JP3542837B2 - Reader / writer for IC card - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an IC card R / W (reader / writer) device that writes or reads data to or from an IC card in which an IC module such as an IC chip or COB is embedded in a plastic base material.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An IC card has been attracting attention as a new information recording medium, particularly as an information recording medium replacing a magnetic card, and is gradually spreading. In particular, an IC card with a built-in CPU has high security and is expected to be used in various fields.
[0003]
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 4, an IC card is formed by applying a gold plating layer 408 on one side of a substrate 401 to a copper foil layer 406 via a Ni plating layer 407 as a base plating. ) Line, I / O line, V _cc (power supply) line, RST (reset) line, and GND (ground) line. Terminal portions 402 are mounted on each of the terminal portions 402 and the other surface of the substrate 401. A terminal of an IC chip (semiconductor element) 403 is electrically connected to the terminal via a wire 404, and the IC chip (semiconductor element) side is sealed with a resin 405, that is, a so-called COB (Chip on Board) form is adopted. An IC card is configured by embedding an IC module in a plastic card base material. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the contact portion of the R / W (reader / writer) and the terminal portion of the IC card are brought into contact and electrically connected, and information (data) is connected through the electrically connected I / O line. ) Reading and writing were performed.
In FIG. 4, electrical continuity between the copper foil portions on the front and back surfaces of the substrate 401 is made through through holes 409.
[0004]
The IC card reader / writer makes contact pins in contact with the terminal section 402 of the IC card, supplies _Vcc (power supply), CLK (clock), and RST (reset) signals, and outputs the internal signal of the IC card through an I / O line. A device that accesses a memory and performs a process of writing or reading information (data).
An IC card reader / writer, which is a device for writing or reading information (data) to / from an IC card, is an extension of the technical base of a magnetic card reader / writer, and uses motors such as auto loading and auto injection. And the IC card was conveyed by a rubber roller or the like.
As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the first IC card reader / writer, which has become widespread in Japan, is complicated in drive and transport systems such as a motor drive due to the extension of the magnetic card reader / writer. Because of the necessity of elaborate parts, it was composed of very expensive units, and had a problem in terms of price.
[0005]
Separately, in the case of the first IC card reader / writer, the space of the device itself becomes considerably large because the entire card is inserted, so that the use of the IC card in the gate of the entrance / exit management check limits the wall thickness and the like. There was also a problem.
On the other hand, the second IC card reader / writer, which is widely used in Europe, is a semi-insertion type and very inexpensive as shown in FIG. 2 (b). There has been a problem in that due to the forced withdrawal (tearing) of the user, the transaction between the user and the service provider cannot be matched.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, there is a demand for a conventional IC card reader / writer that is less expensive, can be incorporated into a thin wall, and can cope with forced withdrawal (tearing) of a user during the writing of transaction data. Was.
Under such circumstances, the present invention is cheaper than the above-described conventional first IC card reader / writer and can be incorporated into a thin wall, and differs from the above-described conventional second IC card reader / writer. Another object of the present invention is to provide a reader / writer for an IC card which can cope with a forced withdrawal (tearing) of a user while writing transaction data.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The IC card reader / writer according to the present invention is for an IC card that communicates with the IC card with the IC card inserted obliquely into the insertion slot of the IC card and one corner of the IC card protruding outside. A reader / writer for positioning an IC card at a predetermined position at least when an insertion guide contacting a card side when inserting a card and a terminal pin of the IC card reader / writer and a terminal portion of the IC card communicate with each other to perform communication. A stopper for supporting two sides sandwiching a diagonal corner of one corner of the IC card; and a lock mechanism for fixing the two sides sandwiching one corner of the IC card. It is characterized by having.
The lock mechanism is of a slide type.
[0008]
[Action]
The reader / writer for an IC card according to the present invention has a simple and inexpensive structure by adopting the above-described configuration, and can reduce the thickness of the reader / writer for an IC card and can be incorporated into a thin wall. In addition, it is impossible to forcibly pull out (tearing) the user while writing transaction data.
Specifically, by performing the communication with the IC card in a state where the IC card is inserted into the insertion slot of the IC card at an angle, and one corner of the IC card is projected outside the card, The entire device can be made thin.
Further, when inserting a card, the IC card is positioned at a predetermined position when communication is performed by contact between an insertion guide in contact with the card side, a terminal pin of an IC card reader / writer, and a terminal portion of the IC card. By providing a stopper that supports two sides sandwiching the diagonal corner of one corner of the IC card, and a lock mechanism for fixing the two sides sandwiching one corner of the IC card. The card has a simple structure that can be manually inserted, and the card can be locked at a predetermined position so that the card cannot be forcibly removed.
[0009]
【Example】
An embodiment of an R / W (reader / writer) for an IC card according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1A is a schematic view showing the appearance of an IC card R / W (reader / writer) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a state before the card is inserted, FIG. (C) is a diagram showing a state in which a card has been inserted.
In FIG. 1, 100 is an R / W (reader / writer) for an IC card, 110A and 110B are guide / stoppers, 120A and 120B are lock mechanisms, 140 is an IC card insertion slot, and 200 is an IC card.
In the R / W (reader / writer) for an IC card according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the IC card 200 is inclined with respect to the IC card insertion slot with the lock mechanisms 120A and 120B opened. Then, a hand is inserted into the IC card R / W (reader / writer) side along the guide / stopper 110A or 110B.
When the IC card 200 hits both the guide and stoppers 110A and 110B, and the corner (210A in FIG. 1) at the tip of the inserted IC card 200 is inserted up to the intersection of the guide and stoppers 110A and 110B, the lock is performed. The mechanisms 120A and 120B slide and fix the two sides sandwiching the corner 210 protruding outside the IC card 200.
In this state, as shown in FIG. 2, the IC card 200 and the IC card R / W (reader / writer) 100 are connected to the terminal pin 100A of the IC card R / W (reader / writer) 100 and the terminal portion 200A of the card. Data exchange (transaction) is performed by contacting with. In this way, the IC card 200 cannot be forcibly taken out while data is being exchanged (during transaction).
[0010]
Stoppers 110A and 110B are provided so as not to cause displacement when the terminal pin 100A of the IC card R / W (reader / writer) 100 shown in FIG. 2 is brought into contact with the terminal portion 200A of the IC card.
The slide movement of the lock mechanisms 120A and 120B is controlled by using an optical position sensor, confirming that the IC card 200 has been inserted to a predetermined position, and then sliding and locking.
After the lock, the IC card R / W (reader / writer) 100 and the IC card 200 finish exchanging data, and then the lock mechanisms 120A and 120B slide to their original positions, and the lock is released.
Here, an optical position sensor is used, but a mechanical position sensor may be used. Further, here, the lock mechanism 120A is of a slide type, but may be of a rotary type or of a type with a pinch and fixation.
The contact between the terminal pin 100A of the R / W (reader / writer) 100 for an IC card and the terminal portion 200A of the card shown in FIG. 2 is performed by applying a spring or air pressure to the terminal pin 100A to maintain an appropriate contact pressure. Dripping.
[0011]
In the present embodiment, the IC card 200 is inserted into the R / W (reader / writer) for the IC card by hand, and a driving system such as a motor drive as shown in FIG. -No complicated parts are required for the transport system. In addition, since the lock mechanisms 120A and 120B are provided, the problem of forced withdrawal (tearing) of the user during the writing of transaction data, which is seen in the conventional case shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, about half of the IC card 200 up to the diagonal line is inserted into an IC card R / W (reader / writer). / W (reader / writer) itself can be made thinner, that is, the depth can be made thinner.
[0012]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides an IC having a simple and inexpensive structure, having a small thickness that can be incorporated into a thin wall, and preventing a user from forcibly pulling out (tearing) while writing transaction data. R / W (reader / writer) for cards can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an IC card R / W (reader / writer); FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a contact portion between a terminal portion of the IC card and a terminal pin of the IC card R / W (reader / writer). FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional IC card R / W (reader / writer). FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a conventional IC card IC module.
100 R / W for IC card (reader / writer)
100 Terminal pin 110A, 110B of R / W (reader / writer) for IC card Guide / stopper 120A, 120B Lock mechanism 200 IC card 210 Corner 210A protruding outside Corner 401 IC board 402 Terminal 403 IC chip (semiconductor) element)
404 Wire 405 Resin 406 Copper foil layer 407 Ni plating layer 408 Gold plating layer 409 Through hole

Claims (2)

An IC card reader / writer that communicates with an IC card in a state where the IC card is inserted obliquely into the insertion slot of the IC card and one corner of the IC card is protruded to the outside. At the time of insertion, an insertion guide contacting the card side, and a terminal pin of the IC card reader / writer and a terminal portion of the IC card are brought into contact with each other so as to position the IC card at a predetermined position when communication is performed. An IC card reader comprising: a stopper for supporting two sides sandwiching a diagonal corner, and a lock mechanism for fixing two sides sandwiching one corner of the IC card. lighter. 2. A reader / writer for an IC card, wherein the lock mechanism according to claim 1 is a slide type.

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