JP4661425B2 - Non-contact IC card reader device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an IC card reader device that performs contactless communication with an IC card. For example, an ID card, a management card, a commuter pass, a coupon ticket, a cash in an entry / exit management system, an automatic ticket gate system, electronic money, etc. The present invention relates to a non-contact IC card reader device that performs non-contact communication with a non-contact IC card such as a card.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a non-contact IC card reader device that is embedded in a wall surface, a loop antenna for communicating with an IC card, a control unit that performs modulation / demodulation of transmission / reception data, and controls the card reader, and a housing for storing them. Some have a body. And it has the attachment member for embedding and attaching a housing | casing to a wall surface, and the decorative panel which covers an attachment member and protects the front surface is provided.

  In the non-contact IC card reader as described above, a loop antenna for performing communication with the IC card is provided in the housing. In addition, since the size of the housing has to be relatively small with respect to the sizes of the mounting member and the decorative panel, the size of the loop antenna stored in the housing has also been reduced accordingly.

  The size of the loop antenna is an important factor that determines the readable distance of the IC card, and there is a problem in that the readable distance of the IC card is shortened by reducing the size of the loop antenna.

  In addition, when the mounting member is a conductor such as metal, there is a problem in that an eddy current is generated due to an alternating magnetic field generated from the loop antenna, the antenna characteristics are deteriorated, and the reading distance of the IC card is shortened.

  Also, from the aesthetic point of view, the housing including the loop antenna is arranged behind the mounting frame to avoid protrusion from the wall surface, which causes the IC card reading distance from the wall surface to be shortened. ing.

  For example, Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a technique for stably maintaining an antenna mounting method of a non-contact IC card reader device without greatly shifting the positional relationship of the antenna.

  The non-contact IC card reader device of Patent Document 1 transmits an electromagnetic wave from a transmission antenna and receives the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the non-contact IC card with a reception antenna. At least one of these antennas is a coil, and has an insulating substrate for holding the coil, and attachment means for fixing the coil to the substrate. The attachment means is for fixing the coil at a predetermined position of the substrate, and crosses the coil and engages with a through hole provided at the coil arrangement position of the substrate, thereby fixing the coil at the predetermined position.

Also, a non-contact IC card reader device in which a metal body in the vicinity of the surface on the operation surface side of the antenna does not affect the communicable distance of the antenna with respect to the antenna of the wall-contact type non-contact IC card reader device is known. (For example, Patent Document 2). Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which a decorative member is cut so as not to affect the reading distance by a metallic decorative member near the operation surface side surface of the antenna.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-126036 JP-A-4-86974

  According to the non-contact IC card reader device of Patent Document 1, it is disclosed that the antenna can be efficiently fixed. However, in Patent Document 1, in a non-contact IC card reader embedded in a wall surface, the communication distance from the wall surface to the IC card can be extended as much as possible by putting out the antenna as far as possible. There is no mention of enlarging the antenna to make money.

  Patent Document 2 relates to a non-contact IC card reader that does not affect the distance (communication distance) at which an IC card can be read by a metallic decorative member in the vicinity of the operation surface side surface of the antenna. A technique of cutting a decorative member is disclosed. However, there is no description about extending the communicable distance from the wall surface to the IC card as much as possible, or increasing the antenna to increase the communication sensitivity and communicable distance.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. In order to prevent deterioration of antenna characteristics, the communicable distance from the wall surface to the IC card can be extended as much as possible, and the size of the antenna can be increased. An object is to provide a contact IC card reader device.

Noncontact IC card reader of the invention according to claim 1, stores in order to achieve the object as described above, and a radio circuit unit which performs modulation and demodulation of the main control unit and the transmission and reception data for controlling the operation of the entire card reader Urging the housing toward the center side of the opening provided in the central portion of the frame, and a loop antenna that generates an alternating magnetic field for communicating with the non-contact IC card or active tag A non-contact IC card or a mounting frame on which a locking member for locking and holding the housing is formed , a decorative plate, and a base for mounting the decorative plate to a wall surface so as to cover the mounting frame. A non-contact IC card reader device that performs non-contact communication with an active tag ,
The base and the decorative plate can be attached after fixing the mounting frame holding and holding the housing around the hole in the wall surface,
The loop antenna is provided larger than the housing in any one or more of the mounting frame, the decorative plate, and the base in a front- facing view toward the wall surface .

  The invention according to claim 2 is the non-contact IC card reader device according to claim 1, wherein the loop antenna is formed with a conductor pattern by etching or printing.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the non-contact IC card reader device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the loop antenna is in any one or more of the mounting frame made of resin, the decorative plate, or the base. It is provided by being sandwiched.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the non-contact IC card reader device according to the first or second aspect, the loop antenna is integrally formed with one or more of the mounting frame made of resin, the decorative plate, or the base. It is buried by.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the non-contact IC card reader device according to the third or fourth aspect, the loop antenna is provided on the surface of the mounting frame or the decorative plate or the base provided as an internal loop antenna. A second loop antenna different from the internal loop antenna is provided.

  According to the non-contact IC card reader device of claim 1 of the present invention, the size of the antenna, that is, the front dimension (effective transmission / reception area) can be designed to be large regardless of the size of the housing, and the front surface (that is, the housing) Since it is provided on a member disposed near the wall surface, that is, near the IC card, it is possible to improve communication performance such as a communicable distance without causing deterioration of antenna characteristics.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the non-contact IC card reader device of claim 1, an efficient antenna can be manufactured.

  According to the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the non-contact IC card reader device according to claim 1 or 2, the loop antenna is one of at least one of a resin mounting frame, a decorative board, and a base. Since the antenna is not exposed on the surface of the attached member, the antenna can be prevented from being damaged due to disconnection or the like, and the handleability is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effect of the non-contact IC card reader device of claim 1 or 2, the loop antenna is integrated with any one or more of a resin mounting frame, a decorative board, or a base. Since the antenna is embedded by molding, the antenna is not exposed on the surface of the attached member, as in the case of claim 3, so that the antenna can be prevented from being damaged due to disconnection or the like, and the handleability is improved. . Furthermore, since the member to be attached and the antenna are integrally formed, the strength is improved.

  According to the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the effect of the non-contact IC card reader device according to claim 3 or 4, the loop antenna is provided on the surface of the mounting frame or the decorative plate or the base provided as the internal loop antenna. Since the second loop antenna different from the inner loop antenna is provided, the inner loop antenna and the second loop antenna are very close to each other, so that magnetic coupling is strong, Increasing the transmission power by simultaneously transmitting the same two of the second loop antennas, or increasing the reception sensitivity by simultaneously receiving the two of the inner loop antenna and the second loop antenna Can do. Furthermore, if a communication capability detection function for detecting an event in which the internal loop antenna and the second loop antenna are disconnected or the communication capability is lowered is provided in the main body control unit, the internal loop antenna and the second loop antenna When one of the internal loop antenna and the second loop antenna falls into a state in which communication with the IC card is impossible with only one of the antennas, the other internal loop antenna or the second loop antenna is You can also start using it to substitute.

Next, the best mode of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of a non-contact IC card reader device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the non-contact IC card reader device attached to a wall surface, and FIG. It is sectional drawing shown.

  As shown in the figure, a non-contact IC card reader device (hereinafter also simply referred to as an IC card reader device) 1 of the present embodiment includes a loop antenna 2 for supplying power to and communicating with an IC card (not shown). A main body control unit 3 that controls the operation of the entire card reader, a radio circuit unit 4 that modulates and demodulates transmission / reception data, and a housing 5 that stores the main body control unit 3 and the radio circuit unit 4. Furthermore, it has an attachment frame 6 for attaching the housing 5 to the wall surface, a decorative plate (hereinafter also referred to as a decorative panel) 8, and a base 7 for attaching the decorative plate 8 to the wall surface 9.

  The loop antenna 2 is provided on the mounting frame 6 so as to generate an AC magnetic field for feeding and communicating with the IC card. The loop antenna 2 is configured by forming a conductor pattern on a resin substrate surface by etching or printing, and is integrated by adhering the substrate to the mounting frame 6.

  The main body control unit 3 is a part that controls the operation of the entire card reader, and is provided on the substrate and stored in the housing 5. The radio circuit unit 4 performs modulation / demodulation of data transmitted / received to / from the loop antenna 2, and is also provided on the substrate and stored in the housing 5 like the main body control unit 3.

  The housing 5 has a substantially box shape with a claw structure (not shown) that can be locked to the locking member 12 of the mounting frame 6 formed on the surface, and the main body control unit 3 and the radio circuit unit 4 provided on the substrate. The claw structure is housed inside, and the claw structure is fixed to the mounting frame 6 by being locked to the locking member 12 of the mounting frame 6, and most of the claw structure is installed inside the wall surface.

The attachment frame 6 is made of plastic, and has an opening at the center, and forms a locking member 12 that faces the opening and biases toward the center. In this embodiment, the loop antenna 2 is provided on the front side of the mounting frame 6 and connected to the lead wire 11 led out on the back side. The lead wire 11 is connected to the main body control unit 3 in the housing 5, transmits a magnetic signal received by the loop antenna 2 to the main body control unit 3, and conversely, a signal current generated from the main body control unit 3 as a starting point. Is passed through the loop antenna 2. Of course, as described above, demodulating the magnetic signal received by the loop antenna 2 into an electric signal or converting the electric signal generated by the main body control unit 3 into a signal current is a radio that modulates and demodulates transmission / reception data. This is the circuit unit 4 (FIG. 3).
The housing 5 is sandwiched by the locking member 12 and fitted into the opening to be fixed. Further, an insertion hole 13 is provided in a pair of opposing sides of the mounting frame 6 and is used for mounting on the wall surface 9. Then, screws 14 are inserted into the insertion holes 13 to fix the attachment frame 6 to the wall surface 9. A base 7 is provided to fix the decorative panel 8 covering the screw 14 to the mounting frame 6.

  The base 7 has a locking portion that engages with the mounting frame 6 and prevents it from being inadvertently removed, and has an engaging portion 15 that fixes the decorative panel 8.

  In the IC card reader device 1 configured as described above, the housing 5 is fitted to the mounting frame 6, the mounting frame 6 is fixed to the wall surface 9 with screws 14, and the base 7 and the decorative panel 8 are further mounted.

  When the IC card is held over the face of the decorative panel 8 of the non-contact IC card reader device 1, an electric current flows through the antenna of the IC card due to the AC magnetic field generated from the IC card reader device to supply power to the inside of the IC card. Then, the control circuit of the IC card is driven, and the recorded information signal is returned from the IC card and received by the loop antenna 2, and the information signal is demodulated by the wireless circuit unit 4 and determined by the main body control unit 3. Processing is performed to determine whether or not the IC card belongs to a predetermined member, and a predetermined response such as allowing or not permitting the passage is performed, and a processing signal is output to a host device or the like.

If the loop antenna 2 is provided on the mounting frame disposed on the front surface in a larger size than the housing 5 as in the present embodiment, the loop antenna 2 can be disposed closer to the IC card than the case where the loop antenna 2 is disposed inside the housing 5. At the same time, since the loop antenna 2 can be designed to be large and the communication effective area of the loop antenna 2 can be widened, the communication performance can be improved.
(Second embodiment)
4A and 4B are diagrams showing another embodiment of the non-contact IC card reader device according to the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the housing. .

  The IC card reader device of this embodiment is different from the above embodiment in that it is based on a member for attaching a loop antenna. In the non-contact IC card reader device of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same operations as in the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the IC card reader device 1 of the present embodiment has a loop antenna 2 that generates an AC magnetic field for feeding and communicating with an IC card (not shown), and a loop antenna 2 attached thereto. A base 7a, a main body control unit 3 that controls the operation of the entire card reader, a radio circuit unit 4 that modulates and demodulates transmission / reception data, and a housing 5 that stores the main body control unit 3 and the radio circuit unit 4. Furthermore, it has an attachment frame 6 for attaching the housing 5 to the wall surface, and a decorative plate 8 that covers the exposure of the screw on the front surface of the IC card reader device.

  The loop antenna 2 is provided on the base 7a on the IC card reader side. The loop antenna 2 is configured by forming a conductive pattern on a resin substrate surface by etching or printing, and is integrated by adhering the substrate to the base 7a.

When the loop antenna 2 is provided on the base 7a as in the present embodiment, the size of the loop antenna 2 can be made larger than when the loop antenna 2 is provided on the housing, and the loop antenna 2 is mounted on the IC card in front of the mounting frame 6. Since it can be made to oppose near, communication performance can be improved.
(Third embodiment)
5A and 5B are views showing another embodiment of the IC card reader device according to the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the housing.

  The IC card reader device of this embodiment is different from the IC card reader device of the above embodiment in that the member on which the loop antenna is installed is a decorative plate. In the IC card reader device of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same operations as in the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the IC card reader device 1 of the present embodiment has a loop antenna 2 that generates an AC magnetic field for feeding and communicating with an IC card (not shown), and a loop antenna 2 attached thereto. A decorative board 8a, a main body control unit 3 that controls the operation of the entire card reader, a wireless circuit unit 4 that modulates and demodulates transmission / reception data, and a housing 5 that stores the main body control unit 3 and the wireless circuit unit 4. Furthermore, it has the attachment frame 6 for attaching the housing | casing 5 to a wall surface, and the base 7 which attaches the decorative board 8a.

  The loop antenna 2 is provided on the decorative board 8a on the IC card reader side. The loop antenna 2 is configured by forming a conductor pattern on a resin substrate surface by etching or printing, and is integrated by adhering the substrate to the decorative board 8a.

When the loop antenna 2 is provided on the decorative plate 8a as in the present embodiment, the size of the loop antenna 2 can be increased as compared with the case where the loop antenna 2 is provided on the housing, and the loop is provided at the forefront of the base 7 rather than the mounting frame 6. Since the antenna 2 can be opposed to the IC card, communication performance can be improved.
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a view showing a case where the antenna of the non-contact IC card reader device according to the present invention is provided on the mounting frame. FIG. 6 (a) is a perspective view and FIG. 6 (b) is an exploded side view with a part omitted. is there.

  The loop antenna of the IC card reader device of the present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that it is provided by being sandwiched between mounting frames. In the IC card reader device of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same operations as in the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting frame 6a of the present embodiment is made of resin, is composed of a front member 16a and a rear member 17a, and is formed on the substrate between the front member 16a and the rear member 17a. The loop antenna 2 is bonded with the loop antenna 2 interposed therebetween, so that the loop antenna 2 is integrated with the mounting frame 6a.

  The lead wire 11 may be connected to the housing from the outer surface of the rear member 17a by connecting to the loop antenna 2 and passing through the rear member 17a. For this reason, although not illustrated, a small hole through which the lead wire 11 is inserted is formed in the rear member 17a.

When the loop antenna is configured in this way, the loop antenna can be made larger than the front surface dimension of the casing, because the casing size is not limited as compared with the case where the loop antenna is arranged in the casing. Can be placed on the front. Therefore, communication performance can be improved. Furthermore, since the antenna is not exposed on the surface of the mounting frame integrated antenna 6a, it is possible to prevent the antenna pattern from being damaged due to disconnection or the like, and the handleability of the mounting frame integrated antenna is improved.
(Fifth embodiment)
7A and 7B are diagrams showing a case where the antenna of the non-contact IC card reader device according to the present invention is provided on the mounting frame. FIG. 7A is a perspective view, and FIG. .

  The loop antenna of the IC card reader device of this embodiment is different from the above embodiment in that it is provided by integral molding with the mounting frame. In the IC card reader device of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same operations as in the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the mounting frame 6b of the present embodiment is formed integrally with the loop antenna 2 by being integrally formed with the loop antenna 2 formed on the substrate from resin.

  The lead wire 11 may be connected to the housing from the rear surface of the mounting frame 6b by connecting to the loop antenna 2 and passing through the mounting frame 6b. For this reason, although not shown, a small hole through which the lead wire 11 is inserted is formed in the rear surface of the mounting frame 6b.

When configured in this manner, the loop antenna can be enlarged and disposed more in front because the size of the casing is not limited as compared with the case where the loop antenna is configured in the casing. Therefore, communication performance can be improved. Further, since the antenna is not exposed on the surface of the mounting frame integrated antenna 6b, it is possible to prevent the antenna from being damaged due to disconnection or the like, and the handleability of the mounting frame integrated antenna 6b is improved. Furthermore, since the mounting frame integrated antenna 6b is integrally molded, the strength is improved.
(Sixth embodiment)
In particular, the loop antenna embedded in the member by bonding as shown in FIG. 6 or the loop antenna embedded in the member by integral molding as shown in FIG. 7 is referred to as an internal loop antenna. Then, a second loop antenna different from the inner loop antenna may be provided on the surface of the mounting frame or the decorative plate or the base provided with the inner loop antenna (not shown).

  The internal loop antenna and the second loop antenna are connected to the same main body control unit 3 by different lead wires, respectively, and receive the same control from the main body control unit 3. In other words, using the fact that the inner loop antenna and the second loop antenna are very close to each other so that the magnetic coupling is strong, the inner loop antenna and the second loop antenna perform the same transmission at the same time. The power can be increased, or the reception sensitivity can be increased by simultaneous reception of the internal loop antenna and the second loop antenna.

  Further, if the main body control unit 3 is provided with a communication capability detection function for detecting an event in which the inner loop antenna and the second loop antenna are disconnected or the communication capability is lowered, the inner loop antenna and the second loop antenna can be connected to each other. When one of the internal loop antenna and the second loop antenna falls into a state where communication with the IC card cannot be performed while only one of the loop antennas can communicate with the IC card, the other internal loop antenna or the second loop antenna You can also start using it to substitute.

  In the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the first to sixth embodiments described above, and modifications can be easily made. For example, the loop antenna is formed on the substrate by etching or printing, and the loop antenna is attached to the installation member, sandwiched, or integrally formed. However, the coil may be provided around the installation member. . In addition, although the example in which the connection between the loop antenna and the wireless circuit unit is performed using a lead wire has been described, another connection method may be used. Further, the configuration of the mounting frame, the base, and the decorative board is not limited to this example, and may be combined to have these functions. For example, the functions of the mounting frame and the base or the base and the decorative board are combined. A combination of the members may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, as an IC card, a back electromotive force is generated in an internal circuit by reciprocating magnetic flux from a loop antenna of a housing of a non-contact IC card reader device at a high speed, and this back electromotive force is generated. Although the type used for the internal power source has been illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and the internal power source of the IC card may be generated independently by a power source built in the IC card. That is, the main body control unit, the radio circuit unit, and the loop antenna of the non-contact IC card reader device may send only the magnetic magnetic flux as a radio signal to the IC card without supplying power to the IC card.

1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a non-contact IC card reader device according to the present invention. FIG. It is the side view. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure in the housing | casing. It is a figure which shows the other Example of the non-contact IC card reader apparatus based on this invention, The figure (a) is an exploded perspective view, The figure (b) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the housing | casing. It is a figure which shows the other Example of the non-contact IC card reader apparatus based on this invention, The figure (a) is an exploded perspective view, The figure (b) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the housing | casing. The figure which shows the case where the antenna of the other example of the non-contact IC card reader apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided in an attachment frame, The figure (a) is a perspective view, The figure (b) demonstrates the state in a production process. It is process drawing. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where an antenna of still another example of the non-contact IC card reader device according to the present invention is provided on the mounting frame, in which FIG. (A) is a perspective view and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Non-contact IC card reader apparatus 2 Loop antenna 3 Main body control part 4 Wireless circuit part 5 Case 6 Mounting frame 7 Base 8 Makeup panel (decorative board)
11 Lead wire

Claims (5)

A housing for storing a radio circuit unit which performs modulation and demodulation of the main control unit and the transmission and reception data for controlling the entire operation of the card reader, loop antenna for generating an AC magnetic field for communication with a contactless IC card or active tag A mounting frame formed with a locking member that locks and holds the casing by urging the casing toward the center of an opening provided in the center of the frame, the decorative plate, and the mounting A non-contact IC card reader device comprising a base for attaching the decorative plate to a wall surface so as to cover a frame, and performing non-contact communication with a non -contact IC card or an active tag ,
The base and the decorative plate can be attached after fixing the mounting frame holding and holding the housing around the hole in the wall surface,
The loop antenna is provided in any one or more of the mounting frame, the decorative plate, or the base larger than the casing in a front- facing view toward the wall surface. Reader device.   2. The contactless IC card reader device according to claim 1, wherein the loop antenna has a conductor pattern formed by etching or printing.   3. The non-loop antenna according to claim 1, wherein the loop antenna is provided by being attached to one or more of the resin mounting frame, the decorative plate, or the base. Contact IC card reader device.   3. The contactless IC card according to claim 1, wherein the loop antenna is embedded in one or more of the mounting frame made of resin, the decorative plate, or the base by integral molding. 4. Reader device.   A second loop antenna different from the inner loop antenna is provided on a surface of any one of the mounting frame, the decorative plate, or the base on which the loop antenna is provided as an inner loop antenna. The non-contact IC card reader device according to claim 3 or 4.

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