JP2014052693A - Communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication method capable of easily performing wired communication with an IC chip having a function of performing wireless communication using an antenna.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a communication method for reading an information medium having an IC chip by a reader having at least a short-range wireless communication antenna, comprising a contact terminal and a short-range wireless communication antenna. The communication auxiliary member is used, the contact terminal of the communication auxiliary member and the IC chip of the information medium are electrically connected, and the antenna of the reader and the antenna of the communication auxiliary member are arranged in a positional relationship capable of transmission and reception. The communication method reads the information from the IC chip of the information medium via the communication auxiliary member with a reader.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication method for reading information stored in an IC (integrated circuit) chip using an apparatus having a non-contact communication function.

  Devices capable of short-range wireless communication (hereinafter also referred to as non-contact communication) include non-contact IC cards using functions such as NFC (near field communication) / FeliCa (registered trademark), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and the like. Information is exchanged by wireless communication at a short distance (several centimeters to several meters depending on the frequency band).

  Here, the non-contact IC card or the RFID tag is a non-contact communication medium including an antenna made of a wire coil on a base material and an IC chip connected to the wire coil. In addition, the non-contact communication medium includes a conductive layer pattern in which an IC chip connection portion and a wire coil connection portion are formed (see Patent Document 1).

  When the antenna is removed from the non-contact communication medium, it cannot be read by the reader. In this case, there is a technique in which a contact terminal for contact communication is provided on an IC chip capable of non-contact communication, and the information on the IC chip is read using a wired dedicated reader on the contact terminal on the IC chip side. is there.

JP 2012-103830 A

  However, there is a desire to easily perform wired communication capable of further downsizing and cost reduction with respect to the IC chip that performs non-contact communication described in Patent Document 1. On the other hand, although not necessarily the purpose of downsizing and cost reduction, there is a case where the non-contact method and wired communication are distinguished from each other as appropriate. For example, for mass-produced products, in the manufacturing and distribution processes, quality control based on individual IDs is efficiently performed by a non-contact method using a non-contact communication antenna. After sales, for non-contact communication In some cases, history management is performed by wired communication without using the antenna. Although a contact-type information communication device used in such a case has been desired, it is not so easy, and a simpler wired communication means is desired.

  In view of the new demand for the existing technology as described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication method capable of easily performing wired communication for an IC chip having a function of performing wireless communication using an antenna. And

  The present invention is a communication method for reading an information medium having an IC chip by a reader having an antenna for near field communication at least, and using a communication auxiliary member having a contact terminal and an antenna for near field communication, The contact terminal of the communication auxiliary member and the IC chip of the information medium are electrically connected, and the antenna of the reader and the antenna of the communication auxiliary member are arranged in a positional relationship capable of transmitting and receiving, and the communication auxiliary member is read by the reader. A communication method for reading information from an IC chip of an information medium via

  In addition, the communication auxiliary member includes a conductor that connects the antenna and the contact terminal.

  In addition, the contact terminal of the communication auxiliary member has a probe shape.

  Further, the contact terminal of the communication auxiliary member is detachable.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a communication method capable of easily performing wired communication with respect to an IC chip having a function of performing wireless communication using an antenna.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the communication method of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the communication method of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the communication auxiliary member used for the communication method of this invention. It is a section explanatory view showing an example of a communication auxiliary member used for a communication method of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the communication auxiliary member used for the communication method of this invention. It is a section explanatory view showing an example of a communication auxiliary member used for a communication method of the present invention.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram according to an embodiment of a communication method of the present invention. The communication auxiliary member 20 shown in FIG. 1 is used by being attached to or in close proximity to a reader 30 capable of short-range wireless communication.

  The communication auxiliary member 20 includes an adapter side contact terminals C1 and C2 that can be electrically connected to the chip side contact terminals B1 and B2, and an antenna connected to the communication auxiliary member side contact terminals C1 and C2 by conductors 25 and 26. 22. The reader 30 capable of short-range wireless communication is an RFID device having a reading function or an IC device having a reader function such as an NFC device (hereinafter simply referred to as an RFID reader), and is connected to the IC chip 31 and the IC chip. The antenna 32 is provided, and non-contact communication with the information medium 10 is possible.

  In the present specification, “non-contact communication” means a communication method in which communication is possible even if communication sections are slightly separated. Accordingly, the present invention is not necessarily limited to “non-contact”, and includes those capable of communication in a so-called “touch (contact)” state.

The information medium 10 includes an IC chip 11 and chip side contact terminals B1 and B2 connected to the IC chip 11. The IC chip 11 is an integrated circuit capable of storing information. Further, short-distance communication is possible by connecting an antenna to the chip-side contact terminals B1 and B2.
The information medium 10 may be a bare IC chip having chip terminals (bumps) A1 and A2 provided on the IC chip having the chip circuit M1 as chip side contact terminals B1 and B2, or a chip side contact terminal B1. , B2 may be used, and an IC module may be used in which an IC chip is provided on the wiring board and chip side contact terminals B1, B2 and chip circuit M1 are connected via chip terminals (bumps) A1, A2.

  The RFID reader performs an active operation for starting data reading with respect to the IC chip 11. For example, it is possible to provide at least a power source to the IC chip 11 without a power source, and transmit an electromagnetic wave including a signal for starting data reading. Correspondingly, the IC chip 11 transmits data to be read to the RFID reader by a passive operation.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the communication method of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication assisting member 20 is arranged and used at a position where it can communicate with a reader 30 capable of short-range wireless communication.
As an example, the reader 30 may be a tablet terminal or a smartphone that can be considered as a kind thereof. A tablet terminal is a product provided with a processing function as a computer main body, a touch panel and several buttons as an input device, a display and a speaker as a display device, etc. in a plate-shaped casing. A smartphone means a multi-function mobile phone, which is a combination of the functions of a mobile phone and a personal computer / PDA (personal digital assistant), and is often a touch panel type terminal.

  Further, the reader 30 is equipped with an NFC / FeliCa (registered trademark) function to be described later. As long as the NFC / FeliCa (registered trademark) function is installed, the reader 30 capable of short-range wireless communication is not limited to the reader, and may be a conventional mobile phone. Note that the reader 30 capable of short-range wireless communication is not limited to a mobile phone, and may be a handy terminal. Further, the reader 30 capable of short-range wireless communication may be a non-contact IC card reader.

The handy terminal is a data collection terminal with excellent robustness and stability that is widely used in specific operations such as home delivery, and there are many opportunities to use this embodiment. This handy terminal is specialized in data collection terminal, and can perform reliable work with simple functions and operations. It has environmental resistance considering operation in an environment where dust, dust, bad weather or oil is used, and impact resistance considering accidental dropping during operation. Handy terminals generally have the following basic functions, depending on the model.
-Scanning barcodes, RFID, etc.-Key input-Screen display-Sound and vibration-File input / output-File transmission / reception with PC

The communication auxiliary member 20 has at least a short-range wireless communication antenna and a contact terminal connected to the antenna and electrically connected to the IC chip.
The communication auxiliary member side contact terminals C1 and C2 can take various shapes according to the positions and shapes of the connection terminals B1 and B2 of the IC chip of the information medium 10.

As an example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a loop-shaped antenna 22 is arranged on a base material 21, and communication auxiliary member side contact terminals C <b> 1 and C <b> 2 are connected to both ends of the antenna 22. .
At this time, the protective layer 23 can be provided so that the communication auxiliary member side contact terminals C1 and C2 are exposed.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the antenna 22 and the communication auxiliary member side contact terminals C <b> 1 and C <b> 2 may be connected via conductors (cables) 25 and 26. The conductors 25 and 26 can also include a connector 24 configured to be detachably connected.
Probes 27 are provided at the ends of the conductors 25 and 26 connected to the connector 24, and communication auxiliary member side contact terminals C1 and C2 are connected to the probe 27. The interval between the communication auxiliary member side contact terminals C1 and C2 is adapted to the interval between the chip side contact terminals B1 and B2, and is configured to obtain reliable electrical contact.
The communication auxiliary member side antenna 22 and the adapter side contact terminals C1, C2 are connected by conductors (cables) 25, 26. For this reason, the reader 30 can be separated from the contact terminals C1 and C2 on the communication auxiliary member side by the conductors 25 and 26 from the place where the chip side contact terminals B1 and B2 are in contact with each other. Convenience in the place is good.

  The shape from the connector 24 to the probe 27 can be modified in any way. For example, it may be configured to be detachable from the connector 28 by interposing a plug / jack or a connector. The communication auxiliary member side terminals C1 and C2 may have a flat contact surface or may be constituted by a rod-shaped probe. These are only examples, and may be appropriately modified according to the application.

The connector may be detachable.
Further, the contact terminals C1 and C2 may be provided directly on the detachable connector without using a probe.

The communication auxiliary member 20 can take various forms depending on the application.
For example, when a smart phone or a handy terminal is used as the reader 30, it can be used as a smart phone cover or a handy terminal cover.
The cover used for the smart phone cover or the handy terminal cover has a shape that fits closely along the outer shape of each shape of the reader 30, and exposes functional portions such as the screen, operation unit, and connector of the reader 30. Notched windows and holes are provided. The cover is easily detachable from the reader 30 by a user without using a tool or the like, and is formed in consideration of functions such as an overall decoration, anti-skid, and a shock-absorbing cover as a countermeasure against dropping. It is preferable. In addition, as mentioned in the example, if the reader 30 is a smartphone, a smartphone cover is suitable for the cover.
In the case of a cover shape, it can also function as a holding member for the reader 30 such as a smartphone or a handy terminal.
The communication auxiliary member 20 may be an adapter attached to the information medium 10.

The antenna 22 of the communication auxiliary member 20 and the antenna 33 for non-contact communication of the reader 30 are substantially the same. These are common in that they have an optimal shape for transmitting and receiving a frequency of 13 to 14 MHz. And it is comprised so that a short distance between the antenna 22 and the antenna 32 can be wirelessly communicated.
The antenna 22 of the communication auxiliary member 20 and the antenna 32 for non-contact communication of the reader 30 are preferably similar in size and size so that the area is within ± 10%. In addition, it is preferable that the antenna 22 and the antenna 32 be arranged close to each other so as to overlap at least 80% and transmit and receive.

  Then, when the communication auxiliary member 20 is fitted to the reader 30 and a reading operation is performed on the information medium 10 by a contact method, a dedicated application or the like downloaded in advance is executed on the reader 30, and a reading start trigger is executed. As described above, the terminal may be contacted in the polling reading state. Or you may make it start reading by the key input of the reader 30, etc. after a contact.

  Although the method for reading the information on the IC chip of the information medium has been described so far, it is also possible to write the information on the IC chip of the information medium.

10. Information medium 11 ... IC chip 20 ... Communication auxiliary member 21 ... Base material 22 ... Antenna 23 ... Protective layer 24 ... Connector 25 ... ... conductor 26 ... conductor 27 ... probe 30 ... reader 31 ... IC chip 32 ... antenna A1 ... chip terminal A2 ... chip terminal B1 ... Contact terminal B2 ... Contact terminal C1 ... Contact terminal C2 ... Contact terminal M1 ... Chip circuit part

Claims (4)

A communication method for reading an information medium having an IC chip by a reader having at least an antenna for short-range wireless communication,
Using a communication auxiliary member having a contact terminal and an antenna for near field communication,
Electrically connecting the contact terminal of the communication auxiliary member and the IC chip of the information medium;
And arranging the antenna of the reader and the antenna of the communication auxiliary member in a positional relationship capable of transmitting and receiving,
A communication method for reading information from an IC chip of an information medium via a communication auxiliary member by a reader.   The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication auxiliary member includes a conductor that connects between the antenna and the contact terminal.   The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the contact terminal of the communication auxiliary member has a probe shape.   The communication method according to claim 1, wherein a contact terminal of the communication auxiliary member is detachable.