JP5613899B2 - IC card reader / writer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an IC card reader / writer that performs communication with an IC card.

  Conventionally, a POS system (Point of sale system) has been introduced in retail stores and the like. This POS system uses an IC card reader / writer to communicate with a non-contact IC card adopting a method such as electromagnetic induction, thereby using the IC card as electronic money (electronic payment). (See Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In an IC card reader / writer, communication can be performed between the IC card and the IC card reader / writer by holding the IC card over the communication area on the surface of the IC card reader / writer. As a method for allowing the user to recognize the communication area, for example, a method of making the user easily understand the position where the IC card should be held by providing a recess on the surface of the IC card reader / writer has been considered (see Patent Document 3).

JP 2004-86242 A JP 2005-165559 A JP 2008-123451 A

  However, there is no means for the user to easily confirm the state in which communication is being performed between the IC card reader / writer and the IC card, and there is a problem that the user does not know how long to hold the IC card. there were.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an IC card reader / writer that is easier to use for a user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an IC card reader / writer includes an antenna, a holding unit that holds an IC card that is a communication target in a communication area for performing communication via the antenna, and the holding unit. The communication area has a holding release means for releasing the holding and discharging the IC card by its own weight in a discharge area provided at a position lower than the communication area , and an opening into which the IC card can be inserted. The IC card has a display unit on which card information including a card balance is displayed, and the cover has a display portion when the IC card is held by the holding means. In other words, the display unit is configured to be visible through a predetermined position .

  According to this IC card reader / writer, when the communication with the IC card is completed, the user can easily recognize that the communication is completed by discharging the IC card to the discharge area by the holding release means. Can do.

  In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the IC card reader / writer, the discharge area includes a first inclined surface that gradually decreases in inclination from the communication area side toward the lowermost part, and from the lowermost part. And a second inclined surface inclined in the opposite direction to the terminal end opposite to the communication area side.

  According to this IC card reader / writer, the IC card discharged from the communication area slides down the first inclined surface, passes through the lowermost portion, and then decelerates on the second inclined surface. Thereby, a smooth discharge operation is possible.

  Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the IC card reader / writer, the end portion is formed at a height at which the IC card that slides down the discharge area does not get over.

According to this IC card reader / writer, the IC card that has slipped down the discharge area stops at the end portion, so that it does not jump out of the discharge area, and the user-friendliness can be further improved.
Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the IC card reader / writer, a control unit that communicates with the IC card via the antenna, and a communication state between the control unit and the IC card. A light emitting unit that emits light in a light emitting mode, wherein the communication area includes a third inclined surface that faces the IC card in a state in which the communication is performed, and the holding release unit includes the holding unit. By projecting and retracting from the third slope at the lower end of the communication area, the IC card is controlled to be in a state where it can be held and in a state where it cannot be held, and the control unit communicates with the IC card. The light emission mode of the light emitting unit is changed depending on whether or not the communication is performed, and when the communication with the IC card is not performed, the IC card can be held by the holding release unit. Depending on the case where when a is controlled to hold non-state is controlled to state, it is to change the light emitting mode of the light emitting portion.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an IC card reader / writer that is much easier for the user to use.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an IC card reader / writer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view with which it uses for description of the attachment method of the cover of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view with which it uses for description of the attachment method of the cover of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the space between the surface and cover in the communication area | region of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the bulging part of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is a side view with which it uses for description of the discharge area | region of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is a side view with which it uses for description of the discharge area | region of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the cover of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the cover of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the cover of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the IC card reader / writer by embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an IC card reader / writer 10 according to the present embodiment. The IC card reader / writer 10 performs non-contact communication with the IC card 50 by an electromagnetic induction method.

  The IC card reader / writer 10 has a communication area AR11 and a discharge area AR12 following the communication area AR11 on the front surface portion 15 of the main body 11. The communication area AR11 is an area for performing communication with the IC card 50. When the IC card 50 exists in this area, the IC card reader / writer 10 does not contact with the IC card 50. To communicate. The discharge area AR12 is an area for moving the IC card discharged from the communication area AR11 after the end of communication to a position where the user can easily take it.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication area AR <b> 11 and the discharge area AR <b> 12 constitute a continuous continuous surface by the surface portion 15 of the main body 11. In the case of the present embodiment, the communication area AR11 is a planar area formed with a predetermined inclination angle (an angle of 45 ° with respect to the horizontal direction as an example), and the discharge area AR12 is below the communication area AR11. This is an area having an arcuate curved surface. The shape of these areas will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the communication area AR <b> 11, an antenna is provided inside the main body 11 of the IC card reader / writer 10. This antenna is provided on an antenna substrate 32 fixed inside the main body 11. The antenna substrate 32 is provided in parallel to the surface portion 15 of the communication area AR11. The antenna of the antenna substrate 32 is an antenna for performing communication with the IC card 50 existing in the communication area AR11.

  In addition to the antenna substrate 32, a CPU substrate 33 constituting the control unit 31 is provided inside the main body 11. The CPU board 33 (control unit 31) communicates with the IC card 50 via the antenna of the antenna board 32 by an electromagnetic induction method with a carrier frequency of 13.56 MHz. Note that the mounting position of the CPU board 33 is not limited to the case of being arranged in parallel to the antenna board 32 as shown by a broken line in FIG. 2, but may be arranged horizontally as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. .

  On the other hand, the IC card 50 to be communicated with the IC card reader / writer 10 is a thin non-contact RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) card on which an antenna and a communication IC are mounted. Communication is performed by an electromagnetic induction method with a carrier frequency of 13.56 MHz.

  The communication IC of the IC card 50 demodulates and interprets the received signal, returns response information to the reflected wave, and returns it to the IC card reader / writer 10. The IC card 50 is provided with a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and information in this memory is rewritten by communication with the IC card reader / writer 10. The information stored in the memory is, for example, balance information in the case of an IC card used as electronic money, and information for specifying the card in the case of an IC card used as a credit card.

  The control unit 31 of the IC card reader / writer 10 can confirm the presence of the IC card 50 and perform communication by receiving a signal returned from the IC card 50 existing in the communication area AR11.

  In the communication area AR11 (FIG. 1) of the IC card reader / writer 10, a cover 12 that covers the communication area AR11 is fixed to the front surface side of the main body 11. As a fixing method of the cover 12, as shown in FIG. 3, the fixing method of screwing the side surface portion of the cover 12 to the side surface portion of the IC card reader / writer 10, or the IC card reader / writer 10 as shown in FIG. Guide grooves 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are provided on the side surface, and a protrusion (not shown) that engages with the guide groove 13 is provided on the inner surface of the cover 12, while the protrusion is engaged with the guide groove 13. A method of inserting the cover 12 along the groove 13 up to the communication area AR11 of the IC card reader / writer 10 can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the cover 12 is attached to the IC card reader / writer 10, one IC card 50 is placed between the cover 12 and the surface portion 15 of the IC card reader / writer 10 in the communication area AR11. An insertable space is formed. Above this space, an opening 16 (FIG. 1) is formed that communicates the space of the communication area AR11 surrounded by the cover 12 and the surface portion 15 to the external space. By inserting 50, the IC card 50 can be slid to the communication area AR11 by its own weight.

  A columnar bulge 21 that receives the inserted IC card 50 is provided at the lower end of the communication area AR11. As shown in FIG. 6, the bulging portion 21 protrudes from the inside of the main body 11 to the communication area AR11 via a through hole 15A provided in the surface portion 15 of the main body 11 (FIG. 6A). Alternatively, the communication area AR11 is displaced into the retracted state (FIG. 6B) retracted into the main body 11.

  In a state where the bulging portion 21 protrudes into the communication area AR11 (FIG. 6A), the IC card 50 inserted into the communication area AR11 is held in the communication area AR11 by contacting the bulging portion 21. The In this state, the IC card reader / writer 10 can communicate with the IC card 50.

  On the other hand, when the bulging portion 21 is retracted from the communication area AR11 to the inside of the main body 11 (FIG. 6B), the IC card 50 is released from the locked state by the bulging portion 21. It slides down on the surface portion 15 to the discharge area AR12 by its own weight.

  The bulging portion 21 can be moved in a protruding direction (arrow a direction) or a retreat direction (arrow b direction) opposite to the protruding direction (arrow a direction) by a solenoid 25 provided inside the main body 11. The control unit 31 of the IC card reader / writer 10 drives the solenoid 25 in accordance with communication between the IC card reader / writer 10 and the IC card 50. By this drive control, the bulging portion 21 shifts to the retracted state (FIG. 6B) for a certain period of time after communication between the IC card reader / writer 10 and the IC card 50 is finished, and then protrudes again (FIG. 6A). Return to).

  Thus, when the communication is completed, the holding state by the bulging portion 21 is released for a certain period of time, whereby the IC card held in the communication area AR11 slides down to the discharge area AR12 by its own weight along the surface portion 15. .

  In this way, the bulging part 21 constitutes a holding means for holding the IC card in the communication area AR11, and the control part 31 and the solenoid 25 release the holding state of the IC card 50 after the end of communication and discharge area AR12. The holding release means for moving to is configured.

  Incidentally, the tip portion 21A of the bulging portion 21 has a truncated cone shape whose diameter decreases toward the tip, and in the protruding state (FIG. 6A), the corner portion of the IC card 50 has the tip portion 21A. It is in contact with the point (the inclined surface of the truncated cone) and locked. When the bulging portion 21 is retracted from such a locked state, the bulging portion 21 can be retracted with a relatively small force by being in contact at a point.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the cover 12 is formed of a translucent resin material, so that the user can visually confirm the presence of the IC card 50 in the communication area AR11.

  Next, the discharge area AR12 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the discharge area AR12 has a first slope that gradually decreases from the upper end (the part in contact with the communication area AR11) toward the lower side (approaches horizontal). An inclined surface 47A and an arcuate second inclined surface 47B that inclines in the opposite direction to the end portion 42 past the lowermost portion 43 are provided. That is, the first inclined surface 47 </ b> A and the second inclined surface 47 </ b> B are composed of curved surfaces each having a downward inclination toward the lowermost portion 43. As an example of the shape of the discharge region AR12 in the present embodiment, the radius of curvature of the first inclined surface 47A is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second inclined surface 47B, and the first inclined surface 47A and the first inclined surface 47A The second inclined surface 47B forms a discharge surface 41 formed of a smooth arcuate curved surface as a whole. As the shape of the discharge surface 41, various shapes such as an arc shape having a constant curvature radius as a whole or a shape in which arc shapes having different curvatures are combined can be applied. In addition, the second inclined surface 47B may be formed in a flat shape in a certain range of the end portion 42, for example, instead of being arcuate in its entirety.

  The IC card 50 slipped down from the communication area AR11 (FIG. 7A) passes through the lowermost portion 43 along the discharge surface 41 (FIG. 7B), and the second inclined surface 47B inclined in the opposite direction. Is slid up along the discharge surface 41 to a certain height, and stops at a certain height that does not get over the end portion 42 of the discharge area AR12 (FIG. 8A). This height varies depending on conditions such as the weight of the IC card 50, the surface roughness of the IC card 50, the surface roughness of the discharge surface 41 (surface portion 15), the curvature of the discharge surface 41, and the like. The height of the end portion 42 of the discharge area AR12 is set based on these conditions of the IC card 50 to be used and the discharge surface 41 (surface portion 15), and the IC card slipped down along the discharge surface 41. However, the height is set so as not to exceed the end portion 42. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a stopper such as a step shape for forcibly stopping the IC card 50 at the end portion 42 of the discharge area AR12, and the IC card 50 can be stopped naturally by its own weight and friction. it can. As described above, by forming the discharge surface 41 with a smooth curved surface as a whole without providing a stopper such as a step, the user can easily scoop out the stopped IC card 50 along the discharge surface 41. (FIG. 8 (B)). As shown in FIG. 1, since the convex guide portions and the like are not provided on the left and right sides of the discharge surface 41, the user can stop the IC card 50 stopped at the end portion 42 (FIG. 8B). Can be scooped up in a diagonal direction. That is, the user can scoop up the IC card 50 with a natural movement with either the right hand or the left hand.

  In the configuration described above, when the user inserts the IC card 50 into the communication area AR11 from the opening 16 at the top of the cover 12, the IC card 50 is connected between the surface portion 15 of the main body 11 of the IC card reader / writer 10 and the cover 12. It slips in between and is held in the communication area AR11 by the bulging portion 21. In this state, communication is performed between the IC card reader / writer 10 and the IC card 50, whereby the information on the IC card 50 is processed by the IC card reader / writer 10. For example, when the IC card 50 functions as electronic money, a process of subtracting the amount data of the IC card 50 by the purchase price is performed.

  In this case, since the cover 12 is formed of a translucent member, the user can visually observe the IC card 50 on the back side of the cover 12 through the cover 12. Thereby, the IC card 50 is not processed in a state invisible to the user, and a sense of security can be given to the user.

  When communication between the IC card 50 and the IC card reader / writer 10 is completed, the bulging portion 21 is retracted, so that the IC card 50 in the communication area AR11 slides down to the discharge area AR12 due to its own weight.

  With this sliding-down operation, the user can recognize that the communication between the IC card 50 and the IC card reader / writer 10 has been completed.

  The IC card 50 slid down to the discharge area AR12 slides on the discharge surface 41 and stops at a position not exceeding the terminal portion 42 (FIG. 8A). Since the end portion 42 is not provided with a stopper composed of a step or the like, the user can easily scoop up the IC card 50 on the discharge surface 41.

  Thus, in the IC card reader / writer 10 of the present embodiment, when the communication between the IC card 50 and the IC card reader / writer 10 is completed, the IC card 50 is automatically discharged to the discharge area AR12. Thus, after the user slides the IC card 50 into the communication area AR11, the user only has to wait for the IC card 50 to slide down into the discharge area AR12, and the communication between the IC card 50 and the IC card reader / writer 10 is completed. Can be easily recognized.

  Further, since the user inserts the IC card 50 into the communication area AR11 and is discharged into the discharge area AR12, the IC card 50 is in a state that the user can visually check, so that the user can feel secure. Can be given.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the cover 12 is translucent has been described. In addition to this, a predetermined position is made transparent to cover the display unit of the IC card 50 held in the communication area AR11. 12 may be visible. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, when the IC card 50 having the display unit 53 on which card information such as card balance is displayed is held in the communication area AR11, the display unit 53 of the IC card 50 is confronted. A transparent portion 12C is provided in the cover portion. As a result, the user can view the display unit 53 of the IC card 50 held in the communication area AR11. For example, when the card balance is subtracted by communication processing with the IC card reader / writer 10, the display is displayed. The user can check the change in the balance displayed on the section in real time. The transparent portion 12C is not limited to making the resin material transparent, and the display portion 53 may be made visible through the transparent portion 12C. Moreover, the cover 12 is not limited to semi-transparent, and may be non-transparent except for the transparent portion 12C. If the transparent portion 12C is not provided, the entire cover 12 may be non-transparent. As described above, even when the cover 12 is made non-transparent, the IC card 50 is on the back side of the cover 12 opened up and down, so that it remains in an eye-catching state for the user. Can be given.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the surface portion 15 of the IC card reader / writer 10 in the communication area AR11 is formed into a uniform flat plate shape has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, FIG. 11, projecting ribs 17 </ b> A and 17 </ b> B extending in the insertion direction (vertical direction) of the IC card 50 may be provided on the surface portion 15. By providing the ribs 17A and 17B, the IC card 50 inserted from the opening 16 (FIG. 1) can be smoothly slid into the communication area AR11 only by its own weight.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the cover 12 is provided in the communication area AR11 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cover 12 may not be provided. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, convex guide portions 15B and 15C for guiding the IC card 50 are provided at least on the left and right sides of the communication area AR11, and the IC card is placed on the surface portion 15 in the communication area AR11. A target position drawing unit 15D for informing the user of the target position is provided. In this way, the user can easily recognize the position where the IC card 50 is placed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the surface portion 15 of the IC card reader / writer 10 is inclined by 45 ° with respect to the horizontal direction in the communication area AR11 has been described. However, the inclination angle is not limited thereto. Various angles can be applied. In the communication area AR11, the surface portion 15 may be formed vertically. Even in this case, the IC card 50 can be held by the bulging portion 21.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the cover 12 having a shape covering the entire IC card 50 held in the communication area AR11 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. Thus, the notch 12B may be formed downward from the upper edge 12A of the cover 12. In this way, the IC card 50 once dropped into the communication area AR11 can be removed from the communication area AR11 by pushing it up with the user's finger through the notch 12B.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 14, you may make it the structure which cut off the upper edge part 12A of the cover 12 by predetermined width. Even in this way, the IC card 50 held in the communication area AR11 can be extracted.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the user recognizes that the communication between the IC card 50 and the IC card reader / writer 10 is completed by sliding the IC card 50 held in the communication area AR11. However, in addition to this, as shown in FIG. 15, a display unit 61 such as an LED may be provided on the main body 11 of the IC card reader / writer 10 to display the communication end state. In this case, the control unit 31 (FIG. 6) of the IC card reader / writer 10 responds to each of a state where the IC card 50 can be inserted, a state where communication is performed with the IC card 50, and a state where communication is terminated. By causing the LED to emit light in the light emission mode, the processing state of the IC card 50 can be notified to the user.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the IC card 50 slipped down by tilting the end portion 42 of the curved discharge surface 41 in the reverse direction is stopped without exceeding the end portion 42 has been described. For example, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a stopper 71 </ b> A that changes to a protruding state or a retracted state may be provided at the end portion. The stopper 71A is configured to be interlocked with a bulging portion 71B that functions in the same manner as the bulging portion 21 described above with reference to FIG. 6 via an arm 71C, and the arm 71C is a rotation provided substantially at the center. The moving shaft 71D is pivotally supported by the main body 11 around the rotation center. Thereby, when the bulging portion 71B protrudes into the communication area AR11, the stopper 71A is in the retracted state (FIG. 17), and when the bulging portion 71B is retracted from the communication area AR11, the stopper 71A is positioned at the discharge surface 41. It will be in the state protruded from (FIG. 16). As a result, the IC card 50 released from being held by the bulging portion 71B and sliding down to the discharge area AR12 can be stopped by the stopper 71A.

  The stopper 71A and the bulging portion 71B are driven by driving means such as a solenoid 72. The stopper 71A and the bulging portion 71B are urged so that the stopper 71A always protrudes by an urging means such as a spring. When the bulging portion 71B is protruded by the solenoid 72, the stopper 71A is retracted. It becomes. By driving the solenoid 72 at a predetermined timing by the control unit, the stopper 71A protrudes to the discharge surface 41 in response to the bulging part 71B being in a retracted state for a certain time after the end of communication, and the bulging part 71B In response to returning to the protruding state, the stopper 71 </ b> A is retracted below the discharge surface 41. Thereby, after the IC card 50 is stopped by the stopper 71A, the stopper 71A is retracted downward, and it is possible to avoid an obstacle when the user scoops the IC card 50. Thereby, the user can easily pick up the IC card 50.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where a solenoid is used as the driving means of the bulging portion 21 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various driving means such as a driving means combining a motor and a gear can be used. Can be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is used as an IC card reader / writer of a POS system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in short, an IC card reader / writer that communicates with an IC card. Can be widely applied to.

(Outline of IC card reader / writer)
The IC card reader / writer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an antenna (antenna substrate 32) and a holding unit (a bulge) that holds an IC card 50 that is a communication target in a communication area AR11 for performing communication via the antenna. Part 21) and the holding means (swelling part 21) are released, and the holding release means (solenoid 25) discharges the IC card 50 by its own weight to the discharge area AR12 provided at a position lower than the communication area AR11. And a control unit 31).

  According to the IC card reader / writer 10, when the communication with the IC card 50 is completed, the IC card 50 is discharged to the discharge area AR12 by the holding release means (solenoid 25, control unit 31), so that the user can Therefore, it is possible to easily recognize that the communication has ended.

  In the IC card reader / writer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the discharge area AR12 has the first inclined surface 47A in which the discharge area AR12 gradually decreases from the communication area AR11 side toward the lowermost part 43, and the lowermost part. And a second inclined surface 47B inclined in the reverse direction from 43 to the terminal portion 42 opposite to the communication area AR11 side.

  According to the IC card reader / writer 10, the IC card 50 discharged from the communication area AR11 slides down the first inclined surface 47A, passes through the lowermost portion 43, and then decelerates on the second inclined surface 47B. Thereby, a smooth discharge operation is possible.

  In addition, the IC card reader / writer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described configuration, the terminal portion 42 is formed at a height at which the IC card 50 sliding down the discharge area AR12 does not get over.

  According to the IC card reader / writer 10, when the IC card 50 that has slid down the discharge area AR12 stops at the end portion 42, the IC card reader / writer 10 does not jump out of the discharge area AR12, and the user convenience can be further improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 IC card reader / writer 11 Main body 12 Cover 12A Upper edge part 12B Notch part 12C Transparent part 15 Surface part 15A Through-hole 15B, 15C Guide part 21 Bulging part 21A Tip part 25, 72 Solenoid 31 Control part 32 Antenna board 33 CPU board 41 discharge surface 42 terminal part 43 bottom 50 IC card 53 display part 61 display part (LED)
AR11 Communication area AR12 Discharge area

Claims (4)

An antenna,
Holding means for holding an IC card that is a communication target in a communication area for performing communication via the antenna;
Holding release means for releasing the holding by the holding means, and discharging the IC card to its discharge area provided at a position lower than the communication area by its own weight ;
A cover having an opening into which the IC card can be inserted and covering the communication area;
The IC card has a display unit for displaying card information including a card balance,
The IC card reader / writer , wherein the cover is configured so that the display unit is visible through a predetermined position of the cover when the IC card is held by the holding means. . The discharge area includes a first inclined surface that gradually decreases in inclination from the communication area side toward the lowermost part, and a second inclined surface that is inclined in a reverse direction from the lowermost part to a terminal end opposite to the communication area side. The IC card reader / writer according to claim 1, further comprising:   3. The IC card reader / writer according to claim 2, wherein the end portion is formed at a height at which the IC card sliding down the discharge area does not get over. A controller that communicates with the IC card via the antenna;
A light emitting unit that emits light in a light emitting mode according to a communication state between the control unit and the IC card;
The communication area includes a third slope facing the IC card in a state where the communication is performed,
The holding release unit controls the holding unit to be in a state in which the IC card can be held and a state in which the IC card cannot be held by projecting and retracting the holding unit from the third slope at the lower end of the communication area,
The control unit changes a light emission mode of the light emitting unit according to whether or not communication is performed with the IC card, and when the communication is not performed with the IC card, the holding release unit causes the IC to release the IC. The light emission mode of the light emitting unit is changed depending on whether the card is controlled to be held or not to be held.
The IC card reader / writer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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