JPH10240877A - Ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an IC card which enables a function to be added with ease by dynamically altering card attribute information according to the kind and capacity of the memory of the inserted card. SOLUTION: The IC card includes the memory 32 stored with the card attribute information and ROMs 34a to 34n. Those ROMs 34a to 34n constitute a part of a means which dynamically changes the card attribute information. This means further includes a comparing means 38 and an address converting means 40. Then the ROMs 34a to 34n matching the inserted IC card are selected and the contents of the ROMs 34a to 34n are replaced with a corresponding address converting means 40 of the memory 32 stored with the card attribute information of the IC card and outputted card attribute information to a computer. Thus, the card attribute information of the IC card is dynamically modified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an IC card having a slot into which a small IC card can be inserted, and an IC card to which an IC module having the same function as a small IC card can be attached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is known that an IC card having various functions such as a memory and a modem is inserted into a slot of a computer and used. Such an IC card is JE
It is defined by the guidelines of IDA (Japan) and PCMCIA (USA). Therefore, various IC cards can be inserted into a standard slot of a computer. There are also small IC cards smaller than such a standard IC card. If a standard IC card and a small IC card are easily combined and used in a computer, the functions can be further enhanced.

JP-A-6-195624, JP-A-8-195624
JP-A-90969 and JP-A-8-123917 disclose that a standard IC card and a small-sized IC card can be combined and used in a computer. That is, a standard IC card (or adapter card) has a slot into which a small IC card can be inserted, and the small IC card is inserted into the slot of the standard IC card, and the standard IC card is inserted into the slot. It can be inserted and used in a computer slot. A small IC card is connected to a computer via a standard IC card interface.

[0004]

A standard IC card has card attribute information (CIS) indicating characteristics of the IC card.
In general, a computer reads or writes a memory of a standard IC card according to card attribute information of the standard IC card. Therefore, the interface of a standard IC card is formed so as to match the card attribute information, and when a small IC card is inserted into the standard IC card and used by a computer, the computer is connected to the standard IC card. The memory of the small IC card can be read or written according to the card attribute information of the card.

[0005] However, there are many types of IC cards, such as flash memory cards, ROM cards, DRAM cards, and SRAM cards. Since an IC card having a flash memory and an IC card having a ROM differ in memory capacity and other card attribute information, a single standard IC card cannot use various small IC cards. There is a problem that the use range of a small IC card is limited. For example, if a standard IC card is of the ROM type, unless the standard IC card has a special interface,
It is not possible to write on a flash type small IC card.

[0006] Furthermore, the size of a standard IC card is fixed, and if a slot for inserting a small IC card is provided therein, the internal space of the standard IC card becomes narrower and the standard IC card becomes smaller. However, there is a problem that the memory capacity and the like become small. An object of the present invention is to provide an IC card which solves the above-mentioned problems and which can easily add functions.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An IC card according to the present invention has a slot in which a small IC card can be inserted, a memory storing card attribute information, and a memory type and capacity of the inserted small card. And an interface for dynamically changing card attribute information.

According to this configuration, the inserted small IC
Since the card attribute information of the IC card is changed according to the type and capacity of the memory of the card, various kinds of small IC cards having different specifications can be used for a common IC card. Preferably, at least a part of the memory storing the card attribute information comprises a register. in this case,
The memory in which the card attribute information is stored is constituted by a mixture with a ROM register, a certain register performs data transfer according to the type and capacity of the memory of the inserted small IC card, and a certain register performs data transfer after a logical operation. I do.

Alternatively, the memory storing the card attribute information can be switched between banks. in this case,
The memory storing the card attribute information includes a plurality of ROMs storing a plurality of types of CIS information, and one of the plurality of ROMs is selected according to the type and capacity of the memory of the inserted small card. preferable. Furthermore, an IC card according to the present invention includes a main body having an internal space, a detachable lid capable of closing the internal space of the main body, and a first connector disposed in the internal space of the main body and having a first connector. An IC module without a cover, comprising a second circuit board having a second connector connectable to the first connector and an IC member, the first circuit board having the cover opened. It is characterized by being able to be attached to.

According to this structure, the IC module includes only the functional member without the cover, and the cover of the IC card is
It is designed to double as a module cover. Therefore, the IC module can be manufactured more compactly than a conventional small IC card, and functions can be easily added or changed without pressing down the internal capacity of the IC card.

[0011] Preferably, the first connector has connector pins extending perpendicular to the plane of the first circuit board. Furthermore, an IC card according to the present invention includes a main body having an internal space, a detachable lid capable of closing the internal space of the main body, and a first connector disposed in the internal space of the main body and having a first connector. A second connector having a circuit board, a second connector connectable to the first connector, and an IC member;
IC without cover which can be attached to the first circuit board with the lid opened with the above circuit board
And a module.

Also in this configuration, the IC module is
Includes only functional members without a cover, and the IC card lid
It also serves as a cover for the C module. Therefore, the IC module can be manufactured more compactly than a conventional small IC card, and functions can be easily added or changed without pressing down the internal capacity of the IC card.

Preferably, the first connector has connector pins extending perpendicular to the plane of the first circuit board, and the second connector is perpendicular to the plane of the second circuit board. Extend to.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic system using an IC card according to the present invention. IC card 10
Is a standard IC card that can be inserted into the slot 14 of the computer 12. Further, the IC card 10 has a slot 18 into which a small IC card 16 is inserted. Thus, the standard IC card 10 and the small IC card 1
When the computer 12 is used in combination with the computer 6, functions such as a memory can be greatly increased or new functions can be added.

The IC card 10 that can be inserted into the slot 14 of the computer 12 is JEIDA (Japan) or PCMCI.
A (United States). In addition, small I
The C card 16 is a SanDisk Compact Flash, a Toshiba SSFD, or a miniature card proposed jointly by Intel, Sharp and Fujitsu. Since the small IC card 16 cannot be directly inserted into the existing slot 14 of the computer 12, when using the small IC card 16, the small IC card 16 is attached to the IC card 10 and connected to the computer 12.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are views schematically showing the configuration of the IC card 10. FIG. The IC card 10 is a computer 1
A connector 20 is connected to a connector (not shown) in the second slot 14, and a connector 24 is connected to a connector 22 of the small IC card 16. The IC card 10 has an IC member (semiconductor chip) 28 attached to a circuit board 26. The IC member 28 achieves a memory and other desired functions. Further, the IC card 10 is provided with the IC member 28 and the IC member of the small IC card 16 inserted into the slot 18 by the computer 1.
2 has an interface (IF) 30 for connecting to the communication device 2.

This interface 30 is used for the IC member 2
In addition to connecting the IC members of the small IC card 16 and the small IC card 16 to the computer 12, the small IC card 16 is connected to the IC card 1 regardless of the type of the small IC card 16.
In order to be able to use according to the card attribute information of 0, there is provided a means for dynamically changing the card attribute information of the IC card 10 according to the type and capacity of the memory of the inserted small card 16.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of means for dynamically changing card attribute information, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart for achieving this means. In FIG. 5, an IC card 10 has a memory 3 storing card attribute information (CIS).
2 and a plurality of ROMs 34a to 34n or one ROM divided for each block. These ROMs
34a to 34n constitute a part of means for dynamically changing card attribute information. The ROMs 34 a to 34 n store information on some of all items of the card attribute information stored in the memory 32 in different combinations.

The small IC card 16 includes a memory 36 storing card attribute information (AIS). The memory type (Memory Type) is included in the card attribute information (AIS).
), Manufacturer ID (JEDEC Manufacturer ID), component ID (JEDEC Componet ID), memory size (Mem
ory Size) and access time (Access time). The card attribute information (AIS) of the small IC card 16 shown in FIG.
se 1.1 This is specified in '96 Jul.

The information stored in the ROMs 34a to 34n is the card attribute information (AIS) of the small IC card 16.
Of the device type, device speed, device capacity, etc. obtained as the card attribute information (CIS) of the IC card 10 from the IC card 10. For example, the ROM 34a stores the a value of the device type, the a value of the device speed, the a value of the device capacity, and the ROM 34b stores the b value of the device type, the b value of the device speed, the b value of the device capacity, and the like.

The means for dynamically changing the card attribute information of the IC card 10 further includes a comparing means 38 and an address converting means 40. The operation of FIG.
And the IC card 10 containing the
4 and executed in a power-on reset sequence. When the power is turned on, the computer 12 reads the card attribute information (AIS) of the small IC card 16. In step 40, the numbers or block numbers of the ROMs 34a to 34n are set to 1. Then, in steps 41 to 45, each item of the ROM 34a is compared with each item of the card attribute information (AIS) of the small IC card 16 (comparing means in FIG. 5). In the illustrated example, the memory type (Memory Type) and the manufacturer ID (JEDEC Manufa
cturer ID), Component ID (JEDEC Componet ID)
), A memory size (Memory Size), and an access time (Access time). As a result of the comparison, if any one does not correspond, step 47
The program proceeds to step 48 to determine whether or not the ROM number is the last. If no, the procedure proceeds to step 48, where the ROM number is incremented by one.
A similar comparison is made for 4b. This operation is continued until the result of step 45 becomes yes. If the result of step 47 is yes, the process proceeds to step 49 and ends.

If the result of step 45 is YES, a ROM suitable for the inserted small IC card 16 has been selected, and the contents of this ROM are stored in the IC card 10.
5 is replaced with a corresponding portion of the memory 32 storing the card attribute information (CIS) of FIG.
0), in step 46, output to the computer 12 as CIS information. In this way, the card attribute information of the IC card 10 is dynamically changed. In this example, the operation is performed by switching the banks of the ROMs 34a to 34n.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing another example of means for dynamically changing card attribute information. In this example, as in the previous example, the IC card 10 includes a memory 32 storing card attribute information (CIS), and the small IC card 16 includes a memory 36 storing card attribute information (AIS). The means for dynamically changing the card attribute information of the IC card 10 includes a memory type conversion calculation means 50, an access time calculation means 51, and a memory size conversion calculation means 5.
5 instead of the ROMs 34a-34n of FIG.
e.

In FIG. 8, in step 60, the included IC card 10 is inserted into the slot 14 of the computer 12, and the reset sequence of turning on the power is performed.
When the power is turned on, the computer 12 becomes a small IC card 16
Read the card attribute information (AIS) of. In step 60, the manufacturer (JEDEC Manufacturer) is registered in the register 54a.
Set to. In step 61, the component (JEDEC Componet) is set in the register 54b.

In step 62, the memory type (Me
mory Type) is calculated by the memory type conversion calculating means 50, and the result is set in the register 54c. The memory types are numbered in order, for example, from 1, and the number of the card attribute information (AIS) of the small IC card 16 is replaced with the number of the card attribute information (CIS) of the IC card 10. In step 63, the memory size (Memory Siz
e) is calculated by the memory size conversion calculating means 52, and the result is set in the register 54d. In step 64,
The access time is calculated by the access time calculation means 51, and the result is set in the register 54e. The access time is based on the voltage (3.3 V, 5.0 V,
x. xV).

The contents written in the registers 54a to 54e are stored in the card attribute information (C
IS) is replaced by the corresponding portion of the memory 32 storing the IS), and is output to the computer 12 as CIS information in step 65. In this way, the card attribute information of the IC card 10 is dynamically changed. According to this method, the ROM 34a-
There is no need to prepare 34n.

In the above description, the computer 12
The IC card 10 inserted into the PC has been described as an example of a PC card. However, the present invention is not limited to the PC card, but includes all IC cards 10 having the same appearance and slot 18 as the PC card and inserted into the computer 12. 9 to 11 show examples of a PC card type personal computer as the IC card 10. FIG. The PC card type personal computer 10 has two foldable parts 10.
a and 10b, one having a display unit 10c and the other having a key 10d. This PC card type personal computer 10
Has the same appearance as a PC card when folded, and has a slot 18 for inserting a small IC card 16,
Further, it has a connector 20 that can be inserted into the slot 14 (FIG. 1) of the computer 12 and is connected to the connector of the computer 12 when inserted, and has the interface circuit 30 shown in FIG. Therefore, the PC card type personal computer 10 is different only in the main function from the memory function of the PC card described above, and has all the features according to the present invention.

In FIG. 9, the slot 18 of the IC card 10 is provided in a portion 10a having a key 10d.
In FIG. 10, the slot 18 of the IC card 10 is provided on the end face of the portion 10b having the display unit 10c. In FIG. 11, the slot 18 of the IC card 10 is provided on the side surface of the portion 10b having the display unit 10c. FIG.
2 and 13 show an example in which the IC card 10 is a modem.
The modem 10 is connected to a communication line 68. The modem 10 has the same appearance as the PC card described above, and includes an interface circuit 30. In FIG. 12, the slot 18 of the IC card 10 is
On the top. In FIG. 13, the slot 18 of the IC card 10 is on the side of the IC card 10.

FIGS. 14 to 20 show another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the IC card 70
Is a body (or frame) 7 having an internal space 71a.
1 and detachable lids 72 and 73 which are arranged on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the main body 71 and can close an internal space 71a of the main body 71. The circuit board 74 is the main body 7
The IC module 80 is disposed in the first internal space 71a, and is detachably attached to the IC card 70.

A semiconductor chip 75 having, for example, a memory function or other functions, and a semiconductor chip 76 having a control function are mounted on the circuit board 74.
A connector 77 is provided at the tip of the circuit board 74 so as to be located at the tip of the main body 71. Connector 7
The terminal 77 a on the inner side of 7 is connected to the terminal of the circuit board 74. The external terminal of the connector 77 is a female terminal.
For example, when the C card 70 is inserted into the slot 14 of the computer 12 in FIG. 1, it is connected to a connector provided in the slot 14.

Further, a connector 78 for connecting to a connector of the IC module 80 is attached to the circuit board 74. IC module 80 is IC card 7
0 so that it can be detachably attached. IC
Module 80 is also shown in FIGS.
The IC module 80 includes a circuit board 81, and the circuit board 8
1, a connector 82 and a semiconductor chip 83 are attached. This connector 82 can be connected to the connector 78 of the IC card 70.

The IC module 80 has a structure without a cover, and the circuit board 81 and the semiconductor chip 83 are exposed. The IC module 80 has a size that can be inserted into the internal space 71a of the main body 71 of the IC card 70, and
By removing the lid 72 on the upper surface side of the main body 71 of the C card 70, the IC module 80 can be inserted into the main body 71 of the IC card 70. The connector 82 of the IC module 80 is such that the IC module 80
The IC card 70 is positioned properly within the body 71 of the IC card.
Is connected to the connector 77.

The connector 78 of the IC card 70 has connector pins (holes) extending perpendicular to the plane of the circuit board 74, and the connector 82 of the IC module 80
It has a connector pin 82a extending perpendicular to one plane. Therefore, when the IC module 80 is inserted into the main body 71 of the IC card 70 from above, the connector 82 can be easily fitted to the connector 78. When the lid 72 is attached, the main body 71 of the IC card 70 is
2 can be inserted into the slot 14 for use.

FIG. 18 shows a structure in which the lid 72 (73) is detachably attached to the main body 71 of the IC card 70. FIG. 18 is simplified and shows the circuit board 74 omitted. The lid 72 has claws 72a, 72b at the front and rear ends.
Having. A nail engaging hole 71 is provided in the main body 71 of the IC card 70.
b and 71c are provided.
The nail 72b at the rear end of the lid 72 can be snap-fitted into the nail engaging hole 71c of the main body 71 of the IC card 70 by being inserted into the nail engaging hole 71b of the main body 71 of the C card 70. A release hole 71d is provided at the rear end of the main body 71 of the IC card 70. By inserting a pin into the release hole 71d, the claw 72b at the rear end of the lid 72 is inserted into the main body 71 of the IC card 70. Of the IC card 70, and the cover 72 can be removed from the main body 71 of the IC card 70.

FIG. 14 shows the IC card 70 with the IC module 80 attached.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a main body 71 having an internal space 71a, and a detachable lid 72 capable of closing the internal space 71a of the main body 71.
A first circuit board 74 having a first connector 78 disposed in an internal space 71 a of the main body 71, a second connector 82 connectable to the first connector 78, and an IC member 8.
And an IC module 80 without a cover, which is composed of a second circuit board 81 having a cover 3 and can be attached to the first circuit board 74 with the lid 72 opened. .

FIG. 15 shows the IC card 70 without the IC module 80 attached. In this state, the IC card 70 has a main body 71 having an internal space 71a, and a main body 7 having an internal space 71a.
A first circuit board 74 having a first connector 78 disposed in the inner space 71a of the main body 71 and having a detachable lid 72 capable of closing the first internal space 71a; A coverless IC module 80 including a second circuit board 81 having a connectable second connector 82 and an IC member 83 can be attached to the first circuit board 74 with the lid 72 opened. It is characterized by having done.

In these configurations, the IC module 80 includes only functional members without a cover, and the cover 72 of the IC card 70 also serves as the cover of the IC module 80. Therefore, the IC module 80 can be manufactured more compactly than a conventional small IC card, and functions can be easily added or changed without squeezing the internal capacity of the IC card 70. Since the capacity can be easily expanded in this manner, there is no need to replace the IC card as in the conventional case when the capacity of the memory or the like becomes insufficient or another function is required as in the conventional case.

The connector 7 is provided on the opposite side of the circuit board 74.
It will be apparent that an IC module similar to the IC module 80 can be attached with the connector similar to that of FIG. 8 attached and the lid 73 opened. Also, the first
It will be apparent that the IC member 75 can be provided on the circuit board 74 of FIG. FIGS. 21 and 22 are diagrams showing modified examples of the IC card 70 shown in FIGS. IC
The card 70 is disposed on a main body 71 having an internal space 71a, and on the upper and lower sides of the main body 71.
It has detachable lids 72 and 73 capable of closing one internal space 71a. The circuit board 74 is disposed in the internal space 71a of the main body 71, and the IC module 80
It is configured to be detachably attached to the C card 70.

A semiconductor chip 76 having a control function is mounted on the circuit board 74. A semiconductor chip 75 having other functions as shown in FIG. 14 can be attached. A connector 77 is provided at the tip of the circuit board 74 so as to be located at the tip of the main body 71. When the IC card 70 is inserted into the slot 14 of the computer 12 in FIG.
The connector is connected to a connector provided in the slot 14.

Further, on both sides of the circuit board 74, connectors 7 for connecting to the connectors of the IC module 80 are provided.
8 is installed. Further, a connector 90 is provided at the rear end of the circuit board 74 so as to be located at the rear end of the main body 71. For example, a cable or the like can be connected to the connector 90.
Can be used as

The IC module 80 is configured to be detachably attached to the IC card 70. The IC module 80 includes a circuit board 81, and a connector 82 and a semiconductor chip 83 are mounted on the circuit board 81. This connector 82 is a connector 78 of the IC card 70.
And can be connected. The IC module 80 is the IC card 7
0 of the IC module 80.
Can be connected to the connector 78 of the IC card 70, respectively. The IC modules 80 disposed on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the circuit board 74 may have the same function as each other, or may have different functions. For example, one IC module 80 has a LAN function and the other IC module 80 has a SCSI function. Further, only the IC module 80 can be replaced as desired.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An IC card in which functions can be easily added can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic system using an IC card according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of the IC card of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the IC card of FIG. 1 into which a small IC card is inserted.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state where a small IC card is inserted;
3 is a perspective view of the IC card of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of means for dynamically changing card attribute information.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for achieving the means of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a means for dynamically changing card attribute information.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for achieving the means of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a PC card type personal computer as an IC card.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a modem as an IC card.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view showing an IC card according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the IC card of FIG. 14 without the IC module;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a circuit board of the IC card shown in FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the IC card with the lid of FIGS. 14 and 15 removed;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an IC card for explaining attachment of a lid.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing an IC module of the IC card in FIG. 14;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the IC module of FIGS. 14 and 19;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a modification of the IC card.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a circuit board of the IC card of FIG. 21;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... IC card 12 ... Computer 14 ... Slot 16 ... Small IC card 20 ... Connector 22 ... Connector 24 ... Connector 26 ... Circuit board 28 ... IC member 30 ... Interface 32 ... Memory 34a-34n ... ROM 36 ... Memory 38 ... Comparison Means 40 ... Address conversion means 50 ... Memory type conversion calculation means 51 ... Access time calculation means 52 ... Memory size conversion calculation means 54a-54e ... Register 70 ... IC card 71 ... Main body 72,73 ... Lid 74 ... Circuit board 75,76 ... Semiconductor chips 77, 78 ... Connector 80 ... IC module 81 ... Circuit board 82 ... Connector 83 ... Semiconductor chip 90 ... Connector

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A slot in which a small IC card can be inserted, a memory storing card attribute information, and an interface for dynamically changing the card attribute information according to the type and capacity of the memory of the inserted small card. An IC card comprising: 2. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the memory storing the card attribute information comprises a register. 3. The memory storing the card attribute information, wherein data is transferred to a register according to the type and capacity of the memory of the inserted small card, or transferred to the register by a logical operation. 2. The IC card according to 1. 4. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein a bank storing the memory storing the card attribute information is switchable. 5. A main body having an internal space, a detachable lid capable of closing the internal space of the main body, and a first circuit board disposed in the internal space of the main body and having a first connector. An IC module without a cover comprising a second circuit board having a second connector and an IC member connectable to the first connector, the first module having the cover opened.
An IC card characterized in that it can be mounted on a circuit board. 6. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein the first connector has connector pins extending perpendicular to a plane of the first circuit board. 7. A main body having an internal space, a detachable lid capable of closing the internal space of the main body, a first circuit board disposed in the internal space of the main body and having a first connector, An IC without a cover, which is constituted by a second circuit board having a second connector connectable to the first connector and an IC member, and which can be attached to the first circuit board with the lid opened. An IC card comprising a module. 8. The first connector has connector pins extending perpendicular to a plane of the first circuit board, and the second connector has
8. The IC card according to claim 7, wherein the connector extends perpendicular to a plane of the second circuit board.