Abstract:
An IC card reader is provided for reading data stored in an IC card with radio communication and inputting the data into, for example, a personal computer. The IC card reader includes a card holder and a fastening mechanism which attaches the card holder to a data reading table detachably. This structure provides for ease of usage of the card reader to a user in two selectable modes. In the first mode, the stored data may be inputted into the computer only by passing the IC card over the data reading table instantaneously. In the second mode, the user may insert the IC card into the card holder fitted on the data reading table to transmit data to the compute through radio communication.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1 Technical Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to an IC card reader designed to read data from an IC card, and more particularly to such an IC card reader with a fastening mechanism which attaches a card holder detachably to a data reading table and a card holder configured to establish detachable installation on an IC card reader.  
           [0003]    2 Background Art  
           [0004]    Contaceless IC cards are now being employed in various applications for establishing radio communication with an IC card reader. For instance, the IC card may be used to check whether a card user is an authorized person or not when entering a security room. The user passes the IC card nearby the IC card reader to input an ID code. The IC card may also be used in checking whether the card user is a person authorized to use a personal computer or not. In this case, the user passes, like the above, the IC card nearby the IC card reader to input an ID code into the computer when starting it.  
           [0005]    Further, the IC card may be used for access to security files stored in a personal computer many times or inputting a user ID code into a merchant computer system for making an electronic payment for a purchase during the on-line internet shopping at various web sites. In such a case, the user must pass the IC card over the IC card reader each time the ID code is required to be inputted to the computer. This is quite inconvenient for the user. In order to alleviate such an inconvenience, a card holder may be employed to hold the IC card on a data reading table of the IC card reader. A drawback is, however, encountered in that different types of card holders and IC card readers need to be prepared for meeting various application requirements.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art.  
           [0007]    It is another object of the invention to provide an IC card reader and a card holder capable of meeting various application requirements.  
           [0008]    According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an IC card reader which is used in reading data stored in an IC card and inputting it into, for example, a personal computer through radio communication. The IC card reader generally comprises: (a) a casing; (b) an antenna disposed within the casing which works to establish radio communication with an IC card which is placed over a data reading table provided on the casing; (c) a card holder designed to hold the IC card at the data reading table; and (d) a fastening mechanism which attaches the card holder to the data reading table detachably. This structure provides for ease of usage of the IC card reader to a user in two selectable modes. In the first mode, the user may input data into a host device such as a computer only by passing the IC card over the data reading table of the IC card reader instantaneously. In the second mode, the user may insert the IC card into the card holder fitted on the data reading table of the IC card reader to transmit data to the host device through the antenna.  
           [0009]    In the preferred mode of the invention, the fastening mechanism is so designed as to allow the card holder to be installed on the data reading table selectively at different orientations.  
           [0010]    The fastening mechanism may include a polygonal table used as the data reading table. The polygonal table is configured to have corners or sides establishing firm engagement with the card holder.  
           [0011]    The polygonal table may be designed to establish the firm engagement at at least two of the corners or the sides with the card holder. The polygonal table is, for example, of square shape.  
           [0012]    The fastening mechanism may be so configured that the card holder is fitted on the data reading table from a preselected direction. The card holder may include a card holding portion into or from which the IC card is to be inserted or drawn. The direction in which the IC card is drawn from the card holding portion is set different from the direction in which the card holder is fitted on the data reading table.  
           [0013]    The direction in which the IC card is drawn from the card holding portion is preferably perpendicular to the direction in which the card holder is fitted on the data reading table.  
           [0014]    The card holder may be so configured that the IC card is inserted and held. The card holder may have provided thereon an indication of a direction in which the IC card is to be inserted into the card holder.  
           [0015]    The fastening mechanism may include a portion of the card holder which is configured to establish firm engagement of the card holder with the data reading table.  
           [0016]    The casing has a plurality of surfaces oriented in different directions. One of the surfaces has installed thereon a communication port to which a communication cable is connected to establish communication with a host device and a power supply port to which a power supply cable is connected.  
           [0017]    The communication port and the power supply port may be made of a single unit.  
           [0018]    A support member may further be provided which is designed to support a body of the IC card reader in a given position on a plane.  
           [0019]    The card holder defines an insertion path along which the IC card is inserted into the card holder. The support member holds the body of the IC card reader so as to orient the insertion path of the card holder to a given direction at a predetermined angle to the plane.  
           [0020]    The support member may be formed integrally with the card holder.  
           [0021]    The support member may be configured to have at least two mount tables on which the body of the IC card reader is to be mounted selectively. The mount tables are inclined at different angles to the plane, respectively. For example, a first one of the mount tables is inclined at a first angle less than 45° to the plane, while a second one of the mount tables is inclined at a second angle more than 45°.  
           [0022]    The support member may be made of a one-piece resinous member.  
           [0023]    The support member has a fastening mechanism working to establish firm installation of the body of the IC card reader thereon.  
           [0024]    According to the second aspect of the invention, there is provided an IC card reader unit which comprises: (a) a casing; (b) an antenna disposed within the casing, the antenna working to establish radio communication with an IC card through radio communication which is placed over a data reading table provided on the casing; and (c) a fastening mechanism configured to attach to the data reading table detachably a card holder in which the IC card is to be held over the data reading table.  
           [0025]    In the preferred mode of the invention, the fastening mechanism is so designed as to allow the card holder to be installed on the data reading table selectively at different orientations.  
           [0026]    The fastening mechanism may include a polygonal table used as the data reading table. The polygonal table is configured to have corners or sides establishing firm engagement with the card holder.  
           [0027]    According to the third aspect of the invention, there is provided a card holder for an IC card reader which comprises: (a) a card holding portion within which an IC card is to be held to establish radio communication with a data reading table of the IC card reader; and (b) a fastening mechanism working to establish installation of the card holing portion on the data reading table detachably.  
           [0028]    In the preferred mode of the invention, the fastening mechanism is configured to establish firm engagement of the card holding portion on the data reading table at a given orientation. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESPCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]    The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given hereinbelow and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments but are for the purpose of explanation and understanding only.  
         [0030]    In the drawings:  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1( a ) is a plan view which shows an IC card reader/writer according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 1( b ) is a front view of FIG. 1( a );  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1( c ) is a side view of FIG. 1( a );  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 2( a ) is a plan view which shows an IC card reader/writer according to the first embodiment of the invention from which a card holder is removed;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2( b ) is a front view of FIG. 2( a );  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 2( c ) is a side view of FIG. 2( a );  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 2( d ) is a partially enlarged view which shows a holder engagement structure provided on a data reading table;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3( a ) is a plan view which shows a card holder;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 3( b ) is a front view of FIG. 3( a );  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3( c ) is a side view of FIG. 3( a );  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 3( d ) is a partially enlarged view which shows a holder engagement structure mating with the one shown in FIG. 2( d );  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4( a ) is a plan view which shows a card holder being installed on a body of an IC card reader/writer;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 4( b ) is a front view of FIG. 4( a );  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 5( a ) is a plan view which shows an IC card reader/writer into which an IC card is inserted;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 5( b ) is a side view of FIG. 5( a );  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6( a ) is an illustration which shows an example wherein a user passes an IC car reader nearby an IC card reader/writer to input data into the reader/writer;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 6( b ) is an illustration which shows an example wherein a user inserts an IC card into a card holder installed on an IC card reader/writer;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 7( a ) is a plan view which shows an IC card reader/writer according to the second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 7( b ) is a front view of FIG. 7( a );  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 7( c ) is a side view of FIG. 7( a );  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 8 is a plan view which shows the IC card reader/writer of FIG. 7( a ) on which a card holder is installed;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 9( a ) is a plan view which shows a card holder according to the third embodiment of the invention;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 9( b ) is a front view of FIG. 9( a );  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 9( c ) is a side view of FIG. 9( a );  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 10( a ) is a plan view which shows a card holder according to the fourth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 10( b ) is a front view of FIG. 10( a );  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 10( c ) is a side view of FIG. 10( a );  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 10( d ) is a partially enlarged view which shows a holder engagement structure for installing a card holder firmly on a body of an IC card reader/writer;  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 11( a ) is a plan view which shows a holder installation structure of an IC card reader/writer according to the fifth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 11( b ) is a front view of FIG. 11( a );  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 11( c ) is a side view of FIG. 11( a );  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 12( a ) is a plan view which shows a card holder which is to be installed on the IC card reader/writer in FIGS.  11 ( a ) to  11 ( c );  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 12( b ) is a front view of FIG. 12( a );  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 12( c ) is a side view of FIG. 12( a );  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 12( d ) is a partially enlarged view which shows a holder engagement structure for establishing firm engagement of a card holder with a body of the IC card reader/writer in FIGS.  11 ( a ) to  11 ( c );  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 13( a ) is a plan view which shows an IC card reader/writer according to the sixth embodiment of the invention which includes a stay for supporting a body of the IC card reader/writer at a desired position on a plane;  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 13( b ) is a front view of FIG. 13( a );  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 13( c ) is a side view of FIG. 13( a );  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 14 is a plan view which shows the IC card reader/writer in FIGS.  13 ( a ) to  13 ( c ) on which the card holder is installed at orientation reversed to that in FIGS.  13 ( a ) to  13 ( c );  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 15( a ) is an illustration which shows a first example wherein the IC card reader/writer in FIGS.  13 ( a ) to  13 ( c ) is placed on a left side of a personal computer;  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 15( b ) is an illustration which shows a second example wherein the IC card reader/writer in FIGS.  13 ( a ) to  13 ( c ) is placed on a right side of a personal computer;  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 16( a ) is a side view which shows an IC card reader/writer according to the seventh embodiment of the invention which includes a stay for supporting a body of the IC card reader/writer at a desired position on a plane;  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 16( b ) is a side view which shows the stay of FIG. 16( a ) installed on an opposite side of the body of the IC card reader/writer;  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 17 is an illustration which shows the IC card reader/writer of FIG. 16( a ) or  16 ( b ) placed on a side of a personal computer;  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 18 is a side view which shows an IC card reader/writer according to the eighth embodiment of the invention which includes a stay configured to support a body of the IC card reader/writer in two different positions;  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 19( a ) is an illustration which shows the body of the IC card reader/writer of FIG. 18 which is placed on one of two mount tables at a first orientation;  
         [0077]    [0077]FIG. 19( b ) is an illustration which shows the body of the IC card reader/writer of FIG. 18 which is placed on the other mount table at a second orientation different from that in FIG. 19( a );  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 20( a ) is an illustration which shows an arrangement of FIG. 19( b ), as viewed from a user;  
         [0079]    [0079]FIG. 20( b ) is an illustration which shows the IC card reader/writer of FIG. 19( b ) as viewed from a back side of the drawing;  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 21 is a side view which shows an IC card reader/writer which includes a stay configured to support a body of the IC card reader/writer in two different positions according to the ninth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 22 is a perspective view which shows an IC card reader/writer which includes a stay configured to support a body of the IC card reader/writer in two different positions according to the tenth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 23 is a perspective view which shows an IC card reader/writer which includes a stay configured to support a body of the IC card reader/writer in two different positions according to the eleventh embodiment of the invention;  
         [0083]    [0083]FIG. 24 is a side view which shows an IC card reader/writer which includes a stay configured to support a body of the IC card reader/writer in three different positions according to the twelfth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0084]    [0084]FIG. 25( a ) is a side view which shows an IC card reader/writer which includes a stay configured to support a body of the IC card reader/writer in two different positions according to the thirteenth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0085]    [0085]FIG. 25( b ) is a side view which shows a body of the IC card reader/writer of FIG. 25( a ) placed on a mount table of the stay different from the one of FIG. 25( a );  
         [0086]    [0086]FIG. 26( a ) is a side view which shows an IC card reader/writer which includes a stay configured to support a body of the IC card reader/writer in two different positions according to the fourteenth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0087]    [0087]FIG. 26( b ) is a side view which shows the stay of FIG. 26( a ) standing in a position different from the one of FIG. 26( a );  
         [0088]    [0088]FIG. 26( c ) is a plan view which shows a mount table of the stay of FIGS.  26 ( a ) and  26 ( b );  
         [0089]    [0089]FIG. 27( a ) is a side view which shows an IC card reader/writer which includes a stay configured to support a body of the IC card reader/writer in three different positions according to the fifteenth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0090]    [0090]FIG. 27( b ) is a side view which shows the IC card reader/writer of FIG. 27( a ) mounted on the stay at a second orientation different from the one of FIG. 27( a ); and  
         [0091]    [0091]FIG. 27( c )is a side view which shows the IC card reader/writer of FIG. 27( a ) mounted on the stay at a third orientation different from the ones of FIGS.  27 ( a ) and  27 ( b ). 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0092]    Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts in several views, particularly to FIGS.  1 ( a ) to  6 ( b ), there is shown an IC card reader/writer  1  according to the invention.  
         [0093]    The IC card reader/writer  12  consists essentially of a reader/writer unit  1  and a card holder  7 .  
         [0094]    The reader/writer unit  1  includes a rectangular casing  2  which has a major surface on which a data reading table  3 , as clearly shown in FIGS.  2 ( a ) and  2 ( b ), is provided. The data reading table  3  has a square external form and projects as a whole from the casing  2 . The data reading table  3  has a joint  3   b  to the major surface of the casing  2  and peripheral edges  3   a  extending outside the joint  3   b  to form guide rails for insertion of the card holder  7 , as discussed below in detail. The data reading table  3  has disposed therein an antenna coil  4 , as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2( a ), which works to establish radio communication with an IC card placed on or above the data reading table  3 .  
         [0095]    The reader/writer unit  1  also has, as clearly shown in FIG. 2( c ), disposed in a side wall of the casing  2 , a communication connector  5  such as an RS-232C interface with Dsub- 9  pins and a DC-IN jack  6  into which a plug of an AC adapter (not shown) is to be inserted for supplying DC power used to operate the reader/writer unit  1 . Into the connector  5 , a cable is to be inserted for serial communication with a host device such as a personal computer.  
         [0096]    The card holder  7 , as shown in FIGS.  1 ( a ) to  1 ( c ) and  3 ( a ) to  3 ( c ), is made of substantially square frame  7   a  and has a U-shaped card holding frame  8  formed over a lower half of the frame  7   a  which forms parallel guide grooves  79  (i.e., a card insertion guide path) into which sides of the IC card are inserted. The card holding frame  8 , as can be seen from FIG. 3( c ), is inclined to a user side at a given angle α to a plane of the frame  7   a  for providing ease of insertion of the IC card to the user.  
         [0097]    An arrow and a character “Card” are printed on or cut in a lower side of the card holding frame  8 . The arrow indicates a direction in which the IC card is to be inserted into the card holder  7 . The upper and lower sides  7   u  and  7   d  of the frame  7   a  are, as clearly shown in FIG. 3( c ), curled to the rear side of the card holder  7  to form guide grooves  10   u  and  10   d , respectively.  
         [0098]    The card holder  7  is, as clearly shown in FIGS.  4 ( a ) and  4 ( b ), fitted on the data reading table  3  of the reader/writer unit  1  from a left side, as viewed in the drawings. Specifically, the installation of the card holder  7  on the data reading table  3  is accomplished by aligning the guide grooves  10   u  and  10   d  of the frame  7   a  with the guide rails formed by the peripheral edges  3   a  of the data reading table  3  and sliding the frame  7   a  to the right side, as viewed in the drawings.  
         [0099]    The upper and lower sides  7   u  and  7   d  of the frame  7  of the card holder  7 , as clearly shown in FIGS.  3 ( c ) and  3 ( d ), have formed on central portions of ends thereof protrusions  11   u  and  11   d  for establishing firm engagement with two of four recesses  3   c , as shown in FIGS.  2 ( a ) and  2 ( b ), formed in central portions of side walls of the joint  3   b  of the data reading table  3 . In the case, as illustrated in FIGS.  4 ( a ) and  4 ( b ), where the card holder  7  is fitted on the data reading table  3  from the left side, the protrusions  1  u and  1  id engage the upper and lower recesses  3   c  of the data reading table  3 .  
         [0100]    In the case where the card holder  7  is installed on the reader/writer unit  1  in a position as illustrated in FIGS.  1 ( a ) to  1 ( c ), the user is allowed to insert the IC card  13 , as shown in FIGS.  5 ( a ) and  5 ( b ), into the card holding frame  8  from above it. The direction in which the card holder  7  is fitted on the reader/writer unit  1  is perpendicular to that in which the IC card  13  is inserted into or drawn from the card holder  7 . After completion of insertion of the IC card  13  into the card holder  7 , the IC card  13  is held vertically, as viewed in FIGS.  5 ( a ) and  5 ( b ).  
         [0101]    The card holder  7  may alternatively be fitted on the reader/writer unit  1  from an angular direction oriented at 90° 180°, or 270° to the direction, as illustrated in FIGS.  4 ( a ) and  4 ( b ).  
         [0102]    FIGS.  6 ( a ) and  6 ( b ) show examples of cases of use of the IC card reader/writer  12 .  
         [0103]    [0103]FIG. 6( a ) illustrates for the case where a user inputs an ID password to a personal computer  14  which is required to start the personal computer  14 . The card holder  7  is not installed on the reader/writer unit  1 . The input of the password may be achieved by holding the IC card  13  in user&#39;s hand and passing it over the data reading table  3 .  
         [0104]    [0104]FIG. 6( b ) illustrates for the case where the user purchases some products at a plurality of web sites through the internet. The card holder  7  is installed on the reader/writer unit  1 . The user inserts the IC card  13  into the card holder  7 . Each time it is required by a merchant computer system to identify a user ID code for making an electronic payment for the purchase during the on-line internet shopping, the IC car reader/writer  12  establishes communication with the merchant computer system through the computer  14  to transmit data stored in the IC card  13 .  
         [0105]    As apparent from the above discussion, the IC card reader/writer  12  is so designed as to provide for ease of installation and removal of the card holder  7  on and from the data reading table  3  of the reader/writer unit  1 . Therefore, in a case where it is required only to establish a one-time instant communication between the IC card reader/writer  12  and the computer  14 , the user is allowed to input the data in the IC card  13  into the IC card reader/writer  12  without having to install the card holder  7  on the reader/writer unit  1 . Alternatively, in a case where it is required to establish several communications between the IC card reader/writer  12  and the computer  14  for a relatively long period of time, the user may install the card holder  8  on the date reading table  3  of the reader/writer  1  and insert the IC card  13  into the card holder  7 . Specifically, the structure of the IC card reader/writer  12  of this embodiment meets different cases of use, as described above, thus eliminating the need for manufacturers to produce different types of IC card reader/writers meeting the various cases of use.  
         [0106]    The data reading table  3  is of square shape in external form and designed to allow the user to insert the IC card  13  into the card holder  7  from different directions. Thus, the user may select a desired one of the directions in which the IC card  13  is to be inserted into or drawn from the car holder  7  without having to move the reader/writer unit  1 . The protrusions  11   u  and  11   d  on the card holder  7  and the recesses  3   c  in the data reading table  3  serve to achieve a firm joint of the card holder  7  and the reader/writer unit  1 .  
         [0107]    The direction in which the card holder  7  is fitted on the reader/writer unit  1  is, as described above, perpendicular to that in which the IC card  13  is inserted into or drawn from the card holder  7 , thereby avoiding accidental dislodgement of the card holder  7  from the reader/writer unit  1  caused by the insertion or drawing of the IC card  13 .  
         [0108]    The connector  5  and the DC-IN jack  6  are provided on the same side of the casing  2  of the IC card reader/writer  12 , thus providing for ease of arrangement of cables, especially when the reader/writer  1  and the personal computer  14  are both disposed in a limited area.  
         [0109]    FIGS.  7 ( a ) to  8  show an IC card reader/writer according to the second embodiment of the invention which is different from the first embodiment in structures of the data reading table and the card holder. Other arrangements are identical, and explanation thereof in detail will be omitted here.  
         [0110]    The IC card reader/writer includes a reader/writer unit  16  and a card holder  17 . The reader/writer unit  16  has a data reading table  15  which is of regular octagonal shape in external form. The card holder  17  has a frame  17   a  and a holding frame  18  whose adjacent corners are cut at an angel of 45° to the side of the frame  17   a . The recess  3   c  is formed in each side of the data reading table  15 .  
         [0111]    In a case, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the installation of the card holder  17  on the data reading table  15  is accomplished by sliding the card holder  17  downward, as viewed in the drawing, from a direction oriented at 45° upward and to the left. The user may select a desired one of eight directions in which the card holder  17  (i.e., an IC card) is to be inserted into or drawn from the reader/writer  16  in units of 45°.  
         [0112]    FIGS.  9 ( a ) to  9 ( c ) show a card holder  19  according to the third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0113]    The card holder  19  has a width slightly greater than that of the card holder  7  in the first embodiment. Similarly, a card holding frame  20  has a width slightly greater than that of the card holding frame  8  in the first embodiment. The card holder  19  has the same joint mechanism as that of the card holder  7  in the first embodiment and can be installed directly on the reader/writer unit  1 . The structure of this embodiment is useful for a case where the IC card  13  is packed in, for example, a polyvinyl casing  21 . Specifically, it is possible to insert the IC card  13  packed in the casing  21  into the card holder  19  as it is.  
         [0114]    Other arrangements are identical with those in the first embodiment, and explanation thereof in detail will be omitted here.  
         [0115]    FIGS.  10 ( a ) to  10 ( d ) show a card holder  23  in the fourth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0116]    The card holder  23  has sharp protrusions  22   u  and  22   d  formed on ends of upper and lower sides  23   u  and  23   d  of the frame  7   a , as viewed in the drawings, instead of the protrusions  11   u  and  11   d  formed on the central portions of the upper and lower sides  7   u  and  7   d  of the frame  7   a  in the first embodiment.  
         [0117]    The protrusions  22   u  and  22   d  are elastically deformable. When the card holder  23  slides on the data reading table  3 , and each corner thereof reaches a corresponding one of the corners of the data reading table  3 , the protrusions  22   u  and  22   d  are elastically fitted on the corners of the data reading table  3 , thereby achieving a firm joint of the card holder  23  to the data reading table  3 .  
         [0118]    Other arrangements are identical with those in the first embodiment, and explanation thereof in detail will be omitted here.  
         [0119]    FIGS.  11 ( a ) to  12 ( d ) show an IC card reader/writer according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0120]    The IC card reader/writer consists of a reader/writer unit  24  and a card holder  27 . The card holder  27  has, as clearly shown in FIGS.  12 ( a ) and  12 ( c ), the frame  7   a  whose upper and lower sides  7   u  and  7   d  have, as clearly shown in FIG. 12( d ), tapered ends  28 , respectively. The tapered ends  28  are oriented at approximately 45° to the sides  7   u  and  7   d.    
         [0121]    The reader/writer unit  24  includes, as shown in FIGS.  11 ( a ) and  11 ( b ), a data reading table  25  which has a recess formed in each corner thereof. Each recess has two tapered surfaces  26  which are oriented perpendicular to each other.  
         [0122]    The installation of the card holder  27  on the data reading table  25  is accomplished by placing the card holder  27  over the plane of the data reading table  25 , coinciding the corners of the card holder  27  with those of the data reading table  25 , and pushing the card holder  27  against the plane of the data reading table  25  to cause the tapered ends  28  to be deformed elastically, passed over the tapered surfaces  26 , and fitted on the joint  25   b.    
         [0123]    Other arrangements are identical with those in the first embodiment, and explanation thereof in detail will be omitted here.  
         [0124]    FIGS.  13 ( a ) to  15 ( b ) show an IC card reader/writer  32  according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0125]    The IC card reader/writer  32  includes a card holder  29  which is made up of a card holding portion  30  and a stay  31 . The card holding portion  30  has substantially the same structure as that of the card holder  7  in the first embodiment. The stay  31  works as a support for holding the reader/writer unit  1  in a vertical position on a desk, for example. The card holding portion  30  may be formed integrally with the stay  31 .  
         [0126]    The stay  31  is made up of a rectangular base plate  31   a , as shown in FIG. 13( b ), and a support plate  31   b , as shown in FIG. 13( c ), extending perpendicular to a plane of the base plate  31   a . The card holding portion  30  stands on the base plate  31   a  vertically at a given interval away from the support plate  31   b  which is equivalent to the thickness of the reader/writer unit  1 . Fitting the card holder  29  on the reader/writer unit  1  in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, the reader/writer unit  1  is held vertically by the card holding portion  30  and the support plate  31   b  of the stay  31 .  
         [0127]    Other arrangements are identical with those in the first embodiment, and explanation thereof in detail will be omitted here.  
         [0128]    [0128]FIG. 14 illustrates for a case where the card holder  29  is fitted on the reader/writer unit  1  from a direction diametrically opposed to that in FIGS.  13 ( a ) to  13 ( c ). Specifically, in the case of FIGS.  13 ( a ) to  13 ( c ), the connector  5  and the DC-IN jack  6  are located on the right side of the casing  2 , as viewed in FIGS.  13 ( a ) and  13 ( b ), while in the case of FIG. 14, they are located on the left side.  
         [0129]    [0129]FIG. 15( a ) illustrates for the case where the IC card reader/writer  32  on which the card holder  29  is fitted in the manner shown in FIGS.  13 ( a ) to  13 ( c ) is placed on the left side of the personal computer  14 . FIG. 15( b ) illustrates for the case where the IC card reader/writer  32  on which the card holder  29  is fitted in the manner shown in FIG. 14 is placed on the right side of the personal computer  14 . In either case, the IC card  13  is inserted into the card holding portion  30  of the card holder  29  vertically from above the IC card reader/writer  32 .  
         [0130]    FIGS.  16 ( a ) to  17  show an IC card reader/writer  35  according to the seventh embodiment of the invention which is different from the sixth embodiment of FIGS.  13 ( a ) to  15 ( b ) only in structure of a card holder  33 . Other arrangements are identical, and explanation thereof in detail will be omitted here.  
         [0131]    The card holder  33  has a card holding portion  30  standing on a base plate  34   a  of a stay  34  at an orientation opposed to that in the sixth embodiment. The base plate  34   a  has a width smaller than that of the base plate  31   a  in the sixth embodiment, so that it does not, as can be seen from FIGS.  16 ( a ) and  16 ( b ), project from the card holding portion  30  in order to eliminate interference with manual insertion of the IC card by the user.  
         [0132]    In use, the IC card reader/writer  35  is, as shown in FIGS.  16 ( a ) and  16 ( b ), laid on a desk in contact of a rear end  34   c  of the base plate  34   a  of the stay  34  and a corner of the casing  2  of the reader/writer unit  1  with the surface of the desk. This causes the IC card reader/writer  35  (i.e., the card holding portion  30 ) to be oriented to a user at an angle which provides for ease of insertion of the IC card, especially when the user is sitting on a chair. Additionally, the inclination of the card holding portion  30  to the plane of the desk also ensures close contact between the IC card and the data reading table  3 , thus resulting in improved stability of communication between the IC card and the IC card reader/writer  35 .  
         [0133]    The IC card reader/writer  35  of FIG. 16( a ) is reversed in orientation of the card holder  33  to the reader/writer unit  1 .  
         [0134]    [0134]FIG. 17 illustrates the case where the IC card reader/writer  35  on which the card holder  33  is fitted in the position, as shown in FIG. 16( b ), is placed on the right side of the personal computer  14 . The user is permitted to insert the IC card into the card holder  33  while facing the front of the personal computer  14 .  
         [0135]    FIGS.  18  to  20 ( b ) show an IC card reader/writer  12  according to the eighth embodiment.  
         [0136]    The IC card reader/writer  12  consists essentially of a reader/writer unit  1 , a card holder  7 , and a stay  36 . The reader/writer unit  1  and the card holder  7  may have the same structures as those in the first to fifth embodiments of FIGS.  1  to  12 ( d ). The stay  36  is made of up a rectangular base  36   a  and two mount tables  36   b  and  36   c  configured to provide different angles of the card insertion guide path to the user. The mount tables  36   b  and  36   c  extend vertically from opposed ends of the base  36   a  and are bent inwardly at angles θ 1  and θ 2 . The angle θ 1  is less than 45° while the angle θ 2  is more than 45°. Ends of the mount tables  36   b  and  36   c  face each other through a small gap. The stay  36  is formed by a one-piece strip made of, for example, synthetic resin.  
         [0137]    The reader/writer unit  1  may be mounted on either of the mount tables  36   b  and  36   c . FIG. 18 exemplifies, for convenience of illustration, the stay  36  on which the two reader/writer units  1  are installed on the mount tables  36   b  and  36   c , respectively.  
         [0138]    The reader/writer unit  1  has legs  38  formed on the bottom of the casing  2 . The legs  38  are fitted in mating holes or recesses  39  formed in the surface of each of the mount tables  36   b  and  36   c , thereby holding the reader/writer unit  1  firmly on one of the mount tables  36   b  and  36   c . The reader/writer unit  1  may alternatively be attached to either of the mount tables  36   b  and  36   c  using a pressure sensitive adhesive double coated tape. A stopper may be formed on a lower edge of each of the mount tables  36   b  and  36   c  for avoiding a downward slippage of the reader/writer unit  1 .  
         [0139]    [0139]FIG. 19( a ) illustrates a first example where the stay  36  is placed on a desk  40 , and the reader/writer unit  1  on which the card holder  7  is fitted is mounted on the mount table  36   b  of the stay  36 . The user  41  is allowed to insert the IC card  13  into the card holder  7  from an upper and right direction, as viewed the drawing. The connector  5  and the DC-IN jack  6  (not shown in FIG. 19( a )) are located on the rear side of the reader/writer  1 , as viewed from the user  41  (i.e., the left side of the drawing). This arrangement is useful for a case where it is possible to secure a space for a communication cable  42  on the rear side of the desk  40 .  
         [0140]    [0140]FIG. 19( a ) illustrates a second example where the stay  36  is placed on the desk  40 , and the reader/writer unit  1  on which the card holder  7  is fitted is mounted on the mount table  3   b  of the stay  36 . The user  41  is allowed to insert the IC card  13  into the card holder  7  from an upper and left direction, as viewed in the drawing. The connector  5  and the DC-IN jack  6  (not shown in FIG. 19( b )) are located on the right side of the reader/writer  1 , as viewed from the user  41  (i.e., the back side of the drawing). This arrangement is useful for a case where it is possible to secure a space for a communication cable  42  on the right side of the desk  40 , as viewed from the user  41 .  
         [0141]    [0141]FIG. 20( a ) illustrates the arrangement of FIG. 19( b ), as viewed from the user  41 . A computer monitor  14   a  is disposed on the left side of the IC card reader/writer  12 . A computer body  14   b  is placed on the right side of the IC card reader/writer  12 . FIG. 20( b ) illustrates the IC card reader/writer  12  as viewed from the back side of the drawing of FIG. 19( b ).  
         [0142]    The structure of this embodiment has the two mount tables  36   b  and  36   c  inclined to the base  36   a  at different angles, thus permitting the user to select a desired one of the mount tables  36   b  and  36   c  on which the reader/writer unit  1  is to be mounted as needed. The stay  36  is made of a one-piece member and thus easy to manufacture.  
         [0143]    [0143]FIG. 21 shows the IC card reader/writer  12  according to the ninth embodiment of the invention which is different from the eighth embodiment in that the reader/writer unit  1  is mounted on a stay  36 A which is different in geometrical shape from the stay  36 .  
         [0144]    The stay  36 A has the mount table  36   b  whose end is bent downward at right angles toward the right end, as viewed in the drawing, of the base  36   a  to form a support  36   d.    
         [0145]    When the user would like to hold the reader/writer unit  1  at a smaller inclination, the user may mount the reader/writer unit  1  on the mount table  36   b  in the same manner as in the eight embodiment. Alternatively, when the user would like to hold the reader/writer unit  1  at a greater inclination, the user may mount the reader/writer unit  1  on the right side of the stay  36 A, as viewed in the drawing, by standing it at a corner thereof on the base  36   a  with the bottom against the support  36   d . Like the eighth embodiment, the angle θ 1  is less than 45°, while the angle θ 2  is more than 45°.  
         [0146]    [0146]FIG. 22 shows the IC card reader/writer  12  according to the tenth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0147]    The reader/writer unit  1  is held on a stay  36 B. The stay  36 B is made of a one-piece member and consists of the base  36  and mount tables  36   c  and  36   e . The mount table  36   c , like the eighth embodiment of FIG. 18, extends from an end of the base  36   a . The mount table  36   e  continues from the mount table  36   c  and is oriented downward, like the eighth embodiment, but it has an end which extends perpendicular to the base  36   a  and is spaced at a given interval away from an end of the base  36   a . The angles which the mount tables  36   c  and  36   e  make with the base  36   a  are equivalent to those in the eighth embodiment.  
         [0148]    [0148]FIG. 22 illustrates, as an example, the reader/writer unit  1  held on the mount table  36   c  of the stay  36 B.  
         [0149]    Other arrangements are identical with those in the eighth embodiment, and explanation thereof in detail will be omitted here.  
         [0150]    [0150]FIG. 23 shows the IC card reader/writer  12  according to the eleventh embodiment of the invention which is a modification of the tenth embodiment of FIG. 22.  
         [0151]    The IC card reader/writer  12  has a stay  36 C. The stay  36 C has mount tables  36   b  and  36   f . The mount table  36   b  extends, like the mount table  36   c  of FIG. 22, directly from the base  36   a , while the mount table  36   f  continues from the mount table  36   b  downward, like the mount table  36   e  of FIG. 22 and is bent perpendicular to the base  36   a  with an end spaced at a given interval away from the base  36   a . The angles which the mount tables  36   b  and  36   f  make with the base  36   a  may be set equal to the angles θ 1  and θ 2  in FIG. 18. FIG. 23 illustrates, as an example, the reader/writer unit  1  held on the mount table  36   b  of the stay  36 C.  
         [0152]    [0152]FIG. 24 shows the twelfth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0153]    The IC card reader/writer  12  has a stay  43 . The stay  43  is formed by a one-piece member made of synthetic resin, for example, and consists of a rectangular base  43   a  and three mount tables  43   b ,  43   c , and  43   d . The mount table  43   b , like the mount table  36   b  of FIG. 21, extends vertically from the base  43   a  and is bent at the angle θ 1 . The mount table  43   c  continues from the mount table  43   b  and extends substantially parallel to the base  43   a . The mount table  43   d  is bent from an end of the mount table  43   c  downward and extends to the base  43   a  at the angle θ 2 . The mount table  43   d  has an end spaced at a given interval away from the base  43   a.    
         [0154]    The user may select one of the three mount tables  43   b ,  43   c , and  43   d  which meets a desired angle of insertion of the IC card.  
         [0155]    FIGS.  25 ( a ) and  25 ( b ) show the thirteenth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0156]    The IC card reader/writer  12  has a stay  44 . The stay  44  is formed by a one-piece strip which is bent at the angle θ 2  to define two mount tables  44   a  and  44   b . The mount table  44   a  is longer than the mount table  44   b . When the user would like to hold the reader/writer unit  1  at a smaller inclination, the user may place the stay  44  on a desk in a position, as illustrated in FIG. 25( a ), where the mount table  44   a  makes the angle θ 1  with the plane of the desk. Alternatively, when the user would like to hold the reader/writer unit  1  at a greater inclination, the user may place the stay  44  in a position, as illustrated in FIG. 25( b ), where the mount table  44   a  is laid directly on the plane of the desk to incline the mount table  44   b  at the angle θ 2  to the desk.  
         [0157]    FIGS.  26 ( a ) to  26 ( c ) show the fourteenth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0158]    The IC card reader/writer  12  has a stay  45 . The stay  45  is made of a one-piece strip which is curled in the illustrated manner to define a single mount table  45   a  and two bases  45   b  and  44   c . The mount table  45   a , as clearly shown in FIG. 26( a ), extends from the base  45   c  at the angle θ 1  and from the base  45   b , as shown in FIG. 26( b ), at the angle θ 2 . The mount table  45   a  is longer than the bases  45   b  and  45   c.    
         [0159]    When the user would like to hold the reader/writer unit  1  at a smaller inclination, the user may place the stay  45  on a desk in a position, as illustrated in FIG. 26( a ), where the mount table  45   a  makes the angle θ 1  with the plane of the desk. Alternatively, when the user would like to hold the reader/writer unit  1  at a greater inclination, the user may place the stay  45  in a position, as illustrated in FIG. 26( b ), where the base  45   b  is laid directly on the plane of the desk to incline the mount table  45   a  at the angle θ 2  to the desk.  
         [0160]    The mount table  45   a , as clearly shown in FIG. 26( c ), has four arc-shaped recesses  46  formed on sides thereof in which legs  38  formed on the bottom of the reader/writer unit  1  are fitted. Two pieces of pressure sensitive adhesive double coated tape  47  are, as shown in FIG. 26( c ), attached to the surface of the mount table  45   a  for holding the reader/writer unit  1  on the mount table  45   a  firmly at the two inclinations, as shown in FIGS.  26 ( a ) and  26 ( b ).  
         [0161]    The structure of this embodiment is, as described above, designed to hold the reader/writer unit  1  at a desired one of the two inclinations and results in a decrease in area on the desk occupied by the IC card reader/writer  12 .  
         [0162]    FIGS.  27 ( a ) to  27 ( c ) show the fifteenth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0163]    The IC card reader/writer  12  has a stay  48 . The stay  48  is made of a one-piece strip which is curled to a C-shape to define three mount tables  48   a ,  48   b , and  48   c  and a base  48   d . The mount table  48   c , as will be described later, also works as a base. The structure of this embodiment is designed to allow the user to select a desired one of three inclinations at which the reader/writer unit  1  is to be held.  
         [0164]    [0164]FIG. 27( a ) illustrates the stay  48  which is placed with the mount table  48   c  laid directly on the plane of a desk. The base  48   d  extends from an end of the mount table  48   c  at an angle θ 3  (=90° to incline the mount table  48   a  at the angle θ 1  to the desk. The mount table  48   b  extends from an end of the mount table  48   a  downward at an obtuse angle and has an end bent upward at right angles to define a support  48   e . The mouth table  48   b  is inclined at the angle θ 2  to the plane of the dick. The reader/writer unit  1  is held on the mount table  48   a  firmly using the pressure sensitive adhesive double coated tape  47 .  
         [0165]    [0165]FIG. 27( b ) illustrates an example where the reader/writer unit  1  is held on the mount table  48   b  of the stay  48  placed on the desk in the same position as shown in FIG. 27( a ). The reader/writer unit  1  also has a side edge put on the support  48   e.    
         [0166]    [0166]FIG. 27( c ) illustrates an example where the reader/writer unit  1  is held by the stay  48  at right angles to the desk. The stay  48  is placed on the dick with the base  48   d  laid directly on the plane of the desk. The reader/writer unit  1  is attached to the mount table  48   c  through the pressure sensitive adhesive double coated tape  47 . An area of the base  48   c  is smaller than areas on the desk occupied by the stay  48 , as shown in FIGS.  27 ( a ) and  27 ( b ).  
         [0167]    While the present invention has been disclosed in terms of the preferred embodiments in order to facilitate better understanding thereof, it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in various ways without departing from the principle of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all possible embodiments and modifications to the shown embodiments witch can be embodied without departing from the principle of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, the data reading table  3  is not limited in external form to square or octagonal shape, but may be of polygonal shape such as pentagon or hexagon. The data reading table  3  may also be formed to have a rectangular shape to limit the insertion of the IC card to the card holder to one direction.  
         [0168]    The installation of the card holder  7 , for example, in the first embodiment may be achieved by fitting only the guide groove  10   u  on the edge  3   a  of the data reading table  3 . Additionally, if it is possible to ensure frictional adhesion sufficient for holding the card holder on the data reading table firmly, the direction of installation of the card holder on the data reading table may be the same as that of insertion of the IC card into the card holder.  
         [0169]    The connector  5  and the DC-IN jack  6  may be provided in a single unit. For instance, one of pins of the connector  5  may be used for power supply.  
         [0170]    The stay in each of the above embodiments may be made of several discrete parts joined or welded to each other or a one-piece member closed in a polygonal shape.