JP5518109B2 - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a data communication system that transfers data between devices using a non-contact interface, a device that executes an IC card function, a control method thereof, and an information processing terminal, and in particular, can access a non-contact interface. The present invention relates to a data communication system that performs data transfer between a device and a device that is wired and connected to a non-contact interface, a device that executes an IC card function, a control method thereof, and an information processing terminal.

  More specifically, the present invention relates to a card read / write device that accesses an IC card function unit via a non-contact interface, and data that transfers data between the IC card function unit and an information terminal that is connected to the IC card function unit or includes an IC chip. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system, a device that executes an IC card function, a control method therefor, and an information processing terminal, and in particular, an apparatus having a card read / write function, The present invention relates to a data communication system that performs high-speed data transfer between devices, a device that executes an IC card function, a control method thereof, and an information processing terminal.

  Non-contact / proximity communication systems represented by IC cards are widely used because of their ease of operation. A general method of using an IC card is performed by a user holding the IC card over a card read / write device. The card read / write device always polls the IC card, and when an external IC card is found, the communication operation between the two starts. For example, by storing PIN code, other personal authentication information, value information such as electronic tickets in an IC card, visitors and passengers at cash dispensers, entrances to concert venues, ticket gates at stations, etc. Authentication processing can be performed.

  Recently, IC cards having a relatively large capacity memory have appeared along with improvements in miniaturization technology. According to an IC card with a large-capacity memory, a single IC card can be used for a plurality of purposes by developing a file system in the memory space and storing a plurality of applications simultaneously. For example, by storing a plurality of applications such as electronic money for electronic payment and electronic ticket for entering a specific concert venue on a single IC card, It can be applied to various uses. The electronic money and electronic ticket mentioned here refer to a mechanism in which payment (electronic payment) is made through electronic data issued according to funds provided by a user, or such electronic data itself.

  In addition to wireless / contactless interfaces, IC cards and card reader / writers (card read / write devices) have a wired interface for connecting to external devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance) and CEs (Consumer Electronics). ) It can be used by being incorporated in each device such as a device and a personal computer. In other words, these devices are equipped with either or both of an IC card and a card read / write device, and can perform versatile bidirectional proximity data communication using non-contact communication technology using an IC card. . IC card technology is difficult to copy or tamper with internal information and has tamper resistance, and this type of proximity data communication can realize security at a high level.

  For example, a three-party communication system in which an IC card or IC chip is interposed between a card read / write device and an information processing terminal connected to the IC card or IC chip via a wired interface has been proposed (for example, patents). (Ref. 1). In this system, a read / write device, a program control unit provided in the information processing terminal, a wireless communication interface built in the information processing terminal for wireless communication with the read / write device, and wired communication for connecting to the program control unit Data communication is performed between the interface and an IC card having a memory.

  The IC chip built in the information processing terminal uses a wireless communication mode for performing a transaction via the wireless communication interface in response to carrier detection from the read / write device, and a wired communication interface in response to activation of the internal power supply of the information processing terminal. And a wired communication mode for performing transactions. Then, under the wired communication mode, the program control unit of the information processing terminal returns the activation command for temporarily switching the wired communication mode to the wireless communication mode and the temporarily enabled wireless communication mode to the wired communication mode. A non-activate command can be issued. On the other hand, under the wireless communication mode, the external card read / write device sets the second activation command for temporarily switching the wireless communication mode to the wired communication mode and the temporarily enabled wired communication mode to the wireless communication mode. Issue a second deactivate command to return.

  Under wired communication mode, the information processing terminal issues an activate command, temporarily shifts to wireless communication mode, writes data from the external card read / write device to the IC chip, and then deactivates. A command is issued to return to the wired communication mode, and data written to the IC chip is read to transmit data from an external card read / write device via the IC card to the information processing terminal. The information processing terminal writes data to the IC card, then issues an activate command to temporarily shift to the wireless communication mode, and after the external card read / write device reads data from the IC chip, This time, by issuing a non-activate command and returning to the wired communication mode, data transmission from the information processing terminal via the IC card to the external card read / write device is performed.

  On the other hand, in the wireless communication mode, the external card read / write device issues a second activate command, temporarily shifts to the wired communication mode, and writes data from the information processing terminal to the IC chip. This time, the second deactivation command is issued to return to the wireless communication mode, and the data transmitted from the information processing terminal to the external card read / write device via the IC card is read by reading the data written in the IC chip. To do. The external card read / write device writes data to the IC card, then issues a second activate command to temporarily shift to the wired communication mode, and the information processing terminal reads data from the IC chip. Then, this time, by issuing a second non-activate command and returning to the wireless communication mode, data is transmitted from the external card read / write device via the IC card to the information processing terminal.

  According to the communication system as described above, between a device having a card read / write function and an information processing terminal wired to the IC card by using a non-contact data communication path realized by interposition of the IC card. Secure data communication can be realized.

  On the other hand, the conventional contactless IC card communication protocol employs a procedure of receiving a response when a command is transmitted, so that relatively short text data such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is securely transferred. Although it is suitable, it is not suitable for transferring a relatively large amount of data such as image data at high speed.

  Also, when considering sending data from the card read / write device side to the information processing terminal side, the intervening IC card notifies via the wired interface that the transfer data to the information processing terminal has been received via the non-contact interface. It does not have a mechanism. For this reason, since the information processing terminal cannot immediately detect or confirm whether or not the IC card has received the data addressed to itself, there is a problem that it is difficult to synchronize the transmission data on the card read / write device side.

JP 2003-203212 A

  An object of the present invention is to execute an excellent data communication system and IC card function capable of suitably transferring data between a device accessible to a non-contact interface and a device connected to the non-contact interface by wire. It is to provide an information processing terminal, a control method thereof, and an information processing terminal.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide secure data transfer between a card read / write device that accesses an IC card function unit via a non-contact interface and an information terminal that is wired to the IC card function unit or that includes an IC chip. The present invention provides an excellent data communication system, a device that executes an IC card function, a control method thereof, and an information processing terminal.

  A further object of the present invention is that high-capacity data can be transferred at high speed between an apparatus having a card read / write function and an information terminal that is connected to an IC card function unit by wire or that has an IC chip. Another object of the present invention is to provide a data communication system, a device that executes an IC card function, a control method thereof, and an information processing terminal.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is that an IC card function execution unit having a memory can communicate with the IC card function execution unit via a non-contact interface. A data communication system that performs data communication with the IC card function execution unit interposed between a card read / write device and an information processing terminal that can communicate with the IC card function execution unit via a wired interface,
The card read / write device performs data transfer operation to the memory in the IC card function execution unit via the non-contact interface, or the information processing terminal transfers data to the memory in the IC card function execution unit via the wired interface. A first communication mode in operation;
A second communication mode in which the IC card function execution unit intervenes in data transfer between the card read / write device and the information processing terminal on a communication path constituted by the non-contact interface and the wired interface;
Communication mode control means for setting the system to the first communication mode or the second communication mode;
Communication control means for controlling the communication operation under each communication mode;
It is a data communication system characterized by comprising.

  However, “system” here refers to a logical collection of a plurality of devices (or functional modules that realize specific functions), and each device or functional module is in a single housing. It does not matter whether or not (hereinafter the same).

  The present invention relates to a three-party communication system in which an IC chip is interposed between a device having a card read / write function and an information processing terminal connected to the IC chip having an IC card function via a wired interface. An IC chip as a non-contact IC card function execution unit has a data transmission / reception function and a data processing unit, but an RF analog front end and a logic circuit (protocol control, RF modulation / demodulation, command processing, encryption processing, memory management). May be constituted by one chip, or may be constituted by two or more ICs separated from each other. The IC chip includes a built-in IC chip and a SIM card type. Hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to simply as an “IC card function execution unit”.

  Since the IC card technology is difficult to copy and falsify internal information and has tamper resistance, this type of three-party communication system can realize security at a high level.

  However, the conventional non-contact IC card communication protocol employs a procedure of receiving a response when a command is transmitted, and thus is not suitable for transferring a relatively large amount of data at a high speed. In addition, since the IC card does not have a mechanism for notifying the information processing terminal that there is received data, it is impossible to confirm whether the information processing terminal has received the data. There is also a problem that it is difficult to synchronize.

  On the other hand, in the communication system according to the present invention, the information processing terminal has a data transfer state that allows non-contact data communication with an IC card function unit interposed, and a data non-transfer state that does not allow this non-contact data communication. The IC card function unit defines the communication state of the information processing terminal. When the data is sent from the card read / write device via the non-contact interface, the IC card function unit transfers the received data directly to the information processing terminal via the wired interface only in the data transfer state. Also, when data is sent from the information processing terminal via the wired interface, the received data is transferred to the card read / write device via the non-contact interface only in the data transfer state.

  As described above, the IC card function unit interposed between the card read / write device and the information processing terminal does not depend on the notification from the information processing terminal, and performs information processing according to whether the data transfer state or the data non-transfer state. Since data can be transferred to the terminal side, synchronization can be easily achieved, transfer speed can be increased, and large-capacity data transfer can be realized.

  In addition, the wired interface has a much lower error rate during data transfer and higher reliability than the non-contact interface, so the IC card function unit responds to commands when transferring data over the non-contact interface. However, it is possible to further speed up the data transfer process by omitting the procedure of returning a response to the command at the time of data transfer on the wired interface.

  In the three-party communication system according to the present invention, the IC card function unit interposed between the card read / write device and the information processing terminal is “1” as a first communication mode for performing a normal access operation to the memory in the IC card function unit. In addition to the “general communication mode”, an “ad hoc communication mode” as a second communication mode is provided. Under the ad hoc communication mode, when data is sent from the card read / write device via the non-contact interface, the IC card function unit directly transfers the received data to the information processing terminal via the wired interface. When data is sent from the information processing terminal via the wired interface, the received data is directly transferred to the card read / write device via the non-contact interface.

  Under the ad hoc communication mode, the information processing terminal is in a “data transfer state” in which the IC card function unit can directly receive the data received via the non-contact interface. In other words, in the ad hoc communication mode, the IC card function unit can directly transfer data without depending on the notification from the information processing terminal. Therefore, synchronization can be easily performed and the transfer speed can be increased. Capacity data transfer can be realized. In this case, the data transfer from the card read / write device is different from the data writing to the IC card, and is the data transfer through the IC card function unit for the information processing terminal having a different communication interface. Data transfer via an IC card function unit to the card read / write device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-contact interface capable of communicating with a memory, a card read / write device, a wired interface connected to an information processing terminal, an access operation to the memory, the non-contact interface, and the Comprising a control means for controlling a communication operation via a wired interface, the control means manages a communication mode set between the card read / write device and the information processing terminal, and according to a current communication mode, A device for executing an IC card function, which controls an operation of a communication path between the card read / write device and the information processing terminal.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided communication between an IC card function execution unit having a non-contact interface, a memory, and a wired interface, user input / output means, and the IC card function execution unit via the wired interface. Program control means for controlling operation and processing operation according to user interaction via the user input / output means, the program control means transferring data via the wired interface to the IC card function execution unit An information processing terminal comprising: a data transfer state that permits data transfer; and a data non-transfer state that does not allow data transfer via the wired interface with the IC card function execution unit.

  The device that executes the IC card function according to the second aspect of the present invention can act as an IC card function execution unit in the data communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention. This device may consist of RF analog front end and logic circuit (protocol control, RF modulation / demodulation, command processing, encryption processing, memory management) on a single chip, or an IC with two or more chips separated from each other. You may make it comprise. The IC chip includes a built-in IC chip and a SIM card type.

  The IC card function execution unit has a non-contact IC card interface with the card read / write device and a wired interface with the information processing terminal, but has the same function for a hub equipped with a wireless LAN function and a wired LAN function. Accordingly, in the communication system including the wireless network and the wired network, the same transfer control as that of the first aspect of the present invention can be realized.

  The information processing terminal according to the third aspect of the present invention acts as an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the IC card function execution unit via a wired interface in the data communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention. Can do.

  According to the present invention, secure data transfer is suitably performed between a card read / write device that accesses an IC card function unit via a non-contact interface and an information terminal that is connected to the IC card function unit in a wired manner or that includes an IC chip. An excellent data communication system, a device that executes an IC card function, a control method thereof, and an information processing terminal can be provided.

  In addition, according to the present invention, high-speed transfer of large-capacity data can be performed between an apparatus having a card read / write function and an information terminal that is connected to an IC card function unit or that has a built-in IC chip. An excellent data communication system, a device that executes an IC card function, a control method thereof, and an information processing terminal can be provided.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from more detailed description based on embodiments of the present invention described later and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a wireless communication mechanism between a card read / write device based on electromagnetic induction and an IC card function execution unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram modeling a system composed of a card read / write device and an IC card as a single transformer. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the non-contact IC card communication system. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of the IC card function execution unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state transition diagram of an IC card interposed between a card read / write device and an information processing terminal in a three-party communication system. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an operation sequence of the three-party communication system for accessing the IC card function execution unit under the general communication mode. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing an operation sequence of the three-party communication system for accessing the IC card function execution unit under the ad hoc communication mode. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation sequence in which the card read / write device makes an ad hoc communication request to the IC card function execution unit. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence when the information processing terminal accepts the ad hoc communication start mode. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an operation sequence of the three-party communication system in the ad hoc communication mode. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing an operation sequence of the three-party communication system in the ad hoc communication mode. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence of the three-party communication system when the IC card function execution unit transitions from the ad hoc communication mode to the general communication mode. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a functional configuration for controlling the state transition shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow for starting ad hoc communication with the control configuration illustrated in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow for executing ad hoc communication with the control configuration illustrated in FIG. 13.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The present invention provides three-way communication between a device having a card read / write function and an information processing terminal connected to an IC card function unit via a wired interface or incorporating an IC chip with a non-contact IC card function interposed therebetween. About the system.

  Here, the IC chip equipped with the non-contact IC card function may be configured with a single chip for the RF analog front end and logic circuit (protocol control, RF modulation / demodulation, command processing, encryption processing, memory management), Alternatively, these may be constituted by two or more separated ICs. Hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to simply as an “IC card”. There are IC chips built-in and SIM card types. Hereinafter, the IC card and the IC chip are also referred to as an “IC card function execution unit”.

  Since the IC card technology is difficult to copy and falsify internal information and has tamper resistance, this type of three-party communication system can realize security at a high level. First, a non-contact data communication mechanism using an IC card function execution unit will be described.

Wireless communication between the card read / write device and the IC card function execution unit is realized based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, for example. FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates a wireless communication mechanism between a card read / write device based on electromagnetic induction and an IC card function execution unit. The card read / write device includes an antenna _LRW composed of a loop coil, and generates a magnetic field around the antenna LRW by _passing a current _IRW . On the other hand, in the IC card function execution unit side, the electrical loop coil L _c around the IC card function executing unit is Katachi設. The loop coil L _c ends of the IC card function executing unit side occurs voltage induced by the magnetic field emitted by the loop antenna L _c of the card reading and writing apparatus, the IC card function executing unit that is connected to the loop coil L _c end Input to the terminal.

Loop coil L _c of the antenna L _RW and IC card function executing unit side of the card reading and writing apparatus is the degree of coupling will vary depending on the positional relationship of each other, be regarded as examples of the system forms one transformer The read / write operation of the IC card can be modeled as shown in FIG.

On the card read / write device side, by modulating the current I _RW flowing through the antenna L _RW , the voltage V _O induced in the loop coil L _c on the IC chip is modulated, and the card read / write device is utilized by using the modulation. Can transmit data to the IC card function execution unit.

Further, IC card function execution unit has functions for varying the load between the terminals of the loop coil L _c in accordance with the data to be returned to the card reading and writing device (Load Switching). When the load between the terminals of the loop coil L _c is varied, a card reading and writing apparatus to change the impedance between the antenna terminal appears as a variation of the passing current I _RW and voltage V _RW antenna L _RW. By demodulating this fluctuation, the card read / write device can receive the return data of the IC card function execution unit.

  In other words, the IC card function execution unit performs amplitude modulation on the signal appearing in the receiving circuit on the card read / write device side by changing the load between its own antennas according to the response signal to the inquiry signal from the card read / write device. Communication is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the contactless card system itself includes a card read / write device 1, an IC card function execution unit 2, and a controller 3, and electromagnetic waves are transmitted between the card read / write device 1 and the IC card 2. Data is transmitted and received in a contactless manner. That is, the card read / write device 1 transmits a predetermined command to the IC card function execution unit 2, and the IC card function execution unit 2 performs processing corresponding to the received command. Then, the IC card function execution unit 2 transmits response data corresponding to the processing result to the card read / write device 1.

  The card read / write device 1 is connected to the controller 3 via a predetermined interface (for example, one that conforms to the RS-485A standard or the like). The controller 3 supplies a control signal to the card read / write device 1 to cause the IC card function execution unit 2 to perform predetermined processing.

  In the three-party communication system according to the present invention, the IC card function execution unit includes a wired interface for connecting to an external device in addition to a wireless / contactless interface, and includes a mobile phone, PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), and CE (CE). It can be used in an information processing terminal such as Consumer Electronics) or a personal computer.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows the hardware configuration of this type of IC card function execution unit. As shown in the figure, the IC card function execution unit includes an analog unit 102 connected to the antenna unit 101, a digital control unit 103, a memory 104, and an external interface 105, and is built in the portable terminal 110. ing. The IC card function execution unit may be configured with a one-chip semiconductor integrated circuit, or may be configured with a two-chip semiconductor integrated circuit by separating the RF analog front end and the logic circuit unit.

  The antenna unit 101 transmits / receives non-contact data to / from a card read / write device (not shown). The analog unit 102 processes analog signals transmitted and received from the antenna unit 101, such as detection, modulation / demodulation, and clock extraction. These constitute a non-contact interface between the IC card function execution unit and the card read / write device.

  The digital control unit 103 comprehensively controls processing of transmission / reception data and other operations performed in the IC card function execution unit. The digital control unit 103 connects an addressable memory 104 locally. The memory 104 includes a nonvolatile storage device such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), stores user data such as electronic money and an electronic ticket, and writes a program code executed by the digital control unit 103. Or can be used to save work data being executed.

  In the present embodiment, the IC card function execution unit includes a general communication mode for controlling a general access operation from the card read / write device to the memory 104 in the IC card function execution unit, and a card read / write device and information having different interface protocols. It has an ad hoc communication mode that is interposed between direct data transfers with processing terminals. The digital control unit 103 controls the state transition between these modes and the communication operation in each communication mode in response to an external event. Details of this point will be described later.

  The external interface 105 is a functional module for the digital control unit 103 to connect to a device such as the portable terminal 110 using an interface protocol different from a non-contact interface connected to a card read / write device (not shown). Data written in the memory 104 can be transferred to the mobile terminal 110 via the external interface 105.

  Here, when communicating with the card read / write device, the received data from the card read / write device is converted as it is, according to an appropriate conversion rule, or converted into another packet structure, and the portable terminal via the external interface 105 110. Conversely, the data received from the mobile terminal 110 via the external interface 105 is converted as it is, or converted according to an appropriate conversion rule, or converted into another packet structure and transmitted to the card read / write device via the non-contact interface. To do.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the IC card function execution unit is built in and used in the mobile terminal 110 as an information processing terminal, and the external interface 105 is wired such as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter). Use the interface.

  The IC card function execution unit can be driven by energy obtained from a reception signal from a card read / write device received via the antenna unit 101, for example. Of course, part or all may be configured to operate by power supplied from the portable terminal 110 via the wired interface 105.

  Also, in the wired interface 105, a hardware signal line for notifying the information processing terminal 110 that the IC card function execution unit has received an ad hoc communication request command for requesting data transfer from the card read / write device ( (To be described later).

  The mobile terminal 110 corresponds to an information processing terminal such as a mobile phone, a PDA, or a personal computer (PC). The portable terminal 110 includes a program control unit 111, a display unit 112, and a user input unit 113.

  The program control unit 111 includes, for example, a microprocessor, a RAM, and a ROM (none of which are shown in FIG. 4), and the microprocessor uses the RAM as a work area in accordance with the program code stored in the ROM. Run various processing services. The processing service includes processing for the IC card function execution unit in addition to the original functions of the mobile terminal 1100 such as a mobile phone. Of course, the program control unit 111 may include an external storage device such as a hard disk and other peripheral devices.

  In the present embodiment, the program control unit 111 includes a data transfer state in which the information processing terminal 110 allows non-contact data communication with an IC card function execution unit interposed therein, and a data non-transfer state in which this non-contact data communication is not allowed. And the IC card function execution unit manages the communication state of the information processing terminal 110.

  In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, the antenna unit 101 for non-contact IC card interface is mounted in an IC chip as an IC card function execution unit, but the antenna configuration is not limited to this. For example, the antenna unit 101 may be externally connected to the IC chip module, or the antenna unit 101 may be disposed on the mobile terminal 101 side in which the IC chip module is built.

  Since the IC card technology is difficult to copy or tamper with internal information and has tamper resistance, a three-party communication system using a non-contact interface can realize security at a high level. However, the conventional non-contact IC card communication protocol employs a procedure of receiving a response when a command is transmitted, and thus is not suitable for transferring a relatively large amount of data at a high speed. In addition, since the IC card does not have a mechanism for notifying the information processing terminal 110 that there is received data, it is impossible to confirm whether the terminal has received the data. There is also a problem that it is difficult to take.

  On the other hand, in the communication system according to the present invention, the data transfer state in which the information processing terminal 110 allows non-contact data communication with the IC card function execution unit interposed therebetween, and the data non-transfer state in which this non-contact data communication is not allowed And the IC card function execution unit manages the communication state of the information processing terminal 110. Then, when data is sent from the card read / write device via the non-contact interface, the IC card function execution unit transfers the received data directly to the information processing terminal via the wired interface only in the data transfer state. When data is sent from the information processing terminal 110 via the wired interface, the received data is directly transferred to the card read / write device via the non-contact interface only in the data transfer state.

  As described above, the IC card function execution unit interposed between the card read / write device and the information processing terminal does not depend on the notification from the information processing terminal, but depends on whether the data transfer state or the data non-transfer state. Since data can be transferred to the side, synchronization can be easily achieved, the transfer speed can be increased, and large-capacity data transfer can be realized.

  Also, the wired interface has a very low error rate during data transfer and high reliability compared to the non-contact interface. Therefore, the IC card function execution unit returns a response to the command at the time of data transfer on the non-contact interface, but further omits the procedure of returning a response to the command at the time of data transfer on the wired interface. Data transfer processing can be speeded up.

  Hereinafter, the communication operation in the three-party communication system according to the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 shows a state transition diagram of an IC card function execution unit interposed between the card read / write device and the information processing terminal in the three-party communication system. As shown in the figure, the IC card function execution unit includes a “general communication mode” corresponding to a data non-transfer state and an “ad hoc communication mode” corresponding to a data transfer state. Such a state transition operation is controlled by the digital control unit 103 in the IC card function execution unit in accordance with an external event.

  Under the general communication mode, a general access operation is performed on the IC card function execution unit. FIG. 6 schematically shows an operation sequence of the three-party communication system for accessing the IC card function execution unit under the general communication mode. When there is data to be written to the IC card function execution unit by the card read / write device or when there is data to be read from the IC card function execution unit, after establishing a session through a non-contact interface through a predetermined authentication procedure (not shown), A data transfer command (Transmit Data Command) is transmitted, and data is written to or read from the IC card function execution unit. In addition, when there is data to be written to the IC card function execution unit by the information processing terminal or data to be read from the IC card function execution unit, a session is established through a predetermined authentication procedure via a wired interface (not shown). Then, a data transfer command is transmitted, and data is written to or read from the IC card function execution unit.

  The communication procedure between the three parties with the IC card function execution unit interposed in the general communication mode follows, for example, the communication method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-203212 that has already been assigned to the present applicant.

  That is, the information processing terminal issues an activate command, temporarily shifts from the wired communication mode to the wireless communication mode, writes data from the card read / write device to the IC card function execution unit, By issuing an activate command to return to the wired communication mode and reading data written in the IC card function execution unit, data is transmitted from the card read / write device to the information processing terminal via the IC card function execution unit. The information processing terminal writes data to the IC card function execution unit, then issues an activate command to temporarily shift to the wireless communication mode, and the card read / write device reads the data from the IC card function execution unit. Then, a deactivation command is issued to return to the wired communication mode, thereby performing data transmission from the information processing terminal to the card read / write device via the IC card function execution unit.

  Also, in the general communication mode, the card read / write device issues a second activate command, temporarily shifts from the wireless communication mode to the wired communication mode, and transmits data from the information processing terminal to the IC card function execution unit. After writing, this time, the second non-activate command is issued to return to the wireless communication mode, and by reading the data written in the IC card function execution unit, information processing via the IC card function execution unit is performed. Data is transmitted from the terminal to the card read / write device. The card read / write device writes data to the IC card function execution unit, then issues a second activate command to temporarily shift to the wired communication mode, and the information processing terminal receives the data from the IC card function execution unit. After reading the data, this time, a second non-activate command is issued to return to the wireless communication mode, whereby data is transmitted from the card read / write device to the information processing terminal via the IC card function execution unit.

  As described above, in the general communication mode, the IC card function execution unit directly transfers the data received from the card read / write device via the non-contact interface to the information processing terminal via the wired interface, or from the information processing terminal via the wired interface. The received data is not directly transferred to the card read / write device via the contactless interface. In other words, the data transmission is not synchronized between the card read / write device and the information processing terminal with the IC card function execution unit interposed. Under the general communication mode, the information processing terminal is in a “data non-transfer state” in which the IC card function execution unit does not receive the data received via the non-contact interface as it is.

  On the other hand, in the ad hoc communication mode, when data is sent from the card read / write device via the non-contact interface, the IC card function execution unit directly transfers the received data to the information processing terminal via the wired interface. When data is sent from the information processing terminal via the wired interface, the received data is directly transferred to the card read / write device via the non-contact interface.

  Under the ad hoc communication mode, the information processing terminal is in a “data transfer state” in which the IC card function execution unit can directly receive the data received via the non-contact interface. That is, in the ad hoc communication mode, the IC card function execution unit can directly transfer data without depending on the notification from the information processing terminal, so that synchronization can be easily performed and the transfer speed can be increased. Large-capacity data transfer can be realized.

  FIG. 7 schematically shows an operation sequence for performing communication between three parties in the ad hoc communication mode.

  When there is transfer data, the card read / write device establishes a session via a non-contact interface through a predetermined authentication procedure (not shown), and then transmits a data transfer command.

  The IC card function execution unit performs predetermined protocol conversion on the data transfer command from the card read / write device, and then transfers the data transfer command to the information processing terminal via the wired interface. In this case, the data transfer from the card read / write device is different from the data writing to the memory in the IC card function execution unit, and is the data transfer through the IC card function execution unit for the information processing terminal having a different communication interface.

  Further, when there is transfer data, the information processing terminal transmits a data transfer command after establishing a session (not shown) through a predetermined authentication procedure via a wired interface.

  The IC card function execution unit performs predetermined protocol conversion on the data transfer command from the information processing terminal, and then transfers the data transfer command to the card read / write device via the non-contact interface. The data transfer from the information processing terminal in this case is different from the data writing to the memory in the IC card function execution unit, and is the data transfer through the IC card function execution unit for the card read / write device having a different communication interface.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the IC card function execution unit receives a data transfer command from the card read / write device via the non-contact interface and transfers it to the information processing terminal via the wired interface. A data transfer response is returned. On the other hand, when the IC card function execution unit receives a data transfer command from the information processing terminal via the wired interface and transfers it to the card read / write device via the non-contact interface, it does not return a response. This is because the wired interface has an extremely low error rate during data transfer and high reliability compared to the non-contact interface, so the procedure for returning the response is omitted, further speeding up the data transfer process. This is for the purpose of illustration.

  When receiving an ad hoc communication request command (Propos Ad-hoc Command) from the card read / write device side in the general communication mode, the IC card function execution unit temporarily enters the ad hoc communication mode (see FIG. 5). )

  FIG. 8 shows an operation sequence in which the card read / write device makes an ad hoc communication request to the IC card function execution unit. When the card read / write device wants to transfer data with the information processing terminal, the card read / write device generates an arbitrary session number and transmits an ad hoc communication request command to the IC card function execution unit.

  During the wired interface connecting the IC card function execution unit and the information processing terminal, the information processing terminal side is notified that the IC card function execution unit has received an ad hoc communication request command for requesting data transfer from the card read / write device. Hardware signal lines are included (described above). In response to receiving this command, the IC card function execution unit in the general communication mode prompts the information processing terminal to change the state by changing the signal line from the low level to the high level. , Wait for reply of compliance order.

  The IC card function execution unit shifts to the ad hoc communication mode when receiving an acceptance from the information processing terminal within a predetermined period after transferring the ad hoc communication start command. On the other hand, if the compliance cannot be confirmed within a predetermined period, the mode returns to the general communication mode (see FIG. 5).

  FIG. 9 shows an operation sequence when the information processing terminal accepts the ad hoc communication start mode. The information processing terminal detects that a specific signal line in the wired interface with the IC card function execution unit has changed from a low level to a high level, and recognizes that an ad hoc communication request has occurred.

  Here, when the information processing terminal permits ad hoc communication, that is, data transfer with the card read / write device via the IC card function execution unit, the information processing terminal shifts from the data non-transfer state to the data transfer state, and starts the ad hoc communication start command. (Start Ad-hoc Command) is returned to the IC card function execution unit.

  When receiving an ad hoc communication start command from the information processing terminal, the IC card function execution unit shifts to an ad hoc communication mode, returns an ad hoc communication start response from the wired interface to the information processing terminal, and also uses a card read / write device from the non-contact interface. Returns an ad hoc communication request response to. The IC card function execution unit stores the session number included in the ad hoc communication start command.

  Although not shown, the ad hoc communication in the three-party communication system can also be started by issuing an ad hoc communication start command from the information processing terminal via the wired communication interface.

  Under the ad hoc communication mode, the information processing terminal is in a “data transfer state” in which the IC card function execution unit can directly receive the data received via the non-contact interface. The IC card function execution unit maintains the ad hoc communication mode as long as the data transfer command continues from the information processing terminal or the card read / write device (see FIG. 5).

  The IC card function execution unit performs predetermined protocol conversion on the data transfer command from the card read / write device, and then transfers the data transfer command to the information processing terminal via the wired interface. In this case, data transfer from the card read / write device is different from data writing to the IC card function execution unit, and is data transfer via the IC card function execution unit to an information processing terminal having a different communication interface.

  The IC card function execution unit performs predetermined protocol conversion on the data transfer command from the information processing terminal, and then transfers the data transfer command to the card read / write device via the non-contact interface. Data transfer from the information processing terminal in this case is data transfer via an IC card function execution unit for a card read / write device having a different communication interface, unlike general contactless access to an IC card function execution unit. .

  10 and 11 schematically show an operation sequence of the three-party communication system in the ad hoc communication mode.

  When receiving the ad hoc communication request response from the IC card function execution unit, the card read / write device transmits a data transfer command via the non-contact interface. On the other hand, the IC card is in the ad hoc communication mode (that is, the information processing terminal is in the transfer state), and the session number attached to the data transfer command is saved when the ad hoc communication mode is entered. If the number matches, the data transfer command is transferred to the information processing terminal via the wired interface. Then, the IC card function execution unit returns a data transfer response to the card read / write device.

  Further, when the IC card function execution unit receives the data transfer command from the information processing terminal via the wired interface, the IC card function execution unit is in the ad hoc communication mode (that is, the information processing terminal is in the transfer state), and the data transfer command When the session number attached to the key matches the session number stored when the ad hoc communication mode is shifted, the data transfer command is transferred to the card read / write device via the contactless interface. However, in this case, the IC card function execution unit does not return a response to the data transmission source information processing terminal. This is because the wired interface has an extremely low error rate during data transfer and high reliability compared to the non-contact interface, so the procedure for returning the response is omitted, further speeding up the data transfer process. This is for the purpose of illustration.

  Further, the IC card function execution unit in the ad hoc communication mode returns to the general communication mode when receiving the ad hoc communication end command from the card read / write device (see FIG. 5).

  FIG. 12 shows an operation sequence of the three-party communication system when the IC card function execution unit transitions from the ad hoc communication mode to the general communication mode.

  When there is no transmission data for the information processing terminal or reception data from the information processing terminal, the card read / write device transmits an ad hoc communication end command to the IC card.

  When the IC card function execution unit receives an ad hoc communication end command from the card read / write device via the non-contact interface, the IC card function execution unit transfers this to the information processing terminal via the wired interface. In response to this, the information processing terminal transitions from the data transfer state to the data non-transfer state. Further, the IC card function execution unit itself transits to the general communication mode and returns an ad hoc communication end response to the card read / write device.

  Although not shown, it is also possible to end the ad hoc communication and return to the general communication mode by issuing an ad hoc communication end command from the information processing terminal via the wired communication interface.

  The digital control unit 103 in the IC card function execution unit controls the state transition shown in FIG. 5 in response to an external event such as an ad hoc communication start / end command from the card read / write device. FIG. 13 schematically shows a functional configuration for controlling state transition in the digital control unit 103.

  The wired communication control function unit 103-1 controls the communication operation with the information processing terminal via the wired interface. The wireless communication control function unit 103-2 controls communication operation with the card read / write device via the non-contact interface.

  The ad hoc communication management function unit 103-3 controls the operation mode of the IC card function execution unit in response to an external event. Specifically, in response to an ad hoc communication start command from a card read / write device or an information processing terminal, transition from the general communication mode to an ad hoc communication mode, and in response to an ad hoc communication end command from the card read / write device or an information processing terminal, End ad hoc communication and return to general communication mode. When the ad hoc communication management function unit 103-3 receives an ad hoc communication start command from the card read / write device, the ad hoc communication management function unit 103-3 uses the specific signal line in the wired interface to the information processing terminal without using the wired communication control function unit 103-1. Notify directly.

  The ad hoc state management function unit 103-4 holds the current operation mode set by the ad hoc communication management function unit 103-3 in a nonvolatile manner.

  The communication path control function unit 103-5 controls the access operation to the IC card function execution unit via the non-contact interface and the wired interface according to the current operation mode held in the ad hoc state management function unit 103-4. The communication path control function unit 103-5 controls the operation of the communication path between the card read / write device and the information processing terminal configured with a non-contact interface and a wired interface.

  The access under the general communication mode is a data write or read operation with respect to the memory 104 in the IC card function execution unit. In this case, the communication path control function unit 103-5 exclusively performs the memory access operation from the card read / write device via the non-contact interface or the memory access operation from the information processing device via the wired interface. As described above, the communication operation is controlled.

  On the other hand, in the ad hoc communication operation mode, access to the IC card function execution unit from the card read / write device or the information processing terminal is not access to the memory 104 in the IC card function execution unit, but both through the IC card function execution unit. Corresponds to direct data transfer between. In this case, when data is sent from the card read / write device via the non-contact interface, the communication path control function unit 103-5 transfers the data directly to the information processing terminal via the wired interface, and from the information processing terminal via the wired interface. When data is sent, the communication path is controlled so that it is directly transferred to the card read / write device via the non-contact interface.

  FIG. 14 shows an operation flow for starting ad hoc communication with the control configuration shown in FIG.

  When receiving an ad hoc communication start request command (Propos Ad-hoc Command) from the information processing terminal via the non-contact interface, the wireless communication control function unit 103-2 notifies the ad hoc management function unit 103-3 of this.

  When the ad hoc management function unit 103-3 notifies the request command of the information processing terminal using the hardware signal line, the ad hoc management function unit 103-3 stands by until an ad hoc communication start command is received.

  When accepting the ad hoc communication, the information processing terminal shifts from the data non-transfer state to the data transfer state and returns an ad hoc communication start command via the wired interface.

  When receiving the ad hoc communication start command, the wired communication control function unit 103-1 notifies the ad hoc management function unit 103-3 of this. In response to this, the ad hoc management function unit 103-3 changes the operation mode of the IC card function execution unit from the general communication mode to the ad hoc communication mode, and sets the current operation mode in the ad hoc state management function unit 103-4. To do. The session number included in the ad hoc communication start command received from the card read / write device is stored.

  FIG. 15 shows an operation flow for executing ad hoc communication using the control configuration shown in FIG.

  When a data transfer command is sent from the card read / write device via the wired interface, the wired communication control function unit 103-1 notifies the communication path control function unit 103-5.

  The communication path control function unit 103-5 makes an inquiry to the ad hoc state management unit and confirms the current operation mode of the IC card function execution unit. If the session number attached to the data transfer command is in the ad hoc communication mode and matches the session number stored at the time of the ad hoc communication mode transition, the data transfer command is sent to the wireless communication control function unit 103-2. And pass it to the card reader / writer.

  When a data transfer command is sent from the card read / write device via the non-contact interface, the wireless communication control function unit 103-2 notifies the communication path control function unit 103-5.

  The communication path control function unit 103-5 makes an inquiry to the ad hoc state management unit and confirms the current operation mode of the IC card function execution unit. If the session number attached to the data transfer command is in the ad hoc communication mode and matches the session number stored at the time of transition to the ad hoc communication mode, a data transfer response is sent to the wireless communication control function unit 103-2. Give it back to the card reader / writer. Then, the data transfer command is transferred to the wired communication control function unit 103-1, and transferred to the information processing terminal.

  As described above, in the communication system according to the present invention, the data transfer state in which the information processing terminal allows non-contact data communication with the IC card function execution unit interposed therebetween, and data non-permission that does not allow this non-contact data communication. The transfer state is defined, and the IC card function execution unit manages the communication state of the information processing terminal. Then, when data is sent from the card read / write device via the non-contact interface, the IC card function execution unit transfers the received data directly to the information processing terminal via the wired interface only in the data transfer state. Also, when data is sent from the information processing terminal via the wired interface, the received data is transferred to the card read / write device via the non-contact interface only in the data transfer state.

  As described above, the IC card function execution unit interposed between the card read / write device and the information processing terminal does not depend on the notification from the information processing terminal, but depends on whether the data transfer state or the data non-transfer state. Since data can be transferred to the side, synchronization can be easily achieved, the transfer speed can be increased, and large-capacity data transfer can be realized.

  In the present specification, the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make modifications and substitutions of the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In this specification, an IC card function execution unit having a memory, a card read / write device capable of communicating with the IC card function execution unit via a non-contact interface, and information capable of communication with the IC card function execution unit via a wired interface Although the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a three-party communication system including processing terminals has been mainly described, the gist of the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Of course, the present invention can be similarly applied to a three-party communication system configured using a communication interface other than the non-contact interface.

  For example, the IC card function execution unit has a non-contact IC card interface with the card read / write device and a wired interface with the information processing terminal, but has the same function for a hub equipped with a wireless LAN function and a wired LAN function. Thus, similar transfer control can be realized in a communication system including a wireless network and a wired network.

  In short, the present invention has been disclosed in the form of exemplification, and the description of the present specification should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the description of the scope of claims should be considered.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Card reader / writer 2 ... IC card function execution part 3 ... Controller 101 ... Antenna part 102 ... Analog part 103 ... Digital control part 104 ... Memory 105 ... External interface

Claims (16)

An analog unit that processes an analog signal received via an antenna unit that performs non-contact communication with an external device;
A first interface connected to the memory;
A second interface wired to the information processing apparatus;
In response to a first command received from the information processing device via the second interface, non-contact communication data from the external device is transferred to the memory and data from the information processing device via the second interface A first communication mode for transferring data to the memory, and contactless communication data from the external device via the second interface to the information processing device and via the second interface from the information processing device A first communication path for setting data to any one of the second communication modes for contactless communication with the external device, and communicating with the external device via the first interface according to the communication mode, and the external A digital control unit for controlling a device and a second communication path for communicating via the second interface;
A communication apparatus comprising: The second interface unit includes a signal line for transmitting a notification to the information processing apparatus,
The communication apparatus according to claim 1. In response to the notification, the information processing apparatus changes a state related to communication.
The communication apparatus according to claim 2. The digital control unit changes the communication mode according to a second command received from the external device via the analog unit;
The communication apparatus according to claim 1. The digital control unit stores a session number for controlling communication between the external device and the information processing device.
The communication apparatus according to claim 1. An analog signal processing step for processing an analog signal received via an antenna unit that performs non-contact communication with an external device;
A memory communication step for communicating with the connected memory;
A wired communication step for communicating with a wired-connected information processing device;
In response to a first command received from the information processing device via the wired connection, non-contact communication data from the external device is transferred to the memory and data from the information processing device via the second interface A first communication mode for transferring data to the memory, and contactless communication data from the external device via the second interface to the information processing device and via the second interface from the information processing device Setting the data to one of the second communication modes for non-contact communication with the external device ;
Digital control for controlling a first communication path for communicating with the external device using the memory communication step and a second communication path for communicating with the external device using the wired communication step according to a communication mode Steps,
A communication method comprising: An analog unit that processes an analog signal received via an antenna unit that performs non-contact communication with an external device, a first interface connected to the memory, a second interface connected by wire to the information processing device, and a digital control unit In the computer provided,
In response to a first command received from the information processing device via the second interface, non-contact communication data from the external device is transferred to the memory and data from the information processing device via the second interface A first communication mode for transferring data to the memory, and contactless communication data from the external device via the second interface to the information processing device and via the second interface from the information processing device A first communication path for setting data to any one of the second communication modes for contactless communication with the external device, and communicating with the external device via the first interface according to the communication mode, and the external Computer capable to control a device and a second communication path for communication via the second interface A program written in the form. An information processing device;
An analog signal received via an antenna unit that performs non-contact communication with an external device is processed by the analog unit, connected to a memory via a first interface, and wired to the information processing device via a second interface. In response to a first command received from the information processing device via the second interface , non-contact communication data from the external device is transferred to the memory and via the second interface from the information processing device. A first communication mode for transferring data to the memory; and non-contact communication data from the external device is transferred to the information processing device via the second interface and via the second interface from the information processing device. set the data to one of the second communication mode to the non-contact communication to the external device And digitally controlling a first communication path for communicating with the external device via the first interface and a second communication path for communicating with the external device via the second interface according to a communication mode. A communication device controlled by the unit,
A communication system comprising: An analog unit that processes an analog signal received via an antenna unit that performs non-contact communication with an external device;
A wired interface for wired connection with the information processing device;
Memory,
In response to a first command received from the information processing device via the wired interface, non-contact communication data from the external device is transferred to the memory and data from the information processing device via the second interface is transferred. The first communication mode to be transferred to the memory and the non-contact communication data from the external device to the information processing device via the second interface and the data from the information processing device via the second interface Is set to one of the second communication modes for non-contact communication with the external device, and the first communication path for accessing the memory according to the communication mode, and the external device uses the analog unit and the wired interface. A digital control unit for controlling the second communication path via
A communication apparatus comprising: The wired interface includes a signal line for transmitting a notification to the information processing apparatus,
The communication apparatus according to claim 9. In response to the notification, the information processing apparatus changes a state related to communication.
The communication device according to claim 10. The digital control unit changes the communication mode according to a second command received from the external device via the analog unit;
The communication apparatus according to claim 9. The digital control unit stores a session number for controlling communication between the external device and the information processing device.
The communication device according to claim 9. An analog signal processing step for processing an analog signal received via an antenna unit that performs non-contact communication with an external device;
A wired communication step for communicating with a wired-connected information processing device;
In response to a first command received from the information processing device via the wired connection, non-contact communication data from the external device is transferred to the memory and data from the information processing device via the second interface A first communication mode for transferring data to the memory, and contactless communication data from the external device via the second interface to the information processing device and via the second interface from the information processing device Setting the data to one of the second communication modes for non-contact communication with the external device ;
A first communication path for accessing a memory according to a communication mode; and a digital control step in which the external device controls the second communication path via the analog unit and the wired interface;
A communication method comprising: In a computer including an analog unit that processes an analog signal received via an antenna unit that performs non-contact communication with an external device, a second interface that is wired to the information processing device, a memory, and a digital control unit,
In response to a first command received from the information processing device via the second interface, non-contact communication data from the external device is transferred to the memory and data from the information processing device via the second interface A first communication mode for transferring data to the memory, and contactless communication data from the external device via the second interface to the information processing device and via the second interface from the information processing device A first communication path for setting data to any one of the second communication modes for contactless communication with the external device and accessing the memory according to the communication mode, and the external device for the analog unit and the wired interface A program written in a computer readable format to control the second communication path via Lamb. An information processing device;
An analog signal received via an antenna unit that performs non-contact communication with an external device is processed by the analog unit, connected to a memory via a first interface, and wired to the information processing device via a second interface. In response to a first command received from the information processing device via the second interface , non-contact communication data from the external device is transferred to the memory and via the second interface from the information processing device. A first communication mode for transferring data to the memory; and non-contact communication data from the external device is transferred to the information processing device via the second interface and via the second interface from the information processing device. set the data to one of the second communication mode to the non-contact communication to the external device Rutotomoni, a communication device for controlling the second communication path the first communication path and the external device via the analog part and the second interface for accessing the memory in response to the communication mode in the digital control unit,
A communication system comprising:

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