IC card information processing system, and apparatus and cards for the same

• US 6,425,522 B1
• Filed: 07/19/1999
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Video & Information System Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Video & Information System Incorporated
• Inventors: Inoue, Yoshiisa, Inoue, Masayuki, Matsumoto, Kenji, Takami, Yutaka, Itoh, Shigeyuki, Inamitsu, Tetsuharu, Yoneta, Koichi
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US09/356,444
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/375, 235/382, 235/492, 235/441, 235/486, 235/487, 235/383, 235/384, 705/14, 705/10, 705/16, 705/41
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3552 Downloading or loading of personalisation data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A processing apparatus for processing information contained in an IC card. When an application is newly registered in the IC card, registration of a corresponding service application program in the processing apparatus is required. Further, when applications stored in the IC card differ from those stored in the processing apparatus, a method of displaying names of the applications in a uniformized manner is required. For coping with these cases, an IC card read/write unit of the processing apparatus is made use of for registering service application programs in a memory incorporated in the processing apparatus, while the application names are registered in a memory area of the IC card in a common character code for allowing the names of the applications registered in the IC card to be displayed whenever occasion requires.

Claims

1. An IC card information processing apparatus for processing information stored in an IC card, wherein said IC card includes an input/output unit which inputs/outputs information, storage which stores information concerning a plurality of applications, and an arithmetic processor which process the information concerning said applications,

said IC card information processing apparatus comprising:

service application program storage capable of storing a plurality of service application programs which correspond to said applications, respectively;

an IC card reader/writer which reads/writes information through the medium of said input/output unit of said IC card; and

an apparatus-incorporated arithmetic processor incorporated in said IC card information processing apparatus which processes the information concerning said applications stored in said IC card by using said service application programs corresponding to said applications, respectively, while exchanging the information with said arithmetic processor of said IC card through the medium of said IC card reader/writer,

wherein said IC card reader/writer is so designed as to enable said service application program to be inputted to said IC card information processing apparatus, and

wherein said apparatus-incorporated arithmetic processor is so designed as to control storage of said service application program inputted through said IC card reader/writer in said service application program storage.

2. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the information concerning the application stored in the storage of said IC card includes a card application program for enabling said application to be operative in said IC card, and application data processed by said card application program.

3. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein said IC card information processing apparatus is so designed as to be capable of performing read/write operation on application data stored in said IC card when a service application program corresponding to a card application contained in said IC card and relevant to said application data is stored in said application program storage of said IC card information processing apparatus.

4. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the service application program inputted through said IC card reader/writer is information which is outputted from an external information processing terminal apparatus by way of information convertor designed for converting signal type.

5. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the service application program inputted through said IC card reader/writer is information which is stored in a storage medium equipped with inputter/outputter which can be connected to said IC card reader/writer.

6. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein at least one of said plural applications is an application for commercial transaction.

7. An IC card information processing apparatus for processing information stored in an IC card, wherein said IC card includes an input/output unit which inputs/outputs information, storage which stores information concerning a plurality of applications, and an arithmetic processor which processes the information concerning said applications,

said IC card information processing apparatus comprising:

service application program storage which stores a plurality of service application programs which correspond to said applications, respectively;

an IC card reader/writer which reads information concerning the applications stored in said IC card through the medium of said input/output unit of said IC card;

a display which displays names of applications used in said IC card; and

an apparatus-incorporated arithmetic processor incorporated in said IC card information processing apparatus for performing such control that when a service application program corresponding to an application is not stored in said application program storage, the name of said application is displayed on said display on the basis of application identifying information contained in the information concerning the application as fetched through said IC card reader/writer.

8. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 7,

wherein said information concerning the application stored in said storage of said IC card includes a card application program for enabling said application to be operative in said IC card, and application data processed by said card application program.

9. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 8,

wherein said IC card information processing apparatus is designed to be capable of performing read/write operation on application data stored in said IC card when a service application program corresponding to a card application contained in said IC card and relevant to said application data is stored in said application program storage.

10. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 7,

said IC card information processing apparatus further comprising:

application name storage which stores information concerning correspondences between application identifying information and names of the applications read through said IC card reader/writer;

wherein said apparatus-incorporated arithmetic processor is designed to perform such control that the names of the applications are displayed on said display on the basis of information stored in said application name storage.

11. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 10,

wherein information concerning correspondences between the identifying information of the applications and the names of the applications stored in the IC card is inputted through said IC card reader/writer;

and

wherein said application name storage is designed to store said information inputted through said IC card reader/writer.

12. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 10,

wherein said application name storage is so designed as to be capable of storing information concerning correspondences between the identifying information and the names of all the applications used in said IC card.

13. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 7,

wherein the application identifying information read through the medium of said IC card reader/writer contains a predetermined type of information;

and

wherein said arithmetic processor is so designed as to perform such control that said predetermined type of information is displayed on said display.

14. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 13,

wherein said predetermined type of information is character code information.

15. An IC card information processing apparatus according to claim 7,

wherein the name of said application is represented by one selected from a group consisting of a formal name, an abridged name and graphic information indicative of said application.

16. An IC card, comprising:

first storage which stores a plurality of card application programs for enabling a plurality of applications to be operative, respectively, and a plurality of application data processed by said card application programs;

second storage which stores a plurality of information concerning names of said plural applications; and

an arithmetic processor for processing the information stored in said first and second storage, respectively,

wherein the information concerning the names of said plural applications stored in said second storage is stored in a common form.

17. An IC card according to claim 16,

wherein said common form is realized by a predetermined character code.

18. An information converting apparatus destined for use with an IC card information processing apparatus which includes IC card reader/writer which reads/writes information from/into an IC card, said apparatus being capable of inputting/outputting information to/from said IC card information processing apparatus,

said information converting apparatus comprising:

first input/output interface;

information converter connected to said input/output interface; and

second input/output interface connected to said information converting,

wherein said first input/output interface is designed to be connected to said IC card reader/writer, and

wherein information inputted/outputted through said second input/output interface and information inputted/outputted through said first input/output interface are converted in respect to type of the information such that said information can be inputted/outputted to/from said IC card information processing apparatus through the medium of said IC card reader/writer.

19. An information converting apparatus according to claim 18,

wherein said first input/output interface is provide with contacts for inputting/outputting the information, and

wherein shape of a portion of said first input/output interface which is connected to said IC card reader/writer as well as positions of said contacts are compatible with an IC card conforming to ISO-7816 Standards.

20. An information converting apparatus according to claim 19,

wherein said second input/output interface is implemented in conformance with RS-232C Standards.

21. A service application program installing system, comprising:

an IC card information processing apparatus designed for use with an IC card for processing information stored in said IC card, wherein said IC card includes an input/output unit which inputs/outputs information, storage which stores information concerning a plurality of applications, and IC card arithmetic processor which processes the information concerning said applications;

an information processing terminal apparatus equipped with input/output unit which inputs/outputs information; and

an information converting apparatus for interconnecting said IC card information processing apparatus and said information processing terminal apparatus,

wherein said IC card information processing apparatus includes service application program storage which stores a plurality of service application programs corresponding to said applications, respectively, an IC card information reader/writer which reads/writes information through the medium of said input/output unit of said IC card, and an apparatus-incorporated arithmetic processor incorporated in said IC card information processing apparatus for processing the information concerning said applications stored in said IC card by using said service application programs corresponding to said applications, respectively, while exchanging the information with said arithmetic processor of said IC card through the medium of said IC card reader/writer, and

wherein said information converting apparatus includes first input/output interface, information converting connected to said input/output interface, and second input/output interface connected to said information converting,

said first input/output interface being designed to be connected to said IC card reader/writer while said second input/output interface is designed to be connected to said information processing terminal apparatus,

wherein information inputted/outputted to/from said information processing terminal apparatus and information inputted/outputted through said first input/output interface are converted in respect to type of the information, and

wherein information outputted from said information processing terminal apparatus is inputted to said IC card information processing apparatus through said IC card reader/writer as a service application program to be stored in said service application program storage.

22. A service application program installing system according to claim 21,

wherein said information processing terminal apparatus is equipped with a communication unit which receives information inputted externally.

23. A service application program installing system according to claim 21,

wherein said information processing terminal apparatus is implemented in the form of a computer.

24. An IC card information processing system including an IC card and an IC card processing apparatus for processing information stored in said IC card,

said IC card comprising:

first storage which stores a plurality of card application programs for enabling a plurality of applications to be operative, respectively, and a plurality of application data processed by said card application programs;

second storage which stores a plurality of information concerning names of said plural applications in a common form; and

an arithmetic processor which processes the information stored in said first and second storage, respectively, and

said IC card information processing apparatus comprising;

service application program storage which stores a plurality of service application programs which correspond to said applications, respectively;

IC card reader/writer which reads information concerning the applications stored in said first and second storage of said IC card through the medium of said input/output unit of said IC card;

display which displays names of applications used in said IC card; and

an apparatus-incorporated arithmetic processor incorporated in said IC card information processing apparatus for performing such control that when a service application program corresponding to an application is not stored in said application program storage, the name of said application is displayed on said display on the basis of information concerning the names of applications stored in said second storage of said IC card.

25. An IC card information processing system according to claim 24,

wherein said IC card information processing apparatus is so designed as to be capable of performing read/write operation on application data stored in said IC card when a service application program corresponding to a card application contained in said IC card and relevant to said application data is stored in said application program storage of said IC card information processing apparatus.

26. An IC card information processing system according to claim 24,

wherein the name of said application is represented by one selected from a group consisting of a formal name, an abridged name and graphic information indicative of said application.

27. An IC card information processing apparatus for processing information stored in an IC card, wherein said IC card includes input/output means for inputting/outputting information, storage means for storing information concerning a plurality of applications, and arithmetic processing means for processing the information concerning said applications,

said IC card information processing apparatus comprising:

service application program storage means capable of storing a plurality of service application programs which correspond to said applications, respectively;

IC card read/write means for reading/writing information through the medium of said input/output means of said IC card; and

apparatus-incorporated arithmetic processing means incorporated in said IC card information processing apparatus for processing the information concerning said applications stored in said IC card by using said service application programs corresponding to said applications, respectively, while exchanging the information with said arithmetic processing means of said IC card through the medium of said IC card read/write means,

wherein said IC card read/write means is so designed as to enable said service application program to be inputted to said IC card information processing apparatus, and

wherein said apparatus-incorporated arithmetic processing means is so designed as to control storage of said service application program inputted through said IC card read/write means in said service application program storage means.

28. An IC card information processing apparatus for processing information stored in an IC card, wherein said IC card includes input/output means for inputting/outputting information, storage means for storing information concerning a plurality of applications, and arithmetic processing means for processing the information concerning said applications,

said IC card information processing apparatus comprising:

service application program storage means for storing a plurality of service application programs which correspond to said applications, respectively;

IC card read/write means for reading information concerning the applications stored in said IC card through the medium of said input/output means of said IC card;

display means for displaying names of applications used in said IC card; and

apparatus-incorporated arithmetic processing means incorporated in said IC card information processing apparatus for performing such control that when a service application program corresponding to an application is not stored in said application program storage means, the name of said application is displayed on said display means on the basis of application identifying information contained in the information concerning the application as fetched through said IC card read/write means.

29. An IC card, comprising:

first storage means for storing a plurality of card application programs for enabling a plurality of applications to be operative, respectively, and a plurality of application data processed by said card application programs;

second storage means for storing a plurality of information concerning names of said plural applications; and

arithmetic processing means for processing the information stored in said first and second storage means, respectively,

wherein the information concerning the names of said plural applications stored in said second storage means is stored in a common form.

30. An information converting apparatus destined for use with an IC card information processing apparatus which includes IC card read/write means for reading/writing information from/into an IC card, said apparatus being capable of inputting/outputting information to/from said IC card information processing apparatus,

said information converting apparatus comprising:

first input/output interface circuit means;

information converting circuit means connected to said input/output interface circuit means; and

second input/output interface circuit means connected to said information converting circuit means,

wherein said first input/output interface circuit means is designed to be connected to said IC card read/write means, and

wherein information inputted/outputted through said second input/output interface circuit means and information inputted/outputted through said first input/output interface circuit means are converted in respect to type of the information such that said information can be inputted/outputted to/from said IC card information processing apparatus through the medium of said IC card read/write means.

31. A service application program installing system, comprising:

an IC card information processing apparatus designed for use with an IC card for processing information stored in said IC card, wherein said IC card includes input/output means for inputting/outputting information, storage means for storing information concerning a plurality of applications, and IC card arithmetic processing means for processing the information concerning said applications;

an information processing terminal apparatus equipped with input/output means for inputting/outputting information; and

an information converting apparatus for interconnecting said IC card information processing apparatus and said information processing terminal apparatus,

wherein said IC card information processing apparatus includes service application program storage means for storing a plurality of service application programs corresponding to said applications, respectively, IC card information read/write means for reading/writing information through the medium of said input/output means of said IC card, and apparatus-incorporated arithmetic processing means incorporated in said IC card information processing apparatus for processing the information concerning said applications stored in said IC card by using said service application programs corresponding to said applications, respectively, while exchanging the information with said arithmetic processing means of said IC card through the medium of said IC card read/write means, and

wherein said information converting apparatus includes first input/output interface circuit means, information converting circuit means connected to said input/output interface circuit means, and second input/output interface circuit means connected to said information converting circuit means,

said first input/output interface circuit means being designed to be connected to said IC card read/write means while said second input/output interface circuit means is designed to be connected to said information processing terminal apparatus,

wherein information inputted/outputted to/from said information processing terminal apparatus and information inputted/outputted through said first input/output interface circuit means are converted in respect to type of the information, and

wherein information outputted from said information processing terminal apparatus is inputted to said IC card information processing apparatus through said IC card read/write means as a service application program to be stored in said service application program storage means.

32. An IC card information processing system including an IC card and an IC card processing apparatus for processing information stored in said IC card,

said IC card comprising:

first storage means for storing a plurality of card application programs for enabling a plurality of applications to be operative, respectively, and a plurality of application data processed by said card application programs;

second storage means for storing a plurality of information concerning names of said plural applications in a common form; and

an arithmetic processing means for processing the information stored in said first and second storage means, respectively, and

said IC card information processing apparatus comprising;

service application program storage means for storing a plurality of service application programs which correspond to said applications, respectively;

IC card read/write means for reading information concerning the applications stored in said first and second storage means of said IC card through the medium of said input/output means of said IC card;

display means for displaying names of applications used in said IC card; and

an apparatus-incorporated arithmetic processing means incorporated in said IC card information processing apparatus for performing such control that when a service application program corresponding to an application is not stored in said application program storage means, the name of said application is displayed on said display means on the basis of information concerning the names of applications stored in said second storage means of said IC card.