JP3660317B2 - Antenna sheet and reader / writer system for contactless media - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an antenna sheet for a contactless medium and a reader / writer system, and more particularly to an antenna sheet for a contactless medium and a reader / writer system for performing data communication with a contactless medium and read / write control. In the present invention, the contactless medium is a card-shaped non-contact IC medium having an internal memory for storing data and a wireless transmission / reception element corresponding to the internal memory arranged at a predetermined position. The contactless media reader / writer system transmits / receives information to / from contactless media without contact or wirelessly.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, contactless IC media (contactless media) with a CPU and a memory are used, and data is transmitted and received between the contactless IC media and the reader / writer by contactless or wirelessly. Techniques have been developed that allow various processing by writing data to or reading data from a memory of a medium. In addition, a multi-antenna reader / writer device that has been recently studied enables communication with a plurality of contactless media by mounting a plurality of antennas for reading / writing data with the contactless media. Is.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional multi-antenna reader / writer device for contactless media is realized by mounting multiple read / write antennas for contactless media, but each antenna unit has a gain. A driver circuit for adjustment is necessary, and the antenna part alone requires a considerable number of parts with multiple boards. Therefore, conventionally, there is a problem that the antenna portion is unsuitable for making a sheet and the cost is high.
[0004]
In addition, the conventional multi-antenna reader / writer device for contactless media is sufficiently damaged when the antenna part is in contact with a metal surface such as a steel desk, shelf, table, etc. There were times when it was impossible to communicate.
[0005]
In view of the above, the present invention provides an antenna sheet for a contactless medium and a reader / writer system that can be installed on a curved surface by using a flexible material for the antenna sheet. Objective. It is another object of the present invention to provide an antenna sheet for a contactless medium and a reader / writer system in which reader / writer devices can use the same specification regardless of the size (number) of antennas. Another object of the present invention is to provide a contactless media antenna sheet and a reader / writer system that can be recognized by a reader / writer device even if the antenna size is changed according to the purpose. The present invention also provides an antenna sheet for a contactless medium and a reader / writer system that enables communication with a contactless medium without impairing antenna performance even when the antenna sheet is attached to or near a metal surface. The purpose is to provide.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The main features of the present invention are exemplified below.
1. The antenna unit as is done installation in locations with curved, using a flexible material (flexible-smoking substrate), realized sheeting.
2. In order to realize an antenna sheet, most antenna tuning circuits are mounted on the reader / writer device, and only one tuning capacitor is used for each antenna in the antenna.
3. A sheet information section in which sheet ID information is set so that the size of the antenna sheet (number of antennas) can be identified at the time of replacement is provided in the antenna sheet, and this is read by the reader / writer control section so that the currently connected antenna sheet I was able to judge the size.
4). An electromagnetic shielding sheet was placed on the back of the antenna sheet so that it would not be affected even when installed on a metal surface.
[0007]
According to the first solution of the present invention,
A plurality of antenna coils that communicate wirelessly with contactless media;
A plurality of tuning circuits for antenna tuning connected to each of the plurality of antenna coils;
A sheet information section for setting sheet information indicating an arrangement state of the plurality of antenna coils;
Each of the set of the antenna coil and the tuning circuit, and a connector respectively connected to the sheet information section,
Switching between a contactless medium and a reader / writer device for reading or writing data and one of the antenna coils via the connector, and determining the presence of the contactless medium based on the switching control state for data communication An antenna sheet for contactless media using a flexible substrate is provided.
[0008]
According to the second solution of the present invention,
With such an antenna sheet for contactless media,
A reader / writer device for reading or writing contactless media and data;
An antenna selector for switching and connecting the reader / writer device to each of the antenna coils mounted on the antenna sheet;
A reader / writer control unit for switching the antenna selector unit to connect one of the antenna coils to the reader / writer device, and determining the presence of contactless media based on the switching control state to control data communication. A reader / writer system for contactless media comprising:
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a contactless media / multi-antenna reader / writer system according to the present invention.
[0010]
The contactless media reader / writer system includes a contactless media multi-antenna sheet 1, a reader / writer device 2, an antenna selector unit 3, and a reader / writer control unit (CPU) 4.
[0011]
A contactless media multi-antenna sheet 1 (hereinafter referred to as antenna sheet 1) includes a plurality of antenna units 11 (indicated by antennas 1 to n in the figure), a sheet information unit 12 in which sheet ID information is set, And a plurality of antenna units 11 and connectors 13 respectively connected to the sheet information unit 12.
[0012]
The reader / writer device 2 is a device for reading or writing contactless media and data. The antenna selector unit 3 switches and connects the reader / writer device 2 to each of the antenna units in the antenna sheet 1. The reader / writer control unit 4 switches the antenna selector unit 3 to connect one of the antenna units 11 in the antenna sheet 1 to the reader / writer device 2 and determines the presence of contactless media based on the switching control state. Control data communication. The reader / writer control unit 4 is also connected to an external CPU and transmits / receives a desired signal. Further, as will be described later, the reader / writer control unit 4 includes a virtual space coordinate management unit that manages presence / absence information of contactless media in correspondence with the two-dimensional arrangement of the antenna units 11 on the antenna sheet 1. And a virtual space coordinate storage unit for storing presence / absence information of contactless media managed in the arrangement.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the antenna unit.
Each antenna unit 11 includes an antenna coil 21 that communicates signals wirelessly with contactless media, an antenna tuning tuning circuit 22 that is connected to the antenna coil 21, a display control unit 23, and a display unit 24. .
[0014]
The display control unit 23 is connected in common to a line for connecting each pair of the antenna coil 21 and the tuning circuit 22 to the connector 13, and information is identified by a signal identified as communication between the antenna coil 21 and the contactless medium. The communication state of each antenna coil 21 is displayed. The display of the display unit 24 is controlled by each display control unit 23.
[0015]
For reading / writing information to / from contactless media, the antenna selector unit 3 is controlled to select a single antenna and to communicate with the contactless media. Each antenna unit 11 can display red and green LEDs by the display unit 24, for example. As a control method, lighting of LED control can be realized by changing the frequency using the communication line with the contactless medium as it is. When communicating with contactless media, for example, communication is performed at a high frequency of 13.56 MHz. At this time, the coil L1 performs a filtering operation, and the flip-flop circuit for LED control (hereinafter referred to as F / F circuit). A signal can be prevented from being transmitted. When controlling the display unit 24 such as an LED, the frequency component can be transmitted to the F / F circuit as a clock signal by suppressing the frequency component to, for example, the order of kHz. At this time, the display unit control 23 has a frequency that is completely different from the communication frequency with the contactless medium. Therefore, the communication with the contactless medium is not executed, and only the LED control can be performed. Further, the LED turn-off control can be realized by cutting off the power supply of the F / F circuit.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of sheet ID information set by the sheet information unit.
The sheet information unit 12 gives sheet ID information indicating the arrangement state of the plurality of antenna coils to the reader / writer control unit 4. The sheet ID information identifies the arrangement state (size, number, etc.) of the antenna unit 11 of the antenna sheet connected to the reader / writer device 2. In this example, the sheet ID information is information for determining the vertical and horizontal two-dimensional arrangement state of the antenna unit 11, and the number of antenna units 11 in the vertical direction (Y direction) and the horizontal direction (X direction). Are indicated by 4-bit information (in this example, a maximum of 15 can be set).
[0017]
FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of the antenna sheet.
The antenna sheet 1 includes a protective sheet layer 31, an antenna substrate layer 32, and an electromagnetic shielding sheet layer 33. The first protective sheet layer 31 is a sheet that protects the antenna sheet from the outside. In practice, however, a printed material according to the purpose of use or a sheet using a material other than metal can be used. The second antenna substrate layer 32 is the antenna sheet itself, and can be formed using a flexible double-sided / single-sided substrate. The third electromagnetic shielding sheet layer 33 is an electromagnetic shielding sheet. The electromagnetic shielding sheet layer 33 may be omitted as necessary.
[0018]
Thus, since the antenna sheet 1 is flexible, it can be arranged on a curved surface, an uneven surface, a cylindrical surface, or the like. Also, by providing the electromagnetic shielding sheet layer 33, it is possible to maintain the function as an antenna even if the material of the back of the antenna sheet or the vicinity of the antenna sheet is a metal.
[0019]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for automatic recognition of sheet ID information.
When the system is powered on and initially started, the reader / writer control unit 4 reads the sheet ID information on the antenna sheet 1 and makes a determination regarding the antenna arrangement state of the antenna sheet 1 to be connected. With this information, the reader / writer system starts an operation that matches the antenna sheet size.
[0020]
When the power is turned on, the reader / writer control unit 4 reads the sheet ID information from the sheet information unit 12 (S11). When there is a read error (S12), the reader / writer control unit 4 repeats a predetermined number of times (eg, 3 times) (S13). If there is still a read error, the reader / writer control unit 4 initializes the system with no sheet (S14). On the other hand, when there is no read error (S12), the reader / writer control unit 4 initializes the system based on the sheet ID information (S15). After such processing, the system shifts to idle processing (S16).
[0021]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart in the idle state of the contactless media multi-antenna reader / writer device.
When the idle process starts, the reader / writer control unit 4 initializes antenna switching control (S21). Next, the reader / writer control unit 4 controls the antenna selector unit 3 to sequentially select the antenna units 11 (S22). The reader / writer control unit 4 determines whether or not there is a contactless medium at the selected position (S23). If there is no contactless medium, the reader / writer control unit 4 returns to step S22. The data is stored in the space coordinate storage unit (S24). Here, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the virtual space coordinate storage unit. In this example, an antenna sheet that is two-dimensionally arranged in 6 × 6 is used. The reader / writer control unit 4 selects all the antenna units 11 and repeats the processing from step S22 until reading is completed (S25). When such processing is completed for all the antenna units 11, the process returns to step S21. .
[0022]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the read / write operation for contactless media.
Upon receiving a read / write request command from the operator, the reader / writer control unit 4 selects the antenna unit 11 designated by the command by controlling the antenna selector unit 3 (S31). The reader / writer control unit 4 determines whether or not there is a contactless medium at the selected position (S32). Here, when there is a contactless medium, the reader / writer control unit 4 reads the specified memory area (S34) or writes to the specified memory area (S35) in response to a read or write command (S33). Execute. Thereafter, the reader / writer control unit 4 notifies the external CPU of read information or write information (S36). On the other hand, if there is no contactless medium in step S32, the reader / writer control unit 4 notifies the external CPU of no medium information or error information (S36).
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, as described above, since the antenna sheet is a flexible material, the antenna sheet can be installed at the place of the situation. Further, according to the present invention, the reader / writer device can use the same specification regardless of the size of the antenna. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the reader / writer device can recognize the size even if the antenna size is changed according to the purpose. Further, according to the present invention, even when an antenna sheet is attached to or near a metal surface, communication with a contactless medium is possible without impairing antenna performance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a contactless media / multi-antenna reader / writer system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an antenna unit.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of sheet ID information set by a sheet information unit.
FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of an antenna sheet. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for automatic recognition of sheet ID information.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart in an idle state of the contactless media multi-antenna reader / writer device;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a virtual space coordinate storage unit.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for a read / write operation on a contactless medium.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Multi-antenna sheet for contactless media 2 Reader / writer device 3 Antenna selector 4 Reader / writer controller (CPU)
11 Antenna 12 Sheet Information 13 Connector

Claims (5)

An antenna substrate using a flexible substrate;
A plurality of antenna coils that communicate wirelessly with contactless media;
A plurality of tuning circuits for antenna tuning connected to each of the plurality of antenna coils;
A sheet information section storing sheet information indicating the number of the plurality of antenna coils in the vertical and horizontal directions ;
Each set of the antenna coil and the tuning circuit is connected to an antenna selector unit that switches connection with the antenna coil, and the sheet information unit and a reader / writer control unit for controlling data communication And a connector for connecting
The sheet information unit gives sheet information to the reader / writer control unit, and the reader / writer control unit reads the sheet information to identify the arrangement state of the antenna coil,
When the reader / writer control unit switches the antenna selector unit, a reader / writer device for reading or writing data is connected to one of the antenna coils, and the antenna coil is connected. via co emissions tact less media antenna sheet for data communication between the reader / writer device and the contactless media.   An antenna substrate using a flexible substrate;
  Multiple antenna coils that communicate wirelessly with contactless media;
  A plurality of tuning circuits for antenna tuning connected to each of the plurality of antenna coils;
  A sheet information section storing sheet information indicating the number of the plurality of antenna coils in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction;
  Each set of the antenna coil and the tuning circuit is connected to an antenna selector unit that switches connection with the antenna coil, and the sheet information unit and a reader / writer control unit for controlling data communication For connecting the connector and
With
  The sheet information section gives sheet information to the reader / writer control section, and the reader / writer control section reads the sheet information and identifies the arrangement state of the antenna coil,
  When the reader / writer control unit switches the antenna selector unit, a contact / less device and a reader / writer device for reading or writing data and each of the plurality of antenna coils are sequentially connected,
  According to the presence / absence of contactless media at the position of the connected antenna coil, information indicating presence / absence corresponding to the two-dimensional position of the antenna coil is the two-dimensional virtual of the reader / writer control unit. An antenna sheet for contactless media to be stored in the spatial coordinate storage unit. Each set of the antenna coil and the tuning circuit is commonly connected to a line for connecting to the connector so that information is transmitted by a signal identified as communication between the antenna coil and a contactless medium. A plurality of display control units for displaying the information ;
Each said contact-less medium antenna sheet according to claim 1 or 2 by the display control unit and further comprising a plurality of display portions are displayed respectively controlled.   The contactless media antenna sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an electromagnetic shielding sheet stretched on a back surface of the antenna sheet. An antenna sheet for contactless media according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A reader / writer device for reading or writing contactless media and data;
An antenna selector unit for switching and connecting the reader / writer device to each of the antenna coils mounted on the antenna sheet;
Switching the antenna selector unit to connect one of the antenna coils to the reader / writer device, and to control data communication between the reader / writer device and contactless media via the connected antenna coil Reader / writer system including a reader / writer control unit.

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