JP2001229355A - Non-contact ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the destruction of a non-contact IC card due to static electricity, which can be discriminated whether it is an unused card or a card of which the use has been started. SOLUTION: A first layer 24 where an IC chip 1 and an antenna coil 2 are formed is provided, and a second layer 22 where a closed loop pattern 3 which closes a loop to make the antenna coil mismatched in the case of the non- contact IC card in the unused state and disconnects the loop to make the antenna coil matched at the time when the use of the non-contact IC card is started is provided on the surface side of the first layer, and an insulating sheet 23 is provided between the first layer and the second layer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a non-contact IC card which is electromagnetically coupled to a card reader via an antenna and from which data is read and written by the card reader.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A non-contact IC card of this type comprises an IC chip for storing data to be read and written, and an antenna coil connected to the IC chip. Electromagnetically coupled with the non-contact IC card reader
The data of the C chip is read / written. In the non-contact IC card, a predetermined loop pattern is wired to the IC chip so that it can be determined whether the card is in an unused state or in a used state.

When a non-contact IC card is started to be used, a predetermined end of the non-contact IC card is bent and cut off. This makes it possible to easily identify whether the non-contact IC card has been used or has not been used, based on whether or not the end has been cut off. Here, the loop pattern is wired to the end of the non-contact IC card, and when the end is not cut, the loop of the loop pattern is closed, but when the end is cut. A part of the pattern is cut together, and the loop of the loop pattern is opened. The IC chip of a non-contact IC card is a non-contact IC
The presence / absence of loop closure in the loop pattern is detected when the card is electromagnetically coupled with the card reader. If the loop is open, the operation is started. If the loop is closed, the loop is inactive.

[0004]

However, in the non-contact IC card whose end has been cut off and which has been used, the loop pattern is exposed at the cut-out portion. Therefore, when static electricity is applied to the exposed loop pattern, there is a problem that the IC chip connected to the loop pattern is broken. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to prevent a non-contact IC card that can identify whether it is an unused card or a card that has already been used from being damaged by static electricity.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To solve such a problem, the present invention relates to a non-contact IC card comprising an IC chip and a loop-shaped antenna coil connected to the IC chip. A first layer on which a coil is formed, a second layer provided on one surface of the first layer and having a loop-shaped conductor pattern formed thereon, and the first layer and the second layer are provided. An insulating member is provided between the layers. Further, the conductor pattern causes the antenna coil to be mismatched when the non-contact IC card is not used, and matches the antenna coil when the non-contact IC card has been used. Further, the conductor pattern is a conductor pattern in which a loop is closed when the non-contact IC card is not used, and a loop is cut when the non-contact IC card has been used. The cut portion of the conductor pattern is provided at an end of the non-contact IC card, and the loop of the conductor pattern is cut by cutting the end portion or punching the cut portion. The second layer on which the conductor pattern is formed is a non-contact IC
When the card is not used, it is mounted on the insulating member, and when the non-contact IC card is used, the card is removed from the insulating member and cannot be remounted. The second layer is provided on the surface side of the first layer.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a non-contact IC card according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the non-contact IC card 10 includes an IC chip 1 and an IC chip 1.
And an antenna coil 2 connected to the antenna. The IC chip 1 includes a memory 11 for storing data, a control circuit 12,
A radio unit 13 performs data modulation / demodulation and the like, and the antenna coil 2 is connected to the radio unit 13.

[0007] Non-contact IC card 1 configured as described above.
0 is held over a non-contact IC card reader (not shown), the antenna coil 2 of the non-contact IC card 10 and the antenna coil of the non-contact IC card reader are electromagnetically coupled to each other.
Power is supplied from the C card reader, and the IC chip 1 starts operating. Here, when there is a data read request from the non-contact IC card reader, this read request information is transmitted to the IC chip 1 via the antenna coil 2 and received by the wireless unit 13 in the IC chip 1. The radio section 13 demodulates this information and outputs it to the control circuit 12.
Then, the control circuit 12 reads out the data in the memory 11 and sends it to the wireless unit 13, which modulates this data and sends it to the contactless IC card reader via the antenna coil 2.

When data is written from the non-contact IC card reader to the non-contact IC card 10, the write data is similarly demodulated by the radio section 13 and output to the control circuit 12. When the control circuit 12 inputs the write data, the control circuit 12 performs writing to the memory 11.

By the way, the non-contact IC card 1 shown in FIG.
0 enables discrimination between an unused card and a card which has already been used. Whether the card is an unused card or a card that has already been used can be determined from both the operation and the appearance of the non-contact IC card 10.

That is, when the non-contact IC card 10 is a card that has already been used, power is supplied from the non-contact IC card reader to operate normally and communication with the non-contact IC card reader becomes possible. Can be identified from the outside to the effect that the use has been started. On the other hand, when the non-contact IC card 10 is an unused card,
Since the sufficient power is not supplied from the non-contact IC card reader, the non-contact IC card reader does not operate, and the unused state of the card can be identified from the outside.

FIG. 2 shows such a non-contact IC card 10.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of FIG. The non-contact IC card 10 includes three layers shown in FIGS. 2D, 2B, and 2C, respectively. The above-described IC chip 1 is provided on the first layer 24 shown in FIG.
A loop-shaped antenna coil 2 connected to the IC chip 1 is formed. A closed loop pattern 3 made of a conductor and having substantially the same shape as the antenna coil 2 is formed on the second layer 22 shown in FIG. In addition, an insulating sheet 23, which is a third layer shown in FIG. 2C, is inserted between the first layer 24 and the second layer 22, and the front side of the non-contact IC card 10 (the second layer). 2 layer 22 side)
A PET (polyethylene terephthalate film) 21 (or a piece of paper) shown in FIG. 2A is attached, and a PET (or a piece of paper) shown in FIG.
25 is attached.

FIG. 2 (f) is a diagram showing a cross section of the non-contact IC card 10 constructed as described above. As described above, the second layer 22, the insulating sheet 23 and the The first layer 24 is laminated, PET21 is adhered to the card front side, and PET2 is adhered to the card rear side.
5 is attached to each of the PETs 21 and
5, the first and second layers 24, 22 and the insulating sheet 23 have the same area.

Here, when the non-contact IC card 10 is not used, the closed loop pattern 3 of the second layer 22 is not cut, and a closed loop as shown in FIG. 2B is maintained.
When such a non-contact IC card 10 is brought close to a non-contact IC card reader, the non-contact IC card 10 shown in FIG.
The antenna coil 2 shown in FIG.
The impedance is mismatched due to the effect of the loop current generated in the closed loop pattern 3 of the layer 22 of the first layer 22, and accurate electromagnetic coupling with the antenna coil of the non-contact IC card reader is not performed. Therefore, when the non-contact IC card 10 is an unused card, the power is not normally supplied from the non-contact IC card reader side, so that the non-contact IC card 10 does not operate.

On the other hand, such an unused non-contact IC
When the use of the card 10 is started, the closed loop pattern 3 of the second layer 22 is cut into an open loop state. When the non-contact IC card 10 is brought close to the non-contact IC card reader, the antenna coil 2 of the first layer 24
Is that no loop current flows through the closed-loop pattern 3 of the second layer 22, so that a sufficient impedance matching is ensured without being affected by the closed-loop pattern 3,
Proper electromagnetic coupling with the antenna coil of the card reader.
Therefore, when the non-contact IC card 10 is in the use-started state, power is supplied from the non-contact IC card reader side to communicate with the non-contact IC card reader side, and It is possible to read and write accurate data from the card reader to the non-contact IC card 10.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the formation of the closed loop pattern 3 on the second layer 22. FIG. Second
As shown in FIG. 3A, the closed loop pattern 3 of the layer 22 of the second layer 22 includes a pattern 3A formed in a loop around the plane of the second layer 22 and a connection 3a and 3b to the pattern 3A. And a pattern 3B formed on the planar end 22A of the second layer 22. When the use of the non-contact IC card 10 is started, the pattern 3
By cutting B, the closed loop pattern 3 is brought into an open loop state.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the pattern 3B formed on the second layer 22. When cutting the pattern 3B at the start of use of the non-contact IC card 10 to bring the closed loop pattern 3 into the open loop state, the pattern 3B
3B by cutting with a punch pin or the like, or by cutting a portion 22B of the second layer 22 indicated by a dotted line in the drawing with a cutter or the like. Disconnect 3D. In this way, the second
When the pattern 3B of the layer 22 is cut, a portion corresponding to the cutting position of the pattern 3B is cut also in the insulating sheet 23 and the first layer 24 on the lower layer side of the second layer 22, Since the antenna coil 2 of the first layer 24 is not formed at a position corresponding to the pattern 3B of the second layer 22, it is not cut. Also, the first
The IC chip 1 of the layer 24 also has the pattern 3B of the second layer 22.
Is not formed at a position corresponding to the pattern 3B.

When the use of the non-contact IC card 10 in an unused state is started, the pattern 3 formed on the end of the second layer 22 of the non-contact IC card 10 as described above is used.
By cutting B, the closed-loop pattern 3 becomes an open-loop. In such a case, the antenna coil 2 of the non-contact IC card 10 is appropriately electromagnetically coupled to the antenna coil of the non-contact IC card reader as described above, and
Power is supplied from the C card reader to the non-contact IC card 10, and the non-contact IC card 10 operates. This makes it possible to determine the use-started state of the non-contact IC card 10.

Whether the non-contact IC card 10 has been used or has not been used is determined by whether or not a punch hole is formed at the end of the non-contact IC card 10 or whether or not the non-contact IC card 10 is used. Can be determined based on whether or not the end of the non-contact IC card 10 is cut.
Can be easily determined from the appearance as to whether or not has been used. In addition, the non-contact IC that has been used
Even if static electricity is externally applied to the punched or cut portion of the closed loop pattern 3 of the card 10, the static electricity is applied to the unused closed loop pattern 3 (closed loop pattern with the loop closed). Even if the closed loop pattern 3 of the second layer 22 and the first
Layer 24 is insulated from the IC chip 1 by the insulating sheet 23, so that the static electricity applied to the closed-loop pattern 3 can be prevented from reaching the IC chip 1, and
It is possible to prevent the C chip 1 from being broken by applying static electricity.

FIG. 3C is a view showing another example of the closed-loop pattern 3. A seal in which a closed-loop pattern 3E having substantially the same shape as the antenna coil 2 is formed of aluminum instead of the second layer 22 is shown. 26 is the insulating sheet 2
3 is affixed on top. In this case, when the non-contact IC card 10 is not used, the non-contact IC card 10
Antenna coil 2 is a closed loop pattern 3 of seal 26
Similarly, when the seal 26 is peeled off at the start of use of the non-contact IC card 10, the antenna coil of the non-contact IC card 10 is matched and the non-contact IC card reader and the non-contact IC card reader are aligned. Properly electromagnetically coupled and operates normally. This makes it possible to determine whether the non-contact IC card 10 is in an unused state or in a state in which use has been started. If the seal 26 that has been peeled off is configured so as not to be re-applied, depending on whether the seal 26 is applied or not,
Whether the non-contact IC card 10 is in an unused state or in a started state can be easily determined from the outside, and the destruction of the IC chip 1 due to the application of static electricity can be similarly prevented.

In this embodiment, when the non-contact IC card 10 is not used, in order to make the antenna coil 2 inconsistent, on the first layer 24 on which the IC chip 1 and the antenna coil 2 are formed. Through the insulating sheet 23,
A second layer 22 having a closed loop pattern 3 formed thereon is provided as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, or a closed loop pattern 3E made of aluminum as shown in FIG. 3C is formed on an insulating sheet. However, the antenna coil 2 is mismatched when the non-contact IC card is not used, and the antenna coil 2 is aligned when the non-contact IC card is already used. Any material may be used. In this case, it is desirable that the non-contact IC card be externally identifiable as an unused state or a used state. In the present embodiment, the second layer 22 is formed on the front side of the first layer 24, but may be formed on the back side of the first layer 24. In this case, an insulating sheet 23 is provided between the second layer 22 and the first layer 24.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention, I
In a non-contact IC card including a C chip and a loop-shaped antenna coil connected to the IC chip, a first layer on which the IC chip and the antenna coil are formed;
And a second layer on which a loop-shaped conductor pattern is formed, and an insulating member is provided between the first layer and the second layer. So non-contact I
Even if static electricity is applied to the conductor pattern of the C card, since the conductor pattern and the IC chip are insulated by the insulating member, the static electricity applied to the conductor pattern is not applied to the IC chip. Thus, the destruction of the non-contact IC card can be prevented. The conductor pattern formed on the second layer causes the antenna coil to be mismatched when the non-contact IC card is not used, and the antenna coil is matched when the non-contact IC card is already used. The non-contact IC card in the unused state can be set to the non-operation state, and the non-contact IC card in the used state can be set to the operation state. In addition, the conductive pattern closes the loop when the non-contact IC card is not used, and cuts the loop when starting to use the non-contact IC card. The generated loop current makes it possible to accurately match the antenna coil, and the antenna coil can be accurately matched by eliminating the loop current of the conductor pattern in the state where the use has been started.

In addition, since the end of the non-contact IC card is cut or the loop of the conductor pattern is cut by punching the end, the non-contact IC card is used in an unused state or the start of use. At a glance, it is possible to identify whether the card has already been used. In addition, when the non-contact IC card is not used, the second layer is mounted on the insulating member, and the non-contact IC card is mounted.
When the card has been used, it is removed from the insulating member and re-insertion is disabled, so that the non-contact IC card in the unused state can be reliably made inoperative,
In addition, the non-contact IC card in the used state can be reliably operated, and the non-contact IC card can be clearly identified as an unused card or a used card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a non-contact IC card according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of the contactless IC card.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of formation of a closed loop pattern (conductor pattern) provided on the non-contact IC card.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: IC chip, 2: Antenna coil, 3, 3E: Closed loop pattern, 3A, 3B: Pattern, 10: Non-contact I
C card, 11 memory, 12 control circuit, 13 radio section, 21 25 PET, 22 second layer, 23 insulating sheet, 24 first layer, 26 seal.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A non-contact IC card comprising an IC chip and a loop-shaped antenna coil connected to the IC chip, wherein: a first layer on which the IC chip and the antenna coil are formed; A second layer provided on one surface of the layer and having a loop-shaped conductor pattern formed thereon; and an insulating member provided between the first layer and the second layer. Characteristic non-contact IC card. 2. The conductor pattern according to claim 1, wherein the conductor pattern causes the antenna coil to be mismatched when the non-contact IC card is not used, and
The non-contact IC card is a conductor pattern for matching the antenna coil when the non-contact IC card has been used. 3. The conductor pattern according to claim 2, wherein a loop is closed when the non-contact IC card is unused, and the loop is cut when the non-contact IC card has been used. A non-contact IC card, which is a conductor pattern. 4. The conductor pattern according to claim 3, wherein a cut portion of the conductor pattern is provided at an end of the non-contact IC card, and a loop of the conductor pattern is cut by cutting the end portion or punching the cut portion. Non-contact IC card characterized by the following. 5. The non-contact IC card according to claim 2, wherein the second layer on which the conductor pattern is formed is mounted on the insulating member when the non-contact IC card is not used. A non-contact IC card, which is a layer that is removed from the insulating member and cannot be reinstalled when the card has been used. 6. The non-contact IC card according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is provided on a surface side of the first layer.