JP4587648B2 - Recording medium holder and electronic card system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a holding device that holds an information recording medium for storing information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a recording medium such as a flexible disk (FD) has been used to store digital information.
A sticker on which information such as a title and an index indicating the contents of the stored digital information is written is attached to the outer surface of the FD so that the user can easily know the digital information stored in the FD. . The user finds out the necessary FD by looking at the sticker attached.
[0003]
However, as the recording medium is further reduced in size, the sticker to be attached to the recording medium is further reduced, and there is a problem that sufficient information cannot be written on the seal or there is no space for attaching the sticker on the recording medium. is there.
In order to solve such problems, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-115996 discloses a technology for providing a display unit for displaying data contents on the surface of a PC card and identifying the card based on information displayed on the display unit. Has been.
[0004]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 4-367090 discloses a technique for providing a liquid crystal display unit in a memory card and displaying stored data such as titles on the liquid crystal display unit. Both of these technologies are replaced with stickers by displaying the contents on the card itself.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-101356 discloses a technique for providing an LCD on a PC card adapter and displaying additional information such as an image stored in the card and a shooting date and time on the LCD.
[0005]
Further, according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-29998, a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of memory cards is disclosed, and the recording / reproducing apparatus includes a display unit for displaying the contents of an operating card. . Also, according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-32582, a headphone device is disclosed that has a changer function in the headband unit to store a plurality of memory cards, and has a means for selecting and playing back the memory cards. Yes. These techniques display contents on a holder for holding a recording medium.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-115996
[0007]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-4-367090
[0008]
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-101356 A
[0009]
[Patent Document 4]
JP 2000-29998 A
[0010]
[Patent Document 5]
JP 2000-32582 A
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the above prior art, information indicating the contents of the recording medium can be displayed on the recording medium, the adapter, the reproduction device, etc., but the problem in the case of sticking the seal to the recording medium is solved. When the number of recording media managed by the user increases, there is a problem that it is difficult to immediately find a necessary recording medium.
[0012]
The present invention provides a recording medium holder and an electronic card system that can solve the above problems and can more easily find a recording medium required by a user regardless of the number of recording media managed by the user. The purpose is to provide.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a recording medium holder capable of efficiently and safely managing a plurality of recording media, and even when the information stored in the recording medium is confidential information, the information can be safely stored. It is intended to be able to present. When the user owns a plurality of recording media, the recording medium holder includes means for displaying the contents of the recording medium, and a recording medium so that the necessary recording medium can be searched immediately. Means for displaying the content of the recording medium only when the display of the content of the recording medium is permitted when the content is confidential information.
[0014]
The recording medium holder is
(1) a recording medium storage unit for storing a plurality of recording media;
(2) a liquid crystal display unit for displaying each of a plurality of recording media stored in the recording medium storage unit with an icon;
(3) Click on the icon displayed on the LCD with a pen, etc.
When clicked for the first time, the ID information, title information, index information, etc. of the recording medium corresponding to the icon are read from the recording medium and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit.
When clicked for the second time and thereafter, the information display unit reads out the ID information, title information, index information, etc. of the card corresponding to the icon from the storage unit and displays it on the liquid crystal display unit.
[0015]
The present invention also includes a card and an extraction device that allow the user to check the contents of the card without inserting the card into the device and extract a specific card from a plurality of cards. Electronic card system. According to the prior art, when the number of cards to be managed increases, it is difficult to find a necessary card from among them. For example, the available capacity of a card cannot be known without inserting the card into a device such as a personal computer, and it takes time to identify the card with the smallest available capacity from a plurality of cards. Thus, according to the prior art, it is difficult to immediately search for a card containing specific data or a card with a large free space. The present invention solves such a problem.
[0016]
The present invention can supply power to an electronic card that can receive power supply without contacting other devices and has a rewritable memory function, and can hold power inside the electronic card. In the electronic card system including the extraction device, the electronic card can alert the user with a message transmitted from the extraction device.
[0017]
Specifically, the electronic card receives data transmitted from the extraction device. Next, the electronic card returns data held by the electronic card itself, for example, the electronic card name, remaining capacity, owner name, etc. to the extraction device. Based on the extraction criteria selected by the user, the extraction device identifies the electronic card. Next, the extraction device transmits an extraction message together with the card ID to the specified electronic card. Next, the electronic card that has received the extraction message notifies the user of the extraction using its own functions such as light emission, vibration, and voice output.
[0018]
In addition, the present invention can supply power to an electronic card having a rewritable memory function that can be supplied with power without contacting other devices, and holding the power inside. An electronic card system comprising an extraction device capable of holding an information display unit, wherein information of the electronic card, for example, card ID, title information, remaining capacity, etc. is displayed on the information display unit.
[0019]
Here, the electronic card receives the data transmitted from the extraction device, returns the information of the electronic card to the extraction device, and the extraction device displays the information of the electronic card on the information display unit.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1. First embodiment
A memory card holder 10 as one embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
1.1 Memory card holder 10
The memory card holder 10 is a notebook type holding device for holding up to five memory cards as shown in FIG. The memory card holder 10 includes an input display unit 10a, a connection unit 10b, and a card holding unit 10c, and the input display unit 10a and the card holding unit 10c are connected by a connection unit 10b. The connection part b can be bent, and the card holding part 10c covers the surface of the input display part 10a by bending the connection part 10b.
[0021]
Normally, as shown in FIG. 1, the memory card holder 10 is used by a user with the input display unit 10a and the card holding unit 10c open.
The card holding portion 10c includes five card connecting portions 111 to 115 on the side surface thereof, and one memory card is inserted into each card connecting portion, and the inserted memory card and the memory card holder 10 are connected to each other. Electrically connected. In this figure, memory cards 21 to 22 are inserted and connected to the card connection portions 111 to 112, respectively. No memory card is inserted in the card connection portions 113 to 115.
[0022]
The input display unit 10a has an input unit 101 including a numeric keypad, a power ON / OFF key, a selection / decision key, a cursor movement key, and other keys on the front surface thereof, and displays information on a liquid crystal and operates And a touch panel type display unit 102 that receives an operation from the user by the pen 30.
As shown in a block diagram in FIG. 2, the memory card holder 10 includes an input unit 101, a display unit 102, an authentication unit 103, a control unit 104, an information storage unit 105, and card connection units 111 to 115.
[0023]
Specifically, the memory card holder 10 is a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, a liquid crystal display unit, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM. The memory card holder 10 achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.
[0024]
(1) Information storage unit 105
As illustrated in FIG. 3 as an example, the information storage unit 105 includes an area for storing a device password and medium information areas 151 to 155.
The device password is a password uniquely set for the memory card holder 10 and is written in the area in advance.
[0025]
Here, the device password is used by only a user who knows the device password (usually the owner of the memory card holder) to permit the use of the memory card holder. A third party who does not know the device password cannot illegally use the memory card holder.
The medium information areas 151 to 155 correspond to the card connection units 111 to 115, respectively, for storing various information stored in the memory card inserted and connected to the card connection units 111 to 115. It is an area.
[0026]
As shown in this figure, the medium information area 151 includes a partial area for storing a medium ID, medium type information, medium name, medium icon information, and other information not shown.
The same applies to the medium information areas 152 to 155.
(2) Display unit 102
The display unit 102 includes a dual-structure panel that includes a liquid crystal panel that displays information using liquid crystal and a touch panel that is provided on the upper surface and detects a contact position by contact. A screen 161 and a screen 171 are displayed under the control of the control unit 104.
[0027]
In addition, when a part of the screen is pressed by the user using the operation pen 30, the display unit 102 displays instruction information corresponding to the image or character string displayed at the pressed position. Output to.
(Screen 161)
The screen 161 includes slot icons 161a, 161b,..., 161e, a medium information display screen 161f, a search button 161g, and an end button 161h.
[0028]
The slot icons 161a, 161b,..., 161e correspond to the card connection units 111 to 115, respectively, and indicate whether or not a memory card is inserted and electrically connected to the card connection units 111 to 115. Show.
Various slot icons that may be displayed on the screen 161 are shown in FIG. 5 along with their meanings.
[0029]
The slot icon I101 shown in this figure indicates that no memory card is inserted into the corresponding card connection unit. The slot icon I102 indicates that a memory card is inserted into the corresponding card connection unit and is electrically connected.
Further, the slot icon I103 indicates that the authentication has failed in the mutual device authentication between the memory card and the memory card holder 10 for the memory card inserted and connected to the corresponding card connection unit. .
[0030]
Further, when the slot icon I101 and the slot icon I102 are repeatedly displayed in a short time, the slot icon blinks. The meaning of the blinking of the slot icon will be described later.
Each of the slot icons I104 to I106 is a medium icon stored in advance in a memory card that is inserted and connected to a corresponding card connection unit. The slot icons I104 to I106 are displayed only for a special memory card in which the memory card itself stores the slot icon. The slot icon I102 is a standard icon displayed when the memory card inserted and connected to the corresponding card connection unit does not store the medium icon by itself.
[0031]
In the first embodiment, the case where icons are stored in advance in the memory card is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the memory card holder stores a typical card type dedicated icon in advance, and when the card is connected to the connection unit, the dedicated icon for the card is displayed instead of the standard icon. You may do it.
[0032]
The medium information display screen 161f displays various types of information stored in the memory card of the connected memory card selected by the user. As shown in FIG. 4, the medium information display screen 161f is composed of five display items and a scroll bar. The information displayed in the five display items is only five items of medium ID, medium type information, medium name, medium update date, and medium title as shown in this figure as an example. The information stored in the memory card includes other information. Display of these other information on the medium information display screen 161f is performed by operating a scroll bar using the operation pen 30. Since the scroll bar is often used on a screen of a personal computer or the like and is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0033]
The search button 161g is operated by the user to start a search process described later.
The end button 161h is operated by the user to end the processing by the memory card holder 10 and turn off the power.
(Screen 171)
As shown in FIG. 6 as an example, the screen 171 includes slot icons 171a, 171b,..., 171e and a search item input screen 171f.
[0034]
Slot icons 171a, 171b, ..., 171e are the same as the slot icons 161a, 161b, ..., 161e shown in Fig. 4, respectively. However, among the slot icons 171a, 171b,..., 171e, the slot icons 171a and 171c each indicate that they are blinking. These blinks indicate that the corresponding memory card is determined to meet the search condition by the search process described later.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 6, the search item input screen 171f is composed of search condition input parts 171j, 171k and 171m, a search start button 171g, an end button 171h, and a matching number display area 171i, and the search condition input part 171j. Includes a search item selection unit, a search keyword input unit, and a search method selection unit.
The search item selection unit includes a search item input area 171p and a menu display button 171q. The search item input area 171p is for designating information stored in the memory card, and the user selects one from the medium ID, medium type information, medium name, and other information. The menu display button 171q is operated to display a menu 171r including options such as medium ID, medium type information, medium name, and other information. When the menu 171r is displayed, the user selects one from the options constituting the menu 171r.
[0036]
The search keyword input unit is an area that accepts input of one or more character strings to be searched from the user.
The search method selection unit accepts an input of “AND condition” or “OR condition” by the user. The “AND condition” or “OR condition” indicates a condition when two or more character strings are received in the search keyword input unit.
[0037]
Specifically, when “medium ID” is selected in the search item selection unit, “SD0001 SD0002” is input in the search keyword input unit, and “OR” is selected in the search method selection unit,
It is assumed that the search condition “search ID =“ SD0001 ”OR search ID =“ SD0002 ”” is designated.
[0038]
The search condition input units 171k and 171m are the same as the search condition input unit 171j, and each include a search item selection unit, a search keyword input unit, and a search method selection unit.
For example, when search conditions are selected and input in the search condition input unit 171j and the search condition input unit 171k, respectively,
"Search conditions selected and input by the search condition input unit 171j"
AND It is assumed that “search condition selected and input by the search condition input unit 171k” is designated.
[0039]
The same applies when search conditions are selected and input in the search condition input unit 171j to the search condition input unit 171m, respectively.
The search start button 171g is operated by the user and used to start a search process based on the search conditions selected and input as described above.
The end button 171h is operated by the user and used to end the search process.
[0040]
The number-of-matches display area 171i displays the number of memory cards that match the search conditions selected and input as a result of the search performed by the search process.
(3) Card connection units 111 to 115
The card connection unit 111 accommodates and holds a memory card. The accommodated memory card is electrically connected to the memory card holder 10. The user inserts a memory card into the card connection unit 111 and connects it. When the memory card is connected, the card connection unit 111 reads various information from the memory card under the control of the control unit 104, and outputs the read information to the control unit 104.
[0041]
Since the card connection units 112 to 115 are the same as the card connection unit 111, the description thereof is omitted here.
(4) Input unit 101
The input unit 101 includes a numeric keypad, a power ON / OFF key, a selection determination key, a cursor movement key, and other keys. A numeric keypad, a power ON / OFF key, a selection determination key, a cursor movement key, and other keys are operated by the user and output instruction information corresponding to each key to the control unit 104.
[0042]
(5) Authentication unit 103
The authentication unit 103 performs challenge-response type device authentication with the memory card connected to the card connection unit 111 under the control of the control unit 104. Since challenge-response type device authentication is publicly known, a description thereof will be omitted.
[0043]
The authentication unit 103 also performs challenge-response type device authentication between the memory cards connected to the card connection units 112 to 115 under the control of the control unit 104 in the same manner as described above.
(6) Control unit 104
The control unit 104 controls the input unit 101, the display unit 102, the authentication unit 103, the information storage unit 105, and the card connection units 111 to 115. Details of the control will be described later.
[0044]
1.2 Memory card 21
As shown in FIG. 7, the memory card 21 includes an input / output unit 201, an authentication unit 202, and an information storage unit 203.
(1) Input / output unit 201
When the memory card 21 is inserted into each card connection part of the memory card holder 10, the card connection part and the input / output part 201 are electrically connected.
[0045]
The input / output unit 201 reads out information stored at a designated position in the information storage unit 203 under the control of the external device to which the memory card 21 is connected, here, the memory card holder 10, and sends it to the external device. The information is output or received from the external device, and the received information is stored in a designated position in the information storage unit 203.
[0046]
(2) Authentication unit 202
The authentication unit 202 performs challenge-response type device authentication with the external device to which the memory card 21 is connected. Since challenge-response type device authentication is publicly known, a description thereof will be omitted.
(3) Information storage unit 203
As shown in FIG. 8, the information storage unit 203 includes a general area 221, a secure area 222, and a management area 223.
[0047]
(General area 221)
The general area 221 is an area in which information can be written to and read from the general area 221 even if the device has no special permission.
As shown in FIG. 8 as an example, the general area 221 stores one or more encrypted contents, one or more contents, and index information respectively corresponding to these encrypted contents and contents. The index information includes a content ID, a content title, an information type, a creation date, an update date, and the like as shown as an example in this figure.
[0048]
Content consists of music, video, and other digital information. The encrypted content is obtained by encrypting content composed of music, video, and other digital information using a predetermined encryption algorithm.
The content ID is an identifier for identifying the content. The content title is information indicating the content. The information type indicates the type of content. For example, the distinction between music information, video information, character information, and the like is shown. The creation date indicates the date and time when the content was generated. The update date indicates the date and time when the content was updated.
[0049]
(Secure area 222)
The secure area 222 allows reading and writing of information only to the external device only when mutual device authentication is successful between the external device accessing the memory card 21 and the memory card 21. It is an area.
As an example, the secure area 222 stores one or more decryption keys as shown in FIG. These decryption keys are used when decrypting the encrypted content stored in the general area 221.
[0050]
(Management area 223)
The management area 223 is an area where only a specially authorized external device is permitted to access.
The management area 223 stores a medium password, medium ID, medium type information, manufacturer name, medium name, owner name, medium creation date, medium update date, medium icon information, and medium title as shown in FIG. 8 as an example. is doing.
[0051]
The medium password is for restricting access to the memory card 21. The medium password is used to permit only a user who knows the same password as the medium password to access the memory card 21.
The medium ID is an identification number unique to the memory card 21. The medium type information is information for identifying the type of the memory card 21. For example, the medium type information indicates whether or not the memory card 21 is a type that performs mutual device authentication with a partner external device to which the memory card is connected. The medium type information indicates whether or not the memory card 21 is a type that requests the user to input a password when connected to an external device. At this time, the medium type information indicates whether it is a password confirmation type using a medium password stored in the memory card or a password confirmation type using an apparatus password stored in an external device.
[0052]
The manufacturer name is a name indicating the manufacturer of the memory card 21, the medium name is a name indicating the memory card 21, and the owner name is a name indicating the owner of the memory card 21. The medium creation date indicates the date when information is first written to the memory card 21, and the medium update date indicates the date when information is last written to the memory card 21. The medium icon information is a medium icon specific to the type to which the memory card 21 belongs, and the medium title is information indicating the contents of the memory card 21.
[0053]
In the first embodiment, the case where the information storage unit includes a general area, a secure area, and a management area is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information storage unit may include a general area and a secure area. In this case, the information stored in the management information is recorded in the secure area.
1.3 Memory cards 22-25
The memory card 22 has the same configuration as that of the memory card 21 and includes an input / output unit similar to the input / output unit 201 shown in FIG. 7 and an information storage unit similar to the information storage unit 203. . The authentication unit 202 is not included.
[0054]
The information storage unit included in the memory card 22 includes a general area similar to the general area 221 shown in FIG. 8 and a management area similar to the management area 223. The secure area 222 is not included.
The memory cards 23 to 24 have the same configuration as the memory card 21. The memory card 25 has the same configuration as the memory card 22.
[0055]
1.4 Operation of memory card holder 10
The operation of the memory card holder 10 will be described.
(1) Overall operation of the memory card holder 10
Here, the overall operation of the memory card holder 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0056]
When the user turns on the power, the memory card holder 10 performs a process immediately after the power is turned on (step S101).
Next, the display unit 102 or the input unit 101 receives selection of an icon operated by the user, and outputs icon information corresponding to the received icon to the control unit 104 (step S102).
Next, the control unit 104 receives the icon information and determines whether the received icon information indicates a slot icon, a search icon, an end icon, or another icon. When the slot icon is indicated (step S103), the control unit 104 processes the slot (step S104), and then returns to step S102 to repeat the process.
[0057]
When the search icon is indicated (step S103), the control unit 104 performs a search process (step S105), and then returns to step S102 to repeat the process.
When other icons are indicated (step S103), the control unit 104 performs other processing (step S106), and then returns to step S102 to repeat the processing.
[0058]
When the end icon is indicated (step S103), the memory card holder 10 ends the process and turns off the power.
(2) Operation immediately after power ON
Here, the operation immediately after the memory card holder 10 is turned on will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation described below is the details of step S101 in the flowchart of FIG.
[0059]
When the user turns on the power, the process from step S111 to step S121 is repeated for each of the five slots into which the memory cards are inserted, that is, the card connection units 111 to 115.
The card connection unit determines whether or not a memory card is inserted and connected to the card connection unit, and if not inserted (step S112), the display position of the slot icon corresponding to the card connection unit A slot icon indicating that a memory card is not inserted is displayed (step S123), and all information written in the medium information area corresponding to the card connection unit is erased (step S124). The process relating to the part is terminated.
[0060]
When a memory card is inserted and connected to the card connection unit (step S112), the control unit 104 connects to the card connection unit via the card connection unit and the input / output unit of the memory card. The medium type information is acquired from the management area of the connected memory card (step S113), and using the acquired medium type information, it is determined whether or not the memory card is an authentication type indicating that mutual authentication is performed. to decide.
[0061]
When the control unit 104 determines that it is an authentication type (step S114), mutual authentication is performed (step S115). When authentication success information indicating successful authentication is received from the authentication unit 103 (step S116), the control unit 104 uses the acquired medium type information to determine whether or not the memory card is a password type for confirmation by a password. to decide.
[0062]
When it is determined that it is not the password type (step S117), the control unit 104 receives various information from the memory card connected to the card connection unit via the card connection unit and the input / output unit of the memory card. Acquired (step S118), and the acquired various information is written in the medium information area corresponding to the card connection unit (step S119). Next, the control unit 104 displays a slot icon indicating insertion of a memory card at the display position of the slot icon corresponding to the card connection unit (step S120), and ends the processing related to the card connection unit.
[0063]
When the control unit 104 determines that it is not the authentication type (step S114), the control is transferred to step S117 without performing mutual authentication.
When the authentication failure information indicating the authentication failure is received from the authentication unit 103 (step S116), the control unit 104 displays the slot icon indicating the authentication failure at the display position of the slot icon corresponding to the card connection unit (step S122). ), The processing relating to the card connection unit is terminated.
[0064]
When the control unit 104 determines that it is a password type (step S117), the control is transferred to step S120 without acquiring various information from the memory card.
As described above, it is determined whether or not a memory card is inserted into the card connection section. When a memory card is inserted and connected, a slot icon indicating insertion is displayed and connected. If there is no slot icon, a slot icon indicating non-insertion is displayed.
[0065]
(3) Slot processing
Here, processing of a slot when a slot icon is selected by the user will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The operation described below is the details of step S104 in the flowchart of FIG.
[0066]
The control unit 104 checks whether or not a memory card is connected to the card connection unit corresponding to the slot icon for which the selection has been received (step S141).
When determining that the memory card is connected (step S142), the control unit 104 acquires medium type information from the management area of the memory card via the card connection unit and the input / output unit of the memory card. Then, using the acquired medium type information, it is determined whether or not the memory card is an authentication type indicating that mutual authentication is performed (step S144).
[0067]
When the control unit 104 determines that it is an authentication type (step S144), mutual authentication is performed (step S145). When authentication success information indicating successful authentication is received from the authentication unit 103 (step S146), password confirmation is performed (step S147). When the passwords match or when the password is not confirmed (step S148), the control unit 104 acquires the medium ID from the memory card via the card connection unit and the input / output unit of the memory card (step S153). ), The medium ID is read from the corresponding medium information area in the information storage unit 105 (step S154), and it is determined whether the medium ID acquired from the memory card matches the medium ID read from the medium information area (step S154). Step S155).
[0068]
When the control unit 104 determines that it is not the authentication type (step S144), the control is transferred to step S147.
When determining that both the medium IDs match (step S155), the control unit 104 reads the stored information from the medium information area.
When determining that the two medium IDs do not match (step S155), the control unit 104 acquires various information from the memory card (step S156), and writes the acquired various information in the information area (step S157). ).
[0069]
Next, the control unit 104 outputs various types of information read from the medium information area or various types of information acquired by the memory card to the display unit 102. The display unit 102 displays various types of information according to the format of the screen 161 illustrated in FIG. Is displayed (step S158). Next, the read various information or the medium icon information included in the acquired various information is output to the display unit 102, and the display unit 102 receives the medium icon information, and the received medium icon information corresponds to the screen 161. The position is displayed (step S159), and the process ends.
[0070]
If the passwords do not match (step S148), the control unit 104 outputs a message indicating that the passwords do not match to the display unit 102, and the display unit 102 receives the message and displays the received message (step S148). S149), the process is terminated.
Upon receiving authentication failure information indicating authentication failure from the authentication unit 103 (step S146), the control unit 104 displays a slot icon indicating authentication failure at the display position of the slot icon corresponding to the card connection unit, and controls it. The unit 104 outputs a message indicating authentication failure to the display unit 102. The display unit 102 receives the message, displays the received message (step S150), and ends the process.
[0071]
When determining that the memory card is not connected (step S142), the control unit 104 outputs a slot icon indicating that no message card is inserted to the display unit 102, and the display unit 102 receives the slot icon. The received slot icon is displayed at the corresponding position on the screen 161 (step S151), and the information stored in the corresponding medium information area is deleted (step S152), and the process is terminated.
[0072]
(4) Mutual authentication operation
Here, the mutual authentication operation performed between the memory card holder 10 and the authentication type memory card will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation described below is details of step S115 in the flowchart of FIG. 10 and details of step S145 in the flowchart of FIG.
[0073]
The authentication unit 103 of the memory card holder 10 authenticates the memory card (step S171). If the authentication is successful (step S172), the memory card authentication unit 202 authenticates the memory card holder 10 (step S173). If the authentication is successful (step S174), the authentication unit 103 outputs authentication success information indicating the authentication success to the control unit 104 (step S175).
[0074]
When the authentication fails (step S172 or step S174), the authentication unit 103 outputs authentication failure information indicating the authentication failure to the control unit 104 (step S176).
(5) Password confirmation operation
Here, the password confirmation operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation described below is the details of step S147 in the flowchart of FIG.
[0075]
Using the acquired medium type information, the control unit 104 determines whether or not the memory card is a type for confirming a password. If it is the type for confirming the password, it is further determined whether the type is for confirming with the device password or the type for confirming with the medium password (step S191).
When the password is not checked (step S191), the control unit 104 outputs information indicating that the password is not checked (step S200), and ends the process.
[0076]
In the case of the type for performing confirmation by the medium password (step S191), the control unit 104 acquires the medium password from the memory card via the card connection unit and the input / output unit of the memory card (step S192) and uses it. An input password is received from the user (step S193), and it is determined whether or not the acquired medium password matches the input password received (step S194).
[0077]
When it is determined that they match (step S194), the control unit 104 outputs information indicating that the passwords match (step S198), and ends the process.
When determining that they do not match (step S194), the control unit 104 outputs information indicating password mismatch (step S199), and ends the process.
In the case of a type that performs confirmation using a device password (step S191), the control unit 104 reads out the device password from the information storage unit 105 (step S195), receives an input of the input password from the user (step S196), and reads out. It is determined whether or not the device password matches the input password that has received the input (step S197).
[0078]
When determining that they match (step S197), the control unit 104 outputs information indicating that the passwords match (step S198), and ends the process.
When determining that they do not match (step S197), the control unit 104 outputs information indicating password mismatch (step S199), and ends the process.
(6) Search processing operation
Here, the operation of the search process will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation described below is the details of step S105 in the flowchart of FIG.
[0079]
The control unit 104 generates a search item input screen 171f, and outputs the generated search item input screen 171f to the display unit 102. The display unit 102 receives the search item input screen 171f and displays the received search item input screen 171f. It is displayed (step S211).
Next, the control unit 104 ends the search process when information indicating the end of the search process is received from the input unit 101 or the display unit 102 (step S212).
[0080]
In other cases (step S212), the control unit 104 receives input of a search item, a search keyword, and a search method from the input unit 101 or the display unit 102 (step S213), and performs a search from the user from the input unit 101 or the display unit 102. The input of the start button 171g is received (step S214), the search condition is generated using the search item, the search keyword, and the search method that have received the input (step S215), and from the memory card connected to each card connection unit, A memory card storing information that matches the generated search condition is searched (step S216), and the number of memory cards that match the search condition is output to the display unit 102, and the display unit 102 receives the number of cases. The number of matches received in the match count display area 171i is displayed (step S2). 7).
[0081]
Next, the control unit 104 blinks and displays a slot icon connected with a memory card that matches the search condition. That is, the slot icons I101 and I102 are alternately displayed every 0.5 seconds (step S218).
Next, the control unit 104 accepts selection of a slot icon from the input unit 101 or the display unit 102 (step S219), and processes the slot for the accepted slot icon (step S220). Next, it returns to step S211 and repeats a process.
[0082]
Here, the slot processing in step S220 is the same processing as step S104 in the flowchart of FIG.
(7) Processing when removing the memory card
The memory card can be taken out from the memory card holder by the following procedure.
[0083]
When taking out the memory card from the memory card holder, it can be taken out by an operation using an icon to be described later or by pressing a memory card take-out switch. Here, the memory card removal switch is the same as the mechanism for removing the PC card from a normal notebook personal computer.
Further, the operation using icons is as follows.
[0084]
An icon indicating a trash can is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. By dragging and dropping a card icon to the trash box, a memory card corresponding to the icon can be taken out. This is also similar to a mechanism for taking out a PC card from a normal notebook personal computer.
When removing a memory card, if the memory card is a type that requires the user to enter a password, the memory card removal process is performed regardless of whether the type uses a media password or the type that uses a device password. Prior to this, the memory card holder requests input of a password, and if the input password does not match the medium password or the device password, the memory card holder is locked so that the memory card cannot be removed. This is to prevent a third party from taking out the memory card illegally when the memory card holder is lost.
[0085]
1.5 Other variations
The memory card holder 10 has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The following cases are also included in the present invention.
(1) Memory card holder 100b
The memory card holder 100b has the same internal configuration as the memory card holder 10, but is different from the memory card holder 10 in appearance.
[0086]
As shown in the external view of FIG. 16, the memory card holder 100b includes a display unit 102b and an input unit 101b on the front side. Further, in the side surface portion 103b, five card connecting portions 111b to 115b and five card connecting portions 116b to 120b are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction.
Further, in the region from the side surface portion 103b in the display unit 102b, five slot icons 121b to 125b and five slot icons 126b to 130b are displayed in parallel in the longitudinal direction.
[0087]
The five card connection portions 111b to 115b and the five card connection portions 116b to 120b correspond to the five slot icons 121b to 125b and the five slot icons 126b to 130b, respectively.
(2) The memory card holder 10 is connected to a Web server device via the Internet, and the Web server device stores slot icons of various shapes in advance. In response to a user request, the memory card holder 10 acquires a slot icon desired by the user from the Web server device via the Internet, and writes the acquired slot icon in the information storage unit 105. The slot icon acquired via the Internet and written in the information storage unit 105 is used by the memory card holder 10 as a slot icon indicating that a memory card is inserted instead of the slot icon I102. Also, it is used as a substitute for the slot icon that is uniquely stored in the memory card.
[0088]
(3) Although the independent type memory card holder has been described in the first embodiment and the other modification (1), the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the additional function of the mobile phone may be of a composite type having the function provided in the memory card holder described in the first embodiment.
(4) In the first embodiment, the case where authentication by password is used is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of authentication using a password, authentication using biological characteristic information of a user such as a fingerprint or an iris can be used. Further, an authentication device can be used instead of the authentication using the device password. In this case, the authentication device is attached to the memory card holder, and when the authentication device is attached, the memory card holder can be used for the first time.
[0089]
2. Second embodiment
An extraction device 50 as another embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
2.1 Extractor 50
The extraction device 50 can confirm the information stored in the memory card without the user inserting a memory card into the extraction device 50, and can also specify a specific information desired by the user from a plurality of memory cards. It is a device that makes it possible to extract the card.
[0090]
FIG. 17 shows an exploded view of the extraction device 50 before assembly. As shown in FIG. 17, the extraction device 50 includes a lid 50a and a main body 50b. The lid 50a is attached to and joined to the main body 50b so as to cover the main body 50b.
The main body 50b includes 100 communication unit storage chambers 50c, 50d, ..., 50e, ..., 50f and a control circuit storage chamber 50g. 100 f of communication unit storage chambers 50c, 50d,..., 50e,..., 50f are arranged at positions corresponding to each element of a matrix of 10 rows × 10 columns.
[0091]
100 f of communication unit storage chambers 50c, 50d,..., 50e,..., 50f are orthogonal to the nine partition plates provided in parallel at equal intervals, respectively. Similarly, it is formed by being divided into a lattice shape by nine partition plates provided so as to be parallel to each other at equal intervals. The interval between adjacent partition plates is about 30 mm.
[0092]
The communication unit storage chamber 50e has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a width of about 30 mm, a depth of about 30 mm, and a depth of about 20 mm. In the communication unit storage chamber 50e, an electric current is passed through an antenna 501a formed in a loop coil shape. The antenna 501a is installed so that the direction of the magnetic flux generated sometimes is orthogonal to the bottom surface of the main body 50b, and the optical axis is perpendicular to the bottom surface in the center of the communication unit storage chamber 50e, so that the light is transmitted. A light emitting diode (LED) 501b is installed so as to be irradiated in the direction opposite to the bottom surface. Also in the other communication unit storage chambers, an antenna and an LED are installed as in the communication unit storage chamber 50e.
[0093]
A display unit 512, an input unit 513, and a control unit 511 are installed in the control circuit storage chamber 50g.
The lid portion 50a is positioned at each position corresponding to the central portion of each communication unit storage chamber so that a light beam emitted from a light emitting diode (LED) provided in each communication unit storage chamber is irradiated to the outside of the extraction device 50. And a circular opening having a diameter of about 5 mm. Further, at each position corresponding to the display unit 512 and the input unit 513, the lid 50a has an opening having a shape corresponding to the external shape of the display unit 512 and the input unit 513.
[0094]
A plurality of memory cards 60a to 60e are placed by the user on the upper surface of the lid 50a. When the memory cards 60a to 60e are placed, the extracting device 50 reads information from the memory card by performing communication with each placed memory card using radio waves, and displays the read information. Further, the LED arranged in the vicinity of the memory card from which the information is read is emitted to notify the user of the correspondence between the displayed information and the memory card. In addition, the read memory card itself emits light, vibrates, or outputs a sound to notify the user of the association.
[0095]
As shown in FIG. 18, the extraction device 50 includes a control unit 511, a display unit 512, an input unit 513, an information storage unit 514, and 100 communication units 501, 502,. ing.
(1) Display unit 512
The display unit 512 has a configuration similar to that of the display unit 102 included in the memory card holder 10 of the first embodiment, and has a double structure including a liquid crystal panel and a touch panel. Further, the same screen as that of the display unit 102 is displayed.
[0096]
(2) Input unit 513
The input unit 513 has the same configuration as the input unit 101 included in the memory card holder 10 of the first embodiment.
(3) Information storage unit 514
The information storage unit 514 has the same configuration as the information storage unit 105 included in the memory card holder 10 of the first embodiment.
[0097]
Further, the information storage unit 514 further includes an ID correspondence table 521 as illustrated in FIG. 19 as an example.
The ID correspondence table 521 includes an area for storing 100 sets of communication unit IDs, medium IDs, and marks.
100 sets correspond to 100 communication units 501, 502,..., 503, respectively.
[0098]
The communication unit ID is an identifier for uniquely identifying the communication units 501, 502,. Specifically, communication unit IDs “1”, “2”, “3”,..., “100” are assigned to 100 communication units 501, 502,. The 100 sets each store communication unit IDs “1”, “2”, “3”,..., “100” in advance.
[0099]
The medium ID is an identifier for identifying the memory card.
The mark indicates a communication unit selected to communicate with the memory card. That is, the communication unit indicated by the communication unit ID included in the set including the mark is selected.
(4) Communication unit 501
The communication unit 501 includes an antenna 501a, an LED 501b, a modem unit 501c, and a drive unit 501d. Since the other communication units have the same configuration, description thereof is omitted here.
[0100]
(Antenna 501a)
The antenna 501a is composed of a conducting wire wound a plurality of times in a loop coil shape, and is connected to the modem unit 501c. The antenna 501a is shared for transmission and reception.
The antenna 501a is a directional antenna that radiates radio waves in a specific direction. A carrier wave carrying a signal is received from the modem unit 501c and radiated as a radio wave to space. The range in which radio waves can be radiated is within about 30 mm from the central portion of the antenna 501a.
[0101]
The antenna 501a receives a radio wave, converts the received radio wave into a power signal, and outputs the power signal to the modem unit 501c.
(Modem 501c)
The modem unit 501c receives a signal (pulse signal wave) from the control unit 511. When the signal is received, the received signal is used as a modulation signal, the amplitude of the 2.4 GHz carrier wave is changed based on the modulation signal, and the carrier wave having the changed amplitude is output to the antenna 501a.
[0102]
Further, the modem unit 501c receives a power signal from the antenna 501a, selects a signal having a frequency of 2.4 GHz from the received power signal, extracts a pulse signal wave from the selected signal, and extracts the extracted pulse signal The signal wave is output to the control unit 511.
(Driver 501d)
The driving unit 501d receives an instruction signal indicating light emission or light extinction from the control unit 511. When the instruction signal is received, the LED 501b is driven and controlled to emit light or turn off based on the received instruction signal.
[0103]
(LED501b)
The LED 501b is a light-emitting diode and emits light and extinguishes under the control of the driving unit 501d.
(5) Control unit 511
Specifically, the control unit 511 includes a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM. The control unit 511 achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.
[0104]
The operation of the control unit 511 will be described later.
2.2 Memory card 60
The memory cards 60a to 60e have the same configuration. Here, the memory card 60 will be described.
As shown in the external view of FIG. 20, the memory card 60 has an antenna 601 and a circuit portion 602 enclosed in a resin molded into a plate shape having a length of 30 mm, a width of 30 mm, and a thickness of 0.5 mm. Is formed. The communicable distance of the memory card 60 is within about 30 mm, and the communication speed is 10 to 20 msec / byte.
[0105]
As shown in FIG. 21, the memory card 60 includes an antenna 601 and a circuit unit 602. The circuit unit 602 includes a modem unit 603, a power source unit 604, an LED 605, a drive unit 606, a control unit 607, and a drive unit. 608, a drive unit 609, a speaker 610, a vibrator 611, and an information storage unit 612 are configured.
(1) Antenna 601
The antenna 601 is the same as the antenna 501 a, is composed of a conducting wire wound a plurality of times in a loop coil shape, and is connected to the modem unit 603 and the power source unit 604. The antenna 601 is shared for transmission and reception.
[0106]
The antenna 601 is a directional antenna that radiates radio waves in a specific direction. A carrier wave carrying a signal is received from the modem unit 603 and radiated as a radio wave to space. The range in which radio waves can be radiated is within about 30 mm from the center of the antenna 601.
Further, the antenna 601 receives radio waves, converts the received radio waves into power signals, and outputs the power signals to the modem unit 603. In addition, the power signal is output to the power supply unit 604.
[0107]
(2) Power supply unit 604
The power supply unit 604 is connected to the antenna 601, receives a power signal from the antenna 601, and accumulates the received power signal as a charge. In addition, power is supplied to each component of the memory card 60.
(3) Drive unit 606
The drive unit 606 receives an instruction signal indicating light emission or light extinction from the control unit 607.
When the instruction signal is received, the LED 605 is driven and controlled to emit light or turn off based on the received instruction signal.
[0108]
(4) LED605
The LED 605 is a light-emitting diode that emits light and extinguishes under the control of the driving unit 606.
(5) Drive unit 608
The drive unit 608 receives an instruction signal indicating voice output or stop from the control unit 607. When the instruction signal is received, an audio signal having a predetermined frequency is output to the speaker 610 based on the received instruction signal.
[0109]
(6) Speaker 610
The speaker 610 receives an audio signal from the drive unit 608, converts it into audio, and outputs it.
(7) Drive unit 609
The drive unit 609 receives an instruction signal indicating the start or stop of vibration from the control unit 607. When the instruction signal is received, the vibrator 611 is driven and controlled to start or stop the vibration based on the received instruction signal.
[0110]
(8) Vibrator 611
The vibrator 611 vibrates or stops under the control of the drive unit 609.
(9) Information storage unit 612
The information storage unit 612 includes a general area and a management area. Here, the general area and the management area store information similar to the information stored in the general area 221 and the management area 223 included in the information storage unit 203 of the memory card 21.
[0111]
(10) Control unit 607
Specifically, the control unit 607 includes a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM. The control unit 607 achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.
[0112]
The operation of the control unit 607 will be described later.
2.3 Communication method between extraction device 50 and memory card 60
A communication method between the extraction device 50 and the memory card 60 when the memory card 60 is placed on the extraction device 50 will be described.
Communication between the extraction device 50 and the memory card 60 is performed in three phases: (a) power supply, (b) communication establishment, and (c) data transmission / reception. Hereinafter, each phase will be described.
[0113]
(A) Power supply phase
The control unit 511 of the extraction device 50 instructs each communication unit to output a power supply radio wave, and each communication unit outputs the radio wave. The antenna 601 of the memory card 60 receives radio waves, and the power supply unit 604 accumulates electric charges and supplies power to each component constituting the memory card 60.
[0114]
The supply of power from the extraction device 50 to the memory card 60 is not limited to this phase, and is also performed in the following phases.
(B) Communication establishment phase
Each communication unit of the extraction device 50 communicates with a maximum of 10 different memory cards via the 10 time-divided communication channels and one control channel in the same time zone. . Each communication channel and control channel includes an uplink channel and a downlink channel, respectively. The upstream channel is used only for transmitting information from the memory card to the extracting device 50, and the downstream channel is used only for transmitting information from the extracting device 50 to the memory card. In the following, for simplification, the uplink channel and the downlink channel are not particularly distinguished. Each upstream channel and each downstream channel has a time width of 50 milliseconds.
[0115]
One communication unit of the extraction device 50 requests the medium ID from the memory card 60 via the control channel. The memory card 60 receives the request for the medium ID via the control channel.
Next, the memory card 60 generates a random number composed of any integer value from 1 to 10, and selects one communication channel indicated by the generated random number. A hash function that generates any integer value from 1 to 10 is applied to the medium ID stored in the information storage unit 612 by the memory card 60 to generate one integer value, and the generated integer One communication channel may be selected using a numerical value.
[0116]
As described above, since one communication channel is selected using any integer value from 1 to 10 randomly generated by the memory card, a plurality of memory cards start communication in the same time zone. The possibility of collision of communication channels to be used is also reduced. In addition, when communication channels collide in multiple memory cards, each memory card generates another random number after the time generated by each random number, and selects the communication channel using the generated random number. To do.
[0117]
Next, the memory card 60 transmits the channel identification number indicating the selected communication channel and the medium ID stored therein to the extraction device 50 via the control channel. The extraction device receives the channel identification number and the medium ID via the control channel.
When one memory card is placed on top of a plurality of communication unit storage chambers arranged close to each other, a plurality of communication units provided in these communication unit storage chambers are connected to the memory. Communicate with the card. At this time, the extraction device 50 selects one communication unit that communicates with the memory card. Details of this selection method will be described later.
[0118]
In this way, a communication channel used between the memory card and the extraction device 50 is established.
(C) Data transmission / reception phase
The memory card 60 and the extraction device 50 transmit and receive data via the communication channel identified by the channel identification number.
[0119]
As described above, communication is performed between the memory card and the extraction device 50 via the ten communication channels and one control channel that are time-divided. Therefore, even when a plurality of 10 or less memory cards are placed on the extraction device 50 stacked, the extraction device 50 can communicate with each memory card.
[0120]
2.4 Operation of communication between extraction device 50 and memory card 60
The communication operation between the extraction device 50 and the memory card 60 when the memory card 60 is placed on the extraction device 50 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
The control unit 511 of the extraction device 50 repeats steps S501 to S509 by the number of communication units included in the extraction device 50, that is, 100 times. In this repetition, the control unit 511 changes the variable i as 1, 2, 3,.
[0121]
The control unit 511 outputs a request instruction for requesting the medium ID to the communication unit indicated by the variable i (Step S502), and the communication unit indicated by the variable i transmits the request instruction by radio waves (Step S502). S503). The control unit 607 of the memory card 60 receives the request instruction via the antenna 601 and the modem unit 603 (step S503), reads the medium ID stored therein (step S504), and sends the request to the drive unit 606. The LED 605 is controlled to emit light, and the LED 605 emits light (step S505). Next, the control unit 607 transmits the read medium ID via radio waves via the modem unit 603 and the antenna 601 (step S506). The communication unit receives the medium ID, outputs the received medium ID to the control unit 511 (step S507), and the control unit 511 sets a combination of the communication unit ID and the received medium ID with the variable i as the communication unit ID. Write to the ID correspondence table 521 (step S508).
[0122]
As described above, a set of a medium ID that identifies a memory card that communicates with each communication unit and a communication unit ID that identifies the communication unit is stored in the ID correspondence table 521.
Next, the control unit 511 extracts all communication unit IDs paired with the medium ID from the ID correspondence table 521 (step S510), and causes the communication unit having the extracted communication unit ID to emit light. Thus, the light emission signal is output (step S511), and each corresponding communication unit causes the LED to emit light (step S513). In addition, a light emission stop signal is output to the communication unit that does not have the extracted communication unit ID so that the LED is turned off (step S512), and the communication unit that has received the light emission stop signal emits light from its own LED. If so, the LED emission is stopped (step S514).
[0123]
As described above, the communication unit in the vicinity where the memory card is placed causes the LED to emit light, and the other communication units are turned off if the LED emits light.
Next, the control unit 511 rearranges each pair stored in the ID correspondence table 521 in the order of the medium ID, and generates a temporary table including the rearranged pair (step S515). One is selected from one or more included groups and marked (step S516). Here, if there are two or more sets including the same medium ID, one memory card is placed above the plurality of communication unit storage rooms arranged close to each other. It will be. A plurality of communication units provided in the communication unit storage chamber communicate with the memory card. In this case, each of these two or more sets includes the medium ID of the one memory card and the communication unit ID of each communication unit. At this time, the communication unit identified by the communication unit ID included in the marked set is selected as one communication unit that communicates with the memory card.
[0124]
Next, the control unit 511 repeats steps S517 to S524 for the communication unit identified by the communication unit ID included in the marked group.
The control unit 511 outputs an information request to the marked communication unit (step S518), and the communication unit transmits the information request by radio waves (step S519). The memory card control unit 607 receives an information request via the antenna 601 and the modem unit 603 (step S519), reads the requested information from the information storage unit 612 (step S520), and modifies and demodulates the read information. The information is transmitted via the unit 603 and the antenna 601 (step S521), the communication unit receives the information (step S521), and outputs the received information to the control unit 511 (step S522). The control unit 511 associates the medium ID with the received information and writes it in the information storage unit 514 (step S523).
[0125]
As described above, the control unit 511 reads information from all the memory cards placed on the extraction device 50, associates the medium ID for identifying the memory card with the read information, and stores the information storage unit 514. Write to.
Next, the control unit 511 generates a medium ID list by extracting only the medium ID from the combination of the medium ID and information written in the information storage unit 514, and outputs the generated medium ID list to the display unit 512. Then, the display unit 512 displays the medium ID list (step S525).
[0126]
Here, when a user's end operation is received by the display unit 512 or the input unit 513 (step S526), the extraction device 50 ends the process and turns off the power.
When the selection of the medium ID is received from the user by the display unit 512 or the input unit 513 (step S527), the display unit 512 or the input unit 513 outputs the selected medium ID to the control unit 511 and the control unit 511. Receives the medium ID, reads the information corresponding to the received medium ID from the information storage unit 514, outputs the read information to the display unit 512, and the display unit 512 displays the information (step S528).
[0127]
Further, the control unit 511 outputs an instruction for blinking the LED to the corresponding communication unit, and outputs an instruction for blinking the LED for the corresponding memory card to the corresponding communication unit (step S529). The communication unit blinks the LED (step S531). Further, the communication unit outputs an instruction to blink the LED to the memory card (step S530). The memory card blinks the LED, vibrates the vibrator, and outputs sound from the speaker (step S532).
[0128]
As described above, the information stored in the memory card selected by the user is displayed on the display unit 512, the LED of the selected memory card is blinked, the vibrator is vibrated, and the sound is output from the speaker. The LED of the extraction device 50 in the vicinity where the memory card is placed blinks. Thus, the user can know the correspondence between the displayed information and the memory card.
[0129]
2.5 Other variations
Although the extraction device 50 has been described above, the present invention is of course not limited to the above embodiment. The following cases are also included in the present invention.
(1) As described in the first embodiment, the extraction device 50 receives an input of a search condition related to a desired memory card from a user, and selects a memory card that satisfies the received search condition on the extraction device 50. It is also possible to identify the plurality of memory cards placed on the memory card and cause the LEDs included in the identified memory card to emit light, and to cause the LEDs included in the extraction device 50 to emit light in the vicinity of the identified memory card.
[0130]
(2) In the extraction device 50 described above, each communication unit is provided in a communication unit storage chamber partitioned by orthogonal partition plates, but may be as follows.
As shown in FIG. 25 (a), the communication unit storage chamber has a plurality of partition plates provided so as to be parallel to each other at equal intervals, and the partition plates each have an angle of 120 degrees. It may be formed by being partitioned into parallelograms by a plurality of partition plates provided in parallel. Thus, an antenna and LED are installed in the center part of the formed communication part storage chamber. In FIG. 25A, the position where the partition plate is installed is indicated by a broken line. The angle is not limited to 120 degrees. Other angles may be used.
[0131]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 25B, the communication unit storage chamber has a plurality of partition plates provided so as to be parallel to each other at equal intervals, and each partition plate has an angle of 120 degrees. Divided into equilateral triangles by a plurality of partition plates provided parallel to the interval and a plurality of partition plates formed at an angle of 60 degrees and parallel to each other at equal intervals May be formed. Thus, an antenna and LED are installed in the center part of the formed communication part storage chamber. In FIG.25 (b), the position where the partition plate is installed is shown with the broken line.
[0132]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 25C, the communication unit storage chamber may be formed by being partitioned into a hexagonal shape by a plurality of partition plates provided in a honeycomb shape. Thus, an antenna and LED are installed in the center part of the formed communication part storage chamber. In FIG.25 (c), the position in which the partition plate is installed is shown with the broken line.
[0133]
(3) The above-described extraction device 50 reads information from a memory card freely arranged by the user without limiting the position on the upper surface thereof. Good.
As shown in FIG. 26, the extraction device 70 is provided with nine concave portions 711 to 719 at positions corresponding to the respective elements of the matrix of 3 rows × 3 columns on the upper surface. The card is received and formed into a concave shape similar to the shape of the memory card. A user stores a memory card in each recess. In addition, in the upper surface portion of the extraction device 70, nine LEDs 711a to 719a are provided on the convex portions excluding the concave portions, corresponding to the nine concave portions 711 to 719, respectively.
[0134]
Further, as shown in FIG. 27, through holes 731 and 732 are formed in each of the side surface 721 of the recess 714 and the side surface 722 at a position facing the side surface 721, and the light emitting element 714 b is provided inside the side surface 721. The light receiving element 714c is provided inside the side surface 722. The light emitting element 714b irradiates light to the light receiving element 714c through the through holes 731 and 732. A communication unit including a coiled antenna is provided inside the bottom surface of the recess 714.
[0135]
Here, FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the extraction device 70 with a cutting plane that is between the bottom surface of the recess 714 and the top surface of the extraction device and is parallel to the bottom surface of the recess 714.
The other concave portions are the same as the concave portions 714. In addition, the extraction device 70 has the same configuration as the extraction device 50.
[0136]
When the user places the memory card in the recess 714, the light receiving element 714c detects that the light emitted from the light emitting element 714b is blocked and outputs a signal indicating the blocking to the control unit. Upon receiving the signal, the control unit recognizes that the memory card is stored in the recess 714 and controls the communication unit provided inside the bottom of the recess 714 to communicate with the memory card.
[0137]
In this manner, the extraction device 70 detects the memory card stored in the recess, and performs communication with the memory card by the communication unit provided inside the bottom surface of the recess with the stored memory card. Information is read, the read information is stored and displayed.
(4) You may comprise as follows.
[0138]
A barcode is printed on the surface of the memory card 60. This barcode is formed by converting the medium ID stored in the memory card into a barcode.
The bar code reader optically reads the bar code, converts the read bar code into an original medium ID, and uses the medium ID generated by the conversion to determine the medium ID. A communication unit that identifies a stored memory card, reads information from the identified memory card by radio waves, and a display unit that displays information read from the memory card.
[0139]
(5) Information acquired from the memory card and displayed includes the medium ID, title information, the remaining storage capacity of the memory card, and the like.
(6) An electronic card is placed in a device that also serves as a storage case, and the device accepts an input of a search condition of “large capacity card” from a user through a menu, and extracts an electronic card that satisfies the search condition. Then, the extracted electronic card may emit light.
[0140]
3. Other variations
Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The following cases are also included in the present invention.
(1) The memory card holder may be configured as follows.
[0141]
The memory card holder 85 is a holding device for holding a maximum of five memory cards as shown in FIG.
The memory card holder 85 is used by the user by being connected to the personal computer 80 via the USB cable 811.
The memory card holder 85 includes five card connection portions 851 to 855 on the side surface thereof, and one memory card is inserted into each card connection portion, so that the memory card and the memory card holder 85 are electrically connected. Connected to. In this figure, memory cards 861 to 862 are inserted and connected to card connection portions 851 to 852, respectively. No memory card is inserted in the card connection portions 853 to 855.
[0142]
The personal computer 80 is a computer system including a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, a hard disk unit, a liquid crystal display unit 802, a keyboard unit 801, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM or the hard disk unit. The personal computer 80 achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.
[0143]
The memory card holder 85 corresponds to the card holding unit 10c of the memory card holder 10 shown in FIG. 1, the USB cable 811 corresponds to the connection unit 10b, and the personal computer 80 corresponds to the input display unit 10a.
The memory card holder 85 and the personal computer 80 connected by the USB cable 811 operate in the same manner as the memory card holder 10 shown in FIG.
[0144]
(2) The memory card holder may be configured as follows.
The personal computer 90 is a computer system similar to the personal computer 80 as shown in FIG. The personal computer 90 achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.
[0145]
The personal computer 90 includes five card connection portions 911 to 915 on the side surface thereof, and one memory card is inserted into each card connection portion, so that the memory card and the personal computer 90 are electrically connected. Is done. Thus, the personal computer 90 also serves as a holding device for holding a maximum of five memory cards.
[0146]
In this figure, memory cards 924 to 925 are inserted and connected to card connection portions 914 to 915, respectively. No memory card is inserted in the card connection portions 911 to 913.
The personal computer 90 operates in the same manner as the memory card holder 10 shown in FIG.
[0147]
(3) The present invention may be the method described above. Further, the present invention may be a computer program that realizes these methods by a computer, or may be a digital signal composed of the computer program.
The present invention also provides a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, BD (Blu-ray Disc). ), Recorded in a semiconductor memory or the like. Further, the present invention may be the computer program or the digital signal recorded on these recording media.
[0148]
Further, the present invention may transmit the computer program or the digital signal via an electric communication line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network represented by the Internet, a data broadcast, or the like.
The present invention may be a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory, wherein the memory stores the computer program, and the microprocessor operates according to the computer program.
[0149]
In addition, the program or the digital signal is recorded on the recording medium and transferred, or the program or the digital signal is transferred via the network or the like, and is executed by another independent computer system. It is good.
(4) The above embodiment, part of the above embodiment, and the above modification may be combined.
[0150]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention is a recording medium holder for holding a recording medium, which is readable and writable by electrical connection, and records digital information or digital information and information indicating its contents 1 Holding means for holding at least one recording medium in an electrically connected state, selection means for selecting one recording medium from the recording media held and connected by the holding means, and selection Determining means for determining whether or not access to the digital information recorded on the recorded recording medium is permitted; and when the determining means determines that access is possible, the information is recorded on the selected recording medium. Display means for displaying existing digital information or information indicating the contents thereof.
[0151]
According to this configuration, when it is determined that access is possible, information recorded on the recording medium is displayed, so that when the secret information is recorded on the recording medium, the recording medium can be handled safely. Can do.
Here, the determination means includes an input unit that receives an input of a user password from a user, a password holding unit that holds an apparatus password in advance, and the user password that receives an input. It includes a password determination unit that compares the device password and determines that access is possible if they match.
[0152]
According to this configuration, the device password registered in the recording medium holder is compared with the user password that has been accepted to determine whether access is possible. Access can be granted only to the user.
Here, the recording medium includes a password holding unit that holds a medium password in advance, and the determination unit includes an input unit that receives an input of a user password from a user, and the user password that has received the input. A password determination unit that compares the stored medium password and determines that access is possible if they match.
[0153]
According to this configuration, the medium password registered in the recording medium is compared with the user password that has been accepted, and it is determined whether access is possible. Access can only be granted to known legitimate users.
Here, the display means further displays an icon corresponding to the recording medium held and connected by the holding means, and the selection means displays the user's icon among the icons displayed by the display means. The selection of any one icon is accepted by clicking, and the recording medium corresponding to the icon for which the selection has been accepted is selected.
[0154]
According to this configuration, since the recording medium can be selected by selecting the icon, the recording medium can be easily selected visually.
Here, the recording medium holder further includes a recording unit having an area for temporarily holding information, and the selecting unit further records on the selected recording medium when the recording medium is selected for the first time. When the selected digital information or digital information and information indicating the contents thereof are recorded in the recording means, and the recording medium is selected for the second time or later by the selection means, the display means selects the selected recording medium Instead of displaying the digital information recorded in the information or the information indicating the contents thereof, the digital information recorded in the recording means or the information indicating the contents is displayed.
[0155]
According to this configuration, when the recording medium is selected for the second time or later, the information stored therein is displayed, so that the processing time from the operation to the display can be shortened.
Here, the recording medium holder further records on the recording medium held and connected to the holding means based on the character input means for receiving input of characters and the characters received by the character input means. Search means for searching for digital information that has been recorded and notifying a user of a recording medium on which the digital information that matches the input characters is recorded.
[0156]
According to this configuration, since the user is notified of the recording medium on which the information corresponding to the input character is received, the user can easily find the desired recording medium.
The present invention is also an electronic card system comprising one or more recording media that can be read and written in a non-contact manner using radio waves, and a holding device that holds the recording media. Including information storage means for storing information and transmission / reception means for transmitting the digital information using radio waves, wherein the holding device comprises holding means, control means, and display means, and the holding means is a medium. A holding plane, and a plurality of sets of transmission / reception units and light-emitting units, the medium holding plane is divided into the same number of sections, and each set of transmission / reception units and light-emitting units is installed facing each section, The transmission / reception unit reads digital information from the recording medium using radio waves when the recording medium is held on the medium holding plane so as to cover at least a part of the facing section. Output light information to the control unit, each light emitting unit emits light under the control of the control unit, the control unit receives the digital information, generates display information based on the received digital information, outputs the display information, Control is performed so that the light emitting unit corresponding to the transmission / reception unit that is the output source of the digital information emits light, and the display unit receives display information and displays the received display information.
[0157]
According to this configuration, the user can select a desired information recording medium without taking the trouble of inserting the information recording medium into the extraction device.
Here, the recording medium further includes output means for outputting light emission, vibration, or sound, and the control means further includes, when receiving the digital information, the transmitting / receiving unit and the recording medium using radio waves. Control is performed to output light emission, vibration, or sound to the output means of the recording medium via the transmission / reception means.
[0158]
According to this configuration, since the desired information recording medium outputs light emission, vibration, or sound, the desired information recording medium can be easily identified.
Here, the control means further receives input of search information from the user, specifies digital information that matches the search information that has received the input from the digital information received for each section, and specifies the specified digital information Is controlled so as to emit light to the light emitting portion facing the section holding the recording medium storing the recording medium.
[0159]
According to this configuration, since light is emitted at a position where a desired information recording medium is placed, the user can easily identify the desired information recording medium.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows an external view of a memory card holder 10. FIG.
2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory card holder 10. FIG.
3 shows an example of information stored in an information storage unit 105. FIG.
4 shows a configuration of a screen 161 displayed on the display unit 102. FIG.
FIG. 5 shows the shape of a slot icon along with its meaning.
6 shows a configuration of a screen 171 displayed on the display unit 102. FIG.
7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory card 21. FIG.
8 shows an example of information stored in the information storage unit 203. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline operation of the entire memory card holder 10;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation immediately after the memory card holder 10 is powered on.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing slot processing when a slot icon is selected by a user. Continuing to FIG.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing slot processing when a slot icon is selected by a user. Continuing from FIG.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of mutual authentication performed between the memory card holder 10 and an authentication type memory card.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a password confirmation operation.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation of search processing;
FIG. 16 shows an external view of the memory card holder 100b.
17 shows an exploded view of the extraction device 50. FIG.
18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the extraction device 50. FIG.
FIG. 19 shows a data structure of an ID correspondence table 521 that the information storage unit 514 has.
20 shows an external view of a memory card 60. FIG. Since the antenna 601 and the circuit unit 602 are sealed inside the memory card 60, they cannot actually be seen from the outside. In this drawing, an antenna 601 and a circuit portion 602 are drawn for easy understanding.
21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory card 60. FIG.
22 is a flowchart showing an operation of communication between the extraction device 50 and the memory card 60 when the memory card 60 is placed on the extraction device 50. FIG. Continued to FIG.
23 is a flowchart showing an operation of communication between the extraction device 50 and the memory card 60 when the memory card 60 is placed on the extraction device 50. FIG. Continued to FIG.
24 is a flowchart showing an operation of communication between the extraction device 50 and the memory card 60 when the memory card 60 is placed on the extraction device 50. FIG. It continues from FIG.
FIG. 25 shows the shape of the communication unit storage room.
(A) A parallelogram shape.
(B) An equilateral triangle shape.
(C) It has a honeycomb shape.
FIG. 26 shows an external view of the extraction device 70. FIG.
FIG. 27 shows a part of the AA ′ cross-sectional view of the extraction device 70;
28 shows an external view of a personal computer 80 and a memory card holder 85. FIG.
29 shows an external view of a personal computer 90. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Memory card holder
10a Input display section
10b connection
10c card holder
21-25 Memory card
30 Operation pen
50 Extraction device
50a lid
50b body
60a-60e memory card
70 Extraction device
80 Personal computer
85 Memory card holder
90 Personal computer

Claims (3)

A recording medium holder for holding a recording medium,
Holding means for holding one or more recording media that are readable and writable by electrical connection and that record digital information or digital information and information indicating its contents in an electrically connected state;
A selection input means for receiving an input for selecting a recording medium from a user;
Selection means for selecting one recording medium from among the recording media held and connected by the holding means based on a user input received by the selection input means;
Medium type confirmation means for confirming the medium type of the selected recording medium;
In the medium type confirmation unit, when it is confirmed that the recording medium is an authentication type indicating that mutual authentication is performed, an authentication unit that performs mutual authentication with the selected recording medium;
Determination means for determining whether or not access to the digital information recorded on the selected recording medium is permitted based on the result of the authentication means;
Display means for displaying digital information recorded on the selected recording medium or information indicating the contents when the determination means determines that access is possible ;
The recording medium includes a management area permitted to be accessed only by a specially authorized external device, the management area stores medium type information, and the medium type information is stored in the recording medium. Indicates whether it is a type that performs mutual device authentication with the external device,
The recording medium holder is the external device permitted to access the management area;
The medium type confirmation unit acquires the medium type information from the management area of the recording medium, and uses the acquired medium type information to determine whether the recording medium is a type indicating mutual authentication. A recording medium holder characterized by judging . The recording medium holder further includes:
A password input means for accepting an input password from a user;
Password holding means for holding the device password in advance ;
Prior Symbol medium type checking means, the recording medium, when it is confirmed that the type indicating possible to confirm the device password, the input password is accepted by the input unit, is held in the password holding means Password confirmation means for confirming whether or not the device password matches,
The said determination means determines whether access to the digital information recorded on the selected recording medium is permitted based on the result of the said password authentication means. Recording media holder. The recording medium further includes password holding means for holding a medium password in advance,
The recording medium holder further includes:
A password input means for accepting an input password from a user ;
Prior Symbol medium type checking means, the recording medium, when it is confirmed that the type indicating possible to confirm the medium password, and input the password received by the input means, is held in the password holding means A password confirmation means for confirming whether or not the medium password matches,
The said determination means determines whether access to the digital information recorded on the selected recording medium is permitted based on the result of the said password authentication means. Recording media holder.

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