WO1999063483A1

WO1999063483A1 - Smart-card and memory module adapter

Info

Publication number: WO1999063483A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/011193
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymund Eisele
Original assignee: Smartdiskette Corporation
Priority date: 1998-05-29
Filing date: 1999-05-20
Publication date: 1999-12-09
Also published as: AU4007399A

Abstract

An adapter (100) which can be plugged into a floppy disk drive of a computer can receive a user insertable and removable memory module (12) and a user insertable and removable smart-card (13) therein, and provide access to the memory module (12) and smart-card (13) by the computer for reading and/or writing thereto. The adapter (100) has a frame (19) having an exterior form designed to be insertable into a floppy drive and accommodate the module (12) and smart-card (13). The frame (19) houses interface circuitry for facilitating the transferring of data between the adapter and a read/write head of a floppy disk drive. The adapter (100) provides respective recesses with contacts for coupling with corresponding contacts (16, 17) of a memory module and a smart-card when inserted therein, providing a path for transferring data to and from the module (12) and smart-card (13). The frame (19) may also accommodate a battery (2) and/or a generator/alternator and associated regulator circuitry for supplying current to the adapter circuitry, the smart-card (13) and the memory module (12).

Description

SMART-CARD AND MEMORY MODULE ADAPTER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the following interrelated and

commonly owned applications and patents, the subject matter of which is

hereby incorporated by reference:

pending application 09/021,986. (Atty Dkt. SMD-0010) filed

February 1 1 , 1998, entitled "MULTI-MODULE ADAPTER";

pending application 09/013,036, (Atty Dkt. SMD-0008) filed

January 26, 1998, entitled "ADAPTER";

pending application 08/867,496 (Atty Dkt. LWBR-0020D1) filed

June 2, 1997, entitled "SMART-DISKETTE DEVICE";

pending application 08/514,382 (Atty Dkt. LWBR-0020) filed

August 1 1, 1995, entitled "POCKET INTERFACE UNIT (PIU) FOR A

SMART-DISKETTE";

pending application 08/420,796 (Atty Dkt. LWBR-0006C1) filed

APRIL 12, 1995, entitled "SMART DATA STORAGE DEVICE" which

is a continuation of 07/947,570 (abandoned), which is a continuation of

07/448,093, now U. S. Patent 5,159,182; pending application 08/479,747 (Atty Dkt. LWBR-0013D1) filed

June 7, 1995, entitled "COMMUNICATION INTERFACE ELEMENT

RECEIVABLE INTO A MEDIA DRIVE" which is a continuation of

07/712,897, now U. S. Patent 5,457,590;

U. S. Patent 5,471 ,038 entitled "SMART-DISKETTE

READ/WRITE DEVICE HAVING FIXED HEAD"; and

U. S. Patent 5,584,043 entitled "APPARATUS HAVING A

SMART CARD ACCOMMODATED BY A DISKETTE FRAME

CONTAINING PROCESSOR MEMORY AND BATTERY POWER

FOR INTERFACING WITH A STANDARD DISKETTE DRIVE."

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of The Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of computer

devices, and in particular, to an adapter element in the shape of a diskette

for insertion into a floppy disk drive, which is capable of receiving both a

smart-card and one or more memory modules therein simultaneously.

2. Background Information

There is known a so-called "smart-diskette," which is a device

having the external shape of a diskette, for example, a standard 3-1/2 inch

diskette, and which contains therein, instead of and/or in addition to a

magnetic medium (magnetic disk), interface and processing circuitry for

providing particular functionality to the device. The circuitry includes an

interface for transferring data between other components provided on the

device and/or inserted into the device, and a magnetic head of a standard

floppy disk drive into which the device can be inserted.

In various forms, the smart-diskette device may include a

microprocessor for controlling the device and performing various tasks,

such as data encryption and/or compression. On-board memory may be

provided as well in the form of, for example, dynamic RAM (random access memory-), ROM (read only memory), EEPROM (electronically

erasable/programmable read only memory), and/or Flash memory, for

storing programs and/or data.

The device circuitry may be provided in the form of discrete

components or, advantageously, as a single integrated circuit (IC), in

particular, as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

U. S. Patent No. 5,159,182, and copending application S. N.

08/420,796 (Atty Docket No. LWBR 0006C1), disclose embodiments of

a smart-diskette insertable element with magnetic interface, processor,

power supply and optional display and keypad, designed to be inserted

into a standard 3-1/2 inch floppy disk drive of a host computer, i.e.,

electronic data processing (EDP) equipment, such as a desk-top personal

computer (PC) or notebook computer, for example.

An exemplary embodiment of the smart-diskette insertable element

disclosed in the above-mentioned patent and application, has a processor

with some built-in program/data memory, additional memory for storing

data and/or programs, and an interface designed to facilitate the exchange

of data between the device and a floppy disk drive read/write head. A

driver and coil of the interface convert signals from the processor into the

required magnetic form and provide them to the read/write head of a floppy disk drive, and likewise convert signals received from the floppy

disk drive read/write head into the required form for use by the processor.

An advantage of the smart-diskette insertable element is that, by

virtue of its msertability into the standard and prevalent floppy disk drive

of a personal computer, and its interfaceability therewith, it is possible to

carry-out a wide variety of operations with the processor and/or memory

on the element, and interactively with the personal computer. These

include but are not limited to encryption and decryption of data and/or

verification of user identity. Such operations are accomplished without

requiring any specially designed interface or plug-in boards which might

be suitable only for use with a limited number of computer systems.

Another advantageous feature of the smart-diskette insertable

element is its ability to store additional data and/or programs in on-board

and/or add-on memory connected with the on-board processor. This

considerably increases the potential areas of application for the element.

The smart-diskette element disclosed in the above patent and

application may be equipped with a battery power source supplying

power to the electronic components within the element, and/or a

generator/alternator, with associated regulator circuitry, driven by the

rotation of a floppy disk drive spindle. As mentioned, the interface of the smart-diskette insertable element

is designed to allow data to be exchanged with the read/write head of a

floppy disk drive. One way this can be achieved is by locating an

electromagnetic component on the element, e.g., one or more coils, to be

in the vicinity of the read/write head of the floppy disk drive when the

element is inserted into the drive, and which generates magnetic field

information functionally the same as that generated by a magnetic disk of

a standard floppy diskette. In this way, the interface simulates a magnetic

floppy diskette. This property of the interface allows data to be

transferred under control of the on-board processor to the EDP equipment

(e.g., a personal computer), such as data which enables user identification

to be verified, thereby providing security to the EDP equipment, or any of

a number of other operations, as would be recognized by one skilled in

the art.

As processor capabilities expand and memory devices with

increasing capacity become smaller, the smart-diskette device takes on

the potential for more and more useful and varied applications.

Related U. S. Patent 5,471,038 discloses a special read/write unit

with a read/write head and optional electrical contacts, but without the

standard disk driving and head moving parts, for use in a desk-top PC or notebook computer to communicate with a smart-diskette. By

eliminating the drive motor and moving read/write heads, a significant

amount of energy which would otherwise be expended by the use of such

moving parts is conserved.

Further, such a read/write unit, since it eliminates bulky drive and

head motors, can be made more compact than a standard floppy disk

drive, thereby reducing the overall size and weight requirements for the

computer in which it is installed.

Related copending application 08/514,382 discloses a pocket

interface unit (PIU) for use with a smart-diskette. Pocket calculators and

diary devices are known and have gained acceptance with busy

executives, for example. However, such devices have numerous

limitations and disadvantages. For example, although such devices can

interface with a desk-top computer to download application programs

and/or data, for example, or to upload data entered on the pocket device

to the desk-top computer, to do so currently requires inconvenient

cabling, and/or a special interface unit, e.g., PCMCIA, with associated

costs. Some devices use infra-red beams to communicate between the

device and the PC, but these are subject to atmospheric and distance limitations, or may be subject to errors due to dust or dirt on a lens, for

example.

In addition, such pocket devices are generally limited to a single

special application, such as a phone director}⁷, or a golf-handicap

calculator, and do not generally provide the range of capabilities of a

notebook computer, for example. Pocket-sized pagers and cellular

telephones are also known. However, these respective devices do not

generally have the capability of functioning as anything except a pager or

telephone, that is. they are generally devices which are dedicated to a

single function. Therefore, the fully-equipped, fully-functional executive

may be burdened by having to carry around a variety of separate devices,

which further disadvantageous^ cannot readily interface with one

another.

The PIU, disclosed in the copending application, for use with a

smart-diskette, overcomes these and other problems, and provides other

advantages over existing technology.

Related U. S. Patent 5,584,043 discloses a smart-diskette adapted

to receive at least one memory and/or processor card, generically referred

to herein as a "smart-card," such as an ATM, patient information.

electronic cash card, bank debit card, FlashPROM card, credit card, or the like. For example. Figure 5a of that patent illustrates an embodiment

adapted for receiving at least one mini-chip card. This patented device

can be used with the recently developed MMC (MultiMediaCard made by

Siemens/SanDisk), or the SSFDC also called a SmartMediaCard (SMC,

made by Toshiba). These compact memory cards are referred to

generically herein as "memory modules" because of their modular

configuration.

The so-called MultiMediaCards (MMC's) provide small,

transportable audio/video media storage in the form of a modular card

substrate carrying a memory, and an optional processor in some cases,

which can be inserted into a number of different media

recording/playback devices specifically adapted to receive the MMC's.

The MMC memory currently can store, for example, about 8 megabytes

of digitized video and/or audio signals, however memory capacities are

growing almost daily. Typically, contacts on the MMC are be used to

connect and transfer the digitized video/audio to a media recorder or

playback device.

Although MMC's and the like are a remarkable technological

development, until the advent of the smart-diskette embodiment disclosed

in the above mentioned patent, which is adapted to receive at least one modular memory card, such as an MMC, a special add-on device would

have been required to load data onto an MMC from a personal computer

or vice versa. The smart-diskette provides a convenient low-cost

alternative to the special add-on device.

A variety of Flash memory devices (e.g., FlashPROM's) have also

become known and are more and more widely used, for example, in

digital cameras. The above-mentioned MMC's and other memory

modules may use Flash memory or any other type of non-volatile

memory available.

Further, to use the MMC's as proposed for storing and playing

back high-fidelity musical compositions, a user would need an entirely

new recording/playback device designed with a port for interconnecting

with the MMC's to make use of them in their home. In other words, the

existing conventional user playback/recording equipment, such as an

audio cassette player, does not generally interface with the newly

developed MMC's. Therefore, a need existed for an adapter device which

could permit use of the new MMC's with the existing conventional

electronic equipment, such as home/auto recording/playback equipment.

Related copending application 09/013,036 (Atty Dkt. SMD-0008) meets

this need and discloses an adapter for use in adapting a conventional cassette tape playback/recording device with a plurality of Flash memory

devices, MMC's, or the like, which store digitized audio, for example.

The adapter provides a way of adapting one or more MMC's to

conventional recording playback devices, such as a conventional audio or

video cassette player. The adapter inserted into a conventional tape

device interfaces the tape device with one or more removable storage

circuits (e.g., MMC's) which store digital audio and/or video data. By

accommodating a number of MMC's at once, a user can advantageously

record and/or playback an extended audio or visual work with the adapter.

Of course, MMC's, Flash-memory devices, and the like, can be put

to other uses besides storing audio and/or video/image data for use in a

home or automobile system. They can be used to store any type of digital

data imaginable. The inventive adapter disclosed in the copending

application is in the form of a tape cassette, i.e., audio, video, or digital

(e.g., DAT). While digital tape drives are available as relatively

expensive add-on devices for personal computers, these tape drives are

not in as widespread use as the floppy disk drives which are provided

with practically every personal computer as a standard feature.

To take further advantage of some of the other possibilities of

MMC's, Flash-memory devices, and the like, and to overcome problems in the art, an improved adapter element in the shape of a diskette for

insertion into a floppy disk drive, which is designed to receive a plurality

of memory modules or cards therein, was developed and is disclosed in

related copending application 09/021,986 (Atty Dkt. SMD-0010).

According to an aspect of that disclosed adapter device, up to 5

MMC's can be inserted at once into respective sockets. Two modules are

insertable (which also means removable) at the left edge of the adapter,

two at the right of the adapter, and one at the rear (outer) edge of the

adapter. The adapter with one or more memory modules is insertable into

a floppy disk drive front edge (inner edge) first. Further, the adapter

provides for playback of music and/or image data, for example, from one

or more memory modules, via the floppy disk drive of a personal

computer. Music and/or image data, for example, can be recorded on one

or more memory modules via the personal computer floppy disk drive.

However, from the above discussion, it is apparent that the prior

smart-diskette adapters were designed to accommodate either a user

insertable (which also means removable) smart-card or one or more user

insertable memory modules, but not both at the same time. The inventor

realized that there may be times when it would be advantageous to have a single adapter which could accommodate both a smart-card and at least

one memory module simultaneously.

For example, should a personal computer user wish to purchase a

music selection or picture image, for example, over the Internet using

their bankcard (smart-card) for payment, they could do so with a smart-

diskette adapter described above which interfaces their personal computer

with their bankcard. Further, if the user wanted to download the music or

image purchased into a memory module, they could do so with another

different smart-diskette adapter, described above, which interfaces their

personal computer with an MMC through the floppy drive.

However, it should be apparent from the above discussion that it

would be advantageous to be able to perform both operations with a

single smart-diskette adapter, and therefore, a need exists for an adapter

which can accommodate both a smart-card and at least one memory

module at the same time, and thereby provide the functionality of two

different type of adapters in one, as well as a synergistic enhancement of

functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus

for an adapter which can accommodate both a smart-card and at least one

memory module at the same time, and thereby provide the functionality

of two different adapters in one, as well as a synergistic enhancement of

functionality, thereby providing advantages over the prior adapters.

According to an aspect of the invention, an adapter includes a

frame having the shape of a diskette, the frame having at least one first

recess for receiving an insertable memory module, and a second recess

for receiving an insertable smart-card, the frame having therein interface

circuitry providing an interface with a read/write head of a floppy disk

drive, the memory module, and the smart-card, when inserted in the

respective recesses.

According to another aspect of the invention, the frame has the

shape and size of a 3-1/2 inch floppy diskette.

According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one first

recess is adapted to receive at least one of a plurality of standard memory

modules, the plurality of standard memory modules including multi¬

media cards (e.g., MMC's), and smart media cards (e.g., SMCs or

SSFDCs). According to another aspect of the invention, the interface circuitry

includes respective contacts disposed in respective ones of the first and

second recesses which couple with corresponding respective contacts on a

respective memory module and smart-card when inserted in the

respective recesses; a magnetic interface which is adapted to magnetically

couple with a read write head of a floppy disk drive when the adapter is

inserted in the floppy disk drive, and a processor, coupled to the contacts,

which is operable to receive and transmit signals to and from the

respective memory module and smart-card through the respective

contacts, and to receive and transmit signals to and from the magnetic

interface.

According to another aspect of the invention, the adapter further

includes a memory connected to the processor which stores data and/or

programs used by the processor, and the magnetic interface includes a

magnetic transducer which is operable to send and receive magnetic

signals to and from a floppy disk drive read/write head, and a

driver/converter connected to the transducer and the processor which is

operable to convert signals from the transducer to a form useful to the

processor, convert signals from the processor to a form used by a floppy disk drive, and to drive the transducer with the converted signals from the

processor.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one battery is

provided on the adapter which is connected to provide power to the

interface circuitry, at least one memory module, and at least one smart-

card.

According to another aspect of the invention, the memory for the

processor stores programming enabling the processor to perform at least

one of encryption of data, decryption of data, compression of data, and

decompression of data.

According to another aspect of the invention, the processor

includes programming to perform interactive password checking to verify

authorized use of the adapter and/or the at least one memory module

and/or the at least one smart-card.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of

purchasing data, making payment with a smart-card and storing the data

to a memory module, via a terminal having a direct access storage device,

e.g., a floppy disk drive, includes utilizing the adapter according to the

invention having the smart-card and the memory module inserted therein. According to another aspect of the invention, the terminal is a

personal computer which is connected to the Internet for receiving the

data therefrom and making the payment thereto.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of

electronically purchasing data using an adapter device which is insertable

into a terminal direct access storage device, and which accommodates an

electronically readable card and at least one memory module therein,

includes inserting an electronically readable card and at least one memory

module in the adapter, inserting the adapter into a terminal direct access

storage device, upon selecting with the terminal data to purchase having

an associated purchase price, debiting a payment amount corresponding

to the purchase price from the electronically readable card, and storing the

data to be purchased in the memory module.

According to another aspect of the invention, the terminal device

comprises a personal computer, and the method further includes

establishing a communications path between the personal computer and a

remote location where the data to be purchased is pre-stored.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method further

includes enabling an anti-piracy mechanism to prevent piracy of

copyrighted material. According to another aspect of the invention, the method further

includes performing at least one of encryption, decryption, compression

and decompression on the data to be purchased before storing the data to

the memory module.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method further

includes performing one of user identification, and user authentication

prior to debiting a payment amount from the electronically readable card.

According to another aspect of the invention, the electronically

readable card is an electronic cash card having stored thereon an

electronic representation of a cash value, and the debiting includes

electronically reducing the stored cash value by the payment amount.

According to another aspect of the invention, the electronically

readable card is a credit card, and the debiting includes communicating

with the credit card issuer to establish a credit card purchase.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of access

security using an adapter device which is insertable into a terminal direct

access storage device, and which accommodates an electronically

readable card and at least one memory module therein, includes pre-

storing first user data in a memory module, pre-storing second user data

in an electronically readable card, inserting the memory module and the electronically readable card into the adapter, inserting the adapter into a

terminal direct access storage device, verifying the user data pre-stored in

the memory module and the electronically readable card, and permitting

or denying access to the terminal device based on a result of the

verifying.

According to another aspect of the invention, the permitting access

includes permitting an access level corresponding to the user data.

These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished

by the method and apparatus disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will

become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the

drawings in which:

Figs, la, lb and lc illustrate a bottom view with internal

elements visible of an exemplary embodiment of the invention adapted to

receive a smart-card and a memory module.

Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of the electrical

interconnections of the an exemplary embodiment of the invention

illustrated in Figs. la. lb and lc. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention will now be described in more detail by example

with reference to the embodiment shown in the Figures. It should be kept

in mind that the following described embodiment is only presented by

way of example and should not be construed as limiting the inventive

concept to any particular physical configuration.

Referring to Fig. la, shown is a bottom view with internal elements

visible of an exemplary embodiment of the invention adapted to receive a

smart-card and a memory module. The exemplary adapter has the

external shape of a floppy diskette, e.g., a 3-1/2 inch floppy diskette, and

is therefore able to be inserted into a floppy disk drive of a personal

computer, for example.

In particular, the illustrated insertable adapter 100 includes a frame

19 in the shape and size of a floppy diskette which houses an integrated

circuit 1, described in more detail with reference to Fig. 2, one or more

batteries 2, and a transducer (magnetic interface, e.g., a coil) 3 which is in

or adjacent to slot 4. The transducer 3 at slot 4 is arranged to

magnetically couple with the read/write head of a floppy disk drive (not

shown) when the adapter 100 is inserted therein, to permit the exchange

of data therewith. Although the illustrated embodiment has the external form of a 3-

1/2 inch floppy diskette, it should be appreciated that other sizes and

shapes could be used, such as that of a 5-1/4 inch diskette, within the

spirit and scope of the invention.

A socket 9 is provided having contacts for receiving and

electrically interfacing with a memory module 12 (Fig. lb) such as an

MMC, described above. A further socket 10 is provided having contacts

for receiving and electrically interfacing with a smart-card 13 (Fig. lc),

such as a bankcard, or the like, as described above.

The size and shape of these sockets 9 and 10 as depicted is for the

purposes of illustration of an exemplary embodiment, it being understood

that such is adaptable to variation within the spirit and scope of the

invention. Further, although a single memory module socket 9 is shown

for the purposes of illustration, it should be understood that a number of

such sockets 9 could be provided, space permitting, within the spirit and

scope of the invention.

A spindle recess 11 is provided in the adapter frame 19 which

accommodates a floppy disk drive spindle when the adapter 100 is

inserted in a disk drive. An optional generator or alternator and

associated regulator circuitry (not shown) could be provided on-board the adapter 100 which would be driven by the floppy disk drive spindle in use

to recharge the one or more batteries 2.

Referring now to Figs, lb and lc, a typical memory module 12 is

shown in Fig. lb, e.g., an MMC, and a typical smart-card 13. e.g., an

electronically readable/writable bankcard, is shown in Fig. lc. A recess

14 in the adapter, with space for gripping the card 13 when inserted, is

provided to facilitate easy insertion and removal of the smart-card 13, and

a recess 15, also having a gripping space, is likewise provided in the

adapter for the memory module 12. The recesses 14 and 15 extend into

the frame 19 to an extent necessary to receive the memory module 12 and

the card 13 entirely within the adapter frame 19 so that the adapter 100

can be inserted into a direct access storage device, e.g., a floppy disk

drive.

Contacts 16 on the memory module 12 mate with corresponding

contacts in the adapter socket 9 to provide electrical connection between

the adapter circuitry and the memory module 12 when the memory

module 12 is inserted in the adapter 100. Likewise, contacts 17 on the

smart-card 13 mate with corresponding contacts in the adapter socket 10

to provide electrical connection between the adapter circuitry and the

smart-card 13 when the smart-card 13 is inserted in the adapter 100. The shape, size and location of the memory module and smart-card

sockets depend on the type of memory module and/or smart-card with

which the adapter is to be used. Although the exemplary adapter design

shown is for accommodating a standard MMC memory module and a

standard smart-card, the invention is not limited thereby to any particular

memory module and/or smart-card.

Further, although for the memory module, seven contacts 16 are

shown, and for the smart-card, eight contacts 10 are shown, these

numbers may vary depending on the memory module, smart-card and

adapter design. Three contacts would probably be sufficient to provide

power, ground and communications signals in the most rudimentary case.

However, some contacts to provide address lines, control lines, and the

like, are possible. The memory module contacts 16 are illustrated in a

line and the smart-card contacts 10 in tow lines, however other

configurations are possible. In short, the number, configuration and

function of the contacts 16 and 10 are dependent on the type of memory

module/smart-card used, and the invention is not limited to any particular

number or configuration or function.

It is also contemplated that non-contact type connections could be

used instead of the contacts 16 and/or 17, such as through a magnetic, electrostatic or optical coupling, and therefore, the invention is not

limited to physical contacts. These contacts 16 and 17 are simply shown

because such are currently prevalent in the art.

The user removable memory module 12 may comprise only

memory, e.g., Flash-memory, and connectors (or other coupling means),

i.e., there may be no significant processor power on the module 12 itself.

As known in the art, some types of memory modules may contain a

rudimentary state machine logic for handling addressing of memory cells

therein, for example, while others may have on-board more significant

processing capabilities, for handling addressing, refreshing, etc.

Similarly, there are known a variety of smart-card types, some having no

processor power and some being "true" smart-cards having significant

processor power. The invention is not limited by these details.

A switch 18 is advantageously provided for turning on and off the

electronic circuitry in the adapter 100 to thereby power-up the adapter

when inserted into a floppy drive and accessed by the floppy drive,

making use of, as an on/off control, the standard floppy drive mechanism

which opens and closes a metallic shutter on a floppy diskette for

exposing the disk surface for reading and writing. Power to the internal adapter circuitry, as well as to the memory module and smart-card can be

thereby controlled.

Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of the electrical

interconnections of an exemplary adapter embodiment of the invention

illustrated in Fig. la. The integrated circuit (IC) 1 includes a magnetic

interface controller 5, e.g., a driver/converter which converts digital data

signals from a processor 6 into an analog signal form typically used by

floppy disk drives (MFM) and drives the transducer (magnetic interface)

3 therewith. The interface controller driver/converter likewise converts

analog signals picked-up by the transducer 3 from the read/write head

into digital form for use by the processor 6.

The processor 6 is coupled to on-board memory 7, which may

contain programs and/or data and provides storage which can be used by

the processor 6 in carrying out its operations. Processor 6 is further

connected to the magnetic interface controller 5, and to contacts in

sockets 9 and 10, for sending and receiving data, address and control

signals, for example.

A power manager 8 may be provided on the IC 1 as well, coupled

to the at least one battery 2 and the contact sockets 9 and 10, for

managing power utilization of the memory module 12 and the smart-card 13 when inserted in the adapter. The one or more batteries 2 provide

power to the adapter IC 1 and its functional components, and may power

the memory module and/or smart-card as well.

The IC 1 may be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)

including all of the functional blocks described, or may be formed of

discrete component circuits, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Processor 6 can be programmed to perform any number of

operations, among them compression and decompression of data so that

memory in memory module 12 is used more efficiently. Encryption and

decryption of private and/or sensitive data is an option as well. The

adapter 100 could be used to encrypt and store sensitive data in a memory

module 12 which can then be transported in a relatively small package to

a remote site for decryption through another adapter 100. The data can be

password protected through interaction between the on-board processor 6

in the adapter 100 and a personal computer, for example.

As mentioned, pictures, audio and multimedia data can be

conveniently transferred to and from a PC using this adapter 100 with a

memory module 12. Further, the memory module 12 could be used to

provide a backup of important data, or to transfer data from one PC to

another, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. The adapter can be used for a variety of smart-card transactions as

well, including adding electronic cash to a bankcard in the adapter 100

through a personal computer connection to a user's bank.

Advantageously, in an exemplary method according to the

invention, the adapter 100 can be used to purchase and store any sort of

digital data, including audio and/or visual information, obtained from the

Internet through a personal computer, for example. In particular, a

bankcard 13 in the adapter 100 can be used to pay for an Internet

purchase while the data being purchased is downloaded into a memory

module 12 in the adapter 100.

One aspect of Internet commerce at present that may be impeding

its development is the reluctance of users to provide credit card

information over the Internet. While all manner of secure communication

techniques are under development to avoid theft of such information,

there is nothing, except for the legal deterrents, to stop an unscrupulous

vendor from misusing the credit card information once obtained. This is

one reason many consumers prefer cash and or paper transactions to

electronic transactions. Another reason may be lack of credit.

However, with the present invention, these problems are

eliminated. Internet transactions through a personal computer using the adapter 100 with an inserted bankcard having a limited amount of

electronic cash thereon are enabled with the present invention. In such a

transaction, all that is at risk is the amount of electronic cash stored on the

smart-card 13 in the adapter 100. There need be no disclosing of

sensitive credit card information which could be used to the detriment of

the credit card holder and/or issuer.

Of course the invention could be used with electronically readable

credit cards as well. In such a situation, the memory module 12 could be

used to store user authentication data, passwords, PIN numbers, etc.,

providing an additional level of security and convenience.

If the adapter is used with a personal computer to purchase

information or other data over the Internet, one could imagine an Internet

web site where a variety of information is for sale. A browsing consumer

using an adapter according to the present invention could purchase such

information and download it to a memory module on the adapter. If the

material were copyrighted music, for example, an anti-piracy copy¬

protection mechanism would be built-in to the adapter and/or the memory

module so that illegal reproduction of the musical composition so

purchased could not be accomplished. This solves another problem being

faced currently and inhibiting Internet commerce in copyrighted materials. A number of different copy-protection mechanisms used, for

example, in the new digital tape (DAT) technology, are known in the art

and therefore a detailed description will not be provided herein.

Simple terminal devices could be used with the adapter to provide

for such Internet commerce, or even commerce in stores of the present

and future. Because the data purchased is to be stored on a memory

module 12, and the payment made through card 13, simple terminal

devices could replace costly cash registers and employees to operate

them. It would not be hard to imagine a "virtual music store," for

example, where a purchaser operates a personal computer at home, or a

terminal device at a store, to look-up and sample digitally stored music.

The user inserts an adapter according to the present invention into a

floppy drive of the terminal, the adapter having an electronic cash card

and a memory module therein. The user pays for an electronic copy of

the music, downloaded to the memory module, with electronic cash from

the cash card. Anti-piracy features are built-in. The user can then insert

the memory module into an adapter such as described in the copending

application described above which adapts the memory module to their

home or automobile stereo cassette equipment for listening enjoyment. As is known, the Internet is developing crude long distance

telephone/video communications services. One aspect preventing rapid

development and enhanced performance of these services may be the lack

of a strong monetary incentive to get major telephone companies and

other players involved. Currently all a user of such services pays for is

the communications equipment, and the Internet provider connection. As

a result, the quality of such services is sometimes poor to mixed. If a way

to charge a fee related to the service provided through a user's personal

computer were in existence, this might provide an incentive to spur better

quality and further innovation. The adapter according to the present

invention could provide such a way. Access codes, telephone numbers

and names, or the like, stored on a personal computer address book could

be transferred to the memory module 12 with the adapter 100, and then

used in an Internet long-distance phone call, a toll being collected from

the bankcard 13 in the adapter while the call is connected. The memory

module could contain a user's identification numbers, much like is used

in a so-called phone-card today, or special passwords used to access

Internet sites where long-distance connections are made and/or switched.

Different users would have different memory modules and cash cards.

Encoded therein could be different levels of service, such as flat rate, differential rates, locality rates, and the like. The Internet telephone/video

service provider could issue the memory modules encoded with such

information, or a user could download the information from a service

provider web site, making payment with their cash card, using an adapter

according to the invention.

It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that virtually any sort

of data accessible through a personal computer could be transferred to a

memory module 12 and paid for using a smart-card 13 with the adapter

100.

With an adapter according to the invention, a further level of user

identification and security can be achieved in an application where both

an identification card (13) and a memory module (12) are required to be

inserted in the adapter 100 in order for the adapter to unlock a secure

computer system, for example. Essentially, a two-key system is

implemented. If there are a number of different possible individualized

cards 13 and memory modules 12 used, a variety of security levels can be

easily provided for.

It will be understood that the above description of the present

invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and

17 adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the

meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An adapter for insertion into a floppy disk drive, comprising:

a frame having the external shape of a floppy diskette and having at

least one first recess for accommodating an insertable memory module, and

at least one second recess for accommodating an insertable smart-card; and

interface circuitry housed in the frame which provides an interface

with a read/write head of a floppy disk drive, the memory module, and the

smart-card, when inserted in the respective first and second recesses.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the frame has the

shape and size of a 3-1/2 inch floppy diskette.

3. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one first

recess is adapted to receive at least one of a plurality of standard memory

modules, the plurality of standard memory modules including:

multi-media cards; and

smart media cards.

4. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the interface

circuitry includes:

respective contacts disposed in respective ones of the first and

second recesses which couple with corresponding respective contacts on a

respective memory module and smart-card when inserted in the respective

recesses;

a magnetic interface which is adapted to magnetically couple

with a read/write head of a floppy disk drive when the adapter is inserted in

the floppy disk drive; and

a processor, coupled to the contacts, which is operable to

receive and transmit signals to and from the respective memory module and

smart-card through the respective contacts, and to receive and transmit

signals to and from the magnetic interface.

5. The adapter according to claim 4, further comprising:

a memory connected to the processor which stores data and/or

programs used by the processor; and

wherein the magnetic interface comprises a magnetic transducer

which is operable to send and receive magnetic signals to and from a floppy

33 disk drive read/write head, and a driver/converter connected to the

transducer and the processor which is operable to convert signals from the -

transducer to a form useful to the processor, convert signals from the

processor to a form used by a floppy disk drive, and to drive the transducer

with the converted signals from the processor.

6. The adapter according to claim 5, further comprising at least

one battery which is connected to provide power to the interface circuitry, at

least one memory module, and at least one smart-card.

7. The adapter according to claim 4, wherein the memory for the

processor stores programming enabling the processor to perform at least one

of:

encryption of data;

decryption of data;

compression of data; and

decompression of data.

8. The adapter according to claim 4, wherein the processor

includes programming to perform interactive password checking to verify

authorized use of the adapter and/or the at least one memory module and/or

the at least one smart-card.

9. A method of purchasing data, making payment with a smart-

card and storing the data to a memory module, via a computer having a

floppy disk drive, the method comprising utilizing the adapter according to

claim 1 having the smart-card and the memory module inserted therein.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the personal

computer is connected to the Internet for receiving the data therefrom and

making the payment thereto.

11. A method of electronically purchasing data using an adapter

device which is insertable into a terminal direct access storage device, and

which accommodates an electronically readable card and at least one

memory module therein, the method comprising: inserting an electronically readable card and at least one memory

module in the adapter;

inserting the adapter into a terminal direct access storage device;

upon selecting with the terminal data to purchase having an

associated purchase price:

debiting a payment amount corresponding to the purchase price from

the electronically readable card; and

storing the data to be purchased in the memory module.

12. The method according to claim 1 1 , wherein the terminal device

comprises a personal computer, and wherein the method further comprises

establishing a communications path between the personal computer and a

remote location where the data to be purchased is pre-stored.

13. The method according to claim 1 1 , wherein the method further

comprises enabling an anti-piracy mechanism to prevent piracy of

copyrighted material.

14. The method according to claim 1 1, further comprising

performing at least one of encryption, decryption, compression and

decompression on the data to be purchased before storing the data to the

memory module.

15. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising prior to

debiting a payment amount from the electronically readable card,

performing one of:

user identification; and

user authentication.

16. The method according to claim 1 1, wherein the electronically

readable card comprises an electronic cash card having stored thereon an

electronic representation of a cash value, and wherein the debiting

comprises electronically reducing the stored cash value by the payment

amount.

17. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the electronically

readable card comprises a credit card, and wherein the debiting comprises communicating with the credit card issuer to establish a credit card

purchase.

18. A method of access security using an adapter device which is

insertable into a terminal direct access storage device, and which

accommodates an electronically readable card and at least one memory

module therein, the method comprising:

pre-storing first user data in a memory module;

pre-storing second user data in an electronically readable card;

inserting the memory module and the electronically readable card

into the adapter:

inserting the adapter into a terminal direct access storage device;

verifying the user data pre-stored in the memory- module and the

electronically readable card; and

permitting or denying access to the terminal device based on a result

of the verifying.

19. The method according to claim 19, wherein the permitting

access comprises permitting an access level corresponding to the user data.