CONTACTLESS IC CARD READER AND DATA READING METHOD

• US 20110163855A1
• Filed: 08/06/2009
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation (Nidec Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation (Nidec Corporation)
• Inventors: Takeuchi, Junro
• Granted Patent: US 8,937,533 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.3
• 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: G06K 7/10198 setting parameters for the interrogator, e.g. programming parameters and operating modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication

Abstract

A contactless IC card reader and a data reading method which are capable of improving data reading accuracy while preventing a decrease in processing speed. Specifically, in a contactless IC card reader which transmits signals composed of amplitude modulated carrier signals to a contactless IC card, the contactless IC card and reader communicate by means of an NRZ encoding method and an ASK modulating method for which the modulation depth has an arbitrary value. The contactless IC card reader is provided with a contactless control means which modulates/demodulates signals transmitted to/received from the contactless IC card, and a main control means which is electrically connected to the contactless control means and that controls the entire card reader. The modulation depth that is varied by the contactless control means based on the command sent from the main control means has multiple range widths with an arbitral value as the standard.

Claims

1. A contactless IC card reader configured to transmit signals composed of amplitude modulated carrier signals to a contactless IC card, comprising:

a contactless control means configured to modulate/demodulate signals transmitted to/received from the contactless IC card; and

a main control means which is electrically connected to the contactless control means and administers the control of the entire card reader;

wherein the contactless IC card reader is configured to communicate with the contactless IC card by means of an NRZ encoding method and by means of an ASK modulation method for which a modulation depth has an arbitrary value; and

wherein the modulation depth is varied by said contactless control means based on a command sent from said main control means, the modulation depth having multiple range widths with an arbitrary value as the standard.

2. The contactless IC card reader as set forth in claim 1:

wherein said range widths are in the range from 8% to 14%; and

wherein said contactless control means is configured to change said modulation depth by changing a circuit constant of a transmission output unit provided inside said contactless control means.

3. The contactless IC card reader as set forth in claim 2:

wherein said contactless control means is configured to change said modulation depth by changing the register value associated with said transmission output unit circuit constant when said contactless control means receives a command to change the register value from said main control means.

4. A data reading method of a contactless IC card reader which transmits signals composed of amplitude modulated carrier signals to a contactless IC card, said contactless IC card reader being provided with a contactless control means configured to modulate/demodulate signals transmitted to/received from said contactless IC card and a main control means which is electrically connected to said contactless control means and which administers the control of the entire card reader, wherein the method comprising:

a step in which, when said contactless IC card and said contactless IC card reader cannot communicate, a command to change the register value having an arbitrary value for a modulation depth is sent from said main control means to said contactless control means;

a step in which the modulation depth is varied using multiple range widths at said contactless control means; and

a step in which, when the communication is enabled between said contactless IC card and said contactless IC card reader, the register value at that point is registered as an ideal value in the contactless control means;

wherein said contactless IC card communicates with said contactless IC card reader by means of an NRZ encoding method and by means of an ASK modulation method for which the modulation depth has an arbitrary value.