JP2001076112A - Ic card, reader/writer, mobile communication terminal provided with reader/writer and information unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve resistance to the bend of an IC card, to enlarge the capacity rate of an IC chip to the whole capacity of the IC card and to improve an integration degree by making the IC card into a bar shape. SOLUTION: An IC card 110 has a bar shape. The IC card 110 is the non- contact IC card and it has an IC chip 112 and a terminal face 114. One or more card terminals are installed on the terminal face 114. Since the IC card 110 has the bar shape, resistance to bend is strong, the capacity rate of the IC chip 112 to the whole capacity of the IC card 110 is enlarged and an integration degree can be improved. Since the IC card 110 has the bar shape, the degree of freedom on the mounting position of the reader/writer increases, the reader/writer or a unit provided with the reader/writer are miniaturized and the degree of freedom on the design of the reader/writer or the unit provided with the reader writer can be increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an IC card (SI
M (Subscriber Identity Module) card, UIM (User
Identity Module card), a reader / writer which mounts an IC card and communicates with the IC card, and a mobile communication terminal and an information device equipped with the reader / writer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional IC card. The IC card 10 is a contact type IC card, and includes an IC chip 12, a card terminal 14, and a line 16 connecting the IC chip 12 and the card terminal 14.

In the IC card 10 shown in FIG. 1, the number of card terminals 14 is eight. In many cases, the number of card terminals is eight due to standards. On the other hand, the number of lines from the IC chip to the card terminal is various because it is not determined by a standard. Generally, several lines are grouped for each function. The shape of the IC chip may be a square, a rectangle, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of a conventional SIM card-compatible mobile phone terminal. The mobile phone terminal 60 includes a reader / writer and communicates with a SIM card (not shown), which is a type of (contact type) IC card. Communication between the reader / writer and the SIM card is performed by the reader / writer terminal 6
4 and a terminal (card terminal) of the SIM card are in contact with each other.

[0005] The mobile phone terminal 60 shown in FIG. The mobile phone terminal 60 includes a SIM card mounting portion 61 and a cover 68 that covers the SIM card mounting portion 61.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second example of a conventional SIM card-compatible mobile phone terminal. The mobile phone terminal 70 includes a reader / writer and communicates with a SIM card (not shown), which is a kind of (contact type) IC card. Communication between the reader / writer and the SIM card is performed in a state where a reader / writer terminal (not shown) is in contact with a terminal of the SIM card.

[0007] The portable telephone terminal 70 shown in FIG. It is SI to SIM card mounting part 71
By mounting the M card and housing the SIM card mounting section 71 together with the SIM card in the main body of the mobile phone terminal, the reader / writer terminal and the terminal of the SIM card are brought into contact.

However, the conventional IC card has a plate shape,
In order to prevent the IC chip on the card from being damaged when bent, the volume of the IC chip relative to the volume of the card is small, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the IC card.

Further, in the contact type IC card, the area of the card is larger than the area of the card terminal, and the reader / writer or equipment (e.g., mobile communication terminal, information equipment) having the reader / writer is downsized. And have limited design. Although there are small IC cards used for mobile communication terminals, the overall shape of the IC card cannot be made smaller than the metal terminal surface.

In addition, when a small IC card is mounted on a mobile communication terminal, the mounting direction (direction) of the IC card is determined, so that the mounting operation is complicated. Further, the mounting direction of the conventional contact type IC card when mounting it on the reader / writer is determined, and the mounting operation is complicated.

In the conventional contact type IC card, the contact portion between the terminal of the IC card and the terminal of the reader / writer is set at a fixed position, and the terminal of the IC card is significantly deteriorated.

Further, in the conventional contact type IC card, there are many chances that the user's hand touches the terminal, and there is a risk of breakage and corrosion.

[0013]

That is, the conventional IC
The card has low resistance to bending, and it is necessary to reduce the volume ratio of the IC chip to the total volume of the IC card in order to prevent the IC chip such as CPU, ROM, and RAM from being damaged when bent. The problem is that the IC card cannot be made smaller than the conventional size.

Further, the conventional contact type IC card has a large area of the entire IC card as compared with the area of the terminal of the IC card, which limits the miniaturization and design of a reader / writer or devices including the reader / writer. That's the problem.

In addition, when a conventional contact type IC card is mounted on a reader / writer, the mounting direction is determined.
The problem is that the mounting operation is complicated.

Another problem with the conventional contact type IC card is that the contact point between the terminal of the IC card and the terminal of the reader / writer is always constant, so that the IC card terminal is significantly deteriorated.

Further, the conventional contact-type IC card has a problem that the user's hand often touches the card surface on which the terminals of the IC card are arranged, and the risk of breakage and corrosion is great.

Therefore, the present invention is to improve the resistance to bending of the IC card by making the shape of the IC card into a rod shape, increase the volume ratio of the IC chip to the total volume of the IC card, and increase the degree of integration. With the goal.

Further, by making the shape of the contact-type IC card into a rod shape, the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the reader / writer is increased, so that the reader / writer or devices equipped with the reader / writer can be downsized and the reader / writer can be downsized. An object of the present invention is to increase the degree of freedom in designing a device including a writer or a reader / writer.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to mount the contact type IC card on the reader / writer from either bottom surface, thereby simplifying the mounting operation.

Also, the terminal of the contact type IC card is
An object of the present invention is to prevent a terminal of an IC card from deteriorating by not limiting a portion in contact with a terminal of a writer to a fixed position.

It is another object of the present invention to prevent the IC card terminal from being damaged and corroded by configuring the contact type IC card so that a user's hand is less likely to touch the IC card terminal.

[0023]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an IC card having a rod shape.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the IC card according to the first aspect, wherein the IC card is a contact type IC card, and is used for communication by contacting a terminal of a reader / writer. A terminal is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the IC card according to the second aspect, wherein the card terminal is disposed on a side surface of the IC card.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the IC card according to the second aspect, wherein the card terminal is arranged on one bottom surface of the IC card.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the IC card according to the second aspect, wherein the card terminals are arranged on a side surface of the IC card and one bottom surface of the IC card. And

[0028] The invention according to claim 6 is the IC card according to claim 2, wherein the card terminals are arranged on both bottom surfaces of the IC card.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the IC card according to the second aspect, wherein the card terminals are arranged on a side surface of the IC card and a bottom surface of both the IC card. And

[0030] The invention according to claim 8 is the IC card according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the shape and function of the card terminals arranged on each bottom surface of the IC card are the same. And

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the IC card according to the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the shape and function of the card terminals arranged on each bottom surface of the IC card are different. .

The invention described in claim 10 is the third invention,
8. The IC card according to any one of items 5 and 7, wherein
The card terminals arranged on the side surface of the C card are arranged in a belt shape in the rotation direction about the long axis.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention provides the third aspect,
8. The IC card according to any one of items 5 and 7, wherein
As for the card terminals arranged on the side surface of the C card, the shape and function of the card terminals arranged vertically symmetrically from the center of the IC card are the same.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the IC card according to any one of the second to eleventh aspects, wherein
It is characterized by being able to communicate with a C card.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the reader / writer according to the twelfth aspect.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the reader / writer according to the twelfth aspect.

According to the above configuration, the resistance of the IC card to bending is strengthened, and the IC card with respect to the entire volume of the IC card is improved.
It is possible to increase the volume ratio of the C chip and increase the degree of integration.

Further, by increasing the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the reader / writer, the reader / writer or the device with the reader / writer can be downsized, and the design of the reader / writer or the device with the reader / writer can be reduced. The degree of freedom can be increased.

Further, the operation of mounting the contact type IC card on the reader / writer can be simplified.

Further, deterioration of the terminals of the contact type IC card can be prevented.

Further, damage and corrosion of the terminals of the contact type IC card can be prevented.

[0042]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an IC card according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
The IC card 110 shown in (a) has a rod shape. The IC card 110 is a contact type IC card,
A chip 112 and a terminal surface 114 are provided. The IC chip 112 according to the present embodiment has functions such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The terminal surface 114 is provided with one or more card terminals. The IC chip 112 and the card terminal are connected by a wire (not shown). In the present embodiment, I
The C card 110 includes one IC chip 112,
A plurality of IC chips may be provided.

The shape of the IC card 110 is a rod shape, the bending resistance is high, the volume ratio of the IC chip 112 to the total volume of the IC card 110 is increased, and the degree of integration can be increased.

Further, since the IC card 110 has a rod shape, the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the reader / writer is increased, and the reader / writer or the equipment provided with the reader / writer is downsized, and the reader / writer or the reader / writer is reduced.・ It is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing equipment having a writer.

In the IC card 110, the card terminals are arranged on the bottom surface of the IC card 110, so that the user's hand rarely touches the card terminals, thereby preventing the card terminals from being damaged and corroded.

FIG. 5 shows an IC according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
A mobile device (mobile communication terminal) to which a card can be attached
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration. The mobile device 160 includes a reader / writer (not shown), and the reader / writer includes a slot 161 for receiving an IC card. Reader / writer terminals are provided on both the bottom surfaces 164a and 164b of the slot 161. Both reader / writer terminals have the same shape and function. With the reader / writer terminal on one bottom surface and the card terminal of the IC card 110 in contact with each other,
The card 110 and the reader / writer perform communication. Note that a lid is provided on the bottom surface 164b side of the slot 161.

The bottom surface 164a, 164b of the slot 161
Are provided with a reader / writer terminal having the same shape and function, so that the IC card 110 can be mounted on the reader / writer from either direction,
Mounting operation is easy. Even when card terminals having the same shape and function are provided on both the bottom surfaces of the IC card, the IC card can be similarly mounted on the reader / writer from either direction.

The IC card may be configured as shown in FIG. The IC card 120 shown in FIG. 4B includes an IC chip 122 and a terminal surface 124. IC card 12
0 uses a part of the bottom surface as a terminal surface.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an IC card according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
The IC card 210 shown in FIG. IC
The card 210 is a contact type IC card, and includes an IC chip (not shown) and card terminals 214 a to 214 f provided on side surfaces of the IC card 210. The IC chip and the card terminal are connected by a wire (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the shapes and functions of the card terminals arranged vertically symmetrically from the center of the IC card 210 are the same. That is, the card terminal 214
The shapes and functions of a and 214f are the same. Similarly,
The shapes and functions of the card terminals 214b and 214e are the same, and the shapes and functions of the card terminals 214c and 214d are the same.

The card terminals 214a and 214f are connected inside the IC card 210. Similarly, card terminals 214b and 214e are internally connected, and card terminals 214c and 214d are internally connected. Between other card terminals (for example, card terminals 214a and 2
14b) is insulated.

The card terminals 214a to 214f are
They are arranged in a belt shape (or linear shape) in the rotation direction about the long axis. As a result, the degree of freedom at the point where the card terminal contacts the terminal of the reader / writer can be increased, and deterioration of the card terminal can be prevented.

The shape of the IC card 210 is a rod shape, the bending resistance is high, the volume ratio of the IC chip to the total volume of the IC card 210 can be increased, and the degree of integration can be increased.

Further, since the IC card 210 has a rod shape, the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the reader / writer is increased, and the reader / writer or the equipment provided with the reader / writer is downsized, and the reader / writer or the reader / writer is reduced.・ It is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing equipment having a writer.

FIG. 7 shows an IC according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
A mobile device (mobile communication terminal) to which a card can be attached
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration. The mobile device 260 includes a reader / writer (not shown), and the reader / writer includes a slot 261 for receiving an IC card. A reader / writer terminal is provided in the upper half of the side surface of the slot 261. The reader / writer terminal and the card terminals 214a to 214c or the card terminals 214d to 214 of the IC card 210
The IC card 210 and the reader / writer perform communication in a state where one of the f contacts. The reader / writer terminal may be provided not in the upper half of the side surface of the slot 261 but in the lower half. A lid is provided on the bottom side below the slot 261.

Since card terminals having the same shape and function are provided symmetrically on the side surface of the IC card 210, the IC card 210 can be mounted on the reader / writer from either direction. Easy. Even in the case where reader / writer terminals having the same shape and function are provided symmetrically on the side surface of the slot 261, the IC card 210 can be similarly mounted on the reader / writer from either direction.

(Others) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the IC card. FIG. 8A shows the outline of the IC card 310, and FIG. 8B shows the IC card 310 viewed from above. 8 includes an IC chip 312 and a terminal surface 314. The cross section when the bar-shaped IC card 310 is cut sideways has a shape in which a circle is slightly missing. With such a cross-sectional shape, mounting of the IC card on the reader / writer becomes easy. That is,
If the cross section is circular, the user must rotate the IC card appropriately and insert it into the slot so that the card terminal contacts the terminal of the reader / writer. By doing so, it is possible to insert without worrying about such a thing.

The cross section of the IC card does not have to be a circle or a shape in which a circle is slightly missing, and may be, for example, a polygon. The slot of the reader / writer may be formed according to the cross section of the IC card.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the IC card. The IC card 320 shown in FIG.
2, a terminal surface 324a on the bottom surface of the IC card 320, and a terminal surface 324b on the side surface of the IC card 320. Thus, the card terminals can be provided on a plurality of surfaces. For example, it may be provided on the side surface and one bottom surface, may be provided on both bottom surfaces, or may be provided on the side surface and both bottom surfaces. The shape and function of the card terminals provided on each surface may be the same or different.

As for the relationship between the card terminals and the IC chip, for example, when card terminals provided on a plurality of surfaces can be used for one IC chip, the card terminals on the side surfaces are used for data transmission / reception and clock supply. Used for
It is conceivable to use the card terminal on the bottom surface for power supply, ground, and the like. Further, for example, when using card terminals provided on a plurality of surfaces for a plurality of IC chips, it is conceivable to use the card terminals on the side surface for one IC chip and the card terminals on the bottom surface for another IC chip. .

Although the above description has focused on contact type IC cards, the present invention can also be applied to non-contact type IC cards. That is, by making the shape of the non-contact type IC card into a rod shape, the resistance to bending of the IC card is enhanced, the volume ratio of the IC chip to the total volume of the IC card is increased, and the degree of integration can be increased.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, I
The resistance to bending of the C card can be enhanced, the volume ratio of the IC chip to the total volume of the IC card can be increased, and the degree of integration can be increased.

Further, by increasing the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the reader / writer, the reader / writer or the device with the reader / writer can be downsized, and the design of the reader / writer or the device with the reader / writer can be reduced. The degree of freedom can be increased.

Further, the operation of mounting the contact type IC card on the reader / writer can be simplified.

Further, deterioration of the terminals of the contact type IC card can be prevented.

Further, it is possible to prevent breakage and corrosion of the terminals of the contact type IC card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional IC card.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of a conventional SIM card compatible mobile phone terminal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second example of a conventional SIM card compatible mobile phone terminal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an IC card according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a mobile device (mobile communication terminal) to which an IC card according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be mounted.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an IC card according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a mobile device (mobile communication terminal) to which an IC card according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be mounted.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the IC card.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the IC card.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 110, 120, 210, 310, 320 IC
Card 12, 112, 122, 312, 322 IC chip 14, 214a to 214f Card terminal 16 lines 60, 70 Mobile phone terminal 61, 71 SIM card mounting section 63 Cover 64 Reader / writer terminal 68 Cover 114, 124, 314, 324a , 324b Terminal surface 160, 260 Mobile device 161, 261 Slot 164a, 164b Bottom surface

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Furuse 2-10-1, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside NTT Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihiro Higashi 2-chome Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo No. 10 No. 1 F-term in NTT Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd. (reference) 2C005 MA10 MA16 MA26 MB05 NA02 NA23 QC09 5B035 AA08 BB09 CA03 CA08 5K023 AA07 BB03 BB26 DD06 MM02 PP12 5K067 AA33 EE02 KK15 KK17

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An IC card, wherein the IC card has a rod shape. 2. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein
The IC card is a contact-type IC card, and includes a card terminal for communicating with a terminal of a reader / writer. 3. The IC card according to claim 2, wherein
The IC card, wherein the card terminal is arranged on a side surface of the IC card. 4. The IC card according to claim 2, wherein:
The IC card, wherein the card terminal is arranged on one bottom surface of the IC card. 5. The IC card according to claim 2, wherein:
The card terminal is connected to a side surface of the IC card and the I terminal.
An IC card, which is disposed on one bottom surface of a C card. 6. The IC card according to claim 2, wherein:
The IC card, wherein the card terminals are arranged on both bottom surfaces of the IC card. 7. The IC card according to claim 2, wherein
The card terminal is connected to a side surface of the IC card and the I terminal.
An IC card, which is arranged on both bottom surfaces of a C card. 8. The IC card according to claim 6, wherein the card terminals arranged on each bottom surface of the IC card have the same shape and function. 9. The IC card according to claim 6, wherein the card terminals arranged on each bottom surface of the IC card have different shapes and functions.
card. 10. The IC card according to claim 3, wherein the card terminals arranged on a side surface of the IC card are arranged in a belt shape in a rotation direction about a major axis. An IC card, comprising: 11. The IC card according to claim 3, wherein the card terminals arranged on the side surface of the IC card are vertically symmetrically arranged from the center of the IC card. An IC card characterized in that the shape and function of the card terminals are the same. 12. A reader / writer which can perform communication with the IC card by mounting the IC card according to claim 2. 13. A mobile communication terminal comprising the reader / writer according to claim 12. 14. An information device comprising the reader / writer according to claim 12.