JPH02197979A - Connection unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To load information media having different shapes and thickness into the same reader by setting a cover which covers a connection pin on a support stage and has a through hole where the tip part of the connection pin passes at a recessed or projecting part of an information medium set opposite to the cover. CONSTITUTION:At an initial stage, a connection pin 24 is protected by a cover 15. When an information medium 1 is loaded, the cover 15 is coupled with a recessed or projecting part of the medium 1. Then the connection terminals T1-T5 and the pin 24 are positioned opposite to each other. When the cover 15 is depressed by the medium 1, the tip part of the pin 24 is exposed through a through hole 16 and touches the terminals T1-T5. When the cover 15 is retracted, the tip part of the pin 24 is exposed over the cover 15. Thus the pin 24 is connected to the terminals T1-T5 with the constant pressure. Both the tip part of the pin 24 and the cover 15 are held elastically and therefore set back to their original positions when the medium 1 is removed. Thus a connection unit 22 is satisfactorily connected to the medium 1 regardless of different shapes and thickness of the media 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection unit for mechanically and electrically connecting an information medium containing an IC chip for processing or storing data and a reading device.

Conventional technology The so-called IC card, which has a built-in IC chip that processes or stores data and has a series of terminals exposed and arranged on the surface as connection terminals for a reading device, is widely known.
Its standardization is underway at 5O (International Organization for Standardization). These IC cards have a larger storage capacity and better confidentiality than conventional magnetic stripe cards, so they are being put into practical use in fields such as finance, credit, and medical care. This IC is shown in Figure 6a.
A perspective view of the card is shown. A microcomputer, a card base material 32 having the same shape as a conventional magnetic stripe card,
An integrated circuit device 3o containing an IC chip such as a memory is buried therein, and eight connection terminals 31 are exposed on its surface. Normally, the internal IC chip operates through six connection terminals 31. FIG. 6 shows a partial sectional view of this IC card reading device. The card base material 32 is drawn into the reading device by the roll 34 through the insertion slot 33, and the guide 3
6 and are guided to a predetermined position. The connection terminal 31 and the connection pin 37 face each other with respect to the upper end surface 40 and left end surface 41 of the card base material 32, and the reading device and the IC card are mechanically and electrically connected. The connecting pin 37 is shaped like a leaf spring and is fixed to an insulating substrate 36, and is connected to an internal processing circuit by a lead wire 38. I like this
(J cards and readers are most useful for large open systems.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, when such an I(lj card is used in a relatively small-scale or closed system, such as a cashless system at a marine leisure land, there are the following disadvantages. , Tourists who visit this area and own a 10 card can use it for admission tickets, restaurants, and shopping, but once they leave this area, it automatically loses its useful value. 6. IC card It is just a plastic card.Therefore, the relatively expensive IC card cost is reduced to the IC card owner.

Regardless of whether the cost is borne by the system or the service provider, it will be difficult to put such a system into practical use unless the IC card has a comparable utility value. Therefore, one way to solve this problem is to make the IC card into a shape that can be used as an accessory such as a pendant or a brooch, or a practical item such as a key chain. By using such an information medium, a built-in IC chip memory can be used.

Not only does it take advantage of its security features, but also accessories,
It can be used as a practical item, souvenir, or souvenir, and can have added value later on. Therefore, even a closed system using an IC card in a limited area and one period as described above can be implemented relatively easily.

To this end, it is important to provide a system that allows information media of various shapes and thicknesses to be handled easily and conveniently, and to be installed in the same reading device.

Means for Solving the Problem In order to solve this problem, the connection unit of the present invention includes:
A connecting pin having a tip that is movable up and down, a support to which the connecting pin is fixed, and a cover that covers the connecting pin on the support and has a through hole through which the tip of the connecting pin passes. , this cover fits into and connects to the recess or projection of the opposing information medium.

Effect With this configuration, the connecting pin is initially protected by the cover, and when the information medium is attached, the recess or protrusion provided on the information medium fits into the cover, and the connecting terminal and the connecting pin are connected. are positioned facing each other. When the cover is pushed down by the information medium, the tip of the connection pin is exposed from the through hole, and this tip comes into contact with the connection terminal. When the cover is retracted, the tip of the connecting pin protrudes from the cover, and the connecting pin and the connecting terminal are connected with a constant pressure.

Since the tip of the connection pin and the cover are held elastically, they return to their initial positions after the information medium is removed. Therefore, even if the external shapes and thicknesses of the information media vary, the connection unit of the present invention and the information medium can be connected well using the concave or convex portion commonly formed on the information media.

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an information medium attached to the connection unit of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the moom' of this information medium. This information medium is used at Marine Leisure Land, and its appearance is shaped like a fish as a symbolic character. In FIG. 2, 1 is a fish-shaped information medium, 9 is a through hole for carrying this information medium 1 through a chain, and 1o is an I for processing and storing data.
It is an integrated circuit device with a built-in C chip.

The integrated circuit device 10 is embedded in the back surface of the information medium 1 at a position set back from this surface, and concentric connection terminals TI, T2 . T3. There is a metal frame 2 on the outermost periphery that is exposed only at the terminal groups T4 and T6 and that reinforces and protects the integrated circuit device 10. The functions of these terminal groups are reset signal input, clock signal input, data input/output, power supply voltage input, and zero voltage input in order from the innermost portion. The IC chip operates according to these functions. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the integrated circuit device 10 has a concentric terminal group T on one side of a double-sided board 3 for connection to a reading device, and a terminal group T and through holes on the other side. 4 is formed, an IC chip 7 is fixed thereon with an insulating adhesive 11, and the IC chip 7 and the conductor pattern 6 are connected with a thin metal wire 6. The interior is filled with sealing resin 8 and exploded. This integrated circuit device 10 is embedded in a circular opening of a fish-shaped support 12 and fixed with an adhesive (not shown).
An information medium 1 to be attached to the connection unit of the present invention is obtained.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reading device equipped with a connection unit of the present invention. This reading device is of a portable type and is connected to a terminal device such as a personal computer through a connection line. Data on the information medium 1 is processed, displayed, and written by this terminal device. In FIG. 1, 14 is two light emitting diodes, 16 is a cover with a circular peripheral edge, 16 is a through hole in the cover 16, 17 is a protrusion for elastically holding the cover 16, and 18 is a support stand. be. 19 is a holding plate for fixing the information medium 1; 20 is a fulcrum; 21 is a support; 22 is a connection unit; and 23 is a connection line to a terminal device. 4 and 6 show the x in FIG. 1 when the information medium 1 is attached to the connection unit 22.
-x' and YY cross-sectional views are shown. In both FIGS. 4 and 6, the Iα chip and the like built into the integrated circuit device 10 are not shown. 4 and 6, 24 is a connecting pin, 26 is a tip of the connecting pin 24, 26 is a coiled spring, 27 is a lid, 28 is a lead wire, and 29 is a stopper. The connecting pin 24 is fixed to the support base 18, and the tip 25 is held by a coiled spring (not shown) inside the connecting pin 24 so as to be elastically movable up and down.

Ten connection pins 24 are arranged in a straight line in the diameter direction of the concentric terminal group T to form a connection terminal TI.

T2, T3, T4. Two connection pins 25 face each of T8 and are connected to a processing circuit (not shown) inside the reading device by a lead wire 2B. This internal processing circuit displays on the light emitting diode 14 that the information medium 1 is communicably attached to the connection unit 22, that communication with the terminal device has been completed, etc., and the interface circuit with the terminal device is Contained in the terminal device itself.

The peripheral edge of the cover 16 is formed into a circular shape so as to fit into the recess of the information medium 1, and is held on the support base 18 and the lid 27 by a coiled spring 26 so as to be elastically movable up and down. This lid 27 is fixed to the support stand 18, and has an opening through which the lead wire 28 is passed, a retainer 29 to prevent the cover 16 from falling off, and an opening through which the support of the cover 15 into which the spring 26 is inserted is passed. is formed. The repulsive force of the spring 26 is exerted between the lid 27 and the first protrusion of the cover 15. The cover 15 has a tip 25 of the connecting pin 24.
A through hole 16 is formed corresponding to the distal end portion 26, through which the through hole 16 passes. Initially, the tip 25 protrudes from the support base 18 to a predetermined size, and the cover 16 is lifted above this by the repulsive force of the spring 26. The support base 18 has an opening through which the cover 16 can move up and down.

A method for attaching the information medium 1 to a reading device equipped with the connection unit 22 having such a structure will be described.

When the support column 21 of the reading device is pushed in by hand, the presser plate 19 is lifted about the fulcrum 20, and the space between the cover 16 and the presser plate 19 is opened larger than the thickness of the information medium 1. During this time, when the information medium 1 is inserted while sliding on the back side of the information medium 1 and the front side of the cover 16, the recessed portion of the information medium 1 where the component group T is located and the peripheral edge of the cover 16 are fitted and connected. . Since this recess and the peripheral edge of the cover 16 are both circular, when the information medium 1 is inserted, even if the direction of rotation is different for each information medium, they can be fitted. For large information media 1, a part of the holding plate 19 is bent to provide relief. If you release your hand from the pillar 21 in this state, the pillar 21
Due to the repulsive force of the internal spring (not shown), the pillar 2
1 returns to its initial position, and the presser plate 19 presses down the information medium 1.

At this time, the cover 16 is also pushed down at the same time, and the through hole 16
The tip portion 26 of the connecting pin 24 is exposed, and the tip portion 26 and the terminal group T come into contact. This terminal group T is arranged in a concentric circle, and the connecting pins 24 are arranged in the diametrical direction of this circle, so the tip 26 and the terminal group! and are correctly opposed to each other regardless of the rotation direction of the information medium 10. Further, when the cover 15 is pushed down, the bottom surface of the cover 16 and the surface of the support base 18 come into contact, and the information medium 1 is fixed to the connection unit 22. Since the metal frame 2 and the terminal group T of the integrated circuit device 10 are exposed on the same plane, the tip portion 25 has an amount corresponding to the difference between the amount of protrusion from the initial support base 18 and the thickness of the cover 16. The connecting pin 24 and the terminal group are mechanically and electrically connected with a constant pressure. This pressure is due to the design dimensions of the connection unit 22 and is not influenced by the thickness of the information medium 1. When the connection is complete, the light emitting diode 14 lights up and communication with the terminal device is started. Another light emitting diode lights up while the communication is in progress, and goes out when the communication ends. Pillar 21
When pressed again, the holding plate 19 is lifted and the information medium 1 can be removed from the connection unit 22. At this time, the two light emitting diodes 14 go out and the cover 16
and the tip 26 returns to its initial position. In the above embodiment, the cover 16 is fitted into the recess of the information medium 1, but this may be reversed and the cover 16 is provided with a recess into which the protrusion of the information medium 1 is fitted.

Effects of the Invention As described above, by using the connection unit of the present invention, even if the information media have different external shapes and thicknesses, the same reading device can read the information media. Therefore, if this information medium and reading device are applied to a closed system such as a marine leisure land, the appearance of the information medium can be shaped into any character or design that symbolizes this system, such as pendants, brooches, key chains, coins, etc. This increases the added value of the system.

In addition, the combination of concentric connection terminals and a plurality of connection pins facing one connection terminal allows the information medium to be inserted into the connection unit in any rotational direction, ensuring a stable connection. It is.

In addition, since the connecting pin is initially covered by a cover, it prevents tampering from outside, and when the information medium is installed, the connecting terminal and the tip of the connecting pin do not slide. This tip and connecting terminal will not wear out. Furthermore, the connection unit of the present invention can be installed not only in a portable type reading device, but also directly in a terminal device such as a personal computer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connection unit showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the back of an information medium attached to the connection unit, FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof, and FIGS. Figure 6 is a sectional view of the connection unit and the information medium when the information medium is attached to the connection unit, Figure 6a is a perspective view of a conventional IC card, and Figure 6 is a diagram of the reading device for this industrial C card. FIG. 1... Information medium, 10... Integrated circuit device, T1 to T6... Connection terminal, 14...
・Light-emitting diode, 16...Cover, 16...
...Through hole, 17...Protrusion, 18...
...Support stand, 19...Press plate, 22...
・Connection unit, 24... Connection pin, 26...
...Tip. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and 1 other person 14
°-゛Light-emitting diode Y tS-1 cover t6-3j f+1,000 L2 Otsu 17- Kiaki 18- Tensho morsu tq・-W sheet pile 26---No support? l-Branch. ? 4-Connection 5-pin 25-Light border 26-Spring

Claims (1)

[Claims] A connecting pin having a tip that is movable up and down, a support to which the connecting pin is fixed, and a cover that covers the connecting pin on the support and has a through hole through which the tip of the connecting pin passes. . A connection unit in which the cover is configured to fit into and connect to a concave portion or a convex portion of an opposing information medium.