Information processing device

Abstract

To provide an information processing device that suppresses degradation of communication characteristics between a communication antenna and a communication target, even when the communication antenna is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board formed in a rectangular or oval frame shape.SOLUTION: An information processing device for manually and contactlessly communicating information with a communication target includes: a front surface 10 that constitutes a front surface 2b of the information processing device and over which the communication target is held up; and a flexible printed circuit board 12 on which a communication antenna 11 is mounted and that is disposed on the back side of the front surface 10. The flexible printed circuit board is formed in a rectangular frame shape that is formed with a pair of linear long sides 12b and a pair of linear short sides 12c that are shorter than the long sides 12b. A thickness direction of the short sides 12c coincides with a front-to-rear direction, and the long sides 12b are bent toward the back with respect to the short sides 12c, so that the short sides 12c are disposed closer to the front than the long sides 12b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a contactless information processing apparatus for performing contactless and manual information communication with a contactless IC card has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The contactless information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an aerial image display device that displays an aerial image in a three-dimensional space, a detection mechanism for detecting the position of a user's fingertip in an aerial image display area that 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 a communication antenna is mounted. The housing includes a flat frame that surrounds the aerial image display area. The frame constitutes the front upper surface of the housing. The inner peripheral side of the frame is an opening that communicates with the inside of the housing. The aerial image display area is formed in the opening.

[0003] In the contactless information processing apparatus 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 rear lower surface of the frame. The flexible printed circuit board is disposed 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 coincides with the thickness direction of the frame. In the contactless information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, by using a mark displayed in the aerial image display area as a guide and having the user hold an IC card over the frame, it is possible to perform contactless information communication between the contactless information processing apparatus and the IC card.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the contactless 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 the distance between a part of the antenna mounted on the long side portion of the flexible printed circuit board and the center of the antenna is shorter than the distance between a part of the antenna mounted on the short side portion of the flexible printed circuit board and the center of the antenna. Also, in this contactless information processing device, the thickness direction of the flexible printed circuit board coincides with the thickness direction of the frame body.

[0006] Therefore, in the contactless information processing device described in Patent Document 1, when a current flows through the antenna, the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion of the flexible printed circuit board at the center of the antenna is stronger than the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion of the flexible printed circuit board at the center of the antenna on the upper front side of the contactless information processing device where the IC card is shielded. Therefore, in this contactless information processing device, when a current flows through the antenna, the balance between the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion of the flexible printed circuit board at the center of the antenna and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion of the flexible printed circuit board at the center of the antenna on the upper front side of the contactless information processing device where the IC card is shielded is lost, and there is a possibility that the communication characteristics between the antenna mounted on the flexible printed circuit board and the IC card deteriorate.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device capable of suppressing a deterioration in communication characteristics between a communication antenna and a communication object even when an antenna for communication is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board formed in a rectangular or oval frame shape in an information processing device for performing non-contact and manual communication of information with a communication object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus for performing non-contact and manual communication of information with a communication object. The information processing apparatus includes a front surface portion that constitutes the front surface of the information processing apparatus and is shielded by the communication object, and a flexible printed circuit board on which a communication antenna is mounted and which is disposed on the back surface 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 straight or arc-shaped short side portions shorter than the long side portions. Taking the direction orthogonal to the front surface as the first direction, the side on which the front surface is disposed in the first direction as the front side, and the opposite side of the front side as the back side, the thickness direction of the short side portion coincides with the first direction, and the long side portion is bent toward the back side with respect to the short side portion and the short side portion is disposed 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 closer to the front side than the long side portion.

[0009] In the information processing apparatus of this aspect, the flexible printed circuit board disposed on the back surface side of the front surface portion shielded 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. Also, in this aspect, the long side portion is bent toward the back side with respect to the short side portion whose thickness direction coincides with the first direction and the short side portion is disposed closer to the front side than the long side portion, or the short side portion is bent toward the front side with respect to the long side portion whose thickness direction coincides with the first direction and the short side portion is disposed closer to the front side than the long side portion.

[0010] Therefore, in this aspect, even if the distance between a part of the antenna mounted on the long side portion and the center of the antenna is shorter than the distance between a part of the antenna mounted on the short side portion and the center of the antenna, when a current flows through the antenna, on the front side of the information processing apparatus where the communication target is blocked, the difference between the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion at the center of the antenna and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion at the center of the antenna is suppressed, and it becomes possible to suppress the imbalance between the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion at the center of the antenna and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion at the center of the antenna. Therefore, in this aspect, even if a communication antenna is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board formed in a rectangular or oval frame shape, it becomes possible to suppress a decrease in communication characteristics between the communication antenna and the communication target.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] As described above, in one aspect of the present invention, in an information processing apparatus for performing non-contact and manual information communication with a communication target, even if a communication antenna is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board formed in a rectangular or oval frame shape, it becomes possible to suppress a decrease in communication characteristics between the communication antenna and the communication target.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0014] (Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an information processing apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the front portion 10 and the flexible printed circuit board 12 of the information processing apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1, extracted from the back side. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the front portion 10 and the flexible printed circuit board 12 shown in FIG. 3.

[0015] In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the Z direction in FIG. 1 and the like is taken as the vertical direction, the X direction in FIG. 1 and the like orthogonal to the vertical direction is taken as the front-rear direction, and the Y direction in FIG. 1 and the like orthogonal to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction is taken as the left-right direction. Also, the Z1 direction side in FIG. 1 and the like, which is one side of the vertical direction, is taken as the "upper" side, the Z2 direction side in FIG. 1 and the like, which is the opposite side of the upper side, is taken as the "lower" side, the X1 direction side in FIG. 1 and the like, which is one side of the front-rear direction, is taken as the "front" side, the X2 direction side in FIG. 1 and the like, which is the opposite side of the front side, is taken as the "rear" side, the Y1 direction side in FIG. 1 and the like, which is one side of the left-right direction, is taken as the "right" side, and the Y2 direction side in FIG. 1 and the like, which is the opposite side of the right side, is taken as the "left" side.

[0016] The information processing device 2 of this embodiment is a device for performing non-contact and manual information communication with a non-contact IC card 3 (hereinafter referred to as "card 3") or a smartphone 4 that is a communication target. The information processing device 2 is, for example, a settlement terminal used at the time of payment settlement. Further, the information processing device 2 is mounted and used, for example, in an upper device such as an automatic ticket vending machine, a vending machine, an entrance / exit management device, or an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine). The information processing device 2 of this embodiment also has a function as an input device for inputting information using a user's fingertip or the like. In the information processing device 2, for example, a password or a personal identification number (PIN (Personal Identification Number)) is input.

[0017] The card 3 and the smartphone 4 have an IC chip and a communication antenna electrically connected to the IC chip built therein. In the information processing device 2, the card 3 that is also a contact-type IC card or the card 3 that is also a magnetic card may be used. That is, the card 3 used in the information processing device 2 may have an external connection terminal of the IC chip or a magnetic stripe formed thereon. The card 3 is a card compliant with international standards and JIS standards and is smaller than the smartphone 4.

[0018] The information processing device 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is flat and has a small thickness in the front-rear direction as a whole. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the outer shape of the information processing device 2 is a substantially rectangular shape with the left-right direction as the long side direction. In this embodiment, the 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 is the front surface 2b, which is a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. 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 this embodiment is the first direction that is orthogonal to the front surface 2b. Further, the front side (X1 direction side) is the front side where the front surface 2b is arranged among the first directions, and the rear side (X2 direction side) is the back side (rear side) that is the opposite side of the front side.

[0019] As a functional configuration, the information processing apparatus 2 includes an IC card processing unit 5 for communicating with a contact-type IC card, a magnetic card processing unit 6 for reading magnetic data recorded on a magnetic card and writing magnetic data to a magnetic card, and a code reading unit 7 for reading a two-dimensional code or the like displayed on the smartphone 4. Further, as a structural configuration, the information processing apparatus 2 includes a front surface portion 10 that forms the front surface 2b and on which the card 3, which is a non-contact type IC card, and the smartphone 4 are placed, a flexible printed circuit board 12 (hereinafter referred to as "FPC 12") on which a communication antenna 11 (see FIG. 2) for performing non-contact information communication with the card 3 and the smartphone 4 is mounted, a housing 13 that houses the FPC 12, and a rear surface portion 14 that forms the rear surface of the information processing apparatus 2.

[0020] The IC card processing unit 5 is a manual dip-type card reader. The IC card processing unit 5 includes an IC contact block having a plurality of IC contact springs that contact the external connection terminals of the contact-type IC card. The magnetic card processing unit 6 is a manual swipe-type card reader. The magnetic card processing unit 6 includes a magnetic head for reading and writing 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 side and the lower surface side of the information processing apparatus 2. The magnetic card processing unit 6 is disposed at the right end of the information processing apparatus 2. The code reading unit 7 is disposed on the front side and the lower surface side of the information processing apparatus 2. Further, the code reading unit 7 is disposed on the right side of the IC card processing unit 5.

[0021] The front face 10 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 16 as a display on which an image is displayed, and a frame member 17 in a frame shape surrounding the liquid crystal display 16. The front face 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, for example, glass. The frame member 17 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. Also, 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 greater 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 face 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 on the rear side of the rear surface of the frame member 17. Note that the rear surface of the liquid crystal display 16 and the rear surface of the frame member 17 may be arranged on the same plane.

[0023] The FPC 12 is formed in a rectangular frame shape composed of a pair of linear long side portions 12b parallel to each other and a pair of linear 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 annularly 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 annularly.

[0024] In the FPC 12, the thickness direction of the short side portion 12c coincides with the front-rear direction. Also, in the FPC 12, the long side portion 12b is bent toward the rear side (the inner side) with respect to the short side portion 12c. That is, the short side portion 12c is disposed on the front side (the front surface side) of the long side portion 12b. In this 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 vertical direction.

[0025] The FPC 12 is disposed on the back surface side (the rear surface side) of the front surface portion 10. Specifically, the FPC 12 is disposed on the back side (the rear side) of the frame member 17. The short side portion 12c is in contact with the back surface (the rear surface) of the frame member 17 that is orthogonal 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 the rear side portion of the liquid crystal display 16 that is disposed on the rear side of 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 rear surface of the short side portion 12c disposed on the right side. The wiring 18 is routed from the FPC 12 toward the rear side.

[0026] The front surface portion 10 is fixed to the front end portion of the housing 13. Also, the FPC 12 is fixed to the housing 13. A fixing surface 13b to which the short side portion 12c is fixed 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. Also, a receiving portion 13c into which the long side portion 12b is inserted is formed on the housing 13. The receiving portion 13c is a slit-shaped recess into which a part of the long side portion 12b is inserted. A circuit board (not shown) to which the antenna 11, the liquid crystal display 16, etc. are electrically connected is housed in the housing 13. This circuit board is, for example, a rigid board such as a glass epoxy board. The rear surface portion 14 is fixed to the rear end portion of the housing 13.

[0027] When the information processing apparatus 2 performs non-contact data communication with the card 3 or the smartphone 4, the user holds the card 3 or the smartphone 4 in front of the liquid crystal display 16. 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 mark (ripple mark) defined by EMV, an international standard. The user holds the card 3 or the smartphone 4 with the mark displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 as a guide.

[0028] Also, when the IC card processing unit 5 performs data communication with a contact-type IC card, the user performs an operation of inserting and removing the card 3 in the front-rear direction with respect to the IC card processing unit 5. When the magnetic card processing unit 6 reads magnetic data or the like, the user operates the card 3 downward with respect to the magnetic card processing unit 6. When the code reading unit 7 reads a two-dimensional code or the like, the user holds the two-dimensional code displayed on the smartphone 4 in front of the code reading unit 7, for example. Also, the password and the personal identification number are input on the liquid crystal display 16. When the password and the personal identification number are input, for example, keys for numbers from "0" to "9" are displayed on the liquid crystal display 16. The user touches the liquid crystal display 16 to input the password and the like.

[0029] (Main effects of this embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, the FPC 12 composed of a pair of long side portions 12b and a pair of short side portions 12c and on which the antenna 11 is mounted is disposed on the back side of the front surface portion 10 where the card 3 or the smartphone 4 is held. Also, in this embodiment, the long side portion 12b is bent toward the back side with respect to the short side portion 12c whose thickness direction coincides with the front-rear direction, and the short side portion 12c is disposed closer to the front side than the long side portion 12b.

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

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

[0032] Therefore, in this embodiment, when a current flows through the antenna 11, on the front side of the information processing apparatus 2, the difference between the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11 is effectively suppressed, and it becomes possible to effectively suppress the imbalance between the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11.

[0033] Also, in this embodiment, since the long side portion 12b is bent toward the back side with respect to the short side portion 12c, it is possible to reduce the size of the FPC 12 in the vertical direction. In particular, in this embodiment, since the long side portion 12b is bent at a right angle with respect to the short side portion 12c, it is possible to further reduce the size of the FPC 12 in the vertical direction while preventing interference between the long side portion 12b and other components.

[0034] In this 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 this embodiment, the antenna 11 mounted on the FPC 12 is less affected by the magnetic field generated from the liquid crystal display 16. Accordingly, in this embodiment, even when the front surface portion 10 includes the liquid crystal display 16, it is possible to suppress a decrease in communication characteristics between the card 3 or the smartphone 4 and the antenna 11.

[0035] In this embodiment, the short side portion 12c is in contact with the back surface of the frame member 17 and is disposed on the more front surface 2b side of the information processing apparatus 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, when a current flows through the antenna 11, it is possible to make the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c stronger at the center of the antenna 11 on the front side of the information processing apparatus 2. Further, in this embodiment, since the housing 13 is formed with a fixing surface 13b to which the short side portion 12c is fixed and a receiving portion 13c into which the long side portion 12b is inserted, it is possible to stabilize the state of the FPC 12 disposed on the back surface side of the front surface portion 10.

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

[0037] In the above-described form, the thickness direction of the long side portion 12b coincides with the front-rear direction, and the short side portion 12c may be bent toward the front side (front side) with respect to the long side portion 12b and the short side portion 12c may be disposed on the front side of the long side portion 12b (see FIG. 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 a current flows through the antenna 11, on the front side of the information processing apparatus 2, the difference between the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11 is suppressed, and it becomes possible to suppress the imbalance between the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11. Further, in this case, it becomes possible to reduce the size of the FPC 12 in the left-right direction.

[0039] Further, in the above-described form, as shown in FIG. 6, the FPC 12 may be formed in an oval frame shape including a pair of long side portions 12b and a pair of short side portions 12c having an arc shape shorter than the long side portion 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 toward the back side with respect to the short side portion 12c. Further, the thickness direction of the long side portion 12b coincides 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 a current flows through the antenna 11, on the front side of the information processing apparatus 2, the difference between the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11 is suppressed, and it becomes possible to suppress the imbalance between the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portion 12b at the center of the antenna 11 and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion 12c at the center of the antenna 11.

[0041] In addition, when the FPC 12 is formed in a rectangular frame shape as in the above-described embodiment, if the long side portion 12b is bent toward the back side with respect to the short side portion 12c, it is possible to reduce the size of the FPC 12 in the left-right direction while ensuring the length of the long side portion 12b as compared with the case where the FPC 12 is formed in an oval frame shape. Further, 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, it is possible to reduce the size of the FPC 12 in the front-rear direction as compared with the case where the FPC 12 is formed in an oval frame shape. Also, even when the FPC 12 is formed in an oval frame shape, if the long side portion 12b is bent toward the back side with respect to the short side portion 12c, it is possible to reduce the size of the FPC 12 in the front-rear direction as compared with the case where the short side portion 12c is bent toward the front side with respect to the long side portion 12b.

[0042] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the long side portion 12b may be bent at an obtuse angle or an acute angle with respect to the short side portion 12c. Also, in the modification example shown in FIG. 5, the short side portion 12c may be bent at an obtuse angle or an acute angle with respect to the long side portion 12b. Further, 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 be displaced. Furthermore, 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 does not have to be disposed 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 be provided with a touch panel. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the front portion 10 may be provided with a display other than the liquid crystal display 16 such as an organic EL display. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the front portion 10 may not be provided with a display. In this case, the front portion 10 is, for example, a rectangular flat plate formed of resin or glass, and the information processing apparatus 2 does not have a function as an input apparatus.

[0045] Further, when the front portion 10 does not include a display, the opening on the inner peripheral side of the frame member 17 may be an aerial image display area which is an area where an aerial image is displayed. In this case, similar to the non-contact type information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the information processing apparatus 2 includes an aerial image display device and a detection mechanism, and the aerial 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 apparatus 2 may not include at least any one of the IC card processing unit 5, the magnetic card processing unit 6, and the code reading unit 7. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the communication object that communicates information with the information processing apparatus 2 may be an information recording medium other than the card 3, or may be 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) In an information processing apparatus for performing non-contact and manual information communication with a communication object, a front portion that constitutes the front surface of the information processing apparatus and is shielded by the communication object, and a flexible printed circuit board on which a communication antenna is mounted and which is disposed on the back surface side of the front portion are provided, the flexible printed circuit board is 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 linear or arc-shaped and shorter than the long side portions, A direction perpendicular to the front surface is defined as a first direction, a side of the first direction on which the front surface is disposed is defined as a front side, and a side opposite to the front side is defined as a back side. The thickness direction of the short side portion coincides with the first direction, and the long side portion is bent toward the back side with respect to the short side portion, so that the short side portion is disposed closer to the front side than the long side portion, or An information processing device characterized in that the thickness direction of the long side portion coincides with the first direction, and the short side portion is bent toward the front side relative to the long side portion, so that the short side portion is positioned closer to the front 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) An information processing device according to (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 toward the back side relative to the short side portion. (4) The information processing device according to (3), wherein the long side is bent at a right angle to the short side. (5) The front surface includes a rectangular display on which an image is displayed, The information processing device according to (3) or (4), characterized in that the flexible printed circuit board is arranged on the outer periphery of the display and surrounds the display when viewed from the first direction. (6) The front surface includes a frame member surrounding the display, The information processing device according to (5), wherein the short side portion is in contact with the rear surface of the frame member. (7) A housing for accommodating the flexible printed circuit board is provided, The information processing device described in any one of (3) to (6) is characterized in that the housing has a fixed surface to which the short side portion is fixed and an insertion portion into which the long side portion is inserted.

[0048] In this aspect, the flexible printed circuit board is preferably formed in a rectangular frame shape. With this configuration, when the long sides are bent toward the back with respect to the short sides, the flexible printed circuit board can be made smaller in size in a direction parallel to the long sides while maintaining the length of the long sides, compared to when the flexible printed circuit board is formed in an oval frame shape. Also, with this configuration, when the short sides are bent toward the front with respect to the long sides, the flexible printed circuit board can be made smaller in size in the first direction, compared to when the flexible printed circuit board is formed in an oval frame shape.

[0049] In this aspect, it is preferable that the thickness direction of the short side portions coincide with the first direction, and that the long side portions are bent toward the rear with respect to the short side portions. With this configuration, since the thickness direction of the short side portions coincides with the first direction, when a current flows through the antenna, it is possible to further increase the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portions at the antenna center relative to the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portions at the antenna center on the front side of the information processing device. Therefore, when a current flows through the antenna, it is possible to effectively reduce the difference between the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portions at the antenna center and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portions at the antenna center on the front side of the information processing device, and effectively reduce imbalance between the strength of the magnetic field generated from the long side portions at the antenna center and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portions at the antenna center.

[0050] Furthermore, with this configuration, since the long sides are bent toward the rear with respect to the short sides, it is possible to reduce the size of the flexible printed circuit board in the direction parallel to the long sides and in the direction perpendicular to the first direction. Furthermore, with this configuration, since the short sides are not bent, it is possible to reduce the size of the flexible printed circuit board in the first direction even if the flexible printed circuit board is formed in the shape of an oval frame.

[0051] In this aspect, the long sides are preferably bent at right angles to the short sides. This configuration allows the degree of magnetic field strength generated from the long sides at the antenna center to be further reduced relative to the magnetic field strength generated from the short sides at the antenna center on the front side of the information processing device when a current flows through the antenna. Therefore, when a current flows through the antenna, the difference between the magnetic field strength generated from the long sides at the antenna center and the magnetic field strength generated from the short sides at the antenna center on the front side of the information processing device can be more effectively reduced. This configuration also prevents interference between the long sides and other components, and allows the flexible printed circuit board to be more compact in the direction parallel to the long sides and in the direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0052] In this aspect, for example, the front surface includes a rectangular display that displays an image, and the flexible printed circuit board is disposed on the outer periphery 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 less susceptible to the magnetic field generated by the display. Therefore, even if the front surface includes a display, it is possible to suppress degradation of communication characteristics between the antenna mounted on the flexible printed circuit board and a communication target.

[0053] In this embodiment, for example, the front portion includes a frame-shaped member surrounding the display, and the short side portion is in contact with the rear surface of the frame member. In this case, since the short side portion is disposed closer to the front surface of the information processing device, when a current flows through the antenna, the strength of the magnetic field generated from the short side portion at the center of the antenna on the front side of the information processing device can be made stronger.

[0054] In this aspect, the information processing device includes a housing that houses the flexible printed circuit board, and the housing preferably has a fixing surface to which the short side portion is fixed and an insertion portion into which the long side portion is inserted. With this configuration, it is possible to stabilize the state of the flexible printed circuit board that is arranged on the back side of the front part.

Description of Symbols

[0055] 2 Information processing apparatus 2b Front surface 3 Card (object to be communicated with) 4 Smartphone (object to be communicated with) 10 Front part 11 Antenna 12 FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit board) 12b Long side part 12c Short side part 13 Housing 13b Fixed surface 13c Insertion-receiving part 16 Liquid crystal display (display) 17 Frame member X First direction X1 Front side X2 Rear side

Claims

1. In an information processing apparatus for performing information communication manually and in a non-contact manner with a communication object, a front surface portion that constitutes the front surface of the information processing apparatus and is shielded by the communication object, and a flexible printed circuit board on which a communication antenna is mounted and which is disposed on the back surface side of the front surface portion are provided, the flexible printed circuit board is 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 linear or arc-shaped and shorter than the long side portions, when a direction orthogonal to the front surface is defined as a first direction, the side on which the front surface is disposed in the first direction is defined as a front side, and the side opposite to the front side is defined as a back side, the thickness direction of the short side portion coincides with the first direction, and the long side portion is bent toward the back side with respect to the short side portion and the short side portion is disposed 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 closer to the front side than the long side portion, an information processing apparatus characterized by this.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible printed circuit board is formed in a rectangular frame shape.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness direction of the short side portion coincides with the first direction, and the long side portion is bent toward the back side with respect to the short side portion.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the long side portion is bent at a right angle with respect to the short side portion.

5. The front surface portion includes a rectangular display on which an image is displayed, The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein 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 front surface portion includes a frame-shaped frame member that surrounds the display, The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the short side portion is in contact with the back surface of the frame member.

7. An enclosure in which the flexible printed circuit board is housed is provided, The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the enclosure is formed with a fixing surface to which the short side portion is fixed and a insertion portion into which the long side portion is inserted.

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