JP2006099289A - Ic card, and ic card system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an IC card capable of visually recognizing information without checking front and rear surfaces when the information is exchanged with an external device. <P>SOLUTION: The IC card includes a display part (transparent display part) on each of first and second main surfaces and the information is displayed as a normal image so as to be normally visually recognized by a user. The IC card determines the front and rear states of a case by a light receiving means. The information is displayed as the normal image for the user in the display part (transparent display part) at the main surface side to be visually recognized by the user. Accordingly, when the information is exchanged between the IC card and the external device, the user visually recognizes the information without checking the front and rear surfaces of the IC card. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an IC card and an IC card system that transmit / receive data to / from an external device, and more particularly to an IC card and an IC card system including an organic EL display panel.

  With the widespread use of IC cards, IC cards have been developed that are capable of displaying information held by an IC chip by providing a thin display portion. As a result, the user can visually recognize the information on the IC card, so that convenience such as confirmation of transmitted / received data and prevention of erroneous operation can be improved.

  FIG. 14 shows a conventional IC card with a display function.

  As shown in the figure, the IC card has a structure in which a liquid crystal panel 100, an IC module MD, a display control module 500, a flexible wiring board FPC, and a lithium polymer battery PW are bonded with an adhesive between a plastic sheet PS and a plastic card PD. is there.

  Personal information and the like are stored in the IC module MD, and the display control module 500 generates a video signal to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 100 based on information supplied from the IC module MD.

As a result, various information 200 stored in the IC module MD is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 100.
JP 2003-337321 A

  The IC card as described above is provided so that the liquid crystal panel 100 can display only on one main surface (front surface) side of the IC card. In other words, in order for the user to visually recognize the information on the IC card, it is necessary to communicate with an external device such as a card reader / writer that exchanges information with the IC card after confirming the front and back of the IC card. On the other hand, there is a demand to make the surface of the IC card as flat as possible, and it is difficult to distinguish the front and back in a groping state. Therefore, there is a problem that the convenience is poor, for example, when the surroundings are dark or when the front and back cannot be confirmed over time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. First, a first main surface, a housing having a second main surface facing the first main surface, and the first main surface and the second main surface side are provided. A display portion that can be seen from any of the above, a light receiving means for detecting light from the outside, a coil that is provided in the housing and converts a magnetic signal and an electric signal, and controls information based on the electric signal Control means, and display control means for displaying the information on the display section, determining the state of the housing based on the detection result of the light receiving means, and the first main surface or the second main surface The problem is solved by displaying the information on any of the display sections in a state that the user can visually recognize.

  Second, a housing having a first main surface, a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, a transparent display unit common to the first main surface and the second main surface, and light from the outside A light receiving means for detecting, a coil provided in the casing for converting a magnetic signal and an electric signal, a control means for controlling information based on the electric signal, and a display for displaying the information on the transparent display section And a control means for determining a state of the housing based on a detection result of the light receiving means, and a user can visually recognize the transparent display portion of the first main surface or the second main surface. The problem is solved by displaying the information in the state.

  The light receiving means is provided on at least one of the first main surface or the second main surface.

  In addition, a determination unit that determines the front and back of the housing based on the detection result of the light receiving unit is provided, and the information is displayed in a normal image according to the result of the determination unit.

  In addition, a determination unit that determines whether the casing is up or down based on a detection result of the light receiving unit is provided, and the information is displayed in a normal image according to the result of the determination unit.

  The display control means has display data reversing means, and the display data of the information is reversed according to the detection result of the light receiving means.

  Further, a light emitting means is provided on at least one of the first main surface and the second main surface.

  The coil is an antenna coil that exchanges information without contact with an external device.

  Further, the transparent display part is constituted by an organic EL element using a transparent electrode material for an anode and a cathode.

  Thirdly, a housing having a first main surface, a second main surface facing the first main surface, a display section visible from both the first main surface and the second main surface side, and an external A light receiving means for detecting light from the light source, a coil provided in the housing for converting a magnetic signal and an electric signal, a control means for controlling information based on the electric signal, and the information on the display unit. An IC card having display control means for displaying, and a light emitting means for irradiating the IC card with light, and an external device for transmitting and receiving data to and from the IC card, wherein the IC card is the light receiving means. The light from the light emitting means is received, the state of the casing is determined based on the detection result, and the user can visually recognize the information on the display portion of either the first main surface or the second main surface. It is solved by displaying the status.

  Fourth, a housing having a first main surface, a second main surface facing the first main surface, a display section visible from both the first main surface and the second main surface, and an external A light emitting means that emits light, a light receiving means that detects light of the light emitting means, a coil that is provided in the casing and converts a magnetic signal and an electric signal, and controls information based on the electric signal An IC card having a control means and a display control means for displaying the information on the display unit; and an external device having a reflection means for reflecting the light of the light emitting means and transmitting / receiving data to / from the IC card. The IC card receives the light reflected by the reflecting means by the light receiving means, determines the state of the casing based on the detection result, and either the first main surface or the second main surface The information is displayed on the display unit so that the user can visually recognize the information. It is intended to solve by Rukoto.

  According to the present invention, first, the IC card has a display unit (transparent display unit) arranged on both the first main surface and the second main surface, so that the information can be always visually recognized by the user. Is displayed. Specifically, the IC card determines the state of the front and back of the housing by the light receiving means. Then, the information is displayed as a normal image for the user on the display section (transparent display section) on the main surface side that is visible to the user. Therefore, when transmitting and receiving information between the IC card and the external device, the user can visually recognize the information without checking the front and back of the IC card.

  Second, by determining the top and bottom of the IC card, the information is always displayed in a normal image so that the user can normally visually recognize it. Specifically, the IC card determines the upper and lower and front and back states of the housing by the light receiving means. Then, information is displayed in a normal image on the display unit (transparent display unit) on the main surface side that can be visually recognized by the user so that the user's top and bottom of the information coincide with each other. Therefore, the user can view the information normally without checking the front and back and the top and bottom of the IC card, and the convenience of the IC card can be greatly improved.

  In addition, the display unit (transparent display unit) is composed of pixels of organic EL elements, and can achieve lower power consumption than a display unit (LCD) using liquid crystal.

  In addition, by making the transparent display portion common to the first main surface and the second main surface, it is possible to greatly contribute to the reduction of the number of parts, the cost, and the power consumption.

  Moreover, since the pixel of the organic EL element is surface emitting, the light emission of the display unit can be confirmed from a direction other than the front with respect to the IC card (display unit). In the case of a non-contact IC card, in particular, there are many cases where the display portion is visually recognized from an oblique direction, but even in such a case, information can be easily viewed.

  Further, by providing the light emitting element in the IC card, the change of the existing external device can be minimized.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13 by taking an IC card having a display unit capable of displaying a plurality of characters or numbers as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an IC card according to the first embodiment. 1A and 1B are external views of the IC card 10, and FIG. 1B is an external view of a main surface facing the main surface of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is a plan view showing the internal structure.

  The IC card 10 of this embodiment is a non-contact type IC card that can transmit and receive data to and from an external device in a non-contact state, and can record and erase data. The IC card 10 includes a housing 1, a transparent display unit 2, and a light receiving unit. Means 3, IC chip 4 and coil 5 are provided.

  The housing 1 has a first main surface 1a and a second main surface 1b that faces the first main surface 1a and is the back surface of the first main surface 1a. It is mainly composed of inexpensive and thin sheet base materials such as synthetic resin such as glass fiber, alumina fiber, polyester fiber, and polyamide fiber, and paper, and is made lighter, smaller, and thinner. The structure may be, for example, a laminate structure in which a plurality of plastic layers are laminated, or a box-type structure in which a recess of a plastic substrate having a recess is closed with a plastic layer, but is not particularly limited to these structures. Absent.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, the IC chip 4, the wiring 6, the coil 5, and the like are fixed inside the housing 1 with an adhesive or the like.

  The coil 5 is an antenna coil, and when the IC card 10 is brought close to an external device (for example, a reader / writer) in a non-contact manner and affected by a magnetic field, electric power is generated on the principle of electromagnetic induction. Then, a magnetic signal and an electric signal are converted. The antenna coil 5 is formed, for example, by etching a conductor sheet, and is disposed inside the housing 1 along the periphery of the housing 1 as shown in the figure, and is connected to the IC chip 4. A circuit for controlling various operations and the transparent display unit 2 configured in the IC chip 4 are driven by electric power generated by electromagnetic induction. As long as the antenna coil 5 performs wireless communication with an external device using electromagnetic induction, the method is either a coil-on-chip (UHF band) or a 13.56 MHz method in which an antenna coil is connected to the chip. But you can. Moreover, if an antenna is connected, a frequency will not ask | require.

  The IC chip 4 transmits / receives information such as numbers and characters to / from an external device in a non-contact manner, and controls the storage and erasure of data by the power generated in the antenna coil 5, the display control circuit, and the IC card 10. It has at least a determination circuit for determining the state. The control circuit transmits display data to the display control circuit and drives the transparent display unit 2 to cause the organic EL element to emit light. The light receiving means 3 is also controlled.

  The light receiving means 3 is provided on at least one of the first main surface 1a or the second main surface 1b exposed to the outside of the IC card 10.

  The light receiving means 3 is a so-called photosensor that detects light from the outside, such as a photodiode or a phototransistor. In the first embodiment, in order to detect light emission from an external device, for example, the photo sensor 3 is provided on the second main surface of the IC card. Then, the front and back sides of the IC card 10 are determined based on whether or not the photosensor 3 detects light emission from the external device, and information is displayed on the transparent display unit 2 so that the user can visually recognize the state.

  The transparent display unit 2 is a common display unit provided so as to be visible from both the first main surface 1a and the second main surface 1b, and is an organic EL display panel in which a plurality of light-emitting pixels by organic EL elements are arranged. is there. Information I such as letters and numbers displayed on the transparent display unit 2 is displayed as a normal image on one main surface (for example, the first main surface 1a) side, and at the same time, the other main surface (for example, the second main surface 1b). A mirror image is displayed on the side. Here, the normal image in this specification means the direction of the information I that can be visually recognized by the user, and means a state in which at least the front and back of the information I are correctly recognized. A mirror image means a state in which a normal image is reflected in a mirror.

  The front and back of the information I will be specifically described with reference to FIG. First, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the first main surface 1a of the housing 1 is the front surface (FIG. 2A) and the second main surface 1b is the back surface (FIG. 2B).

  The casing 1 is generally provided with characters or designs (hereinafter referred to as design D). When the user can discriminate the front and back of the housing 1 by the design D, the user generally holds the IC card 10 so as to visually recognize the surface of the housing 1 and performs transmission / reception with an external device. Thus, let the state which the surface can visually recognize for a user be a 1st state (FIG. 2 (A)). On the other hand, the case where the IC card 10 is held so that the user visually recognizes the back surface is set to the second state (FIG. 2B). As described above, in any case, the information I is displayed as a normal image on both sides.

  FIG. 2C shows the transparent display portion 2 on the back side of the housing 1 in the state of FIG. In the present embodiment, one piece of information is displayed on the transparent display unit 2, and the information I is displayed as a mirror image on the main surface (surface facing the external device) that is not visually recognized by the user as shown in the figure. In the case of FIG. 2B as well, the main surface (the surface of the housing 1) that is not visually recognized by the user is a mirror image display. However, when the rear surface of the housing 1 is held so as to be visible to the user, the information I on the transparent display unit 2 is displayed as a normal image for the user (FIG. 2B).

  In the present embodiment, the photo sensor 3 determines whether the IC card 10 is held in the first state (front) or the second state (back), and the information I is stored in the transparent display unit 2 in that state. Display data is reversed as necessary so that a normal image is displayed.

  As a result, regardless of the front and back of the IC card 10, the information I is always displayed as a normal image on the transparent display unit 2 visually recognized by the user. The transparent display unit 2 will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the first embodiment, FIG. 3 (A) is a circuit block diagram, and FIG. 3 (B) is a circuit schematic diagram.

  The IC chip 4 is integrated with various control circuits such as a control circuit 41 and a display control circuit 43. Each circuit in the IC chip 4 is driven by electric power generated by the antenna coil 5. The control circuit 4 performs control related to data transmission / reception and display. The photosensor 3 is also driven by this electric power and receives light emitted from the external device. The determination circuit 42 determines whether the state of the IC card 10 is the first state or the second state based on whether the photosensor 3 receives light (described later).

  The control circuit 41 transmits a state determination result and display data to the display control circuit 43. Further, the organic EL element of the transparent display unit 2 is driven by the display unit driving circuit 45. Although the organic EL element will be described later, the first main surface 1a (front surface) side and the second main surface 1b (back surface) side are simultaneously driven, and one display data is displayed simultaneously. Therefore, a normal image is displayed on one main surface side, and a mirror display is displayed on the other main surface side.

  The display control circuit 43 has a data inversion circuit 44 configured by an inverter circuit or the like. The data inversion circuit 44 inverts the display data based on the determination result of the determination circuit 42. For example, in the first state, the display data is output as it is to the display unit drive circuit 45 of the transparent display unit 2. In the case of the second state, the display data is reversed and output to the display unit drive circuit 45.

  1C and FIG. 3 show diagrams in which each circuit is configured in one IC chip 4, but there may be a plurality of IC chips 4 depending on the function, It may be provided by individual chips.

  Hereinafter, the transparent display unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 by taking an active matrix type organic EL display panel as an example. 4A is a circuit schematic diagram showing the transparent display unit 2, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing one pixel of the transparent display unit.

  The transparent display unit 2 is formed on a transparent insulating substrate 20 such as glass or plastic. For example, in the case of the active matrix type transparent display unit 2, the source lines SL and the gate lines GL are arranged on the substrate 20, and the light emitting pixels 25 are connected in the vicinity of the intersections and arranged in a matrix. The light emitting pixel 25 includes an EL (Electro Luminescence) element, a driving transistor of the EL element, a switching transistor, and the like. The driving transistor and the switching transistor are, for example, thin film transistors (hereinafter referred to as TFTs).

  On the side of the transparent display portion 2, a horizontal scanning circuit 22 for sequentially selecting source lines SL on the column side and a vertical scanning circuit 23 for sending a scanning signal (gate signal) to the gate line GL on the row side are arranged. The In addition, wirings (not shown) that transmit various signals input to the gate line GL, the source line SL, and the like are collected on the side edge of the substrate 20 and connected to the external connection terminal 24.

  As described above, the transparent display unit 2 is connected to a display unit driving circuit (not shown here). The display unit driving circuit outputs display data (data signal) to the transparent display unit 2 and applies a driving voltage to the transistor connected to the organic EL element to cause the organic EL element to emit light. Take control.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the light emitting pixel 25 is obtained by providing an organic EL element 210 on a transparent insulating substrate 20 made of glass, plastic or the like. The organic EL element 210 is connected to the driving TFT 220. In the driving TFT, a semiconductor layer 213 is provided on the substrate 20, and an intrinsic or substantially intrinsic channel 213c is provided on the semiconductor layer 213, and a source 213s and a drain 213d are provided by performing ion doping on both sides of the 213c.

  A gate insulating film 214 and a gate electrode 215 are sequentially formed over the semiconductor layer 213. Further, a source electrode 212 s connected to the source 213 s by Al or the like and a drain electrode 212 d corresponding to the drain 213 d are provided, and the drain electrode 212 d is connected to the organic EL element 210.

  Since the switching TFT has the same structure, the description is omitted. Further, the structure of the TFT is not limited to the illustrated one. For example, a top gate structure is shown in the figure, but a bottom gate structure in which the stacking order of the gate electrode 215 and the semiconductor layer 213 is reversed may be used. Hereinafter, the organic EL element 210 will be described. The numerical value in parentheses is the film thickness.

  The organic EL element 210 is connected to the drain electrode 212d, and a transparent electrode 201 (150 nm) serving as an anode is provided on the planarizing film 221 and a hole injection layer (HIL (Hole Injection Layer): 15 nm) 202 and An organic EL layer 206 including a hole transport layer (HTL (Hole Transport Layer): 100 nm) 203, a light emitting layer (EML (Emission Layer): 30 nm) 204, an electron transport layer (ETL (Electron Transport Layer): 30 nm) 205; A transparent electrode to be the cathode 207 is laminated.

  These pixels 25 are arranged in a matrix form vertically and horizontally. A sealing agent (not shown) is applied to the periphery of the substrate and hermetically sealed with a transparent counter substrate 211 such as glass or plastic to constitute the organic EL display panel 2 of FIG.

  In order to make the transparent display portion 2 of the present embodiment visible from both the first main surface 1a and the second main surface 1b, both the anode 201 and the cathode 207 are transparent electrodes such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), for example. Is used.

  Here, if a sputtering technique is used to form the ITO 207a of the cathode 207, the thin organic EL layer 206 is damaged. The organic EL layer 206 is damaged. In particular, when the EML 204 is exposed to the outside air, moisture enters. When moisture enters one pixel 25, not only does it become a dark spot defect that causes the pixel 25 to become defective, but moisture also affects the adjacent pixels 25 one after another, increasing the number of dark spots that become non-light emitting regions. .

  Therefore, a thin metal vapor-deposited film (lithium fluoride (LiF: 5 nm)) and an organic layer (for example, copper phthalocyanine (CuPc: 20 nm)) 207b to be a protective layer after forming the aluminum (Al: 10 nm) electrode 207c are formed, Thereafter, ITO 207a may be formed. That is, the structure of the cathode 207 is LiF / Al / CuPc / ITO.

  A positive electrode of a DC power source is connected to the anode 201, and a negative electrode of the DC power source is connected to the cathode 207. HIL 202 and HTL 203 receive and transport hole injection from anode 201, and ETL 205 receives and injects electron injection from cathode 207. By supplying a direct current voltage, holes flowing from the anode 201 to the HTL 203 and electrons flowing from the cathode 207 to the ETL 205 are recombined by the EML 204 to emit light.

  In this embodiment, the anode 201 and the cathode 207 are both formed of ITO, and the substrate 20 on which the organic EL element 210 is formed and the counter substrate 211 that seals the organic EL element 210 are also transparent substrates such as a plastic substrate. In addition, the anode 201 and the cathode 207 of the organic EL element 210 are configured as described above, so that the top emission structure and the display section of the bottom emission structure are integrated, and visible light emitted from the EML 204 is obtained. Passes through both the substrate 20 and the counter substrate 211 as indicated by the arrows. Visible light transmitted based on the display data is displayed as a normal image to the user on one main surface (for example, the first main surface 1a) as information I such as numbers or characters, and the other main surface (for example, the first main surface) 2 is displayed as a mirror image on the main surface 1b) (FIGS. 2A and 2C).

  In order for the user to visually recognize the information I regardless of the front and back of the housing 1, a display unit is required on the first main surface 1a and the second main surface 1b side, but the above-described transparent display unit 2 is used. As a result, the information I can be displayed on both main surfaces by one organic EL display panel.

  Therefore, compared to the case where the organic EL display panels are provided on both main surfaces, the cost and driving power consumption can be greatly suppressed, and the control of the display unit can be prevented from becoming complicated.

  A display example of the IC card system and the IC card 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 2. FIG. 5A is an external view of the IC card 10 that performs data transmission / reception and the external device 50, and FIG. 5B is a plan view of the IC card 10. The state of the IC card 10 is a first state in which the user visually recognizes the surface.

  The external device 50 includes a light emitting unit 51 such as an LED, a laser, or an organic EL element. The light emitting unit 51 is provided, for example, at a position where the photo sensor 3 of the IC card 10 can be irradiated (a position where at least a dashed line area is irradiated). Thereby, it can be determined in what state the front and back of the IC card 10 are held by the user.

  As described above, in the IC card 10, the photo sensor 3 is arranged at the upper left corner of the second main surface 1b. Light emitted from the external device 50 is received by the photo sensor 3 of the IC card 10. The photosensor 3 is driven by electric power generated by the antenna coil 5. The determination circuit 42 determines the state of the IC card 10 based on whether or not the photosensor 3 detects light.

  For example, in the first state, when the upper right corner of the IC card 10 is irradiated from below, the photosensor 3 detects light reception. The display control circuit 43 inverts the display data by the data inversion circuit 44 in accordance with the state of the IC card 10 and displays the information I on the transparent display unit 2 as a normal image. In the first state, for example, display data is displayed as it is (FIG. 2A).

  In the second state, the photosensor 3 faces the user side, and light from the light emitting unit 51 is not detected. In this case, the display control circuit 43 inverts the display data by the data inversion circuit 44 and displays the information I as a normal image on the transparent display unit 2 visually recognized by the user. When the display data is displayed as it is in the first state, the display data is reversed in the second state (FIG. 2B).

  The inversion example here is based on the first state. After data transmission / reception, processing for returning the reference to the first state may be performed, the previous state is stored, and it is determined whether or not the state of the housing 1 that has been transmitted / received next time is reversed from that state. Processing may be performed. In any case, the data inversion circuit of this embodiment performs inversion so that the front and back of the information I can be normally recognized by the user, and displays the information in a normal image.

  In the present embodiment, it is only necessary that the state of the IC card 10 can be detected by the photosensor 3, and the arrangement and pattern of the photosensor 3 are not limited to the above example. For example, in order to absorb errors in the operation of the IC card 10, the strip-shaped light receiving unit 3 may be provided by a plurality of photosensors (FIG. 6A). Alternatively, it may be provided in a strip shape at the end of the card (FIG. 6B), or provided around the IC card (FIG. 6C). As described above, the operational error can be reduced by increasing the area of the light receiving unit 3.

  In the first embodiment, although the photosensor 3 is added as a component, the data inversion circuit 44 and the determination circuit 42 can be realized with a simple circuit configuration. Further, as described above, since one organic EL display panel can be shared by two main surfaces, an increase in cost and driving power consumption can be suppressed, and a highly convenient IC card 10 can be provided.

  7 to 9 explain a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the IC card itself has the light emitting means 7. In the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an outline of the IC card 10. 7A shows the front side of the IC card 10 and FIG. 7B shows the back side. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the IC card system of the present embodiment, and is an external view when transmitting / receiving with the external device 50 in the first state.

  As shown in the figure, the IC card 10 of the second embodiment is provided with the light emitting means 7 in the housing 1. The light emitting means 7 is, for example, a light emitting element 7 such as an LED, a laser, or an organic EL element, and corresponds to, for example, the photosensor 3 provided on the second main surface 1b and is provided in the vicinity thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the information I is transmitted and received, the light emitting element 7 of the IC card 10 emits light and is reflected by the light reflecting surface 52 of the external device 50. The light reflecting surface 52 is a partial region of the external device 50 that can reflect the light emitting element 7. For example, the light reflecting surface 52 may be provided on a part of the external device 50, for example, with a member that increases the light reflectance limitedly. The photo sensor 3 of the IC card 10 detects reflected light and determines whether the IC card 10 is in the first state or the second state.

  In this case, since the light emitted from the IC card 10 needs to be reflected by the light reflecting surface 52 and detected by the photosensor 3, the light reflecting surface 52, the light emitting element 7, and the photosensor have a large area so that an operational error can be absorbed. 3 may be provided. For example, as shown in the figure, the light receiving unit 3 and the light emitting unit 7 are arranged in a belt shape along one side of the IC card, and the light reflecting surface 52 is provided corresponding to the shape. Further, the light receiving unit 3 may be provided in the pattern shown in FIG. 6 and the corresponding light emitting unit 7 may be provided. As in the first embodiment, information I is displayed on the transparent display unit 2 in a normal image so that the user can visually recognize the state (front and back) of the housing 1 (see FIG. 7).

  The circuit of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9A is a circuit block diagram, and FIG. 9B is a circuit schematic diagram.

  Each circuit in the IC chip 4 is driven by the electric power generated by the antenna coil 5. The light emitting element 7 and the photosensor 3 are also driven thereby, and the photosensor 3 receives the reflected light of the light emitting element 7. The determination circuit 42 determines whether the state of the IC card 10 is the first state or the second state based on whether the photosensor 3 receives light. The control circuit 41 transmits a state determination result and display data to the display control circuit 43. Further, the organic EL element 210 of the transparent display unit 2 is driven by the display unit driving circuit 45. The organic EL element 210 is simultaneously driven on the first main surface 1a (front surface) side and the second main surface 1b (back surface) side, and displays one display data simultaneously. That is, a normal image is displayed on one main surface side, and a mirror image is displayed on the other main surface side. When transmission / reception is completed and the IC card 10 is moved away from the external device 50, power is not supplied, and the light emitting element 7 and the photosensor 3 are in a standby state. Note that display examples of the display control circuit 43 and the IC card 10 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the light reflecting surface 52 of the external device 50 can be dealt with, for example, by sticking a reflective sticker having a high reflectivity to the surface facing the IC card, thereby avoiding significant changes to the existing external device 50. As an advantage.

  In the first and second embodiments, since only the front and back sides of the housing 1 are determined, a complicated determination circuit 42 is not required, and the burden on the control circuit 41 can be reduced. In addition, since a large arrangement area of the photosensor 3 (and the light emitting element 7) can be secured, operational errors such as inability to perform sensing can be reduced.

  In the first and second embodiments, the photo sensor 3 (and the light emitting element 7) may also be provided on the first main surface 1a side, and the front and back may be determined by the photo sensor 3 on each main surface.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where detection is performed by the photosensor 3 provided in the housing 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A photo sensor 3 may be provided. That is, it is only necessary to be able to determine the front and back of the IC card 10, so that the photosensor 3 is driven as each pixel 25 is driven, the front and back are determined based on the position of the received photosensor 3 (pixel 25), and the display data is sent to the user. It is also possible to display a normal image.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view of an IC card showing the third embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, in addition to the front and back of the housing 1 in the first embodiment, the top and bottom of the housing 1 can also be determined. That is, here, the normal image is obtained when the front and back of the information I are displayed normally and the top and bottom of the information I coincide with each other. For the user, the information I is always displayed as a normal image.

  As the light receiving means, for example, two photosensors 3 a and 3 c are provided at the upper left and lower right corners of the first main surface 1 a of the IC card 10. Two photosensors 3b and 3d are provided at the upper left and lower right corners of the second main surface 1b. In addition, the broken line in a figure is the position of the photosensor 3 of the main surface side which a user does not visually recognize.

  Based on the position of the photosensor 3 that detects the light emission from the external device, it is determined in what state the IC card 10 is held, and the transparent display unit 2 can be normally viewed by the user in that state. Information I is displayed.

  That is, as shown in the figure, the information I is displayed so that the front and back of the information I coincide with the transparent display portion 2 and the top and bottom of the information I coincide with each other on the transparent display portion 2. Is displayed as a normal image.

  With reference to FIG. 10, the top and bottom of the information I will be specifically described. First, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the casing 1 is up and down. As shown in FIG. 10A, for example, when the design D is on the surface of the IC card 10, the top and bottom of the housing 1 are assumed to be the top and bottom of the housing 1 when the design D is disposed so as to be normally visible. Further, it is assumed that the first main surface 1a is the front surface (FIG. 10A) and the second main surface 1b is the back surface (FIG. 10B).

  In such a case, in general, the user performs transmission / reception with an external device while holding the IC card 10 using the design D described in the housing 1 as a guide, that is, the design D is normally visible. Thus, let the state which the upper and lower sides of the design D can be normally visually recognized by a user on the surface be a 1st state. In this case, the top and bottom of the IC card 10 (housing 1) coincides with the top and bottom for the user (FIG. 10A).

  Further, a case where the main surface of the IC card 10 visually recognized by the user is the back surface and the upper and lower sides of the IC card 10 are held as they are is referred to as a second state. In this case, the top and bottom of the casing 1 and the top and bottom for the user coincide (FIG. 10B).

  Furthermore, the case where the user visually recognizes the surface of the IC card 10 and holds the design D upside down is referred to as a third state. At this time, the top and bottom of the casing 1 and the top and bottom for the user do not match (FIG. 10C).

  The case where the user visually recognizes the back surface and holds the IC card 10 upside down is referred to as a fourth state. In this case, the top and bottom of the housing 1 and the top and bottom for the user are inconsistent (FIG. 10D).

  In the third embodiment, in any of the first to fourth states, the information I is displayed in a normal image for the user as shown in FIG. The transparent display portion 2 on the other main surface (surface facing the external device) side in each state of FIG. 10 is displayed as a mirror image as in FIG.

  Since the circuit block diagram and circuit schematic diagram of the third embodiment are the same as those in FIG. 3 and are not shown, the third embodiment differs in the processing in the determination circuit 42 and the data inversion circuit 44. This part will be described.

  The display control circuit 43 has a data inversion circuit 44 configured by an inverter circuit or the like. Based on the determination result of the determination circuit 42, the data inversion circuit 44 inverts the top and bottom of the display data and inverts the front and back. For example, in the first state, the display data is output as it is to the display unit drive circuit 45 of the transparent display unit 2. In the case of the second state, the display data is reversed on the basis of the first state and output to the drive circuit 45. In the third state, the top of the display data is inverted, and in the fourth state, the top of the display data is inverted, and the front and back are inverted and output to the drive circuit 45.

  Although the external view of the IC card system is the same as that in FIG. 5, the light emitting unit 51 is provided at a position where it can irradiate one of the photosensors 3 in a concentrated manner in order to determine the first to fourth states. For example, in the case of FIG. 10A, the IC card 10 is provided at a position where it can be irradiated in the vicinity of the photo sensor 3b on the back side (at least in the region of the chain line). Thereby, the photosensor 3 can be used properly according to the state, and it can be determined in what state the upper and lower sides of the IC card 10 are held by the user.

  Photosensors 3a and 3c on the first main surface 1a side are for detecting the second and fourth states, and photosensors 3b and 3d on the second main surface 1b side are for detecting the first and third states. To do.

  For example, in the first state, when the light from the light emitting unit 51 is irradiated on the upper right corner of the IC card 10, the photosensor 3b detects light reception. The display control circuit 43 inverts the display data by the data inversion circuit 44 in accordance with the state of the IC card 10 and displays the information I on the transparent display unit 2 as a normal image. In the first state, the display data is displayed as it is (FIG. 10A).

  In the second state, light reception is detected by the photosensor 3a. The display control circuit 43 inverts the display data by the data inversion circuit 44 and displays the information I on the transparent display unit 2 as a normal image. When the display data is displayed as it is in the first state, the display data is reversed on the basis of the first state in the second state (FIG. 10B).

  In the third state, the photosensor 3d detects light reception, and the data inversion circuit 44 inverts the display data. As a result, the top and bottom of the design D (housing 1) do not match the top of the information I, but for the user, the top of the information I matches and a normal image is displayed (FIG. 10C). In the fourth state, the photosensor 3c detects light reception, and the data inversion circuit 44 inverts the top and bottom of the display data. Therefore, even if the main surface visually recognized by the user is the back surface and the top and bottom of the housing 1 do not coincide with the user's top and bottom, the information I is displayed as a normal image (FIG. 10D).

  The inversion example here is based on the first state. After data transmission / reception, processing to return the reference to the first state may be performed, or the previous state is stored, and processing for determining how the state of the next transmission / reception is reversed from that state is performed. May be. In any case, the data inversion circuit 44 of this embodiment performs inversion so that the top and bottom of the information I coincide with the top and bottom of the user, and always displays the information I as a normal image for the user. is there.

  In the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the state of the IC card 10 can be detected by the photosensor 3, and the arrangement of the photosensor 3 is not limited to the above example.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in order to absorb errors in the operation of the IC card 10, a strip-shaped light receiving unit 3 is provided by a plurality of photo sensors, or a strip is provided at the end of the card to detect light reception in an analog manner. May be.

  According to the third embodiment, the information I can always be displayed in a normal image to the user regardless of the state of the upper and lower sides of the housing 1. For example, when the transparent display unit 2 is small, it is easier to visually recognize that the top of the information I matches the top and bottom for the user.

  Further, as described above, since one organic EL display panel can be shared by two main surfaces, an increase in cost and driving power consumption can be suppressed, and a highly convenient IC card can be provided.

  FIG. 12 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The IC card 10 of the fourth embodiment has the light emitting means 7 in itself, and also determines the upper and lower sides of the housing 1 in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an outline of the IC card 10. 12A shows the front side of the IC card 10, and FIG. 12B shows the back side.

  As shown in the figure, the IC card 10 of the fourth embodiment is provided with the light emitting means 7 in the housing 1. The light emitting means 7 is, for example, a light emitting element 7 such as an LED, a laser, or an organic EL, and corresponds to the photosensors 3a to 3d on the first main surface 1a and the second main surface 1b, and is provided in the vicinity thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when information is transmitted and received, the light emitting element 7 of the IC card 10 emits light and is reflected by the light reflecting surface 52 of the external device 50. The light reflecting surface 52 is provided in a part of the external device 50 that faces the IC card 10 and is configured by a member that increases the reflectance of light limitedly. The photosensor 3 of the IC card 10 detects reflected light and determines whether the IC card 10 is in the first state to the fourth state.

  For example, when the photo sensor 3 is provided at the same position as in the first embodiment and the light emitting element 7 is provided corresponding to the photo sensor 3, the two photo sensors 3 (3a and 3c or 3c on one main surface) are provided. 3b and 3d) receive light. In such a case, the first to fourth states may be determined by providing the light reflecting surface 52 of the external device 50 in a limited manner so as to irradiate each photosensor 3 in a concentrated manner.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the information I is displayed on the transparent display unit 2 in a normal image so that the user can visually recognize it according to the state of the housing 1.

  A circuit block diagram and a circuit schematic diagram of the fourth embodiment are the same as those in FIG. 9 and thus will not be described. However, the determination circuit 42 determines the state of the IC card 10 based on the position of the photosensor 3 where light reception is detected. Is in the first state to the fourth state. Based on this, the information I is displayed as a normal image on one main surface side.

  As described above, in the first to fourth embodiments, the organic EL display panel having an active matrix structure in which the transistor is arranged for each pixel as the transparent display unit 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a passive organic EL display panel may be used.

  FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the passive organic EL display panel 2.

  The organic EL element 210 has a structure in which an anode 201 is disposed on a substrate 20 and an organic EL layer 206 of HIL 202, HTL 203, EML 204, and ETL 205 is sequentially stacked to provide a cathode 207. The details of the organic EL layer 206 are the same as those of the active matrix type.

  The anode 201 and the cathode 207 are striped and are arranged in a grid pattern that intersects each other. Pillars 222 are arranged between the pixels 25, and each pixel 25 is driven by applying a voltage to the intersection of both electrodes.

  A sealant 209 is applied around the substrate 20 and hermetically sealed with a transparent counter substrate 211 such as glass or plastic.

In the case of the passive type, a transparent electrode material is used for the anode 201 and the cathode 207, and the structure of the cathode 207 is the same as that of the active matrix type. Visible light can be emitted.

It is (A) external view, (B) external view, (C) top view which shows the IC card of this invention. It is a top view which shows the example of a display of the IC card of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a circuit block diagram for explaining an IC card of the present invention, and FIG. It is (A) circuit schematic diagram and (B) cross-sectional schematic diagram which show the transparent display part of this invention. It is the external view which shows (A) IC card and an external device of this invention, (B) It is a top view of an IC card. It is a top view which shows the IC card of this invention. It is a top view which shows the IC card of this invention. 1 is an external view showing an IC card and an external device of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a circuit block diagram for explaining an IC card of the present invention, and FIG. It is a top view which shows the IC card of this invention. It is a top view which shows the IC card of this invention. It is a top view which shows the IC card of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the organic electroluminescent display panel of this invention. It is a figure which shows the conventional IC card.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 1a 1st main surface 1b 2nd main surface
2 Transparent display part 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d Light receiving means (photo sensor)
4 IC chip 5 Coil 6 Wiring 7 Light emitting means (light emitting element)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 IC card 20 Insulating board 25 Light emission pixel 22 Horizontal direction scanning circuit 23 Vertical direction scanning circuit 24 External connection terminal 25 Light emission pixel 41 Control circuit 43 Display control circuit 42 Determination circuit 44 Data inversion circuit 45 Display part drive circuit 50 External apparatus 51 Light emitting part 52 Light reflecting surface 201 Anode 202 HIL
203 HTL
204 EML
205 ETL
206 Organic EL layer 207 Cathode 208 Passivation film 209 Sealing agent 210 Organic EL element 211 Counter substrate 212 Wiring 213 Semiconductor layer 220 Driving TFT
221 Planarization film
222 Pila I Information D Design

Claims (11)

A housing having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface;
A display section visible from both the first main surface and the second main surface side;
A light receiving means for detecting light from the outside,
A coil provided in the housing for converting a magnetic signal and an electrical signal;
Control means for controlling information based on the electrical signal;
Display control means for displaying the information on the display unit,
The state of the housing is determined based on the detection result of the light receiving means, and the information is displayed on the display unit on either the first main surface or the second main surface so that the user can visually recognize the information. Characteristic IC card. A housing having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface;
A transparent display portion common to the first main surface and the second main surface;
A light receiving means for detecting light from the outside,
A coil provided in the housing for converting a magnetic signal and an electrical signal;
Control means for controlling information based on the electrical signal;
Display control means for displaying the information on the transparent display section,
Judging the state of the housing based on the detection result of the light receiving means, and displaying the information in a state visible to the user on the transparent display portion of either the first main surface or the second main surface. IC card characterized by   The IC card according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving unit is provided on at least one of the first main surface or the second main surface.   3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit that determines the front and back of the housing based on a detection result of the light receiving unit, wherein the information is displayed in a normal image according to the result of the determination unit. IC card in any one.   5. The IC card according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit determines whether the casing is up or down based on a detection result of the light receiving unit, and displays the information in a normal image according to the result of the determination unit. .   3. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein the display control means includes display data reversing means, and the display data of the information is reversed according to a detection result of the light receiving means. .   3. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein a light emitting means is provided on at least one of the first main surface and the second main surface.   The IC card according to claim 1, wherein the coil is an antenna coil that exchanges information without contact with an external device.   3. The IC card according to claim 2, wherein the transparent display unit is configured by an organic EL element using a transparent electrode material for an anode and a cathode. A first main surface, a housing having a second main surface facing the first main surface, a display section visible from both the first main surface and the second main surface, and light from the outside Light receiving means for detecting, a coil provided in the casing for converting magnetic signals and electrical signals, control means for controlling information based on the electrical signals, and display control for displaying the information on the display unit An IC card having means,
A light emitting means for irradiating the IC card with light, and an external device for transmitting and receiving data to and from the IC card;
The IC card receives the light of the light emitting means by the light receiving means, determines the state of the casing based on the detection result, and displays the information on the display unit on either the first main surface or the second main surface. Is displayed in a state visible to the user. A first main surface, a housing having a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, a display section visible from both the first main surface and the second main surface, and light emission to the outside A light emitting means that detects light from the light emitting means, a coil that is provided in the housing and converts a magnetic signal and an electric signal, and a control means that controls information based on the electric signal; An IC card having display control means for displaying the information on the display unit;
A reflection means for reflecting the light of the light emitting means, and an external device for transmitting and receiving data to and from the IC card,
The IC card receives the light reflected by the reflecting means by the light receiving means, determines the state of the housing based on the detection result, and displays the light on the display unit on either the first main surface or the second main surface. An IC card system, wherein the information is displayed in a state visible to a user.

Images