JPH07152880A - IC card information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] It can be inserted and connected to the standardized memory card slot of computer equipment such as portable personal computers, and can be used and transported integrally with the computer equipment, regardless of where it is used. (EN) Provided is a highly safe device which can be used and its convenience is greatly improved and which can prevent manual ejection of an IC card due to an erroneous operation. A device main body 9 has an outer shape that can be inserted and connected to a memory card slot 2A of a computer device 2, and a lever 32 biased in a direction of ejecting an inserted IC card 6 resists the biasing force. To hold the slider 3
0 is moved by using the motor 106 as a drive source to release the fixing of the lever 32, and the IC card 6 is automatically ejected to the card insertion slot 11G.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device for an IC card that performs information processing such as reading and writing information on an IC card, and more specifically, an IC used by connecting to computer equipment such as a portable personal computer. The present invention relates to a card information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an information processing apparatus for an IC card is an external type and has been used by connecting it to an interface such as RS-232C provided in a computer device with a connector cable or the like, such as a portable personal computer. There was no one that can be inserted and connected to the standardized memory card slot of the computer equipment, and no thin one that automatically ejects the IC card.

[0003]

As described above, the conventional IC card information processing apparatus has a large size and is used separately from the computer equipment. There was a restriction problem and the inconvenience of carrying around.

Further, since the IC card is not automatically ejected, there is a risk that the IC card is manually ejected by mistake during reading and writing of information to the IC card and the memory of the IC card is destroyed. There was a serious problem that there was this.

The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and can be inserted and connected into a standardized memory card slot of a computer device such as a portable personal computer.
Provided is a highly safe IC card information processing device which can be used and transported integrally with a computer device and can be used at any place, greatly improving convenience and preventing manual discharge of an IC card due to an erroneous operation. The purpose is to

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides, as a first means, a card insertion for inserting an IC card having an outer shape which can be inserted and connected to a memory card slot of a computer device. A device main body having a mouth, and a first direction which is an IC card insertion direction and a second direction which is an IC card ejection direction along an IC card insertion path communicating with the card insertion port in the device main body A slider provided slidably on the moving member, a moving member that is pushed and moved by the first direction which is the moving direction of the slider and the tip side of the IC card inserted in the IC card insertion path, Energizing means for constantly energizing the moving member in a direction to push back the IC card, and a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider as the slider moves with respect to the slider. A contact holder holding the toward and away from contact to the contacts of the IC card by direction,
An IC card insertion completion detecting means for detecting that the IC card has been inserted to a position where information processing can be performed on the IC card insertion path, and a contact detection signal from the IC card insertion completion detecting means for connecting the contact to the IC card A slider moving means for moving the slider, on which the contact holder is mounted, in the first direction so as to be brought into contact with or separated from the contact, is configured.

As a second means, an apparatus main body having an outer shape capable of being inserted and connected to a memory card slot of a computer apparatus and having a card insertion opening for inserting an IC card, and in the apparatus main body and the card. A slider provided so as to be slidable in a first direction, which is an IC card insertion direction, and a second direction, which is an IC card ejection direction, along an IC card insertion path communicating with the insertion port;
A moving member that is pushed and moved by the first direction side, which is the moving direction of the slider, and the tip side of the IC card inserted in the IC card insertion path, and a moving member that is always in the direction of pushing back the IC card. Urging means for urging, a contact holder that holds a contact with respect to the slider that moves in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider as the slider moves, and contacts with and separates from a contact of the IC card. An IC card insertion completion detecting means for detecting that the IC card has been inserted to a position where information processing can be performed on the IC card insertion path, and a contact signal for contacting the IC card with a detection signal from the IC card insertion completion detecting means. The slider on which the contact holder is mounted is moved in the first direction so as to be brought into contact with and separated from the To the first direction the slider in order to discharge the C card is obtained by a formed by and a slider moving means for moving in a second direction opposite configuration.

As a third means, an apparatus main body having an outer shape capable of being inserted and connected to a memory card slot of a computer apparatus and having a card insertion opening for inserting an IC card, and inside the apparatus main body and the card. A slider provided so as to be slidable in a first direction, which is an IC card insertion direction, and a second direction, which is an IC card ejection direction, along an IC card insertion path communicating with the insertion port;
A moving member that is pushed and moved by the first direction side, which is the moving direction of the slider, and the tip side of the IC card inserted in the IC card insertion path, and a moving member that is always in the direction of pushing back the IC card. Urging means for urging, a contact holder that holds a contact with respect to the slider that moves in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider as the slider moves, and contacts with and separates from a contact of the IC card. An IC card insertion completion detecting means for detecting that the IC card has been inserted up to the information processable position of the IC card insertion path, and a regular IC by detecting the length of the IC card insertion completed up to the information processable position. The length detecting means for detecting whether or not the card is a card, and the IC card insertion completion detecting means for detecting that the card has been inserted to a predetermined position where information can be processed. And the IC card inserted by the length detecting means is a regular IC card having a predetermined length, the contact holder is mounted so as to bring the contact into and out of contact with the contact of the IC card. The slider is moved to the first direction, and the slider is moved to the first direction in order to release the IC member from the IC card after the information processing is completed so as to release the fixation in the return direction.
And a slider moving means for moving the slider in a second direction opposite to the direction.

As a fourth means, it has an outer shape that can be inserted and connected to a memory card slot of a computer device, and has a card insertion port for inserting an IC card, and a part of it is exposed outside the computer device. A device main body having a portion, and along the IC card insertion path communicating with the card insertion opening in the device main body, a first direction that is an IC card insertion direction and a second direction that is an IC card ejection direction. A slider provided so as to be slidable,
A moving member that is pushed and moved by the first direction side, which is the moving direction of the slider, and the tip side of the IC card inserted in the IC card insertion path, and a moving member that is always in the direction of pushing back the IC card. Urging means for urging, a contact holder that holds a contact with respect to the slider that moves in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider as the slider moves, and contacts with and separates from a contact of the IC card. An IC card insertion completion detecting means for detecting that the IC card has been inserted to a position where information processing can be performed on the IC card insertion path, and an IC card insertion completion detection provided in a portion of the apparatus main body that is outside the computer apparatus. The contact by the detection signal from the means.
The slider on which the contact holder is mounted is moved in the first direction so as to be brought into contact with or separated from the contact of the C card,
In addition, a slider moving means for moving the slider in a second direction opposite to the first direction to eject the IC card after the information processing is completed is provided.

As a fifth means, an apparatus main body having an outer shape capable of being inserted and connected to a memory card slot of a computer apparatus and having a card insertion opening for inserting an IC card, and in the apparatus main body and the card. A slider provided so as to be slidable in a first direction, which is an IC card insertion direction, and a second direction, which is an IC card ejection direction, along an IC card insertion path communicating with the insertion port;
A moving member that is pushed and moved by the first direction side, which is the moving direction of the slider, and the tip side of the IC card inserted in the IC card insertion path, and a moving member that is always in the direction of pushing back the IC card. The IC card has a biasing means for biasing and a guide groove that engages with a crank-shaped projection provided on the slider, and moves in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider as the slider moves. A contact holder that holds a contact that comes into contact with and separates from a contact, an IC card insertion completion detection unit that detects that the IC card has been inserted to a predetermined position in the IC card insertion path, and an IC card insertion completion detection unit. The slider on which the contact holder is mounted so that the contact is brought into contact with and separated from the contact of the IC card by the detection signal is moved to the first direction. And a slider for moving the slider in a second direction opposite to the first direction in order to release the fixing of the moving member in the returning direction in order to eject the IC card after the information processing is completed. It is configured to include a moving means.

[0011]

According to the IC card information processing apparatus of the above-mentioned first means, since the main body of the apparatus has an outer shape capable of being inserted and connected to the memory card slot of the computer apparatus, it is inserted and connected to the memory card slot of the computer apparatus. Can be used. As a result, it can be used and transported integrally with a computer device, and it can be used anywhere and its convenience is greatly improved.

According to the IC card information processing apparatus of the second means, in addition to the function of the first means, the IC card is further automatically ejected.
It is possible to prevent the card from being manually ejected, and to provide an IC card information processing device with high safety.

According to the IC card information processing apparatus of the above-mentioned third means, in addition to the operation of the first means, the length of the object inserted up to the position where information can be processed is further detected to detect the proper IC card. Since the length detecting means for detecting whether or not the contact is provided, the contact is brought into contact with or separated from the contact of the IC card only when the IC card is regarded as a legitimate IC card.
It is possible to prevent the contact operation of the contact when a foreign substance other than the C card is inserted, and prevent damage to the device.

According to the IC card information processing apparatus of the above-mentioned fourth means, since the slider moving means is provided at the portion of the apparatus main body which is exposed to the outside of the computer apparatus, the motor or the like which is the drive source can be provided without being restricted by the thickness dimension. Can be easily incorporated.

According to the IC card information processing apparatus of the fifth means, in addition to the operation of the first means, the crank-shaped projection provided on the slider is engaged with the guide groove formed on the contact holder. Since the contact holder can be displaced in the direction orthogonal to the slider movement direction with the movement of the slider, the contact holder itself, which requires the most thickness, does not move in the IC card insertion direction and the ejection direction. Therefore, it is possible to keep the region where the thickness dimension must be sufficiently secured to the necessary minimum, and it is possible to realize thinning.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external appearance of an IC card information processing apparatus 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a computer device 2 such as a notebook type personal computer having a memory card slot 2A into which a memory card (not shown) such as an expansion memory is inserted. Show.

The inside of the memory card slot 2A of the computer device 2 has a shape and dimension conforming to various memory card standards. Then, by inserting the IC card information processing device 1 of the present invention into the memory card slot 2A, the connector portion 3 provided at the tip end thereof is electrically connected to the connector 2B (see FIG. 13) in the computer device 2. It is designed to be connected to.

Most of the IC card information processing device 1 has a shape and size according to the standard of the memory card, specifically, a maximum of 5 mm in the thickness direction and 54 mm which is almost the same size as the IC card 6 in the width direction. That is, the portion 1A built in the memory card slot 2A and the portion 1B exposed to the outside of the computer device 2 are integrally configured. However, depending on the shape of the memory card slot 2A of the computer device 2, the portion 1B that extends outside can be built in.

Next, the internal structure of the IC card information processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. FIG. 3 shows a lid member 4 (see FIG. 1) of a portion 1A built in the memory card slot 2A, a lid member 5 (see FIG. 1) of a portion 1B exposed outside the computer device 2, and FIGS.
g. A connector 3 and a control circuit unit 2 which will be described later with reference to FIG.
5 shows a state in which the flexible substrate 25B (see FIG. 11) for connecting with 5A and the like is removed, and a state in which the IC card 6 is not inserted. Note that FIG. 5 shows a state in which the IC card 6 is inserted.

The apparatus main body 9 is composed of a main frame 10 for holding each mechanical member, and a main frame frame 11 to which the main frame 10 is fixed and which constitutes an outer shape. Main frame frame 1 which is a component of the apparatus body 9
The part built in the memory card slot 2A of No. 1 is
The shape and dimensions conform to the standards of the applicable memory card.

A card insertion slot 11G having guide portions 11A, 11B, 11C serving as insertion guides for the IC card 6 is provided on an end surface of a portion 1B of the main frame frame 11 which is exposed to the outside of the computer device 2. The card insertion opening 11G has a wide entrance, is narrowed in the insertion direction of the IC card 6 (direction of arrow A), and has a predetermined opening size.

In the vicinity of the guide portion 11C of the card insertion slot 11G, guide rollers 26A and 26B are urged rightward (in the direction of arrow B) toward the insertion direction of the IC card 6 by the guide roller spring 26C. It is rotatably held and constitutes a card urging means 26. Then, these guide rollers 26A and 26B press the IC card 6 in the direction of the arrow B, and the guide surface 1 provided on one side of the IC card insertion path 7 communicating with the card insertion opening 11G.
By hitting 1D and 11E, card insertion slot 1
Positioning in the width direction near 1G is performed.

As a result, a first positioning mechanism 45A for positioning the rear end side of the IC card 6 in the width direction is constituted. Further, on the lower surface side of the main frame 10, a plurality of (four in this embodiment) slits 10A formed in the main frame 10 are respectively engaged with the claw portions 30E, so that the IC card insertion path 7 is formed. Along the first direction (direction of arrow Q), which is the insertion direction of the IC card 6, and the IC
The slider 30 is held movably in the second direction (arrow R direction), which is the ejection direction of the card 6.

Further, the right side in the vicinity of the IC card insertion slot 11G, that is, the portion 1 that is exposed to the outside of the computer device 2
The slider moving mechanism 10 as a slider moving means is located on the right side of the IC card insertion slot 11G of B.
0 is accommodated, and the slider 30 is moved in a first direction (arrow Q direction) which is an IC card insertion direction and a second direction (arrow R direction) which is an IC card ejection direction. ing.

That is, the slider 30 is provided at the center portion in the width direction of the end portion located in the direction of the IC card insertion slot 11G.
The long hole 30F is formed. On the other hand, mainframe 1
A link 36 is rotatably held at 0 via a shaft 36A, and a pin 36B projecting from one end of the link 36 is engaged with and connected to the elongated hole 30F.

The other end of the link 36 has a pin 36C.
The nut member 105 is connected via. The nut member 105 is screwed into a screw 107 that is integral with the shaft of a motor 106 that is a drive source, and is rotated in the forward and reverse directions of the motor 106 in the directions of arrows S and T parallel to the moving direction of the slider 30. It can be moved back and forth.

When the nut member 105 moves in the direction of arrow S by the forward rotation of the motor 106, the slider 30 connected through the link 36 is the first direction (direction of arrow Q) in which the IC card 6 is inserted. ) And the nut member 105 moves in the direction of arrow T by the reverse rotation of the motor 106, so that the slider 30 connected through the link 36 is in the IC card ejection direction.
It is designed to move in the direction (arrow R direction).

Further, at the center of the slider 30, there is an opening 30G corresponding to the opening 10B formed in the main frame 10, and a contact holder 22 described later is fitted in this opening 30G. As shown in FIG. 6, the contact holder 22 has protrusions 22G and 22G protruding from the central portions of both end faces, which are formed on both end face portions of the contact guard 16 fixed to the opening 10B of the main frame 10. By engaging with the slide grooves 16A, 16A, it is possible to move only in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, guide grooves 22A and 22B are formed on both end surfaces of the contact holder 22, and crank-shaped projections 30C and 30D projecting from the slider 30 are engaged. The contact holder moving means 40 is configured in a combined state.

As the slider 30 moves in the first direction (arrow Q direction) which is the insertion direction of the IC card 6, the contact holder 22 descends in the arrow J direction as shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later. Like this contact holder 22
23 and 24 held in contact with the contact portion 6B as a contact of the IC card 6.

Further, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 14 to FIG.
As shown in, in the depth direction of the IC card insertion path 7,
The slider 30 is prevented from moving until the IC card 6 is inserted to a predetermined position, and when the IC card 6 is inserted to the predetermined position, the slider 30 is released from being fixed and the slider 30 moved along with this release. There is provided a lever 32 as a moving member whose movement in the direction of pushing back the IC card 6 is restricted.

That is, the main frame 10 is rotatable via a support shaft 32D protruding from the main frame 10 and is urged by a spring 33 to rotate counterclockwise (direction of arrow D in FIG. 3). A lever 32 as a member is provided.

A card contact portion 38 made of a self-lubricating member is formed at one end of the lever 32 so as to contact the end surface of the inserted IC card 6. The lever 32 is configured to rotate in the clockwise direction (direction of arrow E in FIG. 3) when the card abutting portion 38 is pushed along with the pushing operation of the IC card 6.

Further, the lever 32 is provided with a fan-shaped portion 32A serving as a stopper portion, which is pressed against the cut and raised portion 30A of the slider 30 so as not to move the slider 30 to the right side in FIG. . In this fan-shaped portion 32A, the lever 32 is rotated clockwise (direction of arrow E) so that the IC card 6
Has a shape that allows the slider 30 to move to the right (the direction of arrow Q) in the drawing when it reaches a predetermined position.

In the vicinity of the position where the lever 32 is disposed and on the positioning reference side of the IC card 6, the main frame 10 and the base frame 12 (see FIG. 4) are clamped and rotated about a support shaft 34E. A first guide member 34, which is movably held, is provided. This first guide member 3
4 is a clockwise direction (direction of arrow G) due to the spring 34A
It is stored in the main frame frame 11 in a normal state by being biased by.

The first guide member 34 has a portion 34C that abuts a protrusion 32B provided on the lever 32 and a portion 32C that is rotated counterclockwise by the lever protrusion 32B to reach a predetermined position. An abutting surface 34B into which the tip of the IC card 6 enters when the IC card 6 is opened is formed.

On the holding side, which is the reference side of the IC card 6 opposite to the position where the lever 32 is disposed, the IC card 6 is clamped between the main frame 10 and the base frame 12 and rotated about the support shaft 35E. A second guide member 35 movably held is provided. The second guide member 35 is biased in the counterclockwise direction (arrow H direction) by the spring 35A and is housed inside the main frame frame 11 in a normal state.

The second guide member 35 is provided with a portion 35C that abuts the guide member 34 and a contact surface 35B into which the tip of the IC card 6 is inserted, and is housed in a normal state. Is the same as the first guide member 34.

Here, the spring 35A for urging the second guide member 35 in the arrow H direction is set to be stronger than the spring 34A for urging the first guide member 34 in the arrow G direction. Further, the first guide member 34 on the positioning reference side, which is rotated when the IC card 6 comes to a predetermined position, hits the abutting portion 11F serving as a stopper means of the main frame frame 11 and is further rotated in a direction opposite to the arrow G. It does not move.

On the other hand, the second guide 35 on the presser side is provided with play without providing anything corresponding to the abutting portion 11F. As a result, when the IC card 6 comes to the predetermined position, the position of the tip in the width direction is the first guide member 34 on the reference side.
Will be decided by.

As a result, a second positioning mechanism 45B for positioning the front end side of the IC card 6 in the width direction is constituted. As described above, in this embodiment, the first and second positioning mechanisms 45 for positioning the IC card 6 in the width direction when the IC card 6 is inserted in the predetermined position.
It has a positioning means 45 composed of A and 45B.

The left side near the card insertion slot 11G, that is, the I portion of the portion 1B that is exposed to the outside of the computer device 2
Located on the left side toward the C card insertion slot 11G,
A micro switch 8A as an IC card insertion detecting means for detecting that the IC card 6 has been inserted into the IC card insertion path 7, and the IC card 6 is a predetermined position of the IC card insertion path 7, that is, information processing is possible. The interrupter 110 as IC card insertion completion detecting means for detecting that the contact has been inserted up to the position, and the contacts 23, 2
4 is a contact portion 6B as a contact point of the IC card 6
And a micro switch 8B as IC card mounting completion detecting means for detecting whether or not the slider 30 is in a position to push down the contact holder 22 so as to contact with the main frame frame 11. There is.

Further, the interrupter 110 as the IC card insertion completion detecting means is provided so as to detect the rear end portion 6E of the IC card 6, and the length of the one inserted up to the information processable position. Is detected and a legitimate I
It also serves as an interrupter 111 as a length detecting means for detecting whether or not it is the C card 6.

When the tip of the IC card 6 approaches the card insertion slot 11G, the interrupter 110 detects it. Then, the tip of the IC card 6 is the card insertion slot 1
When the guide roller 26A is inserted into 1G and moves in the direction of arrow C, the microswitch 8A is turned on by the roller 26A.

When the IC card 6 is inserted to a position where information can be processed, the rear end 6E of the IC card 6 is detected by the interrupter 110, and the slider moving means 1 is used.
The motor 106 of 00 rotates forward and the nut member 105 is moved in the direction of arrow S in FIG. This makes link 36
The slider 30 connected to the nut member 105 via
First direction (direction of arrow Q) which is the insertion direction of the C card 6
Move to. When the slider 30 moves in the direction of arrow Q,
The cut-and-raised portion 3 having an inclined portion which is provided on the slider 30 so as to approach the micro switch 8B as it goes to the left.
By 0B, the micro switch 8B is turned on.

Next, the structure of the contact holder 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. As described above, on the side surface of the contact holder 22, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the crank-shaped projections 30C, 3C of the slider 30 are provided.
Guide grooves 22A and 22B that fit with 0D are provided. A cam surface 22C, 22D, 22E, 22 on which the crank-shaped projection 30C moves by contacting the guide groove 22A.
F is provided. The contact holder 22 is provided with protrusions 22G and 22G on both sides and is held so as to be movable only in the vertical direction by slide grooves 16A and 16A provided in a contact guard 16 fixed to the main frame 10.

In this state, the slider 30 moves the IC card 6
Moving in the insertion direction (direction of arrow Q), the lower surface of the crank-like protrusion 30C moves with the cam surfaces 22C, 22D, 22E to push the contact holder 22 downward (direction of arrow J), and the slider 30 returns. The upper surface of the crank-shaped protrusion 30C pushes up the contact holder 22 via the cam surface 22F.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the contact holder 22 is provided with a plurality of elongated grooves 22H in an inclined state, and the contacts 23 and 24 are fitted therein.

The contacts 23 and 24 are inserted from below the auxiliary contact holder 21 through the holes 21A and are held by the soldering portions 23A and 24A on the flexible board 25B.

Furthermore, this auxiliary contact holder 21
While being fitted and fixed in the contact holder 22, the contacts 23 and 24 are fitted into the above-mentioned groove 22H and are urged against the abutting portion 22J with a predetermined load by the spring pressure of the contacts 23 and 24 themselves. ing.

In this state, when the contact holder 22 moves downward and the contact portions 23B and 24B of the contacts are pressed against the IC card 6, the contacts 23 and 24 are pushed up and separated from the abutting portion 22J. The biased preload is released, and the connection is established by a predetermined contact load.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower surfaces 16B and 16C of the contact guard 16 are in a positional relationship of traveling below the contact tip contact portions 23B and 24B. When the IC card 6 is inserted, The IC card 6 contacts the contact 23 by the contact guard lower surfaces 16B and 16C.
It is possible to prevent deformation due to collision with B and 24B.

With the above configuration, the contact holder 22
Is the contact 23, 24 in the contact 23, 24 part.
Since there are no extra members other than the members required to hold the contacts 4, the structure is such that it is easy to secure the necessary thickness for the contacts 23 and 24.

Further, since the contact holder 22 itself, which requires the most thickness, does not move in the inserting and ejecting directions of the IC card 6, the area where the thickness dimension must be sufficiently secured is kept to the necessary minimum. It is possible to realize a thin type.

Further, the contacts 23 and 24 are electrically connected to the control circuit section 25A by a flexible substrate 25B, as shown in FIGS. Further, the control circuit section 25A is electrically connected to the connector 3 by the flexible board 25B. This connector 3
By using a standardized memory card connector or the like, it becomes possible to connect to the connector 2B of the computer device 2 by using the memory card slot 2A of the various computer devices 2.

The connector 3 is fitted and held in the fitting portion 11J formed at the tip of the main frame frame 11, and the flexible board 25B and the control circuit portion 25 are also provided.
A is fixedly held on the main frame 10, respectively. Then, only the contact connecting portion 25C is the IC card 6
It has a structure that gives a degree of freedom in the direction of contact and separation.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration applied to the information processing apparatus 1 of the IC card of the present invention is shown in FIG.
Will be described with reference to. First, the IC card information processing device 1
Is roughly divided into three blocks.

That is, the reading / detecting of the insertion and mounting of the IC card 6 and the electrical connection with the IC card 6 are performed.
The write mechanism unit 50 and the read / write unit that controls these units
It is composed of three blocks of a writing control unit 51 and a connector 3 connected to the computer device 2 to be mounted.

The read / write mechanism section 50 includes the microswitches 8A and 8B and the interrupter 11 described above.
0 (111), contacts 23 and 24, power on / off
It is configured to have an LED 50A for turning off, information access display, and the like, a motor 106 of the slider moving mechanism 100, and the like.

Further, the read / write control unit 51 constitutes the control circuit unit 25A and performs the central processing.
C and a memory 51D for holding processing programs and data
And a driver 51A for turning on the LED 50A, a driver 106A for the motor 106, and an interface 51B with the IC card 6.

The electrical connection with the read / write mechanism 50 is made by the switches 8A, 8B and the interrupter 11.
0 (111) is the IC card contact 23, 24 directly
Via the interface 51B and the LED 50
A is connected to the CPU 51C via the driver 51A, and the motor 106 is connected to the CPU 51C via the driver 106A.

Further, the CPU 51C has a data bus 60
It is connected to the memory 51D by C and I /
It is connected to the connector 3 by the O signal line 60A and the power supply line 60B.

Next, the use procedure and operation of the information processing device 1 of the IC card will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17. First, the IC card 6 to be read and written is inserted into the card insertion slot 11G from the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 14. The IC card 6 moves rightward in the drawing (direction of arrow A) in the IC card insertion path 7 while being guided to a predetermined position by the guide surfaces 11A, 11B, 11C.

On the other hand, the card insertion slot 11G of the IC card 6
First, the interrupter 110 is put in the “on” state, and then the IC card 6 pushes the guide roller 26A in the direction of arrow C to put the microswitch 8A in the “on” state. It is detected that 6 has been inserted.

Further, when the IC card 6 is inserted, the guide roller 26B is also pushed up by the IC card 6 in the arrow C direction. The guide rollers 26A and 26B are springs 26C.
Since it is biased in the B direction by
The C card 6 is pushed in the B direction, and the reference guide surface 11D,
It is pressed against 11E and moves while the position in the width direction is determined.

Further, the IC card 6 is inserted and I
The C card 6 is at the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 14 (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 15), that is, the card tip 6A is at the contact holder 2
As it passes 2, the tip 6A of the IC card hits the tip 38 of the lever.

As the IC card 6 advances, the lever 32 rotates from the state shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 in the clockwise direction (direction of arrow E) about the shaft 32D. When the IC card 6 reaches a predetermined position where information processing, that is, reading and writing, the fan-shaped portion 32A holding the cut-and-raised portion 30A of the slider 30 also rotates together with the lever 32 and the fan-shaped portion 32A.
Come to the end of. As a result, the fixation of the slider 30 is released.

On the other hand, at this time, if the IC card 6 is a regular IC card having a predetermined length, the rear end 6E is the interrupter 1
10, the motor 106 of the slider moving means 100 rotates forward to move the nut member 105 in the direction of arrow S in FIG. As a result, the slider 30 connected to the nut member 105 via the link 36 moves in the first direction (arrow Q direction) which is the insertion direction of the IC card 6.

At this time, as described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, as the slider 30 moves, the crank-shaped projections 30C and 30D are moved to the cam surface 22 of the contact holder.
Move on C, 22D, 22E, and contact holder 22
Are pushed down as shown in FIG. As a result, the tips 23B and 24B of the contacts 23 and 24 are respectively I
It is connected to the contact portion 6B of the C card 6 which is arranged opposite to the contact portion 6B.

It should be noted that when the IC card 6 comes to a predetermined read / write position, the protrusion 32B of the lever 32, which is pushed and rotated by the IC card 6, causes the first reference side to move.
The guide member 34 of is pressed to rotate in the counterclockwise direction (arrow K
Direction).

At this time, the second guide member 35 is pushed by the first guide member 34 and rotationally displaced in the clockwise direction (direction of arrow M). Then, the abutting surfaces 34B, 35B of the first guide member 34 on the reference side and the second guide member 35 on the pressing side open outward to receive the IC card 6.

Furthermore, as the IC card 6 moves, the IC
Arc-shaped portions 6D, 6D formed at both corners of the tip of the card 6.
Is the butting surface 34 of the first and second guide members 34, 35.
B and 35B are spread apart against the biasing force of the springs 34A and 35A which are biasing members.

Then, when the IC card 6 comes to a predetermined read / write position, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17,
Abutting surfaces 34B of the first and second guide members 34, 35,
Hold at 35B.

At this time, as described above, the spring 35A for urging the second guide member 35 has the first guide member 34.
It is set to be stronger than the spring 34A that biases the. Further, the first guide member 34 on the positioning reference side, which is rotated when the IC card 6 reaches the predetermined position, hits the abutting portion 11F of the main frame frame 11, and the counter arrow G
It does not rotate in the direction. This allows the IC
The position in the width direction of the tip portion of the card 6 is determined by the abutting surface 34B of the first guide member 34.

As a result, the IC card 6 is positioned in the width direction by the guide roller 26 urged by the spring 26C.
A, 26B and the abutment surface 35B of the second guide member 35 urged by the spring 35A press the three surfaces on the reference side, that is, the guide surface 11
Correct positioning is performed by being pressed against the D, 11E and the abutting surface 34B.

On the other hand, the positioning in the insertion direction is performed by the tip 6A of the IC card 6 contacting the card contact portion 38 of the lever 32. At this time, in the lever 32, the end surface 32C of the fan-shaped portion 32A has the cut-and-raised portion 3 of the slider 30.
By abutting on 0A, the rotation is restricted, so that the correct positioning is performed.

Further, when the IC card 6 is in the read / write position, when the slider 30 moves in the direction of the arrow Q, the micro switch 8B is turned on by the cut-and-raised portion 30B having an inclined portion, so that the IC card 6 is It is possible to detect the arrival at the predetermined position.

As described above, information can be read / written from / to the IC card 6. Further, when the information processing on the IC card 6 is completed, the motor 106 of the slider moving mechanism 100 rotates in the reverse direction to move the nut member 105 in the direction of the arrow T, so that the slider 30 connected via the link 36 moves to the IC card 6. It moves in the second direction (arrow R direction) which is the discharging direction.

The movement of the slider 30 causes the crank-shaped projection 30C to move to the cam surface 22F of the contact holder 22.
Push up, and the tips 23B, 24 of the contacts 23, 24
B separates from the contact portion 6B of the IC card 6.

When the slider 30 is further moved from this state in the second direction (arrow R direction) which is the IC card ejection direction, the cut-and-raised portion 30A causes the fan-shaped portion 32A of the lever 32 to move.
When the lever 32 comes off the end surface 32C, the rotation restriction of the lever 32 is released. As a result, the lever 32 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (arrow D direction) by the force of the spring 33.

The IC card 6 is pushed to the left by the card contact portion 38 by this force. After that, by pulling out and pulling out the projected IC card 6 from the information processing device 1 of the IC card,
The C card 6 will be taken out.

On the other hand, the first and second guide members 34 and 35 that have guided the tip of the IC card 6 are also attached to the lever 3
With the rotation of 2, it is housed inside and returns to the state of FIGS. 3 and 14.

In the card information processing apparatus 1 configured as described above, however, since the apparatus body 9 has an outer shape that can be inserted and connected to the memory card slot 2A of the computer apparatus 2, the computer apparatus 2 It can be used by inserting and connecting it to the memory card slot 2A. As a result, it can be used and transported integrally with a computer device, and it can be used anywhere and its convenience is greatly improved.

Further, since the IC card 6 is automatically ejected, it is possible to prevent the IC card 6 from being ejected manually due to an erroneous operation, and it is possible to provide the IC card information processing apparatus 1 with high safety.

Further, the interrupter 111 as a length detecting means for detecting whether or not the IC card 6 is a legitimate IC card 6 by detecting the length of the object inserted up to the information processable position.
Is provided and the contacts 23 and 24 are brought into contact with and separated from the contact portion 6B which is a contact point of the IC card 6 only when the IC card 6 is regarded as a legitimate IC card 6.
Contact 2 with foreign matter other than
The contact operation of 3, 24 can be prevented, and it is possible to prevent the destruction of the device.

Further, since the slider moving mechanism 100 is provided in the portion of the apparatus main body 9 which is exposed to the outside of the computer apparatus 2, the motor 10 which is the drive source is not restricted by the thickness dimension.
6 and the like can be easily incorporated.

Further, the crank-shaped projections 30C and 30D provided on the slider 30 are engaged with the guide grooves 22A and 22B formed on the contact holder 22, and the slider 3
The contact holder 22 along with the slider 30
Since the contact holder 22 itself, which requires the most thickness, does not move in the inserting direction and the ejecting direction of the IC card 6 because it can be displaced in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the IC card, the thickness dimension must be sufficiently secured. It is possible to keep the area that must be kept to the minimum necessary, and it is possible to achieve a thinner product. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0088]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects. IC according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
In the card information processing device, since the main body of the device has an outer shape that can be inserted and connected to the memory card slot of the computer device, it can be used by inserting and connecting to the memory card slot of the computer device. As a result, it can be used and transported integrally with a computer device, and it can be used anywhere and its convenience is greatly improved.

Furthermore, since the IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 2 is further configured to automatically eject the IC card, it is possible to prevent manual ejection of the IC card due to erroneous operation and highly secure information processing of the IC card. It becomes possible to provide a device.

Further, the IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 3 further detects the length of the IC card inserted up to a position where information can be processed to detect whether the IC card is a regular IC card or not. Since the contact is brought into contact with and separated from the contact of the IC card only when the device is provided as a regular IC card, it is possible to prevent the contact operation of the contact when a foreign substance other than the IC card is inserted.
It is possible to prevent the device from being destroyed.

Further, in the IC card information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, since the slider moving means is provided at the portion of the apparatus main body that is exposed to the outside of the computer apparatus, the motor or the like serving as a drive source can be further provided without being restricted by the thickness dimension. Can be easily incorporated.

Further, in the IC card information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the crank-shaped projection provided on the slider is engaged with the guide groove formed on the contact holder, and the contact holder is moved along with the movement of the slider. Since the contact holder can be displaced in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider, the contact holder itself, which requires the most thickness, does not move in the IC card insertion direction and IC card ejection direction. Therefore, the thickness dimension must be sufficiently secured. It is possible to keep the area that must be kept to the minimum necessary, and it is possible to achieve a thinner product. It has the effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an embodiment of an IC card information processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a memory card slot portion of a notebook computer into which the IC card information processing apparatus of the embodiment is inserted.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which an IC card is not inserted, in which a part of the embodiment is removed.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which an IC card is inserted, which is obtained by removing a part of the embodiment.

6 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of a contact holder, which is a main part of the embodiment, in a raised position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the contact holder, which is a main part of the embodiment, in a lowered position.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a contact holder that is a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a contact holder, which is a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which the flexible substrate of the embodiment is electrically connected to the control unit and the connector.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a state in which the control unit and the connector are electrically connected by the flexible board of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a state in which an IC card is not inserted but a part of the same embodiment is removed and a part thereof is omitted.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a process in which the IC card reaches a read / write position, with some parts omitted.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state in which an IC card is inserted, with a part thereof being omitted, which is obtained by removing a part of the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a part of the time when the IC card reaches a read / write position, with a part thereof omitted.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Card information processing apparatus, 1A ... Portion built in a memory card slot, 1B ... Portion outside computer equipment, 2 ... Computer equipment, 2A ... Memory card slot, 2B ... Memory card connector, 3 ... Connector , 6 ... IC card, 6B ... Contact, 7 ...
IC card insertion path, 8A ... Micro switch (IC card insertion detection means), 8B ... Micro switch (IC card insertion completion detection means), 9 ... Device body, 11G ... Card insertion port, 23, 24 ... Contact, 30 ... Slider Three
2 ... Lever (moving member), 100 ... Slider moving mechanism (Slider moving means), 110 ... Interrupter (IC
Card insertion completion detecting means), 111 ... Interrupter (length detecting means).

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus main body having an external shape capable of being inserted and connected to a memory card slot of a computer apparatus and having a card insertion opening for inserting an IC card; and an IC communicating with the inside of the apparatus main body and the card insertion opening. A slider provided so as to be slidable along a card insertion path in a first direction that is an IC card insertion direction and a second direction that is an IC card ejection direction, and the first direction that is the movement direction of the slider. Direction side and a moving member that is pushed and moved by the tip side of the IC card inserted into the IC card insertion path, a biasing means that constantly biases the moving member in a direction to push back the IC card, and the slider. On the other hand, with the movement of the slider, a contact is held which moves in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider to come into contact with and separate from the contact of the IC card. A contact holder, an IC card insertion completion detecting means for detecting that the IC card has been inserted up to a position where information processing can be performed in the IC card insertion path, and the contact by the detection signal from the IC card insertion completion detecting means. An IC card information processing apparatus, comprising: a slider moving unit that moves the slider, on which the contact holder is mounted, in the first direction so as to move to and away from a contact point of the IC card. 2. An apparatus main body having an external shape capable of being inserted and connected to a memory card slot of a computer apparatus and having a card insertion opening for inserting an IC card; and an IC communicating with the inside of the apparatus main body and the card insertion opening. A slider provided so as to be slidable along a card insertion path in a first direction that is an IC card insertion direction and a second direction that is an IC card ejection direction, and the first direction that is the movement direction of the slider. Direction side and a moving member pushed and moved by the tip side of the IC card inserted in the IC card insertion path, a biasing means for constantly biasing the moving member in a direction to push back the IC card, and the slider. On the other hand, with the movement of the slider, a contact is held which moves in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider to come into contact with and separate from the contact of the IC card. A contact holder, an IC card insertion completion detecting means for detecting that the IC card has been inserted up to a position where information processing can be performed in the IC card insertion path, and the contact by the detection signal from the IC card insertion completion detecting means. The slider on which the contact holder is mounted is moved in the first direction so as to be brought into contact with and separated from the contact of the IC card, and the slider is moved in the first direction to eject the IC card after the information processing is completed. Is a slider moving means for moving in the opposite second direction. 3. An apparatus main body having an external shape capable of being inserted and connected to a memory card slot of a computer apparatus and having a card insertion opening for inserting an IC card; and an IC communicating with the inside of the apparatus main body and the card insertion opening. A slider provided so as to be slidable along a card insertion path in a first direction that is an IC card insertion direction and a second direction that is an IC card ejection direction, and the first direction that is the movement direction of the slider. Direction side and a moving member pushed and moved by the tip side of the IC card inserted in the IC card insertion path, a biasing means for constantly biasing the moving member in a direction to push back the IC card, and the slider. On the other hand, with the movement of the slider, a contact is held which moves in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider to come into contact with and separate from the contact of the IC card. A contact holder, an IC card insertion completion detecting unit that detects that the IC card has been inserted to a position where information processing can be performed on the IC card insertion path, and a length of the IC card that has been inserted to a position where information processing can be performed. And a length detecting means for detecting whether or not the IC card is a legitimate IC card, and the IC card insertion completion detecting means detects that the IC card has been inserted to a predetermined position where information processing is possible, and the length detecting means inserts it. In the first direction, the slider on which the contact holder is mounted is arranged to move the contact to and from the contact of the IC card when the IC card is a regular IC card having a predetermined length. The slider is moved to the first side in order to release the fixing of the moving member in the returning direction in order to move and to eject the IC card after the information processing is completed. IC card information processing apparatus characterized by being provided with a slider moving means for moving in a second direction opposite the the. 4. A device main body having an external shape capable of being inserted and connected to a memory card slot of a computer device, having a card insertion port for inserting an IC card, and having a part thereof which is exposed to the outside of the computer device. Provided so as to be slidable in a first direction, which is an IC card insertion direction, and in a second direction, which is an IC card ejection direction, along an IC card insertion path communicating with the card insertion opening in the main body of the apparatus. A slider, a moving member that is pushed and moved by the first direction side that is the moving direction of the slider and the tip side of the IC card inserted in the IC card insertion path, and the moving member that moves the IC card. An urging means for constantly urging in a pushing back direction, and a means for moving the slider relative to the slider in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider as the slider moves. A contact holder that holds a contact that comes into contact with and separates from a contact of the IC card; an IC card insertion completion detection unit that detects that the IC card has been inserted to a position where information processing can be performed in the IC card insertion path; The slider is provided at a portion of the main body which is exposed to the outside of the computer device, and the slider on which the contact holder is mounted so as to bring the contact into and out of contact with the contact of the IC card according to a detection signal from the IC card insertion completion detecting means. In the direction of, and the slider is moved to the first position in order to eject the IC card after the information processing is completed.
An IC card information processing device, comprising: a slider moving means for moving the slider in a second direction opposite to the direction. 5. An apparatus main body having an outer shape capable of being inserted and connected to a memory card slot of a computer apparatus and having a card insertion opening for inserting an IC card, and an IC communicating with the inside of the apparatus main body and the card insertion opening. A slider provided so as to be slidable along a card insertion path in a first direction that is an IC card insertion direction and a second direction that is an IC card ejection direction, and the first direction that is the movement direction of the slider. Direction side and a moving member pushed and moved by the tip side of the IC card inserted in the IC card insertion path, a biasing means for constantly biasing the moving member in a direction to push back the IC card, and the slider. Has a guide groove that engages with a crank-shaped protrusion provided on the I-axis and moves in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider as the slider moves. A contact holder that holds a contact to and from a contact of the C card, an IC card insertion completion detecting unit that detects that the IC card has been inserted to a predetermined position in the IC card insertion path, and an IC card insertion completion detection unit. The slider on which the contact holder is mounted is moved in the first direction so that the contact is brought into contact with or separated from the contact of the IC card according to a detection signal from the means, and the IC card is ejected after the information processing is completed. In order to release the fixation of the moving member in the return direction, the slider moving means for moving the slider in the second direction opposite to the first direction is provided. Information processing equipment.