A DEVICE FOR THE INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF PERSONAL DATA

Abstract: A device (1) for the integrated management of personal data comprises a card substrate (2), a CD memory unit (5) integrated on at least one face (3) of the card substrate (2), and a proximity-effect chip (6) interacting with the CD memory unit (5).

Description: A device for the integrated management of personal data DESCRIPTION Technical field The present invention relates to a device for the integrated management of personal data according to the preamble to the main claim. Background art A card device comprising a CD memory unit for optical reading and a chip of the type with contacts is known from German patent No. 4242247. In order to access the data held in the CD memory unit, these card devices are inserted in a suitable optical reader in which there is an interface unit which is physically- connected to the chip having contacts. The chip performs the dual functions of a key for access to the data held in the CD memory unit, so as to prevent uncontrolled access thereto, and of a unit for controlling the data-reading operation, guiding the laser beam of the optical reader. However, some disadvantages are encountered in the use of devices of the type described; in fact, since the chip has to remain in physical contact with the corresponding interface unit, it is necessary to provide an optical reader of the type with a rotary head, which is complex to control and not very reliable. Moreover, in order to obtain any particular information held in the card device, it is necessary to access the CD memory unit, since no alternative rapid-access data sources are available thereon. Disclosure of the invention The problem underlying the present invention is that of providing a device for the integrated control of personal data which is designed structurally and functionally to overcome the limitations set out above with reference to the prior art mentioned. This problem is solved by the present invention by means of a device for the integrated management of personal data formed in accordance with the appended claims. Brief description of the drawings The characteristics and the advantages of the invention will, become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof described by way of non- limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a view showing a device for the management of personal data formed in accordance with the present invention, from one side, - Figure 2 is a view showing the device of Figure 1 from the opposite side, - Figure 3 is an exploded view of the device of Figures 1 and 2. Preferred embodiment of the invention In the drawings, a device for the integrated management of personal data formed in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated 1. The device 1 comprises a card substrate 2 with a multi- layered structure, on which two opposed main faces 3 and 4 are identified. In a first layer 3a of the card substrate 2, made of polycarbonate and defining the face 3 with its outer side, there is a memory unit 5 for optical reading, preferably of the CD type. The memory unit 5 has an annular shape with spiral tracks and has an overall available memory capacity of at least 20 Megabytes (Mb) and preferably 30 Mb. Moreover, the memory unit 5 is advantageously of the rewritable type, that is, the data held therein can not only be read but can also be modified or added to if necessary. According to the present invention, a proximity-effect chip 6 is incorporated in a second layer 4a, which is made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and an outer side of which defines the opposite face 4. The proximity-effect chip 6 comprises a plurality of additional memory areas, all indicated 7 in the drawing, and a microprocessor 8 which supervises both the management of the data held therein and communication operations with any external proximity-effect devices. These external devices are of known type and are not shown in the appended drawings . The memory areas 7 are preferably of the EEPROM rewritable type with an available memory capacity of at least 8 kilobytes (kb) and preferably 16 kb. The chip 6 is also connected to an antenna 9 incorporated in a third layer 4b of the card substrate 2; the layer 4b is also made of PVC and is fixed to the second layer 4a on the side opposite to the face 4. The antenna 9 is of the wire type extending in turns peripherally around the edge region of the third layer 4b, has a range of about 70 cm, and serves to permit remote communication (in wireless mode) between the chip 6 and the above-mentioned external proximity-effect device. The chip 6 is also advantageously organized in a manner such as to permit a contact-type connection, in addition to the a b ove-mentioned proximity-effect connection, so as to be a "dual-mode" chip. Furthermore, a fourth PVC layer 4c is interposed between the third PVC layer 4b and the first polycarbonate layer 3a of the card substrate 2 and is fixed to the first layer 3a by gluing. Moreover, a through-hole 2a is formed in a central region of the card substrate 2 and, as described further below, serves to permit access to the memory unit 5 by conventional optical reading devices, that is fixed-head devices . The preferred embodiment of the device 1, with reference to which the functional characteristics of the invention will now be described below, is used for the integrated management of personal data of various kinds pertaining, for example, to the fields of health, banking, finance, registration of births, marriages and deaths, etc. It will be noted that, by virtue of the provision of both the chip 6 and the optical-reading memory unit 5 in the card substrate 2, the device 1 can manage personal data in accordance with two different modes of operation which in turn can operate independently or can be integrated in mutual cooperation, according to predefined requirements. The first mode of operation involves, in particular, the proximity-effect chip 6 which, as already mentioned above, can exchange data, in wireless mode, with a corresponding external proximity-effect device. As soon as the chip 6 enters the detection field of the external device, an operative connection is thus established between the chip 6 and the external device and enables the data held in one or more of the memory areas 7 of the device 1 to be transmitted immediately to the external device. This first set of data is therefore rendered accessible quickly and easily, whereas the further operations of the insertion of the device 1 in optical readers and of access to the data held in the CD memory unit 5 are required only if specific further examination is necessary. For example, if the device 1 is used as a health card, general data relating to personal identity (name, address, date and place of birth, etc.) National Health Service personal-identification references (National Health Service number, any insurance reference number, etc.) and other information which is essential in the event of first-aid intervention (blood group, allergies, drug incompatibilities, consent to the removal of organs, etc.) may be made available . The data held in the memory areas 7 is preferably organized in files and folders which may advantageously be provided with variously configured protection means relating to the type of resident data. The data can thus be read and/or entered and/or modified only by people specifically authorized for each of these operations. The proximity-effect chip 6 is also advantageously organized for use for the management of financial transactions, being able to operate, for example, as a credit and/or debit card. The second mode of operation of the device 1, on the other hand, involves the memory unit 5 and provides for the use of a conventional, external, fixed-head optical reading device in which the card substrate 2 is inserted. Once the card substrate 2 has been inserted in the external reading device, it is engaged by engagement means provided in the reading device which, by virtue also of the provision of the through-hole 2a enable the card substrate 2 to be rotated like a normal CD and to be read by a fixed head. Like the memory areas 7 of the chip 6, the memory unit 5 can advantageously be divided into files and folders, according to the type of information held. The large memory capacity of the unit 5 permits the management of data which could not reside in the memory areas 7 of the chip 6 and, for example, in the case of data pertaining to the health field, may give a person's entire clinical history with the outcomes of tests undergone, clinical references, magnetic-resonance images, etc. To ensure any confidentiality requirements, each data file or folder may also be further protected by a password. According to the invention, access to the data held in the memory unit 5 may take place either independently of the operation of the proximity-effect chip 6, or in a relationship of functional dependency, for example, access to the data held in the memory unit 5 may be guided and managed by programs resident in the proximity-effect chip 6. It should in fact be noted that, with the device 1, wireless-mode communication of the proximity-effect chip 6 is also permitted whilst the card substrate 2 is inserted in a conventional optical-reading device and is rotating therein to permit reading of the data held in the memory unit 5. This permits both simultaneous access to the data held in the chip 6 and to the data held in the memory unit 5, and the establishment of an operative connection with the optical reading device, by means of the proximity-effect reading device, enabling access to the memory unit 5 to be controlled. The present invention thus solves the problem discussed above with reference to the prior art mentioned, at the same time offering many other advantages, amongst which is the capability to include, in a single card substrate, two different personal-data management units which can operate independently or in a functionally integrated manner, according to requirements . This characteristic renders the device 1 flexible in use and particularly suitable for holding personal data of various kinds and with different access security requirements .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for the integrated management of personal data, comprising a card substrate (2), a CD memory unit (5) for optical reading, incorporated on at least one face (3) of the card substrate (2) , and a chip (6) applied to the substrate (2) and interacting with the CD memory unit (5) , characterized in that the chip (6) is of the proximity- effect type. 2. A device according to Claim 1 in which the CD memory unit (5) has a spiral track. 3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the CD memory unit (5) is rewritable. 4. A device according to any one of Claims 1, 2 and 3 , in which the CD memory unit has a capacity of at least 20 Megabytes . 5. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the proximity-effect chip (6) comprises at least one additional memory area (7) . 6. A device according to Claim 5 in which the additional memory area (7) of the chip (6) has a capacity of at least 8 kilobytes. 7. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the chip (6) comprises a microprocessor (8) and is connected to an antenna (9) for operative connection, in wireless mode, to an external proximity-effect device. 8. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the chip (6) is organized to permit contact- type connections . 9. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the chip (6) is organized operatively for the management of financial transactions. 1 0. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims in which resident programs for the management of the CD memory unit (5) are provided in the chip (6) . 11. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which two opposed main faces (3, 4) are defined on the card substrate (2) , the CD memory unit (5) and the proximity-effect chip (6) being provided on one and on the other of the opposed faces, respectively. 12. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the card substrate (2) is multi-layered and comprises a first, polycarbonate layer (3a) which defines a first face (3) of the card substrate (2) and in which the CD memory unit (5) is incorporated, a second, PVC layer (4a) which defines the opposite face (4) of the card substrate and in which the chip (6) is incorporated, a third, PVC layer (4b) in which the antenna (9) is incorporated and which is fixed to the second layer (4a) on the side remote from the opposite face (4) , and a fourth, PVC layer (4c) which is disposed between the third layer (4b) and the first, polycarbonate layer (3a) and is fixed to the latter by gluing. 13. A method for the integrated management of personal data by means of a card substrate (2) comprising a CD memory unit (5) and a chip (6) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chip (6) can be operatively connected, in wireless mode, to a device for reading the CD memory unit (5) and comprises resident programs for the management of the CD memory unit (5) by the reading device .

Inventors: ALTAVILLA CLAUDIO, BALAGION RENZO, ALTAVILLA, CLAUDIO, BALAGION, RENZO
Applicants: ALTAVILLA CLAUDIO, BALAGION RENZO, ALTAVILLA, CLAUDIO, BALAGION, RENZO
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G06K19
IPC codes: G06K19