JP2006295672A - Noncontact communication cable, and noncontact data communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a normal communication when performing mutual noncontact communication between terminals even when the devices are separated in a distance, and to improve operability and maintainability of the devices in noncontact communication. <P>SOLUTION: The noncontact communication cable comprises a loop antennas 11 and 12, and a conductive cable 13 for connecting both antennas 11 and 12 while the antennas are separated each other. Normal communication can be performed even when there is a distance between the terminals, and connection with other devices which are not communication targets spatially is avoided. Thus, one-to-N noncontact communication is achieved. Leakage such as personal information is prevented, and thus, security performance is improved. It is preferably that the conductive cable can be bent, and a loop shape obtained by spirally winding each of the multiple loop antennas on the substantially same flat surfaces is provided. The noncontact data communication apparatus can be constituted by incorporating the multiple loop antennas and the conductive cable for connecting the antennas while they are separated each other in a housing 43. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a contactless communication cable and a contactless data communication apparatus, and more particularly to a cable connected to a contactless coupling means including a loop antenna and a contactless data communication apparatus that performs communication via the cable.

  Conventionally, as a device that performs non-contact communication as described above, for example, a wireless reception device described in Patent Document 1 is known. As shown in FIG. 8, this wireless receiving apparatus performs non-contact data communication between an IC card 72 and a reader / writer 73 in an IC card system 71. The IC card 72 includes a loop antenna 74 having a wiring pattern on a substrate, and a modulation / demodulation circuit 75 and a signal processing circuit 76 mounted on the substrate.

  Here, the loop antenna 74 is coupled to the loop antenna 78 of the reader / writer 73, receives a signal transmitted from the loop antenna 78, and radiates a response signal generated by the modem circuit 75. The modem circuit 75 generates power, a clock, and the like necessary for the operation of the IC card 72 from the transmission signal received by the loop antenna 74. Further, the modem circuit 75 operates with this power and clock, demodulates the signal sent from the reader / writer 73 from the transmission signal, and outputs it to the signal processing circuit 76. Further, transmission is prompted by this transmission signal, a response signal is generated by a signal input from the signal processing circuit 76, and the loop antenna 74 is driven by this response signal to radiate the response signal.

  In the read / dryer 73, the modulation / demodulation circuit 78 generates a transmission signal from transmission data input from an SPU (signal process unit) 79, and drives the loop antenna 77 by this transmission signal. Further, the modem circuit 78 performs signal processing on the response signal received by the loop antenna 77, demodulates the response signal sent from the IC card 72, and outputs the response signal to the SPU 79.

  The SPU 79 sends a transmission signal to be transmitted to the IC card 72 to the modem circuit 78 and processes a response signal input from the modem circuit 78. In this process, the SPU 79 displays the process progress and the process result on the display unit 80 as necessary. Further, the operation is switched by a command from the input unit 81, and signals such as processing procedures are input / output to / from the external device 82 as necessary.

  In the loop antenna 74, adjacent windings are separated by 0.8 times or more the width of the winding wire. Similarly, in the loop antenna 74, the winding width is set to be 35 times or more the thickness of the winding wire. Even in a configuration in which power is supplied from the loop antenna 74 as in the IC card system 71, the communicable distance can be slightly increased if the efficiency of the antenna is improved.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-272826

  By the way, in such a non-contact communication device, the antenna efficiency can be improved even in a configuration in which power is supplied from the antenna by sparsely coupling each winding of the antenna and forming a loop antenna by a plurality of windings. Can be improved and the communicable distance can be slightly increased. However, in actual use, when the communicable distance increases spatially, it responds to other devices not intended by the user, such as an IC card, so that reading / writing of IC card information becomes possible, and security is increased. The above problem will occur.

  That is, in general, the communication distance between non-contact communication devices is limited to about a few centimeters, and when trying to secure a communication distance longer than that, there is a problem of coupling with other devices that are not spatially communicating with each other. there were. Therefore, the conventional non-contact communication is limited to a short distance of about several centimeters, and not only the operation state of the apparatus is confirmed and maintained, but also the usability is poor.

  Further, in addition to the above, since it is necessary to perform communication by bringing the non-contact communication antennas of the non-contact communication devices close to each other, when performing non-contact communication between the non-contact communication devices, 1 to N (N There is a problem that communication of an integer of 2 or more) cannot be performed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the problems in the conventional technology described above, and when performing non-contact communication between devices, communication is normally performed even if the distance between the devices is sufficiently separated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-contact communication cable and a non-contact data communication device that can improve operability and maintainability.

  In addition to the above, the present invention is capable of 1-to-N communication when non-contact communication is performed between non-contact communication devices, and can improve operability and maintainability. It is an object to provide a cable and a non-contact data communication device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a contactless communication cable comprising a plurality of loop antennas, a conductive cable connecting the plurality of loop antennas in a state of being separated from each other, and the plurality of loop antennas. Power supply means for supplying power from one of the antennas to the other antenna via the conductive cable.

  According to the present invention, the first loop antenna and the initiator side primary coil of the first terminal arranged in parallel with the first loop antenna are electromagnetically coupled to each other via the conductive cable. Then, the energy transmitted as the current generates a magnetic field again by the second loop antenna, and the second loop antenna and the secondary coil of the second terminal are electromagnetically coupled. Similarly, the third and fourth loop antennas and the third and fourth terminals are electromagnetically coupled. Thereby, a signal received via the first loop antenna can be transmitted to the second loop antenna via the conductive cable. Further, even if the third and fourth loop antennas similar to the first and second loop antennas are connected by a conductive cable and a plurality of loop antennas are arranged in parallel, the first and second loop antennas are not connected via the first loop antenna. Can be transmitted to the second loop antenna and the third and fourth loop antennas.

  As a result, communication can be performed normally even when there is a distance between the devices, and it is possible to communicate with only the communication target device by avoiding coupling with other devices that are not spatially communication targets. In addition, security performance can be improved without transmitting personal information or billing information to the space. Further, when performing non-contact communication between devices, one-to-N communication can be performed.

  In the non-contact communication cable, the conductive cable can be bent. This makes it possible to perform non-contact communication between multiple devices without bringing the non-contact communication antennas between the devices close to each other. This makes it possible to easily check the operating state and improve operability and maintenance efficiency.

  In the non-contact communication cable, each of the plurality of loop antennas can be configured to have a loop shape wound in a spiral on substantially the same plane.

  Furthermore, at least one of the conductive cables connecting two adjacent loop antennas among the plurality of loop antennas can be 1 meter or longer. Accordingly, when performing non-contact communication between devices, communication can be easily performed without bringing the devices close to each other. Experimentally, by using the non-contact communication cable of the present invention, sufficient communication is possible even when the devices are separated by 25 meters.

  The present invention is also a non-contact data communication device, comprising a plurality of loop antennas, a conductive cable connecting the plurality of loop antennas in a state of being separated from each other, the plurality of loop antennas and the conductive cable. And a housing with a built-in.

  According to the present invention, the housing includes a plurality of loop antennas and a conductive cable that connects the plurality of loop antennas in a state of being separated from each other. While checking the operation surface, it is possible to perform non-contact communication between multiple devices without bringing the non-contact communication antennas close to each other. It can be installed in an easy place, the operation state can be easily confirmed, and operability and maintenance efficiency can be improved.

  In the non-contact data communication device, the housing may include a recess for positioning a terminal that is electromagnetically coupled to each of the plurality of loop antennas. As a result, a terminal or the like that is electromagnetically coupled to the loop antenna can be positioned efficiently.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when non-contact communication is performed between devices, communication can be performed normally even if the distance between the devices is sufficiently separated, and operability and maintainability are improved. It is possible to provide a contactless communication cable and a contactless data communication device.

  FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a non-contact communication cable according to the present invention. The non-contact communication cable includes a first loop antenna 11, a second loop antenna 12, and a conductive cable. The signal received through the first loop antenna 11 is transmitted to the second loop antenna 12 through the conductive line 13 and the information transmission conductive line (hereinafter referred to as “conductive line”) 13. Communicated.

  FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a non-contact data communication apparatus according to the present invention, in which an initiator side primary coil (hereinafter referred to as “primary coil”) 41 of the terminal 1 and a first loop antenna 11 are provided. The target side secondary coil (hereinafter referred to as “secondary coil”) 42 of the terminal 2 and the second loop antenna 12 are arranged in parallel. That is, the generated magnetic field and the coil winding surface are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other, and the primary coil 41 of the terminal 1 and the first loop antenna 11 are electromagnetically generated by the magnetic field generated by the primary coil 41 of the terminal 1. (Electromagnetic coupling 44).

  The energy transmitted as a current through the conductive line 13 generates a magnetic field again by the second loop antenna 12, and the second loop antenna 12 and the secondary coil 42 of the terminal 2 are electromagnetically coupled. (Electromagnetic coupling 45). As a result, the secondary coil 42 of the terminal 2 receives the transmission signal transmitted from the primary coil 41 of the terminal 1.

  Here, since the first loop antenna 11 and the second loop antenna 12 coupled by the current of the conductive line 13 are not magnetically coupled, they are arranged without paying attention to the direction of the magnetic force. The first loop antenna 11 and the second loop antenna 12 can be made magnetically equivalent.

  Further, by incorporating the first loop antenna 11, the second loop antenna 12, and the conductive line 13 in the casing 43, the casing 43 is used as a pedestal and is handled while checking the operation surfaces of the terminal 1 and the terminal 2. be able to. The casing 43 is configured such that the first loop antenna 11, the second loop antenna 12, the primary coil 41 of the terminal 1, and the secondary coil 42 of the terminal 2 are electromagnetically efficiently formed as a built-in electromagnetic coupling coil. (Not shown) for positioning so as to be able to be coupled together.

  Note that the magnetic field generated by the primary coil 41 of the terminal 1 passes through the first loop antenna 11 and radiates in the downward direction of FIG. A metal plate, an amorphous sheet or a ferrite sheet is disposed.

  With the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, even if the distance L between the first loop antenna 11 and the second loop antenna 12 is about 25 meters away, the signal is received via the first loop antenna 11. A signal can be transmitted to the second loop antenna 12 via the conductive line 13.

  Next, as a second embodiment of the non-contact communication cable according to the present invention, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the non-contact communication enables 1-to-N communication. The cable for use will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the magnetic field generated by the transmission-side coil of the non-contact reader / writer 51 penetrates the secondary coil (loop antenna) 53 of the reader / writer and is electromagnetically coupled to the IC card 56 to thereby contact-free. Communication between the reader / writer 51 and the IC card 56 becomes possible (electromagnetic coupling 57). At this time, the secondary writer side secondary coil 53 can be present without adversely affecting the communication between the non-contact ridge writer 51 and the IC card 56.

  In addition, the electromagnetic energy induced by the non-contact lead dryer 51 and the lead secondary side coil 53 is transmitted as a current through the conductive line 55, and a magnetic field is again generated by the target side primary coil 54 (loop antenna). By generating, the target side primary coil 54 and the IC card 52 are electromagnetically coupled (electromagnetic coupling 58), and communication between the non-contact reader / writer 51 and the IC card 52 becomes possible.

  Furthermore, by configuring the conductive line 55 with a conductive wire that can be bent freely, it is possible to arbitrarily set the distance and the angle between the ridger side secondary coil 53 and the target side primary coil 54. is there. That is, the lead-side secondary coil 53 and the target-side primary coil 54 are non-contacted by the target-side primary coil 54 regardless of the direction and strength of the magnetic field generated by the transmission-side coil of the non-contact lead-reader 51. The magnetic field of the contact reader / writer 51 is regenerated in an arbitrary position and direction, and between the reader / writer secondary coil 53 and the target primary coil 54, that is, between the non-contact reader / writer 51 and the IC card 52. Magnetically coupled. Thus, it is possible to communicate with the IC card 52 sufficiently separated from the non-contact reader / writer 51 while enabling communication between the single non-contact reader / writer 51 and the IC card 56.

  In FIG. 2, by tuning between the first loop antenna 11 and the second loop antenna 12 at the carrier frequency of communication, between the first loop antenna 11 and the second loop antenna 12. Even when the distance between the primary coil 41 of the terminal 1 and the secondary coil 42 of the terminal 2 is long, the transmission power of the primary coil 41 of the terminal 1 is increased. In addition, communication is possible without providing a power amplifier between the first loop antenna 11 and the second loop antenna 12.

  Similar to FIG. 2, in FIG. 4, the lead coiler side secondary coil 53 is also tuned with the carrier frequency of the communication between the lead dryer side secondary coil 53 and the target side primary coil 54. And the target-side primary coil 54 are magnetically equivalent, and the transmission power of the non-contact reader / writer 51 is increased even when the distance between the non-contact reader / writer 51 and the IC card 52 is long. Communication can be performed without providing a power amplifier between the lead writer side secondary coil 53 and the target side primary coil 54.

  Next, as another embodiment of the non-contact communication cable according to the present invention, the basic configuration is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, but for the non-contact communication cable that enables one-to-N communication, This will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 5, loop antennas 11, 12, 14, and 15 are connected by a conductive line 13. As shown in FIG. 6, the antenna coil and the first loop antenna 11 of the non-contact reader / writer 61, the IC card 62 and the second loop antenna 12, the IC card 63 and the third loop antenna 14, the IC card 64 and the first The four loop antennas 15 are arranged in parallel, that is, so that the generated magnetic field and the coil winding surface are orthogonal to each other.

  As described above, the antenna coil of the non-contact reader / writer 61 and the first loop antenna 11 are electromagnetically coupled by the magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil of the antenna coil of the non-contact reader / writer 61 (electromagnetic coupling 65). The signal transmitted as a current through the conductive line 13 generates a magnetic field again by the second loop antenna 12, and the second loop antenna 12 and the IC card 62 are electromagnetically coupled (electromagnetic coupling 66). ). Further, the signal transmitted as a current through the conductive line 13 generates a magnetic field by the third loop antenna 14 and the fourth loop antenna 15, and the third loop antenna 14 and the IC card 63 are electromagnetically connected. Are coupled to each other (electromagnetic coupling 67), and the fourth loop antenna 15 and the IC card 64 are electromagnetically coupled (electromagnetic coupling 68).

  As described above, the IC card 62, the IC card 63, and the IC card 64 receive the transmission signal generated by the transmission side coil of the antenna coil of the non-contact reader / writer 61.

  Here, the first loop antenna 11, the second loop antenna 12, the third loop antenna 14, and the fourth loop antenna 15 coupled by the current of the conductive line 13 are not magnetically coupled. The first loop antenna 11 and the second, third, and fourth loop antennas 12, 14, 15 can be magnetically transmitted.

  At this time, the magnetic force generated by the electromagnetic coupling 65 between the transmission signal generated by the transmission side coil of the antenna coil of the non-contact reader / writer 61 and the first loop antenna 11 is an electromagnetic coupling 66, an electromagnetic coupling 67, and an electromagnetic coupling. Therefore, 1-to-N communication is possible by increasing the transmission output of the transmitting coil of the antenna coil of the contact reader / writer 61.

  Next, an experimental example of the non-contact communication cable according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As a result of connecting the first loop antenna 12 to the first loop antenna 11 with the conductive line 13 and performing a test under the measurement conditions shown in the figure, the first loop antenna 11 and the first loop antenna Even when the distance L to 12 was 25 m apart, communication was possible without problems. As shown in the measurement result column, a physical maximum gain could be secured from L1 to L2.

  The non-contact communication cable and the non-contact data communication device according to the present invention can be used for a device equipped with a non-contact communication function and mutual communication between terminals. Further, by sending the master data from the transmission side, it can be written simultaneously to an apparatus or terminal equipped with an electromagnetically coupled non-contact communication function.

It is the schematic which shows 1st Embodiment of the cable for non-contact communication concerning this invention. It is the schematic which shows one Embodiment of the non-contact data communication apparatus concerning this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the cable for non-contact communication of FIG. It is the schematic which shows 2nd Embodiment of the cable for non-contact communication concerning this invention. It is the schematic which shows 3rd Embodiment of the cable for non-contact communication concerning this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the cable for non-contact communication of FIG. It is the figure and table | surface for demonstrating the test example of the non-contact communication cable of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the conventional radio | wireless receiver.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2 Terminal 11, 12, 14, 15, 53, 54 Loop antenna 13, 55 Conductive line 41 Primary coil 42 of terminal 1 Secondary coil 43 of terminal 2 Housing 44, 45, 57, 58, 65, 66 , 67, 68 Electromagnetic coupling 51 Non-contact reader / writer 52, 56 IC card 61 Non-contact reader / writer 62, 63, 64 IC card 71 IC card system 72 IC card 73 reader / writer 74 Loop antenna 75 Modulation / demodulation circuit 76 Signal processing circuit 77 Loop Antenna 78 Modulation / demodulation circuit 79 SPU (Signal process unit)
80 Display unit 81 Input unit 82 External device

Claims (6)

  A non-contact communication cable comprising: a plurality of loop antennas; and a conductive cable that connects the plurality of loop antennas while being spaced apart from each other.   The non-contact communication cable according to claim 1, wherein the conductive cable is bendable.   3. The non-contact communication cable according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of loop antennas has a loop shape spirally wound on substantially the same plane.   The length of at least one of the conductive cables that connect two adjacent loop antennas among the plurality of loop antennas is set to 1 meter or longer. Non-contact communication cable. Multiple loop antennas,
A conductive cable for connecting the plurality of loop antennas apart from each other;
A non-contact data communication apparatus comprising: a plurality of loop antennas and a housing containing the conductive cable.   The contactless data communication device according to claim 5, wherein the housing includes a recess for positioning a terminal that is electromagnetically coupled to each of the plurality of loop antennas.

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