JPS6312081A - Information card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the defect of contacting with an external device, the malfunction due to a leak current, the destruction of internal circuits due to static electricity or an external voltage, etc., by inputting a supply power and inputting and outputting signals through a photoelectric transducer and an electric signal/transmission signal converter which are exposed to the outside. CONSTITUTION:A photoelectric transducer 22 which transduces the optical energy for power supply on which a signal is superposed to an electric energy and separates it into an electric signal and power, a memory 25 where information is stored, a memory control circuit 24 which controls the operation of the memory based on the electric signal of the photoelectric transducer, an electric signal/transmission signal converter 26 which converts the electric signal outputted from the memory control circuit to a transmission signal and outputs it, and a power supply circuit 23 to which the power of the photoelectric transducer is inputted to supply the supply power to the memory, the memory control circuit, and the electric signal/transmission signal converter are stored in a card body 21. The signal and the power are supplied as an optical energy to the photoelectric transducer from an external device 10, and the electric signal/transmission signal converter outputs the signal as an optical signal or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention is applicable to office automation.
Automation (OA) Factory Automation
Information cards such as IC cards used in fields such as , FA), etc., especially non-power supply (no built-in battery) and non-contact optically coupled power supply and reception that do not have contact terminals for power and signal input/output.・Regarding contactless transmission information cards.

(Prior Art i+i) A general information card has an integrated circuit such as a semiconductor memory built into a card body made of plastic or the like, and a contact terminal for connecting to an external device is provided on the card surface.

Conventionally, technologies in this field include ■Nikkei Mechanical, (1985-10-21) Nikkei McGraw-Hill Co., Ltd.
c card JP, 167-1701 ■ Nikkei Electronics, (1985-12-2) Nikkei McGraw 11 Company J
Electronics manufacturers entering the IC card market (Part 1) JP, 275-292, ■Nikkei Electronics, (1985-12-6) Nikkei McGraw-Hill [
Electronics manufacturers pouring into the IC card market (Part 2), P, 249-262, and ■Jitsukai 56-1
The one described in Publication No. 09166 is required. The configuration will be explained below using figures.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional information card, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of its implementation.

In FIG. 2, 1 is an external device for reading and writing information, and 2 is an information card. Direct current power supplies VC and E are supplied from the external device 1 to the information card 2, and the external device 1 and Person between information card 2, output signal ■10
1 to I10n are exchanged.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the information card 2 has a rectangular card body 3 made of plastic or the like, and the card body 3 has a plurality of power and signal ports exposed on its surface. A contact terminal 4 is provided, and an electronic integrated circuit (hereinafter referred to as IC) 5 is provided inside. The IC 5 includes a semiconductor memory 6 and a microprocessor 7 that controls writing and reading of information to and from the memory 6.
It has

When this type of information card 2 is inserted into the external device 1, the terminals 4 on the card 2 side come into contact with the terminals on the external device 1 side, and the information stored in the memory 6 is transferred to the external device through these terminals 4 etc. 1, or write information on the external device 1 side into the memory 6.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the information card having the above configuration, since the terminal 4 is exposed to the outside, contact failure due to dirt, oxidation, corrosion, abrasion, etc. of the terminal contact portion, and leakage current may occur. There were problems with reliability, such as malfunctions caused by static electricity or external voltage.

The present invention provides an information card that solves the problem of low reliability that the prior art had.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides information reading,
Alternatively, an information card for reading and writing includes an optical/electrical converter that converts power source optical energy on which a signal is superimposed into electrical energy and separates it into an electrical signal and electric power, a memory that stores information, and a memory control circuit that controls the operation of the memory based on the electrical signal of the electrical converter; an electrical signal/transmission signal converter that converts the electrical signal output from the memory control circuit into a transmission signal and outputs the transmission signal; A power supply circuit that receives power from the electrical converter and supplies power to the memory, memory control circuit, and electrical signal/transmission signal converter is housed within the card body.

(Function) According to the present invention, since the information card is configured as described above, the optical/electrical converter receives a signal and power in the form of optical energy from an external device, and the optical/electrical converter receives the signal and power from the external device, and converts the electrical signal/transmission signal converter into an electrical signal/transmission signal converter. functions to output signals in the form of optical signals or the like. Also,
The power supply circuit is operative to supply the internal circuitry with the power provided through the optical/electrical converter. This allows signals to be exchanged without power and without contact. Therefore, the above-mentioned problem can be eliminated.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information card showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 10 is an external device, and an information card 20 is inserted into this external device 10.

The external device 10 includes an electric/optical converter (Elo) 11 that converts the power obtained by multiplying the input signal Si into an optical signal OPT, and converts a transmission signal S8 such as an optical signal into an electric signal and outputs an output signal S0. Transmission signal/electrical signal converter (X/E) to send out
It has 12.

On the other hand, the information card 20 has a substantially rectangular card body 21 made of plastic or the like.
Inside, there is an optical/electrical converter (0/E) 22 and a power supply circuit 2.
3. Memory control circuit 24, memory 25, and electrical signal/
A transmission signal converter (E, /X) 2B is provided.

Here, the optical/electrical converter 22 converts the optical signal OPT supplied from the external device 10 side into electrical energy, and then
This circuit separates the energy into electric power and an electric signal and supplies the electric power to the power supply circuit 23 and the electric signal to the memory control circuit 24.

This optical/electrical converter 22 and the electric/optical converter 11,
It constitutes an optical transmission system that transmits power and signals. The power supply circuit 23 is a circuit that converts input power into a stabilized DC voltage Vdc and supplies it to each circuit in the card body 21 as a power supply voltage.

The memory control circuit 24 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU).
This circuit is composed of a microprocessor having the functions of an input/output device, etc., and inputs the output signal of the optical/electrical converter 22 to control reading and writing of the memory 25.

The memory 25 is a circuit that stores various information, and includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a writable RO (PRO).
), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM)
), UV eraseable and writable ROH (EPRO
H) It has been done. In addition, an electric signal/transmission signal converter 26
is a circuit that converts the output signal of the memory control circuit 24 into a transmission signal Sx such as an optical signal, and sends it to the transmission signal/electrical signal converter 12 on the external device 10 side. Each circuit in the card body 21 is composed of an IC, an optoelectronic integrated circuit (hereinafter referred to as 0EIC), and the like.

Next, the operation will be explained.

The input signal Si in the external bag @10 is the information card 20
Initial setting of the memory control circuit 24 on the side, control signals for reading and writing information, signals to be written to the memory 25, etc. are serialized.

When the information card 20 is inserted into such an external device 10, the power supply and input signal Si on the external device 10 side are converted into an optical signal OP by the electrical/optical exchanger 11, and the optical/electrical signal Si on the information card 20 side is converted into an optical signal OP. is supplied to converter 22.

The optical/electrical converter 22 converts the input optical signal OPT into electrical energy, and then separates the energy into electric power and an electrical signal. The separated power is converted into a stabilized DC voltage VDC by the power supply circuit 23, and then the card body 21
Power is supplied to each circuit within the circuit. Furthermore, when the separated electrical signal is given to the memory control circuit 24,
The memory control circuit 24 specifies an address based on information included in the input signal, for example read information, and reads stored information from the memory 25. This stored information is converted into a predetermined transmission signal Sx by the electrical signal/transmission signal converter 26.
and sent to the transmission signal/electrical signal converter 12 on the external device 10 side.

The transmission signal/electrical signal converter 12 converts the input transmission signal into an electric signal, and outputs an output signal S which serializes the readout information of the memory 25, the operation confirmation signal inside the information card, etc.
. Send out.

4 to 9 show specific configuration examples of the information card shown in FIG. (ii) FIGS. 7 to 9 show information cards of an optically coupled power feeding/receiving/ultrasonic transmission system, and their configurations will be explained below.

(i) Information card of optically coupled power supply/reception/optical transmission method shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the circuit configuration. The electrical/optical converter 11 on the external device 10 side includes a modulation circuit 11-1 that converts the input signal Si into a transmission signal, a light source drive circuit 11-2, and a light source such as a light bulb or light emitting diode that generates the optical signal OPT1. (LS) 11-3 and a lens 11-4 for transmitting light, and the transmission signal/electrical signal converter 12 includes an optical signal O
It is comprised of a lens 12-1 for receiving light PT 2, a light receiving element 12-3 such as a photodiode, and a light receiving amplification circuit 12-3.

The optical/electrical converter 22 on the information card 20 side corresponding to the external device 10 is composed of a light receiving element (SC) 22-1 such as a photocell that receives the optical signal OPT 1, and a demodulation circuit 22-2. The image @/transmission signal converter 26 includes a light emitting element drive circuit 26-1 and a light emitting element 26-2 such as a light emitting diode that generates an optical signal OPT2.

Each of these circuits 22-1.22-2.26-1.26-
For example, all the circuits in the card body 21 including 0EIC
It consists of 27-1.

5 is a perspective view showing a mounting example of the information card 20 in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the 0EIC 27-1 in FIG. In the card body 21 made of plastic etc. that houses the 0EIC27-1, the optical signal OP
The passages of T 1 and OPT 2 have a structure that allows light to pass through by making holes or providing transparent films.

In the above configuration, when the information card 20 is inserted into the external device 10, the input signal Si on the external device 10 side is modulated into a transmission signal by the modulation circuit 11-1, and is optically transmitted by the drive circuit 11-2 and the light source 11-3. After being converted into the signal OPT 1, it is passed through the lens 11-4 to the light receiving element 22 on the information card 20 side.
-1.

The light receiving element 22-1 on the information card 20 side receives the input optical signal OP.
Convert T ”l into electrical energy and send it to power supply circuit 2
3 and the demodulation circuit 22-2. The power supply circuit 23 generates a stabilized DC voltage vdo and supplies it to the 00C27-1
Apply power to each circuit within the circuit. In addition, the demodulation circuit 22
-2 demodulates only the signal valve from the output of the light receiving element 22-1 to generate an electric signal, and supplies it to the memory control circuit 24. Then, the memory control circuit 24 controls the memory 25, for example.
The information is written to the drive circuit 26-, and the write confirmation signal is sent to the drive circuit 26-.
Give to 1. The drive circuit 26-1 causes the light emitting element 26-2 to emit light to convert the write confirmation signal into an optical signal OPT2,
It is sent to the lens 12-1 on the external device 10 side.

The optical signal OPT 2 that has passed through the lens 12-1 is converted into an electrical signal by the light receiving element 12-2, and amplified by the amplifier circuit 12-3 to produce an output signal S. is output in the form of

(i:) Information card of the optically coupled power feeding/receiving/ultrasonic wave transmitting system shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the circuit configuration. The difference from FIG. 4 is that the transmission signal/electrical signal converter 12 and the electrical signal/transmission signal converter 26 are of an ultrasonic transmission type.

That is, the transmission signal/electrical signal converter 12 on the external device 10 side includes an ultrasound receiving element 12-11 such as an electrostrictive transducer that receives the ultrasound signal S, and a demodulation circuit 12-12 that demodulates the transmission signal. It consists of Also, information card 2
The electrical signal/transmission signal converter 26 on the 0 side is a modulation circuit 26-1 that converts the output of the memory control circuit 24 into a transmission signal.
1, an ultrasonic generating element drive circuit 26-12, and an ultrasonic generating element 26- such as an electrostrictive vibrator that generates an ultrasonic signal S.
It consists of 13. All the circuits in the card body 21 including these circuits are composed of 0EIC27-2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a mounting example of the information card 20 in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the OE IC 27-2 in FIG. The card body 21 that houses the 0EIC27-2 has holes for the passage of the optical signal OPT 1 and the ultrasonic signal S, or a transparent film or a material that allows the passage of ultrasonic waves to pass through, so that light beams and ultrasonic waves can pass through. It has a structure.

In the above configuration, the output of the memory control circuit 24 on the information card 20 side is modulated into a transmission signal by the modulation circuit 26-11, and the output from the drive circuit 26-12 and the ultrasonic generation element 26-1
3, the signal is converted into an ultrasonic signal S and transmitted to the ultrasonic receiving element 12-11 on the external device 10 side. Then, the ultrasonic receiving element 12-11 converts the ultrasonic signal S into an electrical signal, which is demodulated by the demodulation circuit 12-12 and output signal S. send out.

Each of the above embodiments has the following advantages.

■ The internal circuit terminals are not exposed to the outside as in the past,
Since power supply, signal input, and output can be performed without contact, there is no effect of poor contact due to dirt, oxidation, corrosion, wear, etc. of the terminal contact area as in the conventional case. Furthermore, not only is there no failure or malfunction due to leakage current, there is no need to protect internal circuits from external voltage or static electricity. Therefore high reliability is obtained.

■ Completely sealed structure improves explosion-proof and waterproof properties. Therefore, in addition to ordinary 0AII equipment and FA equipment, it can also be applied to equipment installed in adverse environments or in locations requiring explosion-proof measures.

■ Improved usability as there is no need to replace batteries.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, it is also possible to configure signal transmission using other transmission methods such as magnetic coupling, capacitive coupling, and radio wave transmission, or to roughly configure each circuit in the card body 21 with a circuit.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above in detail, according to the present invention, input of power supply power and input and output of signals are performed through an optical/electrical converter that is not exposed to the outside and an electrical signal/transmission signal converter. This makes it possible to prevent poor contact with external devices, malfunctions due to leakage current, destruction of internal circuits due to static electricity or external voltage, and improves reliability. Furthermore, since it has a completely sealed structure, it is explosion-proof and waterproof, and it is expected that there will be no need to replace batteries.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information card showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a conventional information card, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an implementation example of FIG. 2, and FIG. A configuration block diagram of an information card using an optically coupled power feeding/receiving/optical transmission method that embodies FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the configuration of an information card with an optically coupled power feeding/receiving/ultrasonic transmission method embodying FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the implementation. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the main part configuration of FIG. 10... External device, 11... Electrical/optical converter, 12... Transmission signal/electrical signal converter,
20... Information card, 21... Card body, 22... Optical/electrical converter, 23...
...Power supply circuit, 24...Memory control circuit, 25
...Memory, 26...Electrical signal/transmission signal converter, 27-1°27-2...Optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEIC). Applicant's agent: Kakimoto Yasushi Sei IO A5 device 21° force - Done 4 This invention's information card reproduction diagram Figure 1 Configuration block diagram of conventional information card Figure 2 Figure 5 Summary of the information card Part configuration example Fig. 6

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. an optical/electrical converter that converts power source light energy on which a signal is superimposed into electrical energy and separates it into an electrical signal and electric power; a memory that stores information; and the memory based on the electrical signal of the optical/electrical converter. a memory control circuit that controls the operation of the memory control circuit; an electrical signal/transmission signal converter that converts the electrical signal output from the memory control circuit into a transmission signal and outputs the signal; and a power input to the optical/electrical signal converter. An information card characterized in that the memory, a memory control circuit, and a power supply circuit for supplying power to the electric signal/transmission signal converter are housed in a card body. 2. The optical/electrical converter, memory, memory control circuit,
The information card according to claim 1, wherein the electrical signal/transmission signal converter and the power supply circuit are constructed of optoelectronic integrated circuits. 3. 2. The information card according to claim 1, wherein the optical/electrical converter is a photovoltaic cell and a demodulation circuit, and the electrical signal/transmission signal converter is a light emitting element drive circuit and a light emitting element. 4. The optical/electrical converter is a photovoltaic cell and a demodulation circuit, and the electrical signal/transmission signal converter is a modulation circuit, an ultrasonic generation element drive circuit, and an ultrasonic generation element, respectively. Information card.