GB2486399A

GB2486399A - Memory card and adapter having alignment means

Info

Publication number: GB2486399A
Application number: GB1019722.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Anthony Ronald Ellul; Stephen James Brown; Craig Malcolm Rochford
Original assignee: GOOSEWIRE IP Ltd
Current assignee: GOOSEWIRE IP Ltd
Priority date: 2010-11-22
Filing date: 2010-11-22
Publication date: 2012-06-20
Also published as: GB201019722D0; WO2012069823A1

Abstract

An adapter for providing a communications interface between a card 1a comprising a memory, and a computer, comprises a contact surface 22 comprising one or more electrically conductive contacts 23 and a connector 24 for connecting the adapter to the computer. The connector is electrically coupled to the one or more contacts and a clip 30 is adapted to mechanically couple the adapter to the card such that the contact surface of the adapter is held against a contact surface of the card. In addition, one or more datum protrusions 38, 40 extend from the adapter. A card adapted to co-operate with the adapter comprises a memory 7, a contact surface 2 comprising one or more electrically conductive contacts 8 providing access to the memory, and one or more notches, dimples or holes 12, 14. The notches, dimples or holes are adapted to co-operate with the one or more datum protrusions of the adapter to impede relative lateral movement of the adapter relative to the card. In addition, the card is adapted to cooperate with the clip.

Description

I

ADAPTER AND CARD

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to: an adapter for providing a communications interface between a card comprising a memory and a computer; and a card adapted to co-operate with such an adapter.

BACKGROUND

W02008/020442 describes a card device formed from a flexible material which includes flash memory electrically connected to a set of electrical contacts. In order to gain access to the contents of the memory, 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 a USB receptacle. The problem with this device is that, with repeated use, the part of the card which is flexed, bent or folded can become weakened or damaged.

An alternative solution is provided in WO2010007359. In this case, a card comprising a memory is formed with a USB connector which can be used to connect the card to a computer, thus providing access to the memory.

The problem with this design is that the thickness of the card must be significantly increased to accommodate the USB connector. This means that, if the card is embodied as a credit or debit card, it cannot be read by conventional credit or debit card readers, such as those used by automated telling machines.

There is therefore a need for a new method of gaining access to the memory on a card such as a credit or debit card.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A first aspect of the disclosure provides an adapter for providing a communications interface between a card comprising a memory and a computer, the adapter comprising: a contact surface comprising one or more electrically conductive contacts; a connector for connecting the adapter to the computer, the connector being electrically coupled to the one or more contacts; a clip adapted to mechanically couple the adapter to the card such that the contact surface of the adapter is held against a contact surface of the card; and one or more datum protrusions extending from the adapter.

The computer may be any suitable computer such as, for example but not exclusively, a desktop personal computer, a laptop, a tablet computer or a mobile computing device (such as a mobile smart-phone or FDA).

A second aspect of the disclosure provides a card adapted to co-operate with the adapter of the first aspect of the disclosure, comprising: a memory; a contact surface comprising one or more electrically conductive contacts providing access to the memory; and one or more notches, dimples or holes, the notches, dimples or holes being adapted to co-operate with the one or more datum protrusions of the adapter to impede relative lateral movement of the adapter relative to the card, and wherein the card is adapted to co-operate with the clip.

By holding the contact surface of the adapter against the contact surface of the card, the clip holds the contacts of the adapter against the contacts of the card when the adapter is in use. In addition, the one or more datum protrusions interact with the notches, dimples or holes of the card in order to prevent lateral movement of the card relative to the adapter when the adapter is in use. Thus, the clip and the datum protrusion(s) ensure a reliable and robust connection between the contacts of the card and the contacts of the adapter. This allows the memory of the card to be reliably accessed from a computer via the adapter.

By employing an adapter to gain access to data held on the memory of a card, it is not necessary to form the card with a connector (such as a USB connector) for connecting the card directly to a computer. This allows the card to have substantially the same thickness (and other dimensions) as a credit or debit card conforming to well known ISO standards (such as, but not exclusively, ISO 7810). This in turn allows the card to be used as a credit or debit card (e.g. in standard automated telling machines or chip-and-P IN readers). In addition, the card does not have to be flexed or bent every time the memory is accessed. This increases the useful lifetime of the card.

As movement of the adapter relative to a card is prevented by the clip and datum protrusions when the adapter is in use, it does not need to be sufficiently wide to receive the entire card. This allows the adapter to be less bulky, more portable and easier to store.

Preferably, one or more datum protrusions extend from the contact surface of the adapter. This allows a user to visually align the datum protrusion(s) of the adapter with corresponding notches, dimples or holes in the card.

In one embodiment, the one or more datum protrusions may be cuboid blocks. In an alternative embodiment, the one or more datum protrusions may be (typically cylindrical) pegs.

Preferably, the connector is one of a Secure Digital (SD), micro-SD, mini-SD or Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.

In one embodiment, the datum protrusions are adjacent the electrically conductive contacts.

Preferably, the adapter comprises a plurality of datum protrusions. In one embodiment, the adapter comprises two datum protrusions, wherein the one or more electrically conductive contacts of the adapter are positioned between the datum protrusions. This ensures a more robust and reliable connection between the adapter and the card than if only a single protrusion was employed.

In one embodiment, the clip comprises a chamfered edge. This makes it easier for the adapter to be fitted to the card.

In one embodiment, the clip comprises opposing clamping members which are biased towards each other. For example, the clamping members may each comprise leaf springs. In this case, the clamp members preferably have diverging trailing edges which make it easier for them to be prised apart so that card can be inserted between them.

In one embodiment, the adapter further comprises a slot adapted to receive an edge portion of a card according to the second aspect of the invention. Preferably, the slot extends between a pair of datum protrusions. In this case, the combination of the slot and protrusions make it easier for a user to fit the adapter to the card.

The connector may be directly connected to a computer; that is the connector may be compatible with a reader which is formed as an integral part of the computer (e.g. a SD, micro-SD, mini SD or USB connector/reader). Alternatively, the connector may be connected to a computer via a secondary adapter if, for example, the computer lacks a reader which is directly compatible with the connector.

A notch may be a cut-out of an edge portion of the card. Typically, the cut-out extends between two remaining edge portions of the card.

A hole is a cut-out which extends fully through the thickness of the card, while a dimple is a cut-out which extends only partially through the thickness of the card. In this case, the hole/dimple is typically fully surrounded by card material in two dimensions.

Typically, the card has a substantially uniform thickness, allowing it to be used in the same way as a standard credit or debit card. For example, it can be used with a standard chip-and-PIN reader or a standard automated telling machine.

Typically, the card is a credit or debit card which has dimensions which conform to a well known ISO standard (for example, but not exclusively, the 1S07810 standard).

Preferably, the notches or holes are adjacent the one or more contacts.

Typically, the one or more contacts are adjacent an edge of the card. For example, the contacts may be adjacent a longitudinal edge of the card.

In one embodiment, the contacts are positioned on a tab positioned between a pair of notches. In this case, the notches are sized to receive the datum protrusions of the adapter. The interaction between the card and the datum protrusions impedes (or substantially prevents) relative lateral movement of the adapter relative to the card when the adapter is in use.

The memory may be any type of suitable memory. For example but not exclusively, the memory may be Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM). In this case, the memory is typically flash memory. Alternatively, the memory may be provided on a smart card chip.

In one embodiment, the card comprises both flash memory and a smart card chip comprising a memory. Typically, the flash memory and smart card chip are not electrically coupled together. Alternatively, the flash memory and smart card chip may be electrically coupled together. In this case, the adapter may be compatible with contacts providing access to either the flash memory or the smart card memory (or both the flash memory and the smart card memory if they are electrically coupled together).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a credit or debit card comprising eight electrical contacts providing access to a flash memory housed in the card; Figure 2 shows a similar card to Figure 1 but with only four contacts; Figures 3a-3f show various views of a micro-SD adapter for providing a communications interface between the card of Figure 1 and a computer; Figures 4a-4f show various views of the adapter of Figures 3a-3f co-operating with the card of Figure 1; Figures 5a-5f show various views of an SD adapter for providing a communications interface between the card of Figure 1 and a computer; Figures 6a-Sf show various views of the adapter of Figures 5a-5f co-operating with the card of Figure 1; Figures 7a-7f show various views of a USB adapter for providing a communications interface between the card of Figure 1 and a computer; Figures 8a-8f show various views of the adapter of Figures 7a-7f co-operating with the card of Figure 1; Figures 9a-9f show various views of a USB adapter for providing a communications interface between the card of Figure 2 and a computer; Figures lOa-lOf show various views of the adapter of Figures 9a-9f co-operating with the card of Figure 2; and Figures 11 and 12 are side and perspective views of an alternative adapter shown fitted to a credit or debit card.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a card whose dimensions (85.6mm x 53.95mm x 0.8mm) conform to the 1S07810 or other applicable standards. The card Ia, which may be for example (but not exclusively) a credit or debit card, ID card or loyalty card, comprises a contact surface 2 and a magnetic strip surface 4 on the underside of the contact surface 2. The card Ia houses a smart card memory coupled to smart card contacts 6. The smart card contacts 6 provide access to the smart card memory. In addition, the card la houses a flash memory chip 7 and eight flash memory contacts 8 electrically coupled to the flash memory. The flash memory contacts 8, which are adjacent a longitudinal edge of the card 1 a, are located on a tab which extends between a pair of notches 12, 14 to provide access to the flash memory. The eight flash memory contacts 8 correspond to the eight electrical contacts of a Secure Digital (SD), mini-SD or micro-SD card connector. The card further comprises a magnetic strip 15 (see Figure 4e) on the magnetic strip surface 4, that can be swiped in a known manner by standard equipment for reading the information encoded in the magnetic strip.

Figure 2 shows a similar card lb to that shown in Figure 1. However, in this case, there are only four flash memory contacts 16 on the tab 10. The four flash memory contacts 16 correspond to the four electrical contacts of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.

Figures 3a and 3b are perspective views of the non-contact and contact surfaces 20, 22 of an adapter 18 for providing a communications interface between the card of Figure 1 and a computer. Figure 3e is a plan view of the contact surface 22, while Figures 3c and 3f are side and front views respectively of the adapter 18. Figure 3d is a plan view of the non-contact surface 20 of the adapter 18, with the features of the contact surface shown in dotted lines. The contact surface 22 of the adapter 18 comprises eight electrically conductive contacts 23 which correspond to the eight electrically conductive contacts 8 of the card Ia. The contacts 23 are electrically connected to a micro-SD connector 24 by eight wires 26 which are housed between the non-contact and contact surfaces 20, 22 of the adapter 18.

The adapter 18 further comprises a front slot 32 and a rear clip 30. The slot 32 is sized to receive the front portion of the tab 10 of the card la.

The rear clip 30 comprises a resilient and flexible L-shaped arm 31. A groove 34 is formed between the L-shaped arm 31 and the contact surface 22 of the adapter 18, the groove 34 being sized to receive an edge portion 36 (see Figure 1 a) of the card 1 a opposite the tab 10.

First and second datum protrusions 38, 40 extend from the contact surface 22 of the adapter 18 on either side of the contacts 23. The datum protrusions 38, 40 are (but need not be) integrally formed with the slot 32.

The datum protrusions take the form of cuboid blocks, an edge of each block comprising a chamfered edge 38a, 40a for guiding the front of the tab 10 into the slot 32.

The way in which the adapter 18 co-operates with the card la of Figure 1 will now be described with reference to Figures 4a-4f. In order to fit the adapter 18 to the card I a, the adapter 18 is first of all aligned with the card la as shown in Figure 4a. A front portion of the tab 10 of the card I is then slid into the slot 32, while the datum protrusions 38, 40 are received within the notches 12, 14 respectively. Next, the rear clip 30 is pushed down against the contact surface 2 of the card la. The L-shaped arm 31 of the rear clip 30 has a chamfered edge so that, when it is pushed down against the contact surface 2 of the card la, the arm 31 bends back and the edge portion 36 of the card 1 a is received into the groove 34. The arm then bends forward again to retain the edge portion 36 of the card Ia in the groove 34.

The adapter 18 is configured such that, when it is connected to the card Ia, the eight electrically conductive contacts 23 mate with the corresponding contacts 8 on the tab 10 of the card la. The snap-fit between the rear clip 30 and the edge portion 36 of the card la ensures that the contact surface 22 of the adapter 18 is held against the contact surface 2 of the card Ia. In addition, the interaction between the tab 10 and the datum protrusions 38, 40 in the slots 12, 14 impedes (or even substantially prevents) relative lateral movement between the card Ia and the adapter 18 when the adapter is in use. Thus a reliable and robust mating between the corresponding contacts 8, 23 is achieved.

In order to read or write to the flash memory on the card la, the adapter 18 can be fitted to the card Ia and the micro-SD connector 24 can be inserted either directly or indirectly into a computer which has a compatible micro-SD reader. If the computer does not have a micro-SD compatible reader, a secondary adapter such as a micro-SD to SD or micro-SD to USB adapter may be used in order to achieve a compatible connection with the computer.

It will be understood that only one notch may be required in the card Ia.

In this case, the notch on the card la may be configured such that, when the adapter is fitted to the card, one of the datum protrusion 38, 40 is inserted into the notch as before, while the other datum protrusion engages a side edge of the card Ia. Alternatively, the adapter may be provided with only a single datum protrusion which is inserted into the single notch.

It is also noted that the same or similar adapters could be used to gain access to the memory on the smart card chip via the smart card contacts 6.

Figures 5a to Sf illustrate an alternative embodiment of the adapter 18 described in Figures 3a to 3f. Identical features are given the same reference numerals. In this case, the adapter 50 comprises a standard Secure Digital (SD) connector 52 instead of a micro-SD connector 24.

Thus, the adapter 50 can be used as a communications interface between the card la and a computer having an SD-compatible card reader. As above, the SD connector 52 may alternatively be inserted into a secondary adapter (such as SD to USB) before being inserted into a computer if said computer lacks an SD-compatible reader but has an alternative communications socket (e.g. USB port).

The way in which the card Ia co-operates with the adapter 50 is illustrated in Figures 6a to 6f. This is substantially identical to the way in which the card I a co-operates with the adapter 18 (see above).

Figures 7a to 7f illustrate another alternative embodiment of the adapter 18 described in Figures 3a to 3f. Identical features are given the same reference numerals. In this case, the adapter 70 comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector 72 instead of a micro-SD connector 24.

Moreover, as shown most clearly in Figure 7d, as the USB connector 72 only has four contacts 74 (compared with the eight contacts 8 of the card Ia and the eight contacts 23 on the contact surface of the adapter 70), only four of the adapter contacts 23 are electrically coupled to the adapter 70.

Thus, the adapter 70 can be used as a communications interface between the card Ia and a computer having a USB-compatible reader. As above, the USB connector 72 may alternatively be inserted into a secondary adapter (such as USB to SD) before being inserted into a computer if said computer lacks a USB-compatible reader but has an alternative communications socket (e.g. an SD card reader).

The way in which the card la co-operates with the adapter 70 is illustrated in Figures 8a to 8f. This is substantially identical to the way in which the card 1 a co-operates with the adapter 18 (see above).

Figures 9a to 9f illustrate an alternative embodiment of the adapter 70 described above. Identical features are given the same reference numerals. The alternative adapter 90 is, in this case, designed to co-operate with the card lb shown in Figure 2. That is, rather than having eight corresponding contacts 23 designed to mate with the eight contacts on the card 1 a, the adapter 90 has four contacts 92 designed to mate with the four contacts on the tab 10 of card 1 b.

The way in which the card I a co-operates with the adapter 90 is illustrated in Figures ba to lOf. This is substantially identical to the way in which the card I a co-operates with the adapter 18 (see above).

Figures II and 12 are side and perspective views respectively of an alternative adapter 100 mechanically coupled to a card Ic, also shown in Figures 11 and 12. The adapter 100 comprises a clip having first and second opposing clamping members 102, 104 comprising respective opposing surfaces 106, 108. In this embodiment, each clamping member 102, 104 is a leaf spring biased towards the other clamping member 104, 102 at an intermediate position 110 along its length. The clamping members 102, 104 have diverging trailing edges III, 112 In addition, adjacent said intermediate position 110, the opposing surfaces 106, 108 of each clamping member 102, 104 each comprise one or more datum protrusion 113 which extends therefrom. In this case, the datum protrusions take the form of substantially cylindrical pegs.

The card ic is similar to card lb shown in Figure 2 and identical features will be given the same reference numerals. The card lc differs from the card lb in that it lacks the notches 12, 14 but comprises holes 114 which extend fully through the card from the contact surface 2 to the magnetic strip surface 4. Note that the holes 114 may alternatively be dimples which penetrate only partially through the thickness of the card.

The opposing surface 106 of the first clamping member 102 forms a contact surface of the adapter 100. That is, the surface 106 comprises four contacts 120 which correspond to the contacts on the card lc (not shown in Figure 12).

To attach the adapter 100 to the card lc, the clamping members 102, 104 are prised apart and the card Ic is inserted between them until the datum protrusions 113 line up with the corresponding holes 114 in the card Ic.

The clamping members 102, 104 are then released and, as the clamping members are biased towards each other, they spring back such that the datum protrusions 113 are inserted into the holes 114.

The adapter 100 is configured such that, when it is attached to the card Ic, the contacts 120 mate with the contacts on the card Ic. As the clamping members 102, 104 are biased towards each other, the contact surface 106 of the clamping member 102 is held against the contact surface 22 of the card lc. In addition, the biasing action of the clamping members 102, 104 ensures that the datum protrusions 113 are retained in the holes 114, while the interaction between the datum protrusions 113 and internal walls of the holes 114 ensure that there is substantially no relative lateral movement between the adapter 100 and the card ic.

Therefore, a reliable and robust connection can be achieved between the contacts of the adapter and the contacts of the card when the adapter is in use.

In order to gain access to the flash memory of the card Ic, the adapter 100 can be attached to the card ic as described above and the USB connector 72 can be inserted, directly or indirectly, into a computer. That is, if the computer has a USB compatible socket, the USB connector 72 can be inserted directly into the socket; if the computer lacks a USB compatible socket but has an alternative reader (such as an SD card reader), the USB connector 72 can be connected to the computer via a secondary adapter (e.g. USB to SD) which is compatible with the alternative reader of the computer.

It will be understood that, in an alternative embodiment, only one of the clamping members 102, 104 may have datum protrusions.

While this detailed description has set forth some embodiments of the present invention, the appended claims cover other embodiments of the present invention which may differ from the described embodiments according to various modifications and improvements.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An adapter for providing a communications interface between a card comprising a memory and a computer, the adapter comprising: a contact surface comprising one or more electrically conductive contacts; a connector for connecting the adapter to the computer, the connector being electrically coupled to the one or more contacts; a clip adapted to mechanically couple the adapter to the card such that the contact surface of the adapter is held against a contact surface of the card; and one or more datum protrusions extending from the adapter.
2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein one or more datum protrusions extend from the contact surface of the adapter.
3. The adapter of claim 1 or 2 wherein the connector is one of a Secure Digital (SD), micro-SD, mini-SD or Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.
4. The adapter of any preceding claim comprising a plurality of datum protrusions.
5. The adapter of any preceding claim comprising at least two datum protrusions, wherein the one or more electrically conductive contacts are positioned between the datum protrusions.
6. The adapter of any preceding claim wherein the datum protrusions are adjacent the electrically conductive contacts.
7. The adapter of any preceding claim wherein the clip comprises a chamfered edge.
8. The adapter of any preceding claim wherein the clip comprises opposing clamping members which are biased towards each other.
9. The adapter of claim 8 wherein the clamping members each comprise leaf springs.
10.The adapter of claim 8 or 9 wherein the clamp members have diverging trailing edges.
11.The adapter of any preceding claim further comprising a slot adapted to receive an edge portion of a card.
12.The adapter of claim 11 wherein the slot extends between a pair of datum protrusions.
13.The adapter of any preceding claim wherein the connector is adapted to be connected to a computer via a secondary adapter.
14. A card adapted to co-operate with the adapter of any of claims ito 13, the card comprising: a memory; a contact surface comprising one or more electrically conductive contacts providing access to the memory; and one or more notches, dimples or holes, the notches, dimples or holes being adapted to co-operate with the one or more datum protrusions of the adapter to impede relative lateral movement of the adapter relative to the card, and wherein the card is adapted to co-operate with the clip.
15.The card of claim 14 having a substantially uniform thickness.
16.The card of claim 14 or 15 wherein the notches or holes are adjacent the one or more contacts.
17.The card of any of claims 14 to 16 wherein the one or more contacts are adjacent an edge of the card.
18.The card of claim 17 wherein the contacts are adjacent a longitudinal edge of the card.
19.The card of claim 17 or 18 wherein the contacts are positioned on a tab positioned between a pair of notches.
20.The card of any of claims 14 to 19 wherein the memory is flash memory.
21.The card of any of claims 14 to 19 wherein the memory is provided on a smart card chip.
22.The card of any of claims 14 to 21 further comprising a magnetic strip.
23.The card of any of claims 14 to 22 wherein the card is a credit or debit card.