JP7263227B2 - IC cards and portable electronic devices - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to IC cards and portable electronic devices.

An IC card that performs biometric authentication using biometric information such as fingerprint information has been provided. Some of such IC cards include a secondary battery to supplement the power of a verification unit (such as a module) that performs biometric authentication.

Conventionally, the IC card cannot notify the timing of charging the secondary battery.

JP 2012-238126 A

In order to solve the above problems, an IC card and a portable electronic device capable of notifying the timing of charging the secondary battery are provided.

According to an embodiment, an IC card includes an interface, a verification unit, a secondary battery, a first counter, and a processor. The interface transmits and receives data to and from an external device. The matching unit performs matching processing. A secondary battery supplies power to the collation unit. A first counter is set to a first initial value. The processor subtracts 1 from the first counter when the collation unit performs the collation process in accordance with a command from the external device, and if the value of the first counter is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the second Output a notification prompting the user to charge the next battery.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an IC card processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the IC card according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the IC card according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
The IC card processing system according to the embodiment performs authentication processing using a user's biometric information (here, fingerprint information). The IC card processing system compares the biometric information acquired in the IC card with prestored biometric information. The IC card processing system authenticates the user when both pieces of biometric information match.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an IC card processing system 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the IC card processing system 100 includes a host PC 1, an IC card 2, a reader/writer 11, and the like. The host PC 1 connects to the reader/writer 11 . Also, the reader/writer 11 connects to the IC card 2 . It should be noted that the IC card processing system 100 may have a configuration other than the configuration shown in FIG.

The host PC 1 (external device) controls the IC card processing system 100 as a whole. The host PC 1 transmits to the IC card 2 a command requesting authentication processing using biometric information. Also, the host PC 1 receives a response indicating the result of the authentication process from the IC card 2 . The host PC 1 executes predetermined processing according to the response.

The reader/writer 11 is an interface device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data to and from the IC card 2 . The reader/writer 11 is configured with an interface corresponding to the communication method of the IC card 2 .

The reader/writer 11 is composed of an antenna for wireless communication with the IC card 2, a communication control section, and the like. The reader/writer 11 performs power supply, clock supply, reset control, and data transmission/reception to/from the IC card 2 .

With such functions, the reader/writer 11 supplies power to the IC card 2, activates (starts) the IC card 2, supplies clocks, controls resetting, transmits various commands, and responds to the transmitted commands under the control of the host PC 1. Receives responses, etc.

The IC card 2 (portable electronic device) performs various operations under the control of the host PC 1 . Here, the IC card 2 performs user authentication processing.

The IC card 2 has a card-shaped main body C made of plastic or the like. The IC card 2 incorporates a module M in its main body C. The module M is embedded within the body C of the IC card 2 . The module M includes an IC chip Ca, a communication section 25, a collation section 26, a fingerprint sensor 27, a display section 28, a secondary battery 29, and a charging mechanism 30. The IC chip Ca includes a processor 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, NVM 24, and the like.

The processor 21 is connected to the ROM 22, the RAM 23, the NVM 24, the communication section 25 and the charging mechanism 30 via a bus or the like. The communication unit 25 connects to the matching unit 26 and the charging mechanism 30 via a bus or the like. The collation unit 26 is connected to the fingerprint sensor 27 and secondary battery 29 via a bus or the like. The secondary battery 29 is connected to the charging mechanism 30 via a bus or the like.

It should be noted that the IC card 2 may have a configuration other than the configuration shown in FIG.

The processor 21 functions as a control unit that controls the IC card 2 as a whole. The processor 21 performs various processes based on control programs and control data stored in the ROM 22 or NVM 24 . For example, the processor 21 executes programs stored in the ROM 22 to control the operation of the IC card 2 or perform various processes according to the mode of operation of the IC card 2 .

For example, the processor 21 may be any processor that realizes control of each unit in the IC card 2 and information processing by executing a program.
Note that some of the various functions realized by the processor 21 executing the program may be realized by hardware circuits. In this case, processor 21 controls the functions performed by the hardware circuits.

The ROM 22 is a non-volatile memory that stores control programs and control data in advance. The ROM 22 is incorporated in the IC card 2 in a state in which a control program, control data, and the like are stored in the manufacturing stage. That is, the control program and control data stored in the ROM 22 are incorporated in advance according to the specifications of the IC card 2 and the like.

RAM 23 is a volatile memory. The RAM 23 temporarily stores data being processed by the processor 21 . For example, the RAM 23 functions as a calculation buffer, reception buffer and transmission buffer. The calculation buffer temporarily holds the results of various computations executed by the processor 21 . The reception buffer holds command data and the like received from the reader/writer 11 via the communication unit 25 . The transmission buffer holds messages (response data) and the like to be transmitted to the reader/writer 11 via the communication unit 25 .

The NVM 24 (storage unit) is configured by, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM in which data can be written and rewritten. The NVM 24 stores control programs, applications, and various data according to the usage of the IC card 2 . For example, the NVM 24 creates program files and data files. A control program and various data are written in each created file.

The NVM 24 also stores a remaining authentication counter (first counter) and a total remaining authentication counter (second counter). The remaining authentication counter and total remaining authentication counter will be described later.

The communication unit 25 is an interface for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data to and from the reader/writer 11 . That is, the communication section 25 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the host PC 1 through the reader/writer 11 .

The communication unit 25 includes a communication control unit such as a modulation/demodulation circuit for wireless communication with the reader/writer 11 and an antenna 25a for receiving radio waves from the reader/writer 11 . For example, the IC card 2 receives radio waves from the reader/writer 11 via the antenna 25a and the modulation/demodulation circuit. The IC card 2 is activated by generating an operation power supply and an operation clock from the received radio waves by a power supply unit (not shown).

Also, the communication unit 25 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the matching unit 26 . The communication unit 25 transmits data from the collation unit 26 to the processor 21 .
In addition, under the control of the processor 21 , the communication unit 25 supplies power generated from radio waves received by the antenna 25 a to each unit such as the charging mechanism 30 .

The fingerprint sensor 27 acquires fingerprint information from the user's finger. The fingerprint sensor 27 transmits the acquired fingerprint information to the collation unit 26 . For example, fingerprint sensor 27 includes a CCD sensor or the like. The fingerprint sensor 27 transmits the fingerprint image as the fingerprint information to the matching section 26 .

The fingerprint sensor 27 may extract features from the fingerprint image and generate fingerprint information indicating the features. The fingerprint sensor 27 may transmit the generated fingerprint information to the matching section 26 .

Under the control of the processor 21 , the matching unit 26 performs matching processing of the fingerprint information from the fingerprint sensor 27 . The collation unit 26 stores fingerprint information registered in advance. For example, fingerprint information is a fingerprint image.

The collation unit 26 collates the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint sensor 27 with pre-registered fingerprint information. That is, the matching unit 26 determines whether the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint sensor 27 matches the fingerprint information registered in advance. For example, the collating unit 26 compares the feature points of both pieces of fingerprint information. The collation unit 26 transmits the collation result to the processor 21 through the communication unit 25 .

Note that the matching unit 26 may store information indicating feature points and feature amounts of the fingerprint image as pre-registered fingerprint information.

The collation unit 26 operates with power from the secondary battery 29 . That is, the collation unit 26 obtains the power necessary for the collation process from the secondary battery 29 .
For example, the matching unit 26 is configured by a processor or the like. For example, the matching unit 26 is an MPU (Micro processing unit) or the like.

The display unit 28 displays various information based on control from the processor 21 . For example, the display unit 28 is composed of a lamp.

A secondary battery 29 supplies power to the collation unit 26 . The secondary battery 29 is a battery that can be charged by the charging mechanism 30 .

Charging mechanism 30 charges secondary battery 29 under the control of processor 21 . The charging mechanism 30 charges the secondary battery 29 by supplying power from the communication unit 25 to the secondary battery 29 . That is, the charging mechanism 30 charges the secondary battery 29 with electric power generated from radio waves received by the antenna 25a. For example, the charging mechanism 30 steps up or steps down the voltage supplied from the communication unit 25 and supplies it to the secondary battery 29 .

Next, functions realized by the IC card 2 will be described. Functions realized by the IC card 2 are realized by the processor 21 executing a program stored in the ROM 22, the NVM 24, or the like.

First, the processor 21 has a function of causing the fingerprint sensor 27 to acquire fingerprint information.

Here, it is assumed that the IC card 2 is set in the reader/writer 11 and is ready to transmit/receive data to/from the host PC 1 .

The host PC 1 transmits an authentication request command requesting authentication processing using fingerprint information to the IC card 2 through the reader/writer 11 .

Processor 21 of IC card 2 receives the authentication request command through communication unit 25 . Upon receiving the authentication request command, processor 21 activates fingerprint sensor 27 .

Here, it is assumed that the user puts his/her finger on the fingerprint sensor 27 and inputs his or her fingerprint to the fingerprint sensor 27 .
The fingerprint sensor 27 acquires fingerprint information from a finger that touches itself.

The processor 21 also has a function of performing authentication processing based on fingerprint information acquired through the fingerprint sensor 27 .

The processor 21 uses the matching unit 26 to perform authentication processing. As described above, the fingerprint sensor 27 transmits the obtained fingerprint to the matching section 26 . The collation unit 26 compares the fingerprint information registered in advance with the received fingerprint information. When the two match (identify), the matching unit 26 transmits a signal (match signal) to the processor 21 indicating that the two match. If the two do not match, the matching unit 26 transmits a signal (mismatch signal) indicating that the two do not match to the processor 21 .

When the processor 21 receives the match signal from the matching unit 26, it determines that the authentication has succeeded. When determining that the authentication has succeeded, the processor 21 transmits a signal indicating that the authentication has succeeded as a response to the reader/writer 11 through the communication unit 25 .

Further, when the processor 21 receives a mismatch signal from the matching unit 26, the processor 21 determines that the authentication has failed. When determining that the authentication has failed, the processor 21 transmits a signal indicating that the authentication has failed to the reader/writer 11 as a response through the communication unit 25 .

Further, the processor 21 has a function of subtracting the remaining authentication counter after performing authentication processing.

The remaining authentication counter indicates the number of remaining authentication processes until the processor 21 outputs a notification prompting charging of the secondary battery 29 . That is, when the remaining authentication counter reaches 0, it indicates that the secondary battery 29 needs to be charged. The remaining authentication counter stores a predetermined initial value (first initial value) when the IC card 2 is issued. For example, the initial value is determined based on the capacity of the secondary battery 29 and the power used by the collation unit 26 for one collation process.

After performing the authentication process, the processor 21 subtracts 1 from the remaining authentication counter regardless of success or failure of the authentication.

Further, the processor 21 has a function of subtracting the total remaining authentication counter when the authentication processing is performed.

The total remaining authentication counter indicates the number of remaining authentication processes until the processor 21 outputs a notification prompting the IC card 2 to be discarded. That is, when the total remaining authentication counter reaches 0, it indicates that the IC card 2 must be discarded. The total remaining authentication counter stores a predetermined initial value (second initial value) when the IC card 2 is issued. For example, the initial value is determined based on the capacity of the secondary battery 29, the number of times the secondary battery 29 can be charged, and the power used by the verification unit 26 for one verification process.

After performing the authentication process, the processor 21 subtracts 1 from the total remaining authentication counter regardless of success or failure of the authentication.

The processor 21 also has a function of outputting a notification prompting charging of the secondary battery 29 when the remaining authentication counter becomes 0 or less.

Processor 21 displays a notification prompting charging of secondary battery 29 through display unit 28 . For example, the processor 21 causes the display unit 28 to light a lamp of a predetermined color as the notification. In addition, the processor 21 may cause the display section 28 to blink. The operation of causing the display unit 28 to display the notification by the processor 21 is not limited to a specific operation.

Note that the processor 21 may output a notification prompting charging of the secondary battery 29 when the remaining authentication counter becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.

The processor 21 may also transmit a response prompting the host PC 1 to charge the secondary battery 29 . In this case, the host PC 1 displays a notification prompting charging of the secondary battery 29 through the display unit or the like.

The processor 21 also has a function of outputting a notification prompting the discarding of the IC card 2 when the total remaining authentication counter becomes 0 or less.

The processor 21 displays a notification prompting the secondary battery 29 to discard through the display unit 28 . For example, the processor 21 causes the display unit 28 to light a lamp of a predetermined color as the notification. In addition, the processor 21 may cause the display section 28 to blink. The operation of causing the display unit 28 to display the notification by the processor 21 is not limited to a specific operation.

Note that the processor 21 may output a notification prompting the discarding of the IC card 2 when the total remaining authentication counter becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.

The processor 21 may also send a response prompting the host PC 1 to discard the IC card 2 . In this case, the host PC 1 displays a notification prompting the disposal of the IC card 2 through the display unit or the like.

The processor 21 also has a function of resetting the remaining authentication counter when the secondary battery 29 is charged using the charging mechanism 30 .

When the power from the communication unit 25 becomes surplus, the processor 21 uses the charging mechanism 30 to charge the secondary battery 29 with the surplus power. For example, when the IC card 2 receives radio waves from the reader/writer 11 while the host PC 1 has not transmitted a command to the IC card 2 (or communication has ended), the processor 21 causes the charging mechanism 30 to The secondary battery 29 is charged with power from the communication unit 25 .

Processor 21 determines whether the amount of charge is sufficient. For example, processor 21 determines whether the amount of charge exceeds a predetermined threshold. For example, the processor 21 determines whether the charging time as the charging amount or the charged electric energy (for example, Wh) exceeds a predetermined threshold.

When determining that the charge amount is sufficient, the processor 21 resets the remaining authentication counter. That is, the processor 21 sets the initial value to the remaining authentication counter.

Note that the processor 21 may change the initial value to be set in the remaining authentication counter according to the number of times charging has been performed so far. For example, the processor 21 sets a smaller value as an initial value to the remaining authentication counter as the number of times of charging up to now increases.

Also, the processor 21 may change the initial value to be set in the remaining authentication counter according to the amount of charge. For example, the processor 21 sets the remaining authentication counter to a larger value as the initial value as the amount of charge increases.

Next, an operation example of the IC card 2 will be described.
First, an operation example in which the IC card 2 performs authentication processing will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining an operation example in which the IC card 2 performs authentication processing.

Here, it is assumed that the IC card 2 is set in the reader/writer 11 and is ready to transmit/receive data to/from the host PC 1 .

First, the processor 21 of the IC card 2 determines whether it has received a command from the host PC 1 through the communication section 25 (S11). When determining that no command has been received from the host PC 1 (S11, NO), the processor 21 returns to S11.

When determining that a command has been received from the host PC 1 (S11, YES), the processor 21 determines whether the received command is an authentication request command (S12).

If the received command is determined to be an authentication request command (S12, YES), the processor 21 causes the fingerprint sensor 27 to acquire fingerprint information (S13).

When the fingerprint sensor 27 acquires the fingerprint information, the processor 21 uses the verification unit 26 to perform authentication processing based on the acquired fingerprint information (S14). After performing the authentication process, the processor 21 transmits a response indicating the authentication result to the host PC 1 through the communication unit 25 (S15).

After transmitting the response to the host PC 1, the processor 21 subtracts 1 from the total remaining authentication counter (S16). After subtracting 1 from the total authentication remaining counter, the processor 21 determines whether the total authentication remaining counter is 0 or less (S17). When determining that the total remaining authentication counter is equal to or less than 0 (S17, YES), the processor 21 outputs a notification prompting the discarding of the IC card 2 through the display unit 28 (S18).

When determining that the total remaining authentication counter is not equal to or less than 0 (S17, NO), the processor 21 subtracts 1 from the remaining authentication counter (S19).

After subtracting 1 from the remaining authentication counter, the processor 21 determines whether the remaining authentication counter is 0 or less (S20). When determining that the remaining authentication counter is equal to or less than 0 (S20, YES), the processor 21 outputs a notification prompting charging of the secondary battery 29 through the display unit 28 (S21).

When determining that the received command is not the authentication request command (S12, NO), the processor 21 performs other processing according to the received command (S22).

If a notification prompting the discarding of the IC card 2 is output through the display unit 28 (S18), and if it is determined that the remaining authentication counter is not 0 or less (S20, NO), the charging of the secondary battery 29 is prompted through the display unit 28. When the notification is output (S21), or when other processing is performed according to the received command (S22), the processor 21 ends the operation.

Next, an operation example in which the IC card 2 resets the remaining authentication counter will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining an operation example in which the IC card 2 resets the remaining authentication counter.

First, the processor 21 of the IC card 2 determines whether the power from the communication section 25 is surplus (S31). If it is determined that there is no surplus power (S31, NO), the processor 21 returns to S31.

When determining that the power is surplus (S31, YES), the processor 21 charges the secondary battery 29 with the surplus power using the charging mechanism 30 (S32). Here, the processor 21 charges the secondary battery 29 until the secondary battery 29 is fully charged, until there is no surplus power, or until the power from the communication unit 25 stops.

After charging the secondary battery 29 with the surplus power, the processor 21 determines whether the amount of charge exceeds a predetermined threshold (S33). If it is determined that the charge amount has exceeded the predetermined threshold (S33, YES), the processor 21 sets an initial value to the remaining authentication counter (S34).

If it is determined that the charge amount does not exceed the predetermined threshold (S33, NO), or if the initial value is set to the remaining authentication counter (S34), the processor 21 ends the operation.

Note that the processor 21 may perform authentication processing using fingerprint information even when the remaining authentication counter or the total remaining authentication counter is 0 or less. Further, when the remaining authentication counter or the total remaining authentication counter is 0 or less, the processor 21 does not need to perform authentication processing using fingerprint information.

Also, the collation unit 26 may collate biometric information other than fingerprint information. For example, the collation unit 26 may collate biometric information such as palm prints, veins, or irises.

Moreover, the processor 21 may add 1 to the first counter and the second counter after performing the authentication process using the collating unit 26 . In this case, the processor 21 outputs a notification prompting charging of the secondary battery 29 when the first counter exceeds a predetermined threshold. Further, the processor 21 outputs a notification prompting the discarding of the IC card 2 when the second counter exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Also, the IC card 2 may include a processing unit that performs processing other than the collation processing. In this case, the processing unit operates with power from the secondary battery 29 . The processor 21 subtracts 1 from the first counter and the second counter when performing the processing using the processing unit.
Also, the communication unit 25 may be in contact with the reader/writer 11 for communication.

The IC card configured as described above subtracts 1 from the remaining authentication counter when authentication processing is performed using the verification unit that operates on power from the secondary battery. When the remaining authentication counter reaches 0, the IC card outputs a notification prompting charging of the secondary battery. As a result, the IC card can notify the timing of charging the internal secondary battery.

Also, when the IC card performs the authentication process using the collation unit that operates on power from the secondary battery, it subtracts 1 from the total remaining authentication counter. When the remaining authentication counter reaches 0, the IC card outputs a notification prompting the user to discard the IC card. As a result, the IC card can be discarded before it becomes impossible to carry out appropriate verification processing due to deterioration of the secondary battery.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

Reference Signs List 1 Host PC 2 IC card 11 Reader/writer 21 Processor 22 ROM 23 RAM 24 NVM 25 Communication unit 25a Antenna 26 Verification unit 27 Fingerprint sensor 28... Display unit, 29... Secondary battery, 30... Charging mechanism, 100... IC card processing system.

Claims (9)

an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device;
a collation unit that performs collation processing;
a secondary battery that supplies power to the collation unit;
a first counter set with a first initial value;
when the collation unit performs the collation process according to a command from the external device, subtracting 1 from the first counter;
outputting a notification prompting charging of the secondary battery when the value of the first counter is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
a processor;
IC card with Furthermore, it is equipped with a sensor that acquires biological information,
The matching process is a matching process of matching biometric information acquired by the sensor with pre-registered biometric information.
The IC card according to claim 1. The biometric information is fingerprint information,
The IC card according to claim 2. Furthermore, it has a display unit for displaying information,
the processor displays the notification on the display;
The IC card according to any one of claims 1 to 3. further comprising a charging mechanism for charging the secondary battery with power from the interface,
The processor resets the first counter when the secondary battery is charged by the charging mechanism.
The IC card according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The interface includes an antenna for receiving radio waves,
The charging mechanism charges the secondary battery with power generated from radio waves received through the antenna.
The IC card according to claim 5. Further comprising a second counter to which a second initial value is set,
The processor
when the collation unit performs the collation process according to a command from the external device, subtracting 1 from the second counter;
when the value of the second counter is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, outputting a notification prompting the disposal of the IC card;
The IC card according to any one of claims 1 to 6. An interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device, a collation unit for performing collation processing, a secondary battery for supplying power to the collation unit, a first counter in which a first initial value is set, and from the external device When the collation unit performs the collation process according to the command of No., 1 is subtracted from the first counter, and if the value of the first counter is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, charging of the secondary battery is urged. a module that outputs a notification, comprising a processor;
a body containing the module;
IC card with an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device;
a collation unit that performs collation processing;
a secondary battery that supplies power to the collation unit;
a first counter set with a first initial value;
when the collation unit performs the collation process according to a command from the external device, subtracting 1 from the first counter;
outputting a notification prompting charging of the secondary battery when the value of the first counter is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
a processor;
A portable electronic device comprising:

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