U.S. patent application number 11/659627 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for progressive unplugging multi-cards body.
This patent application is currently assigned to AXALTO S.A. Invention is credited to Alexis Froger, Denis Groeninck, Alain Le Loc'h, Dorothee Nerot, Stephane Provost, Yves Reignoux, Francois Roussel.
Application Number | 20080233804 11/659627 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34941884 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080233804 |
Kind Code |
A2 |
Froger; Alexis ; et
al. |
September 25, 2008 |
PROGRESSIVE UNPLUGGING MULTI-CARDS BODY
Abstract
A card body comprises a first card body (ID-1 card 1), a second
card body (plug-in card 2) and a third card body (mini card 3). The
first card body has a first shape (ID-1 shape). The second card
body comprises a second shape (plug-in shape). The first card body
encompasses the second card body. The third card body comprises a
third shape (mini shape). The second card body encompasses the
third card body. The third card body has a cavity for receiving an
electronic module. A first boundary separates the first shape (ID-1
shape) from the second shape (plug-in shape), and comprises a first
number of apertures (5, 6, 7, 17, 18) and a first number of notches
(19 and 20) defining a first mechanical inter-card body coupling
strength (link between ID-1 card 1 and plug-in card 2). A second
boundary separates the second shape (plug-in shape) from the third
shape (mini shape), and comprises a second number of apertures (21)
and a second number of notches (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) defining a
second mechanical inter-card body coupling strength (link between
plug-in to card 2 and mini card 3). A cumulated length of the first
number of apertures (5, 6, 7, 17, 18) is greater than a cumulated
length of the second number of apertures (21) and a cumulated
length of the first number of notches (19 and 20) is lesser than a
cumulated length of the second number of notches (11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16) so that the second mechanical coupling strength is greater
than the first mechanical coupling strength.
Inventors: |
Froger; Alexis; (Meudon
Cedex, FR) ; Groeninck; Denis; (Meudon Cedex, FR)
; Le Loc'h; Alain; (Versailles, FR) ; Nerot;
Dorothee; (Orleans, FR) ; Reignoux; Yves;
(Meudon Cedex, FR) ; Roussel; Francois; (Meudon
Cedex, FR) ; Provost; Stephane; (Sandillon,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSHA LIANG L.L.P.
1221 MCKINNEY STREET
SUITE 2800
HOUSTON
TX
77010
UNITED STATES
713-228-8600
713-228-8778
docketing@oshaliang.com
|
Assignee: |
AXALTO S.A
6, rue de la Verrerie
Meudon
FR
92190
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20070270039 A1 |
November 22, 2007 |
|
|
Family ID: |
34941884 |
Appl. No.: |
11/659627 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/638;
29/825 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 2924/0002 20130101;
G06K 19/07745 20130101; G06K 19/077 20130101; H01L 2924/00
20130101; G06K 19/07728 20130101; Y10T 29/49117 20150115; G06K
19/07739 20130101; H01L 2924/0002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/638;
029/825 |
International
Class: |
H01R 33/90 20060101
H01R033/90 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 10, 2004 |
EP |
04292028.0 |
Oct 18, 2004 |
EP |
04292478.7 |
Claims
1. A card body comprising: a first card body having a first shape,
a second card body having a second shape, the first card body
encompassing the second card body, a first boundary separating the
first shape from the second shape, the first boundary comprising a
first number of apertures and a first number of notches defining a
first mechanical inter-card body coupling strength, a third card
body having a third shape, the second card body encompassing the
third card body, the third card body having a cavity for receiving
an electronic module, a second boundary separating the second shape
from the third shape, the second boundary comprising a second
number of apertures and a second number of notches defining a
second mechanical inter-card body coupling strength, wherein a
cumulated length of the first number of apertures is greater than a
cumulated length of the second number of apertures and a cumulated
length of the first number of notches is less than a cumulated
length of the second number of notches such that the second
mechanical coupling strength is greater than the first mechanical
coupling strength.
2. The card body of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and
second boundary comprises a tab.
3. The card body of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third
shapes are substantially parallelepipedic shapes.
4. The card body of claim 1, wherein the second boundary comprises
at least one corner provided with an additional aperture.
5. The card body of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first
number of apertures has a size enabling a user to introduce a
nail.
6. The card body of claim 1, wherein the first card body has a size
of approximately 85.6.times.54 mm according to ISO standard
7810.
7. The card body of claim 1, wherein the second card body has a
size of approximately 25.times.15 mm according to ETSI standard GSM
11.11.
8. The card body of claim 1, wherein the third card body has a size
of approximately 15.times.12 mm according to ETSI standard
TS102221.
9. A card body manufacturing method comprising the following steps:
a first manufacturing step comprising manufacturing a first card
body having a first shape, and a cavity for receiving an electronic
module, a second manufacturing step comprising manufacturing: a
second card body having a second shape, the first card body
encompassing the second card body, and the first shape and the
second shape being separated by a first boundary, a third card body
having a third shape, the second card body encompassing the third
card body, and the second shape and the third shape being separated
by a second boundary, wherein the second manufacturing step
comprises the further following steps: a first punching step
consisting in punching a first number of apertures and a second
number of apertures, a cumulated length of the first number of
apertures being greater than a cumulated length of the second
number of apertures, and a second punching step consisting in
punching a first number of notches and a second number of notches,
a cumulated length of the first number of notches being lesser than
a cumulated length of the second number of notches.
10. The card body manufacturing method of claim 9, wherein the
first punching step and second punching step are inversed.
11. A card body unplugging method, for a card body comprising: a
first card body, a second card body and a third card body, the
first card body encompassing the second card body and being
separated by a first boundary, the first boundary defining a first
mechanical inter-card body coupling strength, the second card body
encompassing the third card body and being separated by a second
boundary, the second boundary defining a second mechanical
inter-card body coupling strength, the method comprising the
following steps: exercising a first force greater than the first
mechanical inter-card body coupling strength on an area constituted
by the second and third card body relatively to the first card body
so as to separate the second and third card body from the first
card body, exercising a second force greater than the second
mechanical inter-card body coupling strength on the third card body
relatively to the second card body so as to separate the third card
body from the second card body, wherein the second force is greater
than the first force.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a card body comprising multiple
formats of cards, in particular each card corresponding to a
different standard, and the corresponding manufacturing method.
[0002] The invention also relates to a method of unplugging a card
body comprising multiple formats of cards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Smart cards are electronic portable devices comprising an
electronic module embedded in a plastic card body. The electronic
module comprises an integrated circuit and contacts (also known as
contact area) for connection to an electronic device (e.g. a
terminal like a mobile telephone).
[0004] Smart cards known as Subscriber Identification Modules or
SIM cards are inserted in mobile telephones in order for the mobile
telephone users to gain access to the different services offered on
the mobile telecommunication networks by the mobile
telecommunication operators.
[0005] Typically, a SIM card has a standardized format of
25.times.15 mm defined in ETSI standard GSM 11.11 "Specification of
the Subscriber Identity Module-Mobile Equipment (SIM-ME)
interface". Such a SIM card is also known as "plug-in" card because
the mobile telephone user plugs the SIM card in a specific cavity
of the mobile phone.
[0006] Usually, plug-in cards are manufactured on manufacturing
equipment handling smart cards having a standardized format of
85.6.times.54 mm defined in ISO standard 7810. Such an ISO standard
compliant card is also known as an "ID-1" card. The manufacturing
process comprises a first step during which an ID-1 card is
manufactured and a second step during which appropriate cavities
and partial pre-cut shapes are made on the ID-1 card so as to
define the plug-in card. Thus, cards are manufactured in such a way
that they respect both ID-1 card format (as far as the plug-in card
is not removed) and plug-in card format (as soon as the plug-in
card is removed from ID-1 card).
[0007] The cards manufacturer delivers cards having the ID-1 card
format. The cavities and partial pre-cut shapes allow a mobile
telephone user to handily remove the plug-in card from the ID-1
card in order to insert it in the mobile telephone.
[0008] Now, a third type of card having a standardized format of
15.times.12 mm is defined by ETSI standard TS102221 "Smart cards;
UICC interface; Physical and logical characteristics", Such an ETSI
standard compliant card is also known as a "mini" card. The mini
cards are also manufactured according to a similar manufacturing
process on the same manufacturing equipment as the ID-1 card and
the plug-in card as described hereinbefore.
[0009] Consequently, for mobile telecommunication application,
smart cards can have 3 different form factors or shapes: "ID-1",
"plug-in" and "mini". The mini card format is included inside the
plug-in card format. The plug-in card format is included inside the
ID-1 card formal.
[0010] Usually the cavities are performed on the card body thanks
to appropriate molding or to mechanical punching combining die and
matrix. The card manufacturing process with 3 different form
factors on a same card body is difficult to implement due to the
proximity of the limit of the plug-in card and the limit of the
mini card. In particular, the manufacturing equipments (e.g. tools)
are difficult to design and to manufacture. This situation leads to
an increase of the manufacturing costs.
[0011] Normally, the plug-in card should be detached or separated
from the ID-1 card, and subsequently the mini card should be
detached or separated from the plug-in card. Now, according to the
current manufacturing method as described hereinbefore, the
structure of card delivered to a mobile telephone user is a ID-1
card format with the plug-in card and mini card delimited on it
through appropriate cavities and partial pre-cut shapes. A mobile
telephone user could unwillingly or mistakenly separate the mini
card directly from the ID-1 card. As this operation is
irreversible, he will not be able to insert the card anymore in a
mobile telephone compliant with the plug-in card format.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] One goal of the invention is to propose a card body and a
corresponding manufacturing method that overcome at least one of
the above mentioned shortcomings of the prior art.
[0013] According to the invention, a gradation of the force
required for separating the different formats of cards (difficulty)
is obtained by combining some apertures and some partial cut for
defining the boundaries of the different card body shapes on the
ID-1 card body.
[0014] Preferably, apertures are selected for delimiting the
plug-in card while partial blade cuts are selected for delimiting
the mini card. More precisely, the boundary around the plug-in card
comprises a majority of apertures while the boundary around the
mini card comprises a majority of blade cuts (notches). Thus, the
separation of the plug-in card from the ID-1 card is mechanically
easier than the separation of the mini card from the plug-in
card.
[0015] The card combining the 3 different formats of cards has a
structure enabling the plug-in card to be removed in an easier way
than the mini card. Thus, a mobile telephone user desiring to use
the plug-in card will remove it easily from the ID-1 card.
Moreover, a mobile telephone user wishing to use the mini card will
firstly remove the plug-in card from the ID-1 card (easily), and
subsequently remove the mini card from the plug-in card (more
difficult). This gradation of the force to be exercised by the
mobile telephone user to separate the different cards (gradation of
difficulties) prevents unplugging them in the wrong order.
Consequently, the risk that a mobile telephone user removes by
mistake the mini card from the ID-1 card is avoided, at least
greatly reduced.
[0016] According to the manufacturing method of the invention, the
apertures and notches are performed in two distinct steps with the
same manufacturing equipment as the one used for manufacturing
prior art cards.
[0017] As, on the one hand notches are preferably delimiting the
mini card while apertures are preferably delimiting the plug-in
card in the zone where the boundary of the plug-in card is close to
the boundary of the mini card, and on the other hand notches and
apertures are performed in two distinct manufacturing steps, the
tools (punching tools) used for these manufacturing equipments are
easy to design and manufacture.
[0018] Thus, the manufacturing method of the invention does not
incur any additional cost for its implementation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and
not limited to the accompanying figures, in which like references
indicate similar elements:
[0020] FIG. 1.A schematically shows a backside view of a card body
according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 1.B shows a cross-section view along the line A-A' of
FIG. 1.A;
[0022] FIG. 2.A schematically shows a backside view of a card body
according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 2.B shows a detailed part of the card body according to
FIG. 2.A;
[0024] FIG. 3 schematically shows a backside view of a card body
according to a third embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 schematically shows a backside view of a card body
according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] In the following detailed description and for the purpose of
the present invention, the terminology smart card, card and card
body are considered to be equivalent terminology.
[0027] FIG. 1.A shows a back-side view of a card body according to
a first embodiment of the invention. The card body comprises an
ID-1 card 1, a plug-in card 2 and a mini card 3 of substantially
parallelepipedic shapes.
[0028] The electronic module limit 4 is shown by dotted line. It
comprises, at least one integrated circuit and a contact area on
the other side of the card, for connecting to a terminal. The
electronic module is well known by the man skilled in the art and
will not be further described.
[0029] One edge at the corner of the plug-in card 2 and a mini card
3 is cut off at 45.degree. so as to form a means of fool proofing
for its appropriate positioning when inserted in a mobile
telephone.
[0030] A first combination of a first number of apertures 5, 7, 6,
18 and 17, and a first number of notches 19 and 20 defines the size
and boundary of the plug-in card 2. A second combination of a
second number of apertures 21 and a second number of notches 11,
12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 defines the size and boundary of the mini
card 3. The number of apertures and notches is chosen so that there
is a majority of apertures around the plug-in card 2 and majority
of notches around the mini card 3. The apertures 5, 6, 7, 17, 18
and 21 can be obtained by molding or by mechanical punching of the
card body. The notches 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19 and 20 are
obtained by mechanical cuttings (e.g. by blades) that do not cross
entirely the card body.
[0031] Between two consecutive apertures 5, 7, 6, 18 and 17, there
are respectively tabs 8, 9 and 10. The tabs form a link between
each card body that defines a mechanical coupling strength,
avoiding accidental separation of the different card bodies during
and after the manufacturing process. Alternatively, some of the
tabs could also have some notches 19 and 20. A notch can be made on
one side or on both sides of the tab.
[0032] FIG. 1.B shows a cross section along the line A-A' of FIG.
1.A. The boundary of the plug-in card 2 is defined by the apertures
5 and 6. The boundary of the mini card 3 is defined by the notches
11 and 13 on one side and the notches 12 and 14 on the other
side.
[0033] Thus, the separation of plug-in card 2 from ID-1 card 1 is
easy as it is linked to it only by the tabs 8, 9 and 10 (first
mechanical inter-card body coupling strength) while the separation
of the mini card 3 from plug-in card 2 is more difficult because of
the presence of the notches (second mechanical inter-card body
coupling strength greater than the first one).
[0034] FIG. 2.A shows a back-side view of a card body according to
a second embodiment of the invention. The card body comprises an
ID-1 card 1, a plug-in card 2 and a mini card 3.
[0035] According to the second embodiment, two additional apertures
22 and 23 are made in the corners of the mini card 3. These
apertures create a clear separation between notches 11 and 12 and
notches 15 and 16, and between notches 13 and 14 and notches 15 and
16. This reduces the tearing of material during unplugging
operation and allows getting a mini card that is cleaner in the
corner once unplugged.
[0036] FIG. 2.B shows a magnified detail of the card body according
to FIG. 2.A, and in particular of the additional aperture 23
between notches 13, 14 and 15, 16 respectively.
[0037] The second embodiment also shows a possible alternative
wherein the tabs 8 and 9 (see FIG. 1.A) are replaced by notches 24
and 25. This is only an example as there numerous possibilities
regarding the tabs number, sizes and locations.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows a back-side view of a card body according to a
third embodiment of the invention.
[0039] According to this embodiment, a third corner aperture 26
separates notches 11 and 12 from notches 27 and 28. The notches 27
and 28 are provided on the edge at the corner of the mini card 3
cut off at 45.degree..
[0040] The third embodiment also shows a possible alternative
wherein the tab 10 (see FIG. 1.A) is suppressed, the apertures 17
and 18 being made continuous by a unique aperture 30. Thus, only
one link still exists between the plug-in card 2 and the ID-1 card
1. This link is cut by notches 24 and 25. In this last example the
plug-in card can be very easily separated from ID-1 card by
alternate folding.
[0041] Finally, the third embodiment also shows a possible variant
consisting in replacing the aperture 21 by a larger aperture 29.
The larger aperture 29 allows in particular a mobile telephone user
to introduce its nail for voluntary and easily separating the mini
card 3 from the plug-in card 2.
[0042] The third embodiment has the additional advantage of
allowing replacing a mini card 3 into a plug-in card 2 once
separated for fitting in a plug-in card type compliant mobile
telephone. In effect, The boundary of the mini card 3 comprises a
majority of notches, in particular at least one notch 13, 14, 15,
16, 27, 28 on each side of the parallelepiped enabling a good
holding of the mini card into the plug-in card.
[0043] In the examples presented hereinbefore, notches were
matching on each of the card body sides (see FIG. 1.B). However,
there are numerous possibilities regarding the notches number,
sizes and locations. It is understood that notches can be placed at
different locations on the different boundaries. For example, it is
possible to provide notches on one side of the card that do not
match exactly on the other side, to provide notches only on one
side of the card, etc. . . . .
[0044] Using the hereinbefore described embodiments, the mobile
telephone user will naturally unplug in priority the plug-in card
from the ID-1 card rather than the mini card. Subsequently, the
mobile telephone user will decide to go on with the process of
unplugging the mini card from the plug-in card. The gradation of
unplugging force to be exercised prevents the user of directly
unplugging the mini card from the ID-1 card.
[0045] In order to manufacture the cards described hereinbefore,
the manufacturing method of the invention is using known
manufacturing equipment, i.e. the one used for manufacturing prior
art cards.
[0046] The punching of the different apertures and notches forming
the different cards boundaries are performed in several steps. In
the examples shown above, the notches 13 and 14 are very close to
the aperture 5, and notches 11 and 12 are very close to the
aperture 6. Advantageously, these apertures and notches are
manufactured in two distinct steps with a two-steps punching
equipment. During a first step all the apertures are performed.
During a second step, all the notches are performed. Obviously, the
first and second steps order can be inversed.
[0047] The notches which are partial pre-cut are usually performed
mechanically using blades. These blades can generate notches on
both sides of the card body without crossing it completely or on
one side only.
[0048] The apertures can be obtained by molding or mechanical
die/matrix punch. It is possible to manufacture some of the
apertures by molding and some by mechanical punching or all the
apertures using the same technique.
[0049] Using the manufacturing method of the invention is
advantageous because, in addition to the fact that usual
manufacturing equipments can be used, the design and manufacturing
of the tools used for these manufacturing equipments is easy and
cost effective.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
[0050] The detailed description hereinbefore with reference to the
drawings illustrates the following characteristics. A card body
comprises a first card body (ID-1 card 1), a second card body
(plug-in card 2) and a third card body (mini card 3).
[0051] The first card body has a first shape (ID-1 shape).
[0052] The second card body comprises a second shape (plug-in
shape). The first card body encompasses the second card body.
[0053] The third card body comprises a third shape (mini shape).
The second card body encompasses the third card body. The third
card body has a cavity for receiving an electronic module.
[0054] A first boundary separates the first shape (ID-1 shape) from
the second shape (plug-in shape), and comprises a first number of
apertures (apertures 5, 6, 7, 17, 18) and a first number of notches
(notches 19 and 20) defining a first mechanical inter-card body
coupling strength (link between ID-1 card 1 and plug-in card
2).
[0055] A second boundary separates the second shape (plug-in shape)
from the third shape (mini shape), and comprises a second number of
apertures (aperture 21) and a second number of notches (notches 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16) defining a second mechanical inter-card body
coupling strength (link between plug-in card 2 and mini card
3).
[0056] A cumulated length of the first number of apertures
(apertures 5, 6, 7, 17, 18) is greater than a cumulated length of
the second number of apertures (aperture 21) and a cumulated length
of the first number of notches (notches 19 and 20) is lesser than a
cumulated length of the second number of notches (notches 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16) so that the second mechanical coupling strength
(link between plug-in card 2 and mini card 3) is greater than the
first mechanical coupling strength (link between ID-1 card 1 and
plug-in card 2).
[0057] Advantageously, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the second number
of apertures is zero. The larger aperture 29 (see FIG. 3) is
replaced by notches 27' and 28'. The corner apertures 22 (see FIG.
2A), 23 (see FIG. 2A) and 26 (see FIG. 3) are removed, in this
configuration the card body shows good mechanical properties, which
complies with the mechanical tests as defined by the ISO 7816-1
standard. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 (2*PET 152 .mu.m + (2*PET 152 .mu.m + (2*PET
152 .mu.m + ABS moulded 1*PET g 1*PET g 1*PET g card 520 .mu.m)
card 520 .mu.m) card 520 .mu.m) card h(**) = 0.25 mm h(**) = 0.25
mm h(**) = 0.30 mm h(**) = 0.35 mm Bending 1000 times or 1000 times
or 1000 times or 1000 times or characteristics(*) more more more
more (*) Bending characteristics: experimented by bending 10 cards
in the shorter direction and in the longer direction. Longer
direction: flexibility (f): 20 mm, periodicity: bending for 30
times/min Shorter direction: flexibility (f): 10 mm, periodicity:
bending for 30 times/min (**) h: Precut depth of the notches on
each side of the card in millimeters.
[0058] The detailed description hereinbefore further illustrates
the following optional characteristics.
[0059] The first boundary comprises at least one tab (tabs 8, 9 and
10).
[0060] The first, second and third shapes are substantially
parallelepipedic shapes.
[0061] The second boundary comprises at least one corner provided
with an additional aperture (apertures 22, 23 and 26).
[0062] At least one of the apertures has a size enabling a user to
introduce a nail (aperture 29).
[0063] The first card body (ID-1 card 1) has a size of
approximately 85.6.times.54 mm according to ISO standard 7810.
[0064] The second card body (plug-in card 2) has a size of
approximately 25.times.15 mm according to ETSI standard GSM
11.11.
[0065] The third card body (mini card 3) has a size of
approximately 15.times.12 mm according to ETSI standard
TS102221.
[0066] The detailed description hereinbefore further illustrates
the following card body manufacturing method. This method comprises
a first manufacturing step consisting in manufacturing a first card
body, and a second manufacturing step consisting in manufacturing a
second and third card body.
[0067] During the first manufacturing step, a first card body (ID-1
card 1) having a first shape and a cavity for receiving an
electronic module is manufactured.
[0068] During the second manufacturing step, second (plug-in card
2) and third (mini card 3) card bodies are manufactured. The second
card body has a second shape, being separated by a first boundary
from the first shape. The first card body encompasses the second
card body. The third card body has a third shape, being separated
by a second boundary from the second shape. The second card body
encompasses the third card body.
[0069] The electronic module can be embedded in the cavity before
of after this second manufacturing step.
[0070] More precisely, the second manufacturing step comprises two
punching steps.
[0071] A first punching step consists in punching a first number of
apertures and a second number of apertures, the cumulated length of
the first number of apertures being greater than the cumulated
length of the second number of apertures.
[0072] A second punching step consists in punching a first number
of notches and a second number of notches, the cumulated length of
the first number of notches being lesser than the cumulated length
of the second number of notches.
[0073] Optionally, the first punching step and second punching step
can be inversed.
[0074] The detailed description hereinbefore also illustrates the
following card body unplugging method. The method comprises two
steps.
[0075] During a first step, a first force (unplugging force)
greater than the first mechanical inter-card body coupling strength
(link between ID-1 card 1 and plug-in card 2) is exercised on an
area constituted by the second and third card body relatively to
the first card body so as to separate the second and third card
body (plug-in card 2 and mini card 3) from the first card body
(ID-1 card 1).
[0076] During a second step, a second force (unplugging force)
greater than the second mechanical inter-card body coupling
strength (link between plug-in card 2 and mini card 3) is exercised
on the third card body (mini card 3) relatively to the second card
body (plug-in card 2) so as to separate the third card body from
the second card body.
[0077] The second force to be exercised is greater than the first
force.
[0078] The detailed description hereinbefore illustrates particular
example in the field of mobile telecommunication (specific card
sizes according to specific standards). However, the invention is
not limited to this particular application and can be adapted to
others applications wherein different formats of cards are involved
(payment application, transport application, security application,
etc. . . . ).
[0079] The remarks made herein before demonstrate that the detailed
description with reference to the drawings, illustrate rather than
limit the invention. There are numerous alternatives, which fall
within the scope of the appended claims. Any reference sign in a
claim should not be construed as limiting the claim. The word
"comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or
steps than those listed in a claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding
an element or step does not exclude the presence of a plurality of
such elements or steps.
* * * * *