KR20070027156A - Usb memory having smart card and usb smart card reader chip - Google Patents

Abstract

A USB(Universal Serial Bus) memory equipped with a smart card and a USB smart card reader chip is provided to monitor information stored in the smart card and update the information without using any RF(Radio Frequency) reader by installing the USB smart card reader chip for transceiving information between the smart card and a general communication terminal like a PC. A memory part(10) is equipped with a memory(11) and a controller(12) for controlling the memory. A smart chip(20) includes a contact/contactless type function. An RF antenna(30) realizes the contactless type function of the smart chip by connecting to the smart chip. The USB smart card reader chip(40) reads the information stored in the smart chip by electrically connecting to the smart chip. A USB interface(50) transceives the information for the memory part and the smart chip among the communication terminal(100), the memory part, and the smart chip using the USB by electrically connecting to the USB smart card reader chip.

Description

USB memory equipped with smart card and USB smart card reader chip {USB MEMORY HAVING SMART CARD AND USB SMART CARD READER CHIP}

1 is a block diagram of an exemplary recording medium according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: USB memory 2: housing of the present invention

10: memory section 11: memory

12: controller 20: smart chip

30: RF antenna 40: USB smart card read chip

50: USB interface 100: communication terminal

200: RF reader 300: management server

(Technology)

The present invention relates to a USB memory, and more particularly, as a USB external memory means of various digital devices, which can read information recorded on the smart card together with a smart card of a contact / non-contact function and between the smart card and the communication terminal. The present invention relates to a USB memory device having a USB smart card reading chip capable of transmitting and receiving information related to a smart card through USB communication.

(Background)

As the functions of various digital devices including digital cameras, MP3s, mobile phones, and the like are gradually diversified and expanded, the required storage capacity is increasing. For example, a mobile phone equipped with a digital camera capable of capturing and storing an image requires a lot of additional memory for storing the photographed picture data in addition to the inherent storage capacity of the mobile phone.

However, embedding a large amount of memory in the main body of the mobile communication terminal for the large amount of memory required for such additional functions not only increases the price of the terminal but also wastes the user who does not use the large capacity memory. .

Therefore, in general, a large capacity memory is not directly embedded in the mobile communication terminal, but a memory mounting socket separately provided in the mobile communication terminal is provided to selectively install and use an additional expansion memory according to the user's mobile communication terminal. I'm trying to.

Memory media have been developed in a variety of forms, mainly in the form of cards using flash memory, for example, Memory Stick (MS Stick), Secure Digital Card (SD Card), Smart Media Cards (Smart Cards), Compact Flash Cards (CFC Cards), Multimedia Cards (Multi Media Cards) are standardized and used.

Such a memory medium has a trend of making USB communication possible like a memory stick so that it can be conveniently stored and deleted by connecting to a USB terminal of a computer.

In addition, as is widely known, the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system, which is based on transmitting and receiving information through short-range wireless communication using a radio frequency, is a contactless smart device in which predetermined information is recorded with an RF reader that performs reading and decoding functions. It includes a transponder such as a card or RF tag.

The RFID system is widely used as a system for non-contact P2P transmission / reception using wireless communication in various fields such as payment management, document management, logistics management, identity verification, and document authentication, and its application range is gradually expanding.

The RF reader, including the transceiver, decoder and antenna, reads the unique information recorded on the transponder through wireless communication with the transponder (e.g. smart card), and if the transponder is also capable of reading and writing, It also enters information.

Transponders such as smart cards and tags, including chips and antennas, transmit and receive recorded information through communication with the RF reader, and operate by receiving energy from radio signals from the RF reader without active and internal power, including batteries. There is this.

As mentioned above, one of the typical applications of the RFID system is a smart card and its RF reader having various payment functions such as transportation card billing.

As is widely known, smart cards can be classified in various ways according to their classification criteria, but are classified into contact cards, contactless cards, and contact / contactless cards according to the manner in which the data is read. The contact smart card refers to a form in which the smart card is activated by contacting the contact of the smart card with the contact point of the interface device. The contactless smart card is the same as the contact type for the operation and memory elements required for the information processing function. It is a type of card that is powered by RF antenna and uses electromagnetic induction method for communication with interface device. Combined smart card is a smart card that supports both contact and non-contact functions. It is a smart card configured to share parts within a chip of which contact / contactless can be shared.

In general, standardized combination cards include an interface for contact functionality, an interface for contactless functionality and applets for controlling related functions, and six terminals for contact functionality (power supply terminals: VCC, initialization input terminal: RST, clock terminal: CLK, ground terminal: GND, program voltage terminal: not currently used, serial data input / output terminal: I / O, and 2 antenna terminals for contactless function (ANT) ).

The RFID system basically executes the desired function while the predetermined information is communicated through the wireless communication between the RF reader and the transponder, but in general, the RF reader is connected to the management server that manages the function by wired or wireless connection and related information. It will communicate with the management server, whereby the management server will manage the overall RFID system.

Using the smart card with the transportation card function as an example, when a prepaid transportation card is to be charged, the RF reader (charger) reads the information recorded on the transportation card through RF communication and between the RF reader and the management server. Through communication, charging is realized through authentication procedures of the corresponding transportation card.

As such, the use of the smart card requires an RF reader capable of reading information recorded on the smart card and communicating with the management server through wired or wireless communication, if necessary, but the user of the smart card does not have such an RF reader. Therefore, if you want to check the information recorded on the smart card or charge the amount of money is inconvenient to visit the place (eg charging station) where the RF reader is provided.

RF readers that can connect to a communication terminal, such as a computer, monitor the recorded information by reading a smart card, and update the information recorded on the smart card as necessary in order to alleviate the inconvenience associated with the use of the RF reader. Generally referred to as 'dummy terminal', financial institutions are trying to spread the dummy terminal as a way to promote the use of smart cards.

However, the dummy terminal is inconvenient for the smart card user to separately access the dummy terminal by using a dummy terminal, and thus accesses the information directly recorded on the smart card without using the dummy terminal by using a communication terminal (eg, a personal computer). In addition, it would be desirable to be able to update the information recorded on the smart card through the connection with the management server through the Internet.

An object of the present invention is a USB memory that is used as an external storage medium of various digital devices, and is provided with a smart card with a contact / contactless function to be used as a contactless smart card such as a traffic card, as well as information recorded on the smart card. It is possible to read the information between the smart card and the communication terminal by the USB smart card reader chip that can transmit and receive information related to the smart card by USB communication, so that without using a separate RF reader communication terminal ( For example, an object of the present invention is to provide a USB memory capable of monitoring information recorded on a smart card through USB communication with a personal computer and updating information on the smart card as necessary.

An object of the present invention is to provide a function of an external USB memory of a digital device, a smart card having a contactless payment function such as a traffic card function, and a smart card through a USB communication between a communication terminal (for example, a personal computer). The purpose of the present invention is to provide a USB memory incorporating a function that reads the information recorded in the smart card and enables the user to execute the charging of the smart card, the electronic payment and the inquiry of the contents of the smart card using a general communication terminal without a separate RF reader.

According to the present invention, there is provided a USB memory equipped with a smart card and a USB smart card reading chip.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a USB memory device including: a memory unit including a memory and a controller for controlling the memory; Smart chip having a contact / contactless function; An RF antenna connected to the smart chip to realize a non-contact function of the smart chip; A USB smart card reading chip electrically connected to the smart chip to read information recorded in the smart chip; And electrically connected to the memory unit and the USB smart card reading chip to transmit / receive information about the memory unit and the smart chip between the communication terminal, the memory unit, and the smart chip through USB communication with a communication terminal. USB interface; includes.

Preferably, the smart chip is a prepaid combination chip used for small payments, such as a transportation card.

Hereinafter, a USB memory having a smart card and a USB smart card reading chip according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are merely illustrative of the memory according to the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of an exemplary memory in accordance with the present invention.

As shown, a USB memory 1 equipped with a smart card and a USB smart card reading chip according to the present invention is manufactured to a standard of a storage medium such as, for example, a memory stick, and the housing 2 is provided as a storage medium. Along with the memory unit 10 which is a basic configuration, the smart chip 20, the RF antenna 30, the USB smart card reading chip 40, and the USB interface 50 are included.

The memory unit 10 may apply, for example, a general memory medium such as a memory stick to the present invention, and controls a memory 11 (eg, a flash memory) in which information is stored and the memory 11. (12) is included, and used as an external memory in digital devices such as mobile phones, MP3s and digital cameras, for example, as a medium for storing related files.

The memory unit 10 is connected to the communication terminal 100, such as a computer via a USB interface 50 to be described later, so that the USB communication, the data stored in the memory unit 10 to operate the communication terminal 100 It can be saved and deleted conveniently.

The smart chip 20 is a well-known combination chip operating in contact and contactless manner, for example, the smart chip 20, as described above, the power supply terminal (VCC), clock terminal (CLK), serial data input and output A terminal I / O, an initialization input terminal RST, an antenna terminal ANT, and the like are provided. Preferably, the combination chip is equipped with a protocol of electronic money function such as a prepaid transportation card.

The RF antenna 30 is a conventional RF antenna that allows the smart chip 20 to communicate with the RF reader 200 (for example, a traffic toller), for example, an RF reader (for example, a 13.56 MHz frequency region). An antenna having a characteristic capable of wireless communication with the 200, and as described above, both terminals of the RF antenna 30 is connected to the antenna terminal ANT of the smart chip 20.

In the USB memory 1 according to the present invention, the USB smart card reading chip 40 is integrally included with the smart chip 20 in one package, for example. As shown in FIG. 1, the USB smart card read chip 40 includes a power supply terminal VCC, a clock terminal CLK, a serial data input / output terminal I / O, and an initialization input among the terminals of the smart chip 20. The terminal RST is electrically connected to the terminal RST, and thus the USB smart card reading chip 40 can access the information recorded in the smart chip 20 in a contact manner.

That is, the smart chip 20 transmits and receives information related to a traffic card function, etc., which is mounted through the contactless wireless communication with the external RF reader 200 (for example, the toll collector) by the RF antenna 30, and transmits and receives the contactless wirelessly. Through the electrical contact with the smart card reading chip 40 is to transmit and receive information related to the traffic card function, etc. mounted on the contact wired.

The USB smart card reading chip 40 is connected to the USB interface 50 to transmit and receive information read from the smart chip 20 to the external communication terminal 100 through USB communication.

Thus, when the USB memory 1 of the present invention is connected to the communication terminal 100 (for example, a personal computer) using the USB interface 50, the communication terminal 100 connects the USB memory 1 of the present invention to one. Recognized as an external device within the allowable range it is possible to transmit and receive predetermined information between the communication terminal 100 and the smart chip 20, and eventually the USB smart card read chip 40 is smart with the communication terminal 100 The function of relaying data transmission between the chip 20 is to be.

Terminals shown in the USB interface 50 in Fig. 1 represent a power supply terminal (VCC), a data terminal (D + and D-) and a ground terminal (GND) required for USB communication. Reference numeral 3 denotes a USB cable when necessary. Reference numeral 60 is, for example, a USB hub circuit that allows the USB interface 50 to be used in both the memory unit 10 and the USB smart card read chip 40.

According to the USB memory 1 according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, among the information recorded in the smart chip 20, information of a range allowed to be accessed, for example, data on balance or data on usage history, etc. Can be inquired through the monitor of the communication terminal 100 via the USB smart card read chip 40 and the USB interface 50, and can also modify the data within the range allowed for modification.

In addition, when the prepaid charge charged in the smart chip 20 is exhausted, a new amount must be charged. In such a charging process, the USB memory 1 is connected to the communication terminal 100 (eg, a personal computer) to communicate with the terminal. Access to the management server 300 for jurisdiction of the traffic card to 100 and after passing through a predetermined authentication and payment procedures, such as payment data is sent to the charging data to update the smart chip 20, do not visit the charging station No, it can be easily charged using the communication terminal 100 at home.

In addition, even if you want to execute a small amount of payment on the web with the amount charged in the smart chip 20 after the predetermined authentication and payment through the Internet communication with the management server 300 through the communication terminal 100 after The charged amount may be subtracted from the charged amount, and the charged amount may be updated with the new data.

Thus, according to the USB memory 1 of the present invention, not only can be used as an external USB memory means of digital devices such as mobile phones, MP3, digital cameras, but also the USB smart card reading chip 40 and the USB interface 50. It is possible to transmit and receive data between the smart chip 20 and the communication terminal 100 through the relay, thereby allowing the information recorded in the smart chip 20 through the input of the key input unit of the communication terminal 100 It can be operated in a range, it is possible to display the necessary information through the monitor of the communication terminal 100, and also in accordance with the command of the management server 300 in the state in which the communication terminal 100 is connected to the management server 300 By inputting necessary data through the key input unit of the communication terminal 100, a task related to the function of the smart chip 20 (for example, charging a transportation card or making a small payment) may be executed through the communication terminal 100.

In the USB memory 1 according to the present invention, the USB terminal 1 is connected to the communication terminal 100 at any time and anywhere under the environment in which the communication terminal 100 is prepared, and the files stored in the memory unit 10 are connected to the communication terminal. Can be managed through (100).

In addition, the USB memory 1 according to the present invention is electrically connected to the smart chip 20 and the USB smart card reading chip 40 and the USB interface 50 capable of USB communication with the communication terminal 100. As it is integrally included, the smart chip 20 by connecting the USB memory 1 to the communication terminal 100 anytime and anywhere under the environment in which the communication terminal 100 is prepared without requiring the RF reader 200. It is convenient to be able to execute various functions (reading card information, charging the amount of transportation card, small payment using the charged amount) mounted on the board.

Claims (1)

A memory unit (10) having a memory (11) and a controller (12) for controlling the memory (11); Smart chip 20 having a contact / contactless function; An RF antenna 30 connected to the smart chip 20 to realize a non-contact function of the smart chip 20; A USB smart card reading chip 40 electrically connected to the smart chip 20 to read information recorded in the smart chip 20; And It is electrically connected to the memory unit 10 and the USB smart card reading chip 40 to communicate the information about the memory unit 10 and the smart chip 20 via USB communication with the communication terminal 100. A USB interface 50 for transmitting and receiving between the terminal 100, the memory unit 10 and the smart chip 20; A smart card and a USB memory provided with a read chip for a USB smart card.

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