JPS61239385A - Ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use plural kinds of IC cards under mixed conditions, by indicating a communication agreement with an IC module on the surface of the IC cards separately from IC module terminals in a mechanically readable form. CONSTITUTION:On the surface of an IC card 5 an IC module terminal to be used for making electrical communication with a built-in IC module is provided. In addition to the IC module terminal, an electrical communication agreement with the IC module is indicated on the surface of the IC card in a mechanically readable form, such as bar codes 7, etc. Magnetic stripes, embossed codes, characters for optical reading, markers, etc., can also be used instead of the bar codes 7.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Field of Application The present invention is applicable to an IC where multiple types of IC cards are mixedly used.
This invention relates to a C card device.

Conventional technology Conventionally, this type of IC card has an IC module (integrated circuit piece) inside the plastic board, and has printing printed on the plastic surface that cannot be recognized by machines and can only be read by humans. It was configured so that data could be recorded and played back to the IC module. In addition, plastic cards that are not IC cards have magnetic stripes, embossments (names and codes in protrusions), and human-readable printing, similar to those found on credit cards and cash cards. .

Moreover, even IC cards have a structure that is simply integrated with the functions of conventional plastic cards, and cards with magnetic stripes or embossing have also been made.

Figure 7 shows an IC with a conventional magnetic stripe and embossing.
Shows the configuration of the card. 1 is the card board, 2 is the IC
Module, 3 is emboss, 4 is magnetic stripe.

Next, the operation of the above conventional example will be explained. The IC card shown in Figure 7 had an emboss or magnetic stripe. Embossed names and codes were used simply for recording purposes by imprinters that printed on pressure-sensitive paper using the embossed protrusions. Furthermore, the magnetic stripe records the same contents as the magnetic cards in conventional bank cards and cash card systems, and therefore, it has been used completely unrelated to determining the type or classification of the contents of the memory within the IC module.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above-mentioned conventional IC card, the embossment and magnetic stripe are set for the purpose of use of the conventional plastic card, and are set independently of the memory inside the IC module. Therefore, it has not been possible to determine the type or classification of the contents of the memory in the IC module of the IC card using conventional methods.

In other words, the type and classification of the contents of the memory within the IC module are determined by the electrical communication means with the IC module.
It could not be determined until the C card reading/writing device read it.

What is written in the memory of the IC card indicates that electrical communication must be established between the IC card reading/writing device and the semiconductors and memory inside the IC card module. . However, in order to establish electrical communication, communication regulations including protocols and application software must match. Therefore, when many types of IC cards are issued, those IC cards
Since card protocols and application software vary, a particular IC card reader/writer cannot establish electrical communication with all IC cards. For example, ICs from different manufacturers
There were cases in which electrical communication could not be established at all with IC card reading/writing devices from other companies. Or, even if the IC card is from the same manufacturer, the application
If the communication rules, including the application software, were different, that alone would have prevented electrical communication from being established. For an IC card reading/writing device, even if an IC card is inserted into the device, if electrical communication is not established, what kind of contents are recorded in the semiconductor memory?1. I have no idea when there was a problem.

In addition, when multiple communication protocols are used with various types of IC cards, there is a problem in that it is difficult to know which communication protocol to use until trial communication is performed using the thick conductor inside the ICC card. .

The present invention solves these conventional problems,
Thick conductor inside ICC card without electrical communication.
An excellent IC that can determine the communication rules of C cards and the type and classification of the contents recorded in the ICC card internal groove conductor memory.
The purpose is to provide cards.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a display means on the surface of the card, separate from the IC module terminal.

Therefore, according to the present invention, by identifying the marker on the IC card surface by the IC card reading/writing device, it is possible to know the type of communication protocol of the IC card and the type and classification of the memory contents in the IC module. Therefore, electrical communication between the IC card reading/writing device and the IC card can be ensured, or even if electrical communication is not established, the IC card can be
It has the effect of being able to identify the type of card.

Furthermore, even if the IC module is mechanically or electrically damaged and electrical communication is not established, the IC card reading/writing device can determine what type of card this IC card is. It has this effect.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and 5
6 is the board surface of the card, 6 is an IC module terminal, and 7 is a bar code as a display means.

Next, the above embodiment will be explained. Barcode 7 is IC
As is clear from FIG. 1, it is separate from the module terminal 6 and is electrically unrelated.Therefore, the barcode 7 can be read separately from the IC module terminal 6.The barcode 7 Since the reading method is already known, a detailed explanation will be omitted here.Furthermore, although not shown, it is easy to think of a method of integrally attaching the barcode reading device to the IC card reading/writing device. , and the explanation here will be omitted.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment, where 8 is the board surface of the card, 9 is an IC module terminal, and 10 is a magnetic stripe. The magnetic stripe 1o is the IC module terminal 9
Alternatively, it can be read with a magnetic reader.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment, in which 11 is the board surface of the card, 12 is an IC module terminal, and 13 is an embossed code. FIG. 4 shows the AA' cross section of FIG. 3, and 14 is an embossed protrusion. This embossed protrusion 14
There is no need to explain the structure of mechanically pressing the switch using the switch in detail here, as it is easily conceivable and will therefore be omitted.

FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of FIG. 4, where 15 is the board surface of the card, 16 is an IC module terminal, and 17 is a character for an optical character reading device. This character is inserted into the IC module terminal 16 by the reading device (can be read separately).

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment, in which 18 is a card board, 19 is an IC module terminal, and 20 is a marker. Based on the position information of where this marker is located on the surface of the card, information can be given to the IC card reading/writing device completely separately from the IC module terminal I9.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above embodiments, the present invention provides a display means on the board of the IC card separately from the IC module terminal, and this display means displays information such as the type of communication agreement of the IC card and the I/O.
Since it is designed to express the type and division of the memory contents in the C module, it is possible that the thick conductor inside the ICC card will not be able to establish electrical communication (or the IC card It is now possible to determine the communication terms of use, as well as the types and classifications of the contents recorded in the semiconductor memory in the IC card, allowing communication to be established at once using the correct communication terms without having to try several types of communication terms. It has the effect of being able to

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an IC card according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a side view, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment,
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional IC card. 5...Card surface, 6...IC module terminal, 7...Barcode, lO...
...Magnetic stripe, I3...Embossed code, 17...Character for optical character reader, 20
······marker. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and one other personFigure 3Figure 4Figure 11isFigure 6Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] A card composed of a flat plastic plate, an IC module terminal capable of recording and reproducing information on a semiconductor integrated circuit housed in the card, and a communication protocol for recording and reproducing the above, which is separate from the IC module terminal on the card. An IC card comprising display means for displaying information.