EP1110164A1

EP1110164A1 - Rf token and reading device thereof

Info

Publication number: EP1110164A1
Application number: EP99924034A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dong-Sik Park
Original assignee: KDE Inc
Current assignee: KDE Inc
Priority date: 1999-05-15
Filing date: 1999-05-15
Publication date: 2001-06-27
Also published as: CN1290377A; BR9907298A; JP2002537607A; CN1126058C; HK1035244A1; WO2000049560A1; TR200002356T1

Abstract

An RF token for paying a fee for a transformation means which is easily purchasable and portable, and can be used only once or a few times, and a reading device thereof. The carrier body of an RF token 10 is made of plastic material and has a shape of a coin. A semiconductor chip (14) is embedded inside the carrier body. An antenna coil (18) is spirally wound extending from a contact area of the semiconductor chip. In a non-contact type IC card reading device, an input slot is formed on the exterior surface of a housing. A shutter (42) is installed inward a predetermined distance from the housing input slot and selectively passes the RF token (10). A solenoid (60) which includes a plunger (62) combined with the shutter selectively transfers the shutter (42). A read and control unit reads information stored in the RF token loaded on the shutter and selectively drives the solenoid (60) according to read out information. A receiving unit (38) receives the RF token passing through the shutter.

Description

RF TOKEN AND READING DEVICE THEREOF

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an IC card and a reading device thereof, and more particularly, to a non-contact type IC card which is typically used to pay a fee for a transportation means and a reading device thereof.

Background Art Various kinds of card-shaped recording media are widely being used for a transaction or personal identification. Currently-prevalent card-shaped recording media can be categorized into two types, i.e., a magnetic strip card and an IC card. The magnetic strip card includes a magnetic strip coated in parallel with the length of the card, so that data is recorded by causing a variation in a magnetic pattern of the magnetic strip. On the other hand, the IC card includes an integrated circuit chip therein, and data is stored in the integrated circuit chip. Each of these cards is substantially rectangular with its corner being rounded, and has a length of about 85 millimeters (mm) and a width of 54 mm. Several standards regarding physical attributes and data formats have been proposed for these cards. For example, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has proposed an ISO 7810-13 standard format for the magnetic strip card, and ISO 7816 and ISO 10536 standard formats respectively for contact and non-contact IC cards. However, the magnetic strip card has drawbacks in that only a small amount of data can be stored in the magnetic strip and the stored information may be damaged in the vicinity of a magnet. Further, data stored in the magnetic strip card can easily be forged or changed. Therefore, a strict authentication procedure is required when the magnetic strip card is used by a user. In case that the card is strongly desired to be conveniently used with respect to a small amount of money, e.g., when the card is used to pay a fee for a transportation means such as a bus and a subway, the magnetic strip card may be inexpedient in use. Even worse, since a magnetic card has a short readable range, it must be inserted into a slot of a reading device such that a reading head installed inside the slot reads the magnetic strip in order to retrieve the stored data. Accordingly, significantly long time may be consumed to read the stored data. For these reasons, the magnetic strip card is generally not suitable for paying the fee for the transportation means. The IC card generally has a high storage capacity, and a relatively low possibility that stored information may be damaged. Also, the IC card provides a high level of security. Particularly, in case of the non-contact type IC card, it is easy to read data stored therein. When the non-contact type IC card is used as a means for paying the fee for the transportation means, a transportation company can easily settle accounts with a card merchandising company, and can rationalize service management. Thus, the non-contact type IC card is widely being used as a fee paying means for transportation means, in particular, for the bus.

In a conventional bus IC card, a predetermined amount of money is recorded in the beginning, and the recorded money is updated by being subtracted by an entrainment fee whenever the bus IC card is used by the user. When the recorded money is almost exhausted, a user pays money to a charging station to recharge the bus IC card. However, in the conventional IC card, a basic amount of money to be charged initially is significantly high, and a cheap IC card has not yet been known. Thus, persons who do not frequently use the concerned transportation means or temporary visitors from other regions may have an economical burden in purchasing the IC card. Accordingly, these persons use cash, a metal token, or other payment means to use the transportation means concerned. In such a case, the transportation company bears a settling problem with the token merchandising company, and cannot sufficiently utilize the benefit of adopting the IC card system for statistics or service management.

Disclosure of the Invention To solve the above problem, one object of the present invention is to provide a RF token for paying a fee for a transportation means, which is easily purchasable and portable and can be used only once or a few times.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-contact type IC card reading device for reading the RF token for paying the fee for transportation means and capable being used only once or a few times. In a RF token provided to achieve one of the above objects, a coin- shaped carrier body is made of plastic material, and has a diameter of 10 to 40 mm and a thickness of 1 to 4 mm. A semiconductor chip is embedded inside the carrier body. An antenna coil is spirally wounded extending from a contact area of the semiconductor chip.

In an IC card reading device provided to achieve another one of the above objects, a housing includes an input slot formed on its exterior surface. A shutter is installed inward a predetermined distance from the input slot on the housing and selectively passes the RF token. A transferring means includes an arm combined with the shutter and selectively transfers the shutter. A reading and controlling unit reads information stored in the RF token loaded on the shutter and selectively drives the transferring means according to read out information. A receiving unit receives a RF token passing through the shutter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a RF token according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an IC card reading device according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a mechanism for reading and selectively receiving RF tokens in the IC card reading device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the IC card reading device of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the operation of selectively receiving a RF token in the mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a mechanism for reading and selectively receiving RF tokens in the IC card reading device of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the operation of selectively receiving a RF token in the mechanism of FIG. 6.

In the drawings and following description, the same reference numerals will be given to similar or corresponding elements.

Embodiments Referring to FIG. 1 , a RF token 10 according to the present invention is manufactured in a coin shape. The carrier body 12 of the RF token is made of plastic material, and has a diameter of 10 to 40 mm and a thickness of 1 to 4 mm. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of the RF token is 36 mm, and the thickness thereof is 1.6 mm. A semiconductor chip 14 is embedded inside the carrier body 12, and two contact regions 16 and 17 are formed on the semiconductor chip 14. Meanwhile, a spiral antenna coil 18 is wound along the outer circumference of the RF token 10, and two ends of the antenna coil 18 are bonded to the contact regions 16 and 17 on the semiconductor chip 14. The semiconductor chip 14 has a plurality of memory cells (not shown). In the present embodiment, the memory cells store a fee amount by which a user can use a transportation means, e.g., a bus or a subway, just a single time. The RF token 10 can communicate with a reading device, which is installed at an entrance of the transportation means or at a ticket gate for riding the transportation means, without contacting the device within a range of about 30 mm. In the preferred embodiment, the communication between the RF token 10 and the reading device is carried out through a radio link using a frequency of 13.56 Megahertz (MHz). Here, a signal from the semiconductor chip 14 is radiated by the antenna coil 18 and transmitted to a reading device. The RF token 10 determined to be valid by the reading device is collected by the reading device, and recharged later to be sold to another passenger again.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an IC card reading device according to the present invention. The reading device 30 may typically be used in a bus. A RF token slot 32 is provided on the upper surface of a housing 31 having a shape of a box substantially, and a display 34 showing the validity of the token and other messages for passengers installed on the front surface of the housing 31. A RF token receiving box 38 is installed at the lower portion of the reading device 30. Meanwhile, the reading device 30 of FIG. 2 includes an IC card reading unit 36 installed under the display 34, so that passengers of the bus can use a rectangular IC card instead of the RF token.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a mechanism for reading and selectively receiving RF tokens in the IC card reading device of FIG. 2. The mechanism of FIG. 3 includes, in its lower part, a shutter 42 for selectively passing a RF token downward and a solenoid 60 for driving the shutter 42. One end of the shutter 42 is coupled to a plunger 62 of the solenoid 60 via a coupling member 50. Here, the shutter 42 and the coupling member 50 are strongly coupled to each other by a rivet joint or by using a bolt and a nut, while the coupling member 50 and the plunger 62 are loosely coupled to each other by using a pin 54. A hinge 44 is installed on the interior side of the end portion of the shutter 42 combined with the coupling member 50. A return spring 64 is installed on the outer circumference of the plunger 62 of the solenoid 60. A token reader 72 is installed directly under the input slot of the reading device so as to face an inserted RF token 10. A token sensor, not shown in FIG. 3, for detecting the RF token is provided opposite to the token reader 72. The token sensor comprises a pair of a light emitting diode (LED) and a photodiode.

In such a mechanical structure, when the solenoid 60 is energized, the plunger 62 retracts or approaches the body of the solenoid. The movement of the plunger 62 acts a force on the shutter 42 via the coupling member 50, so that the shutter 42 pivots on the hinge 44. Thus, the RF token 10 loaded on the shutter 42 falls down by gravity to be transferred into the RF token receiving box along a predetermined path. On the other hand, when the solenoid 60 is deenergized, the plunger 62 and the shutter 42 are restored to their original positions by the operation of the return spring 64.

FIG. 4 shows the electrical configuration of the IC card reading device of FIG. 2. The IC card reading device electrically includes a token sensor 70, a token reader 72, a microcontroller 74, the card reader 36, a solenoid driving unit 76, and a display 60. As described above, the token sensor 70 detects the RF token being inserted into the input slot, and the token reader 72 receives the RF signal radiated from the inserted token. The card reader 36 communicates with a general IC card which may be used independently from the RF token to receive information radiated from the general IC card. Also, the card reader 36 transmits, to the IC card, information of a reduced amount or a command for reducing the amount stored in the IC card. The solenoid driving unit 76 energizes or deenergizes the solenoid under the control of the microcontroller 74. The display unit 60 performs a user interface by displaying information from the microcontroller 74.

The operation of an IC card reading device employing the mechanism of FIG. 3 will now be described.

When no RF token is inserted, the shutter 42 blocks the bottom end of the token slot as shown in FIG. 5A. When a passenger drops or inserts the RF token into the input slot, the token sensor 70 senses the RF token and notifies the microcontroller 74 that a RF token has been inserted. The microcontroller 74 activates the token reader 72 to receive the RF signal radiated by the RF token. Information read by the token reader 72 is transmitted to the microcontroller 74 so that the microcontroller 74 determines the validity of the RF token.

When the RF token is valid, the microcontroller 74 provides a solenoid control signal to the solenoid driving unit 76 to allow the solenoid driving unit 76 to energize the solenoid 60. At this time, the plunger 62 of the solenoid retracts or approaches the solenoid body, and the shutter 42 is pulled at one end by the plunger 62 to pivot on the hinge 44. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5B, the shutter 42 is put aside and the token falls down. After a certain period of time, the solenoid driving unit 74 deenergizes the solenoid 60, and the plunger 62 and the shutter 42 are restored to their original positions shown in FIG. 5A by the return spring 64 to be ready to receive a next RF token.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the mechanism for reading and selectively receiving RF tokens in the IC card reading device of FIG. 2. The reading device includes, in its lower part, a shutter 42 for selectively passing the RF token downward and the solenoid 60 for driving the shutter 42. In FIG. 6, the shutter 42 and the plunger 62 of the solenoid 60 are linearly coupled to each other by use of a pin 90. Thus, the shutter 42 is translated with the movement of the plunger 62 of the solenoid. A guide rail not shown in FIG. 6 is installed at an end of the shutter 42 opposite to the plunger to help the translation of the shutter 42. The other features of the mechanism shown in FIG. 6 are similar to those in FIG. 3. Also, the electrical configuration shown in FIG. 4 can be incorporated with the mechanism of FIG. 6.

The IC card reading device employing the mechanism of FIG. 6 operates as follows.

When no RF token is inserted, the shutter 42 blocks the bottom end of the token slot as shown in FIG. 7A. When a passenger drops or inserts the RF token into the input slot, the token sensor 70 senses the RF token and notifies the microcontroller 74 that a RF token has been inserted. Upon determining the RF token as a valid one on the basis of information from the token reader 72, the microcontroller 74 provides a solenoid control signal to the solenoid driving unit 76 to allow the solenoid driving unit 76 to energize the solenoid 60. At this time, the plunger 62 of the solenoid retracts into the solenoid body is, and the shutter 42 is pulled at one end by the plunger 62 to move in the direction of the solenoid along the guide rail 94. Thus, the token falls down. After a certain period of time, the solenoid driving unit 74 deenergizes the solenoid 60, and the plunger 62 is restored to its original position by the return spring 64. At this time, the shutter 42 is also restored to its original position as shown in FIG. 7A along the guide rail 94 to be ready for receiving a next RF token.

Even though the shutter and the coupling member are provided separately in the preferred embodiments, the shutter and the coupling member can be incorporated into a single body alternatively. In such a case, the man-hour for assembling the reading device is reduced, and the manufacturing cost thereof can be lowered.

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the RF token is intended to be used just a single time. However, in alternative embodiments, the RF token can be used about two or three times. In such a case, when the RF token is sold to a user, an amount of money corresponding to the number of times the token can be used is recorded in the RF token. Whenever the user rides the transportation means, the balance stored in the memory cells is reduced by the fee, and the reduced amount of money is stored again. In such an alternative embodiment, a signal transmitted by a semiconductor chip is radiated by an antenna coil to be transmitted to the reading device, and the signal transmitted from the reading device to the semiconductor chip is received via the antenna coil. Here, a drain must be provided on the front face of the housing to return the RF token of which balance of the RF token is not exhausted. Also, a transfer path from the input slot to the drain must be provided. The RF token is not collected by the reading device until the balance of the RF token is exhausted. Meanwhile, the collected RF token can be recharged and sold to passengers again. Such a modification is apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and thus the detailed description thereof will be omitted. The present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments. However, it will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Industrial applicability

The RF token and the IC card reading device according to the present invention can be used by being installed in the bus where a bus driver directly collects a fee. Also, the present invention can be applied to the ticket gates in the subway. Here, a subway passenger inserts his or her RF token into the input slot at a departure ticket gate, and receives his or her RF token from the drain. Then, the passenger inserts the token into the input slot of the reading devices installed at his or her destination to go out the exit. Also, the RF token of the present invention can be used for fee payments at highway toll gates. Further, the RF token may be used at all gates where a fee is charged, as well. When the RF token is applied to a transportation means, particularly, in the bus, persons rarely using the transportation means or temporary visitors from other regions can easily purchase the RF token corresponding to a desired amount of money. Thus, the RF token gives the passengers more expedience in use. Also, a transportation company can simplify the settlement with token merchandizing companies, increase the transparency of fee collection, and get statistics easily. Therefore, the benefit of adopting the IC card system is increased. Furthermore, the RF token is effective in the viewpoint of recycling of resources since the used RF token can be re- encoded and reused.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A coin-shaped RF token which is used to pay a fee, comprising: a carrier body made of plastic material and having a diameter of 10 to 40 millimeters and a thickness of 1 to 4 millimeters; a semiconductor chip embedded inside the carrier body and having at least one contact area; and an antenna coil spirally wound extending from the contact area of the semiconductor chip.

2. A non-contact type IC card reading device for reading a coin- shaped RF token for fee payment, the device comprising: a housing having an exterior surface and an input slot on the exterior surface; a shutter, installed inward a predetermined distance from the input slot of the housing, for selectively passing the RF token; a transferring means, including an arm combined with the shutter, for selectively transferring the shutter; a reading and controlling unit for reading information stored in the

RF token loaded on the shutter and selectively driving the transferring means according to read out information; and a receiving unit for receiving a RF token passing through the shutter.

5 3. The non-contact type IC card reading device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shutter and the arm are coupled to each other substantially perpendicularly.

4. The non-contact type IC card reading device as claimed in o claim 2, wherein the shutter and the arm are linearly coupled to each other.

5. The non-contact type IC card reading device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a guide rail for guiding the shutter so that the shutter is translated along a predetermined straight line path.

6. The IC card reading device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a token sensor for detecting whether the RF token has been put into the input slot and activating the reading and controlling unit only when the RF token has been input.