JPH1125247A - Information storage auxiliary device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a plurality of storage media with a large capacity to be simultaneously utilized by controlling information transmission between a connection means for electrically connecting to a plurality of plate like storage elements and an input/output means magnetically inputting and outputting information to/from an external magnetic head. SOLUTION: This device has a first and a second storage parts 2 and 3 for storing a first and a second plate like storage element 101 and 102 of a flash memory or the like and a first and a second connectors 4 and 5 connected to terminals of the first and the second plate like storage elements 101 and 102. An input and output part 6 performs input and output of information by a magnetic interaction with an external magnetic head. Then, it is disposed in a position corresponding to an opening where a magnetic storage medium, against which the external magnetic head abuts, is exposed. A control part 7 controls information transmission and the like with regard to the first plate like storage element 101 by way of the first connector 4, the second plate like storage element 102 by way of the second connector 5 and an input and output part 6 by way of an interface 8 respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a disk-shaped and card-shaped information storage assisting device for assisting storage of information on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, computer equipment, OA equipment, A
In a V device or the like, a recording medium is used to record and store information, move the recorded information, or temporarily store information. Such a recording medium is written and read by a recording / reproducing device built in the computer device or the like or connected to the outside.

As the recording medium, a 3.5-inch floppy disk is provided. This 3.5-inch floppy disk is based on the standard of Sony Corporation and has a diameter of 3. 5 coated with a magnetic material.
A 5-inch disk is housed in a 90 × 94 × 3.4 mm plastic hard case and equipped with an automatic head window shutter.

[0004] As the recording medium, a PC card is provided. This PC card is JEIDA (Ja
pan Electric Industry Development Association) standards and PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory)
This is based on the Card Association) standard, in which a 68-pin connector is provided at one end of a flat rectangular parallelepiped housing substantially the same as the outer shape of a credit card, and a nonvolatile memory is provided inside.

[0005]

However, a 3.5-inch floppy disk has a relatively small storage capacity, so that the capacity may be insufficient when recording information. In addition, since the access speed is low, it takes a long time to transfer information.

[0006] As for the PC card, a PC card drive which reads and writes information from and to the PC card usually connects only one card. Therefore, it is troublesome to use a plurality of PC cards at the same time, transfer information between the plurality of PC cards, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an information storage auxiliary device that can simultaneously use a plurality of storage media having a large capacity.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information storage auxiliary device according to the present invention has a housing having the same shape and dimensions as the external shape of a 3.5-inch floppy disk. A storage unit for storing a plurality of plate storage elements, connecting means for electrically connecting terminals of the plate storage elements stored in the storage unit, and magnetic information between an external magnetic head. And a control unit for controlling information transmission between the connection unit and the input / output unit.

Further, an information storage auxiliary device according to the present invention has a housing having the same shape and the same size as the outer shape of a PC card, and a storage portion for storing a plurality of plate-shaped storage elements; Connecting means for electrically connecting to the terminals of the plate memory element housed therein, input / output means for electrically connecting to external connection terminals, and control for controlling information transmission between the connecting means and the input / output means Means.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An information storage auxiliary device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, an example of the information storage auxiliary device is a flat rectangular parallelepiped casing 1 having a substantially square shape having an inclined cutout at the upper right in the figure.
And have the same shape and the same dimensions as those of a so-called 3.5-inch floppy disk. This information storage auxiliary device is inserted into a recording / reproducing device with the upper side of the drawing as the insertion direction, like a 3.5-inch floppy disk.

The information storage auxiliary device includes a first storage section 2 for storing a first plate-like storage element 101 such as a so-called flash memory and a second storage section for storing a second plate-like storage element 102. Part 3 and the first plate-shaped storage element 10
A first connector 4 serving as connection means connected to the first terminal 4
And a second connector 5 which is a connection means connected to a terminal of the second plate-shaped storage element 102.

The first storage section 2 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped recess provided from the lower left opening of the housing 1 in the insertion direction. The first storage section 2 is inserted with the first plate-shaped storage element 101 from the opening in the insertion direction with the terminal side in the longitudinal direction of the first plate-shaped storage element 101 as the insertion direction, This first plate-shaped storage medium 101
To store.

The first connector 4 is electrically connected to a terminal of the first plate-like storage element 101. This first
The connector 4 is disposed at the innermost part of the first storage part 2,
When the first plate-shaped storage element 101 is stored in the first storage section 2, the first plate-shaped storage element 101 is connected by being fitted to a terminal of the first plate-shaped storage element 101.

The second storage section 3 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped recess provided in the insertion direction from the lower right opening of the housing 1 in the drawing. The second storage section 3 is inserted from the opening into the second plate-shaped storage element 102 in the insertion direction, with the terminal side in the longitudinal direction of the second plate-shaped storage element 102 being the insertion direction, This second plate-shaped storage medium 102
To store.

The second connector 5 is electrically connected to a terminal of the second plate-like storage element 102. This second
Is disposed at the innermost part of the second storage part 3,
When the second plate-shaped storage element 102 is stored in the second storage part 3, the second plate-shaped storage element 102 is connected by fitting to the terminal of the second plate-shaped storage element 102.

The information storage auxiliary device includes an input / output unit 6 for inputting / outputting information from / to the outside, an interface 8 for adjusting transmission of information, a control unit 7 for controlling the information storage auxiliary device, And a battery 9 for supplying power to the auxiliary device.

The input / output section 6 inputs and outputs information to and from an external magnetic head by magnetic interaction. The input / output unit 6 is a housing 1 of the information storage auxiliary device.
In a 3.5-inch floppy disk having the same outer shape and the same dimensions, the floppy disk is disposed at a position corresponding to the opening where the magnetic recording medium with which the external magnetic head comes into contact is exposed. When the information storage auxiliary device performs reading and writing with a storage / reproducing device corresponding to a 3.5-inch floppy disk, the magnetic head of the recording / reproducing device is applied to the input / output unit 6. Touch This input / output unit 6
Is used to magnetically input / output a signal electrically transmitted / received to / from the interface 8 to / from an external magnetic head.
Performs magneto-electric conversion.

The interface 8 is connected to the input / output unit 6 and the control unit 7, and adjusts information transmission between the input / output unit 6 and the control unit 7. The interface 8 adjusts the timing of information format conversion and information transmission, for example.

The control unit 7 includes the first connector 4,
Connected to the second connector 5 and the interface 8,
Controls information transmission and the like. That is, the control unit 7 controls the first plate-shaped storage element 101 via the first connector 4,
The second plate-like storage element 10 via the second connector 5
2. Control of information transmission and the like for each of the input / output units 6 via the interface 8;

The battery 9 is a battery for supplying power to the information storage auxiliary device. The battery 9 is used, for example, for backing up the contents of a memory built in the information storage medium.

Next, the specific shape of the information storage auxiliary device will be described. This information storage auxiliary device is shown in FIG.
As shown in the plan view of FIG. Here, the top plate 31 of this information storage auxiliary device
Is mounted on the upper surface of the housing body 37.

As described above, this information storage auxiliary device is inserted into the storage / reproduction device with the upper part of the drawing as the insertion direction. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped first defect portion is formed in the longitudinal direction. This first defect is
It constitutes the first storage section 2.

The housing main body 37 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped second defective portion formed from the lower right end in the insertion direction and the insertion direction as a longitudinal direction. The second deficient portion constitutes the second storage portion 102.

The first of the main body 37 of the top plate 31
A first notch 31a is formed in a portion corresponding to the lower part of the defective part in the figure, so that the lower end part of the first plate-shaped storage element 101 in the figure is exposed. The first plate-shaped storage element 1 housed in the first housing part 2 constituted by the first cutout part is formed by the first cutout part 31a.
By putting a finger on the exposed portion 01, the first plate-shaped storage element 101 can be easily pulled out.

Further, the casing main body 37 of the top plate 31
A second cutout portion 31b is formed in a portion corresponding to the lower portion of the second defective portion in the drawing, and the second plate-like storage element 1 is formed.
The lower end portion of FIG. 02 is exposed. The first cutout portion 31b allows a finger to be put on an exposed portion of the second plate-shaped storage element 102 stored in the second storage portion 3 formed by the second cutout portion, thereby forming the second cutout portion. The second plate-shaped storage element 102 can be easily pulled out.

Further, in the center of the top of the top plate 31 in the figure, a rectangular hole which is long in the figure and whose insertion direction is the longitudinal direction is formed. The input / output unit 32 is provided inside the hole.

The top plate 31 and the housing body 37
In the upper right of the figure, an inclined cut portion 33 is provided. The inclined notch 33 is used to prevent the information storage auxiliary device from being erroneously inserted.

As a specific example of the size of the housing 1, the width X1 is 90 mm, and the distance Y1 between the upper end and the lower end in the figure is 94 mm. The distance X2 between the left end in the figure and the center line of the input / output unit 32 is 45 mm, and the width X3 of the input / output unit 32 is 9 m.
m, the width X4 of the first storage section 2 is 21 mm,
The width X5 of the storage section 3 is 21 mm, and the distance X6 between the center lines of the first storage section 2 and the second storage section 3 is 49 mm. The upper end in the figure and the input / output unit Y4
Is 17.5 mm, and the depth Y2 of the first storage section 2 and the second storage section 3 is 61 mm.

Here, at the lower end of the first storage section 2,
A third notch 34 is formed. The third notch 34 is formed by the first notch 34 stored in the first storage 2.
When the first plate-shaped storage element 101 is taken out of the first storage section 2, it is used for grasping the first plate-shaped storage element 101.

A fourth notch 35 is formed at the lower end of the second storage section 3. The fourth notch 35 is used to take out the second plate-shaped storage element 102 stored in the second storage 3 from the second storage 3 when the second plate-shaped storage element 102 is taken out of the second storage 3. Used to grab element 102.

As shown in the rear view of FIG. 3, the information storage auxiliary device has a bottom plate 36 having a substantially square shape. A circular hole 38, which is a substantially circular hole, is provided at the center of the bottom plate 36 and the housing body 37 in the figure to guide the chucking member of the recording / reproducing apparatus. The chucking member of the recording / reproducing device is inserted into the circular hole 38 when the information storage auxiliary device is inserted into the recording / reproducing device. In the case of a 3.5-inch floppy disk, a metal hub is provided. It corresponds to the provided portion. Here, since the circular hole 38 is provided between the first storage section 2 and the second storage section 3, the depth is secured. That is, this circular hole 38 is
A first storage section 2 in which the plate-shaped storage element 101 is stored;
Second storage section 3 in which second plate-shaped storage element 102 is stored
And a gap in which the chucking member of the recording / reproducing apparatus fits is secured without being hindered by the first plate-shaped storage element 101 or the second plate-shaped storage element 102. .

Further, in the center of the upper part of the bottom plate 36 in the figure, a rectangular hole which is vertically long in the figure with the insertion direction as a longitudinal direction is formed. The input / output unit 32 is provided inside the hole.

The bottom plate 36 and the housing body 37
In the upper left of the figure, an inclined cut portion 33 is provided. The inclined notch 33 is used to prevent the information storage auxiliary device from being erroneously inserted.

A specific example of the size of the housing 1 in the figure is the width X1.
Is 90 mm, the distance X2 between the left end and the center line of the input / output unit 32 is 45 mm, the width X3 of the input / output unit 32 is 9 mm,
The distance X6 between the center lines of the second storage section 35 and the first storage section 34 is 49 mm. The distance Y1 between the upper end and the lower end in the figure is 94 mm, and the upper end and the input / output unit 3
The distance Y3 from the center line 2 is 17.5 mm, the distance between the upper end and the lower end of the input / output unit 32 is 25 mm, the distance Y5 between the upper end and the center of the circular hole 38 is 48.5 mm, The inner diameter is 21 mm.

The information storage auxiliary device is connected to the PQ shown in FIG.
By cutting along the cutting line indicated by, a cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. 4 is obtained. Here, the upper side in the figure is the bottom plate 36, and the lower side in the figure is the top plate 31. The top plate 31 and the bottom plate 36 are
It is attached to the housing body 37 between the top plate 31 and the bottom plate 36. In the figure, the top plate 31 is located at the center.
A plate-like input / output unit 32 is disposed in parallel with the bottom plate 36.

A specific example of the size in the figure is that the width X1 is 90 m.
m, the distance X2 between the left end and the center line of the input / output unit 32 is 4
5 mm, and the width X3 of the input / output unit 32 is 9 mm. The distance Y7 between the upper end and the lower end in the figure is 3.4 mm, the distance Y8 between the lower end and the lower end of the top plate 31 in the figure is 1.5 mm, and the thickness Y9 of the input / output unit 32 is 0.5 mm.

When the information storage auxiliary device is cut along the cutting line RS in FIG. 3, a partially cutaway view on the left side shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. Here, the left side in the figure is the top plate 31, and the right side is the bottom plate 36. The top plate 31 and the bottom plate 36 are attached to the housing body 37 between the top plate 31 and the bottom plate 36.

In the figure, it can be seen that a circular hole 38 is provided substantially at the center of the bottom plate 36 and the housing body 37. An inclined notch 33 is formed at the upper end of the top plate 31, the housing body 37, and the bottom plate 36 in the drawing.
A specific example of the size in the figure is that the width X7 is 3.4 mm, the distance Y1 between the upper end and the lower end is 94 mm, the distance Y2 between the upper end and the center of the circular hole 38 is 48.5 mm, and the diameter of the circular hole 38 is 21 m.
m.

As shown in the right side view of FIG. 6, the information storage auxiliary device has a vertically long and substantially rectangular shape in the figure.
An inclined cutout 33 is provided at the upper end of the top plate 31, the bottom plate 36, and the housing body 37. Here, the left side in the figure is the top plate 31, and the right side is the bottom plate 36. As a specific example of the size of the housing 1 in the figure, the width X7 is 3.4 mm, and the distance Y1 between the upper end and the lower end in the figure is 94 mm.

As shown in the front view of FIG. 7, the information storage auxiliary device has a substantially rectangular shape which is horizontally long in the figure, and has a first storage section 2 on the left in the figure and a second storage section on the right in the figure. Are provided respectively. In the figure, a first plate-shaped storage element 101 is stored in the first storage section 2. here,
The upper side in the figure is the top plate 31, and the lower side is the bottom plate 36. A specific example of the size in the figure is that the width X1 is 90 mm,
Width X5 is 21 mm, and width X6 of the second storage section 3 is 21 m.
m, a distance X6 between the center line of the first storage portion and the center line of the second storage portion is 49 mm.

Next, an example of an information processing apparatus equipped with the information storage auxiliary device and using the information auxiliary storage device as a recording medium will be described with reference to FIG. In the information processing device, the information storage auxiliary device is mounted on an FDD provided in the information processing device and used.
The information processing apparatus here is, for example, a part related to the information storage auxiliary device in a computer device, an OA device, an AV device, or the like, and is described. The information storage auxiliary device is provided with an F
It is used by being attached to a recording / reproducing device such as a DD or PC card drive.

The information processing apparatus comprises a common bus 10 for transmitting information in parallel, a CPU 11 as a central processing unit of the information storage auxiliary device, and a read-only memory R
The OM 12 is connected to a RAM 13 which is a memory from which reading and writing are performed, and interfaces 14 to 18 connected to each device.

The common bus 10 is a transmission path for transmitting information in parallel. This common bus 10 is connected to the CPU
11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and interface 1
4 to 18 are connected.

The CPU 11 is a central processing unit for centrally processing information in the information processing apparatus. The CPU 11 executes a series of procedures related to information processing based on, for example, a control code given from the ROM 12.

The ROM 12 is a read-only memory for storing predetermined information. In the ROM 12, for example, a predetermined control code related to the procedure of the CPU 11 is recorded.

The RAM 13 is a memory for writing and reading information. In the RAM 13, for example, information is temporarily recorded through the common bus 10. The RAM 13 has a built-in battery 9.
The information can be stored for a long period of time by receiving power supply from.

The interfaces 14 to 18 are, specifically, a first interface 14 connected to a CRT 19, a second interface 15 connected to a keyboard 20, and a third interface 16 connected to a mouse 21. , A fourth interface 17 connected to the FDD 22, and a fifth interface connected to the PC card drive 23.
With the interface 18.

The first interface 14 mediates the transmission of information and adjusts the format of the transmitted information, the timing of the information, and the like. The first interface 14 is connected to the common bus 10 and the CRT 19 and adjusts information transmission between the common bus 10 and the CRT 19.

The second interface 15 mediates the transmission of information and adjusts the format of the transmitted information, the timing of the information, and the like. The second interface 15 is connected to the common bus 10 and the keyboard 20.
And adjusts the transmission of information between the common bus 10 and the keyboard 20.

The third interface 16 mediates the transmission of information and adjusts the format of the transmitted information, the timing of the information, and the like. The third interface 16 is connected to the common bus 10 and the mouse 21, and adjusts information transmission between the common bus 10 and the mouse 21.

The fourth interface 17 mediates the transmission of information and adjusts the format of the transmitted information, the timing of the information, and the like. The fourth interface 17 is connected to the common bus 10 and the FDD 22, and adjusts information transmission between the common bus 10 and the FDD 22.

The fifth interface 18 mediates the transmission of information and adjusts the format of the transmitted information, the timing of the information, and the like. The fifth interface 18 is connected to the common bus 10 and the PC card drive 23, and adjusts information transmission between the common bus 10 and the PC card drive 23.

The electric circuit has a CRT 19, a keyboard 20, a mouse 21, an FDD 22, and a PC card drive 23.

The CRT 19 is a cathode ray tube for displaying information as an image on the tube surface. The CRT 19 is connected to the first interface 14 and displays information transmitted via the first interface 14.

The keyboard 20 is an input device in which a plurality of keys are provided on a main surface of a flat housing. The keyboard 20 is connected to the second interface 15 and transmits input information via the second interface 15.

The mouse 21 has a housing large enough to be operated by holding it with one hand, and slides a desired distance on a flat surface such as a desk in a desired direction to thereby move the CRT.
Is a pointing device for moving a cursor displayed on the screen in accordance with the position of the mouse. The mouse 21 is connected to the third interface 16 and transmits input information via the third interface 16.

The FDD 22 is a floppy disk drive for rotating a floppy disk and writing and reading information to and from the floppy disk. The FDD 22 is connected to the fourth interface 17, transmits information via the fourth interface 17, and transmits information via the fourth interface 17. An example of the information storage auxiliary device is used by being attached to the FDD 22.

The PC card drive 23 writes and reads information to and from a PC card. The PC card drive 23 is connected to the fifth interface 18, transmits information via the fifth interface 18, and transmits information via the fifth interface 18. Note that another example of the information storage auxiliary device described later is used by being attached to the PC card drive 23.

Next, a plate-like storage element used in the information storage auxiliary device will be described. This plate-shaped storage element is used for writing and reading information while being stored in the first storage section 2 or the second storage section 3 of the storage auxiliary device. This plate-shaped storage element is provided in the first
Corresponds to the first plate-shaped storage element 101 or the second plate-shaped storage element 102.

As an example of the above-mentioned plate-like storage element, a so-called flash memory having a capacity of, for example, 32 megabytes is provided in a plate-like casing as shown in FIG. 9, and information is electrically transferred through terminals of this plate-like storage element. Information to be written and stored through the terminal is read out. The housing is formed by, for example, a plastic mold. Reference numerals 101 and 102 in the drawing indicate that the plate-shaped storage element corresponds to the first storage element 101 and the second plate-shaped storage element 102.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 9, the plate-shaped storage element has a first main surface 51 which is vertically long and substantially rectangular in the drawing. An inclined cutout 52 is provided at the upper left of the first main surface 51, and the plate-like storage element is provided at the upper center in the first storage section 2 or the second storage section 3 of the information storage auxiliary device.
The direction of insertion into the storage unit is indicated by an arrow. The notch 52 is provided to prevent the plate-shaped storage element from being erroneously inserted into the recording / reproducing apparatus. In the specific example of the size shown in the figure, the width X11 is 20 m
m, and the distance Y1 between the upper end and the lower end is 60 mm.

As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 10, the plate-shaped storage element has a vertically-long, substantially rectangular second main surface 54 in the figure. An inclined cutout 52 is provided on the upper right of the second main surface 54 in the drawing. At the upper end of the plate-shaped storage element in the figure, an input / output unit 53 is provided, in which nine substantially rectangular terminals having the above-described insertion in the longitudinal direction are provided at predetermined intervals. Further, a slide switch 56 is provided at the lower end in the figure to prevent erroneous erasure, and has a horizontal direction in the figure as a moving direction of the movable unit.
At the lower part of the second main surface 54 in the figure and above the slide switch 56, a non-slip uneven portion 55 used for anti-slip is provided. It is provided as a direction. In the specific example of the size shown in the figure, the width X11 is 20 mm, and the distance Y11 between the upper end and the lower end is 60 mm.

As shown in the rear view of FIG. 11, the plate-shaped storage element has a substantially rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the figure at the upper end of the rear surface having an inclined cutout 52 on the left side in the figure. An input / output unit 53 having nine terminals at predetermined intervals is provided. Here, the upper side in the figure is the second main surface 54, and the lower side is the first main surface 51. A specific example of the size in the figure is that the width X11 is 20 mm and the distance Y between the upper end and the lower end is Y.
12 is 2.8 mm.

When the plate-like storage element is cut along the cutting line TU in FIG. 9, it is represented by a cutaway view shown in FIG. In the figure, the slide switch 56 is provided at the lower right end, and the anti-slip uneven portion 55 is provided above the slide switch 56 at the lower right side. Here, the left side in the figure is the first main surface 51, and the right side is the second main surface 54. In the specific example of the size in the figure, the width X12 is 2.8 mm, and the distance Y11 between the upper end and the lower end is 60 mm.

As shown in the left side view of FIG. 13, the plate-like storage element has a vertically long and substantially rectangular shape in the figure, and has an inclined notch 52 at the upper end. here,
In the figure, the left side is the second main surface 54, and the right side is the first main surface 51. A specific example of the size in the figure is that the width X12 is 2.8 mm,
The distance Y11 between the upper end and the lower end is 60 mm.

As shown in the front view of FIG. 14, the plate-like element has a substantially rectangular shape which is horizontally long in the figure. The slide switch 56 is provided at the lower end, and the slide switch is provided in the horizontal direction in the figure. It is arranged as the moving direction of the movable part.
Here, the upper side in the figure is the first main surface 51, and the lower side is the second main surface 54. In the specific example of the size in the figure, the width X11 is 20
mm, and the distance between the upper end and the lower end is 2.8 mm.

Next, another example of the plate-like storage element will be described. Another example of the plate-like storage element is different from the above-mentioned plate-like storage element in that the terminals of the input / output unit are exposed, whereas the terminals are covered with a shutter.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 15, another example of the plate-shaped storage element is the same as the example of the plate-shaped storage element shown in FIG. An inclined cutout portion 52 is displayed at the upper left of the main surface, and an arrow indicating an insertion direction in which the plate-shaped storage element is inserted into the information storage auxiliary device is displayed at an upper center. The specific example of the size shown in the figure is equal to the example of the above-mentioned plate-shaped storage element, and the width X11 is 20 mm, and the distance Y1 between the upper end and the lower end is 60 mm.
It is.

As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 16, a shutter 57 is provided at the upper end of the second main surface 54 of the plate-shaped storage element.
A slide switch 56 having a horizontal direction in the drawing as a moving direction of the movable portion is provided at a lower end portion, and a non-slip uneven portion 55 is provided above the slide switch 56 below the second main surface 54.
Each is arranged.

The shutter 57 is provided in such a manner that the plate-like storage element is provided in the first storage section 2 or the second storage section 3 of the storage auxiliary device.
When it is stored in the housing, it moves into the housing immediately below the shutter 57 in the figure to expose the terminals of the input / output unit 53. The shutter 57 protects a terminal provided inside the shutter 57. Other parts are the same as those of the above-described example of the plate-shaped storage element. A specific example of the size in the figure is the width X1.
1 is 20 mm, and the distance Y11 between the upper and lower ends is 60 mm.

As shown in the rear view of FIG. 17, the plate-like storage element has a substantially rectangular shape that is horizontally long in the figure, and has an inclined cutout 52 at the left end in the figure and a shutter 57 at the upper end. A covered input / output unit 53 is provided. Here, the upper side in the figure is the second main surface 54, and the lower side is the first main surface 51. In the specific example of the size in the figure, the width X11 is 20 mm, and the distance Y12 between the upper end and the lower end is 2.8 mm.

Next, another example of the information storage auxiliary device will be described. Another example of the information storage auxiliary device is a PC
It has the same shape and the same dimensions as the card.

Here, the PC card is, as described above, JEIDA (Japan Electric Industry Developmen).
t Association) standards and US PCMCIA (Persona
l Based on the Computer Memory Card Association standard, a 68-pin connector is provided at one end of a flat rectangular parallelepiped housing approximately the same as the external shape of a credit card, and has a non-volatile memory inside. is there.

This PC card has a thickness of 3.3 mm,
5.0 mm thick and 10.5 mm thick are provided. In the information storage auxiliary device of the specific example having the same size as the 10.5-thick PC card, the two plate-shaped storage elements can be accommodated two by two.

Another example of the information storage auxiliary device is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, a first storage section 42 for storing the first plate-shaped storage element 101 in a flat card-shaped housing 41 and a second plate-shaped storage A second storage section 43 for storing the element 102, a first connector 44 serving as connection means connected to the first plate-shaped storage element stored in the first storage section 42, A second connector 45 which is a connection means connected to the second plate-shaped storage element 102 stored in the storage section 43. This information storage auxiliary device is inserted into the recording / reproducing device with the upper side in the drawing as the insertion direction, like the PC card.

Here, in another example of the information storage auxiliary device, as in the above-described example of the information storage auxiliary device,
The plate storage element shown in FIG. 9 is used.

The first storage section 42 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped recess provided from the lower left opening of the housing 41 in the drawing direction. The first storage section 42 stores the first plate-shaped storage element 101 in the insertion direction from the opening.
The first plate-shaped storage element 101 is inserted with the terminal side in the longitudinal direction of the first plate-shaped storage element 101 as the insertion direction.
01 is stored.

The first connector 44 is electrically connected to the terminal of the first plate-like storage element 101. The first connector 44 is disposed at the innermost part of the first storage section 42. When the first plate-shaped storage element 101 is stored in the first storage section 42, the first connector 44 The connection is established by fitting with the terminal of the storage element 101.

The second storage section 43 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped recess provided in the insertion direction from the opening at the lower right of the housing 41 in the drawing. The second storage section 43 stores the second plate-shaped storage element 102 from the opening in the insertion direction in the drawing.
The terminal side in the longitudinal direction of the second plate-shaped storage medium 102 is inserted as the insertion direction, and the second plate-shaped storage element 1 is inserted.
02 is stored.

The second connector 45 is electrically connected to the terminal of the second plate-like storage element 102. The second connector 45 is disposed at the innermost part of the second storage section 43, and when the second plate-shaped storage element 102 is stored in the second storage section 43, The connection is established by fitting with the terminal of the storage element 102.

Further, the information storage element includes an input / output unit 4
6, an interface unit 48, a control unit 47, and a battery 49.

The input / output unit 46 electrically inputs and outputs information by being connected to an external connector. The input / output unit 46 has the same shape and dimensions as a connector connected to an external socket in a PC card having the same shape as the housing 41 of the information storage auxiliary device.

The interface 48 is connected to the input / output unit 46 and the control unit 47.
And the control unit 47 adjust the transmission of information. This interface 47 is used for, for example, conversion of information format,
Adjust the timing of information transmission.

The control unit 47 includes the first connector 4
4. It is connected to the second connector 45 and the interface 48 and controls transmission of information and the like. That is, the control unit 4
Reference numeral 7 denotes a first plate-shaped storage element 101 via the first connector 44, a second plate-shaped storage element 102 via the second connector 45, and an input / output unit 46 via the interface 48. It controls information transmission and the like for each.

The battery 49 is a battery for supplying power to the information storage auxiliary device. This battery 49
For example, it is used for backing up the contents of a memory built in the information storage medium.

Next, the specific shape of the information storage auxiliary device will be described. This information storage auxiliary device is shown in FIG.
As shown in the plan view of FIG. 9, the upper surface has a substantially rectangular casing 41 which is vertically long in the figure. Here, the top plate 71 of the information storage auxiliary device is attached to the upper surface of the housing body on the back side of the top plate 71. The housing body is located between the top plate 71 and the bottom plate 75, and the top plate 71 and the bottom plate 75 are attached.

As described above, this information storage auxiliary device is inserted into the storage / reproduction device with the upper side in the drawing as the insertion direction.
With this insertion direction as the longitudinal direction, a first rectangular parallelepiped
Is formed. The first deficient portion constitutes the first storage portion 42. Further, the housing main body portion is formed with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped second defective portion in the insertion direction from the lower right end and the insertion direction as a longitudinal direction. The second deficient part constitutes the second storage part 43.

A first notch 41a is formed in a portion of the top plate 71 corresponding to a lower portion of the first deficient portion of the housing body in the drawing. This first notch 41a
By putting a finger on the exposed surface of the first plate-shaped storage element 101 stored in the first storage part 42 formed by the first defective portion, the first plate-shaped storage element 101 Easy to pull out.

Further, a second cutout portion 41b is formed in a portion of the top plate 71 corresponding to a lower portion in the drawing of the second defective portion of the housing body. The first cutout portion 41b allows a finger to be put on the exposed surface of the second plate-shaped storage element 102 stored in the second storage portion 43 formed by the second cutout portion, thereby forming the second cutout. 2 plate-shaped storage element 10
2 becomes easy to pull out.

A bottom plate 75 is attached to the lower surface of the housing body where the top plate 71 is attached to the upper surface. In the bottom plate 75, a third cutout portion 72 is formed at a portion corresponding to the lower end of the first storage portion 42. The third cutout 72 is formed to hold the lower end of the first plate-shaped storage element 101 stored in the first storage 42 in the drawing.

A fourth notch 73 is formed in a portion of the bottom plate 75 corresponding to the lower end of the second storage portion 43. The fourth cutout 73 is provided in the second storage section 4.
The second plate-like storage element 102 housed in the third storage element 3 is formed to grasp the lower end in the figure.

Here, a specific example of the size in FIG.
1 is 54 mm, and the distance Y21 between the upper and lower ends in the figure is 85.
mm. Also, the width X22 of the first storage section 42
And the width X23 of the second storage section 43 is 21 m, respectively.
m, the center line of the first storage section 42 and the second storage section 43
Is 21 mm. The depth Y2 of the first storage section 42 and the second storage section 43
3 is 61 mm.

As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 20, the information storage auxiliary device has a vertically long and substantially rectangular shape in the figure. The bottom plate 75 of this information storage auxiliary device has a fourth
And a third notch 72 at the lower right end. A specific example of the size in the figure is width X
21 is 54 mm, and the distance Y21 between the upper and lower ends in the figure is 85.
mm.

As shown in the rear view of FIG. 21, in the information storage auxiliary device, the input / output unit 74 occupies substantially the entire surface of the substantially rectangular rear surface in the figure. The input / output unit 74 has a total of 68 pins arranged at predetermined intervals in parallel with the top plate 71 and the bottom plate 75 in FIG. The distance between the top plate 71 at the center where the input / output unit 74 is provided and the bottom plate 75 is larger than both ends where the input / output unit 74 is not provided. Here, a specific example of the size in the figure is the width X21.
The distance between the top plate 71 and the second bottom plate 75 is 4.8 mm at the center and 3.4 mm at both ends.

As shown in the right side view of FIG. 22, the information storage auxiliary device has a substantially rectangular shape which is vertically long in the figure.
The width of the upper part is narrower than other parts. An input / output unit 74 is provided at the upper end of the information storage auxiliary device. Here, the left side in the figure is the top plate 71, and the right side is the bottom plate 75. In the specific example of the size in the figure, the width X25 of the narrow portion is 3.4 mm, the width X26 of the other portion is 4.8 mm, and the distance Y21 between the upper end and the lower end is 85 mm.

When the information storage assisting device is cut along the cutting line VW in FIG. 19, a sectional view shown in FIG. 23 is obtained. According to this cross-sectional view, the information storage auxiliary device has a vertically long and substantially rectangular shape in the figure, and a cutout 77 can be seen at the lower left side. The notch 77 corresponds to the center of the first notch 41a and the center of the second notch 41b formed below the first storage 42 and the second storage 43, respectively. I do. Here, the left side in the figure is the top plate 71, and the right side in the figure is the bottom plate 75. The distance between the left end of the top plate 71 and the right end of the bottom plate 75 is narrow at the top in the figure. The specific example of the size in the figure is the width X25 of the narrow portion.
Is 3.4 mm, the width X26 of the other part is 4.8 mm, the distance Y21 between the upper end and the lower end in the figure is 85 mm, and the distance Y24 from the lower end to the upper end of the cutout 77 is 11.9 mm.

As shown in the front view of FIG. 24, the information storage auxiliary device has a horizontally long and substantially rectangular shape in the figure, and a horizontally long and substantially rectangular A horizontally long, substantially rectangular opening of the second storage portion 73 can be seen on the right side of the opening. Here, the upper side in the figure is the top plate 71, the lower side in the figure is the bottom plate 75, and the space between the top plate 71 and the bottom plate 75 is the housing body 78. In this information storage auxiliary device, the interval between the top plate 71 and the bottom plate 75 at both ends is smaller than the interval at the center where the first storage section 72 and the second storage section 73 are provided. Has become. A specific example of the size in the figure is that the width X22 of the opening of the first storage portion 71 is 21.
mm, the width X23 of the opening of the second storage portion 73 is 21 m
m, the distance X24 between the center line of the opening of the first storage part 72 and the center line of the opening of the second storage part 73 is 21 mm, and the width is narrower than the first main surface 71 and the second main surface. The distance Y22 of the part is 3.4 mm, and the distance Y23 of the other parts is 4.8 mm.

Another example of this information storage auxiliary device is used by being mounted on the PC card drive 23 shown in FIG. 8 when used as a recording medium in the information processing device.

[0099]

As described above, an example of the above-mentioned information storage auxiliary device has the same shape and the same dimensions as a 3.5-inch floppy disk, and the first storage portion and the second storage portion each have a so-called so-called one. The first plate-shaped storage element and the second plate-shaped storage element each containing a flash memory are housed therein. Therefore, the information storage auxiliary device is compatible with a 3.5-inch type floppy disk, and can be used by attaching it to a 3.5-inch type recording / reproducing device. In addition, since the above-mentioned storage auxiliary device accommodates two plate-shaped storage elements, it becomes possible to use these two plate-shaped storage elements simultaneously, and the degree of freedom in editing information is improved. For example, information can be easily transferred between two plate-shaped storage elements. Further, in the memory auxiliary device, since the plate-shaped storage element uses a so-called flash memory, the access speed is high and a large capacity can be easily secured.

The information storage auxiliary device has the same shape and the same dimensions as the PC card, and includes a first plate-shaped storage element having a so-called flash memory in each of the first storage portion and the second storage portion. The second plate-shaped storage element is housed therein. Therefore, the information storage auxiliary device is
Compatibility with the C card is ensured, and it can be used by attaching it to a PC card recording / reproducing device. Also, since two plate-shaped storage elements are stored, these two plate-shaped storage elements can be used simultaneously, and the degree of freedom in editing information is improved. For example, information can be easily transferred between two plate-shaped storage elements. Further, in the memory auxiliary device, since the plate-shaped storage element uses a so-called flash memory, access is fast, and
Large capacity can be easily secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of an information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway left side view of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device using the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an example of a plate-like storage element used in the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the plate storage element.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the plate storage element.

FIG. 12 is a right side view of the plate storage element.

FIG. 13 is a left side view of the plate-shaped storage element.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the plate-shaped storage element.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of another example of the plate-like storage element used in the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the plate memory element.

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the plate storage element.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of another example of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 21 is a rear view of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 22 is a right side view of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the information storage auxiliary device.

FIG. 24 is a front view of the information storage auxiliary device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 housing, 2 first storage section, 3 second storage section, 6
Input / output unit, 7 control unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit having a housing having the same shape and the same dimensions as the external shape of a 3.5-inch floppy disk, and storing a plurality of plate-shaped storage elements; and a plate stored in the storage unit. Connecting means for electrically connecting to terminals of the shape storage element; input / output means for magnetically inputting / outputting information to / from an external magnetic head; controlling information transmission between the connecting means and the input / output means An information storage auxiliary device, comprising: 2. The information storage auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein said storage section stores two plate-shaped storage elements. 3. A storage section having a housing having the same shape and dimensions as the outer shape of the PC card, storing a plurality of plate storage elements, and terminals of the plate storage elements stored in the storage section. Information comprising: a connection means for electrically connecting; an input / output means for electrically connecting to an external connection terminal; and a control means for controlling information transmission between the connection means and the input / output means. Memory assist device. 4. The information storage auxiliary device according to claim 3, wherein said storage section stores two plate-shaped storage elements.