Patent Publication Number: US-2011049248-A1

Title: Electronic Device Comprising a Microcircuit Card

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority of French patent application Ser. No. 09/56003 filed Sep. 3, 2009, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns the technical field of the customization of portable or pocket electronic devices, such as electronic keys in particular. 
     It more particularly, but not specifically concerns USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory keys, used in particular to transport and store computer data. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In general, an electronic key comprises a set of electronic circuits, hereinafter referred to as electronic means of the key, generally supported by a printed circuit support, such as a PCB, the whole thing being housed inside a package. 
     The key is also provided with a USB connector adapted to engage with a port in compliance with the USB standard for an external terminal, such as a personal computer. This connector generally comprises a first portion protruding from the package and a second portion electrically connected to the electronic means. 
     In many applications, in particular in the fields of public transportation, security, etc., it is desirable to customize the electronic key in relation to the key&#39;s owner so as to allow its identification and authentication. Thus, it is known to associate a visual of the key with personal data stored for example by the electronic means of the key. 
     Already known from the state of the art, in particular from document EP 1 535 240, is a customizable electronic device comprising a microcircuit card provided with an external contact interface in compliance with a predefined standard for microcircuit cards as well as a card support, the card support comprising a connector according to a predefined memory key standard, such as a USB connector. 
     The card in particular comprises a customization element, such as a photograph, identification number, etc., on one of its faces. 
     In this document, the card support also comprises a housing for receiving the card provided with a card reader terminal. This card reader terminal comprises a plurality of connectors arranged to come into contact with the external interface of the card when the latter part is inserted into the housing. 
     Thus, the manufacture of the support can be standard because only the card supports the customization elements of the key and can be inserted into the housing at the last minute. 
     However, this device has the drawback of requiring a very precise adjustment of the dimensions of the housing in relation to the card to avoid any untimely withdrawal of the latter from the housing. To limit the risks of losing the card, the document provides for forming a passage for a chain at an inlet of the slot or possibly a locking device. 
     This makes the manufacture of the electronic device complex and consequently causes relatively high production costs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the invention is to provide an alternative to the above-described solution with reduced production costs. 
     This and other objects are attained in accordance with one aspect of the present invention directed to an electronic device comprising a microcircuit card comprising a first face supporting a first contact interface connected to the microcircuit and a second face supporting a customization element of the device, and a reading support for the card supporting a second contact interface configured to cooperate with the first interface by electrical contact. The support comprises a package provided with an outer face defining a location for receiving the card inside which the second interface is essentially flush. The card is attached by adhesion on this location causing the two interfaces to cooperate with each other such that the customization element is visible. 
     Because the card can be attached by adhesion, this limits the loss risks while simplifying the manufacture of the device. Moreover, the second face, opposite the first face supporting the first interface, is directly visible from the outside of the device. Because the card support does not support the microcircuit or the customization element, its manufacture can be done independently of the customization of the device. 
     Moreover, traditional equipment for printing chip cards can be used to carry out the graphic customization of the device because the graphic customization element as well as the microcircuit able to store the device&#39;s owner&#39;s personal elements are grouped together in the card. 
     A device according to an embodiment of the invention can include one or several of the following features: 
     the support comprises means for communicating data with external equipment connected to the second interface such that data can be exchanged between the microcircuit and the means when the two interfaces cooperate; 
     the communication means comprises a connector according to a predefined memory key standard and/or a near field communication antenna; 
     the support comprises means for converting a communication protocol of the microcircuit into a communication protocol of the means and vice versa; 
     the customization element is associated with at least one customization data stored in the microcircuit and accessible using communication means; 
     the receiving location is defined by an edging forming a positioning frame for the card on the location; 
     the frame and the card have a complementary key profile in order to impose a mounting direction of the card on the location; 
     the first interface comprises a plurality of contact pads and the second interface comprises a plurality of brush connectors protruding on the location; 
     the card comprises a body with a format smaller than the ID-1 format defined by standard ISO-7816. 
     Another aspect of the invention concerns a microcircuit card according to a card of the device according to the invention, characterized in that the card comprises, on the first face, a layer of self-seal adhesive material arranged to essentially surround the first interface. 
     Preferably, the layer of adhesive material is protruding in relation to the first interface. This makes it possible to avoid directly exposing the microcircuit to shocks or various impacts. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an electronic device with a customizable USB key according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a card according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the card shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a card body provided with a pre-cut defining the card of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows the electronic device of  FIG. 1  without the card; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows an electronic device according to the invention designated by the general reference  10 . In the described example, the electronic device is an electronic key  10  of the USB connector type. 
     This electronic device  10  in particular comprises a microcircuit  16  card  12  shown in detail in  FIGS. 2 to 5 . The card  12  comprises a card body  14  defining first  14 A and second  14 B opposite faces. 
     More particularly, this card  12  is provided on the first face  14 A with a first contact interface  18  connected to the microcircuit  16 . This first interface  18  preferably comprises a plurality of connecting pads  20 . In this example, the card  12  is in compliance with standard ISO 7816 for microcircuit cards. This standard defines in particular the dimensions, location and allocation of the connecting pads, traditionally designated C 1  to C 8 , flush on the surface of the card  12 . 
     Preferably, the body  14  of the card  12  comprises a format smaller than format ID-1 defined by standard ISO-7816. In the illustrated example, the body  14  has outer dimensions in compliance with those defined by format ID-000, typically used for “SIM cards.” 
     As shown in detail in  FIG. 3 , the connecting pads C 1  to C 8  are arranged in two rows of four pads, C 1  to C 4  and C 5  to C 8 , respectively, parallel to each other. 
     The first interface  18  and the microcircuit  16  form a microcircuit module comprising in particular a module support not shown in the figures and defining two opposite faces, one of the faces supporting the first interface  18  and the opposite face supporting the microcircuit  12 . The first interface  18  and the microcircuit  12  are connected to each other electrically, for example by electrical wires passing through vias formed in the module support. The microcircuit module is for example housed in a receiving cavity formed in the body  14  of the card  12 . 
     Moreover, more specifically, the second face  14 A of the card  12  supports a graphic customization element  22  of the card as shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, the customization element  22  comprises a chain of alphanumeric characters, a photograph or drawing, etc. 
     The graphic customization element  22  comprises at least one data stored in the microcircuit  16  of the module. 
     Preferably, the graphic customization element  22  is printed on the first face  14 A of the card  12 , for example using printing techniques known by those skilled in the art working in the field of printing chip cards. 
     The electronic device  10  also comprises a reading support  24  of the card supporting a second contact interface  26  configured to cooperate with the first interface  18  by electrical contact. This support  24  comprises a package  28 . In this example, the package  26  is essentially parallelepiped in shape ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ). It is for instance produced in a material comprising a plastic material. 
     Preferably, the support  24  comprises means  30  for communicating data with outside equipment (not shown). 
     For example, the communication means  30  comprises a connector  32  according to a predefined USB key standard. In the illustrated example, the connector  32  is of the USB type and is intended to engage with a USB port of an outside piece of equipment (not shown) such as, for example, a personal computer. 
     The communication means  30  also comprises, in this example, a near field communication antenna  34 . 
     Alternatively, the communication means  30  can comprise either the connector  32  or the antenna  34 , or a wireless communication module of the WIFI type, etc. (not shown). 
     Preferably, the second interface  26  is connected to the communication means  30  such that the two interfaces  18  and  26  are capable of cooperating with each other to authorize an exchange of data between the communication means  30  and the microcircuit  16 . 
     Thus, the second interface  26  forms a read head  36  of the card  12  and for example comprises a plurality of brush connectors  37 . Thus, this second interface  26  must take the standard used by the first interface  18  into account. 
     Moreover, preferably, the support  24  comprises means (not shown) for converting a protocol used by the microcircuit  16  into a protocol used by the communication means  30  and vice versa. 
     More precisely, the housing  28  of the support  24  at least partially incorporates the communication means  30  as shown for instance in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . One thus sees in particular that the USB connector comprises an external portion  32 E, capable of engaging with a USB port of external equipment, and an internal portion (not shown) housed inside the housing  28 . 
     Moreover, preferably, the graphic customization element  22  is associated with at least one customization data stored in the microcircuit  16  and accessible using the communication means  30 . 
     More particularly, the housing  28  has an outer face  28 S defining a location  38  for receiving the card  12  inside which the second interface  26  is essentially flush. 
     Thus, more precisely, the card  12  is attached by adhesion on this location  38  such that the two interfaces  18  and  26  cooperate and the customization element  22  is visible. 
     Preferably, as seen in particular in  FIG. 7 , the receiving location  38  is defined by an edging  40  forming a frame for positioning the card  12  on the location  38 . For example, the frame  40  and the card  12  have a complementary key profile in order to impose a mounting direction of the card  12  on the location  38  ( FIGS. 3 and 6 ). 
     Preferably, the card  12  comprises, on the first face  14 A, a layer  42  of self-seal adhesive material arranged to essentially surround the first interface  18 . As visible in  FIG. 4 , the layer of adhesive material  42  is protruding in relation to the first interface  18 . This makes it possible in particular to offer protection from shocks and attacks on the microcircuit  16 , since the latter is not directly exposed, but on the contrary is situated withdrawn in relation to the layer. Moreover, preferably, before its first use, the layer of material  42  is protected by a removable non-adhesive film  43 . 
     The electronic device  10  previously described can be provided in the form of a customization assembly  44  comprising the card reading support  24  and a card body  46  with dimensions corresponding to those defined by format ID-1 according to standard ISO 7816 provided with a detachable pre-cut  48  defining the card  12 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     We will now describe the main functional aspects of a device according to the invention, provided for example in the form of the customization assembly  44 . 
     The user then detaches the card  12  from the card body  46  and removes the non-adhesive protective film  43  so as to reveal the self-adhesive surface of the layer  42 . He then positions the card  12  in the location  38  provided to that end on the support  24  while respecting the positioning instructions provided by the respective profiles of the card  12  and the location  38 . 
     The two interfaces  18 ,  26  are then, in this usage position, opposite each other such that they can cooperate with each other, in particular in case of electronic or magnetic stress of the means  30  for communicating data from the device  10 . 
     Thus, for example, the user approaches the electronic device of external equipment such as a near field external card reader, and a current circulates inside the antenna  34  making it possible to establish a near field connection between the external equipment and the microcircuit  16 . The user may potentially insert the USB-type connector into external equipment, such as a personal computer, and the microcircuit  16  can thus exchange data with that computer via the connector. 
     The presentation of the card in self-adhesive “sticker” form is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible in particular to simplify the manufacture of the card reading support. In particular, the card reading support must simply include an essentially planar surface on which the card can be stuck. 
     It is understood that the embodiments described above are in no way limiting and may receive any desired modification without going beyond the scope of the invention. In particular, the invention is also applicable to any electronic device comprising a card reading support provided with an essentially planar surface having dimensions essentially equal to those of the card.