JP2006259956A - Ic card system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily add or delete a function to or from an IC card at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: When a reader/writer 3 transmits a communication number stored in a communication number part 32 before communication begins to start, electric power is supplied to an IC card 2 by the transmission of the communication number by the reader/writer 3, and a control part 19 receives the communication number. The control part 19 refers to a correspondence table in which a connection interface 21 stored in a nonvolatile storage 18 corresponding to a communication number stored in a communication number part 10 in a slave chip 4. When the communication number concerned exists, the control part 19 outputs a control signal to a selector 20 and supplies only the object connection interface 21 with electric power, data and so on. Then, a card main body part 7 communicates only with the slave chip 4 connected to the connection interface 21 which becomes effective. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for adding and deleting functions in an IC card, and more particularly to a technique effective for adding and deleting functions at low cost in a non-contact type IC card.

  In recent years, IC cards having functions such as credit cards, telephone cards and commuter passes are becoming popular. As one of information transmission methods with an external device, for example, a contact type having a mechanical coupling means with the external device, a non-contact type for transmitting information by an information transmission medium such as radio waves, In addition, there is a contact / non-contact type, so-called dual way type.

  In the non-contact type IC card, one IC card has one function. For example, when a credit card function and a commuter pass function are required, two IC cards are required. .

  However, the present inventor has found that the function addition technology using the IC card as described above has the following problems.

  That is, when the functions to be used increase, the number of IC cards possessed increases accordingly.

  Although it is conceivable to add a new function to one IC card in terms of software, in that case, it is necessary to wait until the manufacturer that provides the IC card creates software that supports the function addition. In the meantime, there is a problem that convenience is lost and a risk such as data analysis occurs.

  Furthermore, when adding a new function to an IC card equipped with multiple functions or an IC card, it takes time and effort to return the IC card used so far or to purchase a new IC card. It will be even higher.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can easily add or delete functions in an IC card in a short time and can significantly reduce the cost of the IC card.

  The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

  Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  The present invention is an IC card system comprising an IC card and an external management device that communicates with the IC card and manages the reading / writing of data stored in the IC card. A controller unit that performs an operation instruction based on a command issued from an external management device, and one or more functional chip units having arbitrary functions, the functional chip unit being detachably provided from the controller unit; Arbitrary functions in the IC card are added or deleted by arbitrarily adding or deleting the function chip portion.

  Moreover, the outline | summary of the other invention of this application is shown briefly.

  In the present invention, the external management device includes a communication number management control unit that transmits a management number of a function desired to communicate, and the function chip unit includes a communication number storage unit that stores a communication number assigned to each function. The controller unit includes a selector unit that searches for a function chip unit corresponding to the communication number transmitted from the communication number management control unit and selects a function chip unit that the external management apparatus wishes to communicate with.

  Further, according to the present invention, the selector unit includes a connection interface for connecting the controller unit and an arbitrary function chip unit based on a control signal, and communication numbers of all the function chip units attached to the connection interface. When a communication number correspondence table storage unit storing a corresponding communication number correspondence table and a communication number from the communication number management control unit are received, the communication number correspondence table storage unit is referred to search for a corresponding function chip unit. And a selection control unit that outputs a control signal to the connection interface so that the searched function chip unit is connected to the controller unit.

  Further, according to the present invention, the selection control unit supplies power only to the selected function chip unit via the connection interface.

  In the present invention, the IC card is of a non-contact type in which information is transmitted to and from an external management device by an information transmission medium such as radio waves.

  Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, effects obtained by typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  (1) Since functions can be easily added to or deleted from the IC card, the convenience of the IC card can be greatly improved.

  (2) A multi-function IC card can be realized while greatly reducing the manufacturing cost of the IC card.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an IC card system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of mounting a child chip mounted on an IC card provided in the IC card system of FIG. is there.

  In this embodiment, the IC card system 1 includes an IC card 2 and a reader / writer (external management device) 3 as shown in FIG. The IC card 2 is of a non-contact type that transmits information to and from the reader / writer 3 using an information transmission medium such as radio waves.

  The IC card 2 includes child chips (functional chip portions) 4 to 6 and a card main body portion (controller portion) 7. These child chips 4 to 6 can be attached to and detached from the card body 7. In this case, each of the child chips 4 to 6 has individual functions such as a commuter pass function and a passport function, for example, and a desired function can be added by removing an arbitrary child chip from the card body 7. It is possible to easily perform deletion. In addition, by individually manufacturing the child chips 4 to 6 for each function, it is possible to reduce the production cost of the child chips.

  Each of the child chips 4 to 6 includes a connection interface 8, a nonvolatile memory 9, a communication number part (management number storage part) 10, a secret key part 11, a random number generator 12, and a control part 13. The connection interface 8 is an interface with the card body 7 and is connected to connection interfaces 21 to 23 provided on the card body 7 described later.

  The non-volatile memory 9 is composed of, for example, a flash memory, and stores information necessary for the individual child chips 4 to 6 to perform their intended functions. Thus, by providing each of the sub-chips 4 to 6 with the non-volatile memory 9, it becomes unnecessary to mount a non-volatile memory with an excessive storage capacity in anticipation of the addition of functions, and the cost of the IC card 2 can be suppressed. .

  The communication number part 10 is used to specify a connection destination that the card body part 7 needs when performing communication. The secret key unit 11 generates a key used for encryption / decryption. The random number generator 12 generates a random number used for encryption. The control unit 13 controls each of the child chips 4 to 6 and performs communication, encryption / decryption, data update, and the like.

  Here, the child chip may be configured not to have the secret key unit 11 and the random number generator 12 when encryption is not necessary when communicating with the reader / writer 3.

  The card body 7 includes an antenna coil 14, a detection unit 15, a 1/0 conversion unit 16, a power supply unit 17, a nonvolatile memory (selector unit, communication number correspondence table storage unit) 18, and a control unit (selector unit) 19. , A selector (selector unit, selection control unit) 20, and connection interfaces (selector units) 21 to 23.

  The antenna coil 14 communicates with the reader / writer 3. The detector 15 detects a radio wave output from the reader / writer 3 and extracts a radio wave used for communication. The 1/0 conversion unit 16 converts the radio wave detected by the detection unit 15 into digital data (1 or 0 code) and outputs the digital data to the control unit 19.

  The power supply unit 17 rectifies the radio wave received by the antenna coil 14, stabilizes the induced electromotive force generated by the change in the magnetic field, controls the voltage, and controls each of the child chips 4 to 6 and the card body unit 7. Supply power. The nonvolatile memory 18 stores data used by the control unit 19.

  The control unit 19 manages all the controls in the card body unit 7. The selector 20 transmits / receives power / signals to / from the connection interfaces 21 to 23 based on control from the control unit 19. The connection interfaces 21 to 23 are interfaces with the child chips 4 to 6.

  These connection interfaces 21 to 23 notify the control unit 13 that the child chips 4 to 6 are connected when the connection interface 8 of the child chips 4 to 6 is connected.

  Further, the reader / writer 3 includes a transmission / reception coil 24, a detection unit 25, a 1/0 conversion unit 26, a control unit (communication number management control unit) 27, a 1/0 conversion unit 28, a transmission unit 29, a modulation unit 30, and power. The amplifier 31 includes a communication number part (management number control part) 32, an input part 33, an output part 34, a data buffer memory part 35, and an interface part 36.

  The transmission / reception coil 24 transmits the modulated wave amplified by the power amplifier 31 and receives the signal output from the IC card 2. The detector 25 detects the radio wave received via the transmission / reception coil 24. The 1/0 conversion unit 26 converts the radio wave detected by the detection unit 25 into digital data (1 or 0 code) and outputs the digital data to the control unit 27.

  The control unit 27 manages all the controls in the reader / writer 3. The control unit 27 is provided with a secret key unit 27a and a random number generator 27B, and performs encryption / decryption and the like.

  The 1/0 conversion unit 28 converts the transmission data output from the control unit 27 into digital data (1 or 0 code) transmitted by radio waves. The transmitter 29 generates radio waves to be transmitted. The modulation unit 30 modulates the code information converted by the 1/0 conversion unit 28 based on the oscillation signal output from the transmission unit 29 into an FSK (frequency shift keying) modulation wave. The power amplifier 31 amplifies the modulated wave modulated by the modulator 30.

  The communication number part 32 designates a target communication partner. The input unit 33 includes, for example, a keyboard and a fingerprint recognition device, and inputs data and the like. The keyboard is used to input a personal identification number and password, and the fingerprint recognition device is used for personal authentication.

  The output unit 34 includes, for example, a display output device, a printer output device, and a speaker. The display output device outputs the execution result of the product. The printer issues a receipt. The speaker performs notification of execution results by sound and guidance by voice.

  The data buffer memory unit 35 is a storage area that is temporarily used when the control unit 27 performs processing. The interface unit 36 communicates with an externally connected external device GK.

  The external device GK may be, for example, a personal computer or a bank server, and is used to access bank account information, customer information, and the like.

  Next, an example of data communication in the IC card system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the reader / writer 3 communicates with the communication number stored in the communication number section 32 (in this case, the communication number B) before the start of mutual communication (while the target IC card 2 may enter the communication range). )) Repeatedly.

  The IC card 2 is supplied with power by transmission of the communication number B by the reader / writer 3, and the control unit 19 receives the communication number B. When receiving the communication number B, the control unit 19 of the IC card 2 refers to a correspondence table between the connection interface 21 stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 and the communication number stored in the communication number unit 10 in the child chip 4. .

  When the communication number B transmitted from the reader / writer 3 exists in the communication number correspondence table stored in the nonvolatile memory 18, the control unit 19 of the card body unit 7 outputs a control signal to the selector 20, Control is performed so that power and data are supplied only to the target connection interface 21 to the selector 20. Thereby, the power consumption of the IC card 2 can be reduced.

  Here, when the communication number of the child chip 4 does not correspond to the communication number B, it is sequentially referred to whether the communication number in the child chips 5 and 6 corresponds to the communication number B, and the control unit of the card body unit 7 19 controls the selector 20 so that only one of the connection interfaces 22 and 23 to which the corresponding child chip is connected supplies power or data.

  Thereafter, the card body unit 7 communicates only with the child chip 4 connected to the enabled connection interface 21.

  Then, the control unit 19 with the control unit card body unit 7 sends a command for inquiring the communication number from the reader / writer 3 to the control unit 13 via the selector 20, the connection interface 21, and the connection interface 8 of the child chip 4. send.

  In response to the command for inquiring the communication number transmitted from the reader / writer 3, the child chip 4 sends the communication number stored in the communication number portion 10 from the control portion 13 to the connection interface 8 and the connection interface 21 of the card body portion 7. And the selector 20 are transmitted to the control unit 19.

  Thereafter, the control unit 19 confirms that the communication number transmitted from the control unit 13 of the child chip 4 matches the communication number transmitted from the reader / writer 3, and notifies that the communication number matches the communication number. Is transmitted to the reader / writer 3 through the antenna coil 14.

  When the reader / writer 3 receives a command informing that the communication numbers output from the IC card 2 match, the reader / writer 3 stops repetitive transmission of the communication numbers and starts mutual communication with the child chip 4.

  When all the operations are completed, the reader / writer 3 returns to a state in which the communication number stored in the communication number section 32 is repeatedly transmitted.

  Here, the update of the communication number correspondence table stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 will be described.

  In this case, a command is prepared for updating the communication number correspondence table, and when the command is received from the reader / writer 3, the communication number correspondence table is updated. When the necessary communication is completed, the reader / writer 3 transmits a command for updating the communication number correspondence table to the IC card 2 so that the communication number correspondence table stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 is in the latest state. Update.

  In order to update the communication number correspondence table to the latest state in the intercommunication with the reader / writer 3, the control unit 19 sequentially transmits a command asking the communication number to the child chips 4 to 6, and from the result, the communication number is transmitted. Update the correspondence table to the latest. This update operation is performed between communications if there is a margin in power and communication time.

  First, according to the communication number correspondence table, a command for inquiring the communication number is transmitted to the target child chip 4. When the communication number returned from the child chip 4 is different from the communication number transmitted from the reader / writer 3, the communication number correspondence table of the target child chip 4 is updated, and the communication number transmitted from the reader / writer 3 is updated. The communication number of the chip 4 is searched (communication number correspondence table is updated).

  If the child chip 4 having the target communication number exists, the communication number search is stopped, and mutual communication is performed between the reader / writer 3 and the child chip 4. When a new child chip is added, an operation test is performed by the reader / writer 3. In this case, the IC card 2 is placed within the communication range, and the communication number correspondence table is updated.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of mounting the child chips 4 to 6 in the IC card 2.

  As shown in the figure, the child chips 4 to 6 and the card body 7 are mounted on a mounting board 37. The child chips 4 to 6 and the card body 7 are formed in a resin-sealed package shape, for example.

  The child chips 4 to 6 are mounted via connectors 38 to 40 mounted on the mounting board 37, and these connectors 38 to 40 are connected to the card via wirings 41 to 43 formed on the mounting board 37. Each is connected to the main body 7. The child chips 4 to 6 are attached to arbitrary connectors 38 to 40.

  As described above, a new function is added and a function is deleted by attaching / detaching the child chip to / from the connectors 38 to 40.

  In order to obtain information for determining which child chip to communicate with, power is supplied to the IC card 2, the communication numbers of the individual child chips 4 to 6 are acquired, and the correspondence table is stored in the nonvolatile memory 18. Must be saved.

  Therefore, the connection interfaces 21 to 23 have detection means for detecting whether or not the child chips are attached to the connectors 38 to 40.

  And the search opportunity of the communication number in the child chip on which any connectors 38 to 40 are mounted is, for example, when the above-mentioned detecting means detects the child chip attached to the connector, the target communication number corresponds to the communication number. If it is not in the table, the target communication number is in the communication number correspondence table, but if it is a child chip to which a different communication number is given as a result of communication, or a command for creating a communication number correspondence table is sent from the reader / writer 3 When it is transmitted (in this case, it is desirable to initialize a communication number correspondence table using a reader / writer that issues the command when a new child chip is added).

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, functions can be added or deleted easily and flexibly in a short time, and the convenience of the IC card 2 can be greatly improved.

  Further, since it is only necessary to attach and detach the child chips 4 to 6, functions in the IC card 2 can be deleted or added, so that the cost of the IC card 2 can be reduced.

  In FIG. 2, the three child chips 4 to 6 are detachable. However, the number of child chips mounted on the IC card 2 can be arbitrarily determined by increasing or decreasing the number of connectors mounted on the mounting board 37. The number can be increased or decreased.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the IC card 2 when the number of child chips mounted is increased.

  In this case, nine connectors 38 to 40, 38a to 40a, and 38b to 40b are provided on the mounting substrate 37, and by attaching the child chips to these connectors 38 to 40, 38a to 40a, and 38b to 40b, Up to 9 child chips can be mounted.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the child chips 4 to 6 are respectively attached to the three connectors 38 to 40, and the other connectors 38a to 40a and 38b to 40b are empty connectors.

  The connectors 38 to 40, 38a to 40a, and 38b to 40b are connected to the card body 7 via wirings 41 to 43, 41a to 43a, and 41b to 43b formed on the mounting substrate 37, respectively.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the IC card is configured as a non-contact type is described. However, the IC card may be other than the non-contact type, and the contact type, or the contact type and the non-contact type may be used. A dual type that is also used may be used.

  The IC card system of the present invention is suitable for a technique for easily adding and deleting functions of a non-contact type IC card at low cost.

It is explanatory drawing of the IC card system by one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of mounting of a child chip mounted in the IC card provided in the IC card system of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other mounting example of the child chip mounted in the IC card provided in the IC card system by one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 IC Card System 2 IC Card 3 Reader / Writer (External Management Device)
4-6 Child chip (functional chip part)
7 Card body (controller part)
8 Connection interface 9 Non-volatile memory 10 Communication number part (management number storage part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Secret key part 12 Random number generator 13 Control part 14 Antenna coil 15 Detection part 16 1/0 conversion part 17 Power supply part 18 Non-volatile memory (selector part)
19 Control unit (selector unit, communication number correspondence table storage unit)
20 Selector (selector unit, selection control unit)
21-23 Connection interface (selector part)
24 Transmitting and receiving coil 25 Detection unit 26 1/0 conversion unit 27 Control unit (communication number management control unit)
28 1/0 conversion unit 29 transmission unit 30 modulation unit 31 power amplification unit 32 communication number unit (management number control unit)
33 Input unit 34 Output unit 35 Data buffer memory unit 36 Interface unit 37 Mounting board 38, 38a, 38b Connector 39, 39a, 39b Connector 40, 40a, 40b Connector 41, 41a, 41b Wiring 42, 42a, 42b Wiring 43, 43a 43b Wiring

Claims (5)

An IC card system comprising an IC card and an external management device that communicates with the IC card and manages reading / writing of data stored in the IC card,
The IC card is
A controller unit that performs an operation instruction based on a command issued from the external management device;
One or more functional chip parts having arbitrary functions,
The functional chip portion is
An IC card system, wherein the IC card system is provided detachably from the controller unit, and an arbitrary function in the IC card is added or deleted by arbitrarily adding or deleting the functional chip unit. The IC card system according to claim 1, wherein
The external management device is:
A communication number management control unit that transmits the communication number of the function that you want to communicate with,
The functional chip portion is
A communication number storage unit that stores communication numbers assigned to each function is provided.
The controller unit is
An IC card system, comprising: a selector unit that searches for the function chip unit corresponding to a communication number transmitted from the communication number management control unit, and selects the function chip unit that the external management device wishes to communicate with. In the IC card system according to claim 2,
The selector unit is
Based on a control signal, a connection interface for connecting the controller unit and any functional chip unit,
A communication number correspondence table storage unit in which a communication number correspondence table corresponding to communication numbers of all the functional chip units attached to the connection interface is stored;
When receiving the communication number from the communication number management control unit, the communication number correspondence table storage unit is referred to search for the corresponding function chip unit, and the searched function chip unit is connected to the controller unit. An IC card system comprising: a selection control unit that outputs a control signal to the connection interface. In the IC card system according to claim 3,
The selection control unit
An IC card system, wherein power is supplied only to the selected functional chip unit via the connection interface. In the IC card system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The IC card is
An IC card system, characterized in that it is a non-contact type that transmits information to and from the external management device by an information transmission medium such as radio waves.

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