Noncontact IC card interface unit and communication system using the interface unit
First Claim
1. A noncontact IC card interface unit for communicating between an external host computer and a noncontact IC card comprising:
- a connector for connecting an interface unit to an external host computer;
first control means electrically connected to said connector for controlling a bidirectional signal relative to said external host computer;
second control means electrically connected to said first control means and receiving an output signal from said external host computer through said first control means for controlling data communication with a noncontact IC card in response to the output signal;
electromagnetic-wave signal communicating means electrically connected to said second control means for transmitting and receiving a bidirectional electromagnetic-wave signal relative to the noncontact IC card;
a bus to which said first control means and said second control means are connected; and
a memory electrically connected to and accessible through said bus by said first control means and said second control means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interface unit includes an interface controller for controlling a bidirectional signal relative to an external host computer, a communication controller for controlling data communication with a noncontact IC card according to an output signal sent from the host computer, and a memory accessible by both the interface controller and communication controller. A noncontact IC card is very useful because of its accessibility at a remote place. A connector of the noncontact IC card can be protected from mechanical damage. With the interface unit, the noncontact IC card can be accessed as quickly as a contact IC card is.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A noncontact IC card interface unit for communicating between an external host computer and a noncontact IC card comprising:
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a connector for connecting an interface unit to an external host computer; first control means electrically connected to said connector for controlling a bidirectional signal relative to said external host computer; second control means electrically connected to said first control means and receiving an output signal from said external host computer through said first control means for controlling data communication with a noncontact IC card in response to the output signal; electromagnetic-wave signal communicating means electrically connected to said second control means for transmitting and receiving a bidirectional electromagnetic-wave signal relative to the noncontact IC card; a bus to which said first control means and said second control means are connected; and a memory electrically connected to and accessible through said bus by said first control means and said second control means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15)
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7. A communication system for communicating between a host computer and a noncontact IC card comprising:
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a noncontact IC card having a memory; a host computer for providing an output signal for accessing said memory in said noncontact IC card; and a noncontact IC card interface unit for receiving the output signal from said host computer for enabling data communication between said host computer and said noncontact IC card, said noncontact IC card interface unit including; a connector for connecting an interface unit to an host computer; first control means electrically connected to said connector for controlling a bidirectional signal relative to said host computer; second control means electrically connected to said first control means and receiving the output signal from said host computer through said first control means for controlling data communication with said noncontact IC card according to the output signal; electromagnetic-wave signal communicating means electrically connected to said second control means for transmitting and receiving a bidirectional electromagnetic-wave signal relative to said noncontact IC card; a bus to which said first control means and said second control means are connected; and a memory electrically connected to and accessible through said bus by said first control means and said second control means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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Specification