KR940004387B1 - Apparatus for controlling communication between ic card and host computer - Google Patents

Abstract

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Description

Communication control device between IC card and host device

1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a system to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a block diagram of an apparatus showing one embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an IC card.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

1: Host Device 2: Communication Cable

3: terminal device 5: keyboard

6: indicator 7, 8: IC card insertion opening

9 connector 13 communication control means

15, 17: card connector 16, 18: IC card

21, 27: switch means 31, 32: IC card detector

The present invention relates to a communication control technology between a plurality of IC cards (electronic information cards) commonly connected to one host device (host computer).

When connecting an IC card and a host device, use a connector device in which a card connector that connects to the input / output terminal of the IC card is embedded in the host device itself, and a connector device in which the card connector is incorporated into a separate case body. It may be connected externally.

In particular, when connecting using a communication cable like the latter, there is a possibility of data theft from a communication cable exposed to the outside. Therefore, in general, an encryption means composed of a ROM storing a microcomputer and a communication algorithm in a connector device is used. The data is encrypted by the communication algorithm stored in the ROM and then output to the communication cable.

Since such encryption means are incorporated in the manufacture of the connector device, it is necessary to disclose the communication algorithm to the manufacturer of the connector device in advance, which may cause the communication algorithm to leak to a third party.

In addition, even if the communication algorithm leakage from the manufacturer does not occur, if the same communication algorithm is used for a long time, the concealment of the algorithm is likely to be lost. Therefore, it is necessary to update the communication algorithm at regular intervals. Since attachment and detachment of the ROM from the core is indispensable, there is a problem in that the cost is increased by requiring skilled workers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object thereof is to provide a communication control device between a novel IC card and a host device, which can reduce leakage to the outside of the communication algorithm as much as possible and can easily change the algorithm on the user side. To provide.

In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, an IC card including a plurality of contacts and a communication cable are used to read data from the IC card and communicate with a host device that writes data to the IC card. An apparatus for controlling a network, comprising: a first terminal connector connected to the communication cable to receive information including data and a signal transmitted from a host device, and connected to the communication cable to receive data and signals on the IC card. A second terminal connector for transmitting information to the host device and a card detector each having a contact corresponding to a contact of the IC card and generating a signal indicating whether a card is present therein, one of which communicates A card that stores a communication algorithm by accommodating a card storing an algorithm and an IC card on the other side. Sending data through the at least two card connectors for encrypting or decrypting the data stored in the IC card according to this communication algorithm, and controlling the communication in response to signals from the at least two card connectors. Communication control means for connecting and disconnecting circuits between the second terminal connector and at least two card connectors and between the at least two card connectors, between the at least two card connectors and at least two card connectors, respectively. Means for switching between each of the first and second terminal connectors, and between each of the at least two card connectors and the communication control means, the corresponding being in accordance with signals from the at least two card connectors and the host apparatus. And switch means switched on and off by means.

According to this configuration, when an IC card storing a communication algorithm is connected to one card connector and an IC card storing various data is connected to the other card connector, the data is encrypted and transmitted by the communication algorithm.

In addition, the communication algorithm can be changed by a simple operation of replacing an IC card storing the communication algorithm.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, it demonstrates based on the Example which showed the detail of this invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (1) is a host device integrating an inquiry system, which is connected to a terminal device 3 via a communication cable 2, and is described later. It is comprised so that data communication with the IC card mounted in the apparatus 3 may be performed.

(3) is a terminal device as described above, wherein the keyboard (5) and the indicator (6) are provided on the surface of the case (4), and the card insertion openings (7) and (8) of the IC card connector housed therein are formed. Consists of. In addition, (9) in the figure shows the connector of the communication cable 2 which connects the host apparatus 1 and the terminal apparatus 3. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3 is the above-described terminal device, which is connected to a communication cable 2 via a receiving connector 11 and a transmitting connector 12. FIG. It is connected to the host apparatus 1 by this. Reference numeral 13 denotes a communication control means for receiving a switch control signal from the host device 1 or a signal from a card detector to control the switch means described later, and from the keyboard 5, the host device 1, and the IC card. Data is output to the display device 6 or data from the keyboard 5 to the host device 1 or the card connector.

Numeral 15 denotes the first IC card connector in which the IC card 16 containing the communication algorithm is inserted. Numeral 17 denotes the second IC card connector, in which the personally owned IC card 18 is inserted. These IC card connectors 15 and 17 are directly connected by the switch means 21, and are connected to the communication control means 13 via the switch means 22 and 23, and also to (24) and ( It is connected to the receiving connector 11 via 25, and to the transmitting connector 12 via (26) and (27).

In addition, (31) and (32) in the figure show IC card detectors provided in proximity to the first and second IC card connectors 15 and 17, respectively.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an IC card used in the present invention, in which 41 is a microcomputer with a data processing function, which is placed on a substrate 43 together with a data storage semiconductor memory circuit 42. As shown in FIG. It is embedded so as to be connected to the contacts 44 and 44 on the surface of the substrate 43, and to allow data communication and data processing with the outside via the card connectors 15 and 17.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described.

When the IC card 16 containing the communication algorithm is attached to the first connector 15, a signal is output from the IC card detector 31 to activate the communication control means 13, and at the same time, the IC is connected to the card connector 15. The card driving power and the clock signal are supplied.

The communication control means 13 outputs a switch control signal to turn on the switch means 22. Thereby, the communication control means 13 and the card connector 15, that is, the first IC card 16 are connected. When the reset release signal is output from the communication control means 13 in this step, the IC card 16 outputs an A.T.R. (Answer To Reset) signal indicating characteristics such as its own data transfer rate. This A.T.R. The signal is input to the host apparatus 1 via the communication control means 13, the transmission connector 12, and the communication cable 2 via the switch means 22. The communication control means 13 stores the A.T.R. At the step of receiving the signal, the switch control signal is output to turn on the switch means 24 and the switch means 26. Thereby, in addition to the communication path between the communication control means 13 and the host apparatus 1, the communication control means 13, the first IC card 16, the host apparatus 1, and the first IC card 16 are added. A communication channel with will be established.

In this state, when command data requesting input of the secret code of the first IC card is output from the host device 1, the data is input to the communication control means 13 via the receiving connector 11, and the secret code is received. A display requesting the input of is displayed on the indicator 6.

In this state, when the secret code of the first IC card 16 is input from the keyboard 5, the first IC card 16 compares the secret code stored therein with the secret code just input from the keyboard 5; When the inquiry results match, the signal is output to the host apparatus 1 via the switch means 26 and the transmission connector 12. Then, access to the data area of the IC card 18 is made possible.

On the other hand, when the IC card 18 is inserted into the second IC card connector 17 in this step, the card insertion signal is output from the IC card detector 32 to operate the communication control means 13, and at the same time, the second card. The connector 17 is supplied with a power and a clock signal for driving the IC card.

The communication control means 13 outputs a switch control signal to turn on the switch means 23. Thereby, the communication control means 13 and the card connector 17, ie, the 2nd IC card 18, are connected. In this step, when the communication control means 13 outputs the reset release signal, the A.T.R. A signal is output and inputted to the host apparatus 1 via the communication control means 13, the transmission connector 12, and the communication cable 2 via the switch means 23. The communication control means 13 controls the A.T.R. At the step of receiving the signal, the switch control signal is output to turn on the switch means 25 and 27. Thereby, communication between communication control means 13 and host device 1 already established, communication control means 13, first IC card 16 and host device 1 and first IC card 16 are established. In addition to the furnace, a communication path between the communication control means 13 and the second IC card 18 is established.

In this state, when command data requesting the input of the secret code of the second IC card, that is, the personal authentication secret code, is output from the host device 1, the data is transmitted to the communication control means 13 via the receiving connector 11. ), An indication for requesting the input of a secret code is displayed on the display 6.

When a secret code is input from the keyboard 5 to the second IC card 18 in this state, the second IC card 18 compares the secret code stored therein with the secret code just input from the keyboard 5. When the inquiry results match, the signal is output and input to the host apparatus 1 via the switch means 27 and the transmission connector 12. Then, access to the data area of the IC card 18 is made possible.

On the other hand, when the host apparatus 1 needs to read or write data stored in the second IC card 18, it outputs a data transfer command and outputs a signal from the communication control means 13. To turn on the switch means 21. As a result, the first connector 15 and the second connector 17 are connected by the switch means 21. If data output is requested to the second IC card 18 in this step, data from the second IC card 18 is input to the first IC card via the switch means 21. The first IC card 16 encrypts and outputs the data of the second IC card 18 based on the communication algorithm stored therein. This encrypted data is input to the host apparatus 1 via the switch means 26, the transmission connector 12, and then the communication cable 2. As shown in FIG. In this communication process, even if data is stolen from the communication cable 2, since it is encrypted, decryption is extremely difficult.

On the other hand, when the data encrypted by the host apparatus 1 is output to the terminal apparatus 3 via the communication cable 2, it is input to the first IC card 16 via the switch means 24, After decoding based on this communication algorithm, it is output to the second IC card 18 via the switch means 21 and stored.

When a need arises to execute data processing between the first IC card 16 and the second IC card 18, the host apparatus 1 switches the communication means through the communication control means 13; ON. As a result, communication is possible without intervening the host apparatus 1, and card-to-card communication at a high transmission rate is possible.

When the communication between the second IC card 18, the host device 1, and the first IC card 16 is terminated, the second IC card 18 is removed from the connector 17. The card member signal is output from 32). The communication control means 13 turns off the switch means 21, 23, 25, and 27 by the card member signal so that the second card connector 17, the communication control means 13, and the host apparatus are turned off. (1) and the communication path with the first card connector 15 is blocked.

In this way, the communication path is formed by appropriately selecting the switch means 21 to 27 via the communication control means 13 which receives the command from the host apparatus 1, thus eliminating unnecessary communication paths and causing interference of data. In addition, communication can be performed with high reliability without causing the IC card control signal to return.

On the other hand, since the first IC card 16 remains attached to the connector 15, the communication control means 13 and the host device 1, the communication control means 13 and the first IC card 16 and the host device. The communication path between (1) and the first IC card 16 is secured.

When the communication algorithm is changed, the communication algorithm can be changed by attaching an IC card containing a new communication algorithm instead of the conventional IC card 16 mounted on the first IC card connector 15.

Originally, since the IC card is configured for detachment and detachment, the IC card can be replaced very simply in comparison with the task of removing or mounting the IC card from the circuit board.

When the IC card containing the new algorithm is mounted, the communication control means 13 and the host apparatus 1, the communication control means 13 and the first IC card 16, and the host apparatus are carried out in the same manner as described above. A communication path between 1) and the first IC card 16 is formed, and in this state, the second IC card 18 is awaited to be mounted.

In addition, in the present embodiment, it has been described that two card connectors are connected, but the same can be implemented even when three or more card connectors are connected.

In this embodiment, the IC card has a structure in which the contact is exposed as shown in FIG. 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The recently proposed contact point is provided with a plurality of coils instead of the IC card. It is a matter of course that the light receiver may be provided to receive information in the form of a high frequency signal or an optical signal.

As described above, in the present invention, communication with a host apparatus which reads data from the IC card and writes data to the IC card via an IC card including a plurality of contacts and a communication cable is controlled. An apparatus comprising: a first terminal connector connected to the communication cable to receive information including data and a signal transmitted from a host device; and a data terminal and a signal on the IC card connected to the communication cable. A second terminal connector for transmitting information to the host device and a card detector each having a contact corresponding to a contact of the IC card and generating a signal indicating the presence of a card therein, one of which has a communication algorithm; Accepts the card that contains the card, and the other side accepts the IC card to store the communication algorithm. At least two card connectors for encrypting or decrypting data stored in the IC card according to this communication algorithm by sending data, and controlling communication in response to signals from the at least two card connectors. Communication control means for connecting and disconnecting circuits between the terminal connector and at least two card connectors and between the at least two card connectors, between the at least two card connectors, each of the at least two card connectors and the first And means for switching between each of the second terminal connectors, and between each of the at least two card connectors and the communication control means, wherein corresponding to the signals from the at least two card connectors and the host device, the communication control means. Since the switch means is switched on and off by means of a switch, it is unnecessary to disclose the communication algorithm to the outside. In addition to improving the nickability, the communication algorithm can be changed by an extremely simple operation of detaching the IC card, and data can be directly transferred between the IC cards without intervening a host device or a lead write device. The transfer can be performed, and the speed of data transfer can be improved.

Claims (5)

Communication with the host device 1 which reads data from the IC card 18 and writes data to the IC card via the IC card 18 and the communication cable 2 including a plurality of contacts. A control device comprising: a first terminal connector (11) connected to said communication cable (2) for receiving information including data and signals transmitted from a host device (1), and to said communication cable (2); A second terminal connector 12 connected to each other to transmit information including data and signals on the IC card 18 to the host device 1, and a contact corresponding to the contacts of the IC card 18, respectively. It has card detectors 31 and 32 for generating a signal indicating the presence or absence of a card therein, one of which has a card 16 for storing a communication algorithm and the other 17 has an IC card ( 18) through a card 16 that accepts and stores a communication algorithm. Data from the at least two card connectors (15, 17) and the at least two card connectors (15, 17) for encrypting or decrypting the data stored in the IC card (18) in accordance with this communication algorithm. Communication is controlled in response to a signal to connect a circuit between the first and second terminal connectors 11 and 12 and at least two card connectors 15 and 16 and between the at least two card connectors 15 and 17. The separation between the communication control means 13 and the at least two card connectors 15 and 17, each of the at least two card connectors 15 and 17 and the first and second terminal connectors 11 and 12 Means for switching between each and at least two card connectors 15 and 17 and the communication control means 13, from the at least two card connectors 15 and 17 and the host apparatus 1 The number of switches for which the corresponding switch means is switched on and off by the communication control means 13 in accordance with the signal. The communication control device between the IC card and the host device, characterized in that it includes a (21-27). The communication control device according to claim 1, further comprising display means (6) for displaying a command signal from the host device (1). A keyboard (5) according to claim 2, further comprising a keyboard (5) for inputting information including a secret code designated on the IC card (18) in response to a request command from the host device (1), wherein the display means (6) is a host device. A communication control device between an IC card and a host device, characterized in that it is an indicator for displaying information including a command signal from the same. The card 16 and the IC card 18, which store at least one fixed communication algorithm, are coupled to the at least two card connectors 15, 17 via electrical contacts. Communication control device between IC card and host device. The card 16 and the IC card 18, which store at least one fixed communication algorithm, are coupled to the at least two card connectors 15, 17 via a light receiver or a coil. Communication control device between the IC card and the host device.