Chipcard

0001The invention relates to a chip card, in particular a Chip card having dimensions according to the ISO 7616 standard, the can also be used as a key card.

0002Chip cards are known and can be used for many purposes will used, such as the well-known health insurance smart card. The smart card contains a microprocessor or controllers that supports housed in a chip module is that at one over the ISO standard 7616 specified location Chip card is disposed in a corresponding recess. On the upper side of the chip module are located in a known As defined contact surfaces, via which the chip module by means of corresponding contacts in the card reader of an electronic is contacted device functional.

0003The smart card can be used as so-called. Keycard, by means of the authorized user access to otherwise electronically sealed devices replaced or opposite a device identified. Thus, by means of a keycard made the access of a claimant to a car radio , ie the keycard met here on the one hand, the task a theft protection, on the other hand, the next keycard unlocking the car radio nor the user once prescribed adjust operating parameters, such as the favorite channels, volume etc .. Although increases by this selection, for example, the preferred transmitter, the safety in handling of a car radio, however, is the user's attention when changing adjusting the car radio is still too much on the service steered the device, resulting in a deflection of the user representing the traffic and thus constitutes a hazard.

0004This service time, after an examination of the Foundation Warentest for car stereos be up to 3 seconds, a Distance of about 80 m at a speed of 100 km / h equivalent. By installing a wired remote control function in the car radio with remote controls be arranged in the vicinity of the steering wheel, it can Distractions are reduced.

0005Magnetic keys can also be used in so-called. Radio Phones, consisting of a combination of a car radio with a telephone set consist. The key card is used to unlock the Device. Further, telephone charges can be deducted from the keycard be that in this case the function of a phone card takes over. Radio phones are particularly suitable for use interesting in car fleets auto lenders where the Tenant an in-car, on the keycard access Telephone function finds, with the accounting of accrued telephone charges the renter for the car rental unnecessary.

0006However, the use of keycards is not on the automotive sector limited. Magnetic keys that unlock the next of the electronic device or the identification of the user even adjust operating parameters, can in principle any electronic device, particularly devices of the communication electronics be used. This also applies to communication electronics in conjunction with multifunctional applications to where on the keycard for example billing can be made for unused services.

0007EP-A-0790576 (see preamble of claim 1) discloses a smart card, in which on the surface next to a Card disposed in the card magnetic strip embedded optical fibers, the narrow longitudinal edges of the card interconnect are provided as data carriers. can through punched from the card and thus interruption of fibers Information, for example a reduced balance in case of a charge card, be written on the card. The smart card may further contain an embedded have chip module.

0008US Patent No. 5,345,367 offe nbart a PCMCIA card for insertion into a corresponding Contacting device for a PC, with an integrated circuit (chip), which on a card inside the printed circuit board arranged at least one indicator LED is arranged from the light emitted by a light guide from one side edge the card is taken out. This LED display is controlled by a controller driven, which can be arranged inside or alternatively outside the smart card.

0009The invention is defined by the subject matter of claim 1 in. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

0010According to the invention, a chip card with a chip module provided with a remote control function by the card in the card main plane or parallel to this designed light-conducting and the chip module has at least one receiving element for receiving the line extending through the photoconductive layer light. This can be achieved lying by the card from one in the main plane the photoconductive layer is constructed of upper and lower Outer layers is covered. The upper and lower covering layer is opaque and is made of a standard plastic material, such as PVC manufactured. Generally, the smart card according to the principle of the multilayer constructed, that it consists of several layers of plastic , Embedded in a light-conducting layer (top and bottom) is or laminated.

0011Preferably, the light conduit may in the photoconductive Layer created by embedded in her light guide, wherein the optical fiber by optical fibers, in particular Glass fibers, can be formed.

0012The light incidence plane of the chip card is preferably through the remote from the recess for the chip module lying forward front surface of the chip card cuboid formed.

0013The main direction of the light conduction runs substantially parallel to the main axis of symmetry of the chip card cuboid. The light line on the one hand to recess for the Chip module lead out if the light is coupled into the chip module becomes; however, it is on the other hand also possible that the light pipe at the rear front surface of the chip cuboid ends, so that the light passed through the chip card through is and exits at the rear face. In the first case , the chip module has at least one receiving element for receiving of the plane passing through the light guide light on. in the second case where the light passes through the card and again emerges which points to the map associated electronic Device on receiving elements.

0014Preferably, the bi-directionality of the smart card be prepared by the chip module in addition to the at least one receiving element at least one transmitter elements having for transmitting light. The same applies in the case of Passage of the light through the smart card; Here, the connected device on the transmitting elements with the chip card. It is Of course, the depending on the use of the smart card either the receive function, the transmission function or both can be realized.

0015Typically, infrared light is used for transmitting the information or data used, but the invention is Smart card is not limited to the infrared frequency range.

0016Preferably, it is therefore with the invention Smart card possible electronic devices by means of the smart card be provided with a remote control function without a is separate remote control element available. By removing the smart card from the device is ia another electronic lock of the device causes the other hand, the remote control function removed which in addition to a device preventing abuse contributes.

0017When using the inventive chip card with Fernbedienungsfunktioh can advantageously on the steering wheel of a motor vehicle operating elements are arranged, with which the car radio or, more generally, the automobile communication device can be controlled. Among automobile Communication means are car radio, car phone, etc. to understand navigation system. The connection between the remote control on the steering wheel and the communication device takes place wirelessly, which represents a significant simplification is in an automobile. It must be limited in the Place the dashboard no additional lines are provided, at a wireline assembly the remote control on the steering wheel additionally the problem the arrangement of the lines in a rotating object, would namely the wheel occur. Further, limited the available space on the radio front panel and by integrating the remote control function in the keycard is no additional space for the arrangement of a separate Reception device (and possibly transmitting device) required for remote control.

0018The use of the chip card with remote control function is not limited to the automobile. It would also be possible TV on with keycards with the remote control function provided. could over such a keycard example restrict the access of children to existing programs and the remote control operation with the removal of remove keycard, so that access to the TV on the remote control is no longer possible. Further is having such a keycard access to pay-TV possible so that with the removal of key card according to the invention no access to such services is possible.

0019Preferred embodiments of the inventive chip card are below with reference to the single drawing explained.

0020FIG. 1 shows a chip card according to the invention with remote control function in a perspective view.

0021Fig. 1 shows a smart card 1 which has a cuboid Form according to the standard ISO 7616 has. The smart card 1 comprises in the preferred embodiment a photoconductive Layer 2, the bottom of an upper cover layer 3 and an Cover layer 4 is included, so that the light-conducting Layer 2 in the main plane of the chip card cuboid lies. The outer layers 3 and 4 are generally printable, opaque plastic layers. The front smallest Front surface of the cuboid of the chip card 1 is the perpendicular Related to the main plane of the cuboid light incidence plane 5. The incident light is exemplified by the arrow A shown. In the photoconductive layer 2, the light pipe preferably effected by light guide 6, by optical fibers, for example glass fibers, can be realized, which are embedded in a plastic layer. It is however, also possible for the entire light-conducting layer 2 as transparent light-conducting plastic layer to realize. The light conductor 6 are shown in FIG. 1 by the vertical Strokes indicated schematically in the light conducting layer 2. FIG. The light guide 6 extend in the main fiber direction 7, ie perpendicular to the light incident plane 5 and parallel to the main axis of cuboid (Parallel to the side surfaces, in other words 8 and 9 of the cuboid of the chip card 1). The light guide 6 can light through the chip card 1 to a rear through the Front surface formed light exit plane 10 (in the perspective View obscured conduct). The precipitated light is represented by the arrow B. Furthermore, the Light guide 6 is disposed in the light conducting layer 2 in such a way to direct light to the recess 11 for the chip module conduct, the recess 11 closer to the light exit plane 10 is arranged than at the light incidence plane 5th Of the Optical fiber 6 may be either directly, ie in the main direction of light 7, incident on the recess 11, or, as presented it in the left part of the cuboid of the chip card 1 is bent at 90 ° laterally open into the recess 11th This is shown schematically by the two arrows in the recess shown 11, the light apertures 12 and 13 in the recess 11 into symbolize. is in the recess 11 Chip module 14 is disposed, the infrared diodes 15 and 16 or corresponding LEDs for receiving and transmitting of light accordingly having suitable locations. The chip module 14 has on its surface the norm usual contact surfaces 17 on, under which is arranged the actual microcontroller 18 is. The arrangement of the chip module 14 is shown in the figure indicated by an arrow C.

0022In the schematic illustration of FIG. 1 are therefore two embodiments illustrated:

0023In the first embodiment, the light is bundled from the light incidence plane 5 in the light conducting layer 2 to the ISO 7616 intended installation 11 of the chip module 14 directed where it via the schematically shown light exits 12 and 13 to corresponding receiving members 15 and passed 16 (for example, infrared diodes and / or amplifier / filter) is, the on-chip module 14 in addition to the microprocessor and / or memory are integrated. The produced and processed Signals via the contacts 17 from the device (For example, a car radio) picked up and processed.

0024In the second embodiment, the smart card includes also a light-conducting layer 2. The light is additionally carried the card 1 out and exits the opposite end of the card 1 out again. will receive and or transmit diodes so the car radio or a corresponding electronic device arranged such that in the inserted state of the card 1 into the apparatus the leaking Light hits the diode of the device.