Adapter for contact and contactless smart cards
View Patent ↗A portable adapter for using a contact smart card with a contactless smart card reader and a contactless smart card with a contact smart card reader. The adaptor is provided with a casing that is configured to engage a contact smart card or a contactless smart card, and is provided with an exterior portion that physically cooperates via a contact pad with a contact smart card reader. The adapter is provided with an interface passing signals between a contactless smart card and a contact smart card reader, and an interface for passing signals between a contact smart card and a contactless smart card reader.
1. A portable adapter for using a contact smart card with a contactless smart card reader and a contactless smart card with a contact smart card reader, comprising:
a casing having an interior and an exterior, the interior of the casing being configured to removably engage a contact smart card or a contactless smart card, the exterior of the casing being configured to physically cooperate with a contact smart card reader;
means adapted for interfacing a contactless smart card with a contact smart card reader; and
means adapted for interfacing a contact smart card with a contactless smart card reader.
2. The portable adapter of claim 1 , wherein the means adapted for interfacing a contactless smart card with a contact smart card reader comprises:
an external contact module for receiving and transmitting electrical signals from and to a contact smart card reader, the external contact module being disposed on the exterior of the casing such that the external contact module can be placed in physical contact with a contact pad on a contact smart card reader; and
a transceiver in communication with the external contact module for converting electrical signals received by the external contact module to electromagnetic signals for reception by a contactless smart card removably engaged in the casing, and for converting received electromagnetic signals from the contactless smart card to electrical signals to be transmitted by the external contact module to the contact smart card reader.
3. The portable adapter of claim 1 , wherein the means adapted for interfacing a contact smart card with a contactless smart card reader comprises:
an internal contact module for receiving and transmitting electrical signals from and to a contact smart card removably engaged in the casing; and
a radiofrequency interface in communication with the internal contact module and with an antenna for converting electrical signals received by the internal contact module to electromagnetic signals for reception by a contactless smart card reader, and for converting electromagnetic signals received from the contactless smart card reader to electrical signals to be transmitted by the internal contact module to the contact smart card.
4. The portable adapter of claim 2 , wherein the means adapted for interfacing a contact smart card with a contactless smart card reader comprises:
an internal contact module for receiving and transmitting electrical signals from and to a contact smart card removably engaged in the casing; and
a radiofrequency interface in communication with the internal contact module and with an antenna for converting electrical signals received by the internal contact module to electromagnetic signals for reception by a contactless smart card reader, and for converting electromagnetic signals received from the contactless smart card reader to electrical signals to be transmitted by the internal contact module to the contact smart card.
5. The portable adapter of claim 2 , wherein the electrical signals received from the contact smart card reader are sufficient to power the contactless smart card.
6. The portable adapter of claim 2 , wherein the electric signals received from the contact smart card reader are amplified by a signal booster to sufficient strength in order to power the contactless smart card.
7. The portable adapter of claim 3 , wherein the electromagnetic signals received from the contactless smart card reader are sufficient to power the contact smart card.
8. The portable adapter of claim 3 , wherein the electromagnetic signals received from the contactless smart card reader are amplified by a signal booster to sufficient strength in order to power the contact smart card.
9. The portable adapter of claim 4 , wherein the electromagnetic signals received from the contactless smart card reader are sufficient to power the contact smart card.
10. The portable adapter of claim 4 , wherein the electromagnetic signals received from the contactless smart card reader are amplified by a signal booster to sufficient strength in order to power the contact smart card.
11. The portable adapter of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is not provided with an independent power supply.
12. The portable adapter of claim 2 , wherein the adapter is not provided with an independent power supply.
13. The portable adapter of claim 3 , wherein the adapter is not provided with an independent power supply.
14. The portable adapter of claim 4 , wherein the adapter is not provided with an independent power supply.
15. The portable adapter of claim 5 , wherein the adapter is not provided with an independent power supply.
16. The portable adapter of claim 7 , wherein the adapter is not provided with an independent power supply.
17. The portable adapter of claim 9 , wherein the adapter is not provided with an independent power supply.
18. The portable adapter of claim 1 , wherein the adapter does not comprise a microprocessor for executing security-related or memory-related instructions.
19. The portable adapter of claim 2 , wherein the adapter does not comprise a microprocessor for executing security-related or memory-related instructions.
20. The portable adapter of claim 3 , wherein the adapter does not comprise a microprocessor for executing security-related or memory-related instructions.
21. The portable adapter of claim 4 , wherein the adapter does not comprise a microprocessor for executing security-related or memory-related instructions.