JP2004265166A - Reader writer for ic cards - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy-to-use reader/writer for an IC card equipped with a fingerprint sensor, which is activated for use when it is connected to a terminal such as a personal computer. <P>SOLUTION: A reader/writer 1 for an IC card is configured so that an R/W unit 10 for an IC card equipped with a terminal board and a USB socket based on ISO7816 specifications for reading data when an IC card 2 is inserted and a pedestal 12 for the unit equipped with a USB receiving socket can be used so as to be attached/detached. This R/W unit for the IC card may be used as a reader/writer for the IC card while it is fit into the pedestal for the unit, and may be also used as the R/W for the IC card with the R/W unit simplex for the IC card without using the pedestal 12 for the unit. The pedestal unit for the unit is provided with a fingerprint sensor 9 and a USB hub device. Also, this pedestal for the unit may be provided with a USB receiving socket 21 for external device connection. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a reader / writer for an IC card.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a reader / writer for an IC card used for connection with a personal computer, the reader / writer having a fingerprint sensor and a high level of security while improving the handleability and operability on a desk. .
Therefore, the field of use of the present invention relates to the field of use and manufacture of IC card reader / writers.
[0002]
[Prior art]
IC cards have been widely used in place of magnetic cards due to the convenience of carrying, the ability to record large amounts of information, and the difficulty of counterfeiting and falsification. In addition, the multi-application of the IC card has been attempted, and the IC card has also been used as an employee ID card, a shopping card, a point card, and the like.
As a result, Internet shopping and the like are being used by using the IC card with a terminal such as a personal computer (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “PC”).
[0003]
On the other hand, a PC in a company or the like is networked and can access various types of information from a PC, which is one terminal, so that unauthorized use by unauthorized persons may lead to leakage of company secrets.
Against this background, IC cards have come to be used as effective means for authenticating personal computer access authority. For this reason, an IC card reader / writer is often connected to a PC and used for logon / personal authentication.
[0004]
PC IC card reader / writers are already known, and prior arts include Patent Literature 1, Patent Literature 2, Non-Patent Literature 1, and the like. Patent Document 1 proposes an IC memory card unit used for a desktop personal computer, but has a problem that a special file slot is required on the desktop side.
Patent Document 2 describes that a portable terminal equipped with a contact-type IC card reader / writer is connected to a PC for use, but does not mention handling on a desk.
Non-Patent Document 1 relates to an actual commercial product as described later.
[0005]
FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a conventional IC card reader / writer, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view thereof.
As shown in FIG. 6, a conventional IC card reader / writer 100 is formed by integrally molding a card holder 101 into which an IC card is inserted and a holder pedestal 102.
As shown in FIG. 7, the contact terminal plate of the IC card inserted from the card insertion slot 103 is brought into contact with an ISO-compliant terminal plate (8-pin connector) 14 on the card holder 101 side. The terminal board 14 is further connected to a PC by a USB cable 18 with a USB connector 19.
The IC card reader / writer 100 has a built-in USB interface, and power can be acquired from a PC via the USB cable 18.
[0006]
The conventional IC card reader / writer requires a large installation area because the card holder 101 and the holder pedestal 102 are integrally molded, and has no USB socket so that other external devices can be connected. There was a problem that could not be done.
Therefore, the inventor of the present application has made it possible to use the R / W unit for IC card and the base for the unit separately and to be able to connect another terminal device to the PC via the reader / writer for IC card. And proposes such as Patent Document 3 or Patent Document 4.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-7-295682 [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2000-76395 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-017154 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-021041 [Non-patent Document] 1) Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. catalog "IC card reader / writer (ZU90000P series)"
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional IC card reader / writer has a problem in that the card holder and the holder base are integrated, and when used on a desk, a large installation space is required, which hinders operation.
Further, in the case of Patent Documents 3 and 4, there is a problem that it is not possible to prevent malicious use of a third party who has stolen a personal identification number or the like since there is no fingerprint sensor. Furthermore, there has been a problem that a UIM or a SIM card (small IC card), which has been frequently used in recent years, cannot be read.
The inventor of the present application has studied the provision of a fingerprint sensor in addition to the proposals of Patent Documents 3 and 4 and, at the same time, connection with a UIM reader / writer unit, and completed the present invention. It has been reached.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first gist of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem is to have a reader / writer unit for an IC card which has a terminal plate and a USB socket conforming to the ISO7816 standard and inserts and reads an IC card, and a USB receiving socket. The unit pedestal has a structure in which the USB socket and the USB receiving socket can be used by being detached and used. With this structure, the IC card reader / writer unit can be used as an IC card reader / writer in a state fitted to the unit pedestal. A reader / writer for an IC card which can also be used as an IC card reader / writer by itself without using a unit base, and a fingerprint sensor and a USB hub device are provided on the unit base. A reader / writer for an IC card.
[0010]
A second aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is to have a reader / writer unit for an IC card which has a terminal plate and a USB socket conforming to the ISO7816 standard and inserts and reads an IC card, and a USB receiving socket. The unit pedestal has a structure in which the USB socket and the USB receiving socket can be used by being detached and used. With this structure, the IC card reader / writer unit can be used as an IC card reader / writer in a state fitted to the unit pedestal. A reader / writer for an IC card which can also be used as an IC card reader / writer by itself without using a unit base, and a fingerprint sensor and a USB hub device are provided on the unit base. And a USB receiving socket for connecting an external device. IC card reader-writer to be, in the.
[0011]
In the IC card reader / writer, the unit pedestal may have a structure in which the UIM reader / writer unit can also be attached and detached, and a plurality of external device connection USB receiving sockets may be provided. You can also.
Also, a convex portion for front and back identification is provided on the IC card reader / writer unit, and a convex portion fitting portion into which the convex member is inserted is provided on the unit base, so that the front and back of the unit are not mistaken. Is preferred.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a reader / writer for an IC card according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a reader / writer for an IC card of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a transparent side view showing a unit pedestal, and FIG. 3 is a transparent perspective view showing a unit pedestal. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the R / W unit for IC card is directly connected to a personal computer for use, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the R / W unit for UIM is directly connected to the personal computer for use. ,.
[0013]
The IC card reader / writer 1 of the present invention basically includes an IC card reader / writer (R / W) unit 10 and a unit base 12, as shown in FIG.
The IC card 2 is inserted into the IC card R / W unit 10, and in this state, the USB socket 16 of the IC card R / W unit 10 is inserted into the receiving port 7 so as to fit with the receiving socket of the unit base 12. The IC card R / W unit 10 is inserted and used.
[0014]
The IC card R / W unit 10 inserts the IC card in the vertical direction (inserts the narrow side). The card insertion slot 13 and a terminal plate that contacts the contact terminal plate 201 of the IC card in the holder ( Connector section), and a circuit board such as a USB interface. The terminal plate has 8 pins conforming to the ISO standard.
The circuit board is provided with a USB conversion IC if necessary, and has an ISO connector circuit connected to the USB socket 16. The signal read from the IC card 2 is transmitted to the unit base 12 via the USB socket 16.
[0015]
Although not shown, in order to ensure good contact between the contact terminal plate 201 of the IC card 2 and the terminal plate on the R / W unit side for the IC card, a pressing mechanism such as a leaf spring is also used for the reader / writer unit 10 for the IC card. It is provided in.
The unit base 12 has a receptacle (insertion fitting portion) 7 into which the lower surface of the IC card R / W unit 10 can be fitted and a USB receiving socket 17 (FIG. 2) into which a USB socket 16 can be fitted. An electrical connection is made between them.
[0016]
A first feature of the present invention is that the unit base 12 includes the fingerprint sensor 9 and a USB hub device, and in some embodiments, further includes a USB receiving socket 21 for connecting an external device.
A second feature of the present invention is that a stick-type UIM reader / writer (R / W) unit 11 can be used by being inserted into a unit base 12.
[0017]
When using the UIM R / W unit 11, as shown in FIG. 1, the UIM size IC card 3 is inserted into the UIM R / W unit 11, and the UIM R / W unit 11 is further inserted into the unit base 12. Insert and use.
As a result, the USB socket of the UIM R / W unit 11 and the USB socket of the unit base 12 are connected as described above, and the UIM signal can be transmitted to the unit base 12.
Although not shown, a terminal board and a circuit board which are in contact with the contact terminal board 301 of the UIM size IC card 3 are also provided in the UIM R / W unit 11.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the unit base 12 is provided with the fingerprint sensor 9 and the USB hub device 22.
As the fingerprint sensor 9, a capacitance type fingerprint sensor or an optical fingerprint sensor can be preferably used. The capacitance type includes a flat type in which a fingertip is pressed against a sensor and a sweep type in which a narrow sensor surface is rubbed with a fingertip.
The flat type is a sensor for detecting an unevenness on the surface of a fingerprint as an electric signal by laying a large number of electric signal conversion sensor circuits and reading a fingerprint by pressing a fingertip. The sweep type fingerprint sensor recognizes a feature of a fingerprint only by rubbing a fingertip on a strip-shaped sensor surface having a width of several mm. Even if there is unevenness in the rubbing speed and pressure, the corrective function works and a correct fingerprint pattern can be obtained.
Commercially available capacitance type flat fingerprint sensors include "MBF2000" manufactured by Fujitsu Limited, and sweep type fingerprint sensors include "FCD4B14" (FingerChip) manufactured by Atmel.
[0019]
The unit base 12 further includes a fingerprint sensor driver 9d, and may include fingerprint image processing software or the like.
Also, when fingerprint data of a person having access right is stored in the IC card 2, the IC card checks the stored data against the read data, and permits access if the person is authorized. You can also. With such a use method, a high degree of personal authentication can be performed.
[0020]
The USB hub device 22 can be called a concentrator having a switching function, and has a function of appropriately selecting signals from the USB receiving socket 17 and the external device connecting USB receiving socket 21 and transmitting the signals to the PC.
The USB can connect up to 127 devices in a tree format to one host controller (PC) via up to six branches of hubs (hubs to concentrators). Because of the tree type, for example, the signal received by the USB receiving socket 21 goes directly to the PC here. The signal from the USB socket 17 also goes directly to the PC.
[0021]
The USB hub device 22 may be connected to three to four devices, and a large-scale USB hub device is not required. As a device that can be used for the reader / writer for an IC card of the present invention, a device having a size of about 10 mm × 10 mm × 3 mm (for example, “Hub Controller Chip μPD72012” manufactured by NEC Corporation) is commercially available and practicable.
Although FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example in which only one USB receiving socket 21 for connecting an external device is provided on the unit base 12, a plurality of USB receiving sockets may be provided.
[0022]
Since the IC card reader / writer 1 includes the external device connection USB receiving socket 21, it is possible to use the IC card 2 in combination with another device.
For example, by connecting to a memory storage device, excess data that cannot be stored in the IC cards 2 and 3 can be stored in the memory storage device. Only when the IC cards 2 and 3 are inserted in the IC card reader / writer 1, it is possible to control the memory storage device to be accessible.
When the IC card reader / writer 1 is connected to the USB receiving socket of the PC by such a usage method, even if the receiving socket of the PC cannot be used for another device, the unit base 12 is connected to an external device. There is an advantage that the device can be connected to another device using the USB receiving socket 21.
[0023]
The IC card R / W unit 10 or the UIM R / W unit 11 can also be used as a single IC card reader / writer by directly inserting the USB socket 16 into a USB receiving socket of a PC.
When reading the IC card 2 by the IC card R / W unit alone, insert the USB socket 16 of the IC card R / W unit 10 into the USB receiving socket 41 of the personal computer 4 as shown in FIG. To use.
In this case, there is an advantage that the external space of the IC card R / W unit 10 is small and no cable is required, so that the installation space can be minimized. The USB receiving socket 41 may be on the side of the PC.
[0024]
The same applies to the UIM R / W unit 11, which can be used alone as a UIM reader / writer by inserting it into the USB receiving socket 41 as shown in FIG.
Although the above describes use in a personal computer, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be similarly used in a digital camera and a portable terminal conforming to the USB standard and other various mobile environments.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the R / W unit 10 for an IC card is provided with the convex portion 6, and the corresponding unit base 12 is provided with a convex portion fitting portion 8.
By adopting such a shape, when the IC card R / W unit 10 is used after being separated from the unit pedestal and then used again in combination, there is no need to insert the IC card R / W unit 10 upside down. The shape of the protruding portion 6 is not limited, and the protruding portion 6 may have a U-shaped cross section and protrude.
[0026]
A terminal board figure 5 may be displayed on the side of the R / W knit 10 for an IC card as shown in FIG. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the IC card from being inserted in the wrong direction, and to avoid worrying about the insertion direction.
[0027]
The R / W unit 10 for IC card, the R / W unit 11 for UIM, and the base 12 for unit are made by injection molding polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, vinyl chloride, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, etc. It can be manufactured by incorporating a fingerprint sensor, a hub device, a USB socket for connecting an external device, and the like.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the IC card reader / writer of the present invention has the fingerprint sensor, the hub device, and the USB socket for external device connection. It is possible to adopt a highly-usable usage method.
Further, since the UIM reader / writer unit 11 can be inserted into the unit base 12 together with the IC card reader / writer unit 10, there is an advantage that various types of IC cards can be used.
Further, since the reader / writer unit for the IC card and the base for the unit are configured to be divided, the reader / writer unit for the IC card can be directly connected to a terminal such as a PC, and can be used alone.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a reader / writer for an IC card of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective side view showing a unit base.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a unit base;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which an IC card R / W unit is directly connected to a personal computer for use.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a UIM R / W unit is directly connected to a personal computer for use.
FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a conventional IC card reader / writer.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the same.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 IC card reader / writer 2 IC card 3 UIM size IC card 4 Personal computer 5 Terminal board figure 6 Convex part 7 Receptacle 8 Convex part fitting part 9 Fingerprint sensor 9d Fingerprint sensor driver 10 IC card R / W unit ita 11 UIM R / W unit 12 Unit base 13 Card insertion slot 14 Terminal board 15 Circuit board 16 USB socket 17 USB receiving socket 18 USB cable 19 USB connector 21 USB receiving socket for external device connection 22 USB hub device 100 Conventional IC Card reader / writer

Claims (5)

A reader / writer unit for an IC card which has a terminal board and a USB socket conforming to the ISO7816 standard and inserts and reads an IC card, and a base for a unit having a USB receiving socket are used to attach and detach the USB socket and the USB receiving socket. The IC card reader / writer unit can be used as an IC card reader / writer in a state where the IC card reader / writer unit is fitted to the unit base, and the IC card reader / writer unit can be used without using the unit base. An IC card reader / writer that can be used alone as an IC card reader / writer, wherein the unit base is provided with a fingerprint sensor and a USB hub device. A reader / writer unit for an IC card which has a terminal board and a USB socket conforming to the ISO7816 standard and inserts and reads an IC card, and a base for a unit having a USB receiving socket are used to attach and detach the USB socket and the USB receiving socket. The IC card reader / writer unit can be used as an IC card reader / writer in a state where the IC card reader / writer unit is fitted to the unit base, and the IC card reader / writer unit can be used without using the unit base. An IC card reader / writer that can be used alone as an IC card reader / writer. The unit base includes a fingerprint sensor, a USB hub device, and a USB receiving socket for connecting an external device. A reader / writer for an IC card. 3. The reader / writer for an IC card according to claim 1, wherein the unit base has a structure in which a UIM reader / writer unit can be attached and detached. 3. The reader / writer for an IC card according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of USB receiving sockets for connecting an external device. 3. The IC card reader / writer unit is provided with a convex portion for front and back identification, and a convex portion fitting portion into which the convex member is inserted is provided on the unit base. IC card reader / writer.

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