JP4378500B2 - Personal information storage device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information storage device that reads information in a non-contact manner in response to a read signal from the outside.

Conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, there is a system in which a reader 2 reads information stored in an IC tag 1 in a non-contact manner.
The IC tag 1 includes an IC (integrated circuit) 3 and an antenna 4, a memory for storing information such as an ID (identification) of the owner of the tag in the IC 3, and stored information via the antenna 4. Equipped with a transmission circuit for transmitting. The transmitter circuit receives the radio wave of the inquiry signal transmitted from the reader 2 by the antenna 4, so that the driving power is supplied to operate.
The reader 2 periodically sends an inquiry signal for inquiring stored information to the IC tag 1 in the vicinity of the reader 2.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, an inquiry signal is transmitted from the reader 2 constantly or at predetermined intervals. A range in which the IC tag 1 to which the inquiry signal has arrived and the power supplied thereto transmits the stored information and reaches the reader 2, that is, the information readable area 5 is indicated by a halftone dot.
That is, when the IC tag 1 enters the readable area 5, the reader 2 automatically reads information stored in the IC tag 1.

In other words, if the IC tag 1 enters the readable area 5, the information is arbitrarily read without the knowledge of the owner of the IC tag 1 in some cases regardless of the intention of the owner of the IC tag 1. . Further, for example, there is a risk that the reader 2 is installed illegally and personal information is illegally read. At times, there was a risk of privacy infringement.
Thus, in order to prevent information from being read regardless of the intention of the owner of the IC tag 1, the following techniques have been proposed.

For example, there is one in which the antenna portion can be closed by making the antenna portion of the IC tag 1 into a booklet and closing the booklet. When the antenna portion is closed, even if the IC tag 1 enters the readable area 5, it cannot receive the inquiry signal, that is, the power feeding signal, so that the stored information is not transmitted (see Patent Document 1). .
There has also been proposed a switch in which a part of a loop antenna can be intermittently connected so that information transmission can be selected by switching the switch (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-92934 A JP 2003-168088 A

  As described above, the owner of the IC tag 1 can read the information stored in the IC tag 1 by folding the antenna part or switching the switch so that the transmission / reception function of the IC tag 1 does not function. Can not be. However, the owner of the IC tag 1 may not know where the readable area 5 is or whether he / she is in the readable area 5. Therefore, even if it is necessary to read the information of the IC tag 1, do not notice that it has entered the readable area 5, and forget to disable the function of transmitting and receiving the IC tag 1, The antenna part may remain blocked.

As described above, even in a place where information must be read, various problems occur if information is refused to be read. For example, when the ID stored in the IC tag 1 is read and the identity is confirmed, if the reading of the ID is rejected, it may be determined as an unauthorized intruder.
An object of the present invention is to provide a storage device that can alert the owner in a place where reading can be performed in a non-contact manner and the owner can refuse to read personal information on his / her own will.

1st invention transmits the personal information which the memory | storage part which memorize | stored personal information, the process part connected to this memory | storage part, and the memory | storage part which is connected to this process part, and is memorize | stored to the reader | leader A wireless transmission unit, a notification signal output unit for outputting a notification signal for operating the notification means while being connected to the processing unit, a wireless reception unit for receiving a power supply signal from a reader , and transmission of the personal information from the wireless transmission unit A transmission prohibiting means for prohibiting transmission , and the processing unit outputs a notification signal from the notification signal output unit when receiving a power supply signal from the reader via the wireless reception unit , and outputs a notification signal. and a function of measuring elapsed time since, from the output of the notification signal until a predetermined time has elapsed waiting for transmission of personal information, from the output of the notification signal remains the originating inhibiting means does not operate When elapsed constant time, while to transmit the personal information stored in the storage unit with respect to the reader from the radio transmitting section, when calling prohibited means operates within a lapse the predetermined time, it transmits the personal information It is characterized by not .

The second invention is based on the first invention, and the transmission prohibiting means is a prohibition signal input section for inputting a transmission prohibition signal for prohibiting the wireless transmission section from transmitting personal information to the processing section. The processing unit is characterized in that it has a function of stopping transmission of personal information when a transmission prohibition signal is received from the prohibition signal input unit.

3rd invention presupposes the said 1st invention, and the said transmission prohibition means has the characteristics in the point which is a switch mechanism which interrupts | blocks the signal transmission path | route to a radio | wireless transmission part.

According to the first to third aspects, it is possible to notify the user that the reader has entered an area where reading is possible. In addition, since it has a function to refuse or permit transmission of information, the user can decide whether or not to transmit personal information stored in the storage device at the time of the notification. .
Therefore, personal information is not read without knowing, and it is not forgotten to read personal information when it is necessary to read the personal information.

The user's will can prohibit the transmission of personal information. If the user does not want to read the information, he / she actively prohibits it, and if nothing is done, the information is automatically read. Become.
In particular, in the second and third inventions, since the storage device is provided with means for rejecting the transmission of information, it is necessary for the user to move from a readable area in order to prohibit the transmission. No.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions of an IC tag 6 which is a storage device of the present invention. The reader that reads the information transmitted by the IC tag 6 is the same as the reader 2 of the conventional example shown in FIG. Therefore, FIG. 6 is also used to describe this embodiment.
The IC tag 6 includes a storage unit 7 that stores an ID, which is personal information, and a processing unit 8 connected to the storage unit 7.

  The processing unit 8 includes a notification signal output unit 9, a reception unit 10 that is a wireless reception unit of the present invention for receiving a power supply signal from a reader, and ID information stored in the storage unit 7. Is connected to a transmission unit 11 that is a wireless transmission unit of the present invention for transmitting a message and a prohibition signal input button 12 for inputting a transmission prohibition signal for prohibiting information transmission. This prohibition signal input button 12 is a transmission prohibition means of the present invention, and is a prohibition signal input section. In the first embodiment and the following embodiments, a person carrying an IC tag is referred to as a user, and an ID that is personal information of the user is stored in the IC tag.

The notification signal output unit 9 is connected to a notification lamp 13 that is turned on when a notification signal is output from the notification signal output unit 9.
And the said memory | storage part 7, the process part 8, and the notification signal output part 9 enclosed with the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 1 are comprised in IC chip A, The said receiving part 10 and the transmission part 11 are comprised in the said IC chip A. It consists of a loop antenna connected to. The prohibition signal input button 12 and the notification lamp 13 are also connected to the IC chip A, but are separate members from the IC chip A.

The processing unit 8 is powered and operated by an inquiry signal output from the reader 2 (see FIG. 6) received by the receiving unit 10.
Then, when receiving the inquiry signal, the processing unit 8 has a function of controlling the notification signal output unit 9 and outputting the notification signal from the notification signal output unit 9. When the notification signal output unit 9 outputs a notification signal, the notification lamp 13 is turned on. That is, the notification lamp 13 notifies the user that the inquiry signal has been received, that is, that the information is in the information readable area 5 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the notification lamp 13 corresponds to the notification means of the present invention.

The processing unit 8 has a function of transmitting the ID information stored in the storage unit 7 via the transmission unit 11 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the notification signal is output from the notification signal output unit 9. Have.
However, when the transmission prohibition signal is input via the prohibition signal input button 12 within the predetermined time, the processing unit 8 stops transmitting the ID information. The prohibition signal input button 12 is a button provided on the surface of the IC tag 6 and operated by the user.

The processing procedure of the processing unit 8 in the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S1, the processing unit 8 receives an inquiry signal. This inquiry signal is a signal transmitted from the reader 2 and also serves as a power supply signal. The reception of this signal means that the IC tag 6 is in the readable area 5 of the reader 2.
In step S <b> 2, the processing unit 8 outputs a control signal to the notification signal output unit 9. Based on this control signal, the notification signal output unit 9 turns on the notification lamp 13 which is a notification means.

When the notification lamp 13 is turned on, the user is informed that he / she has entered the readable area 5 and that ID information is transmitted from his / her IC tag 6 after a predetermined time. Therefore, the user can input a transmission prohibition signal to the processing unit 8 by operating the prohibition signal input button 12 to stop transmission of ID information.
In step S3, the processing unit 8 starts measuring time.
In step S4, the processing unit 8 determines whether or not a transmission prohibition signal has been input. If a transmission prohibition signal has been input, the processing unit 8 proceeds to step S7 and temporarily ends the process.
On the other hand, if a call prohibition signal has not been input, the process proceeds to step S5, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from step S3. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S4, and steps S4 → S5 → S4 are repeated.

When the predetermined time is reached in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6, and the processing unit 8 causes the ID information stored in the storage unit 7 to be transmitted via the transmission unit 11. As a result, the reader 2 has read the ID information from the IC tag 6.
As described above, in this embodiment, the user can decide whether or not to allow the reader 2 to read the ID information stored in the IC tag 6 on his / her own will and is a notification means. Since the lamp 13 indicates that it has entered the readable area 5 of the reader 2, personal information is not read without permission, and it does not fail to be read when it is desired to read.

Instead of the notification lamp 13 in the IC tag 6 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a buzzer or a vibrator may be provided to notify by sound or vibration. Further, instead of the notification lamp 13, notification may be made using an LCD (liquid crystal display) which is an ultra-low power consumption device.
Further, a mobile phone or the like provided outside the IC tag 6 can be used as the notification means. In this case, the mobile phone receives the notification signal output from the notification signal output unit 9 and displays characters on the display or generates sound or vibration, thereby entering the readable area 5. Let me know.

  Furthermore, instead of the prohibition signal input button 12, a prohibition signal input unit may be provided outside the IC tag 6, and a transmission prohibition signal may be input to the processing unit 8 from there by communication. For example, if a mobile phone is used as the prohibition signal input unit, the mobile phone can be used as both the notification means and the prohibition signal input unit. In this case, the personal information storage device of the present invention is constituted by the IC tag 6 and the mobile phone that can communicate with the IC tag 6.

Further, the IC tag 14 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is a transmission prohibiting means of the present invention, and is different from the first embodiment in that a prohibition signal input button as a prohibition signal input unit is not provided. Is the same as in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of individual functions are also omitted. Further, FIG. 6 is also used for the description of this embodiment.
In the IC tag 14 of the second embodiment, the processing unit 8 controls the notification signal output unit 9 to cause the notification lamp 13 to output a notification signal. In that case, if the user does not want to read the personal information, the IC tag 14 is carried and left the readable area 5 within a predetermined time after being notified. Then, even if a signal is transmitted from the transmitter 11, the reader 2 cannot read.
Further, if the processing unit 8 does not function unless it is constantly supplied with power, if the processing unit 8 goes out of the readable area 5, no power supply signal is supplied to the processing unit 8, so that the processing unit 8 operates. Disappear. As a result, the ID information stored in the storage unit 7 cannot be transmitted.

Further, instead of moving from the readable area 5, as in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the transmission function can be stopped by folding the antenna portion corresponding to the transmission unit 11 or cutting the antenna. .
Further, the IC tag 14 may be placed in a case for blocking outgoing radio waves.
That is, even if the processing unit 8 outputs a control signal for transmitting the ID information via the transmission unit 11 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the notification signal output unit 9 outputs the notification signal, the processing unit 8 Instead, the function of the transmission unit 11 itself may be stopped or the transmission radio wave from the transmission unit 11 may be blocked.
And the structure which bends and cut | disconnects the said antenna part, and the case which interrupts | blocks an electromagnetic wave correspond to the transmission prohibition means of this invention.

In addition, although the antenna which comprises the said receiving part 10 and the transmission part 11 can be combined, you may provide separately, respectively. Further, as the transmission prohibition mechanism, a switch mechanism that cuts off the connection between the processing unit 8 and the transmission unit 11 is provided in the signal transmission path, and the user switches this to prohibit the transmission. It may be.
As described above, in the above embodiment, in order for the IC tags 6 and 14 to enter the readable area 5 and stop information transmission to the reader 2, user action is required. As described above, the user's intention can be reflected by notifying the user that he / she is in the readable area 5.

The IC tag 15 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a permission signal input button 16 instead of the prohibition signal input button 12 in the IC tag 6 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Although different from the form, the other components are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for the same components as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions of individual functions are omitted. Further, FIG. 6 is also used for the description of this embodiment.
However, the processing unit 8 according to the third embodiment does not receive a call permission signal even if a power supply signal that also serves as an inquiry signal is input from the reader 2 via the reception unit 10. It is programmed not to send. The permission signal input button 16 is the transmission permission means of the present invention.

Below, the processing procedure of the said process part 8 is demonstrated according to the flowchart of FIG. This process starts when the IC tag 15 is in the readable area 5 (see FIG. 6).
First, in step S11, the processing unit 8 receives an inquiry signal. The processing unit 8 fed with this signal outputs a control signal to the notification signal output unit 9 to turn on the notification lamp 13 in step S12. As a result, the user is informed that he / she is in the readable area 5 of the reader 2. At this time, the processing unit 8 does not transmit the ID information in the storage unit 7 unless a transmission permission signal is input.

Therefore, whether or not the reader 2 reads his / her ID information can be selected depending on whether or not the reader 2 inputs a transmission permission signal via the permission signal input button 16.
In step S13, the processing unit 8 determines whether or not a transmission permission signal is input. If the transmission permission signal is input, the processing unit 8 proceeds to step S14, and the ID information stored in the storage unit 7 is transmitted via the transmission unit 11. Call and let reader 2 read.

On the other hand, when the transmission permission signal is not input, the processing unit 8 proceeds to step S15, and the process is temporarily ended. However, while the IC tag 15 is in the readable area 5 (see FIG. 6), an inquiry signal transmitted at all times or at predetermined intervals is received. 5 starts from step S11.
As described above, in the third embodiment, the processing unit 8 transmits information in the storage unit 7 in accordance with the transmission permission signal input via the permission signal input button 16 operated by the user. The user can select whether or not to transmit his / her personal information. In addition, by notifying that the user is in the readable area 5, the user does not fail to input the transmission permission signal at the timing when the reader 2 needs to read the ID information or the like.

In the third embodiment, notification means such as sound, vibration, and character display can be used instead of the notification lamp 13 as in the other embodiments. In short, the notification means operates by inputting the notification signal output from the notification signal output unit 9 and can notify the user that the user is in the readable area 5 of the reader 2. It doesn't matter. Further, the notification means may be provided outside the IC tag 15 as a device such as a cellular phone as in the other embodiments described above.
Furthermore, instead of the prohibition signal input button 12, a call permission signal may be input to the processing unit 8 from outside the IC tag 15 using a mobile phone or the like.

In the third embodiment, the permission signal input button 16 which is a permission signal input unit for inputting a transmission permission signal to the processing unit 8 is used as a transmission permission unit. However, a transmission permission signal is input to the processing unit 8. Instead of doing so, the transmission permission may be given mechanically.
For example, an intermittent switch that interrupts the signal transmission path between the processing unit 8 and the transmission unit 11 is provided, and normally, when the information is permitted to be transmitted in a disconnected state, the switch uses the processing unit 8 And the transmitter 11 can be connected.

Alternatively, the transmitting antenna of the transmitting unit 11 may be opened from a folded state, or may be taken out from a state covered with a case for blocking radio waves.
As described above, when the transmission unit 11 is mechanically changed from a non-functioning state to a functionable state, the mechanism becomes the transmission permission unit of the present invention.
However, when an open / close mechanism and a switch are provided on the transmitting antenna, it is necessary to separate the transmitting and receiving antennas. This is because, even when the transmitter 11 is not functioning, the receiver 10 must function and continue to receive the power supply signal from the reader 2.

The ID information stored in the storage unit 7 in all the above embodiments is an example of personal information, and any personal information other than the ID can be stored in the storage unit 7.
The IC tag may have a card shape, a booklet shape, or any other shape.
In all the embodiments described above, the user can select whether or not to read the personal information when notified by the notification means. In other words, personal information is not read without permission by the person himself / herself, and there is no possibility of failing to read the personal information when it must be read.

  In addition, a reader ID list storage unit that identifies a reader and stores an ID list of the reader when reading or prohibiting the reading of personal information is provided, and the processing unit 8 performs the next time according to the ID list. It is also possible to automatically control transmission of personal information. In this case, it is assumed that the reader transmits its own ID together with the inquiry signal, and the processing unit 8 compares the received reader ID with the ID of the ID list. If the ID is in the ID list of the reader whose reading is prohibited, the transmission of the personal information from the transmitting unit 11 is prohibited. The transmitting unit 11 is controlled so as to transmit information.

The ID list may be provided in the IC tag or in an external device such as a mobile phone. When the ID list storage unit is provided in the IC tag, a necessary reader ID may be transmitted using a mobile phone and input to the ID list storage unit.
As described above, when the control unit 8 automatically prohibits or permits outgoing calls in accordance with a pre-stored ID list, the user can read even without notification by the notification means. Personal information is never read in situations where it is not desired to be read, and can be read where necessary. However, if notified by the notification means, the user's personal information will not be read without the user's knowledge.

  Since the personal information storage device of the present invention drives the notification means by using a power supply signal transmitted from the reader 2 used conventionally as a trigger, the information can be read even if the conventional reader 2 is used as it is. Can do. For this reason, when an IC tag to which the present invention is applied is introduced, there is no need to change the reader, so that it can be introduced at a low cost. In addition, even if the conventional IC tag and the IC tag of the present invention are mixed, information can be read by the same reader, so that the personal information storage device of the present invention can be gradually applied, There is also an advantage that no cost is incurred at the time of switching.

It is a block diagram of a 1st embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the process part in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of a 3rd embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the process part in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the system of a prior art example. It is a top view of the IC card of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

6 IC tag 7 Storage unit 8 Processing unit 9 Notification signal output unit 10 Reception unit 11 Transmission unit 12 Prohibition signal input button 13 Notification lamp 14 IC tag 15 IC tag 16 Enable signal input button A IC chip

Claims (3)

A storage unit storing personal information, a processing unit connected to the storage unit, a wireless transmission unit connected to the processing unit and transmitting personal information stored in the storage unit to a reader; and A notification signal output unit for connecting to the processing unit and outputting a notification signal for operating the notification unit, a wireless reception unit for receiving a power supply signal from the reader, and a transmission prohibition unit for prohibiting transmission of the personal information from the wireless transmission unit with the door, the processing unit, when via the wireless receiving unit receives a feed signal from the reader, and a function of outputting a notification signal from the notification signal output section, the elapsed time from to output notification signal A function for measuring, waiting for transmission of personal information from the output of the notification signal until a predetermined time elapses, and a predetermined time elapses from the output of the notification signal without operating the transmission prohibition means. Wherein, while to transmit the personal information stored in the storage unit with respect to the reader from the radio transmitting section, when calling prohibited means operates within a lapse the predetermined time, it does not transmit the personal information when personal information storage device to.   The transmission prohibition means is a prohibition signal input unit for inputting a transmission prohibition signal for prohibiting the wireless transmission unit from transmitting personal information to the processing unit, and the processing unit prohibits transmission from the prohibition signal input unit. The personal information storage device according to claim 1, comprising a function of stopping transmission of personal information when a signal is received.   The personal information storage device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission prohibition unit is a switch mechanism that blocks a signal transmission path to a wireless transmission unit.

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