JP4736224B2 - Function card member and function card using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card member for a functional card and a functional card, and in particular, includes an interface unit, a functional unit having functions unique to the functional card, and a peripheral circuit unit that is a circuit unit for operating them in association with each other. The present invention relates to a card member for producing a functional card that has a function unit by connecting to an external device through an interface unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  In recent years, multimedia, which provides a plurality of information media such as video, audio, and text interactively as new information using a computer, has progressed worldwide and its backbone network has been improved.
  Particularly in Japan, the use of the Internet has accelerated the spread to businesses as well as general households, and the digitization of information is progressing. The core of multimedia is a computer such as a personal computer. Not only the exchange of data between computers, but also a PDA (Personal Digita)l AssistantsThe form using a device such as a portable information terminal) has become popular, the barrier between devices has been removed, and video, audio, and characters have become one.
  In order to support the evolution of personal computers, mobile communication devices, network devices, and consumer devices, and to make them easier to use, digital technologies (MPEG decoder / encoder, ATM LAN LSI, etc.), communication MMICs, Developments such as voltage flash memory are proceeding at a rapid pace.
[0003]
As multimedia progresses around the world, cards have been widely used for card approval, personal authentication, and the supply of various contents.
An IC card is a medium that replaces a magnetic card, and is a generic name for a business card size card that incorporates an IC such as a microcomputer or a memory, and is widely used as an ID card.
It has features such as high security and large memory capacity.
Some cards have an encryption function.
A card equipped with a microcomputer and having a calculation function and a determination function is also called a microcomputer card.
In addition, there are multi-function cards that add display functions, manual input functions, and functions that can also be used as magnetic cards to the functions of microcomputer cards. Recently, they receive signal exchange and power supply without contact with card terminals. Various types of contactless cards are available.
[0004]
  On the other hand, PC cards (Personal Computer Cards) that are used by being removed from computers for various purposes are increasing in capacity and lowering the cost of semiconductor memory and integrating a wide variety of I / O functions. IC memory cards (flash memory, DRAM, SRAM, etc.) and I / O cards (serial communication, parallel communication, etc.) equipped with a capacity memory have been developed and commercialized.
  In addition, SD card (SecureDigItal cards) have also been used for PDAs equipped with SD card slots.
[0005]
In addition, non-contact IC tag-equipped cards that have been developed mainly for industrial use as logistics article management cards, book management cards, etc. are also applied to entrance / exit management cards, parking lot entrance / exit management cards, and the like.
The non-contact type IC tag is a sheet or bill-like IC in which data is loaded and connected to an antenna coil. Recently, various proposals have been made and attached to products and packaging boxes to prevent shoplifting. It has come to be used for logistics systems.
Conventionally, an expensive reader / writer, which is a dedicated device that functions independently, is required for writing and reading information to and from this non-contact IC tag mounted card, and general-purpose information devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, and personal computers. It was impossible to read IC tag information or write information to the IC tag using a terminal.
[0006]
As described above, various cards have been used. Conventionally, a function card having a predetermined purpose function has a peripheral circuit unit (for each function intended for each function). Also called the platform).
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In this way, with the development of multimedia, various cards are used according to their purposes, each having a functional part intended for each and a peripheral circuit part corresponding thereto. Met.
For this reason, conventionally, when a card having various functions is manufactured, it is necessary to produce a peripheral circuit unit according to each function according to the various functions.
The present invention corresponds to this, and includes an interface unit, a functional unit having a function specific to a functional card, and a peripheral circuit unit that is a circuit unit for operating them in association with each other, and an external device And a card member for a functional card that can function with a plurality of predetermined functional components having different functions disposed on the card member. It is something to be offered.
At the same time, the present invention intends to provide a functional card using such a functional card member.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The card member for a function card of the present invention includes an interface unit, a function unit having a function unique to the function card, and a peripheral circuit unit that is a circuit unit for operating them in association with each other, Connect via the interfaceAndFunction part, To send and receive signals wirelesslyA card member for producing a function card to be functioned, in which a function part is not yet provided, and an interface part and a peripheral circuit part are provided. And the peripheral circuit part region, and the interface part and the peripheral circuit part are provided for the purposeIncluding a functional component provided with an RF analog circuit and an antenna,The functional unit that is shared and arranged so that it can correspond to a plurality of predetermined functional parts having different functions is independent of the interface unit and the peripheral circuit unit in terms of circuit, and is suitable for the intended function. By disposing the functional parts in the area for disposing a functional part, a functional card having a functional part having a target function is formed.
  And aboveA card member for a functional card ofThe interface unit is characterized in that it is compatible with standardized USB (Universal Serial Bus), memory card, PC card (Personal Computer card), and other general-purpose ones.
  Also, any one of the functional card members described above,The interface unit and the peripheral circuit unit are connected to an SD card (SecureDigitalCard) standard, and the SD card is substantially mounted on the peripheral circuit section.
  Here, “SD card (SecureDigi“Tal card (substantially mounted)” means that substantially the same circuit as the SD card is formed as the peripheral circuit portion.
  The external device is a device connected to a function card such as a general-purpose terminal (also referred to as a general-purpose information terminal or a general-purpose information terminal device), and is not particularly limited.
[0009]
The SD card is a memory card standard jointly developed by SanDisk, Matsushita Electric Industrial, and Toshiba in 1999. It has a built-in copyright protection function suitable for online music distribution. Expected demand for storage devices.
The copyright protection function conforms to the Secure Digital Initiative (SDMI) standard, allowing content to be exchanged safely between the terminal (device) and the card, and to be compatible with future versions of SDMI. Yes.
With a capacity of 32 MB, 64 MB or more, it can sufficiently support applications with a large amount of data.
[0010]
  The functional card of the present invention includes an interface unit, a functional unit having functions unique to the functional card, and a peripheral circuit unit (platform) that is a circuit unit for operating them in association with each other, A functional card that is connected via an interface unit to function the functional unit, and uses any of the functional card card members described above, and a functional part suitable for the intended function is provided in the functional unit disposition area. It is characterized by being arrangedis there.
[0011]
[Action]
  The card member for the function card of the present invention has such a configuration, so that the interface unit, the function unit having a function unique to the function card, and a peripheral circuit which is a circuit unit for operating them in association with each other. A card member for producing a functional card that has a function part and is connected to an external device via an interface part to function the functional part, and is provided with a plurality of predetermined functional parts having different functions. It is possible to provide a card member for a function card that can cope with the above.
  In other words, the functional unit is not disposed, and the interface unit and the peripheral circuit unit are disposed. In the card base, the functional unit disposing region is separated from the interface unit region and the peripheral circuit unit region. The interface unit and the peripheral circuit unit are provided for the purpose of being disposed on the interface unit and the peripheral circuit unit.Includes functional parts with RF analog circuit and antennaThe functional unit that is shared and arranged so that it can correspond to a plurality of predetermined functional parts having different functions is independent of the interface unit and the peripheral circuit unit in terms of circuit, so that cards having various functions can be used. When manufacturing products, it is not necessary to produce peripheral circuit parts that match various functions and for each function, and functional parts that match the intended function are placed in the area for function parts. This makes it possible to form a functional card having a functional unit having a target function, and achieves this.
  In addition, by making the interface unit compatible with standardized USB (Universal Serial Bus), memory card, PC card (Personal Computer card), and other general-purpose ones, It can correspond to an information equipment terminal (also called a general-purpose terminal or simply a terminal).
  In addition, the interface unit and the peripheral circuit unit are connected to an SD card (SecureDigital card) standard, and the SD card (Secure)DigIt is possible to easily create a function card that can be used for general-purpose terminals for SD cards (for example, PDAs equipped with slots for SD cards, etc.) that conform to a dedicated standard. It is supposed to be possible.
[0012]
The card member for a functional card according to the present invention can form a functional card having different functions only by exchanging only functional parts forming the functional part, and the functional part is made independent from the interface part and the peripheral circuit part. This makes it easy to develop functional parts with new functions, and the interface part and peripheral circuit part are common parts that can handle multiple predetermined functional parts with different target functions, thus reducing development costs. Reduction of development time can be expected.
[0013]
With such a configuration, the function card of the present invention does not need to prepare an interface unit and a peripheral circuit unit in accordance with a target function unit every time it is manufactured, and can be easily manufactured. Is.
[0014]
The function card of the present invention can be expected to develop new applications in combination with functions (display devices, speakers, printers) provided by general-purpose terminals and external transmission functions (connection with telephones, LANs, and Internet networks). Thus, by changing only the functional part, another function can be provided, which is excellent in versatility.
[0015]
The interface unit is compatible with standardized devices such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), memory cards, PC cards (Personal Computer cards), and other general-purpose devices, and is highly versatile.
[0016]
  For example, the peripheral circuit unit conforms to the USB standard, and an IC tag reader / writer is mounted as a functional component, or the interface unit and the peripheral circuit unit are connected to an SD card (SecureDigital card) standard, and SD card (Secure)Digital card) and an IC tag reader / writer as a functional component.
  When a function card having an IC tag reader / writer as a function unit is connected to a general-purpose information device terminal (also simply referred to as a general-purpose terminal) and used, an antenna built in the IC tag reader / writer function card is used. In addition, a combination of a transceiver and a CPU and a power source built in a general-purpose terminal achieve a read / write function similar to a conventional reader / writer.leader/Not only can the writer function unit be configured, but also the functions (display device, speaker, printer)),A new application can be developed in combination with an external transmission function (connection with a telephone, a LAN, and an Internet network).
  In addition, the function card equipped with the IC tag reader / writer function is convenient to carry because it takes the form of a card. It can be carried with a mobile phone or PDA, and the IC tag information can be sent to the mobile phone at any time and at any place. And can be collected in PDA.
  Therefore, for example, it is possible to take an unprecedented method of using IC tag information, such as a customer collecting IC tag information from an IC tag-equipped function card in which information related to a product being advertised is recorded on a poster.
  The function card equipped with this IC tag reader / writer is not only used as a memory card, ID card, etc., but also by installing game software on this function card and replacing the conventional paper game card with an IC tag. A general-purpose terminal can also be used as a game device by using the mounted card.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1A is a diagram of a first example of an embodiment of a card member for a functional card of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a diagram of a first example of an embodiment of a functional card of the present invention. 2A is a diagram of a second example of the embodiment of the card member for the function card of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a second example of the embodiment of the function card of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the function card of the present invention is inserted into a general-purpose terminal and used.
1, 2, and 3, 110 is a card member for a function card, 110A is a function card, 111 is an interface unit, 111a is an interface unit area, 112 is a peripheral circuit unit (platform), 112a is a peripheral circuit area, 113 Is a functional part (also a functional part), 113a is a functional part area (also referred to as an area for arranging functional parts), 120 is a general-purpose terminal, 121 is an I / F circuit part (interface circuit part), and 122 is a peripheral circuit part , 123 is a processor, 124 is a driver, 125 is an OS, and 126 is software.
[0018]
  First, the 1st example of embodiment of the card member for functional cards of this invention is demonstrated based on Fig.1 (a).
  The card member for the function card of the first example has an interface section, a function section having a function specific to the function card, and a peripheral circuit section that is a circuit section for operating them in association with each other. Connect the external device via the interface unit to make the function unit functionFunction cardA card member for manufacturing, in which the functional unit is not yet disposed, and the interface unit 111 and the peripheral circuit unit 112 are disposed. The interface unit 111 and the peripheral circuit unit 112 are provided in common so that they can correspond to a plurality of predetermined functional components having different functions for the purpose of being arranged in the peripheral circuit unit region 112a. The functional unit to be arranged is circuit-independent from the interface unit and the peripheral circuit unit, and the SD card is substantially mounted in the peripheral circuit area 112a to form the peripheral circuit unit 112. is there.
  Then, by disposing the functional parts suitable for the intended function in the functional part disposing area 113a, a functional card having a functional part having the intended function is formed.
  In other words, the card member for the function card of the first example is a card member for producing a function card that can be used for a general-purpose terminal compliant with the SD card standard, and can be used for mounting various function units. .
[0019]
The peripheral circuit unit 112 conforms to the standard of the SD card, and includes an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an EEPROM (Electrical Erasable Programmable, etc.). In particular, an SD card is mounted.
The peripheral circuit unit 112 is configured as described above, and when the functional unit is mounted, the peripheral circuit unit 112 can cope with the processing of the function according to the processing of the function, and can cope with the processing of various functional units.
Of course, the interface unit 111 also conforms to the SD card standard.
[0020]
The functional area 113a is used to mount various functional components 113 formed in accordance with the target function. As described above, the interface unit 111 and the peripheral circuit unit 112 are provided so as to correspond to the various functional components 113. Is formed.
When signals are transmitted and received wirelessly, an RF analog circuit (including a transmission / reception circuit) and an antenna may be provided as the functional component 113, and a CCD sensor or the like for fingerprint authentication can be attached as the functional component 113.
The sensor unit is not limited to this.
[0021]
Next, a second example of the embodiment of the card member for the function card of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
Similarly to the case of the first example, the card member for the function card of the second example is an interface unit, a function unit having a function unique to the function card, and a circuit unit for operating them in association with each other. A card member for manufacturing a functional card that has a peripheral circuit part and is connected to an external device through an interface part to function the functional part. The area 111 and the peripheral circuit section 112 are provided, and the area for disposing the functional section is provided separately from the interface section area 111a and the peripheral circuit section area 112a. The interface section 111 and the peripheral circuit section 112 are provided. Is a function unit that is shared and arranged so that it can correspond to a plurality of predetermined functional parts having different functions for the purpose of being arranged therein. But is independent of the part and the peripheral circuit section, in the case of the second embodiment is obtained by forming a peripheral circuit portion 112 equipped with a USB board and FPGA board in the peripheral circuit area 112a.
Then, by disposing the functional parts suitable for the intended function in the functional part disposing area 113a, a functional card having a functional part having the intended function is formed.
In other words, the card member for the function card of the first example is a card member for producing a function card that can be used for a general-purpose terminal compliant with the USB standard, and can be used for mounting various functional units.
[0022]
An FPGA board is mounted on the peripheral circuit unit 112. When a functional unit is mounted, it can be handled in software in accordance with the processing of the function, and can be processed by various functional units.
Of course, the interface unit 111 also conforms to the USB standard.
[0023]
Also in this example, the functional area 113a is for mounting various functional components 113 formed in accordance with a target function. As described above, the interface unit 111 is compatible with the various functional components 113. The peripheral circuit portion 112 is formed.
When signals are transmitted and received wirelessly, an RF analog circuit (including a transmission / reception circuit) and an antenna may be provided as the functional component 113, and a CCD sensor or the like for fingerprint authentication can be attached as the functional component 113.
The sensor unit is not limited to this.
[0024]
As a modification of the functional card member of the first example and the functional card member of the second example, the interface unit 111, peripheral circuit conforming to another standard other than the USB standard card or the SD card standard The thing using the part 112 is also mentioned.
In particular, the external shape (card size or the like) conforming to each card standard may be used.
[0025]
  Next, a first example of the embodiment of the function card according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The function card of the first example is obtained by mounting the function unit 113 made of an RF substrate on the function card card member of the first example shown in FIG. A function unit 113 having functions and a peripheral circuit unit 112, which is a circuit unit for operating them in association with each other, are connected to a general-purpose terminal compliant with the SD card standard via the interface unit 111 and function. This is a function card that allows the unit 113 to function.
  The RF substrate serving as the functional unit 113 forms an RF antenna circuit (transmission / reception circuit) and a reader / writer for an IC tag equipped with an antenna.
  Since the peripheral circuit unit 112 and the interface unit 111 have been described in the function example card member of the first example shown in FIG. 1A, description thereof is omitted here.
  The function card of this example uses the characteristics of the SD card as it is, and for the target IC tag.leader/The function as a writer can be performed by the functional unit.
  The function card of this example is not only a function as a target IC tag reader / writer, but also a function provided with a general-purpose terminal (for example, a display function of a display device, a speaker function, a printer print function), a telephone It can be used in combination with an external transmission function obtained by connecting to a LAN or Internet network, and a new application can be expected.
[0026]
The function card of this example (hereinafter also referred to as an IC tag reader / writer function card) is used to acquire information from an IC tag via a general-purpose terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, or a PDA, Alternatively, it is possible to write information to the IC tag mounted card, and finally to communicate with the IC tag or the IC tag mounted card.
Built-in antenna and transmission / reception unit (also referred to as RF analog circuit) built in IC tag reader / writer function card and built in general-purpose terminal while connected to PC (Personal Computer), mobile phone, PDA and other general-purpose terminals A reader / writer function unit is configured in combination with the CPU and the power source.
The IC tag includes at least an antenna, a transmission / reception unit, and a memory, and a control unit as necessary.
The IC tag does not always require power, and can be covered by power supply from the IC tag reader / writer function card only when reading and writing information. In some cases, the IC tag has a built-in power supply. Sometimes
[0027]
When an MPU (also referred to as a CPU) and a memory are provided as in this example, game software is mounted on the IC tag reader / writer function card, and further, an IC tag reader mounted with the game software. / By connecting the writer function card to the general-purpose device terminal, the general-purpose device terminal can be changed to a game device.
[0028]
  Next, a second example of the embodiment of the function card according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The function card of the second example is obtained by mounting the function unit 113 made of an RF substrate on the function card card member of the second example shown in FIG. 2A. A functional unit 113 having functions and a peripheral circuit unit 112 that is a circuit unit for operating them in association with each other, and connected to a general-purpose terminal compliant with the USB standard via the interface unit 111. 113 is a function card that allows 113 to function.
  The RF substrate serving as the function unit 113 forms an RF antenna circuit (transmission / reception circuit) and an IC tag reader / writer equipped with an antenna, like the function card of the first example.
  Since the peripheral circuit unit 112 and the interface unit 111 have been described in the function example card member of the second example shown in FIG. 2A, description thereof is omitted here.
  The functional card in this example is a card that conforms to the USB standard, and is intended for IC tags.leader/ The function as a writer can be performed by the function unit.
  The function card of this example is different from the function card of the first example only in that it is connected to a general-purpose terminal conforming to the USB standard, but basically the same as the function card of the first example. The example function card is for the intended IC tagleader/In addition to the functions as a writer, the functions (display devices, speakers, printers)-),External transmission functions (connection with telephone, LAN, Internet network) can be used in combination, and new applications can be expected.
[0029]
As a modification of the function card of the first example and the function card of the second example, the function unit as an IC tag reader / writer made of an RF board is used instead of the function card according to various purposes. And a functional unit as an IC tag reader / writer made of an RF substrate. The functional unit is not limited to the functional unit.
A modification in which two or more different functional components are mounted on the functional unit can be given as a modification.
Furthermore, the thing using the interface part 111 and the peripheral circuit part 112 based on another standard other than the card | curd of a USB standard and SD card standard is also mentioned.
In particular, the external shape (card size or the like) conforming to each card standard may be used.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 3, the function card of the first example and the second example is connected to the general-purpose terminal. As shown schematically in FIG. ) Insert into 128.
Then, signals are exchanged between the function card 110 and the general-purpose terminal to exchange information with each other.
Examples of the general-purpose terminal 120 include, but are not limited to, a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, and a PDA.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention includes an interface unit, a functional unit having a function specific to a functional card, and a peripheral circuit unit that is a circuit unit for operating these in association with each other, and interfaces with external devices. Provided is a card member for producing a functional card for connecting a functional unit to function the functional unit, and capable of dealing with a plurality of predetermined functional parts having different functions disposed on the functional card. It was possible.
At the same time, it is possible to provide a functional card using such a functional card member.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a diagram of a first example of an embodiment of a card member for a functional card of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a first diagram of an embodiment of a functional card of the present invention. It is a figure of the example of.
FIG. 2 (a) is a diagram of a second example of the embodiment of the card member for the function card of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (b) is a second view of the embodiment of the function card of the present invention. It is a figure of the example of.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the function card of the present invention is inserted into a general-purpose terminal and used.
[Explanation of symbols]
110 Card members for function cards
110A function card
111 Interface section
111a Interface area
112 Peripheral Circuit (Platform)
112a Peripheral circuit area
113 functional part (also functional part)
113a Function area (also referred to as function area)
120 General-purpose terminal
121 I / F circuit part (interface circuit part)
122 Peripheral circuit
123 processor
124 drivers
125 OS
126 software

Claims (4)

  It has an interface unit, a functional unit having functions specific to a functional card, and a peripheral circuit unit that is a circuit unit for operating them in association with each other, and is connected to an external device via the interface unit to function. Is a card member for producing a functional card that functions to transmit and receive signals wirelessly, with the functional part not yet provided, the interface part and the peripheral circuit part provided. The area for part placement is provided separately from the interface part area and the peripheral circuit part area, and the interface part and the peripheral circuit part are provided with an RF analog circuit and an antenna for the purpose of being provided therewith. The functional unit that is shared and arranged so that it can correspond to a plurality of predetermined functional components having different functions, including components, includes an interface unit and a peripheral circuit unit in terms of circuits. The function parts having the desired function are formed by disposing the functional parts suitable for the intended function in the area for disposing the functional part. The card member for functional cards characterized by the above-mentioned.   2. The card member for a functional card according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is standardized such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a memory card, a PC card (Personal Computer card), or other general-purpose one. A card member for a functional card, characterized in that   3. The card member for a functional card according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit and the peripheral circuit unit conform to an SD card (Secure Digital card) standard, and are substantially included in the peripheral circuit unit. A card member for a functional card, wherein an SD card is mounted on the card member. It has an interface unit, a functional unit having functions specific to the functional card, and a peripheral circuit unit (platform) that is a circuit unit for operating them in association with each other, and is connected to an external device via the interface unit. A functional card for functioning the functional unit, wherein the functional card card member according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is used, and a function suitable for a target function is provided in the area for disposing the functional unit. A function card characterized by being provided with components .

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