JP2002042064A - Portable information terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient portable information terminal device having card functions. SOLUTION: The information terminal body 10 is provided with an input device 1, a display device 2 and a card-shaped data storage member 3. The display device 2 is constituted by using a liquid crystal display panel. The input device 1 uses a tablet allowing pen or finger inputs, which is laid on the surface of the liquid crystal display panel and integrated therewith. The data storage member 3 stores and retains data in a magnetic storage part 3a. The magnetic storage part 3a is equal in size and thickness to the magnetic storage part of a general data storage card so that read/write operations can be performed using a credit card reader.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information terminal having a data storage card function such as a credit card or an electronic money card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An information processing apparatus such as a personal computer can read information from a magnetic card or write information on a magnetic card by connecting a magnetic card reading / writing device. Technically, it is considered that the function of the personal computer and the card reading / writing device can be integrated. Also,
In addition to this type of credit card and electronic money card,
Recently, data storage cards, also called debit cards, are known. An access means such as a mobile phone that can use this debit card is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-27.
No. 9025, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 11-505343, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 11-500550, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 11-5026.
No. 47, for example.

[0003]

In the prior art, a portable information terminal may be used as a credit card, electronic money card, or debit card reading / writing device. Each one needs to be carried, which is inconvenient to handle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a convenient portable information terminal device having a card function.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a convenient portable information terminal device having a card function capable of performing card processing by communication.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal device having a highly secure card function.

[0007]

The present invention comprises input means for inputting characters and symbols and instructions for processing, display means for displaying, and control means for controlling the input means and the display means. In the portable information terminal device, a card-shaped data storage member protrudable from the main body is provided,
A card processing means for processing the card-shaped data storage member is provided.

[0008] The card processing means includes means for reading data from the card-shaped data storage member and means for writing data to the card-shaped data storage member.

The control means includes a communication means,
The card processing means writes data received through communication into a card-shaped data storage member.

The control means includes a communication means,
The data read from the card-shaped data storage member by the card processing unit is transmitted by the communication unit. The control unit includes a storage unit, and the card processing unit stores the card-shaped data. When processing the storage member as an electronic money card, a part of the amount data stored in the storage means is transferred to the card-shaped data storage member, or the amount data stored in the card-shaped data storage member is transferred. A part is transferred to the storage means.

The control means includes a storage means,
The card processing means transfers the data stored in the card-shaped data storage member to the storage means when storing the card-shaped data storage member in the main body, and erases the data from the card-shaped data storage member. It is characterized by the following.

Further, the portable telephone is characterized in that the main body is a portable telephone.

[0013]

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

FIG. 1 is a front view of a portable information terminal which is an embodiment of the portable information terminal device of the present invention, and shows a state in which a card-shaped data storage member is pulled out from a main body of the information terminal and projected.

This portable information terminal has an information terminal body 10
And an input device 1, a display device 2, and a card-shaped data storage member 3. The display device 2 is configured using a liquid crystal display panel. The input device 1 uses a tablet that can be input with a pen or a finger, and is configured by being integrated with the surface of a liquid crystal display panel by superimposition. The card-shaped data storage member 3 includes a magnetic storage unit 3 similar to a data storage card such as a general bank cash card or credit card.
This is a configuration in which data is stored and held in a. The magnetic storage unit 3a has the same size and thickness as the magnetic storage unit in a general data storage card so that the data can be read and written using a credit card reader.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the portable information terminal. The card-shaped data storage member 3 is provided in the information terminal body 10.
So that it can be protruded from the information terminal body 10 or housed inside. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the card-shaped data storage member 3 is stored inside the access port 4 of the information terminal main body 10. The card-shaped data storage member 3 can be taken in and out with the lever 5.
Is performed by operating.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control means built in the information terminal body 10 of the portable information terminal. The control means 6 includes an input control means 21 for controlling the input device 1,
A display control means 22 for controlling the display device 2, a main memory 23 for storing control data and user data of the information terminal body 10, and a magnetic storage unit 3 of the card-shaped data storage member 3.
a card reading control means 24 for reading data stored in the card-shaped data storage member 3, card writing control means 25 for writing data to the magnetic storage section 3a of the card-shaped data storage member 3, Storage unit 3a
A card data memory 26 for storing data to be written into the memory and data read from the magnetic storage unit 3a, a communication unit 27, and a main control unit 28 for controlling these units.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a reading / writing process of the card-shaped data storage member 3 in the portable information terminal, and shows a state where the card-shaped data storage member 3 is stored in the information terminal main body 10. The card read / write head 7 is controlled by the card read control means 24 to function as a card reading means, and is controlled by the card write control means 25 to function as a card writing means. The card read / write head 7 can read and write data by facing the magnetic storage section 3a of the card-shaped data storage member 3 when the card-shaped data storage member 3 is pulled into the information terminal body 10 and stored. Position.

When the card data in the card-shaped data storage member 3 is read by a general card reader,
The card-shaped data storage member 3 is used in a form of being pulled out of the information terminal main body 10 and protruding. The card data memory 26 uses a flash memory for storing important data of the card so that the data is stored even when the power is turned off.

As an example of using the portable information terminal, there is an example in which the communication means 27 is used. In a system for transmitting and receiving data to and from a bank by communication such as Internet banking, this portable information terminal can use the card-shaped data storage member 3 as an electronic money card in this system.

The communication means 27 of the portable information terminal has a built-in modem communication device. The communication means 27 connects to a bank and receives data. The data received from the bank is temporarily stored in the card data memory 26. Thereafter, a process of writing the data stored in the card data memory 26 to the card-shaped data storage member 3 is performed. To write data into the card-shaped data storage member 3, the card-shaped data storage member 3 is pulled into the information terminal main body 10, the magnetic storage portion 3a is opposed to the card read / write head 7, and the card read / write head 25 is controlled by the card write control means 25. 7 is controlled. By this writing, the card-shaped data storage member 3 can be used in the same manner as a normal electronic money card by being pulled out from the information terminal body 10 and projected.

Further, the data in the card-shaped data storage member 3 can be transmitted to a bank. In this case, the card-shaped data storage member 3 is pulled into the information terminal main body 10, the magnetic storage section 3a is opposed to the card read / write head 7, and the card read / write head 7 is controlled by the card read control means 24. The data stored in the card-shaped data storage member 3 is read and temporarily stored in the card data memory 26. Thereafter, the communication unit 27 connects to the bank, and performs a process of transmitting data stored in the card data memory 26 to the bank.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process executed by the main control means 28 when the portable information terminal is used as an electronic money card. The amount (data) withdrawn from the bank account is stored in the card-shaped data storage member 3. This shows the processing up to writing.

First, the communication means 27 is operated to connect to a bank account (process 51). The amount to be withdrawn is designated and set in the portable information terminal, and this is instructed to the bank account (process 52). The bank account transfers the designated amount of data to the portable information terminal, and the portable information terminal receives this data (process 53). The mobile information terminal converts the received data into
The information is temporarily stored in the main memory 23 (process 54). The data is transferred from the main memory 23 to the card data memory 26 (process 55). At the time of actual use, only the necessary amount is written in the card-shaped data storage member 3, and the necessary amount is input and specified (step 56). The designated amount is written in the card-shaped data storage member 3 (step 57). Then, the data in the card data memory 26 is updated to a balance obtained by subtracting the amount written in step 57 (step 58).

FIG. 6 shows an example of a process for automatically erasing the data in the card-shaped data storage member 3 when the card-shaped data storage member 3 of the portable information terminal is drawn into the information terminal body 10 and stored. It is a flowchart shown.

After the card-shaped data storage member 3 has been used, the card-shaped data storage member 3 is stored in the information terminal body 10 (step 61). When the card-shaped data storage member 3 is stored in the information terminal body 10, the balance remaining in the card-shaped data storage member 3 is read and transferred to the card data memory 26 (process 62). The balance data is updated by adding the balance transferred in the process 62 to the balance in the card data memory 26 (process 63). Finally, the data in the card-shaped data storage member 3 is erased (process 64).

In this portable information terminal, a plurality of data storage cards can be registered and used. Data storage cards that can be used include credit cards, debit cards, cash cards at banks and post offices, electronic money cards, employee cards, membership cards such as rental videos, and hospital consultation cards.

Each data of the plurality of data storage cards is stored and held in the card data memory 26 of the control means 6 in the information terminal body 10, and corresponds to a case where the user needs any data storage data. Data is written to the magnetic storage section 3a of the card-shaped data storage member 3. The data of the plurality of data storage cards to be stored can be set by the user.

FIG. 7 is an example of a screen displaying a plurality of data storage cards registered in the portable information terminal on the display device 2. Each data of the plurality of data storage cards registered in the portable information terminal is stored in the card data memory 26,
In the card display frame 41 on the screen of the display device 2, the types (names) of a plurality of registered data storage cards are displayed.
An empty card display frame 41 in which no type is displayed indicates that there is a frame that can be additionally registered.

The magnetic storage section a of the card-shaped data storage member 3
In the initial state, no data is written.
In order to select any data from the data of a plurality of registered data storage cards and write the selected data into the card-shaped data storage member 3, the user taps the card display frame 41 of a bank cash card, for example. When specified, the display mode of the tapped card display frame 4 is inverted between black and white. Then, the password of the bank cash card is entered in the password input frame 42, and when the "OK" button 43 is tapped, the designated data is selected and written into the magnetic storage section 3a of the card-shaped data storage member 3.

In this embodiment, a password is used, but a handwritten signature,
A method using voice authentication, fingerprint authentication, or the like is also conceivable. In addition, a different password can be registered for each registered card.

The portable information terminal may be provided with the following functions for protection in the event that the portable information terminal itself is lost to serve various data storage cards.

(1) When used, the written card-shaped data storage member 3 is made to protrude from the information terminal main body 10, but when the card-shaped data storage member 3 is stored in the information terminal main body 10 after use, the card-shaped data storage member 3 is stored. 3 is transferred to the information terminal main body 10 to delete the data in the card-shaped data storage member 3.

(2) When the card-shaped data storage member 3 is not used for a long time, the data written in the card-shaped data storage member 3 is erased. The time until the data is erased can be arbitrarily set by the user.

FIG. 9 shows a method of writing data of a data storage card to be additionally registered to a portable information terminal. Since this portable information terminal cannot directly read data from a general data storage card, data read by another card reader is received via communication means.

The portable information terminal receives the card data transmitted from another card reader by the communication means 27, and stores the card data in the card data memory 26.
To be stored. When the card data is received, a registration screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display device 2, and the card data stored in the card data memory 26 is registered with an arbitrary name. Since this portable information terminal is in the pen input mode, the input of the name input frame 44 is performed by handwriting input or soft keyboard input to the handwriting input frame 45,
This is performed by tapping the “register” button 46.

For example, it is assumed that data of a rental video membership card is read by a communication device. When the user registers this data with a name of “rental video”, as shown in FIG. 9, the name of the “rental video” is displayed in an empty card display frame 41 and displayed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process for receiving and registering card data read by an external card reader using the communication means 27 of the portable information terminal. This communication means 27 uses a built-in modem, but serial communication such as other RS232C, IR communication, U
SB communication or the like may be used.

Processing in the card reader (processing 7
1-74) are as follows.

In this processing, first, original data to be registered, for example, card data of a credit card is read (processing 71). The card reader is connected to a personal computer, and stores the read card data in the personal computer (process 72). The personal computer connects to the portable information terminal via the communication means (process 73), and transmits the card data to the portable information terminal (process 74).

Processing in portable information terminal (processing 75 to 7)
9) is as follows.

When the card data is received from the personal computer (processing 75), the reception of the card data is displayed on the display device 2 on a registration screen as illustrated in FIG. 8 to notify the user (processing 75).

When the user inputs a name on the registration screen (step 77) and taps the "register" button, the received card data is stored in the card data memory 26 and registered (steps 78 and 79).

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the portable information terminal device, which is a portable telephone combined with a data storage card.

This portable telephone has a structure in which the card-shaped data storage member 3 is integrated with the telephone main body 30, and is retracted into the telephone main body 30 when not in use. FIG. 11A shows a state in which the card-shaped data storage member 3 is pulled out from the telephone main body 30 and protruded, and the telephone body 30 in which the card-shaped data storage member 3 is pulled in and stored in the main body is shown in FIG. As shown in ()), the configuration is the same as that of a normal mobile phone.

As described above, even when a portable telephone is used, a portable information terminal device having a data storage card function can be realized in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

In this portable telephone, the portable telephone function is used as the communication means 27, the operation keys 31 are used as the input device 1, and the display panel 32 is used as the display device 2.

In each of the embodiments described above, the magnetic storage card is exemplified as the data storage card.
Other forms of card-like data storage members, such as cards, may be used.

[0049]

According to the present invention, a portable information terminal device can be used as a credit card, a debit card, a bank or post office cash card, an electronic money card, a member card such as an employee ID card, a rental video, or a hospital consultation card. Such data storage cards can be conveniently used.

In addition, the configuration having the communication function is convenient because the card data can be processed by communication.

Further, by erasing the data in the card-shaped data storage member after use, high security can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a portable information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the portable information terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control unit of the portable information terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a reading / writing state of a card-shaped data storage member of the portable information terminal device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process executed by a main control unit when the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 is used as an electronic money card.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a data erasing process when the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 stores a card-shaped data storage member.

FIG. 7 is an example of a screen displaying a plurality of data storage cards registered in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 on a display device.

FIG. 8 is an example of a registration screen displayed on the display device of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an example of a display screen after additional registration on the registered data storage card display screen shown in FIG. 7;

10 is a flowchart of a process in which the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 receives and registers card data read by an external card reader using a communication unit.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a mobile phone according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device 2 Display device 3 Card-shaped data storage member

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A portable information terminal device comprising: input means for inputting characters and symbols and instructions for processing; display means for displaying; and control means for controlling the input means and the display means. A portable information terminal device comprising a protrudable card-shaped data storage member, and wherein the control means includes card processing means for processing the card-shaped data storage member. 2. A portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said card processing means comprises means for reading data from said card-shaped data storage member and means for writing data to said card-shaped data storage member. . 3. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes communication means, and said card processing means writes data received by communication into a card-shaped data storage member. apparatus. 4. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes communication means, and data read from a card-shaped data storage member by said card processing means is transmitted by said communication means. Information terminal device. 5. The amount data stored in the storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a storage unit, and when the card processing unit processes the card-shaped data storage member as an electronic money card. A portable information terminal device, wherein a part of the price information is transferred to the card-shaped data storage member, or a part of the money amount data stored in the card-shaped data storage member is transferred to the storage means. 6. The card-like data storage member according to claim 1, wherein the control means comprises a storage means, and the card processing means stores the card-like data storage member in the card-like data storage member when the card-like data storage member is housed in the main body. A portable information terminal device, wherein data is transferred to the storage means, and the data is deleted from the card-shaped data storage member. 7. The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is a mobile phone.