Remote control apparatus

A remote control apparatus for remotely operating an electronic device, the remote control apparatus comprising:

• operation means having a first plurality of operation keys;
• and
• a reader/writer configured to read and/or write information from or to an information storage medium, wherein
• in said operation means, a second plurality of operation keys of the first plurality of operation keys is arranged so as to overlap an area inside a loop antenna forming a read/write portion of said reader/writer for transmitting and receiving the signal to or from the information storage medium, the read/write portion being used for the reading and/or writing of the information from or to the information storage medium,
• wherein the information storage medium is a contactless information storage medium,
• wherein said reader/writer uses electromagnetic induction at 13.56 MHz in radio frequency identification to transmit and receive a signal to or from the information storage medium,
• wherein the loop antenna is arranged on a printed wiring board on which the first plurality of operation keys are arranged, and a part or a whole of the loop antenna extends along edges of the printed wiring board,
• further comprising:
• switch means for switching functions of the first plurality of operation keys at the time of the reading and/or writing of the information from or to the information storage medium.