Information processing apparatus and data communication method

• US 7,333,583 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Issued: 02/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Oda, Hiroyuki, Kamise, Yojiro, Yanagiuchi, Hisakazu, Ohnishi, Takayuki, Nakada, Kenji, Morimiya, Yuji, Takemura, Kazuyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Corrielus; Jean B.
• Application Number:
  US11/312,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20070189432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 375/377, 340/5.52, 340/5.65, 340/10.1, 340/5.41, 235/375, 235/380
• US Class Current: 375/377
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0833 Card having specific functional components
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0873 Details of the card reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

An information apparatus switches a display at a predetermined area which includes at least a part of a portion where an electromagnetic-wave emitting unit used for data communications with a data storage device is disposed, according to data communication processing with the data storage device, and emits sound generated according to the processing at corresponding timing.

Claims

1. A data communication method, for accessing information on a portable storage device, comprising the steps of:

polling the portable storage device, using a portable storage device reader;

receiving a response from the portable storage device;

authenticating the portable storage device based on the response;

updating information on the portable storage device;

checking the status of communication with the portable storage device; and

activating a plurality of light emitting diodes for a predetermined period based on the checked status, wherein blue light emitting diodes of the plurality of light emitting diodes are activated to indicate a proper placement position of the portable storage device with respect to the portable storage device reader, when the portable storage device is polled.

2. The data communication method of claim 1, wherein green light emitting diodes of the plurality of light emitting diodes are activated when the information on the portable storage device is updated.

3. The data communication method of claim 1, wherein red light emitting diodes of the plurality of light emitting diodes are activated when at least one of an attempt to authenticate the portable storage device fails and an attempt to update information on the portable storage device fails.

4. A data communication method for using a portable storage device reader to accessing information on a portable storage device, comprising the steps of:

sending a polling command to the portable storage device;

communicating with the portable storage device when a response is received so that information stored on the portable storage device is accessed and updated; and

activating a plurality of light emitting diodes at predetermined intervals based on communication status with the portable storage device,

wherein said step of activating the plurality of light emitting diodes comprising activating a first group of light emitting diodes from the plurality of light emitting diodes to indicate proper placement of the portable storage device with respect to the portable storage device reader, for communication with the portable storage device reader.

5. The data communication method of claim 4, wherein said step of activating the plurality of light emitting diodes further comprising activating a second group of light emitting diodes from the plurality of light emitting diodes when communication with the portable storage device is successful.

6. The data communication method of claim 4, wherein said step of activating the plurality of light emitting diodes further comprising activating a second group of light emitting diodes from the plurality of light emitting diodes when communication with the portable storage device is unsuccessful.