Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20010006902?dq=6,123,819
Timestamp: 2017-12-17 22:32:22
Document Index: 50426322

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 2000', 'arts 30', 'art 30', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 30', 'art 31', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30']

Patent US20010006902 - IC card with radio interface function, antenna module and data processing ... - Google Patents
An SD memory card contains an RF circuit, a controller LSI and a flash memory. The RF circuit is connected to an antenna module attached to the SD memory card. The controller LSI executes radio interface control and interface control for the SD memory card. By running a protocol control program and an...http://www.google.com/patents/US20010006902?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20010006902 - IC card with radio interface function, antenna module and data processing apparatus using the IC card
Publication number US20010006902 A1
Application number US 09/748,857
Also published as US7290716, US7395975, US20050006484, US20070138305
Publication number 09748857, 748857, US 2001/0006902 A1, US 2001/006902 A1, US 20010006902 A1, US 20010006902A1, US 2001006902 A1, US 2001006902A1, US-A1-20010006902, US-A1-2001006902, US2001/0006902A1, US2001/006902A1, US20010006902 A1, US20010006902A1, US2001006902 A1, US2001006902A1
Inventors Takafumi Ito
Original Assignee Takafumi Ito
Patent Citations (14), Referenced by (166), Classifications (25), Legal Events (1)
IC card with radio interface function, antenna module and data processing apparatus using the IC card
US 20010006902 A1
An SD memory card contains an RF circuit, a controller LSI and a flash memory. The RF circuit is connected to an antenna module attached to the SD memory card. The controller LSI executes radio interface control and interface control for the SD memory card. By running a protocol control program and an SD memory card interface control program stored in a ROM, using an MPU, the controller LSI executes upper-protocol control and SD memory card interface control (security data access control, flash memory access control).
1. An IC card containing a radio interface function, comprising:
a high frequency circuit to be connected to an antenna;
a controller for controlling access to the memory and executing radio interface control related to radio communication.
2. The IC card according to
, further comprising antenna attachment means attachable to and detachable from an antenna module provided with an antenna.
3. The IC card according to
, further comprising an antenna connected to the high frequency circuit.
4. The IC card according to
, wherein the controller controls the memory so as to store, in a predetermined area of the memory, information specifying a destination of connection, and executes the radio interface control on the basis of the information.
5. An antenna module comprising:
IC card attachment means to be connected to an IC card that has a radio interface function; and
an antenna to be connected to means incorporated in the IC card for realizing the radio interface function.
6. The antenna module according to
, further comprising a high frequency amplifier connected between the antenna and the means for realizing the radio interface function, when the antenna module is connected to the IC card by the IC card attachment means.
7. An IC card containing a radio interface function, comprising:
a high frequency circuit connected to the antenna;
a controller for executing radio interface control related to radio communication executed using the high frequency circuit; and
connection means for connecting the controller to another IC card.
8. A data processing apparatus having a slot for inserting therein an IC card, comprising:
an antenna incorporated in a casing of the data processing apparatus; and
connection means for connecting the antenna to an antenna terminal incorporated in the IC card when the IC card is inserted in the slot.
9. The data processing apparatus according to
, wherein the antenna is provided in an eject lever to be operated to eject the IC card from the slot.
10. The data processing apparatus according to
, wherein the antenna is provided on a surface of the casing.
11. The IC card according to
, further comprising an antenna connecting terminal to be connected to an antenna that is provided in an eject lever incorporated in a data processing apparatus and to be operated to eject the IC card from a slot of the data processing apparatus when the IC card is inserted in the slot.
12. The IC card according to
, further comprising an antenna connecting terminal to be connected to an antenna provided on a surface of a casing of a data processing apparatus, when the IC card is inserted in a mechanism incorporated in the data processing apparatus.
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-000486, filed Jan. 5, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This invention relates to an IC card with a radio interface function, which is formed of a small IC card such as an SD (Secure Digital) card, an antenna module used for this IC card, and a data processing apparatus using the IC card.
Recent portable personal computers or various types of data processing apparatuses have a function for using an IC card (PC card) based on the PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association). The PC card is used not only as a data storing medium, but also as an extension device for expanding the peripheral functions of a host apparatus. For example, the PC card is used as a modem, a network card, a hard disk, etc.
In addition to the PC card based on the PCMCIA, smaller IC cards are now being used. The IC cards of this type include, for example, an SD (Secure Digital) memory card provided with an electrically programmable flash memory, in which once stored data does not disappear even when the power is turned off.
As described above, PC cards based on the PCMCIA are being used as expansion devices for adding various peripheral functions that include a communication function. On the other hand, it is difficult to use SD memory cards, smaller than the PC cards, for adding a function, since data for realizing the function is hard to store therein. In particular, there is no conventional SD memory card of a small size that installs a radio interface function.
It is the object of the invention to provide an IC card with a radio interface function installed therein, an antenna module used for the IC card, and a data processing apparatus using the IC card.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an IC card containing a radio interface function, comprising: a high frequency circuit to be connected to an antenna; a memory; and a controller for controlling access to the memory and executing radio interface control related to radio communication.
Preferably, the IC card further comprises antenna attachment means attachable to and detachable from an antenna module provided with an antenna.
More preferably, the IC card further comprises an antenna connected to the high frequency circuit.
Also preferably, the controller controls the memory so as to store, in a predetermined area of the memory, information specifying a destination of connection, and executes the radio interface control on the basis of the information.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an antenna module comprising: IC card attachment means to be connected to an IC card that has a radio interface function; and an antenna to be connected to means incorporated in the IC card for realizing the radio interface function.
Preferably, the antenna module further comprises a high frequency amplifier connected between the antenna and the means for realizing the radio interface function, when the antenna module is connected to the IC card by the IC card attachment means.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an IC card containing a radio interface function, comprising: an antenna; a high frequency circuit connected to the antenna; a controller for executing radio interface control related to radio communication executed using the high frequency circuit; and connection means for connecting the controller to another IC card.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus having a slot for inserting therein an IC card, comprising: an antenna incorporated in a casing of the data processing apparatus; and connection means for connecting the antenna to an antenna terminal incorporated in the IC card when the IC card is inserted in the slot.
Preferably, the antenna is provided in an eject lever to be operated to eject the IC card from the slot.
More preferably, the antenna is provided on a surface of the casing.
Yet preferably, the IC card further comprises an antenna connecting terminal to be connected to an antenna that is provided in an eject lever incorporated in a data processing apparatus and to be operated to eject the IC card from a slot of the data processing apparatus when the IC card is inserted in the slot.
Also preferably, the IC card further comprises an antenna connecting terminal to be connected to an antenna provided on a surface of a casing of a data processing apparatus, when the IC card is inserted in a mechanism incorporated in the data processing apparatus.
[0021]FIGS. 1A - 1D are views illustrating the exterior appearance of an IC card (SD memory card) with a radio interface function according to the invention;
[0022]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an SD memory card 10 and an antenna module 12 employed in a first embodiment of the invention;
[0023]FIG. 3 is a view showing a modification of the SD memory card of FIG. 2;
[0024]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an SD memory card 10 c and an antenna module 12 employed in a second embodiment of the invention;
[0025]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an SD memory card 10 d and an antenna module 12 a employed in a third embodiment of the invention;
[0026]FIGS. 6A - 6D are schematic views of a fourth embodiment of the invention, showing a card slot formed in a data processing apparatus (host apparatus), in which an SD memory card 10 can be inserted;
[0027]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of the invention, showing a card slot formed in a data processing apparatus (host apparatus), in which an SD memory card 10 can be inserted; and
[0028]FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an SD memory card 10 e and a Bluetooth function expansion module 50 employed in a sixth embodiment of the invention.
The embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0030]FIGS. 1A - 1D show the exterior appearance of an IC card (SD memory card) 10 with a radio interface function according to the invention. As shown in these figures, the SD memory card 10 has a connector (antenna attaching means) through which an antenna module 12 for radio communication can be attached thereto and detached therefrom. The antenna module 12 has a connector (IC card attaching means) to be connected to the connector of the SD memory card 10 so that the module 12 is attached to the SD memory card. FIG. 1A is a plan view showing the connection between the SD memory card 10 and the antenna module 12. FIG. 1B is a view of a connection surface of the antenna module 12 and the SD memory card 10. FIG. 1C is a side view of the connected units shown in FIG. 1A. Further, FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the connected units shown in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIGS. 1A - 1D, the antenna module 12 is attached to that side of the SD memory card 10, on which no signal pins are provided.
The SD memory card 10 shown in FIGS. 1A - 1D, according to a first embodiment, will be described.
[0033]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the SD memory card 10 and the antenna module 12 shown in FIGS. 1A - 1D and employed in the first embodiment of the invention. Suppose that the SD memory card 10 of the first embodiment has a radio interface function and uses Bluetooth as a radio communication system.
Bluetooth is the short-distance radio-communication standard, which implements radio communication within a radius of approx. 10 m using 2.45-GHz band. In Bluetooth, the frequency hopping method is used as spectrum diffusion techniques and enables up to eight devices to be connected by time-division multiplexing. In Bluetooth, the devices connected by time-division multiplexing constitute a network called Piconet, where one device functions as a parent device and the other devices function as child devices. In the network (Piconet), connection is certified using a code number called PIN (personal Identification Number) code.
As shown in FIG. 2, the SD memory card 10 contains three elements, i.e. an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit 20, a controller LSI 21 and a flash memory IC (Integrated Circuit) 22.
The RF circuit 20 (RF IC) is a high frequency circuit for executing radio communication based on Bluetooth, and is connected to the antenna module 12 by the connector. The RF circuit 20 is also connected to the controller LSI 21.
The controller LSI 21 executes base band control (radio interface control) on Bluetooth and interface control on the SD memory card, and is connected to the RE circuit 20, the flash memory 22 and signal pins. The controller LSI 21 contains, as shown in FIG. 2, an MPU (RISC) 21 a, a ROM 21 b storing control programs, a link controller 21 c for controlling the lowest protocol of Bluetooth, an SRAM 21 d used as a work buffer memory, a memory interface 21 e for the flash memory 22, an SD card interface 21 f for a plurality of signal pins, and other devices 21 g.
The ROM 21 b stores a Bluetooth protocol control program, an SD card interface control program, etc. The MPU 21 a executes the programs stored in the ROM 21 b to thereby execute Bluetooth upper protocol control (Link Manager control, HCI control), interface control on the SD memory card (security data access control, memory access control on the flash memory 22). The security data access control is performed for operating a copyright protection technique called “Personal Identification” and provided in the SD memory card and also in an apparatus (host apparatus) that can use the SD memory card. In the security data access control, when reading data (contents) stored in an SD memory card or writing data into the SD memory card, ID (Identification Data) prestored in the SD memory card in its manufacturing stage is transmitted between the SD memory card and the host apparatus through encryption using key data items provided in both the SD memory card and the host apparatus, thereby managing the copying history of the contents and preventing their unlimited copying.
The flash memory 22 is a flash ROM (EEPROM) for the SD memory card, and includes a system area, a protection area and a general user area.
In light of the efficiency of transmission/reception of radio waves, the advantages of the high frequency antenna for Bluetooth can be realized when it is protruded as much as possible from the casing of a data processing apparatus as the host apparatus. Since, in the structure shown in FIG. 2, the antenna module 12 outwardly protrudes from the SD memory card 10, it protrudes from the casing of the data processing apparatus when the SD memory card 10 is inserted in the card slot of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, when the antenna module 12 is attached to the SD memory card 10, an antenna 26 for Bluetooth incorporated in the module 12 is connected to the RF circuit 20 of the SD memory card 10.
Since the SD memory card 10 has a radio interface function as described above, it can be used to expand the function of the data processing apparatus. Further, when the antenna module 12 is not attached to the card 10, the card 10 is used as a general SD memory card.
In the structure shown in FIG. 2, the MPU 21 a executes protocol control on Bluetooth and interface control on the flash memory 22. When installing a radio interface function based on Bluetooth in the SD memory card 10, it is necessary to employ a controller LSI for executing Bluetooth protocol control and a controller LSI for executing SD memory card interface control, which means that two MPUs are required. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the single MPU 21 a is used for Bluetooth protocol control and SD memory card interface control (security data access control, memory access control). In other words, it is sufficient if only one controller LSI 21 is used, which is advantageous in mounting component parts in the SD memory card 10.
[0043]FIG. 3 shows a modification of the SD memory card 10 of FIG. 2. An SD memory card 10 b shown in FIG. 3 does not have the flash memory 22 shown in FIG. 2.
The SD memory card 10 of FIG. 2 can also function as a usual SD memory card, while the SD memory card 10 b of FIG. 3 is used as an I/O (Input/Output) card dedicated to the radio interface function.
An SD memory card 10 c according to a second embodiment will be described.
[0047]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the SD memory card 10 c and an antenna module 12 employed in the second embodiment. The SD memory card 10 c of the second embodiment differs in the antenna mounting structure from the SD memory card 10 of the first embodiment (shown in FIG. 2 or 3). As shown in FIG. 4, an antenna A27 is provided in the SD memory card 10 c along the side of the card on which no signal pins are provided, and is connected to an RF circuit 20. The antenna module 12 can be attached to the SD memory card 10 c as in the first embodiment (a connector for attachment is not shown in FIG. 4). When the antenna module 12 is attached to the SD memory card 10 c, an antenna B28 for Bluetooth provided in the antenna module 12 is connected to the RF circuit 20 via an antenna connector. The other structural elements are similar to those employed in the first embodiment (FIG. 2), and hence not described.
Provision of the antenna A27 in the SD memory card 10 c as shown in FIG. 4 enables the card 10 c to have a radio interface function without the antenna module 12.
When, for example, highly efficient transmission/reception of radio waves is not required, i.e. when short-distance radio communication is executed between a mouse as the host apparatus of the SD memory card 10 c and a personal computer using the mouse, the SD memory card 10 c can be used with the antenna module 12 detached therefrom. Since in this state, there is nothing projecting (i.e. the antenna module 12) from the casing of the host apparatus, the host apparatus can be handled more easily.
On the other hand, when executing radio communication with a device located at a distance from the SD memory card 10 c, the card 10 c is used with the antenna module 12 attached thereto. As a result, the transmission/reception efficiency of radio waves is enhanced, and a necessary communication distance can be secured.
Thus, the SD memory card 10 c can be used as a radio communication interface card both when the antenna module 12 is attached thereto and when it is detached therefrom. Accordingly, the single SD memory card 10 c can be used for various purposes. In other words, the card 10 c is very versatile.
An SD memory card 10 d according to a third embodiment will be described.
[0054]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the SD memory card 10 d and an antenna module 12 a employed in the third embodiment. The antenna module 12 a of the third embodiment has, in addition to the antenna B28 employed in the second embodiment (FIG. 4), an external RF amplifier 29 that serves as part of a high frequency circuit (high frequency amplifier).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the antenna module 12 a contains the internal antenna B28 for Bluetooth, and the external RF amplifier 29. When the antenna module 12 a is attached to the SD memory card 10 d, the antenna B28 is connected to the RF circuit 20 of the card 10 d via the external RF amplifier 29 and an antenna connector. The other structural elements are similar to those employed in the first embodiment (FIG. 2), and hence not described.
The external RF amplifier 29 amplifies a radio signal transmitted or received by the antenna B28.
Accordingly, the attachment of the antenna module 12 a to the SD memory card 10 d increases the ability to perform radio communication as compared with the second embodiment.
In the first to third embodiments, the external antenna module 12 (12 a) is attached to the SD memory card 10 (10 c, 10 d). In this structure, the antenna module 12 projects from the SD memory card 10, and hence makes it slightly difficult to handle the card 10. In the fourth embodiment, no antenna is directly attached to the SD memory card 10, but an antenna installed in an eject lever incorporated in a data processing apparatus (host apparatus) is used.
[0061]FIGS. 6A - 6D are schematic views of the fourth embodiment of the invention, showing a card slot formed in a data processing apparatus (host apparatus), in which the SD memory card 10 can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 6A, the card slot has an eject mechanism formed of eject lever component parts 30 and 31 for ejecting the inserted SD memory card 10. The eject lever component part 30 extends in the card slot in a direction of insertion of the SD memory card 10, and has a distal end portion thereof protruding from the casing surface of the host apparatus, and a proximal end portion thereof coupled to the eject lever component part 31. The eject lever component part 31 extends in the card slot along the inner end (the signal pin side) of the SD memory card 10 when the card 10 is inserted in the slot. When the distal end portion of the eject lever component part 30 is pushed toward the interior of the host apparatus casing 38 (eject operation), the eject lever component part 31 swings about the fulcrum in a direction indicated by the arrow (in a direction of ejection), thereby ejecting, from the casing 38, the SD memory card 10 connected to an SD memory card connector 35. The eject lever component part 30 has an antenna 34 for Bluetooth contained in the portion protruding from the host apparatus casing 38, and an antenna terminal 37 provided on a side portion thereof that touches the SD memory card 10 when the card 10 is inserted in the slot. The antenna terminal 37 is connected to the antenna 34. The entire antenna 34 does not have to extend along the portion of the eject lever component part 30, which protrudes from the host apparatus casing 38, but part of the antenna may extend along the protruding portion.
The SD memory card 10 used in the fourth embodiment has an antenna terminal (antenna connecting terminal) 10 a provided on a side portion thereof that touches the antenna terminal 37 of the eject lever component part 30 when the SD memory card 10 is inserted in the card slot. The internal structure of the SD memory card 10 is similar to that of the first to third embodiments, and the antenna terminal 10 a is connected to the RF circuit 20 in the card.
[0063]FIG. 6B illustrates a state in which the SD memory card 10 is inserted in the host apparatus casing 38. As shown, the distal end portion of the eject lever component part 30 containing the antenna 34 protrudes from the casing 38, and hence the transmission/reception efficiency of radio waves is enhanced. Further, since it is not necessary to directly attach the antenna module to the SD memory card 10, the card 10 can be handled easily. Moreover, since the antenna 34 installed in the host apparatus is used, to add a radio communication function the user does not have to consider the attachment of an antenna to the card, but just inserts the SD memory card 10 into the card slot, as in the case of a usual SD card.
If the host apparatus cannot be handled easily with the eject lever component part 30 protruding from the casing, the protruding portion of the eject lever component part 30 may be constructed as shown in FIG. 6C. When, in the case of FIG. 6C, the SD memory card 10 is inserted in the card slot, the protruding portion of the eject lever component part 30 containing the antenna 34 is bent along the casing surface as shown in FIG. 6D. Even in this state, the transmission/reception efficiency of radio waves is not significantly degraded, since the antenna 34 is exposed to the outside of the casing.
There now follows a description of a fifth embodiment.
In the above-described fourth embodiment, the antenna 34 used for the SD memory card 10 is provided in the eject lever, while in the fifth embodiment, it is provided on the casing surface of the host apparatus.
[0068]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the fifth embodiment of the invention, showing a card slot formed in a data processing apparatus (host apparatus), in which the SD memory card 10 can be inserted. As shown, an antenna 40 for Bluetooth is mounted on the surface of the host apparatus casing. An antenna terminal 42 is provided on the surface portion of the card slot, which touches the antenna 40 of the SD memory card 10 when the card is inserted. The antenna terminal 42 is connected to the antenna 40.
Further, in the fifth embodiment, an antenna terminal (antenna connecting terminal) 10 a is provided on the side surface portion of the SD memory card 10, which touches the antenna terminal 42 of the card slot when the SD memory card 10 is inserted in the card slot. The internal structure of the SD memory card 10 is similar to that of the first to third embodiments, and the antenna terminal 10 a is connected to the RF circuit 20 in the card.
The antenna 40 provided on the surface of the host apparatus casing as shown in FIG. 7 enhances the transmission/reception efficiency of radio waves. Moreover, since it is not necessary to directly attach the antenna module to the SD memory card 10, the card 10 can be handled easily. In addition, since the antenna 40 provided on the host apparatus is used, to add a radio communication function, the user does not have to consider the attachment of an antenna to the card, but just inserts the SD memory card 10 into the card slot, as in the case of a usual SD card.
In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the antenna terminal 10 a to be connected to the antenna is provided on the SD memory card 10. However, if one of the signal pins provided in the SD memory card 10 can be used for antenna connection, the embodiments can be modified such that the host-apparatus-side antenna 34 or 40 is connected to the SD memory card 10 via the SD card memory connector 35.
A sixth embodiment will be described.
In the sixth embodiment, an SD memory card 10 e has only a usual SD memory card function, and a Bluetooth function expansion module 50 (an IC card having a radio interface function) is further employed which has a main structure for realizing the Bluetooth function. FIG. 8 illustrates the SD memory card 10 e and the Bluetooth function expansion module 50 employed in the sixth embodiment.
The SD memory card 10 e shown in FIG. 8 serves as a usual SD memory card when only the card 10 e itself is used, and contains a controller LSI 51 and a flash memory 52. The controller LSI 51 includes an MPU 51 a, a ROM 5 b, an SD-BT interface 51 c, an SRAM 5 d, a memory interface 51 e, and an SD card interface 51 f. The controller LSI 51 includes elements similar to those of the controller LSI 21 of FIG. 2, except that it does not include the SD-BT interface 51 c and a communication interface function. Accordingly, no detailed description will be given of the controller LSI 21. The SD-BT interface 51 c is provided for connecting the SD memory card 10 e to the Bluetooth function expansion module 50, using a connector 54.
The Bluetooth function expansion module 50 is an IC card having a radio interface function, and contains an RF circuit 20, a Bluetooth base band LSI 56, and an antenna 58. The Bluetooth base band LSI 56 is provided for executing Bluetooth base band control, and includes an MPU (RISC) 56 a, a ROM 56 b storing a base band control program, a link controller 56 c for controlling the lowest protocol of Bluetooth, an SRAM 56 d used as a work buffer memory, other devices 56 e, an SD-BT interface 56 f for the memory card 10 e, etc. The Bluetooth base band LSI 56 is similar to the controller LSI 21 shown in FIG. 2, except that it includes the SD-BT interface 56 f and does not have a memory interface function. Therefore, no detailed description will be given of the LSI 56. The SD-BT interface 56 f is provided for connecting the module 50 to the SD memory card 10 e via the connector 54.
The Bluetooth base band LSI 56 is connected to the RF circuit 20 via the link controller 56 c. The RF circuit 20 is connected to the antenna 58 contained in the Bluetooth function expansion module 50.
Thus, the SD memory card 10 e can usually be used as a general SD memory card device, and can additionally have a communication interface function when it is connected to the Bluetooth function expansion module 50 that contains the antenna 58, the RF circuit 20 and the Bluetooth base band LSI 56.
The above structure enables easy mounting of component parts in the SD memory card 10 e, and enables the use of the card 10 e as an SD memory card having a radio interface function by connecting thereto the Bluetooth function expansion module 50.
A description will now be given of a method for setting a destination to which the device of each of the first to sixth embodiments is connected using the radio interface function.
In a radio communication system such as Bluetooth, there is a case where communication is performed with only a predetermined one of communicable devices. In this case, information for specifying the predetermined device is necessary. In Bluetooth, communication of a transmitter only with a predetermined destination device can be realized by pre-registering, for example, a PIN code for the transmitter itself and a PIN code for the destination device as destination information, and executing communication based on the registered information.
For example, in each of the structures employed in the above-described embodiments (except for the structure shown in FIG. 3), the destination information is written beforehand in the protection memory area of the SD memory card. In the case of the SD memory card 10 of FIG. 2, the destination information written in the protection memory area of the flash memory 22 can be read by the controller LSI 21 that executes radio interface control and memory interface control, and can be used in the card as destination recognizing information. As a result, communication with a preset destination device can be executed. On the other hand, the SD memory card 10 cannot access apparatuses other than a predetermined host apparatus having exclusive key data that is certified by the certification means (security data access control means) of the SD memory card.
Usually, it is not preferable that the destination information comes out to or changed by any person other than the owner of the card. In light of this, the data processing system is arranged such that, as described above, (1) the SD memory card 10 is attached to any voluntary host apparatus (such as a personal computer) to thereby enable the host apparatus to communicate with a preset destination device, and (2) change of the destination device or reading of the destination information can be executed only when the SD memory card is attached to the host apparatus.
This arrangement enables enhancement of the convenience of the SD memory card that it can add a radio interface function for setting a destination device, and protection of destination information of high secrecy.
Although, in the above-described embodiments, an SD memory card is used as an IC card having a radio interface function, the invention can be also applicable to a small IC card having another shape and/or another function. Further, the radio communication system is not limited to Bluetooth, but may be another radio communication system that can realize a radio LAN.
As described above in detail, a radio interface function is installed in an IC card (an SD memory card), and hence the IC card is used to expand the function of a data processing apparatus. When no antenna is attached to the SD memory card, the SD memory card can be used as a usual IC card.
US5708833 * Jun 10, 1994 Jan 13, 1998 Norand Corporation Antenna cap, antenna connectors and telephone line connectors for computer devices utilizing radio and modem cards
US5913174 * Jun 19, 1996 Jun 15, 1999 Proxim, Inc. Connectorized antenna for wireless LAN PCMCIA card radios
US5914980 * Sep 20, 1996 Jun 22, 1999 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Wireless communication system and data storage medium
US5999294 * Mar 13, 1997 Dec 7, 1999 Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. Detachable antenna with optical port
US6073856 * Sep 3, 1998 Jun 13, 2000 Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. Noncontact IC device
US6133884 * Feb 10, 1998 Oct 17, 2000 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. Communication unit, an antenna and a method for connecting an antenna
US6295031 * Mar 12, 1999 Sep 25, 2001 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Memory card assembly having an integral antenna
US6427065 * Aug 16, 2000 Jul 30, 2002 Hitachi, Ltd. Power transmission system, IC card and information communication system using IC card
US6608550 * Dec 22, 2000 Aug 19, 2003 Hitachi, Ltd. Reader and/or writer apparatus, power feeding system, and communication system
US6618013 * Jul 23, 2001 Sep 9, 2003 3Com Corporation Retractable antenna assembly
US6762725 * Feb 11, 2003 Jul 13, 2004 Cypress Semiconductor Corp. PC card retractable antenna
US7072691 Oct 7, 2003 Jul 4, 2006 Lenovo (Singapore) Pte.Ltd. Cruable-U-NII wireless radio with secure, integral antenna connection via validation registers in U-NII wireless ready device
US7083107 * Sep 29, 2003 Aug 1, 2006 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Memory card
US7103057 * Jul 31, 2001 Sep 5, 2006 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Information processing apparatus and communication function expansion method
US7103379 * Feb 3, 2003 Sep 5, 2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Wearable electronic device
US7117013 Oct 7, 2003 Oct 3, 2006 Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Cruable dual mode ISM and U-NII wireless radio with secure, integral antenna connection
US7197583 * Jan 15, 2004 Mar 27, 2007 Zentek Technology Japan, Inc. SDIO controller
US7296754 * May 10, 2005 Nov 20, 2007 Renesas Technology Corp. IC card module
US7366304 Oct 7, 2003 Apr 29, 2008 Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Cruable U-NII wireless radio with secure, integral antenna connection via SM BIOS in U-NII wireless ready device
US7389937 Dec 7, 2005 Jun 24, 2008 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Card-shaped memory device incorporating IC card function
US7457907 * Aug 14, 2003 Nov 25, 2008 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Method and circuit for interfacing card memory, asic embedded with the interface circuit, and image forming apparatus equipped with the asic
US7460076 Jul 12, 2006 Dec 2, 2008 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Mobile wireless communications terminals and wireless communications cards for use with an electronic device
US7484020 Nov 22, 2006 Jan 27, 2009 Zentek Technology Japan, Inc. SDIO controller
US7488214 * May 10, 2006 Feb 10, 2009 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Memory card connector
US7583980 * Aug 27, 2003 Sep 1, 2009 Stmicroelectronics S.A. Antenna communication method for a chip card and associated device
US7683776 Oct 5, 2005 Mar 23, 2010 Cumulous Communications Corp. Server system for remote monitoring
US7757958 Oct 28, 2005 Jul 20, 2010 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Card-shaped memory device incorporating IC card function, adapter for the same and host device
US7761614 Apr 24, 2009 Jul 20, 2010 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Electronic apparatus and content data providing method
US7831644 Apr 9, 2009 Nov 9, 2010 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Electronic apparatus and content data providing method
US7902975 Feb 2, 2010 Mar 8, 2011 Cumulous Communications Corporation Server system for remote monitoring
US7941197 Sep 12, 2008 May 10, 2011 Devicefidelity, Inc. Updating mobile devices with additional elements
US7942337 Sep 8, 2008 May 17, 2011 Devicefidelity, Inc. Wirelessly executing transactions with different enterprises
US7971793 * Nov 27, 2007 Jul 5, 2011 Renesas Electronics Corporation Memory card
US7995119 * Nov 2, 2006 Aug 9, 2011 Sony Corporation Information recording apparatus, non-contact recording medium and recording method for the same
US8070057 Sep 28, 2009 Dec 6, 2011 Devicefidelity, Inc. Switching between internal and external antennas
US8090408 Aug 10, 2007 Jan 3, 2012 Panasonic Corporation Portable wireless device
US8109444 * Sep 5, 2008 Feb 7, 2012 Devicefidelity, Inc. Selectively switching antennas of transaction cards
US8190221 Sep 12, 2008 May 29, 2012 Devicefidelity, Inc. Wirelessly accessing broadband services using intelligent covers
US8228183 Feb 2, 2011 Jul 24, 2012 Arthroscopic Surgery Associates Corporation Monitoring remote environmental conditions
US8341083 Sep 5, 2008 Dec 25, 2012 Devicefidelity, Inc. Wirelessly executing financial transactions
US8380259 May 25, 2012 Feb 19, 2013 Devicefidelity, Inc. Wirelessly accessing broadband services using intelligent covers
US8381999 * Feb 6, 2012 Feb 26, 2013 Devicefidelity, Inc. Selectively switching antennas of transaction cards
US8430325 May 16, 2011 Apr 30, 2013 Devicefidelity, Inc. Executing transactions secured user credentials
US8548540 Apr 1, 2011 Oct 1, 2013 Devicefidelity, Inc. Executing transactions using mobile-device covers
US8665082 Oct 15, 2003 Mar 4, 2014 Arthroscopic Surgery Associates Corporation Method and apparatus for monitoring conditions
US8760282 Jun 26, 2012 Jun 24, 2014 Arthroscopic Surgery Associates Corporation Monitoring remote environmental conditions
US8776189 Sep 12, 2008 Jul 8, 2014 Devicefidelity, Inc. Wirelessly accessing broadband services using intelligent cards
US8915447 Sep 30, 2009 Dec 23, 2014 Devicefidelity, Inc. Amplifying radio frequency signals
US8925827 Oct 16, 2009 Jan 6, 2015 Devicefidelity, Inc. Amplifying radio frequency signals
US8990482 Sep 5, 2012 Mar 24, 2015 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Memory system and wireless communication method by memory system
US9013302 Jun 11, 2014 Apr 21, 2015 Arthroscopic Surgery Associates Corporation Monitoring remote environmental conditions
US9014755 Dec 20, 2007 Apr 21, 2015 Smart Packaging Solutions (Sps) Radiofrequency local communication interface between a mobile phone and a contactless reader
US9016589 * Feb 22, 2013 Apr 28, 2015 Devicefidelity, Inc. Selectively switching antennas of transaction cards
US9106647 Apr 29, 2013 Aug 11, 2015 Devicefidelity, Inc. Executing transactions secured user credentials
US9119288 * Feb 12, 2015 Aug 25, 2015 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Lightweight audio system for automotive applications and method
US9152911 Nov 29, 2011 Oct 6, 2015 Devicefidelity, Inc. Switching between internal and external antennas
US9153123 Oct 5, 2005 Oct 6, 2015 Arthroscopic Surgery Associates Corporation Remote monitoring system
US9195931 Nov 22, 2011 Nov 24, 2015 Devicefidelity, Inc. Switching between internal and external antennas
US9225718 Jul 3, 2014 Dec 29, 2015 Devicefidelity, Inc. Wirelessly accessing broadband services using intelligent cards
US9304555 May 7, 2010 Apr 5, 2016 Devicefidelity, Inc. Magnetically coupling radio frequency antennas
US9311766 Nov 17, 2008 Apr 12, 2016 Devicefidelity, Inc. Wireless communicating radio frequency signals
US9384480 Sep 11, 2008 Jul 5, 2016 Devicefidelity, Inc. Wirelessly executing financial transactions
US9396427 * Dec 18, 2012 Jul 19, 2016 Sk Holdings Co., Ltd. Removable tray integrated smart card and mobile terminal adopting the same
US9418362 Nov 10, 2014 Aug 16, 2016 Devicefidelity, Inc. Amplifying radio frequency signals
US9621226 Mar 5, 2014 Apr 11, 2017 Wise-Sec Ltd. Wireless signal generating cards and methods and system of using such cards
US9741027 * Dec 14, 2007 Aug 22, 2017 Tyfone, Inc. Memory card based contactless devices
US20020031139 * Jul 31, 2001 Mar 14, 2002 Junichi Yoshizawa Information processing apparatus and communication function expansion method
US20040060988 * Sep 29, 2003 Apr 1, 2004 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Memory card
US20040107327 * Aug 14, 2003 Jun 3, 2004 Toshio Takahashi Method and circuit for interfacing card memory, asic embedded with the interface circuit, and image forming apparatus equipped with the asic
US20040176131 * Feb 3, 2003 Sep 9, 2004 Hilerio Israel Omar Wearable electronic device
US20040205268 * Jan 15, 2004 Oct 14, 2004 C-Guys, Inc. SDIO controller
US20040209648 * Apr 21, 2003 Oct 21, 2004 Power Data Communications Co., Ltd. Radio transmission memory card, and handset transmission electronic transaction system and method using the same
US20050054399 * Sep 10, 2003 Mar 10, 2005 Buris Nicholas E. Method and apparatus for providing improved antenna bandwidth
US20050074123 * Oct 7, 2003 Apr 7, 2005 International Business Machines Corp. Cruable U-NII wireless radio with secure, integral antenna connection via SM BIOS in U-NII wireless ready device
US20050075135 * Oct 7, 2003 Apr 7, 2005 International Business Machines Corp. Cruable dual mode ISM and U-NII wireless radio with secure, integral antenna connection
US20050075136 * Oct 7, 2003 Apr 7, 2005 International Business Machines Corp. Cruable U-NII wireless radio with secure, integral antenna connection via validation registers in U-NII wireless ready device
US20050151117 * Jan 9, 2004 Jul 14, 2005 Ecolab Inc. Methods for washing and processing fruits, vegetables, and other produce with medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions
US20050224589 * Apr 5, 2005 Oct 13, 2005 Electronics And Telecommunications Research Institute SD memory card for extension of function
US20050245995 * Apr 26, 2005 Nov 3, 2005 Biotronik Gmbh & Co. Kg Transmitting and receiving device
US20050252978 * May 10, 2005 Nov 17, 2005 Renesas Technology Corp. IC card module
US20060028335 * Oct 5, 2005 Feb 9, 2006 Glenn Gregory M Server system for remote monitoring
US20060028336 * Oct 5, 2005 Feb 9, 2006 Glenn Gregory M Remote monitoring system
US20060097048 * Dec 28, 2005 May 11, 2006 Fujitsu Limited Communication terminal device, power supply method, and computer product
US20060124755 * Oct 28, 2005 Jun 15, 2006 Takafumi Ito Card-shaped memory device incorporating IC card function, adapter for the same and host device
US20060131430 * Dec 7, 2005 Jun 22, 2006 Takafumi Ito Card-shaped memory device incorporating IC card function
US20060142063 * Aug 27, 2003 Jun 29, 2006 Stmicroelectronics S.A. Antenna communication method for a chip card and associated device
US20070094504 * Nov 22, 2006 Apr 26, 2007 C-Guys, Inc. Sdio controller
US20070154162 * Nov 2, 2006 Jul 5, 2007 Sony Corporation Information recording apparatus, non-contact recording medium and recording method for the same
US20070285320 * Jul 12, 2006 Dec 13, 2007 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Mobile wireless communications terminals and wireless communications cards for use with an electronic device
US20070291525 * May 10, 2006 Dec 20, 2007 Hirohisa Tanaka Memory Card Connector
US20080073436 * Nov 27, 2007 Mar 27, 2008 Hirotaka Nishizawa Memory Card
US20080098134 * Aug 31, 2005 Apr 24, 2008 Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. Portable Storage Device and Method For Exchanging Data
US20090065571 * Sep 5, 2008 Mar 12, 2009 Devicefidelity, Inc. Selectively switching antennas of transaction cards
US20090065572 * Sep 8, 2008 Mar 12, 2009 Devicefidelity, Inc. Wirelessly executing transactions with different enterprises
US20090069049 * Sep 5, 2008 Mar 12, 2009 Devicefidelity, Inc. Interfacing transaction cards with host devices
US20090069050 * Sep 12, 2008 Mar 12, 2009 Devicefidelity, Inc. Updating mobile devices with additional elements
US20090070272 * Sep 11, 2008 Mar 12, 2009 Devicefidelity, Inc. Wirelessly executing financial transactions
US20090070691 * Sep 5, 2008 Mar 12, 2009 Devicefidelity, Inc. Presenting web pages through mobile host devices
US20090108063 * Nov 17, 2008 Apr 30, 2009 Deepak Jain Wirelessly Communicating Radio Frequency Signals
US20090137152 * Oct 6, 2006 May 28, 2009 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Memory card socket
US20090199283 * Sep 12, 2008 Aug 6, 2009 Devicefidelity, Inc. Wirelessly receiving broadcast signals using intelligent cards
US20090292830 * Apr 24, 2009 Nov 26, 2009 Hirokazu Nagashima Electronic apparatus and content data providing method
US20100012721 * Sep 28, 2009 Jan 21, 2010 Devicefidelity, Inc. Switching Between Internal and External Antennas
US20100016020 * Dec 20, 2007 Jan 21, 2010 Smart Packaging Solutions (Sps) Radiofrequency local communication interface between a mobile phone and a contactless reader
US20100033307 * Aug 8, 2008 Feb 11, 2010 Narendra Siva G Small rfid card with integrated inductive element
US20100144542 * Dec 15, 2009 Jun 10, 2010 Affymetrix, Inc Methods for high throughput genotyping
US20100180061 * Jan 6, 2010 Jul 15, 2010 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Interface control device
US20100222014 * Sep 13, 2007 Sep 2, 2010 Niklas Philipsson RF Switch Device
US20110010497 * Jul 9, 2009 Jan 13, 2011 Sandisk Il Ltd. A storage device receiving commands and data regardless of a host
US20110063779 * Aug 10, 2007 Mar 17, 2011 Panasonic Corporation Portable wireless device
US20110122028 * Jan 20, 2006 May 26, 2011 Antenova Limited Two-Module Integrated Antenna and Radio
US20110136539 * Sep 12, 2008 Jun 9, 2011 Device Fidelity, Inc. Receiving broadcast signals using intelligent covers for mobile devices
US20110185098 * May 20, 2009 Jul 28, 2011 Sk Telecom Co., Ltd. Memory card supplemented with wireless communication module, terminal for using same, memory card including wpan communication module, and wpan communication method using same
US20110215159 * May 16, 2011 Sep 8, 2011 Devicefidelity, Inc. Executing transactions secured user credentials
US20120136734 * Feb 6, 2012 May 31, 2012 Devicefidelity, Inc. Selectively switching antennas of transaction cards
US20130014268 * Mar 9, 2012 Jan 10, 2013 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Storage device and storage method
US20140374491 * Dec 18, 2012 Dec 25, 2014 Sk C&C Co., Ltd. Removable tray integrated smart card and mobile terminal adopting the same
US20150026397 * Nov 21, 2013 Jan 22, 2015 Samsung Electronics, Ltd. Method and system for providing memory module intercommunication
US20150156928 * Feb 12, 2015 Jun 4, 2015 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Lightweight audio system for automotive applications and method
US20160026996 * Apr 27, 2015 Jan 28, 2016 Devicefidelity, Inc. Selectively switching antennas of transaction cards
CN101778174A * Feb 10, 2010 Jul 14, 2010 中兴通讯股份有限公司 Method, system and external card for achieving function extension of mobile terminal
CN102043979A * Oct 15, 2010 May 4, 2011 瑞萨电子株式会社 Interface IC and memory card including the same
CN104915708A * Oct 15, 2010 Sep 16, 2015 瑞萨电子株式会社 Interface IC and memory card including the same
EP1616363A2 * Apr 20, 2004 Jan 18, 2006 3Com Corporation Modular rf antenna and filter system for dual radio wlan access points
EP1616363A4 * Apr 20, 2004 May 14, 2008 3Com Corp Modular rf antenna and filter system for dual radio wlan access points
EP2747297A4 * May 10, 2012 Jul 1, 2015 Huizhou Tcl Mobile Comm Co Ltd Lte communication card and lte communication sytem
WO2004095625A2 Apr 20, 2004 Nov 4, 2004 3Com Corporation Modular rf antenna and filter system for dual radio wlan access points
WO2005084051A1 * Feb 2, 2004 Sep 9, 2005 Nokia Corporation Method and device for ensuring the operating state of a mobile electronic terminal device
WO2006077430A1 Jan 20, 2006 Jul 27, 2006 Antenova Limited A two-module integrated antenna and radio
WO2007145675A1 * Jan 8, 2007 Dec 21, 2007 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Wireless communication card for use with an electronic device
WO2008096058A2 * Dec 20, 2007 Aug 14, 2008 Smart Packaging Solutions (Sps) Radiofrequency local communication interface between a mobile phone and a contactless reader
WO2008096058A3 * Dec 20, 2007 Nov 13, 2008 Smart Packaging Solutions Sps Radiofrequency local communication interface between a mobile phone and a contactless reader
WO2009145518A3 * May 20, 2009 Feb 25, 2010 에스케이텔레콤 주식회사 Memory card supplemented with wireless communication module, terminal for using same, memory card including wpan communication module, and wpan communication method using same
WO2012109983A1 * Feb 14, 2012 Aug 23, 2012 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. Printed circuit board, secure digital card, and method for manufacturing printed circuit board
WO2014141235A1 * Mar 5, 2014 Sep 18, 2014 Wise-Sec Ltd. Wireless signal generating cards and methods and system of using such cards
U.S. Classification 455/558, 455/575.7, 455/557
International Classification G06K19/07, B42D15/10, G06F3/00, H01R13/633, G06K17/00, H04B1/38, H01Q1/08, H01Q1/24, H01Q9/42, H01Q1/22
Cooperative Classification H04L12/66, H01Q9/42, H04B1/3816, H01Q1/2275, H01Q1/22, H01Q1/084
European Classification H04L12/66, H01Q1/08C, H01Q1/22G4, H01Q9/42, H01Q1/22, H04B1/38C
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ITO, TAKAFUMI;REEL/FRAME:011387/0636