IC card

• US 6,491,228 B1
• Filed: 07/07/1999
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Ueda, Takashi, Ikefuji, Yoshihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US09/341,117
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/487
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07735 the record carrier comprising means for protecting against electrostatic discharge

Abstract

An IC card capable of effectively preventing electrostatic breakdown of an IC even when it is charged with static electricity is provided. In the IC card, a discharging member (2 to 5) of a non-insulator is provided at a portion of IC card (1). Thus, even when IC card (1) is charged with static electricity, discharge current of static electricity is discharged through discharging member (2 to 5), so that the discharge current is effectively prevented form flowing into IC (101). As a result, even when IC card (1) is charged with static electricity, electrostatic breakdown of IC (101) is prevented, whereby breakdown or malfunction of entire IC card (1) is avoided.

Claims

1. A non-contact IC card including an integrated circuit (101) and an antenna (102) connected thereto, including

a discharging member (2, 3, 4, 5) of a non-insulator at a portion thereof, said non-insulator forming said discharging member (2, 3, 4, 5) being any of conductive rubber, conductive resin, conductive coating and metal;

wherein said discharging member (2) is provided only in a prescribed region other than that where said integrated circuit (101) of said IC card is provided.

2. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein said discharging member (2) has a thickness at least greater than thicknesses of an antenna (102) and said integrated circuit (101).

3. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein said discharging member (3) is arranged at a periphery of said IC card.

4. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein said discharging member (5) is arranged in a mesh like manner on a surface of said IC card.