Relay Communication Device for Contactless IC Card Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems using electromagnetic induction for contactless IC cards are costly due to complex antenna formation, and electrostatic coupling systems have shorter communication distances, leading to longer processing times and potential congestion in applications like automatic ticket gates.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that uses a relay communication device with a relay loop antenna and conductive rails to facilitate electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic coupling between an IC card and a reader/writer, eliminating the need for complex antenna formation on the IC card and allowing for longer communication distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If electromagnetic induction scheme is used for contactless IC communication, then communication distance is extended and processing time is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases due to complex antenna formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay communication device as an intermediary between the reader/writer and the IC card. The relay device includes a loop antenna that receives electromagnetic induction signals and conductive rails that transmit signals to the IC card via electrostatic coupling. This intermediary approach allows the system to achieve electromagnetic induction communication distance and speed while using simple conductive plates on the IC card instead of complex antennas, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining improved processing time.
2Ease of manufacture
If electrostatic coupling scheme is used for contactless IC communication, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but communication distance is shortened and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay communication device acts as a mediator that combines both electrostatic coupling and electromagnetic induction schemes. The IC card uses simple conductive plates for electrostatic coupling with the relay device, keeping manufacturing costs low. The relay device's loop antenna enables electromagnetic induction communication with the reader/writer, extending communication distance and reducing processing time. This intermediary solution allows the system to overcome the limitations of pure electrostatic coupling.
3Device complexity
If electrostatic coupling scheme is used, then IC card structure is simplified, but communication initiates only at close contact requiring user approximation time
Solution Approach 1:
The relay communication device with its loop antenna enables electromagnetic induction communication to initiate at a distance, eliminating the need for users to bring the IC card into close contact with the reader/writer. The IC card maintains its simplified structure with only conductive plates, while the relay device handles the distance extension function, thereby improving ease of operation without increasing device complexity.
4Length of stationary object
If electromagnetic induction scheme is used, then communication distance is extended, but IC card requires complex antenna formation increasing production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The relay communication device serves as an intermediary that enables extended communication distance through electromagnetic induction while keeping the IC card structure simple. The relay device's loop antenna handles the electromagnetic induction function, allowing the IC card to use only simple conductive plates without complex antenna formation, thereby achieving extended communication distance while reducing production cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces production costs of contactless IC cards, enables communication over longer distances, and shortens processing times, thereby improving user experience and reducing congestion in applications like automatic ticket gates.
Implementation Method 1
a relay loop antenna (31) that communicates with a communication device side loop antenna (21a) through electromagnetic induction
Implementation Method 2
a pair of conductive rails (32L, 32R) having conductivity, being connected to both ends of the relay loop antenna, being provided as rails along a conveyance direction (Y) of the information storage medium, and coupling electrostatically with the pair of conductive plates of the information storage medium
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system, a relay communication device, a combination of the relay communication device and the electromagnetic induction communication device, an electromagnetic induction communication device, an information storage medium, and an information storage medium manufacturing method, in which a communication system communicating through electromagnetic induction can be implemented at low cost. A relay automatic ticket gate system provides the following. An IC card 40 includes an IC chip capable of communicating through electromagnetic induction, and a pair of conductive plates. A relay communication device includes a relay loop antenna, and a pair of conductive rails. An electromagnetic induction ticket gate communicates through electromagnetic induction between a ticket gate loop antenna communicating with a relay loop antenna through electromagnetic induction, and a relay communication device. A ticket gate control unit executes processing of communication with the IC chip.