JPH0757067A - Radio information medium and radio information medium system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the radio information medium which eliminates the need to replace its battery and is simple by incorporating a secondary battery as a memory data backup battery, and obtaining electric power from an external radio signal and charging the battery. CONSTITUTION:A battery voltage detecting circuit 11 is added for the secondary battery 6 and its voltage information is transmitted to an information processing means 4 and sent to a means 7 by interrupting the original information of the system. A sent wave modulated by the means 7 is sent out by a transmitting means 8. Further, an information processing means 24 extracts the voltage information on the secondary battery 6, changes it into the oscillation output control signal of an oscillation means 29, and sends it to the transmitting means 28. If the voltage of the battery 6 is low, the output of the means 29 is only increased. When the voltage of the battery 6 is high, on the other hand, the output of the means 29 may be decreased, but there is the possibility that the driving electric power of the radio information medium 1 becomes deficient, so a limiter such as a Zener diode is preferably provided in parallel to the battery 6 to preclude overdischarging.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless information medium and a wireless information medium system using the same, and more particularly to a wireless information medium and a wireless information medium system using a volatile memory as a storage means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the fields of individual identification and acquisition of attribute information, non-contact wireless information media utilizing electromagnetic coupling or electromagnetic induction have been widely used. This is because the elimination of the electrical contacts makes it possible to improve the reliability of data transmission / reception and extend the life of the device, and it is also convenient to perform signal transmission / reception from a remote place.

Various types of wireless information media have been devised in accordance with the purpose thereof, but battery-less ones are widely used in which electric power is taken out from a wireless signal for easy handling. On the other hand, due to an increase in the amount of information to be handled, the number of cases in which a memory element is built in a wireless information medium is increasing. In this case, a volatile memory (SRAM), which is easy to rewrite information, is generally used, but it becomes necessary to incorporate a battery in order to hold the information stored in the volatile memory.

A wireless information medium and a wireless information medium system of a system in which a volatile memory and a battery for holding the data are built in, and a power source for other circuit elements is obtained from a wireless signal from the outside is generally shown in FIG. The configuration is as shown.
That is, in FIG. 4, 1 is a wireless information medium (for example, a wireless IC card), and 21 is a main device (for example, a reader / writer).
Is.

In the wireless information medium 1, 2 is a main device 2
Receiving means (for example, antenna, coil) for receiving the radio signal from 1, and 3 is demodulating means for extracting information from the received wave received by this receiving means. Reference numeral 4 is an information processing means for decoding the information obtained by the demodulation means and controlling writing or reading of information in the storage means 5. The storage means 5 needs to be rewritable freely,
Normally, a volatile memory IC is used, and 46 is a primary battery for holding the information of this volatile memory IC.

Reference numeral 7 is a modulation means for superimposing the information output from the information processing means 4 on a transmission wave, and 8 is a transmission means for transmitting the modulated transmission wave as a radio signal. Reference numeral 9 is a rectifying means for rectifying the radio signal received by the receiving means 2 to obtain DC power. The DC power obtained here is supplied to all or part of the demodulation means 3, the information processing means 4, and the modulation means 7 as a power source.

On the other hand, the main body device 21 is constructed as follows. That is, 22 is a receiving means for receiving a radio signal from the information medium 1, and 23 is a demodulating means for extracting information from the received received wave. The information extracted by the demodulation means 23 is decoded and collated by the information processing means 24, and the processed data is output to the input / output means 25 as a control signal or the like.

The input / output unit 25 is also used as an input unit for rewriting data. The instruction information from the information processing means 24 to the wireless information medium is modulated by the modulating means 27 into the transmission wave generated by the oscillating means 29, and the transmitting means 28.
Is transmitted as a wireless signal. A power supply unit 26 supplies power to required parts of the main body device 21.

[0009]

In the wireless information medium having the storage means as described above, it is general to use a volatile memory in order to freely rewrite the data, but when the wireless information medium is not used. It is necessary to back up the memory data even in, and for that reason, it has a built-in primary battery.

Originally, electric power was obtained from a radio signal from the outside due to the fact that battery replacement was not necessary, but a battery was needed only for the volatile memory, and in the case of battery replacement, data was once destroyed. There is also the problem that Therefore, the present invention is intended to provide a wireless information medium and a wireless information medium system that do not require battery replacement while using a volatile memory.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, in a wireless information medium of the present invention, receiving means for receiving a wireless signal from the outside and demodulating a received wave received by this receiving means to obtain information. Demodulation means for extracting the information, information processing means for decoding the information obtained from the demodulation means and controlling the processing, storage means for storing data necessary for the processing of the information processing means, and the information processing means Modulating means for generating a transmission wave modulated by the information output from the transmitting means, transmitting means for sending the transmission wave to the outside, rectifying the reception wave received by the receiving means, and supplying electric power to a predetermined portion. Rectifying means, a secondary battery that receives power from the rectifying means and stores the power, and that supplies power to the storage means when no predetermined power is supplied from the rectifying means, and a predetermined battery from the rectifying means. This power if there is a power supply, is characterized by comprising a switching means for supplying electric power of the secondary battery, in the storage means by switching in case the supply of a predetermined power is not.

In addition, in the wireless information medium system of the present invention, an input / output unit for inputting and outputting information to the system and a first system for controlling the entire system and processing the input / output information
Information processing means, an oscillating means for generating a transmission wave, a first modulating means for superimposing an output signal from the first information processing means on the transmission wave, and a first for sending the transmission wave to the outside. Transmitting means, first receiving means for receiving a radio signal from the outside, and demodulating a received wave received by the first receiving means to extract information and transmitting to the first information processing means 1. The main body device including the demodulation unit 1 and a power supply unit that supplies power to the entire system, the second receiving unit that receives a radio signal from the main body device, and the second receiving unit. Second demodulation of received wave and extraction of information
Demodulation means, second information processing means for decoding the information obtained from the second demodulation means and controlling the processing thereof, and storage for storing data necessary for the processing of the second information processing means. Means, second modulation means for generating a transmission wave modulated by the information output from the second information processing means, second transmission means for sending the transmission wave to the outside, and the second
Rectifying means for rectifying the received wave received by the receiving means and supplying electric power to a predetermined part, and receiving electric power supplied from the rectifying means to store electric power and not supplying predetermined electric power from the rectifying means. In this case, a secondary battery that supplies power to the storage means, and if the predetermined power is supplied from the rectifying means, this power is supplied, and if the predetermined power is not supplied, the power of the secondary battery is supplied. The wireless information medium comprises switching means for switching and supplying to the storage means, and battery voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of the secondary battery and transmitting the voltage information to the second information processing means. The oscillating output of the oscillating means is controlled according to the voltage information of the secondary battery to control the voltage of the secondary battery.

[0013]

Since the secondary battery is used as the data holding battery of the volatile memory and its charging power is obtained from the external radio signal, battery replacement is unnecessary and convenience in use is not impaired. In addition, while the wireless signal from the outside is being received, the storage means is operated by the power from the rectifying means, and since there is a switching means that holds the data in the storage means with the secondary battery only when there is no wireless signal from the outside, The state of charge of the secondary battery can be kept good.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, the voltage detecting means for the secondary battery is provided, the voltage information is transmitted to the main equipment by a radio signal, and the output of the oscillating means is controlled through the information processing means of the main equipment. The charging power can be controlled, and the voltage of the secondary battery can always be kept in a good state.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in FIG. 3 showing the prior art are designated by the same reference numerals. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless information medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the wireless information medium 1, 2 is a receiving means (for example, an antenna or coil) for receiving a wireless signal from the outside, and 3 is a demodulating means for extracting information from the received wave received by this receiving means. Four
Decodes the information obtained from the demodulation means, and stores it in the storage means 5
It is an information processing unit that controls writing or reading of data to or from. It is necessary that the storage means 5 can be freely rewritten, and a volatile memory IC is usually used.
Is a secondary battery for holding the data of the volatile memory IC. As the secondary battery, a coin-type lithium ion secondary battery (VG2025 manufactured by Toshiba Battery) and the like are thin and suitable for a wireless information medium.

Reference numeral 7 is a modulation means for superimposing the information output from the information processing means 4 on a transmission wave, and 8 is a transmission means for transmitting the modulated transmission wave as a radio signal.
Reference numeral 9 is a rectifying means for rectifying the radio signal received by the receiving means 2 to obtain DC power. The DC power obtained here is supplied to the circuit elements in the wireless information medium 1 as a power source, and at the same time, charging power is supplied to the secondary battery 6.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a power source switching means for the storage means 5, which supplies power from the rectifying means 9 while receiving a wireless signal from the outside, and supplies power to the secondary battery when there is no wireless signal from the outside. Switch as described above.

As described above, the secondary battery 6 is constantly charged during the reception of the radio signal, so that the data in the storage means 5 can be held when it is not used (when there is no radio signal). To prevent overcharge of the secondary battery 6, a limiter such as a Zener diode may be inserted in parallel with the secondary battery 6.

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wireless information medium system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the wireless information medium 1 is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, but a battery voltage detection circuit 11 is added to the secondary battery 6, and the voltage information is transmitted to the information processing means 4. However, they are different. The information processing means 4 interrupts the voltage information with the original information of the system and sends it to the modulation means 7. The transmission wave modulated by the modulation means 7 is transmitted from the transmission means 8 to the outside.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a main body device (for example, a reader / writer), which is constructed as follows. That is, 22 is a receiving means for receiving a radio signal from the information medium 1, and 23
Is a demodulation means for extracting information from the received received wave. The information extracted by the demodulation means 23 is decoded and collated by the information processing means 24, and the processed data is output to the input / output means 25 as a control signal or the like. A buffer memory (RAM) may be attached to the information processing means 24 as a temporary storage means for processing data.

The input / output unit 25 is also used as an input unit for rewriting data. From the information processing means 24, the instruction information of the information medium is modulated by the modulation means 27 into the transmission wave generated by the oscillation means 29, and is sent out from the transmission means 28 as a radio signal. A power supply unit 26 supplies power to required parts of the main body device 21.

The operation up to this point is the same as that of the main body of the prior art, but in the present embodiment, the voltage information of the secondary battery is extracted by the information processing means 24 and is changed to the oscillation output control signal of the oscillation means 29 to change the above. It is transmitted to the oscillating means 29. If the voltage of the secondary battery 6 is low, the output of the oscillating means 29 may be increased. On the contrary, if the voltage of the secondary battery 6 is high, the output of the oscillating means 29 may be weakened, but the driving power of the wireless information medium 1 may be insufficient. It is desirable to provide a limiter such as a Zener diode in parallel with the secondary battery 6.

FIG. 3 shows a concrete example of the switching means 10 and the voltage detecting circuit 11, and the switching means 10
Is composed of a diode 31 and a diode 32.
The voltage from the rectifying means 9 is compared with the voltage of the secondary battery 6, and the higher voltage is output to the storage means 5.

In the voltage detection circuit 11, 33 is a short circuit protection resistor and 34 is a backflow prevention diode. 35
Is a Zener diode for preventing overcharge, the cathode side of which is connected to the secondary battery 6. Reference numeral 36 is a constant voltage diode that determines the reference voltage for voltage detection, and 37 is its current source. The voltage of the constant voltage diode is input to one input terminal of the comparator 40. 38 and 39 divide the voltage of the secondary battery 6 and input it to the other input terminal of the comparator 40. The output of the comparator 40 is transmitted to the information processing means 4 as battery voltage information.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the example in which the transmission and the reception of the electric power and the information are performed through the same means has been described, but separate means for the electric power and the information may be provided. Good. Particularly when the driving power of the wireless information medium 1 is high, it is desirable to separate the power transmission / reception means to ensure sufficient capacity.

In the first and second embodiments, the transmitting means and receiving means of the wireless information medium 1 and the main device 1
Although the case where the one transmitting means and the receiving means are separate has been described, the transmitting means and the receiving means may be used in common, and one transmitting / receiving means may be provided on each of the wireless information medium 1 side and the main device 11 side. .

[0027]

As described above, in the wireless information medium having the built-in volatile memory, the secondary battery is built-in for backing up the memory data, and the electric power is obtained from the wireless signal from the outside for charging. It is possible to provide a simple wireless information medium that does not require battery replacement.

In addition, since a battery voltage detection circuit is added to the secondary battery and the voltage information is sent to the main device and the oscillation means of the main device is controlled to control the voltage of the secondary battery,
Data backup of the volatile memory can be ensured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless information medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wireless information medium system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a specific example of power supply switching means and battery voltage detecting means of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a wireless information medium system according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Wireless information medium 2 ... Receiving means 3 ... Demodulating means 4 ... Information processing means 5 ... Storage means 6 ... Secondary battery 7 ... Modulating means 8 ... Sending means 9 ... Rectifying means 10 ... Power supply switching means 11 ... Voltage detecting means 21 ... Main device 22 ... Receiving means 23 ... Demodulating means 24 ... Information processing means 25 ... Input / output means 26 ... Power supply unit 27 ... Modulating means 28 ... Transmitting means 29 ... Oscillating means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving a radio signal from the outside, a demodulating means for demodulating a received wave received by the receiving means to extract information, and a decoding means for decoding the information obtained from the demodulating means. Information processing means for controlling the processing, storage means for storing data necessary for the processing of the information processing means, modulation means for generating a transmission wave modulated by the information output from the information processing means, and the transmission Transmitting means for sending out a wave to the outside, rectifying means for rectifying the received wave received by the receiving means and supplying electric power to a predetermined portion, receiving power supplied from the rectifying means to store electric power, and rectifying the electric power. A secondary battery that supplies electric power to the storage unit when the predetermined electric power is not supplied from the device, and this power when the predetermined electric power is supplied from the rectifying unit, and a case where the predetermined electric power is not supplied. In A wireless information medium, comprising: switching means for switching the power of the secondary battery and supplying the power to the storage means. 2. An input / output unit for inputting / outputting information to / from the system, a first information processing unit for controlling the entire system and processing the input / output information, an oscillating unit for generating a transmission wave, First modulation means for superimposing the output signal from the first information processing means on the transmission wave, first transmission means for sending the transmission wave to the outside, and first reception for receiving a radio signal from the outside Means, first demodulating means for demodulating the received wave received by the first receiving means, extracting information and transmitting the information to the first information processing means, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the entire system A main unit including: a second receiving unit that receives a radio signal from the main unit; and a second demodulating unit that demodulates a received wave received by the second receiving unit and extracts information. Decoding the information obtained from this second demodulation means, Second information processing means for controlling the processing of the above, storage means for storing data necessary for the processing of the second information processing means, and transmission modulated by the information output from the second information processing means. Second to generate waves
Modulating means, second transmitting means for sending out the transmitting wave to the outside, rectifying means for rectifying the received wave received by the second receiving means, and supplying electric power to a predetermined portion, and the rectifying means. A secondary battery that receives more power and stores the power and supplies power to the storage unit when the predetermined power is not supplied from the rectification unit, and a predetermined power is supplied from the rectification unit. This power, the switching means for switching the power of the secondary battery to supply it to the storage means when the predetermined power is not supplied, and the voltage of the secondary battery are detected and the voltage information is detected as the second information. A wireless information medium having a battery voltage detecting means for transmitting to the information processing means, and controlling the oscillation output of the oscillating means according to the voltage information of the secondary battery to control the voltage of the secondary battery. Characterized by doing Wire information media system.