Assembly consisting of a micro-module and a reproducing device which is equipped with contact-free near-communication means
View Patent ↗A portable communication device for at least mono-directional communication with a terminal is disclosed. The portable communication device includes a micro-module including a chip that has an antenna allowing the micro-module to communicate with the terminal when the antenna is placed in the immediate vicinity of the terminal. The portable device further includes a reader receiving the removable micro-module, and the antenna is held by the reader such that the micro-module is removable relative to the antenna.
1. A portable communication device for at least mono-directional communication with a terminal, comprising:
a micro-module, comprising a chip; and
a reader configured to receive the micro-module,
wherein the reader comprises an antenna of low or medium range type allowing the micro-module to transmit a radio-frequency (RF) communication to the terminal, and
wherein the antenna is held by the reader such that the micro-module is removable relative to the antenna.
2. The portable communication device of claim 1 , wherein the micro-module comprises an external authentication marking element.
3. The portable communication device of claim 1 , wherein the reader comprises a display and a keypad configured to interact with the chip.
4. The portable communication device of claim 1 , wherein the reader comprises a USB connector configured to connect contacts of the micro-module to an external appliance.
5. The portable communication device of claim 1 , wherein the reader further comprises a memory component.
6. The portable communication device of claim 1 , wherein the RF communication is of type ISO 14443 type A.
7. The portable communication device of claim 1 , wherein the RF communication is of type ISO 14443 type B.
8. The portable communication device of claim 1 , further comprising an audio/visual man/machine interface configured to transmit a signal in response to establishment of communication with an external appliance.
9. The portable communication device of claim 8 , wherein the audio/visual man/machine interface is a LED (light-emitting diode).
10. The portable communication device of claim 8 , wherein the audio/visual man/machine interface is a micro-buzzer.
11. The portable communication device of claim 8 , wherein the audio/visual man/machine interface is a vibrator.
12. The portable communication device of claim 8 , wherein the audio/visual man/machine interface is a display.
13. The portable communication device of claim 1 , further comprising:
an independent source of electrical energy rechargeable by an energy transfer device without galvanic contact.
14. The portable communication device of claim 13 , wherein the independent source of electrical energy uses magnetic induction as a medium for transferring energy.
15. The portable communication device of claim 13 , wherein the independent source of electrical energy uses light as a medium for transferring energy and photovoltaic cells for converting energy.
16. The portable communication device of claim 13 , wherein the independent source of electrical energy uses an electromagnetic field as a medium for transferring energy and a second antenna as an energy conversion system.
17. The portable communication device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a switch placed on the antenna wherein communication may be established only by activating the switch.
18. The portable communication device of claim 1 , wherein communication is inactive and consumes substantially no energy before the device enters a field in an immediate vicinity of an external appliance.
19. The portable communication device of claim 1 , wherein the RF communication is of Near Field Communication (NFC) type.
20. The portable communication device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a display device, wherein the display device is controlled by the chip through a display driver stored and executed in the chip.
21. The portable communication device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a memory component configured to store encrypted private data, wherein the chip is configured to decrypt the encrypted private data to obtain decrypted private data using a secret stored in the chip.
22. The portable communication device of claim 21 , wherein the decrypted private data is used to obtain access, by a holder of the portable communication device, to one selected from the group consisting of a secured resource and a secured location.
23. A portable communication device for at least mono-directional communication with a terminal, comprising:
a micro-module, comprising a chip; and
a reader configured to receive the micro-module,
wherein the reader comprises an antenna allowing the micro-module to transmit a radio-frequency (RF) communication to the terminal, and
wherein the antenna is held by the reader such that the micro-module is removable relative to the antenna.
24. The portable communication device of claim 23 , wherein the antenna is of one selected from a group consisting of a low range type and a medium range type.
25. The portable communication device of claim 1 , wherein the micro-module comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of a contact interface and a proximity antenna to enable the micro-module to transmit radiofrequency RF communication to the reader antenna.
26. The portable communication device of claim 23 , wherein the micro-module comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of a contact interface and a proximity antenna to enable the micro-module to transmit radiofrequency RF communication to the reader antenna.