Secure smart card and tool for removing same

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for removing a card from an opening in an electrical device. The apparatus comprises: a card including a semiconductor chip capable of making electrical connection with a contact in the opening and wherein the cards fits into the opening with substantially no part protruding therefrom and a tool that is adapted to effect removal of the card from the opening. This has the advantage that the card makes the appropriate internal contacts and can only be removed by authorized users. This stops theft of the card from retail outlets. In addition, the invention also prevents children and animals removing the card and damaging it in the home environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 This invention relates to improvements in the insertion and removal of
 so-called smart cards from other equipment.
 2. Description of the Related Art
 A smart card is a well-known security device that is used to permit or deny
 access to certain equipment, services or the like. The card is generally
 inserted into another piece of equipment. One example of a way in which a
 smart card is used is in an integrated receiver device (IRD) for receiving
 broadcast material. In this example, the card includes control information
 that enables descrambling of a television signal for viewing by a user.
 Without an appropriate card it may not be possible to receive any
 broadcast material, or it may only be possible to view the free channels.
 For viewing other services it may be necessary to pay a fee, this, once
 received, enables new control signals from the card for those other
 services.
 Certain users will have cards that provide access to all services available
 within a given network. Such a card would thus be of value to anyone who
 wanted to gain access to the supplied services.
 Any user who has a card may want to prevent others removing or stealing the
 card. For example, in a shop the cards used in products on display are
 generally capable of receiving all services. These would be of value to
 any users with less access. This will also be of use in public houses,
 clubs and other public entertainment establishments.
 In addition, in the home environment removal of cards by children and
 babies can result in damage to the card which can stop it from working.
 In the present card systems, such as are described above the edge of the
 card protrudes from the opening into which it is inserted. This allows
 ease of insertion and removal of the card. The card includes a
 semiconductor chip that makes contact with an internal section of the IRD.
 A need exists for a new type of card that cannot be removed other than by
 an authorized user but that still makes the appropriate internal contacts.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided
 apparatus for removing a card from an opening in an electrical device
 comprising: a card including a semiconductor chip capable of making
 electrical connection with a contact in the opening and wherein the cards
 fits into the opening with substantially no part protruding therefrom; and
 a tool that is adapted to effect removal of the card from the opening.
 This has the advantage that the card makes the appropriate internal
 contacts and can only be removed by authorized users.
 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a
 tool that is adapted to remove a card from an opening in an electrical
 device, wherein the card fits in the opening with substantially no part
 protruding therefrom.
 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a
 card capable of being inserted into an opening in an electrical device
 wherein the card fits into the opening with substantially no part
 protruding therefrom, that is capable of being removed from the opening by
 a tool adapted for that purpose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 Referring now to FIG. 1, a typical prior art system is shown. A smart card
 or other access type card 10 is shown inserted into an opening 12 in, for
 example, an Integrated Receiver Device (IRD) 14.
 The card includes a semiconductor chip 16 that makes contact with the IRD
 via contacts 18. The card extends beyond the entrance of the opening in
 order to facilitate easy insertion and removal of the card from the
 opening.
 Referring now to FIG. 2, a new card and opening system is shown. A card 20
 is shown inserted into the opening 22 of an IRD 24. The card has a chip 26
 embedded therein that makes electrical contact with the IRD via contacts
 28. The card, when inserted in the opening, is fully enclosed in the
 opening and there is no portion that extends beyond the entrance of the
 opening. The card can only be removed from the opening with a tool as
 described below.
 Referring to FIG. 3, the card 20 is shown in greater detail. The card
 includes a slot 30, the function of which will be described in greater
 detail below. The length of the card is approximately 16 mm less than a
 conventional card. It will be appreciated, however, that the card may be
 any length, as long as no substantial part extends beyond the entrance of
 the opening. In this situation, a substantial part would be a piece of
 card that is of sufficient size to be grabbed. The card may also include a
 small hole that can be used for a chain or the like to carry the card.
 Referring to FIGS., 4a, 4b and 4c, one embodiment of the tool for removing
 the card of FIGS. 2 or 3 from an opening is shown. The tool 40 is
 substantially the same shape as a conventional smart card and includes
 three longitudinally extending teeth 42, 44 and 46. Two of the teeth 42
 and 46 are slightly offset towards the upper surface and offset
 respectively to the left and right of a longitudinal central axis 48.
 These two teeth have downwardly pointing extensions 70 and 72 in FIG. 7.
 The third of the teeth members 44 is slightly offset towards the lower
 surface of the tool and substantial central with respect to the
 longitudinal axis. The tooth 44 has an upwardly pointing extension 74 in
 FIG. 7 and FIG. 5.
 The spacing and shape of the teeth is such that the tool can slide over the
 card at area 32 of the card and the upwardly and downwardly pointing
 extension 70, 72 and 74 engage with slot 30. Thus in use the tool 40 is
 inserted into the entrance of the opening 22 and engages the card 20.
 Subsequent removal of the tool also results in removal of the card.
 Referring now to FIG. 5, FIGS. 8a and 8b and FIGS. 9a and 9b, the teeth are
 shown in greater detail. The tooth includes a longitudinal section 80 that
 is made of a resilient material. A main chamfer edge 82 forms the front
 end of the extension 70, 72 or 74. The remaining extension includes a flat
 horizontal surface 84 and a vertical edge 86. In addition to the main
 chamfer edge there is an extra chamfer edge 88 on each end of every tooth.
 This facilitates easy removal of the card from the tool.
 As the tool is inserted in the opening the main chamfer edge 82 slides
 along the card, causing the tooth to bend slightly outwards. Continued
 movement of the tool will result in the horizontal surface 84 overlying
 the slot 30 in the card. Due to the resilience of the tooth when the
 surface 84 overlies the slot the tooth will reform to its original shape
 and position and the extension member 70, 72 or 74 will be located in the
 slot. Removal of the tool will cause the edge 86 to come into contact with
 the inner surface of the slot 30 in area 32 and thus allow removal of the
 tool.
 Referring now to FIG. 10, a second embodiment of the invention is shown. In
 this case, the card 100 has a keying section 102. The tool 104 has an
 equal and opposite keying section 106. The keying sections 102 and 106 are
 shaped and sized such that one makes a snap fit with the other. This has
 the effect of temporarily joining the card to the tool, therefore making
 it possible to remove the tool.
 In the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11, the card 110
 and/or the tool 112 have an adhesive member 114 and/or 116. The adhesive
 member or members may comprise a sticky pad, VELCRO.TM. or the like.
 Referring now to FIG. 12, a card 120 is shown inserted into an opening 122
 in an Integrated Receiver Device (IRD). Tool 124 is insertable into a
 second opening 126. Insertion of the tool causes pushing member 128 to
 move against the card and gradually push the card out of the opening.
 Reinsertion of the card causes the pushing member to return to the figure
 shown in FIG. 12.
 CONCLUSION
 A number of embodiments of the invention have been described herein, but it
 will be evident to the skilled person that numerous alternative
 embodiments may also be adopted. The key feature that will be common for
 all is that the tool may directly or indirectly produce movement of the
 card such that the card can be removed. Similarly with the main embodiment
 (See FIGS. 1-9), it is possible to have a clamping mechanism that has
 different numbers of teeth. In addition different shaped teeth and slots
 could be used.
 Further, it is also possible that a mechanical tool could be used that has
 an actuator that grabs the card. This type of tool may be similar to the
 main embodiment but with mechanical activation of the teeth after the tool
 is in place to effect grabbing of the card. Similarly the keying section
 10 in FIG. 10 may be electrically or mechanically activated once the tool
 is in place.
 It will be understood that the tool may also be used to insert the card in
 all embodiments shown above.