Abstract:
An antenna for a non-contact type IC card is provided.  
     A plane coil is formed by punching or etching a thin metal plate in such a manner that a conductor line is wound several times on substantially the same surface. The plane coil has respective terminals at innermost and outermost ends. The innermost terminal is provided with accommodation hole, in which a semiconductor element having electrode terminals is arranged. A circuit film comprises an insulating resin film and a circuit pattern formed on the insulating resin film. The circuit pattern electrically connects the electrode terminals of the semiconductor element to the terminals of the plane coil, respectively. At least one projection is integrally formed with the conductor and extending therefrom inwardly or outwardly so as not to contact an adjacent loop of the conductor line. The projection is located at any desired position to be used as a suction pad, an alignment mark or a positioning guide when said plane coil is sucked or positioned.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an antenna for a non-contact type IC card. More particularly, the present invention relates to an antenna for a non-contact type IC card using a plane coil in which a conductor, which is formed by punching or etching a metal sheet, is wound, in substantially the same plane, a plurality of times. Also, the present invention relates to an antenna frame for a non-contact type IC card. Also, the present invention relates to a non-contact type IC card.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    As shown in FIG. 10, an IC card includes: a rectangular-shaped plane coil  100  in which a conductor wire  102  is wound a plurality of times; and a semiconductor element  104 . The above plane coil  100  and the semiconductor element  104  are interposed between two sheets of resin films  106  made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) on which letters and other items are printed. The two sheets of resin films  106  are made to adhere by an adhesive layer made of polyurethane resin. This adhesive layer seals the plane coil  100  and the semiconductor element  104 .  
           [0005]    When the thus formed IC card passes in a magnetic field formed by a card processor, electric power is generated, by electromagnetic induction, in the plane coil  100  of the IC card. Therefore, the semiconductor element  104  is started by the generated electric power, so that communications can be sent and received between the semiconductor element  104  of the IC card and the card processor via the plane coil  100  which functions as an antenna.  
           [0006]    The plane coil  100  used for the above IC card is conventionally formed in such a manner that a covered electric wire is wound a plurality of times.  
           [0007]    However, when the covered electric wire is wound so as to form the plane coil  100 , it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost of the plane coil  100  and also it is difficult to mass-produce the plane coil  100 .  
           [0008]    Therefore, in order to form a plane coil by means of punching or etching by which the plane coil can be mass-produced at low cost as compared with a plane coil formed by winding a covered wire, the present inventors proposed to use a lead frame for an IC card, which is shown in FIG. 11, in the manufacturing process of the IC card in the specification of Japanese Patent Application 11-279242.  
           [0009]    The lead frame  200  for an IC card shown in FIG. 11 is made by etching or punching a thin metal sheet. Each plane coil  202 ,  202  is partially connected with the inside frame  204  and the outside frame  206  which are respectively formed inside and outside leaving a predetermined interval between the plane coil and the inside and outside frames. That is, the support sections  208 ,  208  extending from a plurality of positions of the inside edge of the outside frame  206  are respectively connected with the outermost conductor  203   a  of the plane coil  202 , and the support sections  210 ,  210  . . . extending from a plurality of positions of the outside edge of the inside frame  204  are respectively connected with the innermost conductor  203   b  of the plane coil  202 .  
           [0010]    The plane coil  202  is substantially rectangular. In order to enhance the rigidity of the plane coil  202 , there are provided bent sections  22 ,  22  . . . in each straight line sections of the plane coil  100 . Further, in order to integrate the conductors  203  on the circumference of the plane coil  200  into one body so as to prevent the conductors  203  from breaking up, the conductors  203  on the circumference, which are adjacent to each other, are connected with each other by the connecting pieces  26 , which are arranged at a plurality of positions.  
           [0011]    In the case of the lead frame  200  for an IC card shown in FIG. 11, when the plane coil  202  is separated from the inside frame  204  and the outside frame  206 , the support sections  208 ,  208  . . . ,  210 ,  210  . . . cut off and also the connecting pieces  26 ,  26  . . . are cut off. After they have been cut off from the plane coil  202 , the conductors  203  on the circumference of the plane coil  202  tend to break up. Therefore, in order to prevent the conductors on the circumference  203  from breaking up, a plurality of tape members  214 ,  214  . . . made to adhere onto the plane coil  202 . In this connection, the plane coil  202  onto which the plurality of tape members  214 ,  214  are made to adhere is electrically connected with the electrode terminal of the semiconductor element  216  and the terminal of the plane coil  202 .  
           [0012]    According to the lead frame  200  for an IC card shown in FIG. 11, when the plane coil  202  is separated from the inside frame  204  and the outside frame  206 , even if the support sections  208 ,  208  . . . ,  210 ,  210  . . . are cut off and also the connecting pieces  26 ,  26  . . . are cut off, the conductors  203  of the plane coil  202  are fixed by the tape members  214 . Therefore, the conductors  203  on the circumference can be prevented from breaking up. Accordingly, the plane coil  202  can be easily handled.  
           [0013]    However, the plane coil  202 , which has been separated from the inside frame  204  and the outside frame  206  so that the plane coil  202  is simplified (this plane coil will be referred to as a “simplified plane coil”), must be interposed between two sheets of resin films, on the outer surface side of which characters are printed, so that it can be formed into an IC card. Therefore, it is necessary for the simplified plane coil  202  to be air-absorbed and/or positioned.  
           [0014]    When consideration is given to the manufacturing cost of the IC card, it is necessary to automatize the air-absorbing and positioning work of the simplified plane coil  202 . However, on the plane coil  202  shown in FIG. 11, there are provided no portions useable for air-absorbing and positioning the plane coil  202 . Therefore, it is difficult to automatize the air-absorbing and positioning work of the simplified plane coil  202 .  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna for a non-contact type IC card, an antenna frame for a non-contact type IC card, and a non-contact type IC card characterized in that the air-absorbing and positioning work for a simplified plane coil can be easily automatized.  
           [0016]    As a result of an investigation made by the present inventors to solve the above problems, they have found that the sucking and positioning work of the simplified plane coil can be easily automated when a plurality of projecting sections are formed on the outermost or innermost conductors of the plane coil, and these projecting sections are used as suction pads or alignment marks in the case of sucking or positioning the simplified plane coil.  
           [0017]    According to the present invention, there is provided an antenna for a non-contact type IC card, the antenna comprising: a plane coil formed by punching or etching a thin metal plate in such a manner that a conductor line is wound several times on substantially the same surface; and at least one projection integrally formed with the conductor and extending therefrom inwardly or outwardly so as not to contact an adjacent loop of the conductor line, the projection being located at any desired position to be used as a suction pad, an alignment mark or a positioning guide when the plane coil is sucked or positioned.  
           [0018]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna for a non-contact type IC card, the antenna comprising: a plane coil formed by punching or etching a thin metal plate in such a manner that a conductor line is wound several times on substantially the same surface, the plane coil having respective terminals at innermost and outermost ends, the innermost terminal is provided with accommodation hole; a semiconductor element having electrode terminals and arranged in the accommodation hole; a circuit film comprising an insulating resin film and a circuit pattern formed on the insulating resin film, the circuit pattern electrically connecting the electrode terminals of the semiconductor element to the terminals of the plane coil; and at least one projection integrally formed with the conductor and extending therefrom inwardly or outwardly, so as not to contact an adjacent loop of the conductor line, the projection being located at any desired position to be used as a suction pad, an alignment mark or a positioning guide when the plane coil is sucked or positioned.  
           [0019]    According to a still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna frame for a non-contact type IC card, said antenna comprising: a plurality of plane coils formed by punching or etching a thin metal plate in such a manner that the plurality of plane coils are longitudinally and continuously arranged at a predetermined interval, each plane coil comprising a conductor line wound several times on a substantially same surface; a frame member partially and integrally connected to the plurality of plane coils so as to hold the latter; each of the plane coils comprising at least one projection integrally formed with the conductor and extending therefrom inwardly or outwardly, so as not to contact an adjacent loop of the conductor line, the projection being located at any desired position to be used as a suction pad, an alignment mark or a positioning guide when the plane coil is sucked or positioned.  
           [0020]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-contact type IC card comprising: a plane coil formed by punching or etching a thin metal plate in such a manner that a conductor line is wound several times on substantially the same surface; and at least one projection integrally formed with the conductor and extending therefrom inwardly or outwardly so as not to contact an adjacent loop of the conductor line, the projection being located at any desired position to be used as a suction pad, an alignment mark or a positioning guide when the plane coil is sucked or positioned.  
           [0021]    According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-contact type IC card comprising: a plane coil formed by punching or etching a thin metal plate in such a manner that a conductor line is wound several times on substantially the same surface, the plane coil having respective terminals at innermost and outermost ends, the innermost terminal being provided with accommodation hole; a semiconductor element having electrode terminals and arranged in the accommodation hole; a circuit film comprising an insulating resin film and a circuit pattern formed on the insulating resin film, the circuit pattern electrically connecting the electrode terminals of the semiconductor element to the terminals of the plane coil; at least one projection integrally formed with the conductor and extending therefrom inwardly or outwardly so as not to contact an adjacent loop of the conductor line, the projection being located at any desired position to be used as a suction pad, an alignment mark or a positioning guide when the plane coil is sucked or positioned; and a pair of external films between which the plane coil is disposed together with the semiconductor element and the circuit film.  
           [0022]    In the present invention, when the projecting sections are formed in the conductors arranged on the outermost loop and/or innermost loop composing the plane coil, the projecting sections can be easily formed.  
           [0023]    The conductors composing the plane coil are fixed with resin, which is filled in the spaces between the adjacent conductors of the plane coil and does not protrude out from the upper and the lower surfaces of the plane coil, so that the adjoining conductors can be held at predetermined intervals. In this way, the conductors of the simplified plane coil can be prevented from breaking up and the handling property of the simplified plane coil can be enhanced. Further, resin for fixing the conductors is not protruded from the upper and the lower face of the plane coil. Therefore, even when the simplified plane coil is interposed between two sheets of resin films so as to form an IC card, it is possible to provide a thin IC card.  
           [0024]    When the semiconductor element is arranged in a frame body which is formed by being projected onto the inside space side of the plane coil and also the electrode terminal of the semiconductor element and the terminal of the plane coil are electrically connected with the each other by wiring pattern formed on one side of the insulating resin film, the thickness of the finally obtained IC card can be reduced as compared with a case in which the electrode terminals of the semiconductor element and the terminals of the plane coil are electrically connected with each other by wires.  
           [0025]    In this connection, in the case of positioning the plane coil by a guide pin, when a guide hole is formed in the projecting section so that at least a portion of the guide pin can be inserted into the guide hole, the simplified plane coil can be easily positioned using the guide pin.  
           [0026]    On the plane coil used for the antenna for a non-contact type IC card, the antenna frame for a non-contact type IC card and the non-contact type IC card of the present invention, there are provided projecting sections, which project outward or inward from the plane coil, at predetermined positions of the conductors on the circumference so that the projecting sections do not come into contact with the adjacent conductors.  
           [0027]    Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the antenna for a non-contact type IC card, the antenna frame for a non-contact type IC card and the non-contact type IC card, when the simplified plane coil is sucked and positioned, these projecting sections function as suction pads, alignment marks and positioning guides. Therefore, it becomes possible to automate the sucking and positioning operations of the simplified plane coil. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an antenna for a non-contact type IC card of the present invention;  
         [0029]    FIGS.  2 ( a ) and  2 ( b ) are partially enlarged views of projecting section(s) formed on a plane coil of the antenna shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0030]    FIGS.  3 ( a ) and  3 ( b ) are respectively a partial plan view and a partial cross-sectional view of a plane coil shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0031]    FIGS.  4 ( a ) and  4 ( b ) are respectively a partial back view and a partial cross-sectional view for explaining an electrical connection between terminals of a plane coil shown in FIG. 1 and electrode terminal of a semiconductor element;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a frame for an IC card used when an antenna for a non-contact type IC card shown in FIG. 1 is manufactured;  
         [0033]    FIGS.  6 ( a ) and  6 ( b ) are partial plan views of an IC card shown in FIG. 5;  
         [0034]    FIGS.  7 ( a ) to  7 ( c ) are schematic illustrations for explaining a method of charging resin between conductors of a plane coil of an IC card shown in FIG. 5;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration for explaining an adhesion device for making a film adhere onto a simplified plane coil;  
         [0036]    FIGS.  9 ( a ) and  9 ( b ) are partial enlarged views for explaining another example of projecting section(s) formed on a plane coil shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 10 is a plane view for explaining a conventional IC card;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of an IC card frame used when an improved IC card is manufactured; and  
         [0039]    FIGS.  12 ( a ) and  12 ( b ) are, respectively, a partial enlarged plan view and a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of an IC card frame shown in FIG. 11. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]    [0040]FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of an antenna of a non-contact type IC card of the present invention. The plane coil  12  forming the antenna  10  for a non-contact type IC card shown in FIG. 1 is a plane coil, the plane profile of which is substantially rectangular, formed by etching or punching a thin metal sheet. The plane coil  12  is formed of a conductor  14  which is wound on substantially the same plane a plurality of times.  
         [0041]    Thus the plane coil  12  has four corners and four straight line sections (sides). At two opposite corners of the above plane coil  12 , there are provided projecting sections  15 ,  15  . . . which are respectively formed outside the plane coil  12  from the outermost conductor  14   a  and inside the plane coil  12  from the innermost conductor  14   b.    
         [0042]    As shown in FIG. 2( a ), the projecting section  15  can be formed into any desired profile such as a triangle, square or semicircle. As shown in FIG. 2( b ), the projecting section  15  is made of the same material as that of the conductor  14   a  (or conductor  14   b ) and projects from the conductor  14   a  (or conductor  14   b ).  
         [0043]    In principle, the size of the projecting section  15  is different according to the object for using the projecting section  15 . For example, in the case for using the projecting section  15  as a suction pad of the simplified plane coil  10 , it is necessary to adjust the size of the projecting section  15  to the size of the suction pad of the suction device. However, in the case for using the projecting section  15  as an alignment mark of the simplified plane coil  10 , the size of the projecting section  15  may be smaller than that of the projecting section  15  used as a suction pad.  
         [0044]    It should be noted, however, even when the projecting section  15  is used as a suction pad, it can also be used as an alignment mark.  
         [0045]    The plane coil  12  shown in FIG. 1 is provided with bent sections  22  in the respective four straight line sections. As shown in FIG. 3( a ), this bent section  22  is formed in such a manner that the bent portion  25 , which protrudes inward of the plane coil  12 , is formed at the substantially same position of the conductor  14  on each circumference composing the straight line section of the plane coil  12 . When this bent section  22  is formed on the plane coil  12 , it is possible to enhance its rigidity. Therefore, even if the plane coil  12  is given an external force in the lateral direction when the plane coil  12  is being conveyed, it is possible to prevent the deformation of the conductors  14  composing the plane coil  12 , so that the occurrence of short circuit, which is caused by contact of the adjacent conductors, can be prevented.  
         [0046]    In the intermediate section of each bent section  22  and in each corner section, there is provided a resin charging section  18  so that the conductors  14 ,  14  . . . on the circumference can be kept in its wound state while a predetermined interval can be kept between the adjoining conductors  14 . As shown in FIG. 3( b ), in this resin charging section  18 , the resin  20  is charged between the conductors which are adjacent to each other, so that the conductors  14 ,  14  . . . can be fixed by the resin  20 .  
         [0047]    The above resin  20  is charged between the conductors without protruding from the upper and the lower face of the plane coil  12 . As described later, this resin  20  adheres to two sheets, of resin film, between which the plane coil  12  is interposed. Therefore, the thickness of the adhesive layer for hermetically sealing the plane coil  12  can be reduced. Accordingly, the finally obtained IC card can be made thin.  
         [0048]    Concerning the resin  20 , as described later, it is possible to use resin capable of being hardened or solidified after the resin has been charged between the conductors. It is preferable to use light-setting type resin. The reason why it is preferable to use light-setting type resin is that when the resin charged between the conductors is hardened, it is possible to harden the resin by irradiating the resin with beams of light of a specific wave-length without heating the resin. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an influence such as a thermal shock which is given to the conductors  14  made of metal when the resin is heated for hardening.  
         [0049]    In this connection, concerning the resin  20 , it is preferable to use biodegradation resin such as corn starch so that its influence given on natural environment is as small as possible.  
         [0050]    In the IC card  10  shown in FIG. 1, the terminals of the plane coil  12  and the electrode terminals of the semiconductor element  16  are electrically connected with each other as shown in FIGS.  4 ( a ) and  4 ( b ).  
         [0051]    That is, the pattern film  23  is made to adhere to one sides of the frame body  28   a,  which is the terminal of the innermost conductor  14   b  of the plane coil  12 , protruding onto the inner space side of the plane coil  12 , and of the terminal  28   b  of the outermost conductor  14   a  of the plane coil  12 . As shown in FIG. 4( b ) which is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 4( a ), on this wiring pattern film  23 , there are provided two wiring patterns  32   a,    32   b  on the insulating resin film  33  made of adhesive resin.  
         [0052]    In a portion of this wiring pattern film  23  in which the wiring pattern  32   a  is formed, there is provided a hole  31   a  into which the bump  30   a,  which is an electrode terminal of the semiconductor element  16  arranged at the center of the opening section of the frame body  28   a,  is inserted, and also there is provided a hole  35   a,  on the bottom face of which the surface of the terminal  28   b  of the plane coil  12  is exposed.  
         [0053]    In a portion in which the wiring pattern  32   b  is formed, there is provided a hole  31   b  into which the bump  30   b,  which is an electrode terminal of the semiconductor element  16  arranged at the center of the opening section of the frame body  28   a,  is inserted, and also there is provided a hole  35   b,  on the bottom face of which the surface of the frame body  28   a  is exposed.  
         [0054]    Further, conductive paste  37  is charged into the holes  31   a,    31   b,    35   a,    35   b.  Therefore, the terminals of the plane coil  12  and the electrode terminals of the semiconductor element  16  are electrically connected with each other. When the wiring patterns  32   a,    32   b  are removed and the conductive paste is coated or printing is conducted on the insulating resin film  33 , the terminals of the plane coil  12  and the electrode terminals of the semiconductor elements  16  can be electrically connected with each other.  
         [0055]    When the terminals of the plane coil  12  and the electrode terminals of the semiconductor element  16  are electrically connected with each other by the wiring patterns  32   a,    32   b  formed on the other side of the insulating resin sheet  24  as described above, the terminal of the plane coil  12  and the electrode terminal of the semiconductor element  16  can be electrically connected with each other with ease and the finally obtained IC card  10  can be made thin, as compared with a case in which the semiconductor element  216  is arranged in the recess  220  formed on the lower side of the conductors  203 ,  203  . . . on the circumference of the plane coil  202  as shown in FIG. 12, and the electrode terminals  216   a,    216   a  of the semiconductor element  216  and the terminals  205 ,  205  of the conductor  203  are electrically connected with each other by the wires  218 ,  218 .  
         [0056]    It is preferable that the antenna  10  for a non-contact type IC card shown in FIG. 1 is manufactured via an IC card frame  40  shown in FIG. 5. The IC card frame  40  shown in FIG. 5 is made by etching or punching a thin metal sheet. Each plane coil  12 ,  12  is partially connected with the inside frame  42  and the outside frame  44  which are respectively formed inside and outside leaving a predetermined interval between the plane coil and the inside and outside frames. That is, the support sections  46 ,  46  . . . extending from a plurality of positions of the inside edge of the outside frame  44  are respectively connected with the outermost conductor  14   a  of the plane coil  12 , and the support sections  48 ,  48  . . . extending from a plurality of positions of the outside edge of the inside frame  42  are respectively connected with the innermost conductor  14   b  of the plane coil  12 .  
         [0057]    Further, at two corners of the above plane coil  12 , there are provided two projecting sections  15 ,  15  . . . which are respectively formed outside the plane coil  12  from the outermost conductor  14   a  and inside the plane coil  12  from the innermost conductor  14   b.  This projecting section  15  can be formed into any desired profile such as a triangle, square or semicircle.  
         [0058]    This projecting section  15  can be formed simultaneously with the conductor  14  when the metal sheet is etched or punched.  
         [0059]    Concerning an IC card frame  40  shown in FIG. 5, when the plane coil  12  and the frame, which is formed leaving predetermined intervals, are partially connected with each other so as to support the plane coil  12  by the frame, it is possible to enhance the handling property of the plane coil when it is conveyed or accommodated.  
         [0060]    The metal sheet to be etched or punched in the manner described above may be a sheet made of metal such as copper, iron and aluminum or an alloy containing the above metals. Especially when a metal sheet made of iron or aluminum is used, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the plane coil.  
         [0061]    In this connection, on the plane coil  12  of the IC card frame  40  shown in FIG. 5, the electrode terminals of the mounted semiconductor element  16  and the terminals of the plane coil  12  are electrically connected with each other. However, the detail of the electrical connection between them has already been explained with reference to FIGS.  4 ( a ) and  4 ( b ). Therefore, an explanation will be omitted here.  
         [0062]    The plane coil  12  formed in the IC card frame  40  shown in FIG. 5 is rectangular. On this plane coil  12  formed in the IC card frame  40 , there is provided a bent section  22  in each straight line section. As shown in FIG. 6( a ), this bent section  22  is formed in such a manner that the bent portion  25 , which protrudes to the inside of the plane coil  12 , is formed at substantially the same position of the conductor  14  on each circumference composing the straight section of the plane coil  12 . When this bent section  22  is formed on the plane coil  12 , it is possible to enhance its rigidity. Therefore, even if the plane coil  12  is given an external force in the lateral direction when the plane coil  12  is being conveyed, it is possible to prevent the deformation of the conductors  14  composing the plane coil  12 , so that the occurrence of short circuit, which would be caused by contact between the conductors, can be prevented.  
         [0063]    In the case where a metal sheet is subjected to punching so as to form the plane coil  12 , a punch used for punching out an interval between the conductors composing the plane coil becomes long and slender, and the rigidity of the punch could be decreased. For the above reasons, there is a possibility that the punch is damaged in the punching operation and the thus formed conductor may be twisted. In order to solve the above problems, when the bent portion  24  is formed in each conductor  14 , the bent portion must also be formed in the punch following the profile of the conductor  14 . Due to the foregoing, the rigidity of the punch can be enhanced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the punch from being damaged in the process of a punching operation, and further it is possible to prevent the conductor  14  from being twisted.  
         [0064]    On the plane coil  12  shown in FIG. 5, there are provided a plurality of connecting pieces  26  for connecting the conductors  14  which are adjacent to each other, as shown in FIG. 6( b ). By these connecting pieces  26 ,  26  . . . , the conductors  14  on the circumference can be prevented from breaking up. Therefore, when a plurality of frames  40  used for IC cards are laminated and accommodated, it is possible to prevent the deformation of the conductors  14  which is caused when the conductors  14  become entangled with the conductors  14  of another plane coil  12 .  
         [0065]    When these connecting pieces  26 ,  26  are formed step-like between the conductors  14  on the circumference as shown in FIG. 6( b ), it becomes easy to conduct punching on the connecting pieces  26 ,  26  by using a cutting punch. Further, it becomes possible to enhance the mechanical strength of the cutting punch. The reason why the mechanical strength of the punch is enhanced is described as follows. Usually, the connecting pieces  26 ,  26  . . . are simultaneously cut off. Therefore, when the connecting pieces  26 ,  26  . . . are arranged on a straight line, the cutting punch is formed into a comb-tooth-shape. Accordingly, it is difficult to make the cutting punch, and the mechanical strength of the cutting punch is decreased. However, when the connecting pieces  26 ,  26  . . . are formed step-like as shown in FIG. 6( b ), the position of each punch blade for cutting can be shifted according to the positions at which the connecting pieces  26 ,  26  . . . are formed. Therefore, the cutting punch can be easily made, and the mechanical strength of the cutting punch can be enhanced.  
         [0066]    In this connection, the connecting pieces  26 ,  26  are cut off by the sealing process for sealing the plane coil  12  described later, so that a predetermined interval is formed between the conductors  14  on the circumference.  
         [0067]    In the case of the IC card frame  40  shown in FIG. 5, when the IC card  10  is formed by interposing the plane coil  12  between two sheets of resin films  24 ,  24 , it is necessary to cut off the support sections  46 ,  46  . . . and  48 ,  48  . . . and the connecting pieces  26 ,  26  . . . so as to separate the plane coil  12  from the IC card frame  40 . (the inside frame  42  and the outside frame  44 )  
         [0068]    On the simplified plane coil  12 , which was simplified when it is cut off from the IC card frame  40 , the bent sections  22 ,  22  . . . are formed. Therefore, the rigidity of the simplified plane coil  12  is increased, however, it is impossible to sufficiently prevent the conductors  14  from breaking up.  
         [0069]    In order to sufficiently prevent the conductors  14  from breaking up, in the IC card frame  40  shown in FIG. 5, the resin charging sections  18 ,  18  . . . are formed in the intermediate sections of the bent sections  22 ,  22  . . . and the corner sections. As shown in FIG. 3( b ), the resin in the resin charging section  18  is solidified while the resin  20  is not being protruding from the upper and the lower face of the plane coil  12 .  
         [0070]    In order to form the resin charging section  18  which is solidified while the resin  20  is not protruding from the upper and lower face of the plane coil  12 , as shown in FIG. 7( a ), the lower face side of the frame  40  for an IC card is put on the flat table  50 , and the fluid resin  20  is poured between the conductors  54 ,  54  . . . at predetermined positions on the plane coil  12  by a dispenser  52 . The resin  20 , which has been poured into the spaces between the conductors  54 ,  54  . . . , swells from the upper face of the plane coil  12  by the surface tension as shown in FIG. 7( b ). In this case, after the film  58  has been covered on the upper face of the plane coil  12  as shown in FIG. 7( b ) so that the upper face of the resin  20  can be made to be the same face as that of the plane coil  12 , the resin  20  is solidified or hardened.  
         [0071]    When the resin  20  is solidified or hardened as described above, the resin  20  of the resin charging section  18  can be solidified or hardened while it is not protruding from the upper and the lower face of the plane coil  12 .  
         [0072]    Examples of the usable resin  20  are: thermo-plastic resin, thermo-setting resin and light-setting resin. It is most preferable to use light-setting type resin. The reason why it is preferable to use light-setting type resin is that when the resin  20  made of light-setting resin charged between the conductors is hardened, it is possible to harden the resin  20  by irradiating a beam of light of a specific wave-length without heating the resin. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an influence, such as a thermal shock, being given to the plane coil  12  when the resin is heated for hardening.  
         [0073]    In the case where light-setting resin is used as the resin  20 , after the film  58  has been covered and the upper face of the resin  20  has been made to be the same face as that of the plane coil  12  as shown in FIG. 7( b ), it is preferable that a transparent film is used as the film  58  and a beam of light is irradiated through the transparent film when the resin  20  is to be hardened.  
         [0074]    The forming of the resin charging section  18  may be conducted at any time before the plane coil  12  is separated from the IC card frame  40 , however, it is preferable that the forming of the resin charging section  18  is conducted after the semiconductor element  16  has been mounted and before the plane coil  12  is separated from the frame  40 .  
         [0075]    However, in the case where light-setting resin is used as the resin  20  and there is a possibility that the semiconductor element  16  is damaged by ultraviolet rays used for hardening light-setting resin, it is preferable that the semiconductor element  16  is mounted after the resin charging section  18  made of light-setting resin has been formed.  
         [0076]    In this connection, unless the resin  20  is protruded from the upper and the lower face of the plane coil  12  in the case where the resin  20  is solidified or hardened, the surface of the resin  20 , which has been contracted to be solidified or hardened, may become concave.  
         [0077]    Even after the support sections  46 ,  46  . . . ,  48 ,  48  and the connecting pieces  26 ,  26  . . . of the IC card frame  40  shown in FIG. 5 are cut off so that the simplified plane coil  12 , on which the semiconductor element  16  is mounted, is separated from the IC card frame  40 , the simplified plane coil  12  is still provided with the bent sections  22 ,  22  and the resin charging sections  18 ,  18  . . . . Therefore, the conductors  14  can be prevented from breaking up and, further, the conductors  14  can be prevented from being deformed.  
         [0078]    In addition, at two positions on the simplified plane coil  12 , there are provided projecting sections  15 ,  15  . . . which are formed to project from the outermost conductor  14   a  to the outside of the plane coil  12  and from the innermost conductor  14   b  to the inside of the plane coil  12 . Therefore, when the simplified plane coil  12  is sucked and positioned, the projecting sections  15 ,  15  . . . can be used as suction pads, alignment marks or positioning guides. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to automatically put the simplified plane coils  12 ,  12  on the conveyer  68  moving in the direction of arrow B so as to move the plane coils  12 ,  12  . . . to the next process.  
         [0079]    In this connection, in the process shown in FIG. 8, IC cards are formed when protective films, on which printing can be conducted, are made to adhere onto both faces of the plane coil  12 .  
         [0080]    In the process shown in FIG. 8, while the film  62  made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which has been drawn out from the roll  60 , is being wound around a half circumference of the drum  64  rotating in the direction of arrow A, the hot-melt resin  66 , which is heated and provided with an adhesion property, is coated on one side (surface side) of the film  62  made of PET or PVC.  
         [0081]    On the other hand, the plane coils  12 ,  12  . . . are put on the conveyer  68  moving in the direction of arrow B. When the plane coils  12 ,  12  . . . pass below the drum  64 , the PET film  62  is made to adhere onto one side of each plane coil by the hot-melt resin  66  which exhibits the adhesion property when it is heated. Further, the plane coil  12 , on one side of which the PET film  62  is already adhered by the hot-melt adhesive agent  66 , is put on the conveyer  68  in such a manner that the other side of the plane coil  12 , on which the PET film  62  is not yet adhered, is set upward. Then, the PET film  62  is made to adhere onto the other side of the plane coil  12  by the hot-melt adhesive agent  66 . In this way, the PET films  62  can be made to adhere onto both sides of the plane coil  12 .  
         [0082]    When the plane coils  12  are cut off at appropriate positions, it is possible to obtain IC cards, on both sides of which the PET films  62  adhere.  
         [0083]    In the explanations of the embodiments shown in FIGS.  1  to  8 , the projecting sections  15 ,  15  . . . formed at two positions on the simplified plane coil  12  are formed into a sheet-shape. However, it is possible to use the projecting section  15 , at the center of which the guide hole  17  is formed as shown in FIGS.  9 ( a ),  9 ( b ). The diameter of this guide hole  17  is determined so that at least a portion of a guide pin (not shown) for positioning the plane coil can be inserted.  
         [0084]    In FIG. 5, the terminals of the plane coil  12  and the electrode terminals of the semiconductor element  16  are electrically connected with each other under the condition that the plane coil  12  is supported by the IC card frame  40 , however, it is also possible to electrically connect the terminals of the plane coil  12  with the electrode terminals of the semiconductor element  16  after the plane coil  12  has been separated from the IC card frame  40 . Even on the plane coil  12  which has been simplified by cutting off from the frame  40  for an IC card, a plurality of projecting sections  15 ,  15  are formed on the outermost conductor  14 a and/or the innermost conductor  14   b.  Therefore, the plane coil  12  can be easily sucked and positioned even in the case of the plane coil  12  which has been simplified by cutting off from the frame  40  for an IC card.  
         [0085]    Further, the resin  20  for fixing the conductors  14  onto the plane coil  12  is charged between the conductors  54 ,  54  . . . at predetermined positions on the plane coil  12 , however, it is possible to charge the resin  20  between all the conductors on the plane coil  12 . When the resin  20  is charged between all the conductors on the plane coil  12 , it is possible to prevent the plane coil  12  from corroding.  
         [0086]    According to the present invention, when the simplified plane coil is sucked and positioned, the projecting sections formed at the predetermined positions on this simplified plane coil function as suction pads, alignment marks and positioning guides. Therefore, it is possible to automate the sucking and positioning work of the simplified plane coil. As a result, it becomes possible to automate the manufacturing process of plane coils. Accordingly, the IC card can be mass-produced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.