Information processing apparatus and data communication method

• US 7,551,704 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2007
• Issued: 06/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Oda, Hiroyuki, Yanagiuchi, Hisakazu, Ohnishi, Takayuki, Morimiya, Yuji, Takemura, Kazuyoshi, Kamise, Yojiro, Nakada, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Corrielus; Jean B
• Application Number:
  US11/898,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20080052419A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 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 device capable of communicating with a portable storage device in a non-contact manner, comprising:

a group of light emitting devices arranged in a symmetric pattern corresponding to four corners of the portable storage device indicating a proper placement position for positioning the portable storage device to initiate communications between the portable storage device and the communication device;

polling means for sending a polling command to the portable storage device; and

wherein the group of light emitting devices is activated when the polling command is sent, and the group of activated light emitting devices represent a status condition of communication between the data communication device and the portable storage device.

2. The data communication device of claim 1, wherein the placement position is a planar surface incorporating a looping antenna at the center of the symmetric pattern.

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

polling the portable storage device;

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 are activated to indicate a proper placement position when the portable storage device is polled;

wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged in a symmetric pattern corresponding to four corners of the portable storage device indicating the proper placement position for positioning the portable storage device to initiate communications with the portable storage device.

4. The data communication method of claim 3, wherein the placement position is a planar surface incorporating a looping antenna at the center of the symmetric pattern.