Apparatus for reading and writing cards having rotating memory
AssigneeStorCard, Inc.
InventorsFinis Conner, Anil Nigam
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus is described for reading data from or writing data onto a credit card-sized storage media containing a rotating magnetic memory. The reader includes a spindle motor and an arm with a magnetic head position thereon, as well as integrated circuits for controlling its operation. The reader preferably complies with standards for PCMCIA cards, enabling the reader to be inserted into the host system such as a personal computer or a laptop for use.
Claims40
In a system in which data is stored on a rotating magnetic memory in a credit card sized apparatus, reading apparatus for reading the data comprising:
- a port for receiving the credit card sized apparatus;
- a motor for being coupled to the rotating magnetic memory to cause it to be rotated;
- and
- a magnetic head for engaging the rotating magnetic memory for reading information from the rotating magnetic memory;
- a series of electrical connections for enabling the reading apparatus to be coupled to a host system;
- and
- wherein as the credit card sized apparatus is inserted into the port, the credit card sized apparatus is caused to deform, and the deformation allows the credit card sized apparatus to engage the motor.
In a system in which data is stored on a rotating magnetic memory in a flexible card no larger than a credit card, a reader for reading the data comprising:
- a port for receiving the card;
- a motor for being coupled to the rotating magnetic memory to cause it to be rotated;
- a magnetic head for engaging the rotating magnetic memory for reading information from the rotating magnetic memory;
- wherein as the card is inserted into the port, the card is caused to deform, and the deformation allows the card to engage the motor.
In a system in which data is stored on a rotating magnetic memory in a card no larger than a credit card, the card having a shutter to protect the magnetic memory, a reader for reading the data, the reader comprising:
- a port for receiving the card;
- an actuator for opening the shutter when the card is inserted into the port,
- apparatus for deforming the card as it is inserted into the port;
- a motor for being coupled to the rotating magnetic memory to cause it to be rotated;
- a magnetic head for engaging the rotating magnetic memory for reading information from the rotating magnetic memory;
- and
- a magnet for engaging an object in the card to open the shutter to thereby allow the magnetic head to be positioned in close proximity to the rotating magnetic memory.
In a system in which data is stored on a rotating magnetic memory in a card apparatus no larger than a credit card, the rotating magnetic memory including a hub having an opening, a reader for reading the data comprising:
- a port for receiving the card;
- a motor for being coupled to the rotating magnetic memory to cause it to be rotated, the motor including a shaft and a spindle chuck plate which protrude above a surface upon which the card rests when inserted into the port;
- a magnetic head for engaging the rotating magnetic memory for reading information from the rotating magnetic memory;
- and
- wherein as the card is inserted into the port it is caused to flex, thereby enabling the shaft to engage the opening in the hub and the spindle chuck plate to engage the hub.
In a system in which data is stored on a rotating magnetic memory in a card no larger than a credit card, a reader for reading the data comprising:
- a port for receiving the card;
- a motor for being coupled to the rotating magnetic memory to cause it to be rotated;
- a magnetic head for engaging the rotating magnetic memory for reading information from the rotating magnetic memory;
- a series of electrical connections for enabling the reading apparatus to be coupled to a host system;
- and
- an encryption system which does not allow the reader to retrieve information from the card without a key, and wherein the encryption system allows only a limited number of accesses to the card.
A reader for reading data stored on a rotating magnetic memory in a flexible card no larger than a credit card and having a hub about which it can be rotated, the reader comprising:
- a port for receiving the flexible card;
- a motor for being coupled to the rotating magnetic memory to cause it to be rotated about an axis;
- a magnetic head for engaging the rotating magnetic memory for reading information from the rotating magnetic memory;
- a series of electrical connections for enabling the reading apparatus to be coupled to a host system;
- and
- a mechanism for engaging the flexible card as it is inserted into the reader to cause the flexible card to deform in a direction along the axis and away from the motor, and for allowing the flexible card to return to an undeformed condition when the flexible card is positioned to have the hub over the axis to enable engagement of the hub and the motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.