Memory interface card with SIM functions
View Patent ↗A plug-in adapter includes a first contact for connection to a host device, at least two second contacts for connection to a memory card, and a third contact for connection to a subscriber identity module (SIM) component. Circuitry in the adapter connects at least one of the second contacts to the third contact and connects at least another of the second contacts to the first contact so as to create a communication path between the host device and the SIM component via the memory card.
1. A plug-in adapter, comprising:
a first contact for connection to a host device;
at least two second contacts for connection to a memory card;
a third contact for connection to a subscriber identity module (SIM) component; and
circuitry that connects at least one of the second contacts to the third contact and connects at least another of the second contacts to the first contact so as to create a communication path between the host device and the SIM component via the memory card.
2. The adapter according to claim 1 , and comprising a connector containing the first contact and configured to mate with a host receptacle in the host device.
3. The adapter according to claim 2 , wherein the connector is compatible with an SD card standard.
4. The adapter according to claim 2 , wherein the connector is configured to permit the adapter to be removed from the host device.
5. The adapter according to claim 1 , and comprising a memory receptacle, which contains the second contacts, for receiving the memory card.
6. The adapter according to claim 5 , wherein the memory receptacle is compatible with a microSD card standard.
7. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to enable the host device to communicate with the SIM component via the memory card in accordance with an ISO 7816 standard.
8. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the second contacts is configured to communicate with an antenna connection of the memory card.
9. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the third contact is fixedly connected to the SIM component.
10. The adapter according to claim 1 , and comprising a SIM receptacle containing the third contact and configured to removably receive the SIM component.
11. Computing apparatus, comprising:
a host device comprising a host receptacle compliant with a first memory card standard;
a memory card compliant with a second memory card standard; and
a plug-in adapter, comprising:
a connector configured to mate with the host receptacle and containing a first contact for connection to the host device;
a memory receptacle configured to receive the memory card and containing at least two second contacts for connection to the memory card;
a third contact for connection to a subscriber identity module (SIM) component; and
circuitry that connects at least one of the second contacts to the third contact and connects at least another of the second contacts to the first contact so as to create a communication path between the host device and the SIM component via the memory card.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the circuitry and memory card are configured to enable the host device to communicate with the SIM component by exchanging messages via the memory card in accordance with an ISO 7816 standard.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the messages are encapsulated for transmission between the host device and the memory card in accordance with the first card standard, and wherein the memory card comprises a processor, which is configured to parse and convey the messages to and from the SIM component in accordance with the ISO 7816 standard.
14. The adapter according to claim 11 , wherein the memory card comprises an antenna connection, and wherein the at least one of the second contacts is configured to communicate with the antenna connection of the memory card.