GB2427047A

GB2427047A - Smartcard having a USB plug

Info

Publication number: GB2427047A
Application number: GB0511643A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Max Wehebrink; Tim Suttcliffe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-08
Filing date: 2005-06-08
Publication date: 2006-12-13
Also published as: GB0511643D0

Abstract

A smartcard 2 is shaped in accordance with ISO 7810. The card further comprises a portion 3 shaped to the length and width of a USB port. Components are mounted on the card to allow the card to interface with USB devices in addition to smartcard devices. The USB port is created by a flexible member 4 being folded to marry an end 1 with the shaped portion 3 so as to create the correct thickness for a USB connection. The foldable member 3 may only move in one direction and is locatable by means of latches and lips 4. The folding member 5 is located within the card. The folding element may also be detachable from the card so it can be used separately.

Description

1 2427047

SMART CARD

This invention relates to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) compatible smart card.

Smart cards used in banking and security application fit the physical characteristics of credit card sizes as per ISO 7810 and ISO 7813. These smart cards are not directly compatible with Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, as they do not have the correct thickness and width to fit into a USB port. This means that a separate device is required to act as interface between the dimension of the smart card and the dimension of a USB plug. Since smart cards have a small size and are convenient to carry, demand thereof has increased. In addition, since the USB is one of the most ubiquitous interfaces on a computer this means that a USB compatible card can be read in a majority of computers without requiring a separate device thereby enhancing the usability of smart cards. The information stored on smart cards, can amongst other things, include electronic banking transaction details, security access rights, identification details, driver license details, reward points, etc. To overcome this, the present invention proposes locally thickening the card to make a positive contact with the USB port preferably by a folding element, though the local thickening may also be achieved by other methods including a spring and or cushion element. Further the invention allows the width of the USB port to also be matched, thereby creating USB plug element on a smart card. The invention is also arranged in such a way as to provide maximum physical stiffness by using an inside section of the card for the expanding or folding element. The invention is such that it ensures that the card is firm enough to be tested to methods as used for current credit cards.

Preferably, the card has the folding elements where needed, in the hinge points, but equally the entire card can be made from folding materials and/or a combination of these.

Preferably, the thickening is achieved by folding the card or part of the card, but it may be any way of creating variable thickness including springs, air pockets, elastomer tips and so forth.

Preferably, the folding material is polypropylene or an elastomer, but may be made of any flexible material to match the card design or may be made from a combination of these.

Preferably the folding element is in the form of a tab to be pushed out of the middle of the card as this provides the card with maximum overall stifthess, but the folding element may be along any part of the card to allow flexibility in design and applications.

An example of the inventions will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows the problem of a smart card not fitting into a USB port, Figure 2 shows a folding card sequence according to the invention, Figure 3 shows the invention fitting into a USB port, Figure 4 shows the main components of the invention, Figure 5 shows a lip and latching system ensuring stability of the card and tab Figure 6 shows a section view of the lip As shown in figure 1, a standard smart card 1 cannot be inserted into a USB port 2.

The card 1 is too wide to make a male fit in the female USB port 2. Further the thickness of the smart card I is thinner than the female USB port 2. This means that even if card 1 is shaped with a tab to fit the port 2, it would not be thick enough to make adequate contact with the electrical contacts in port 2.

As shown in figure 2 the card 2 has a cutout with a tab 1 in place. This means that the card 2 has two different states. When unfolded the card 2 has the same dimension as a standard credit card under Iso 7810. When the tab I is folded over onto the tip 3 a tab is created that matches the same size as a USB plug. The cutout shown in card 2 is inside the card so that the surrounding card can provide increased support, thereby making a stiffer card than if the folding element locates on an edge of the card.

Figure 3 shows the folded card 1 fitting into a USB port 2 via the tip 3. A good contact is made between the tip 3 and USB port 2 by use of the correct thickness of the folded elements, the spring force in the folded element and! or a combination of the two.

Figure 4 shows a card with a cutout 5 that can be located anywhere in the card. A tab 1 is attached to the card 2 via a flexible member 4. The tab 1, flexible member 4 and card 2 may be individual components or made of the same material and formed out of one part. The tip 3 is a cutout of card 2 that is sized to fit the width and length of a USB port. The tip 3 forms a mating element with tab 1 when it is folded over.

Figure 5 shows a close-up of the tab 5 latching and locating mechanism. A lip 3 on the tab 5 mates with a lip 4 on card 6. The tab 5 is therefore only foldable in one direction and cannot be pushed through the card 6 in the opposing direction. Further a latch 1 on the tab 5 locks with a latch 2 on card 6. This means that once the tabS is clicked past the latch made of edge 1 and edge 2 it will lock it securely into place.

Figure 6 shows a section view of the lip illustrating the latching fit when the tab latch 1 is pressed down into the card latch 2.

Claims

Claims 1. A smart card that can assume the shape in accordance with the

International Standards ISO 7810 smart card as well as the shape of a Universal Serial Bus (U SB) plug, containing a plurality of components including circuit board, memory, chip and pin contacts, USB contacts and all other electrical components and software required to interface with USB as well as smart card readers including automatic teller machines, chip and pin terminals, card swipers.
2. A smart card according to claim 1, in which a fit is achieved by increasing the thickness from a smart card as per ISO 7810 to the thickness of a USB port by means of an element that allows the expansion and/or folding of one or more sections of the card.
3. A smart card according to claim 1, in which part of the card is shaped to fit the width and length of a USB port.
4. A smart card according to claim 2, in which the elements allowing expansion and/or folding can be fit into the card or where the card itself can be made of the material allowing expansion or folding.
5. A smart card according to claim 2, in which a folding element is locatable by means of latches and lips, including a folding possible in only one direction.
6. A smart card according to claim 2, in which a folding element may be located inside the card so that the surrounding card can provide support, thereby making a stiffer card than if the folding element locates on an edge of the card.
7. A smart card according to claim 2, in which the expanding or folding element may be mechanically keyed into the card allowing for reduced displacement.
8. A smart card according to claim 2, in which the expanding or folding element is detachable from the card so as to be used separately.