U.S. patent application number 14/490556 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for smart cards and smart card communication methods and systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to NATIONZ TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Nationz Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Rui DONG, Simin GUAN, Shiying LIU, Genping WANG, Hao ZOU.
Application Number | 20170178120 14/490556 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50977606 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170178120 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
LIU; Shiying ; et
al. |
June 22, 2017 |
SMART CARDS AND SMART CARD COMMUNICATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS
Abstract
The present disclosure includes a smart card. The smart card
includes an audio module to receive a money deduction request in a
form of an external audio signal from an external device, wherein
the monetary-amount deduction request includes a monetary amount to
be deducted and the external device's identification information.
The smart card further includes a data processing module to
authenticate the external device's identification information,
deduct the monetary amount from the smart card after the
authentication of the external device's identification information
is passed, and generate monetary-amount-deduction result
information. The audio module transmits to the external device the
monetary-amount-deduction result information in a form of an audio
signal, wherein the monetary-amount-deduction result information
includes a deducted monetary amount to be added to the external
device and the smart card's identification information to be
authenticated by the external device.
Inventors: |
LIU; Shiying; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; DONG; Rui; (Shenzhen, CN) ; GUAN;
Simin; (Shenzhen, CN) ; ZOU; Hao; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; WANG; Genping; (Shenzhen, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nationz Technologies, Inc. |
Shenzhen |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
NATIONZ TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Shenzhen
CN
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20150178718 A1 |
June 25, 2015 |
|
|
Family ID: |
50977606 |
Appl. No.: |
14/490556 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/CN2013/090065 |
Dec 20, 2013 |
|
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14490556 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/3278 20130101;
G06Q 20/34 20130101; G06Q 20/3415 20130101; G06Q 20/341 20130101;
G07F 7/125 20130101; G06Q 20/382 20130101; G06Q 20/3272 20130101;
G06Q 20/223 20130101; G06K 19/0728 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/34 20060101
G06Q020/34; G06Q 20/38 20060101 G06Q020/38; G06Q 20/32 20060101
G06Q020/32; G06K 19/07 20060101 G06K019/07 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 21, 2012 |
CN |
201210562750.9 |
Jan 23, 2013 |
CN |
201310024867.6 |
Jan 24, 2013 |
CN |
201310027437.X |
Jan 24, 2013 |
CN |
201310027610.6 |
Jan 24, 2013 |
CN |
201310027718.5 |
Feb 5, 2013 |
CN |
201310046369.1 |
Claims
1. A smart card, comprising: an audio module to receive an external
audio signal from an external device, and/or output to the external
device data in a form of an audio signal generated by the smart
card; and a data processing module coupled to the audio module to:
process the received external audio signal, and/or generate data to
be output and output, via the audio module, the generated data in a
form of an audio signal; wherein: the audio module receives the
external audio signal including a monetary-amount deduction request
from an external device, wherein the monetary-amount deduction
request includes information about a monetary amount to be deducted
and identification information of the external device; the data
processing module authenticates the identification information of
the external device, modifies monetary information stored in the
smart card according to the information about the monetary amount
to be deducted after the authentication of the identification
information of the external device is passed, and generates the
data including monetary-amount-deduction result information; and
the audio module transmits to the external device the data
including the monetary-amount-deduction result information in a
form of an audio signal, wherein the monetary-amount-deduction
result information includes information about a deducted monetary
amount and identification information of the smart card to be
authenticated by the external device, and the deducted monetary
amount is to be added to a monetary amount stored in the external
device according to the information about the deducted monetary
amount after the authentication of the identification information
of the smart card is passed.
2. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data processing module
comprises: a processing sub-module to generate, in a digital
format, the data to be output; a security module to encrypt the
digital data; an encoding module to encode the encrypted digital
data; a modulation module to modulate the encoded digital data;
and/or a digital-to-analog conversion module to convert the
modulated digital signal into an analog signal, and transmit the
analog signal in a form of an audio signal to the audio module for
output.
3. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data processing module
comprises: an amplifier module to amplify the external audio signal
received by the audio module; a filtering module to filter the
amplified audio signal; an analog-to-digital conversion module to
convert the filtered audio signal into a digital signal; a
demodulation module to demodulate the digital signal; a decoding
module to decode the demodulated digital signal and obtain decoded
data; a security module to decrypt, authenticate, and/or certify
the data decoded by the decoding module; and/or a processing
sub-module to process the decoded data or the decrypted,
authenticated, and/or certified data.
4. The smart card of claim 1, further comprising: a storage module
coupled to the data processing module to store data.
5. The smart card of claim 1, further comprising: an RF module to:
receive an external RF signal and transmit the external RF signal
to the data processing module for processing, and/or acquire the
generated data to be output from the data processing module and
output the generated data in a form of an RF signal; a keypad
module to receive a push-key signal and transmit the push-key
signal to the data processing module for processing; and a display
module to receive the generated data to be output by the data
processing module and display the generated data; wherein the RF
module, the keypad module, and the display module are coupled to
the data processing module.
6. The smart card of claim 5, further comprising: a
channel-switching module to switch between the RF module and the
audio module.
7. The smart card of claim 1, further comprising: a power-supply
module coupled to the data processing module to supply power for
the smart card.
8. The smart card of claim 7, wherein the power-supply module
comprises: a magnetic power-supply module to couple an external
electromagnetic wave or an alternating magnetic field and acquire a
power supply; a battery comprises a rechargeable battery and/or a
disposable battery; a piezoelectric ceramic power-supply module to
convert an external pressure force into a power supply; and/or a
thermocouple power-supply module to convert external thermal energy
into a power supply.
9. The smart card of claim 8, wherein the magnetic power-supply
module comprises: an RF antenna to couple an external
electromagnetic wave or an alternating magnetic field; and a
rectifying and voltage-stabilizing module to rectify and filter the
electromagnetic wave and the alternating magnetic field, and
convert the rectified and filtered electromagnetic wave and the
alternating magnetic field into a stable direct current.
10. The smart card of claim 8, further comprising: a power-supply
switching module to switch between at least two power supplies from
a list of the magnetic power-supply module, the battery, the
piezoelectric ceramic power-supply module, and the thermocouple
power-supply module.
11. The smart card of claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric ceramic
power-supply module comprises: a piezoelectric ceramic module to
receive the external pressure force, and produce an electrical
signal; a shaping module to perform a shape-correction treatment on
the produced electrical signal; a voltage-stabilizing module to
adjust a voltage of the treated electrical signal to output a
stable direct-current voltage; and a power storage module to
convert the stable direct-current voltage into electrical energy
and store the electrical energy for a power supply.
12. The smart card of claim 8, wherein the thermocouple
power-supply module comprises: a thermocouple to convert the
external thermal energy into an electromotive force, and generate
an electrical voltage; a shaping module to perform a
shape-correction treatment on the generated electrical voltage; a
voltage-stabilizing module to adjust the treated electrical voltage
to output a stable direct-current voltage; and a power storage
module to convert the stable direct-current voltage into electrical
energy and store the electrical energy for a power supply.
13. The smart card of claim 1, further comprising: a trigger module
to receive a trigger command for controlling the smart card to
start or stop operating.
14. A smart card, comprising: a data processing module to generate
a monetary-amount deduction request; and an audio module coupled to
the data processing module to: transmit to an external device the
monetary-amount deduction request in a form of an audio signal,
wherein the monetary-amount deduction request includes information
about a monetary amount to be deducted and identification
information of the smart card to be authenticated by the external
device, and wherein monetary information stored in the external
device is to be modified according to the information about the
monetary amount to be deducted after the authentication of the
identification information of the smart card is passed; and receive
monetary-amount-deduction result information in a form of an audio
signal from the external device, wherein the
monetary-amount-deduction result information includes information
about a deducted monetary amount and identification information of
the external device; wherein the data processing module
authenticates the identification information of the external
device, and adds the deducted monetary amount to a monetary amount
stored in the smart card according to the information about the
deducted monetary amount after the authentication is passed.
15. A smart card communication method, comprising: receiving a
monetary-amount deduction request in a form of an external audio
signal from an external device, wherein the monetary-amount
deduction request includes information about a monetary amount to
be deducted and identification information of the external device;
authenticating the identification information of the external
device; modifying monetary information stored in the smart card
according to the information about the monetary amount to be
deducted after the authentication of the identification information
of the external device is passed; generating
monetary-amount-deduction result information; and transmitting to
the external device the monetary-amount-deduction result
information in a form of an audio signal, the
monetary-amount-deduction result information including information
about a deducted monetary amount and identification information of
the smart card to be authenticated by the external device; wherein
the deducted monetary amount is to be added to a monetary amount
stored in the external device according to the information about
the deducted monetary amount after the authentication of the
identification information of the smart card is passed.
16. The smart card communication method of claim 15, further
comprising: conducting amplification, filtering, analog-to-digital
conversion, demodulation, and decoding on the received external
audio signal to obtain decoded data.
17. The smart card communication method of claim 16, further
comprising: decrypting, authenticating, and/or certifying the
decoded data.
18. The smart card communication method of claim 15, wherein
generating and transmitting the monetary-amount-deduction result
information comprises: generating the monetary-amount-deduction
result information in a digital format; performing encoding,
modulation, digital-to-analog conversion on the
monetary-amount-deduction result information in the digital format
to obtain analog data; and transmitting the analog data to the
audio module that outputs to the external device the analog data in
a form of an audio signal.
19. The smart card communication method of claim 15, further
comprising: receiving a first trigger command for controlling the
smart card to start operating, before receiving the external audio
signal or transmitting to the external device the
monetary-amount-deduction result information in the form of the
audio signal; and receiving a second trigger command for
controlling the smart card to stop operating, after completing the
receiving or the transmitting.
20. The smart card communication method of claim 15, further
comprising: generating a payment request; and transmitting to the
external device the payment request in a form of an audio signal,
wherein: the payment request includes information about a monetary
amount to be paid and identification information of the smart card
to be authenticated by the external device; and after the
authentication of the identification information of the smart card
is passed, the monetary-amount deduction request is generated and
transmitted to the smart card.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority and benefit of PCT
Application No. PCT/CN2013/090065, filed on Dec. 20, 2013, titled
"Smart Card and Smart Card Communication Method and System," which
claims the priority and benefit of six Chinese Patent Application
Nos. CN201210562750.9 (filed on Dec. 21, 2012 and titled "Data
Transmission Method, Smart Card, and Card Reading Terminal"),
CN201310024867.6 (filed on Jan. 23, 2013 and titled "Smart Card and
Its Operating Method"), CN201310027437.X (filed on Jan. 24, 2013
and titled "Audio Card and Its Information Transmission Method"),
CN201310027610.6 (filed on Jan. 24, 2013 and titled "Smart Card
Device and Its Authentication Method"), CN201310027718.5 (filed on
Jan. 24, 2013 and titled "One Type of Audio Cards"), and
CN201310046369.1 (filed on Feb. 5, 2013 and titled "Smart Card").
PCT Application No. PCT/CN2013/090065 and the six Chinese patent
applications are incorporated herein in their entirety by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of smart cards,
and especially certain types of smart cards, smart card
communication methods and communication systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Smart cards are widely used in people's daily lives. At
present, smart cards, such as bus cards, bank cards, and the like,
are generally magnetic cards or radio-frequency ("RF")
integrated-circuit ("IC") cards. In existing cards, information
carried by the cards can be easily copied or lost. Existing methods
and designs for protecting data, however, have issues. For example,
RF communications are greatly affected by metal casings, metal
cannot be inlaid in a card, and high-end gold cards cannot be
produced. Furthermore, both magnetic cards and RF IC cards need
special card-reading devices to read data therefrom or write data
thereto. Therefore, the existing smart cards need to be further
improved.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure includes an exemplary smart card.
Embodiments of the smart card include an audio module to receive an
external audio signal from an external device and/or output to the
external device an audio signal generated by the smart card; and a
data processing module coupled to the audio module to process the
received external audio signal, generate data to be output, and to
output, via the audio module, the generated data in a form of an
audio signal. In some embodiments, the audio module receives the
external audio signal including a monetary-amount deduction request
from an external device, wherein the monetary-amount deduction
request includes information about a monetary amount to be deducted
and identification information of the external device.
[0005] In certain embodiments, the data processing module
authenticates the identification information of the external
device, modifies monetary information stored in the smart card
according to the information about the monetary amount to be
deducted after the authentication of the identification information
of the external device is passed, and generates the data including
monetary-amount-deduction result information. In some embodiments,
the audio module transmits to the external device the data
including the monetary-amount-deduction result information in a
form of an audio signal. The monetary-amount-deduction result
information includes information about a deducted monetary amount
and identification information of the smart card to be
authenticated by the external device. The deducted monetary amount
is to be added to a monetary amount stored in the external device
according to the information about the deducted monetary amount
after the authentication of the identification information of the
smart card is passed.
[0006] The present disclosure includes another exemplary smart
card. Embodiments of the smart card include a data processing
module to generate a monetary-amount deduction request; and an
audio module coupled to the data processing module to transmit to
an external device the monetary-amount deduction request in a form
of an audio signal, wherein the monetary-amount deduction request
includes information about a monetary amount to be deducted and
identification information of the smart card to be authenticated by
the external device. Monetary information stored in the external
device is to be modified according to the information about the
monetary amount to be deducted after the authentication of the
identification information of the smart card is passed.
[0007] In some embodiments, the audio module receives
monetary-amount-deduction result information in a form of an audio
signal from the external device, wherein the
monetary-amount-deduction result information includes information
about a deducted monetary amount and identification information of
the external device. In certain embodiments, the data processing
module authenticates the identification information of the external
device, and adds the deducted monetary amount to a monetary amount
stored in the smart card according to the information about the
deducted monetary amount after the authentication is passed.
[0008] The present disclosure includes an exemplary smart card
communication method. Embodiments of the smart card communication
method include receiving a monetary-amount deduction request in a
form of an external audio signal from an external device, wherein
the monetary-amount deduction request includes information about a
monetary amount to be deducted and identification information of
the external device; authenticating the identification information
of the external device; modifying monetary information stored in
the smart card according to the information about the monetary
amount to be deducted after the authentication of the
identification information of the external device is passed;
generating monetary-amount-deduction result information; and
transmitting to the external device the monetary-amount-deduction
result information in a form of an audio signal. The
monetary-amount-deduction result information includes information
about a deducted monetary amount and identification information of
the smart card to be authenticated by the external device. The
deducted monetary amount is to be added to a monetary amount stored
in the external device according to the information about the
deducted monetary amount after the authentication of the
identification information of the smart card is passed.
[0009] The present disclosure includes another exemplary smart card
communication method. Embodiments of the smart card communication
method include generating, at a smart card, a monetary-amount
deduction request; and transmitting to an external device the
monetary-amount deduction request in a form of an audio signal. The
monetary-amount deduction request includes information about a
monetary amount to be deducted and identification information of
the smart card to be authenticated by the external device. Monetary
information stored in the external device is to be modified
according to the information about the monetary amount to be
deducted after the authentication of the identification information
of the smart card is passed. Embodiments of the smart card
communication method further include receiving
monetary-amount-deduction result information in a form of an audio
signal from the external device, wherein the
monetary-amount-deduction result information includes information
about a deducted monetary amount and identification information of
the external device; authenticating the identification information
of the external device; and after the authentication is passed,
adding the deducted monetary amount to a monetary amount stored in
the smart card according to the information about the deducted
monetary amount.
[0010] An exemplary system in accordance with the present
disclosure comprises a first smart card and a second smart card as
an external device. In some embodiments, the first smart card
receives a monetary-amount deduction request in a form of an
external audio signal from the second smart card, wherein the
monetary-amount deduction request includes information about a
monetary amount to be deducted and identification information of
the second smart card. The first smart card authenticates the
identification information of the second smart card, and modifies
monetary information stored in the first smart card according to
the information about the monetary amount to be deducted after the
authentication of the identification information of the second
smart card is passed.
[0011] In certain embodiments, the first smart card generates
monetary-amount-deduction result information, and transmits to the
second smart card the monetary-amount-deduction result information
in a form of an audio signal. The monetary-amount-deduction result
information includes information about a deducted monetary amount
and identification information of the first smart card. The second
smart card receives the monetary-amount-deduction result
information in the form of an audio signal from the first smart
card, authenticates the identification information of the external
device, and adds the deducted monetary amount to a monetary amount
stored in the second smart card according to the information about
the deducted monetary amount after the authentication is
passed.
[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
smart card in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
piezoelectric ceramic power-supply module in accordance with an
embodiment of this disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermocouple
power-supply module in accordance with an embodiment of this
disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flowchart representing an exemplary smart card
communication process flow for transmitting data via an audio
signal in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing an exemplary smart card
communication process flow for receiving data via an audio signal
in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a flowchart representing an exemplary smart card
authentication process flow in accordance with an embodiment of
this disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a flowchart representing an exemplary smart card
communication process flow in accordance with an embodiment of this
disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a flowchart representing an exemplary
communication process flow in accordance with another embodiment of
this disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a flowchart representing an exemplary
communication process flow in accordance with yet another
embodiment of this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary
embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever
possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the
drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[0023] A smart card in accordance with embodiments of this
disclosure communicates with an external device using audio
signals. The disclosed smart card has audio signal transmitting
and/or receiving functions. The audio signals may be ultrasonic
waves, infrasound waves, or any form of sound waves. In some
embodiments, prior to receiving a trigger command and an external
audio signal, the smart card is in a low-power-consumption
operating mode, and operates at a minimum clock-frequency
configuration. After receiving a trigger command and an external
audio signal, the smart card switches to a full operating mode. In
this mode, the smart card enters a process of receiving and
transmitting audio signals. After completing the audio signal
receiving and transmitting process, the smart card switches back to
the low-power-consumption operating mode, and enters a next cycle
phase. The smart card disclosed herein can be circular, square, and
any of other shapes. A surface of the smart card can be engraved or
printed with characters, graphics, etc., to enhance an aesthetic
appearance.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
smart card 100 in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 1, smart card 100 comprises an audio module 101
and a data processing module 102 coupled to audio module 101. In
some embodiments, smart card 100 may also comprise a storage module
103, an RF module 104, a keypad module 105, a display module 106, a
power-supply module 107, and/or a trigger module 108.
[0025] In some embodiments, audio module 101 comprises an audio
input module for receiving external audio signals and/or an audio
output module for outputting audio signals. Data processing module
102 can be used to process audio signals received by the audio
input module, and/or generate data and output the generated data
through the audio output module in a form of audio signals. The
audio input module and the audio output module can be located on a
surface of smart card 100, while data processing module 102 can be
located inside smart card 100. In some embodiments, a working
frequency band of the audio input module and the audio output
module can range from 5 KHz to 40 KHz, but is not limited to this
range. The working frequency band of the audio input module and the
audio output module is not limited to an audio range that can be
heard by human ears. Instead, it can be expanded to an ultrasonic
frequency band, or can be flexibly configured to any band based on
needs.
[0026] In some embodiments, a microphone can serve as an exemplary
audio input module. And the microphone can either be a
microelectromechanical systems ("MEMS") microphone or any of other
type of microphones. In some embodiments, a speaker, a buzzer, or a
piezoelectric ceramic device, etc. can serve as an exemplary audio
output module. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric ceramic
device comprises a piezoelectric ceramic module and an audio signal
adjustment circuit. When triggered, the piezoelectric ceramic
module can be used to activate the audio signal adjustment circuit.
The audio signal adjustment circuit can be used to send out audio
signals using a corresponding wave band. The piezoelectric ceramic
module, e.g., a piezoelectric ceramic thin film, is a kind of
electronic sound element. When an external force is applied to make
it produce vibrations, the piezoelectric ceramic module can produce
an electrical signal output. An external force may be applied to
the piezoelectric ceramic module by, for example, pressing,
knocking, striking, or any other mode.
[0027] In some embodiments, data processing module 102 comprises a
processing sub-module, an encoding module, a modulation module, and
a digital-to-analog conversion module. In other embodiments, data
processing module 102 includes a processing sub-module, an
amplifier module, a filter module, an analog-to-digital conversion
module, a demodulation module, and a decoding module. In some
embodiments, data processing module 102 comprises a processing
sub-module, an encoding module, a modulation module, an
analog-to-digital conversion module, an amplifier module, a filter
module, an analog-to-digital conversion module, a demodulation
module, and a decoding module.
[0028] The processing sub-module can be used to generate data to be
output in a digital format. The encoding module can be used to
encode the generated digital data. The modulation module can be
used to modulate the encoded digital data. The digital-to-analog
conversion module can be used to convert the regulated digital
signals (data) into analog signals (data), and output to an audio
module, which outputs the analog audio signals. The amplifier
module can be used to amplify the analog audio signals received by
the audio module. The filtering unit can be used to filter the
amplified analog signals. The analog-to-digital conversion module
can be used to convert the filtered analog signals into digital
signals. The demodulation module can be used to demodulate the
converted digital signals. The decoding module can be used to
decode the demodulated signals. The processing sub-module can be
used to process the decoded data. The digital-to-analog conversion
module can be a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter while the
analog-to-digital conversion module can be an analog-to-digital
(A/D) converter. The modulation type can be amplitude shift keying
(ASK), frequency shift keying (FSK) or, phase-shift keying (PSK),
etc.
[0029] In some embodiments, data processing module 102 also
comprises a security module, which is coupled to the processing
sub-module, the encoding module, and the decoding module. The
security module can be used to encrypt the to-be-output data
generated by the processing sub-module in a digital format, and
decrypt, authenticate, and/or certify the data decrypted by the
decoding module. In some embodiments, the security module may use
an encryption algorithm that is a symmetric or asymmetric
algorithm.
[0030] Referring back to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, smart card
100 also comprises a storage module 103 coupled to data processing
module 102 and can be used for storing data, e.g., certification
information, authentication information, a key (for encoding,
decoding, encryption, decryption, or access), smart card 100's
identification information, account information, and transaction
records, etc. Smart card 100's account information may comprise an
account balance, an account name, and other information. Smart card
100's transaction records can comprise a monetary amount of
consumption, a number of consumptions, a location of consumption,
and other information. Storage module 103 can be made of a
nonvolatile storage medium, so that the information is not lost
even in case of a power failure. Storage module 103 can be located
inside smart card 100. In some other embodiments, storage module
103 can also be integrated into data processing module 102.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, smart card 100 may
also comprise an RF module 104, a keypad module 105, and/or a
display module 106. Each of those modules may be coupled to data
processing module 102.
[0032] Among those modules, RF module 104 may be used to receive an
external RF signal, transmit the signal to data processing module
102 for processing, and/or acquire the to-be-output data from data
processing module 102 and output it in a form of an RF signal. A
working frequency of RF module 104 can be 13.56 MHz, 60 MHz-960
MHz, or 2.4 GHz-2.4835 GHz. Of course, in other embodiments, the
working frequency of RF module 104 or audio module 101 can be
flexibly configured according to actual needs, and it is not
restricted in the present disclosure. An RF antenna of RF module
104 can be located on a surface of smart card 100. In some
embodiments, the current widely-used RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification) technology can be adopted in RF communications.
[0033] In some embodiments, RF module 104 and audio module 101 are
independent from each other, and there is no electrical connection.
Therefore, they can work independently without affecting each
other. For example, when an RF card reader serves as an external
device to communicate with smart card 100, RF module 104 can be
selected to carry out an RF communication. When a mobile phone
serves as an external device to communicate with smart card 100,
audio module 101 can be selected to carry out an audio
communication. In other words, as far as different external devices
are concerned, smart card 100 can flexibly select an RF or audio
channel to communicate with an external device. Smart card 100 can
not only support a traditional RF channel application, but can also
utilize an audio signal to communicate with an external device
having an audio communication function. In this way, communication
modes of smart card 100 are expanded, and it is possible to realize
some audio-based applications when a dedicated card reader device
is not provided. It enables users to manage a wide variety of
business applications through one smart card, satisfying different
application needs and bringing great conveniences to users.
[0034] Keypad module 105 can be used to receive a push-key signal,
and transmit the signal to data processing module 102 for
processing. Keypad module 105 can be placed on a surface of smart
card 100. Through keypad module 105, users can realize digital
inputting, selecting, confirming, and other functions (such as
inputting password information, confirming transaction information,
etc.). In some embodiments, keypad module 105 may use one button or
a combination of several buttons to realize the above functions.
The buttons can be capacitive, resistive, or switch buttons.
[0035] Display module 106 can be used to receive to-be-displayed
data output by data processing module 102, and display the data.
The to-be-displayed data includes, for example, smart card 100's
identification information, an external device's identification
information, power-supply module 107's remaining power level, etc.
Also, it may include information for a certification and/or mobile
payment process, for example, account information, prompting
messages, transaction records, and other information. Among them,
the account information may include an account balance, an account
name, and other information. The transaction records may include a
monetary amount of consumption, a number of consumptions, a
location of consumption, and other information.
[0036] A specific display mode of display module 106 can also be
flexibly configured according to actual needs. For example, when
displaying the remaining power level, display module 106 may
display a percentage of remaining power, or a remaining service
time, etc. When displaying the account information, display module
106 may describe it in a form of text, image, or a combination
thereof. Display module 106 can be located on a surface of smart
card 100, coupled to data processing module 102, and controlled by
data processing module 102, to facilitate users to timely master
their own account information, records of consumption, etc. In some
embodiments, display module 106 can be electronic paper, an LCD
display panel, or an LED display panel. Electronic paper possesses
a picture screen memory function, and retains the pictures and text
displayed last time even when no power is provided. When
displaying, electronic paper does not need a corresponding driver
module to keep refreshing. Therefore, electronic paper has many
advantages such as a high screen resolution, small power
consumption, low manufacturing cost, etc. Electronic paper is
suitable for portable product applications, such as the smart card
disclosed in this disclosure. In some other embodiments, display
module 106 can also be a touch screen so keypad module 105 can be
omitted.
[0037] Through keypad module 105 and display module 106, users can
acquire information stored on the card, without using a card reader
terminal. Furthermore, it is also possible to carry out flexible
operations and input a password through keypad module 105. In some
embodiments, the security module in data processing module 102 can
also encrypt and/or decrypt data inputted by users through keypad
module 105. For example, when a user inputs a password through
keypad module 105, the password can be encrypted and/or decrypted
by the security module, and following operations can proceed only
after data processing module 102 receives a correct
instruction.
[0038] In some embodiments, smart card 100 may also include a
channel-switching module (not shown in FIG. 1) used to switch
between RF module 104 and audio module 101, specifically, switching
between an RF receiving module and an audio input module, and
switching between an RF transmission module and an audio output
module. In some embodiments, the channel-switching module serves as
a diverter switch, and its output terminal chooses connecting with
RF module 104 or with audio module 101. That is, when needing to
switch to RF module 104, the channel-switching module selects
connecting with RF module 104 while disconnecting with audio module
101. Similarly, when needing to switch to audio module 101, the
channel-switching module selects connecting with audio module 101
while disconnecting with audio module 104. In some other
embodiments, an output terminal of the channel-switching module
maintains a physical connection with both RF module 104 and audio
module 101. When needing to switch to RF module 104, the
channel-switching module activates RF module 104 to start
operating, while shielding audio module 101. Similarly, when
needing to switch to audio module 101, the channel-switching module
activates audio module 101 to start operating, while shielding RF
module 104.
[0039] An input terminal of the channel-switching module can
connect with data processing module 102, and switch a communication
mode under a control of data processing module 102. In some
embodiments, the channel-switching module can be a manual control
structure, the input terminal is a handle placed on a surface of
smart card 100, and switches a communication mode under a manual
operation.
[0040] In some embodiments, smart card 100 may also comprise a
power-supply module 107 for supplying power to smart card 100.
Power-supply module 107 may be located inside smart card 100. In
some embodiments, power-supply module 107 is coupled to data
processing module 102, through which power-supply module 107
indirectly supplies power to other modules that are coupled to data
processing module 102, thereby simplifying the circuit. In other
embodiments, power-supply module 107 can respectively connect with
all modules requiring power in smart card 100, and supply power to
these modules. For example, power-supply module 107 can
respectively connect with audio module 101, data processing module
102, storage module 103, RF module 104, keypad module 105, display
module 106, channel-switching module (not shown in FIG. 1),
etc.
[0041] In some embodiments, power-supply module 107 may comprise a
magnetic power-supply module, a battery, a piezoelectric ceramic
power-supply module, and/or a thermocouple power-supply module.
Among them, the piezoelectric ceramic power-supply module can be
used to convert an external pressure force into a power supply. In
some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, a piezoelectric ceramic
power-supply module 200 comprises a piezoelectric ceramic module
202, a first (1.sup.st) shaping module 204, a first (1.sup.st)
voltage-stabilizing module 206, and a first (1.sup.st) power
storage module 208. In some embodiments, modules 202 through 208
may be connected in series or in a sequence, one after the
other.
[0042] When a user applies a pressure force on a location of
piezoelectric ceramic module 202, which as a result of an effect of
the force, deforms and produces a corresponding electrical signal.
1st shaping module 204 then carries out a shape-correction
treatment on the produced electrical signal. And 1st
voltage-stabilizing module 206 then adjusts a voltage of the
treated electrical signal to output a stable direct-current (DC)
voltage. Finally, 1st power storage module 208 converts the stable
DC voltage into electrical energy and store therein, to provide
power for other modules in smart card 100. By using piezoelectric
ceramic power-supply module 200, there is no need to worry about
depletion of power supply, and module 200 makes smart card 100's
service life longer. Piezoelectric ceramic module 202, such as a
piezoelectric ceramic thin film, is thin and small enough to be
conveniently placed inside smart card 100. In some embodiments,
piezoelectric ceramic module 202 in module 202 shares a
piezoelectric ceramic device of the above-mentioned audio output
module.
[0043] The thermocouple power-supply module can be used to convert
external thermal energy into power-supply energy. In some
embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, a thermocouple power-supply module
300 comprises a thermocouple 302, a second (2.sup.nd) shaping
module 304, a second (2.sup.nd) voltage-stabilizing module 306, and
a second (2.sup.nd) power storage module 308. In some embodiments,
modules 302 through 308 may be corrected in series or in a
sequence, one after the other.
[0044] A user can apply thermal energy on a location of
thermocouple 302, for example, pressing a finger at the
thermocouple location and heating the thermocouple by body
temperature, or producing friction with smart card 100 and making
smart card 100 generate heat. And thermocouple 302 converts the
externally-provided heat energy into an electromotive force, and
outputs a generated electrical voltage to 2nd shaping module 304.
The generated electrical voltage forms into a stable DC voltage
through a shape-correction treatment by 2nd shaping module 304 and
a voltage adjustment by 2nd voltage-stabilizing module 306. 2nd
power storage module 308 converts the stable DC voltage into
electrical energy, stores therein, and provides power for other
modules in smart card 100. By using thermocouple power-supply
module 300 to convert external thermal energy into electrical
energy for a power supply, there is no need to worry about
depletion of power supply, and thermocouple power-supply module 300
makes the service life of smart card 100 longer. Furthermore,
thermocouple 302 is thin and small enough to be conveniently placed
inside smart card 100.
[0045] The magnetic power-supply module can be used to couple an
external electromagnetic wave or an alternating magnetic field, and
obtain power-supply energy. In some embodiments, the magnetic
power-supply module may comprise an RF antenna module and a
rectifying and voltage-stabilizing module. The RF antenna module
can be used to couple an external electromagnetic wave or
alternating magnetic field. The rectifying and voltage-stabilizing
module can be used to rectify, filter, and convert the
electromagnetic wave or alternating magnetic field coupled by the
RF antenna module into stable DC. In some embodiments, this RF
antenna module is shared by the above-mentioned RF module 104. That
is, when smart card 100 uses RF module 104 for a communication, the
RF antenna module in RF module 104 couples the external
electromagnetic wave or alternating magnetic field. On one hand,
the RF antenna module transmits the coupled electromagnetic wave or
alternating magnetic field to data processing module 102. On the
other hand, the RF antenna module transmits to the rectifying and
voltage-stabilizing module.
[0046] A battery may include a rechargeable battery and/or a
disposable battery, e.g., a thin film lithium battery, a thin-film
battery, a flexible battery, a button battery, a photovoltaic cell,
etc. In some embodiments, by coupling the battery to the magnetic
power-supply module, piezoelectric ceramic power-supply module,
and/or thermoelectric power-supply module, it is possible to
utilize those power-supply modules to charge the battery. In this
way, the excessive electrical energy collected by those
power-supply modules is not wasted.
[0047] In some embodiments, smart card 100 may also comprise a
power-supply switching module that respectively connects with each
of power-supply modules such as the magnetic power-supply module,
battery, piezoelectric power-supply module, and thermocouple
power-supply module. The power-supply switching module switches
between those power-supply modules or between at least two
power-supply modules supplying the power concurrently.
[0048] In some embodiments, the power-supply switching module is a
manually controlled switch and can be installed on a surface of
smart card 100. In other embodiments, the power-supply switching
module can also be realized by using other components. For example,
keypad module 105, through data processing module 102, controls the
power-supply switching module to switch between power-supply modes.
In this case, the power-supply switching module needs to connect
with data processing module 102.
[0049] In some other embodiments, the power-supply switching module
realizes full automation. When detecting that the RF antenna module
receives an electromagnetic wave, the power-supply switching module
controls the battery, piezoelectric power-supply module, and
thermocouple power-supply module to stop supplying power, and
controls the rectifying and voltage-stabilizing module in magnetic
power-supply module to supply power and charge the battery. When
detecting that audio module 101 receives an audio signal, the
power-supply switching module controls the battery to supply
power.
[0050] Referring back to FIG. 1, in some other embodiments, smart
card 100 may also comprise a trigger module 108 for receiving a
trigger command, which is used to control starting or stopping
operation of smart card 100. Trigger module 108 is coupled to
power-supply module 107 and data processing module 102,
respectively. In some other embodiments, trigger module 108
connects between power-supply module 107 and data processing module
102 and modules 107 and 102 do not connect directly (not shown in
FIG. 1). Trigger module 108 can be used to control whether
power-supply module 107 provides power to data processing module
102. For example, when receiving a trigger command to control
starting operation of smart card 100, trigger module 108 starts
operation of power-supply module 107, which starts supplying power
to data processing module 102. Thereafter, power-supply module 107
starts supplying power to modules coupled to data processing module
102, such as audio module 101, RF module 104, keypad module 105,
display module 106, the channel-switching module, and the
power-supply switching module.
[0051] In some embodiments, trigger module 108 can be a push-button
switch, a touch switch, a dual in-line package (DIP) switch, etc.
For example, trigger module 108 can be a membrane push-button
switch and installed on a surface of smart card 100, for a user to
manually trigger it. In some other embodiments, a trigger command
can also be triggered by an external device via an audio signal. In
this case, trigger module 108 may be coupled to an audio input
module. When receiving an external audio signal, the audio input
module transmits a trigger command to trigger module 108.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a flowchart representing an exemplary smart card
communication process flow for transmitting data via an audio
signal in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure. A smart
card (e.g., a smart card 100 shown in FIG. 1) of this embodiment
comprises a power-supply module, a trigger module, a data
processing module, and an audio output module. As further described
below, FIG. 4 shows a process flow for the smart card transmitting
data via an audio signal.
[0053] At step 401, a trigger module of the smart card receives a
trigger command, which may be issued by a user through triggering
the trigger module installed on a surface of the smart card. Before
the trigger module receives the trigger command, the smart card
operates in a low-power operating mode of an operation cycle. After
receiving the trigger command, the trigger module activates the
power-supply module to provide power for the data processing module
of the smart card, which switches to a full-speed operating mode.
In this mode, the smart card proceeds to step 402 till a data
transmission process completes. Next, the smart card switches back
to the low-power operating mode, and enters a next phase of the
operation cycle.
[0054] At step 402, the smart card generates data to be output and
outputs it in a form of an audio signal. Specifically, a processing
sub-module in the data processing module of the smart card
generates the to-be-output data in a digital format. An encoding
module then encodes the digital data. Thereafter, a modulation
module modulates the encoded digital data, and a digital-to-analog
conversion module converts the modulated digital signal into an
analog signal, and transmits the analog signal to an audio output
module. The audio output module converts the analog signal into an
audio signal and outputs the audio signal. The data to be output
can be identification information, data of a monetary amount, etc.
Before the data in the digital format is encoded, it may be further
encrypted to enhance security of data transmission.
[0055] FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing an exemplary smart card
communication process flow for receiving data via an audio signal
in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure. The smart card
(e.g., a smart card 100 shown in FIG. 1) of this embodiment
comprises a power-supply module, a trigger module, a data
processing module, and an audio input module. As further described
below, FIG. 5 shows a process flow for the smart card receiving
data via an audio signal.
[0056] At step 501, the trigger module of the smart card receives
an external audio signal. In some embodiments, before the trigger
module receives the external audio signal, the smart card operates
in a low-power operating mode of an operation cycle. After
receiving the external audio signal, the audio input module
transmits a trigger command to the trigger module. After receiving
the trigger command, the trigger module activates the power-supply
module to provide power for the data processing module, and the
smart card switches to a full-speed operating mode. In this mode,
the smart card proceeds to step 502 till a data reception process
completes. Next, the smart card switches back to the low-power
operating mode, and enters a next phase of the operation cycle.
[0057] At step 502, the smart card processes the received audio
signal. Specifically, an amplification module in the data
processing module of the smart card amplifies the audio signal
received by the audio input module. Next, a filtering module
filters the amplified signal, and an analog-to-digital conversion
module converts the filtered signal into a digital signal. In
addition, a modulation module modulates the digital signal, a
decoding module decodes the modulated signal, and a processing
sub-module processes the decoded data. The data processing
comprises recognizing, authenticating, and/or verifying
identification information, and confirming, recharging, and
deducting a monetary amount, etc. If the data is encrypted by the
sender, then it also needs to be decrypted after it is decoded.
[0058] FIG. 6 is a flowchart representing an exemplary smart card
authentication process in accordance with an embodiment of this
disclosure. The smart card (e.g., a smart card 100 shown in FIG. 1)
of this embodiment comprises a data processing module, an audio
module, and an RF module, each of which is coupled to the data
processing module. The smart card may also comprise a rectifying
and voltage-stabilizing module that is coupled to the RF module and
the data processing module. The rectifying and voltage-stabilizing
module can be used for rectifying and filtering an electromagnetic
wave and/or an alternating magnetic field, which are coupled by an
RF antenna module in the RF module, to convert them into stable DC
current for providing power for the data processing module. In
addition, the smart card may further comprise electronic paper,
which is coupled to the data processing module. The electronic
paper can display account information, prompting messages,
transaction records, and/or remaining battery power level, during
an identification authentication process and/or a mobile payment
process between the smart card and an external device. As further
described below, FIG. 6 shows a smart card authentication
process.
[0059] At step 601, the smart card acquires identification
information stored therein, when the smart card requires
authentication with an external device. The identification
information may be stored in a storage module of the smart card.
The external device can be a reader-writer, card reader, mobile
phone, netbook, or tablet computer.
[0060] At step 602, a smart card transmits, via an RF module or
audio module, the identification information to an external device
at a corresponding frequency band, enabling the external devices to
perform authentication and realize identification certification
and/or mobile payment according to the certification information.
In some embodiments, when the external device is a card reader, the
smart card may transmit, via an RF module, the identification
information at a corresponding frequency band. When the external
device is a mobile phone, the smart card may transmit, via an audio
module, the identification information at a corresponding frequency
band. In other words, for different external devices, the smart
card can flexibly select an RF module or audio module to connect.
Compared with conventional smart cards, which transmit
identification information only via an RF channel, embodiments of
the smart card disclosed herein possesses both audio and RF
communication functions at the same time and can utilize different
communication frequency bands, thereby meeting different
application needs and bringing great convenience to users.
[0061] In some embodiments, prior to step 601, the authentication
process may also comprise acquiring, at the smart card via an RF
module or audio module, authentication information from a channel
corresponding to the external device. Specifically, the smart card
acquires, via the RF module, the authentication information in a
form of an electromagnetic wave from an RF channel of the external
device, and transmits the information to the data processing
module. The data processing module acquires corresponding RF
authentication information by demodulating, decoding, and/or
decrypting the electromagnetic wave. Alternatively, the smart card
acquires, via the audio module, the authentication information in a
form of an audio signal, from an audio channel of the external
device, and transmits the information to the data processing
module. The data processing module acquires corresponding audio
authentication information, by amplifying, filtering,
analog-to-digital converting, demodulating, decoding, and/or
decrypting, and other treatments on the audio signal.
[0062] At step 601, acquiring the identification information
pre-configured in the smart card according to the authentication
information includes two scenarios: the data processing module
acquires RF identification information preconfigured in the smart
card, according to the RF authentication information; or the data
processing module acquires audio identification information
preconfigured in the smart card, according to the audio
authentication information. To ensure information security, the
data processing module may also use keys to encrypt the acquired RF
and/or audio identification information. For example, different
keys can be used to encrypt the RF identification information and
the audio identification information. The key for encrypting the RF
identification information is different from the key for encrypting
the audio identification information.
[0063] In some embodiments, the data processing module may comprise
an RF channel processing module and an audio channel processing
module. The RF channel processing module connects with the RF
module, for processing an RF signal received by the RF module,
generating data to be output, and outputting the data via the RF
module in a form of an RF signal. For example, the RF channel
processing module can obtain the corresponding RF authentication
information by demodulating, decoding, and/or decrypting an
electromagnetic wave received by the RF module. It can also encrypt
the RF identification information (acquired according to the RF
authentication information) according to a preconfigured first
key.
[0064] The audio channel processing module connects with the audio
module, for processing an audio signal received by the audio
module, generating data to be output, and outputting the data via
the audio module in a form of an audio signal. For example, the
audio channel processing module can acquire the corresponding audio
authentication information by amplifying, filtering,
analog-to-digital converting, demodulating, decoding, and/or
decrypting an audio signal received by the audio module. It can
also encrypt the audio identification information (acquired
according to the audio authentication information) according to a
preconfigured second key, and modulate and encode the encrypted
audio certification information.
[0065] In some embodiments, the data processing module may further
comprise a storage device. The storage device can store the RF
identification information, the audio identification information,
the first key, and the second key.
[0066] At step 602, the smart card transmits, via an RF module or
an audio module, the identification information to the external
devices at a corresponding frequency band. The transmitting step
comprises transmitting the RF identification information, via the
RF module, to the external device at a corresponding frequency
band; or transmitting the audio identification information, via the
audio module, to the external device at a corresponding frequency
band. In some embodiments, an audio output module of the audio
module is a piezoelectric ceramic device, which comprises a
piezoelectric ceramic thin film and an audio signal adjustment
circuit. A user can trigger the piezoelectric ceramic thin film to
activate an audio channel of the smart card, and utilize the audio
channel to transmit the audio identification information to the
external device at a corresponding frequency band. The external
devices conducts authentication according to the audio
identification information, to realize identification certification
(verification) and/or mobile payment.
[0067] The above authentication methods can utilize different
communication methods to communicate with an external device,
thereby meeting different application needs and bringing great
conveniences to users. Specifically, the smart card disclosed
herein can use its audio channel to communicate with an audio
channel of a mobile terminal. As a result, some
mobile-terminal-based specific applications can be realized without
providing a dedicated reader device, and users can manage a variety
of different business applications through a smart card.
[0068] FIG. 7 is a flowchart representing an exemplary smart card
communication method in accordance with an embodiment of this
disclosure. The smart card (e.g., a smart card 100 shown in FIG. 1)
of this embodiment comprises a power-supply module, a trigger
module, a data processing module, and a storage module. Also, the
smart card may comprise a keypad module and/or an audio input
module, which are coupled to the data processing module. Further,
the smart card may comprise a display module and/or an audio output
module, which are coupled to the data processing module. As further
described below, FIG. 7 shows an exemplary smart card communication
process flow.
[0069] At step 701, the trigger module receives a trigger command,
which can be used to control the smart card to start or stop
operating. When receiving the trigger command, the trigger module
starts the power-supply module, which starts operation to provide
power to the data processing module. Afterwards, the power-supply
module starts supplying power to the modules that connect with the
data processing module, such as the storage module, keypad module,
audio input module, display module, and audio output module.
[0070] The trigger module can also be manually triggered by a user
when the trigger module is provided as, e.g., a push-button switch,
touch switch, or DIP switch, which is located on a surface of the
smart card. The trigger module can also be triggered by an external
device via an audio signal. When receiving the external audio
signal, the audio input module transmits a trigger command to the
trigger module.
[0071] At step 702, an input signal is received. The input signal
can either be a push-key signal received via the keypad module, or
an external audio signal received via the audio input module.
[0072] At step 703, the data processing module determines whether
the received input signal matches with data in storage module, or
whether the received input signal is in a correct format.
Specifically, when receiving the input signal via the keypad
module, the data processing module matches the input signal with
the data in storage module. When receiving the input signal via the
audio input module, the data processing module determines whether
the input signal is in a correct format.
[0073] If the input signal mismatches with the data in storage
module, or the input signal format is incorrect, the process
returns to step 702 and continues receiving an input signal. If the
input signal matches with the data in storage module, or the input
signal format is correct, the process proceeds to step 704, where
the data processing module processes the input signal to obtain a
processing result.
[0074] Specifically, in some embodiments, when a push-button switch
as the trigger module closes, the power-supply module starts
providing power for the data processing module, which starts
operating. The display module starts displaying a prompting
message, and the user's personal information inputted via the
keypad module according to the prompting message. The data
processing module determines whether the user personal information
matches with data stored in the storage module. If they match, the
data processing module processes the user personal information. The
processing includes encryption, compression, addition of a security
code, addition of user information, encoding, modulation,
digital-to-analog conversion, converting to an analog signal, and
transmission of the converted signal via the audio output module in
a form of an audio signal.
[0075] In some other embodiments, when a microphone as the audio
input module receives an external audio signal, the trigger module
activates the power-supply module supplying power to the data
processing module. The data processing module starts to operate,
and acquires data in a digital format through amplification,
filtering, analog-to-digital conversion, demodulation, decoding,
decryption, and other treatments on the audio signal received by
the microphone. Also, the data processing module carries out a
format check on the acquired digital data. If a result of the
format check shows that the data is in a correct format, the data
processing module carries out follow-up treatment on the acquired
digital data. For example, the data processing module encrypts,
encodes, and modulates the acquired digital data, converts the
digital data into an analog signal, and transmits the analog signal
to the audio output module. The audio output module converts the
analog signal into an audio signal and outputs the audio
signal.
[0076] In some embodiments, the smart card comprises a power-supply
module, a trigger module, and a data processing module. Also, the
smart card may comprise a storage module, an audio input module,
and an audio output module, which are coupled to the data
processing module. The communication method of the smart card
comprises writing the smart card's identification information in
the smart card, and identifying a smart card or a user based on the
stored identification information.
[0077] The process of writing the smart card's identification
information in the smart card is further described below. When a
push-button switch as the trigger module closes, the power-supply
module provides power for the data processing module enabling it to
operate. The audio input module receives an audio signal
(transmitted by an external device) that carries the smart card's
identification information. The data processing module acquires the
smart card's identification information in a digital format through
amplification, filtering, analog-to-digital conversion,
demodulation, decoding, decryption and other treatments on the
audio signal, and stores the digital identification information in
the storage module.
[0078] The process of identifying a smart card or a user based on
the stored smart card identification information is further
described below. When using the smart card for identification, a
user closes the push-button switch (as the trigger module). And
then, the power-supply module provides power for the data
processing module and enables it to operate. The data processing
module encrypts, encodes, modulates, and conducts digital-to-analog
conversion on the smart card identification information stored in
the storage module. It further converts the identification
information into an analog signal, and transmits the analog signal
to the audio output module. The audio output module convert the
analog signal into an audio signal and outputs the audio signal for
an external device to receive. The external device receives the
audio signal carrying the encrypted smart card identification
information, and performs amplification, filtering,
analog-to-digital conversion, demodulation, and decoding on the
audio signal to acquire the smart card identification information.
The external device determines whether the smart card
identification information matches with preconfigured data for
identifying a user's identity. The external device may also search
corresponding databases for identity information, which corresponds
to the smart card identification information, to confirm or acquire
the user's identity information.
[0079] FIG. 8 is a flowchart representing an exemplary smart card
communication method in accordance with another embodiment of this
disclosure. A first smart card (e.g., a smart card 100 shown in
FIG. 1) comprises a data processing module and modules coupled to
the data processing module, such as a power-supply module, an audio
input module, an audio output module, and a storage module. In this
embodiment, an external device that communicates with the first
smart card is another smart card (e.g., another smart card 100
shown in FIG. 1). As further described below, FIG. 8 shows a
process flow for communications between the first and second smart
cards.
[0080] At step 801, the audio input module of the first smart card
receives a monetary-amount deduction request in a form of an audio
signal transmitted by an external smart card, i.e., the second
smart card. The monetary-amount deduction request includes
information about a monetary amount to be deducted and
identification information of the second smart card.
[0081] In some embodiments, the second smart card transmits, on its
own initiative, the monetary-amount deduction request to the first
smart card. In this case, the monetary-amount-to-be-deducted
information included in the monetary-amount deduction request can
be inputted by a user to the second smart card via a manual input
mode, or can be directly acquired by the second smart card from a
transaction platform.
[0082] In some other embodiments, the second smart card can also
transmit the monetary-amount deduction request to the first smart
card after having received a payment request that is transmitted by
the first smart card via its audio output module. Specifically,
prior to step 801, the first smart card transmits the payment
request in a form of an audio signal to the second smart card. The
payment request includes amount to-be-paid information and the
first smart card's identification information pre-stored in its
storage module. After receiving the payment request, the second
smart card authenticates the first smart card's identification
information, and displays the amount-to-be-paid information to the
user. After having passed the authentication and having received
the user's confirmed operation instruction, the second smart card
transmits the monetary-amount deduction request in the form of an
audio signal to the first smart card. The
monetary-amount-to-be-paid information in the payment request can
be manually inputted to the first smart card by the user via a
keypad module. In another embodiment, the first smart card can
directly acquire the amount-to-be-paid information from a
transaction platform via an Internet access module.
[0083] At step 802, the data processing module of the first smart
card authenticates the second smart card's identification
information included in the monetary-amount deduction request. If
the authentication is passed, the process proceeds to step 803 or
otherwise, it terminates.
[0084] At step 803, the first smart card's data processing module
deducts a corresponding amount from monetary amount information
preset in storage module, according to the
monetary-amount-to-be-deducted information included in the
monetary-amount deduction request. This preset amount can either be
preset at the shipment of the first smart card, or recharged to the
first smart card in advance by the user.
[0085] In some embodiments, after receiving the monetary-amount
deduction request, the first smart card also displays, via a
display interface of the display module, the
monetary-amount-to-be-deducted information included in this
monetary-amount deduction request, and receives, via a keypad
module, an operation instruction inputted by the user. If the user
inputs a confirmation of the operation instruction, it means that
the user agrees with the deduction. In this case, the process
proceeds to step 803, and deducts the corresponding amount from the
preset amount according to the monetary-amount-to-be-deducted
information. If the user inputs a cancellation of the operation
instruction, it means that the user refuses the deduction. In that
case, the process terminates.
[0086] In some embodiments, after step 803, the process also
comprises additional steps, as described below. For example, at
step 804, the first smart card transmits or feeds back, via an
audio output module, to the second smart card deduction result
information in a form of an audio signal. The deduction result
information includes deducted-amount information and the first
smart card's identification information. In some other embodiments,
the first smart card also displays, via its display module, the
deducted-amount information to the user, who can confirm via a
keypad module the deducted-amount information. After having
received the user's confirmation, the process proceeds to step
805.
[0087] At step 805, the second smart card authenticates the first
smart card's identification information included in the received
deduction result information. If the authentication is passed, the
process proceeds to step 806. Otherwise, the process
terminates.
[0088] At 806, the second smart card recharges itself an amount
equal to the deducted monetary amount according to the deduction
result information. In some embodiments, after receiving the
deduction result information, the second smart card also displays,
via a display module, the deducted-amount information included in
deduction result information, and receives an operation instruction
inputted by the user via a keypad module. If the user inputs a
confirmation of the operation instruction, it means that the user
confirms the first smart card's deduction amount. In this case, the
second smart card recharges itself the equal amount according to
the deducted-amount information included in the deduction result
information. If the user inputs a cancellation of the operation
instruction, it means that the users refuse the recharge. In that
case, the process terminates.
[0089] FIG. 9 is a flowchart representing an exemplary
communication method in accordance with yet another embodiment of
this disclosure. The first smart card (e.g., a smart card 100 shown
in FIG. 1) comprises a data processing module and modules coupled
to the data processing module, such as a power-supply module, an
audio input module, an audio output module, and a storage module.
In this embodiment, an external device that communicates with the
first smart card is another smart card (e.g., another smart card
100 shown in FIG. 1). As further described below, FIG. 9 shows a
process flow for communications between the first and second smart
cards.
[0090] At step 901, the first smart card transmits, via its audio
output module and in a form of an audio signal, an amount deduction
request to the second smart card. The amount deduction request
includes amount-to-be-deducted information and the first smart
card's identification information.
[0091] In some embodiments, the first smart card transmits, on its
own initiative, the amount deduction request to the second smart
card. In this case, the amount-to-be-deducted information in the
amount deduction request can be inputted by a user to the first
smart card via a manual input mode, or can be directly acquired by
the first smart card from a transaction platform.
[0092] In some other embodiments, the first smart card transmits
the amount deduction request to the second smart card after having
received a payment request transmitted by the second smart card.
Specifically, prior to step 901, the second smart card transmits
the payment request in a form of an audio signal to the first smart
card. The payment request includes amount-to-be-paid information
and the second smart card's identification information. After
receiving the payment request via its audio input module, the first
smart card authenticates the second smart card's identification
information, and displays the amount-to-be-paid information to the
user. After having passed the authentication and received the
user's confirmed operation instruction, the first smart card
transmits the amount deduction request in the form of an audio
signal to the second smart card. The amount-to-be-paid information
in the payment request can be manually inputted to the second smart
card by the user via a keypad module, or can be directly acquired
by the second smart card from a transaction platform.
[0093] In some embodiments, before transmitting the amount
deduction request, the first smart card also displays to the user,
via its display module, the amount-to-be-deducted information in
the deduction request, and receives the user's confirmation,
amendment, or cancellation of an operation instruction via a keypad
module. Until after receiving the user's confirmed operation
instruction, the first smart card transmits, via its audio output
module and in a form of an audio signal, the amount deduction
request to the second smart card.
[0094] At step 902, the first smart card receives, via its audio
input module, deduction result information transmitted or fed back
by the second smart card via in a form of an audio signal. The
deduction result information carries the deducted-amount
information and the second smart card's identification information.
Prior to this step, the second smart card has authenticated the
first smart card according to the first smart card's identification
information included in the amount deduction request of step 901,
and completed the deduction according to the amount-to-be-deducted
information included in the deduction request.
[0095] At step 903, the data processing module of the first smart
card authenticates the identification information of the second
smart card. If the authentication is passed, the process proceeds
to step 904. Otherwise, the process terminates.
[0096] At step 904, after the authentication is passed, the data
processing module of the first smart card recharges, to amount
information stored in the storage module of the first smart card,
an amount equal to the deducted-amount included in the deduction
result information.
[0097] In some embodiment, after receiving via its audio input
module deduction result information, the first smart card displays
via its display module the deducted-amount information included in
the deduction result information. The user can confirm, via a
keypad module, the displayed deducted-amount information. After
receiving the user's confirmed operation instruction, the first
smart card recharges itself an equal amount according to the
deducted-amount information.
[0098] The present disclosure also provides a communication system
comprising a smart card and an external device. The smart card
communicates with the external device via an audio signal and/or an
RF signal. The external device can be, but is not limited to, e.g.,
a mobile phone, netbook, tablet PC, card reader device, smart card,
etc.
[0099] In some embodiments, the card reader device comprises a
power-supply module, a trigger module, a data processing module,
and an audio output module. In some embodiments, the card reader
device also comprises a storage module, a power-supply module, an
RF module, etc.
[0100] The process for the card reader device to transmit data via
an audio signal is described below. At a first step, the card
reader device receives a trigger command. The trigger command can
be transmitted either by a user triggering the trigger module
located on a surface of the card reader device, or by the user
through a computer connected with the card reader device. In some
embodiments, prior to receiving the trigger command, the card
reader device is in a low-power operating mode. After receiving the
trigger command, the device switches to a full-operating mode. In
this mode, the device proceeds to a second step till completing a
data transmission process, and then switches back to the low-power
operating mode and enters a next cycle phase.
[0101] At the second step, the card reader device generates data to
be output, and outputs it in a form of an audio signal.
Specifically, a processing sub-module in the data processing module
of the card reader device generates the to-be-output data in a
digital format. An encoding module then encodes the digital data. A
modulation module modulates the encoded data. A digital-to-analog
conversion module converts the modulated digital signal (data) into
an analog signal and outputs it to the audio output module, which
converts the analog signal into an audio signal and transmits the
audio signal. The to-be-output data can be identification
information, amount data, etc. Before encoding the digital data,
the card reader device may encrypt the digital data to enhance the
security of data transmission.
[0102] In some embodiments, the card reader device receives data
via an audio signal, as further described below. At a first step,
the card reader device receives an external audio signal. In some
embodiments, an audio input module of the card reader device
receives the external audio signal. Prior to receiving the external
audio signal, the card reader device is in a low-power operating
mode. After receiving the signal, it switches to a full-speed
operating mode. In this mode, the device proceeds to a second step
till completing a data receiving process, and then switches back to
the low-power operating mode and enter a next cycle phase.
[0103] At the second step, the card reader device processes the
received audio signal. Specifically, an amplification module in the
data processing module of the card reader device amplifies the
audio signal received by the audio input module. A filtering module
filters the amplified signal. An analog-to-digital conversion
module converts the filtered signal into a digital signal. A
modulation module modulates the digital signal, and a decoding
module decodes the demodulated signal. A processing sub-module
processes the decoded data. The processing includes verifying or
authenticating identification information, and confirming,
recharging, and/or deducting a monetary amount included in the
data, etc. If the data is encrypted by the sender, then it needs to
be decrypted after the decoding.
[0104] The illustrated configuration of the smart card described in
this disclosure is exemplary only, and can be modified to provide
discrete elements or combine multiple elements into a single one,
and be provided as any combination of hardware and software
components. The smart card described by this disclosure possesses
communication functions, and can be used for anti-counterfeiting,
identity recognition or authentication, etc. Also, the smart card's
audio signal is not easily affected by metal materials and the
surrounding environment. The smart card can be made using metal
casing, resulting in a beautiful appearance, a superior quality,
and innovative and unique features. Therefore, it can stimulate
market consumption, and be applicable in special scenes.
[0105] Furthermore, the smart card disclosed herein also possesses
functions such as encryption, decryption, authentication,
certification, and so on, ensuring the safety of audio
communication. It also includes RF communication, keyboard
inputting, display, and other functions. Among them, the RF
communication function expands communication methods of the smart
card, satisfying users' different application needs. The keyboard
inputting and display functions realize interactions between users
and the smart card, enabling the users to directly input and check
information on the smart card. Moreover, the smart card also
includes a power-supply module, ensuring a normal operation of the
smart card at any time. Further, the smart card can include a
trigger module to control starting or stopping the smart card, and
to facilitate the users to start or activate the smart card when
needed and turn off the smart card when not needed.
[0106] It will now be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the
art that methods disclosed herein can be altered to modify steps,
delete steps, or include additional steps. In addition, the methods
disclosed herein may be implemented as a computer program product,
i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in a non-transitory
information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage device, or
a tangible non-transitory computer-readable medium, for execution
by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus,
e.g., a programmable processor, a computing device, or multiple
computing device. A computer program may be written in any form of
programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages,
and it may be deployed in any form, including as a standalone
program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit
suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may
be deployed to be executed on one computing device or on multiple
computing devices at one site or distributed across multiple sites
and interconnected by a communication network.
[0107] A portion or all of the methods disclosed herein may also be
implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a
field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a complex programmable logic
device (CPLD), a printed circuit board (PCB), a digital signal
processor (DSP), a combination of programmable logic components and
programmable interconnects, a single central processing unit (CPU)
chip, a CPU chip combined on a motherboard, a general purpose
computer, or any other combination of devices or modules capable of
performing the methods disclosed herein.
[0108] In the preceding specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. It
will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes
may be made without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The
specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded as
illustrative rather than restrictive. Other embodiments of the
invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art from
consideration of the specification and practice of the invention
disclosed herein.
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