Reader/writer and noncontact IC card system

Claim 2

A reader/writer according to claim 1, further comprising buffer means for temporarily storing signals to be transferred between said external host computer and noncontact IC card.

Claim 3

A reader/writer according to claim 1, further comprising repetitive transmission means for storing a signal from said external host computer, and transmitting the signal repetitively to said noncontact IC card until a response is returned from said noncontact IC card.

Claim 4

A reader/writer according to claim 1, further comprising formatting means for transmitting a command at a plurality of baud rates until a response is returned from said noncontact IC card when formatting or re-formatting said noncontact IC card, and processing subsequent jogs at a baud rate to which said noncontact IC card responds.

Claim 5

A reader/writer according to claim 1, further comprising external noise incorrect reception prevention means for preventing incorrect reception of external noise mistaken for an electromagnetic-wave signal sent from said noncontact IC card.

Claim 6

A reader/writer according to claim 1, further comprising start flag setting means for setting a leading code of an electromagnetic-wave signal to an inherent value so as to indicate that the electromagnetic-wave signal is transmitted from the reader/writer.

Claim 7

A noncontact IC card system comprising: an external host computer; a noncontact IC card; and a reader/writer including input/output means electrically connected to an external host computer for inputting and outputting bidirectional signals from or to said external host computer; control means electrically connected to said input/output means for controlling a transmission of signals between said external host computer and a noncontact IC card; and electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver means electrically connected to said control means for transmitting or receiving bidirectional electromagnetic-wave signals to or from said noncontact IC card; said control means determining whether a signal has been received from said external host computer through said input/output means; if a signal has been received, determining whether the signal is a command or data; if the signal is a command, executing the command; if the signal is data, transfering the data to said noncontact IC card through said electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver means; if no signal has been received, determining whether a signal has been received from said noncontact IC card through said electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver means; and if a signal has been received, transmitting the signal to said external host computer through said input/output means.

Claim 8

A noncontact IC card system according to claim 7, wherein: said host computer includes command output means for outputting a Change command for use in changing setting of said noncontact IC card and an End command for use in placing said noncontact IC card into sleep mode to said noncontact IC card through said reader/writer; and said noncontact IC card includes setting change means for returning a result of executing the Change command to said reader/writer at a setting prior to changing, and changing the setting of said noncontact IC card according to said Change command after receiving said End command.

Claim 9

A noncontact IC card system according to claim 7, wherein said reader/writer includes buffer means for temporarily storing signals transmitted from said external host computer at a high transfer rate, and wherein said reader/writer transmits signals sent from said external host computer to said noncontact IC card after temporarily storing them in said buffer means, and transmits signals sent from said noncontact IC card directly to said external host computer without storing them.

Claim 10

A noncontact IC card system according to claim 7, further comprising incorrect reception prevention means for preventing incorrect reception by setting a leading code of an electromagnetic-wave signal sent from said reader/writer and a leading code of an electromagnetic-wave signal sent from said noncontact IC card to mutually different values.