Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Patent
1989-02-14
1991-05-14
Hille, Rolf
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
235492, 235487, 235443, 235441, 174 524, 361395, 361397, 361413, 361400, H01L 2302
Patent
active
050160869
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an IC card incorporating an integrated circuit.
BACKGROUND ART
Cards in which a magnetic stripe serves as a memory medium are widely utilized as magnetic cards for cash cards and credit cards in on-line systems at banks and the like. Though these magnetic cards are low in cost, they have a small memory capacity and there is the danger that stored data may be erased by an external magnetic force. Accordingly, in recent years IC cards of larger memory capacity have been developed in which data will not be affected by external magnetism.
As used herein an IC card refers to card-shaped memory means having an internal processor and memory in the form of an integrated circuit of CMOS construction. When data is written or read from such an IC card, connector means are required for connection to associated equipment. Also required is a changeover switch used in order to set a write inhibit with respect to the IC card or to identify the type of IC card. A changeover switch of this kind switches or turns on/off a wiring circuit pattern on a printed board on which an integrated circuit chip is disposed within the IC card.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional IC card and part of the structure of a switch portion exposed by cutting a portion of the card away.
As shown here, a changeover switch is mounted on a lead-out portion extending from the pattern on a printed board. A manipulating portion of this changeover switch protrudes from a side face of the card opposite a connector. The setting of a write inhibit or the identification of card type is performed by manipulating the manipulating portion.
Thus, in the conventional IC card, the connector portion is provided via the lead-out portion of the wire circuit pattern on the printed board and it is easy to provide the interior of the IC card with a hermetic structure by maintaining the lead-out portion air-tight. However, the changeover switch, which is incorporated as a part separate from the connector portion, has a movable portion for performing the changeover operation. In a case where a plurality of changeover switches are provided, it is not easy to process these switches individually and shield the interior of the IC card to protect it against the outside environment.
In addition, the lead-out portion of the wiring circuit pattern corresponding to the changeover switch is required to be plated with metal in order to provide good contact with the contacts. Since partial metal plating is carried out, labor is required and cost is high.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been devised to solve the foregoing problems and its object is to provide an IC card, the interior of which can be shielded in a simple manner and which makes it possible to hold down an increase in cost even when a changeover switch is provided.
According to the present invention, an IC card is provided an having a connector portion and a changeover switch that are led out from a circuit pattern incorporating a semiconductor integrated circuit. The IC card comprises connector means formed integral with the connector portion and changeover switch, lead means for connecting connector pins of the connector means and contact terminals of the changeover switch with the circuit pattern, and a case for accommodating the circuit pattern, which includes the semiconductor integrated circuit, and forming a hermetic structure at the portion of the lead means.
Accordingly, the IC card of the present invention is such that by providing the connector portion with a switch, the lead portion from the wiring circuit pattern led out to the connector pins or switch terminals can readily be furnished with a hermetic structure. As a result, the interior of the case of the IC card is sufficiently protected from the outside environment and it is unnecessary to partially plate the wiring circuit pattern. This makes it possible to reduce cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an em
REFERENCES:
patent: 4521679 (1985-06-01), Anderson
patent: 4727246 (1988-02-01), Hara et al.
patent: 4780603 (1988-10-01), Hamada
patent: 4780791 (1988-10-01), Morita et al.
patent: 4791608 (1988-12-01), Fushimoto
patent: 4794243 (1988-12-01), Hamada
patent: 4797542 (1989-01-01), Hara
patent: 4797543 (1989-01-01), Watanabe
Inoue Michiya
Mizuno Yutaka
Fanuc Ltd.
Hille Rolf
Loke Steven
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