JP2002325122A - Communication module and communication device provided with the communication module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication such as a mobile phone that can be miniaturized even when the communication device is equipped with an IC card function. SOLUTION: Since an IC chip 12 having the IC card function, an antenna 14 and an antenna connection circuit 16 interconnecting the IC chip 12 and the antenna 14 are mounted on a mount board 18 for integration as a communication module 1, the communication module 1 can be miniaturized and the mobile phone 40 can be made small in size even when the communication module 1 is mounted on the mobile phone 40.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an IC for a portable terminal.
Regarding the implementation of card functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There has been an attempt to mount a non-contact type IC card (including a read / write function) function, which has been standardized in ISO14443 or the like, on a mobile phone. It is necessary to mount an IC chip for realizing a contactless IC card function and an antenna for the IC chip to communicate with an external R / W or the like in a mobile phone.

[0003]

However, today's portable telephones are required to be small. Therefore, mounting an IC chip and an antenna on a mobile phone goes against the demand for miniaturization.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reduce the size of a communication device when the IC card function is mounted on a communication device such as a mobile phone.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a communication module. A communication module according to the present invention includes an external communication unit, an antenna, an antenna connection unit, and a mounting member.

[0006] The external communication means communicates with an external communication target. The antenna sends or receives a communication electromagnetic wave corresponding to the communication content of the external communication means to or from the communication target. The antenna connecting means connects the external communication means and the antenna. The mounting member is provided with an external communication unit, an antenna, and an antenna connection unit. That is, the external communication means, the antenna, and the antenna connection means are provided on a common mounting member.

According to the invention configured as described above, since the external communication means, the antenna, and the antenna connection means are provided on the common mounting member, the size of the communication module can be reduced.

[0008] The present invention preferably further comprises a shield member for blocking electromagnetic waves. Unnecessary electromagnetic waves to the antenna can be blocked by the shield member, and adverse effects on communication can be prevented. Here, it is preferable that the shield member is arranged to face the mounting member. Since the antenna and the shield member face each other, unnecessary electromagnetic waves to the antenna can be efficiently blocked.

[0009] Preferably, the present invention further comprises a coupling means for coupling with another device. The communication module can be securely coupled to another communication device, such as a mobile phone.

[0010] Further, the present invention relates to a communication device provided with a communication module. In this communication device, the communication module is detachable. Since the communication module can be exchanged, it is convenient for repair and adjustment.

In the communication device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the communication module protrudes from the surface of the communication device. Since the communication module protrudes from the surface of the communication device, the distance between the antenna and the metal part of the communication device can be increased by the protruding length. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the antenna from adversely affecting communication.

[0012] In the communication device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the surface of the antenna is further covered with a flexible material. The protruding communication module may cause the antenna to suddenly hit an object,
Because the surface of the antenna is covered with a flexible material,
The antenna can be prevented from being damaged.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a rear view (FIG. 1A) and a side view (FIG. 1) of a communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
(B)). The communication module 1 includes a package case 11, an IC chip (external communication means) 12, an antenna 14, an antenna connection circuit 16, a mounting board 18, a connector (coupling means) 19, a shield member 20, and a rubber member 3.
0 is provided.

The package case 11 includes a mounting substrate 18.
This is the case for protecting

An IC chip (external communication means) 12 is a communication target outside the communication module 1, for example, R / W
(Read / Write), for communicating with a card or the like. The IC chip (external communication means) 12
It is preferable to provide the function of a non-contact IC card standardized in accordance with ISO14443 or the like. The IC chip (external communication means) 12 may have a function other than communication with an external communication target. The IC chip (external communication means) 12 is arranged on a mounting board 18.

The antenna 14 transmits an electromagnetic wave for communication corresponding to the communication content of the IC chip 12 to an external communication object (R
/ W (Read / Write), card, etc.) or receive from an external communication target (R / W (Read / Write), card, etc.). The antenna 14 is mounted on the mounting substrate 18 as a printed pattern. The antenna 14 is used for communication at a communication distance of about several centimeters, and needs to be held over or lightly touching an external communication target.

The antenna connection circuit 16 includes the IC chip 12
And a circuit for connecting the antenna 14. The antenna connection circuit 16 is mounted on a mounting board 18.

The mounting board 18 is a board for integrating the IC chip 12, the antenna 14, and the antenna connection circuit 16. That is, the IC chip 12, the antenna 1
4 and the antenna connection circuit 16 are mounted on a mounting substrate 18.

The connector (coupling means) 19 is for coupling the communication module 1 to a portable telephone 40 described later. Power supplied from the mobile phone 40 via the connector (coupling means) 19 may be supplied. Data and control signals may be exchanged with a control unit (CPU) in the mobile phone 40 via the connector (coupling means) 19.

The shield member 20 is for blocking electromagnetic waves. The shield member 20 is an applied conductive paint or a metal plate. The shield member 20 is provided to face the mounting substrate 18. Thus, unnecessary electromagnetic waves to the antenna 14 on the mounting board 18 can be blocked. In particular, when the communication module 1 is coupled to a mobile phone 40 described later, the electromagnetic wave by the metal part of the mobile phone 40 can be blocked. As a result, mutual interference (effect) with the mobile phone 40 can be minimized.

The rubber member 30 is a flexible material that covers the surface of the antenna 14. The material is rubber (rubber). However, soft resin having cushioning properties may be used. In addition, as a method of forming the rubber member 30, it is conceivable to attach a rubber-based label seal. However, a part or the whole of the package case 11 may be sealed with a rubber-based resin or the like.

FIG. 2 is a rear view (FIG. 2A) and a side view (FIG. 2B) of the communication module 1 and the like in a state where the communication module 1 is mounted on the portable telephone 40. However, in FIG. 2A, a back surface 50b of a first housing 50 of the mobile phone 40, which will be described later, is removed. The communication module 1 can be mounted on the mobile phone 40 and used. However, the communication module 1 can be mounted not only on a mobile phone but also on a mobile terminal such as a PDA.

The mobile phone 40 has a first housing 50 and a second housing 60. The first housing 50 includes the ear receiver 5
2, an LCD panel 54, a relay board 56, and a connector 58 are provided.

The ear receiver 52 is for the user of the portable telephone to listen to the sound by putting his / her ear and has a metal. The LCD panel 54 is a panel for displaying characters, images, and the like to a mobile phone user, and has metal.
The ear receiver 52 and the LCD panel 54 are arranged on the surface of the first housing 10.

The relay board 56 relays the power from the power supply and the control signal from the control unit, and
This is a substrate for distribution to the D panel 54 and the communication module 1. The relay board 56 is built in the first housing 50. The connector 58 is a connector for connecting the relay board 56 and the connector 19 of the communication module 1.

The second housing 60 is connected to the first housing 50 and has an antenna 62. The antenna 62 is an antenna for performing communication as a mobile phone.

The communication module 1 is inserted into the first housing 50 from the upper surface 50a of the first housing 50 by being moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. At this time, the connector 19 of the communication module 1 and the connector 58 of the first housing 50 are connected. The communication module 1 protrudes from the back surface 50b of the first housing 50. Note that the arrow direction shown in FIG. 2 is an example of the insertion direction, and insertion from another direction or insertion from the back surface 50b or the like is also conceivable. Also,
The communication module 1 can be detached from the mobile phone 40 by moving it in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.

Here, FIG. 3 shows the upper surface 50 of the first housing 50.
3A and a rear view (FIG.
(B)) and a sectional view (FIG. 3 (c)). First case 50
There is a notch 50c in the upper surface 50a of the communication device 1 so that the communication module 1 can be inserted. The notch 50c also extends to the back surface 50b (see FIG. 3B), and the communication module 1 projects from that portion.

FIG. 4 is a rear view (FIG. 4A) and a side view (FIG. 4B) of the communication module 1 and the like in a state where the communication module 1 is mounted on the portable telephone 40. The communication module 1 protrudes from the back surface 50b of the first housing 50. The distance d between the communication module 1 and the ear receiver 52 and the LCD panel 54 can be increased by the protruding length t.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, the communication module 1 is connected to the first housing 50.
Is inserted into the notch 50c provided on the upper surface 50a.
That is, the communication module 1 is separate from the mobile phone 40. Therefore, the adjustment of the matching of the antenna 14 of the communication module 1 can be performed without being affected by the metal part (the ear receiver 52, the LCD panel 54, and the like) of the mobile phone 40, so that the adjustment can be easily performed.

At this time, the connector 19 of the communication module 1 and the connector 58 of the first housing 50 are connected.
The communication module 1 is provided on the back surface 50 of the first housing 50.
b. Further, the shield member 20 is disposed between the antenna 14 and the ear receiver 52 and the LCD panel 54. Thus, unnecessary electromagnetic waves from the ear receiver 52 and the LCD panel 54 can be prevented from entering the antenna 14.

When the portable telephone 40 functions as a non-contact IC card, the antenna 14 is held over an external R / W and an external card over a distance of several cm to several tens of cm or is lightly touched. At this time, the communication module 1 is
The position of the antenna 14 is easy to understand because it protrudes from the back surface of the zero.

Here, the communication module 1 is the first housing 5
0 protruding from the back surface of the external R
/ W etc. may be unexpectedly hit. As a result, a shock is applied to the mobile phone 40 to cause a failure. Or, it damages a clean surface, especially like a modern mobile phone. However, since the surface of the antenna 14 is covered with the rubber member 30, it can withstand an impact and can be prevented from being damaged.

By holding the antenna 14 over an external R / W or the like, the IC chip 12 communicates with the external R / W or the like. At this time, if there is metal near the antenna 14, communication will be adversely affected. The portion of the mobile phone having the metal includes, for example, the ear receiver 52 and the LCD panel 5.
4.

Here, the communication module 1 is the first housing 5
0, the distance d between the communication module 1 and the ear receiver 52 and the LCD panel 54 can be increased. As in the comparative example shown in FIG. 5, the case where the communication module 1 is completely incorporated in the first housing 50 is compared with the case of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. In the comparative example shown in FIG. 5, the distance d between the communication module 1 and the ear receiver 52 or the like is reduced by the thickness of the communication module 1. In FIG. 4, the distance d can be increased by the length t by which the communication module 1 protrudes.

When the communication module 1 breaks down, the communication module 1 can be taken out of the portable telephone 40. This facilitates repair of the communication module 1.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the IC chip 1
2. Since the antenna 14 and the antenna connection circuit 16 are mounted on the mounting board 18, the communication module 1 can be downsized.

The shield member 20 is mounted on the mounting substrate 1.
8 are provided facing each other. Thereby, when communication module 1 is attached to mobile phone 40, shield member 20 is arranged between antenna 14, ear receiver 52 and LCD panel 54. Therefore, the ear receiver 52 and the LC
Unnecessary electromagnetic waves from the D panel 54 can be prevented from entering.

Since the mobile phone 40 has metal parts such as the ear receiver 52 and the LCD panel 54, it is difficult to adjust the matching of the antenna 14 when the mobile phone 40 and the antenna 14 are integrated. It is. However, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the communication module 1 can be attached to the mobile phone 40 by inserting or fitting. Therefore, the communication module 1
Since the antenna 14 can be attached to the mobile phone 40 after adjustment such as matching of the antenna 14, the communication module 1
Adjustment is easy.

Further, in the case where the mobile phone 40 and the antenna 14 are integrated, the repair and replacement in the event of a failure must be handled by the mobile phone 40, and the inconvenience that cannot be used during repair or the cost of replacement. Will produce high. However, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the communication module 1 can be removed from the mobile phone 40. Therefore, repair, replacement, etc. of the communication module 1 are easy.

In addition, the communication module 1 is the first housing 5
0, the distance d between the communication module 1 and the ear receiver 52 and the LCD panel 54 can be increased. Therefore, the thickness of the mobile phone 40 can be reduced.

Here, since the communication module 1 protrudes, there is a possibility that the communication module 1 may unexpectedly hit an external R / W or the like. However, the rubber member 3
Since the number 0 covers the surface of the antenna 14, the mobile phone 40 can withstand an impact and can prevent the surface from being damaged.

[0045]

According to the present invention, since the external communication means, the antenna and the antenna connection means are provided on the common mounting member, the size of the communication module can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view (FIG. 1A) and a side view (FIG. 1B) of a communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the communication module 1 and the like in a state where the communication module 1 is mounted on the mobile phone 40 (FIG. 2);
(A)) and a side view (FIG. 2 (b)).

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the vicinity of an upper surface 50a of the first housing 50 (FIG. 3);
(A)), rear view (FIG. 3 (b)), cross-sectional view (FIG.
(C)).

4 is a rear view of the communication module 1 and the like in a state where the communication module 1 is mounted on the mobile phone 40 (FIG. 4).
(A)) and a side view (FIG. 4 (b)).

FIG. 5 is a side view of a comparative example for comparison with the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication module 11 Package case 12 IC chip (external communication means) 14 Antenna 16 Antenna connection circuit 18 Mounting board 19 Connector (coupling means) 20 Shield member 30 Rubber member 40 Mobile phone

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 7/32 G06K 19/00 Q 5K067 F term (Reference) 2C005 MA33 MB05 NA04 NB03 NB11 5B035 BA03 BB09 BC00 CA01 CA23 5J046 AA13 QA01 QA02 5J047 AA00 AB06 AB11 FD01 5K023 AA07 BB03 BB28 DD08 LL01 LL05 PP01 PP11 QQ00 RR08 5K067 BB04 EE35 GG01 GG11 KK01 KK17

Claims (7)

[Claims] An external communication means for communicating with an external communication target; an antenna for transmitting or receiving a communication electromagnetic wave corresponding to the communication content of the external communication means to or from the communication target; A communication module comprising: a communication unit and an antenna connection unit that connects the antenna; and the external communication unit, the antenna, and the antenna connection unit are provided on a common mounting member. 2. The communication module according to claim 1, further comprising a shield member for blocking electromagnetic waves. 3. The communication module according to claim 2, wherein the shield member is arranged to face the mounting member. 4. The communication module according to claim 1, further comprising coupling means for coupling with another device. 5. A communication device comprising the communication module according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is detachable. 6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the communication module protrudes from a surface of the communication device. 7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein a surface of the antenna is covered with a flexible material.