JP2003242449A - Reader/writer used in non-contact data communication - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reader/writer capable of obtaining a higher S/N ratio than before in non-contact data communication. <P>SOLUTION: A reader/writer antenna coil is provided with such a positional relationship that with an IC card stored in a designated position, an IC chip built in the IC card is positioned on the outside of a space corresponding position enclosed with a coil, and a card antenna exists in the space corresponding position. By this arrangement, out of the magnetic flux generated by the card antenna coil and the reader/writer antenna coil in non-contact data communication, the magnetic flux penetrating through the IC chip is cut down. Accordingly, induced noise having no relation with the communication data, which is generated in the internal wiring of the IC chip, can be reduced. As a result, the S/N ratio of communication can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reader / writer for contactless data communication with an IC card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an IC card in which an IC chip is mounted on a cash card or a resin card as large as a credit card has become widespread. IC cards are used in fields such as distribution, traffic, and communication because they have a large storage capacity and excellent confidentiality as compared with conventional magnetic cards. In particular, non-contact data communication, which allows non-contact data communication, is advantageous in terms of high durability and cost and maintenance because there is no mechanical contact between the IC card and the reader / writer.

A conventional non-contact data communication system including an IC card and a reader / writer will be described below. FIG. 6 is an external view of a conventional reader / writer and IC card. As shown in FIG. 6, the IC card 101 is inserted from the card insertion opening 121 provided in the reader / writer 120 to perform non-contact data communication. The IC card 101 includes a card-side antenna coil 102 and an IC chip 103 inside or on the card surface. The card-side antenna coil 102 is a card for the purpose of maximizing a magnetic flux linkage area under the restrictions of the card size. Located at the edge of the. Inevitably, the IC chip 103 is arranged inside the area surrounded by the card-side antenna coil 102. The IC chip 103 is connected to both ends of the card side antenna coil 102, and performs modulation / demodulation, calculation and storage of data obtained via the card side antenna coil 102.

FIG. 7 (a) is a sectional view taken along the line D-D shown in FIG. 6 in a state where an IC card is stored in a conventional reader / writer, and FIG. 7 (b) is shown in FIG. 7 (a). It is sectional drawing in the EE line. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the reader / writer 120 includes a reader / writer-side antenna coil 123 and a processing unit 126. The processing unit 126 is connected to both ends of the reader / writer antenna coil 123, and performs modulation / demodulation, calculation, and storage of data obtained via the reader / writer antenna coil 123. Figure 7
As shown in (a), when the IC card 101 is stored in a predetermined position of the reader / writer 120, the card side antenna coil 102 and the reader / writer side antenna coil 1
By facing 23, communication by electromagnetic induction becomes possible. As a result, non-contact data communication is realized between the IC card 101 and the reader / writer 120.

In the future, the contactless data communication system is expected to be applied in various fields more and more, and as the communication data becomes large in capacity for multipurpose use across fields, the speed of communication will be increased. Desired. In order to realize high-speed communication, a higher S / N ratio than the conventional one is required.

[0006]

However, when the conventional non-contact data communication system is considered from the viewpoint of speeding up the communication, it cannot be said that the value of the S / N ratio is sufficiently satisfactory. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reader / writer capable of obtaining a higher S / N ratio than before in non-contact data communication with an IC card.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a reader / writer according to the present invention is a reader / writer for performing non-contact data communication with an IC card, the IC card being a predetermined one. A storage means for storing in a position;
The C-card is provided with a reader / writer-side antenna coil that performs data communication in a contactless manner with the card-side antenna coil in the state where the IC card is housed in the prescribed position. In this state, the IC chip built in the IC card is located outside the position corresponding to the space surrounded by the reader / writer-side antenna coil, and the card-side antenna coil is provided at a position related to the position corresponding to the space. It is characterized by

As a result, the IC chip is arranged outside the position corresponding to the space surrounded by the reader / writer antenna coil. With such a configuration, among the magnetic fluxes generated from the card side antenna coil and the reader / writer side antenna coil during non-contact data communication, the magnetic flux penetrating the IC chip is reduced. By doing so, the induced voltage that is generated in the internal wiring of the IC chip and is unrelated to the communication data can be reduced. As a result, the S / N ratio of communication is improved. Further, in order to achieve the above object, the reader / writer according to the present invention further includes substantially the entire card-side antenna coil and the reader / writer-side antenna coil with the IC card stored in the predetermined position. And a magnetic body is provided at a position not enclosing the IC chip.

By providing the magnetic body so as to wrap the card side antenna coil and the reader / writer side antenna coil in this way, the magnetic flux generated from the card side antenna coil and the reader / writer side antenna coil during communication is converged in the magnetic body. Can be made. Therefore, the magnetic flux penetrating the IC chip can be reduced. As a result, the S / N ratio of communication is improved.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) <Structure> A contactless data communication system including an IC card and a reader / writer will be described below.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a reader / writer and an IC card according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the reader / writer 20 inserts the IC card 1 from the card insertion slot 21 to perform non-contact data communication. The IC card 1 includes a card side antenna coil 2 and an IC chip 3 inside or on the card surface. Both ends of the card side antenna coil 2 are IC
It is connected to an antenna terminal provided on the chip 3.
The IC chip 3 is arranged outside the area surrounded by the card-side antenna coil 2, and performs modulation / demodulation, calculation and storage for performing non-contact data communication with the reader / writer 20.

FIG. 2 shows an IC for a reader / writer according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the cards are stored, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reader / writer 2
0 is a card storage unit 22, a reader / writer antenna coil 23, a magnetic body 24, a magnetic shield 25, and a processing unit 26.
With.

The reader / writer-side antenna coil 23 is provided on either one of the upper and lower surfaces of the card storage section 22, and both ends of the coil are connected to the antenna terminals of the processing section 26. When the IC card 1 is stored in the predetermined position of the storage portion 22, the reader / writer-side antenna coil 23 faces the card-side antenna coil 2 included in the IC card 1. Since the card-side antenna coil 2 and the reader / writer-side antenna coil 23 face each other, communication by electromagnetic induction becomes possible, and non-contact data communication can be realized between the IC card 1 and the reader / writer 20.

Further, the reader / writer side antenna coil 23
Has a space surrounded by the reader / writer side antenna coil 23 itself. The reader / writer-side antenna coil is arranged such that the IC chip 3 and the processing unit 26 are located outside a space-equivalent position surrounded by the reader-writer-side antenna coil (hereinafter referred to as “space-equivalent position”). Figure 2
As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic body 24 is provided so as to enclose the card side antenna coil 2 and the reader / writer side antenna coil 23, and has a slot so that the IC card 1 can be taken in and out. In addition, the IC chip 3 and the processing unit 26 are surrounded by the magnetic body 24 (hereinafter referred to as “magnetic body portion”).
Called outside). Since the magnetic resistance of the magnetic body 24 is smaller than that of air, the magnetic flux converges in the magnetic body 24.

As described above, the IC chip 3 and the processing unit 2
6 is disposed outside the position corresponding to the space and outside the magnetic body portion, so that the IC chip 3 or the processing portion of the magnetic flux generated from the card-side antenna coil 2 and the reader / writer-side antenna coil 23 during non-contact data communication. The magnetic flux penetrating 26 is reduced. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the IC chip 3 is sandwiched between the magnetic shields 25 and magnetically isolated from the card side antenna coil 2 and the reader / writer side antenna coil 23. Therefore, the magnetic flux penetrating the IC chip 3 or the processing unit 26 can be further reduced.

In this way, the IC chip 3 or the processing unit 26
By reducing the magnetic flux that penetrates through, the induced voltage unrelated to the communication data generated in the IC chip 3 or the internal wiring of the processing unit 26 is reduced, and the S / N ratio of communication is improved. Processing unit 2
6 is a modulation / demodulation for performing data communication with the IC card 1,
Calculation and storage are performed. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the card storage portion 22 is sandwiched and divided into two areas, so that the circuit installation space is effectively used. <Specific Examples> Specific examples of the present invention will be described below.

The shapes of the card side antenna coil 2 and the reader / writer side antenna coil 23 are six-turn coils having an inner diameter of 30 mm, which is a practical model. Ferrite is used for the magnetic body 24. These are used to observe the IC chip 3 in two positions, one outside and one inside the space-equivalent position, and a combination depending on the presence or absence of the magnetic body 24 for each case. That is, (1) outside the position corresponding to the space and no magnetic substance, (2) outside the position corresponding to the space and magnetic substance, (3) inside the position corresponding to the space and no magnetic substance, (4) the position corresponding to the space There are a total of 4 types: internal and magnetic. (1) and (2) are the present invention, and (3)
Indicates the prior art, and (4) is reference data which is neither the present invention nor the prior art.

When the IC chip 3 is outside the position corresponding to the space, the end of the IC chip 3 is located at a distance of 6 mm from the end of the card side antenna coil 2. If the magnetic body 24 is present, the end of the IC chip 3 is 3 mm from the end of the magnetic body 24.
And the distance. When the IC chip 3 is inside the space-equivalent position, it is arranged at the center of the card-side antenna coil.

Under the above conditions, contactless data communication was performed in each case, and the signal of the IC chip was observed. Since the amplitude modulation is performed in the communication, the minimum signal amplitude and the noise signal amplitude obtained by the amplitude modulation are measured. When the ratio (minimum signal amplitude / noise signal amplitude) is R, S / N ratio = 20logR The S / N ratio can be calculated by Here, the base of logarithm is set to 10.

S / calculated by the above method based on the measurement results
The N ratio is (1) 43 dB, (2) 52 dB, (3) 27
dB and (4) 36 dB. Further, in general, when the S / N ratio becomes large, signal reading errors are reduced, so that high-speed communication can be realized. A data transfer rate of 1 Mbps, which is not in practical use at present, but can be used in the future
Of a bit error rate of 10 to realize high-speed communication of
It is desirable that the S / N ratio of the signal satisfying the IC card specification of not more than the power of 42 dB is 42 dB or more, and the S / N ratio was changed to obtain the bit error rate by an experiment. That is, 42 dB is a condition for realizing high-speed communication.

From the above results, the S / N ratio of the IC chip internal signal is high because the prior art does not satisfy the high-speed communication condition of 42 dB and the IC chip 3 is arranged outside the space-equivalent position. 42 dB, which is the communication condition
It was found that the S / N ratio can be further improved by using the magnetic substance 24. In the first embodiment of the present invention, contactless data communication by electromagnetic induction is performed between the IC card 1 and the reader / writer 20, but contactless power transmission may also be performed. (Second Embodiment) <Structure> An IC card and a reader / writer that perform contact / contactless data communication will be described below.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a reader / writer and an IC card according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the IC card 1
0 is the IC card 1 shown in FIG.
Is added. Since the components other than the contact communication IC chip 4 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given,
The description is omitted. The contact communication IC chip 4 is arranged outside the area surrounded by the card side antenna coil 2. The contact communication IC chip 4 performs modulation / demodulation, calculation, and storage for performing contact data communication with the reader / writer 200 via the contact terminal 5.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line C--C shown in FIG. 4 with the IC card stored in the reader / writer according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the reader / writer 200
Is a terminal in which a contact communication terminal 27 is added to the reader / writer 20 shown in FIG. The components other than the contact communication terminal 27 are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

The contact communication terminal 27 is connected to the processing section 26. When the IC card 10 is inserted into a predetermined position of the storage section 22, the contact terminal 5 included in the IC card 10 and the contact communication terminal 27 included in the reader / writer 200 are connected, and contact data communication becomes possible. Contact communication IC
The chip 4 is arranged, together with the IC chip 3 and the processing unit 26, outside the position corresponding to the space surrounded by the reader / writer-side antenna coil and outside the magnetic body, so that the card-side antenna coil 2 and the card-side antenna coil 2 can be used during non-contact data communication. Of the magnetic flux generated from the reader / writer-side antenna coil 23, the magnetic flux penetrating the contact communication IC chip 4 is reduced.

The contact communication IC chip 4 is attached to the magnetic shield 2.
The magnetic flux penetrating the IC chip 4 for contact communication is further reduced by being sandwiched between the antennas 5 and magnetically isolated from the antenna coil 2 on the card side and the antenna coil 23 on the reader / writer side. By reducing the magnetic flux penetrating the contact communication IC chip 4 in this way, the induced voltage unrelated to the communication data generated in the internal wiring of the contact communication IC chip 4 is reduced.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact data communication by electromagnetic induction is performed between the IC card 10 and the reader / writer 200, but non-contact power transmission may also be performed. In addition, an IC for non-contact data communication
Although the chip 3 and the contact communication IC chip 4 that performs contact data communication are separate chips, they may be combined into one chip.

[0027]

The reader / writer according to the present invention is a reader / writer for performing data communication with an IC card in a non-contact manner. The reader / writer has an accommodating means for accommodating the IC card at a predetermined position and the IC card. The reader / writer-side antenna coil that performs data communication in a contactless manner with the card-side antenna coil stored in the predetermined position is provided. The reader / writer-side antenna coil is an IC when the IC card is stored in the predetermined position. The IC chip built in the card is located outside the position corresponding to the space surrounded by the reader / writer-side antenna coil, and the card-side antenna coil is provided at a related position so that it exists at the position corresponding to the space. Is characterized by.

As a result, the IC chip is arranged outside the position corresponding to the space surrounded by the reader / writer antenna coil. With such a configuration, among the magnetic fluxes generated from the card side antenna coil and the reader / writer side antenna coil during non-contact data communication, the magnetic flux penetrating the IC chip is reduced. By doing so, the induced voltage that is generated in the internal wiring of the IC chip and is unrelated to the communication data can be reduced. As a result, the S / N ratio of communication is improved. The reader / writer according to the present invention further encloses substantially the whole of the card side antenna coil and the reader / writer side antenna coil in a state where the IC card is stored in the predetermined position, and does not enclose the IC chip. A magnetic material is provided at the position.

By thus providing the magnetic body so as to enclose the card side antenna coil and the reader / writer side antenna coil, the magnetic flux generated from the card side antenna coil and the reader / writer side antenna coil during communication is converged in the magnetic body. Can be made. Therefore, the magnetic flux penetrating the IC chip can be reduced. As a result, the S / N ratio of communication is improved.

The IC card further includes another IC chip different from the IC chip, and the reader / writer-side antenna coil has the other IC chip corresponding to the space with the IC card stored in the predetermined position. It is characterized in that it is provided at a related position which is located outside the position. As a result, other IC chips mounted on the IC card are also arranged outside the position corresponding to the space surrounded by the reader / writer antenna coil.

With this configuration, of the magnetic flux generated from the card-side antenna coil and the reader / writer-side antenna coil during data communication, the magnetic flux penetrating another IC chip is reduced. By doing so, the induced voltage generated in the internal wiring of another IC chip can be reduced. As a result, malfunction of other IC chips can be prevented. Furthermore, the reader / writer according to the present invention further encloses substantially the entire card-side antenna coil and the reader / writer-side antenna coil in a state where the IC card is housed in the predetermined position, and the IC chip and the IC chip It is characterized in that a magnetic material is provided at a position where it does not enclose other IC chips.

By thus providing the magnetic body so as to enclose the card side antenna coil and the reader / writer side antenna coil, the magnetic flux generated from the card side antenna coil and the reader / writer side antenna coil during communication is converged in the magnetic body. Can be made. Therefore, the magnetic flux penetrating another IC chip can be reduced. As a result, malfunction of other IC chips can be prevented.

The reader / writer according to the present invention further comprises a processing unit for processing communication data, and the processing unit is located outside the position corresponding to the space. As a result, the processing unit is arranged outside the position corresponding to the space surrounded by the reader / writer-side antenna coil. With this configuration, of the magnetic flux generated from the card-side antenna coil and the reader / writer-side antenna coil during data communication, the magnetic flux penetrating the processing unit is reduced. By doing so, the induced voltage irrelevant to the communication data generated in the internal wiring of the processing unit can be reduced. As a result, communication S
The / N ratio is improved.

The reader / writer according to the present invention further encloses substantially the whole of the card side antenna coil and the reader / writer side antenna coil in a state where the IC card is housed in the predetermined position, and the IC chip. And a magnetic body at a position not enclosing the processing unit. By thus providing the magnetic body so as to wrap the card-side antenna coil and the reader / writer-side antenna coil, the magnetic flux generated from the card-side antenna coil and the reader / writer-side antenna coil during communication can be converged in the magnetic body. it can. Therefore, the magnetic flux penetrating the processing unit can be reduced. As a result, the S / N ratio of communication is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a reader / writer according to a first embodiment of the present invention and I.
It is an external view of a C card.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a reader / writer according to a second embodiment of the present invention and I
It is an external view of a C card.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a conventional reader / writer and an IC card.

7 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. (B) It is sectional drawing in the EE line of Fig.7 (a).

[Explanation of symbols]

1 IC card 2 Card side antenna coil 3 IC chips 4 Contact communication IC chip 5 contact terminals 20 Reader / Writer 21 Card slot 22 Card compartment 23 Reader / Writer Side Antenna Coil 24 Magnetic 25 magnetic shield 26 Processor 27 Contact communication terminal

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H01Q 1/40 H01Q 7/00 7/00 B42D 15/10 521 // B42D 15/10 521 G06K 19/00 H M F term (reference) 2C005 MA35 MB05 NA08 TA07 TA22 5B035 AA00 BB09 CA07 CA08 CA23 CA25 5B058 CA02 CA13 CA15 CA17 KA02 KA12 KA24 5J046 AA01 AA02 AA04 AA07 AA09 AA13 AB11 PA07 RA03 5J047 AA01 AA02 AA04 AA07 AA09 AA13 AB11 EF04 EF05

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A reader / writer for performing data communication with an IC card in a non-contact manner, wherein the storing means stores the IC card in a predetermined position, and the IC card is stored in the predetermined position. In the state
The reader / writer-side antenna coil that performs contactless data communication with the card-side antenna coil is provided in the IC card while the IC card is stored in the predetermined position.
A reader characterized in that the C chip is located outside a position corresponding to the space surrounded by the reader / writer-side antenna coil, and the card-side antenna coil is provided at a relational position such that the card-side antenna coil exists at the position corresponding to the space. lighter. 2. The reader / writer further comprises: when the IC card is stored in the predetermined position,
2. The reader / writer according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic body that encloses substantially the entire card-side antenna coil and the reader / writer-side antenna coil and does not enclose the IC chip. 3. The IC card further comprises another IC chip different from the IC chip, and the reader / writer-side antenna coil has the other IC chip in a state where the IC card is housed in the predetermined position. The reader / writer according to claim 1, wherein is provided at a relational position that is positioned outside the position corresponding to the space. 4. The reader / writer further comprises: when the IC card is stored in the predetermined position,
4. The magnetic body is provided at a position that encloses substantially the entire card-side antenna coil and the reader / writer-side antenna coil and does not enclose the IC chip and the other IC chip. Reader / writer. 5. The reader / writer according to claim 1, further comprising a processing unit that processes communication data, and the processing unit is located outside the position corresponding to the space. . 6. The reader / writer further comprises: when the IC card is stored in the predetermined position,
6. The reader / writer according to claim 5, wherein a magnetic material is provided at a position that encloses substantially the entire card-side antenna coil and the reader / writer-side antenna coil and does not enclose the IC chip and the processing unit. .