JP2001216466A - Ic card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform read/write to an IC card at right timing in a simple configuration. SOLUTION: A keystroke part 3 and a display part 4 are provided on a panel 2 of an IC card reader 1 and a card read part 6 is provided in a position retreated from the surface of the panel 2. When entering a controlled room, a password number is inputted from the keystroke part 3 of the IC card reader 1, and then the card read part 6 is touched with an IC card 8. In this case, even when inputting the password number from the keystroke part 3 with a hand grasping the IC card 8, the IC card 8 is out of the communication area of the card read part 6, and hence the trouble of reading the password from the IC card 8 before the input of the password number can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an IC card reader provided with a card reading section for touching an IC card, and reading and writing the IC card touched on the card reading section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, instead of magnetic cards, radio wave type IC cards, which have excellent environmental resistance and are not easily broken, are attracting attention. Such radio wave type IC card is I
The operability is excellent because it is only necessary to touch the card reading section of the C card reader.

[0003]

However, since the operation of the radio wave type IC card is simple, the following problems may occur. (1) If an operation is performed while holding the IC card when inputting a password or the like by key, the IC card is read before the input of the password or the like is completed, and an error occurs. Specifically, if the door is opened only by operating the card in the daytime, and the door is opened by the PIN and card operation at night, an error will occur if the card is operated without entering the PIN at night. .

(2) To solve the problem (1),
Although a retractable motor is conceivable, a mechanical structure is required, which shortens the life of the device and increases the cost. In addition, the advantage of being able to easily read by touching, which is a feature of the radio wave type IC card, is lost. Would. (3) In order to solve the above problems (1) and (2), it is conceivable to provide a key operation unit and a card reading unit apart from each other. However, the size of the entire apparatus is increased.

[0005] On the other hand, as a method of operating a radio wave type IC card, there are generally a touch method and an insertion method. The touch method is a method of reading and writing while touching the IC card on the surface of the IC card reader. Although the structure and operation method of the operation unit are simple, it has the following disadvantages.

(1) Since there is no holder for holding the IC card, the operation direction of the IC card must be held horizontally with the ground, and the installation direction of the IC card reader is limited.

(2) Even if the IC card is held horizontally, if the IC card is read or written for a relatively long time, the IC card is likely to fall from the IC card reader at some time. .

On the other hand, the insertion method compensates for the drawbacks of the touch method, but on the contrary, the operability, which is an advantage of the touch method, is extremely poor. That is, even if only short data is read and written, the IC card must be inserted one by one, and the operation is troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to read / write an IC card at a correct timing with a simple configuration, and a second object is to provide a touch-type IC card. An object of the present invention is to provide an IC card reader capable of holding an IC card while having advantages.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when, for example, a personal identification number is input to the input unit, the IC card is touched to the card reading unit. As a result, the IC card reader reads the personal identification number stored in the IC card and determines whether the IC card is a legitimate IC card.

By the way, when inputting a password, an IC
Although it is usual to hold the card with the hand, the card reading unit is provided at the back of the input unit, so that the IC card is read by the card reading unit at the time of a predetermined input operation to the input unit. It won't. Thus, even if the user operates the input unit with the hand holding the IC card, the IC card reader can reliably read and write the IC card. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the IC card can be inserted and held in the card insertion slot, so that the IC card can be read and written for a long time.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an IC card reader. In FIG. 1, a panel 2 of the IC card reader 1 is provided with a key input section 3 and a display section 4 and a recess 5 is formed. A card reading section 6 is provided at the back position. The card reading unit 6 includes a transmitting / receiving coil 7
2 (see FIG. 2), and the vicinity of the surface of the card reading section 6 is set as a communication area for the IC card 8 by the transmission / reception coil 7.

FIG. 2 shows the electrical configuration of the IC card reader 1. In FIG. 2, the IC card reader 1 mainly includes a CPU 9, and the CPU 9 operates based on a program stored in a memory 11 in a power supply state by a power supply 10.

That is, when a password is input from the key input unit 3, the CPU 9 displays the input password in a secret state on the display unit 4, and then transmits the password to the IC card 8 through the transmission / reception coil 7 by the transmission circuit 12. By transmitting the read command, the reception circuit 13 receives card data from the IC card 8 through the transmission / reception coil 7.

When reading the card data from the IC card 8, the CPU 9 notifies the buzzer 14 of the reading and transmits the read card data to the higher-level control device 16 through the external communication interface 15.

FIG. 3 shows an electrical configuration of the IC card 8. In FIG. 3, the IC card 8 mainly includes a CPU 17, and the CPU 17 operates based on a program stored in a memory 18. That is, the CPU 17 receives the command through the transmission / reception coil 20 by the reception circuit 19 and
To transmit a response through the transmission / reception coil 20. Note that a password and an employee number are stored in the memory 18 in advance.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When entering the managed room, the user inputs a password using the key input unit 3 of the IC card reader 1. Then, when the personal identification number is input, the IC card reader 1 repeatedly transmits the card detection command as shown in FIG.

When the user who has finished inputting the personal identification number touches the IC card 8 on the card reading section 6 as shown in FIG. 1, the IC card reader 1 sends a response as shown in FIG. Send. As a result, the IC card reader 1 determines that the IC card 8 is present and transmits a read command, so that the IC card 8 transmits a password as card data. With the above operation, the IC card reader 1 can read the password from the IC card 8.

When the user inputs a password using the key input unit 3 as described above, the user normally operates the key input unit 3 with the hand holding the IC card 8. In such a case, although the IC card 8 is located in front of the card reading unit 6, the card reading unit 6 is
The IC card 8 is located outside the communication area of the transmission / reception coil 7 because the IC card 8 is provided at a position farther from the panel 2.
Thus, even if the user inputs the personal identification number with the key input unit 3 with the hand holding the IC card 8, the IC card reader 1 does not read the card data from the IC card 8.

When the input of the personal identification number by the key input unit 3 is completed, the user touches the IC card 8 to the card reading unit 6. Thereby, the IC card reader 1 reads the personal identification number from the IC card 8, and when the personal identification number matches the personal identification number inputted from the key input unit 3, reads the employee number as the card data from the IC card 8. , To the control device 16.

According to such an embodiment, the card reading section 6 of the IC card reader 1 is provided at a position deeper than the key input section 3, so that the key input section 3 is held with the hand holding the IC card 8. The IC card 8 does not respond even if a key input is made to. Therefore, the personal identification number can be reliably read by inputting the personal identification number from the key input part 3 and then touching the IC card 8 with the card reading part 6 of the IC card reader 1.
In this case, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error when reading the data.

In addition, such a structure having excellent effects can be easily implemented without increasing the cost because the card reading section 6 of the IC card reader 1 only needs to be provided at a position deeper than the panel 2. Can be.

(Embodiment of Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are the same. The description is omitted by attaching reference numerals. The second embodiment is characterized in that a card insertion slot for holding the IC card 8 is provided.

FIG. 5 shows the IC card reader 1 in a perspective view. In FIG. 5, a concave portion 22 is formed in the IC card reader 1, and a card reading portion 23 is bridged in the concave portion 22. With such a configuration, the card reading section 23 is located at a position deeper than the panel 2, and a card insertion slot 24 is formed on the back of the card reading section 23.

If the reading / writing time is short when reading / writing the IC card 8 by the IC card reader 1, the IC card 8 is touched to the card reading section 23 as shown in FIG. If the read / write time is long, the IC card 8 is inserted into the card insertion slot 24 as shown in FIG.

The installation method of the IC card reader 1 having the above configuration is as follows: horizontal installation as shown in FIG. 5, vertical installation as shown in FIG. 8, the card insertion slot 24 facing up, and vertical installation as shown in FIG. The card insertion slot 24 has a horizontal orientation when placed, and can be arbitrarily selected and installed. Specifically, when the IC card reader 1 is used to authenticate the user of the personal computer, the user can freely select between horizontal and vertical depending on the amount of space available on the desk.

When a predetermined IC card 8 is always inserted into the card insertion slot 24 and another IC card 8 is used by touching the card reading section 23 as necessary, one IC card reader is used. 1 can be used to construct an arbitrary system. In order to apply such a configuration to an employee certificate issuing system, the responsible IC card 8 having a different resonance frequency is used.
And an employee ID card 8 are prepared, and an application program for issuing an employee ID is started in a state in which the responsible IC card is inserted into the card slot 24. Thereafter, the employee ID IC card 8 is read into the card reading section 23. The new employee ID IC card 8 is reissued by touching.

According to the second embodiment, the card insertion slot 24 is located in the communication area of the card reading section 23.
Is provided, and the card data of the IC card 8 inserted into the card insertion slot 24 is read by the card reading section 23. Therefore, the reading of the IC card 8 can be arbitrarily selected by either the touch type or the insertion type. It is easy to use.

Further, a card insertion slot 24 is provided on the back side of the card reading section 23, and the IC card 8 inserted into the card insertion slot 24 is located in the communication area of the card reading section 23. Even if the mouth 24 is provided,
There is no need to additionally provide the transmitting and receiving coil 7, and the overall configuration is not complicated and large.

Even when two IC cards 8 are read and written at the same time, since there is a space between the two IC cards 8, a shift in resonance frequency due to mutual coupling between the IC cards 8 is suppressed. , The card data can be reliably read from the IC card 8. Further, unlike the motor retractable type, the apparatus is not complicated and can be implemented without increasing the cost.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The third embodiment is characterized in that the touch direction and the insertion direction of the IC card 8 are set to directions rotated by 90 degrees with respect to each other.

That is, a recess 31 is formed in the IC card reader 1, and a card insertion slot 32 is formed inside the bottom surface of the recess 31.
Has an outside facing a slit portion 33 formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion 31. In this case, a portion corresponding to a portion where the card insertion slot 32 is formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion 31 is set in the card reading section 34. The card slot 32
Is set so that the insertion direction of the IC card 8 is rotated by 90 ° with respect to the touch direction of the IC card 8 to the recess 31.

If the reading / writing time is short when reading / writing the IC card 8 by the IC card reader 1, FIG.
The IC card 8 is touched to the card reading section 34 as shown in FIG. If the read / write time is long, the IC card 8 is inserted into the card insertion slot 32 as shown in FIG.

The installation method of the IC card reader 1 having the above-mentioned configuration is as follows: horizontal installation as shown in FIG. 10, vertical installation as shown in FIG. The card insertion slot 32 faces upward when placed, and can be arbitrarily selected and installed.

According to the third embodiment, I
Unlike the second embodiment in which the touch direction and the insertion direction of the C card 8 are the same, the IC card 8 held in the card slot 32 is
The problem of hiding in the C card 8 can be prevented.
Also, since the insertion directions of the IC cards 8 are different from each other, the second
The embodiment can further suppress the shift of the resonance frequency due to the mutual coupling.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be modified or expanded as follows. Instead of providing the card reading unit 6 at a position deeper than the panel 2, the key input unit 3 may be provided at a position protruding from the panel 2. A plurality of card insertion slots 24 and 32 may be provided. In this case, the insertion directions of the IC card into the card insertion slot 32 may be different from each other. The card reading section may be set in the card insertion ports 24 and 32.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an IC card reader according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the IC card reader.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the IC card.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a transmission / reception operation between an IC card reader and an IC card.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an IC card reader according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5, showing an IC card touching a card reading unit;

FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5, showing an IC card inserted into a card insertion slot;

FIG. 8 is a view equivalent to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5, in which a card insertion slot is arranged in a horizontal direction in a vertical position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an IC card reader according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10 showing a touch state of the IC card on the card reading unit;

FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10, showing an IC card inserted into a card insertion slot;

FIG. 13 shows a vertically inserted card insertion slot in an upward direction.
Equivalent figure

FIG. 10 shows the card insertion slot in the horizontal direction with the card inserted vertically.
Equivalent figure

[Description of References] 1 is an IC card reader, 3 is a key input unit, 4 is a display unit,
6 is a card reading section, 8 is an IC card, 22 is a card reading section, 24 is a card insertion slot, 32 is a card insertion slot, and 34 is a card reading section.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An IC card reader, comprising: a card reading section to be touched by an IC card, and reading and writing to and from an IC card located in a communication area of the card reading section after a predetermined input operation to an input section. An IC card reader, wherein the card reading unit is provided at a position farther from the input unit. 2. An IC card reader, comprising: a card reading section to be touched by an IC card, and reading / writing to / from an IC card located in a communication area of the card reading section, wherein the IC card is provided so as to be insertable; Inserted IC
An IC card reader, wherein the card has a card insertion slot located in a communication area of the card reading section.