JP4370841B2 - Card holder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an IC card holder for storing one or a plurality of non-contact IC cards. More specifically, the card information can be protected from unauthorized access, and a plurality of IC cards are stored. In particular, the present invention relates to an IC card holder that can maintain good communication characteristics of individual IC cards.

  In recent years, there has been proposed an IC card system in which various information is exchanged by radio communication using electromagnetic waves using a non-contact IC card incorporating an antenna coil and an IC chip. Such an IC card system is applied to a transportation ticket gate system, a highway car toll collection system, an electronic payment, a telephone card system, a factory product management system, and the like.

  In general, the owner of such a non-contact IC card is carried in a bag or pocket in a state where the IC card is stored in an IC card holder made of a transparent resin or the like. Recently, there are many styles in which the holder is carried around the neck, and when used, the IC card is held with the holder over the interrogator (reader / writer) while being lowered from the neck.

  By the way, with the expansion of the use range of IC cards, the number of IC cards carried is increasing. For example, when a non-contact IC card is used as an ID card as an employee ID card, in addition to an ID card for entering a company premises, a dedicated ID card is used when entering a high security room in the company. Need to carry.

  However, in such a case, when the card holder attempts to use the above-mentioned two IC cards in the holder described above, the antenna coils of the two IC cards are magnetically coupled to each other, and the original resonance frequency is not increased. There is a significant shift, and neither IC card can communicate. Therefore, when the card user holds the card over the interrogator, it is necessary to take out the necessary card from the holder and hold it over the interrogator, and the advantages of the original non-contact IC card have not been utilized.

  On the other hand, in this type of non-contact IC card, an antenna coil is coupled to an oscillating radio wave having a specific frequency from an interrogator to read / write information from / to an IC chip using the principle of electromagnetic induction.

  However, since conventional IC card holders are rarely equipped with a function for protecting card information from unauthorized access, there is a risk that information recorded in the card may be illegally read or altered by a malicious third party. Sex is inherent.

  In particular, in recent years, the demand for IC cards on which personal information is recorded has increased greatly. As the demand for such an IC card increases, the card information reader which is a hardware surface also becomes lighter and higher in performance, and this makes it possible to make a clever unauthorized access and to easily read and steal personal information. Thus, how to carry personal information safely is a big problem.

  As prior art documents related to the invention of this application, there are the following.

  In the following Patent Document 1, an interference prevention sheet composed of a conductive sheet and a magnetic sheet stacked so as to sandwich the two non-contact IC cards housed in a card holder is arranged, and each IC A configuration for preventing communication interference between cards and ensuring the communication function of each IC card is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2 below, in a booklet-shaped card holder for storing an IC card, the cover or page of the card holder is configured with a shield member that is difficult to block or pass electromagnetic waves to protect the IC card from unauthorized access. It is disclosed.

JP 2000-268146 A JP 11-348471 A

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, when three or more IC cards are stored, the third and subsequent IC cards are stored between the two IC cards, so communication is not possible. There is a problem that it becomes possible.

  Further, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, when using an IC card, there is a problem that it is necessary to open the booklet-like card holder, which is very troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and can use an IC card without opening a holder while preventing unauthorized access from the outside. Even when a plurality of IC cards are stored, individual IC cards can be used. It is an object to provide a card holder that can secure communication.

  In solving the above-described problems, the card holder of the present invention includes a holder main body having a storage portion for storing a non-contact IC card and a conductive body provided in the holder main body so as to sandwich the non-contact IC card in the storage portion. , A coupling antenna that is disposed opposite to the non-contact IC card in the storage unit and is coupled to the antenna of the non-contact IC card, a communication antenna that is disposed outside the storage unit, and a coupling antenna And a switch for electrically connecting or disconnecting between the antenna and the communication antenna.

  In the present invention, the non-contact IC card stored in the storage unit is protected from unauthorized access by the conductive shield member provided on the holder body so as to sandwich the non-contact IC card.

  In the present invention, when using the non-contact IC card stored in the storage unit, a coupling antenna for coupling with the antenna of the non-contact IC card, and a communication antenna arranged outside the storage unit And a changeover switch that electrically connects the coupling antenna and the communication antenna.

  That is, the oscillating radio wave from the interrogator (reader / writer) is received by the communication antenna, transferred to the coupling antenna, and transmitted from the coupling antenna to the opposing non-contact IC card. The response signal from the non-contact IC card is received by the coupling antenna, and is transmitted to the interrogator through the communication antenna. As a result, it is possible to use a non-contact IC card in a state of being stored in the card holder.

  When the card is not in use, the contact switch protects the non-contact IC card in the storage unit from unauthorized access through the communication antenna by blocking between the coupling antenna and the communication antenna. be able to.

  On the other hand, a plurality of storage units are provided, coupling antennas are arranged in the plurality of storage units, and each coupling antenna is connected in common to a communication antenna through a dedicated changeover switch. Any non-contact IC card can be used by the selection of. Thereby, even when a plurality of IC cards are stored, the communication function of each IC card is ensured.

  According to the card holder of the present invention, it is possible to protect against unauthorized access to the contactless IC card inside the holder, and it is possible to use the contactless IC card without opening the holder or removing the card from the holder. Further, even when a plurality of cards are stored, the communication function of each contactless IC card can be ensured.

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

(First embodiment)
1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
Here, FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the card holder 10 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inside of the card holder 10, and FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the card holder 10.

  The card holder 10 according to the present embodiment includes a holder body 11 having a structure capable of storing three non-contact IC cards (hereinafter referred to as “IC cards”). The holder main body 11 has a booklet structure, and includes a front surface structure 11A, page structure bodies 11B and 11C, a back surface structure 11D, and a back surface structure 11E.

As the IC cards C1 to C3, those produced by sandwiching an antenna module in which an IC chip is connected to an antenna coil between card configuration sheets are used.
The IC cards C1 to C3 in this example are all applicable as long as they have a function of exchanging information with the outside without contact. For example, a hybrid card or a dual interface card having contact terminals on the surface thereof. A contact / non-contact type IC card such as (combination card) is also included.

  Now, pockets 15 for storing IC cards C1, C2 and C3 are respectively provided on one surface of the surface portion constituting body 11A and the page portion constituting bodies 11B and 11C of the holder body 11, and these pockets are provided. 15 constitutes IC card storage portions 17A, 17B and 17C (FIG. 3). The pocket 15 is provided with an opening 16 to enhance the take-out or exchangeability of the IC cards C1 to C3 (FIG. 2).

  A communication antenna 18 is embedded on the outer surface side of the surface portion structure 11A. The surface member 11A includes a magnetic member 54, a conductive shield member 31, and a magnetic member 51A in order from the back side of the communication antenna 18.

  A coupling antenna 41 for coupling with the IC card C1 is embedded on the surface side of one page portion structure 11B. The page member 11B includes a magnetic member 51B, a conductive shield member 32, and a magnetic member 52A in order from the back side of the coupling antenna 41.

  A coupling antenna 42 for coupling with the IC card C2 is embedded on the surface side of the other page portion structure 11C. The page member 11C includes a magnetic member 52B, a conductive shield member 33, and a magnetic member 53A in order from the back side of the coupling antenna 42.

  A coupling antenna 43 for coupling with the IC card C3 is embedded on the front surface side of the back surface structure 11D. A magnetic member 53B and a conductive shield member 34 are built in the back surface component 11D in order from the back surface side of the coupling antenna 43.

  The communication antenna 18 and each of the coupling antennas 41 to 43 can be applied in a form in which the metal wire is exposed to the outside. However, from the viewpoint of durability and reliability, each antenna is transparent with radio wave transparency. Or it is preferable to set it as the structure coat | covered with the non-transparent synthetic resin film.

  The coupling antennas 41 to 43 are commonly connected to the communication antenna 18 via the changeover switches 21 to 23 and the coaxial cable 61, respectively. The changeover switches 21 to 23 are configured to take a closed position where the coupling antennas 41 to 43 and the communication antenna 18 are electrically connected, and an open position where the gap is cut off.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, these changeover switches 21 to 23 are constituted by normally open type push switches, so that the gap between the coupling antennas 41 to 43 and the communication antenna 18 is always maintained when not operated. I try to block it.

  The back surface structure 11E has a function of connecting the front surface structure 11A, the page structure 11B, the page structure 11C, and the back surface structure 11D to each other. Is arranged. A circuit that connects the changeover switches 21 to 23, the coupling antennas 41 to 43, and the communication antenna 18 is configured inside the back surface structure 11 </ b> E.

  Each of the coupling antennas 41 to 43 is configured by a loop coil having a shape suitable for coupling with the antennas of the IC cards C1 to C3 facing each other. In particular, in this embodiment, it is configured by a loop coil having substantially the same shape as the antenna shape of the opposing IC cards C1 to C3.

  On the other hand, the communication antenna 18 is configured by a loop coil having a shape suitable for coupling with an antenna of an interrogator (reader / writer) (not shown). With this configuration, the communication antenna 18 is electrically connected to any one of the coupling antennas 41 to 43 selected by the changeover switches 21 to 23, and is an IC card that faces the selected coupling antenna. Communication between C1 to C3 and an external interrogator (reader / writer) is enabled.

  In the card holder 10 of the present embodiment, the storage portions 17A to 17C are isolated from each other by the conductive shield members 31 to 34, respectively. The conductive shield members 31 to 34 are used as electromagnetic shield plates, and have a function of electromagnetically shielding the inside and outside of the holder main body 11 and between the storage portions 17A to 17C. The conductive shield members 31 to 34 are made of a thin plate or sheet made of a metal material such as copper, aluminum, or stainless steel, and the thickness is not particularly limited.

  The magnetic members 51A, 51B, 52A, 52B, 53A, 53B and 54 are non-conductive sheets having soft magnetic properties, for example, processed into a sheet by mixing soft magnetic material powder in a synthetic resin material. Is used. Examples of soft magnetic material powder include Sendust (Fe-Al-Si series), Permalloy (Fe-Ni series), Amorphous (eg Fe-Si-Al-B series), Ferrite (eg Ni-Zn ferrite, Mn-Zn ferrite) ) Etc. are applicable.

  These magnetic members are disposed so as to be interposed between the conductive shield members 31 to 34 and the storage portions 17A to 17C, the communication antenna 18 or the coupling antennas 41 to 43. Thereby, each magnetic member fulfill | performs the function which suppresses the mutual interference between the conductive shield members 31-34, the communication antenna 18, each of the coupling antennas 41-43, and each of the IC cards C1-C3. Thereby, deterioration of the communication performance of each of the communication antenna 18, the coupling antennas 41 to 43, and the IC cards C1 to C3 can be suppressed.

  In the card holder 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above, for example, when using the IC card C2, when the surface of the holder body 11 (the surface on the communication antenna 18 side) is held over an interrogator (reader / writer) The changeover switch 22 is pressed down. The communication antenna 18 receives the oscillating radio wave from the interrogator and supplies the received radio wave to the coupling antenna 42 that is electromagnetically coupled to the IC card C2. As a result, information can be exchanged between the coupling antenna 42 and the IC card C2, and a response signal from the IC card C2 is transmitted to the interrogator via the coupling antenna 42 and the communication antenna 18.

  As described above, the communication antenna 18 functions as an antenna of the selected IC card, and the IC card disposed between the conductive shield members 31 to 34 inside the holder body 11 and an external interrogator ( Communication with a reader / writer.

  In the above example, the IC card C2 and the IC card C1 and IC card C3 adjacent to the IC card C2 are electromagnetically shielded by the conductive shield members 32 and 33. Therefore, there is a problem of communication interference between the cards. Does not occur. Since the magnetic member 52A and the magnetic member 52B are interposed between the IC card C2 and the conductive shield member 32 and between the coupling antenna 42 and the conductive shield member 33, respectively, Degradation of the communication performance of the IC card C2 and the coupling coil 42 by the shield members 32 and 33 is also suppressed.

  Here, the magnetic members 51A and 51B are preferably selected according to the communication specifications of the IC card C2 and the coupling antenna 42. That is, these magnetic members suppress deterioration in communication performance (decrease in inductance) of the IC card C2 and the coupling antenna 42 due to the presence of the conductive shield members 32 and 33, and at the same time, the IC card C2 and the coupling antenna. It is preferable to select a material that can improve the communication performance of 42.

  For example, when the IC card is “Suica” (trademark), “IRL03AB (thickness 0.28 mm)” manufactured by TDK is suitable as the magnetic material, and the IC card is “Edy” (trademark). In this case, it has been experimentally found that “PE72 (thickness 0.5 mm)” manufactured by FDK is suitable as the magnetic material.

  Therefore, the magnetic materials 51A, 51B, 52A, 52B, 53A, and 53B are selected according to the type of the IC card stored in each of the storage units 17A to 17C, or these magnetic materials are selected according to the type of the IC card to be stored. By properly using the materials, the communication performance of each IC card can be further improved. In selecting the magnetic material 54, a material that can ensure the inductance required for the communication antenna 18 may be selected.

  On the other hand, when each of the stored IC cards C1 to C3 is a different type of IC card, there is a difference in specifications between the interrogators (reader / writers) that communicate with them, for example, a difference in antenna shape. Will do. In this case, for example, the communication antenna 18 is configured by a plurality of antenna groups having shapes corresponding to the interrogators, and one antenna is selected according to the operation of the changeover switches 21 to 23. For example, it is possible to ensure proper communication performance using a communication antenna suitable for the type of card.

  As described above, according to the card holder 10 of the present embodiment, each IC card stored in the holder main body 11 by the conductive shield member 31 and the conductive shield member 34 provided in the outermost layer of the holder main body 11. C1 to C3 can be protected from unauthorized access from the outside, and card information can be prevented from being stolen or tampered with.

  In addition, communication between a desired IC card and an external interrogator (reader / writer) can be performed via the communication antenna 18 by pressing the changeover switches 21 to 23. In particular, the communication function of all IC cards can be ensured even when the number of stored cards is three or more. Thus, even if a plurality of IC cards C1 to C3 are stored in one card holder 10, it can be used as if only one card was taken out and used.

  Furthermore, since the changeover switches 21 to 23 are arranged on the outer surface side of the holder main body 11, good operability or handleability can be ensured.

  Since the change-over switches 21 to 23 are normally open switches, when the card is not used, the change-over switches 21 to 23 are returned to the cutoff position, and the communication antenna 18 is connected to all the IC cards C1 to C3. Is not connected. Thus, the card communication operation can be performed only when the user intends, and unauthorized access via the communication antenna 18 can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the figure, portions corresponding to those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
Here, FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of the card holder 70 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation of the card holder 70, and FIG. .

  In the card holder 70 of the present embodiment, an antenna support 71 having a configuration separated and independent from the holder main body 11 that individually accommodates the three IC cards C1 to C3 is connected. This is different from the configuration of the first embodiment described above in that the communication antenna 18 is arranged.

  The antenna support 71 has, for example, a rectangular shape that is equal to or larger than a general card size, and the communication antenna 18 is embedded on one surface side thereof. The surface of the communication antenna 18 is covered with a transparent or non-transparent synthetic resin film having radio wave permeability.

  Further, on one surface side of the antenna support 71, changeover switches 21 to 23 for selecting the IC cards C1 to C3 in the holder main body 11 to be used are arranged. In this example, the changeover switches 21 to 23 are arranged on the same surface as the communication antenna 18 formation surface, but the changeover switches 21 to 23 are arranged on the surface opposite to the communication antenna 18 formation surface. You may do it.

  The holder body 11 and the antenna support 71 are connected via a coaxial cable 61 and a connection cable 62. As the connection cable 62, a cable having the same or similar specifications as the coaxial cable 61 is used. In the present embodiment, the connection cable 62 can be wound around the winding drum 63 as shown, and the antenna support 81 can be pulled out from the winding drum 63 when used.

  In the card holder 70 of the present embodiment configured as described above, only the antenna support 81 is held over the antenna unit 81 of the interrogator (reader / writer) 80 as shown in FIG. Therefore, communication with the IC cards C1 to C3 selected by the changeover switches 21 to 23 (FIG. 4) becomes possible, and a card holder that is extremely excellent in handling can be provided. Thus, for example, the IC cards C1 to C3 can be used only by handling the antenna support 71 while the holder main body 11 is placed in a breast pocket or bag (FIG. 6).

  If the antenna support 71 is configured to be detachable from the holder main body 11, the antenna support 71 and the holder main body 11 can be integrated in a normal state. The handleability can be further improved.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment of this invention was described, of course, this invention is not limited to these, A various deformation | transformation is possible based on the technical idea of this invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the card holder is configured using the holder body 11 having a structure capable of storing three IC cards. However, the number of cards stored is not limited to the above, and one card, two cards are stored. Alternatively, it may be configured to accommodate four or more sheets.

  Moreover, in the above 1st Embodiment, although the changeover switches 21-23 were arrange | positioned on the outer surface side of the back surface structure 11E of the holder main body 11, the arrangement | positioning location of a changeover switch is not limited to this, It is also possible to arrange on the outer surface part of the part structure 11A and the outer surface part of the back surface structure 11D.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire card holder 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which A shows a state in which a booklet-shaped holder body 11 is closed, and B shows a state in which the holder body 11 is opened. . FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the card holder 10 with the holder body 11 opened. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a card holder 10. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the whole card holder 70 by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the card holder 70. It is a figure explaining one usage pattern of the card holder.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 10,70 ... Card holder, 11 ... Holder main body, 11A ... Surface part structure, 11B, 11C ... Page part structure, 11D ... Back surface structure, 11E ... Back surface structure, 17A-17C ... Storage part , 18 ... communication antenna, 21 to 23 ... changeover switch, 31 to 34 ... conductive shield member, 41 to 43 ... coupling antenna, 51A, 51B, 52A, 52B, 53A, 53B, 54 ... magnetic member, 61 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Coaxial cable, 71 ... Antenna support body, 80 ... Interrogator (reader / writer), 82 ... Antenna unit, C1-C3 ... IC card.

Claims (9)

A card holder for storing a non-contact IC card,
A holder body having a storage portion for storing a non-contact IC card;
A conductive shield member provided on the holder body so as to sandwich the non-contact IC card in the storage unit;
A coupling antenna that is disposed opposite to the non-contact IC card in the storage unit and is coupled to the antenna of the non-contact IC card;
A communication antenna disposed outside the storage unit;
A card holder comprising: a selector switch for electrically connecting or disconnecting between the coupling antenna and the communication antenna. The card holder according to claim 1, wherein a magnetic material layer is interposed between the conductive shield member and the storage portion or the coupling antenna. The card holder according to claim 1, wherein the communication antenna and the changeover switch are arranged on an outer surface side of the holder body. The card holder according to claim 1, wherein the communication antenna and the changeover switch are arranged on an antenna support that is separated and independent from the holder body. The card holder according to claim 4, wherein the antenna support is detachable from the holder body. The card holder according to claim 4, wherein the holder main body and the antenna support are connected to each other via an extendable connection cable. The change-over switch is a normally open switch that cuts off the coupling antenna and the communication antenna in the open position and connects the coupling antenna and the communication antenna in the closed position. The card holder according to claim 1. The holder body includes a plurality of storage units, and the coupling antennas are arranged in the storage units, and the coupling antennas are shared by the communication antennas through the dedicated changeover switch. The card holder according to claim 1, wherein the card holder is connected to the card holder. The said holder main body has a booklet structure, The said accommodating part is each formed in each page part, and the said communication antenna is arrange | positioned at the surface part of the said booklet structure. Card holder as described in.

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