JP2019102022A - Card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a card reader that communicates information with a non-contact IC card without contact by electromagnetic induction and is able to communicate at a plurality of transmission speeds.SOLUTION: In a communication module 100 of a card reader that communicates information with a non-contact IC card 90 without contact by electromagnetic induction, a non-contact control IC 1 controls a first switching circuit SW1 and a second switching circuit SW2, selects a first matching circuit 11 optimized for a normal transmission speed at the time of normal transmission speed, and selects a second matching circuit 12 optimized for a high-speed transmission speed at the time of high-speed transmission speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a card reader, for example, to a card reader that communicates information with a noncontact IC card in a noncontact manner by electromagnetic induction.

  With regard to card readers, while the use of contactless IC cards has expanded, the transmission speed of media (contactless IC cards, coin-type chips, etc.) conventionally used in the mainstream has been 106 kbps, but 212 kbps as the speed increases. Transmission speeds of 424 kbps and 848 kbps are also required. The response side of the medium (ie, the card reader side) is often enabled as a function. However, since actual communication depends on antenna characteristics, it is not uncommon if communication can not be performed with a conventional noncontact IC card reader, and design considerations are necessary when it is necessary to cope with high transmission rates.

  Therefore, for example, even after the assembly of the device, a technique capable of easily selecting and adjusting the antenna characteristic has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2015-87888, A

  By the way, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which two antennas are provided in advance, and one of the antennas is selected by solder bridge connection. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not suitable for the process of flexibly switching the antenna characteristics as needed at the time of operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is possible to communicate with a plurality of transmission rates in a card reader which communicates information in a noncontact manner with a noncontact IC card by electromagnetic induction. It is in providing a card reader.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a card reader which communicates information with a noncontact IC card in a noncontact manner by electromagnetic induction. The card reader includes an antenna for communicating with the noncontact IC card, and a communication signal processing unit for processing a signal for communication with the noncontact IC card. The communication signal processing unit comprises a first matching circuit for matching antenna characteristics at a first transmission rate, a second matching circuit for matching antenna characteristics at a second transmission rate, and the first matching circuit. A first switching circuit that switches between the input side of the second matching circuit and the input side of the second matching circuit; a second switching circuit that switches between the output side of the first matching circuit and the output side of the second matching circuit; And a control circuit for switching the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit so as to connect any one of the first matching circuit and the second matching circuit to the antenna.

  In this card reader, since it is possible to select an optimum matching circuit for each of the first transmission rate and the second transmission rate for communicating with the noncontact IC card, a plurality of noncontact types having different transmission rates can be selected. This card reader can communicate with the IC card. That is, it is easy to reduce the situation where the rereading process is required due to a communication error or the like and the communication with the card can not be performed at all. Further, since the matching circuit which is not selected is separated from the communication path on both the input side and the output side by the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit, the influence on the selected matching circuit side is suppressed. it can.

  The control circuit transmits a signal for starting communication to the contactless IC card in a state where the first matching circuit is connected to the antenna, in response to a response from the contactless IC card. When it is determined that communication with the noncontact IC card is difficult based on the switching circuit, the second matching circuit switches to the antenna with respect to the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit. A control signal may be output. For example, assuming that the first transmission rate is a normal transmission rate conventionally used in the mainstream, communication is performed by performing communication using a first matching circuit that is normally connected to the antenna in response to the normal transmission rate. There is a high possibility that communication can be performed with the circuit configuration (analog characteristics) of the signal processing unit in the initial state. When communication can not be performed by the first matching circuit, communication with a noncontact IC card compatible with a higher transmission rate can be performed by switching to a second matching circuit corresponding to a second transmission rate higher in transmission rate. it can.

  The first matching circuit and the second matching circuit may include a resistor connected to the antenna side and a capacitor connected to the control circuit side of the resistor. The impedance (antenna characteristics) of the entire circuit can be easily adjusted, and the matching circuit can be simply configured.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to communicate with a plurality of transmission speeds in a card reader which communicates information in a noncontact manner with a noncontact IC card by electromagnetic induction.

It is a schematic diagram of a card reader concerning an embodiment. It is a block diagram of a communication module of a card reader concerning an embodiment. It is the block diagram which paid its attention to the path | route from the 1st switch circuit to an antenna based on embodiment. It is the graph which showed the frequency characteristic concerning an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process which switches a 1st matching circuit and a 2nd matching circuit based on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter, referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a card reader 101 according to the present embodiment. Fig.1 (a) is a side view, FIG.1 (b) represents the top view typically. The card reader 101 is mounted on a predetermined higher-level device, and reads information (card data) from a non-contact IC card (hereinafter simply referred to as "IC card 90") in which an IC chip 92 is embedded. 90 is an apparatus for recording information.

  The card reader 101 includes an insertion slot 102 through which the IC card 90 is inserted and removed, and a main body 103. A transport path 104 is formed in the main body 103 to transport the IC card 90 inserted into the insertion slot 102. When the IC card 90 is inserted into the insertion slot 102, the IC card 90 is transferred to the transport path 104. The plurality of card conveyance rollers 182 arranged convey the sheet to a predetermined position (position of the IC card 90 shown by a two-dot chain line in the drawing, communication position) P.

  A plurality of card position sensors 183 such as photosensors are arranged inside the card reader 101 along the transport path 104, so that the position of the IC card 90 can be grasped. The card transport roller 182 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), and transports the IC card 90 in the right direction (insertion direction) or left direction (discharge direction) in the figure according to forward or reverse rotation of the motor.

  At the communication position P, which is an area corresponding to the conveyance destination of the IC card 90 of the main body unit 103, a communication module 100 which communicates with the IC card 90 without contact is disposed. The communication module 100 includes a substrate 180. An antenna 10 for communicating information with the IC card 90 is formed on the substrate 180 so as to face an antenna (not shown) of the IC card 90 transported to the communication position P. The antenna 10 is formed as a loop-shaped print pattern. The card reader 101 communicates with the IC card 90 via the communication module 100 provided with such an antenna 10.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the communication module 100 of the card reader. The communication module 100 communicates with the IC card 90 in a noncontact manner by electromagnetic induction, and reads and writes information from and to the IC card 90.

  The communication module 100 is provided on the substrate 180, and performs processing for communication with the IC card 90 and communication signal processing with the antenna 10 for supplying power to the IC card 90 and communication signals with the IC card 90. And a unit 110. The communication signal processing unit 110 includes a first matching circuit 11 that matches antenna characteristics of a first transmission rate, a second matching circuit 12 that matches antenna characteristics of a second transmission rate, and an input of the first matching circuit 11. First switching circuit SW1 for switching between the input side of the second matching circuit 12 and the second switching circuit SW2 for switching between the output side of the first matching circuit 11 and the output side of the second matching circuit 12; A control circuit (non-contact control IC) 1 for switching the first switching circuit SW1 and the second switching circuit SW2 so as to connect any one of the first matching circuit 11 and the second matching circuit 12 to the antenna 10; .

  In the present embodiment, the first transmission rate is, for example, a normal transmission rate (106 kbps) conventionally used in the mainstream, and the second transmission rate is, for example, a transmission rate higher than that (high speed transmission rate). For example, 212, 424, 848 kbps), but the first transmission rate and the second transmission rate may be transmission rates different from the above.

  The noncontact control IC 1 is connected to the antenna 10 as a transmission system via the LPF 2 and the first or second matching circuit 11 or 12 and is connected to the antenna 10 as a reception system via the reception circuit 20. . A first switching circuit (first switch) SW1 is connected between the LPF 2 and the first and second matching circuits 11 and 12 (the input sides of the first matching circuit 11 and the second matching circuit 12). A second switching circuit (second switch) SW2 is connected between the second matching circuits 11 and 12 and the antenna 10 (the output side of the first matching circuit 11 and the second matching circuit 12). An example of the first switching circuit SW1 and the second switching circuit SW2 is a high power signal relay element. The first switching circuit SW1 and the second switching circuit SW2 may be a semiconductor switch circuit, another circuit, an element, or the like.

  The non-contact control IC 1 outputs a transmission signal (power OUT) for communicating with the IC card 90 and a SW switching control signal for controlling the operation of the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit. The transmission signal (power OUT) is output to the first switch SW1 via the LPF2. The SW switching control signal transmits a signal for starting communication to the IC card 90 in a state in which the first matching circuit 11 is connected to the antenna 10, and based on the response from the IC card 90, If the second matching circuit 12 is connected to the antenna 10 with respect to the first switching circuit SW1 and the second switching circuit SW2, the first control signal is included. Furthermore, after the end of the communication with the IC card 90 using the second matching circuit 12, the SW switching control signal can not communicate with the IC card 90 even using the second matching circuit. In this case, the first switching circuit SW1 and the second switching circuit SW2 include a second control signal that switches the first matching circuit 11 to be connected to the antenna 10.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a path from the first switching circuit SW1 to the antenna 10 in the communication module 100 in an enlarged manner. The drawing shows the state in which the first matching circuit 11 is selected, and this state is the initial state (steady state) in the card reader 101. When communication with the IC card 90 can not be performed in the initial state, the first matching circuit 11 is switched to the second matching circuit 12 corresponding to the high speed transmission rate. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the communication module 100. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents the frequency F, and the vertical axis represents the S parameter (S11). Here, the S parameter is one of network parameters used to represent the characteristics of high frequency electronic circuits and the like, and represents the passing and reflected power characteristics of the network.

  The antenna 10 shown in FIG. 3 is a loop antenna pattern formed on the substrate 180, and can be expressed as an equivalent circuit configured of an antenna resistance R10, an antenna coil L10, and an antenna capacitor C10 as illustrated.

  The first matching circuit 11 includes a first resistor R11 and first capacitors C111 and C112. As shown in FIG. 3, the first resistor R11 is connected to the antenna 10 side of the first matching circuit 11, and the first capacitors C111 and C112 are connected to the non-contact control IC 1 side of the first resistor R11. ing. The first resistor R11 and the first capacitors C111 and C12 have the Q factor of the frequency characteristic of the circuit and the characteristics of the antenna 10 at the communication frequency for communicating with the IC card 90 with respect to the normal transmission speed. Analog characteristics are adjusted to balance with the impedance of the FIG. 4A shows an example of the frequency characteristic at the normal transmission rate in a state where the first matching circuit 11 is connected to the antenna 10. The frequency characteristic with high Q value corresponding to the normal transmission rate is obtained.

  The second matching circuit 12 includes a second resistor R12 and second capacitors C121 and C122. As shown in FIG. 3, the second resistor R12 is connected to the antenna 10 side of the second matching circuit 12, and the second capacitors C121 and C122 are connected to the non-contact control IC 1 side of the second resistor R12. There is. A communication module 100 including the Q value of the frequency characteristic of the circuit and the characteristic of the antenna 10 at the communication frequency at which the second resistor R12 and the second capacitors C121 and C122 communicate with the IC card 90 at high speed transmission speed. Analog characteristics are adjusted to balance with the overall impedance. FIG. 4B shows an example of the frequency characteristic at a high speed transmission rate in a state where the second matching circuit 12 is connected to the antenna 10. The frequency characteristic with low Q value corresponding to the high speed transmission rate is obtained.

  In the card reader 101, a first matching circuit 11 corresponding to a normal transmission rate as an initial state is connected to the antenna 10. Therefore, the first switching circuit SW1 is connected to the input side of the first matching circuit 11, and the second switching circuit SW2 is connected to the output side of the first matching circuit 11. At this time, the second matching circuit 12 is completely separated from the first matching circuit 11. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the influence of the second matching circuit 12 on the first matching circuit 11 (that is, the antenna characteristic at the time of communication of the normal transmission rate). Therefore, even if the second matching circuit 12 for high-speed transmission is disposed in the communication module 100 so as to be switchable with the first matching circuit 11, communication at a normal transmission rate can be easily performed. Furthermore, by connecting the first matching circuit 11 to the antenna 10 in the initial state, it is possible to communicate with the IC card 90 corresponding to the transmission speed used in the main flow without switching the matching circuit. Therefore, unnecessary switching of the matching circuit can be suppressed.

  When the second matching circuit 12 is selected as a transmission system at a high transmission rate, the first switching circuit SW1 is connected to the input side of the second matching circuit 12, and the second switching circuit SW2 is a second matching circuit. It is connected to the output side of the circuit 12. At this time, the first matching circuit 11 is completely separated from the second matching circuit 12. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the influence of the first matching circuit 11 on the second matching circuit 12 (that is, the antenna characteristic at the time of high speed communication). Therefore, even if the first matching circuit 11 for normal transmission is disposed in the communication module 100 so as to be switchable with the second matching circuit 12, communication at a high transmission speed can be easily performed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the process of switching between the first matching circuit 11 and the second matching circuit 12 by the first switching circuit SW1 and the second switching circuit SW2 to communicate with the IC card 90 will be described. Do. As described above, the transmission system of the first matching circuit 11 is connected to the antenna 10 in the initial state.

  When it is detected by the card position sensor 183 that the IC card 90 is inserted into the card reader 101 and transported to the communication position P along the transport path 104, the non-contact control IC 1 of the communication module 100 transmits the IC card 90 to the IC card 90. On the other hand, a signal for activation is transmitted through the antenna 10 (S10). The non-contact control IC 1 determines from the response result from the IC card 90 whether communication with the IC card is possible at the normal transmission rate or whether it is necessary to switch the matching circuit for high-speed transmission (S12) .

  When it is determined that the normal transmission speed communication (pattern A) is possible (Y in S12), the non-contact control IC 1 keeps the transmission system as it is, that is, maintains the transmission system of the first matching circuit 11, Communication is performed at 90 and the normal transmission rate (S14), and after completion of the communication, the communication is inactivated (S16).

  In S12, even if there is no response from the IC card 90, or even if there is a response, if it is difficult to establish and maintain a desired communication state at the normal transmission rate and the non-contact control IC 1 determines (N in S12 And the non-contact control IC 1 output the first control signal to the first switching circuit SW 1 and the second switching circuit SW 2 in addition to the digital setting change of the non-contact control IC 1 to The first matching circuit 11 is switched to the second matching circuit 12 (S18). Further, the non-contact control IC 1 transmits a signal for activation to the IC card 90, and determines whether communication (pattern B) at a high transmission rate is possible (S20).

  If high speed transmission speed communication is possible (Y in S20), the non-contact control IC 1 performs high speed transmission speed communication (S22), and after communication ends, deactivates (S24).

  In S20, if the communication at the high transmission rate is not possible (N in S20), the non-contact control IC 1 does not communicate with the IC card 90 and ends the processing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the card reader 101 having the communication module 100 that communicates information with the IC card 90 in a noncontact manner by electromagnetic induction, communication can be performed at a plurality of transmission rates.

  Conventionally, if communication failure occurs due to the influence of antenna characteristics during high-speed transmission, the characteristics of the antenna are confirmed by changing the constant. However, in the present embodiment, communication is performed by switching between the first matching circuit 11 suitable for the first transmission rate and the second matching circuit 12 corresponding to the second transmission rate, so that a plurality of types of transmission rates differ. It can communicate with the IC card 90. Furthermore, since the non-selected matching circuits are completely disconnected, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of communication failure due to the influence of the antenna characteristics caused by the non-selected matching circuits.

  In the above, the card reader 101 that switches and uses two matching circuits is described as an example, but three or more matching circuits may be arranged and switched and used. Further, the above-described resistor and capacitor that constitute the matching circuit are examples of circuit elements, and the type, number, arrangement, and the like of the elements are not limited to the above.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, this embodiment is an exemplification, and it is possible that various modifications can be made to the combination of the respective constituent elements thereof, and such a modification is also applicable to the present invention. It is understood by those skilled in the art to be within the scope.

1 Contactless control IC
2 LPF
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 antenna 11 1st matching circuit 12 2nd matching circuit 20 reception circuit 90 IC card 92 IC chip 100 communication module 101 card reader 102 insertion port 103 main-body part 104 conveyance path 110 communication signal processing part 180 board 182 card conveyance roller 183 card position Sensor C10 Antenna capacitor C111, C112 first capacitor C121, C122 second capacitor L10 antenna coil R10 antenna resistance R11 first resistance R12 second resistance SW1 first switching circuit SW2 second switching circuit P communication position

Claims (3)

A card reader that communicates information in a noncontact manner with a noncontact IC card by electromagnetic induction,
An antenna for communicating with the noncontact IC card;
A communication signal processing unit that processes a signal for communication with the noncontact IC card;
The communication signal processing unit
A first matching circuit for matching antenna characteristics at a first transmission rate;
A second matching circuit for matching antenna characteristics at a second transmission rate,
A first switching circuit that switches between the input side of the first matching circuit and the input side of the second matching circuit;
A second switching circuit that switches between the output of the first matching circuit and the output of the second matching circuit;
A control circuit which switches the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit so as to connect any one of the first matching circuit and the second matching circuit to the antenna; leader. In claim 1,
The control circuit transmits a signal for starting communication to the contactless IC card in a state where the first matching circuit is connected to the antenna, and the control circuit is based on a response from the contactless IC card. Control to switch the second matching circuit to the antenna with respect to the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit when it is determined that communication with the noncontact IC card is difficult. A card reader characterized by outputting a signal. In claim 1 or 2,
A card reader characterized in that the first matching circuit and the second matching circuit include a resistor connected to the antenna side and a capacitor connected to the control circuit side of the resistor.

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