FR2602893A1 - MUST CARD (multi use storage transportable card) - Google Patents

Abstract

Reusable and transportable recording method for digital data and/or information, or digitised document images. This method consisting: - in associating memory elements 1 on a specific support 2 by means of appropriate circuits. - in providing an energy supply for the memories via a replaceable source 3. - in protecting the assembly against external wear and tear by a cap 11 consisting of a protective material, especially non-magnetic material.

Description

The invention hereinafter referred to as MMUST CARD (Multi-Use Memory
Standard et Transportable defines and describes an original and unpublished process allowing the recording, the conservation, the transport and the restitution of information and or digitized data. The data medium is REUSABLE.

 The method used provides access to digital storage capacities unknown to date, at least as regards the physical characteristics of the device which corresponds in size (length and width) to a credit card, in accordance with the ISO 2894 standard. The thickness of the device varies between 1 and 2 mm depending on the nature of the components and substrates that are used.

 The storage in large quantities at low volume and at low cost of digital data and or digital information has long been a concern for all electronics technicians.

The "historic" media of the digital information, the magnetic tape and the hard and flexible disk have been miniaturized in a spectacular way but, both of them, to be used, are
dependent on electro-mechanical devices which, although miniaturized, remain fragile and totally unsuitable for the multiple domestic uses which are today accessible to microelectronics.

 More recently, "memory cards" have appeared. First of all, the INNOVATRON card: memory card protected by tamper-proof access that meets protection or secrecy needs (banking, medical, personal security, etc.). This card is, by construction, of VERY limited capacity and PARTIALLY reusable.

Finally, the DREXLER card commonly known as "LASER CARD
This card is currently unparalleled in the world, in terms of digital storage capacity. However, it has the BIG disadvantage of not being reusable.

 The very process of "laser engraving" which acts by destruction of the material prohibits the reuse of the support.

In addition, all of these devices are treated as memories
EXTERNAL to the microprocessor.

 The MMUST CARD has, compared to existing products, the advantage of being DEFINITELY REUSABLE, while retaining the physical dimensions of an ordinary credit card. The digitized information which is magnetically and electrically protected against external "nuisances" allows current and multiple use of the device without requiring any special precautions on the part of its user. The MMUST CARD is used like a simple plastic card.

 We indicate, below, for documentary purposes, some very characteristic cases of use of the MMUST CARD - support of programs and digital data (used in TIMS, patent 81.19140 of Michel WIDMER) - telephone directory and electronic memorandum (application of TIMS patent 81.19140) - "electronic" cassette of digital voice recorder (patent pending from the author) - digital image support (see patent pending from the author) - individual medical directory file.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, with reference to the appended diagrams, which description and diagrams, given by way of nonlimiting examples, represent an effective industrial application of the original idea of the invention deposited in the form of a SOLEAU envelope on 29.09.81 by the inventor himself.

 FIG. 1 is a functional descriptive diagram of the typical organization method of the memory elements of the claimed device.

Figures 2 and 3 are a descriptive diagram of the connector connecting the device to user devices. In the description which follows, this connection will be designated WMI which means Widmer
Michel Interface.

 FIG. 4 represents the non-magnetic envelope of the device which ensures the immunization of the stored data against the surrounding magnetic nuisances.

 In order to better show the interest and advantages of the invention with regard to the current constraints and drawbacks, we will first describe the general characteristics of this device; we will then describe the organization of the constituent elements of the claimed CARTE MMUST device.

 The ACCESS TIME to information is the essential characteristic of a memory device of a computer. A memory will be all the more efficient as its access time is shorter.

The inexpensive magnetic media have very long access times, several hundred milliseconds, but they offer a large storage capacity and are easily transportable. "Electronic" memories (chips) have very short access times, but are not transportable.

 The main characteristic of the claimed device is to associate a LARGE storage capacity with a VERY short access time, with total ease of transport.

 This unique characteristic is explained by the fact that the memory elements constituting the device are considered as INTERNAL MEMORY elements with regard to the microprocessor and not as PERIPHERAL memories (external) to the microprocessor, which is the case for ALL storage devices used to date.

 The association, by flat transfer, of miniature memories (1) of large capacity on a specific substrate (2) constitutes the core of the device. The organization, by specific wiring of the memory element selection pins (1) allows the microprocessor to directly address the memory elements (1) as an internal memory.

 An internal and replaceable energy source (3) provides, by the electrical connection (4), the autonomous supply of the memory elements (1).

 An electronic device (5) provides electrical protection of the device against the external power supply (6) when it is connected and disconnected from the user system.

 A WMI connector (7) described below ensures the connection of the device with the user system.

 The WMI connector (7) is placed asymmetrically (10) relative to the outer edges of the substrate. This feature ensures, in a simple way, the irreversibility of the device.

 This simple coding warns the user against any false operation and protects the electrical contacts of the device.

 FIG. 2 represents the plug-in contacts (8) seen on the component side, numbered from 1 to 17, with a standard pitch of 2.54 mm.

 FIG. 3 represents the plug-in contacts (9) seen on the wiring side, numbered from 2 to 34, with a standard pitch of 2.54 mm.

 The magnetic protection of the memory elements (1) is ensured by a non-magnetic envelope 11 which contains the substrate 2 supporting the memory elements 1 and the energy source (3).

 A removable cover (12) integrated in the non-magnetic envelope (11) allows access to the energy source and allows its replacement.

Claims (6)

1. Removable device of REUSABLE memories with direct access from  large capacity characterized by the organization of memory elements  on substrate allowing the claimed device to function  of DIRECT INTERNAL memory next to the user microprocessor. 2. Device according to revendicatirn 1, characterized

 electric circuit  of electrical protection of the memory elements of the device. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a connector dis  symmetrical ensuring automatic coding during connection  from the device to a user system. 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized by an envelope  non-magnetic ensuring the protection of the memory elements of the device. 5. Device according to claims 1 and 4, characterized by a cover  removable non-magnetic giving access to the energy source. 6. Device according to claims 1, 2 and 5, characterized by a source  accessible and replaceable energy without altering information  contained in memory elements.