JPH0454582A - External memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display the present storage capacity or the present storable capacity of a storage means with no reliance on a computer by providing a display means to display the present storage capacity or the present storable capacity. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 28 connected to a memory cartridge 10 gives a command to a control part 26 to check the capacity of a RAM 14 and reads out the capacity data on the RAM 14 via a data bus 30. Based on this capacity data, the CPU 28 decides the rate of the present storage capacity (consumed capacity) of the RAM 14 to the total storage capacity of the RAM 14 and decides the discoloring patterns of segments 38a - 38d of an ECD 36. Then the CPU 28 produces an instruction to apply the voltage to the prescribed segments 38a - 38d of a driver circuit 40 and discolors the pattern showing the present storage capacity of the RAM 14. Thus it is possible to grasp the present storage capacity or the present storable capacity and also to omit a back-up power supply of a display device.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to an external memory such as a memory cartridge.

(Prior Art) A memory cartridge is one type of external memory for computer peripheral equipment. A memory cartridge is a type of IC memory that includes a RAM as a storage means and a backup battery for the RAM built into a casing, and a computer performs writing to and reading data from the RAM.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the above conventional external memory has the following problems.

In the case of the above-mentioned memory cartridge, the storage medium is built into the casing and uses IC memory called RAM, so unlike magnetic tape, it is difficult to monitor the usage of memory capacity, especially the used storage capacity or remaining usable capacity. It is completely impossible for a computer to know the capacity. Since the usage status of the RAM is unknown, it is necessary to check each time via a computer whether or not the memory cartridge still has sufficient storage capacity, which is a problem in that the operation is cumbersome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an external memory capable of displaying the current storage capacity or current storage capacity of the storage means without turning into a computer.

(Means for solving problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes the following configuration.

That is, an external memory having a built-in writable storage means is characterized in that it includes a display means for displaying the current storage capacity or the current storage capacity of the storage means. - A chromic display may be used.

(effect) The effect will be explained.

The display means makes it possible to know the current storage capacity or current storage capacity of the storage means. Furthermore, when an electrochromic display is used as the display means, a power source for blowing up the display means is not required.

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

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a memory cartridge, which is an example of an external memory according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a block diagram thereof.

First, the configuration will be explained.

The memory cartridge 10 has a small and thin casing 1
2 has a built-in RAM 14 which is an example of a writable storage means.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a battery, which charges the RAM 14 while the memory cartridge 10 is disconnected from the connector 20 of the computer 18.
Back up the memory contents by supplying power to the In addition, battery 1
6 also uses a thin battery that can be built into the casing 12.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a power supply control unit, which supplies power from the power supply 24 on the computer 18 side to the RAM 14 when the memory cartridge 10 is inserted into the connector 20 of the computer 18, and when the memory cartridge IO is removed from the connector 20. is a circuit that switches the power of the battery 16 to be supplied to the RAM 14.

26 is a control unit which controls the data bus 30 and address bus 32 based on instructions from the CPU 2B of the computer 18.
You can write information/data to RAMI4 via
They have been appearing one after another since M14.

36 is an electrochromic display which is an example of a display means.
Segments 38a, 38b, and 38c are display (hereinafter referred to as ECD) and are parts that change color due to voltage application.
, 38d are formed in the shape shown in FIG. 1 and are exposed on the surface of the casing 12.

Each color changing part of the ECD 36 is connected to the CPU 2 of the computer 18.
The color changes when a voltage is applied from the driver circuit 40 based on the command from B. Note that the color changing section of the ECD 36 is composed of four segments 38a, 38b, 38c, and 38d, and one segment is 1/1/2 of the storage capacity of the RAM 14.
4. In other words, as shown in Figure 1, 1
If the segment 14a is discolored, the RAM 14
Less than 1/4 of the capacity is already used and segment 3
If 8a and 38b are discolored, 1/4 of RAM14 capacity
more than 1/2 are already used, segment 38
If segments a, 38b, and 38c have changed color, 1/2 or more but less than 3/4 of RAMI4 capacity has already been used, and if segments 38a, 38b, 38c, and 38d have changed color, RA
Displays that 3/4 or more of the M14 capacity is already used. In this embodiment, since the ECD 36 is used as a display means, discoloration of the ECD 36 can be maintained even when the memory cartridge 10 is removed from the connector 20.
D36 backup does not require a power source, and even if a display means is provided, the memory cartridge 10 does not become larger than the conventional one.

42... is a terminal, and driver circuit 4 to ECD36
A terminal for applying voltage from 0, a terminal for the data bus 30 and the address bus 32, a terminal for transmitting a signal to the control unit 26 of the CPU 2B, and a power supply terminal from the power source 24 are arranged in parallel at the lower end of the casing 12. Terminal 42... is connector 20
The computer 18 and the memory cartridge 10 are electrically connected to each other.

The functions of the memory cartridge 10 configured in this way will be explained.

Terminal 42 of memory cartridge 10 is connector 2
0, the power supply control unit 22 detects the power supply from the power supply 24, opens the circuit with the battery 16 that had been supplying power to the RAM 14, and transfers the power from the power supply 24 to the RAM 1.
4 and retains the memory contents of the RAM 14.

When the memory cartridge 10 is connected, the CPU 28 issues a command to the control unit 26 to check the capacity of the RAM 14, and the CPU 2B checks the capacity of the RAM 14 via the data bus 30.
Read the capacity data of 4. C due to the read data
PU28 is the current storage capacity (used capacity) of RAM14
is less than 1/4 of the total storage capacity of the RAM 14, 1/4 or more and less than 172, 1/2 or more and less than 3/4, or 3/4 or more of the total storage capacity of the ECD 36, and
Determine the color change pattern of 8c and 38d, and install the driver circuit 40.
An instruction is issued to apply voltage to predetermined segments 38a, 38b, and 38C138d. As a result, segments 38a, 38b, 138c, and 38d of ECD36 are stored in RAM14.
changes color in a pattern that indicates the current storage capacity of the device.

When the contents of the RAM 14 are rewritten while the computer 18 is operating, the CPU 2B changes the display contents of the ECD 36 in the same manner as described above. Note that the operation of the computer 18 naturally depends on the software of the CPU 2B.

In the above embodiment, the RAM 14 is used as a storage means, but an EEPROM can be used instead of the RAM 140. When an EEPROM is used, the battery 16 and the power supply controller 22 are not required, so the memory cartridge 10
can be made smaller.

On the other hand, in addition to the ECD36, LCD and LED can be used as display means.
However, in that case, LCD or LED
In addition, it is necessary to supply power from the battery 16 or another battery built into the casing 12.

Although the display content of the display means shows the current storage capacity (used capacity) of the RAM 14 in the embodiment, it may also show the current storage capacity (unused capacity) of the RAM 14. The unit of capacity display is not limited to fractions, but any other display such as percentage is possible. In addition, the display mode may be a form in which the capacity can be recognized intuitively as shown in FIG. 1, or a numerical display.

Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the external memory may be a floppy disk built in the protector, etc. Of course, many more modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

(Effects of the Invention) When the external memory according to the present invention is used, the current storage capacity or current storage capacity can be known at the stage of the external memory itself before being connected to a computer. As a result, it is possible to determine in advance whether the external memory can be used for future storage. In particular, when an ECD is used as the display means, there is no need for a power supply for backing up the display means, and there are significant effects such as no increase in the size of the external memory even though the display means is provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a memory cartridge which is an embodiment of an external memory according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram thereof. 10...Memory cartridge, 14...RAM, 36...ECD.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) An external memory having a built-in writable storage means, characterized in that the external memory is equipped with a display means for displaying the current storage capacity or the current storage capacity of the storage means. . 2) An external memory according to claim 1, characterized in that said display means comprises an electrochromic display.