HK1065145B

HK1065145B - Ic card, information processing terminal, trilateral data communication system, and method

Info

Publication number: HK1065145B
Application number: HK04107904.6A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 山形昭彦; 深田显
Original assignee: Sony Corporation
Priority date: 2001-10-31
Filing date: 2002-10-29
Publication date: 2007-10-05

Description

Integrated circuit card, information processing terminal, three-party data communication system and method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a non-contact IC card or an IC chip having a memory for holding data and capable of reading and writing data from and to the memory by a non-contact method, and more particularly to a non-contact IC card or an IC chip having a wireless interface for accessing the memory from an external reader/writer through wireless data and a wired interface for connecting to an external device, and an information processing terminal such as a mobile phone, a PDA, and a personal computer connected to the IC card or mounted with the IC chip via the wired interface.

The present invention relates to a three-party communication system and a three-party communication method for performing communication via an IC card or an IC chip between a read/write device for performing read/write operations on the IC card or the IC chip and an information processing terminal connected to or mounted with the IC card via a wired interface, and more particularly, to a three-party communication system and a three-party communication method using an IC module integrally including a read/write device for transmitting an inquiry signal composed of an electromagnetic wave and an IC card for changing a load between antennas thereof in accordance with a response signal corresponding to the inquiry signal to amplitude-modulate a signal appearing in a receiving circuit of the read/write device and perform communication, wherein the IC module is activated as the IC card by detection of the electromagnetic wave and is activated as the read/write device by turning on a normal power supply.

Background

Conventionally, various devices using a secret number and a password for the authentication and the identification processing have been proposed and put into practical use. For example, in banks and other financial institutions, when cash cards and credit cards are used, cash dispensers and other financial terminals require a user to input a secret number and a password as a means of authenticating the user, and after confirming that the user has input the correct secret number and password, cash storage and dispensing operations are performed.

In a storage medium in which a magnetic stripe or the like is arranged on 1 cash card, only a storage area usable only for the bank is provided. Therefore, since the input of the above-mentioned combination or password is merely to access the single storage area, it is difficult to sufficiently prevent forgery or theft.

Therefore, from the viewpoint of preventing forgery and the like, a contact type IC card having an electrical contact among a cash card, a credit card and the like, and a non-contact type IC card performing reading and writing of data in a non-contact manner via wireless data are widely used. For example, an automatic teller machine and an IC card reader/writer provided at an entrance of a concert hall, a ticket gate of a station, or the like can access an IC card presented by a user in a non-contact manner.

The user inputs the secret number to the IC card reader side, and checks the input secret number with the secret number stored in the IC card, thereby performing identity verification or authentication between the IC card and the IC card reader/writer. When the identity verification or authentication process is successful, for example, an application stored in the IC card may be used. Here, the application program included in the IC card may be value information such as electronic money and electronic tickets. (the secret Number used when accessing the IC card is called PIN (Personal Identification Number)).

Recently, with the improvement of micro technology, IC cards having a relatively large capacity of storage space have appeared and become widespread. Since a conventional cash card or the like has only a single application program as a single storage area, it is necessary to hold a plurality of cards corresponding to each application or purpose. On the other hand, since the IC card with such a large-capacity memory can store a plurality of application programs at the same time, 1 IC card can be used for a plurality of purposes. For example, 2 or more applications such as electronic money for electronic settlement and an electronic ticket for entering a specific concert venue are stored in 1 IC card, and 1 IC card can be applied to various uses.

Further, the IC card includes an external wired interface for connection to an external device in addition to a non-contact interface with a card reader/writer (card reader/writer), and can be used by being connected to or incorporated in an information processing terminal such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a Personal computer (however, in the case of incorporating in a terminal, the IC card is configured as a single chip.

In such a case, various applications and services using the IC card can be executed in the information processing terminal. For example, the user interface such as a keyboard and a display on the information processing terminal is used to allow the information processing terminal to interact with the IC card and the user. Further, the IC card is connected to a mobile phone, and can transmit and receive contents stored in the IC card through a telephone network.

Thus, since the IC card has both a non-contact interface and an external wired interface, a lot of convenience can be obtained. For example, an information processing terminal connected to an external wired interface can perform non-contact data communication with a card read/write device via an IC card.

In addition, since such non-contact data communication does not involve manual work for connecting a connector or the like, there is no possibility of mechanical damage of components such as breakage and abrasion of connector pins due to repeated plugging and unplugging.

For example, it is assumed that a user carries an IC card built-in type portable terminal, and a card reader/writer device is installed in a street terminal that distributes contents such as music and images, and programs such as games. The user can start the non-contact data communication between the card read/write device and the portable terminal by simply extending the portable terminal to the card read/write device on the street terminal, and download desired contents and programs to the portable terminal.

However, there is no mechanism for data communication between an information processing terminal for IC card connection and a card read/write device.

Recently, with the progress of packaging technology, IC card functions and read/write devices thereof can be integrated to form a single semiconductor chip. Such an IC chip is activated as an IC card by detecting electromagnetic waves, and is activated as a read/write device by a normal power-on operation.

However, there is no mechanism for performing data communication by such an IC module integrated with a read/write function.

Disclosure of the invention

The purpose of the invention is to provide: an excellent noncontact IC card or IC chip having a wireless interface for accessing a memory from an external reader/writer through wireless data and a wired interface for connecting with an external device, and an excellent information processing terminal connected with the IC card or mounted with the IC chip via the wired interface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide: an excellent data communication system and data communication method capable of performing non-contact data communication by using an IC card.

Another object of the present invention is to provide: an excellent data communication system and a data communication method capable of performing excellent non-contact data communication between an information processing terminal connected to an IC card and a card read/write device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide: an excellent three-party communication system for performing communication via an IC card or an IC chip between a read/write device for performing read/write operations on the IC card or the IC chip and an information processing terminal connected to the IC card or mounted with the IC chip via a wired interface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a superior three-way communication system using an IC module integrally including a read/write device for transmitting an inquiry signal including electromagnetic waves and an IC card for performing amplitude modulation on a signal appearing in a receiving circuit of the read/write device by changing a load between antennas thereof in accordance with a response signal corresponding to the inquiry signal and performing communication, wherein the IC module detects the activation of the IC card by electromagnetic waves and activates the read/write device by turning on a normal power supply.

The present invention is directed to the above-mentioned problem, and the 1 st aspect of the present invention is an IC card comprising:

a memory for holding predetermined information;

a control unit for controlling access to the memory;

a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a read/write device that accesses the memory;

an external interface for connecting an information processing terminal outside the chip,

when communicating with the reader/writer via the wireless communication unit, the received data from the reader/writer is converted directly or by an appropriate conversion rule or converted into another packet configuration, and transmitted to the information processing terminal via the external interface.

Further, the invention of claim 2 is an IC card characterized by comprising:

a memory for holding predetermined information;

a control unit for controlling access to the memory;

a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a read/write device that accesses the memory;

when communicating with the reader/writer device via the wireless communication unit, the received data received from the information processing terminal via the external interface is converted directly or by an appropriate conversion rule or converted into another packet configuration, and transmitted to the reader/writer device via the wireless communication unit.

Here, the wireless communication unit may perform non-contact data communication by changing a load between antennas thereof in accordance with a response signal corresponding to an inquiry signal from the reader/writer to amplitude-modulate a signal appearing in a receiving circuit of the reader/writer.

According to the IC card of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the received data from the card reader/writer can be converted directly or by an appropriate conversion rule or converted into a packet structure of another kind and transmitted to the information processing terminal via the external interface. On the other hand, data received from the information processing terminal via the external interface may be converted directly or by an appropriate conversion rule, or may be converted into another packet structure and transmitted to the card read/write device via the non-contact interface.

Accordingly, the information processing terminal mounted with the IC card according to claim 1 or 2 of the present invention can perform data communication with the card reading/writing device via the IC card.

The control unit may notify the information processing terminal of an internal state that changes in accordance with a wireless communication operation with the reader/writer device via the wireless communication unit, via the external interface. Alternatively, the control unit may notify the information processing terminal of an internal state that changes in accordance with a wireless communication operation with the reader/writer device via the wireless communication unit, via a dedicated communication line other than the external interface.

In contrast, the information processing terminal can perform data communication with the read/write device via the IC card according to the notified internal state. For example, the IC card can transmit data in the write preparation completion state, and can receive data in the read preparation completion state.

Further, according to a 3 rd aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing terminal having an IC chip mounted thereon for performing wireless communication with a reader/writer, comprising:

an external interface connected to the IC chip;

a control part for controlling the operation of the terminal in a unified way,

and transmitting and receiving data to and from the IC chip via the external interface according to an internal state of the IC chip.

The IC chip mounted on the information processing terminal can change the load between its antennas in accordance with the response signal corresponding to the inquiry signal from the reader/writer, amplitude-modulate the signal appearing in the receiver circuit of the reader/writer, and perform non-contact data communication. The IC chip can convert the received data from the reader/writer device directly or with an appropriate conversion rule or into another packet structure, and transmit the converted data to the information processing terminal via the external interface. On the other hand, the received data received from the information processing terminal via the external interface may be converted directly or by an appropriate conversion rule, or may be converted into another packet structure and transmitted to the read/write device via the non-contact interface.

Thus, the information processing terminal according to claim 3 of the present invention can perform data communication with the read/write device via the IC chip.

The information processing terminal according to claim 3 of the present invention may receive, from the IC chip via the external interface, a notification of an internal state that changes in accordance with a wireless communication operation with the reader/writer device. Alternatively, the IC chip may receive a notification of an internal state that changes in accordance with a wireless communication operation with the reader/writer device via a dedicated communication line other than the external interface.

The control unit may receive data from the IC chip via the external interface in response to a read preparation completion state of the IC chip.

The control unit may transmit data to the IC chip via the external interface in response to a write preparation completion state of the IC chip.

Further, the 4 th aspect of the present invention is a three-party data communication method for performing communication via an IC card or an IC chip between a read/write device for performing read/write operations on the IC card and an information processing terminal connected to the IC card via a wired interface, comprising:

the information processing terminal inquires the internal state of the IC card, and the IC card replies the internal state;

polling the IC card by the read-write device;

the IC card receives polling and replies to the read-write device;

the read-write device uses the business provided by the IC card to carry out non-contact data communication with the IC card and write data into the IC card;

and a step in which the information processing terminal inquires the internal state of the IC card, detects the end of data writing to the IC card and responds, and reads the data from the IC card.

Further, a 5 th aspect of the present invention is a three-party data communication method for performing communication via an IC card or an IC chip between a read/write device for performing read/write operations on the IC card and an information processing terminal connected to the IC card via a wired interface, comprising:

the information processing terminal uses the business provided by the IC card to communicate with the IC card and write data into the IC card;

polling the IC card by the read-write device;

after the transaction processing with the information processing terminal is finished, the IC card receives polling and replies to the read-write device;

and a step of reading the data from the IC card by the read/write device using the service provided by the IC card in response to the reply from the IC card.

According to the 4 th and 5 th aspects of the present invention, a three-party data communication system can be constituted by a card reading/writing device, an IC card that performs data exchange with the card reading/writing device through a non-contact interface, and an information processing terminal 3 connected with the IC card via an external wired interface. Thus, the data communication system can realize 2 kinds of operations, namely, so-called "download" in which data is transferred from the card read/write device to the information processing terminal via the IC card, and conversely "upload" in which data is transferred from the information processing terminal to the card read/write device via the IC card.

Further, a 6 th aspect of the present invention is a three-party data transfer system for performing data transfer between an external card read/write device connected to an IC card function unit through a wireless communication interface and an information terminal connected to the IC module through a wireless communication interface, via an IC module integrally configured by the IC card function unit and a card read/write device function unit, the three-party data transfer system comprising: the IC card operates in a wired communication mode, i.e., in response to the internal power supply being turned on, activates the IC card read/write function section and performs a transaction with the information processing terminal, and operates in a wireless communication mode, i.e., in response to the detection of a carrier wave from an external card read/write device, activates the IC card function section and performs a transaction with an external card read/write device,

in the wired communication mode, the wireless communication mode is temporarily switched to by an activation instruction, and the wired communication mode is returned by a deactivation instruction,

in the wireless communication mode, the mode is temporarily switched to the wired communication mode by a 2 nd activation instruction from an external card read-write device, and the wireless communication mode is returned by a 2 nd deactivation instruction.

However, the "system" referred to herein is a logical assembly of a plurality of devices (or functional modules that realize specific functions), regardless of whether each device and functional module are in a single housing.

According to the three-party data transfer system of claim 6 of the present invention, when the IC card operates in the wired communication mode, the information processing terminal first issues an activation command to temporarily switch the IC card to the wireless communication mode,

then, the external card read/write device writes data to the IC card in the temporary wireless communication mode, and in response to completion of data writing to the IC card, the information processing terminal issues a deactivation command to return the IC card to the wired communication mode, and then reads the data written to the IC card, whereby the data can be transferred from the external card read/write device to the information processing terminal via the IC card.

Further, according to the three-party data transfer system of claim 6 of the present invention, when the IC card operates in the wired communication mode, the information processing terminal first writes data into the IC card, then issues an activation command to temporarily switch the IC card to the wireless communication mode, and then an external card reading/writing device reads data from the IC card in the temporary wireless communication mode, and in response to completion of data reading from the IC card, the information processing terminal issues a deactivation command to return the IC card to the wired communication mode, so that data can be transferred from the information processing terminal to the external card reading/writing device via the IC card.

Further, according to the three-party data transfer system of claim 6 of the present invention, when the IC card operates in the wireless communication mode, first, after an external card read/write device writes data into the IC card, a 2 nd activation command is issued to temporarily switch the IC card to the wired communication mode, then, the information processing terminal reads data from the IC card in the temporary wired communication mode, and in response to completion of data reading from the IC card, the external card read/write device issues a 2 nd deactivation command to return the IC card to the wireless communication mode, whereby data can be transferred from the external card read/write device to the information processing terminal via the IC card.

Further, according to the three-party data transfer system of claim 6 of the present invention, when the IC card operates in the wireless communication mode, the external card read/write device first issues the 2 nd activation command to temporarily switch the IC card to the wired communication mode, then the information processing terminal writes data to the IC card in the temporary wired communication mode, and in response to completion of data writing to the IC card, the external card read/write device issues the 2 nd deactivation command to return the IC card to the wireless communication mode, and by reading out the data written to the IC card, data can be transferred from the information processing terminal to the external card read/write device via the IC card.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings, which will be described later.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a configuration of wireless communication between a card read/write apparatus and an IC card based on electromagnetic induction.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system including a card reader/writer and an IC card as 1 transformer.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a hardware configuration of the IC card 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram when data stored in the card read/write device is downloaded to an information processing terminal connected thereto via an IC card.

Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram when data is uploaded from an information processing terminal connected to an IC card to a card reading/writing device via the IC card.

Fig. 6 is a more detailed diagram of the hardware configuration of the read/write function integrated IC card 100.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an operation procedure for transferring data from an external card read/write device to an information processing terminal when the IC card 100 is activated in the wired communication mode.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an operation sequence of transmitting data from the information processing terminal to an external card reading/writing device when the IC card 100 is activated in the wired communication mode.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an operation sequence of three-way communication by a command of the IC card 100.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an operation procedure for transferring data from an external card reader/writer to an information processing terminal when the IC card 100 is activated in the wireless communication mode.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an operation procedure of transmitting data from the information processing terminal to an external card reading/writing device when the IC card 100 is activated in the wireless communication mode.

Fig. 12 is a view showing a modification of the configuration shown in fig. 3.

Best mode for carrying out the invention

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

A. Basic constitution of non-contact data communication system

The present invention provides a non-contact data communication system using an IC card, and more particularly, to a non-contact data communication system which can realize excellent non-contact data communication between an information processing terminal connected to the IC card and a card read/write device.

First, a configuration of non-contact data communication between the IC card and the card read/write device will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2.

The wireless communication between the card reading and writing device and the IC card can be realized, for example, based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a configuration of wireless communication between a card read/write apparatus and an IC card based on electromagnetic induction. The card read/write device has an antenna L formed by a loop coil_RWBy applying a current I_RWFlows through the antenna L_RWAround which a magnetic field occurs. On the other hand, in the IC card, a loop coil Lc is electrically formed around the IC card. An induced voltage due to a magnetic field generated by the loop coil Lc of the card read/write device is generated at the loop coil Lc of the IC card and is input to a terminal of the IC card connected to the loop coil Lc.

Antenna L of card read-write device_RWDegree of coupling with loop coil Lc of IC cardThe mutual positional relationship varies, and it can be considered that a system of 1 transformer is formed, and as shown in fig. 2, the read/write operation of the IC card can be modularized.

In the card read/write device, the current is modulated through the antenna L_RWCurrent of (I)_RWSo that the voltage V induced on the loop coil Lc on the IC chip₀By receiving the modulation, the card read/write apparatus can transmit data to the IC card by using this principle.

The IC card has a function (Load Switching) of changing a Load between terminals of the loop coil Lc based on data to be returned to the card read/write device. When the load between the terminals of the loop coil Lc varies, the impedance between the antenna terminals changes, and the antenna L in the card read/write device_RWBy passing a current I_RWAnd voltage V_RWAs well as varying. By demodulating the variation, the card read/write device can receive the return data of the IC card.

That is, the IC card changes the load between its antennas in accordance with a response signal corresponding to an inquiry signal from the card reader/writer, and can perform amplitude modulation on a signal generated in a receiving circuit of the card reader/writer to perform communication.

B. Example 1

The IC card according to embodiment 1 of the present invention is used in connection with a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA (personal digital Assistant) or an information processing terminal such as a Personal Computer (PC). Therefore, the IC card includes an external interface for connecting to an external device, in addition to the non-contact interface for connecting to the card read/write device. The external interface in the embodiment described below is constituted by a wired interface, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be constituted by a wireless interface.

Fig. 3 schematically shows the hardware configuration of the IC card 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the IC card 100 is composed of an antenna section 101, an analog section 102, a digital control section 103, a memory 104, and an external interface 105.

The antenna unit 101 transmits and receives non-contact data to and from a card reader/writer device, not shown. The analog unit 102 performs processing such as detection, modulation/demodulation, and clock extraction on an analog signal transmitted/received by the antenna unit 101.

The digital control unit 103 controls the processing of the transmission/reception data and the operation in the other IC card in a unified manner. The digital control section 103 is locally connected to the addressable memory 104, and can be used to store application programs such as electronic money and electronic tickets, load program codes executed by the digital control section 103, and save operation data in execution.

The external interface 105 is a functional block for connecting the digital control unit 103 and an external device such as the portable terminal 110 by an interface protocol different from a contactless interface connected to a card read/write device (not shown). The data written in the memory 104 can be transferred to the portable terminal 110 via the external interface 105.

Here, when communicating with the card reader/writer device, the received data from the card reader/writer device is converted directly or by an appropriate conversion rule or converted into another packet configuration, and transmitted to the mobile terminal 110 via the external interface. On the other hand, data received from the portable terminal 110 via the external interface may be converted directly or by an appropriate conversion rule, or may be converted into another packet structure and transmitted to the card read/write device via the contactless interface.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the IC card 100 is built in the portable terminal 110, and the external interface 105 employs UART and I²C, and the like (described later). However, the interface specification of the external interface 105 is not particularly limited, and UART and I may be used²SIM formats other than C, and other wired interfaces. Alternatively, a wireless interface such as Bluetooth (Bluetooth) or ieee.802.11b may be used. As shown in fig. 3, the IC card 100 is not limited to being connected to the mobile terminal 110 via an interface, and for example, as shown in fig. 12, the IC card function module may be mounted on a single semiconductor chip and built in the mobile terminal 110.

In the present embodiment, the IC card 100 and the mobile terminal 110 may be connected to each other through a dedicated signal line 121 in addition to the external interface 105. When detecting a change in the internal state of the IC card 100, the digital control unit 103 may directly notify the portable terminal 110 via the external interface 105 or via the dedicated signal line 121 without via the external interface 105. The internal state mentioned here includes information indicating whether data communication between the IC card 100 and the card reader/writer is Ready or Not Ready, and the like.

The IC card 100 can be driven by a received radio wave from a card read/write device received via the antenna portion 101, for example. Of course, the configuration may be such that a part or all of the power supplied from the mobile terminal 110 is operated.

The mobile terminal 110 corresponds to an information processing terminal such as a mobile phone, a PDA, and a Personal Computer (PC). The mobile terminal 110 includes a program control unit 111, a display unit 112, and a user input unit 113.

The program control unit 111 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor, a RAM, and a ROM (none of which are shown in fig. 6), and the microprocessor executes various processing operations using the RAM as an operation area based on program codes stored in the ROM. The processing service includes processing on the IC card 100 in addition to the functions inherent in the mobile terminal 110 such as a mobile phone. Of course, the program control unit 111 may also include an external storage device such as a hard disk and other peripheral devices.

The program control section 111 can access the IC card 100 via the external interface 105.

In the present embodiment, the program control unit 111 and the IC card 100-2 are directly connected by the dedicated signal line 121. The program control unit 111 notifies the change of the internal state of the IC card 100 using the dedicated signal line 121.

The Display unit 112 is formed of, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The display unit 112 can output, for example, a processing result in the program control unit 111 through a screen to notify the user.

The user input unit 113 is configured by a keyboard, a dial, a touch panel superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 112, and the like, and allows a user to input commands and data to the mobile terminal 110.

The program control unit 111 in the mobile terminal 110 is driven by power of a main power supply, not shown, such as a battery.

A user of the portable terminal 110 having the IC card 100 built therein starts wireless communication between the IC card 100 and a card reader/writer by presenting the portable terminal 110 to a predetermined card reader/writer, and exchanges data between the digital control unit 103 and the card reader/writer via the antenna unit 101 and the analog unit 102, which are wireless interfaces.

Each time data is exchanged, the internal state such as the communication state between the digital control section 103 and the card read/write apparatus changes. In this embodiment, a specific address of the memory 104 locally connected to the digital control section 103 is assigned to a status flag indicating the internal status.

The digital control unit 103 directly notifies the change in the content of the status flag to the program control unit 111 of the mobile terminal 110 via the external interface 105 or the dedicated signal line 121.

The program control unit 111 executes processing corresponding to the notified internal state. For example, the display unit 112 displays an internal state such as "in communication" with an icon, opens a dialog box for prompting a user input, starts an application corresponding to the internal state, connects to a telephone line (only in the case of a mobile phone), and starts communication with an external network such as a LAN or the internet. When the mobile terminal 110 is connected to the telephone network or the network, the communication data between the IC card 100-2 and the card reading/writing device may be transmitted to the host on the network, and the data downloaded from the host may be transmitted to the card reading/writing device via the IC card 100-2.

Fig. 4 shows a procedure for downloading data stored in the card reader/writer to an information processing terminal connected thereto via an IC card.

In the information processing terminal, for example, when an application for operating the IC card is started, an Activation (Activation) message is transmitted to the IC card via the external wired interface, and the IC card returns a response thereto.

Then, the information processing terminal repeatedly transmits a message (Request Status) inquiring about the internal state to the IC card via the external interface, and the IC card replies thereto.

On the other hand, the card read/write device polls the IC card at all times using the non-contact interface. If the IC card receives and recognizes the polling, a response is returned to the card read/write device.

After receiving the response from the IC card, the card read/write device sends a Service Request message (Request Service) to the IC card, and the IC card returns the supported Service content.

Then, the card read/write device performs non-contact data communication with the IC card by using the service provided by the IC card. For example, reading from an IC card (Read) and writing to an IC card (Write) are performed.

The IC card sequentially changes its internal state during data communication with the card read/write device. For example, the Ready/Not Ready in the Read (Read) operation and the Ready/Not Ready in the Write (Write) operation. Within the IC card, a specific address on the internal memory space is assigned for indicating the internal state (described earlier).

The information processing terminal connected with the IC card via the external wired interface continuously inquires about the internal state of the IC card (described above). Then, when detecting that the transaction processing (i.e., the downloading of data) between the IC card and the card read/write device is completed, the information processing terminal transmits a Request Service message (Request Service) to the IC card, and the IC card returns the supported Service contents.

The information processing terminal can Read, i.e., download, data written in the IC card from the card reading/writing device by transmitting a Read request message to the IC card. In addition, the information processing terminal may also transmit a Write (Write) request message to the IC card.

When the series of operations of downloading from the IC card is completed, the information processing terminal transmits a Deactivation message to the IC card, receives a response from the IC card, and ends the present process.

Fig. 5 shows a sequence of uploading data from an information processing terminal connected to the IC card to the card read/write device via the IC card.

In the information processing terminal, for example, when an application for operating the IC card is started, an Activation (Activation) message is transmitted to the IC card via the external wired interface.

After receiving the response from the IC card, the information processing terminal transmits a Service Request message (Request Service) to the IC card, and the IC card returns the supported Service content.

Then, the information processing terminal communicates data with the IC card via the external wired interface using the service provided by the IC card. For example, reading from an IC card (Read) and writing to an IC card (Write) are performed. The information processing terminal writes data to be uploaded to the card read/write device into the IC card.

On the other hand, the card read/write device polls the IC card at all times using the non-contact interface. However, after the IC card is activated (activated) by the information processing terminal, the card read/write device is put on standby without responding to polling until the transaction with the information processing terminal is completed.

When the transaction with the IC card is completed, the information processing terminal enables the IC card to respond to the polling. Then, the information processing terminal repeatedly transmits a message (Request Status) inquiring about the internal state to the IC card via the external interface.

After being able to respond to the polling, the IC card recognizes the polling from the card read/write apparatus and returns a response to the card read/write apparatus.

Then, the card read/write device performs non-contact data communication with the IC card using the service provided by the IC card. In this case, the information processing terminal reads (Read) the upload data written in the IC card.

The IC card sequentially changes its internal state during data communication with the card read/write device.

The information processing terminal continuously inquires about the internal state of the IC card (described above). Then, when detecting that the transaction processing (i.e., the downloading of data) between the IC card and the card read/write device is completed, the information processing terminal transmits a Deactivation (Deactivation) message to the IC card, receives a response from the IC card, and terminates the processing.

The IC card integrates the downloading and uploading steps shown in fig. 4 and 5 to form a micro command, and can be stored in, for example, the ROM42 and the EEPROM43 in the data processing unit 40.

C. Example 2

Embodiment 2 of the present invention relates to a three-way communication system using an IC module in which such an IC card function and a card reader/writer function are integrated.

Fig. 6 shows a hardware configuration of the IC card 100 with integrated read/write functions. As shown in the figure, the IC card 100 includes a card function section 30 corresponding to an analog section 102, a digital control section 103, a memory 104, a data processing section 40 corresponding to an external interface 105, and a card read/write section 50.

In the card function section 30, the carrier wave received by the antenna 32 is rectified by the rectifier 31, supplied to the signal processing section 44 in the data processing section 40, and supplied to the logic circuit 38 via the serial regulator 33.

The logic circuit 38 controls the voltage from the serial regulator 33 to supply an appropriate power supply voltage VDD used in the IC card 100.

The serial regulator 33 maintains a certain output voltage regardless of the input voltage. That is, when the input voltage is high, the internal impedance is increased, whereas when the input voltage is low, the internal impedance is decreased, and the voltage can be held.

The voltage detector 39 monitors the voltage at the output terminal of an external power supply (such as a battery) connected to the logic circuit 38, and when the voltage of the external power supply is lower than a predetermined voltage, outputs a signal for inhibiting the use of the external power supply to the logic circuit 38.

In the card function section 30, the carrier detector 34 detects the radio wave input from the antenna 32, determines whether or not the received radio wave includes a carrier, and if so, outputs a carrier detection signal VR to the logic circuit 38. The logic circuit 38 may also output a signal indicating that the carrier is detected to the data processing section 40.

The clock extractor 35 extracts a clock from the radio wave input from the antenna 32, and supplies the clock to the clock selector 36. The clock oscillator 37 is formed of, for example, a crystal oscillator disposed outside the IC card 100, generates a clock of a driving frequency used in the IC card 100, and supplies the clock to the clock selector 36. The clock selector 36 selects the clock supplied from the clock extractor 35 or the clock supplied from the clock oscillator 37, and supplies the selected clock to each part in the IC card 100.

On the other hand, the card read/write section 50 is composed of a transmission amplifier 51, a received signal detector 53, a reception amplifier/filter 54, and transmission/reception antennas 52 and 55.

When data is transmitted, a transmission signal (inquiry signal) is modulated and D/a converted by the signal processing unit 44 of the data processing unit 40, and is up-converted into an analog baseband signal, which is transmitted from the antenna 51 via a transmission amplifier. The signal (response signal) received from the antenna 52 is detected by the received signal detector 53, amplified by the receiving amplifier 54, and supplied to the signal processing unit 44. The signal processing unit 44 converts the downlink signal into an analog baseband signal, performs D/a conversion and demodulation processing, and reproduces digital data.

The card read/write operation between the IC card and the card read/write device has been described with reference to fig. 1 and 2.

The Data processing Unit 40 includes a CPU (central processing Unit) 45, a DES (Data encryption standard) engine 46, a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) 47, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, an EEPROM (electrically erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 43, a UART interface 48, and an I2C interface 49, in addition to the signal processing Unit 44, and is connected to each other via an internal bus.

The CPU45 is a main controller that collectively controls operations in the IC card 100, and executes program codes stored in, for example, the ROM42 (or EEPROM43) under the control of an Operating System (OS). For example, the CPU45 executes an application program related to data transmitted and received via the card function section 30 and the card read/write section 40.

The signal processing unit 44 executes processing such as modulation, D/a conversion, and up conversion of data transmitted via the card function unit 30 and the card read/write unit 40, and processing such as down conversion, a/D conversion, and demodulation of received data.

The DES engine 46 encrypts and decrypts data transmitted and received via the card function unit 30 and the card read/write unit 40 by using a private key of the sequential public type.

The CRC47 performs cyclic redundancy check of data received via the card function section 30 and the card read/write section 40.

The UART48 and the I2C interface 49 constitute an external wired interface for connecting the IC card 100 to an external device such as a cellular phone, a PDA, and a personal computer. The UART (universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter) 48 has a function of converting parallel signals in the computer into serial signals and converting the serial signals into parallel signals.

The RAM41 is a writable memory device, and the CPU45 can execute programs with the RAM41 as an operation region. The memory space provided by the RAM41 is addressable by the CPU45 and devices on the internal bus.

The EEPROM43 is a memory device capable of holding data in an electrically erasable form in a nonvolatile manner. In this embodiment, in order to serve as applications and services for electronic money and electronic tickets or other IC cards, EEPROM43 or RAM41 is used.

In the present embodiment, the CPU45 receives a carrier detection notification from the card function section 30 (described above). The CPU45 executes processing for transmitting and receiving data via the signal processing unit 44, and controls the internal state of the IC card 100 according to the communication state.

A specific address of the memory space developed in the RAM41 or the EEPROM43 is assigned to an internal state flag indicating the presence or absence of carrier detection (i.e., communication state) and the internal state of the IC card 100, and the CPU45 updates the setting content of the internal state flag in accordance with the change in the communication state and the internal state.

An external device connected via an external wired interface such as UART48 and I2C interface 49 can access the internal state flag of RAM41 or EEPROM43 to detect the communication state and internal state of IC card 100.

In the present embodiment, the data processing unit 40 mainly functions to convert received data from the card read/write device directly or with an appropriate conversion rule or into another packet structure and transmit the converted data to the mobile terminal via the external interface when the card function unit 30 communicates with the card read/write device, not shown, and to convert data received from the mobile terminal via the external interface directly or with an appropriate conversion rule or into another packet structure and transmit the converted data to the card read/write device via the contactless interface. The card reader/writer is, for example, a street terminal for downloading data such as programs and contents.

In the present embodiment, the IC card 100 activates the card function section 30 in response to detection of a carrier wave from an external card reading/writing device, and activates the card reading/writing section 50 in response to turning on of an internal power supply. The IC card 100 includes a "wired communication mode" in which a transaction is performed with an information processing terminal (not shown) via a wired interface such as UART, and a "wireless communication mode" in which a transaction is performed with an external card reader/writer via a contactless interface by electromagnetic induction.

The data communication system of the present embodiment is configured by a card read/write device, an IC card that exchanges data with the card read/write device via a non-contact interface, and an information processing terminal that is connected to the IC card via an external wired interface. Therefore, the data communication system has two operations, that is, "downloading" in which data is caused to flow from the card read/write device to the information processing terminal via the IC card, and conversely, "uploading" in which data is caused to flow from the information processing terminal to the card read/write device via the IC card.

C-1. three-party communication overview

The signal lines (UART as wired interfaces, POW _ ON for internal power supply control, IBO3 indicating the state of three-way communication, and VRO for carrier detection output) used to execute three-way communication according to the present embodiment realize the following 3 functions by using the contactless interface.

(1) Data (192 bytes) is transferred from an external card reader/writer to an information processing terminal via a card function section 30

(2) Data (192 bytes) is transferred from the information processing terminal to an external card reading/writing device via the card function section 30

(3) Access to the EEPROM43 in the IC card 100 is made from an external card reading/writing device and an information processing terminal

In order to realize these functions, the following instructions are added in addition to the normal instructions.

And (3) Activate: the wired communication mode is temporarily switched to the wireless communication mode.

Inactivate: the wireless communication mode activated with the Activate command is returned to the wired communication mode.

Activate 2: the wireless communication mode is temporarily switched to the wired communication mode by the present instruction from the external card read/write device.

Inactivate 2: the wire communication mode that is temporarily activated is returned to the wireless communication mode by the present instruction from the external card read/write device.

Push: data is transmitted to the IC card in wired and wireless communication modes.

Pull: data is taken out from the IC card in wired and wireless communication modes.

Get Status: the action flag set with the Activate or Activate2 instruction is fetched.

The basic operation of starting the IC card 100 and performing three-way communication is as follows.

(1) Where the IC card 100 operates with the internal controller and activates the power control line (POW _ ON):

when the IC card 100 is in the wired communication mode by the POW _ ON activation, the IC card 100 cannot perform wireless communication via the card read/write unit 50. In such a state, when data is to be transferred in the direction of the external card reader/writer → the IC card 100 → the information processing terminal, the following steps are executed.

First, an Activate command is issued from the information processing terminal to the IC card 100 via a wired interface such as UART. Therefore, the IC card is in a state in which three-way communication is possible, and waits for a command from an external card reading/writing device.

Secondly, after the external card read/write device sends Polling and GetStatus instructions to the IC card 100, data is sent by a Push instruction. In response to this, the IC card 100 waits for an instruction from the information processing terminal via the wired interface.

Here, when the information processing terminal issues an activate command to the IC card 100, communication via the wireless interface is prohibited. Then, the information processing terminal issues a Pull command to acquire data.

In this way, data can be transferred from an external card reader/writer to the information processing terminal via the IC card 100. In addition, when data is transferred in the direction of the information processing terminal → the IC card 100 → the external card reading/writing device, the following steps are performed.

First, a Push command is issued from an information processing terminal to the IC card 100 via a wired interface such as UART, and then an Activate command is issued. In response, the IC card 100 enters a state in which three-way communication is possible, and waits for a command from an external card reader/writer.

Secondly, in response to data transmission by a Pull command after an external card read/write device transmits Polling and GetStatus commands to the IC card 100, the IC card 100 waits for a command from the information processing terminal via the wired interface.

③ the information processing terminal issues an activate command to the IC card 100.

In this way, data transfer from the information processing terminal to the external card reading/writing device via the IC card 100 can be realized.

The Push instruction and the Pull instruction can be used for exchanging unencrypted plaintext data. Data transfers requiring confidentiality must be encrypted by themselves.

When a series of operations performed by the external card read/write device is completed, the IC card 100 notifies that the terminal lbo 3 is in a low state. The information processing terminal connected by the wired interface issues an Inactivate command by using the signal as a trigger signal, and then the three-way communication is ended.

In addition to the data transfer using the Push and Pull commands described above, the service memory (EEPROM43) can be accessed by an existing command of the contactless interface in the three-party communication. For example, when the PIN is released from the information processing terminal and then the external card reader/writer accesses a service or an area for releasing the PIN, the information processing terminal releases the PIN by a Write w/o Encryption (unencrypted Write) command via the wired interface, activates three-way communication by an Activate command, and then accesses the service or the area for releasing the PIN by a normal command via the wireless interface from the external card reader/writer.

(2) In the case where the IC card 100 is activated by an electromagnetic field (interrogation signal) of an external card reader/writer:

when the IC card 100 is activated by a carrier wave from an external card reader/writer and is in the wireless communication mode, normally, the IC card 100 and the information processing terminal cannot communicate via a wired interface such as UART. In such a state, when data transfer is to be performed in the direction of the external card reader/writer → the IC card 100 → the information processing terminal, the following steps are performed.

First, an external card reader/writer transmits data to the IC card 100 by a Push command, and then issues an Activate2 command. In response, the IC card 100 enters a state in which three-party communication is possible, and waits for a command from the information processing terminal via the wired interface.

Secondly, after the information processing terminal sends a Get Status instruction to the IC card 100, it receives data with a Pull instruction. In response, the IC card 100 enters a three-way communication end state and waits for a command from an external card reader/writer.

Thus, data transfer from an external card read/write device to the information processing terminal can be realized. In addition, when data is transferred in the direction of the information processing terminal → the IC card 100 → the external card reading/writing device, the following steps are performed.

First, an external card reader/writer issues an Activate2 command. In response, the IC card 100 is in a state in which three-party communication is possible, and waits for a command from the information processing terminal via a wired interface such as UART.

Secondly, after the information processing terminal sends a Get Status instruction to the IC card 100, it receives data with a Push instruction. In response, the IC card 100 enters a three-way communication end state and waits for a command from an external card reader/writer.

Then, the external card read/write device issues a Pull command to the IC card 100.

Thus, data transfer from the information processing terminal to an external card reading/writing device can be realized. As in the case where the IC card 100 is activated by the power control line (POW _ ON) (described above), since unencrypted plaintext data is exchanged by the Push command and the Pull command, the IC card 100 notifies that the terminal IBO3 is in a low state after transfer of data requiring secrecy or completion of a transaction with an external card reader/writer. The information processing terminal issues an Inactivate command using the signal as a trigger signal, and terminates the three-way communication.

C-2, three-party communication using method when starting in wired communication mode

The IC card 100 of the present embodiment operates in the "wired communication mode" in which the card read/write unit 50 is activated in response to the internal power supply being turned on and performs a transaction with an information processing terminal (not shown) via a wired interface such as UART. This item details the method of use of three-way communication when the IC card 100 is activated in the wired communication mode.

C-2-1. case of transferring data from external card read-write device to information processing terminal

Fig. 7 shows an operation sequence of transferring data from an external card read/write device to the information processing terminal when the IC card 100 is activated in the wired communication mode.

(1) When the information processing terminal issues an Activate command to the IC card 100 after the IC card 100 is activated, the IC card 100 waits for a command from an external card reading/writing device. In this case, the instructions received by the IC card 100 from the external card read/write device are only Polling, GetStatus, and Push or Pull.

(2) The Get Status command is issued from an external card read/write device.

(3) The external card read/write device determines from the response content of the Get Status command whether or not the data transmission to the information processing terminal is possible, issues a Push command, and writes the data in the RAM41 or the EEPROM43 in the IC card 100.

(4) When the Push command is issued, the IC card 100 notifies the end of the process by lowering the IB03 terminal to the low level. Further, after the corresponding response is returned to the external card reader/writer, the command from the information processing terminal can be received via a wired interface such as UART.

(5) When detecting the end notification of the IC card 100, the information processing terminal issues Inactivate and prohibits communication from an external card reading/writing device to the IC card 100.

(6) When receiving the activate command, the IC card 100 returns the IB03 terminal to high level, and returns a response to the activate command.

(7) The information processing terminal issues a Pull command, and can read the contents written in the RAM41 or the EEPROM43 in the IC card 100.

The information processing terminal can cut off the power of the IC card 100 (POW _ ON is turned to a low level state) without waiting for the detection to be completed by the unique timeout control. In this case, when the IC card 100 is started, the IB03 terminal becomes high in the initial state.

C-2-2. case of transferring data from external card read-write device to information processing terminal

Fig. 8 shows an operation sequence of transmitting data from the information processing terminal to an external card reading/writing device when the IC card 100 is activated in the wired communication mode.

(1) When the IC card 100 is activated, the information processing terminal issues a Push command and writes data in the RAM41 or the EEPROM43 in the IC card 100.

(2) When the information processing terminal issues an Activate command, the IC card 100 is in a state of waiting for a command from an external card reading/writing device. In this case, the instructions received by the IC card 100 from the external card read/write device are only Polling, Get Status, and Push or Pull.

(3) In order to confirm the request of the information processing terminal, an external card read/write device issues a GetStatus command.

(4) The external card read/write device determines from the response content of the Get Status command whether or not the data is receivable from the information processing terminal, and then issues a Pull command to read data written in the RAM41 or the EEPROM43 in the IC card 100.

(5) When the Pull command is issued, the IC card 100 lowers the IB03 terminal to the low level. Further, after the corresponding response is returned to the external card reader/writer, the command can be received from the information processing terminal via a wired interface such as UART.

(6) After detecting the end notification, the information processing terminal issues an activate command to prohibit external communication with the IC card 100.

(7) When receiving the activate command, the IC card 100 returns the IB03 terminal to the high level, and returns a response to the activate command.

C-2-3, occasion of using IC card 100 instruction in three-party communication

Fig. 9 shows an operation sequence of three-way communication by a command of the IC card 100.

(1) Mutual authentication is performed between the higher-level server and the IC card 100 if necessary.

(2) After the IC card 100 is activated, the information processing terminal accesses a desired service by instructions such as Read and Write, which are sub-instructions for Wired Access (Wired Access), via a Wired interface such as UART.

(3) After mutual authentication, the Read Mode instruction returns to Mode 0. Alternatively, the same mode may be used by turning the POW _ ON terminal low, turning off the power supply, and then turning the POW _ ON terminal high again to start the IC card 100.

(4) Then, when the Activate command is issued, the IC card 100 waits for a command from an external card reader/writer. In this case, the IC card 100 receives an arbitrary command from an external card reading/writing device.

(5) Mutual authentication is performed between the external card reading/writing device and the IC card 100 as necessary.

(6) The Read command, the Write command, and the like are issued from an external card reader/writer device, and the target service can be accessed.

(7) Here, when a Push or Pull command is issued from an external card read/write device, the IC card 100 can notify the information processing terminal of the completion. The termination condition is set by an operation flag (in this case, data transfer can be performed by Push or Pull, and Push and Pull when data transfer is not performed are dummy commands for terminating notification). When the termination notification is not performed, the information processing terminal forcibly terminates the three-way communication of the IC card 100 by the VRO signal because the information processing terminal performs timeout control of itself or the VRO terminal is set to a low level, which indicates that the carrier wave from the external card reading/writing device is lost. In this case, the terminal IB03 becomes high in the initial state when the IC card 100 is started next time.

In addition, when accessing encrypted services in three-way communication, the mode remains in mode 1 or higher after mutual authentication, without the need to terminate Push or Pull notification. Since such a state is dangerous in terms of safety management, it is preferable to prevent such a state from continuing for a long time by means of timeout processing, power shutoff after use, monitoring of VRO, and the like when such a use method is adopted.

C-3, three-party communication using method when starting in wireless communication mode

The IC card 100 of the present embodiment operates in the "wireless communication mode" in which the card function section 30 is activated in response to detection of a carrier (inquiry signal) from an external card reader/writer and performs a transaction with an external card reader/writer (not shown) via a wireless interface (described above). In this item, a method of using three-way communication when the IC card 100 is started in the wireless communication mode is explained in detail.

C-3-1. case of transferring data from external card read-write device to information processing terminal

Fig. 10 shows an operation sequence for transferring data from an external card reader/writer to an information processing terminal when the IC card 100 is activated in the wireless communication mode.

(1) When the IC card 100 is activated, an external card reader/writer issues a Push command to the IC card 100, and writes data in the RAM41 or the EEPROM43 in the IC card 100.

(2) Then, the external card reader/writer issues an Activate2 instruction. In response to this, the IC card 100 lowers the IB03 terminal to a low level, notifies the end of data writing, returns a response to the Activate2 command, and waits for a command from the information processing terminal via a wired interface such as UART. In this case, the instructions received by the IC card 100 from the information processing terminal are only getmanual ID, Get Status, and Push or Pull.

(3) In order to confirm a request from an external card reader/writer, a GetStatus command is issued from an information processing terminal.

(4) When it is determined from the content of the response of the Get Status command that data reception should be performed from an external card reading/writing device, the information processing terminal issues a Pull command to read the contents of the RAM41 or the EEPROM43 in the IC card 100.

(5) Then, the IC card 100 returns a response corresponding to the Pull command to the controller, and waits for a command from the wireless interface.

(6) The external card read/write device issues an Inactivate2 command to prohibit the wired communication of the IC card 100. The issuance timing of the Inactivate2 command may be issued immediately after the issuance of the Activate2 command, and the completion confirmation may be valid after the response of the Inactivate2 command is successful.

(7) When receiving the Inactivate2 command, the IC card 100 returns the IB03 terminal to high level, and returns a response to the Inactivate2 command.

C-3-2. occasion of transferring data from information processing terminal to external card read-write device

Fig. 11 shows an operation sequence for transmitting data from the information processing terminal to an external card reading/writing device when the IC card 100 is activated in the wireless communication mode.

(1) When the IC card 100 is activated, an external card reader/writer issues an Activate2 command to the IC card 100. In response to this, the IC card 100 causes the IB03 terminal to fall to the low level, notifying that the information processing terminal is ready to read out the three-way communication data. Then, after a response to the Activate2 command is returned, the information processing terminal waits for a command from the information processing terminal via a wired interface such as UART. In this case, the instructions received by the IC card 100 from the information processing terminal are only Get manual id, Get Status, and Push or Pull.

(2) In order to confirm a request from an external card reader/writer, GetStatus is issued from an information processing terminal.

(3) It is determined from the content of the response of the Get Status command whether or not the external card read/write device is in a state in which data transmission is possible, and a Push command is issued to write data into the RAM41 or the EEPROM43 in the IC card 100.

(4) Then, the IC card 100 returns a response corresponding to the Push command to the information processing terminal, and waits for a command from the wireless interface.

(5) The external card read/write device issues an Inactivate2 command to prohibit the wired communication of the IC card 100. The issuance timing of the Inactivate2 command may be issued immediately after the issuance of the Activate2 command, and the completion confirmation may be valid after the response of the Inactivate2 command is successful.

(6) When receiving the Inactivate2 command, the IC card 100 returns the IB03 terminal to high level, and then returns a response to the Inactivate2 command.

(7) Then, by issuing a command to the IC card 100, an external card reading/writing device can read data in the RAM41 or the EEPROM43 in the IC card 100.

Zhu Ji

The present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. However, modifications and variations of this embodiment may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. That is, the exemplary embodiments are provided to disclose the invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention. For judging the spirit of the present invention, reference should be made to the scope of patent claims.

[ possibility of Industrial use ]

According to the present invention, there can be provided: an excellent noncontact IC card or IC chip having a wireless interface for accessing a memory from an external reader/writer through wireless data and a wired interface for connecting with an external device, and an excellent information processing terminal connected with the IC card or mounted with the IC chip via the wired interface.

Further, according to the present invention, there may be provided: an excellent data communication system and data communication method capable of performing non-contact data communication by using an IC card.

Further, according to the present invention, there may be provided: an excellent data communication system and a data communication method capable of performing excellent non-contact data communication between an information processing terminal connected to an IC card and a card read/write device.

According to the IC card of the present invention, the received data from the card reader/writer can be converted directly or by an appropriate conversion rule or converted into another packet configuration and transmitted to the information processing terminal via the external interface. On the other hand, the received data received from the information processing terminal via the external interface may be converted directly or by an appropriate conversion rule, or may be converted into another packet structure and transmitted to the card read/write device via the non-contact interface. Thus, the information processing terminal mounted with the IC card of the present invention can perform data communication with the card read/write device via the IC card.

Further, according to the present invention, there may be provided: a three-party communication system is provided which is excellent in communication between a read/write device for performing read/write operations on an IC card or an IC chip and an information processing terminal connected to the IC card or mounted with the IC chip via a wired interface.

Further, according to the present invention, there can be provided an excellent three-way communication system using an IC module integrally including a reader/writer which transmits an inquiry signal composed of an electromagnetic wave and an IC card which changes a load between its antennas in accordance with a response signal corresponding to the inquiry signal to perform amplitude modulation on a signal appearing in a receiving circuit of the reader/writer and performs communication, wherein the IC module is activated as the IC card by electromagnetic wave detection and is activated as the reader/writer by turning on a normal power supply.

Claims

1. A three-party communication system, in read/write device, locate in the program control part in the information processing terminal, and built-in the above-mentioned information processing terminal, have wireless communication interface that carries on wireless communication with the above-mentioned read/write device, wired communication interface and IC card of the memorizer used for connecting with above-mentioned program control part, carry on data communication; the method is characterized in that:

the IC card operates in a wireless communication mode for performing a transaction via the wireless communication interface in response to detection of a carrier wave from the reader/writer and in a wired communication mode for performing a transaction via the wired communication interface in response to activation of an internal power supply of the information processing terminal;

the program control unit issues an activation command for temporarily switching the wired communication mode to the wireless communication mode, and a deactivation command for returning the temporarily valid wireless communication mode to the wired communication mode;

the read-write device sends out a 2 nd activation instruction for temporarily switching the wireless communication mode to the wired communication mode and a 2 nd deactivation instruction for returning the temporarily effective wired communication mode to the wireless communication mode;

the IC card is an IC chip having a notification means for notifying the program control unit of the end of the transaction in the wireless communication mode started by the reception of the activation command, the reply of the transaction in the wired communication mode caused by the reception of the deactivation command, the start of the transaction in the wired communication mode caused by the reception of the 2 nd activation command, and the reply of the transaction in the wireless communication mode caused by the reception of the 2 nd deactivation command.

2. The inter-party communication system according to claim 1, wherein:

the notification means is an output indicating the end of the wireless communication.

3. The inter-party communication system according to claim 1, wherein:

the IC chip has an IC card function of performing data communication with the read/write device, and a read/write function of performing data communication with an external IC card.

4. The inter-party communication system according to claim 1, wherein:

the read/write device sends out a push command for sending data to the memory and a pull command for receiving data stored in the memory.

5. The inter-party communication system according to claim 1, wherein:

the program control unit issues a push command for sending data to the memory and a pull command for receiving data stored in the memory.

6. An information processing terminal comprises a program control unit, a power supply, a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with an external read/write device, a wired communication interface for connection with the program control unit, and a memory; the method is characterized in that:

the IC card operates in a wireless communication mode in which a transaction is performed via the wireless communication interface in response to detection of a carrier wave from the reader/writer and in a wired communication mode in which a transaction is performed via the wired communication interface in response to activation of the power supply;

the IC card receives a 2 nd activation command for temporarily switching the wireless communication mode from the read/write device to the wired communication mode, and a 2 nd deactivation command for returning the temporarily valid wired communication mode to the wireless communication mode;

the program control device includes a notification means for notifying the program control unit of an end of a transaction in the wireless communication mode started by the reception of the activation command, a reply of a transaction in the wired communication mode caused by the reception of the deactivation command, a start of a transaction in the wired communication mode caused by the reception of the 2 nd activation command, and a reply of a transaction in the wireless communication mode caused by the reception of the 2 nd deactivation command.

7. The information processing terminal according to claim 6, wherein:

8. The information processing terminal according to claim 6, wherein:

the IC card has an IC card function of performing data communication with the read/write device, and a read/write function of performing data communication with an external IC card.

9. The information processing terminal according to claim 6, wherein:

the IC card receives a push command for transmitting data from the read/write device to the memory and a pull command for receiving data stored in the memory.

10. The information processing terminal according to claim 6, wherein:

11. The information processing terminal according to claim 6, wherein:

the IC card is formed by connecting an IC chip or an antenna to the IC chip.

12. A three-party communication method, via having wireless communication interface that carries on wireless communication with the external read-write equipment, wired communication interface that carries on wired communication with control division that locates the information processing terminal, and IC card of the memorizer to keep data, between above-mentioned read-write equipment and above-mentioned control division, carry on data transmission; the method is characterized in that:

the IC card operates in a wired communication mode in which the IC card is activated by turning on an internal power supply of the information processing terminal to perform a transaction with the control unit, and a wireless communication mode in which the IC card is activated by detecting a carrier wave from the reader/writer to perform a transaction with the reader/writer; has the advantages of

A step in which the control unit issues an activation command for temporarily switching the wired communication mode of the IC card to the wireless communication mode;

a step of performing wireless communication between the read/write device and the IC card;

notifying the control unit of the end of the wireless communication to switch the wireless communication mode to the wired communication mode; and

and issuing a deactivation command for returning the temporarily valid wireless communication mode to the wired communication mode.

13. The method of inter-party communication according to claim 12, wherein:

the wireless communication includes a step of the reader/writer device taking out an operation flag from the IC card that has received the activation command.

14. The inter-party communication method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: comprises that

Writing data into a memory of the IC card in the temporary wireless communication mode by the read/write device in the temporarily switched wireless communication mode; and

and a step in which the control unit reads data written in the memory in a wired communication mode switched to the wired communication mode.

15. The inter-party communication method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: has the advantages of

A step in which the control unit transmits data to a memory of the IC card; and

and reading data written in the memory by the read/write device in the temporarily switched wireless communication mode.

16. A three-party communication method, via having wireless communication interface that carries on wireless communication with the external read-write equipment, wired communication interface that carries on wired communication with control division that locates the information processing terminal, and IC card of the memorizer to keep data, between above-mentioned read-write equipment and above-mentioned control division, carry on data transmission; the method is characterized in that: has the advantages of

A step of performing wireless communication between the IC card and the read/write device in the wireless communication mode;

a step of issuing a 2 nd activation command for temporarily switching the wireless communication mode to the wired communication mode;

notifying the control unit that the wired communication mode has been temporarily switched;

a step of performing wired communication between the control unit and the IC card in the wired mode; and

and issuing a 2 nd deactivation command for returning the wired communication mode to the wireless communication mode.

17. The method of inter-party communication according to claim 16, wherein:

the wired communication includes a step in which the control unit takes out an operation flag from the IC card that received the 2 nd activation command.

18. The method of communication between three parties according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that: comprises that

Writing data into the IC card in the wireless communication mode; and

and a step in which the control unit reads data written in the memory in the temporarily switched wired communication mode.

19. The method of communication between three parties according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that: has the advantages of

Writing data into a memory of the IC card in the temporarily switched wired communication mode; and

and reading the data written in the memory after the 2 nd deactivation command is sent.

20. An IC chip is mounted on an information processing terminal having at least a program control section and a power supply, and communicates with an external read/write device; the method is characterized in that: has the advantages of

A wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the read/write device;

a wired communication interface for connecting with the program control part; and a memory;

performing a transaction processing in a wireless communication mode in which a transaction processing is performed via the wireless communication interface in response to detection of a carrier wave from the reader/writer and in a wired communication mode in which a transaction processing is performed via the wired communication interface in response to activation of the internal power supply;

receiving an activation command for temporarily switching the wired communication mode to the wireless communication mode and a deactivation command for returning the temporarily valid wireless communication mode to the wired communication mode, which are issued from the program control unit;

receiving a 2 nd activation command for temporarily switching the wireless communication mode to the wired communication mode and a 2 nd deactivation command for returning the temporarily valid wired communication mode to the wireless communication mode, which are sent from the read/write device;

notifying the program control unit of the end of the transaction in the wireless communication mode started by the reception of the activation command, the reply of the transaction in the wired communication mode caused by the reception of the deactivation command, the start of the transaction in the wired communication mode caused by the reception of the 2 nd activation command, and the reply of the transaction in the wireless communication mode caused by the reception of the 2 nd deactivation command.