Data device module

Abstract: A module (10) is described for use in data devices such as smart cards. The module (10) consists of a contact carrier (11) having contacts (12), an integrated circuit (13), and a base (20) enclosing the integrated circuit (13). The base (20) is formed to provide a groove (21) around the perimeter such that when the device is formed, material from an intermediate layer (32) will flow into the groove and secure the module (10) to the card.

Description: The present invention relates, in general, to data devices and, more particularly, to integrated circuit modules for data devices. One type of commonly known data device is the smart card. This is a credit card that contains an integrated circuit to store information on items such as financial or medical data. Examples of smart cards and how they are produced can be seen in U.S. Patent 4,617,216. A problem with the present design of data devices is that the module has a tendency to come out of the card easily. This is not only inconvenient for the card owner, but also makes it easier for the module to be reverse engineered for illicit purposes. From GB Patent 2,096,541, it is known to provide locking means to secure a module within a device. Furthermore, Japanese patent 5,820,917 describes an adhesive which performs the function of a locking means as described above. Similarly, with reference to Article 54(3) EPC, EP-A-0,277,854 describes a module having a slanted side wall, which also performs the function of a locking means. Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide an IC or data device module that overcomes the above deficiencies, and which is compatible with existing manufacturing techniques. The above problems are mitigated according to the present invention in which there is provided an IC module for a data device e.g. a smart card, said module comprising: a contact carrier having respective obverse and reverse surfaces; an integrated circuit attached to said reverse surface of said contact carrier; contact means for providing electrical contact between said integrated circuit and a device external to said data device, said contact means being electrically coupled to said integrated circuit and at least partially disposed in said contact carrier; a base having a side wall and being attached to said reverse surface of said contact carrier and disposed about said integrated circuit; and locking means disposed about said side wall of said base for securing said IC module to said data device, wherein said locking means comprises a groove disposed entirely within said side wall of said base. Three data device modules and three data devices in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG.1 is a top view of a data device module embodying the present invention; FIG 2 is a side view of the data device module of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side view of a second data device module embodying the present invention; FIG. 4 is a top view of a third data device module embodying the present invention; FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a contact carrier embodying the present invention; FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a second contact carrier embodying the present invention; FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial cross sectional views of the data device module of FIG. 1 being incorporated in a data device; FIGS. 9 and 10 are partial cross sectional views of the data device module of FIG. 3 being incorporated in a data device. Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a data device module, generally designated 10, is illustrated. Module 10 consists of a contact carrier 11 having a plurality of contacts 12 disposed thereon. The bottom of contact carrier 11 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 5, a contact arrangement is shown that permits wire or tape automated bonding of a die 13 to contacts 12. As illustrated, contacts 12 extend through contact carrier 11 and are exposed on the bottom portion. Die 13 is attached to contact carrier 11 utilizing a die attach material. Die 13 is then electrically coupled to contacts 12 with wire bonds 14. In FIG. 6, a contact arrangement is shown that permits flip chip bonding of die 13 to contacts 12. Die 13 is bonded to conductive lines 15 which are disposed on the bottom of carrier 11 and coupled to contacts 12. Once die 13 has been coupled to contact carrier 11, a base 20 is molded about the bottom of contact carrier 11. As is shown, base 20 is shaped having a locking means 21, the locking means being a groove in the side wall of base 20. As will be seen below, this allows module 10 to be secure into the data device. In FIG. 2, module 10 has contacts 12 extending above the surface of carrier 11. This will enable direct access to contacts 12 when the device is completed. In FIG. 3, a second module 10' having an alternative type of contact carrier 11' is illustrated. In carrier 11', contacts 12' are disposed even with the surface. It should be noted that contacts 12' could also be disposed below the surface. This leaves contacts 12' disposed below the surface of the completed card. Those types of contacts utilize capacitive electrical connections to communicate with external devices. As illustrated in FIG. 1, module 10 is in the shape of a trapezoid having rounded corners. This design was utilized to provide easy registration but is not required. Module 10 can come in several shapes. In FIG. 4, module 10'' is shown as a circle having contacts 12 on a contact carrier 11. Locking means 21 of the base portion 20 is illustrated by the dashed line. Referring, now to FIGS. 7-10, the production of data devices 30 and 30' are illustrated using modules 10 and 10' respectively. It should be noted that these types of devices may be items such as smart cards, military dog tags, medical alert bracelets, jewelry, keys, etc. First, a bottom laminate 31 is placed down as a base. Following this, an intermediate layer 32 having openings 33 disposed therein is placed on base laminate 31. Openings 33 are cut to be approximately the same size as module 10 or 10'. Module 10 or 10' is then placed in opening 33 and a top laminate 34 or 34' is placed on top. For data device 30, top laminate 34 has openings disposed therein to allow contacts 12 to be exposed to the surface. In FIG. 9, top laminate 34' does not have openings since contacts 12' do not require direct contact. Once the various layers are in place, data devices 30 and 30' are exposed to heat and pressure to form the final card. One method of providing this heat and pressure forming method is described in U.S. Patent 4,448,630 entitled "Machine for Applying a Film". As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, intermediate layer 32 is softened so that it will flow into locking means 21 of modules 10 and 10'. When cured this provides a secure data device. In order to remove module 10, device 30 would have to be destroyed. In addition, materials can be selected for layers 31, 32, and 34 such that they are stronger than base 20. This will result in module 10 being destroyed if an attempt is made to remove it from device 30.

Claims: An IC module (10) for a data device (30, 30') e.g. a smart card, said module comprising a contact carrier (11) having respective obverse and reverse surfaces, an integrated circuit (13) attached to said reverse surface of said contact carrier (11), a contact means (12) for providing electrical contact between said integrated circuit (13) and a device external to said data device (30, 30'), said contact means (12) being electrically coupled to said integrated circuit (13) and at least partially disposed in said contact carrier (11), a base (20) having a side wall and being attached to said reverse surface of said contact carrier (11) and disposed about said integrated circuit (13), and a locking means (21) disposed about said side wall of said base for securing said IC module (10) to said data device (30, 30'), wherein: said locking means (20) comprises a groove (21) disposed entirely within said side wall of said base (20). The IC module (10) of claim 1 wherein said contact means comprises: a contact pad (12) disposed in said contact carrier (11); and a bonding wire (14) extending from said integrated circuit (13) to said contact pad (12). The IC module (10) of claim 1 wherein said contact means comprises: a contact pad (12) disposed in said contact carrier (11); and a conductive line (15) disposed on said reverse surface of said contact carrier (11) for coupling said integrated circuit (13) to said contact pad (12). The IC module (10) of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said contact pad (12) extends from said reverse surface to said obverse surface of said contact carrier (11). An data device (30, 30') including an IC module (10) as claimed in any preceding claim, the data device (30, 30') comprising: a bottom layer (31) having a first surface, an intermediate layer (32) having a first surface, a second surface and a wall defining an opening extending from said first surface to said second surface, said second surface of said intermediate layer (32) being coupled to said first surface of said bottom layer (31), said data device module (10) being disposed in the opening defined by said wall of said intermediate layer (32) and a top layer (34) having a second surface coupled to said first surface of said intermediate layer (32). The data device of claim 5 wherein an adhesive is disposed between said side wall defining the opening in said intermediate layer (32) and the side wall of the base of the date device module (10). The data device of claim 5 wherein a wall of said top layer (34) defines an opening therethrough such that said contact means (12) extends into the opening.

Inventors: GEYER HARRY JOHN, SIMMONS MARION IRA, GEYER, HARRY JOHN, SIMMONS, MARION IRA
Applicants: MOTOROLA INC, MOTOROLA INC.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G06K19
IPC codes: G06K19, B42D15, B42D109