JP2001331234A - Information processing device with IC card - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEM] While a laptop computer requires a strict security check mechanism from the viewpoint of privacy protection, in order to improve operability, a complicated ID is required every time a user uses it. The purpose is to eliminate the complexity of entering a password. SOLUTION: An IC card storing information for specifying a user is attached to a notebook-type information processing apparatus and used, and the IC card can be visually checked in a state where a display section of information processing is opened. . Further, by electrically connecting the IC card only immediately after the IC card is mounted, the processing at the time of removal can be eliminated. As a result, erroneous use by a person other than the user can be easily prevented, and a notebook-type information processing device excellent in convenience can be realized by an IC card.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of mounting an IC card to be used by mounting it on a notebook personal computer, and a personal computer having an IC card mounted thereon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A personal computer has a high degree of customization flexibility, and can be constructed flexibly so that a user can freely set an environment setting such as a desktop display method and communication.

[0003] In addition, since the handling of information relating to the privacy of a user such as an e-mail address and a homepage on the Internet is increasing, it is desired that a person other than the user cannot operate the information.

[0004] These security information protects privacy by requiring a password to be entered each time it is used so that it cannot be used by a third party. Specifically, when turning on the personal computer, a password for starting is first input. Next, when using in a network environment, an IC and a password for network login are input. Similarly, when reading and writing e-mails, privacy is protected by inputting an ID and a password when starting e-mail software, for example, Outlook Express, to identify the user himself / herself. These IDs and passwords are shorter and simpler for normal use, but are easier to use.
There is a problem that D and the password can be easily analogized, and a sufficient effect cannot be obtained in terms of security.

[0005] In addition, there is a method for identifying a person by fingerprint authentication. This is equipped with a fingerprint sensor on the main unit or input device, registers the fingerprint of the user's finger in advance, and permits use if the fingerprint entered at the time of use matches the registered fingerprint, Although it is easy to use, the fingerprint authentication sensor is expensive,
Depending on the accuracy of fingerprint authentication, recognition may not be possible,
In that case, re-operation is required.

[0006]

In this notebook type personal computer, a strict security check mechanism is required from the viewpoint of privacy protection, but in order to enhance operability, a complicated ID is required every time a user uses the ID. It is required to eliminate the complexity of entering a password.
As a method for realizing this, when the stored information matches the user information stored in the notebook computer using an IC card in which the personal computer and information holding the content for identifying the user are stored in advance. It is required to increase the operability while permitting the use of only IDs and passwords, thereby avoiding the use of IDs and passwords.

[0007] Since these IC cards contain important information for identifying the user, it is easy for the user to determine whether or not the IC card is mounted or that the mounted IC card is his / her own. When the user suspends use, it is required that the IC card can be easily removed from the personal computer to prevent use by a third party.

The present invention relates to a method of mounting an IC card storing such security information, and an object of the present invention is to realize an IC card mounting method and a notebook information processing apparatus which are excellent in convenience.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve this problem, the present invention relates to a case where a generally stamp-sized IC card storing information for identifying a user is used by attaching it to a notebook-type information processing apparatus. Regarding the mounting method, it is assumed that the IC card can be visually checked in a use state, that is, in a state where the display unit is opened. Specifically, the layout of a general notebook PC with a keyboard on the back side of the main unit and a pointing device almost in the center of the front is described as follows: The main unit on the surface in contact with either the left or right palm rest part of the pointing device Arrange so that the card can be installed. Further, a window made of a transparent or translucent material is provided in a main body housing of a portion where the IC card is located so that a part or the whole of the surface of the IC card can be seen even when the IC card is mounted. Further, when the IC card is not mounted, no component or pattern is provided on the portion of the substrate located at the window, or a dark color sticker is attached so as not to impair the appearance.

[0010] Thus, when the IC card is mounted, the surface of the IC card can be visually checked, so that it is possible to easily confirm the display by specifying a user, for example, by entering a name on the IC card, An erroneous use by a person other than the user can be easily prevented, and a notebook-type information processing device excellent in convenience is realized by an IC card.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display unit connected to a main body and a hinge so as to be variable in angle,
A portable information processing device including a keyboard for inputting characters located on the back side of the main body, a pointing device such as a flat pad located in front of and at substantially the center of the keyboard, and detachable from the information processing device. An IC card to be mounted and used, and a transparent or translucent window at a position where the upper surface of the IC card can be viewed from the upper surface of the main body when the IC card is mounted. The IC card is attached to and detached from a side surface of the main body, and the IC card attaching / detaching portion has a depression in the main body, and a part of the main body is exposed when the IC card is inserted; Characterized by not protruding from the side except for
This is an information processing device equipped with a C card, which allows the user to visually check the IC card main body while the IC card is mounted, and allows the user to easily specify the presence or absence of the IC card and erroneous mounting. In addition, since it does not project from the side surface of the main body in a state where the IC card is mounted, it has an effect of realizing an information processing apparatus which is excellent in storability and excellent in usability.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the IC card is inserted in front of the keyboard and on the upper surface of the left or right main body of the pointing device and from the right or left side of the information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus provided with the IC card according to claim 1, which has an effect that the IC card can be easily mounted and ejected during use.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the IC card is inserted in front of the keyboard and on the upper surface of one of the right and left main units of the pointing device, and inserted from the front of the information processing apparatus. An information processing device provided with the IC card according to item 1, which has an effect that the IC card can be easily attached and ejected when used with either the left or right hand.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display unit connected to the main body so as to be variable in angle with a hinge, a keyboard for inputting characters located at a rear side of the main body, a front side of the keyboard and A portable information processing apparatus provided with a pointing device such as a flat pad located substantially at the center, and an IC card detachably mounted on the information processing apparatus for use, wherein the IC card includes the information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus having an IC card, which stores information for specifying, and permits an operation when the information matches the information of the information processing apparatus. Complicated login I
There is no need to input D and password each time, and the operation is excellent.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the IC card mounted state, a part of the surface of the IC card mounted through the window provided in a main body housing portion covering an upper surface of the IC card is visually observed. 2. The IC according to claim 1, wherein the component and the pattern are not mounted on the portion of the substrate which can be seen from the window when the IC card is not mounted, or printing or a seal covering the pattern is attached. An information processing apparatus having a card,
When the C card is not mounted, the portion seen from the window has a uniform color, and thus has the effect of not impairing the appearance.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding housing slidable in an IC card insertion direction, a spring for applying a stress to the holding housing in a discharge direction, and a groove provided in the holding housing. When the IC card is inserted with the protrusion that fits into the groove, the protrusion moves rearward along the groove and engages with the first recess, so that the IC card is mechanically stabilized in the mounted state. When the IC card is mounted and the card is pushed again, the protrusion is disengaged from the first depression and follows the wall surface of the groove.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus moves to discharge the C card, and moves so that a tip of the IC card protrudes from a side surface of the main body. 3. When the IC card is mounted, the IC card does not protrude from the main body, and when the IC card is ejected, the IC card can be easily removed.

[0018] According to the present invention, a holding case slidable in an insertion direction of the IC card, a spring for applying a stress to the holding case in a discharge direction, a projection provided on the holding case, When the IC card is inserted with the groove that fits into the protrusion, the protrusion moves rearward along the groove and engages with the first recess, so that the IC card is mechanically stabilized in the mounted state. When the IC card is mounted, if the IC card is pushed again, the protrusion is disengaged from the first recess and moves along the wall surface of the groove so that the holding housing ejects the IC card by the stress of the spring. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the IC card moves so as to protrude from a side surface of the main body. Without protruding more If discharging has the effect that removal is facilitated the IC card.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the IC card and the interface circuit built in the main body can set a signal to a non-driving state, the contact A is turned on, and the IC card is mounted. When the IC card and the interface circuit are detected as being driven, the information stored in the IC card is read out to the main body, and the IC card and the interface circuit are not driven when the reading is completed. 8. An information processing apparatus provided with the IC card according to claim 7, wherein the IC card and the interface of the main body are electrically disconnected after the IC card is mounted. Since the IC card can be removed without performing the processing, the operability is excellent.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes an information processing apparatus main body, 12 denotes a display unit comprising a liquid crystal display,
Reference numeral 13 denotes a main body for storing various circuits, 14 denotes a keyboard for inputting characters, and 15 denotes a pointing device.
Reference numeral 17 denotes an information processing device main body and an IC storing user information.
Reference numeral 16 denotes an IC card 17 for storing information in the information processing apparatus 1.
1 is an IC card mounting section for mounting on the IC card 1.

A notebook personal computer will be described as an example of the information processing apparatus 11. The information processing apparatus is provided with a keyboard 14 and a pointing device 15 as an input unit for inputting information to be processed and a command to be processed, mainly a central processing unit and a storage device (not shown).
A display unit 12 for outputting a result of the main processing;
And a modem as an interface for exchanging information with the outside, and a LAN port (not shown).
In a normal use state, the user sits on the front of the information processing apparatus 11 and operates the keyboard 14 and the pointing device 1.
The result is used by visually observing the result on the display unit 12 while operating 5.

Since the information processing apparatus 11 takes a long time to be started for the initialization of the information processing apparatus main body and the application program to be used at the time of startup, when the user slightly leaves the seat during use, the information processing apparatus 11 In many cases, the driver leaves the seat while the device is still operating. In this state, it is possible for a third party other than the user to operate, and a malicious third party may leak confidential information or destroy the system or data. Therefore, it can be used only when the IC card 17 is mounted so that a malicious third party cannot access it.

As described above, the IC card 17 can be easily removed when the user leaves the seat, and can be mounted immediately when the user returns to the seat.
The IC card 17 of the present invention is
It is assumed that it is located at a position in contact with the upper surface of the main body 13 on the front side of the keyboard 14. The IC card 17 is attached from the front (front side) or side of the main body 13,
In addition, it is assumed that the user can visually check the wearing state.

The mounting of the IC card 17 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view of the main body 13 in which an IC card 17 is mounted from the front right front side. IC
The IC card mounting section 16 into which the card 17 is inserted is the main body 1
The mounting side has a notch, which is arranged from the upper surface of the mounting 3. In addition, a window 21 is provided on the upper surface of the IC card mounting section 16 so that a part of the main body of the IC card 17 can be viewed with the IC card 17 mounted. The user confirms that the IC card 17 has been mounted and that the IC card
Not only can the end face of the IC card 17 exposed in the notch portion be visually confirmed, but also the IC visible through the window 21 can be seen.
It can also be confirmed by visually checking a part of the card 17 main body. Information for identifying the user on the IC card 17,
For example, by writing the initials or stamping the name, it can be easily confirmed whether or not the correct IC card 17 is mounted.

The IC card 17 has an asymmetric shape.
A symbol 22 indicating the same direction as the mounting of the card 17 is printed and displayed. The IC card 17 has, for example, a shape that images a key, and the shape of the key is printed or stamped on the symbol 22. When the user mounts the IC card 17, the direction can be easily confirmed by the symbol 22, so that erroneous mounting can be prevented.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a top view showing a substrate of an IC card mounting portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 denotes a circuit and a connector for controlling the IC card 17. It is a circuit board having. On the upper surface of the IC card 17, a display seal 33 indicating the owner of the IC card 17 is provided. Even if a character is directly written on the display seal 33 of the IC card 17, the character can be easily written by a method such as attaching a seal 32. It is assumed that part or all of the display seal 33 can be viewed from the window 21 when the IC card 17 is mounted.

When the IC card 17 is not mounted, the window 2
Since the substrate 31 can be directly seen from 1, components and patterns mounted on a portion of the substrate 31 exposed from the window 21 are directly seen, which impairs the appearance. For this reason, in the substrate of the IC card mounting portion of the present invention, no component is arranged in a portion visible from the window 21 or a region slightly larger than the visible portion, and no pattern is provided in the portion, or It shall be blindfolded with a sticker or silk printing to cover it. As a result, even when the IC card 17 is removed, the appearance is uniform from the window 21 so that the appearance is not spoiled.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 4 is a structural view showing a structure of an IC card mounting portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. A spring 41 acts to push the IC card 17 to the outside of the housing. Reference numeral 42 denotes a holder for positioning the IC card 17, and the positions of the mounted state and the discharged state of the IC card 17 are determined by the cams of 43 and the projections of 44. 45 is IC
Contacts A, 46 which are turned on when the card 17 is mounted
A contact B is turned on when the IC card is discharged. With these, positioning and mounting of the mounted state of the IC card 17 are performed.
Detect non-attachment.

When the IC card 17 is inserted into the IC card mounting section 16, the IC card 17 fits into the holder 42, and the holder 42 can move back and forth, and the IC card 17 slides back into the holder. A projection 44 is provided in a portion receiving the holder 42, and the projection 44 moves along the groove of the cam 43. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the IC card 17 is inserted in the back.
As shown in (a), the protrusion 44 is located so as to fit in the valley of the heart-shaped portion of the cam 43. In this state, the pressing force of the spring 41 is pressed by the projection 44, so that the IC card 17 is pressed.
Is stable in the back.

When the IC card 17 is pressed again, the protrusion 4
4 is moved once to the right front portion of the cam 43 and then released, when the protrusion 44 crawls on the left side surface and is repelled by the spring 41 to the position shown in FIG. Can be taken out.

The IC card mounting section 16 has a notch, and when the IC card 17 is mounted, the IC card 17
Are exposed in a range that does not protrude from the end face of the main body 13. The exposed part of the IC card 17 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the IC card 17 is inclined, and it is difficult to pull it out with the IC card 17 attached, so that it does not come off against the will of the user.

(Embodiment 4) Electrical control with the IC card 17 mounted will be described. Since the configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment, the description is omitted.

When the IC card 17 is inserted into the main body 13, the IC card 17 is mounted as shown in FIG.
At this time, the contact A is turned on to detect that the IC card 17 is mounted. When the attachment of the IC card 17 is detected, the interface circuits provided in the IC card 17 and the main body 13 are driven, and the information stored in the IC card 17 is copied to a storage circuit provided in the main body of the information processing apparatus 11. After copying some or all of the information, the IC card 17 and the interface circuit are brought into a non-driving state. As a storage circuit of the information processing apparatus 11, a main storage device including a semiconductor memory, an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive, or the like can be used.

Next, the tip of the IC card 17 is pushed to
When the card 17 is removed from the main body 13, the contact A is turned off and the contact B is turned on, as shown in FIG. At this time, since the IC card 17 and the interface circuit are in the non-driving state, there is no fear of causing electrical damage even if they are suddenly removed. In addition, the process of removing the IC card 17 can be completed by erasing the information previously copied in the main body in response to the signal of the contact A or the contact B.

By controlling in this way, instead of supporting the software processing before removal like a normal PC card and waiting for the processing to be completed, the card is not immediately removed, There is no need to worry about electrical damage even if you remove it.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily detect whether a malicious third party is using the IC card only when the user himself / herself is using the IC card. In addition, the user can easily use the IC card because the IC card is easily ejected. By restricting the functions so that the information processing device operates only when the IC card is inserted, an advantageous effect that a malicious third party can be accessed without sacrificing operability can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view showing a main body of an IC card mounting portion according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view showing a substrate at an IC card mounting portion according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a structural view showing an attaching structure in an IC card mounted state according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4B is a structural view showing an attaching structure in an IC card ejected state according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a side view showing an IC card mounted state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Information processing apparatus 12 Display part 13 Main part 14 Keyboard 15 Pointing device 16 IC card mounting part 17 IC card 21 Window 22 Symbol 31 Substrate 32 Seal 33 Display stamp 41 Spring 42 Holder 43 Cam 44 Projection 45 Contact A 46 Contact B

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Katsunori Yuasa 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kazuma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Reference) 2C005 MA04 MA05 MA40 MB04 NA07 NA08 TA24 5B035 AA13 BA02 BB09 BC00 CA23

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A display unit connected to a main unit by a hinge so as to be variable in angle, a keyboard for inputting characters located at a rear side of the main unit, and a flat pad positioned at a position nearer to and near the center of the keyboard. A portable information processing device provided with a pointing device such as a portable electronic device, an IC card detachably mounted on the information processing device, and an IC card mounted on the information processing device.
A transparent or translucent window at a position where the upper surface of the C card can be viewed, wherein the IC card is attached to and detached from the left or right upper surface of the pointing device and from a side surface of the main body, Having a depression in a portion thereof, wherein the IC
An information processing apparatus comprising an IC card, wherein a part of the information processing device is exposed from a depression of a main body portion when the card is inserted, and does not protrude from a side surface excluding the depression of the main body portion. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the IC card is inserted from a right or left side surface of the information processing device, which is located in front of the keyboard and on an upper surface of a left or right body of the pointing device. An information processing apparatus provided with the IC card described in the above. 3. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein the IC card is inserted in front of the keyboard and on an upper surface of one of left and right main units of the pointing device, and inserted from a front surface of the information processing apparatus. Information processing device provided with. 4. A display unit connected to the main body unit by a hinge so as to be variable in angle, a keyboard for inputting characters located on the back side of the main body unit, and a flat pad located nearer to and near the center of the keyboard. A portable information processing device equipped with a pointing device such as, and an IC card detachably mounted on the information processing device for use.
An information processing apparatus having an IC card, wherein information for identifying the information processing apparatus is stored in the IC card, and an operation is permitted when the information matches information of the information processing apparatus. . 5. In the IC card mounted state, a part of the surface of the mounted IC card can be visually recognized from the window provided in a main body housing portion that covers an upper surface of the IC card, and the IC card can be removed. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein no components or patterns are mounted on a portion of the substrate that can be seen from the window when the device is not mounted, or printing or a seal covering the pattern is applied. . 6. The IC card has an asymmetric shape when viewed from above, and has a display imitating the shape of the IC card near the window, wherein the direction of the IC card is the same as the display direction, An information processing apparatus provided with the IC card according to claim 1, wherein an insertion direction of the IC card is illustrated. 7. A holding housing slidable in an IC card insertion direction, a spring for applying a stress to the holding housing in a discharge direction, a groove provided in the holding housing, and a projection fitted into the groove. When the IC card is inserted, the protrusion moves to the back along the groove and engages with the first recess, so that the IC card is mechanically stabilized in the mounted state, and the IC card is mounted. If you push it back again in this state,
The protrusion is disengaged from the first depression and along the wall surface of the groove,
2. The IC according to claim 1, wherein the holding housing moves so as to eject the IC card by the stress of the spring, and moves so that a tip of the IC card protrudes from a side surface of the main body. Information processing device equipped with a card. 8. A holding housing slidable in an IC card insertion direction, a spring for applying a stress to the holding housing in a discharge direction, a protrusion provided on the holding housing, and a groove fitted to the protrusion. When the IC card is inserted, the protrusion moves to the back along the groove and engages with the first recess, so that the IC card is mechanically stabilized in the mounted state, and the IC card is mounted. If you push it back again in this state,
The protrusion is disengaged from the first depression and along the wall surface of the groove,
2. The IC according to claim 1, wherein the holding housing moves so as to eject the IC card by the stress of the spring, and moves so that a tip of the IC card protrudes from a side surface of the main body. Information processing device equipped with a card. 9. The IC having one or both of a contact A which is turned on when the holding housing is located at the back and a contact B which is turned on when the holding housing is positioned in the discharging direction, 7. An information processing apparatus provided with an IC card according to claim 5, wherein whether the card is mounted or not is electrically detected. 10. An interface circuit built in the IC card and the main body unit can set a signal to a non-driving state, and the contact A is turned on so that the IC
When it is detected that the card has been inserted, the IC card and the interface circuit are driven, and information stored in the IC card is read out to the main body. When the reading is completed, the IC card and the interface circuit are read out. An information processing apparatus comprising the IC card according to claim 7, wherein