JP2010183489A - Clip type adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize an IC card adapter and improve portability thereof, in the adapter configured to transmit and receive information through an electric field transmission medium. <P>SOLUTION: A clip type adapter fitted to an IC card includes a communication means for communication with the IC card 2, a transceiver which induces an electric field based upon information to be transmitted in the body of a user as the electronic field transmission medium and detects the induced electric field to transmit and receive information, and a computer which communicates with a controller through the body of the user and a control transceiver of the controller and transmits the information acquired from the IC card 2 through a communication means to the controller when the body of the user carrying the clip type adapter 1 fitted with the IC card 2 comes in contact with the control transceiver of the controller. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a clip type adapter attached to an IC card, which induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in an electric field transmission medium and detects the induced electric field to transmit and receive information.

  In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a transceiver that uses an electric field signal detection technique to induce an electric field based on information to be transmitted in a living body that is an electric field transmission medium, and transmits and receives information using the induced electric field. Are listed.

  Patent Document 3 describes an IC card system using the transceiver.

JP 2001-352298 A JP 2006-081111 A JP 2007-226560 A

  In the IC card system described in Patent Document 3, the user carries the IC card inserted into the transceiver shown in FIG. However, when the transceiver shown in FIG. 9 is carried, the size becomes larger than when only the IC card is carried, and it is inconvenient to carry.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to further reduce the size and improve the portability of an IC card adapter that transmits and receives information via an electric field transmission medium. There is.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a clip-type adapter attached to an IC card, the communication means for communicating with the IC card, and an electric field transmission medium for an electric field based on information to be transmitted. When the human body carrying the clip-type adapter with the IC card attached thereto is in contact with the control transceiver of the control device, the transceiver that induces the human body and detects the induced electric field and transmits / receives information, And a computer that communicates with the control device via a user's human body and the transceiver and transmits information acquired from the IC card to the control device using the communication means.

  The gist of the second invention is that the communication means is a communication antenna when the IC card is a contactless card, and an IC card terminal when the IC card is a contact card.

  The gist of the third aspect of the present invention is that the clip-type adapter is rectangular or T-shaped.

  The gist of the fourth invention is that the clip-type adapter further includes a power receiving coil that receives power from an IC card reader, and a secondary battery that is charged by the power receiving coil.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the clip-type adapter further includes a power switch that turns on the power when the IC card is inserted.

  According to the present invention, an IC card adapter that transmits and receives information via an electric field transmission medium can be further miniaturized and further improved in portability.

It is an external view of the clip type adapter of the embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the basic composition of the clip type adapter for non-contact type IC cards. It is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver. It is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver. It is sectional drawing which shows the basic composition of the clip type adapter for contact type IC cards. It is the figure which showed typically the specific example which a clip type adapter fixes IC card. It is a modification of the shape of a clip type adapter. It is a figure which shows typically the clip type adapter provided with the power switch 81. FIG. It is an external view of the transceiver which inserts the conventional IC card.

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

  FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a clip type adapter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clip type adapter 1 of the present embodiment is an adapter (connected device) for an IC card 2 and induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in an electric field transmission medium and detects the induced electric field to transmit / receive information. Do. The clip-type adapter 1 shown in the figure is a small adapter that is fixed with the end of the IC card 2 sandwiched (fastened).

  The clip type adapter 1 of the embodiment of the present invention is a transition period (transient) from a system that performs user authentication using a conventional IC card and an IC card reader to a system that performs user authentication using a transceiver that performs electric field communication. Period). By carrying the clip-type adapter 1 with the IC card 2 between the user, the user can handle the device installed on the authentication side, whether it is an IC card reader or a transceiver that performs electric field communication. .

  For example, in an entrance / exit management system that opens and closes a door for each user, when an IC card reader is installed on the door, the user holds the IC card 2 with the clip-type adapter 1 attached to the IC card reader. Thereby, the IC card reader reads the authentication information (user ID, password, etc.) stored in the IC card 2, and transmits the read authentication information to the control device that controls the opening and closing of the door. The control device determines whether or not the authentication information is valid. If the authentication information is valid, the control device unlocks the door, and if the authentication information is invalid, the control device keeps the door locked.

  When a transceiver that performs electric field communication is installed on the door, a user wearing (carrying) the IC card 2 to which the clip type adapter 1 is attached only needs to touch (contact) the transceiver with a hand or the like. . As a result, the authentication information stored in the IC card 2 is transmitted to the controller that controls the opening and closing of the door via the clip-type adapter 1, the human body as the electric field transmission medium, and the transceiver. The control device determines whether or not the authentication information is valid. If the authentication information is valid, the control device unlocks the door, and if the authentication information is invalid, the control device keeps the door locked.

  In this way, by attaching the small clip-type adapter 1 to the IC card 2 and carrying it by the user, both the IC card reader and the transceiver that performs electric field communication can be accommodated. be able to.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a basic configuration of the clip type adapter 1.

  A clip type adapter 1 shown in FIG. 2 is a specific example of an adapter for a non-contact type IC card. The non-contact type IC card 2 includes an IC card chip 21, an IC card communication antenna 22, and an IC card power receiving coil 23. The IC card chip 21 transmits / receives information to / from the computer 13 of the clip-type adapter 1 or an IC card reader (not shown) using the IC card communication antenna 22. The IC card chip 21 stores predetermined information (such as authentication information). The IC card power receiving coil 23 receives power from the power supply coil 18 of the clip type adapter 1 or the IC card reader and supplies power to the IC card chip 21.

  The clip type adapter 1 shown in the figure includes a signal electrode 11, a ground electrode 12, a computer 13, a transceiver 14, a power source 15, a power control circuit 16, a power receiving coil 17, a power feeding coil 18, a communication antenna (communication antenna). Means) 19.

  The communication antenna 19 is an antenna for communicating with the IC card 2 (IC card communication antenna 22).

  The power supply control circuit 16 controls charging and discharging of the power supply (secondary battery) 15 to prevent overcharging. Specifically, the power supply control circuit 16 controls the power supply coil 18 and supplies it to the IC card 2 through the power of the power supply 15. In order to reduce power consumption, the power supply control circuit 16 may intermittently supply power to the IC card 2.

  When the user holds the IC card 2 with the clip adapter 1 attached (see FIG. 1), the power supply control circuit 16 receives power from the IC card reader by the power receiving coil 17. The power is stored in the power source 15. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a method (for example, an electromagnetic induction method) of transmitting power without contact without using a metal contact is used.

  When the computer 13 communicates with the IC card 2 using the communication antenna 19 and the user touches a control transceiver (not shown) attached to a control device (for example, a control device that controls opening / closing of a door). Furthermore, it communicates with the said control apparatus via a user's human body. Specifically, the computer 13 acquires authentication information stored in the IC card 2 using the communication antenna 19, and transmits the acquired authentication information to the control device via the transceiver 14, the user's human body, and the control transceiver. .

  The transceiver 14 uses an electric field signal detection technique, induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in an electric field transmission medium, and transmits and receives information using the induced electric field. The transceiver 14 may be either one using an electro-optic crystal or one using only an electric circuit.

  For example, the transceiver 14 has the configuration shown in FIG. 3. When transmission data from the computer 13 is received via the input / output (I / O) circuit 901, the transmission data is received via the transmission unit 902 as signal electrodes. 11, an electric field is induced in the electric field transmission medium via the signal electrode 11, and this electric field is transmitted to other parts of the electric field transmission medium.

  The transceiver 14 detects the electric field induced and transmitted by the electric field transmission medium by the signal electrode 11 and couples the electric field to the electric field detection unit 905 to convert it into an electric signal. This electric signal is subjected to signal processing such as amplification and noise removal by the signal processing circuit 906, further subjected to waveform shaping by the waveform shaping circuit 907, and output to the computer 13 via the input / output circuit 901. ing.

  Note that the transceiver of the clip-type adapter 1 may be a transceiver configured as shown in FIG. The transceiver 14 shown in FIG. 4 includes a transmission unit 802 for transmitting data, a reception unit 803 for receiving data, and an I / O circuit 901. When the transceiver 14 receives the transmission data from the computer 13 via the input / output (I / O) circuit 901, the transceiver 14 supplies the transmission data to the signal electrode 11 via the transmission unit 802, and passes through the signal electrode 11. An electric field is induced in the electric field transmission medium, and this electric field is transmitted to other parts of the electric field transmission medium. The transmission unit 802 includes a modulation circuit 804 for modulating transmission data with a carrier wave output from the oscillator 805 and an oscillator 805 for outputting a carrier wave.

  The transceiver 14 detects the electric field induced and transmitted by the electric field transmission medium by the signal electrode 11, converts the electric field into reception data by the receiving unit 803, and outputs the received data to the computer 13 via the input / output circuit 901. To do. Based on the received signal and the correction circuit 806 for determining and correcting whether the H and L levels of the demodulated signal have been inverted, and the carrier wave reproduced by the carrier wave reproduction circuit 808. A demodulation circuit 807 for reproducing data and a carrier wave reproduction circuit 808 for extracting a carrier wave from the received signal are provided. The computer 13 outputs to the transceiver 14 a transmission / reception switching signal for instructing switching between transmission and reception operations together with transmission data.

  As described above, the signal electrode 11 transmits an electric field based on information to be transmitted. That is, the signal electrode 11 induces an electric field of transmission data supplied from the transceiver 14 in the electric field transmission medium and detects the electric field induced in the electric field transmission medium.

  The ground electrode 12 is connected to a position that serves as a reference potential of the transceiver 14. As the reference potential of the transceiver 14, for example, a minus power source or a plus power source can be used in addition to the signal ground.

  The clip type adapter 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a small clip shape that sandwiches (covers) only a part of the IC card 2. Thereby, it is reduced in size and portability improves. Further, by adopting a clip type, even if the IC card 2 has the clip type adapter 1 attached, power can be received from the IC card reader without interfering with the communication between the IC card 2 and the IC card reader. You can also. That is, when the IC card 2 is used over the IC card reader, the IC card 2 can be used with the clip-type adapter 1 attached without removing the clip-type adapter 1. Convenience can be improved.

  When the control transceiver is attached to the control device, the user wearing (carrying) the IC card 2 attached with the clip-type adapter 1 does not take out the IC card 2 from a pocket or the like, Since it is only necessary to touch the control transceiver, user convenience can be improved.

  Next, a clip type adapter 1A for a contact type IC card will be described. The appearance of the clip type adapter 1A for contact type IC cards is the same as the clip type adapter 1 of FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a basic configuration of a clip type adapter 1A for a contact type IC card. The contact type IC card 2A includes an IC card chip 21, a data contact portion 25 (data IC card terminal), and a power contact portion 26 (power IC card terminal). The IC card chip 21 is the same as the IC card chip 21 of the non-contact type IC card 2 of FIG.

  The data contact part 25 is a terminal for communicating with the IC card reader and the clip type adapter 1A. When the user removes the IC card 2A from the clip-type adapter 1A and brings the IC card 2A into contact with the IC card reader, communication between the IC card reader and the IC card 2A becomes possible. Further, when the clip type adapter 1A is attached to the IC card 2 and the data contact portions 25 and 105 of both are brought into contact with each other, communication between the IC card 2A (IC card chip 21) and the clip type adapter 1A (computer 13) can be performed. It becomes possible.

  The power contact portion 26 is a terminal for receiving power from the clip type adapter 1A. When the IC card 2 is attached to the clip type adapter 1A and the power contact portions 26 and 106 of the both contact each other, power is supplied from the clip type adapter 1A to the IC card 2A.

  The clip type adapter 1A shown in FIG. 5 includes a signal electrode 11, a ground electrode 12, a computer 13, a transceiver 14, a power source 15, a power control circuit 16, a data contact unit 105 (data contact terminal), And a power contact portion 106 (power contact terminal). The signal electrode 11, the ground electrode 12, the computer 13, and the transceiver 14 are the same as the corresponding units 11 to 14 of the clip type adapter 1 shown in FIG.

  The data contact unit 105 (communication means) is a terminal for communicating with the IC card 2. When the clip type adapter 1A is attached to the IC card 2 and the data contact portions 25 and 105 of the both contact, the communication between the IC card 2A (IC card chip 21) and the clip type adapter 1A (computer 13) becomes possible. Become.

  The power contact portion 106 is a terminal for supplying power to the IC card 2. When the clip type adapter 1A is attached to the IC card 2 and the power contact portions 26 and 106 of the both contact each other, power is supplied from the clip type adapter 1A to the IC card 2A. The power supply control circuit 16 supplies power from the power supply (battery) 15 to the IC card 2 through the power contact portion 106. The power supply 15 may be a primary battery or a secondary battery.

  A clip type adapter 1A shown in FIG. 5 has a clip shape in which only a part of the IC card 2A is sandwiched as shown in FIG. Thereby, clip type adapter 1A can be reduced in size and the portability of IC card 2A to which clip type adapter 1A is attached can be further improved.

  Further, when the control transceiver is attached to the control device, the user wearing (carrying) the IC card 2A attached with the clip type adapter 1A does not take out the IC card 2A from a pocket, etc. Since it is only necessary to touch the control transceiver, user convenience can be improved.

  Next, a description will be given of a method in which the clip-type adapter 1 for a non-contact type IC card and the clip-type adapter 1A for a contact type IC card securely clamp (fix) the IC cards 2 and 2A.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a specific example in which the clip type adapters 1 and 1A fix the IC cards 2 and 2A. FIG. 6A shows a method of fixing the IC card 2, 2 </ b> A to the clip type adapter 1, 1 </ b> A using the spring 61 and the rubber 63. The clip type adapter 1, 1 </ b> A shown in FIG. 6 (a) is clipped by the movable part 62 by connecting the clip parts 64, 65 of the clip type adapter with a spring 61 to give elasticity, like a clothespin, for example. The IC cards 2 and 2A are sandwiched by moving the parts 64 and 65. In addition, a non-slip rubber 63 is added to the front ends of the sandwiching portions 64 and 65 to securely fix the IC card.

  FIG. 6B shows a method of fixing the IC card 2, 2 </ b> A to the clip type adapter 1, 1 </ b> A using the cuff 66. For example, like a cuff used in a blood pressure monitor or the like, air or the like is introduced to inflate the cuff 66, and the IC card 2 or 2A is crimped to the cuff 66 to be fixed to the clip type adapter 1 or 1A.

  FIG. 6C shows a method of fixing the IC card 2, 2 </ b> A to the clip type adapter 1, 1 </ b> A using the adhesive 67.

  Next, a structure in which the contact portions 105 and 106 of the clip-type adapter 1A for the contact IC card and the contact portions 25 and 26 of the contact IC card 2A are brought into contact with each other will be described.

  FIG. 7A shows a rectangular clip-type adapter 1A in which a predetermined corner 27 of the IC card 2A is inserted into the clip-type adapter 1A, and the corner 27 of the IC card 2A and the corner 107 of the clip-type adapter 1A And fix them together. Thereby, the contact parts 105 and 106 of the clip type adapter 1A and the contact parts 25 and 26 of the IC card 2 can be brought into contact with each other accurately (with high precision).

  7B, a predetermined one side 28 of the IC card 2A is inserted into the T-shaped clip-type adapter 1A, and the side surface 28 of the IC card 2A and the side surface 108 of the clip-type adapter 1A are fixed together. Thereby, the contact parts 105 and 106 of the clip type adapter 1A and the contact parts 25 and 26 of the IC card 2 can be brought into contact with each other accurately (with high precision).

  Note that the clip-type adapter 1A having the shape shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be used as the clip-type adapter 1 for the non-contact type IC card 2. Moreover, the shape of the clip type adapters 1 and 1A is not limited to the shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, and various shapes are conceivable.

  FIG. 8 shows a clip type adapter 1, 1 A further provided with a power switch 81. By providing the power switch 81, when the IC card 2 or 2A is inserted into the clip type adapter 1 or 1A, the power switch 81 is pressed to turn on the power, and when the IC card 2 or 2A is not inserted. Since the power switch 81 is not pressed, the power is turned off.

  Thus, by providing the power switch 81 that is turned on only when the IC card 2 or 2A is inserted, it is possible to save the power of the clip-type adapter 1 or 1A. The position where the power switch 81 is installed is not limited to the location shown in FIG. 8, but the location where the power switch 81 is turned on when the IC card 2 or 2A is inserted (for example, location 82). ).

  The clip-type adapter of the present embodiment described above has a small clip shape that sandwiches (covers) only a part of the IC card. Thereby, a clip type adapter is reduced in size and the portability of the IC card which attached the clip type adapter can be improved more.

  In addition, when the control transceiver is attached to the control device, the user wearing (carrying) the IC card with the clip-type adapter attached does not take out the IC card from a pocket or the like, and the control transceiver is used by hand. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved.

  Further, in the case of the clip-type adapter 1 for a non-contact type IC card, when the IC card 2 is held over the IC card reader, the clip-type adapter 1 remains attached without being removed. Since the IC card 2 can be used, user convenience can be improved.

  Further, the clip-type adapter 1 for a non-contact type IC card has a power receiving coil 17. Thus, when the IC card 2 is held over the IC card reader with the clip type adapter 1 attached, not only the IC card 2 but also the clip type adapter 1 can receive power from the IC card reader.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, various deformation | transformation and change can be performed with respect to embodiment of this invention in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A clip type adapter 11 Signal electrode 12 Ground electrode 13 Computer 14 Transceiver 15 Power supply 16 Power supply control circuit 17 Power receiving coil 18 Feeding coil 19 Communication antenna 105 Data contact part 106 Power contact part 2, 2A IC card 21 IC card chip 22 Communication Antenna 23 Power receiving coil 25 Data contact part 26 Data contact part

Claims (5)

A clip-type adapter that attaches to an IC card,
A communication means for communicating with the IC card;
A transceiver that induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted to the user's human body, which is an electric field transmission medium, and transmits and receives information by detecting the induced electric field;
When the human body carrying the clip-type adapter with the IC card attached contacts the control transceiver of the control device, it communicates with the control device via the user's human body and the transceiver, and the communication means is used to And a computer that transmits information acquired from an IC card to the control device. The clip-type adapter according to claim 1,
The clip-type adapter, wherein the communication means is a communication antenna when the IC card is a contactless card, and an IC card terminal when the IC card is a contact card. The clip-type adapter according to claim 1 or 2,
The clip-type adapter is characterized in that the clip-type adapter is rectangular or T-shaped. The clip type adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A power receiving coil for receiving power from an IC card reader;
A clip type adapter, further comprising a secondary battery charged by the power receiving coil. The clip type adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A clip-type adapter, further comprising a power switch that turns on the power when the IC card is inserted.

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