Patent Publication Number: US-10311266-B2

Title: Card reader

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-162691 filed on Aug. 8, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a card reader that reads the information in an integrated circuit (IC) card. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Patent Literature 1: JP 2003-006578 A 
     Access control systems are conventionally known to use contactless IC cards for access controls of entering and exiting facilitates, such as offices, warehouses, hospitals (for example, see Patent Literature 1). Such access control systems require each user to only bring his/her contactless IC card in proximity of the card reader installed adjacent to a door of a room to activate wireless communication to immediately identify the user, thereby unlocking the electric lock to permit the user to enter the room. 
     Some access control systems are further known to install a press-button switch unit on the front face of the card reader. The switch unit is intended to add a function to the card reader, such as a switch for designating a security control associated with security instruments. Each user presses the press-button switch unit and brings the contactless IC card close to the card reader, activating the security control. 
     Such conventional card readers in some cases respond to the needs of each customer for the usability, such as changing positions of press-button switch units, adding new press-button switch units, thereby involving custom-made design changes. The design changes typically include changes of housing or internal wiring for installing switch units, unfortunately leading to difficulties in re-designing the intensity, waterproofness, and reading performance including reading distance and communication success ratio, against the housing of the reader. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a card reader to solve such difficulties. 
     An example of the present disclosure provides a card reader to read information in an integrated circuit (IC) card as follows. The card reader includes a housing, a first antenna, a control circuit, and a switch unit. The first antenna is disposed inside of the housing to communicate with the IC card. The control circuit communicates with the IC card within a communication range of the first antenna and performs at least a process that acquires data from a memory in the IC card. The switch unit includes a radio frequency (RF) tag having a second antenna. The switch unit functions as a switch that performs a predetermined function by causing the RF tag to communicate with the control circuit via the second antenna and the first antenna when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Herein, of the switch unit, the second antenna at least is arranged within a side lobe of the first antenna. 
     The card reader of this example communicates with the IC card using the main lobe of the first antenna. The second antenna of the RF tag in the switch unit is attached within a side lobe that is different from the main lobe; attaching the switch unit having the second antenna does not degrade the reading performance for the IC card by the first antenna. The card reader of this example permits the wireless communication between the control circuit and the switch unit using the RF tag without degrading the reading performance for the IC card. Attaching the switch unit to the housing thus eliminates the needs of changes in the internal wiring or changes in the housing structure, such as boring a hole in the housing for wiring. This facilitates the design changes such as change of the attachment position of the switch unit and adding a new switch unit. In addition, the card reader of this example arranges the second antenna within a side lobe of the first antenna; this permits the second antenna to be present outside of the reading area for the IC card formed within the main lobe over the surface of the housing. Conventional card readers, which connect their press-button switch units to control circuits with wiring, typically arrange the press-button switches outside of the reading area; thus, the card reader of this example only needs to replace a conventional press-button switch unit with the switch unit of the this example. This can eliminate needs of re-arranging existing electronic components and circuit boards when preparing the card reader of this example, facilitating the design changes. Further, the card reader of this example helps prevent the degradation of the reading performance for the IC card using the first antenna, allowing a user to hold up the IC card with unchanged usability, or allowing the design change not to affect the usability. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1A  is a front view of a card reader according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  is a partial cross-sectional side view of the card reader; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the card reader with an ID card held in contact with a main body of the card reader; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram for explaining an internal configuration of a press-button switch unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram for explaining a principle of the communication between an RF tag and an IC chip with an antenna coil turned on; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart diagram illustrating a tag information reading process executed by an IC chip in the main body of the card reader; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a card reader of a comparative example; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a card reader according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a card reader according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a card reader according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram for explaining an internal configuration of a temperature switch unit in a card reader according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following will explain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     A. First Embodiment 
     A-1. Configuration 
     A card reader  10  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B .  FIG. 1A  illustrates a front view;  FIG. 1B  illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view. The card reader  10  is an apparatus for reading information in an identification (ID) card that is unshown. The present embodiment provides the card reader  10  that is included in an access control system managing access controls for entering and exiting offices, for instance. The ID card is a contactless integrated circuit (IC) card, which may be also referred to a non-contact IC card, for personal identification or personal authentication; the ID card is required to be held by office employees in offices, for instance. 
     As in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the card reader  10  includes a main body  20 , a cover  40 , and a press-button switch unit  50 . 
     The main body  20  is shaped of a box having a front plate part  20   a , a side plate part  20   b , and a back plate part  20   c . The main body  20  is attached adjacent to a door for entering and exiting an office with the back plate part  20   c  contacting a wall of the office. The main body  20  contains internally (i) a circuit board  24  mounting with an integrated circuit (IC) chip  22  and (ii) a loop antenna  26  (or antenna coil) connected to the circuit board  24 . The IC chip  22  includes a memory that stores data, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and an RF (Radio Frequency) unit (also referred to as a wireless unit), which modulates and demodulates data, for instance. The loop antenna  26  is connected to the RF unit of the IC chip  22  via the circuit board  24 . The loop antenna  26  and the front plate part  20   a  are arranged as facing each other. This “facing each other” signifies an arrangement permitting (i) the loop plane of the loop antenna  26  and (ii) the front plate part  20   a  to face each other in parallel or in substantially parallel. Such an arrangement may be alternatively defined as facing each other by forming an angle between the loop plane and the front plate part  20   a  to be within a range from 135 to 225 degrees. 
     The cover  40  is attached to the main body  20  so as to cover, of the main body  20 , the front plate part  20   a  and part of the side plate part  20   b . The cover  40  has a front face  40   a  where a reading area RA (see  FIG. 1B ) for the ID card  70  is formed. This reading area RA is an area corresponding to a communication range of the loop antenna  26 ; the reading area RA in the present embodiment is located in a region moved downward against the vertical middle of the front plate part  20   a . The loop antenna  26  has a radiating pattern that includes a main lobe ML and side lobes SL; the reading area RA contains the main lobe ML and part of the side lobe SL. Note that the reading area RA is illustrated only just for explanation; the reading area RA may not be square in practice and may not specify a border between a readable area and a non-readable area certainly. Further, the present embodiment indicates the above arrangement permitting the loop plane of the loop antenna  26  and the front plate part  20   a  to face each other in parallel or in substantially parallel. However, there is no need to be limited to such arrangement, and another arrangement may be employed as follows. For instance, the loop antenna  26  may be disposed in proximity of the front plate part  20   a  so as to permit a reading area RA for ID cards to appear at minimum in the front face  40   a  of the cover  40  facing the front plate part  20   a.    
     A-2. Configuration of ID Card 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the card reader  10  with the ID card  70  held in contact with the main body  20  of the card reader  10 . The ID card  70  held by a user when entering or exiting a room is caused to be in contact with or close to the reading area RA of the card reader  10 . The contactless IC card serving as the ID card  70  contains internally an IC chip  72  and an antenna coil  74  connected to the IC chip  72 . The card reader  10  communicates with the ID card  70  having entered the communication range of the loop antenna  26  (see  FIG. 1B ) via the loop antenna  26  and the antenna coil  74 , reading the data from a memory in the IC chip  72  of the ID card  70 . The present embodiment, which provides the above reading of the data from the ID card  70 , may alternatively provide writing of data into a memory in the IC chip  72  of the ID card  70 . 
     The read data corresponds to an authentication data that authenticates an individual in the present embodiment. The access control system causes the card reader  10  to determine whether the authentication data read from the ID card  70  corresponds to or accords with the data for authentication comparison that is registered previously. When according, the door for entering and exiting the office or room is unlocked. 
     A-3. Configuration of Press-Button Switch Unit 
     Returning to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the card reader  10  includes the press-button switch unit  50  as mentioned above. The press-button switch unit  50  is attached, with double-stick tapes, to the front face  40   a  of the cover  40  within the side lobe SL of the loop antenna  26 . In the present embodiment, the switch unit  50  is attached to a region within the side lobe SL on an upper side from the reading area RA. Instead of using double-stick tapes, the switch unit  50  may be attached with other means, such as adhesives or fastening bolts. The press-button switch unit  50  is to designate “security” (i.e., security control) associated with security instruments in the present embodiment. 
     The present embodiment may define a casing portion as including the front plate part  20   a , the side plate part  20   b , and the back plate part  20   c  of the main body  20 ; the casing portion together with the cover  40  may be referred to as a housing. That is, any member added or attached to the casing portion of the main body  20  may be defined as being included in the housing. The present embodiment, which provides the above configuration including the cover  40 , may alternatively provide another configuration eliminating the cover  40 ; namely, the press-button switch unit  50  may be attached directly to the front plate part  20   a  of the main body  20 . 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram for explaining an internal configuration of the press-button switch unit  50 , which contains internally an IC chip  52 , an antenna coil  54 , and a switch body  56 . 
     The antenna coil  54  is shaped of a planar loop with winding in a coil form in plane, and is connected with the IC chip  52 . The antenna coil  54  is also replaceable with any other antennas shaped of various forms, such as rod, patch, slot, swirl, pattern. 
     The IC chip  52  includes a CPU  52   a , a memory  52   b , an RF (Radio Frequency) unit  52   c , and a power rectification unit  52   d . The RF unit  52   c , which may be also referred to as a wireless unit, includes a reception portion that demodulates, and a transmission portion that modulates. The power rectification unit  52   d  rectifies the electric power generated with the electromagnetic induction. The CPU  52   a  performs processes including a process controlling demodulating and modulation and a process reading tag information from the memory  52   b . The memory  52   b  stores previously the tag information, which includes an identification data identifying an individual, a tag-type data indicating a press-button switch. The IC chip  52  and the antenna coil  54  constitute an RF (Radio Frequency) tag  51 . 
     The switch body  56 , which is incorporated in the middle of the antenna coil  54 , responds to a press manipulation by the user to a manipulation portion  58  that is shaped of a button (see  FIG. 1A ) included in the press-button switch unit  50 , turning the antenna coil  54  into ON state (with the circuit closed) and turning it into OFF state (with the circuit opened). The switch body  56 , which uses a membrane switch in the present embodiment, may alternatively use a reed switch, a microswitch, a piezo-electric switch, or a conductive rubber switch other than the membrane switch. In the push-button switch unit  50 , the antenna coil  54  is maintained in OFF state in the initial state and is moved into ON state in response to a press manipulation. Alternatively, the antenna coil  54  may be maintained in ON state in the initial state and is moved into OFF state in response to a press manipulation. The switch body  56 , which is incorporated in the middle of the antenna coil  54 , may be alternatively incorporated into the IC chip  52  to turn on and off transmissions and receptions of the antenna coil  54 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram for explaining a principle of the communication between the RF tag  51  and the IC chip  22  with the antenna coil  54  turned on. Note that the present embodiment provides the RF tag  51  being a passive tag that operates on energy source that derives from signals transmitted from the card reader  10 . At S 1 , the IC chip  22  in the main body  20  transmits signals on magnetic field via the loop antenna  26 . At S 2 , the RF tag  51  of the press-button switch unit  50  subsequently receives the magnetic field from the loop antenna  26  via the antenna coil  54 . At S 3 , the antenna coil  54  of the RF tag  51  comes to be in resonance state at the operating frequency (also referred to as a clock frequency) of the loop antenna  26 , generating electric power in the antenna coil  54  itself. At S 4 , the IC chip  52  of the RF tag  51  then operates or activates the CPU  52   a  and the memory  52   b  of the IC chip  52  (see  FIG. 3 ) using the generated electric power to execute necessary processes. 
     At S 5 , the IC chip  52  puts the data held by the RF tag  51  on the magnetic field to return the data from the antenna coil  54 . At S 6 , the loop antenna  26  in the main body  20  receives the magnetic field from the RF tag  51 . At S 7 , the IC chip  22  in the main body  20  takes out the data from the magnetic field. As explained above, as the antenna coil  54  is turned into ON state, the communication takes place between (i) the RF tag  51  in the press-button switch unit  50  and (ii) the IC chip  22  in the main body  20 , permitting data transmissions and data receptions between the RF tag  51  and the IC chip  22  in the main body  20 . As mentioned above, the press-button switch unit  50  is provided within a side lobe SL of the loop antenna  26 ; the side lobe SL is used for data transmissions and data receptions. Note that the present embodiment uses the electromagnetic induction for communicating data or information, but may alternatively use the radio wave or electric waves. 
     In the present embodiment, the loop antenna  26  may be also referred to as a first antenna; the IC chip  22  may be also referred to as a control circuit; the press-button switch unit  50  may be also referred to as a switch unit; and the antenna coil  54  included in the press-button switch unit  50  may be referred to as a second antenna. 
     A-4. Tag Information Reading Process 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart diagram illustrating a tag information reading process executed by the IC chip  22  in the main body  20  of the card reader  10 . This tag information reading process is repeatedly executed by a CPU included in the IC chip  22  with predetermined time intervals. As starting the process, the CPU transmits a tag capturing signal via the loop antenna  26  in the main body  20  at S 110  (S may indicate a section or step). The tag capturing signal is a signal for capturing or recognizing any RF tag entering the communication range of the loop antenna  26 , and continues to be transmitted regardless of whether any RF tag is present within a communication range. This RF tag signifies each of general RF tags that include at least (i) the RF tag  51  included in the press-button switch unit  50  and (ii) the contactless IC card serving as the ID card  70  as well. At S 110 , tag capturing signals are transmitted to determine whether the ID card  70  or the RF tag  51  of the press-button switch unit  50  is present within the communication range of the loop antenna  26 . The above communication range contains a communication range due to the main lobe ML of the loop antenna  26  and a communication range due to the side lobe S of the loop antenna  26 . 
     When a press manipulation is applied to the manipulation portion  58  (see  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) of the press-button switch unit  50 , the antenna coil  54  of the press-button switch unit  50  is turned into an ON state. This enables to detect that the RF tag  51  of the press-button switch unit  50  is present within the communication range of the loop antenna  26  (see  FIG. 1B ). The communication between the RF tag  51  and the IC chip  22  of the main body  20  using the side lobe SL of the loop antenna  26  thus takes place according to the above-mentioned principle in  FIG. 4 , permitting the RF tag  51  to return acknowledge signal indicating a reception of the RF capturing signal to the IC chip  22  of the main body  20  via the antenna coil  54  and the loop antenna  26 . In contrast, when any press manipulation is not applied to the manipulation portion  58  of the press-button switch unit  50 , the antenna coil  54  remains in a non-conductive state to fail to receive the radio waves transmitted from the loop antenna  26 . The RF tag  51  thus returns none of acknowledge signals to the IC chip  22 . 
     In addition, when the ID card  70  is in contact with or in proximity to the reading area RA and thus is present within the communication range of the loop antenna  26 , the communication between the ID card  70  and the IC chip  22  in the main body  20  takes place, according to the same principle as in  FIG. 4 . This communication permits the IC chip  72  of the ID card  70  to return an acknowledge signal to the IC chip  22  of the main body  20  via the antenna coil  74  and the loop antenna  26 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , at S 120 , the CPU of the IC chip  22  determines whether to receive an acknowledge signal (i.e., ACK signal) from the RF tag  51  of the press-button switch unit  50  or the ID card  70 . When determining not receiving any acknowledge signal, the processing proceeds directly to “RETURN,” terminating once the tag information reading process. 
     In contrast, when determining receiving an acknowledge signal at S 120 , the CPU transmits, at S 130 , an information read signal to an RF tag, i.e., whichever of the RF tag  51  of the press-button switch unit  50  or the ID card  70  has transmitted the acknowledge signal. Suppose that plural acknowledge signals are determined to be received from plural tags, i.e., from both the ID card  70  and the RF tag  51  of the press-button switch unit  50 . In such cases, the RF tag whose acknowledge signal is received earlier than the other is regarded as “the RF tag whose acknowledge signal is received.” Alternatively, “the RF tag whose acknowledge signal is received” may be predetermined to be one of them; for instance, the RF tag  51  of the press-button switch unit  50  may be regarded as “the RF tag whose acknowledge signal is received” if acknowledge signals are received from both the RF tag  51  and the ID card  70 . 
     At S 140 , the CPU performs the process that receives the data serving as the tag information from the RF tag whose acknowledge signal is received. In specific, when the RF tag whose acknowledge signal is received corresponds to the RF tag  51  of the press-button switch unit  50 , the CPU of the IC chip  22  receives the identification data and the tag-type data as the tag identification information from the memory  52   b  of the IC chip  52 . In contrast, when the RF tag whose acknowledge signal is received corresponds to the ID card  70 , the CPU receives the identification data and the tag-type data from the memory of the IC chip  72 . 
     At S 150 , the CPU determines whether the tag-type data received at S 140  corresponds to the press-button switch unit  50  or the ID card. When determining that the tag-type data corresponds to the press-button switch unit  50 , the CPU sets the value of one “1” to the button SW-ON flag that is prepared previously, at S 160 . The button switch-ON flag, which indicates that the press-button switch unit  50  is turned on, is stored in the memory  52   b  of the IC chip  52 . Note that, at S 160 , the CPU may further make a determination as to whether the identification data received at S 140  accords with a registration data that is registered previously and then sets the value of one “1” to the button SW-ON flag if the determination is affirmed. This can prevent an inappropriate action or injustice, which would replace the press-button switch unit  50  with another button switch. 
     In contrast, when the tag-type data is determined to correspond to the ID card  70  at S 150 , the CPU executes a subsequent process which reads the authentication data stored in the ID card  70  at S 170 . After S 160  or S 170 , the CPU proceeds to “RETURN,” terminating once the tag information reading process. 
     The authentication data read at S 170  will be used in a personal identification process executed by another routine. The personal identification process performs an authentication of an individual by comparing the authentication data with the data registered previously, and performs post-authentication process such as unlocking the door when the authentication is satisfied. 
     In contrast, when the button SW-ON flag is set to the value of one “1” at S 160 , another routine will perform a process of the transition into security-activated state using the security instruments. Note that the condition where the button SW-ON flag indicates the value of one “1” may allow the direct transition into the security-activated state. The present embodiment, however, allows the transition into the security-activated state when the authentication of the ID card  70  is satisfied within a predetermined period of time since the button SW-ON flag is set to the value of one “1.” In contrast, the transition into the security-activated state is disallowed when the authentication of the ID card  70  fails to be satisfied within the predetermined period of time since the button SW-ON flag is set to the value of one “1”. 
     A-5. Advantageous Effects 
     The first embodiment provides the card reader  10  as follows. The press-button switch unit  50  is attached to the cover  40  of the main body  20  of the card reader  10 . This attachment of the press-button switch unit  50  enables the RF tag  51  of the press-button switch unit  50  to communicate with the IC chip  22  of the main body  20 , achieving the function as a switch which permits the transition into security-activated state. The above features of the card reader  10  facilitate the design changes that changes the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  50 . 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a card reader  1010  as a comparative example. The card reader  1010  of the comparative example includes a press-button switch unit  1050 . This switch unit  1050  is only a press button connected to a circuit board  1024  via a cable  1052 , instead of including an RF tag like in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the comparative example, changing the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  1050  to a different position involves changes of positions, such as the position of a hole  1060  for the unit  1050 , a position of a cable  1052 , the position of a part  1062  connecting the cable  1052  to a circuit board  1024 . The comparative example thus fails to facilitate the design changes for the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  1050 . By contrast, the card reader  10  of the first embodiment eliminates need of connecting the press-button switch unit  50  to the IC chip  22  of the main body  20  with a cable, requiring none of the above changes of the positions in the comparative example and thus facilitating the design changes to change the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  150 . 
     In addition, the card reader  10  of the present embodiment provides the press-button switch unit  50  to be within a side lobe SL of the loop antenna  26  of the main body  20  in front of the cover  40 , allowing the communication with sufficient sensitivity even though the switch unit  50  is arranged at a position deviated from the middle of the front face of the cover  40 . Furthermore, the press-button switch unit  50  arranged to be within the side lobe SL of the loop antenna  26  does not affect the communication due to the main lobe ML or the reading for the ID card  70 . This can provide reliability to both the communication with the ID card  70  and the communication with the press-button switch unit  50 . 
     Further, the card reader  10  of the present embodiment, which provides the press-button switch unit  50  to be within the side lobe SL of the loop antenna  26 , allows the press-button switch unit  50  to be attached to an attachment position almost identical to that of the press-button switch unit  1050  in the comparative example in  FIG. 6 . The card reader  10  of the present embodiment thus only needs to replace a conventional press-button switch unit  1050  with the press-button switch unit  50 . This can eliminate needs of re-arranging existing electronic components and circuit boards for preparing the card reader  10  of the present embodiment, facilitating the design changes. In addition, the side lobe SL on and over the front plate part  20   a  is at a peripheral area outside of the main lobe ML, improving the flexibility of the installation position of the press-button switch unit  50  and facilitating the design change significantly. 
     Further, the card reader  1010  of the comparative example in  FIG. 6  need include a rubber packing  1070  between the press-button switch unit  1050  and the cover  1040  for preventing water entry from the hole  1060 . By contrast, the card reader  10  of the present embodiment eliminates the need of boring holes in the cover  40  or the main body  20  in attaching the press-button switch unit  50 , thus providing an advantageous effect in that the waterproof measure is easier. Further, the card reader  1010  of the comparative example fails to easily detach the cover  1040  since the press-button switch unit  1050  and the circuit board  1024  are connected with the cable  1052 . By contrast, the card reader  10  of the present embodiment provides an advantageous effect in that the cover  40  is easily detached. Further, the card reader  10  of the present embodiment can change the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  50  by replacing a whole cover  40  where a press-button switch unit  50  is attached at a position by another whole cover  40  where another press-button switch unit  50  is attached at another position. 
     Furthermore, the card reader  10  of the present embodiment can perform easily the design change to additionally attach a new press-button switch unit, for instance, increasing the number of press-button switches from one to two or more. In addition, when a press manipulation is not applied to the press-button switch unit  50 , the antenna coil  54  of the switch unit  50  is maintained at OFF state and thus in the dissonance state at the operating frequency of the loop antenna  26 . The antenna coil  54  is thus regarded as being non-existent by the radio waves, providing none of interference against the reading of the ID card  70 . The reliability of the communication to the ID card  70  is thus maintained. 
     B. Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a card reader  210  according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The card reader  210  of the second embodiment is different from the card reader  10  of the first embodiment in the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  250 . Other components of the card reader  210  of the second embodiment, which are identical to those of the card reader  10  in the first embodiment, are assigned with the same reference numerals as those in  FIG. 1B  without further explanation. 
     As in  FIG. 7 , the press-button switch unit  250  is attached within a side lobe SL of the loop antenna  26  on a side face  40   b  that is located on an upper side of the cover  40 . The configuration and the attachment method of the press-button switch unit  250  are the same as those of the first embodiment. 
     The card reader  210  of the second embodiment facilitates the design changes including the change of the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  250  and adding newly the press-button switch unit, like the card reader  10  of the first embodiment, further providing better waterproof measure like the first embodiment. Further, the card reader  210  of the second embodiment provides the press-button switch unit  250  to be arranged on the side face  40   b  of the cover  40 , increasing the flexibility in the attachment position of the switch unit  250 . In addition, the press-button switch unit  250  is not arranged on the front face  40   a  of the cover  40 ; this reduces the size in the vertical direction of the card reader  210  compared with that of the card reader  10  of the first embodiment while downsizing the size of the card reader  210 . 
     Note that the card reader  210  may also employ modifications of the card reader  10  of the first embodiment. In addition, the press-button switch unit  250  may be attached to a left or right lateral side face of the cover  40 . 
     C. Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a card reader  310  according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The card reader  310  of the third embodiment is different from the card reader  10  of the first embodiment in the following: the main body  320  of the card reader  310  being embedded in a wall; the shape of the cover  340 ; the size of the loop antenna  326  in the main body  320 ; and the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  350 . 
     Other components of the card reader  310  of the third embodiment, which are almost identical to those of the card reader  10  of the first embodiment, are assigned with the same reference numerals as those in  FIG. 1B  without further explanation. 
     As in  FIG. 8 , the main body  320  is embedded in a wall while the front plate part is exposed from the wall. The cover  340 , which is shaped of a flat plate, has a front face with a size greater than that of the front plate part of the main body  320 . The cover  340  is provided to conceal the front plate part of the main body  320  and to have the upper end  340   a  as being located at an upper side from the upper end of the main body  320  by a predetermined length h. The press-button switch unit  350  is attached to a predetermined region on the front face  40   a  of the cover  340  corresponding to the predetermined length h. Note that the predetermined region on the front face  40   a  is within a side lobe SL of the loop antenna  326 . The configuration and the attachment method of the press-button switch unit  350  are the same as those of the first embodiment. 
     The card reader  310  of the third embodiment facilitates the design changes including the change of the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  350  and adding newly the press-button switch unit, like the card reader  10  of the first embodiment, further providing better waterproof measure like the first embodiment. Furthermore, the card reader  310  of the third embodiment provides the press-button switch unit  350  to be arranged at an attachment position that is on an outer side of the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  50  of the first embodiment. Note that the card reader  310  may also employ modifications of the card reader  10  of the first embodiment. 
     D. Fourth Embodiment 
       FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a card reader  410  according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The card reader  410  of the fourth embodiment is different from the card reader  310  of the third embodiment in the size of the cover  440  and the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  450 . Other components of the card reader  410  of the fourth embodiment, which are almost identical to those of the card reader  310  of the third embodiment, are assigned with the same reference numerals as those in  FIG. 8  without further explanation. 
     The cover  440  has a main plane the size of which is a little greater than that of the front plate part of the main body  320 . The cover  440  is attached to conceal a front face  320   a  of the main body  320 . The press-button switch unit  450  is attached to an attachment position on an outer front surface of a wall on an upper side from the cover  440 . Note that the attachment position is within a side lobe SL of the loop antenna  326 . The configuration and the attachment method of the press-button switch unit  450  are the same as those of the first embodiment. 
     The card reader  410  of the fourth embodiment facilitates the design changes including the change of the attachment position of the press-button switch unit  450  and adding newly the press-button switch unit, like in the third embodiment, further providing better waterproof measure like the third embodiment. Furthermore, the card reader  410  of the fourth embodiment provides the press-button switch unit  450  to be on an outer side of a wall on the upper side from the cover  440 . Note that the card reader  410  may also employ modifications of the card reader  10  of the first embodiment. 
     E. Fifth Embodiment 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram for explaining an internal configuration of a temperature switch unit  550  included in a card reader according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The temperature switch unit  550  in the fifth embodiment has a configuration corresponding to that of the press-button switch unit  50  in the first embodiment; the card reader of the fifth embodiment includes a main body and a cover identical to those of the first embodiment, in addition to the temperature switch unit  550 . 
     The temperature switch unit  550  is different from the press-button switch unit  50  of the first embodiment in that the manipulation portion  58  (see  FIG. 1A ) is replaced with a bimetal  558 , as in  FIG. 10 . The bimetal  558 , which is arranged to be exposed from the front face of the temperature switch unit  550 , functions as a temperature detection part. The attachment position of the temperature switch unit  550  to the cover is the same as that of the press-button switch unit  50  in the first embodiment. In addition, the temperature switch unit  550  includes an IC chip  52  and an antenna coil  54  identical to those of the press-button switch unit  50  in the first embodiment, as indicated in  FIG. 10 . The switch body  556 , which is incorporated in the middle of the antenna coil  54 , turns on or off the antenna coil  54  in accordance with the shape change of the bimetal  558 . 
     In the card reader of the fifth embodiment, the bimetal  558  deforms to be in a bent state when a temperature around the temperature switch unit  550  becomes a predetermined value or more, turning on the antenna coil  54 , whereas the bimetal  458  returns from the bent state when the temperature becomes less than the predetermined value, turning off the antenna coil  54 . 
     According to the card reader of the fifth embodiment, only attaching the temperature switch unit  550  to the cover of the main body permits the communication between the RF tag  51  of the temperature switch unit  550  and the main body of the card reader, allowing the temperature switch unit  550  to function as a switch to inform a fire report system of an occurrence of fire. The card reader of the fifth embodiment can facilitate design changes such as changing the attachment position of the temperature switch unit  550  and adding anew a press-button switch unit. The fifth embodiment, which substitutes the bimetal  558  for the manipulation portion  58  of the first embodiment, may alternatively substitute the bimetal  558  for the manipulation portions of the second to fourth embodiments. 
     F. Modifications 
     The present disclosure, which is not limited to the first to fifth embodiments or modification of those embodiments, may cover various aspects, e.g., the following modifications. 
     First Modification 
     The first to fourth embodiments, which provide a switch unit to include a manipulation portion manipulated by users, determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the manipulation portion is manipulated. In addition, the fifth embodiment, which provides a switch unit includes a temperature detection part, determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied when a detection result of the temperature detection part becomes a predetermined value or greater. The first modification may include the following examples. A first example, which provides a switch unit to include a clock, may determine that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the clock indicates a predetermined time zone. This first example can easily change the design to permit an access using an IC card only for the predetermined time zone. A second example, which provides a switch unit to include a tonometer that only touches a finger to measure, may permit an access using an IC card when the measured value is a predetermined value or less. This second example can easily change the design to permit an access using an IC card when a user has a low blood pressure. Thus the first modification, which provides a switch unit to include a measurement instrument such as a sensor, may determine that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the instrument outputs a predetermined output. 
     Second Modification 
     The first and third embodiments arrange the press-button switch unit to be within the side lobe SL of the loop antenna  26  over the front face  40   a  of the cover  40 . The second embodiment arranges the press-button switch unit to be within the side lobe SL of the loop antenna  26  over the side face  40   b  of the cover  40 . The fourth embodiment arranges the press-button switch unit to be within the side lobe SL of the loop antenna  26  over a wall where the card reader  410  is arranged. The attachment position of the press-button switch unit, which need not be limited to the above, may be within a side lobe SL of the loop antenna over any portion. 
     Third Modification 
     The first to fifth embodiments each provide a switch unit to contain integrally an IC chip, an antenna coil, a switch body, and a manipulation portion (or bimetal). Alternatively, an antenna coil may be separated from a main body portion that contains integrally an IC chip, a switch body, and a manipulation portion (or bimetal); the antenna coil may be connected to the manipulation portion (or bimetal) with a cable. This configuration only need arrange the antenna coil of the switch unit to be within a side lobe SL of a loop antenna in the main body of the card reader. The antenna coil may be attached to an area within a side lobe SL of the loop antenna  26  over either the front face  40   a  or side face  40   b  of the cover  40  or over a wall where the card reader  410  is arranged. This configuration can maintain the communication sensitivity of the switch unit, providing the flexibility in the attachment position of the main body portion of the press-button switch unit. 
     Fourth Modification 
     The first to fourth embodiments provide the press-button switch unit  50 , which designates or activate “security,” may alternatively inactivate or unlock a security-activated state. The press-button switch unit  50 , which is not limited to “security,” may serve as switches for other uses or instructions, such as: instruction for turning on and off devices, such as room lighting; instruction for charging or discharging an electronic money recorded in an IC card; and instruction for returning service points accumulated or recorded in an IC card. 
     Fifth Modification 
     The first to fourth embodiments, which provide a single press-button switch unit, may alternatively provide a plurality of press-button switch units. Each of those press-button switch units may include an IC chip, an antenna coil, and a switch main body. Alternatively, only one antenna coil and a plurality of combinations, each combination having a single IC chip and a single switch main body, may be provided such that the combinations are electrically connected in parallel to the single antenna coil. Each IC chip stores individually a unique identification data, thus permitting a determination as to which switch main body is manipulated even though the single antenna coil is commonly used for the combinations. In addition, when a plurality of press-button switch units are provided in a card reader, the order of manipulating individually these switch units may be determined so as to permit unlocking only when the determined order of manipulating accords with a predetermined order. 
     Sixth Modification 
     Each manipulation portion, which has a convex shape in the first to fourth embodiments, may have another shape such as a concave shape having a recess or a flat shape having no protrusion from periphery, or another type such as a touch-sensitive panel. In addition, the manipulation portion may be a toggle switch. The manipulation portion may thus employ any one from a variety of types of switches. 
     Seventh Modification 
     Each switch unit such as a press-button switch unit or bimetal switch unit, which is fixed to the housing, i.e., either the cover or the main body using double-stick tapes in the above embodiments, may be alternatively put in a pocket portion that is formed in the housing, facilitating detachment of the switch unit and design changes, facilitating the design change significantly. In addition, the press-button switch unit or the bimetal switch unit may be embedded in the cover. 
     Eighth Modification 
     The IC card, which serves as an ID card for identifying an individual in each of the above embodiments, may alternatively serve as another type of card, such as a credit card, an automated teller machine (ATM) card, a transportation card, a certification card. In addition, the card reader, which is used for the access control system managing accesses of offices, may be also used for a variety of applications or uses. 
     Ninth Modification 
     The contactless IC card may be any one of at least first to fourth types according to different communication ranges or distances from shorter to longer: the first corresponding to a close-coupling contactless IC card operable in contact with or close to a card reader; the second corresponding to a proximity contactless IC card operable within proximity of a card reader; the third corresponding to a vicinity contactless IC card operable within vicinity of a card reader; and the fourth corresponding to a remote contactless IC card operable remotely from a card reader. Further, the contactless IC card may be any other card operable using wireless communication. 
     Tenth Modification 
     Although the switch unit includes the RF tag that is of a passive type needing none of internal battery, in each of the above embodiments, the switch unit may include alternatively an RF tag that is of an active or semi-active type that needs an internal battery. 
     Eleventh Modification 
     The ID card  70 , may not be limited to have a card shape, may be replaced by a non-card-shaped handheld device or terminal that contains internally the IC chip  72  and antenna coil  74  to communicate with the loop antenna  26  of the card reader  10 . For instance, the IC chip  72  and antenna coil  74  may be incorporated into a smartphone so as to achieve all the functions of the ID card  70 . 
     An aspect of the present disclosure described herein is set forth in the following clauses. 
     (1) An aspect of the present disclosure provides a card reader to read information in an integrated circuit (IC) card as follows. The card reader includes a housing, a first antenna, a control circuit, and a switch unit. The first antenna is disposed inside of the housing to communicate with the IC card. The control circuit communicates with the IC card within a communication range of the first antenna and performs at least a process that acquires data from a memory in the IC card. The switch unit includes a radio frequency (RF) tag having a second antenna. The switch unit functions as a switch that performs a predetermined function by causing the RF tag to communicate with the control circuit via the second antenna and the first antenna when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Herein, of the switch unit, the second antenna at least is arranged within a side lobe of the first antenna. 
     (2) In the card reader of the present aspect, the first antenna may be arranged to face a plate part that is on a first face of the housing; and 
     of the switch unit, the second antenna at least may be arranged within the side lobe of the first antenna passing through the first face. This configuration allows the switch unit to be attached to the plate part on the first face of the housing adjacent to the first antenna. 
     (3) In the card reader of the present aspect, the first antenna may be arranged to face a plate part that is on a first face of the housing; and of the switch unit, the second antenna at least may be arranged within the side lobe of the first antenna passing through a second face of the housing that is different from the first face. This configuration provides the first face to be a reading area for IC cards, permitting the switch unit to be arranged to the second face different from the first face and increasing the flexibility in the attachment position of the switch unit. 
     (4) In the card reader of the present aspect, of the switch unit, the second antenna at least may be arranged within the side lobe of the first antenna passing through a wall to which the housing is attached. This configuration allows the switch unit to be arranged to the wall to which the card reader arranged, increasing the flexibility in the attachment position of the switch unit. 
     (5) In the card reader of the present aspect, the switch unit may include a manipulation portion manipulated by users and be provided to determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the manipulation portion is manipulated. This configuration can facilitate the design changes against the manipulation portion to be manipulated by users. The manipulation portion to be manipulated by users typically need respond to a variety of requests relative to desirable interfaces depending on purposes or installation positions of card readers. Facilitating the design changes can provide advantageous effects significantly. 
     (6) In the card reader of the present aspect, the second antenna of the switch unit may be maintained in a dissonance state, for instance, at an operating frequency of the first antenna, when the predetermined condition is not satisfied; and the second antenna may be moved to a resonance state, for instance, at the operating frequency of the first antenna, by receiving an exertion such as electric waves or electromagnetic induction from the first antenna when the predetermined condition is satisfied. This configuration maintains the second antenna in a dissonance state when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, not interfering with the reading for IC cards wherever the second antenna is arranged. The reliability of the communication to IC cards is thus maintained. 
     (7) In the card reader of the present aspect, the switch unit may activate the RF tag with the electric power generated by the second antenna receiving signals sent from the first antenna. This configuration may eliminate the need of installing a power source inside of the switch unit, downsizing the switch unit. 
     (8) In the card reader of the present aspect, the housing may be provided with a cover, to which the switch unit is attached. This configuration can perform a design change of a position of the switch unit by replacing the whole of the cover if needed, facilitating the design change significantly. 
     Furthermore, a variety of systems, such as an access control system and a security system may be achieved by including the card reader of the present aspect. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments and constructions. The present disclosure is intended to cover various modification and equivalent arrangements. In addition, while the various combinations and configurations, which are preferred, other combinations and configurations, including more, less or only a single element, are also within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.