PNY Technologies, Inc.
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`EXHIBIT 1003
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`PNY Exhibit 1003
`Inter Partes Review of
`US Patent No. 7,518,879
`
`

`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0259423 A1
`Elbaz et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Dec. 23, 2004
`
`US 20040259423A1
`
`(54) DONGLE WHICH IS INTENDED TO BE
`CONNECTED TO A PORT OF A
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`
`Sep. 24, 2001
`
`(FR) .......................................... .. 01 12276
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Didier Elbaz, Marseille (FR); Francois
`Moutel, Saint Zacharie (FR)
`
`Correspondence Address;
`BURNS DOANE SWECKER & MATHIS L L P
`POST OFFICE BOX 1404
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 223134404 (US)
`
`(21) Appr No‘;
`
`10/490,414
`
`(22) PCT Filed;
`
`Sep_ 24, 2002
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/FR02/03247
`
`P1lb1iC3ti0I1 C13SSifiC3ti0Il
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. H01R 24/00
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`............................................................ .. 439/660
`
`.
`.
`.
`ABSTRACT
`.
`(57)
`Adongle 1S.f0I‘II1Cd by a module having an integrated circuit
`chip Wh1Ch 1S connected to Contact pads Wh1Ch are flush with
`the surface of the module. The dongle is intended to be
`connected to a port of a telecommunications device, having
`electric connecting pins. The Contact pads correspond to the
`electric connecting pins in such a Way that the pads can be
`directly connected to the pins.
`
`PNY EXHIBIT ‘I003
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 23, 2004 Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 2004/0259423 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Dec 23 2004 Sh- »
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`eet 2 of 4
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`US 2004/0259423 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 23, 2004 Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 2004/0259423 A1
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`33
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`28
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 23, 2004 Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2004/0259423 A1
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`

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`US 2004/0259423 A1
`
`Dec. 23, 2004
`
`DONGLE WHICH IS INTENDED TO BE
`CONNECTED TO A PORT OF A
`TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`
`[0001] The invention concerns a dongle comprising a
`module comprising an integrated circuit chip connected to
`contact areas flush with the surface of the, said module,
`intended to be connected to a port of a telecommunication
`device.
`
`[0002] The invention also relates to a method of manu-
`facturing the said dongle.
`
`[0003] The field of the invention is that of the protection
`of data, access to the Internet,
`identification, electronic
`commerce, on-line payment, etc, by means of a dongle of the
`USB (from the name of the standard “Universal Serial Bus”
`in English) type connected to a USB-type port of a tele-
`communication device such as a computer or mobile tele-
`phone; the field of application is the same as that of the chip
`card.
`
`to a
`[0004] The user of a USB dongle can connect it
`personal computer, disconnect
`it
`therefrom when for
`example the use of the dongle is no longer necessary to the
`application which he has launched and then put it on his key
`ring in order to connect it subsequently.
`
`[0005] The dimensions and electrical characteristics of the
`USB port and consequently those of the part of the dongle
`which is inserted in the port are standard.
`
`[0006] However, several
`present time.
`
`types of dongle exist at
`
`the
`
`[0007] Amongst these, the dongle described in the patent
`application WO 00/70533 under the name portable reader
`can be cited.
`
`[0008] This portable reader 1 comprises, as indicated in
`FIG. 1, a part 2 for electrical connection to a port of a
`personal computer and an insertion part 4 of a removable
`electronic module 5. The electrical connection part 2, also
`depicted in FIG. 2, has a plastic support element 7 on the
`surface of which four parallel metallised lines forming a
`connector for an electrical connection of the reader 1 to the
`
`port fit flush. A first line 8 is intended for a Vbus current
`supply to the reader, second 9 and third 10 lines are intended
`for communicating digital data to the said reader 1 and a
`fourth line 11 is intended for earthing the reader 1.
`
`[0009] The insertion part 4, more particularly shown in
`FIG. 2, has a connector 12, insertion runners 26 for the
`module 5 and a protective shell 14 enclosed by a cap 15.
`
`[0010] The connector 12 is composed of a set of at least
`four connecting lugs 16, 17, 18 and 19 each electrically
`connected to one of the connection lines 8, 9, 10 and 11 of
`the connection part 2, as depicted in FIG. 3. The other lugs
`20, 21, 22 and 23 are connected or not for example to an
`ISO/USB protocol conversion element 24 and/or to a clock
`element 25.
`
`[0011] The module 5 obtained using a method of manu-
`facturing a chip card 29 and depicted in FIG. 1 is composed
`of a plastic module body 27 in which there is embedded an
`integrated circuit chip connected to contact areas 28 flush
`with the surface of the said module 5 and comprising at least
`four contact areas for supplying current to the chip, com-
`municating digital data and earthing.
`
`[0012] When the reader 1 is connected to the computer
`and the latter is powered up,
`this computer detects the
`presence of the reader 1 and data can be exchanged between
`the chip of the module 5 and the computer via the USB bus
`system, according to the application resident in the chip:
`protection of data, Internet access, identification, electronic
`commerce, on-line payment, etc.
`
`[0013] The cost of manufacturing these dongles is high
`because in particular of the number of elements 2, 5, 12 to
`be manufactured, assembled and electrically connected.
`
`[0014] The purpose of the present invention is therefore to
`propose a dongle which is less expensive to manufacture.
`
`[0015] One object of the invention is a dongle comprising
`a module 5 comprising an integrated circuit chip connected
`by connection means to contact areas 28 flush with the
`surface of the said module, intended to be connected to a
`port of a telecommunication device, the said port comprising
`electrical connection lugs, principally characterised in that
`the said contact areas 28 correspond to the said electrical
`connection lugs so as to be able to be directly connected to
`these lugs.
`
`[0016] The port may be of the USB type.
`
`[0017] The module 5 preferably comprises a module body
`27 with the thickness of a chip card 29.
`
`[0018] According to one characteristic of the invention,
`the dongle comprises a means for making all or part of its
`thickness, in particular at the level of the said contact areas
`28, equal to a thickness determined by the thickness of the
`port.
`
`[0019] The module body 27 having longitudinal edges, the
`said means can be composed of the said longitudinal edges
`having a thickness equal to the said determined thickness.
`
`[0020] The means can also be a lining, possibly made from
`resin, applied to all or part of one of the faces of the module
`5, opposite to that of the contact areas 28 and referred to as
`the bottom face, the lining and the module 5 then having
`together a thickness equal to the said determined thickness.
`
`[0021] Preferentially, the dongle 1 and the module 5 form
`only a single element.
`
`[0022] According to another characteristic of the inven-
`tion, the means is an adaptor able to receive all or part of the
`said module 5.
`
`[0023] The adaptor advantageously comprises means of
`guiding and locking the said module 5 and possibly means
`of positioning the module 5 at a height corresponding to a
`height determined by the thickness of the port.
`
`[0024] Another object of the invention is a method of
`manufacturing a dongle comprising a module comprising an
`integrated circuit chip connected by connection means to
`contact areas flush with the surface of the said module,
`intended to be connected to a port of a telecommunication
`device, the said port comprising electrical connection lugs,
`characterised in that the said module is manufactured using
`a chip-card manufacturing method and in that its contact
`areas correspond to the electrical connection lugs so as to be
`able to be directly connected to the said connection lugs.
`
`[0025] According to one characteristic of the invention,
`the port is of the USB type.
`
`

`
`US 2004/0259423 A1
`
`Dec. 23, 2004
`
`[0026] The port having a given format, and the module
`also comprising a module body, the method may comprise
`the step consisting of cutting out the module body in a
`format compatible with that of the port.
`
`[0027] According to another characteristic of the inven-
`tion,
`the module having longitudinal edges,
`the method
`comprises the step consisting of bending or curving the
`longitudinal edges so that these edges have a thickness equal
`to a thickness determined by the thickness of the port or the
`step consisting of fitting in or thermoforming or overmoul-
`ding a groove on each of the said longitudinal edges so that
`the said edges have a thickness equal to a thickness deter-
`mined by the thickness of the port.
`
`[0028] According to another characteristic of the inven-
`tion, the method comprises the step consisting of depositing
`material on all or part of a face of the said module opposite
`to that of the contact areas so that the module has in whole
`
`or in part a thickness equal to a thickness determined by the
`thickness of the port and the step consisting of inserting the
`said module in an adaptor intended itself to be inserted in the
`said port.
`
`[0029] Other particularities and advantages of the inven-
`tion will emerge clearly from a reading of the description
`given by way of non-limiting example and with regard to the
`accompanying drawings, in which:
`
`[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2, already described, depict schemati-
`cally various elements of a portable reader according to the
`prior art,
`
`[0031] FIG. 3, already described, illustrates schematically
`various electrical connection lines within a portable reader
`according to the prior art,
`
`[0032] FIG. 4 depicts schematically a personal computer
`comprising a USB port in which a dongle is inserted,
`
`[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically a chip card to the
`ISO format intended to become a dongle according to the
`invention,
`
`[0034] FIG. 6 depicts schematically the contact areas of a
`module intended to be connected to a port of the USB type,
`
`[0035] FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c depict respectively a longi-
`tudinal section and a transverse section of a USB port and a
`longitudinal section of the port in which a dongle according
`to the invention is inserted,
`
`[0036] FIGS. 8a and 8b depict schematically a dongle
`obtained according to a first embodiment of the invention,
`seen in perspective from above and below,
`
`[0037] FIG. 9 depicts schematically a dongle obtained
`according to a second embodiment of the invention, seen in
`perspective from above,
`
`[0038] FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c depict schematically vari-
`ous steps of obtaining a dongle according to a third embodi-
`ment of the invention, seen in perspective from above.
`
`In the remainder of the description, the same ref-
`[0039]
`erences are used for designating the same elements as those
`in the figures already described.
`
`[0040] FIG. 4 depicts a personal computer 100 compris-
`ing a USB port 3 in which a dongle 1 according to the
`invention is inserted.
`
`[0041] The dongle 1 according to the invention integrates,
`in a single element, in this case the module 5, the various
`elements constituting this dongle described in the prior art.
`
`[0042] As depicted in FIG. 5, the module 5 is advanta-
`geously cut from a chip card 29 of the contact type to the
`ISO format for example, along a cut 53 reproducing for
`example the shape of a key, the contact areas 28 of the chip
`card 29 being present on the part 51 of the dongle intended
`to be inserted in the port 3, the part 52 consisting of the body
`27 of the card enabling the user of the dongle to manipulate
`it.
`
`[0043] The module 5 is manufactured so that the contact
`areas 28 of the module 5 are disposed in a configuration
`corresponding to the electrical connection lugs of the port
`which is described below. Four contact areas corresponding
`to the connection lugs of a port of the USB type are depicted
`in FIG. 6: one VCC for the current supply, another GND for
`the earth, the other two D— and D+ for the communication
`of the data, in accordance with the USB standard.
`
`[0044] These contact areas are then advantageously sub-
`stituted for the four metallised lines 8, 9, 10 and 11 depicted
`in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and then make the connector 12 and the
`means of connecting this connector to the four metallised
`lines superfluous.
`
`In addition, the current chip cards of the contact
`[0045]
`type such as ISO cards already have certain characteristics
`ensuring for them good resistance to attacks caused by
`frequent usage, such as for example that of a bank card. It
`is then no longer necessary to provide,
`for the dongle
`according to the invention, elements for protecting the
`module such as the elements 6, 14 and 15 depicted in FIG.
`1.
`
`[0046] The dongle 1 according to the invention is finally
`composed only of the module 5. The method of manufac-
`turing such a dongle 1 is then identical to the well-known
`method of manufacturing a chip card and has the advantage
`of eliminating the manufacture and assembly of the majority
`of the elements described in the prior art.
`
`[0047] A port 3 of the USB type in which a dongle
`according to the invention is inserted is depicted in FIG. 7c.
`The port 3 without a dongle will first of all be described.
`
`[0048] Such a port 3 is depicted in FIG. 7a along a
`longitudinal section and FIG. 7b along a transverse section.
`There can also be seen the connection lugs 32 fixed to a
`projecting connection part 31,
`top 33a and bottom 33b
`locking blades intended to lock the dongle in the port 3 when
`it is inserted therein. This locking is of course not definitive
`since the dongle is removable.
`
`[0049] When the dongle according to the invention is
`inserted in the port as depicted in FIG. 7c, the contact areas
`28 of the module are in contact with the connection lugs 32
`of the port and the exchanges between the computer and the
`chip of the module can then take place, via the USB port.
`The bottom locking blades 33b (not shown in FIG. 7c) lock
`the dongle 1 in the inserted position; the top locking blades
`33a are not used.
`
`type
`[0050] The majority of chip cards of the contact
`manufactured at the present time, such as ISO cards, have a
`thickness of approximately 0.8 mm. The thickness of the
`dongle must be approximately 2 mm so that the contact areas
`
`

`
`US 2004/0259423 A1
`
`Dec. 23, 2004
`
`28 of the module can be in contact with the electrical
`
`connection lugs 32 of a port of the USB type when the
`dongle is inserted in the port, as depicted in FIG. 7c.
`
`It is then necessary in this case to develop new
`[0051]
`specific ports of the USB type for dongles of this thickness
`or increase up to the desired thickness the thickness of the
`module or at the very least that of the part 51 which is
`intended to be inserted in the port.
`
`[0052] Several methods can be envisaged.
`
`[0053] As depicted in FIGS. 8a and 8b, a lining 511 can
`be applied to all or part of the bottom face of this part 51 of
`the module, that is to say the face opposite to the one where
`the contact areas 28 lie flush. This lining 511 can for
`example be obtained by the deposition of material,
`this
`material being able to be resin.
`
`[0054] When the lining 511 is applied to all the bottom
`face of the part 51, it preferably has openings 512 intended
`to receive the bottom locking blades 33b of the port.
`
`[0055] However, as depicted in FIG. 9, this lining 511
`may be applied for example only to the longitudinal edges
`513 of this part 51. The bottom locking blades 33b are then
`no longer used; the friction of the dongle 1 in the port 3 may
`suffice to lock the dongle 1 but any other locking means can
`be used.
`
`[0056] The edges 513 of the module can also be curved at
`the part 51 by bending or curving in order to achieve the
`desired thickness.
`
`the edges by
`[0057] A groove can also be added at
`embedding (adhesive bonding),
`thermoforming or over-
`moulding.
`
`[0058] Another method consists of using an adaptor 514
`depicted in FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c, intended to receive the
`module 5 or at the very least the part 51 of the module and
`whose outside dimensions are compatible with the inside
`dimensions of the port: the adaptor can for example take the
`outside dimensions of the part 6 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`
`[0059] More precisely, FIG. 10a shows the adaptor 514 in
`which the module 5 has not yet been inserted, FIG. 10b the
`adaptor 514 in which the module 5 is in the course of being
`inserted and FIG. 10c the adaptor 514 in which the module
`5 is inserted.
`
`[0060] The adaptor 514 comprises means 515 of guiding
`the module 5 or the part 51 of the module, consisting for
`example of ribs situated on the sides, and means (not shown)
`of locking the module 5 or the part 51,
`in the inserted
`position in the adaptor, consisting for example of a stop
`disposed at
`the bottom of the connector. These locking
`means do not necessarily lock the module in the adaptor
`definitively; the module is preferably removable in order
`possibly to be replaced by another module.
`
`It also comprises means 516 for raising the module
`[0061]
`5 or the part 51 so that the contact areas 28 are in contact
`with the connection lugs 32 when the dongle 1 consisting of
`the adaptor plus module assembly is inserted in the port 3:
`these means 516 can be ribs situated at the base of the
`
`connector 514 or on the sides and thus cooperate with the
`guidance means 515. The guidance means 515 of the module
`then also ensure the positioning of the module at the correct
`height.
`
`[0062] The ribs can be obtained by bending, pressing,
`punching etc.
`
`[0063] The adaptor 514 can also comprise top and/or
`bottom openings 512 (not visible in these plan views)
`intended to receive the locking blades 33a and/or 33b when
`it is inserted in the port 3.
`
`[0064] This adaptor also provides additional protection for
`the module.
`
`It may also provide additional protection for a
`[0065]
`module having the required thickness such as those depicted
`in FIGS. 8a and 9, then not requiring to be raised; in this
`case,
`the adaptor does not comprise any means 516 for
`raising the module.
`
`In the chip card technology used by the invention,
`[0066]
`the devices with an integrated circuit chip or module accord-
`ing to the invention use, as starting components, components
`in accordance with all or part of ISO 7816 or the standard for
`SIM minicards or even the cards of the next generation.
`Thus, for example, according to the 7816 standard, the card
`body is a rectangular body having fiat top and bottom faces
`and whose thickness is equal to 0.76 mm; the contact areas
`are at the same level as the top face of the card body.
`According to the standard the tolerance in level
`is for
`example 50 gm;
`the integrated circuit chip is situated
`vertically level with the contact areas to which it is electri-
`cally connected; it forms part of a micromodule which is
`then embedded in a cavity of a card body obtained generally
`by injection moulding or lamination.
`
`[0067] The micromodule generally comprises a dielectric
`support film carrying on one side contact areas and on the
`other, vertically in line with the contact areas, the integrated
`circuit chip. A drop of protective resin generally coats the
`integrated circuit chip and its connections to the contact
`areas. The micromodule is fixed in the cavity in particular by
`adhesive bonding by means in particular of an adhesive film
`or drops of adhesive. The cavity receiving the micromodule
`is generally in two stages, one for receiving the dielectric
`and the contact areas, the other for receiving the integrated
`circuit chip.
`
`To obtain the device of the invention, the body is
`[0068]
`then adapted to the format of the port envisaged to allow its
`insertion and electrical connection by direct physical contact
`of the contact areas with the port connectors. The adaptation
`can be made either via a shape adaptor or by creating linings
`on certain parts of the body, in particular on certain parts of
`the bottom face of the body, the linings can be formed in
`particular by deformation of the body or by adding material
`to certain parts of the body.
`
`[0069] The device of the invention therefore preferably
`comprises, for reasons of cost,
`the most possible of the
`characteristics of the above chip card components.
`
`1. Adongle a comprising a module including an integrated
`circuit chip connected to contact areas flush with the surface
`of said module, for connection to a port of a telecommuni-
`cation device, said port having electrical connection lugs,
`wherein said contact areas correspond to said electrical
`connection lugs so as to be able to be directly connected to
`said lugs.
`2. Adongle according to claim 1, wherein the port is of the
`USB type.
`
`

`
`US 2004/0259423 A1
`
`Dec. 23, 2004
`
`3. A dongle according to claim 1, wherein the module
`includes a module body with the thickness of a standardized
`chip card.
`4. A dongle according to claim 1, further comprising
`means for making all or part of the thickness of said dongle
`equal to a thickness determined by the thickness of the port.
`5. A dongle according to claim 4, wherein said means
`provides said determined thickness at said contact areas.
`6. A dongle according to claim 4, wherein the module
`comprises a module body having longitudinal edges, and
`wherein said means is formed by said longitudinal edges
`having a thickness equal to said determined thickness.
`7. A dongle according to claim 4, wherein said means is
`a lining applied to all or part of one of the faces of the
`module, opposite to that of the contact areas, said lining and
`said module having together a thickness equal
`to said
`determined thickness.
`
`8. A dongle according to claim 7, wherein said lining is
`composed of resin.
`9. A dongle (1) according to claim 4, wherein the dongle
`and the module are integrated in a single element.
`10. A dongle according to claim 4, wherein said means is
`an adaptor able to receive all or part of said module.
`11. A dongle according to claim 10, wherein said adaptor
`comprises means for guiding said module and means for
`locking said module.
`12. A dongle according to claim 11, wherein the adaptor
`comprises means for positioning the module at a height
`corresponding to a height determined by the thickness of the
`port.
`13. A method of manufacturing a dongle comprising a
`module having an integrated circuit chip connected to con-
`
`tact areas flush with the surface of said module, for connec-
`tion to a port of a telecommunication device, said port
`having electrical connection lugs, comprising the steps of
`manufacturing a chip card so that its contact areas corre-
`spond to the positions of the electrical connection lugs so as
`to be able to be directly connected to said connection lugs.
`14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the port is
`of the USB type.
`15. Amethod according to claim 13, wherein the port has
`a determined format, and the module includes a module
`body, further comprising the step of cutting said module
`body according to a format compatible with that of said port.
`16. A method according to claim 13, wherein the module
`has longitudinal edges and said method comprises the step
`of bending or curving said longitudinal edges so that said
`edges have a thickness equal to a thickness determined by
`the thickness of the port.
`17. A method according to claim 13, wherein the module
`has longitudinal edges and said method comprises the step
`of forming a groove on each of said longitudinal edges so
`that said edges have a thickness equal to a thickness deter-
`mined by the thickness of the port.
`18. A method according to claim 13, further including the
`step of depositing material over all or part of a face of said
`module opposite to that of the contact areas so that the
`module has in whole or in part a thickness equal
`to a
`thickness determined by the thickness of the port.
`19. A method according to claim 13, further including the
`step of inserting said module in an adaptor to be inserted in
`said port.