Abstract:
A transceiver assembly is designed to receive a controller module or to be inserted into a controller module to form a portable smart card communication device. The transceiver assembly includes a transceiver and a connector to electrically connect the controller module to the transceiver. The controller module establishes a communication link between itself and a smart card by sending and receiving signals and data through the connector. Information is read from the smart card and forwarded to the controller module. Information is transmitted through the transceiver assembly and stored on the smart card. The controller module can easily be disconnected from the transceiver assembly for use with other transceiver assemblies.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application Ser. No. 09/305,096, filed May 4, 1999 U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,769. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to smart card systems and more specifically to portable smart card communication devices for writing information to and/or reading information from a smart card. 
     2. Background 
     The term “smart card” is typically used to refer to various types of devices having an embedded integrated circuit for storing information. The reference to “smart cards” within this disclosure includes both contact and non-contact cards (also referred to as proximity cards). Smart card communication devices are used to write information to the card and to read information from the card. Some smart card communication devices may only have the ability to read from or write to the smart card. Therefore, a smart card communication device may be a smart card reader, a smart card writer or both. 
     Typically, the smart card communication device is connected to a host computer that regulates transactions between the smart card and the smart card communication device. In some systems, however, the host computer may be part of the smart card communication device. Smart card systems may include any number of host computers and communication devices depending on the particular configuration and requirements of the system. 
     The smart card is a small, usually credit card shaped, device that contains at least a memory device for storing information and a transceiver to communicate with a smart card communication device. The smart card communication device communicates through the transceiver on the smart card to access the stored information. The smart card communication device may simply read the information, load the information into the memory device or modify existing data in the memory device. For example, if the owner of a smart card uses a smart card containing financial information to make a purchase, the smart card communication device can read the information including the owner&#39;s identity and the availability of funds. The smart card communication device can also deduct the purchase amount from the available funds if it has writing capabilities. Further, the communication device can store transaction data on the smart card including the time and location of the transaction in addition to the identity of the communication device. 
     Existing smart cards can be classified as either contact or non-contact smart cards. It is not necessary for non-contact smart cards (also referred to as proximity cards) to physically contact a smart card communication device to exchange data. Proximity cards typically employ modulated radio frequency (RF) field and impedance modulation techniques to transfer data between the proximity card and the proximity card communication device. 
     Smart cards have a variety of uses and can be utilized in any transaction that involves the exchange of data or information between individuals and an institution. For example, smart cards can be used to store information including medical records, financial information, vehicle maintenance information, pet information, and a variety of other information traditionally printed on paper or plastic or stored on cards having a magnetic stripe or an optical bar code. Smart card technology has been particularly useful in banking systems and other financial transaction systems. For example, smart card technology has been used effectively in mass-transit systems where the stored value on a smart card is decreased by an amount equal to the fare each time the passenger uses the card to gain access to or exits from the mass-transit system. As described above, other information may be stored or modified on the card such as the time and location of transaction. 
     A wide variety of transactions involving smart cards are performed with a fixed smart card communication device in a location providing adequate communication and power resources for fixed systems. Many transactions, however, may require the use of a portable smart card communication device. For example, in mass-transit systems, a portable smart card communication device is useful in ticketing passengers that are seated on the mass-transit vehicle or on the boarding platform. Passengers may be severely inconvenienced by having to purchase tickets or renew their smart cards at a sales office, especially when trying to board a departing train or bus. 
     As our society becomes increasingly mobile, demands increase for portable products. Smart card users often would like to check the value remaining on their smart cards while traveling. A user, for example, may wish to determine if there are sufficient funds on a smart card for a return trip while traveling to a destination. Further, a smart card user may wish to update the information while in a mobile environment. 
     Applications that utilize smart cards as an identification cards may require the use of portable communication devices. For example, if a smart card is used as a driver&#39;s license, a police officer may need to access the stored information on the smart card while standing next to the driver&#39;s vehicle on a roadway. The driver&#39;s license in these applications may include data such as insurance carrier information, vehicle registration information, and past violations in addition to standard information included on a driver&#39;s license such as a description of the driver. 
     Existing portable smart card communication devices have several drawbacks. In one existing portable design, a laptop computer is connected to a smart card transceiver. The different parts of the portable smart card communication device are connected by cables making the smart card communication device cumbersome and difficult to use. 
     Other conventional portable smart card communication devices are constructed as fully integrated single units. These conventional designs are limited in that the user does not have flexibility in choosing specific features of the device such as the type or size of the display or the style of the keyboard. The processing power of the device may be inadequate for the particular purpose of the smart card user or the user may be forced to pay for processing power that is not needed. 
     In addition to the use of smart cards, the increased power and reduced size of personal computers has accelerated society&#39;s trend to a mobile environment. One type of personal computer that is gaining in popularity is referred to as a personal digital assistant (PDA). PDAs are used for a wide variety of applications. For example, PDAs have been used as personal organizers to store information such as schedules, addresses, and phone numbers. In addition, many PDAs can be used as word processors, calculators or to provide other computer functions. Some PDAs provide communication capabilities and can be used to excess the Internet, establish facsimile transmissions, or provide paging or electronic mail services. 
     PDA designs incorporate a number of improvements over traditional laptop computers in order to facilitate the portability of the devices. PDAs typically incorporate innovations directed at methods of entering information into the PDA and displaying information to the user. For example, many PDAs have touch sensitive screens that allow a user to quickly and efficiently enter information by touching a stylus to the screen. The PDAs may employ a user friendly graphical user interface such as a Windows™ or Windows™ CE interface. In addition, the user may write messages directly on the screen using the stylus. The image produced may be transmitted via electronic mail or facsimile or may simply be stored in memory. With the advances in handwriting recognition, the PDA can interpret the writing and convert it into a text format. Further, the displays used on PDAs are designed to minimize glare from various angles while providing clear images with a minimum of power consumption. These types of screens can be extremely useful where the user is located in an area where it is difficult to use a keyboard or may want to quickly navigate through a menu of files. 
     Various types of input/output devices have been used to transfer information involving existing data on external media to the PDA. For example, optical scanners, memory cards such as PCMCIA cards, infrared transceivers, cables and some telecommunication techniques have been used to transfer information between the PDA and other sources. These various techniques allow the user to easily transfer data to and from the PDA in a mobile environment. 
     Many PDAs are linked to Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems allowing the PDA to provide the user with a geographical location. Further, the PDA can provide information such as traveling directions if the PDA contains street information such as an electronic map. 
     Although smart card and PDA technologies are advancing, conventional designs do not provide the benefits of both technologies in a single integrated package. A mobile user wishing to use a portable smart card communication device and a PDA must purchase two separate devices. Further, conventional devices do not provide a method of transferring, viewing or modifying smart card information using a PDA. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a portable smart card communication device that provides the user with the flexibility to choose particular features and functions while increasing the convenience to the user and reducing the costs of manufacturing the portable smart card communication device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a cradle portion of a transceiver assembly receives a controller module to form a portable smart card reader. A transceiver, located in a housing of the transceiver assembly, is connected to the control module through an electrical connector mounted in the housing. The controller module establishes a communication link through the transceiver with a smart card by sending and receiving signals through the connector and controlling operation of the transceiver. The controller module can be easily removed from the cradle portion of the transceiver assembly. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the transceiver assembly is configured to mate with a standard peripheral device connector of a controller module. In this embodiment, the transceiver assembly is easily inserted into and removed from the controller module. 
     One advantage of the invention is that the user has the flexibility to choose the type of display, the speed and power of the processor, the size of memory or other features or functions of the controller module that are not typically directed to the transceiver. The transceiver assembly is chosen to operate within the particular smart card system. Once the appropriate transceiver is determined, the user can choose one of several different types of controller modules that can be received by, or that can receive, the transceiver assembly. 
     Another advantage of the invention is that manufacturing costs are reduced for the portable smart card communication device since the manufacturer can take advantage of economies of scale savings by using a controller module that has other uses in addition to its smart card utility. For example, if the controller module is a standard personal digital assistant (PDA), the manufacturer can take advantage of the large number of sales of PDAs that reduce the cost of the controller module. The manufacturer can reduce costs by avoiding the design and manufacture of standard PDA components such display screens, memory devices and processors. 
     Another advantage of the invention is that the user can purchase a single device that functions as a portable smart card communication device and a PDA. Further, if the user owns a PDA, the user can purchase the transceiver assembly that will interface to the PDA and is not forced to purchase many of the expensive components found in the PDA in order to obtain a portable smart card communication device. 
     Still another advantage of the invention is that, if the controller module is a PDA, the user can use the features of the PDA in conjunction with the smart card communication device. Information can be easily transferred between the PDA and a smart card. The user can check the value of the smart card through the PDA. If the PDA has telecommunication connection capability such as Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) link, the user may be able to add value to the smart card. The user may use the user friendly input and output methods such as the touch screen to view information on the smart card and enter data into the smart card. 
     Yet another advantage of the invention is that a smart card can be produced to include various types of preprogramed information that can be utilized by the PDA. For example, a smart card may be programmed to include street information regarding a particular geographical area. A user may purchase the smart card in anticipation of traveling to the area and transfer the information into the portable smart card communication device. The controller module (PDA) can use the information on the smart card in conjunction with GPS information to provide the user with traveling directions to a particular destination with the geographical area. 
     Also, the invention allows the information and data that is extracted from the smart card to be transferred to a host computer without the need to modify or load software on the host computer. Therefore, information and data can easily be transferred from a smart card to a host computer such a PC without the need for a specialized equipment or software. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a smart card communication device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is block diagram of a portable smart card system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a smart card communication device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A smart card communication device in accordance with the preferred embodiment is shown in FIG.  1 . The smart card system  100  includes a controller module  102 , a transceiver assembly  104 , and a smart card  106 . The controller module  102  and the transceiver assembly  104  form a portable smart card communication device  101 . A cradle portion  108  of the transceiver assembly  104  is adapted to receive the controller module  102 . The transceiver assembly  104  includes a transceiver electrically coupled through a connector  110  to the controller module  102  when the controller module  102  is seated in the cradle portion  108 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the controller module  102  is a personal digital assistant (PDA) such as a PalmPilot™ manufactured by 3Com Corporation (Santa Clara, Calif. Preferably, the controller module has a touch sensitive display  112  and several bottons  114  that allow the user to enter and view data. 
     Using known techniques, the transceiver assembly  104  is constructed to allow the controller module  102  to securely “snap” into place when properly aligned with the transceiver assembly  104 . When the controller module is securely mounted within the transceiver assembly  104 , the connector  110  contacts a mating connector (not shown) on the controller module  102 . The connector is, preferably, a Pilot Docking Connector available from 3Com. The connection between the controller module  102  and the transceiver assembly  104  preferably utilizes a protocol consistent with a RS-232 protocol standard. In the preferred embodiment, the protocol is in accordance with the description within International Application Number PCT/US92/08892, titled “Non-contact Automatic Fare Collection System” filed Oct. 19, 1992, and published May 13, 1993 as WO93/09516. Any suitable method, however, of providing electrical connections between the controller module  102  and the transceiver assembly  104  may be used. 
     A detailed description of a system in accordance with the preferred embodiment is disclosed in the above-referenced PCT publication which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated by reference herein. However, a brief overview of the preferred proximity card system  100  is provided below. 
     A block diagram of the smart card system  100  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG.  2 . In the preferred embodiment, the smart card system  100  is a non-contact smart card system (also commonly referred to as a contact-less or proximity card system). Any one of several known communication techniques involving smart cards, however, can be used. 
     Continuing with FIG. 2, the transceiver assembly  104  includes the connector  110 , a power supply  201 , and a transceiver  202 . The power supply  201  includes a battery and voltage regulatory circuits designed using known techniques to supply the components of the transceiver  202  with the appropriate voltage and current for operation. 
     The transceiver  202  includes an antenna  204 , a radio frequency (RF) circuit  206 , and a digital circuit  208 . In the preferred embodiment, the portable smart card communication device  101  is a smart card reader and writer. Therefore, the transceiver  202  can transmit signals as well as receive signals from the smart card  106 . As described in detail in the above referenced PCT publication, the antenna  204  on command emits a continuous RF field designed to evoke a response from the smart card  106  that is located in the general proximity of the portable smart card communication device  101 . Once the smart card  106  is in range, it is powered by the transceiver&#39;s  202  RF transmission that is broadcast through the antenna  204 . The smart card  106  transmits a message to the transceiver  202  by modulating the RF field. The change in the RF field is detected by the transceiver  202  as a change in impedance experiences by the antenna  204 . 
     The digital circuit  208  is designed using known techniques to facilitate communication between the controller module  102  and the transceiver  202  and, preferably, includes a micro-processor. In alternate embodiments, however, the digital circuit  208  comprises digital logic and does not include a microprocessor. 
     As stated above, the controller module  102  is preferably a personal digital assistant (PDA) that includes a processor  210  and a quartz crystal  212  as well as the display  112  and the input buttons  114 . The processor  210  has an internal clock (not shown) whose frequency is determined by the quartz crystal  212 . Software, residing on the processor  210 , assists in the control of various operations of the controller module  102  and the transceiver  202  including the administration of a communications protocol between the portable smart card communication device  101  and the smart card  106 . 
     Messages and data transmitted to the portable smart card communication device  101  from the smart card  106  are received by the RF circuit  206  through the antenna  204 . The RF circuit  206  demodulates the data using known techniques. The resulting demodulated signals are forwarded to the digital circuit  208  which sends the signals to the controller module  102  in accordance with the required protocol of the particular controller module  102 . 
     The signals are received at the processor  210  in the controller module  102  through the connector  110 . The processor  210  responds to the signals depending on the type of signal and its contents and in accordance with the software. If the response of the processor  210  requires information to be forwarded to the user, the processor  210  displays the appropriate information through the display  112  using known techniques. 
     Data and command signals are entered by way of the touch screen display  112  or the input buttons  114 . The processor  210  responds to the user&#39;s commands and data as well as stored data in the processor  210  in accordance with the software. The processor  210  controls the transceiver  202  by sending signals through the connector  110  to the digital circuit  208 . Data that is to be transmitted to the smart card  106  is also sent to the digital circuit  208  through the connector  110 . The digital circuit  208  forwards the appropriate signals to RF circuit  206  for transmission. The RF circuit  206 , using known techniques, modulates the RF field with the data to transmit the data to the smart card  106 . 
     The controller module  102  may be used with other transceiver assemblies  104 . This may be particularly useful if either the controller module  102  or the transceiver assembly  104  is inoperable. Further, a variety of controller modules  102  may be used with the same transceiver assembly  104  if a standard interface is utilized. The controller module  102  may be chosen in accordance with a particular application. For example, a controller module  102  having a powerful processor  210  may be used in an application demanding high processing power while a smaller and lighter controller module  102  may substituted for applications that are not as demanding a processor  210 . Controller modules  102  having large touch screen displays  112  may be used in transactions requiring numerous user interactions and may be replaced with controller module  102  having small displays  112  for other applications. 
     FIG. 3 is an illustration of a second embodiment of a smart card system  300  of the present invention. In this embodiment, a transceiver assembly  304  is configured to be accepted by a standard connection port on a controller module  308  such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). The controller module  308  typically has a front surface  314  that includes a display and control bottons (not shown). A second surface  302  includes a peripheral device connector  310  for accepting peripheral device connectors for devices such as modems, printers, and memory devices. In the present invention, the transceiver assembly  304  is designed to mate with the controller module  308  via the peripheral device connector  310 . In one embodiment of this invention, the controller module  308  includes a slotted area  316  that allows the transceiver assembly  304  to sit within the controller module  308 . In other embodiments, the peripheral device connector  310  may allow the transceiver assembly  304  to be attached to the second surface  302 . The transceiver assembly  304  includes a means for communicating with, i.e. reading from and/or writing to, a smart card  306 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, the smart card  306  of one embodiment is waved over an antenna target area  312  of the transceiver assembly  304 . Other embodiments of the present invention, as discussed above, may include a variety of communication interfaces for contact and non-contact smart cards  306 . 
     Other embodiments and modifications of the present invention will occur readily to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. Such persons will appreciate the symmetries among the various embodiments illustrated above and understand that their elements may be arranged in other ways to produce similar results. For example, other types of PDAs can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, this invention is to be limited only by the following claims, which include all such other embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specification and accompanying drawings.