JPH01187617A - Ic card device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely and properly replace a power source by providing a means to inform an external part of the voltage level of the power source of an IC card. CONSTITUTION:The IC card is provided with a battery (power source) 2 to hold a memory 3 and the stored contents of the memory 3, and it is constituted so that the voltage level of the power source 2 can be confirmed from the external part by the informing means 9. Since this informing means 9 informs the external part of the voltage level of the power source, the replacing time of the power source can be known by knowing the contents of the information. Thus, the replacement of the power source 2 can be performed surely and properly, and the stored contents of the memory never vanishes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an IC card device that prevents the contents of a memory mounted on an IC card from being lost.

(Prior Art) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional IC card device. Here, the configuration inside an IC card (1) equipped with a microprocessor and capable of calculation is shown. In the figure, (
2) is the battery that is the power source for the IC card (1), and (3)
) is a memory for storing programs and data, (4) is an arithmetic/control unit that uses the memory (3) to perform calculations and control each block, and (5) is a unit for connecting with external devices described later. This is an I/F (interface) circuit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a system using the above-mentioned IC card (1), in which the IC card (1) is connected to the terminal device (6), which is the above-mentioned external device, via an adapter (7). FIG. 5(a) shows a state in which the IC card (1) is connected to the terminal device (6), and FIG. 5(b) shows a state in which the IC card (1) is removed.

Next, the operation will be explained.

Data sent from the terminal device (8) is sent to the adapter (7).
After being electrically and physically matched, the data is sent to the IC card (1). Inside the IC card (1), the I/F circuit (5) electrically converts the data signal as necessary and sends it to the calculation/control unit (4). ) performs data analysis and calculations while using memory (3).

At this time, data is written into the memory (3) as required, and the calculated data is returned to the terminal device (6).

Here, the battery (2) supplies power to each block, but it is also provided for backing up the memory (3), so the IC card (1) can be used as shown in Figure 5(b). Even if the adapter (7) is disconnected, the memory (3)
) can be retained. However, this battery (2) must be replaced before it can no longer maintain a predetermined voltage level so that it can always supply the necessary voltage to the internal circuits of the IC card (1). This is because if the voltage falls below a predetermined voltage level, there is a risk that the stored contents of the memory (3) will be lost.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Conventional IC card devices are configured as described above, and when the voltage level of the battery (2) in the IC card (1) decreases, the stored contents in the memory (3) are lost. It is necessary to replace it regularly, but
Since the timing of replacing the battery (2) relies on human senses, there is a problem in that replacement is delayed and the contents of the memory (3) are lost.

This invention was made to solve these problems, and it is possible to easily check the voltage level of the power supply from the outside, so that the power supply can be replaced appropriately, and the memory storage The object of the present invention is to obtain an IC card device that does not lose its contents.

[Means to solve the problem]

The IC card device according to the present invention includes a memory in the IC card and a power source for holding the stored contents of the memory, and is configured such that the voltage level of the power source can be confirmed from the outside by a notification means.

[Effect]

The notification means in this invention notifies the outside of the voltage level of the power supply, so by knowing the contents, it is possible to know when to replace the power supply.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an IC card (1). In the figure, (2) is a battery that is the main power source that supplies power to each block, (3) is a memory that stores programs and data, (4) is an arithmetic/control unit that controls various calculations and the entire inside of the card; (5) is an I/F circuit that sends and receives data to and from an external device (not shown); (8)
is an 8/D (analog/digital) converter that monitors the battery (2) and converts its voltage level into a digital value, and (9) is the output value of the A/D converter (8), that is, the voltage of battery (2). This is an LCD (liquid crystal element) display that displays the level to the outside, and is provided as a means of notifying the voltage level. (10) is a solar cell that supplies power to the A/D converter (8) and LG[1 display (9); (11) is the above/D converter (8), L[:
This is a voltage monitor section consisting of a D display (9) and a solar cell.

Next, the operation will be explained.

As in the past, this IC card (1) is connected to an external device (not shown) via an adapter, and data is sent and received in this state. At this time, the voltage monitor section (11) monitors the voltage level of the battery (2). is constantly monitored. The voltage monitor section (11) is supplied with a mold source and becomes operational while the Taigame battery (10) is exposed to light. At this time, first, the voltage level of the battery (2) is adjusted to the A/D converter (8).
) into a digital value. The input section of this A/D converter (8) is an FET (field effect transistor).
etc. are used to prevent current from flowing from the battery (2) when the voltage monitor section (!l) is not operating.

Then, the data digitized by the A/D converter (8) is taken into the LCD display (9), and a bar graph as shown in FIG. 2, for example, is displayed according to the value. Figure 2 (a) shows a case where the voltage level of the battery (2) is above the specified value and the power supply is OK, and Fig. 2 (b) shows a case where the voltage level is below the specified value and it is time to replace it. There is.

In this way, the voltage level of the battery (2) can be easily checked from the outside, and the time to replace it can be accurately known. Therefore, there is no fear that the contents of memory (3) will be lost. FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the IC card (1).

Here, the battery (which is the main power source for the IC card (1))
The voltage monitor unit (11) is used only when you want to check the status (voltage level) of 2), that is, when you shine light on the solar cell (10).
Since the voltage monitor section (11) is operated, the circuit for the voltage monitor section (11) can be added without shortening the battery life of the battery (2).

Also, when the IC card (1) is connected to an external device, it is incorporated into the main body of the device, so the solar cell (10)
No light shines on it. Therefore, when it is desired to check the voltage level of the battery (2), the IC card (1) is pulled out from the main body of the device and checked.

In the above embodiment, a bar graph display is performed using the LCD display (9), but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a message directly indicating the status (such as "Battery OK" or "Battery OK") can be used. may be displayed. Furthermore, the notification may be made by using a buzzer and sounding an alarm instead of the display. [Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the configuration is provided with means for notifying the voltage level of the power supply of the IC card to the outside. As a result, the voltage level of the power supply can be easily checked from the outside, so the power supply can be replaced reliably and appropriately, and the contents of the memory can be prevented from being lost. It will be done.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the LCD display in FIG. 1, and FIG.
a) is a diagram showing the case where the voltage level is higher than the specified value;
Figure (b) is a diagram showing the case where the voltage level is below the specified value, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the RC card in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the conventional example, and Figure 5 is an IC card. FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing a state in which an IC card is connected to a terminal device, and FIG. 5(b) is a block diagram showing a system using a card.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the c-card is removed from the terminal device. (1)...IC card, (2)...Bara Terry (
(power supply), (3)...memory, (9)...LCD display (notification means), (11)...voltage monitor unit. Note that the same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same or corresponding parts. Deputy University Masuo Oiwa Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] An IC card device characterized in that an IC card is provided with a memory, a power source for holding the stored contents of the memory, and a notification means for notifying the voltage level of the power source to the outside.