Portable memory for recording, storing and reproducing data

p0001The invention relates to a portable data carrier for receiving, storing and reproducing information data, in which a power-supply device, one of a program memory controlled central unit and several off externally and readable data storage are arranged in an enclosed, portable block, wherein the input and output of carried out data via contactless transmission elements to a different data processing system or to another intelligent data carrier according to the invention.

p0002An initially mentioned volume is 27 38 113 disclosed eg in DE-OS. This disk is used to identify its user, and to manipulate data stored in a computer data, such as account balance, account, debiting and the like. Such a data carrier is not usable as a portable mass storage, which is inventively required under extreme environmental conditions read data safe, read or transport.

p0003The invention therefore has the object to further develop a portable data carrier of the type mentioned such that it is able to take on another data processing system, a relatively large amount of data and stores tamper-proof, wear-free and even under difficult ambient conditions and if necessary another stationary data processing system emits.

p0004To achieve the object, the invention is characterized in that in the use of the data carrier as a mass storage, the central processing unit, combines the data obtained from the input and output unit with information on a real-time clock and a read-write memory of a large einspeichert capacity and the contents of the read-write memory is destroyed by mechanical engagement in the disk.

p0005Previously it was only known to use such portable media device for manipulating data in a stationary data processing system, ie, the user should be offset by providing its ID in a position to gain access to the computer, and then by input and output of a minor number of data to manipulate the data by computer.

p0006Although there are inductive and optical data transmissions known, but only in connection with fixed devices, that is, within a data processing system. However, it is to be regarded as a significant advance, inductively or optically perform both the power supply and the data transmission, specifically in connection with a separable data transmission device.

p0007It is the merit of the present invention to have recognized, a separable inductive coupling data and at the same time provide a separable coupling energy in a disc.

p0008The areas where these media are of course varied. So it is possible to use such a disk for data storage, ie for securing confidential data, for protecting software against copying and to protect data against magnetic fields. Furthermore, such a disk is to be applied in a suitable way to transport data, ie to transmit secret data, for transporting data under extreme environmental conditions and further for an offline system or an offline command Depot.

p0009Furthermore, such a disk is particularly useful where applicable, where an offline access control with time and place detection is desired. In addition, the disk for the data supply of robots, CNC machines, control systems, etc., and for the time and data control of measuring stations be used.

p0010Similarly, such a disk is to be used for data acquisition, so for data acquisition in vehicles, as well as the product-related data collection and production lines in the offline time tracking of personnel and equipment.

p0011Egg n exemplary field of application is the use in passenger public transport. For example, in buses data stored with respect to the ticket sales, the automatic cancellation of tickets, the throughput rate, driving speed, fuel consumption, the bus stop's and the like. More. In the motor vehicle (bus) a corresponding device is then removably fitted, which can be taken by the driver, in which case it can pass this disk a central data processing device, which then plays or transferred the required data from this device. Magnetic tapes are to not particularly suitable; they are subject during its intended use to high temperature fluctuations. Further, go with these devices by untrained persons. There is also the danger that when using ribbons of this magnetic be deleted or otherwise damaged.

p0012In such media so far it always requires a corresponding plug-in device. Due to the frequent load this plug-in device such an early wear is subjected.

p0013Right here is the use of the inventive data carrier is of particular advantage, since it is resistant to mechanical stress and remain independent of any pollution, vibrations, etc. fully functional. Such disks can be used easily even by untrained personnel in the required data and power coupler.

p0014Other areas were already indicated above, this list is not completely secure.

p0015An important factor in the present invention that all the necessary parts are embedded on the disk, including the contactless transmission elements in a fully enclosed, portable block, and thus a contactless, functionally reliable transfer of the necessary for the operation of energy and also the data is possible.

p0016As the main embodiment, a credit card will be explained with cash-function below, as it is realized with a data carrier according to the present invention.

p0017From the bank or credit card tomorrow a memory card is generally expected that stores cardholder data in a magnetic stripe or an embedded microprocessor.

p0018In order to read or process the memory contents can, an electronic terminal or a cash machine at the bank or supermarket cash with card reader at retail must be available.

p0019It is anticipated, however, that can be bank credit especially with expensive end terminals prevail for the general payments only with considerable difficulty.

p0020The inventive system postponed the function of the terminal in the card itself, thereby making the purchase of expensive on-line connected terminals unnecessary.

p0021a cash and / or credit amount from the bank will be credited to the inventive card. After typing a personal code on the inventive card can be debited automatically with any business, which has a novel coupler, a corresponding amount.

p0022The built-in the inventive map display allows the user to ongoing monitoring of the inventive balance and the current charges.

p0023The manager can be credited to the posted on "his" inventive card amounts at the bank for a freely selectable time interval.

p0024With appropriate distribution costs an inventive card less than S 500, - and an inven tion as directed coupler less than S 2000, -. Price Limited can be characterized a maximum power density of shops realize with inventive couplers. After, worldwide already more than half a billion debit and credit cards, which function by the new inventive card is replaceable in use, is distinguished for the electronics industry from a market in calculator dimensions.

p0025The main arguments for the inventive card system:<ul><li>total Fake Security</li><li>the card is equivalent to cash</li><li>cheap end terminals</li><li>no ON-Line Connections</li><li>Display on the map</li><li>no problem in case of loss of a card</li><li>Cash interest income for the Bank</li><li>endlessly expandable system</li></ul>

p0026According to the invention it is therefore proposed that are included in an encapsulated, portable block a power supply device, an information processing and storing electronics and contactless transmission elements for the power supply and the data input and output, which to be introduced with the corresponding transmission elements equipped data processing and data reception facilities or to a data and power coupler is contact connected.

p0027The present invention, therefore, a separable data transmission device is provided with integrated power transmission, which is independent from pollution functional and can be used in a relatively wide temperature range. Such a data carrier is particularly data safe, since a query the data can be made possible, for example, only a certain code. Since these parts are housed in an enclosed, portable block, these are practically only by complete destruction of the block available, in which case of course lost the data stored by these mechanical destruction. So it is guaranteed a particularly large privacy. therefore particularly essential is the use of the invention as a tachograph in vehicles where must be taken to ensure that the driver does not distort the data and destruction of data is obvious.

p0028Of course, such an enclosed, portable block is practically service free, as no parts subject to wear are open to the outside.

p0029The encapsulated block a mechanical robustness is added, which makes perfect use even with constant vibrations or in hazardous areas possible. The main area of ​​application of such a disk is therefore lie where data must be read very safe under extreme environmental conditions, read or transported. Of course, such a disk is to be inserted through a relatively small handy shape of the block at all anywhere and to use for various purposes.

p0030Characteristic of the invention and advantages over the prior art:<ul><li>A. Fully encapsulated and hermetically sealed disk therefore insensitive to dirt and liquids.</li><li>B. The elimination of any contact parts on disk is an absolute reliability of data transfer, given in complete freedom from wear. </li><li>C. The integrated microprocessor with real-time clock realized a previously unknown "intelligence" of a data carrier.</li><li>D. The "intelligence" of the volume of the memory can be utilized optimally and protected from any foreign manipulation.</li><li>E. The fictional media is unlike any other media not "fremdmanipulierbar", ie: Those who are not in possession of the data-access code, the stored data can not change.</li><li>F. A Operating temperature range from -40 to + 70 degrees C is so far even approached by any other disk system. This high temperature is only possible because of the invented media no mechanical contacts or read-write heads, as they are for example used in magnetic tapes or diskettes needed.</li><li>G. Wear-free - there is as yet no data carrier system, which operates without wear.</li><li>H. Unlike floppy disks and magnetic tapes of fictional media is largely insensitive to magnetic influences.</li><li>I. The fictional media has a faster by a multiple data access, as is possible with magnetic tapes or paper tape.</li><li>J. The fictional media is bands as opposed to magnetic or floppy largely insensitive to shock, vibration or other mechanical influences. This both during operation as well as during storage.</li><li>K. The fictional media, in contrast to all other disk systems no sparking, whereby the use in hazardous locations is now possible.</li></ul>

p0031The inventive system is based on the idea that each employee collects "his" data in a memory module itself and the computer automatically transfers after work. The same applies to the "product-related" data acquisition.

p0032By this method accounts for virtually all cable connections to the data acquisition points and the necessity of using rapid real-time computers in computer network systems.

p0033The inventive system the computer user the opportunity is given so the first time to obtain data in a very simple way with relatively little effort into his computer. Even data from vehicles or outside building sites can be detected in the simplest way. Existing computer programs and operating organizations must not be changed.

p0034Of particular importance is the fact that the disk is hermetically formed tight and protected against damage and tampering.

p0035In a non-contact and hermetically sealed housing (_z,_B, 60 x 100 x 8 mm) is housed a freely programmable microcomputer with CPU, RAM and RTC. Thus, in principle it is a mobile, intelligent storage with integrated real-time, the size of a small calculator.

p0036The access or the programming of the system is contactless via the described "inductive interface stelle". Also, the energy required for operation of the CPU is transmitted inductively. Due to this technique, the storage element can be hermetically sealed and made entirely without contact. If the system is disconnected from the inductive power supply, so does a lithium battery, the support of the RAM and the continued operation of the RTC.

p0037Apart from the contactless data and power transmission of technical novelty value lies in the combination of "smart storage with integrated real-time clock". This leads to the following important new technical possibilities:<ul><li>1. The disk runs its own system time. This undisputable logging of data access to the memory element is provided with optimum handling. Furthermore, this eliminates the need of time synchronization in all the used end terminals.</li><li>2. The access rights to the memory can be programmed in time.</li><li>3. A programmable password timing prevents unauthorized data access even with computer support.</li><li>4. The built-in clock, in conjunction with a loaded algorithm to generate a unique dynamic code to the unique identifier of the memory element. This process creates a "one-friend-foe identification" in on-line data transmission (eg home banking) is possible for the first time. The temporal synchronous operation of two systems is largely irrelevant since a received code to be checked only for plausibility and temporal sequence.</li></ul>

p0038In order to prevent mechanical / electrical unauthorized access to the memory contents of the RAM, an area sensor deletes the stored data at any intervention trial.

p0039The coupling element for the memory is system-neutral, ie, it can be connected to any computer system with a standardized interface. Except for the connector or cable bushing, the coupling element is also hermetically sealed and is subject, as well as the memory itself, virtually no wear.

p0040The inventive subject of the present invention results not only from the subject of the individual claims, but also from the combination of the individual claims.

p0041All the documents disclosed information and features, especially shown in the drawings, are claimed as essential to the invention insofar as they individually or in combination, over the prior art are new.

p0042In the following the invention is illustrated by performing a plurality of exemplary paths drawings. Here, from the drawings and their description inventive features and advantages of the invention.

p0043Show it:<ul><li>Figure 1: schematic signed embodiment of a data carrier in inductive connection with a coupler,</li><li>Figure 2: first embodiment of a housing for the disk of Figure 1,</li><li>Figure 3: second embodiment of the housing,</li><li>Figure 4: third embodiment of the housing,</li><li>Figure 5: fourth embodiment of the housing,</li><li>Figure 6: schematic drawn disk with protection against damage,</li><li>Figure 7: the volume schematic of Figure 6 in side view,</li><li>Figure 8: schematic signed block diagram of the circuit of the area sensor,</li><li>9 shows a further variant of the disk enclosure.</li><li>Figure 10: the disk of Figure 9 in a disassembled state.</li></ul>

p0044In Figure 1, ie, an embodiment of a data carrier is shown marked with the line block diagram. The data carrier 1 is designed as a sealed, portable block, which are included in a power supply device, an information processing and storing electronics 2 and contactless transmission elements. 3 The contactless transmission elements 3 are in the form of bobbins, so that an inductive transmission of the power supply and for the data input and data output is possible. Further, in the embodiment shown, an oscillator 4 is inserted. The information processing and s^peichernde electronics 2 is constituted by a program memory 5, a microprocessor 9, an electronic random access memory 7, and a battery. 8 In this integrated electronics also has an electronic clock 6 with calendar indication. The battery 8 is only necessary when a write-read memory is used that requires a backup battery and / or an electronic watch is used.

p0045In Figure 1 also matching the disk 1 data and power coupler 10 is shown, which is designed for the power supply and for the surrender or transfer of the data from the disk. 1 This data and power coupler is performed in a corresponding manner with contactless transmission elements 11, ie with one or more corresponding bobbins. Here, too, an oscillator 12 is provided. Furthermore, a power supply 13, and an interface electronics 14 is provided. From this data and Leistungsko^pPLER 10 lead off leads 15 and 16, on the one hand used to power and on the other hand represent the data performance. About this interconnectors 15.16 of data and power combiner 10 with the appropriate data processing and data receiving system is connected. The contactless transmission of power and data input and output is therefore concerned by the transmission elements 3, which operate on an inductive basis. There are therefore no plug contacts necessary and therefore no wear and no problems with the contact making even at large Tem result^pturunterschieden ERA or contamination.

p0046By an inductive data transmission between the data and power coupler (adapter) and the data carrier 1 (storage pocket) is given a completely hermetic encapsulation and separation of the two elements.

p0047The main area of ​​application of such a data carrier 1 is where data must be read very safe under extreme environmental conditions, read or transported.

p0048The integrated directly into memory microprocessor enables both intelligent storage utilization and a trouble-free protection of the memory contents by individual soft codes. The combination of time and code programming makes the disk to an excellent safe and not alien manipulated media. Through a standardized interface of connection to any modern personal or hand-held computer is guaranteed.

p0049Especially in view of the risk of contamination, the fluctuating temperature and other environmental conditions, it is essential if both the power supply and the data input and output via inductive over - ragungselemente 3 or 11 occurs. However, it is also conceivable that only the power supply coupled via inductive transfer elements and the data transmission is performed optically.

p0050The inductive transmission elements 3 and correspondingly the transmission elements 11 can be arranged in regular or irregular succession in the data carrier 1, which only ever need the corresponding transmission elements 3 of the data carrier 1 and the transfer elements 11 of the coupler 10 exactly match. It is therefore also be advantageous if all transmission elements 3 a common boundary side of the disk formed by a block are arranged. It would also be conceivable for the transmission elements 3 for the power supply, for example, another side limit of the data carrier 1 assigned as the transmission elements for Datenübertragung.Bei the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 each have three transfer elements 3 are provided here inductive as bobbins for transmission of the power supply and the data is executed. It is also seen that the media can have 1 course different outer shapes, so that this volume can be 1 thus executed according handy and easily transportable. Especially when other than rectangular embodiments may on the surface of the disk 1 forming block projections_iDepressions, ribs, grooves 17 od. Like. Be provided which od to appropriate wells, projections, grooves, ribs, etc., to the data processing and data receiving equipment or on the data and power coupler 10 are designed to properly position correspondingly.

p0051In the embodiment of Fig. 4, only two transmission elements 3 are provided, wherein said one transmission element for the power supply and the other transfer element for the data input and data output are provided. It is possible to provide only 5 shown in FIG. A transfer element 3, the latter being likewise designed as a coil former. Here both an inductive transmission of power supply and the data input and output is concerned by a single transmission element. 3 This can for example take place in that the power supply, the data input and data output operate on different frequency ranges of the same transmission element. 3

p0052The data carrier 1 shown in FIG. 6, the special feature is that it consists of a protected area 24 and from an unprotected area 25.

p0053It is of course possible, the protected area 24 to extend over the entire housing 27 of the data carrier first

p0054In this case, this was not considered, so that the battery 8 and, are the contactless transmission elements 3, which are designed as inductive coils in the protected area vice 25th

p0055The protection of the read-write memory 7 in the protected area 24 is effected in that the housing 27 is surrounded on all sides by an area sensor 26 and the surface sensors of all sides are connected in series.

p0056Here, it is particularly preferred if the sensor 26 area- is formed as a series circuit of strain gauges (DMS), because here a particularly simple and cost-effective realization of such a surface the sensor is ensured, even at the responsive deflection of the housing. Instead of training as a strain gauge but other variants are possible. It is only important that in case of mechanical damage of the area sensor 26, a detector 19 is actuated, which in turn acts on a power failure logic 20 which in turn is switched to the read-write memory. 7 A further preferred embodiment consists in that on a sheet a plurality of meandering conductor tracks is applied, and the protected area is covered by the film. When examining an interconnect the power supply is interrupted for RAM. As soon as the detector detects damage to the housing 27 of the data carrier 1, the current supply is interrupted to the read-write memory so that all the memory cells of this memory 7 lose their value fed. The same applies, of course, when the battery is damaged 8, which is connected via line 21 to the power failure logic 20th

p0057Likewise, the microprocessor would drive 9 via line 22, the power failure logic 20 and destroy the random access memory 7, when a corresponding soft wares command is given.

p0058The microprocessor 9 is in this case via the line 23 to the contactless transmission element 3 in connection.

p0059According to the schematic drawn block diagram in Figure 8 is the area sensor 26 shown in Figure 7 only on the broad sides in groups connected together, so that the attached to the top surface of the sensor 26a is located in a bridge arm, while at the bottom of the casing 27 mounted area sensor 26b is turned on in the adjacent bridge arm.

p0060In one bridge diagonal the battery 8 is connected in series with the voltage supply of the read-write memory 7, while located in the opposite bridge diagonal of the detector 19, which via line 38 the memory-clear command to the read-write memory 7 is when it is driven accordingly.

p0061In the other bridge arms are fixed resistors 37th

p0062Once already been the housing is bent 27, the area sensor lying on the upper side 26a is otherwise stretched, as the lying at the bottom surface of sensor 26b, so that the illustrated in Fig. 8 bridge diagonal of the Wheatstone bridge becomes unbalanced and via the line 39 the detector 19 controls, via the line 38 in turn outputs the erasing instruction to the read-write memory. 7

p0063A fortiori, a destruction of the read-write memory is completed when one of the area sensors 26a, 26b is interrupted by any mechanical damage in its wiring.

p0064In another, unspecified graphically illustrated embodiment, it is possible, the surface sensors designed as a DMS 26 switch immediately in series with the power supply of the read-write memory 7 so that an interruption of the current path of the DMS once the read-write memory for failure of the supply voltage drops back to zero.

p0065The data carrier 30 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is, in turn, to a hermetically sealed volume that is protected by attached to the inner sides of area sensors 26 completely against damage. The surface sensors are both all attached to the inner sides of the housing box 31 and on the inside of the housing cover 32nd In order to achieve interconnection of these surface sensors 26 are provided on the printed circuit board 35 which contains the protected area 24 of the electronics of Figure 6 and 7, respective contact pins 36 are mounted, which with both the surface sensors 26 to the inner sides of the housing cover 32 as well as with other area sensors in the housing box 31 are connected.

p0066Immediately when the lid of the transducer 32, the series connection of all the area sensors 26 to each other is interrupted, and in accordance with the block diagram in Figure 8, the detector 19 will be a clear command on the line 38 to the read-write memory. 7

p0067As a variant of the contact print is plate 35 is provided with a connector strip 34, which extends through an associated slot 33 in the housing cover 32 and from the outside is contactable by a non-illustrated connector.

p0068Instead access the interface generating an erase command, it is provided according to the invention in a further embodiment, the supply voltage of RAM is interrupted by mechanical destruction of the strain gauges, whereby the memory loses its stored content. For this case, the bridge circuit could FIG. 8 omitted, and the strain gauges may be connected in series with the supply voltage of the RAM.