JPH09293128A - Non-contact information communication mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Correction) [Problem] To change the distance at which the information communication device 1 and the IC card 3 can communicate. SOLUTION: An information communication device 1 which is fixedly arranged on a tangible object and has an IC card control unit 4, and a mobile body side which receives a radio wave 8 emitted from the information communication device 1 and emits a response radio wave 9. In the non-contact type information communication mechanism X consisting of the combination with the IC card 3 of
Data control is performed on the basis of the surplus power accumulated by the reply signal enhanced power supply means 12 that causes the receiving unit 11 to generate electricity by using the radio wave 8 received by the antenna 7 as an energy source and is electrically connected to the receiving unit 11. A non-contact type information communication mechanism that enhances a reply signal of a transmission unit 14 electrically connected to the circuit 13.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a contactless information communication mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art I such as a non-contact type card or coin
C information medium, especially wireless IC card using wireless (hereinafter referred to as "IC card") is a battery type with a battery inside, and the electric wave is generated by using the received radio wave as an energy source to generate the circuit of the card. It is divided into two types that operate. These types have the following drawbacks.

That is, the former type has a longer communication distance than the latter type, but the
Card usage time is limited. On the other hand, the latter type does not have a problem regarding the life of the battery, but has a problem of generating a power source in the IC card based on energy such as a radio signal transmitted from an information communication device such as a reader / writer.

This is because an antenna that can be used for an IC card is generally very small and it is difficult to generate a sufficient power source. Therefore, an IC card that does not use a battery has a shortcoming that the communicable distance is short.

For example, in a system in which a high-frequency carrier signal (hereinafter referred to as "radio wave") is exchanged between a reader / writer and an IC card, which is an example of an information communication device, FIG. As shown, when the electric power generated inside the IC card sufficiently satisfies the amount required to operate at the distance d2, the communication between the IC card and the information communication device is started from this distance d2. Further, when the IC card approaches the distance side d1 on the information communication device side as an external device, extra power is generated, but this excess power is discarded in the IC card. Then, the IC card further exceeds the distance d1, and the information communication device side D1 as an external device.
When it is extremely close to, the excess power cannot be completely discarded and the IC card stops the circuit operation.

In an IC card system without a battery, the radio wave transmitted by the information communication device to the IC card has considerably higher energy than the radio wave transmitted from the IC card. Therefore, at a certain distance D2, the IC card can receive the command from the information communication device, and even if the IC card can respond to the information communication device, the information communication device can The response signal from the card cannot be recognized until the distance of the code d2 is reached.

Therefore, it is generally considered that the communicable range between the information communication device having a large energy and the IC card having a small energy is within the range of d2 to d1 indicated by the diagonal lines. The shorter the distance between the information communication device and the IC card, the more rapidly the power generated by the IC card (distance k
(Proportional to the power of 2-3).

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is to change (extend and shorten) the distance at which the information communication device can communicate with an IC card without changing the output energy of the information communication device. It is possible. The second aspect of the present invention
The purpose of is to store the surplus power generated in the IC card in the power storage means and to take it out when necessary. Furthermore, the third object of the present invention is to minimize the consumption of the electric power stored in the storage means in the IC card 3.

[0009]

The non-contact type information communication mechanism of the present invention is an information communication device 1 fixedly mounted on a tangible object and having an IC card control unit 4, and this information communication device 1. In the non-contact type information communication mechanism X which is formed by a combination with the IC card 3 on the mobile side which receives the radio wave 8 emitted from the IC card and emits the response radio wave 9, the IC card 3 is received by the antenna 7. Using the generated radio wave 8 as an energy source, the receiving unit 11 generates electricity, and the receiving unit 1
It is characterized in that the reply signal of the transmission unit 14 electrically connected to the data control circuit 13 is strengthened based on the surplus power accumulated by the reply signal strengthening power supply means 12 electrically connected to the data control circuit 13.

In the above structure, the reply signal strengthening power supply means 12 comprises a voltage boosting circuit 30, a DC power supply adjusting circuit 31, a power supply control circuit 32, and a storage means 33 for accumulating surplus power generated in the IC card 3. It is characterized by being provided. Further, in the above configuration, the operation of the IC card is based on a plurality of command signals issued from the information communication device 1, the main function operation is ON (wake up), the main function operation is OFF (sleep), and charging is started ( It is characterized in that it is turned on, charging is stopped (OFF), power can be used (ON), and power can be stopped (OFF).

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An electric energy source (radio wave) is emitted from a reader / writer as an example of an information communication apparatus to an IC card as an example of a non-contact type information medium according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in the drawings. In addition, based on this energy source, the IC guard itself stores electric power, and based on the stored electric power, the non-contact type information communication mechanism X that transmits the data in the memory of the IC guard to the reader / writer is used. Explain.

1 to 4, 1 is a building, a garage,
This is an information communication device fixedly arranged on a tangible object such as an automobile. The information communication device 1 is fixedly installed on the wall of the entrance and exit of a building, for example, for opening and closing a shutter of a garage or for entrance control of a facility requiring security. The information communication device 1 as a whole system is electrically connected to a host computer 2 which is a higher-level control device on the one hand, and on the other hand, a radio wave transmits an IC card 3 on the mobile body side.
In general, the information communication device 1 normally emits a stronger radio wave to the specific effective area than the IC card 3 at all times.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the structure of the information communication device 1. That is, 4 is an IC card control unit connected to the host control device 2 via a communication cable. The IC card control unit 4 performs overall control of the information communication device 1. For example, a command for operating or stopping the main function of the IC card 3 and power inside the capacitor of the IC card 3 are supplied. It outputs a plurality of command signals to the IC card 3 side, such as a command to use or stop the use, a charging command, and a charging stop command. The transmitter 5 has a function of modulating a signal based on a command from the IC card controller 4 and transmitting the modulated signal to the antennas 6, 6.
One of the antennas 6 and 6 emits a radio wave 8 having a large effective area with respect to the antenna 7 of the approaching IC card 3, and the other has a radio wave 9 having a small effective area emitted (response) from the antenna 7 of the IC card 3. It has the function of receiving. The receiving unit 10 demodulates the signal received by the antenna 6, and
It has a function of sending the demodulated original signal to the IC card control unit 4.

Further, in FIG. 1, I which is the main part of the present invention is shown.
The structure of the C card 3 is schematically shown. As described above, the IC card 3 has a built-in power source (battery),
Circuits such as the IC card control unit operate based on the supply of the power, but in this embodiment, the radio wave 8 received by the antenna 7
Is used as an energy source to generate electricity in the receiving unit 11,
In addition, the data control circuit 13, the transmitter 14 and the like are operated based on the surplus power accumulated in the reply signal enhanced power supply means 12 electrically connected to the receiver 11.

FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration of the receiving section 11 of the IC card 3 which is a main part of the present invention. IC card 3 is C
It has a PU or logic circuit, and generally, specific data (personal information) is written in an internal memory.

First, the antenna 7 on the IC card side receives a strong radio wave 8 when it reaches the outermost side (reference numeral D2 in FIG. 5) of the effective area of the antenna 7 of the information communication device 1 as described above. Next, the receiving unit 11 separates the received signal into two signals, one of which flows to the DC power supply generation circuit 21 and the power supply stabilization circuit 22 side to generate electricity. On the other hand, the other one flows to the demodulation circuit 23 and the instruction discrimination circuit 24 side, is used for demodulating a signal and discriminating whether or not an instruction is present.

Therefore, the DC power supply generation circuit 21 is
Although not shown in particular, it has a diode bridge circuit and is interposed between the antenna 7 and the power supply stabilizing circuit 22, and the radio wave 8 received by the antenna 7 is used as an energy source to generate a DC power supply. In addition, the power supply stabilization circuit 22 which is a power supply circuit includes a constant voltage circuit, converts an electric signal generated by the DC power supply generation circuit 21 into a power of a stabilized DC voltage, and outputs the stabilized power supply voltage Vcc. Output to the reply signal enhanced power supply means 12 side. In this embodiment, preferably, a diode bridge circuit for blocking a current flowing back from the reply signal enhanced power supply means 12 side to the demodulation circuit 23 side is provided as a component between the DC power supply generation circuit 21 and the power supply stabilization circuit 22. The backflow prevention circuit 25 is interposed.

The demodulation circuit 23 demodulates the signal received by the antenna 7 through a detection circuit to generate an original signal.
Further, the command discriminating circuit 24 has a function of discriminating whether or not the electric signal demodulated by the demodulating circuit 23 is an electric command signal carrying information, and the signal discriminated to the reply signal strengthening power supply means 12 side is Output.

FIG. 3 shows an IC card 3 which is the main part of the present invention.
The specific configuration of the reply signal enhanced power supply means 12 is shown. The reply signal strengthening power source means 12 has a function of strengthening the signal to be returned to the information communication device 1 side by using the power source of the capacitor stored based on the power of the DC voltage obtained from the receiving section 11.

Reference numeral 30 is a voltage boosting circuit, 31 is a DC power supply adjusting circuit, 32 is a power supply control circuit, and 33 is a capacitor. The power supply boosting circuit 30 has a function of boosting the stabilized electric power, which has been subjected to waveform adjustment and is sent from the receiving unit 11 side, to a required voltage. The DC power supply adjusting circuit 31 has a function of adjusting the boosted DC current so as to match the specifications of the power supply used by the circuits of the respective parts. The power supply control circuit 32 has a function of sending out excess power generated when the circuits of the respective parts consume power to the capacitor 33 via the DC power supply adjustment circuit 31, and the IC card 3 causes the radio wave 8 on the side of the information communication device 1 to operate. It has a function of sending the electric power stored in the capacitor 33 to the DC power supply adjusting circuit 31 side in the DC power supply adjusting circuit 31 based on the electric signal sent from the receiving unit 11 side when the signal is caught. The capacitor 33
In this embodiment, an electric double layer capacitor is used.

Next, 35 is a switching circuit. This switching circuit 35 is interposed between the data control circuit 13 which is the main function and the power supply control circuit 32 of the reply signal enhanced power supply means 12, and based on the command signal of the power supply control circuit 12,
Main function operation ON (wake up), main function operation OFF
(Sleep), start charging (ON), stop charging (OFF),
Demonstrate switch functions such as power supply available (ON) and power supply stopped (OFF). However, this switching circuit 3
No. 5 is not an essential requirement of this embodiment, but in this embodiment, the main function operation is ON (wake up) and the main function operation is OFF.
(Sleep), start charging (ON), and stop charging (OFF) are determined based on a plurality of command signals (for example, the strength of radio wave 8) continuously emitted from the information communication device 1 side. The control circuit 12 is configured to do so.

Next, the processor as the data control circuit 13 has a function of processing the electric signal sent from the receiving unit 11 side and the electric signal sent to the transmitting unit 14 side.
The memory 13a is, for example, PROM or EARO.
M, RAM, etc. store specific data.

Next, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing a time chart of the operation of the IC card 3. First, when the IC card 3 approaches the effective area (reference numeral D2 in FIG. 5) of the information communication device 1, the antenna 6 of the information communication device 1 issues a main function operation command to the IC card 3 via the radio wave 8. IC
When the receiving unit 11 of the card 3 receives this main function operation command via the antenna 7, the main functions of the data control circuit 13 and the like operate.

Next, when the main function of the IC card 3 is activated,
A response to the information communication device 1 is started, but at this time, the information communication device 1 sends a capacitor use command (power supply available: power supply ON signal) which is the next signal. This capacitor use command is a command signal separate from the main function operation command, and it is premised that the main function of the IC card 3 is operating. When the IC card 3 receives the capacitor use command, the power supply control circuit 32 starts using the power supply of the capacitor 33. This strengthens the reply signal,
After the return signal is modulated by the transmitter 14, a response is made via the antenna 7. In this way, information communication between the information communication device 1 and the IC card 3 is performed. When the information communication is completed, the information communication device 1 sends a next signal, that is, a capacitor use stop command. IC card 3
When receiving the command signal for stopping the use of the capacitor (power supply stop: power OFF signal), the power supply control circuit 32 stops using the power supply of the capacitor 33.

Next, the information communication device 1 sends a next signal, which is a main function stop command. Then, the IC card 3 starts charging as soon as the main function is stopped. This charging is automatically stopped when the IC card 3 goes out of the range where radio waves can be communicated.

[0026]

First Embodiment In the first embodiment described in the embodiment of the invention, the information communication device 1 may be an interrogator. The IC card 3 may be in the shape of, for example, a coin, as long as it is in the form of a card that is downsized and thinned. The power storage means 33 may be a rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery such as nickel cadmium. Further, although a plurality of command signals from the information communication device 1, for example, a capacitor use command is used as a trigger to use the power source, the instruction provided by the timer provided in the IC card 3 is used as a trigger to use the capacitor 33 power source. Is also good. In addition, the IC card 3 has a switching circuit 3
5, the switching circuit 35 is provided with, for example, a main function operation ON (wake up), a main function operation stop OFF (sleep) of the IC card 3 based on a command from the power supply control circuit 12 of the IC card 3. Each switch function of charging start (ON) and charging stop (OFF) may be provided. Further, in consideration of charging by the radio wave 8 (including the main part of the configuration as it is), the capacitor 33 may be charged by an external DC power supply. Further, when the IC card 3 receives the charge command signal from the information communication device 1 and starts charging, the radio wave of the information communication device 1 may be enhanced, preferably in order to shorten the charging time.

[0027]

As is clear from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. (1) The invention according to claim 1 is a power supply means 1 for enhancing a reply signal.
Since 2 is a constituent factor, the IC card 3 can respond to the information communication device 1 side in a state in which the reply signal is strengthened. Therefore, it is possible to change (extend) the distance at which the information communication device 1 and the IC card 3 can communicate. (2) When the shorter distance is desirable, for example, when the tangible object is a door opening / closing device, an automatic teller machine, etc., the power of the condenser can be turned off (OFF) to perform communication. Therefore, it is possible to change (shorten) the distance at which the information communication device 1 and the IC card 3 can communicate with each other. (3) According to the second aspect of the invention, the surplus power generated in the IC card 3 can be accumulated in the power storage means 33 and can be taken out when necessary. (4) According to the third or fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to minimize the consumption of the electric power stored in the storage means in the IC card 3. (5) According to the fifth aspect of the invention, mutual influence between the power supply stabilization circuit 22 and the demodulation circuit 23 can be suppressed.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 4 are explanatory views illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a conventional example and the operable distance and operation of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration centering on a receiving unit on the IC card side.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration centering on a reply signal strengthening power supply unit on the C card side.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication state between an information communication device and an IC card.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a distance between a conventional information communication device and an IC card and generated power.

[Explanation of symbols]

X ... Non-contact type information communication mechanism, 1 ... Information communication device, 3 ... I
C card, 4 ... IC card control unit, 8 ... Radio wave, 9 ... Response radio wave, 11 ... Receiving unit, 12 ... Reply signal enhanced power supply means,
13 ... Data control circuit, 30 ... Voltage boosting circuit, 31 ... DC power supply adjusting circuit, 32 ... Power supply control circuit, 33 ... Storage means 33, 35 ... Switching circuits 35, 21 ... DC power supply generating circuit, 22 ... Power supply stabilizing circuit , 23 ... Demodulation circuit, 24
... instruction discrimination circuit, 25 ... backflow prevention circuit.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 26, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Fig. 2]

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An IC fixedly arranged on a tangible object
A non-contact type including a combination of an information communication device 1 having a card control unit 4 and an IC card 3 on the side of a mobile body which receives a radio wave 8 emitted from the information communication device 1 and emits a response radio wave 9. In the information communication mechanism X, the IC
In the card 3, the radio wave 8 received by the antenna 7 is used as an energy source to generate electricity in the receiving unit 11, and the surplus power accumulated in the reply signal enhanced power supply means 12 electrically connected to the receiving unit 11. Based on the above, a non-contact type information communication mechanism for strengthening a reply signal of the transmission unit 14 electrically connected to the data control circuit 13. 2. The response signal strengthening power supply means 12 according to claim 1, wherein the voltage boosting circuit 30, the DC power supply adjusting circuit 31,
A non-contact type information communication mechanism comprising: a power supply control circuit 32; and a power storage unit 33 that stores surplus power generated in the IC card 3. 3. The operation of the IC card according to claim 1, wherein the main function operation is ON (wake up) and the main function operation is OFF (sleep) based on a plurality of command signals issued from the information communication device 1. ), Charge start (ON), charge stop (OF)
F), a power source can be used (ON) and a power source can be stopped (OFF). 4. The IC card 3 according to claim 1, wherein a switching circuit 35 is provided, and the switching circuit 3 is provided.
5 is based on a command from the power supply control circuit 12 of the IC card 3,
Main function operation ON of IC card 3 (wake up), main function stop OFF (sleep), charge start (ON), charge stop (OFF), power supply available (ON), power supply stop (OF)
A non-contact type information communication mechanism characterized by exhibiting each switch function of F). 5. The receiving unit 11 of the IC card 3 according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit 11 includes a DC power supply generation circuit 21 and a power supply stabilization circuit 2.
2. A diode that includes a demodulation circuit 23 and a command discrimination circuit 24, and blocks a current flowing back from the DC power supply generation circuit 21 and the power supply stabilization circuit 22 to the demodulation circuit 23 side from the reply signal enhanced power supply means 12 side. A non-contact type information communication mechanism in which a backflow prevention circuit 25 having a bridge circuit as a component is interposed.