JP2005346593A - Sim holder and use method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a SIM holder having a SIM attached thereto and a use method, which allow value data to be easily and surely transferred between two SIM holders. <P>SOLUTION: A SIM holder 1 which has a SIM 2 attached thereto detachably and is provided with an interface connector 20, is additionally provided with an interface reception socket 21, so that value data held in the SIM 2 can be exchanged between SIM holders in such a state that two SIM holders are coupled by the interface connector and the interface reception socket. In the use method of the SIM holder 1, value data of one SIM is transmitted to another SIM after personal identification when transfer of value data is instructed by an operation button. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a SIM holder that is detachably mounted with a SIM and that has an interface connector and can exchange data with an external device, and a method of using the SIM holder. In particular, the present invention relates to a technology for providing each SIM holder with both an interface connector and an interface receiving socket in order to enable reliable transmission and reception of value data between SIM holders.

In recent years, an IC card having a contact defined by ISO 7816-2 and ISO 7816-3 and a non-contact interface defined by ISO 14443 has been put into practical use.
On the other hand, a dual interface IC card with USB (Universal Serial Bus) contact has been developed (Patent Document 1). An IC card having a USB interface facilitates connection with a USB compatible device such as a personal computer (PC), and is beginning to attract attention as an ID card for network access such as an employee ID card.

  On the other hand, security ID modules called small SIMs, UIMs, and USIM cards have been incorporated in mobile phones. Even in Japan, it is incorporated into the latest mobile phones and put into practical use. A UIM (User Identity Module) is a small IC card in which contractor information issued by a mobile phone company is recorded, and is incorporated into a mobile phone and used to identify a user.

  This is an extension of functionality from a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) that has the same functions. In addition to subscriber information, private information such as phone books and personal identification information for credit payments are encrypted and registered. Is possible. Since it is based on SIM, it is sometimes called USIM (Universal SIM). The SIM is intended to use the GSM mobile phone service, but the UIM can be used, for example, by inserting it into an American cdma2000 mobile phone and receiving an international roaming service.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a dual interface IC card of contact and USB contact specified by ISO7816-2 and ISO7816-3. The applicant of the present application has previously proposed a SIM holder including a contact defined in ISO 7816-2 and ISO 7816-3 and a non-contact interface of ISO 14443 in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3.

For example, the SIM holder of Patent Document 2 has the circuit configuration and appearance of FIG. FIG. 6A is a surface perspective view, but the SIM holder 1 is configured so that the insertion direction of the USB connector 20 and the insertion direction of the SIM 2 are linear, and the SIM 2 inserted from the insertion port 15 at the right end is The contact terminal plate 12 enters and is fixed on the lower surface side.
The SIM holder 1 has an antenna coil 11, and both ends thereof are connected to the SIM 2 via C4 and C8 terminals of the contact terminal plate 12. Thereby, even when the SIM 2 does not have an antenna coil, the antenna coil 11 of the SIM holder 1 enables non-contact communication.
Further, the data of the SIM 2 is transmitted to the USB / ISO 7816 I / F conversion IC 10 and the USB connector 20 via the contact pins and the contact terminal plate 12.

  Although FIG. 6B is an external view, the back surface is shown in the reverse direction to FIG. 6A so that the USB connector 20 portion can be clearly understood. The SIM holder 1 includes an upper lid portion 18 and a lower case portion 19. The USB connector 20 is a hollow metal terminal processed into a rectangular cross section, and two signal lines, a ground line, and a V bus connection line are provided inside the hollow shape.

By the way, such a SIM holder 1 has been used in various fields because it has a high function and has various usage applications. However, the usage method for exchanging data between SIM holders and the SIM holder itself. The form of was not considered much.
However, when a small-sized IC card such as a SIM becomes widespread, it becomes necessary to exchange data with each other. In particular, when value data such as electronic money, transportation fares, and tickets are stored in the SIM, data can be exchanged between close relatives in a simple and reliable manner in addition to exchanging data via a large external device. System needs arise.

The conventional means for purchasing an electronic ticket is, for example, “Ticket Pia”. A registered Pia member goes to “Ticket Pia Store” and inputs a My Digipoke number, member ID, etc. to a dedicated terminal. There is a method of downloading from a terminal to a dedicated IC card or a mobile phone. However, when sending a ticket to a friend, in principle, a paper ticket is issued, and a complicated procedure for registering as a member is required for exchanging tickets between IC cards and mobile phones.
Cases other than “Ticket Pia” are limited to a method of downloading to an IC card or a mobile phone using an information terminal such as a PC or a multimedia terminal.

  As a technique for connecting portable information terminals with a connector for data exchange as in the present application, there is Patent Document 4. There is no particular problem with a terminal such as the above document as long as it is a simple exchange of data, but it is extremely dangerous in terms of security unless it has functions such as personal authentication and encryption for exchange of value data.

JP-T-2002-525720 JP 2004-118771 A JP 2004-133843 A JP-A-11-126142

As mentioned above, in the existing system, it is time-consuming to exchange value data, and when one person purchases multiple tickets and enters the store suddenly, there is a problem that cannot be handled. is there. Moreover, in the information terminal of patent document 4, a user cannot be specified and use by an unauthorized person cannot be excluded.
Therefore, the present application researches a form in which value data can be easily exchanged in a SIM holder provided with an interface connector, and research on eliminating the use of unauthorized persons when exchanging value data. It is a completion.

In the present application, in the following and claims, the word SIM is used as a term, but the substantial function is equivalent to UIM, and SIM is a general term for small IC cards including UIM and USIM. It shall be.
The SIM holder is a device that implements a contact or non-contact communication function by mounting the SIM, and is the same device as the SIM reader / writer.

  The first of the gist of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is that a SIM holder is detachably mounted, an SIM holder having an interface connector is further provided with an interface receiving socket, whereby two SIM holders are connected to the interface. The SIM holder is characterized in that value data held by the SIM can be exchanged between the SIM holders in a state of being coupled by the connector and the interface receiving socket.

  The second of the gist of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a method of use in which a SIM is detachably attached and two SIM holders each having both an interface connector and an interface receiving socket are coupled. In the state in which the interface connector and the interface receiving socket are combined, if one of the SIM holders is used to send and receive value data using the SIM holder operation button, the value data of one SIM is transferred to the SIM of the other SIM holder. A method of using a SIM holder, wherein the SIM holder is transmitted after being encrypted.

  The third of the gist of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is a method of use in which a SIM is detachably mounted and two SIM holders each having both an interface connector and an interface receiving socket are coupled. In the state in which the interface connector and the interface receiving socket are coupled, when the value data is instructed by one of the SIM holders using the operation button of the SIM holder, the personal authentication that the SIM holds that the operator is the person After determining based on the data, the value data of one SIM is transmitted to the SIM of the other SIM holder.

Since the SIM holder of the present invention includes both the interface connector and the interface receiving socket, the value data held by the SIM between the SIM holders can be exchanged between the SIM holders in a state in which the two SIM holders are coupled by the connector and the receiving socket. You can do it directly without going through. In the case of data exchange, generally, it is necessary to connect the master unit or the slave unit with a cable, but this problem is solved.
In the method of using the SIM holder of the present invention, value data can be exchanged using the personal authentication function or encryption function of the SIM, so that unauthorized use or data eavesdropping by a third party can be prevented.

1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a SIM holder, FIG. 2 is a view showing a use state of the SIM holder of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an embodiment and use state of another SIM holder. 4 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of the SIM holder, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating display contents of the SIM holder.
Hereinafter, as a specific example of the interface connector and the interface receiving socket, a USB connector and a USB receiving socket will be described as examples.

Since the SIM holder of the present invention is characterized by its structure, it will first be described from the aspect. There are various embodiments of the SIM holder as shown in FIG.
The SIM holder 1 in FIG. 1A includes both a USB connector 20 and a USB receiving socket 21 at one end on the short side of the SIM holder. On the surface of the holder 1, a liquid crystal display 4, a fingerprint sensor 5, and operation buttons 41, 42, 43 and the like are provided. The operation button 41 is for turning on / off the power, the operation button 42 is for display selection, and the operation button 43 is for determining an operation. On the liquid crystal display 4, a usage balance, usage history, and the like are displayed.

  The SIM holder 1 in FIG. 1B includes a USB connector 20 at one end on the short side of the SIM holder 1 and a USB receiving socket 21 at the other end. A line connecting the USB connector 20 and the receiving socket 21 is parallel to the long side of the SIM holder 1. Similarly, the SIM holder 1 in FIG. 1C has a USB connector 20 at one end on the short side of the SIM holder 1 and a USB receiving socket 21 at the other end. Are not in a positional relationship parallel to the long side of the SIM holder 1.

  The usage state of the SIM holder 1 is as shown in FIG. FIG. 2A shows a usage state of the SIM holder 1 of FIG. In this case, since the USB connector 20 and the USB receiving socket 21 are provided on the common short side (head) side of the SIM holder, the head and the head can be combined and used. Since the top and bottom of the display surfaces of the two liquid crystal displays 4 are reversed, it is considered convenient when used facing the other party.

  FIG. 2B shows a usage state of the SIM holder 1 of FIG. In this case, a USB connector is provided on the short side (head) side of the SIM holder and a USB receiving socket is provided on the other short side (tail) side, so the heads and tails of the two SIM holders are connected linearly. Can be used. Since the display surface of the display device is in the same direction, it is convenient when operating alone. Two or more units can be connected, and it is also possible to use a method in which a large number of units are connected linearly and value data is distributed to each holder.

In the case of FIG. 2B, there is one connection point between the two SIM holders. In the case of FIG. 2A, there are two points A and B in the figure, but there is one connection part. For example, it is enough for mutual data exchange. Therefore, in the case where two connection places are generated as shown in FIG. 2A, one place has a role of only physical coupling and does not need to function in particular.
FIG. 2C shows a usage state of the SIM holder 1 of FIG. 1C, which is the same usage method as that of FIG. 2B. However, when the head and the tail are combined, a stepped state is obtained.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an embodiment of another SIM holder and a usage state. As shown in FIG. 3A, the SIM holder 1 includes a mini-size USB connector 20m and a USB receiving socket 21m on one side of the long side. There are various types of USB connectors. Generally, a rectangular type having a thickness of 4 mm, a width of 12 mm, and a protruding portion of 12 to 13 mm is used, but it is considered that the size will be further reduced in the future. A small connector (series mini-B) added for a portable device may be used, and FIG. 1D assumes the use of such a small connector.
Although not shown, it is obvious that a configuration in which the USB connector 20m is provided at one end on the long side and the USB receiving socket 21m is provided on one end on the other long side is also possible.

  FIG. 3B shows the usage state of the SIM holder 1 shown in FIG. In this case, since the USB connector 20m and the USB receiving socket 21m are provided on the common long side of the SIM holder 1, the long side and the side are combined and used. In this case, the purpose is not to connect two or more units. As in FIG. 2A, the top and bottom of the display on the two liquid crystal displays 4 are reversed, which is convenient when used facing the other party.

The circuit of the SIM holder 1 can be, for example, as shown in FIG. The SIM 2 is detachably attached to the SIM holder 1 and includes various applications such as an electronic money 201, an electronic ticket 202, a fingerprint template 203, and a fingerprint collation engine 204. Although not shown, it is normal for the SIM2 IC chip to have an encryption function.
The SIM 2 has a structure in which the eight terminals of the contact terminal plate 2 t are connected to the SIM holder 1 via the reader / writer terminal plate 12. Further, the C4 and C8 terminals of the reader / writer terminal plate 12 are connected to the antenna coil 11 provided in the casing of the SIM holder 1.
The antenna coil 11 is for performing non-contact communication in conformity with ISO14443 Type A, B.

The SIM holder 1 has a control IC chip 3. The control IC chip 3 includes a CPU and a memory, and also includes an ISO 7816 driver 31, a liquid crystal driver 32 for driving a liquid crystal display, a fingerprint sensor driver 33, and fingerprint image processing software 34. However, not all of these are integrated into an IC chip.
The USB port 25 means a connection part between the USB connector 20 and the USB receiving socket 21. A signal exchanged by the USB port 25 is transmitted to the control IC chip 3 and the SIM 2 via the USB hub 6 and the USB / ISO 7816 conversion IC 10.

The SIM holder 1 preferably includes a battery (secondary battery) 7 as a driving power source for the fingerprint sensor 5, the liquid crystal display 4, the control IC chip 3, and the like. A thin lithium ion battery can be preferably used for the battery 7 and can be rechargeable by a USB bus power supply. The fingerprint sensor 5 is provided for authenticating a person who handles the SIM holder 1.
Unless the fingerprint information (biometrics data) of the person authorized to handle the SIM holder 1 is stored in the SIM 2 and the data read by the fingerprint sensor 5 is processed by the fingerprint image and authenticated by the SIM 2, the SIM holder 1 Has been disabled.

The fingerprint sensor 5 includes a flat type in which the fingertip is pressed against the sensor and a sweep type in which the sensor surface is rubbed with the fingertip. However, the sweep type is preferable for downsizing the SIM holder 1 because the installation area is small.
As the fingerprint sensor 5, a capacitive fingerprint sensor can be preferably used. In the case of this flat type, as a sensor for detecting unevenness due to fingerprints as an electrical signal, many sensor circuits for converting the unevenness due to fingerprints into electrical signals are arranged, and the fingerprint is read by contacting the finger. A sweep-type fingerprint sensor recognizes the characteristics of a fingerprint only by rubbing a strip-shaped sensor surface with a width of several millimeters. Even if there is unevenness in the rubbing speed or pressing, the correction function works and a correct fingerprint pattern can be obtained. As a commercially available product of the sweep type fingerprint sensor, there is “FCD4B14” (Finger Chip) manufactured by ATMEL, which can be used for the SIM holder of the present invention.

  The fingerprint data detected by the fingerprint sensor 5 is sent to the fingerprint image processing software 34 to calculate parameters. A parameter is a characteristic part or relation of a fingerprint, for example, a part where a fingerprint line is cut (end point), a branching point, a curvature of a fingerprint line, or the number of ridges that cross a line connecting a feature point and a feature point As a relation. Whether or not the person who operates the SIM holder 1 is authorized by collating the parameters obtained in this way with the fingerprint feature data of the image processed user stored in the fingerprint template 203 in the SIM 2. Verify that. The fingerprint template 203 is stored after image processing in advance because the amount of information is too large if it is the fingerprint image processing data.

Next, the fingerprint collation engine 204 is used to collate the sent fingerprint parameter with the data stored in the fingerprint template 203. When the fingerprint data obtained by the fingerprint sensor 5 is a registered user who is registered in the fingerprint template 203 in advance and permitted, the next operation of the SIM holder 1 becomes possible.
The fingerprint template 203 can easily register about 10 fingerprints of a plurality of human fingers. Matching results can be obtained in a short time even with commercially available products.
Note that when the SIM holder 1 is connected to a PC or the like by the USB connector 20, the fingerprint sensor 5 is connected to the PC via the relay 9 and the USB hub 6. In that case, the access authority to the PC can be authenticated.

  When the SIM holder 1 of the present invention is provided with a fingerprint sensor, identity authentication can be performed based on biometric data as described above, and value data exchange can be made impossible unless identity authentication is performed. Even if the fingerprint sensor 5 is not provided, the PIN number is input, and the SIM 2 determines whether or not it is possible, thereby authenticating the person. In this case, since the SIM holder 1 does not include an input keypad or the like, a method of sequentially selecting and inputting a numerical value of the personal identification number on the display screen is adopted. In this way, if a user authentication function is provided, use of an unauthorized operator can be eliminated, and value data can be prevented from being stolen.

The SIM holder 1 has an upper lid portion 18 and a lower case portion 19 formed by injection molding of polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylic resin, etc., and a contact terminal plate 12, a circuit board, an antenna inside the space formed by the lower case portion and the like. The coil 11 can be incorporated.
It is preferable that the SIM insertion port 15 side of the upper lid portion 18 and the stop end portion of the SIM 2 are thinly molded so that the SIM can be inserted and fixed. The upper lid portion 18 can be provided with a SIM take-out slide (not shown) and a string passage hole 14 (see FIG. 6).

Next, the usage method of the SIM holder 1 will be specifically described. However, since there are various usage methods, it is not limited to this example.
One of the usage scenes of the SIM holder 1 is an electronic ticket purchase scene. In this case, as already done with electronic ticket pia, etc., (1) the SIM holder 1 is connected to a PC, a multimedia information terminal or the like. (2) Log in to the electronic ticket service web page or service screen. At this time, the electronic ticket service member authentication function stored in the SIM attached to the SIM holder 1 is used. This authentication does not use a fingerprint sensor or the like, but authentication data in the SIM is transmitted to the information terminal, and authentication is performed on the terminal side. (3) Perform ticket search, ticket selection, ticket application, and settlement according to the service screen, and download the electronic ticket to the SIM 2.

The usage scene 2 of the SIM holder 1 is a scene in which value data is exchanged between the SIM holders 1. Description will be made with reference to the display contents of FIG. 5 and FIG.
(1) Press the power button 41 to start up the SIM holder 1. At this time, the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is a menu screen (FIG. 5A). (2) By pressing the display selection button 42 once at a time when the menu screen is displayed, the application to be selected can be changed from ticket confirmation → ticket (value data) transmission. (3) When the SIM holder 1 on the ticket transmitting side selects ticket transmission and presses the operation determination button 43, a ticket list screen (FIG. 5B) is displayed. If the number of tickets is large, the screen is scrolled by pressing the display selection button 42 when the ticket list screen is displayed.

(4) By selecting a ticket to be transmitted next by the selection button 42 and pressing the operation determination button 43, details of the ticket to be transmitted are displayed as a ticket detail screen (FIG. 5C). To return to the original state, the display selection button 42 is pressed to return to the ticket list screen (FIG. 5B). If the transmission is acceptable, the operation determination button 43 is pressed.
After this operation, the receiving side becomes a data reception screen (FIG. 5D), receives ticket information, moves after receiving ticket information, and completes transmission / reception (transfer) of ticket information. After a certain period of time, the screen returns to the ticket list screen (FIG. 5B).

In the above description, the interface connector and the interface receiving socket have been described by taking the USB connector and the USB receiving socket as an example, but it is obvious that the interface connector and the interface receiving socket can be applied to interface standards expected to be adopted in the future such as IEEE 1394. It is.
Further, although the ticket is described as an example of the value data, it is not limited to the ticket, but refers to data that can obtain a certain interest and value by holding the data. Therefore, electronic money is also included.

It is a top view which shows embodiment of a SIM holder. It is a figure which shows the use condition of a SIM holder. It is a top view which shows embodiment of another SIM holder, and a use condition. It is a figure which shows the circuit structural example of a SIM holder. It is a figure explaining the display content of a SIM holder. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure and external appearance of the SIM holder of patent document 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 SIM holder 2 SIM
3 IC chip for control 4 Liquid crystal display 5 Fingerprint sensor 6 USB hub 7 Power supply battery (secondary battery)
8,9 Relay 10 USB / ISO7816 conversion IC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Antenna coil 12 Reader / writer terminal board, contact terminal board 14 String through-hole 15 Insertion port 18 Upper cover part 19 Lower side case part 20 Interface connector, USB connector 21 Interface receiving socket, USB receiving socket 25 USB port 41 Power button 42 Display selection Button 43 Action decision button

Claims (9)

A SIM holder that is detachably mounted and includes an interface connector, and further includes an interface receiving socket, so that two SIM holders are coupled to each other by the interface connector and the interface receiving socket. A SIM holder characterized in that value data held by the SIM can be exchanged. The SIM holder according to claim 1, wherein the SIM to be mounted has a personal authentication function and an encryption function. The SIM holder according to claim 1, wherein the SIM comprises a contact defined by ISO7816-2 and ISO7816-3 and a non-contact interface defined by ISO14443. The SIM holder according to claim 1, further comprising an interface connector and an interface receiving socket at one end on the short side or one side on the long side of the SIM holder. An interface connector is provided on one end of the short side or one side of the long side of the SIM holder, and an interface receiving socket is provided on one end of the other short side or one side of the long side. 1 SIM holder. The SIM holder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the interface connector is a USB connector, and the interface receiving socket is a USB receiving socket. A method of use in which a SIM is detachably mounted and two SIM holders having both an interface connector and an interface receiving socket are combined, and in the state where the two interface connectors and the interface receiving socket are combined. The SIM holder uses a SIM holder to send and receive value data, and the value data of one SIM is encrypted and transmitted to the SIM of the other SIM holder. . A method of use in which a SIM is detachably mounted and two SIM holders having both an interface connector and an interface receiving socket are combined, and in the state where the two interface connectors and the interface receiving socket are combined. If the SIM holder is instructed to send / receive value data using the SIM holder's operation button, the value data of one SIM is determined after the SIM determines that the operator is the person himself / herself based on the personal authentication data held by the SIM holder. A method of using a SIM holder, wherein the SIM holder is transmitted to the SIM of the other SIM holder. 9. The method of using a SIM holder according to claim 7, wherein the interface connector is a USB connector, and the interface receiving socket is a USB receiving socket.

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