IC card case and IC card unit

An IC card case storing an IC card in a case body which has an opening part formed on one side plate thereof and a fingerprint sensor set up on an internal side of other side plate thereof in a manner of facing inside the opening part, the case body includes:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to an IC card case and an IC card case unit.

2. Related Art

In recent years, cards containing personal information such as IC cards and credit cards have been used in electronic commerce and. the like.

To prevent illicit use of cards, some IC cards are designed such as to be used only after confirming card holder's identity by obtaining personal biometric information as a means of authenticating that a user is a rightful owner of an IC card.

As a means of obtaining personal biometric information, for example, an IC card provided with a fingerprint sensor, which uses a fingerprint as the biometric information is known (for example, refer to the first example of related art). The IC card having such fingerprint sensor performs the user's authentication (personal authentication) by reading the fingerprint information of the user through the fingerprint sensor and determining whether or not the read fingerprint information matches the fingerprint information stored in the IC card.

Now, the fingerprint sensor, being vulnerable to shock from outside, may suffer damage such as to make it impossible to provide good fingerprint authentication. Hence, it is necessary to protect the fingerprint sensor.

In cases other than the IC card, there is a fingerprint authentication device mounted with the fingerprint sensor to carry out personal identification. For example, a device, which stores the fingerprint sensor therein for protection if the fingerprint sensor is not used, is known (for example, refer to the second and third examples of related art).

Consequently, what is desired is an IC card unit which protects the finger unit sensor by storing the IC card equipped with the fingerprint sensor inside the card case.

JP-A-11-312225 is a first example of related art. JP-A-2001-143045 is a second example of related art, and JP-A-2003-196646 is a third example of related art.

Now, since the general IC card is due to be updated, for example, in three years, a new IC card must be manufactured every three years. On the other hand, the IC card equipped with the above-referenced fingerprint sensor has a higher cost when updating the card as compared to the IC card not equipped with the fingerprint sensor.

Further, since the fingerprint sensor was set up in a condition of being exposed to a surface of the IC card, when putting the IC card in and out the card case (IC card case), there was a risk of damaging the surface of the fingerprint sensor as the surface came in contact with the card case.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to reduce a manufacturing cost of an IC card and provide an IC card case, which protects a fingerprint sensor, and an IC card unit.

According to a first aspect of the IC card case of the invention, an IC card case storing an IC card in a case body which has an opening part formed on one side plate thereof and a fingerprint sensor set up on an internal side of other side plate thereof in a manner of facing inside the opening part, the case body including: a case side control controlling the fingerprint sensor and carrying out communications with the IC card; and a power source supplying power to the case side control, wherein the case body is constituted such that when storing the IC card inside the case body, the IC card covers over the fingerprint sensor facing the opening part.

According to the IC card case of the invention, since the case body is equipped with the fingerprint sensor, it is possible to communicate a result of fingerprint authentication by the finger print sensor through the case side control to the IC card. Hence, for example, it is possible to control the IC card by means of a control signal based on a result of fingerprint authentication obtained by the IC card case. Namely, use of the IC card case enables fingerprint authentication to be carried out by the IC card without providing the fingerprint sensor in the IC card.

In this manner, the manufacturing cost when updating the IC card can be reduced by comparison to a case of providing the fingerprint sensor on the IC card. Further, the IC card functions as a lid to cover the fingerprint sensor, protecting the fingerprint sensor from external shock, dust, fine particles and the like.

According to the IC card unit of the invention, fingerprint authentication is made possible by pulling out the IC card from the IC card case in a manner of facing the fingerprint sensor from the opening part. At this point, for example, if fingerprint data of the IC card holder is held in the case side control, the fingerprint acquired by the fingerprint sensor is compared to the fingerprint data held in the case side control. And, if it is verified, upon comparing the fingerprints, that the fingerprint of the IC card user and the fingerprint of the IC card holder match, the case side control controls through communications the IC card by the card side control to shift from the inactive status (unusable state) to the active status (usable state). Accordingly, the IC card becomes usable.

Namely, the IC card equipped with a fingerprint authentication function can be provided by setting up the fingerprint sensor on the IC card case side without setting up the fingerprint sensor on the IC card side. Therefore, it is not necessary to set up the finger print sensor in the IC card, so that the manufacturing cost when updating the IC card can be held down.

Further, when storing the IC card inside the IC card case, the IC card functions as a lid covering the fingerprint sensor facing the opening part, thereby protecting the fingerprint sensor from outside shock, dust, fine particles and the like.

In the IC card unit, it is preferable that the case body is provided with rails holding the IC card at a position not in contact with an outer surface of the fingerprint sensor. A setup in this manner can prevent the outer surface of the fingerprint sensor from contacting the IC card when the IC card is stored in the case body. Hence, it is possible to prevent the finger print sensor from being damaged by a load due to contact with the IC card when putting the IC card in and out the IC card case.

In the IC card unit, it is preferable that card information corresponding to the IC card case is set up in the IC card unit, so that in the IC card, there is provided a comparing section which enables communications to be carried out from the case side control to the card side control by authenticating card information of the IC card.

When, for example, the card information of the IC card and the card information of the IC card case match by authenticating the card information of the IC card through the comparing section, namely, when the IC card corresponds to the IC card case, a setup in this manner puts the IC card to the active status (usable state) through communications from the case side control to the card side control.

At this point, together with authentication by the fingerprint sensor, by authenticating a matching relationship between the IC card and the IC card case through the comparing section, two-stage authentication is carried out. Hence, security at the time of. using the IC card is further enhanced.

Moreover, since only the IC card unit which matches each other can be used normally, even in case of losing an IC card, a third party (non-holder of the IC card) not possessing the IC card case, which matches this IC card, is prevented from using the IC card.

In the IC card unit, it is preferable that a case side terminal connecting electrically to the case side control is set up in the case side control, while there is set up a card side terminal which electrically connects to the card side control and which enables communications to be carried out between the case side control and the card side control by connecting to the case side terminal.

An arrangement in this way makes it possible for the IC card and the IC card case to communicate with each other through in contact terms as the case side terminal and the card side terminal come into contact with each other. Further, it is preferable that when the IC card is pulled out of the IC card case in a manner of facing the fingerprint sensor inside the opening part, a lamp, which lights up as the case side terminal and the card side terminal come into contact with each other, is set up in the IC card case.

An arrangement in this way operates such that by confirming lighting up of the lamp, the case side terminal and the card side terminal come into contact with each other, so that the IC card can be pulled out of the IC card case to a position which enables the card side control and the case side control to communicate with each other.

In the IC card unit, it is preferable that that a transmitting section is provided in the case side control to transmit signals to the card side control, while in the card side control, there is set up a receiving section which enables communications to be carried out between the case side control and the card side control by receiving the signals in the card side control without the card side control coming into contact with the case side control.

An arrangement in this way makes it possible for the transmitting-section set up in the case side control to transmit, for example, a signal to put the IC card to the active status (usable state) and for the receiving section provided in the card side control to receive the signal, thereby enabling the IC card and the IC card case to communicate with each other in non-contact terms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the invention will be described according to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a perspective view showing a construction of an IC card unit50according to the embodiment. The IC card unit50includes an IC card case1storing an IC card and an IC card30stored in this IC card case1. In the IC card case1, an opening part10to be explained later is formed on one side plate of the case body.

Further, in the IC card case1of the embodiment, there is provided a lamp19which lights up when communicating with an IC card30as explained later. For the IC card30, there may be cited cards in which personal information of a holder is recorded and which needs to be authenticated at the time of use, for example, a credit card, a cash dispensing card, and an employee identity card.

FIG. 2Ais a perspective view showing a construction of the IC card case1of the embodiment.

FIG. 2Bis a diagram showing inside the storage18by slicing a side plate of a case body11on a side where the opening part10is formed.

As shown inFIG. 2A, the IC card case1is constituted by the case body11as a main part. The case body11is a box-shape member storing the IC card30and is formed of a resin material having flexibility. As a resin material of such property, for example, there may be used plastic materials excelling in dimensional stability such as acrylic, polyimide, polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), and polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN).

In the case body11, there are provided a card entrance/exit17, a storage18, an opening part10, and a lamp19. It should be noted that the card entrance/exit17is a part for putting the IC card30in and out, while the storage18, being an area formed between opposite side plates of the case body11, is a part for storing the IC card30.

The opening part10is formed on one side plate of the case body11, while on an inner side of other side plate of the case body11, a fingerprint sensor7is set up in a manner of facing inside the opening part10.

The lamp19is, for example, constituted by an LED or an organic EL and when the IC card30is stored inside the storage18of the case body11, this IC card30is designed to function as a lid covering the fingerprint sensor7.

As shown inFIG. 2B, on a surface on the inner side of the side plate making up the case body11and making up the storage18, there are provided the fingerprint sensor7and a case side IC (case side control)15for controlling the fingerprint sensor7and carrying out communications with the IC card30to be stored in the storage18.

Further, a power source14to supply power to the case side IC15and a connecting terminal (case side terminal)13for carrying out communications by contacting a terminal of the IC card30to be explained later are provided. And the lamp19is designed to light up when the terminal of the IC card30and the connecting terminal13come into contact with each other to put the IC card30and the IC card case1in a communicative state.

The fingerprint sensor7, the connecting terminal13, the lamp19, and the power source14are in an electrically connected state to the case side IC15through wiring16. Power from the power source14is supplied to the case side IC15and the connecting terminal13, power from the power source14is supplied to the fingerprint sensor7through the case side IC15, and power is supplied to the lamp19from the connecting terminal13.

Further, at a position not in contact with the outer surface of the fingerprint sensor7, rails12holding the IC card30are set up in the storage18along a long side of the case body11.

FIG. 3is a diagram (side view) when the IC card case1is looked at from a direction of arrow inFIG. 2A. The IC card30when stored in the case body11is shown herein in one-dot chain lines (virtual lines).

As shown inFIG. 3, when the IC card30is stored in the case body11, the rails12operate to prevent the outer surface of the fingerprint sensor7from contacting the IC card30. Hence, when putting the IC card30in and out the IC card case1, the fingerprint sensor is prevented from being damaged due to a load caused by contacting the fingerprint sensor7.

Further, the connecting terminal13, as explained later, is designed to contact on the surface of the IC card30, for example, by a spring pressure (not illustrated) and the like so as to carry out communications through contacting a terminal set up on the IC card30side.

It should be noted that while illustrations of the power source14, the case side IC15, and the wiring16are omitted, they are set up at positions not in contact with the IC card30in the same way as the fingerprint sensor7.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare sectional views explaining a schematic construction of the fingerprint sensor7. The fingerprint sensor7is a sensor for detecting a shape of this fingerprint (fingerprint pattern) when acquiring the fingerprint as biometric information, and, as described above, is set up in a manner of facing inside the opening part of the case body11.

This fingerprint sensor7is constituted by a thin-film transistor. Such thin-film transistor is formed by peeling and transcribing technology such as SUFTLA (surface Free Technology by Laser Ablation) onto a plastic base material. Specifically, a low-temperature polysilicon TFT is formed in advance on, for example, a glass substrate having good thermal resistance and transparency. Thereafter, a preset thin-film transistor is peeled by laser irradiation, and the thin-film transistor is transcribed onto the plastic base substrate and formed there.

Use of such technology makes it possible to transcribe and form a thin-film transistor, which could hitherto be formed only on a substrate such as the glass substrate that is hard and thermal-resistant, on, for example, a plastic plate which has inferior thermal resistance to the glass substrate. Consequently, it is possible to form a thin-film transistor easily on a material such as a plastic substrate having flexibility.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 4A, the fingerprint sensor7has a sensor substrate60made up of plastic, a channel part61including source and drain electrodes formed on the sensor substrate60, a gate electrode63set up on the channel61through a lower layer62aof an interlayer insulating layer62, a capacity detection electrode64which is connected to the gate electrode63and arranged in a matrix pattern on an upper layer62cof the interlayer insulating layer62, and a capacity detection dielectric film65provided as if covering the capacity detection electrode64. Further, an intermediate layer62bis formed between the lower layer62aand the upper layer62c.

As shown inFIG. 4b, when a finger F on whose surface a fingerprint pattern of an intricate concave and convex shape is formed is *made to contact a detection surface7aof the fingerprint sensor7, electrostatic capacity generates between the finger F and each capacity detection electrode64(for example, C1, C2, and C3) arranged in a matrix pattern. The quantities of electrostatic capacity C1, C2, and C3become values corresponding to a distance between the fingerprint formed on the finger. F and each capacity detection electrode64. Each quantity of the electrostatic capacity C1, C2, and C3detected is designed to be transmitted to the case side IC15.

As shown inFIG. 5, the case side IC15consists of a CPU66, a ROM67, and a RAM68for processing, a data storage unit69for storing data, and an arithmetic unit70for performing various arithmetic operations.

The data storage unit69, for example, consists of an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) storing pre-registered data of a fingerprint pattern (registered fingerprint pattern)71of an owner in the IC card30and card information72regarding the IC card30, for example, a credit card number and an employee number.

It should be noted, as explained later, that on the IC card30side, too, there is provided information corresponding to the card information72held by the data storage unit69of the IC card case1. It is to be added that “corresponding to” in the embodiment means that the IC card30and the IC card case1possess the same information (card information).

The arithmetic unit70is made up of a fingerprint pattern generating section73which calculates from the values of the quantities of the electrostatic capacity C1, C2, and C3a distribution of distances between the finger F and the capacity detection electrodes64and generates a fingerprint pattern based on the distribution of distances, a comparative decision making section74which compares the fingerprint pattern generated in this fingerprint pattern generating section73to the registered fingerprint pattern stored in the data storage unit69and determines whether or not there is a match, a communications control section75which controls, based on a result of an above-referenced fingerprint authentication, whether communications between the IC card case1and the IC card case30is right or wrong, and a card arithmetic section76performing arithmetic operations and the like regarding card information.

Further, the arithmetic unit70is designed to function as a comparing section which enables communications to be carried out from the case side IC15to the card side IC33by authenticating the card information72held by the IC card30, as explained later.

Next, a structure of the IC card30in the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6is a perspective view showing a construction of the IC card30. As shown inFIG. 6, the IC card30is composed mainly of a card substrate32and a card side IC (card side functional unit)33.

The card substrate32is made up, for example, by gluing together base materials32aand32bwhich are plastics and the like, and holds the card side IC33.

Further, on the card substrate32, there is provided an IC card side external terminal (card side terminal)39which electrically connects to the card side IC33through wiring33a. It should be noted that the connecting terminal13of the IC card case1and the IC card side external terminal39of the IC card case1are set up at positions capable of contacting when pulling the IC card30out of the IC card case1. And the IC card side external terminal39, by contacting the connecting terminal13set up in the IC card case1, is designed to carry out communications with the IC card case1through the connecting terminal13.

Further, the IC card side external terminal39can be used as a contact type IC terminal which directly contacts an external device as an information exchange interface. And the IC card30of the embodiment also has a non-contact type IC antenna42receiving and transmitting waves of preset frequency with an external device (not illustrated). Namely, it is possible for the IC card30to carry out communications with an external device in contact or non-contact terms.

Now, a case of carrying out communications with an external device by the IC card30of the embodiment in non-contact terms will now be described.

As shown inFIG. 7, the card side IC33has approximately the same structure as the above-referenced case side IC15, consisting of a CPU86, a ROM87, and a RAM88, a data storage unit89, and an arithmetic unit90. Specifically, a card information72which is held in the data storage unit69of the case side IC15is set up in the data storage unit89.

In the embodiment, the IC card case1side and the IC card30side respectively have the same card information (credit card number and employee number)72. Accordingly, the IC card30and the IC card case1correspond to each other. It should be noted that the corresponding information is not necessarily limited to the same information, so that it may be a code and the like which become fixed information by combining the IC card case2side information with the IC card30side information.

The arithmetic unit90has a card control section95which controls the IC card30in the active status (usable state) when the card information72from the case side IC15and the card information72from the IC card30side correspond to each other.

It should be noted that in the embodiment, a correspondence relationship between the IC card30and the IC card case1is compared by the case side. However, a comparing section may be set up on the IC card30side.

Next, carrying out communications with an external device using the IC card unit50will be described with reference toFIGS. 8A and 8B.

As the IC card30, an employee identity card with an employee number recorded will be used as an example and described as follows. Hence, as an external device, an employee authentication system releasing a lock of a door by authenticating this employee number will be cited as an example and described.

While the IC card unit50is in a condition where the IC card30is stored inside the IC card case1, as referenced above, the IC card30is in a condition where the IC card30covers over the fingerprint sensor7, as a lid, facing inside the opening part10.

First, an IC card30user puts a finger to the opening part10of the IC card case1and slides the IC card30in a direction of arrow ofFIG. 8A.

Then, as shown inFIG. 8B, the connecting terminal13in the IC card case1and the IC card side external terminal39in the IC card30come into contact with each other. Then, the connecting terminal13and the IC card side external terminal39enter into a state of connection, whereby the case side IC15is driven by the power source14to put the fingerprint sensor7in the active status (authentication standby). At this time, the lamp19provided on the outer surface of the IC card case1lights up.

Therefore, by confirming the lighting of the lamp19, the connecting terminal13and the IC card side external terminal39are made to be in solid contact with each other, while the IC card30can be pulled out of the IC card case1to a position such as to make the case side IC15and the card side IC33communicable.

It should be noted that when the IC card30and the IC card case1carry out communications in contact terms, it is possible to supply power from the IC card30side to the case side through a connecting part of the terminal, so that, for example, the power source14may be set up on the IC card30side.

After confirming the lighting up of the lamp19, the IC card30user abuts the finger F from outside the IC card case1on to the surface7aof the fingerprint sensor7facing the opening part10. At this time, the fingerprint sensor7detects the quantities C1, C2, and C3of the electrostatic capacity which generated between the finger F and each capacity detection electrode64, and sends quantity values to a fingerprint pattern generating section73of the case side IC15(refer toFIG. 5).

The fingerprint pattern generating section23, upon receipt of the quantity values of the electrostatic capacity C1, C2, and C3, calculates distances between the finger F and the capacity detection electrodes64from the quantity values of the electrostatic capacities C1, C2, and C3, and generates a fingerprint pattern based on the distances. And the comparative decision making section74reads a registered fingerprint pattern71pre-recorded in the data storage unit69, and makes a decision (authentication) as to whether or not the generated fingerprint pattern matches the registered fingerprint pattern71.

At this time, it may be arranged such that by setting up a lamp in the IC card case1which lights up when fingerprint authentication is properly carried out, a result of fingerprint authentication can be easily confirmed by the user, thus improving operability of the IC card30.

Further, as referenced above, to carry out communications with an external device in non-contact terms, the IC card30, after fingerprint authentication, may be in a condition of being stored in the IC card case1, carrying out communications with an external device.

If it is determined by the comparative decision making section74that the fingerprint pattern and the registered fingerprint pattern71match, the communications control section75communicates information to the IC card30.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the fingerprint pattern and the registered fingerprint pattern71do not match or fingerprint reading failed, the communications control section75keeps the IC card30in an incommunicable state. Hence, the user needs fingerprint authentication again.

Specifically, if the fingerprint patterns match, the arithmetic unit (comparing section)70of the case side IC15carries out a comparison of the card information72held in the data storage unit69of the case side IC15to the card information72held in the data storage unit89of the card side IC33through the IC card side external terminal39in contact with the connecting terminal13.

Accordingly, if the card information72matches by comparing the card information72held by the IC card case1to the card information72held by the IC card30side (that is, the IC card30and the IC card case1correspond to each other), the case side IC15operates for the card control section95to put the IC card30in the active status (usable state) with respect to the card side IC33. In this way, the IC card30becomes usable.

In the IC card unit50of the embodiment, together with authentication through the fingerprint sensor7, authentication of the matching of the IC card30to the IC card case1using the comparing section, two-stage authentication is carried out. Consequently, security when using the IC card30is enhanced even more.

Further, common information of which the IC card30and the IC card case1possess, namely, only the IC card unit50in which both correspond to each other can properly use the IC card30. Therefore, even in case of losing the IC card30, a third party (party not owning the IC card30) not in possession of the IC card case1corresponding to this IC card30is unable to use the IC card30easily.

As referenced above, at this point, the IC card30of the embodiment can carry out communications with an external device through the non-contact type IC antenna42. Therefore, it is possible to carry out communications with the IC card30in a condition where the IC card case1(IC card side external terminal39in a condition of not being exposed) is stored.

Now, if the employee authentication system is in contact terms, it is certainly acceptable for the IC card30to be taken out of the IC card case and to carry out communications by the IC card side external terminal39in contact terms.

After the IC card30is put in the active status (usable state), the card side IC33transmits communications signals through the non-contact type antenna42to an employee authentication system (external device) not illustrated, while transmitting necessary information for authenticating the employee's identity such as the employee number stored as the card information72in the data storage unit89.

When the employee authentication system receives a communications starting signal as well as information necessary for authenticating the employee's identity, the employee authentication system determines if this employee number matches the registered number.

Since the result of determination showed the matching of the employee numbers, the door lock is released and a communications termination signal is transmitted to the IC card30. When the card side IC33received the communications termination information from the authentication system through the non-contact type IC antenna42, the IC card30is again brought to the incommunicable state.

Accordingly, the IC card30is not usable unless authenticated again by the fingerprint sensor7, thus remaining in a state where security is maintained. This completes communications between the employee authentication system and the IC card unit50.

If communications with the employee authentication system are to be continued from this state, all that is required is for the user to abut the finger F again on the surface7aof the fingerprint sensor to put the IC card30in the communicable state.

According to the IC card unit50of the invention, by taking out the IC card30from the IC card case1in a manner of facing the fingerprint sensor7from the opening part10, fingerprint authentication by the fingerprint sensor7is carried out. At this point, the fingerprint data acquired by the fingerprint sensor7is compared to the fingerprint data held in the case side IC15and the matching of the IC card30user's fingerprint and the IC card30holder's fingerprint is authenticated. The case side IC15communicates this to the card side IC33so that the IC card30is controlled from the inactive status (unusable state) to the active status (usable state). Then, it is made possible to make the IC card30usable.

Namely, by installing the fingerprint sensor7on the IC card case1side, the IC card30equipped with a fingerprint authentication function can be provided without setting up the fingerprint sensor on the IC card30side. Hence, because of no need to set up the fingerprint sensor7in the IC card30, it is possible to cut down the manufacturing cost when updating the IC card30.

Further, when storing the IC card30inside the IC card case1, the IC card30functions as a lid covering the fingerprint sensor7facing the opening part10, thus protecting the fingerprint sensor7from outside shock, dust, fine particles and the like.

Next, a second embodiment of the IC card unit will be described.

In the embodiment, description regarding the same construction as the first embodiment will be simplified and the like numbers reference like elements for the description.

The IC card unit in the embodiment is such that a transmitting section for transmitting signals to the card side IC33is set up on the case side IC15. On the card side IC33, there is provided a receiving section to enable communications to be carried out between the case side IC15and the card side IC33by receiving the signals without contacting the case side IC33.

FIG. 9Ais a diagram schematically showing a construction of an IC card case of the embodiment. As shown inFIG. 9A, in an IC card case101, a transmitting section200for transmitting signals to the card side IC33in non-contact terms is set up in lieu of the connecting terminal13in the IC card case1. This transmitting section is arranged such as to be electrically connected to the card side IC33through the wiring16and to be controlled by the card side IC33.

Now, other constituents of the IC card case101are the same as the IC card case1of the first embodiment, consisting of a case body11, a fingerprint sensor7facing inside the opening part, rails12holding the IC card so as not to let the IC card to be in contact with the fingerprint sensor7, the case side IC15, and the power source14. Further, in the embodiment, there is provided a lamp19′ consisting of an LED and the like to show a state of communications between the card and the case by lighting up.

Incidentally, the IC card unit of the embodiment has a switch to drive the power source14for supplying power to the case side IC15so as to carry out communications while the IC card and the IC card case101are in the non-contact state.

In the embodiment, for example, by setting up a switch (not illustrated) at a lower part of the fingerprint sensor7, as the user pushes the fingerprint sensor7by the finger F, the power-source14is turned on by the switch. Consequently, by means of the power source14, the case side IC15, the fingerprint sensor7and the like are activated, thus enabling fingerprint authentication to be carried out.

It should be noted that power is arranged to be supplied from the power source14to the case side IC15at least until the IC card assumes the active status (usable state).

Next, an IC card130in the embodiment will be described.

In the IC card130, in lieu of the IC card side external terminal39in the IC card case1, there is provided a receiving section250which receives signals from the transmitting section200set up in the IC card case101and enables communications to be carried out between the case side IC15and the card side IC33.

Further, for another constituent element of the IC card30, in the. same way as the IC card30of the first embodiment, there is provided an IC antenna42of the non-contact type receiving and transmitting waves of preset frequency among the card substrate32, the card side IC33, and an external device.

An IC card unit150in the embodiment is constituted by such IC card130and the IC card case101.

Next, description will be made of a case where communications are carried out with an external device using the IC card unit150in the embodiment.

In the same way as the first embodiment, in the following description, an employee identity card having a registered employee number is used as an example of the IC card130. Hence, as an external device, an employee authentication system which releases the lock of a door by authenticating this employee's number is cited as an example for description.

Then, after the case side IC15is driven by the power source14and the fingerprint sensor assumes a standby status, a fingerprint of the finger F on this fingerprint sensor7is authenticated.

Now, a decision (authentication) is made as to whether or not the fingerprint pattern read by the fingerprint sensor7matches the fingerprint data pre-recorded in the case side IC15.

At this time, if the fingerprint authentication is properly carried out, it may be arranged such that notifying the result of the fingerprint authentication to the user, for example, by making the lamp19′ blink contributes to improving the operability of the IC card unit150.

In the same way as the first embodiment, when it is determined by the comparative decision making section74that the fingerprint pattern read by the fingerprint sensor7matches the registered fingerprint pattern71, the communications control section75communicates to the IC card130.

The case side IC15communicates to the card side IC33in non-contact terms through the transmitting section200. Then, the receiving section250set up in the card side IC33receives signals from the transmitting section200in non-contact terms.

It should be pointed out that in the embodiment, the transmitting section200is likewise supposed to be capable of transmitting. but also receiving signals therebetween and the receiving section250. Further, the receiving section250is supposed to be capable of receiving signals but also transmitting signals therebetween and the transmitting section200.

Accordingly, the case side IC15can carry out comparison of the card information72held in the card side IC33in non-contact terms through communications between the transmitting section200and the receiving section250. And, if the card information72matches (that is, the IC card30and the IC card case1correspond to each other), the case side IC15sends to the card side IC33a signal that puts the IC card30in the active status (usable state).

At this time, the lamp19′ which has been on goes off. Hence, the user confirms from the lamp19′ going off that the IC card130assumes the usable state and removes the finger F. Then, the switch (not illustrated) set up on the reverse side of the fingerprint sensor7is in the off state, thereby suspending power supply from the power source14to the case side IC15.

In this manner, the IC card30becomes usable.

Accordingly, it is made possible to use the IC card130with respect to the external device (employee authentication system). Now, the IC card130can communicate with the external device in non-contact terms. It should be noted that in the same way as the first embodiment, by setting up an external terminal (IC card side external terminal39) separately in the IC card130, communications may be carried out between the external device and the IC card130in contact terms.

The IC card30, by carrying out communications therebetween and the employee authentication system (external device), releasing the lock of a door, and transmitting the communications termination signal to the IC card130, again, assumes the inactive status (unusable state).

This completes communications between the employee authentication system and the IC card unit50in the embodiment.

It should be pointed out that the invention is naturally not limited to the above-referenced embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from a gist of the invention.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-046701, filed Feb. 23, 2005 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.