JP4810556B2 - Card processing apparatus and planar antenna - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a card processing apparatus that supports not only a contact IC card but also a non-contact IC card, and a planar antenna used in the apparatus.

  IC cards include a contact IC card having an electrode part and a non-contact IC card having an IC chip and an antenna. Conventionally, as a card processing apparatus corresponding to these two types of IC cards, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known.

Patent Document 1 discloses an IC card processing apparatus main body provided with a card insertion portion into which a contact IC card can be inserted, and a contact electrode in contact with an electrode portion of the contact IC card inserted into the card insertion portion. A card processing device is disclosed in which a planar antenna is attached to the inside of a surface facing a card inserted into the card insertion portion so as to be parallel to the card. With such a configuration, a non-contact type IC card is inserted into the card insertion portion, or a non-contact type IC card is brought close to the surface of the card processing apparatus main body, so that the non-contact type via the planar antenna is not contacted. Wireless communication with the IC card is possible.
JP 2001-092929 A

  However, in the conventional card processing apparatus of this type, a space for attaching a planar antenna is required between the outer peripheral surface of the card processing apparatus main body and the card insertion portion, and the card processing apparatus main body can be thinned. It was difficult. In addition, when a failure occurs in the antenna, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to repair or replace the antenna.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it easy to reduce the thickness of the card processing apparatus main body and to easily cope with a failure of an antenna. An object of the present invention is to provide a planar antenna used in this apparatus.

  The present invention includes a card processing apparatus main body and a planar antenna. The card processing apparatus main body includes a card insertion portion into which a contact IC card can be inserted, a contact electrode that contacts an electrode portion of the IC card inserted into the card insertion portion, and a non-contact type via the contact electrode. And a wireless unit that processes a signal transmitted to and received from the IC card by wireless communication. The planar antenna has an electrode part that contacts the contact electrode by being inserted into the card insertion part on one or the other surface of the planar member that is detachably inserted into the card insertion part, and via the electrode part And an antenna having a function of converting a signal input from the wireless unit into a radio wave and transmitting the signal, and a function of converting the received radio wave into a signal and outputting the signal from the electrode unit to the radio unit. By inserting the planar antenna into the card insertion portion, wireless communication with the non-contact IC card becomes possible.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, a card processing device that can easily reduce the thickness of the card processing device main body and can easily cope with a failure of the antenna, and a planar antenna used in the device are provided. it can.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.
This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to a card processing device 2 used for reading data recorded on a credit card.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a credit settlement system including a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal 1 and a card processing device 2. In this system, the card processing device 2 reads credit card data and supplies it to the POS terminal 1 through the transmission cable 3. The POS terminal 1 executes credit settlement processing based on the credit card data supplied from the card processing device 2.

  The card processing device 2 includes a main body 20 and a planar antenna 4. The main body 2 includes a keyboard 21, a display unit 22, and a card reader 23. The card reader 23 is provided with a card slot 24. In the card slot 24, a contact IC card can be inserted, and inside the contact slot 234 (the contact electrode 234 (in order to contact the electrode portion of the contact IC card inserted to a predetermined position in the card slot 24). (See FIG. 3). Here, the card slot functions as a card insertion portion.

  In the first fabric embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the planar antenna 4 is detachably inserted into the card slot 24. Then, the card processing device 2 can wirelessly communicate with the non-contact type IC card. Then, next, the specific structure of the card processing apparatus 2 for enabling wireless communication with the non-contact type IC card will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A plan view of the planar antenna 4 is shown in FIG. The planar antenna 4 is provided with an electrode part 42 and an antenna 43 on one surface of a card-like member 41. The card-like member 41 is a planar member whose outer shape is the same as that of the contact IC card. Moreover, the attachment position of the electrode part 42 is also the same as that of the contact IC card. The antenna 43 has a planar loop antenna embedded in the card-like member 41. The terminal of the antenna 43 is connected to the electrode part 42.

  As described above, the planar antenna 4 has the same external shape as the contact IC card. Therefore, like the contact type IC card, it can be detachably inserted into the card slot 24. Then, by inserting the card slot 24 to a predetermined position in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, the electrode portion 42 comes into contact with the contact electrode 234 in the card slot.

  The internal configuration of the card reader 23 is shown in the block diagram of FIG. The card reader 23 includes a control unit 231, a storage unit 232, a communication unit 233, a contact electrode 234, and a wireless unit 235. The control unit 231 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls each unit based on a program stored in the storage unit 232.

  The storage unit 232 forms a ROM area for storing fixed data such as a program and a RAM area for temporarily storing variable data such as data read from an IC card. The communication unit 233 manages data communication performed between the POS terminal 1 and the control unit 231 through the transmission cable 3.

  The radio unit 235 includes a modulator that modulates a carrier wave with transmission data, a transmission amplifier that amplifies the modulation signal, a reception amplifier that amplifies the reception signal, and a demodulator that demodulates data from the amplified reception signal. The transmission data is given from the control unit 231. The modulated signal amplified by the transmission amplifier is output to the contact electrode 234 side. The received signal is input from the contact electrode 234 side. Data demodulated by the demodulator is output to the control unit 231.

  The control unit 231 has a function of capturing key input data by a signal corresponding to an operation key from the keyboard 21 and a function of displaying characters and the like on the display unit 22 based on the display data.

  Further, the control unit 231 processes card data according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the control unit 231 determines an operation mode as ST (step) 1. The operation modes include a contact IC card reading mode (hereinafter abbreviated as contact mode) and a non-contact IC card reading mode (hereinafter abbreviated as non-contact mode). For example, when the operator operates the POS terminal 1 to designate the contact mode, a contact mode selection signal is transmitted from the POS terminal 1 to the card processing device 2 via the transmission cable 3. Then, in the card processing device 2 that has received this signal, the contact mode is set as the operation mode. Similarly, when the operator operates the POS terminal 1 to select the non-contact mode, a non-contact mode selection signal is transmitted from the POS terminal 1 to the card processing device 2 via the transmission cable 3. Then, in the card processing device 2 that has received this signal, the non-contact mode is set as the operation mode.

  When the contact mode is set as the operation mode, the control unit 231 waits for the electrode part of the contact IC card to contact the contact electrode 234 as ST2. If the electrode part of the contact IC card comes into contact with the contact electrode 234 (YES in ST2), the control unit 231 selects the contact IC card electrically connected via the contact electrode 234 and the electrode part as ST3. Card data is read from the IC chip. Then, the card data read as ST4 is transmitted to the POS terminal 1 via the communication unit 233.

  On the other hand, when the non-contact mode is set as the operation mode, the control unit 231 transmits a predetermined read command to the wireless unit 235 as ST5. In ST6, it waits for the card data of the non-contact type IC card to be read. The control unit 231 repeats transmission of the read command until the card data of the non-contact type IC card is read. If the card data of the non-contact type IC card is read (YES in ST6), the control unit 231 transmits the read card data to the POS terminal 1 via the communication unit 233 (ST4).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the POS terminal 1 can arbitrarily set whether the operation mode of the card processing device 2 is the contact mode or the non-contact mode. When the contact mode is set, the card processing device 2 functions as a reader for a contact IC card. That is, when a contact IC card is inserted into the card slot 24, the electrode portion comes into contact with the contact electrode 234 in the card slot 24. Then, the IC chip of the contact IC card is electrically connected to the control unit 231 via the contact electrode 234, and the data of the IC chip is read by the control unit 231. Data of the contact IC card read by the control unit 231 is supplied from the communication unit 233 to the POS terminal 1 via the transmission cable 3. Thus, when the contact IC card is a credit card, the POS terminal 1 executes credit settlement processing based on the credit card data supplied from the card processing device 2.

  On the other hand, when the non-contact mode is selected, the card processing device 2 functions as a reader for a non-contact IC card by inserting the planar antenna 4 into the card slot 24. That is, when the planar antenna 4 is inserted into the card slot 24, the electrode portion 42 comes into contact with the contact electrode 234 in the card slot 24. In this state, when a read command is transmitted from the control unit 231 to the wireless unit 235, a modulation signal corresponding to the read command is supplied from the contact electrode 234 to the antenna 43 via the electrode unit 42 of the planar antenna 4, Radiated as radio waves from the antenna 43.

  The radio wave is radiated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the planar antenna 4 inserted in the card slot 24. Therefore, when a non-contact type IC card is brought close to a surface of the card reader 23 that is substantially parallel to the surface of the planar antenna 4 inserted in the card slot 24, the antenna of the non-contact type IC card receives radio waves. Operate. As a result, the card data stored in the IC memory is wirelessly transmitted as a response wave. This response wave is received by the antenna 43 of the planar antenna 4, and the received signal is supplied to the radio unit 235 via the electrode unit 42 and the contact electrode 234. In radio section 235, the received signal is demodulated into card data and output to control section 231. The card data given to the control unit 231 is supplied from the communication unit 233 to the POS terminal 1 via the transmission cable 3. Thus, when the contactless IC card is a credit card, the POS terminal 1 executes credit settlement processing based on the credit card data supplied from the card processing device 2.

  Therefore, the operator of the POS terminal 1 designates the contact mode when the credit card used by the customer making the payment is a contact IC card, and sets the contactless mode when the credit card used is a non-contact IC card. specify. As a result, the card data can be read by one card processing device 2 regardless of whether the credit card is a contact IC card or a non-contact IC card.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the card reader 23 is provided only by inserting the planar antenna 4 into the card slot 24 of the card reader 23 that can read the card data of the contact IC card. The card processing device 2 can also function as a reader for a non-contact IC card. Therefore, since no special space for inserting the planar antenna 4 is required, there is no problem in reducing the thickness of the card reader 23 and hence the thickness of the card processing apparatus main body 20.

  The planar antenna 4 is detachable from the card slot 24. For this reason, if a problem occurs in the planar antenna 4, it can be operated normally only by replacing the planar antenna 4. As described above, even when a failure occurs in the antenna, it can be easily dealt with in a short time and without trouble.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the operation mode of the card processing device 2 is automatically switched from the non-contact mode to the contact mode simply by inserting the planar antenna 4 into the card slot 24.

  The second embodiment is also a case where the present invention is applied to the card processing apparatus 2 used for reading data recorded on a credit card, and the configuration of the credit settlement system is the same as that of the first embodiment. Since it is the same, the description is abbreviate | omitted using FIG. In addition, with respect to other points as well, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  A plan view of the planar antenna 4 is shown in FIG. As is clear from comparison with FIG. 2, the planar antenna 4 according to the second embodiment has one side that is the tip when inserted into one side of the card-like member 41, specifically, the card slot 24. A protrusion 44 is provided on the portion. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The internal configuration of the card reader 23 is shown in the block diagram of FIG. As is apparent from comparison with FIG. 3, the card reader 23 of the second embodiment converts the on / off switch 236 into a digital signal and supplies it to the control unit 231. An analog / digital converter 237 is provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The switch 236 is provided in the card slot 24 and is off in an initial state where no card is inserted in the card slot 24. In this state, the planar antenna 4 according to the second embodiment is inserted into the card slot 24 with one side provided with the projection 44 as a tip, and pushed into a predetermined position. Then, the protrusion 44 turns on the switch 236. For example, the switch 236 is an optical switch composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and is turned off while the light from the light emitting element reaches the light receiving element, and turned on when the light from the light emitting element is blocked by the protrusion 44. What is necessary is just to set it as the switching structure which becomes.

  An off signal or an on signal of the switch 236 is converted into a digital signal by the analog / digital converter 237 and supplied to the control unit 231. Therefore, when the signal from the switch 236 is an off signal, the control unit 231 does not insert the planar antenna 4 into the card slot 24. When the signal is switched to the off signal, the planar antenna 4 is installed in the card slot 24. It can be recognized that it is inserted.

  Here, the switch 236 functions as an antenna detecting means for detecting that the planar antenna 4 is inserted into the card slot 24. Further, the protrusion 44 provided on the planar antenna 4 functions as an operator for operating the antenna detection switch 236 provided in the slot 24 when inserted into the card slot 24.

  The control unit 231 processes card data according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the control unit 231 determines an on / off state of the switch 236 in ST11. When switch 236 is in the OFF state (NO in ST11), control unit 231 waits for the electrode part of the contact IC card to come into contact with contact electrode 234 in ST12. If the electrode part of the contact IC card comes into contact with the contact electrode 234 (YES in ST12), the control unit 231 performs the operation of the contact IC card electrically connected via the contact electrode 234 and the electrode part as ST13. Card data is read from the IC chip. Then, the card data read as ST14 is transmitted to the POS terminal 1 via the communication unit 233. Thereafter, the control unit 231 returns to the process of ST11 and determines again whether the switch 236 is on or off. In addition, the control unit 231 always determines the on / off state of the switch 236 while waiting for the contact IC 234 to contact the electrode part of the contact IC card.

  When switch 236 is turned on (YES in ST11), control unit 231 transmits a predetermined read command to radio unit 235 in ST15. In ST16, it waits for the card data of the non-contact type IC card to be read. Even during this standby period, the control unit 231 always determines the on / off state of the switch 236. Then, while the ON state continues, transmission of the read command is repeated.

  If the card data of the non-contact type IC card is read by the transmission of the read command (YES in ST16), the control unit 231 transmits the read card data to the POS terminal 1 via the communication unit 233 ( ST14). Thereafter, the control unit 231 returns to the process of ST11 and determines again whether the switch 236 is on or off.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, by inserting the planar antenna 4 into the card slot 24, the operation mode of the card processing apparatus 2 is automatically switched from the contact mode to the non-contact mode. Therefore, it is not necessary to specify the operation mode of the card processing device 2 on the POS terminal 1 side, which is efficient. Further, as long as the planar antenna 4 is inserted into the card slot 24, the operation is surely performed in the non-contact mode, so that no operation mode setting error occurs at all, which is simple.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the switch 236 is provided in the slot 24 as an antenna detecting means for detecting that the planar antenna 4 is inserted into the card slot 24, and the operator for operating the switch 236 is provided as a planar antenna. 4, the antenna detecting means and the operation element are not limited to this. For example, if a predetermined mark is attached to the front or back surface of the planar antenna 4 and a sensor for detecting this mark is provided in the card slot 24, and the controller 231 detects the mark by the sensor, the card slot It may also be determined that the planar antenna 4 is mounted in 24. In this case, the sensor functions as an antenna detection unit, and the mark functions as an operator.

  In the embodiment, the outer shape of the planar antenna 4 is exactly the same as that of the contact IC card. However, when the planar antenna 4 is inserted into the card slot 24, the electrode portion 42 of the planar antenna 4 is As long as the contact electrode 234 in the card slot 24 is brought into contact, the outer shape is not limited to this. Any planar shape that can be inserted into the card slot 24 may be used. For example, a convex shape may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the keyboard 21 and the display part 22 were provided in the card processing apparatus 2, these are not necessarily essential requirements. The present invention can be similarly applied to the card processing device 2 without the keyboard 21 and the display unit 22.

  Moreover, although the card processing apparatus of a credit card was demonstrated in the said embodiment, the kind of card | curd is not limited to a credit card. In addition, while the planar antenna 4 is not attached to the card slot 24, it operates as a reader of a contact IC card, but it does not necessarily have to operate as a reader of a contact IC card. That is, it may function as a processing device dedicated to a non-contact card. Further, the present invention can also be applied to an IC card processing apparatus having both contact type and non-contact type functions.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be combined.

1 is an external view of a credit settlement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The top view of the planar antenna in 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the card reader in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the principal part of the card | curd data processing procedure which the control part of a card reader performs in 1st Embodiment. The top view of the planar antenna in 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the card reader in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the principal part of the card | curd data processing procedure which the control part of a card reader performs in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... POS terminal, 2 ... Card processing apparatus, 3 ... Transmission cable, 4 ... Planar antenna, 20 ... Card processing apparatus main body, 21 ... Keyboard, 22 ... Display part, 23 ... Card reader, 24 ... Card slot, 41 ... Card-like member 42... Electrode portion 43. Antenna 231. Control portion 234 Contact electrode 235 Radio section

Claims (4)

Non-contact type via a card insertion part into which a contact IC card can be inserted, a contact electrode in contact with the electrode part of the IC card inserted in the card insertion part, and an antenna connected to the contact electrode A card processing apparatus main body including a wireless unit that processes a signal transmitted and received with the IC card by wireless communication;
An electrode portion that contacts the contact electrode by being inserted into the card insertion portion on one or the other surface of a planar member that is detachably inserted into the card insertion portion, and the wireless via the electrode portion A planar antenna provided with a function of converting a signal input from the unit into a radio wave and transmitting, and an antenna having a function of converting the received radio wave into a signal and outputting the signal from the electrode unit to the radio unit Comprising
A card processing device characterized in that wireless communication with the non-contact type IC card is enabled by inserting the planar antenna into the card insertion portion. The card processing apparatus main body is:
An antenna detection means for detecting that the planar antenna is inserted into the card insertion portion;
When the antenna detecting means detects that the planar antenna is inserted into the card insertion portion, mode switching is performed to switch from the communication mode with the contact IC card to the communication mode with the non-contact IC card. Means,
The card processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: Removably attachable to the card insertion part of the card processing apparatus main body provided with a card insertion part into which a contact type IC card can be inserted, and a contact electrode in contact with the electrode part of the IC card inserted into the card insertion part On one or the other surface of the planar member to be inserted,
An electrode part that comes into contact with the contact electrode by being inserted into the card insertion part;
A function of converting a signal input from the card processing device main body via the electrode portion into a radio wave and transmitting it, and a function of converting a received radio wave into a signal and outputting the signal from the electrode portion to the card processing device main body An antenna having
A planar antenna characterized by comprising:   4. The flat surface according to claim 3, wherein an operator for operating an antenna detection switch provided in the insertion portion when inserted into the card insertion portion is provided at one end of the planar member. Type antenna.

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