JPS63285792A - Memory cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a battery from being consumed when a memory is not used and to prevent a power source from being turned off arbitrarily by a user, by providing a movable needle inside the end section of a memory cartridge and causing the needle to be pushed and to turn on a switch when the cartridge is loaded in an electronic equipment. CONSTITUTION:A movable body 7 is put in a fitting hole 6 at the end face of a memory cartridge 1 and, when the cartridge 1 is loaded in the electronic equipment, the movable body 7 is pushed into the hole 6 by means of the push pin 12 of the equipment and a getting-off preventing section 7b passes through a supporting body 8. Another supporting body 8 on the left side works as the fixed contacts A and B of a switching device and the traveling contact C of the needle 7 is brought into contact with the contacts A and B as the needle gets into the hole 6. Thus electric power is supplied to a semiconductor memory 3. Therefore, the switch is turned on only when the memory 3 is loaded in the equipment and the consumption of the battery can be prevented while the memory is not used. Moreover, since the needle cannot be pulled out when the needle is once pushed into the hole, unprepared disconnection of the power supply to the memory can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Summary of the Invention In a memory cartridge having a battery for supplying power to the memory, a switch is provided between the memory and the battery;
This switch is initially off, turns on when the memory cartridge is first inserted into an electronic device, and then remains on even when the memory cartridge is removed from the electronic device, providing power to the memory. Continue to do so.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a memory cartridge that is coupled to an electronic device so as to be able to communicate data with the electronic device when installed therein, and particularly a memory cartridge that is equipped with a battery that supplies power to the memory.
Concerning cartridges.

A memory cartridge is a semiconductor memory in the form of a card.
It means something built into a box-like or other-shaped case, cartridge, etc., and includes so-called IC cards, CPU cards with memory, memory cards, etc.

Furthermore, the concept of memory cartridges includes not only those equipped with a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, but also those that contain only a built-in memory without a CPU, and those that have some circuitry added thereto if necessary. The connection between an electronic device and a memory cartridge includes not only connection by electrical contact through contacts, but also connection by magnetic signals, optical signals, and the like.

If the semiconductor memory built into the memory cartridge is a volatile memory, a power source is required for its operation, and a battery must be included in the cartridge. If a battery is placed in the memory cartridge from the time it is manufactured and shipped, the battery will be considerably depleted before the user actually uses the memory cartridge. In order to reduce battery consumption, it is conceivable to have the user load the battery when using the memory cartridge, but providing a mechanism to store the battery in a replaceable manner would not only increase the cost of the cartridge, but also
If the user carelessly removes the battery, a problem arises in that data stored in the semiconductor memory will be erased.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a memory cartridge having a structure that prevents battery consumption during periods when the memory is not used from the time the memory cartridge is manufactured until the first use, and prevents the user from turning off the power without permission. The purpose is to

The present invention relates to a memory cartridge that is coupled to an electronic device so as to be able to communicate data with the electronic device when the present invention is installed in the electronic device. a switch device for controlling the supply of power to the semiconductor memory; the switch device includes a movable member having contacts movable from an off position to an on position inside the memory cartridge; teeth.

Initially in the off position, when the memory cartridge is inserted into the electronic device, it hits a protruding push member of the electronic device and is moved to and held in the on position by the force with which the memory cartridge is installed. It is characterized by being

As described above, according to this invention, the user can
The switch device is turned on only after the cartridge is installed in a predetermined electronic device, and power is supplied from the battery to the semiconductor memory. therefore.

Power is not supplied to the semiconductor memory during the period when the semiconductor memory is not used, from the time of manufacturing the memory cartridge to the time of first use, so that unnecessary consumption of the battery can be avoided. In addition, since the movable member of the switch device is pushed into the ON position inside the memory cartridge by the protruding pushing member of the electronic device, this movable member cannot be easily operated from the outside, and the user may inadvertently turn the switch off. There is no problem of cutting off the power supply to the semiconductor memory.

Description of examples FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of the memory cartridge.

The memory cartridge 1 has a large number of connection terminals (electrodes) 2 on the surface of one end thereof. A fitting hole 6 is formed in the end surface of the one end of the memory cartridge 1, and a movable body 7 is housed in the fitting hole 6, as will be described later.

An electronic device into which such a memory cartridge 1 is mounted (inserted) is provided with an insertion opening, a groove, or a guide for mounting the memory cartridge 1 therein. The memory cartridge 1 is inserted into an electronic device by being inserted into these insertion ports with the above-mentioned one end as the tip. When the memory cartridge 1 is installed, a push pin 12 is attached to the electronic device at a position where it fits into the fitting hole 6.
is provided. In addition, electronic devices have many contact terminals (
A connector with a second fixed number 11) is provided,
When the memory cartridge 1 is properly installed in the predetermined position, the terminal 11 of the connector contacts the terminal 2 of the memory cartridge 1 as shown in FIG. 2, and the electronic device and the semiconductor memory ( Number 3 in Figure 3
) data communication is possible with an IC circuit including

FIG. 3 shows an electric circuit between a semiconductor memory 3 built in the memory cartridge 1 and a battery 4 which is also provided in the memory cartridge 1 and supplies power thereto. A switch device 5 is connected between the positive terminal of the battery 4 and the power terminal of the memory 3. The ground terminal of the battery 4 and the ground terminal of the memory 3 are directly connected.

The switch device 5 is composed of two fixed contacts A and B and one movable contact C. In the initial state of the memory cartridge 1, the movable contact C is separated from at least one of the fixed contacts A and B, and the switch device 5 is in an OFF state. Therefore, power is not supplied to the memory 3 and the battery 4 is not consumed. What is the initial state?Memory cartridge 1
The period from the time it is manufactured until it is first installed in an electronic device.

When the memory cartridge 1 is installed in an electronic device for the first time, the push pin 12 enters the fitting hole 6 and pushes the movable body 7, so that the movable contact C of the switch device 5 is set to the fixed setting A, as will be described in detail later. , B, and the switch is turned on as shown in FIG. Therefore, semiconductor memory 3
Power is supplied from the battery 4 to the memory 3, and the memory 3 becomes operational. Even if the memory cartridge 1 is removed from the electronic device, the switch device 5 remains on.

The switch device 5 may be connected between the ground terminal of the battery 4 and the ground terminal of the memory 3, as shown in FIG.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, switch device & 5
An example of a specific configuration will be described.

FIG. 6 shows the initial state. In this figure, a wall that is a part of the cartridge 1 forming the fitting hole 6 is indicated by IA. A support body 8 having spring properties that slidably holds the movable body 7 is provided in the fitting hole 6 . Furthermore, two fixed contacts A and B made of a metal having spring properties are provided at the back of the support 8 in a mutually insulated state. The movable body 7 is rod-shaped, and has a receiving part 7a, a first retaining part 7b, and a second retaining part 7C sequentially formed from the entrance side of the fitting hole 6, and has a tapered tip. .

A metal serving as a movable contact C is provided between the second retaining portion 7C and the tip. This contact point C may be a metal film formed on the surface of the movable body 7 so as to surround this portion, or it may be in the shape of a metal rod. extraction part 7b,
7c projects like an umbrella from the rod-shaped movable body 7, and is formed such that its slope becomes smaller in diameter toward the tip of the movable body 7.

The receiving portion 7a side is a stepped portion.

In the initial state, the movable body 7 has two retaining parts 7b and 7C.
It is supported by the support body 8 at the middle part of the. At this time, the tip of the movable body 7 is the fixed contact A.

The movable contact C is in position B, and the movable contact C is not in contact with the fixed contacts A and B. Switch device 5 is off.

Even if the movable body 7 is pulled outward by some means, the second retaining portion 7C hits the support body 8, so the movable body 7 will not come off.

When the memory cartridge 1 is installed in an electronic device, a push pin 12 provided on the electronic device enters the fitting hole 6, and as the memory cartridge 1 is inserted or slid, the bottle 12 moves into the fitting hole 6. We will enter into

Since the tip of the pin 12 hits the receiving portion 7a of the movable body 7, the movable body 7 is pushed into the bin I2 by the external force applied for mounting the cartridge 1. When the first retaining portion 7b passes over the support 8, the mounting of the cartridge 1 is completed. The movable body 7 is held by the support body 8 between the first retaining part 7b and the receiving part 7a. The movable contact C of the movable body 7 that has moved inward is the fixed contact A.

Contact B. This state is shown in FIG. This turns on the switch device 5.

Power is supplied to the semiconductor memory 3 from the battery 4.

After this, even if you remove memory cartridge 1, the bin 1
2 is simply removed from the fitting hole 6, the movable body 7 is held at the position shown in FIG. 7 without returning to its initial state. Since the stepped portion of the first retaining portion 7b is caught on the support body 8, the movable body 7 does not move outward. Furthermore, since the movable body 7 is inside the fitting hole 6, it is difficult to operate the movable body 7 from the outside. In this way, the switch device 5 is kept in the on state.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show other embodiments. A shallow elongated hole 21 is formed in a portion of the surface of the memory cartridge 1 closer to the terminal 2, and a groove 21a facing the opposite side of the terminal 2 of the cartridge 1 is formed at the bottom of the elongated hole 21. Two fixed contacts A are located at the bottom of this groove 21a.
, B are provided at some distance from each other. Further, a movable body 22 is inserted into the groove 21a, and a part of the movable body 22 extends into the elongated hole 21 in the initial state as shown in FIG. A movable contact C is provided on the lower surface of the movable body 22, and in an initial state, the movable contact C is in contact with the fixed contact A but not with the other fixed contact B. Therefore, the switch device 5 is turned off.

When this memory cartridge 1 is installed in an electronic device, the tip of the claw 13 provided on the electronic device enters into the elongated hole 21. This claw 13 is urged toward the cartridge 1 side.

As the cartridge 1 is inserted, the claw I3 catches on the movable body 22 and pushes it relatively, causing the movable body 22 to enter the groove 21a. The mounting of the cartridge 1 is completed when the entire movable body 22 is just fitted into the groove 21a. In this state, the movable contact C of the movable body 22 contacts both fixed contacts A and B, and the switch device 5 is turned on.

Even when the cartridge 1 is removed, the movable body 22 is retained in the groove 21a. Also, the movable body 22 is long 21
It is almost impossible to operate it from the outside because it is located in a position that is almost invisible through the lens.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the memory cartridge. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing the contact state of the terminals when the memory cartridge is installed in an electronic device. 3 and 4 are circuit diagrams showing the connections of the memory, switch device, and battery in the memory cartridge, with FIG. 3 showing the initial state and FIG. 4 showing the state after use. . FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing another connection form. 6 and 7 are enlarged sectional views showing the configuration of the switch device, with FIG. 6 showing the initial state and FIG. 7 showing the state after use. 8 and 9 show other embodiments, in which FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the memory cartridge, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the switch device. 1...Memory number cartridge. 3...Semiconductor memory, 4...Battery. 5...Switch device. 7.22...Movable body. I2...Push bottle, 13...Claw. A, B...Fixed contacts. C...Movable contact. Patent applicant: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Agent
Patent Attorney Asamichi Kato (1 other person) Figure 1 i Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 rg

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A memory cartridge that is coupled to an electronic device so as to be able to communicate data with the electronic device when installed therein includes: a semiconductor memory, a battery that supplies power to the semiconductor memory, and a battery that supplies power to the semiconductor memory. a switch device disposed in an electrical path for supplying power to the semiconductor memory for controlling the supply of power to the semiconductor memory, the switch device having a movable member having a contact movable from an off position to an on position inside the memory cartridge; The movable member is initially in the off position and the memory
A memory cartridge, characterized in that when the cartridge is installed in the electronic device, it hits a protruding push member of the electronic device and is moved to and held in the on position by the force with which the memory cartridge is installed. cartridge.