JPS62274487A - Input output system for ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to use light or its corresponding shortwave electromagnetic wave for information transmission means between media by providing a light emitting element for outputting and a light receiving element for inputting in an IC card and an IC card terminal equipment. CONSTITUTION:Exchange of data between a host computer 10 and an IC card 70 is made through a card reader/writer 20. The input section (light receiving element) 50 is set so as to correspond to the output section (light emitting element) 30 of the card reader/write 20 positionally though being not contact. The output section (light emitting element) 60 is set at a position corresponding to the input section (light receiving element) 40 of the card reader/write 20. signals converted from light signals to electric signals in the IC card input section 50 are transferred to a microprocessor and a memory in the IC card, and conversely, the information of the IC card 70 is converted from electric signals to light signals in the IC card output section 60 and transmitted optically to the input section 40 of the card reader writer, and transferred to the host computer 10.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is an IC technology that is expected to have a variety of applications due to security measures by utilizing arithmetic functions and a dramatic increase in recording capacity. : Integrated C1rcuit)
Related to card information input/output devices, particularly suitable for reducing information transmission errors between an IC card and a card terminal device
Regarding the input/output method of the C card.

[Conventional technology]

The contact point between a conventional IC card and an IC card terminal device is described in IEEE Spectrum (February 1984 issue), pages 43 to 49 (IEEE, Spsctrum).

FEBRUAR'/1984. P 43-p 49
) As described above, electrical signals were received and passed through contact with a conductive material. Therefore, no consideration is given to the problem of poor contact that is expected to occur due to wear, rust, etc. at the contact points.

Also, related to this is Japanese Patent Application No. 168923/1983, which uses magnetism to achieve non-contact technology.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The above conventional technology consists of an IC card, a host computer, and an I
Not enough consideration was given to the reliability of the contact points with the terminal device, which is the input/output section of the C card.

Due to contact with metal terminals, erroneous signals may occur due to 1) static electricity, magnetism, 2) wear, and 3) deterioration of conductivity on metal surfaces such as rust (between the microprocessor in the IC card and the host computer). It is expected that there will be a problem that the correct data cannot be exchanged.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by making the terminal part a non-contact type.

[Means for solving problems]

The above purpose is to provide both an IC card and an IC card terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a card reader/writer) with a light-emitting element for output (light-emitting photodiode) and a light-receiving element for input (light-receiving photodiode). This is accomplished by using light or short-wavelength electromagnetic waves similar to light as a means of transmitting information between the two.

[Effect]

The data transferred from the host computer to the card reader/writer includes a timing signal, a reset signal, and serial data. These data are modulated by the light-emitting element of the card reader/writer and transmitted to the light-receiving element of the IC card located a certain distance away. Data transmission from the IC card to the card reader/writer is performed in the same manner.

In this way, information is exchanged between the IC card and the card reader/writer without contact (there is no wear or deterioration such as oxidation of the terminals), and light is not affected by external disturbances such as static electricity, so there is no possibility of errors. No signal is generated.

【Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an IC card terminal device using a contactless IC card input/output method to which the present invention is applied.

When searching for personal information recorded on the large host computer 10 or storing necessary information as an individual, the I
Use C card 7o.

Data is exchanged between the host computer 1o and the IC card 70 via the card reader/writer 20.

The input section (light receiving element) 50 of the IC card 70 does not come into contact with the output section (light emitting element) 30 of the card reader/writer 20, but is set so as to correspond in position. Also IC
The output section (light emitting element) 60 of the card 70 is set at a position corresponding to the input section (light receiving element) 40 of the card reader/writer 20. The input section 50 and the output section 60 are integrated and mounted within an IC card. The correspondence between the hexagonal part and the output part is as follows.
The position and distance accuracy may be such that each signal light does not interfere with each other.

Signals between the card reader/writer 20 and the IC card 7o include a reset signal Ri for synchronizing the microprocessor, memory, etc., a clock signal C1, and a serial signal S1 containing necessary data. Each signal is converted from an electrical signal to an optical signal by the card reader/writer output section 30, and is optically transmitted to the IC card input section 50. Each signal converted from an optical signal to an electrical signal by the IC card input unit 50 is transferred to a microprocessor or memory in the IC card, and is subjected to necessary calculations, searches, or recording processing.

Conversely, the information on the IC card 70 is converted from an electrical signal to an optical signal by the IC card output section 60, optically transmitted to the card reader/writer input section 40, and transferred to the host computer 10.

Note that power can be supplied to the IC card by a conventional method using electrical contacts or by an external method using a solar cell.

Unlike signals, power supply is not affected by the contact failure problem of the present invention.

Therefore, one of the above two methods may be adopted.

According to this embodiment, there are the following effects.

1. The card reader/writer device does not require a mounting function and a position detection sensor, which are necessary for accurate positioning at the connection point with the IC card, and the device can be simplified.

2. Since there are no contact points, conduction defects due to terminal wear and oxidation are eliminated.

3. Since it uses light waves, it is resistant to disturbances such as magnetism and static electricity.

4. Since light waves are used, transmission capacity is increased.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a non-contact data transmission system between an IC card and a host computer terminal device, thereby improving transmission efficiency and reliability of data transmission at a terminal section.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. ￥31 Diagram

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An IC card input/output device characterized in that a photoelectric element is provided in the IC card and a photoelectric element is provided in the IC card input/output section of the card terminal device to perform data transmission between the IC card and the IC card terminal device using light. method.