JP2005149118A - Radio communication system and holder of radio communication medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a holder of a radio communication medium which is inexpensive and permits the confirmation of the state during radio communication in real time. <P>SOLUTION: The holder of the radio communication medium applied to a radio communication system composed of a radio communication device and the radio communication medium is provided with a reception means (33) for receiving radio waves from the radio communication device, and an indication means (34) for indicating that the radio waves are being received while the radio waves are received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication system that manages entrance / exit that also serves as, for example, toll collection and ticket gate processing, by wireless communication between a wireless communication device and a wireless communication medium.

  In recent years, an entrance / exit management system using wireless communication, for example, an entrance / exit management system that also serves as a toll collection on a toll road, or an entrance / exit management system that also serves as a ticket gate process at a transportation station is becoming widespread. Toll collection or ticket gate processing is performed by wireless communication between the wireless communication device installed at the entrance and the wireless communication medium possessed by the user.

With the widespread use of such wireless communication systems, various proposals have been made for card holders that store wireless communication media. For example, a card holder for storing a non-contact ticket made of an IC card having a wireless communication function, reading card data recorded on the stored non-contact ticket, and displaying the contents of the read card data has been proposed. (See Patent Document 1).
JP2002-177039

  However, the card holder described above has the following problems.

(1) The hardware configuration is complicated, making it difficult to reduce the size and weight, making it unsuitable for carrying.

(2) Development at low cost is difficult.

(3) The state during wireless communication with the reader / writer device cannot be confirmed in real time.

  An object of the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a holder for a wireless communication medium that can be confirmed in real time at a low cost and during wireless communication, and a wireless device to which this holder can be applied. It is to provide a communication system.

  The wireless communication system and the wireless communication medium holder of the present invention are configured as follows.

  (1) The present invention is a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device, a wireless communication medium, and a holder for the wireless communication medium, wherein the wireless communication device includes a detecting unit that detects the entry of a passer-by, A first communication unit that continues to transmit radio waves based on detection of a passerby entry by the detection unit, completes communication based on reception of a predetermined response, and stops transmitting radio waves, and the holder includes the first Receiving a radio wave from one communication means, and guiding means for guiding the reception of the radio wave while receiving the radio wave, the wireless communication medium receives the radio wave from the first communication means, Second communication means for transmitting a response in response to a response request signal and a command included in the radio wave is provided.

  (2) The present invention is a holder for a wireless communication medium applied to a wireless communication system including a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication medium, the receiving means for receiving a radio wave from the radio communication apparatus, and the radio wave Guidance means for guiding the reception of radio waves during reception.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the holder of the radio | wireless communication medium which can confirm the state in progress of radio | wireless communication cheaply and a radio | wireless communications system which can apply this holder can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a card reader / writer applied to a radio communication system according to an example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the card reader / writer RW includes an antenna 11, a transmission / reception unit 12, a power supply circuit 14, a control unit 15, and a storage unit 16. In addition, the transmission / reception unit 12 includes a transmission unit 12a and a reception unit 12b.

  The antenna 11 that functions as one of the communication means is responsible for transmission and reception of radio waves with the non-contact IC card ICC. Similarly, the transmission unit 12 a that functions as one of the communication means modulates a transmission signal (pole) to be transmitted to the non-contact IC card ICC based on the transmission control of the control unit 15 and supplies the modulated signal to the antenna 11. Similarly, the receiving unit 12 a that functions as one of the communication means demodulates the received signal (response) received via the antenna 11 and supplies the demodulated signal to the control unit 15. The power supply circuit 14 supplies electric power required by each unit. The memory | storage part 16 memorize | stores various information required for the process of non-contact IC card ICC.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a contactless IC card (wireless communication medium) applied to the wireless communication system of an example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the non-contact IC card ICC includes an antenna 21, a transmission / reception unit 22, a rectification unit 23, a storage battery 24, a control unit 25, and a storage unit 26. The transmission / reception unit 22 includes a transmission unit 22a and a reception unit 22b.

  The antenna 21 that functions as one of the communication means is responsible for transmission and reception of radio waves with the card reader / writer RW. Similarly, the transmission unit 22a that functions as one of the communication means modulates a transmission signal (response) to be transmitted to the card reader / writer RW based on the transmission control of the control unit 25 and supplies the modulated signal to the antenna. Similarly, the receiving unit 22 a that functions as one of the communication means demodulates the received signal (pole) received via the antenna 21 and supplies the demodulated signal to the control unit 25. The rectifying unit 24 rectifies the charging radio wave received via the antenna 21 to convert it into electric energy, and sends this electric energy to the storage battery 25. The storage battery 25 stores (charges) the electrical energy sent from the rectifying unit 24 and supplies operating power to each part of the card. The storage unit 26 stores card data.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a card holder applied to the radio communication system of an example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the card holder CH includes a holder main body 31, a card storage unit 32, an antenna 33, a display unit 34, and a strap 35.

  The holder main body 31 and the card storage unit 32 are made of a non-metal such as a resin as a material that protects the non-contact IC card ICC, the antenna 33, and the display unit 34 and at the same time transmits radio waves. The antenna 33 is formed in a loop coil shape on the outer periphery of the card storage unit 32 with a cable such as a thin lead wire with clothes. The antenna 33 functioning as a receiving unit receives radio waves transmitted from the card reader / writer RW. The display unit 34 that functions as a guide means is composed of, for example, a high-intensity LED (light emitting diode) and is connected to the antenna 33. The display unit 34 is turned on in response to reception of radio waves by the antenna 33, and is turned off when reception of radio waves is interrupted. In other words, the display unit 34 remains lit only while the reception of radio waves by the antenna 33 is continued.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a wireless communication system configured by the card reader / writer RW shown in FIG. 1, the IC card ICC shown in FIG. 2, and the card holder CH shown in FIG. 3, for example, an ETC system for motorcycles. As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless communication system includes a card reader / writer RW, an IC card ICC, a card holder CH, a toll booth booth B1, a host control unit (personal computer) PC, a vehicle entry detection sensor S1, and a vehicle exit detection. A sensor S2 is provided. The host control unit PC is connected to the card reader / writer RW, the vehicle approach detection sensor S1, and the vehicle exit detection sensor S2, and these constitute a wireless communication device.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating communication operation timing in the wireless communication system. For example, assuming that a user who has boarded a vehicle (two-wheeled vehicle) carries a card holder CH containing a non-contact IC card ICC, the user has installed a toll gate (wireless communication) installed at the entrance / exit of a toll road The wireless communication process when entering the system will be described.

  First, the vehicle entry detection sensor S1 functioning as a detection means detects the entry of the vehicle to the host control unit PC when the vehicle on which the user carrying the card holder CH containing the non-contact IC card ICC has entered enters the vehicle. Notify the vehicle entry. In response to this, the host control unit PC instructs the card reader / writer RW (control unit 15) to emit radio waves (RF-ON). Correspondingly, the card reader / writer RW emits radio waves by the transmitter 12a and the antenna 11. That is, the card reader / writer RW continues to transmit radio waves based on detection of vehicle entry.

  After entering the toll booth, the user holds the card holder CH containing the non-contact IC card ICC over the card reader / writer RW (antenna surface). Thereby, the card holder CH receives the radio wave transmitted from the card reader / writer RW by the antenna 33, and the display unit 34 of the card holder CH is turned on by receiving this radio wave. While the radio wave is received, the display unit 34 continues to be lit. When the display unit 34 is turned on, it is guided that radio waves are being received. The user sees lighting of the display unit 34, recognizes that the communication is currently being performed, and keeps the card holder CH held up.

  Further, the host control unit PC that has received the notification of the entry of the vehicle instructs the card reader / writer RW to transmit a card supplement command (POLL). The card supplement command is a response request signal for requesting a response to the non-contact IC card ICC. The card reader / writer RW that has received the instruction to transmit the card supplement command transmits the card supplement command by radio waves using the transmitter 12a and the antenna 11. Correspondingly, the non-contact IC card ICC accommodated in the card holder CH receives a card supplement command by the antenna 21 and the receiving unit 22b, and transmits a response by the transmitting unit 22a and the antenna 21. Correspondingly, the card reader / writer RW receives the response by the antenna 11 and the receiving unit 12b, and notifies the host control unit PC of the reception of the response.

  Upon receiving the response reception notification, the host control unit PC confirms the presence of the non-contact IC card ICC and instructs the sending of the card command. Correspondingly, the card reader / writer RW transmits a card command by radio waves by the transmitting unit 12a and the antenna 11. Correspondingly, the contactless IC card ICC accommodated in the card holder CH receives a card command by the antenna 21 and the receiving unit 22b, and transmits a response by the transmitting unit 22a and the antenna 21. Correspondingly, the card reader / writer RW receives the response by the antenna 11 and the receiving unit 12b, and notifies the host control unit PC of the reception of the response.

  In this way, transmission of necessary card commands and reception of responses corresponding to the card commands are repeated. When the card reader / writer RW receives a response corresponding to the final card command from the antenna 11 and the receiving unit 12b, the card reader / writer RW notifies the host control unit PC of the reception of this response (communication completion). In response to this, the host control unit PC instructs the card reader / writer RW to stop radio waves (RF-OFF). In response to this, the card reader / writer RW stops the emission of radio waves by the transmission unit 12a and the antenna 11. When the emission of radio waves from the card reader / writer RW is stopped, no current flows through the antenna 33 of the card holder CH, and the display unit 34 is turned off. The user can recognize that the communication has been completed by seeing that the display unit 34 is turned off, and closes the card holder CH and leaves the toll gate. Accordingly, the vehicle exit detection sensor S2 detects the vehicle exit and notifies the host controller PC of the vehicle exit. The host control unit PC waits for the next invading vehicle.

  That is, as described above, the card reader / writer RW starts transmission of radio waves based on detection of vehicle entry, and stops transmission of radio waves when communication is completed. During this time, the display unit 34 of the card holder CH continues to be lit. The user sees lighting of the display unit 34 indicating the communication state in real time, recognizes that the communication is currently being performed, and keeps the card holder CH held up. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the card holder CH (non-contact IC card) from being moved away from the card reader / writer RW during communication and a communication error.

  In the above description, a case has been described in which radio waves are emitted (RF-ON) in response to detection of vehicle entry by the vehicle entry detection sensor S1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a radio wave may be emitted (RF-ON) in response to detection of vehicle exit by the vehicle exit detection sensor S2, and the next approach vehicle may be handled early.

  In the above description, the case has been described in which the communication state is guided in real time by the display unit 34 as the guiding means provided in the card holder CH, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the display unit 34, a vibrator as a guide means is provided in the card holder CH so that the vibrator vibrates in response to radio wave reception by the antenna 33, thereby guiding the communication state in real time. May be.

  As described above, according to the card holder CH, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The state of wireless communication with the card reader / writer RW can be confirmed in real time.

(2) Since no complicated circuit or power source is required, it is possible to provide guidance for wireless communication status at a low cost and with a small size and light weight.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, the embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the card reader / writer applied to the radio | wireless communications system of an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the non-contact IC card (wireless communication medium) applied to the radio | wireless communications system of an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the card holder applied to the radio | wireless communications system of an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure outline | summary of the radio | wireless communications system comprised from a card reader / writer, an IC card, and a card holder, for example, the ETC system for two-wheeled vehicles. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing communication operation timing in the wireless communication system shown in FIG. 4.

Explanation of symbols

RW: Card reader / writer, 11: Antenna, 12: Transmission / reception unit, 12a ... Transmission unit, 12b ... Reception unit, 14: Power supply circuit, 15 ... Control unit, 16 ... Storage unit, ICC ... Non-contact IC card, 21 ... Antenna , 22 ... transmission / reception unit, 22a ... transmission unit, 22b ... reception unit, 23 ... rectification unit, 24 ... storage battery, 25 ... control unit, 26 ... storage unit, CH ... card holder, 31 ... holder body, 32 ... card storage unit , 33 ... Antenna, 34 ... Display unit, B1 ... Toll booth booth, PC ... Upper control unit (personal computer), S1 ... Vehicle entry detection sensor, S2 ... Vehicle exit detection sensor

Claims (3)

Detection means for detecting passers-by;
First communication means that continues to send radio waves based on detection of a passerby by the detection means, completes communication based on reception of a predetermined response, and stops sending radio waves;
Guidance means for receiving radio waves from the first communication means and guiding the reception of radio waves while receiving the radio waves;
Second communication means for receiving radio waves from the first communication means and transmitting responses in response to response request signals and commands included in the radio waves;
A wireless communication system comprising: A wireless communication system comprising a wireless communication device, a wireless communication medium, and a holder for the wireless communication medium,
The wireless communication device
Detection means for detecting the entry of passers-by;
A first communication unit that continues to transmit radio waves based on detection of a passerby by the detection unit, completes communication based on reception of a predetermined response, and stops transmitting radio waves,
The holder is
Receiving a radio wave from the first communication means, and while receiving the radio wave, comprising a guide means for guiding the reception of the radio wave,
The wireless communication medium is
A wireless communication system, comprising: a second communication unit that receives a radio wave from the first communication unit and transmits a response in response to a response request signal and a command included in the radio wave. A wireless communication medium holder applied to a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device and a wireless communication medium,
Receiving means for receiving radio waves from the wireless communication device;
A holder for a wireless communication medium, comprising: guide means for guiding reception of radio waves while receiving the radio waves.

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