WO1998016908A1

WO1998016908A1 - System comprising a computer and a number of portable terminals for a smart card, as well as a terminal to be used in this system

Info

Publication number: WO1998016908A1
Application number: PCT/NL1997/000554
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adrianus Cornelis Van Dijk; Antonius Johannes Sengers; Lambertus Snel
Original assignee: Datelnet Intellectual Property B.V.
Priority date: 1996-10-11
Filing date: 1997-10-06
Publication date: 1998-04-23
Also published as: EP1012798A1; NL1004249C2; AU4474297A; AU720416B2; IL129152A; IL129152A0

Abstract

A system comprises a computer and at least one portable terminal for a smart card. The terminal is provided with a housing having an insert slot for a smart card, a microprocessor, a memory, a display, a keypad, and a connector for a connecting line for connecting the terminal to the computer. Each terminal comprises means for establishing a connection with the computer via the connecting line, and the computer comprises means for communication with the smart card in the terminal.

Description

System comprising a computer and a number of portable terminals for a smart card, as well as a terminal to be used in this system.

The invention relates to a system comprising a computer and at least one portable terminal for a smart card, which terminal is provided with a housing having an insert slot for a smart card, a microprocessor, a memory, a display, a keypad, and a connector for a connecting line for connecting the terminal to the computer, as well as to a portable terminal to be used in such a system.

The introduction on a large scale of the smart card comprising a pay function, which is usually referred to as "chipknip" in the Netherlands, also requires the availability of a system in which the "chipknip" can easily be loaded. Recently special telephones for loading the "chipknip", the so-called "smart phones" were inter alia introduced on the market, by means of which the user can load an amount to his "chipknip" at home by calling a special telephone number. These known telephones, which function as terminals for the smart card, comprise a microprocessor and a memory, with the control program for communication with the smart card being stored in this memory. Because of this arrangement the known system, or the known terminal, is not very flexible, and it is difficult, if not altogether impossible, to add new functions to the smart card in a simple manner or to introduce new types of smart cards which can be used in combination with the existing terminals. Such changes would require replacement or drastic modification of the terminals.

The object of the invention is to provide a system and a terminal of the above-mentioned kind, wherein modifications and extensions can be made in a simple and efficient manner and wherein the range of applications of the terminal has been considerably increased. In order to accomplish that objective the invention provides a system of the above-mentioned kind, wherein each terminal comprises means for establishing a connection with the computer via the connecting line, and wherein the computer comprises means for communication with the smart card in the terminal .

The invention furthermore provides a portable terminal for such a system, which comprises a housing having an insert slot for a smart card, a microprocessor, a memory, a display, a keypad, and a connector for a connecting line for connecting the terminal to a computer either directly or via a telephone connection, wherein said terminal comprises means for establishing a connection with the computer via said connecting line. Since the terminal only establishes the connection with the computer with the system and the terminal according to the invention, whilst the control programme for the communication with the smart card is stored in the computer, a simple adaptation to a new function of the smart card or to a new type of smart card can be made by means of a modification of said control programme. With the system according to the invention the existing terminals, which are widely spread among users, need not be replaced in case of a modification or a change of the type of smart card. According to one preferred embodiment the microprocessor is arranged for loading an amount into the smart card, wherein the loading of an amount is started by inputting a load command via the keypad, wherein the microprocessor first asks for a PIN code to be input upon receiving a load command, after which the input PIN code is verified by the smart card, and if the PIN code has been found correct, the microprocessor asks what amount is to be loaded, wherein the microprocessor, once the amount has been input, activates said means for establishing a telephone connection with the computer via the connecting line, and wherein the loading of the amount takes place under the control of the communication means of the computer. To a limited extent the terminal has an independent function in this loading operation, which extends to the verification of the PIN code and the inputting of a desired amount. All other actions take place under the control of the communica- tion means of the computer.

According to another preferred embodiment the terminal may also function as a card reader, because the terminal comprises means for functioning as a card reader, which card reader means are activated by inputting a card reader command via the keypad, wherein the card reader means verify if there is a connection with a communication port of a computer upon receiving a card reader command, whereby the communication between the smart card and the computer takes place under the control of the communication means of the computer if such a connection indeed exists. In that case the terminal only needs to verify whether there is a connection with a communication port of a computer. All further actions take place under the control of the communication means of the computer. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, which schematically shows embodiments of the system and the terminal according to the invention.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the terminal according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the terminal of Figure. 1.

Fig. 3 is a strongly simplified block diagram of an embodiment of the system according to the invention. Figs. 1 and 2 show a portable terminal 1, which comprises a housing 2 having a insert slot 3 for a smart card 4 (shown outside housing 2) comprising a pay function, which is known by the name "chipknip" in the Netherlands. Terminal 1 furthermore comprises a microprocessor 5 (dia- grammatically indicated in Fig. 3) , a memory 6, a display 7 and a keypad 8, which comprises the usual numeric keys and four function keys in the illustrated embodiment . Terminal 1 finally comprises a connector 9 for a connecting line 10 (partially shown in the drawing) , by means of which terminal 1 or microprocessor 5 can be connected to a computer 11 (only very diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 3) . As is apparent from Figs. 1 and 2, housing 2 is made in the shape of a flat, substantially rectangular box, whose area approximately corresponds with the area of smart card 4. Insert slot 3 is positioned in the right-hand short side (seen in Fig. 1) of the housing and connects to a space 12, which extends over at least substantially the entire area of housing 2. This makes it possible to use terminal 1 also as a storage unit for the smart card. Its small dimensions make it easy for the user to take along terminal 1, and this feature and the availability of a suitable battery supply enable him to use it at any desired moment and location.

When smart card 4 is completely inserted into housing 2, the contact surfaces of the smart card which are shown in Fig. 1 make contact with a smart card connector (not shown), which is mounted inside housing 2.

Microprocessor 5 then verifies whether smart card 4 comprises a pay function, that is, whether it is a "chipknip" . If smart card 4 does not comprise a pay function, microprocessor 5 will verify whether smart card 4 is authorized for telebanking functions. If the inserted smart card 4 is not a "chipknip" and is not authorized for telebanking either, microprocessor 5 will automatically have terminal 1 function as a card reader in the present embodiment, which function will be described in more detail yet hereafter.

If smart card 4 is a "chipknip", the balance and the last five mutations of the balance can be displayed on display 7 by operating the function keys on keypad 8. Furthermore the user can block the "chipknip", if desired, so that third parties cannot make payments with the

"chipknip" any more . The rightful user can unblock smart card 4 by inputting his or her PIN code, so that payments can be made again.

An important function of the described terminal 1 is the loading of an amount to the smart card 4 inserted in housing 2. This function can also be selected via one of the function keys. This function can only be performed if a telephone connection with a bank computer is established. The user will first have to connect a telephone connecting line 10 comprising a standard telephone connector to connector 9, therefore.

When the loading function is selected, this means in fact that a loading command is given to microprocessor 5 via keypad 8, whereupon the microprocessor asks the user, via a suitable message on display 7, to input the PIN code. As usual the PIN code is a four-digit number, which can be input via keypad 8. Smart card 4 verifies the PIN code, and if this is found to be correct microprocessor 5 asks the user, via a message on display 7, to input a desired amount. Microprocessor 5 compares the amount which has been input via keypad 8 with a maximum value and with a minimum value. The minimum value is an amount of for example Hf1. 25. The maximum amount is determined on the basis of the maximum amount allowed for the smart card 4 in question and the balance on the smart card. If the desired amount does not fall within the allowed range of values, microprocessor 5 will display an error message on display 7. If the desired amount does fall within the allowed range of maximum and minimum amounts, microprocessor 5 will activate means for establishing a connection with a computer of a bank. Microprocessor 5 functions as a modem thereby, for example in accordance with modem standard V21, and dials a telephone number which is stored in memory 6. If microprocessor 5 does not receive a dialling tone, it will display the message NO DIALLING TONE on display 7. If microprocessor 5 does receive a dialling tone, it will dial the number stored in memory 6. If the microprocessor does not receive a response from computer 11, it will break the connection and report on Ld CO to to H H

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If terminal 1 functions as a card reader, the user will of course have to connect a connecting line 10 to connector 9, which is at the other end connected to the parallel port of a computer 11. Microprocessor 5 verifies whether such a connection exists, and if this is not the case, it will display an error message on display 7. If a connection with a parallel port of a computer does exist, the communication between computer 11 and smart card 4 is also in this case fully controlled by the control programs provided in computer 11 for this purpose. Computer 11 may first determine what type of smart card 4 is present in terminal 1, by supplying a reset command to smart card 4. Computer 11 is capable of determining the type of smart card on the basis of the response from smart card 4, and select a corresponding communication protocol for the further communication from the available control programs. Also in this case terminal 1 has the advantage of being present in a fully transparent manner between smart card 4 and computer 11. Another advantage of using the above-described terminal 1 as a card reader is the fact that the PIN code, which must normally be input via the keyboard of the computer, can be input via keypad 8 of terminal 1 in order to gain access to computer 11. Computer 11 sends a PIN verification command to terminal 1, whereby microprocessor 5 detects the receipt of said verification command. Microprocessor 5 then asks the user, via display 7, to input the PIN code, after which verification of the PIN code by smart card 4 will take place. Then microprocessor 5 sends the result of this PIN code verification to computer 11 via connecting line 10. This makes it impossible to tap the PIN code from connecting line 10, from computer 11 or from the network of which computer 11 forms part.

When a smart card 4 comprising a telebanking function is inserted, the above-described terminal 1 may furthermore be used for identifying the user. As a result of this measure it is no longer necessary to use separate apparatus for the identification function, as has been usual so far. The identification function of terminal 1 can be selected via the function keys of keypad 8. Usually a number is displayed on the screen of a computer user for telebanking, which number must be input on keypad 8 of terminal 1. This number is supplied to smart card 4 by microprocessor 5, which generates a reply code in response to this number, which code is shown on display 7. Said reply code can then be input via the keyboard of the computer. It is also possible, of course, to use the identification code when telebanking via a telephone connection or via the Internet .

Alternatively it is also possible to have terminal 1 establish a direct telephone connection with the bank computer via connecting line 10, and have the identification function carried out automatically, for example after the PIN code has been input .

It is noted that if a connection between terminal 1 and bank computer 11 exists, the bank computer may also write one or more new telephone numbers into memory 6, which numbers must be used when carrying out a next loading function. The bank computer 11 may also display certain messages for the user on display 7 of terminal 1, if necessary. Furthermore it is noted that terminal 1 may also be arranged such that a connection can be selectively established with one of a series of different computers 11, depending on the type of transaction a user wishes to make. The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, which can be varied in several ways within the scope of the claims.

Claims

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