JPS6325094A - Ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an IC card, and particularly to an IC card that inputs and outputs data to and from a predetermined recording and reproducing device.

[Prior Art] Various magnetic cards have been used as cash cards, membership cards, ID cards, and the like. Since magnetic cards record information on a magnetic recording medium of several centimeters at most, there is a problem in that the amount of information that can be recorded is limited.

To solve this problem, a method has been proposed in which a microprocessor and memory are housed inside and desired information is stored in the memory, and such a card is called an IC card.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventionally proposed IC cards are configured to transfer data or supply power to and from a recording/reproducing device via metal terminals, connectors, or the like. In such a configuration, there is usually a risk that malfunction or destruction of elements in the internal circuit may occur due to poor connection of the contacts or interference with static electricity through the contacts.

Connecting elements such as connectors are usually relatively expensive, and ensuring reliable circuit connections further increases the cost of the connections. In particular, at this stage, the manufacturing cost of IC cards is higher than that of magnetic ones, and the challenge is how to reduce this cost.In order to avoid the above problems, it is necessary to improve the connection contacts. This has a disadvantage in terms of cost.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an IC card that inputs and outputs information stored in an internal storage means between a predetermined recording and reproducing device. A configuration was adopted in which a means for inputting and outputting data with the recording/reproducing device by optical transmission was provided, and power was supplied by a solar battery.

[Function] According to the above configuration, unreliable members such as metal contacts can be eliminated, and interference caused by poor connections and static electricity can be reliably eliminated.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of an IC card employing the present invention.

In the figure, the symbol l indicates the IC card body. Inside the card body 1, as in the conventional device, an IC circuit 5 is housed, which is composed of a memory element for storing information, a microprocessor, etc. for controlling data input/output to the memory.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the IC circuit 5.
In the figure, reference numeral 51 is a CPU consisting of a microprocessor element, 52 is a memory for storing information such as an EEPROM, and 53 is a ROM in which a control program for the CPU 51 is stored.

In this embodiment, the interface between the IC circuit 5 and a device for recording/reproducing information to/from the IC circuit 5 is performed by optical communication via the optical signal input/output section 54.

This optical signal input/output section is indicated by reference numeral 3 on the top surface of the card body 1 in FIG. The optical signal input/output unit 3 includes a light receiving element such as a phototransistor for inputting and outputting an optical signal, a light emitting element such as an LED, and a driving circuit for these elements. The optical signal input/output section 3 may have one light receiving element and one light emitting element, or may have a plurality of light receiving elements and a plurality of light emitting elements so as to perform parallel data transfer of multiple bits.

Further, in this embodiment, the operation of the IC circuit 5, that is, the E
Memory 52 of the IC circuit 5 composed of EPROM etc.
The power required for rewriting is supplied in the form of an optical signal from the recording/reproducing device. For this reason.

A solar cell 4 is provided on the top surface of the card body l (third
(see figure).

Figure 2 shows data input/output to and from the IC card in Figure 1.
The following is an example of a configuration for supplying power. It is assumed that the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is provided in a card receiving section of a recording/reproducing device.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 6 denotes an optical signal input/output section that inputs and outputs optical signals to and from the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the optical signal input/output section 3 in FIG. 6
is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, and the end surface of the optical fiber 8 is exposed at the end surface 6a thereof in correspondence with the positions of the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the optical signal input/output section 3.

In the above description, the optical fiber 8 is used to connect the light emitting element and light receiving element (not shown) on the recording/reproducing device side. You can.

The optical signal input/output section 6 is fixed to the chassis 1O, and an optical fiber 8 passes through the inside of the optical signal input/output section 6 and the chassis 1O. A light receiving element and a light emitting element (not shown) are respectively attached to the ends of the optical fiber 8 drawn out from the chassis 10 so that optical signals can be input and output to the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the optical signal input/output section 3.

On the other hand, the solar battery 4 of the IC card is located at the bottom of the chassis IO.
A lamp 7 is provided as a light source for generating electricity. The optical signal input/output section 6 and the lamp 7 are installed at the following locations:
Of course, it is determined in accordance with the positions of the optical signal input/output unit 3 and the solar cell 4 in FIG.

Next, operations in one or more configurations will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 shows the control procedure of the CPU 51. This procedure is stored in the ROM 53.

In the above configuration, when recording and reproducing information on the IC card, first, the IC card is
Insert the C card into the bottom of the chassis 10, at this time,
Below the optical signal input/output section 6, the optical signal input/output section 3 of the IC card is arranged closely or at a predetermined distance apart.

In this state, the lamp 7 is turned on in step S1 of FIG. ! Sufficient power generation is ensured by suspending operation on the − side or by checking the power generation amount using a voltage detection circuit on the card side.

Subsequently, in step S3, the optical fiber 8. Data is input/output to and from the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the optical signal input/output section 3 via the optical signal input/output section 6 . Access to the memory of IC circuit 5 is controlled by the microprocessor of IC circuit 5.

When the data input/output is completed, in step S4, the lamp 7
is turned off and the process ends.

As described above, according to the configuration of 0 or more that can input and output information to and from the memory of an IC card, the electrical contacts that were conventionally required for power supply and input and output of information can be omitted. can do. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent malfunctions and element destruction due to poor connection of electrical contacts, interference with static electricity through the contacts, and the like.

According to this embodiment, since data input/output and power supply are performed in a completely non-contact manner, the entire card can be completely sealed with plastic or the like. If such a configuration is adopted, the card can be made waterproof, and handling of the card can be greatly simplified.

[Effect] As is clear from the above, according to the present invention, in an IC card that inputs and outputs information stored in an internal storage means by a predetermined recording and reproducing device, optical transmission between the recording and reproducing device is possible. Since it is equipped with a means for inputting and outputting data using a solar cell and is configured to supply power from a solar cell, data can be input and output to and from an IC card in a non-contact manner, without the need for electrical contacts as in the conventional method. It is possible to provide an excellent IC card that does not cause accidents such as destruction of elements due to defects or interference due to static electricity through contacts.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an IC card adopting the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration for inputting/outputting data and supplying power to the IC card of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the periphery of the IC circuit shown in the figure, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations during data input/output. l...Card body 2...Transparent plastic cover 3...Optical signal input/output section 4...Solar cell 5...IC circuit 6...
Optical signal input/output section

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an IC card that inputs and outputs information stored in an internal storage means to and from a predetermined recording and reproducing device, a means for inputting and outputting data with the recording and reproducing device by optical transmission is provided, and an internal circuit is provided. An IC card characterized by using a solar cell as a power supply device.