Non-contact information processing device

Abstract

To provide a non-contact information processing device which can certainly inform that processing to a medium is possible.SOLUTION: A non-contact information processing device 100 comprises: a substrate 1; a first circuit part 2 with a first coil antenna 21 provided on a substrate surface of the substrate 1; and a second circuit part 2 with a second coil antenna 31 provided on an inner peripheral side of the first coil antenna 21 on the substrate surface, and a light emitter 4 provided on an inner peripheral side of the second coil antenna 31 on the substrate surface. The first circuit part 2 communicates with a medium by a first resonance frequency by electromagnetic induction between the first coil antenna 21 and the medium. The second coil antenna 31 generates induced electromotive force of a second resonance frequency different from the first resonance frequency by electromagnetic induction due to variation of magnetic fields generated in the first coil antenna 21 when the first circuit part 2 communicates with the medium. An LED element 41 emits light by the induced electromotive force.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a contactless information processing device that communicates with a medium such as a smartphone or a contactless IC card having a Near Field Communication (NFC) function by electromagnetic induction.

Background Art

[0002] A contactless information processing device that reads and writes data to and from a medium such as a contactless IC card is described in Patent Document 1. The contactless information processing device in this document includes a first circuit unit provided with a first antenna having a first resonance frequency, a second circuit unit provided with a second antenna having a second resonance frequency different from the first resonance frequency and a light emitting element, and a substrate on which the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit are formed. The first antenna and the second antenna are loop-shaped. When the substrate is viewed in plan view, the second antenna is provided inside the first antenna. The light emitting element is provided between the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0003] <0000​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ In the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the light-emitting element is placed between the first antenna and the second antenna, the light-emitting element may affect the magnetic field generated in the first antenna, which can reduce the induced electromotive force generated in the second antenna.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a non-contact information processing device that can reliably indicate that processing is possible on a medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a contactless information processing device that communicates with a medium without contact, comprising: a substrate; a first circuit section comprising a first coil antenna provided on the surface of the substrate; a second circuit section comprising a second coil antenna provided on the inner circumference side of the first coil antenna on the surface of the substrate; and a light-emitting element provided on the inner circumference side of the second coil antenna on the surface of the substrate, wherein the first circuit section communicates with the medium at a first resonant frequency by electromagnetic induction between the first coil antenna and the medium; the second coil antenna generates an induced electromotive force at a second resonant frequency different from the first resonant frequency by electromagnetic induction caused by the change in the magnetic field generated in the first coil antenna when the first circuit section communicates with the medium; and the light-emitting element emits light by the induced electromotive force.

[0008] According to this embodiment, on the substrate surface, the second coil antenna of the second circuit section is arranged inside the first coil antenna, and the light-emitting element of the second circuit section is arranged inside the second coil antenna. As a result, the optical element is not located between the first coil antenna and the second coil antenna, thus preventing or suppressing the effect of the light-emitting element on the magnetic field generated in the first coil antenna, which would reduce the induced electromotive force generated in the second coil antenna. Therefore, the user of the non-contact information processing device can reliably know that processing is being performed on the medium.

[0009] In this embodiment, the second circuit unit includes a rectifier circuit that rectifies the induced electromotive force and a comparator that compares the rectified power rectified by the rectifier circuit with a reference power, and the light-emitting element can be made to emit light by the output power from the comparator. Here, if the distance between the first coil antenna and the medium is greater than the appropriate range, the quality of communication will deteriorate if communication is possible between the medium and the non-contact information processing device. In such cases, the change in the magnetic field generated in the first coil antenna by electromagnetic induction becomes smaller, so the induced electromotive force generated in the second coil antenna becomes smaller. In such cases, if a comparator is provided, the comparator will not output power if the rectified power is smaller than the reference power. As a result, the light-emitting element will not emit light, and the user of the non-contact information processing device will know that processing on the medium is not being performed properly.

[0010] In this embodiment, the second circuit section may include a smoothing capacitor between the rectifier circuit and the comparator that smooths the rectified power and adjusts the second resonant frequency. In this way, the comparator can accurately compare the rectified power and the reference power.

[0011] In this embodiment, the rectifier circuit, the comparator, and the smoothing capacitor can be arranged inside the second coil antenna. In this way, compared to the case where the rectifier circuit, comparator, and smoothing capacitor are arranged between the first coil antenna and the second coil antenna, it is possible to suppress the effect of the rectifier circuit, comparator, and smoothing capacitor on the magnetic field generated in the first coil antenna, which would reduce the induced electromotive force generated in the second coil antenna.

[0012] In this embodiment, it is preferable to have a buzzer that sounds when the output power is generated. In this way, the user of the contactless information processing device can be aware that processing is being performed on the medium by sound. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, since the light-emitting element is positioned inside the second coil antenna, the non-contact information processing device can reliably inform the user that processing of the medium is possible. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a contactless information processing device to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the circuit board of a contactless information processing device. [Figure 3] This is the circuit diagram for the first circuit section. [Figure 4] This is the circuit diagram for the second circuit section. [Figure 5] This is a circuit diagram of the second circuit section of another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a contactless information processing device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] (Example 1) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a non-contact information processing device to which the present invention is applied. Figure 2 is a plan view of the circuit board of the non-contact information processing device. Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of the first circuit section. Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the second circuit section.

[0017] The non-contact information processing device in this example communicates with media such as smartphones and non-contact IC cards having a Near Field Communication (NFC) function to read and write data to and from the media. As shown in FIG. 1, the non-contact information processing device 100 includes a flat substrate 1 equipped with a circuit for reading and writing data to and from the media, and a control unit 5 for controlling the substrate 1. The substrate 1 is provided on the upper surface portion 61 of the housing 6 of the non-contact information processing device 100, and reads and writes data to and from the media by touching or approaching the media to the upper surface portion 61. The control unit 5 is disposed inside the housing 6.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the non-contact information processing device 100 includes a first circuit unit 2 including a first coil antenna 21 provided on the substrate surface of the substrate 1, and a second circuit unit 3 including a second coil antenna 31 provided on the inner peripheral side of the first coil antenna 21 on the substrate surface and a light emitting element 4 provided on the inner peripheral side of the second coil antenna 31 on the substrate surface. In this example, the light emitting element 4 is an LED element 41, and four LED elements 41 are provided on the substrate 1. Note that the number of LED elements 41 is not limited to four.

[0019] The first circuit unit 2 communicates with the media at a first resonance frequency by electromagnetic induction between the first coil antenna 21 and the media. As shown in FIG. 3, the first circuit unit 2 includes the first coil antenna 21 and a matching circuit 22 connected to one end of the first coil antenna 21.

[0020] The first coil antenna 21 has its wiring wound twice. The first coil antenna 21 is used to communicate with the media at a first resonance frequency by electromagnetic induction between the first coil antenna 21 and the media. Note that the number of turns of the first coil antenna 21 is not limited to two, and may be one turn or three or more turns.

[0021] Inside the first coil antenna 21, a matching circuit 22 is arranged. The matching circuit 22 is a general circuit including resistors and capacitors. The matching circuit 22 is used to adjust (match) the first resonance frequency of the first circuit section 2. Also, the terminal section 25 of the first circuit section 2 connected to the matching circuit 22 is electrically connected to the control section 5 via a coaxial cable.

[0022] When a medium touches or approaches the upper surface portion 61, communication with the medium is started at the first resonance frequency due to electromagnetic induction between the first coil antenna 21 and the medium. When the communication is started, the control section 5 reads and writes data to and from the medium.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the second circuit section 3 includes a second coil antenna 31, a rectifying circuit 32 arranged on the output side of the second coil antenna 31, a smoothing capacitor 33 arranged on the output side of the rectifying circuit 32, a comparator 34 arranged on the output side of the smoothing capacitor 33, and an LED element 41 arranged on the output side of the comparator 34.

[0024] The second coil antenna 31 generates an induced electromotive force at a second resonance frequency different from the first resonance frequency due to electromagnetic induction caused by a change in the magnetic field generated by the first coil antenna 21 when the first circuit section 2 communicates with the medium. The second resonance frequency is a frequency in a region that does not affect the communication between the first coil antenna 21 and the medium. The second coil antenna 31 has its wiring wound twice. Inside the second coil antenna 31, the rectifying circuit 32, the smoothing capacitor 33, and the comparator 34 are arranged. Note that the number of turns of the second coil antenna 31 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

[0025] The rectifier circuit 32 is a diode bridge composed of four diodes 32a. The rectifier circuit 32 is connected to both ends of the second coil antenna 31 and outputs rectified power obtained by converting the induced power generated by the second coil antenna 31 into DC. The smoothing capacitor 33 is placed between the first output line 35 and the second output line 36 and smooths the rectified power output from the rectifier circuit 32, as well as adjusting (matching) the second resonant frequency of the second circuit section 3.

[0026] The comparator 34 compares the rectified power with the reference power VDD and outputs output power based on the comparison result. More specifically, the comparator 34 compares the rectified power input to the inverting input terminal 34a via the first output line 35 with the reference power VDD input to the non-inverting input terminal 34b via the third output line 37, and outputs output power if the rectified power is greater than the reference power VDD. In this example, if the distance between the first coil antenna 21 and the medium is appropriate for communication, the induced power generated by the second coil antenna 31 will be greater than a predetermined value, so the rectified power will be greater than the reference power VDD. As a result, the comparator 34 outputs output power, assuming that the first coil antenna 21 and the medium can communicate appropriately. On the other hand, if the distance between the first coil antenna 21 and the medium is not appropriate for communication, the induced power generated by the second coil antenna 31 will be less than a predetermined value, so the rectified power will be less than the reference power VDD. As a result, the comparator 34 does not output power because it determines that the first coil antenna 21 and the medium cannot communicate properly.

[0027] Here, the first output line 35 is connected to the fourth output line 38 between the smoothing capacitor 33 and the comparator 34. The fourth output line 38 is connected to an adjustment circuit 43. The adjustment circuit 43 is a general circuit equipped with a variable resistor, amplifier, etc. The adjustment circuit 43 adjusts the rectified power flowing through the fourth output line 38. The rectified power flowing through the fourth output line 38 is adjusted by the adjustment circuit 43 to become the reference power VDD, which is input to the non-inverting input terminal 34b via the third output line 37.

[0028] The LED element 41 is located inside the second coil antenna 31. The LED element 41 is connected to the output side of the comparator 34 via a variable resistor 42. The variable resistor 42 adjusts the power input to the LED element 41. The LED element 41 emits light based on the output power from the comparator 34. More specifically, when a user touches or brings close a medium to the top surface portion 61, if the first coil antenna 21 and the medium are at an appropriate distance for communication, the LED element 41 emits light to inform the user that the contactless information processing device 100 is performing data reading or writing to the medium. On the other hand, if the first coil antenna 21 and the medium are not at an appropriate distance for communication, the LED element 41 does not emit light, informing the user that the contactless information processing device 100 is not performing any processing on the medium.

[0029] In this example, since there are four LED elements 41, there are also four comparators 34, corresponding to the LED elements 41. In other words, in this example, there are four sets of comparators 34 and LED elements 41.

[0030] (Effects and Benefits) The contactless information processing device 100 in this example comprises a substrate 1, a first circuit section 2 equipped with a first coil antenna 21 provided on the surface of the substrate 1, a second circuit section 3 equipped with a second coil antenna 31 provided on the inner circumference side of the first coil antenna 21 on the substrate surface, and a light-emitting element 4 provided on the inner circumference side of the second coil antenna 31 on the substrate surface. The first circuit section 2 communicates with the medium at a first resonant frequency by electromagnetic induction between the first coil antenna 21 and the medium. The second coil antenna 31 emits a first coil when the first circuit section 2 communicates with the medium. The magnetic field change generated by the antenna 21 induces an electromotive force at a second resonant frequency different from the first resonant frequency through electromagnetic induction. The LED element 41 emits light due to the induced electromotive force.

[0031] In this example, on the substrate surface, the second coil antenna 31 of the second circuit section 3 is positioned inside the first coil antenna 21, and the LED element 41 of the second circuit section 3 is positioned inside the second coil antenna 31. As a result, the LED element 41 is not located between the first coil antenna 21 and the second coil antenna 31, so it is possible to suppress the LED element 41 from influencing the magnetic field generated in the first coil antenna 21 and reducing the induced electromotive force generated in the second coil antenna 31. Therefore, the user of the non-contact information processing device 100 can reliably know that processing is being performed on the medium.

[0032] In this example, the second circuit section 3 includes a rectifier circuit 32 that rectifies the induced electromotive force, and a comparator 34 that compares the rectified power rectified by the rectifier circuit 32 with a reference power. The LED element 41 emits light due to the output power from the comparator 34. Here, if the distance between the first coil antenna 21 and the medium is greater than the appropriate range, the quality of communication will deteriorate, even if communication between the medium and the non-contact information processing device 100 is possible. In such cases, the change in the magnetic field generated in the first coil antenna 21 by electromagnetic induction becomes smaller, so the induced electromotive force generated in the second coil antenna 31 becomes smaller. If a comparator 34 is provided in such cases, the comparator 34 will not output power if the rectified power is smaller than the reference power. As a result, the LED element 41 will not emit light, and the user of the non-contact information processing device 100 will know that processing on the medium is not being performed properly.

[0033] In this example, the second circuit section 3 includes a smoothing capacitor 33 between the rectifier circuit 32 and the comparator 34, which smooths the rectified power and adjusts the second resonant frequency. Therefore, the comparator 34 can accurately compare the rectified power and the reference power.

[0034] In this example, the rectifier circuit 32, comparator 34, and smoothing capacitor 33 are located inside the second coil antenna 31. Therefore, compared to the case where the rectifier circuit 32, comparator 34, and smoothing capacitor 33 are located between the first coil antenna 21 and the second coil antenna 31, the rectifier circuit 32, comparator 34, and smoothing capacitor 33 can suppress the effect of the rectifier circuit 32, comparator 34, and smoothing capacitor 33 on the magnetic field generated in the first coil antenna 21, thereby reducing the induced electromotive force generated in the second coil antenna 31.

[0035] (Other examples) Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of the second circuit section 3 of another embodiment. The non-contact information processing device 100 in this example has a buzzer 39 that sounds due to the output power from the comparator 34. Note that the non-contact information processing device 100 in this example is identical in configuration to that of Embodiment 1, except that the buzzer 39 is connected to the output side of the comparator 34, so the same reference numerals are used for corresponding components and their descriptions are omitted.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, the buzzer 39 is connected to the output side of the comparator 34 via the operational amplifier 40. The buzzer 39 is also connected in parallel with the LED element 41. The buzzer 39 sounds in response to the output power from the comparator 34. More specifically, when a user touches or brings close the medium to the top surface portion 61, if the first coil antenna 21 and the medium are at an appropriate distance for communication, the buzzer 39 sounds to inform the user that the contactless information processing device 100 is performing data reading or writing processing on the medium. Therefore, in this example, the user of the contactless information processing device 100 can know that processing is being performed on the medium by sound. In the contactless information processing device 100, the buzzer 39 is connected to the first coil antenna 21 and the second coil antenna It is sufficient if it is positioned in a location that does not affect electromagnetic induction with Na31. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 100...Non-contact information processing device, 1...Circuit board, 2...First circuit section, 3...Second circuit section, 4...Light-emitting element, 5...Control section, 6...Housing, 21...First coil antenna, 22...Matching circuit, 25...Terminal section, 31...Second coil antenna, 32...Rectifier circuit, 32a...Diode, 33...Smoothing capacitor, 34...Comparator, 34a...Inverting input terminal, 34b...Non-inverting input terminal, 35...First output line, 36...Second output line, 37...Third output line, 38...Fourth output line, 39...Buzzer, 40...Operational amplifier, 41...LED element, 42...Variable resistor, 43...Adjustment circuit, 61...Top section

Claims

1. In a contactless information processing device that communicates with a medium without physical contact, circuit board and A first circuit section comprising a first coil antenna provided on the surface of the substrate, A second circuit section comprising a second coil antenna provided on the inner circumference side of the first coil antenna on the surface of the substrate, and a light-emitting element provided on the inner circumference side of the second coil antenna on the surface of the substrate, It has, The first circuit unit communicates with the medium at a first resonant frequency by electromagnetic induction between the first coil antenna and the medium. The second coil antenna generates an induced electromotive force at a second resonant frequency different from the first resonant frequency due to electromagnetic induction caused by the change in the magnetic field generated in the first coil antenna when the first circuit unit communicates with the medium. The light-emitting element emits light due to the induced electromotive force, The second circuit section includes a rectifier circuit for rectifying the induced electromotive force, and a comparator for comparing the rectified power rectified by the rectifier circuit with a reference power. The light-emitting element is characterized by emitting light in response to the output power from the comparator, and is a non-contact type information processing device.

2. The non-contact information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second circuit section includes a smoothing capacitor between the rectifier circuit and the comparator that smooths the rectified power and matches the second resonant frequency.

3. The non-contact information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rectifier circuit, the comparator, and the smoothing capacitor are arranged inside the second coil antenna.

4. A non-contact information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a buzzer that sounds according to the output power.

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