JP2002032728A - Wireless card system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] A wireless card system that can display processing information on a wireless card without using a dedicated large-capacity power supply, and has more added value and more convenience. I will provide a. A wireless card (1) is provided with a display unit (3) formed by a liquid crystal display panel and a solar cell (4) for converting light energy into electric energy. Wireless card reader / writer 2
Is provided with an antenna 5 for performing wireless communication with the wireless card 1, and wirelessly communicates information via the antenna 5. Since the wireless card 1 has no power supply, the antenna 5 also supplies power required for communication.
The wireless card reader / writer 2 is provided with a light source 6, which irradiates the solar cell 4 with light from the light source 6 during communication with the wireless card 1 to obtain power from the solar cell 4. The power obtained by the solar cell 4 is used as a power supply for driving the display unit 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless card for performing wireless information communication with the outside and, when the wireless card is presented at a predetermined position, performing wireless information communication with the wireless card. And a wireless card reader / writer for performing predetermined information processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, financial settlements using magnetic cards such as credit cards have been frequently performed.
Among them, an IC card having an electronic memory and a system using a wireless card having a built-in communication antenna have appeared. Most of the appearances of these wireless cards are simply provided with designs or cautionary statements printed at the time of manufacture, and the contents of the used card could not be known directly by the user.

In order to solve this problem, there is a need for a technique for displaying processing information of a wireless card on the surface of the card. Further, there is also a demand for a technology capable of displaying the latest information every time the card data is updated without contact.

As such a technique, there is a method of providing a liquid crystal display panel on the card surface and performing display using a built-in battery as a driving power source. However, since the power consumption is large, the size of the built-in battery becomes large. There was a problem. In order to simplify the power supply, a solar cell is mounted on a card, and a drive using electric energy obtained from the solar cell has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-145).
595, JP-A-5-108904)
However, it was not for compatibility of display.

[0005]

As described above, the conventional wireless card system has a problem that processing information cannot be directly known during wireless communication.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a wireless card system that can display processing information on a wireless card without using a dedicated large-capacity power supply or the like, and is more value-added and more convenient. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A wireless card system according to the present invention includes a wireless card for wirelessly communicating information with the outside and, when the wireless card is presented at a predetermined position, between the wireless card and the wireless card. In a wireless card system including an information processing device that performs predetermined information processing by performing wireless information communication, the wireless card includes:
A display unit that visually displays information by applying electric energy, and a photoelectric converter that converts external light energy into electric energy and supplies the electric energy as a power source for driving the display unit, The information processing apparatus includes a light source that irradiates light energy to the photoelectric converter provided on the wireless card when the wireless card is presented at a predetermined position, and at least processes information at the time of wireless communication. At least a part is displayed on the display unit.

A wireless card system of the present invention provides a wireless card for performing wireless information communication with the outside, and
When the wireless card is presented at a predetermined position, in a wireless card system including an information processing device that performs predetermined information processing by performing wireless information communication with the wireless card, the wireless card includes an electric card. A display unit that visually displays information by applying energy; a photoelectric converter that converts external light energy into electric energy; and a battery that generates predetermined electric energy. When the card is presented at a predetermined position, the wireless card includes a light source that irradiates light energy to the photoelectric converter provided on the wireless card, and at least a part of processing information is displayed on the display unit at least at the time of wireless communication. Display, and as a power supply for driving the display unit at this time, the electric energy obtained from the photoelectric converter and the electric energy obtained from the battery are obtained. Characterized by using a combination of electrical energy.

The wireless card system according to the present invention is characterized in that the irradiation range of the light energy by the light source is set so as to be within a communicable area with the wireless card presented at the predetermined position. .

Further, in the wireless card system according to the present invention, the wireless card further includes electric energy holding means for holding electric energy obtained from the photoelectric converter for a predetermined time.

Further, the wireless card system of the present invention is characterized in that a memory type liquid crystal display panel is used as the display unit.

Further, the wireless card system according to the present invention comprises:
The information processing apparatus further includes a detection unit that detects that a user has approached the information processing apparatus, and turns on the light source when the detection unit detects that the user has approached. And

According to the present invention, the wireless card has a display unit for visually displaying information by applying electric energy, and converts external light energy into electric energy to drive the display unit. A photoelectric converter such as a solar cell that supplies power as a power supply for the information processing apparatus as a wireless card reader / writer is provided with a light source that supplies optical energy to the photoelectric converter, and at least processing information at the time of wireless communication. By displaying a part on the display unit, the electric energy required to drive the display unit is supplied from the light source, so that the processing information can be displayed without having a large-capacity power supply in the wireless card itself. Can be performed.

According to the present invention, the wireless card is further provided with a battery, and the supply of electric energy necessary for driving the display unit is performed by combining the battery and the photoelectric converter as necessary. Thus, display can be performed even when the battery is exhausted.

Further, according to the present invention, the light energy irradiation range of the light source in the information processing apparatus is set within an area communicable with the wireless card, and the light energy irradiation range allows the user to use the wireless card. The user can use the wireless card system more comfortably by giving the user an idea of the location where the is presented, thereby giving more added value.

Further, according to the present invention, in the wireless card, an electric energy holding means such as a capacitor for holding electric energy obtained from the photoelectric converter for a certain time is provided, and the display state of the display section is held for a certain time. By making it possible, it is possible to easily confirm the display contents even after the communication is completed.

Further, according to the present invention, a memory-type liquid crystal display panel is used as a display unit of the wireless card, and the display at the time of the latest communication with the information processing apparatus is always held, so that the latest processing of the wireless card is always performed. Information can be displayed.

Further, according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus is provided with detecting means for detecting that a user has approached,
When this detecting means detects that the user has approached,
By turning on the light source, the power capacity of the light source can be suppressed.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of the wireless card system according to the first embodiment. The wireless card system according to the first embodiment has a wireless card 1 in which an IC chip and an antenna are mounted and which can perform information communication in a non-contact (wireless) manner. When presented, it is constituted by a wireless card reader / writer 2 as an information processing device for performing predetermined information processing by performing wireless information communication with the wireless card 1.

Although details will be described later, the wireless card 1
Is provided with, for example, a display unit 3 including a liquid crystal display panel and a solar cell 4 as a photoelectric converter that converts light energy into electric energy. Although the present invention is not limited to this, the wireless card 1 is a batteryless card having no battery as a power supply.

The wireless card reader / writer 2 is provided with an antenna 5 for performing wireless communication with the wireless card 1, and wirelessly communicates information via the antenna 5. At this time, since the wireless card 1 has no power supply, the antenna 5 also supplies power required for communication.

Further, the wireless card reader / writer 2 includes:
A light source 6 is provided, and power is supplied by irradiating the solar cell 4 with light from the light source 6 during communication with the wireless card 1. Here, the power received by the solar cell 4 is used to drive the display unit 3. That is, since the wireless power transmission from the wireless card reader / writer 2 is insufficient to drive the display of the display unit 3, the power supply source is provided exclusively.
Therefore, at the time of communication with the wireless card reader / writer 2, update information and the like are always displayed on the display unit 3 by light irradiation from the light source 6.

As shown by hatching in FIG. 1, the light irradiation range 7 of the light source 6 is set so as to be within the communicable area 8 of the wireless card reader / writer 2 (the area shown by a broken line in the figure). I have. This allows a user to visually identify a position where the user holds the wireless card 1 over the wireless card reader / writer 2 using light. That is,
The user holds the wireless card 1 over the light irradiation area 7,
Communication processing can be performed easily, and the display unit 3
, The updated information is displayed, and the content can be visually checked.

Since the display unit 3 of the wireless card 1 can display when power is supplied from the solar cell 4, the display unit 3 may be provided in a place where a sufficient amount of light can be obtained by sunlight or electric light other than during communication. , Can be displayed to confirm the contents.

Next, the wireless card 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the wireless card 1 has the display unit 3 and the solar cell 4 provided on the surface. Further, inside the wireless card 1, an IC chip 9 for performing various processes such as storing, reading and updating of information by performing wireless communication with the wireless card reader / writer 2 and an antenna 10 for performing wireless communication , And a driver 11 in the form of an IC for driving the display unit 3 are mounted, and each of them is connected inside the card as shown in FIG.

Here, the wireless card 1 can be used, for example, as a prepaid card. The user pays a fixed amount in advance and the wireless card 1
The amount is stored in a memory element (EEPROM) in the IC chip 9. Then, every time when shopping at a store or the like, a payment process is performed by the wireless card reader / writer 2,
The display unit 3 displays “usage amount” and “remaining amount” as shown as an example in FIG. Therefore, the user can accurately know the latest balance, which is convenient.

In this embodiment, the number of pixels of the display unit 3 is 12 pixels × 12 pixels for one kanji character.
A liquid crystal display panel having a total of 48 pixels × 96 pixels is used. That is, the display content can be changed arbitrarily regardless of the “usage amount” and “remaining amount”. The display contents are stored in a memory element in the IC chip 9, and the display is performed when the solar cell 4 is sufficiently irradiated with light.

Next, the operation of the wireless card reader / writer 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Upon starting the operation, the wireless card reader / writer 2 operates (lights) the light source 6 and irradiates the area where the wireless card 1 is to be held (S1). Subsequently, it is detected whether or not the wireless card 1 is held over the communicable area 8 (S2, S3).

When the wireless card 1 is detected, the antenna 5
The wireless card 1 is activated by transmitting power for communication, and predetermined information is read from a memory element in the IC chip 9 of the wireless card 1 (S4). Here, it is determined whether the read information is normal or not (S
5) If there is an abnormality such as a lack of information, reject processing (display of an unusable message etc.) is performed (S)
6).

If the result of determination in step S5 is normal, the information is updated based on the usage state at that time (S5).
7) again, wireless card 1 with power transmission for communication
The update information is transmitted to the memory element in the IC chip 9 of the wireless card 1 (S8).

When the writing of the update information is completed, an instruction to update the display on the wireless card 1 is issued together with the transmission of power for communication, and the update information is displayed on the display unit 3 of the wireless card 1 (S9). At this time, the solar cell 4 of the wireless card 1
Is irradiated with the light from the light source 6, and the display is performed using the light as a power source.

Next, in step S10, it is confirmed whether or not the operation has been completed normally. If there is an error, a retry instruction (message) is displayed (S11). To end.

By operating the wireless card reader / writer 2 as described above, it becomes possible to display the latest processing information and the like on the display unit 3 of the wireless card 1.

Next, an example of use of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 schematically shows an example in which the wireless card 1 is used as a commuter pass in an automatic ticket gate system such as a railway organization. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 12 denotes an automatic ticket gate, which incorporates the above-mentioned wireless card reader / writer 2 and has an antenna 5 and a light source 6 attached thereto.

The user 13 simply passes the wireless card 1 over a place where the light source 6 of the automatic ticket gate 12 is illuminating the wireless card 1 with light, so that a bidding process or a bidding process can be performed and the user can pass through. Further, the automatic ticket gate 12 is provided with a human body sensor 14 using infrared rays as a detecting means for detecting that the user 13 has approached, so that the light source 6 operates (lights up) when a person approaches. , To reduce wasteful power consumption.

Here, since the wireless card 1 is provided with the display unit 3 and the solar cell 4 as described above, the display is performed by the light of the light source 6 when passing through the automatic ticket gate 12. For commuter passes, boarding station name, getting off station name, expiration date,
It is possible to display the status (bid, bid, etc.) and the like to notify the user. Even when using outside regular regular sections, add the prepaid function,
It is also possible to immediately settle the usage fee and display the remaining amount of the prepaid.

By using such a system, it is possible to save the trouble of inserting the ticket into the automatic ticket gate 12 every time it passes, unlike a conventional commuter pass, and to save a single ticket outside the regular section without purchasing a ticket. The wireless card 1 enables use. For the latest usage information, please refer to the automatic ticket gate 1
As described above, it is possible to display and confirm a location where a sufficient amount of light can be obtained even when the location 2 is not passed.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the configuration of a wireless card 1 used in the second embodiment. Since the configuration of the wireless card reader / writer 2 is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment described above, the wireless card 1 is a batteryless card, but in the second embodiment, a built-in battery 16 is mounted as shown in FIG. Thereby, in the second embodiment, the display unit 3 and the I
The C chip 9 is driven by using the solar battery 4 and the built-in battery 16 as needed. in this case,
The power supply from the wireless card reader / writer 2 during communication as described in the first embodiment becomes unnecessary.

In this embodiment, since the solar cell 4 is mounted, even if the internal battery 16 is exhausted, the
The power from the solar cell 4 can be used for the operation of the C chip 9. In addition, since the solar cell 4 can be used as an auxiliary, the capacity of the built-in battery 16 may be a minimum required for communication, and the capacity can be suppressed to be smaller than a case where the solar cell 4 is not provided. Further, at the time of communication with the wireless card reader / writer 2, since power is always supplied by light irradiation of the light source 6, communication is possible even when the internal battery 16 is exhausted.

Although omitted in FIG. 5, the wireless card 1
The switch is provided at
By operating the switch, it is also possible to drive the display unit 3 using the built-in battery 16 as a power source to perform display.
As described in the present embodiment, a use effect can be obtained even if the wireless card 1 is not battery-less, and it is possible to provide convenience to the user. The effect that the light irradiation range 7 of the light source 6 provided in the wireless card reader / writer 2 informs the user of the place where the user holds the wireless card 1 over is the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, a third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 schematically shows the configuration of a wireless card 1 used in the third embodiment. Since the configuration of the wireless card reader / writer 2 is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The wireless card 1 is mounted with a capacitor 18 as an electric energy holding means without a battery. The capacitor 18 is connected to the solar cell 4 and keeps the power generated by the solar cell 4 for a certain period of time. In this example, a capacitor 18 having a capacity enough to allow the display on the display unit 3 to remain for one second after the end of communication in the wireless card reader / writer 2 is mounted.

That is, in this embodiment, the solar cell 4
For a while (about 1 second) after the light irradiation is shut off
Represents the display state of the display unit 3. First
In the embodiment, the display is performed only while the wireless card 1 is held over the wireless card reader / writer 2. In the present embodiment, the display state is maintained for a while after the communication is completed. , It is possible to confirm later even if information is overlooked during communication. For example, when the system is used in the automatic ticket gate system described in the first embodiment, the user passes through the automatic ticket gate in a short time, so that there is no room for confirmation. In the present embodiment, the display on the display unit 3 can be confirmed after passing through the automatic ticket gate, which is particularly effective. Further, as in the second embodiment, the effect of the light irradiation range 7 of the light source 6 provided in the wireless card reader / writer 2 notifying the user of the place where the wireless card 1 is held over is different from that of the first embodiment. Is the same.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.

In the fourth embodiment, the wireless card 1 is a batteryless card, and the display unit 3 uses a liquid crystal display panel with memory. The memory-type liquid crystal display panel has a property that, when an image in a predetermined state is displayed, the display state is maintained even when power supply is cut off. As a material used for this, there is a material called a ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal, which is proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-264954. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the display content of the display unit 3 is updated during communication by the wireless card reader / writer 2, the display state is maintained until the next display update, so that power supply from the light source 6 is not performed. The display contents can be confirmed without the need.

In the case of the first and third embodiments, the display contents of the display unit 3 could not be confirmed in a place where the light source 6 was not provided, but in the case of the fourth embodiment, However, because it is possible to check the latest display information without using a battery, it is more environmentally friendly and convenience is improved. As in the second and third embodiments, the effect that the light irradiation range 7 of the light source 6 provided in the wireless card reader / writer 2 informs the user of the place where the user holds the wireless card 1 is different from the first embodiment. It is the same as the form.

Since the configuration of the wireless card reader / writer 2 is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

As described above in detail, according to the above-described embodiment, the display of the processing information in the wireless card is performed by the power supplied from the light source provided on the wireless card reader / writer, so that the wireless card can be displayed in a non-contact manner. The content can be updated, and the user can be notified of the communicable area on the wireless card reader / writer, so that the convenience can be further improved.

Further, depending on the configuration of the wireless card, it is possible to maintain the display state for a while after communication even if the battery is not used, or to maintain the display state until the next update of the display contents, so that it is possible to easily confirm the display contents.

[0055]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to display processing information on a wireless card without using a dedicated large-capacity power supply, etc. A more convenient wireless card system can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless card system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless card used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the wireless card reader / writer according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of using a wireless card as a commuter pass in an automatic ticket gate system such as a railway organization.

FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless card used in a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration of a wireless card used in a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wireless card 2 ... Wireless card reader / writer (information processing device) 3 ... Display part 4 ... Solar cell (photoelectric converter) 5 ... Antenna 6 ... Light source 7 ... Light irradiation range of light source 8 ... … Communicable area of wireless card reader / writer 9… IC chip 10… antenna 11… driver 12… automatic ticket gate 13… user 14… human body sensor (detection means) 16… built-in battery 18… ... Capacitors (electric energy holding means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04B 5/02 G06K 19/00 J H01L 31/04 Q F term (Reference) 2C005 MA30 MB07 NA08 QA02 QB01 TA22 5B035 AA00 BB09 BC02 CA06 CA12 CA23 5B058 CA17 KA06 KA40 YA02 YA20 5F051 BA05 5K012 AB05 AB12 AB18 AC08 AC10 AE13 BA02

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A wireless card for performing wireless information communication with the outside, and a predetermined information processing by performing wireless information communication with the wireless card when the wireless card is presented at a predetermined position. A wireless card system comprising an information processing device for performing the following: the wireless card, a display unit for visually displaying information by applying electric energy, and converting light energy from the outside into electric energy, and converting the electric energy to the display unit. And a photoelectric converter that supplies power as a power supply for driving the wireless card. When the wireless card is presented at a predetermined position, the information processing apparatus A light source for irradiating light energy, wherein at least part of the processing information is displayed on the display unit at least during wireless communication. Line card system. 2. A wireless card for performing wireless information communication with the outside, and a predetermined information processing by performing wireless information communication with the wireless card when the wireless card is presented at a predetermined position. A wireless card system comprising: an information processing device for performing wireless communication; a display unit for visually displaying information by applying electric energy; a photoelectric converter for converting external light energy to electric energy; A battery that generates energy, wherein the information processing device, when the wireless card is presented at a predetermined position, a light source that irradiates the photoelectric converter provided on the wireless card with light energy. At least a part of the processing information is displayed on the display unit at least at the time of wireless communication, and is used as a power supply for driving the display unit at this time. A wireless card system using a combination of electric energy obtained from the photoelectric converter and electric energy obtained from the battery. 3. The wireless card system according to claim 1, wherein the photoelectric converter is a solar cell. 4. The light energy irradiation range of the light source is set to be within a communication area with the wireless card presented at the predetermined position. Wireless card system. 5. The wireless card system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless card further comprises an electric energy holding means for holding electric energy obtained from said photoelectric converter for a predetermined time. 6. The wireless card system according to claim 5, wherein said electric energy holding means is a capacitor. 7. The wireless card system according to claim 1, wherein a memory-type liquid crystal display panel is used as the display unit. 8. The information processing apparatus further includes a detecting unit for detecting that a user has approached the information processing apparatus, and when the detecting unit detects that the user has approached, the light source is turned off. The wireless card system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless card system is turned on.