Non-contact information medium and communication system utilizing the same

• US 6,837,438 B1
• Filed: 10/29/1999
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Maxell Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Maxell Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Inose, Fumiyuki, Takasugi, Wasao
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Diane I.
• Application Number:
  US09/430,186
• Time in Patent Office: 1,894 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/487, 235/488, 235/492, 235/449, 257/679, 343/700, 343/866, 343/873, 343/895
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07756 the connection being non-galvanic, e.g. capacitive

Abstract

In a non-contact IC (integrated circuit) module having an IC chip and a coil, the non-contact IC module communicates with a terminal via a booster unit. A communication system extends a communication distance of data modulated by using a carrier frequency (sub-carrier frequency). A communication auxiliary apparatus is used in a communication between a non-contact information medium and an external appliance.

Claims

1. A non-contact information medium comprising:

a booster unit having a first coil, capable of wireless-communicating with an external apparatus by utilizing an electromagnetic induction; and

an IC (integrated circuit) module capable of communicating with said external apparatus via said booster unit in a non-contact manner in such a way that said IC module includes IC element and a second coil electrically connected and formed integrally with said IC element for transmitting/receiving data to/from said external apparatus through said first coil formed on said booster unit.

2. A non-contact information medium as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said IC element owns a memory unit.

3. A non-contact information medium as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said booster unit includes a capacitor provided with such a condition that said capacitor is resonated in combination with said coil at a carrier frequency transmitted by said external apparatus.

4. A non-contact information medium as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said booster unit is further comprised of a capacitor which constitutes a series-resonant circuit in combination with said first coil.

5. A non-contact information medium as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said booster unit is further composed of a capacitor which constitutes a parallel-resonant circuit in combination with said first coil.

6. A non-contact information medium as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said first coil and said second coil are arranged under overlap state in order that a magnetic flux direction of said first coil is made substantially coincident with a magnetic flux direction of said second coil.

7. A non-contact information medium as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said non-contact information medium is further comprised of a supporting member;

said first coil is arranged on one surface of said supporting member; and

said second coil is arranged on the other surface of said supporting member in such a manner that said second coil is positioned opposite to said first coil.

8. A non-contact information medium as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

in said non-contact information medium, said second coil is arranged inside said first coil.

9. A non-contact information medium as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said booster unit is further comprised of;

a third coil for receiving an induction current produced in said first coil and electromagnetically coupled to said second coil.