JP2001022914A - Memory card and recording / playback system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably protect a terminal for external connection and also to realize sure connection between a memory card and a mounting device into which the memory card is inserted. SOLUTION: Recessed shape parts 9 are provided on the front end of a card main body in the insertion direction, terminals 5 for external connection are arranged in the parts 9, projecting parts 10 for contact prevention located between the terminals 5 are also provided in the parts 9, and a sliding projecting part sliding on the terminals 5 of the memory card 2 side is provided on a mounting device side, into which the card 2 is inserted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a memory card which is mounted on a mounting device for writing or reading information signals, and a recording / reproducing system including the mounting device on which the memory card is mounted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A memory card having a built-in memory chip and storing information signals in the memory chip has an external connection terminal serving as an electrical contact with an external system. The memory card is supplied with power through an external connection terminal, and inputs and outputs information signals to and from an internal memory chip through the external connection terminal.

Since the external connection terminals provided on the memory card are electrically connected to the internal memory chip, it is necessary to easily prevent foreign objects such as fingers from coming into contact when using the memory card. . That is, when a foreign object directly touches the external connection terminal, static electricity is generated, and the static electricity is transmitted from the external connection terminal to the memory chip, and may damage the memory chip. Therefore, it is necessary to take a countermeasure against static electricity so that foreign matter does not easily come into contact with the external connection terminal.

[0004] Further, memory cards are characterized by being portable, and miniaturization is being promoted in consideration of the convenience of carrying. With the miniaturization of memory cards, external connection terminals have become thinner and narrower in pitch. When the external connection terminal is made thinner and narrower in pitch as described above, there is a possibility that the foreign matter is easily displaced and damaged by lightly touching the foreign matter.

Therefore, in this type of memory card, an external connection terminal is buried inside the card body, and a small hole communicating with the external connection terminal is provided in the card body. In order to protect the external connection terminal by placing the terminal facing the outside or forming a concave portion on the front end side of the card body in the card insertion direction, arranging the external connection terminal at the bottom of this concave portion. What has been proposed.

[0006]

A memory card in which a small hole is provided in the card body so that an external connection terminal is exposed to the outside cannot be easily removed if dust or the like enters the inside of the hole. . If the device is mounted on the mounting device with dust or the like clogged in the hole, reliable electrical connection with the mounting device is hindered, and furthermore, the connection terminals of the mounting device may be deformed. In addition, this type of memory card has a complicated structure and is difficult to manufacture.

In order to prevent the structure from becoming complicated, there has been proposed a memory card in which a concave portion is formed in a card body, and an external connection terminal is arranged in the concave portion. In this memory card, depending on the shape of the concave portion, the protection of the external connection terminal may be incomplete, and dust and the like may easily accumulate at the corner of the concave portion, which may hinder reliable connection with the mounting device. There has also been proposed a memory card in which a cutout for preventing erroneous insertion into a mounting device is formed at one vertex of a substantially rectangular card body. In this memory card, the design could not be changed, for example, by chamfering or rounding the vertices of the remaining three places other than the notch.

Therefore, the present invention can reliably protect the external connection terminal with a simple structure, and can easily remove dust and the like to achieve a reliable connection with the mounting device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording / reproducing system including a memory card which can be formed into various shapes and a mounting device to which the memory card is mounted.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a memory card according to the present invention comprises a card body having a built-in memory chip and an opening extending from a front end of the card body in the insertion direction to an upper surface of the card body. And a plurality of external connection terminals arranged in parallel in the concave portion along the insertion direction of the card body. In the concave portion, at least one region between the external connection terminals is provided with a protrusion for preventing external contact with the external connection terminal from a front end side opening of the concave portion to the front end side opening. And a wall surface parallel to the opening on the front end side is an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined elevation angle from the bottom surface of the concave portion.

[0010] In this memory card, the area inside the concave portion is divided by the projection, so that external contact with the external connection terminal arranged in the concave portion is prevented. Dust and the like are discharged to the outside from the wall surface of the concave portion that is the inclined surface.

Further, the memory card according to the present invention includes a shutter member for opening or closing the concave portion in which the external connection terminal is arranged, so that when the memory card is not mounted on the mounting device, the concave portion is closed. Therefore, foreign matter can be prevented from contacting the external connection terminals arranged in the concave portion.

Further, the present invention is a recording / reproducing system comprising a memory card and a mounting device for reading / writing information signals from / into the mounted memory card. A memory card used in this recording / reproducing system includes a card body having a built-in memory chip and a substantially rectangular planar shape, and a plurality of external connection terminals arranged in parallel along the insertion direction of the card body. A projection for preventing external contact with the external connection terminal is provided in at least one region between the external connection terminals in the concave portion from the front end side opening of the concave portion to the front end side opening. And a wall surface parallel to the front end side opening is inclined at a predetermined elevation angle from the bottom surface of the concave portion. The mounting device in which the memory card is mounted has a mounting recess in which the memory card inserted through the opening is mounted, and a leading end arranged in the mounting recess and connected to an external connection terminal of the memory card. A plurality of connection terminals are provided corresponding to the external connection terminals that are arranged on the front side of the connection terminals and slide on the external connection terminals of the memory card when the memory card is inserted. A sliding projection.

In this recording / reproducing system, when the memory card is mounted on the mounting device, the sliding projection on the mounting device slides on the external connection terminal of the memory card, thereby forming the external connection terminal. Is removed, and can be removed to the outside along the inclined surface on the memory card side.

Further, the mounting device constituting the recording / reproducing system according to the present invention is provided with an erroneous insertion preventing member inside the opening into which the memory card is inserted, thereby preventing erroneous insertion of the memory card. .

As the erroneous insertion preventing member used here,
A prevention plate having a first surface substantially perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the memory card, and an insertion direction of the memory card protruding from an upper end portion of the prevention plate at an opening side into which the memory card is inserted. And a projection having a second surface which is substantially parallel, and rotatably supported by a coil spring, the projection being urged toward the opening by a coil spring.

By providing such an erroneous insertion prevention member, when the memory card is erroneously inserted, the front end of the memory card abuts on the second surface of the protruding portion, and further insertion into the mounting device is prevented. Be regulated.

Further, in the mounting device constituting the recording / reproducing system according to the present invention, when the memory card is mounted, the protrusion provided on the side wall of the mounting recess is formed in the cutout formed on the side surface of the memory card. By the engagement, positioning of the mounting position of the memory card is achieved.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a memory card according to the present invention and a mounting device using the memory card will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

A memory card 1 according to the present invention is a storage medium which is mounted on a mounting device of an external system such as a computer or an audio device and on which information signals are written or read, and as shown in FIG. A plurality of memory chips 3 for storing information signals and a control integrated circuit 4 for controlling writing of information signals to or reading of information signals from the memory chips 3 are built in the main body 2. Have been.

As shown in FIG. 2, the memory card 1 is electrically connected to a connection terminal of the mounting device to supply power to the control integrated circuit 4 when the memory card 1 is mounted on the mounting device. An external connection terminal 5 for transmitting signals and various control signals is provided. The memory card 1 shown here employs a serial interface, and has nine external connection terminals 5.

The card body 2 is formed in a thin card shape having a rectangular planar shape, for example, from synthetic resin or the like. The memory card 1 of the present embodiment employs a serial interface and has nine external connection terminals 5 to reduce the size of the card body 2, and as shown in FIG. length L ₁ is the long side direction of the length L ₂ 1 /
2 or less.

An erroneous erasure prevention member 6 is attached to the rear end of the card body 2 in the insertion direction with respect to the mounting device in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. The erroneous erasure prevention member 6
The erroneous erasure prevention switch is engaged with a not-shown erasure prevention switch housed inside the card body 2 and is slid in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the card body 2 to switch ON / OFF of the erasure prevention switch. . Also, on one side surface parallel to the direction of insertion of the card body 2 into the mounting device, an arc-shaped surface for preventing the memory card 1 from dropping off from the mounting device when the memory card 1 is mounted on the mounting device. The lock notch 7 is formed. The lock notch 7 is engaged with a lock projection of a mounting device (not shown) when the memory card 1 is mounted on the mounting device, and prevents the memory card 1 from dropping off.

As shown in FIG. 2, a notch 8 is formed at one end of the card body 2 on the front end side in the insertion direction. This notch 8
Functions as an erroneous insertion prevention unit for preventing erroneous insertion when the memory card 1 is mounted on the mounting device.

Further, a concave portion 9 is formed on the front end side of the card body 2 in the insertion direction, as shown in FIG. The concave portion 9 is formed with a predetermined step from the upper surface at the front end side in the insertion direction of the card body 2, and is surrounded by three wall surfaces and the bottom surface, and from the front end in the insertion direction of the card body 2 to the upper surface of the card body 2. It has a shape that is open across. The wall surface 9a parallel to the front end side opening of the concave portion 9 is
As shown in FIG. 5, an inclined surface is inclined from the bottom surface 9b of the concave portion 9 at a predetermined elevation angle.

When the memory card 1 is mounted on the mounting device by having the inclined wall surface 9a parallel to the opening on the front end side of the concave portion 9 as described above, dust and the like in the concave portion 9 are removed. It can be easily discharged outside through the inclined surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of external connection terminals 5 connected to connection terminals of the mounting device when the card body 2 is mounted on the mounting device are arranged in the concave portion 9. . These external connection terminals 5 are formed by stamping a thin metal plate or by a part of a wiring pattern formed on a printed circuit board, and are formed on the bottom surface 9 b of the concave portion 9 along the insertion direction of the card body 2. They are placed in parallel and exposed to the outside.

As described above, the memory card 1 of this embodiment employs a serial interface,
The number of external connection terminals 5 is nine. That is,
This memory card 1 has nine external connection terminals including a digital signal input / output terminal, a synchronization signal input terminal, a status signal input terminal, four voltage supply terminals, and two reserve terminals in a concave portion 9. 5 are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 2, a projection is provided in the concave portion 9 between the external connection terminals 5 to prevent foreign matter such as fingers from coming into contact with the external connection terminals 5 from outside. A part 10 is formed. This projection 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the area inside the concave portion 9 is divided into three equal parts,
It is formed from the front side opening of the concave portion 9 to the wall surface 9a parallel thereto. In the three regions of the concave portion 9 divided by the protruding portions 10, three external connection terminals 5 are arranged respectively.

In the memory card 1, the area inside the concave portion 9 is divided by the projection 10, and the area for arranging the external connection terminals 5 is subdivided, so that the user can attach the memory card 1 to the mounting device. The inconvenience of accidentally touching the external connection terminal 5 is avoided, and the external connection terminal 5 is protected. Further, it is desirable that the central external connection terminal 5 among the three external connection terminals 5 arranged in the three regions of the concave portion 9 divided by the protruding portion 10 is connected to the ground.

By connecting the external connection terminal 5 at the center of the three areas to the ground in this way, the user's finger may temporarily enter the area within the concave portion 9 into which the user's finger is divided. In addition, the finger touches the external connection terminal 5 connected to the ground, and it is possible to prevent an accident such that the memory chip 3 is destroyed by the discharge of static electricity generated at the time of contact.

As shown in FIG. 4, the memory card 1 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 10 corresponding to the number of the external connection terminals 5. The connection terminals 5 may be arranged one by one. By providing the protrusions 10 corresponding to the number of the external connection terminals 5 in the memory card 1 as described above, it is possible to more reliably prevent foreign objects such as fingers from contacting the external connection terminals 5.

In the memory card 1 according to the present invention, the number of external connection terminals 5 may be ten. By setting the number of external connection terminals 5 to 10, the number of reserve terminals can be set to three. The memory card 1 having three reserved terminals as described above uses, for example, these three reserved terminals as signal input or output terminals so that the memory card 1 can be combined with the digital signal input / output terminals described above. Connection by a parallel interface using four signal input or output terminals can be performed.

In the above, the example in which the projection 10 is formed in the concave portion 9 in order to prevent the contact with the external connection terminal 5 has been described, but the memory card 1 according to the present invention has been described.
As shown in FIG. 5 (A), a shutter member 11 for closing and opening the concave portion 9 by opening and closing operation is provided, so that the concave portion 9 is closed by the shutter member 11 when not mounted on the mounting device. Thus, contact with the external connection terminal 5 may be prevented. In this case, a groove is formed to enable the movement of the shutter member 11 from the wall surface 9 a parallel to the front opening of the concave portion 9 to the inside of the card body 2.

The shutter member 11 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin into a rectangular plate shape having an area slightly larger than the opening area of the opening on the upper surface of the concave portion 9. It is attached movably along the direction of insertion into the mounting device. This shutter member 1
When the memory card 1 is not mounted on the mounting device, the memory card 1 is urged toward the front end side in the insertion direction of the card body 2 by the spring member 12 and is placed on the concave portion 9 so as to close the upper opening of the concave portion 9. Will be arranged.

When the memory card 1 is inserted into the mounting device, the front end of the shutter member 11 abuts on a sliding protrusion of the mounting device described later. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), as the memory card 1 is inserted, the shutter member 11 is opposed to the biasing force of the spring member 12 by the sliding protrusions in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5 (B). , And moves into the groove to open the upper opening of the concave portion 9.

When the memory card 1 is not mounted on the mounting device, the concave portion 9 is closed by the shutter member 11, so that the external connection to the external connection terminal 5 is prevented, and the external connection terminal 5 is prevented. Protection is achieved.

Also in this memory card 1, the wall surface 9a parallel to the opening on the front side of the concave portion 9 is an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined elevation angle from the bottom surface 9b. further,
It is desirable that the front end of the shutter member 11 also has a similar inclined surface.

As described above, the memory card 1 is
By making the wall surface 9a parallel to the front side opening of the shutter member 11 and the front end of the shutter member 11 an inclined surface, dust and the like in the concave portion 9 can be easily removed from the inclined surface when being mounted on the mounting device. Can be discharged outside.

In this memory card 1, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, a projection 10 may be formed in the concave portion 9 to divide the area in the concave portion 9. As described above, the memory card 1
When the shutter member 11 is accidentally opened when the shutter member 11 is not mounted on the mounting device, the contact with the external connection terminal 5 is prevented by dividing the area inside the concave portion 9 by the Terminal 5 can be more reliably protected. 6A illustrates a state in which the opening on the upper surface side of the concave portion 9 is closed by the shutter member 11, and FIG. 6B illustrates a state in which the shutter member 11 performs the opening operation and the upper surface side of the concave portion 9. The state where the opening is opened is shown.

The memory card 1 configured as described above
Is mounted on a mounting device 20 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to record and reproduce information signals.

The mounting device 20 has a memory card 1 on the front side.
Has an opening portion 21 into which is inserted. This mounting device 2
0, the memory card 1 extends from the opening 21 to the inside of the device along the insertion direction of the memory card 1 indicated by an arrow C in FIG.
Is provided with a mounting concave portion 22 in which is mounted. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a plurality of connection terminals 23 electrically connected to an external system are provided in the mounting recess 22.
The front side is facing.

The connection terminal 23 is formed, for example, by punching and bending a metal plate or the like, and has a base end buried and supported in the mounting device 20 in a direction of pressing the external connection terminal 5 of the mounted memory card 1. It is configured as a leaf spring having an urging force. As shown in FIG. 7, a contact portion 23 a that comes into contact with the external connection terminal 3 of the memory card 1 is formed on the distal end of the connection terminal 23 protruding into the mounting recess 22. A plurality of connection terminals 23 are provided corresponding to the number of external connection terminals 5 of the memory card 1. In the mounting device 20 of the present example, nine connection terminals 23 are provided in the mounting recesses 22 corresponding to the nine external connection terminals 5.

Connection terminal 2 arranged in mounting recess 22
As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the memory card 1 slides on the external connection terminals 5 of the memory card 1 when the memory card 1 is inserted in front of the memory card 3, that is, on the proximal end side in the insertion direction of the memory card 1. A sliding protrusion 24 is provided. This sliding projection 24
As with the connection terminals 23, a plurality of the connection terminals 23 are provided corresponding to the number of the external connection terminals 5 of the memory card 1, each of which is provided in front of the connection terminal 23. In the mounting device 20 of the present example, nine sliding protrusions 24 are provided in front of the connection terminals 23, respectively, corresponding to the nine external connection terminals 5. When the memory card 1 is inserted into the mounting device 20 as shown in FIG.
Prior to 3, it slides on the external connection terminal 5 of the memory card 1. Then, the sliding projection 24 discharges dust 30 and the like in the concave portion 9 of the memory card 1 to the outside from the inclined wall surface 9a of the concave portion 9 of the memory card 1.

In the mounting device 20, when the memory card 1 is inserted, the sliding projection 24 slides on the external connection terminal 5 of the memory card 1 before the connection terminal 23, and Since the connection terminal 23 is connected to the external connection terminal 3 after removing dust and the like on the terminal 5, electrical connection between the connection terminal 23 and the external connection terminal 5 can be ensured.

In the mounting device 20, the plurality of sliding projections 24 are provided in front of the connection terminals 23 corresponding to the external connection terminals 5 of the memory card 1, respectively. Can be adapted to the memory card 1 in which the area of the concave portion 9 is divided into the external connection terminals 5 by the projections 10, and the memory card 1 in which the area in the concave portion 9 is divided into three by the projections 10. be able to.

Further, the mounting device 20 can be applied to the memory card 1 in which the opening on the upper surface side of the concave portion 9 is closed by the shutter member 11 so as to protect the external connection terminal 5. When the memory card 1 having the shutter member is inserted, the mounting device 20 contacts the front end of the sliding protrusion 24 with the front end of the shutter member 11 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the shutter member 11 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 11, the mounting device 20 is provided with a concave portion 9 on the front end side in the insertion direction of the card body 2 with respect to the mounting device 20, and without providing a protrusion or a shutter member, the concave portion 9 is provided. Needless to say, a memory card having a configuration in which only the external connection terminal 5 is disposed inside the memory card can be used.

Since the mounting device 20 has versatility as described above, it can be used for a wide range of applications without being restricted by the shape of the memory card 1.

By the way, the memory card according to the present invention
It may be configured as shown below.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of this memory card. In addition, X of the memory card shown in FIG.
The ₁ -X ₂ cross-sectional view taken along line shown in FIG. 13.

The memory card 100 has a substantially rectangular planar shape. Of the four vertices, one vertex 101a at the front end in the card insertion direction indicated by an arrow D in FIGS. Apex 101b, 101c at both ends of the rear end in the card insertion direction indicated by arrow D
Is chamfered more than the other vertex 102 at the front end in the insertion direction indicated by arrow D in FIG. In this memory card 100, the other vertex 102 on which the large chamfer has not been performed is detected, so that the memory card 10
This prevents erroneous insertion when 0 is inserted into the mounting device.

In the memory card 100, of the four vertices, the other vertex 102 at the front end in the card insertion direction shown by the arrow D in FIGS. 12 and 13 is not chamfered, and the remaining three vertices 101a, 101b, 101c is chamfered, for example, in an arc shape. Of the three chamfered vertices, one vertex 101a at the front end in the card insertion direction indicated by an arrow D in FIGS. 12 and 13 is the other vertex 101b at both ends at the rear end in the card insertion direction, It is chamfered larger than 101c.

FIG. 14 and FIG.
Is mounted on the mounting device 103 as shown in FIG. FIG. 14 shows a mounting device 1 according to the present invention.
03 is a plan view showing an example of FIG. 15 is a Y ₁ -Y ₂ line cross-sectional view of the mounting device 103 shown in FIG. 14. here,
In the drawings used in the following description, some portions are hatched even in a plan view in order to clarify the relationship between members.

The mounting device 103 has an opening 104 on the front side into which the memory card 100 is inserted, and the inside of the device from the opening 104 along the insertion direction of the memory card 100 shown by an arrow E in FIGS. 14 for mounting the memory card 100 formed therein, and FIG.
And an erroneous insertion prevention member 106 provided inside the opening 104 along the insertion direction of the memory card 100 indicated by an arrow E in FIG.

The erroneous insertion preventing member 106 has a front portion 107 on the side of the opening 104 and substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction of the memory card 100, and a projecting portion 108 formed on one side end of the front portion 107. And The protruding portion 108 is formed with an inclined surface 109 whose thickness and width gradually become smaller from the front portion 107 toward the opening portion 104. With this inclined surface 109, the memory card 100
Is detected.

Further, the erroneous insertion preventing member 106 is rotatably supported by the mounting device 103 and the coil spring 11
0, it is urged to rotate clockwise in FIG. Further, the erroneous insertion prevention member 106 is
When the device is not used, the opening 104 is closed to prevent dust and the like from entering the mounting device 103.

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show a state where the memory card 100 is correctly inserted into the mounting device 103. FIG. When the memory card 100 is inserted from the opening 104 in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 16, the apex 102 comes into contact with the protrusion 108 provided on the erroneous insertion prevention member 106. Then, as shown in FIG.
The upper corner of the vertex 102 of the
9 is slid to push up the erroneous insertion preventing member 106 upward in the figure. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the vertex 102 allows the erroneous insertion preventing member 106 to escape and allows the memory card 100 to be inserted into the mounting device 103.

On the other hand, FIGS. 19 and 20 show a state where the memory card 100 is inserted in the wrong direction. When the memory card 100 is inserted in the direction of arrow E in the figure,
The front end face of the memory card 100 in the insertion direction comes into contact with the front face 107 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 106 without the chamfered vertex 101a coming into contact with the protrusion 108 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 106. The front part 107 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 106 is provided on the memory card 100 indicated by an arrow E in the figure.
, The front end face of the memory card 100 abuts on the protruding portion 108 and the erroneous insertion preventing member 106 cannot be pushed up. Therefore, if the memory card 100 is inserted in the wrong direction,
01a, the erroneous insertion preventing member 106 cannot be escaped, and cannot be inserted into the mounting device 103 of the memory card 100.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show the memory card 10.
0 is inserted upside down, but the same applies when the memory card 100 is inserted upside down.
The vertices 101b and 101c cannot escape the erroneous insertion member 106 and insert the memory card 100 to the inside. Therefore, the memory card 100 is inserted into the mounting device 1
03 can be inserted into the memory card 100
Only when the memory card 100 is correctly inserted.
Is prevented from being erroneously inserted.

From the viewpoint of preventing erroneous insertion, the memory card 10
The three top vertices 101a, 101b, and 101c are not limited as long as they are formed so as not to abut on the protruding portion 108 of the erroneous insertion preventing member 106. For example,
As shown in FIG. 21, the vertices 102a, 102b, 102
c can be chamfered to various sizes, and the shape of the chamfer can be an arc or a straight line, so that the memory card can be changed in design.

The memory card according to the present invention may be configured as follows.

FIG. 22 shows an example of this memory card.
FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line Z ₁ -Z _{2 of the} memory card shown in FIG.

The memory card 120 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 22, and has a notch 121 formed at the front end in the insertion direction indicated by an arrow F in FIG. In the notch 121, the bottom surface of the front end of the memory card 120 in the insertion direction is cut out in the thickness direction over the entire width of the memory card 120 in the short side direction. The notch 121 is cut out from the memory card 120 by a flat surface.
The memory card 120 is prevented from being erroneously inserted when the memory card 120 is inserted into the mounting device by detecting the notch 121.

The memory card 12 configured as described above
0 is mounted on the mounting device 122 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and recording and reproduction of information signals are performed. FIG.
FIG. 25 is a plan view showing an example of the mounting device 122, and FIG.
FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along line W ₁ -W ₂ of the mounting device 122 shown in FIG. 24. The mounting device 122 has a memory card 12 on the front side.
0, an opening 123 into which the memory card 120 is to be inserted, the opening 123 being formed from the opening 123 to the inside of the device along the insertion direction of the memory card 120 indicated by the arrow G in the drawing, and An erroneous insertion preventing member 125 is provided inside the opening 123 along the insertion direction of the memory card 120 indicated by an arrow G in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 25, the erroneous insertion prevention member 125 includes an prevention plate 127 having a first surface 126 substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction of the memory card 120 in the direction of arrow G,
A protrusion 129 is provided at the upper end of the prevention plate 127 on the side of the opening 123 and has a second surface 128 substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the memory card 120.

The erroneous insertion preventing member 125 is pivotally supported by the mounting device 122 and is urged to rotate clockwise in FIG. further,
The erroneous insertion preventing member 125 closes the opening 123 when the memory card 120 is not mounted on the mounting device 122 and prevents entry of dust and the like into the mounting device 122 when not in use.

When the memory card 120 is inserted, the erroneous insertion preventing member 125 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 25 by about 90 ° against the urging force of the coil spring 130 so that the first surface 126 is not rotated. As shown at 26, it is substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the memory card 120.

When the memory card 120 is correctly inserted, that is, when the notch 121 is formed on the bottom surface side of the front end of the memory card 120, as shown in FIG. By sliding the portion 129, the erroneous insertion preventing member 125 is pushed down. And
As shown in FIG. 27, the notch 121 is
25 can be released, and the memory card 120 can be inserted inside.

When the memory card 120 is inserted in the wrong direction as shown in FIG. 28, that is, when the notch 121 is not formed on the bottom side of the front end of the memory card 120, the insertion direction of the memory card 120 is The front end face of
It contacts the second surface 128 of the protruding portion. At this time, the second surface 128 is connected to the memory card 12 indicated by the arrow G in FIG.
Since the memory card 120 is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, the front end face of the memory card 120 abuts on the protrusion 129 and cannot push down the erroneous insertion prevention member 125. Therefore, when the memory card 120 is inserted in the wrong direction, the erroneous insertion member 125 cannot escape to insert the memory card 120 into the mounting device 122.

FIG. 28 shows an example in which the memory card 120 is inserted upside down.
Even when 0 is inserted in the reverse direction, the memory card 120 cannot be inserted to the inside by escaping the erroneous insertion prevention member 125 similarly. Therefore, the memory card 1
The insertion of the memory card 120 into the mounting device 122 can be performed only when the memory card 120 is correctly inserted, and the erroneous insertion of the memory card 120 is prevented.

In the memory card 120, since the erroneous insertion is detected in the shape in the thickness direction, if the notch 121 is formed in such a size that it can slide on the protruding portion 129 and push down the erroneous insertion preventing member 125. Good. Therefore, in order to prevent erroneous insertion, the planar shape of the apex of the memory card 120 does not matter. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, the memory card 120 can be chamfered at the apex, and the shape of the chamfer can be various shapes such as an arc shape and a straight line shape, so that the design can be changed.

The memory card according to the present invention can be mounted by inserting it into the upper surface of the mounting device other than by inserting it into the mounting device.

FIG. 30 shows an example of this memory card.
FIG. 3 is a view of the memory card 140 viewed from the direction H in FIG.
1 and FIG. 32 shows the memory card 140 viewed from the direction I in FIG. The memory card 140 is formed so that its planar shape is substantially rectangular. The memory card 140 has cutouts 143a and 143b for mounting at both ends of the first side surface 141 in the long side direction. As shown in FIG. 31, notch portions 143 for mounting are also provided on both side ends of a second side surface 142 parallel to the first side surface.
c, 143d are formed.

The memory card 140 has the notch 143
a, 143b, 143c, 143d
It can also be fitted and mounted in 44.

As shown in FIG. 33, a mounting recess 145 for mounting, for example, the memory card 140 is formed on the upper surface of such a mounting device 144 with its opening facing upward. A protrusion 146 is formed on the side wall of the. Insert the memory card 140 into the mounting device 144
When the memory card 140 is inserted into the memory card 140, the notch 143 (notch 143a, 143b, 1) as shown in FIG.
43c and 143d) and the projection 146.

This memory card 140 can be directly mounted on a recording / reproducing apparatus. Alternatively, the memory card 140 may be mounted on an adapter shaped like a flexible disk, and the adapter with the memory card 140 mounted may be mounted on a recording / reproducing apparatus.

By mounting the memory card in the mounting device, the upper cover of the mounting device is not required, and the thickness of the mounting device can be reduced as compared with the case where the memory card is inserted into the mounting device. It becomes possible. Further, the thickness of the adapter into which the memory card is inserted and mounted can be reduced.

[0078]

According to the memory card of the present invention, the area inside the concave portion where the external connection terminal is arranged is divided by the projection,
Or it is possible to reliably protect the external connection terminal with a simple configuration of closing the concave portion with a shutter member, and easily remove dust and the like to the outside by making the wall surface of the concave portion an inclined surface, The external connection terminal can be reliably connected to the connection terminal of the mounting device.

Further, the recording / reproducing system according to the present invention comprises:
Sliding projections are provided in front of the connection terminals in correspondence with the external connection terminals of the memory card. When the memory card is inserted, the sliding projections cause dust on the external connection terminals of the memory card. Are removed, the connection terminal can be securely connected to the external connection terminal of the memory card, and the provision of the erroneous insertion prevention member can reliably prevent erroneous insertion of the memory card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a memory card according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a memory card according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the memory card.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of the memory card according to the present invention.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing still another example of the memory card according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A is a plan view of a main part showing a state where a shutter member closes a concave portion, and FIG. It is a principal part top view which shows the state which the member opened the concave part.

6A and 6B are diagrams showing still another example of the memory card according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 6A is a plan view of a main part showing a state where a shutter member closes a concave portion, and FIG. It is a principal part top view which shows the state which the member opened the concave part.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a mounting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the mounting device.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a memory card is mounted on the mounting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which another memory card is mounted on the mounting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a main part of the other memory card.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of the outer shape of the memory card of the present invention.

13 is a cross-sectional view of the memory card shown in FIG. 12, taken along the line X ₁ -X ₂ ;

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an example of a mounting device to which a memory card according to the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line Y ₁ -Y _{2 of the} mounting device shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state where the memory card is correctly inserted into the mounting device.

17 is a Y ₃ -Y ₄ cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG. 16 showing a state in which the memory card is properly inserted into the mounting device.

18 is a Y ₃ -Y ₄ cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG. 16 showing a state in which the memory card is properly inserted into the mounting device.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a state where a memory card is erroneously inserted into a mounting device.

20 is a Y ₅ -Y ₆ cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG. 19 showing a state where the memory card in the mounting device is erroneously inserted.

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing an example of an outer shape of a memory card according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a plan view showing an example of the outer shape of the memory card according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line Z ₁ -Z _{2 of the} memory card shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing an example of a mounting device to which a memory card according to the present invention is mounted.

25 is a sectional view taken along line W ₁ -W _{2 of the} mounting device shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the memory card is correctly inserted into the mounting device.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the memory card is being correctly inserted into the mounting device.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a memory card is erroneously inserted into a mounting device.

FIG. 29 is a plan view showing an example of the outer shape of the memory card according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing an example of the outer shape of the memory card according to the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a side view of the memory card shown in FIG. 30 as viewed from a direction H in the figure.

32 is a rear view of the memory card shown in FIG. 30 as viewed from the direction I in the figure.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the memory card according to the present invention is mounted on the mounting device.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the memory card according to the present invention is mounted on the mounting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Memory card, 5 External connection terminal, 9 Concave part, 10 Projection part, 11 Shutter member, 20 Mounting device, 22 Mounting concave part, 23 Connection terminal, 2
4 Sliding protrusion

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takumi Okagami 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Tetsu Sasa 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. A card body containing a memory chip, a concave portion opening from the front end of the card body in the insertion direction to the upper surface of the card body, and a parallel portion in the concave portion along the insertion direction of the card body. A plurality of external connection terminals disposed, and a projection for preventing external contact to the external connection terminals in at least one region between the external connection terminals in the concave portion. A slope formed from the front end side opening of the concave portion to the wall surface parallel to the front end side opening portion, and the wall surface parallel to the front end side opening portion is inclined at a predetermined elevation angle from the bottom surface of the concave portion. A memory card characterized by being a surface. 2. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed between all the external connection terminals. 3. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein a serial interface is employed. 4. The card body has a substantially rectangular shape whose plane shape is long in the insertion direction, and the length of the short side is の of the length of the long side.
2. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein a notch for preventing falling off is formed on one side surface of the card body parallel to the insertion direction. 6. A front end of the card body in the insertion direction,
2. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein a notch for preventing erroneous insertion is formed at one side end. 7. A front end of the card body in the insertion direction,
2. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein a notch for preventing erroneous insertion is formed in the thickness direction of the card body. 8. One side end of the front end of the card body in the insertion direction and both side ends of the rear end of the card body in the insertion direction are opposite to the other side end of the front end of the card body in the insertion direction. 2. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein the memory card is chamfered. 9. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein a cutout portion for mounting is formed on a side surface of the card body. 10. A card body having a built-in memory chip, a concave portion opening from the front end of the card body in the insertion direction to the upper surface of the card body, and a parallel portion in the concave portion along the insertion direction of the card body. A plurality of external connection terminals arranged; a shutter member for opening and closing along the insertion direction at the front end side of the card body to open or close the concave portion; and inserting the shutter member in the card body insertion direction. A spring member for urging the front end side, wherein a groove is formed to allow movement of the shutter member from the wall surface parallel to the front end side opening of the concave portion of the card body to the inside of the card body. The shutter member moves into the groove against the urging force of the spring member by the projection of the mounting device when the memory card is mounted on the mounting device. A memory card wherein the concave portion is opened, and when the memory card is not mounted on the mounting device, the concave portion is closed by being urged toward the front end side in the insertion direction of the card body by the spring member. 11. The memory card according to claim 10, wherein a serial interface is employed. 12. The card body according to claim 1, wherein the card body has a substantially rectangular shape having a planar shape that is long in the insertion direction, and a length of a short side is 1 / length of a length of a long side.
11. The memory card according to claim 10, wherein the number is two or less. 13. The memory card according to claim 10, wherein a notch for preventing the card from falling off is formed on one side surface parallel to the insertion direction of the card body. 14. The memory card according to claim 10, wherein a notch for preventing erroneous insertion is formed at one side end of the front end of the card body in the insertion direction. 15. The card body according to claim 10, wherein a notch for preventing erroneous insertion is formed at a front end of the card body in the insertion direction, the notch being cut in a thickness direction of the card body. Memory card. 16. One side end of the front end of the card body in the insertion direction and both side ends of the rear end of the card body in the insertion direction are opposite to the other side end of the front end of the card body in the insertion direction. The memory card according to claim 10, wherein the memory card is chamfered largely. 17. The memory card according to claim 10, wherein a cutout portion for mounting is formed on a side surface of said card body. 18. A recording / reproducing system comprising a memory card and a mounting device for reading / writing information signals from / into the mounted memory card, wherein the memory card has a built-in memory chip and has a substantially rectangular planar shape. A main body and a plurality of external connection terminals arranged in parallel along the insertion direction of the card main body, and at least one region between the external connection terminals in the concave portion with respect to the external connection terminals. A protrusion for preventing contact from the outside is formed from a front end side opening of the concave portion to a wall surface parallel to the front end side opening, and the wall surface parallel to the front end side opening is An inclined surface is formed at a predetermined elevation angle from the bottom surface of the concave portion. The mounting device has a mounting concave portion in which the memory card inserted from the opening is mounted, and a distal end side having the mounting concave portion. A plurality of connection terminals arranged in the memory card and connected to the external connection terminals of the memory card; and a plurality of connection terminals arranged on the front side of the connection terminal and arranged on the external connection terminals of the memory card when the memory card is inserted. A recording / reproducing system comprising: a plurality of sliding projections corresponding to the external connection terminals that slide. 19. The recording / reproducing system according to claim 18, wherein a serial interface is employed. 20. A recording / reproducing system comprising a memory card and a mounting device for reading / writing information signals from / into the mounted memory card, wherein the memory card has a built-in memory chip and has a substantially rectangular planar shape. A main body and a plurality of external connection terminals arranged in parallel along the insertion direction of the card main body, and positioned at one side end on the front end side in the insertion direction of the card main body to prevent erroneous insertion. A notch is formed, and the mounting device includes a mounting recess in which the memory card inserted through the opening is mounted, and an erroneous insertion provided on the inner side of the opening along the memory card insertion direction. An erroneous insertion prevention member, wherein the erroneous insertion prevention member is provided on the opening side and substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction of the memory card, and on one side end of the front surface. A projection formed with an inclined surface having a thickness and width decreasing from the front surface of the material toward the opening; and a rotatable shaft supported by a coil spring to insert the memory card into the mounting recess. A recording / reproducing system characterized in that the recording / reproducing system is urged to rotate downward in the direction. 21. The recording / reproducing system according to claim 20, wherein a serial interface is adopted. 22. A recording / reproducing system comprising a memory card and a mounting device for reading / writing information signals from / into the mounted memory card, wherein the memory card has a built-in memory chip and a substantially rectangular planar shape. A main body, and a plurality of external connection terminals arranged in parallel along the insertion direction of the card main body, and an erroneous insertion cut out at a front end of the card main body in the insertion direction in a thickness direction of the card main body. A notch for prevention is formed, and the mounting device is provided on an inner side of the opening along a memory card insertion direction in which the memory card inserted from the opening is mounted. An erroneous insertion prevention member, wherein the erroneous insertion prevention member has an erroneous insertion prevention member having a first surface substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction of the memory card. A protrusion having a second surface substantially parallel to an insertion direction of the memory card, which is provided on the upper end of the writing prevention plate and protruding from the opening, and is rotatably supported by a shaft. A recording / reproducing system, wherein the projection is urged toward the opening by a coil spring. 23. The recording / reproducing system according to claim 22, wherein a serial interface is employed. 24. A recording / reproducing system comprising a memory card and a mounting device for reading / writing information signals from / into the mounted memory card, wherein the memory card has a built-in memory chip, a substantially rectangular planar shape, and a side surface. And a plurality of external connection terminals arranged in parallel along the insertion direction of the card body, wherein the mounting device is provided with a memory card. A recording / reproducing system, comprising: a mounting concave portion; and a projection on a side wall of the mounting concave portion to engage with a cutout formed on a side surface of the memory card. 25. The recording / reproducing system according to claim 24, wherein a serial interface is adopted.