US 5,473,505 A · IC card data processing device which can be integrally housed within a computer

Abstract

An IC card data processing device, insertable into a standard memory expansion card slot of a computer, includes an outer main frame and an inner main frame to which the inner main frame is fixed. Within the inner main frame, first and second aligning mechanisms are provided respectively near an entrance and at a distal end of an IC card insertion path for aligning IC card inserted into the path. A slider, urged by springs toward the entrance end of the IC card insertion path, is moved toward the distal end by the inserted IC card. A link is connected between the slider and a card release button so that when the release button is pressed, the slider moves toward the entrance of the IC card insertion path to eject the card. A contact holder is fitted within an opening of the slider. The contact holder holds contacts for making an electrical connection with the IC card. The contact holder is moveable only in a vertical direction with respect to the IC card insertion path by a contact holder moving means to move the contacts into contact when the IC card is fully inserted and out of contact while the IC card is being inserted or ejected. The data processing device further consists of a read/write mechanism which can be electrically connected to the IC card, a read/write control portion for controlling the read/write mechanism and a connector for connecting the device to a computer.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An IC card processing device for receiving an IC card having a contact on a surface of the card, said IC card processing device being detachably connectable to a memory card connector arranged at a memory card slot of a computer device, said IC card processing device comprising:

a main frame having an outer shape and size commensurate with the memory card slot and forming a card insertion path, said main frame being insertable into the memory card slot;
a contact member extending into the card insertion path and contacting the contact of said IC card when the IC card is inserted into the card insertion path;
control circuit means electrically connected to the contact member for controlling a read/write operation from the IC card through said contact member;
a connector arranged at an end portion of said main frame for electrically connecting the control circuit and the memory card connector when said main frame is inserted into the memory card slot;
a first aligning means, provided proximate a first end of the card insertion path, for aligning the IC card inserted into an opening of the card insertion path, said first aligning means including an aligning guide provided proximate the first end of the card insertion path for guiding a first side of the IC card and a card urging means facing the aligning guide for urging the first side of the IC card against the aligning guide;
and
a second aligning means, provided proximate a second end of the card insertion path, for aligning the IC card when said contact member is in contacting engagement with the contact of the IC card.

4 more elements

An IC card processing device for receiving an IC card having a contact on a surface of the card, said IC card processing device being detachably connectable to a memory card connector arranged at memory card slot of a computer device, said IC card processing device comprising:

a main frame having an outer shape and size commensurate with the memory card slot and forming a card insertion path, said main frame being insertable into the memory card slot;
a slider provided along the card insertion path of the main frame and slidably disposed in an insertion/discharge direction of the IC card;
urging means for urging the slider at all times in an insertion direction of the IC card;
a moving member, provided on the IC card insertion path, which is disposed to pivotably move responsive to being pushed by a front end of the IC card when said IC card is inserted into the card insertion path;
inhibiting means for resisting movement of the slider due to an urging force of the urging means until the moving member is pivoted to a position where a read/write operation on the IC card is performed;
a contact member facing the card insertion path and contacting the contact of the IC card when said IC card is inserted into the card insertion path;
a contact holder for holding the contact member and being movable in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the slider;
contact holder moving means for moving the contact holder in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider responsive to movement of the slider;
a control circuit electrically connected to the contact member for controlling the read/write operation on the IC card;
and
a connector arranged at an end portion of said main frame for electrically connecting the control circuit and the memory card connector when said main frame is inserted into the memory card slot.

8 more elements

An IC card processing device for receiving an IC card having a contact portion on a surface of the card, said IC card processing device being detachably connectable to a memory card connector arranged at a memory card slot of a computer device, said IC card processing device comprising:

a first portion having an outer shape and size commensurate with the memory card slot and insertable into the memory card slot, said first portion forming a card insertion path for accepting the IC card in the same direction as the direction in which the first portion is inserted into the memory card slot;
a second portion provided at a first end of the first portion and projecting from the memory card slot when the first portion is inserted into the memory card slot, said second portion forming an insertion opening for the IC card to be inserted into the card insertion path;
a pair of guide members provided at the insertion opening of the second portion for guiding opposing side of the IC card in the direction normal to the direction in which the IC card is inserted into the card insertion path;
a connector provided at a second end of the first portion, connected to the memory card connector in the memory card slot;
a contact member provided on one side of the card insertion path in the first portion and located between the second portion and the connector, said contact being brought into contact with the contact portion of the surface of the IC card during a read/write operation;
and
a control circuit electrically connected to the contact and the connector for controlling data transfer between the IC card and the connector.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

IC card data processing device which can be integrally housed within a computer

Life of this patent

IC card data processing device which can be integrally housed within a computer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19