WO2005050553A1

WO2005050553A1 - Protected data-storage devices

Info

Publication number: WO2005050553A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/052412
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gavin N. Phillips; Robert F. M. Hendriks; Aukje A. A. Kastelijn; Thomas J. De Hoog; Boon K. Chong
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2003-11-18
Filing date: 2004-11-12
Publication date: 2005-06-02

Abstract

The invention relates to a data-storage device that comprises means for protecting a data-access part (2) against contamination and/or damage. Such a protected datastorage device comprises a carrier (1) that comprises the data-access part (2). The datastorage device further comprises a cover (3) that is movably attached to the carrier (1). The 5 data-access part (2) is protected against contamination and/or damage in that the cover (3) is brought near to or into contact with the data-access part (2) as long as the data-storage device is outside a controlled and protected environment.

Description

Protected data-storage devices

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a data-storage device comprising a carrier having a data-access part for granting access to data stored on the data-storage device. The invention also relates to a system comprising the data-storage device and a reader/writer element for reading data from the data-storage device and/or writing data onto the data-storage device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Banking cards comprising a magnetic strip that comprises encrypted identification information are currently commercially available. These cards may even be combined with an additional storage medium, being an additional magnetic strip or an Integrated Circuit (further referred to as IC) that is connected to the outside through electrically conductive contacts. It has been observed that sometimes data integrity problems occur with the known banking cards when retrieving the stored data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a data storage device with an improved reliability of retrieving data stored on the data-storage device. A first aspect of the invention provides a data-storage device as claimed in claim 1. A second aspect of the invention provides a system as claimed in claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. The data-storage device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention comprises a carrier having a data-access part and a cover that is directly, but movably, attached to the carrier. The data-access part is a designated part of the carrier where an exchange of data can take place between the data-storage device and a reader/writer element. The cover is attached to the carrier and shaped such that it completely covers the data-access part of the carrier when in a position defined as 'first position' and enables access to the data- access part of the carrier when in a position defined as 'second position'. In the first position, the cover attached to the carrier protects the data-access part of the carrier from contamination and/or damage. To achieve this first position, the cover is brought near to or in contact with the data-access part of the carrier. This is the preferred position when the data-storage device is handled outside a controlled and protected environment. The second position is defined as one in which the cover no longer fully covers the data-access part, thus enabling a reader/writer element to obtain access to the data-access part. This second position should be avoided when the data-storage device is outside a controlled and protected environment. The protection mechanism by means of a cover attached to the carrier substantially reduces the read-out security problems of the data-storage device. An additional advantage of the invention is that the mechanical construction can be designed and manufactured in a simple and inexpensive manner. This also enables the invention to be cost-effectively applied in high- volume data-storage devices. The shape of the cover and the material it is made of may vary according to the requirements of the data-storage device. Other requirements may also influence the shape and material choice of the cover, e.g. requirements of the reader/writer element that is used together with the data-storage device or other considerations such as pricing. A known data-storage device is, for example, a banking card. The banking card is the carrier comprising one or more data-access parts, from which it is possible to gain access to the data stored on the banking card. Adding a cover to the banking card in accordance with the invention will protect the data-access part of the banking card and thus reduces read-out problems. The cover is directly but movably attached to the banking card, i.e. movably between a first and a second position. Further examples of data-storage devices are described in the non-published European patent applications with the application numbers (0310071.2 (PHFR030100),

03100183.7 (PHFR030101), 03300121.5 (PHFR030099), 02080595.8 (PHNL021405), and

02079078.8 (PHNL020917)), which relate to data-storage devices with a very high data density on the data-access part of the carrier. In these high data density data-access parts it becomes more important to provide a protection against contamination and/or damage to maintain data integrity. Again, a cover is directly but movably attached to the carrier to obtain the protection. The mechanical construction to attach the cover to the carrier can be simple and cheap. This enables these data-storage devices to be applied in high-volume applications. It is noted that some known data-storage devices also comprise measures to prevent contamination of and/or damage to the data-access part. Examples are floppy-discs and tapes. However, in these prior art devices, a special housing (cartridge) is created to protect the data-access part of the carrier against contamination and damage. In use, the carrier continuously moves with respect to the housing. For example, in a floppy disc, the carrier is continuously rotating. In a floppy drive the data-access part of the floppy disc needs to move relative to a reader/writer element to ensure that each portion of the data-access part can reach the reader /writer element. Moreover, in these prior art storage devices, the cover is not directly attached to the carrier so as to be movable between two positions. Finally, the present invention clearly has the advantage that the mechanical construction is much simpler, cheaper, and more robust. In an embodiment as defined in claim 2, the cover comprises a further data- access part arranged on the cover at the surface directed towards the first-mentioned data- access part. The further data-access part of the cover will be protected in the first position, because it will be near to or in contact with the data-access part of the carrier. This is a simple means for achieving a capacity increase of the data-storage device. In an embodiment as defined in claim 3, the data-storage device comprises a further carrier. This further carrier is movably attached to the first-mentioned carrier and is positioned between the first-mentioned carrier and the cover. In addition, the further carrier comprises at least one data-access part. In the first position the cover is brought near to the first-mentioned carrier. Since the further carrier is positioned between the cover and the first carrier, in first position the cover protects the data-access part of the further carrier, which faces the cover. In addition, the further carrier will be near to or in contact with the first carrier, thus protecting the data-access parts that are located between the further carrier and the first carrier. This is a further possibility for achieving a capacity increase of the datastorage device. In an embodiment as defined in claim 4, the data-access part comprises a medium for storing the data. This medium is directly provided on the carrier and can store the data e.g. magnetically or optically. In the example of a banking card, the magnetic strip is a medium for storing the data, which is directly provided on the carrier. In further examples of data-storage devices as described in the non-published European patent applications with the application numbers (0310061.2 (PHFR030100), 03100183.7 (PHFR030101), 03300121.5 (PHFR030099), 02080595.8 (PHNL021405), and 002079078.8 (PHNL020917)), the medium is, for example, a mechanical structure that can be magnetically scanned or an optical medium. Since the medium comprises the data, protection of the medium is essential to maintain data integrity. In an embodiment as defined in claim 5, the data-access part comprises electrically conductive contacts connected to a medium for storing the data. This medium may be an IC, which is electrically connected to the conductive contacts on the data-access part. In an example of a telephone card, the electrically conductive contacts give access to an IC that comprises credit information. Protecting the conductive contacts with a cover in accordance with the invention will prevent the conductive contacts from contamination and/or damage. This will secure the data exchange between the data-storage device and a reader/writer element. In an embodiment as defined in claim 6, the carrier and the cover are connected via a hinge mechanism. This hinge mechanism enables a simple, cheap, and robust connection between the cover and the carrier. In an embodiment as defined in claim 7, the hinge mechanism comprises a spring for forcing the cover towards the first position. Adding a spring to the mechanical construction may aid in ensuring that the first position is forced upon the data-storage device when outside the controlled and protected environment In an embodiment as defined in claim 8, the carrier and the cover are connected via a mechanism for translational movement of the cover relative to the carrier. This translational movement may be parallel to the carrier or perpendicular to the carrier. The system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention comprises a data-storage device as described above and a reader/writer element comprising a reader for reading data stored on the data-storage device and/or a writer for writing data onto the datastorage device. The system aligns the reader/writer element with the data-storage device to obtain access to the data-access part, thus enabling an information exchange. An advantage of the system according to the invention is that when the reader/writer element is aligned with the data-storage device, the reader/writer element is very close to or in contact with the data-access part of the carrier. Both the data-access part of the data-storage device and the reader/writer element are thus protected against contamination and/or damage in a manner similar to that in which the cover protects the data- access part of the access surface when in the first position. If the hinge construction of the data-storage device comprises a spring, this spring will aid in forcing the cover with respect to the carrier, or the other way around, into the first position when outside a controlled and protected environment. This spring may also be used to force the data-access surface onto the reader/writer element, thus ensuring that both the data-access surface and the reader/writer element are protected against contamination and/or damage. In an embodiment of the system as defined in claim 10, the system comprises means for moving the cover of the data-storage device relative to the carrier of the datastorage device from the first position into the second position. The embodiment of the system as claimed in claim 12 has the advantage that a shape of the reader/writer element is utilized for moving the cover relative to the carrier. This shape ensures that the cover is automatically moved away from the data-access part of the carrier when the data-storage device is loaded into the system. This reduces the complexity of the system, because no additional provisions are necessary for moving the cover away from the data-access part. These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Figs. 1A and IB show embodiments of the device according to the invention comprising a crocodile jaw type hinge construction, Figs. 2A and 2B show two positions of the device shown in Fig. 1A, Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention comprising a rotational hinge construction, Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention, comprising a translational movement of the cover perpendicular to the carrier, Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention, comprising a translational movement parallel to the carrier, Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the cover is a spring, and wherein the data-access part comprises a data-storage medium, Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein a data-storage medium directly provided on the carrier is combined with electrically conductive contacts connected to a different data-storage medium, Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the cover also comprises a data-access part, Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein a cover and several carriers are connected to each other for capacity expansion, Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the device comprises different data-access parts that are not all covered by a cover, Figs. 11 A, 1 IB and 1 IC show an embodiment of the system according to the invention wherein alignment notches and alignment holes are present to align a sensor array of the reader/writer element to the data-access part, Figs. 12A and 12B show an embodiment of the system according to the invention wherein a combination of a wedge and a groove guide the movement of the cover from the first position into the second position, and Figs. 13A and 13B show an embodiment of the system according to the invention wherein a groove and a wedge guide the movement of the cover from the first position into the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figs. 1A and IB show embodiments of the device according to the invention comprising a crocodile jaw type hinge construction 4. The device comprises a carrier 1 movably attached to a cover 3 by means of the hinge construction 4. The hinge construction may comprise a spring, which will force the two surfaces into a position near to or in contact with each other when outside the reader/writer element. This position is defined as the 'first position'. This first position will prevent contamination of and/or damage to a data-access part 2 or 5 of the carrier 1. Fig. 1A shows an embodiment in accordance with the invention in which the data-access part 2 of the carrier 1 comprises a data storage medium which may comprise, for example, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, a barcode, or any other storage medium which is directly applied to or which is part of the carrier so as to form the data-access part 2 of the carrier 1. Fig. IB shows an embodiment wherein the data- access part 5 of the carrier 1 comprises electrically conductive contacts which are connected to a data-storage medium (not shown) which may be located in any other area of the datastorage medium. Figs. 2A and 2B show the two positions of the device shown in Fig. 1 A.

Fig. 2A shows the position defined as "first position", where the cover 3 completely covers data-access part 2 of the carrier 1. Fig. 2B shows a position defined as "second position", where a reader/writer element (not shown) may have access to the data-access part 2 of the data-storage device. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention comprising a rotational hinge construction 4. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the hinge construction forces the carrier 1 and the cover 3 to rotate about one corner of the data-storage device, thus giving access to the data-access part 2 of the carrier 1. Alternatively, any other rotation between the cover 3 and the carrier 1 that renders it possible to reach the first and the second position may be used. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention in which a translational hinge construction 6 enables the cover 3 to move perpendicularly to the carrier 1, thus giving access to the data-access part 2. Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention that provides a translational movement of the cover 3 parallel to the carrier 1. A mechanical construction 7 enables the cover 3 to slide away from the data-access part 2 of the carrier 1, thus giving access to the data-access part 2. Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the cover 3 is made of a resilient material and acts as a spring, and wherein the carrier 1 comprises the data-access part 2. The cover 3 is directly attached to the carrier 1. The characteristics of the material from which the cover 3 and/or the carrier 1 are manufactured are selected so as to ensure that the two elements are movable with respect to each other for obtaining the first position and the second position. The cover 3 is attached directly to the carrier 1, for example by gluing, welding, soldering, or any other means for attachment. The attachment method selected may depend on e.g. the chosen material or cost of manufacturing. Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the carrier comprises the data-storage medium 2 directly applied to the carrier 1 and the cover 3 comprises electrically conductive contacts 5 connected to a different data-storage medium. These electrically conductive contacts 5 are less sensitive to contamination and/or damage and thus do not need additional protection. The data-access part 5 may also comprise a datastorage medium which is directly applied to the cover 3 and which is insensitive to contamination and/or damage. Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the cover 3 also comprises a data-access part 23. The data-access part 2 of the carrier 1 and the data-access part 23 of the cover 3 are both protected in that the carrier 1 and the cover 3 are brought near to or into contact with each other, thus forming the first position as defined above. The benefit of this embodiment is an increase in the capacity of the data-storage device. Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein a cover 3 with several carriers 1 and 20 are connected to each other for further capacity expansion. The cover 3 comprises a data-access part 23 and may thus be considered to be similar to the carrier 1 comprising a data-access part 2. The data-access parts 21 and 22 of the additional carrier 20 may comprise data-storage media that are directly applied to the carrier 20. They may also comprise electrically conductive contacts or may comprise a combination of a data-storage medium with electrically conductive contacts. The reader/writer element for these kinds of data-storage devices may comprise multiple reader/writer elements which read/write all data-access parts simultaneously, or it may comprise a single reader/writer element which reads/writes a selected data-access part. Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention which comprises different data-access parts 2, 5 and 23 which are not all covered by a cover 3. The contamination and/or damage sensitive data-access parts 2 and 23 are combined with contamination and/or damage insensitive electrically conductive contacts 5. All mechanical constructions shown in Figures 2 to 10 may also comprise a spring that forces the two surfaces into the position defined as the first position. In addition, the data-access part 2 of the carrier 1 shown in Figures 2 to 10 comprises a data-storage . medium, which may comprise, for example, a magnetic storage-medium, an optical storage- medium, a barcode, or any other storage medium which is directly provided on or which is part of the carrier so as to form the data-access part. In the same manner as in the embodiments shown in Fig. 1 A and Fig. IB, the data-access part 2 may also comprise electrically conductive contacts here, which are connected to a data-storage medium. Furthermore, a data-storage device protected against contamination according to the invention as described above may also be part of some kind of cartridge or be included inside some kind of cartridge. Figs. 11A, 1 IB and 1 IC show an embodiment of the system according to the invention, where Fig. 11 A is a plan view, Fig. 1 IB a side view, and Fig. 1 IC a bottom-view. The system comprises a data-storage device 24, which, for example, may be of any type shown in Figures 1 to 10, and a reader/writer element 9. The reader/writer element 9 comprises alignment holes 10' and alignment notches 11'. The data-storage device 24 comprises alignment holes 10 and alignment notches 11. The arrangement of alignment holes 10, 10' and notches 11, 11' on both the data-storage device 24 and the reader/writer element 9 is such that the alignment notches 11 of the data-storage device 24 fit into the alignment holes 10' of the reader/writer element 9 and that the alignment notches 11' of the reader/writer element 9 fit into the alignment holes 10 of the data-storage device 24. It is thus possible to secure the data-storage device 24 around the reader/writer element 9. The alignment features ensure that a sensor array 12 of the reader/writer element 9 is correctly positioned with respect to the data-access part 2 of the data-storage device 24 to enable information exchange. If the hinge mechanism 4 comprises a spring, this configuration will ensure that, once the data-storage device 24 and the reader/writer element 9 are connected, the spring will secure the connection. Furthermore, once the data-storage device 24 is connected to the reader/writer element 9 in the above-described manner, both the data-access part 2 and the sensor-array 12 will be protected against contamination and/or damage. Figs. 12A and 12B show an embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein Fig. 12A is a side view and Fig. 12B a bottom- view. The system comprises two guides 13, one of which comprises a wedge 15 positioned next to the reader/writer element 9. The data-storage device 24' comprises a groove 14. Upon loading of the data-storage device 24' onto the reader/writer element 9, the wedge 15 will engage with the groove 14 and force the data-storage device 24' to open automatically. Again, the aligmnent holes 10, 10' and alignment notches 11, 11 ' are present to align the sensor array 12 with the data-access part 2 to enable information exchange. Figs. 13A and 13B show an embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein Fig. 13A is a side view and Fig. 13B a bottom -view. The system comprises two guides 13. The reader/writer element 9' comprises a wedge 15'. The datastorage device 24' comprises the groove 14. Upon loading of the data-storage device 24' onto the reader/writer element 9', the wedge 15' will engage with the groove 14' and force the data-storage device 24' to open automatically. Again, the alignment holes 10, 10' and alignment notches 11, 11' are present to align the sensor array 12 with the data-access part 2 to enable information exchange. The reader/writer element 9, 9' forming part of the systems shown in Figures 11 to 13 may have different provisions through which it reads data from the data-storage device 24, 24'or writes data onto the data-storage device 24, 24'. This depends on the storage principle used on the data-storage device 24, 24'. As mentioned above, the storage principle may be of various kinds, for example electronic, magnetic, optical, or in another way. In the example where the data-storage device 24, 24' is a banking card, the reader/writer element 9, 9' may be a magnetic head. If the banking card has an implemented IC for data-storage, the reader/writer element 9, 9' will have means for making contact with the electrically conductive contacts which are present on the card. In the example of the data- storage device 24, 24' as described in the non-published European patent applications with the application numbers (0310071.2 (PHFR030100), 03100183.7 (PHFR030101), 03300121.5 (PHFR030099), 02080595.8 (PHNL021405), and 02079078.8 (PHNL020917)), the reader/writer element 9, 9' may comprise a one- or two-dimensional array of sensors which can read the two-dimensional array of data points present on the data-storage device 24, 24', for example magnetically or optically. The alignment between the reader/writer element 9, 9' and the data-storage device 24, 24' may be obtained in another manner than that shown in Figures 11 to 13. Also, a combination of different alignment provisions may be applied in the system. For example, optical or magnetic alignment principles may be combined with mechanical alignment principles. The mechanical alignment may be used for rough alignment between the datastorage device 24, 24' and the reader/writer element 9, 9'. An additional optical or magnetic alignment may be necessary to bring the sensor array 12 close to the data-access part 2 to enable information exchange. Finally, a data-storage device 24, 24' as used in the above mentioned systems and protected against contamination according to the invention as described above may also be part of some kind of cartridge or be included inside some kind of cartridge. The system may need additional means for opening the cartridge. It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, the carriers and covers as illustrated in the above-mentioned embodiments do not necessarily need to be square and/or flat. Electrically conductive contacts as shown in the above-mentioned embodiments do not necessarily need to be in one plane. An optical data-medium, when read in transmission, should not necessarily need to be applied onto the data-access part of the carrier, but should rather be fully integrated inside the carrier, to enable transmission of light. Finally, the shown embodiments may comprise additional provisions to reduce contamination and/or damage. This may be done through electrically charged surfaces, self-sealing surfaces, door-like flaps, or a flexible material interconnecting side walls of the cover and carrier at the unhinged edges of the data-storage device. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A data-storage device comprising a carrier (1) having a data-access part (2; 5) for granting access to data stored on the data-storage device, and a cover (3) directly attached to the carrier (1) and movable relative to the carrier (1) between a first position for completely covering the data-access part (2; 5) and a second position for enabling access to the data-access part (2; 5).

2. A data-storage device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cover (3) comprises a further data-access part (23) arranged at a surface of the cover (3) directed towards the first-mentioned data-access part (2; 5).

3. A data- storage device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the datastorage device comprises a further carrier (20) that is movably attached to the first-mentioned carrier (1), that is positioned between the first-mentioned carrier (1) and the cover (3), and that has a further data-access part (21 ; 22) for granting access to further data.

4. A data-storage device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the data- access part (2) comprises a medium for storing the data.

5. A data-storage device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the data- access part (5) comprises electrically conductive contacts connected to a medium for storing the data.

6. A data-storage device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the carrier (1) and the cover (3) are connected via a hinge mechanism (4).

7. A data-storage device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the hinge mechanism (4) comprises a spring for forcing the cover (3) into the first position.

8. A data-storage device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the carrier

(1) and the cover (3) are connected via a means for translational movement (6; 7) of the cover (3) relative to the carrier (1).

9. A system comprising: a data-storage device comprising a carrier (1) having a data-access part (2; 5) for granting access to data stored on the data-storage device and a cover (3) attached to the carrier (1) and movable relative to the carrier (1) between a first position for completely covering the data-access part (2; 5) and a second position for enabling access to the data- access part (2; 5), a reader/writer element (9) comprising means for reading data stored on the data-storage device or writing data onto the data-storage device, and means for aligning (10, 11) the reader/writer element (9) with the data-storage device so as to obtain access to the data-access part (2; 5) for enabling information exchange.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises means for moving the cover (3) of the data-storage device relative to the carrier (1) of the data-storage device from the first position into the second position.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the reader/writer element comprises the means for moving the cover (3).

12. A system as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the means for moving the cover is provided by a shape of the reader/writer element (9).