GB2356982A

GB2356982A - Memory cartridge adapter for television game

Info

Publication number: GB2356982A
Application number: GB9928291A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tzu Hsiang Wei; Kevin Alexander Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-01
Filing date: 1999-12-01
Publication date: 2001-06-06
Also published as: GB9928291D0

Abstract

An adapter allows a memory card 20 to be connected to a television game. The adapter comprises a housing 11, 12 with a space for the memory card, and spring-Loaded contacts 31 to connect to a read-access area 21 on the side of the card. The contacts 31 are connected to a connector 40 which plugs into the television game (1, Fig 1). This reduces wear on the main game device itself and allows software to be stored in a smaller space.

Description

2356982 IMPROVED STRUCTURE TELEVISION GAME MEMORY CARTRIDGE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein relates to an improved structure television game memory cartridge, more specifically a structure utilized in conjunction with a television game appliance.

2) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Known television game devices have become commonplace around the world and are enjoyed by both young and old as a captivating leisure-time amusement activity. Former television game equipment, as indicated in FIG. 1 and FIG.

2, are comprised of a main game device 1 having a component for connection to the input terminal of a television set or a computer monitor along with a number of game memory cartridges 2, of which the horizontal opening of the memory cartridge slot mount 3 is situated at the front side of the said main game device 1 and inside the said memory cartridge slot mount 3 are the connection terminals 4 of a horizontal disposed electronic circuit board structure. As indicated in FIG. 1, the said memory cartridge 2 consists of a top and bottom shell 2a and 2b that are assembled together to enclose an electronic circuit board 2c installed in between, forming at the laterally thick front end of the said cartridge 2 an insertion c section 2d that was slightly smaller than the opening of the said main game device 0 1 memory cartridge slot mount.'), enabling a vertically oriented union with the said Z3 memory cartridge slot mount 3. on the end surface of the said electronic circuit board 2c and, furtheimore, based on the required design dimensions of the game software memory, are an array of soldered inserted electronic components 2e and printed circuit traces. Furthermore, at the front end and side edge of the said electromc circuit board 2c are contact regions 2f identically aligned with the contact terminals 4 horizontally disposed inside the said main game device 1 memory cartridge slot mount 3, with the said electronic circuit board 2c ensconced above and below into a fixed position by the two shells 2a and 2b and integrated into a single structural entity thereby. Referring to FIG. 2, during use, the insertion section 2d at the front end of the structurally integrated memory cartridge 2 is vertically inserted into the memory cartridge slot mount 3 of the said main Z:1 game device 1 which establishes a mutually overlaid contact between the contact w ons 2f and the contact terminals 4 horizontally disposed inside, thereby re-n completing the circuit for the transmission and recording of the signals from the electronic circuit board. 2c.When switchingto a different game, the entire cartridae 2 must be "reinstalled" (removed and inserted), with the frequent repeated operation causing the rapid wearing down of the contact surfaces of the said cartridge 2 contact regions 2c and the contact terminals 4 inside the main memory cartridge slot mount of the said game device - This. results in poor contact that seriously affects the normal transmission of the signal and substantiafly shortens the service life of the main game device 1. Furthermore, since there are memory cartridges 2 of different product brands and the 'insertion section 2d width designs are not standardized due to the utilization of differing fabrication molds, consumers often discover after purchasing a particular product that the memory cartridge is unusable- because it does not fit the game device main memory cartridge slot mount 3 or that the connection is faulty, which results in extreme utilization difficulties. Fuxthermore, as more different 0'ame memory cartridges 2 are purchased and utilized, and the number of memory cartridges 2 owned by the user increases III quantity, theii large bulk not only leads to major storage and management burdens, but further inconvenience is experienced due to their non-portability.

In view of the foregoing situation, the inventor of the invention herein, based on many years of production and marketing experience in the same product field, conducted extensive research and testing which culminated in the development of the more practical invention herein.

SIUMNLARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the primary objective of the invention herein is to provide an unproved structure television game memory cartridg is capable of ge that significantly increasing the operational service life of television game memory cartridge serVice life as well as effectively improving upon their storage and portability.

To achieve the said objective, the improved structure television game memory cartridge of the present invention is comprised of a cartridge having a projectin.c; insertion section capable of conjoininent to the main memory card cartridae slot mount of a television aame device, wherein the innovations are that 0 C> the said cartridge has a horizontal inset recessed at the laterally thick area of the said cartridge which, furthermore, forms a housing space that extends inward vertically from the said horizontal inset and mounted inside the said housing space and parallel to the said horizontal inset is a switch mechanism, with the said switch mechanism having at its end surface a number of spring contacts and, flirthermore, capable of providing vertical sprurig support, and the said spring contacts are connected to the said insertion section by means of arrayed wires; the said horlZontal inset provides for the horizontal insertion of a calling card- like game memory card, and the said memory card consists of implanted memory chips and an exposed read-access area that is mounted parallel to the end surface of the said switch mechanisin, with the said read-access area having contact points aligned 0 - with the sadd number of sprin g contacts, which enables vertical pressing against C. 11) each other; as such, the invention herein achieves a game memory card structure having a considerably extended service life and effectively more convenient in terms of portability and maintenance.

To enable the reader to further understand the objectives, =iovations, and advantages of the invention herein, the brief description of the drawings below is followed by the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure I is an isometric drawing of a conventional television game memory cartridge structure.

Z Figure 2 is a cross-sectional drawing that illustrates the operation of a 0 conventional television aame memory cartridae structure.

I ID Figure 33 is an exploded drawing of the preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

Figure 4 is an isometric drawing of the assembled preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional drawing that illustrates the mounting operation C) 1.7 of the preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional drawing that illustrates the replacement operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

Also attached is the technical specifications table of the AT902 memory chip.

DETAILED DESCMEPTION OF THE PREFERRED EINMODENIENTS Referring to FIG. 3_) and FIG. 4, the improved television game memory cartridge of the invention herein is comprised of a cartridge 10, a number of memory cards 20, a switch mechanism 30, and an insertable connector board 40.

Of which, the said cartridge 10 consists of a front enclosure half 11 and a back enclosure half 12 that are assembled together, and there is an inVerted-U shaped opening I I I at the top end of the said front enclosure half I I with a limiter plate 112 extending horizontally along the lower wail of the said opening I I I and a set of hooked lock tabs 1133 protruding to the rear from both the left and right sides, and an inverted-U shaped cover plate 114 projecting forward along the bottom side; there is an iriverted-U shaped opening I I I at the top end of the said back enclosure half 12, with a horizontal inset 13 disposed vertically into the inverted-U shaped opening I 11 of the said back enclosure half 12, as indicated in FIG. 4, and furthermore, there is a housing space 14 that extends inward vertically from the said horizontal inset 13 and there is a fastening slot 122 on the both the left and fight sides forward of the front enclosure half 11 situated at an even disposition that accommodates the entry of the similarly disposed hooked lock tabs 113, and along the lower side wall and, furthermore, projected vertically is an inverted-U shaped cover plate 123) which, as indicated in FIG. 4, provides for the upper and lower formation of an insertion section 15.

The said memory cards 20 are each rectangular-shaped planar structures, with the widths corresponding to that of the said horizontal inset 13, enabling insertion through the horizontal inset 13 into the said housing space 14 of the said cartridge 10, and have selected memory chips implanted and, as indicated in the attached table of technical specifications, the said memory chips AT902 uruts are " 32-bit television game application components that require five volts for operation and have an IM memory capacity as well as an internal oscillator circuit and, furthermore, each memory card 20 has an exposed read-access area 21 on one side, with the said read-access area 21 having a number of contact points 22.

The said switch mechanism 330 is a solid oblong structure that is mounted parallel to the lateral end of the housmg space 14 of the said cartridge 10 and is positioned such that the end surface is inside the said housing space 14 in line with read-access area 21 on the memory card 20 and, furthermore, the switching operation occurs by means of a number of flexible compressible spring contacts 'D 1 that are vertically aligned with and pressed against the said contact points 22 of the said read-access area 21.

The said insertable connector board 40 is an electronic circuit board structure that is ensconced into the insertion section 15 formed by the union of the cover plates 114 and 123 of the said front and back enclosure halves 11 and 12, its leadina end 41 consisting of arrayed wires connected to the said switch mechanism and the lateral end of its trading end 41 is positioned m the main memory card cartridge slot mount 33 and aligned with the contact termmals 4 positioned therem.

and, flirthermore, there are a number of contact regions 43 3 in a parallel and set apart arrangement, which provides for the circuitry of the main television game device 1 memory and memory card cartridge slot mount 3 3.

With reference to the said assemblage, when the improved structure television game memory cartridge is assembled, as indicated to FIG. the hooked lock tabs 11.3) and the fastening slots 122 on the respective two sides of the front and the back enclosure halves 11 and 12 are fitted together to complete the memory cartridge of the invention herein, as indicated in FIG. 4; referring to FIG.

4 and FIG. 5, when the invention herem is utilized, due to the vertically projecting design of the insetion section 15 at the end surface of the front enclosure half 11, the invention herein is inserted in a vertical disposition into the slot of tile said main television game device 1 memory card cartridge slot mount 3), and the perpendicular disposition relative to the front enclosure half 11 is such that its end surface is laterally aligned parallel to the opening at the end of the said memory card cartridee slot mount 3) on the front side of the main game device 1, therefore, C C) the perpendicular angle prevents and limits the application offorce against the rigid support so achieved; flirthennore, its vertical conjoinment at the insertion is also section 15 in the slot of the said memory card cartridge slot mount J capable of being maintained in the correct horizontal position as a result, enabling the insertable connector board 40 contact regions 43 inside the insertion section 15 to remain in mutual positive contact With the contact terniiinals 4 positioned m the slot of the memory card cartridge slot mount 3), thereby providing optimal signal t transmission operation for the said main gaine device 1; referring to FIG. 6, the upper structure of the cartridge 10 as perpendicularly disposed against the front of the main game device 1 and when game operation is desired, it is only necessary to select a memory card 20 and insert properly oriented into the said horizontal inset 13), directing the ultra-thin lower end of the said memory card 20 into the horizontal inset 13, which rapidly reaches and stops on the limiter plate 112 at the bottom section of the said housing space 14 and, at the same time, the flexible compressible spring contacts 31 protruding from the end surface of the switch mechanism 330 situated forward of the end surface of the said memory card 20 become disposed against the separated contact points 22 of the read- access area 21; therefore. with the said memory card 20 read-access area 21 mutually against the said switch mechanism 30 contact Points 22, the main game device 1 is capable of rapidly recording the operating signal transmission during the game playing process.

Furthermore, it especially worthy to mention now that since the invention herein as described above consists of a main game device 1 cartridge 10 having a horizontal inset 13 providing for the vertical insertion of a memory card 20 of an ultra-thin thickness design which, at the same time, is laterally parallel to the switch mechanism 330 in the housing space 14 and vertically pressmg agamst a 0 number of its spring contacts, and thereby enables the rapid transmission and recording of the game software operation process; therefore, the normal utilization of the television game device does not require, as in the utilization of the conventional counterparts, the frequent removal of the entire cartridge 10 inserted into the main game device 1, but only requires replacing the memory card 20 on the said cartridge 10 which, m the process, minimizes wear between the insertable connector board 40 contact regions 431 of the cartridge 10 and the contact terminals 4 of the said memory card cartridge slot mount 3, thereby greatly prolonging the service life of the said main game device 1 and ensuring optimal signal transmission quality during that period; at the same time, due to the design which only requires the replacement of the memory card 20, consumers only have to purchase a new memory card rather than an entire cartridge and, therefore, the invention herein reduces consumer cost; ftirthermore, due to ultra-thin, calling card-like, and diminutive mass structure of the memory card 20 that occupies little.

space, the user enjoys numerous portability, maintenance, and storage advantages, and even the development of an alternative collection approach that facilitates the I archiving of valued game software that increases In volume year after year.

Z In surnmation of the foregoing section, the technologi 4cal concept and innovative spatial con-figuration of the improved structure television game software cartridge of the invention herein solves the conventional problems and definitely offers more practical performance than the conventional products.

Claims

1. An improved structure television game memory cartridge comprised of a cartridge having a projecting insertion section capable of conjoinment to the main memory card cartridge slot mount of a television game device, wherein the innovations are: the said cartridge has a horizontal inset recessed at the laterauy thick area of the said cartridge which, furthermore, forms a housing space that extends inward vertically from the said horizontal inset, and mounted inside the sal ing space and parallel to the said horizontal i set is a s i d hous in witch 0 mechanism, with the said switch mechanism having at its end surface a number of spring contacts that are, furthermore, capable of providmg vertical sprung support, and the said spring contacts are connected to the said insertion section by means of arrayed wires; the said horizontal inset provides for the horizontal insertion of a calling card-like game memory card, and the said memory card consists of implanted memory chips and an exposed read-access area that is mounted parallel to the end surface of the said switch mechanism, with the said read-access area having contact points aligned with the said number of spring contacts, which enables vertical pressing against each other; as such, the invention herein achieves a game memory card structure having a considerably extended service life and is effectively more convenient in terms of portability and maintenance.

2. As mentioned in Claim I of the roved structure television ga. me memory imp I-) cartridge invention herein, a limiter plate extends horizontally along the lower side of the said housing space that holds and fixes the position of the vertically inserted said memory card.

). As mentioned ' Cl I of the unproved structure television game memory in aim cartridge invention herein, the said insertion section is most optimal when configured perpendicularly to the laterally thick end surface of the said cartridae, with an insertable connector board mounted inside and the front end of the said msertable connector board connected in circuit With the said switch mechanism, the trailing end at the side edges of which having contact regions in a parallel and set apart arrangement that provides for the circuitry of the said main television game device memory and the said memory card cartridge slot mount.

4. A television game memory cartridge having a projecting insertion section adapted to join in use to the main memory card cartridge slot mount of a television game console, wherein the cartridge also has a slot aperture at one end and a housing space that extends inward from the slot aperture, and mounted inside the housing space is a switch mechanism, the switch mechanism having at its end surface a number of spring contacts, the spring contacts being connected to the projecting insertion section by means of wires, the slot aperture and housing space being configured to receive a calling card-like game memory card, the memory card comprising memory chips and a read-access area, the read-access area having contact points aligned with the spring contacts such that in use the contact points and spring contacts press against each other to make contact.

5. A television game memory cartridge according to claim 4 further comprising a limiter plate extending along the opposite side of the housing space to the slot aperture, the limiter plate being operative to hold and fix in position the vertically inserted said memory card.

6. A television game memory cartridge according to claim 4 or claim 5, in which the projecting insertion section extends perpendicularly to the body of the cartridge, and 44 has a connector board mounted inside, the f ront end of the connector board being electrically connected to the switch mechanism, the trailing end of the connector board having contact regions in a parallel and set apart arrangement.