Data communication apparatus, wristwatch type electronic device, and authentication system

• US 6,825,751 B1
• Filed: 12/23/1999
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Inventors: Suga, Fusao, Kita, Kazunori
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/472,095
• Time in Patent Office: 1,804 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.51, 340/10.52, 340/5.8, 340/5.61, 343/718, 455/351
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07762 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier wearable, e.g. having the form of a ring, watch, glove or bracelet record carriers for insertion in the human body for medical purposes A61B90/00; record carriers adapted for attachment to animals A01K11/00

Abstract

A wristwatch comprises an ID Tag (data carrier) function applied to an RF-ID system. A watch main body comprises a reinforce resin-based case having band attachments to which wrist bands are engaged, and a resin-based bezel cover covering the upper section and outer periphery of the case. The case incorporates a display member composed of a fixing member, a resin-based display frame member, a hard glass member, and a waterproof packing, and a circuit member composed of a synthetic rubber-based module cover member, a module fixing member, a module and a module cover member. The case is sealed with a bottom cap member formed of a magnetic material via a waterproof packing, and is further covered with a resin-based case cover. A module comprises module housing members, a watch LSI substrate, a data carrier IC substrate having a data carrier IC that incorporates a control circuit for encoding/decoding and authenticating a transmitting/receiving signal and a data memory storing ID, and a data carrier antenna coil connected to the data carrier IC substrate and assembled at the outer periphery of the watch LSI substrate.

Claims

1. A data communication apparatus comprising:

a resin-based mainframe;

a metallic annular member installed at said mainframe;

a metallic plate-shaped member installed on a back face of said mainframe; and

an antenna coil positioned at a position distant from said plate-shaped member, wherein electromotive force is generated due to change with time in a magnetic flux that passes between said annular member and said plate-shaped member;

wherein said mainframe comprises a magnetic member for introducing said magnetic flux into said mainframe; and

wherein said magnetic member is formed by cutting out a part of said plate-shaped member.

2. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mainframe comprises a resin-based fixing member provided with a cutout for fixing said antenna coil between said annular member and said plate-shaped member.

3. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mainframe is shaped to be worn on a wrist, and comprises a bezel provided with a fixing mechanism for fixing said antenna coil.

4. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mainframe further comprises a circuit section that operates corresponding to the electromotive force generated at said antenna coil.

5. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mainframe comprises a plurality of antenna coil segments corresponding to periodic properties of change with time in different magnetic fluxes therein.

6. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mainframe is shaped to be worn on a wrist, and said data communication apparatus further comprises:

a calculation circuit configured to calculate at least time information; and

a display device configured to display said at least time information calculated by said calculation circuit.

7. The data communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said mainframe comprises a transparent member for protecting said display member, and

said annular member comprises a fixing member for fixing said transparent member to said mainframe.

8. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic member is provided at an inner periphery of said antenna coil.