IC card with radio interface function, antenna module and data processing apparatus using the IC card

Abstract

An SD memory card contains an RF circuit, a controller LSI and a flash memory. The RF circuit is connected to an antenna module attached to the SD memory card. The controller LSI executes radio interface control and interface control for the SD memory card. By running a protocol control program and an SD memory card interface control program stored in a ROM, using an MPU, the controller LSI executes upper-protocol control and SD memory card interface control (security data access control, flash memory access control).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An IC card containing a radio interface function, comprising: 
 a high frequency circuit to be connected to an antenna;    a memory; and    a controller for controlling access to the memory and executing radio interface control related to radio communication.    
     
     
         2 . The IC card according to    claim 1   , further comprising antenna attachment means attachable to and detachable from an antenna module provided with an antenna.  
     
     
         3 . The IC card according to    claim 1   , further comprising an antenna connected to the high frequency circuit.  
     
     
         4 . The IC card according to    claim 1   , wherein the controller controls the memory so as to store, in a predetermined area of the memory, information specifying a destination of connection, and executes the radio interface control on the basis of the information.  
     
     
         5 . An antenna module comprising: 
 IC card attachment means to be connected to an IC card that has a radio interface function; and    an antenna to be connected to means incorporated in the IC card for realizing the radio interface function.    
     
     
         6 . The antenna module according to    claim 5   , further comprising a high frequency amplifier connected between the antenna and the means for realizing the radio interface function, when the antenna module is connected to the IC card by the IC card attachment means.  
     
     
         7 . An IC card containing a radio interface function, comprising: 
 an antenna;    a high frequency circuit connected to the antenna;    a controller for executing radio interface control related to radio communication executed using the high frequency circuit; and    connection means for connecting the controller to another IC card.    
     
     
         8 . A data processing apparatus having a slot for inserting therein an IC card, comprising: 
 an antenna incorporated in a casing of the data processing apparatus; and    connection means for connecting the antenna to an antenna terminal incorporated in the IC card when the IC card is inserted in the slot.    
     
     
         9 . The data processing apparatus according to    claim 8   , wherein the antenna is provided in an eject lever to be operated to eject the IC card from the slot.  
     
     
         10 . The data processing apparatus according to    claim 8   , wherein the antenna is provided on a surface of the casing.  
     
     
         11 . The IC card according to    claim 1   , further comprising an antenna connecting terminal to be connected to an antenna that is provided in an eject lever incorporated in a data processing apparatus and to be operated to eject the IC card from a slot of the data processing apparatus when the IC card is inserted in the slot.  
     
     
         12 . The IC card according to    claim 1   , further comprising an antenna connecting terminal to be connected to an antenna provided on a surface of a casing of a data processing apparatus, when the IC card is inserted in a mechanism incorporated in the data processing apparatus.