JPH0273487A - Ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the dishonest use of an IC card and at the same time to confirm the owner of the card at its use by using a means which compares and discriminates the signal level change detected by a pressure-sensitive element with the signal pattern stored previously. CONSTITUTION:An IC card 1 contains a microprocessor 2 which processes the electric signals, a memory element 3, a pressure-sensitive element 6, a comparison/decision circuit 7, etc. When the element 6 is struck with a finger, this striking rhythm, etc., are detected by the element 6. Then the level change of the detected output signal or a signal pattern of peak intervals is detected and compared with the signal pattern stored previously in the element 3 via the circuit 7. The card 1 is available only when the coincidence is obtained in the comparison. Thus the striking rhythm of the element 6 is used as a 2nd identification number. Then a 1st key is decided when the coincidence is obtained between the identification number stored in the element 3 and that inputted by a key. While a 2nd key is decided when the coincidence is obtained between the rhythm input obtained from the element 6 and the signal pattern stored in the element 3. Thus a duplex key system is attained to strengthen prevention of dishonest use of the card 1.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an IC card used in a PO8 terminal, etc.
In particular, it relates to low-cost IC cards that have enhanced protection against unauthorized use.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, with the spread of IC cards, these IC cards have been widely applied to point-of-sale terminals (POS terminals) and the like.

One of the most important aspects of using this type of device is to be able to correctly authenticate the owner of the Industrial C Card and to reliably prevent unauthorized use due to theft of the authentication PIN number, etc. .

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of this type of device using a conventionally used IC card. In the figure, 20 is an IC card, and the IC card 20 has a built-in microcomputer (CPU) 2/ for processing and 11 control and a storage element 22, and a contact 23 for connecting to an external device is provided on the surface of the card. It is provided. This IC cartco 0 is PO8 terminal 30
It is used by attaching it to. A keypad 31 having a plurality of keys is connected to the POS terminal 30, and a storage device 32 is connected to the FoS terminal 30 and the keypad 31. In the conventional device shown in FIG. 3, when a customer who owns the IC card 20 uses the IC card 20 at the POS terminal 30 for shopping,
0 to the PO8 terminal 30, a predetermined password is input from the keypad 3/.

In this case, if the input PIN number matches the number stored in the memory element λ of the IC card θ, the IC
The card 20 becomes usable. That is, the data stored in the IC card 20, such as the bank account number and deposit amount, can be read and used at the PO8 terminal 30. In this case, the password can also be stored in the storage device 32 at the same time.

Figure 1 shows another example of this type of IC card that has been used in the past. In the figure, O is an IC card, and IC card O is a microcomputer (CPU) for processing and control.
) j / and memory element! 2 and batteries! Built-in 3,
There are also contacts on the surface of the card for connecting to external devices.
is set up, and there is also a keypad j! is provided.

This IC card is PO8 terminal 3Q as shown in Figure 3.
When using an IC card without using the keypad 3/ that comes with the PO8 terminal! Keypad on rO! The password is entered using the password.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, when using the IC card 20 with the configuration shown in FIG. If the rC card is used illegally, there is a risk that the rC card will be used illegally.

In addition, in the case of an IC card 0 as shown in Fig. μ, since the PIN number is entered using the keypad jj on the IC card jO, the PIN number is confirmed inside the IC card 10 to make it difficult to steal the PIN number. It is possible. Furthermore, I.C.
Since the owner of the card jO can enter the password using the keypad JJ- to enable the card before use, the password can be made more difficult to steal.

However, if you enter your PIN in advance,
card! In order to confirm whether the holder of 0 is the legitimate owner, it is difficult for the seller to ask the person to enter the PIN again.
There is a problem that it is difficult to confirm whether the rc card JO is stolen or forged.

Furthermore, since the IC card jO is provided with a keypad 33 consisting of a plurality of keys, there is a problem that the number of parts increases and it is difficult to reduce the price or size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a low-cost XC card that can prevent unauthorized use of an IC card and authenticate the owner at the time of use.

[Means to solve the problem]

To achieve the above object, an IC card of the present invention includes a microcomputer, a storage element, and a battery for processing electrical signals, and includes a pressure-sensitive element and a signal detected by the pressure-sensitive element. The present invention is characterized by comprising means for comparing and determining a signal pattern of level changes and/or peak intervals with a signal pattern previously stored in a storage element.

[Effect]

According to such an IC card, when a pressure-sensitive element provided on the IC card is tapped with a finger, the pressure-sensitive element detects the rhythm, etc., and detects a change in the level of the detected output signal or a signal pattern of peak intervals. Detect. This detected signal pattern is compared with a signal pattern previously stored in a memory element built into the IC card, and only when it is determined that both signal patterns match does the IC card become usable. Therefore, the rhythm of tapping a pressure sensitive element with a finger or the like can be used in place of a password.

In addition, with this IC card, the first key is the match between the password entered on the keypad of the PO8 terminal and the number stored in the memory element of the IC card, and the rhythm etc. input to the pressure-sensitive element described above is performed. By using the second key as the second key, it is possible to duplicate the key, thereby further strengthening the prevention of unauthorized use.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an implementation f11 of an IC card according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. In the figure, / is an engineering C card, λ is a microprocessor for processing electrical signals and controlling each part of the engineering C card, 3 is a storage element, ≠ is a contact point for connection with an external device, and λ is a microprocessor for processing electrical signals and controlling each part of the engineering C card. A battery, B is a pressure-sensitive element consisting of a piezoelectric element that generates voltage when pressure is applied, and 7 is fI5. E is a comparison device that compares and discriminates analog patterns and digital/digital ζ-turns using a function similar to that of an analog-to-digital converter.・It is a discrimination circuit. The microprocessor 2, memory element 3, and battery are built into the IC card, the contacts are provided on the surface of the IC card, and the pressure-sensitive element is provided on the IC card. It is. Also,
Regarding the connection relationship between each functional element, as shown in FIG. 2, the microprocessor has a memory element 3 and a contact point ≠ 75;
It is also connected to the comparison/discrimination circuit 7 by a node. Further, the memory element 3 and the pressure sensitive element B are connected to the comparison/discrimination circuit 7, and the signals 75 from both are compared.

Plus, batteries! are respectively connected to the microprocessor 7, the pressure sensitive element 7, and the comparison/discrimination circuit 7 to supply voltage.

Next, the operation of the IC card of this embodiment will be explained. When the pressure-sensitive element B of the IC card is tapped with a finger or the like, the strength of the nosm is detected by the pressure-sensitive element as a high or low voltage, and is output as an electrical analog signal. This detected analog signal is compared to cow 1% 11 circuit 7
The first @ order is input to the analog signal I and digitally converted,
Furthermore, this digitally converted signal is compared with a digital signal previously stored in the R memory element 3. As a result of the comparison, if the //turn power of both signals is equal, the determination result is output to the microprocessor 2, and the IC cart ° power! Processed into a usable state. Here, the comparison/'#41 Mlj circuit 7 may be of any type as long as it can compare two signal patterns and determine whether they are similar or not.
This can be realized using known technology. For example, as described above, the output signal from the pressure sensitive element B is sampled sequentially at regular intervals, and in synchronization with this, the signal stored in the storage element 3 is read out and the voltage level values of the two are compared. A method may be used in which the signal patterns are compared and determined as a result. In addition, the memory element 3 or a separate memory element is provided, and the signal from the pressure sensitive element B is once stored in this memory element, and then sequentially compared with a signal pattern for comparison that has been stored in the memory element 3 in advance, and the discrimination is made. It is also possible to do this. In any case, the comparison/discrimination circuit 7 compares the analog signal pattern from the pressure-sensitive element B with the digital signal pattern prestored in the storage element 3, depending on changes in the signal level or/and peak intervals of the signal. Compare and match them.

The similarity between the two signal patterns is determined based on the mismatch.

Next, a method of using the IC card according to the present invention will be explained. When the owner of an IC card uses the PO8 terminal for shopping, for example, he first inserts the IC card into the POS terminal 30 as in the conventional case shown in FIG. If the entered PIN number matches the verification number stored in the memory element 3 of the IC card/, the IC card/ is in the seventh stage of the state before it can be used.Next, the IC card/ is Remove it from the FO8 terminal 3θ and tap the pressure-sensitive element B of the IC card L with a specific rhythm that is the password of the owner.The strength of this rhythm is detected by the pressure-sensitive element B, and the strength or weakness of the rhythm or / In addition, the time interval of the peak, etc. is compared with the signal 2 turns stored in the memory element 3 of the IC card as an electric signal pattern in the comparison/discrimination circuit 7, and it is determined that the ζ turns of both signals match or are almost the same. When it is determined that the IC card I is in a usable state, the second stage is reached, in which the IC card I is ready for use. After that, insert the IC card/ again into the PO.
8 terminal 30 for actual use. In this way, the keypad 3/camo PIN number attached to the PO8 terminal 30 is used as the first key, the rhythm etc. from the pressure sensitive element of the IC card is used as the first key, and these first and second keys are used as the first key. Since the IC card 1 can be used when both can be verified, safety is greatly improved.

Therefore, even if someone steals the password from the storage device 32 when entering the password, which is the first key, on the Kibanodo 3/, the IC card cannot be fraudulently used.

In addition, since the RC card is made usable according to the correct procedure, it is possible to reliably confirm whether the IC card has been fraudulently stolen or forged.

Furthermore, since only seven pressure-sensitive elements are required, the device can be made more economical and more compact than the so-called keypad shown in Figure 1, which requires a plurality of keys.

In the above embodiment, a piezoelectric element that generates a voltage when pressure is applied is used as the pressure-sensitive element, but it is obvious that a pressure-sensitive resistance element whose resistance value changes depending on pressure may also be used.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in the present invention, the PIN is replaced with the conventional combination of numbers and uses a rhythm of tapping with a finger, which greatly prevents the PIN from being stolen or even the IC card being stolen. There are advantages that can be achieved. Furthermore, since the password is input using a pressure-sensitive element, the input section can be simplified, and the IC card has the advantage of being lower in price and smaller in size.

Furthermore, when using the IC card of the present invention in a PO8 terminal, etc., the first key is the password entered from the keypad of the PO8 terminal, etc., and the rhythm or other password entered from the pressure-sensitive element of the IC card is used as the first key. By using the first and second keys as a second key and duplicating them,
Another advantage is that security against unauthorized use of the IC card can be greatly improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an IC card according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional IC card and an example of its use. Figure 1 is a diagram showing another example of a conventional IC card. /...IC card, 2...microprocessor 3.
...Memory element, ≠...Contact,! ···battery. 2...Pressure sensitive element, 7...Comparison/discrimination circuit. Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] An IC card incorporating a microcomputer, a storage element, and a battery for processing electrical signals includes a pressure-sensitive element, a signal pattern of a level change and/or a peak interval of a signal detected by the pressure-sensitive element, and the memory. Compare the signal pattern pre-stored in the element.
An IC card characterized by comprising: a means for determining.