Microcomputer PC-cards
US5875480A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1992 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2107
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to exchangeable memory or PC-cards with several integrated circuits for personal computers. These PC-cards are used as a large capacity mass memory for replacing floppy disks and other exchangeable magnetic supports. To protect the content of these PC-cards against unauthorized use, the invention proposes the incorporation into the card (CC) of a specific security integrated circuit chip (MPS), which performs a clearance function for access to the memory chips (MEM). A microcontroller (MPC) also placed in the card comnunicates with the computer and with the security circuit. It makes the security chip validate a confidential code introduced from the computer, whilst also supplying memory chip control signals as a function of the validation result.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.