JPS6325791A - Information card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent generation of a contact failure, etc., to an external device, and to raise the reliability by radiating a light beam from the outside to an optical modulating circuit of the inside of an information card, and reading out information contained in the information card. CONSTITUTION:An information card 20 is inserted into an external device 10. A power transmitting circuit 11 of the external device 10 side converts the power source use power to a transmission medium X1 and supplies it to the information card 20 side, and an electric signal/transmission signal converting circuit 12 converts an input signal Si to a transmission signal S2 and transmits it to the information card 20 side. An optical modulating circuit 27 modulates a light beam from a light source 13 of the external device 10, and its reflected light is demodulated by a demodulating circuit 14, by which information in the information card 20 is read out.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Fields> The present invention is applicable to office automation.
Automation, OA), Factory Automation
Information cards such as IC cards used in fields such as ion, FA), etc., especially non-power-supply (no built-in battery) and non-contact reflective light-type information cards that do not have contact terminals for power and signal input/output. It's about cards.

(Prior Art) 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, 167-170, ■Nikkei Electronics, (1985-12-2>Nikkei McGraw-Hill Inc.
Electronics manufacturers entering the IC card market (Part 1) JP, 275-292, ■Nikkei Electronics, (19as-12-6>Nikkei McGraw-Hill Co., Ltd.
Electronics Manufacturers Floating into the IC Card Market (Part 2)” P, 249-262, ■Jitsukai 1986-109
There was one described in Publication No. 166. 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 embodiment thereof.

In FIG. 2, 1 is an external device for reading and writing information, 2 is an information card, and a DC power supply ■ is connected from the external device 1 to the information card 2. , E are supplied, and an output signal ■10 is generated between the external device 1 and the information card 2.
1 to I10n are exchanged.

@ As shown in Figures 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 units exposed on its surface. The IC 5, which is equipped with a contact terminal 4 and has an electronic integrated circuit (hereinafter referred to as IC) 5, controls a semiconductor memory 6 and the writing and reading of information to and from the memory 6. It has a microprocessor 7 that performs.

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 from the external device 1 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. This caused reliability problems due to malfunctions caused by this, and destruction of the IC5 due to static electricity and external voltage.

In order to eliminate this problem, a non-contact type is developed in which the terminal 4 is not exposed on the surface of the card body 3 and the battery, oscillator, loop antenna, etc. are built into the card body 3, and the signal is sent from the loop antenna using the battery. An information card has also been proposed, but the card body 3 becomes thicker due to battery attachment, and problems arise such as battery replacement.

The present invention solves problems that the prior art had, such as low reliability, thickening of the card due to battery attachment,
We provide an information card that solves the inconvenience of battery replacement.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides information reading,
Alternatively, an information card that performs reading and writing may include a power reception circuit that receives power energy supplied from the outside, a power supply circuit that converts the power energy received by the power reception circuit into DC power for the power supply, and a power supply circuit that receives power energy supplied from the outside. a transmission signal/electrical signal conversion circuit that demodulates a transmission signal transmitted from the outside; a memory that stores information; a memory control circuit that controls the operation of the memory based on the output of the transmission signal/electrical signal conversion circuit; A reflective light modulation circuit that modulates the light beam by the output of the memory control circuit and reflects it to the outside is housed in the card body.

(Function) According to the present invention, since the information card is configured as described above, the power receiving circuit receives power from the outside, and the transmission signal/electrical signal conversion circuit receives the signal from the outside, and also receives the optical signal from the outside. The modulation circuit works to modulate the incident light and reflect the signal to the outside. This allows signals to be exchanged without power and without contact. Therefore, the above-mentioned problem can be eliminated.

, (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a reflective light type 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 a power transmission circuit 11 that converts power into a transmission medium X1, an electric signal/transmission signal conversion circuit (E/X) 12 that converts an input signal Si to transmission @X2, and an optical OPT.
, a light source 13 such as a lamp or a light emitting diode, and an optical signal demodulation circuit (PD) 14 that demodulates the transmitted light OPT to the original output signal @So.

On the other hand, the information card 20 has a substantially rectangular card body 21 made of plastic or the like.
Inside, a power receiving circuit 22, a power supply circuit 23, a transmission signal/
Electrical signal conversion circuit (X/E) 24, memory control circuit 2
5. Memory 26 and reflective optical modulation circuit (XOH) 2
7 is accommodated. Each circuit within the card body 21 is composed of, for example, an IC.

The power receiving circuit 22 is a circuit that converts the transmission medium X1 into the original power, the power supply circuit 23 is a circuit that converts the power into a stabilized DC voltage ■dC, and the transmission signal/electrical signal converter 24
is a circuit that converts the transmission signal x2 into the original input signal Si. The memory control circuit 25 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor, and is a circuit that controls reading and writing of the memory 26 based on the output of the transmission signal/electrical signal converter 24, and performs serial/parallel conversion of data. memory 2
6 is a medium for storing various information, including a read-only memory (RO) and a writable ROM (PRO).
, Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROH (EEPROH),
It is composed of ultraviolet erasable and writable ROM (EPROH). The optical modulation circuit 27 is a circuitry that modulates the light OPT from the light source 13 based on the output of the memory control circuit 25 and outputs reflected light 0PT0.

Note that the input signal Si in the external device 10 is an initial setting (initial setting) of the memory control circuit 25 on the information card 20 side, a control signal for reading and writing information, etc.
Further, signals to be written into the memory 26 are serialized. Also, the output signal S. is memory 2
The readout information of 6 and the operation confirmation signal inside the information card are serialized in the memory control circuit 25.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the optical system of FIG. 1, and shows the external device 10.
A reflected light type optical modulation circuit 27 is accommodated at a predetermined position on the information card 20 side that bends the optical path between the light source 13 and the optical signal demodulation circuit 14 on the side.

Next, the operation will be explained.

When the information card 20 is inserted into the external device 10, the power transmission circuit 11 on the external device 10 side transmits power for the power source to the transmission medium X1.
and supplies it to the information card 20 side,
The electrical signal/transmission signal conversion circuit 12 converts the input signal Si into a transmission signal X2 and transmits it to the information card 20 side.

The transmission medium X1 supplied to the information card 20 side is converted to the original power by the power receiving circuit 22, and then sent to the power supply circuit 23.
The DC voltage VdC is converted into a stabilized DC voltage VdC, and is supplied to each circuit in the card body 21 as a power source. Further, the transmission signal X2 supplied to the information card 20 side is converted into the original input signal @Si by the transmission signal/electrical signal conversion circuit 24, and is supplied to the memory control circuit 25. The memory control circuit 25 specifies an address based on information included in the input signal Si, for example write information, and writes information to the memory 26, and then outputs a write completion signal to the optical modulation circuit 27. give.

The light modulation circuit 27 modulates the light OPT from the light source 13,
The modulated reflected light 0PTo is supplied to the optical signal demodulation circuit 14. Then, the optical signal demodulation circuit 14 outputs the reflected light OPT.
is demodulated and output signal δS0 is sent out.

O FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the structure of a transmitted iris information card showing another embodiment of the present invention.

In this circuit, the electrical signal/transmission conversion circuit 12 is provided with the function of the power transmission circuit 11, and the transmission signal/electrical signal conversion circuit 24 is provided with the function of the power reception circuit 22, and these electrical signal/transmission signal conversion circuits are provided. Power is transmitted by the circuit 12 and the transmission signal/electrical signal conversion circuit 24.

Figure 6 (1), (2), Figure 7 (1), (2
) and FIGS. 8(1) and 8(2) are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention that further embodies the above-mentioned FIGS. 1, 4, and 5.

FIG. 6(1) is a diagram showing an embodiment of an optical system for detecting the amount of reflected light from an electro-optic medium such as a liquid crystal, and FIG. 6(2) is a diagram showing an embodiment of a corresponding light modulation circuit.

In this system, the light source 13 on the external device 10 side includes a light emitting element 13-1 such as a light emitting diode, and a lens 13-2, and the optical signal demodulation circuit 14 includes a lens 14-1, a light receiving element 14-2 such as a photodiode, and a lens 13-2. Each of them is composed of a light receiving and amplifying circuit 14-3. In response to this, information card 2
The 0-side light modulation circuit 27 includes an optical medium drive circuit 27-1 and an electro-optic medium 27-2 such as liquid crystal that modulates the amount of reflected light.

In the above configuration, the light OPT emitted from the light emitting element 13-1 is transmitted to the electro-optic medium 2 through the lens 13-2.
7-2 will be irradiated. The electro-optic medium 27-2 is controlled by the drive circuit 27-1 controlled by the memory control circuit 25 to
The amount of reflected light of PT. is modulated and the amount of reflected light T0 is output. The reflected light 0PTo passes through the lens 14-1 and is converted into an electrical signal by the light-receiving element 14-2, and then sent to the light-receiving amplifier circuit 14.
−3 and the output signal S. Sent as .

Figure 7 (1) shows an example of an optical system that detects the rotation of the plane of polarization in an electro-optic medium, magneto-optic medium, etc., and Figure 7 (2) shows an example of a corresponding light modulation circuit. It is.

In this system, the light source 13 on the external device 10 side includes a light emitting element 13-1t such as a laser diode, a lens 13-1
2, a polarizer 13-13 providing a single plane of polarization, and a lens 13-14, the optical signal demodulation circuit 14 includes a polarizer 13-13 that provides a single plane of polarization, and a lens 13-14.
11, (Analyzer 14-12 that detects the rotation of the Q light surface,
Each of them is composed of a light receiving element 14-13 such as a photodiode, and a light receiving amplification circuit 14-14. Correspondingly, the light modulation circuit 27 includes a coil drive circuit 27-11 controlled by the memory control circuit 25, and a magnetic generation coil 2.
7-12, and a magneto-optical medium 27- such as lithium niobate (LiN603) or cadmium-terbium-iron alloy (Cd-Tb-Fo alloy) that modulates the plane of polarization of reflected light.
It consists of 13.

In the above configuration, the light emitted from the light emitting element 13-11 passes through the lenses 13 to 12 and is polarized by the polarizer 13-13, and the light OPT passes through the lens 13-14 to the magneto-optic medium 27- of the light modulation circuit 27. 13 is irradiated.

The magneto-optical medium 27-13 modulates the plane of polarization of the light OPT by the magnetism of the coil 27-12 operated by the drive circuit 27-11, and the reflected light 02 is generated. Output. Reflected light 0
The rotation of the polarization plane of PTo is detected by the analyzer 14-12 through the lens 14-11, converted into an electrical signal by the light receiving element 14-13, and then amplified by the light receiving amplification circuit 14-14 to produce an output signal S. It will be sent out.

Note that the light modulation circuit 27 in FIG. 7 may operate in the same manner as described above even if it is composed of an optical medium drive circuit and an electro-optic medium that modulates the rotation angle of the polarization plane of reflected light based on the output of this circuit. do.

Figure 8 (1) shows an example of an optical system in which the light source is shared for power supply and signal transmission using the method shown in Figure 6 (1).
) is a diagram showing an example of a corresponding optical modulation circuit and a transmission signal/electrical signal conversion circuit.

In this system, the electrical signal/transmission signal conversion circuit 12 on the external device 10 side includes a modulation circuit ( ) 100) 12-1 that modulates the input signal @Si into a transmission signal, and a light emitting element drive circuit 1.
2-2. Optical OPT for transmission signals, 1. It is composed of a light-emitting element 12-3 such as a light-emitting diode that converts into OPT, 2, and a lens 12-4, among which a drive circuit 12-2
, a light emitting element 12-3, and a lens 12-4 constitute a light source 13 in FIG. In addition, the optical signal demodulation circuit 14
is composed of a lens 14-21, a light receiving element 14-22 such as a photodiode, and a demodulation circuit (DET) 14-23. Correspondingly, the transmission@/electrical signal conversion circuit 24 includes a solar cell (SC) 24-1 that converts the optical OPT 1 into an electrical signal, and a demodulation circuit (SC) 24-1 that demodulates the electrical signal into the original signal. DE) l) 24-2. Roughly speaking, the light modulation circuit 27 includes a liquid crystal light valve drive circuit 27-21 and a reflective liquid crystal light valve 27-22.
It is made up of.

In the above configuration, the input signal S is the modulation circuit 12-1
is modulated into a transmission signal by the drive circuit 12-2, the light emitting element 12-3, and the lens 12-4.
Solar cell ≦4-1 and liquid crystal light valve 27 in the form of Ti2
-22 irradiation. Optical OPT, 1 is solar cell 24-1
After being converted into an electrical signal in the power supply circuit 23, the DC voltage v
It is converted into dC, and is also converted into the original input signal Si by the demodulation circuit 24-2, which is then applied to the memory control circuit 25. In this way, the power and the input signal Si are transferred to the external device 10.
The information is supplied from the information card 20 to the information card 20 side.

Further, the drive circuit 27 is controlled by the output of the memory control circuit 25.
-21 and liquid crystal ride valves 27-22 operate, and the light
PT・2 is modulated and the reflected light 0PTo is sent to the lens 14.
-21 to the light receiving element 14-22. The transmitted light 0PTo given to the light receiving element 14-22 is converted into an electrical signal by the light receiving element 14-22, and then demodulated by the demodulation circuit 14-23 and sent out as an output signal @S□. In this way the output signal S. is transmitted from the information card 20 to the external device 10.

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 can be supplied and signals can be input and output without contact, there is no influence 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 can be obtained.

■ Completely sealed structure improves explosion-proof and waterproof properties. Therefore, in addition to normal OA equipment and FA equipment,
It can also be applied to equipment in adverse environments or in locations that require explosion-proof measures.

■ Since there is no built-in battery, there is no need to replace the battery, and the card body 21 can be made thinner by the amount of space required to install the battery.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above in detail, according to the present invention, light is irradiated from the outside to the light modulation circuit inside the information card, and reflected light modulated by the output of the memory control circuit is detected externally. Since the information in the information card is read out from the information card, it is possible to prevent poor contact with external devices, malfunctions due to leakage current, destruction of internal circuits due to static electricity or external voltage, etc., and improve reliability. In addition, since it can be completely sealed, it is explosion-proof and waterproof, and there is no need to replace batteries.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the configuration of a reflected light type information card showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the configuration of a conventional information card, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an implementation example of FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the optical system of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a reflective light type information card showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
1), (2), FIGS. 7(1), (2), and FIGS. 8(1), (2) show optical systems, optical modulation circuits, and transmission signals/electricity showing still other embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a signal conversion circuit. 10... External device, 11... Power transmission circuit, 12... Electric signal/transmission signal conversion circuit,
13... Light source, 14... Demodulation circuit, 2
0... Information card, 21... Card body, 22... Power receiving circuit, 23...
Power supply circuit, 24...Transmission signal/electrical signal conversion circuit, 25...Memory control circuit, 26...
・Memory, 27... Light modulation circuit. Applicant's agent: Takashi Kakimoto Naruko modulation circuit Other embodiments of the present invention Optical system light modulation circuit Practical embodiments of the present invention

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A power receiving circuit that receives power energy supplied from the outside; a power supply circuit that exchanges the power energy received by the power receiving circuit into DC power for the power supply; and a transmission signal/electricity circuit that demodulates the transmission signal provided from the outside. a signal conversion circuit; a memory that stores information; a memory control circuit that controls the operation of the memory based on the output of the transmission signal/electrical signal conversion circuit; An information card characterized in that a reflective light modulation circuit that modulates and reflects the light to the outside is housed within the card body. 2. 2. The information card according to claim 1, wherein the power receiving circuit is used in common with the transmission signal/electrical signal conversion circuit. 3. 2. The information card according to claim 1, wherein the light modulation circuit includes an optical medium drive circuit and an electro-optic medium that modulates the amount of reflected light based on the output of the optical medium drive circuit. 4. The information card according to claim 1, wherein the light modulation circuit includes an optical medium drive circuit and an electro-optic medium that modulates the rotation angle of the polarization plane of reflected light based on the output of the optical medium drive circuit. . 5. The light modulation circuit is comprised of a coil drive circuit, a magnetism generation coil that generates magnetism by the output of the coil drive circuit, and a magneto-optical medium that modulates the rotation angle of the polarization plane of reflected light by the magnetism. An information card according to claim 1. 6. 3. The information card according to claim 2, wherein the transmission signal/electrical signal conversion circuit includes a solar cell and a demodulation circuit, and the light modulation circuit includes a liquid crystal light valve drive circuit and a reflective liquid crystal light valve.