JP2002304605A - Ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an IC card which can have a communication module changed or added even after an IC chip is manufactured. SOLUTION: This card is provided with an I/F 22 which sends and receives data to and from a reader/writer 3, a ROM 23 which stores a communication module in the I/F 22 when communicating with the reader/writer 3, an EEPROM 24 which stores the communication module inputted through the I/F 22 by the reader/writer 3, and a CPU 26 which selects the communication module stored in the ROM 23 or the communication module stored in the EEPROM 24 according to a variable ploto and a variable type inputted by the reader/writer 3 through the I/F 22 and makes the I/F 22 communicate with the reader/writer 3 by using the selected communication module, so even after the IC card 2 is manufactured, a communication module can be changed and added.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information processing apparatus having a communication function, for example, in the form of a card (hereinafter simply referred to as an IC card).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An IC card performs data communication with a reader / writer using a predetermined communication protocol.

[0003] In contact type IC cards, international standard I
The T = 0 communication protocol and the T = 1 communication protocol specified in SO / IEC7816-3 are used.

[0004] The T = 0 communication protocol is an asynchronous half-duplex character transmission, in which a start bit (1 bit), 1 byte (8 bits), and a parity bit (1 bit) are transmitted between an IC card and a reader / writer. This is a communication procedure for performing half-duplex transmission for each character bit (10 bits) composed of. The T = 0 communication protocol is mainly used in the United States.

[0005] The T = 1 communication protocol is a start-stop half-duplex block transmission.
This is a communication procedure for performing half-duplex transmission for each block. In addition, T = 1 communication protocol is mainly used in Japan, Korea,
Used in Hong Kong, etc.

Conventionally, in order to perform data communication with a reader / writer using the above-mentioned communication protocol, communication using the above-mentioned communication protocol is performed in a ROM in an IC chip built in an IC card and in an interface with the reader / writer. There is known an IC card which stores a communication module which is a program for performing the program. These conventional ICs
In the card, the OS and various application programs are stored in the ROM in addition to the communication module.
For example, in the T = 0 communication protocol, a communication module having only functions necessary for normal data communication is often stored in the ROM.

[0007]

However, in these conventional IC cards, since the communication module is stored in the ROM, for example, not only the functions required for normal data communication in the T = 0 communication protocol, but also , All T =
When it is desired to perform communication using the function of the 0 communication protocol, it is necessary to store a T = 0 communication module for causing the interface to perform a complete T = 0 communication protocol in the ROM, and to recreate an IC chip.

Further, in the conventional IC card, even when a failure occurs in the communication module, it is necessary to store the newly improved communication module in the ROM and re-create the IC chip.

[0009] Even if the communication protocol conforms to the same standard, detailed rules may be different for each product of the IC card and the reader / writer. There are also communication protocols used before the ISO / IEC 7816-3 standard was established. When communication is to be performed using a communication protocol other than the communication protocol mainly used as described above, it is necessary to recreate an IC chip.

However, in the case of remanufacturing an IC chip, a large cost is required for manufacturing the IC chip, and it takes about two months. Further, a failure such as a failure of the remanufactured IC chip to operate may occur.

[0011] Therefore, there is a demand for an IC card capable of changing and adding a communication module without remanufacturing an IC chip and a ROM.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an IC card which can change and add a communication module even after manufacturing an IC chip.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an IC card according to the present invention comprises an interface means for an external device, and the interface means for communicating with the external device based on a first communication protocol. An IC card having first storage means for storing a first communication module, which is a program for performing the communication, and control means for causing the interface means to perform communication with the external device. A second storage module that stores the second communication module input through the interface unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the external device based on the selection data input through the interface unit, The first communication module stored in the first storage unit or the second communication module stored in the second storage unit Selects the second communication module, to perform communication with the external device to said interface means based on the selected communication module.

Preferably, the second storage means further stores selection data input by the external device via the interface means, and the control means is stored in the second storage means. Selecting the first communication module stored in the first storage means or the second communication module stored in the second storage means based on the selected selection data, And causes the interface means to perform communication with the external device.

According to the present invention, the first storage means of the IC card stores the program for causing the interface means for communicating with the external device to communicate with the external device based on the first communication protocol. A certain first communication module is stored. And, in the second storage means,
The second communication module input by the external device via the interface means is stored.

When the IC card is mounted on the external device, the control means of the IC card stores the first data stored in the first storage device based on the selection data inputted by the external device. And the second communication module stored in the second storage unit is selected, and the interface unit communicates with the external device based on the selected communication module.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an IC card system using the IC card according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the IC card system 1
Has an IC card 2, a reader / writer 3, and a computer 4.

The IC card 2 is a contact type IC card issued and managed by a card issuing company and carried by an individual, and transmits and receives data to and from the reader / writer 3 based on a desired communication protocol.

The reader / writer 3 is connected to a computer 4 of a card issuing company and transmits and receives data to and from the inserted IC card 2 based on a desired communication protocol.

The computer 4 is a computer managed by a card issuing company and transmits and receives data to and from the IC card 2 via the reader / writer 3.

Next, each component of the IC card system 1 will be described in detail. The IC card 2 has an IC chip 21 as shown in FIG.
I / F 22 as interface means, ROM 23 as first storage means, EE as second storage means
PROM 24, RAM 25, CPU 2 as control means
6, and a bus BS.

I / F 22, ROM 23, EEPROM 2
4. The RAM 25 and the CPU 26 are connected to the bus BS.

The I / F 22 has an external terminal (not shown) provided in accordance with a predetermined standard of the IC card. When the IC card 2 is mounted on the reader / writer 3, power is supplied through the external terminal. Receiving and reader / writer 3
And transmit and receive signals. The I / F 22 is connected to the CPU 2
6 under the management of ROM 23 or EEPROM
It transmits and receives signals to and from the reader / writer 3 based on the communication protocol described in the communication module stored in the OM 24.

The ROM 23 stores an OS, various programs, T
= 0 is a non-volatile memory that stores a communication module and a T = 1 communication protocol. T = 0 communication module
This is a program that causes the I / F 22 to perform communication using the T = 0 communication protocol.
This is a program describing a procedure for causing F22 to perform communication using the T = 1 communication protocol.

The EEPROM 24 is a writable and erasable nonvolatile memory for storing a newly stored communication module, a variable type for identifying the communication module, a variable plot as selection data, and an ATR (Answer-To-Reset). Memory.

The variable type is a variable indicating the type of communication protocol of the communication module stored in the EEPROM 24, and is referred to when the CPU 26 checks the communication module stored in the EEPROM 24.

More specifically, when the reader / writer 3 inputs a T = 14 communication module, which is a program for causing the I / F 22 to operate according to a communication protocol classified as T = 14, for example,
The T = 14 communication module is stored at the address specified by 26, and the numerical value 14 is stored at the address of the variable type. When the communication module is not stored in the EEPROM 24, a numerical value 255 is stored in the variable type.

The variable plot is stored in the ROM 23 and the EE
From the communication module stored in the PROM 24, C
This is a variable indicating the type of communication protocol actually used by the PU 26. The variable ploto is, for example, IC
When the communication module is written to the EEPROM 24 via the reader / writer 3 and the I / F 22 by the computer 4 of the card issuing company, the communication module is written to the EEPROM 24. The variable plot can be changed even after the communication module is stored.

More specifically, when the selection data input by the computer 4 via the reader / writer 3 and the I / F 22 is a numerical value 0 indicating a T = 0 communication module, the EEPROM 24 stores the variable Numerical value 0 is stored at the address of the variable. When the selected data is the numerical value 1, the numerical value 1 is stored at the address of the variable plot.
When the selected data is the numerical value 14, the numerical value 14 is stored at the address of the variable plot.

The ATR includes a ROM 23 and an EEPROM.
24 is a parameter having data indicating the type of communication protocol stored therein and the communication protocol to be used. When the IC card 2 is mounted on the reader / writer 3, the CPU 26 controls the reader / writer 3 via the I / F 22. Sent to. Then, the computer 4 sends the type of communication protocol included in the ATR from the reader / writer 3,
And data indicating the communication protocol to be used,
The type of the communication protocol stored in the IC card 2 is specified.

The RAM 25 is used as a so-called working area in which data generated by the control processing of the CPU 26 is stored.

The CPU 26 performs an initial process, a communication module storing process, a process of changing a variable plot, a communication module selecting process, and a desired communication process. Hereinafter, each will be described.

Upon receiving the power supply voltage and the clock signal from the reader / writer 3 via the I / F 22, the initial processing CPU 26
The ATR stored in the I / F 22 is
Output to reader / writer 3.

The storage of the communication module CPU26, when the communication module is input from the reader-writer 3 through the I / F22 stores the inputted communication module to EEPROM 24, the number identifying the communication module EEPROM 24 Variable type
e. Then, the CPU 26 outputs EE to the ATR.
The communication protocol identification information stored in the PROM 24 is written, and the ATR is rewritten.

The CPU 26 changes the variable ploto .
When the selection data is input via the I / F 22,
The selected data is stored at the address of the variable plot in the EEPROM 24, and the selected data is stored in the ATR.

Communication Module Selection Processing The CPU 26 selects a communication module indicated by the variable “proto” from the communication modules stored in the ROM 23 and the EEPROM 24. Also, the CPU 26
If the communication module indicated by the same variable is stored in the ROM 23 and the EEPROM 24,
The communication module stored in the PROM 24 is preferentially selected.

More specifically, the CPU 26 sets a variable plot indicating a protocol to be actually used, and an EEP
It is determined whether or not the variable type indicating the communication module stored in the ROM 24 matches, and when it is determined that the variables match, the communication module stored in the EEPROM 24 is selected. If it is determined that the variables plot and type do not match, RO
From the communication module stored in M23, the variable pl
Select a communication module matching oto.

The desired communication processing CPU 26 uses the selected communication module to
F22 is controlled to transmit and receive data to and from the reader / writer 3. The above is the description of the IC card 2 of the IC card system 1.

Next, the reader / writer 3 will be described in detail. The reader / writer 3 is connected to a computer 4 of a card issuing company, and updates and adds a new communication module to the inserted IC card 2 and transmits / receives desired data using a predetermined communication protocol. It is a device that performs.

The reader / writer 3, as shown in FIG.
It has a C card I / F 31 and a communication control unit 32. I
The C card I / F 31 is provided with the IC card 2
And a power supply and a clock signal. Next, the IC card I / F 31 stores the AT transmitted by the IC card 2.
R is received and output to the communication control unit 32. When an instruction to the IC card 2 is input by the communication control unit 32 based on the result of communication with the host computer 30,
The instruction is executed while sequentially communicating with the IC card 2.

The communication control section 32 performs processing on the IC card 2 mounted on the reader / writer 3 while communicating with the computer 4. Specifically, IC card I / F
From 31, the information of the communication module mounted on the IC card 2 input from the IC card 2 mounted on the reader / writer 3 is transmitted to the computer 4 via the communication line, and an instruction is waited. When the communication module is received from the computer 4 via the communication line, the communication module outputs the communication module to the IC card I / F 31.

Next, the computer 4 will be described. The computer 4 is managed by a card issuing company and is a computer that transmits and receives data to and from the IC card 2 via the reader / writer 3 and performs desired data communication processing. The computer 4 has a storage unit 41 that stores various communication modules. When the computer 4 receives the information on the communication module mounted on the IC card 2 from the communication control unit 32, the computer 4 transmits the desired communication module and the communication module mounted on the IC card 2 or the desired communication module. The selection data for selection is transmitted to the communication control unit 32.

The operation of the IC card system having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, the reader / writer 3 adds a new T = 14 communication module to the IC card 2 having the T = 0 communication module and the T = 1 communication module in the ROM 23 and uses the T = 14 communication module. The present invention will be described by exemplifying the enabling process.

When the IC card 2 is mounted on the reader / writer 3, processing is started on both the IC card 2 and the reader / writer 3 (S10, S20). First, in the reader / writer 3, when the IC card 2 is mounted,
The power supply voltage and the clock signal are output to the IC card 2 (S21). In the IC card 2, the power supply voltage and the clock signal are input so that the IC chip 21
Is started (S11), and EE is executed by the CPU 26.
The ATR stored in the PROM 24 is output to the reader / writer 3 based on the T = 0 communication protocol (STR).
12).

In the reader / writer 3, the IC card 2
When the ATR is input from the computer (S22), the information on the type of the communication protocol stored in the IC card 2 included in the ATR is transmitted to the computer 4 (S2).
3).

The computer 4 starts processing the IC card 2 by receiving information on the type of the communication protocol from the reader / writer 3 (S3).
1) The type of communication protocol stored in the IC card 2 is obtained (S32). Further, in the computer 4, when the type of the communication protocol is confirmed, the T = 14 communication module, which is a communication module written in the IC card 2 and stored in the storage unit 41, and the communication module is used. Is transmitted to the reader / writer 3 (S33), and the computer 4 ends the processing (S34).

Next, in the reader / writer 3, when the communication module and the selection data transmitted from the computer 4 are received by the communication control unit 32 (S24), the communication module and the selection data are transmitted to the IC card I / F3.
1 to the IC card 2 (S25).

Next, in the IC card 2, the communication module and the selection data transmitted from the reader / writer 3 are received by the I / F 22 (S13), and the communication module is stored by the CPU 26 at a predetermined address of the EEPROM 24. , The numerical value 14 of the selected data is a variable pl
It is stored in oto and ATR (S14). And
When the IC card 2 is detached from the reader / writer 3, the processing of the IC card 2 and the reader / writer 3 ends (S15, S26). The above is the processing for writing the communication module to the IC card of the IC card system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for selecting a communication module of an IC card. Next, a communication module selection process of the IC card 2 will be described. Here, the T = 0 communication module and the T = 1 communication module are stored in the ROM 23 of the IC card 2, and the EE
The PROM 24 stores a T = 14 communication module,
It is assumed that a numerical value 14 is stored in the variable type. Then, the CPU 26 of the IC card 2
RO based on the value stored in the variable
The present invention will be described by exemplifying a selection process for selecting a communication module stored in the M23 and the EEPROM 24. The ATR stores the same value as the value of the communication protocol to be used stored in the variable plot.

A process of selecting a communication module of the IC card 2 and transmitting / receiving desired data will be described with reference to FIG. First, step ST1
Then, when the IC card 2 is attached to the reader / writer 3,
The power supply voltage and the clock signal from the reader / writer 3
It is input to the IC card 2 via F22. And I
When the voltage and the clock signal are input to the CPU 26 of the C card 2, the ATR stored in the EEPROM 24 is transmitted to the reader / writer 3 via the I / F 22. When the ATR is received, the reader / writer 3 acquires the type of communication protocol stored in the IC card 2 included in the ATR and information on the communication protocol to be used.

In step ST2, the CPU 26 sets E
The variable plot and the variable type stored in the EPROM 24 are read, and the variable plot and the variable ty are read.
It is determined whether pe matches. Variable pl
If it is determined that oto and the variable type match, the process proceeds to step 3. If it is determined that they do not match, the process proceeds to step ST4. For example, when the variable plot is 14, the variable type is 14, and the process proceeds to step ST3.

In step ST3, the CPU 26 sets E
The T = 14 communication module stored in the EPROM 24 is selected, and the process proceeds to step ST7.

In step ST4, the CPU 26 determines whether or not the variable type is 1. Variable t
If it is determined that “ype” is 1, the T = 1 communication module stored in the ROM 23 is selected (ST
5), the process proceeds to step ST7.

In step ST4, when the CPU 26 determines that the variable type is not 1,
The communication module T = 0 stored in the ROM 23 is selected (ST6), and the process proceeds to step ST7.

In step ST7, the CPU 26 communicates with the reader / writer 3 via the I / F 22 based on the selected communication module. And I
When the C card 2 is removed from the reader / writer 3, the communication ends.

The IC card system 1 of the present embodiment described above
According to the IC card 2, the I / F 22 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the reader / writer 3, the ROM 23 for storing a communication module when communicating with the reader / writer 3, and the reader / writer 3 via the I / F 22 An EEPROM 24 for storing the input communication module and a reader / writer 3
The communication module stored in the ROM 23 or the communication module stored in the EEPROM 24 is selected based on the variable plot and the variable type input through the I / F 22 by using the selected communication module. Since the CPU 26 for performing communication with the reader / writer 3 is provided in F22, there is an advantage that a communication module can be added even after the IC card 2 is manufactured.

Even if a failure is found in the communication module stored in the ROM 23, the newly corrected communication module can be stored in the EEPROM 24, and the communication module can be changed.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and various suitable modifications are possible. In the present embodiment, the ROM 23 stores two types of communication modules, a T = 0 communication module and a T = 1 communication module, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, one type of communication module may be stored in the ROM 23, or three or more types of communication modules may be stored.

In the present embodiment, the reader / writer 3 performs writing of the communication module and transmission / reception of desired data, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, the process of writing in the communication module and the process of transmitting and receiving desired data may be performed by separate reader / writers.

In this embodiment, the variable ploto
Was stored in the EEPROM 24, but is not limited to this mode. For example, the variable ploto is RA
It may be stored in M25.

In the present embodiment, the present invention has been described by exemplifying a contact type IC card having electrodes as the I / F 22. However, there is no problem even if the I / F 22 has no terminal and is configured to be electromagnetically connected to the reader / writer. That is, the IC card is
It may be a non-contact type IC card.

[0062]

As described above, according to the IC card of the present invention, there is an advantage that the communication module can be changed and added without remanufacturing the IC chip.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an IC card system using an IC card according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of writing a communication protocol to an IC card according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of selecting a communication protocol of the IC card according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... IC card system 2 ... IC card 21 ... IC chip 22 ... I / F 23 ... ROM 24 ... EEPROM 25 ... RAM 26 ... CPU 3 ... Reader / writer 31 ... IC card I / F 32 ... Communication control unit 4 ... PC 41 … Storage unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] An interface for communicating with an external device, and a first communication module which stores a first communication module which is a program for causing the interface to communicate with the external device based on a first communication protocol. Storage means for storing a second communication module input from the external device via the interface means, and a selection data input from the external apparatus via the interface means. The first communication module or the second communication module stored in the first storage means.
And a control unit for selecting the second communication module stored in the storage unit and causing the interface unit to communicate with the external device based on the selected communication module. 2. The second storage means further stores selection data input by the external device via the interface means, and the control means stores the selection data stored in the second storage means. Based on the data, select a first communication module stored in the first storage means or a second communication module stored in the second storage means, and select a communication module based on the selected communication module. 2. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein the IC card causes the interface means to communicate with the external device.