Memory card reader
View Patent ↗A memory card reader is provided, which includes a printed circuit on which a memory card connector is mounted. The memory card connector has a slot intended for inserting a memory card and a set of contact points enabling data exchange between the memory card and a processor mounted on the printed circuit. The printed circuit is further equipped with an anti-intrusion device formed and positioned such that the anti-intrusion device prevents access, from the exterior of the reader, to at least one connection portion between at least one of the contact points of the set of contact points and the printed circuit.
1. A memory card reader comprising:
a printed circuit on which a memory card connector is mounted, said memory card connector having a slot configured for inserting a memory card and a set of contact points enabling data exchange between said memory card and a processor mounted on said printed circuit, wherein said printed circuit is further equipped with an anti-intrusion device formed and fixed thereto such that said anti-intrusion device prevents access, from the exterior of said reader, to at least one connection portion between at least one of said contact points of said set of contact points and said printed circuit, said anti-intrusion device comprising several superimposed layers of printed circuit which are interconnected by embedded vias;
wherein said anti-intrusion device comprises at least two contact elements enabling contact of a conducting circuit with a connector area for said anti-intrusion device on said printed circuit, said connector area comprising at least one contact area; and wherein said contact area comprises at least two separate portions, while, during attachment of said anti-intrusion device onto said printed circuit, a space enables air resulting from said attachment to be discharged.
2. The memory card reader of claim 1 , wherein said anti-intrusion device is substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped which, on an upper face thereof, comprises a protuberance obstructing access to said contact points via a top of said anti-intrusion device.
3. The memory card reader of claim 1 , wherein said anti-intrusion device includes at least one three-dimensional conducting circuit.
4. The memory card reader of claim 1 , wherein said printed circuit includes a region intended to receive said anti-intrusion device, which includes an even number of connector areas of said anti-intrusion device.
5. A PIN code inputting device, which comprises a memory card reader of claim 1 .
6. An anti-intrusion device, in particular for a memory card reader having a printed circuit on which a memory card connector is mounted, said memory card connector having a slot configured for inserting a memory card and a set of contact points enabling data exchange between said memory card and a processor mounted on said printed circuit, wherein the anti-intrusion device comprises:
a shape such that, when fixed on the printed circuit of said card reader, said anti-intrusion device prevents access, from the exterior of said reader, to at least one connection portion between at least one of said contact points of said set of contact points and said printed circuit; and at least two contact elements for connecting to a connector area of said printed circuit, said connector area comprising at least one contact area; said at least two contact elements enabling contact of a conducting circuit with the connector area, wherein said contact area comprises at least two separate portions, while, during attachment of said anti-intrusion device onto said printed circuit, a space between the separate portions enables air resulting from said attachment to be discharged;
several superimposed layers of printed circuit which are interconnected by embedded vias, and which form an electronic component capable of being electrically connected to the printed circuit on which it is fixed.
7. A method of securing an electronic component attached to a printed circuit on which a memory card connector is mounted, said memory card connector having a slot configured for inserting a memory card and a set of contact points enabling data exchange between said memory card and a processor mounted on said printed circuit, wherein the method comprises:
attaching an anti-intrusion device to said printed circuit, which has a shape and attachment to the printed circuit such that said anti-intrusion device prevents access, from an exterior of said reader, to at least one connection portion between at least one of said contact points of said set of contact points and said printed circuit, the anti-intrusion device comprising several superimposed layers of printed circuit which are interconnected by embedded vias, and are capable of being electrically connected to the printed circuit on which it is attached;
wherein said anti-intrusion device comprises at least two contact elements enabling contact of a conducting circuit with a connector area of said anti-intrusion device on said printed circuit, said connector area comprising at least one contact area; and wherein said at least contact area comprises at least two separate portions, while, during said step of attaching of said anti-intrusion device onto said printed circuit, a space enables air resulting from said attachment to be discharged.