JPH06152509A - Information recording card with antenna function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a portable telephone set compact, or to improve a transmitting and receiving sensitivity. CONSTITUTION:This card is an SIN card 25 used for the portable telephone set in a mobile object communication system, and the telephone set can be used by mounting it. The SIN card 25 is functioned as an antenna, and the portable telephone set can be made compact by omitting the antenna of the portable telephone set. And also, the SIM card 25 functioning as the antenna is used as the auxiliary antenna independently of the antenna of the portable telephone set equipped with the antenna, so that the transmitting and receiving sensitivity can be improved. An antenna 29 of the SIN card 25 is constituted of a conductive foil arranged on the surface or inside part of the SIM card 25.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device used in a mobile communication system, for example, an information recording card used in a mobile phone, and particularly with an antenna function which contributes to downsizing of the terminal device such as the mobile phone. Information recording card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, demand for terminal devices such as mobile phones and car phones has greatly expanded due to the demand for personal communication. The system is also diverse, including analog cellular, digital cellular and cordless telephones. In particular, GSM (Gloval System for Mobil communicatio), which is one of the digital cellular systems.
ns) system has been established as a unified pan-European standard, and has started digital cellular telephone services.

An IC card is used as a card for recording information in this GSM system. This IC card is a SIM (Subscriber Identity Modu
le) card, which is a SIM that provides information about telephone users
Stored in the memory of the card. The information about the telephone user is, for example, a subscriber number (IMSI), a personal identification number (PIN), a service status code, a shortened telephone number entered by the subscriber, or the like.

Further, in the GSM system, the SIM card is inserted into a mobile phone to be in a usable state, and the network can be accessed for the first time. The mobile phone is a mobile station (MS: Mobil Station) with a SIM card inserted, and a mobile device (ME: Mobil Equi) with no SIM card inserted.
pment) and is clearly distinguished. That is, M
The E and SIM card are integrated into an MS to enable access to the network. GS like this
The SIM card is an essential element in the M system.

This SIM card is formed in the same shape as an ordinary credit card or bank card. Specifically, it is configured as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the figure, 1 is a card body, which is made of plastic. Reference numeral 2 denotes an interface terminal, which is an I terminal embedded in the card body 1.
It is a contact point between C3 and an external device (not shown). The size is about 86 mm in width, about 54 mm in length, and about 1 mm in thickness.

On the other hand, mobile phones have been made smaller and lighter for the convenience of users. However, since the size of the SIM card is constant and the size of the card insertion space in the mobile phone in which the SIM card is inserted is also constant, there is a limit in reducing the size and weight of only the mobile phone main body.

For this reason, attempts have been made to reduce the size and weight of the mobile phone by making the SIM card small to reduce the card insertion space. Examples of this small SIM card are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The card in Fig. 4 is called MINSIM, and the dimensions are about 31 mm x 54 mm x
It is 1 mm. The card shown in FIG. 5 is called a plug-in module SIM, and the dimensions are about 25 mm × 15 mm × 1.
mm. With these small SIM cards, the above-mentioned restrictions on miniaturization of mobile phones are removed.

On the other hand, in the GSM system, a SIM card can be carried by a subscriber and inserted into any GSM terminal (ME) for use. That is, the subscriber does not carry a mobile phone, only a SIM card. For example, a subscriber can bring only a SIM card while traveling, rent a mobile phone at a destination and insert his or her SIM card to make a call. The call charge at that time is charged to each SIM card owner.

[0009]

However, since the small SIM card shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is small, it is difficult to insert and take out the SIM card from the device, and it is easy to lose it while carrying it. .

Therefore, as for usability, the SI is large as before.
It is preferable to use M card, and this large SIM
There has been a demand for miniaturization of mobile phones using cards.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information recording card with an antenna function which can contribute to downsizing of a terminal device using a large SIM card. .

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first invention is used in a terminal device used in a mobile communication system for exchanging information between distant points via an antenna, An information recording card which makes the terminal device usable by mounting it, characterized in that the card body also has a function as the antenna.

A second aspect of the present invention is used in a terminal device with an antenna used in a mobile communication system for exchanging information between distant points, and an information recording card which makes the terminal device usable by mounting it. In addition to the antenna, the card body also has a function as an antenna,
It is characterized by assisting the function of the antenna.

It is desirable that the card body has a function as an antenna by disposing a conductor foil on the surface or inside the card body.

[0015]

[Function] By providing the card body with an antenna function,
The antenna of the terminal device can be omitted, and the size and weight of the terminal device can be reduced.

Further, by inserting a card body having an antenna function into a terminal device equipped with an antenna and using the antenna of the card body as an auxiliary antenna of the terminal device, the transmission / reception sensitivity can be improved.

Further, only by disposing the conductor foil on the card body, the antenna function can be easily and surely provided without being bulky.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, as in the case of the conventional technique, a case where a mobile phone is used as a terminal device of a mobile communication system and a SIM card is used as an information recording card will be described as an example.

The inventor of the present invention has conducted a mounting design study on what are the major obstacles to downsizing and weight saving of a mobile phone using a large SIM card. As a result, it was found that the retractable antenna built in the mobile phone is the first factor that hinders the miniaturization of the mobile phone due to its shape and structure. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

The first mobile phone has the structure shown in FIG. Reference numeral 11 in the figure denotes a mobile phone body, which has a built-in communication function. Reference numeral 12 denotes a SIM card, which stores information about the telephone user such as the above-mentioned subscriber number and is mounted in the mobile phone main body 11 so that the mobile phone main body 1
Put 1 into a call-enabled state. Reference numeral 13 is a retractable antenna, which is built in the mobile phone body 11 so as to be expandable and contractible.

The SIM card 12 and the retractable antenna 13 are arranged in a row in the lateral direction of the mobile phone body 11. Therefore, the card insertion space 14 of the SIM card 12 inside the mobile phone main body 11 and the insertion space 15 of the retractable antenna 13 are positioned side by side, and the horizontal width Wa of the mobile phone main body 11 is wide.

The second mobile phone has the structure shown in FIG. In this mobile phone, the SIM card 18 and the retractable antenna 19 are arranged in a line in the depth direction (thickness direction) of the mobile phone body 17. Therefore, the card insertion space 20 of the SIM card 18 inside the mobile phone main body 17 and the insertion space 21 of the retractable antenna 19 are vertically aligned, and the depth Wb of the mobile phone main body 17 is deep (thick). .

In these cases, the SIM card 1
Since the shapes of 2 and 18 are not changed, the card insertion space 1
4,20 cannot be made smaller. However, the insertion spaces 15 and 21 of the retractable antennas 13 and 19 are
It is possible to eliminate it by giving the function as an antenna to another part.

The information recording card with an antenna function of the present embodiment has been devised from the above viewpoint. The card has a function as an antenna to eliminate the insertion spaces 15 and 21 of the retractable antennas 13 and 19, The mobile phone bodies 11 and 17 have been made smaller and lighter.

A microstrip patch antenna is used as an antenna mechanism attached to this card. Here, the microstrip patch antenna is a plate-shaped antenna in which one surface of a plate-shaped dielectric is used as an antenna and the other surface is grounded. The basic structure of the microstrip antenna will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Reference numeral 31 in the figure is a dielectric having an inductivity ε _r . Reference numeral 32 denotes an antenna portion, which is formed of a conductor foil that is in close contact with one (upper) surface of the dielectric 31. Three
Reference numeral 3 denotes a ground portion, which is formed of a conductor foil that is in close contact with the other (lower) surface of the dielectric 31. 34 is a feeding point,
The antenna unit 32 is connected to a transmission / reception circuit (not shown) in the mobile phone. Further, the ground portion 33 is also connected via the connecting end portion 35. The dimensions of the antenna unit 32 are λg / 2 in the vertical direction and λg / 4 in the horizontal direction in relation to the wavelength of the radio wave used. Where λg = λ / ε _r , where λ is the radio frequency wavelength provided to the antenna.

Based on this basic structure, the radio frequency 800 MHz or 18 actually used in the GSM system
The antenna mechanism having the 00 MHz band antenna pattern is the antenna mechanism shown in FIGS.

The SIM card according to the first antenna mechanism is as shown in FIG. SIM card 2 shown
Reference numeral 5 denotes a dielectric card body 26 formed to have the same size as a credit card, an IC (not shown) built in the card body 26, and an interface terminal (connecting the IC and an external device). (Not shown). An antenna mechanism 28 is provided on the surface of the card body 26, and the SIM card 25 also has a function as an antenna.

The antenna mechanism 28 is composed of the microstrip patch antenna. This antenna mechanism 28 is called a line antenna, and one surface of the card body 26 is used as an antenna portion 29 and the other surface is used as a ground portion 30 to form a plate-shaped planar antenna. The card body 26 is made of a dielectric material such as plastic and has a dielectric constant ε _r . Antenna part 29
Is formed of a conductor foil adhered to one surface of the card body 26. This conductor foil is formed into the shape of an antenna and is closely attached. This antenna part 29 has a rectangular bent pattern, and the length L of one side is λ.
g / 4.

SIM card 25 configured as described above
Is attached to a small and lightweight mobile phone that does not have a built-in antenna. When the SIM card 25 is attached to the mobile phone, the mobile phone becomes in a communicable state by an internal circuit. At the same time, the antenna built in the SIM card 25 is connected to the internal circuit of the mobile phone and becomes ready for transmission and reception.

Since the SIM card 25 has the function as an antenna as described above, the antenna of the mobile phone can be omitted, and the size and weight of the mobile phone can be reduced.

In addition, the SIM card 25 having an antenna function is inserted into a mobile phone having an antenna, and the S
By using the antenna of the IM card 25 as the auxiliary antenna of the mobile phone, the transmission / reception sensitivity is improved, and the antenna having high sensitivity and excellent omnidirectionality can be obtained.

Further, the antenna part 29 and the ground part 30
Since only the conductor foil is arranged on the card body 26, the SIM card 25 can easily and surely have an antenna function without being bulky.

The SIM card relating to the second antenna mechanism is as shown in FIG. The SIM card 41 shown in the figure is called a double-sided dipole antenna, and the card body 42 is made of plastic to form a dielectric as in the above. Reference numeral 43 is a grounding portion, which is formed of a metal foil adhered to the back surface of the card body 42. The ground portion 43 occupies more than half the area of the card body 42 and is a flat plate portion 43A.
And an L-shaped portion 43B extending from the flat plate portion 43A.

Reference numeral 44 denotes an antenna portion, which is formed in an L shape on the front surface of the card body 42 by a metal foil pattern. The antenna portion 44 is formed in the opposite direction to the L-shaped portion 43B of the ground portion 43. The length L of each part is λg / 4
And

As a result, the same operation and effect as in the case of the SIM card 25 having the first antenna mechanism can be obtained.

The SIM card according to the third antenna mechanism is as shown in FIG. The SIM card 51 shown in the figure is called a slot antenna, and a ground portion 53 is formed of a metal foil on the front surface of a card body 52 similar to the above. A horizontally long rectangular slot 53A is formed in the ground portion 53 near the center thereof. 54 is an antenna part formed of a metal foil on the back surface of the card main body 52,
It has an enlarged portion 54A that greatly expands in a vertically long rectangular shape at a position corresponding to the slot 53A, and is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the slot 53A. The length L of the slot 53A and the enlarged portion 54A of the antenna portion 54 is λg / 4.

As a result, the same operation and effect as in the SIM card 25 having the first antenna mechanism can be obtained.

The SIM cards 25 and 4 described above are used.
Since the area of the interface terminal of the IC is smaller than the total area of 1, 54, even if the antenna portion and the ground portion are formed by bypassing that portion or deleting the antenna pattern of the interface terminal portion, It does not affect the performance of the antenna itself.

Further, the connection of each antenna part and the earth part with the circuit in the mobile phone can be easily performed, for example, via a contactor provided at the end of the SIM card.

In each of the above embodiments, the antenna section is provided on the surface of the card body, but it may be provided inside the card body. That is, the card body may be molded thinly, the antenna part may be provided on the surface thereof, and the thin film may be molded so as to cover the surface of the antenna part.

Further, an antenna made of a conductor foil may be provided inside the mobile phone. As a result, the size and thickness of the mobile phone can be reduced even when a SIM card without an antenna is used.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the mobile telephone is used as the terminal device of the mobile communication system and the SIM card is used as the information recording card has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the mobile telephone is used. Even in the case of other communication devices such as a cordless horn and a handy talkie, the same operation and effect as described above can be obtained. Further, the information recording card is not limited to a card having an IC built therein, and a card using other information recording means such as a magnetic card attached with a magnetic tape can also achieve the same operation and effect as described above.

[0043]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Since the card body also functions as an antenna, the antenna of the terminal device can be omitted, and the terminal device can be made smaller and lighter.

(2) By mounting an information recording card having an antenna function on a terminal device equipped with an antenna, it is possible to improve the transmission and reception sensitivity, and to provide an antenna with high sensitivity and excellent omnidirectionality.

(3) Since the conductor foil is provided on the surface or inside of the card body so as to have the antenna function, the information recording card can easily and surely have the antenna function without being bulky.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a SIM card according to a first antenna mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a conventional SIM card.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the SIM card of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a MINSIM card.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a plug-in module SIM card.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a first mobile phone.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a second mobile phone.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a SIM card provided with a basic microstrip antenna.

9 is a side cross-sectional view of the SIM card of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a SIM card according to a second antenna mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a SIM card according to a third antenna mechanism of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

25 ... SIM card, 26 ... Card body, 28 ... Antenna mechanism, 29 ... Antenna section, 30 ... Ground section.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An information recording card which is used in a terminal device used in a mobile communication system for exchanging information between remote points via an antenna and which makes the terminal device usable by mounting it. An information recording card with an antenna function, wherein the card body also has the function as the antenna. 2. An information recording card, which is used in a terminal device with an antenna used in a mobile communication system for exchanging information between distant points and which makes the terminal device usable by mounting it. An information recording card with an antenna function, characterized in that the card body also has an antenna function separately from the antenna to assist the antenna function. 3. The information recording card with an antenna function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductor function is provided on the surface or inside of the card body to provide the antenna function. Information recording card with.