) 2006-08-14 2007-08-14 Dispositif de carte pour connexion à un réceptacle usb

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06118912A EP1755072A3 (fr) 2005-08-15 2006-08-14 Dispositif de carte de connexion à un réceptacle USB
US11/464,499 US7377448B2 (en) 2005-06-01 2006-08-15 Card device for connection to a USB receptacle
PCT/IL2007/001020 WO2008020442A1 (fr) 2006-08-14 2007-08-14 Dispositif de carte pour connexion à un réceptacle usb
EP07805483A EP2052353A1 (fr) 2006-08-14 2007-08-14 Dispositif de carte pour connexion à un réceptacle usb

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2052353A1 true EP2052353A1 (fr) 2009-04-29

Family

ID=37523275

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07805483A Withdrawn EP2052353A1 (fr) 2006-08-14 2007-08-14 Dispositif de carte pour connexion à un réceptacle usb

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2052353A1 (fr)
KR (1) KR20090049053A (fr)
TW (1) TW200828687A (fr)
WO (1) WO2008020442A1 (fr)

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WO2008020442A1 (fr) 2008-02-21
TW200828687A (en) 2008-07-01
KR20090049053A (ko) 2009-05-15

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