JP2004310329A - Non-contact ic card and housing for non-contact ic cards - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a non-contact IC card and a housing for non-contact IC cards, which can limit or suppress a function of the non-contact IC cards based on the intention of users and also can prevent from a state of hindered normal communications if one or more of the non-contact IC cards are used in a overlay state. <P>SOLUTION: The non-contact IC card 100 comprises a first coil 102 for functioning at least as a radio antenna, a second coil 103 located at a position where it is positioned away from the position of the first coil 102, and magnetic materials to coat the second coil. The non-contact IC card 100 compares a received power of the first coil 102 with the received power of the second coil 103 and, at least, suppresses a portion of its function based on a result of the comparison between them when the non-contact IC card is used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a non-contact IC card and a non-contact IC card storage for storing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, non-contact IC cards that can wirelessly communicate data with a reader / writer in a non-contact state have become widespread for use in commuter passes such as trains, identification cards, and electronic money. The user exchanges data to realize the functions expected for the IC card simply by holding the IC card in the wallet or the like and holding the IC card over or approaching the designated part of the reader / writer. And the processing is executed. Since such an IC card is extremely convenient, it is expected that it will be used for various purposes in the future.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, with the spread of non-contact IC cards, the same user may have a plurality of types of non-contact IC cards. In such a case, when a plurality of non-contact IC cards are used in the same wallet at the same time, when the plurality of cards approach the reader / writer in the same manner, they simultaneously try to communicate with the reader / writer and perform normal communication. May be hindered.
[0004]
In order to solve such a problem, a method of shielding the entire unused card is conceivable, but when used while stored in the same wallet or the like, the shield prevents communication of the unshielded card. there is a possibility.
[0005]
Also, in the case of a card that requires extremely high reliability of information exchanged, such as a credit card, when the user uses the card with a clear intention to prevent the user from performing unintended card functions. However, no effective means has been provided.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in such a background, and an object of the present invention is to prevent normal communication of an IC card from being hindered when a plurality of non-contact IC cards are used in an overlapping manner. A non-contact IC card and a non-contact IC card housing are provided.
[0007]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-contact IC card and a non-contact IC card housing that can suppress at least some functions based on a clear intention of a user.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A non-contact IC card according to the present invention is a non-contact IC card having at least a first coil functioning as an antenna for wireless communication, wherein the IC card main body and a position separate from the first coil in the IC card main body. A second coil, a magnetic member for selectively covering the second coil, comparison means for comparing the received powers of the first and second coils, and an output of the comparison means. And control means for suppressing at least a part of the function of the non-contact IC card.
[0009]
When the user selectively covers the second coil disposed at a position different from the first coil with the magnetic member, the reception power of the second coil at the time of the covering is reduced. By detecting this by the comparing means, it is possible to confirm that the second coil is covered with the magnetic member, and that the user intends to inhibit the IC card function. At this time, the control unit suppresses at least a part of the function of the non-contact IC card.
[0010]
As a form of the function inhibition, in addition to inhibiting the scheduled function of the non-contact IC card, it may include switching and executing a plurality of scheduled functions of the non-contact IC card.
[0011]
As one mode of the magnetic member, the magnetic member is configured to be detachable from the IC card main body. In another embodiment, the magnetic member is moved relative to the IC card body between a first position covering the second coil 103 and a second position not covering the second coil. It is configured to be possible. The latter magnetic member is always used by being attached to the IC card.
[0012]
A non-contact IC card housing according to the present invention includes a non-contact IC card having at least a first coil functioning as an antenna for wireless communication and a second coil disposed at a position separate from the first coil. A non-contact IC card storage body having a storage part for storing therein, a card storage body made of a non-magnetic member having a storage part for storing an IC card, and the card in a state where the IC card is stored in the storage part. And a magnetic member that covers the second coil and is provided at a location of the housing body where the second coil is located.
[0013]
In this configuration, the main part of the card housing body is made of a non-magnetic member, and does not have a shielding function for the non-contact IC card. On the other hand, a magnetic member that covers the second coil is provided in a portion of the card housing main body where the second coil is located. As a result, the function of only the non-contact IC card stored in the storage section can be suppressed.
[0014]
A plurality of storage sections may be provided, and a storage section having the magnetic member and a storage section having no magnetic member may be mixed. With this configuration, the user can select whether or not to inhibit the IC card function depending on which storage unit stores the IC card.
[0015]
A plurality of the accommodating portions may be provided, and a position where the magnetic member is provided may be different depending on the accommodating portion. With this configuration, it is possible to cope with an IC card in which the arrangement position of the sub coil is different.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a non-contact IC card according to the present embodiment. The non-contact IC card 100 includes a control unit 101 for controlling the operation of the card, and a main coil (first coil) 102 and a sub coil (second coil) 103 connected to the control unit 101. The main coil 102 functions as an antenna for performing wireless data communication with the reader / writer 190. The auxiliary coil 103 is added in the present embodiment to suppress the function of the IC card 100. The control for that will be described later.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the non-contact IC card 100 of the first embodiment according to the present embodiment. As can be seen from FIG. 2A, a continuous concave surface 113 is formed on the front, back, and side surfaces of the sub-coil 103 embedded in the card member made of synthetic resin or the like near one side of the IC card 100. Have been. A magnetic member 120 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is configured to be detachable from the concave surface 113 by the force of a finger of a user. When the magnetic member 120 is mounted on the concave surface 113 of the IC card 100, the protrusions 121 and 122 provided on the inner surface of the magnetic member 120 are replaced with the concave portions 111 provided on the main surface of the concave surface 113 of the IC card 100. , 112 so as to be detachable from each other. In the present embodiment, the magnetic member 120 has elasticity so that the open end of the U-shaped cross section slightly opens during attachment and detachment.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2B, when the magnetic member 120 is mounted on the IC card 100, the position of the concave surface 113 is set so that the magnetic member 120 does not cover the main coil 102 but only the sub-coil 103. Has been determined. Further, in the illustrated example, the outer surface of the magnetic member 120 is configured to coincide with the surface position of the IC card 100 when the magnetic member 120 is mounted. It is not essential to have a configuration in which the surface positions are matched, but with this configuration, even when the magnetic member 120 is mounted on the IC card 100, the magnetic member 120 projects and gets in the way, or falls off unexpectedly by being caught by an object. Such a situation does not occur. The projections 121 and 122 of the magnetic member 120 and the recesses 111 and 112 of the IC card 100 may have the concavo-convex relationship reversed. Although the engagement means including the protrusions 121 and 122 and the recesses 111 and 112 is provided only on one surface of the IC card 100, it may be provided on both surfaces including the other surface on the opposite side.
[0020]
When the sub-coil 103 is covered with the magnetic member 120 in this manner, the inductance of the sub-coil 103 as an antenna changes and the tuning frequency shifts, so that when the IC card 100 approaches the reader / writer 190, the sub-coil 103 Receive power decreases. As will be described later, by detecting this change with the IC card, the operation of the IC card can be suppressed and controlled. Such control can be realized by a switch using electric contacts, but providing such a switch in an IC card is not advantageous in terms of reliability and cost. Since the magnetic member 120 has a size that covers only the sub coil 103, there is substantially no effect on the main coil 102 of the same IC card and other IC cards.
[0021]
FIG. 3 shows an external configuration of the IC card 200 according to the second embodiment.
[0022]
In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the magnetic member 120 is made detachable from the IC card 200. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the magnetic member 220 is always attached to the IC card 200, and the magnetic member 220 is moved along the one side of the IC card 200 to cover the sub coil 103 at the first position. It is configured to be movable (here, slid) between the second position that does not cover the sub coil 103. At the first and second positions, protrusions 210 and 211 are provided inside the magnetic member 220 like the magnetic member 120 so that the magnetic member 220 is positioned at that position, and the concave surface 215 of the IC card 200 is provided. Concave portions 211, 212, 213, 214 are provided at locations corresponding to the first and second positions on the main surface of the. Also in this embodiment, the relationship between the protrusions of the magnetic member 220 and the recesses of the IC card 200 may be reversed. Such engaging means may be provided on both sides of the IC card 200.
[0023]
A bent piece 217 extending along the sliding direction is provided on the contact surface of the magnetic member 220 with the IC card so as to guide the sliding movement of the magnetic member 220 between the first and second positions. At the same time, a groove 216 is provided on the IC card 200 side, into which the tip of the bent piece 217 enters. The relationship between the bent piece and the groove may be reversed. The bent piece 217 may instead be a simple protrusion or ridge (not shown).
[0024]
According to the configuration of FIG. 3, since the magnetic member 220 is always attached to the IC card 200, the user is prevented from losing the removed magnetic member, and the management of the member is eliminated. be able to.
[0025]
FIG. 4 shows an external configuration of a card case 410 as one type of a card storage body that stores the non-contact IC card 100 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, when a card case is used, basically, it is assumed that the card function is used while the non-contact IC card is stored in the card case.
[0026]
The card case 410 includes a main body 440 made of a non-magnetic material having a plurality of (two in this example) card storage portions (pockets) 431 and 432, and the magnetic member 420 is formed by a part of the plurality of card storage portions (pockets). In the example, it is provided only in the card storage section 431). At the entrances of the card storage sections 431 and 432, cutout sections 434 and 435 are provided so that a finger can be pressed against one surface of the stored IC card to pull out the IC card. Such a notch may be provided in the partition plate 437 between the card storage portions (pockets) 431 and 432.
[0027]
In the example of the card case 410, the IC card 100 is stored in the card storage section 431 by matching the side of the IC card 100 where the sub-coil 103 is present to the side where the magnetic member 420 is present. The IC card stored in the other card storage section 432 while being suppressed can be used as usual. Alternatively, even when only a single IC card is used, the user can select whether or not suppression is to be performed depending on which card storage unit is to be stored.
[0028]
When only such a card case is used, the magnetic members 120 and 220 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are unnecessary, and it is unnecessary to provide the concave surfaces 113 and 215 on the IC card. If no trouble occurs even when a plurality of IC cards are stored, the IC card is stored in the storage section 431 with the sub coil side of the IC card aligned with the side where no magnetic member is present, and the card case 410 is used. It is also possible. If the position of the sub-coil 103 is located substantially at the center of the side of the adjacent card, the front and back of the card when inserted into the card case can be ignored.
[0029]
The card case 410 shown in FIG. 4 can be carried alone or in a wallet. Alternatively, if the main body 440 of such a card case is made of a flexible material such as leather, a card storage body incorporated as a component of a wallet can be formed. In that case, instead of the cutouts 434 and 435, a configuration may be adopted in which card outlets are sequentially shifted and arranged like a card storage unit in a normal wallet.
[0030]
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the card case.
[0031]
The card case 411 has a magnetic member 420 provided at a position similar to that of the card case 410 of FIG. In the card case 410 of FIG. 4, in order to suppress the operation of the IC card, it is necessary to store the IC card in the card case in such a direction that the side where the sub coil exists is aligned with the position of the magnetic member 420. In the embodiment 5, since the magnetic members 420 and 421 are arranged on the opposite sides, such care is not required.
[0032]
In the card case shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the openings of the card storage portions 431 and 432 are provided on the long side of the card case, but they may be provided on the short side (the side without the magnetic member). .
[0033]
Further, although the sub coil of the IC card is provided adjacent to the short side of the IC card, it may be provided adjacent to the long side. In that case, of course, the magnetic member of the card case is also provided at a position adjacent to the long side.
[0034]
The above is intended to prevent a problem when a plurality of non-contact IC cards are used in a stacked manner. However, if it is only for switching whether to inhibit the card function depending on the direction of insertion of the IC card into the card storage unit. The number of card storage units in the card case may be one.
[0035]
By the way, there may be a case where it is desired to suppress the function of any of the plurality of non-contact IC cards in the card case. FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a card case 412 similar to the card case 410 of FIG. 4 in response to such a request, but provided with a magnetic member 425 for both the storage portions 431 and 432. . The magnetic member 425 is compatible with a plurality of pockets. However, the position of the magnetic member of each storage section may be different for each storage section depending on the arrangement position of the sub coil of the IC card. As a usage of the card case 412, for a non-contact IC card for which the card function is desired to be utilized, the card may be inserted in a direction in which the sub-coil is located on the side where no magnetic member is provided.
[0036]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram mainly showing the internal configuration of the control unit 101 together with the main coil 102 and the sub coil 103.
[0037]
The control unit 101 has a CPU 301 that controls the operation of the entire IC card. The CPU 301 is connected via a bus to a ROM 302 storing its operation program and fixed data, a RAM 303 providing a work area and a temporary storage area for the CPU 301, a communication circuit 312, an input port 304 and an output port 304. I have. The communication circuit 312 is connected to the main coil 102 under the control of the CPU 301, and performs data communication with the reader / writer 190. The output port 311 is connected to the sub power detector 307, and the input port 304 is connected to the main power detector 308 and the comparator 305. The auxiliary power detector 307 inputs its output to the A input terminal of the comparator 305. The output of the main power detector 308 is input to the B input terminal of the comparator 305 after the detection level is reduced to 1 / n by the level converter 306. The output of the main coil 102 is also connected to the power conversion unit 313, and supplies the operating power to each unit of the IC card using the received power of the main coil 102. The reason why the output of the main power detector 308 is reduced to 1 / n is that, in the present embodiment, the size of the sub coil 103 is smaller than that of the main coil 102, so that the sub coil 103 is not covered with the magnetic member. Corresponds to the lower received power. Also, taking into account the fact that the received power of the sub coil 103 is low, a predetermined margin is set for n so as not to erroneously detect that the output of the sub coil has become smaller due to an error when the magnetic member is not covered. May be included.
[0038]
An operation example of the control unit of the IC card according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this example, a case will be described in which when the sub-coil is covered with a magnetic material member, a decrease in the reception power of the sub-coil is detected to suppress the function of the IC card.
[0039]
When the IC card approaches the reader / writer, the power converter 313 supplies operating power to each part of the card from the voltage induced in the main coil 102. When the output of the main power detector 308 reaches or exceeds a preset power value "a", a detection output from the output terminal ">a" is given to the CPU 301 via the input port 304 (S11). In response, the sub power detector 307 is turned on through the output port 311 to start measuring the power of the sub coil 103 (S12).
[0040]
If the sub coil power is larger than the main coil power × 1 / n (S13, Yes), an IC card process corresponding to a predetermined function is performed (S14). This is to make a determination based on the ratio between the sub coil power and the main coil power. At this time, the CPU 301 exchanges necessary information with the reader / writer 190 using the main coil 102 as an antenna using the communication circuit 312. If the sub coil power is not larger than the main coil power × 1 / n, the process returns to step S11 to repeat the above processing.
[0041]
According to the processing in FIG. 8, the user of the IC card can selectively inhibit the operation of the IC card depending on whether or not the sub coil is covered with the magnetic member. This not only prevents the adverse effects on other IC cards when a plurality of IC cards are used in a stack, but also determines whether or not the IC card can be used when the IC card is used alone based on the user's clear intention. It becomes possible to control.
[0042]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining another operation example of the control unit of the IC card according to the present embodiment. In this process, the first and second IC card processes are switched and executed depending on whether or not the sub coil is covered with the magnetic member. The first and second IC card processes may be separate processes independent of each other, or may be processes in which one includes the other. In any case, at least one of the first and second processes corresponds to a process in which "at least a part of functions is suppressed" in the present invention.
[0043]
In FIG. 9, the processes in steps S21 to S23 are the same as those in steps S11 to S13 in FIG. If the sub coil power is larger than the main coil power × 1 / n in step S23 (S23, Yes), the first IC card processing is performed (S24), otherwise, the second IC card processing is performed (S25). .
[0044]
According to this processing, in particular, when the IC card is used alone, it is possible to switch the function (or application) to be used by the IC card depending on whether or not the sub coil is covered with the magnetic member. When one IC card can be used for a plurality of purposes, the processing can be selected by exchanging a signal with a reader / writer. According to the present embodiment, the magnetic material can be selected before such processing. By selecting the processing based on the presence or absence of the sub-coil coating by the member, the reliability of the use selection can be improved.
[0045]
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes other than those described above are possible. For example, the level converter 306 may be provided inside the comparator 305.
[0046]
Further, the processing of the comparator 305 and the level converter 306 may be performed by software processing of the CPU 301. Although the comparison between the received power levels of the main power detector and the sub power detector was made based on the ratio, the comparison may be made based on the difference or a combination of the ratio and the difference.
[0047]
Although only one sub coil is provided, a plurality of sub coils may be provided. In this case, a plurality of sub-coils can function as the first and second coils in the present invention. Alternatively, a plurality of sub-coils as the second coil may be provided at different positions (for example, both ends of the card), and their reception power levels may be combined (for example, averaged) and used.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, when a plurality of non-contact IC cards are used while being superimposed, the function of some of the non-contact IC cards is suppressed, so that the occurrence of problems due to the plurality of non-contact IC cards can be prevented. Can be prevented. In this case, by shielding only the second coil portion instead of shielding the entire card with the magnetic material member, it is possible to prevent adverse effects on other cards.
[0049]
Also, when a single non-contact IC card is used, a part of the functions of the IC card can be suppressed and the function to be used can be switched depending on whether or not the second coil is covered with the magnetic member. .
[0050]
Further, since the user determines whether or not the second coil is covered with the magnetic member, it is possible to restrict the use other than when the user uses the device with a clear intention. In the configuration in which the magnetic member is mounted on the IC card itself, the current state of the IC card can be recognized at a glance by the presence or absence and the position of the magnetic member.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a non-contact IC card according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a non-contact IC card according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an IC card according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a card case as one type of a card storage body that stores an IC card according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external configuration of another card case for storing an IC card according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an external configuration of still another card case for accommodating an IC card according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a control unit of the non-contact IC card according to the embodiment of the present invention, together with a main coil and a sub coil.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a control unit of the IC card according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining another operation example of the control unit of the IC card in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100, 200: non-contact IC card, 101: control unit, 102: main coil, 103: sub coil, 111, 112, 211, 212, 213, 214: recess, 120, 220: magnetic member, 121, 122, 210, 211: protrusion, 190: reader / writer, 216: groove, 217: bent piece, 410, 411, 412: card case (card storage body)

Claims (8)

At least a non-contact IC card including a first coil functioning as an antenna for wireless communication,
An IC card body,
A second coil disposed at a position separate from the first coil in the IC card body;
A magnetic member for selectively covering the second coil;
Comparing means for comparing received power of the first and second coils;
Control means for suppressing at least a part of the function of the non-contact IC card based on the output of the comparing means;
A non-contact IC card comprising: The said control means suppresses a scheduled function of the non-contact IC card based on an output of the comparison means indicating that the second coil is covered with the magnetic member. Item 1. A non-contact IC card according to Item 1. The control unit may switch and execute a plurality of scheduled functions of the non-contact IC card based on an output of the comparison unit indicating that the second coil is covered with the magnetic member. The non-contact IC card according to claim 1, wherein: The non-contact IC card according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic member is configured to be detachable from the IC card body. The magnetic member is movable with respect to the IC card body between a first position covering the second coil 103 and a second position not covering the second coil. 2. The non-contact IC card according to claim 1, wherein: Non-contact IC card storage having a storage unit for storing a non-contact IC card having at least a first coil functioning as an antenna for wireless communication and a second coil disposed at a position separate from the first coil Body
A card storage body made of a non-magnetic material having a storage section for storing an IC card, and a card storage body with the IC card stored in the storage section at a position where the second coil is located in the card storage body. A magnetic member covering the second coil;
A non-contact IC card housing characterized by comprising: 7. The non-contact IC card storage unit according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the storage units are provided, and a storage unit having the magnetic member and a storage unit not having the magnetic member are mixed. 7. The non-contact IC card storage body according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the storage parts are provided, and a position at which the magnetic member is provided differs depending on the storage part.

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