JPH07104943A - Information transmitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily attain the development and design of a system, and to improve efficiency by providing a means which converts the transmitting configuration of a signal according to the kind of an IC card between the storage medium side interface and outside device side interface of a driver. CONSTITUTION:An input and output control circuit 104 operates the switching of an inside bus. A logic control circuit 106 operates the timing adjustment of a control signal inputted from an outside device 101, and transmits it to a control circuit 118. The control circuit 118 generates a status signal or the like according to the configuration of an interface circuit 105, and controls a buffer memory 107. The function of a configuration converting means which converts the transmitting configuration of the signal is provided as the control circuit 118 between an outside connecting interface 103 being the outside device side interface and the non-contact interface circuit 105 being the information storage medium side interface. For example, the transmitting configuration, channel number, and timing or the like can be changed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an external device such as a personal computer, a portable information storage medium such as an IC card, and a reader for accessing the information storage medium and connected to the external device. The present invention relates to an information transmission device including a driver such as a writer and capable of transmitting information unidirectionally or bidirectionally between the external device and the information storage medium via the driver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, IC cards have been used for electronic notebook databases, external information recording media for personal computers, additional memory, and the like, and the demands and fields of use have expanded dramatically.

The method of coupling the IC card driver (reader / writer) is divided into a pin insertion method and a non-contact method. In the pin insertion method, signals can be transmitted using, for example, 68 pins, so that 8-bit or 16-bit parallel data transmission can be performed and data can be read and written at high speed, but the connector pins are exposed. Because
It has drawbacks such as poor contact due to dirt and bending of the pin, and deterioration of insertion / removal resistance due to miniaturization of the pin.

On the other hand, the non-contact method is characterized in that it does not cause the above-mentioned troubles and can be used particularly in an environment where it is easily soiled.

As a means for transmitting and receiving information without contact,
Although electromagnetic coupling, light, radio waves, etc. have been proposed, most of those currently put into practical use are electromagnetic coupling systems in consideration of cost and power consumption.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned pin insertion type, since the main part of information transmission such as the number of pins to be used and the information transmission method (parallel / serial) is almost publicly decided, it is considered as an IC card. The interface format between the driver and the interface between the driver and an external device such as a personal computer has been standardized.

However, in the case of the non-contact method (for example, electromagnetic coupling method), the number of channels for information transmission (number of coils used), information transmission method (parallel / serial), generation of timing signals and control signals, etc. Since there are various types of IC cards, the interface format between the driver and the interface format between the driver and an external device will differ depending on the specifications of the IC card.

Therefore, when the user develops the system, it is necessary to consider the interface specifications according to the type of IC card to be used. Therefore, the development and design are very complicated and inefficient. There is.
An object of the present invention is to eliminate such drawbacks and to provide an information transmission device in which system development by a user is simple.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention provides an external device, an information storage medium, and a driver for accessing the information storage medium and connected to the external device. In the information transmission device which is provided with the information transmission medium for transmitting information between the external device and the information storage medium through the driver, the information storage medium side interface connected to the information storage medium of the driver has a specification of the information storage medium to be used. The external device side interface connected to the external device has a corresponding format, and the external device side interface has a format corresponding to the standard specifications, and converts the signal transmission mode between the information storage medium side interface and the external device side interface, for example, control. It is characterized in that mode conversion means such as a circuit is provided.

To achieve the above object, the second aspect of the present invention comprises an external device, an information storage medium, and a driver that accesses the information storage medium and is connected to the external device, via the driver. In an information transmission device for transmitting information between an external device and an information storage medium, the information storage medium has a driver-side interface in a format corresponding to standard specifications for connecting with the driver, and the driver-side interface and the information The present invention is characterized in that a mode conversion means such as a control circuit for converting a signal transmission mode according to the used memory device is provided between the memory devices in the storage medium.

[0011]

In the first aspect of the invention, the external device side interface of the driver has a form corresponding to the standard specifications,
When a user develops a system by providing a mode conversion means for converting the mode of signal transmission according to the type of IC card to be used, etc. between the information storage medium side interface of the driver and the external device side interface. It is not necessary to consider the specifications of the interface circuit on the information storage medium side, the system development and design can be simplified, and the efficiency can be improved.

In the second aspect of the invention, the driver side interface of the information storage medium has a format corresponding to the standard specifications, and a memory device in use is provided between the driver side interface and the memory device in the information storage medium. By providing the mode conversion means for converting the signal transmission mode accordingly, it is not necessary to consider the type of memory device used when the user develops the system, and the system can be easily developed and designed. It has features such as improved efficiency.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment. An information transmission device is mainly an external device 1 such as a personal computer.
01, a driver 102 such as a reader / writer, and a non-contact memory card 111 such as an IC card.

The driver 102 includes an external connection interface 103, an input / output control circuit 104, a contactless interface circuit 105, a logic control circuit 106, a buffer memory 107, a power supply circuit 108,
It has a plurality of signal coils 109, a power supply coil 116, a control circuit 118, and the like.

On the other hand, the memory card 111 has a plurality of signal coils 110, a non-contact interface circuit 112, a control circuit 113, a memory 114, a power supply circuit 115, a power supply coil 117 and the like.

In the figure, a1, a1 'are data buses, b1,
b1 'is an address bus, c1 is a memory control signal, d1 is a driver Ready / Busy signal, e1 is an input / output control signal, f1 is a card control signal, g1 is an internal control signal, h1
Is a buffer memory control signal, i1 is a card control signal, j
1 is a card ready / busy signal, k1 and k1 'are data buses, l1 and l1' are address buses, m1 is a memory control signal, n1 is a card ready / busy signal, and o1 is a memory ready / busy signal.
The Busy signal, p1 is a memory control signal.

In this embodiment, the external connection interface 1 is used.
When 03 and the contactless interface circuits 105 and 112 are compared, the external connection interface 103 is a higher example of interface conditions such as the number of channels and information transmission speed.

Next, the configuration and function of each unit will be individually described.

The external connection interface 103 is a standard memory card interface specification or a memory IC.
Of the external device 101, and is compatible with any external device 101. Therefore, when the user develops the system, it is not necessary to consider the specifications of the non-contact interface circuits 105 and 112, and it is necessary to be compatible with the specifications of the external connection interface 103 (standard memory card interface specifications or memory IC specifications). Just check.

The input / output control circuit 104 switches the internal bus. Logic control circuit 10
Reference numeral 6 adjusts the timing of the control signal input from the external device 101 and transmits the control signal to the control circuit 118.

The control circuit 118 controls the buffer memory 107 while generating, for example, signal division, timing, a status signal indicating the signal content, etc. according to the specifications of the contactless interface circuit 105. In this embodiment, the control circuit 118 functions as a mode conversion means for converting a signal transmission mode between the external connection interface 103 which is an external device side interface and the non-contact interface circuit 105 which is an information storage medium side interface. Have Examples of conversion of the above-described signal transmission mode include parallel / serial transmission mode, change in the number of channels, change in timing, and change in control signal.

The buffer memory 107 buffers data in order to adjust the speed between the contactless interface circuits 105 and 112.

The power supply circuit 108 supplies electric power to the memory card side. Non-contact interface circuit 105, 1
Reference numeral 12 modulates a signal for transmission and demodulates a received signal. In the case of this embodiment, the specifications of the contactless interface circuits 105 and 112 are determined according to the memory device used for the memory card 111.

The control circuit 113 reproduces the received signal by a status signal and generates an access signal (address, data, control signal, etc.) according to the memory device. It also generates a card ready / busy signal for adjusting the transmission with the driver 102.

The power supply circuit 115 performs smoothing of power, regulation, backup of the memory 114, and the like.

A plurality of signal coils 109 and power supply coil 11
6 is held and fixed to the electromagnetic coupling connector on the driver side, while the signal coil 110 and the power supply coil 117 are held and fixed to the electromagnetic coupling connector on the memory card side so that both electromagnetic coupling connectors are close to each other. By making them face each other, information is transmitted and electric power is supplied between the driver 102 and the memory card 110.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the second embodiment.
The information transmission device mainly includes an external device 101, a driver 201, and a memory card 208.

The driver 201 includes an external connection interface 202, an input / output control circuit 203, a contactless interface circuit 204, a logic control circuit 205, a plurality of signal coils 206, and a power supply circuit 10.
8, power supply coil 116 and the like.

On the other hand, the memory card 208 has a plurality of signal coils 207, a non-contact interface circuit 209, an input / output control circuit 210, a memory 211, a logic control circuit 212, a power supply circuit 115, a power supply coil 117 and the like.

In the figure, a2 is a data bus, b2 is an address bus, c2 is a memory control signal, and d2 is a driver Ready / Bu.
sy signal, e2 input / output control signal, f2 card control signal, g2 card ready / busy signal, h2 data bus, i2 address bus, j2 input / output control signal, k2 memory control signal, l2 memory Ready / Busy
Signal, m2 is memory control signal, n2 is memory Ready / Busy
It is a signal.

In this embodiment, the interface conditions such as the number of channels of the non-contact interface circuit 209 and the information transmission speed are set to the external connection interface 203 or more. The external connection interface 203 and the contactless interface circuits 206 and 209 are made to correspond to each other in a one-to-one manner, and the memory 211 of the memory card 208 is stored.
It is configured to access.

Since the function of each part is the same as that of FIG. 1, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the third embodiment.
The information transmission device mainly includes an external device 101, a driver 301, and a memory card 309.

The driver 301 includes an external connection interface 302, an input / output control circuit 303, a logic control circuit 305, a non-contact interface circuit 306, a plurality of signal coils 307, and a power supply circuit 10.
8, power supply coil 116 and the like.

On the other hand, the memory card 208 has a plurality of signal coils 308, a non-contact interface 310, a control circuit 311, a memory 312, a power supply circuit 115, a power supply coil 117 and the like.

In the figure, a3 is a data bus, b3 is an address bus, c3 is a memory control signal, and d3 is a driver Ready / Bu.
sy signal, e3 input / output control signal, f3 card control signal, g3 card ready / busy signal, h3, h3 '
Is a data bus, i2 and i3 'are address buses, j3 is a memory control signal, k3 is a card ready / busy signal, l3 is a memory ready / busy signal, and m3 is a memory control signal.

In this embodiment, the circuit configuration of the driver 301 is the same as that of the driver 201 shown in FIG. The interface conditions such as the number of channels and the information transmission speed of the non-contact interface 306 are set to the external connection interface 302 or higher.

The function of the control circuit 311 is to generate an access signal corresponding to the type of memory device used (for example, SRAM, DRAM, flash memory). Generating a card ready / busy signal k3 for performing arbitration with the driver 301 (external device 101).
There are address decoders, control signal generation, and bus switching.

In the case of this embodiment, the control circuit 311 is used.
Between the non-contact interface 310 that is the driver side interface and the memory 312, it functions as a mode conversion unit that converts the signal transmission mode according to the memory device used for the memory card 309.

[0040]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the external device side interface of the driver is in a format corresponding to the standard specifications, and the IC card used between the information storage medium side interface of the driver and the external device side interface is By providing the mode conversion means for converting the signal transmission mode according to the type, it is not necessary for the user to consider the specifications of the information storage medium side interface circuit when the system is developed by the user. It is simple and can improve efficiency.

In the second aspect of the invention, the driver side interface of the information storage medium has a format corresponding to the standard specifications, and the memory device being used is between the driver side interface and the memory device in the information storage medium. By providing the mode conversion means for converting the signal transmission mode accordingly, it is not necessary to consider the type of memory device used when the user develops the system, and the system can be easily developed and designed. It has features such as improved efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information transmission device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an information transmission device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 external device 102, 201, 301 driver 103, 202, 302 external connection interface 104, 203, 303 input / output control circuit 105, 204, 306 non-contact interface circuit 106, 205, 305 logic control circuit 107 buffer memory 108 power supply circuit 109 , 110, 206, 207, 307, 308 Signal coil 111, 208, 309 Memory card 112, 209, 310 Non-contact interface circuit 113 Control circuit 114, 211, 312 Memory 116, 117 Power coil 118, 311 Control circuit 210 Input / output Control circuit 212 Logic control circuit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An external device, an information storage medium, and a driver that accesses the information storage medium and is connected to the external device. Information is transferred between the external device and the information storage medium via the driver. In the information transmission device for transmission, the information storage medium side interface connected to the driver information storage medium has a format corresponding to the specifications of the information storage medium used, and the external device side interface connected to the external device is standard. An information transmission device, which has a format corresponding to the specifications, and is provided with a mode conversion means for converting a signal transmission mode between the information storage medium side interface and the external device side interface. 2. An external device, an information storage medium, and a driver that accesses the information storage medium and is connected to the external device. Information is transferred between the external device and the information storage medium via the driver. In an information transmission device that performs transmission, the information storage medium has a driver-side interface of a format compatible with the standard specifications for connection with the driver, and is used between the driver-side interface and the memory device in the information storage medium. An information transmission apparatus, characterized in that a mode conversion means for converting a signal transmission mode according to the memory device is provided. 3. The electromagnetic coupling connector according to claim 1, wherein the information recording medium is provided with an electromagnetic coupling connector having a signal coil, and the driver is provided with an electromagnetic coupling connector having a signal coil corresponding to the information recording medium side signal coil. The information transmission device is characterized in that both electromagnetically coupled connectors are closely opposed to each other to transmit information between the information recording medium and the driver. 4. The information transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the information recording medium is an IC card, and the driver is a reader / writer.