GB2348521A

GB2348521A - Pocketsize carrier for information storage and information exchange

Info

Publication number: GB2348521A
Application number: GB9907594A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Wolfgang Halpern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-01
Filing date: 1999-04-01
Publication date: 2000-10-04
Also published as: GB2353874B; GB9907594D0; GB9913618D0; GB2353874A

Abstract

A portable information base is described consisting of two parts hinged to each other, and one of the characteristic features of which is that the hinge is parallel to the lines of readout. The other feature is that data entry areas are not evenly distributed over the device surface allowing for gripping space for the handheld device.

Description

Pocketsize Carrier for Information Storage and Information Exchange There have existed for some time carriers for information data storage and exchange which are small enough to fit into a person's pocket so that they might be used as an identification device, or as a means for access to premises, travel enitlements, money, or to prove membership in a club, etc. In its simplest form, such carriers are called c a r d s of which, for example, the credit card is one of them. As long as the magnetic stripe was the only inexpensive means for data retention, it has not been possible to check a person's identity without providing at the checking point a robust numerical keyboard as well. With the introduction of smart cards it became possible to carry outdata comparison within the card-based computer chip. By arranging the manual data entry keyboard on the card itself, one achieves two important objectives, firstly, the privacy of PIN entry is vastly improved because this can be done away from the actual transaction terminal. Secondly, the cost of installing and maintaining publicly accessable keyboards can be avoided. What is more, a card with a keyboard permits the user to call up for display or for transaction purposes manifold data and use them instantly to this end. The author of this paper has already published proposals which in principle provide this service. However, these and other similar designs were still dominated by the pattern provided by the pocket calculator. This pattern has several drawbacks, especially in sisituations when the device must remain hand-held. In such cases it was difficult to avoid that this or that data entry button would be accidentally actuated, thereby producing wrong entries. Another major draw- back is the small information capacity of the display window.

This invention specifies a pocketsize card device which removes these obstacles to successful useage through two helpful modifications.

Firstly, the display window is placed into the inside of a lid which normally covers the front face with its data entry buttons, in such a manner that when the user sees the inscriptions on the data entry areas in an upright form, the lid with its text display window will be suspended freely by its own weight. And the second modification is the provision of ample holding space for the left or right hand respectively (according to the choice of the intended owner) by removing all data entry means from that said holding space.

As the enclosed illustration shows, the user has ample g r i p p i n g space for holding the card 1 firmly. This will aid the selection of data to be entered with the other hand. The Lid 2 is hinged by a link 1A and is thus fee by gravity to be in the position shown. The display area 9 is five to six times larger than that normally available on an electronic pocket calculator.

There are both numerical and functional entry button on the main part 1.

Apart from the numbered buttons 1 to 0, there are several (in this case three) specially shaped buttons each calling up information residing in one of the user's accounts. A combination of buttons I and II may, for example, call up the amount residual in another store from which cash payments can be made. Another combination, say I and III, would return any residual cash in the cash store to the account store from which the cash store had been augmented. In communications between this data carrier and a bank or bank'is computer, it is possible to use a button 5 to switch to a certain case level reserved for sending a pass word. This will ensure that only the authorized person can update the pass. For increasding the range of addresses available for various data, the single button 11 might be used thereby shifting all numbered addresses from the alpha to beta to gamma levels. a dot 15 indicates at all times which level the unit is on at any given moment.-When the owner wishes to recall the displays of past expenditures, he/she would use a button 6.

When pressing it the first time, the amount of the last expenditure is called up, together with other details. When depressing it a second time, the one but last will become visible; and so on until the thirtieth back in time. c is a general reset button, 4 deletes only the last figure.

The communication antenna would be built into the lid 2. The electrical connection between the memory device and the display will be in the form of very thin wires embedded in a flexible plastic stripe at the back of parts 1 and 2.-The photoelectric area 14 serves to recharge the battery needed for display functions away from a terminal. Area 14 may be provided also on the back of part 1, thereby permitting the display window to be extended over the whole lid area.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A pocketsie carrier for information storage and selective information exchanges and communication with an external processing device, consisting of two connected parts, a first one being a broadly platelike container for integrated micro-electronic circuits and on the surface of which are arranged data entry facilities, and a second part having the same size as the first one serving as a hinged cover for the former/which also carries a display device, and and wherein the geometry of the group of data entry means is such that a substanatial part of the front face of part 1 remains unencumbered by them so that it becomes possible for a user to have a firm grip without risking involuntary actuation of said data entry facility.

2. A pocketsize carrier for information storage and selective information echanges and communication with an external processing device, wherein the said two parts are electrically connected by means of bundles of fine wires embedded in flexible insulating material bonded or otherwise attached to the said two parts (1 and 2) so as to supply the requisite display window (9) with the power supply and the signals required for humanly legible data display.

3. A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchanges as in Claim 1 wherein the hinge (1A) is paralell with the line of entry buttons and respectively with the lines on which the information display appears, with the result that the lid part (2) can freely follow by gravity into its proper readout position when the upper plate (1) is handheld.

4. A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchange, as in Claims 1 to 3, wherein there is a functional button (5) permitting a pass word or pass number to be sent out for recognition by a receiving computer.

5. A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchange, as in Claims 1 to 3 wherein several buttons of special shape are provided to select the data held by a specific account of its owner (I, II, III).

6. A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchange, as in Claims 1 to 3 wherein a single button (11) is provided which shifts the case level from the normal alpha level to a beta level, and from there to a gamma level, and wherein these levels are visibly recognizable by being written on the frame of the display window and by dot displayed by the display window (dot 15).

7. A pocketsize varrier of information and data exchange, as in claims 1 to 3, wherein there are provided on the lid or on the main part (1) photoelectric cells to re-charge a small battery accommodated in the carrier frame (part 1X.

8. A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchange as in claims 1 to 3, wherein disturbences in the electromagnetic field around the said devices are received, or sent out, and intersseted as data for storage or/and for display. 9. A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchange as in claims 1-8, in accordance with means described in PCT publication W...... * *to be specified Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIM !.Apocketsize carrier for information storage and selective information echanges and communication with an external processing device, consisting of two connected parts, a first one being a broadly platelike container for integrated micro-electronic circuits and on the surface of which are arranged data entry facilities, and a second part having the same size as the first one serving as a hinged cover for the former, and which carries a display device, w h e r e i n the data entry facilities on said first part and the display facilities on said second part come to be opposite of each other when the latter is turned along its hinged or flexible connection to cover the former.

2. A pocketsize carrier for information storage and selective information exchange as in Claim 1 wherein the said two parta are electrically connected by means of bundles of fine wires embedded in flexible insulating material bonded or otherwise attached to the said two parts (1 and 2) so as to supply the requisite display window (9) with the power and with the signals required for legible data displays.

3. A pocketsize carrier for information storage and selective information exchange, as in Claim 1 wherein the geometric distribution of the group of data =entry devices within the total area of said platelike first part (1) is such that a substantial part thereof remains unencumbered by them, so that the user can apply a firm grip wtthout risking involuntary actuation of said data entry devices.

+. A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchanges as in Claim 1 wherein the hinge (1A) is paralell with the line of entry buttons and respectively with the lines on which the information display appears, with the result that the lid part (2) can freely follow by gravity into its proper readout position when the upper plate (1) is handheld.

5. A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchange, as in Claims 1 to 3, wherein there is a functional button (5) permitting a pass word or pass number to be sent out for recognition by a receiving computer.

A A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchange, as in Claims 1 to 3 wherein several buttons of special shape are provided to select the data held by a specific account of its owner (I, II, III).

A A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchange, as in Claims 1 to 3 wherein a single button (11) is provided which shifts the case level from the normal alpha level to a beta level, and from there to a gamma level, and wherein these levels are visibly recognizable by being written on the frame of the display window and by dot displayed by the display window (dot 15).

A A pocketsize varrier of information and data exchange, as in claims 1 to 3, wherein there are provided on the lid or on the main part (1) photoelectric cells to re-charge a small battery accommodated in the carrier frame (part U.

9. A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchange as in claims 1 to 3, wherein disturbences in the electroma etic field around the said devices are received, or sent out, and interpeted as data for storage or/and for display.

1 A pocketsize carrier of information and data exchange as in claims 1-8, in accordance with means described in PCT publication W....... * *to be specified 11. A pocketsize carrier made up of two hinged parts as in Claim 1, the said two parts of which when folded are retained in position by two mutually engaging locking heads (20,21), and preserved from slipping off by rounded top edges (la, 2a) of the said two parts) 1,2).

12. A pocketsize carrier for information storage as in any preceding claim w h e r e i n provision is made for a cardlike battery (17) to be incor porated into one of the said two parts, so as to provide power to the elec- trical system also when away from a communicating terminal.

13. A pocketsize carrier for information storage as in Claim 1 wherein the constituent main parts (1 and, or 2) carry photo-electric energy converters for re-charging said battery (17).

14. A pocketsize carrier for information storage as in Claimsl to 13, w h e r e i n an antenna module for external communication and reception of energy is embedded in the structure of one of the two said parts (1 or 2).