Information processing apparatus

Abstract

An information processing device for manually communicating information without contact with an object to be communicated is provided with: a front surface section (10) that constitutes the front surface (2b) of the information processing device and covers the object to be communicated; and a flexible printed circuit board (12) on which an antenna (11) for communication is mounted and which is disposed on the rear surface side of the front surface part (10), the flexible printed circuit board (12) being formed in a rectangular frame shape comprising a pair of linear long side parts (12b) and a pair of linear short side parts (12c) shorter than the long side parts (12b). In the information processing device, the thickness direction of the short side portion (12c) coincides with the front-rear direction, and the long side portion (12b) is bent inward with respect to the short side portion (12c), and the short side portion (12c) is disposed closer to the front side than the long side portion (12b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a non-contact information processing device for non-contact and manual information communication with a non-contact IC card has been known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). The non-contact information processing device described in Patent Document 1 includes: an aerial image display device that displays an aerial image in a three-dimensional space; a detection mechanism that detects the position of a user's fingertip in an aerial image display area, which is an area where the aerial image is displayed; a housing that houses the aerial image display device and the detection mechanism; and a flexible printed circuit board on which an antenna for communication is mounted. The housing includes a flat frame that surrounds the aerial image display area. The frame forms the front upper side surface of the housing. The inner peripheral side of the frame forms an opening that communicates with the inside of the housing. The spatial image display area is formed in the opening.

[0003] In the non-contact information processing device described in Patent Document 1, the flexible printed circuit board is formed in a rectangular frame shape. The flexible printed circuit board is fixed to the lower rear surface of the frame. The flexible printed circuit board is disposed at a position on the outer peripheral side of the opening so as to surround the opening of the frame. The thickness direction of the flexible printed circuit board is the same as the thickness direction of the frame. In the non-contact information processing device described in Patent Document 1, the user can perform non-contact information communication between the non-contact information processing device and the IC card by covering the frame with the IC card using the mark displayed in the aerial image display area as a reference. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: WO 2022 / 018929 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In the non-contact information processing device described in Patent Document 1, an antenna for communication is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board formed in a rectangular frame shape, and a part of the antenna mounted on the long side portion of the flexible printed circuit board is shorter in distance from the center of the antenna than a part of the antenna mounted on the short side portion of the flexible printed circuit board. In addition, in this non-contact information processing device, the thickness direction of the flexible printed circuit board is the same as the thickness direction of the frame.

[0006] Therefore, in the non-contact information processing device described in Patent Document 1, when current flows through the antenna, the magnetic field generated from the long-side portion of the flexible printed circuit board is stronger at the center of the antenna than the magnetic field generated from the short-side portion of the flexible printed circuit board on the front upper side of the non-contact information processing device covered by the IC card. Therefore, in this non-contact information processing device, when current flows through the antenna, the balance between the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long-side portion of the flexible printed circuit board and the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short-side portion of the flexible printed circuit board at the center of the antenna is disrupted on the front upper side of the non-contact information processing device covered by the IC card, and the communication characteristics between the antenna mounted on the flexible printed circuit board and the IC card may deteriorate.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that non-contact and manually communicates information with a communication object, and can suppress a decrease in communication characteristics between a communication antenna and a communication object even when the communication antenna is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board formed in a rectangular or oval frame shape.

[0008] To solve the above problems, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention non-contact and manually communicates information with a communication object, and includes: a front surface portion that constitutes the front surface of the information processing device and on which the communication object is covered; and a flexible printed circuit board on which a communication antenna is mounted and disposed on the back side of the front surface portion, the flexible printed circuit board being formed in a rectangular or oval frame shape composed of a pair of linear long-side portions and a pair of short-side portions that are shorter than the long-side portions and are linear or arc-shaped. When the direction orthogonal to the front surface is set as the first direction, the side on which the front surface is disposed in the first direction is set as the front side, and the opposite side of the front side is set as the back side, the thickness direction of the short-side portion coincides with the first direction, and the long-side portion is bent inward with respect to the short-side portion, and the short-side portion is disposed at a position closer to the front side than the long-side portion, or the thickness direction of the long-side portion coincides with the first direction, and the short-side portion is bent toward the front side with respect to the long-side portion, and the short-side portion is disposed at a position closer to the front side than the long-side portion.

[0009] In the information processing device of the present embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board disposed on the back side of the front surface portion covered by the communication object and on which the antenna is mounted is formed in a rectangular or oval frame shape composed of a pair of long-side portions and a pair of short-side portions. Further, in the present embodiment, with respect to the short-side portion whose thickness direction coincides with the first direction, the long-side portion is bent inward, and the short-side portion is disposed at a position closer to the front side than the long-side portion, or with respect to the long-side portion whose thickness direction coincides with the first direction, the short-side portion is bent toward the front side, and the short-side portion is disposed at a position closer to the front side than the long-side portion.

[0010] Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the distance from a part of the antenna mounted on the long side portion to the center of the antenna is shorter than the distance from a part of the antenna mounted on the short side portion to the center of the antenna, when current flows through the antenna, on the front side of the information processing device covered by the communication object, it is possible to suppress the difference in the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion at the center of the antenna and the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion at the center of the antenna, and thus it is possible to suppress the disruption of the balance between the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion at the center of the antenna and the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion at the center of the antenna. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when an antenna for communication is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board formed in a rectangular or oval frame shape, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the communication characteristics between the antenna for communication and the communication object.

[0011] As described above, in one aspect of the present invention, in an information processing device for non-contact and manual information communication with a communication object, even when a communication antenna is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board formed in a rectangular or oval frame shape, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the communication characteristics between the communication antenna and the communication object. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded perspective view of a part of the structure of the information processing device shown. Figure 3 is to Figure 1 extract the front surface portion and the flexible printed circuit board of the information processing device shown and show a perspective view from the back side. Figure 4 is Figure 3 an exploded perspective view of the front surface portion and the flexible printed circuit board shown. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a flexible printed circuit board according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a flexible printed circuit board according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (Structure of the information processing device) Figure 1 is a perspective view of an information processing device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded perspective view of a part of the structure of the information processing device 2 shown. Figure 3 is to Figure 1A perspective view showing the front surface portion 10 of the information processing apparatus 2 and the flexible printed circuit board 12 as pulled out and viewed from the back side. Figure 4 is Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the front surface portion 10 and the flexible printed circuit board 12 shown.

[0015] In the following description, for ease of explanation, Figure 1 the Z direction such as Figure 1 is set as the vertical direction, the X direction such as Figure 1 orthogonal to the vertical direction is set as the front - rear direction, and the Y direction such as Figure 1 orthogonal to the vertical direction and the front - rear direction is set as the left - right direction. Further, the Z1 direction side such as Figure 1 which is one side of the vertical direction is set as the "upper" side, the Z2 direction side such as Figure 1 which is the opposite side of the upper side is set as the "lower" side, the X1 direction side such as Figure 1 which is one side of the front - rear direction is set as the "front" side, the X2 direction side such as Figure 1 which is the opposite side of the front side is set as the "rear" side, the Y1 direction side such as Figure 1 which is one side of the left - right direction is set as the "right" side, and the Y2 direction side such as

[0016] The information processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment is a device for non - contact and manual information communication with a non - contact IC card 3 (hereinafter referred to as "card 3") and a smart phone 4 as communication objects. The information processing apparatus 2 is, for example, a settlement terminal used at the time of settlement of payment. Further, the information processing apparatus 2 is installed in, for example, upper devices such as an automatic ticket vending machine, a vending machine, an access control device, or an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine). The information processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment also has a function as an input device for inputting information using a user's fingertip or the like. In the information processing apparatus 2, for example, a password or a personal identification number (PIN (Personal Identification Number)) is input.

[0017] The card 3 and the smart phone 4 have an IC chip and a communication antenna electrically connected to the IC chip built therein. In the information processing apparatus 2, sometimes a card 3 as a contact - type IC card or a card 3 as a magnetic card is used. That is, on the card 3 used in the information processing apparatus 2, external connection terminals of the IC chip or a magnetic stripe may be formed. The card 3 conforms to international standards and JIS standards and is smaller than the smart phone 4.

[0018] The information processing device 2 is integrally formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is flat and has a relatively thin thickness in the front-rear direction. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the outer shape of the information processing device 2 is a substantially rectangle with the left-right direction as the long side direction. In the present embodiment, a user who uses the information processing device 2 performs various operations from the front side of the information processing device 2. The front surface of the information processing device 2 becomes a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction, that is, the front surface 2b. That is, the user who uses the information processing device 2 performs various operations from the front surface 2b side. The front-rear direction (X direction) of the present embodiment becomes a direction orthogonal to the front surface 2b, that is, the first direction. In addition, the front side (X1 direction side) becomes the side on which the front surface 2b is disposed in the first direction, that is, the front side, and the rear side (X2 direction side) becomes the side opposite to the front side, that is, the back side (rear surface side).

[0019] Functionally, the information processing device 2 includes: an IC card processing unit 5 for performing data communication with a contact-type IC card; a magnetic card processing unit 6 for reading magnetic data recorded in a magnetic card or recording magnetic data in a magnetic card; and a code reading unit 7 for reading a two-dimensional code or the like displayed on the smart phone 4. Structurally, the information processing device 2 includes: a front surface portion 10, on which a non-contact IC card, the card 3, and the smart phone 4 are placed, and the front surface portion 10 constitutes the front surface 2b; a flexible printed circuit board 12 (hereinafter referred to as "FPC12") on which a communication antenna 11 for performing information communication with the card 3 and the smart phone 4 in a non-contact manner is mounted (refer to Figure 2 ); a housing 13 that houses the FPC12; and a rear surface portion 14 that constitutes the rear surface of the information processing device 2.

[0020] The IC card processing unit 5 is a manually insertable card reader. The IC card processing unit 5 includes an IC contact block having a plurality of IC contact springs that come into contact with external connection terminals of a contact-type IC card. The magnetic card processing unit 6 is a manually swiped card reader. The magnetic card processing unit 6 includes a magnetic head for reading and recording magnetic data. The code reading unit 7 includes a camera for reading a two-dimensional code or the like. The IC card processing unit 5 is disposed on the front surface side and the lower surface side of the information processing device 2. The magnetic card processing unit 6 is disposed at the right end portion of the information processing device 2. The code reading unit 7 is disposed on the front surface side and the lower surface side of the information processing device 2. In addition, the code reading unit 7 is disposed on the right side of the IC card processing unit 5.

[0021] The front surface portion 10 includes: a liquid crystal display (LCD display) 16 which is a display for displaying images; and a frame member 17 in a frame shape surrounding the liquid crystal display 16. The front surface portion 10 of the present embodiment is composed of the liquid crystal display 16 and the frame member 17. The liquid crystal display 16 is a display with a touch panel and has an information input function in addition to the display function. The liquid crystal display 16 is formed in a rectangular shape. The frame member 17 is formed of glass, for example. The frame member 17 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. In addition, the frame member 17 is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0022] The thickness direction of the liquid crystal display 16 and the thickness direction of the frame member 17 coincide with the front-rear direction. The direction of the long sides of the liquid crystal display 16 and the frame member 17 formed in a rectangular shape coincides with the left-right direction, and the direction of the short sides of the liquid crystal display 16 and the frame member 17 coincides with the up-down direction. The thickness of the liquid crystal display 16 is thicker than the thickness of the frame member 17. The front surface of the liquid crystal display 16 and the front surface of the frame member 17 are arranged on the same plane. The front surface 2b of the present embodiment is composed of the front surface of the liquid crystal display 16 and the front surface of the frame member 17. The rear surface of the liquid crystal display 16 is arranged at a position behind the rear surface of the frame member 17. In addition, the rear surface of the liquid crystal display 16 and the rear surface of the frame member 17 may also be arranged on the same plane.

[0023] The FPC 12 is formed in a rectangular frame shape composed of a pair of straight long side portions 12b parallel to each other and a pair of straight short side portions 12c shorter than the long side portions 12b. The long side portions 12b are parallel to the left-right direction, and the short side portions 12c are parallel to the up-down direction. The outer shape of the FPC 12 is larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal display 16. The antenna 11 mounted on the FPC 12 is wound in a ring shape along the long side portions 12b and the short side portions 12c. That is, the antenna 11 is an antenna coil (loop antenna) formed by winding a coil in a ring shape.

[0024] In the FPC 12, the thickness direction of the short side portion 12c coincides with the front-rear direction. In addition, in the FPC 12, the long side portion 12b is bent backward (inward) with respect to the short side portion 12c. That is, the short side portion 12c is arranged on the front side (front surface side) of the long side portion 12b. In the present embodiment, the long side portion 12b is bent at a right angle with respect to the short side portion 12c, and the thickness direction of the long side portion 12b coincides with the up-down direction.

[0025] The FPC 12 is disposed on the back side (rear surface side) of the front surface portion 10. Specifically, the FPC 12 is disposed on the back side (rear side) of the frame member 17. The short side portion 12c contacts the back surface (rear surface) of the frame member 17 perpendicular to the front-rear direction. That is, the FPC 12 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the liquid crystal display 16 and surrounds the liquid crystal display 16 when viewed from the front-rear direction. Specifically, the FPC 12 surrounds and disposes the rear side portion of the liquid crystal display 16 that is behind the back surface of the frame member 17. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the center of the FPC 12 coincides with the center of the liquid crystal display 16. A wiring 18 for extraction made of a flexible printed circuit board or a flexible flat cable is connected to the back surface of the short side portion 12c disposed on the right side. The wiring 18 is wound around from the FPC 12 to the rear side.

[0026] The front surface portion 10 is fixed to the front end portion of the housing 13. In addition, the FPC 12 is fixed to the housing 13. A fixing surface 13b for fixing the short side portion 12c is formed on the housing 13. The fixing surface 13b is a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The short side portion 12c is fixed to the fixing surface 13b by, for example, a double-sided tape. In addition, an insertion portion 13c for inserting the long side portion 12b is formed on the housing 13. The insertion portion 13c is a slit-shaped recess for inserting a part of the long side portion 12b. A circuit board (not shown) electrically connected to the antenna 11, the liquid crystal display 16, etc. is housed in the housing 13. This circuit board is a rigid board such as a glass epoxy board, for example. The rear surface portion 14 is fixed to the rear end portion of the housing 13.

[0027] In the information processing device 2, when communicating data with the card 3 or the smart phone 4 in a non-contact manner, the user covers the liquid crystal display 16 with the card 3 or the smart phone 4 from the front side. At this time, for example, a predetermined mark for indicating the center position of the antenna 11 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 16. The mark is, for example, a logo (ripple mark) defined by EMV as an international standard. The user covers the liquid crystal display 16 with the card 3 or the smart phone 4 using the mark displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 as a reference.

[0028] In addition, when communicating data with a contact-type IC card through the IC card processing unit 5, the user performs an insertion and extraction operation in the front-rear direction of the card 3 with respect to the IC card processing unit 5. When reading magnetic data through the magnetic card processing unit 6, the user operates the card 3 downward with respect to the magnetic card processing unit 6. When reading a two-dimensional code or the like by the code reading unit 7, the user covers the two-dimensional code displayed on the smart phone 4 with the code reading unit 7, for example. In addition, a password and a personal identification number are input by the liquid crystal display 16. When inputting a password and a personal identification number, for example, numerical keys from "0" to "9" are displayed on the liquid crystal display 16. The user touches the liquid crystal display 16 to input a password or the like.

[0029] (Main effects of this embodiment) As described above, in the present embodiment, the FPC 12 formed by a pair of long side portions 12b and a pair of short side portions 12c and having the antenna 11 mounted thereon is disposed on the back side of the front surface portion 10 covered by the card 3 or the smartphone 4. Further, in the present embodiment, the long side portion 12b is bent inward with respect to the short side portion 12c in which the thickness direction coincides with the front-rear direction, and the short side portion 12c is disposed on the front side of the long side portion 12b.

[0030] Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if a part of the antenna 11 mounted on the long side portion 12b is shorter in distance from the center of the antenna 11 than a part of the antenna 11 mounted on the short side portion 12c, when current flows through the antenna 11, on the front side of the information processing device 2 covered by the card 3 or the smartphone 4, it is possible to suppress the difference in the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11, and thus it is possible to suppress the disruption of the balance between the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when the antenna 11 is mounted on the FPC 12 formed in a rectangular frame shape, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the communication characteristics between the card 3, the smartphone 4 and the antenna 11.

[0031] Particularly in the present embodiment, since the thickness direction of the short side portion 12c coincides with the front-rear direction, when current flows through the antenna 11, on the front side of the information processing device 2, it is possible to further increase the degree of the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11 relative to the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11. Further, in the present embodiment, since the long side portion 12b is bent at a right angle with respect to the short side portion 12c, when current flows through the antenna 11, on the front side of the information processing device 2, it is possible to further decrease the degree of the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 relative to the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11.

[0032] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when current flows through the antenna 11, on the front side of the information processing device 2, it is possible to effectively suppress the difference in the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11, and thus it is possible to effectively suppress the disruption of the balance between the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11.

[0033] In addition, in the present embodiment, since the long side portion 12b is bent inward with respect to the short side portion 12c, the FPC 12 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the long side portion 12b is bent at a right angle with respect to the short side portion 12c, interference between the long side portion 12b and other constituent components can be prevented, and the FPC 12 can be further miniaturized in the vertical direction.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the FPC 12 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the liquid crystal display 16 and surrounds the liquid crystal display 16 when viewed from the front-rear direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the antenna 11 mounted on the FPC 12 is not easily affected by the magnetic field generated from the liquid crystal display 16. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the front surface portion 10 includes the liquid crystal display 16, a decrease in the communication characteristics between the card 3, the smart phone 4, and the antenna 11 can be suppressed.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the short side portion 12c contacts the back surface of the frame member 17 and is disposed at a position closer to the front surface 2b side of the information processing device 2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when current flows through the antenna 11, the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11 can be further enhanced on the front surface side of the information processing device 2. In addition, in the present embodiment, since the fixing surface 13b for fixing the short side portion 12c and the insertion portion 13c for inserting the long side portion 12b are formed on the housing 13, the state of the FPC 12 disposed on the back surface side of the front surface portion 10 can be stabilized.

[0036] (Modification example of flexible printed circuit board) Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the FPC 12 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 It is a view for explaining the structure of the FPC 12 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] In the above embodiment, it is also possible that the thickness direction of the long side portion 12b coincides with the front-rear direction, and the short side portion 12c is bent toward the front surface side (front side) with respect to the long side portion 12b, and the short side portion 12c is disposed on the front surface side of the long side portion 12b (refer to Figure 5 ). In this case, for example, the short side portion 12c is bent at a right angle with respect to the long side portion 12b.

[0038] Even in this case, since the short side portion 12c is disposed on the front side of the long side portion 12b, when current flows through the antenna 11, on the front side of the information processing device 2, it is possible to suppress the difference in the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11, thereby suppressing the disruption of the balance between the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11. In addition, in this case, it is possible to miniaturize the FPC 12 in the left-right direction.

[0039] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, as Figure 6 shown, the FPC 12 may also be formed in an oval frame shape composed of a pair of long side portions 12b and a pair of short side portions 12c having an arc shape shorter than the long side portions 12b. In this case, for example, the thickness direction of the short side portion 12c coincides with the front-rear direction, and the long side portion 12b is bent inward with respect to the short side portion 12c. Alternatively, the thickness direction of the long side portion 12b may coincide with the front-rear direction, and the short side portion 12c may be bent toward the front side with respect to the long side portion 12b.

[0040] Even in this case, since the short side portion 12c is disposed on the front side of the long side portion 12b, when current flows through the antenna 11, on the front side of the information processing device 2, it is possible to suppress the difference in the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11, thereby suppressing the disruption of the balance between the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11.

[0041] In addition, as in the above-described embodiment, when the FPC 12 is formed in a rectangular frame shape, if the long side portion 12b is bent inward with respect to the short side portion 12c, compared with the case where the FPC 12 is formed in an oval frame shape, the length of the long side portion 12b can be ensured, and the FPC 12 can be miniaturized in the left-right direction. In addition, when the FPC 12 is formed in a rectangular frame shape, if the short side portion 12c is bent toward the front side with respect to the long side portion 12b, compared with the case where the FPC 12 is formed in an oval frame shape, the FPC 12 can be miniaturized in the front-rear direction. In addition, even when the FPC 12 is formed in an oval frame shape, when the long side portion 12b is bent inward with respect to the short side portion 12c, compared with the case where the short side portion 12c is bent toward the front side with respect to the long side portion 12b, the FPC 12 can be miniaturized in the front-rear direction.

[0042] (Other Embodiments) The above-described embodiments are examples of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are not limited thereto, and various modified embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the long side portion 12b may also be bent at an obtuse angle or an acute angle with respect to the short side portion 12c. Additionally, in Figure 5 the illustrated modified example, the short side portion 12c may also be bent at an obtuse angle or an acute angle with respect to the long side portion 12b. Additionally, in the above-described embodiment, when viewed from the front-rear direction, the center of the FPC 12 and the center of the liquid crystal display 16 may also be offset. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the outer shape of the FPC 12 may be smaller than the outer shape of the liquid crystal display 16. In this case, the FPC 12 may be disposed at a position overlapping the liquid crystal display 16 in the front-rear direction. That is, the FPC 12 may not be arranged so as to surround the liquid crystal display 16.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal display 16 may not have an information input function. That is, the liquid crystal display 16 may not have a touch panel. Additionally, in the above-described embodiment, the front surface portion 10 may also have a display other than the liquid crystal display 16 such as an organic EL display. Additionally, in the above-described embodiment, the front surface portion 10 may not have a display. In this case, the front surface portion 10 is, for example, a rectangular flat plate formed of resin or glass, and the information processing device 2 does not have the function of an input device.

[0045] Additionally, when the front surface portion 10 does not have a display, the opening on the inner peripheral side of the frame member 17 may also be an area for displaying a virtual image, i.e., a virtual image display area. In this case, similar to the non-contact information processing device described in Patent Document 1, the information processing device 2 includes a virtual image display device and a detection mechanism, and the virtual image display area serves as an information input unit for a user to input information such as a password using a fingertip.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the information processing device 2 may not have at least any one of the IC card processing unit 5, the magnetic card processing unit 6, and the code reading unit 7. Additionally, in the above-described embodiment, the communication object with the information processing device 2 may be an information recording medium other than the card 3, or an electronic device other than the smartphone 4 such as an RFID tag.

[0047] (Configuration of the present technology) Note that the present technology can adopt the following configuration. (1) An information processing device for non-contact and manual information communication with a communication object The information processing device includes: a front surface portion that forms the front of the information processing device and is covered by the communication object; and a flexible printed circuit board that is provided with an antenna for communication and is disposed on the back side of the front surface portion. The flexible printed circuit board is formed in a rectangular or oval frame shape composed of a pair of straight long side portions and a pair of short side portions that are straight or arc-shaped and shorter than the long side portions. The direction orthogonal to the front surface is set as the first direction, the side where the front surface is disposed in the first direction is set as the front side, and the side opposite to the front side is set as the back side. The thickness direction of the short side portion coincides with the first direction, and the long side portion is bent inward with respect to the short side portion, and the short side portion is disposed at a position closer to the front side than the long side portion, or The thickness direction of the long side portion coincides with the first direction, and the short side portion is bent toward the front side with respect to the long side portion, and the short side portion is disposed at a position closer to the front side than the long side portion. (2) The information processing device according to (1), wherein the flexible printed circuit board is formed in a rectangular frame shape. (3) The information processing device according to (1) or (2), wherein the thickness direction of the short side portion coincides with the first direction, and the long side portion is bent inward with respect to the short side portion. (4) The information processing device according to (3), wherein the long side portion is bent at a right angle with respect to the short side portion. (5) The information processing device according to (3) or (4), wherein The front surface portion includes a rectangular display for displaying an image. The flexible printed circuit board is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the display and surrounds the display when viewed from the first direction. (6) The information processing device according to (5), wherein The front surface portion includes a frame-shaped frame member that surrounds the display. The short side portion contacts the back surface of the frame member. (7) The information processing device according to any one of (3) to (6), wherein There is a housing for accommodating the flexible printed circuit board. The housing is formed with: a fixing surface for fixing the short side portion; and an insertion portion for inserting the long side portion.

[0048] In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the flexible printed circuit board is formed in a rectangular frame shape. If configured in this way, when the long side portion is bent inward with respect to the short side portion, compared with the case where the flexible printed circuit board is formed in an oval frame shape, the length of the long side portion can be ensured, and the flexible printed circuit board can be miniaturized in the direction parallel to the long side portion. In addition, if configured in this way, when the short side portion is bent toward the front side with respect to the long side portion, compared with the case where the flexible printed circuit board is formed in an oval frame shape, the flexible printed circuit board can be miniaturized in the first direction.

[0049] In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the thickness direction of the short side portion coincides with the first direction, and the long side portion is bent inward with respect to the short side portion. When configured in this way, since the thickness direction of the short side portion coincides with the first direction, when current flows through the antenna, on the front side of the information processing device, the degree of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion at the center of the antenna with respect to the magnetic field generated from the long side portion at the center of the antenna can be further increased. Therefore, when current flows through the antenna, on the front side of the information processing device, the difference between the magnetic field generated from the long side portion at the center of the antenna and the magnetic field generated from the short side portion at the center of the antenna can be effectively suppressed, and thus the disruption of the balance between the magnetic field generated from the long side portion at the center of the antenna and the magnetic field generated from the short side portion at the center of the antenna can be effectively suppressed.

[0050] In addition, if configured in this way, since the long side portion is bent inward with respect to the short side portion, the flexible printed circuit board can be miniaturized in the direction perpendicular to the direction parallel to the long side portion and the first direction. In addition, if configured in this way, since the short side portion is not bent, even if the flexible printed circuit board is formed in an oval frame shape, the flexible printed circuit board can be miniaturized in the first direction.

[0051] In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the long side portion is bent at a right angle with respect to the short side portion. When configured in this way, when current flows through the antenna, on the front side of the information processing device, the degree of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion at the center of the antenna with respect to the magnetic field generated from the short side portion at the center of the antenna can be further reduced. Therefore, when current flows through the antenna, on the front side of the information processing device, the difference between the magnetic field generated from the long side portion at the center of the antenna and the magnetic field generated from the short side portion at the center of the antenna can be more effectively suppressed. In addition, if configured in this way, interference between the long side portion and other component parts can be prevented, and the flexible printed circuit board can be further miniaturized in the direction perpendicular to the direction parallel to the long side portion and the first direction.

[0052] In the present embodiment, for example, the front surface portion includes a rectangular display for displaying an image, and a flexible printed circuit board is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the display and surrounds the display when viewed from the first direction. In this case, the antenna mounted on the flexible printed circuit board is not easily affected by the magnetic field generated from the display. Therefore, even if the front surface portion includes a display, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the communication characteristics between the antenna mounted on the flexible printed circuit board and the communication object.

[0053] In the present embodiment, for example, the front surface portion includes a frame member in a frame shape surrounding the display, and the short side portion is in contact with the back surface of the frame member. In this case, the short side portion is disposed at a position closer to the front side of the information processing apparatus. Therefore, when an electric current flows through the antenna, the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion at the center of the antenna can be further enhanced on the front side of the information processing apparatus.

[0054] In the present embodiment, preferably, the information processing apparatus includes a housing for housing the flexible printed circuit board, and a fixing surface for fixing the short side portion and an insertion portion for inserting the long side portion are formed on the housing. If configured in this way, the state of the flexible printed circuit board disposed on the back side of the front surface portion can be stabilized. Reference Signs

[0055] 2 Information processing apparatus 2b Front surface 3 Card (communication object) 4 Smart phone (communication object) 10 Front surface portion 11 Antenna 12 FPC (Flexible printed circuit board) 12b Long side portion 12c Short side portion 13 Housing 13b Fixing surface 13c Insertion portion 16 Liquid crystal display (display) 17 Frame member X First direction X1 Front side X2 Back side.

Claims

1. An information processing device for non-contact and manual communication of information with a communication object, characterized in that: the information processing device includes: a front surface portion that constitutes the front surface of the information processing device, and the communication object covers the front surface portion; and a flexible printed circuit board on which an antenna for communication is mounted and which is disposed on the back side of the front surface portion, the flexible printed circuit board is formed in a rectangular or oval frame shape composed of a pair of straight long side portions and a pair of short side portions that are straight or arc-shaped and shorter than the long side portions, a direction orthogonal to the front surface is set as the first direction, a side where the front surface is disposed in the first direction is set as the front side, and a side opposite to the front side is set as the back side, the thickness direction of the short side portion coincides with the first direction, and the long side portion is bent inward with respect to the short side portion, and the short side portion is disposed at a position closer to the front side than the long side portion, or the thickness direction of the long side portion coincides with the first direction, and the short side portion is bent toward the front surface side with respect to the long side portion, and the short side portion is disposed at a position closer to the front side than the long side portion.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the flexible printed circuit board is formed in a rectangular frame shape.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the thickness direction of the short side portion coincides with the first direction, and the long side portion is bent inward with respect to the short side portion.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: the long side portion is bent at a right angle with respect to the short side portion.

5. The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: the front surface portion includes a rectangular display for displaying an image, the flexible printed circuit board is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the display and surrounds the display when viewed from the first direction.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: the front surface portion includes a frame-shaped frame member that surrounds the display, the short side portion is in contact with the back surface of the frame member.

7. The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: the information processing device includes a housing for accommodating the flexible printed circuit board, the housing is formed with: a fixing surface for fixing the short side portion; and an insertion portion for inserting the long side portion.

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