Connecting apparatus, and information processing apparatus

A method of allowing a user to download digital content data by using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving a first integrated circuit (IC) card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of:

• allowing the user to insert the first IC card into the first slot;
• allowing the user to insert the second IC card into the second slot;
• processing payment for the digital content data through the first IC card;
• and
• sending the digital content data to the second IC card after the payment is processed.

A method of electrical payment through a first integrated circuit (IC) card using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving the first IC card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of:

• allowing insertion of the first IC card into the first slot;
• allowing insertion of the second IC card into the second slot;
• reading account data stored in the first IC card;
• authenticating encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card;
• processing a payment through the first IC card in response to the authentication of the encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card;
• and
• writing renewed account data into the first IC card.

A method of downloading digital content data using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving a first integrated circuit (IC) card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting the first IC card into the first slot;
• inserting the second IC card into the second slot;
• reading account data stored in the first IC card;
• authenticating encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card;
• processing a payment through the first IC card in response to a valid authentication of the encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card;
• writing renewed account data into the first IC card;
• and
• writing the digital content data into the second IC card.

A connecting apparatus for connecting a first IC card having a first face and a first flat type connecting terminal located on the first face and a second IC card having a first face and a second flat type connecting terminal located on the first face, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the connecting apparatus comprising:

• a first slot capable of holding the first IC card;
• a first connecting electrode capable of contacting the first flat type terminal when the first IC card is inserted into the first slot;
• a second slot capable of holding the second IC card;
• and
• a second connecting electrode capable of contacting the second flat type terminal when the second IC card is inserted into the second slot.

An information processing apparatus comprising:

• a casing;
• a substrate accommodated in the casing and having a central processing unit (CPU) mounted thereon;
• connecting apparatus comprising
• a first slot into which a first integrated circuit (IC) card can be inserted, the first IC card comprising a first flat type connecting terminal,
• a second slot into which a second IC card can be inserted, the second IC card comprising a second flat type connecting terminal,
• a first connecting electrode capable of contacting the first flat type connecting terminal, and
• a second connecting electrode capable of contacting the second flat type connecting terminal;
• interface circuitry on the substrate capable of operatively connecting the first IC card and the second IC card and of controlling in parallel signals transmitted between the CPU and the first IC card and the second IC card;
• and
• wiring connecting the interface circuitry with the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode.

An information processing apparatus, comprising

• connecting apparatus comprising:
• a slot capable of receiving an integrated circuit (IC) card, the IC card including a flat type connection terminal,
• a connecting electrode capable of contacting the flat type connecting terminal, and
• interface circuitry capable of accessing the IC card through the connecting electrode and the flat type connection terminal, wherein
• the interface circuitry comprises a counter that counts a number of times of contact between the connecting electrode and the flat type connecting terminal and circuitry comparing a predetermined value with the number of times of contact and stopping access to the IC card when the counted value reaches the predetermined value.