JP2005117116A - Portable communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable communication device capable of preventing a third party from performing unauthorized use of a non-contact IC card function when the portable communication device with the non-contact IC card function is lost. <P>SOLUTION: The portable communication device is provided with a non-contact communication section for performing non-contact communication with an external reader/writer 4, and a communication control unit for controlling this non-contact communication section. The communication device is also provided with a power supply control unit 12 for detecting an output voltage to the communication control unit from a power supply 2, and a path interrupting section 33 for setting a user prohibition state by interrupting connection between the non-contact communication section 31 and the communication control unit 32 by control of the unit 12 until a preset reuse operation is performed, if the output voltage is lowered or the power supply is interrupted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable communication apparatus that performs data transmission / reception with non-contact communication with an external reader / writer.

  Conventionally, when a mobile phone is lost, the service is stopped by the operation of the communication company or the like so as not to connect a call or communication to or from the phone number of the mobile phone. It is possible to prevent unauthorized use by others.

  By the way, in recent years, it is possible to send / receive value information such as electronic money to / from an external device by mounting a function equivalent to an IC card (hereinafter referred to as an “IC card-like function”) on a mobile phone. It becomes possible to use a mobile phone instead of a wallet. Furthermore, recently, development of a mobile phone having a multi-application function having a function equivalent to that of a so-called many cards has been studied.

Along with this, measures for preventing unauthorized use of mobile phones by third parties are becoming more and more important, and therefore, means for preventing unauthorized use of mobile phones having IC card-like functions and multi-application functions. Development is strongly desired.
For example, a mobile phone using an IC card such as a SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module card) card including subscriber information used for a telephone billing system has been developed. With regard to the above, a technique is disclosed in which the function of the IC card is set to an unusable state by transmitting an invalidation code from another mobile phone by wireless communication or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-117682 (FIG. 1)

  Therefore, in a conventional mobile phone having an IC card-like function, when the mobile phone is turned on, the IC card-like function is set to an unusable state by wireless communication from outside as described above. However, when the power is turned off or the battery is dead, there is a problem that the control cannot be performed from the outside.

  That is, when the power is on, there is no problem because the mobile phone function can take measures such as forcibly stopping communication or a call on the communication company side. However, for IC card-like functions, the IC chip unit (communication control unit) built in the mobile phone is an external reader / writer (for example, a station ticket gate or an expressway toll gate, etc.) even if the power is turned off. The communication operation can be performed in a non-contact manner by receiving power supply from the third party, and therefore, there has been a problem that unauthorized use such as an IC card-like function by a third party cannot be prevented.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. For example, when lost or stolen, if the power is turned off or the voltage is reduced, contactless communication is performed unless a predetermined reuse operation is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable communication device in which a state in which the use of a function is disabled is automatically set, and unauthorized use by a third party can be prevented.

The portable communication device of the present invention is a portable communication device including a non-contact communication unit that performs non-contact communication with an external reader / writer and a communication control unit that controls the non-contact communication unit.
A power supply control unit for detecting an output voltage from a power supply to the communication control unit;
When the output voltage falls below a predetermined value or the power is turned off, the connection between the non-contact communication unit and the communication control unit is controlled by the control of the power control unit until a preset reuse operation is performed. And a path blocking unit that sets a use prohibition state by blocking.

  With this configuration, for example, when a portable communication device that has been left unattended for a long time without being charged due to loss or the like is exhausted due to discharge, the communication control unit (non-contact IC chip) is controlled via the path blocking unit under the control of the power supply control unit. Part) and the non-contact communication part (antenna part) are disconnected, the power supply from the power supply is cut off, and the communication control part (non-contact IC chip part) can be made inoperable.

  The portable communication device of the present invention sets a reusable state when the output voltage rises above a predetermined value after the setting of the use prohibition state or when personal authentication information is input after the power is turned on again. A reuse setting unit is provided.

  According to the above configuration, only the genuine owner who knows the personal authentication information can reuse the communication control unit (non-contact IC chip unit) by operating the reuse setting unit. Even if stolen or stolen, there is no risk of unauthorized use (reuse), and safety can be improved.

  In the portable communication device of the present invention, the non-contact communication unit separately includes a wireless communication unit that performs proximity non-contact communication using an electric field or a magnetic field and performs radio communication using radio waves.

  According to the above configuration, it can be used as a dedicated machine for passing through a station ticket gate that performs proximity contactless communication with an external reader / writer using an electric field or magnetic field, or as a dedicated machine for passing through a toll gate on an expressway equipped with an ETC system. In addition, it can be used as a mobile phone that performs radio communication using radio waves.

  Further, in the portable communication device of the present invention, the power control unit is preset even when the power is turned off and the power is turned on again when a unique stop code is received from outside by wireless communication in the wireless communication unit. Until the re-use operation is performed, the connection between the non-contact communication unit and the communication control unit is cut off and the use prohibited state is set.

  According to the above configuration, when the power of the lost mobile communication device (mobile phone) is turned on, if a unique stop code is input to the mobile communication device (mobile phone) from another mobile phone or the like, similarly The communication control unit (non-contact IC chip unit) and the non-contact communication unit (antenna unit) are disconnected through the path blocking unit under the control of the power source control unit, and the power supply from the power source is cut off for communication. The control unit (non-contact IC chip unit) can be made inoperable.

  According to the present invention, when the mobile communication device is turned off, the battery runs out due to discharge, or the voltage drops, the power supply control unit passes through the path cut-off unit to the communication control unit (non-contact IC chip unit). ) And the non-contact communication unit (antenna unit) can be disconnected, and the communication control unit (non-contact IC chip unit) can be made inoperable. For example, when lost or stolen, The unauthorized use of the three parties can be prevented.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a cellular phone equipped with a non-contact IC card function according to an embodiment of the present invention. This cellular phone has a schematic configuration in addition to a cellular phone circuit unit 1 and a power source 2 and a non-contact type. A contact IC card function unit 3 is provided.

  The mobile phone circuit unit 1 includes a radio communication unit 11 including an antenna unit (not shown) that performs radio communication using radio waves to function as a mobile phone, and a power supply control unit 12. It is comprised so that it may operate | move.

Among these, the power supply control unit 12 controls the power supply operation to the wireless communication unit 11 described above and the power supply operation to the non-contact IC chip unit 32 to be described later, particularly when the power supply 2 is turned off. Is configured to block a connection between a non-contact communication unit (antenna unit) 31 and a non-contact IC chip unit (communication control unit) 32 which will be described later.
Therefore, the power supply control unit 12 outputs a control signal to a path blocking unit 33 described later while receiving power supply from the power supply 2, and the path blocking unit 33 that is inputting the control signal. Is configured to maintain an electrical connection state between the non-contact communication unit 31 and the non-contact IC chip unit 32.

  The power source 2 uses the same secondary battery as the conventional one that is often used, and can be repeatedly charged and reused.

  The non-contact IC card function unit 3 is a modular unit, unlike a detachable normal IC card, and is physically removed by soldering the power control unit 12 with an appropriate wiring 30. It is installed in a disabled state. In addition, the module unitized IC card function unit 3 includes a non-contact communication unit (including an antenna unit) 31 that performs proximity non-contact communication described later with the external reader / rider 4 and a non-contact type. An IC chip unit (including a communication control unit) 32 and a path blocking unit 33 are provided.

  Among these, the non-contact communication unit 31 is configured to transmit and receive data by proximity non-contact communication with the external reader / rider 4 by electromagnetic action via an antenna unit (not shown). Let's communicate with an external reader / rider provided at the ticket gate of the station, and use it as an alternative to commuter passes (other than this, for example, as part of the ETC system installed at toll gates on expressways, It can also be used as a multi-application function).

  The non-contact IC chip unit 32 includes a communication control unit (not shown) that performs communication control of the non-contact communication unit 31 and the communication control unit is connected to the external reader / rider 4 via an antenna unit (not shown). The power and the signal are received, and the signal is transmitted to the external reader / rider 4 through the antenna unit.

When the power source 2 is turned off, the path blocking unit 33 includes the non-contact communication unit 31 and the above-described communication control unit (not shown) until a predetermined reuse operation is performed even if the power source 2 is turned on again. In this embodiment, the first photocoupler (from the non-contact IC chip unit 32 is connected to the non-contact IC chip unit 32) is set to block the connection with the unit 32 and set the use prohibited state (hereinafter referred to as "use prohibited mode"). It consists of a pair of photocouplers consisting of 33A for blocking signals to the contact communication unit 31) and a second photocoupler 33B for blocking signals from the noncontact communication unit 31 to the noncontact IC chip unit 32). However, other than this, for example, a mechanical relay switch may be used.
Here, the reuse operation refers to, for example, an input operation of a code for a predetermined reuse set in advance by a user (or a telecommunications company) in this embodiment, but is not particularly limited to this. However, various modes such as an appropriate password that the third party does not know can be adopted.

Next, the operation of the mobile phone equipped with the non-contact IC card function unit 3 configured as described above will be described.
(1) First, when a control current flows from the power supply control unit 12 to the first photocoupler 33A and the second photocoupler 33B of the path cutoff unit 33 due to power supply from the power source 2 configured by a secondary battery, the path cutoff unit 33 A path is formed between the non-contact communication unit 31 including the antenna unit and the non-contact IC chip unit 32 including the communication control unit, whereby the non-contact IC card function unit 3 can be used. As a result, the non-contact IC chip unit 32 can receive power and signals from the external reader / writer 4 through the antenna unit.

  (2) Next, when the power source 2 is turned off, the control current from the power source control unit 12 stops. Then, since the first photocoupler 33A and the second photocoupler 33B are turned off by stopping the control current, the operation of the non-contact IC chip unit 32 in which the power supply path from the external reader / writer 4 is cut off is stopped. can do.

  Therefore, according to the mobile phone equipped with the non-contact IC card function unit 3 according to the first embodiment having such a configuration, the non-contact communication unit 31 including the antenna unit and the non-contact IC chip unit including the communication control unit By providing a path blocking unit 33 that blocks the path to the mobile phone 32, even if the mobile phone 2 is turned off, even if it is lost or stolen, the mobile phone can be picked up by a third party and contactless IC Unauthorized use using the card function unit 3 can be prevented beforehand.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the power supply 2 is turned off, the IC card function unit 3 can be set in a state in which the IC card function unit 3 cannot be used ("use prohibition mode"). If the device is lost or stolen in a state where it has been lost, unauthorized use by a third party can be prevented. Furthermore, in the present invention, unlike the first embodiment, for example, not only when the power supply 2 is turned off, but also when the power supply 2 drops below a preset voltage value, the use of the IC card function unit 3 is prevented. You may comprise so that it can set to a disabled state ("use prohibition mode"). With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a third party from picking up and illegally using the device after leaving it for a long time.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a mobile phone equipped with a non-contact IC card function according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.
In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, an emergency stop unit 13 is provided between the wireless communication unit 11 and the power supply control unit 12.

  When the emergency stop unit 13 receives a unique stop password (a preset invalidation code) by wireless transmission from another mobile phone from the wireless communication unit 11 including the antenna unit, the emergency stop unit 13 It is configured to control to stop the output of the control current to the path blocking unit 33 (set the use prohibition mode).

The operation of the cellular phone equipped with the non-contact IC function 3 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
(1) First, when the power source 2 is not turned on, the output of the control current from the power source control unit 12 is stopped, so that the IC card function unit 3 is set in a use prohibition state (use prohibition mode). .
(2) On the other hand, when the power source 2 is turned on, or when a third party who picks up or steals this mobile phone re-turns on the power source 2, wireless communication from another mobile phone to the mobile phone is performed. Then, a unique stop code set in advance is transmitted to the emergency stop unit 13 through the wireless communication unit 11.
(3) In the emergency stop unit 13 that has received the stop code, the power supply control unit 12 stops the control current to the path blocking unit 33, and then the operation of the cellular phone circuit unit 1, particularly the wireless communication unit 11 transmission / reception operation is stopped.
(4) As a result, even if the power supply 2 is turned on, the mobile phone function by wireless communication is disabled, and the operation of the non-contact IC card function unit 3 is also stopped. The non-contact IC card function by the proximity non-contact communication is set to a state in which the use of the non-contact IC card function is disabled (unusable mode).

As described above, according to the mobile phone equipped with the non-contact IC card function according to the second embodiment of the present invention, by providing the emergency stop unit 13 that stops the control current to the path blocking unit 33, the antenna The path between the non-contact communication unit 31 including the communication unit and the non-contact IC chip unit 32 including the communication control unit can be blocked, and the operation of the non-contact IC chip unit 32 can be stopped.
Therefore, not only can the contactless IC card function be used when the power supply 2 of the mobile phone is turned off, but when the third party who picks up the mobile phone turns the power supply 2 back on, the true owner or the like cannot be used. The non-contact IC card function unit 3 can be made in an unusable state (usage prohibition mode) by transmitting a stop password from a mobile phone by wireless communication or the like, so that unauthorized use can be prevented even in that case. That is, the third party cannot operate the non-contact IC card function unit 3 only by turning the power source 2 on again.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a mobile phone equipped with a non-contact IC card function according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.
In the present embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, a personal authentication unit 14 is added to the power supply control unit 12 of the mobile phone circuit unit 1.

  For example, the personal authentication unit 14 can be reused when the mobile phone that has been stolen returns to the owner (including when the owner first starts using it). Is. In other words, the personal authentication unit 14 re-turns on the power source 2 or the secondary power source 2 when the mobile phone function and the non-contact IC card function are disabled by the power source control unit 12. This is used when the mobile phone function and contactless IC card function are reset to a reusable state after the battery is charged and restored to the required voltage value. It is configured to set a reusable state ("reuse mode") by inputting a unique password (a preset activation code) that can only be known by an unauthorized user. ing.

  Therefore, if this mobile phone is lost or stolen with the power 2 turned off, or has been left for a long period of time, the use prohibition mode has been set due to a voltage drop. Even if an attempt is made to re-use the mobile phone function and the non-contact IC card function by re-inserting or recharging the battery to the required voltage value, it will be used unless a unique password is entered from the personal authentication unit 14 Since the prohibit mode is not canceled, unauthorized use can be more reliably prevented.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the example in which the path blocking unit 33 is configured by the first photocoupler 33A and the second photocoupler 33B has been described. However, as described above, other relays and the like are used. The route blocking means can be similarly implemented.

  Further, as the non-contact communication means of the present invention, a proximity non-contact type in which communication is performed at a distance of at most about 10 cm in order to use electromagnetic action, and light, infrared light, sound waves, etc. are used. Various non-contact communication means such as a proximity non-contact type that performs communication while being separated to a range of ˜several meters can be applied.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the scope of the invention. That is, in the above-described embodiment, a type having a mobile phone function as well as a non-contact communication function has been described, but besides this, for example, it can be used exclusively for passing a ticket gate of a station using non-contact communication, A dedicated machine type may be used exclusively for the ETC system on highways. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to PDAs, electronic dictionaries and other portable electronic devices in various fields that do not have a cellular phone function.

  If the mobile communication device of the present invention is turned off or the voltage is low, the non-contact communication function is automatically set to the disabled state unless a predetermined reuse operation is performed. A non-contact IC card function that has the effect of preventing unauthorized use by a third party when it is stolen or stolen, and enables data exchange with an external reader / writer via non-contact communication It is useful for use in a mobile communication device or the like that is installed.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone equipped with a non-contact IC card function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone carrying a non-contact IC card function which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone carrying a non-contact IC card function which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Cellular phone circuit unit 11 Wireless communication unit (antenna unit)
12 Power Control Unit 13 Emergency Stop Unit 14 Personal Authentication Unit 2 Power Supply (Secondary Battery)
3 IC card function part 31 Non-contact communication part (antenna part)
32 Non-contact IC chip part (communication control part)
33 Route blocking unit 33A, 33B First and second photocouplers 4 External reader / writer

Claims (4)

In a portable communication device including a non-contact communication unit that performs non-contact communication with an external reader / writer and a communication control unit that controls the non-contact communication unit.
A power supply control unit for detecting an output voltage from a power supply to the communication control unit;
When the output voltage falls below a predetermined value or the power is turned off, the connection between the non-contact communication unit and the communication control unit is controlled by the control of the power control unit until a preset reuse operation is performed. A mobile communication device comprising: a path blocking unit configured to block and set a use prohibition state. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein
A portable communication apparatus comprising: a reuse setting unit that sets a reusable state when the output voltage rises above a predetermined value after the use prohibited state is set or when personal authentication information is input after the power is turned on again. The mobile communication device according to claim 1 or 2,
The non-contact communication unit performs proximity non-contact communication by an electric field or a magnetic field,
A portable communication device that includes a separate wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication using radio waves. A portable communication device comprising the wireless communication unit according to claim 3.
The power control unit turns off the power when receiving a unique code stop code from the outside by wireless communication in the wireless communication unit, and does not perform the preset reuse operation even when the power is turned on again. A mobile communication device that sets a use-prohibited state by blocking connection between a contact communication unit and the communication control unit.

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