JPH06100950B2 - Information card - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information card such as a memory card for storing data, and more particularly to a means for preventing disappearance of the stored data etc. when a main battery of the information card is replaced. It is related to the information card.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional memory card. In the figure, 1 is a storage element for holding data, for example, static RAM (random access memory), 2 is the external power supply instead of the main battery when the voltage of the external power supply is detected and the voltage is above a predetermined value. Power supply detection circuit for supplying the above-mentioned static RAM1 to 3 is static
The main battery for energizing the RAM1, 3a is a battery holder for the main battery 3, 4 is a resistor for limiting current, 5 is a diode for preventing reverse charge, 6 is a power input line of an external power supply, 7 is an internal power supply line, 8 Is an interface bus for inputting / outputting data to / from the static RAM 1, 9 is an enable signal line for transmitting an enable signal to the static RAM 1, and 10 is a monitor signal line for monitoring the voltage of the main battery 3. . When the voltage of the power supply input line 6 becomes a predetermined value or more, the power supply detection circuit 2 electrically connects the power supply input line 6 and the internal power supply line 7, and at the same time, sends a high level enable signal to the enable signal line 9, for example. Enable static RAM1. The diode 5 prevents reverse charging of the main battery 3, and the resistor 4 limits the current flowing to the main battery 3 should the diode 5 break and become conductive.
The battery holder 3a accommodates and fixes the main battery 3.

Next, the operation will be described. When a voltage of a predetermined value (specified value) or more is applied from the external power supply (terminal) to the power supply input line 6, the power supply detection circuit 2 electrically connects the internal power supply line 7 of the power supply input line 6. Therefore, the voltage of the power supply input line 6 is applied to the internal power supply line 7. At the same time, the power supply detection circuit 2 sends a high level enable signal to the enable signal line 9 to enable the static RAM 1 (operable). A terminal (not shown) can write and read data to and from the static RAM 1 via the interface bus 8. Generally, the interface bus 8 is composed of an address bus, a chip enable signal line, a write signal line, an output enable signal line and a data bus. Since this is a well-known matter, its explanation is omitted. Further, since the potential of the internal power supply line 7 is generally higher than that of the main battery 3, the main battery 3 does not consume current in this state due to the action of the diode 5. Next, when the voltage of the power supply input line 6 falls below a predetermined value, the power supply detection circuit 2 cuts off between the power supply input line 6 and the internal power supply line 7, and at the same time, the enable signal of the enable signal line 9 is set to low level (ground). To Therefore, the static RAM1 is disabled (operation prohibited), and the terminal cannot access the static RAM1 via the interface bus 8.
At this time, the voltage of the main battery 3 is applied to the resistor 4 in the internal power line 7.
And via diode 5. Therefore, the stored data in the static RAM 1 is retained. In this state, the current consumption of the static RAM1 is 100 μA,
When the capacity of the main battery 3 is 165 mAH, the battery life is as follows.

Battery life = 165 [mA] ÷ 100 [μA] ÷ 8760 [hours] ≈0.19 [years] That is, it is necessary to replace the batteries in a short time. In this case, if the main battery 3 is replaced when the memory card is carried, the stored data in the static RAM 1 will be erased. Therefore, when the battery is replaced without erasing the stored data, the memory card is inserted into the terminal and the main battery 3 is replaced while applying a voltage of a predetermined value or more to the power input line 6.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

In this way, in the conventional memory card, when replacing the main battery 3 while holding the stored data of the static RAM 1,
It is necessary to insert a memory card into the terminal and apply a voltage above a predetermined value to the power input line 6 to replace the battery.
If there was no terminal, it was not possible to replace the card alone.
Therefore, it has been proposed to switch and connect the auxiliary battery to the RAM1 when replacing the main battery. According to this, when it is not necessary to retain the stored data of the static RAM1,
That is, even when the auxiliary battery is invalidated, the voltage is wasted from the auxiliary battery, and the life of the auxiliary battery cannot be extended.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information card in which the battery can be replaced without the need for a terminal and the life of the auxiliary battery can be extended. To aim.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The information card according to the present invention is an auxiliary battery for energizing the storage element (Static RAM1) when replacing the main battery 3.
11, switching means 12 for detecting removal of the main battery 3 and switching the auxiliary battery 11 to the storage element (static RAM 1), and valid / invalid supply of the voltage of the auxiliary battery 11 to the storage element only when the stored data is valid. And means.

[Action]

When the main battery 3 is removed, the switching means 12 detects the removal and supplies the voltage of the auxiliary battery 11 to the storage element (static RAM 1) via the valid / invalid means.

Example of Invention

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a memory card as an information card according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, components corresponding to those shown in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. In FIG.
11 is a static RAM1 which is a memory element when the main battery 3 is replaced
Is a supplementary battery for energizing the battery, and 12 is a switching means for detecting removal of the main battery 3 and switching the supplemental battery 11 to connect to the static RAM 1. 13 is a valid / invalid means for validating / invalidating the stored data of the static RAM 1, 14 is a diode for preventing reverse charging of the auxiliary battery 11, 15 is a pull-up resistor, and 16 is a backup battery signal line. The internal power supply line 7 has contacts 12 of the switching means 12 when the main battery 3 is replaced.
The voltage of the auxiliary battery 11 is supplied via a, 12b, contacts 13a, 13b of the valid / invalid means 13, and a diode 14. Switching means
12 is a battery holder 3a in which the main battery 3 is inserted in the memory card.
When set to, conducts the contact 12a and the contact 12b,
When the battery holder 3a is removed, the contact 12c and the contact 12d are conducted. The valid / invalid means 13 brings the contact 13a and the contact 13b into conduction when the stored data of the static RAM 1 is to be held, and the contact 13 when the stored data is to be erased.
Conducts conduction between c and the contact 13d. The pull-up resistor 15 is connected between the power input line 6 and the backup resistor 16,
When the power is not supplied from the auxiliary battery 11, the low level signal is sent to the backup battery signal line 16, and conversely, when the power is supplied, the high level signal is sent to the backup battery signal line 16.

Next, the operation will be described. It is assumed that the main battery 3 is set in the battery holder 3a and housed in the memory card.
Therefore, the contacts 12c, 12d of the switching means 12 are conducted by the movable contact 12e. The valid / invalid means 13 supplies the voltage from the auxiliary battery 11 when the main battery 3 is replaced, and holds the stored data of the static RAM 1, so that the contacts 13a and 13b have movable contacts 1a and 13b.
Conducted at 3e. Now, in this state, consider a case where the main battery 3 is removed from the memory card. Main battery 3
Is set in the battery holder 3a, the removal of the main battery 3 is the same as the removal of the battery holder 3a. When the battery holder 3a is removed, the switching means 12 automatically connects the contacts 12a and 12b with the movable contact 12e. Therefore,
Since the voltage of the auxiliary battery 11 is supplied to the internal power supply line 7 through the contact 12a, the movable contact 12e, the contact 12b, the contact 13a, the movable contact 13e, the contact 13b, and the diode 14, the stored data in the static RAM 1 is retained. Will remain. Next, when the main battery 3 is replaced with a new battery, set in the battery holder 3a and fixed to the memory card, the contacts 12a and 12b of the switching means 12 are automatically cut off. Therefore, instead of the auxiliary battery 11, the main battery 3
Powers on the static RAM1.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a memory card showing a mounted state of the main battery, the auxiliary battery and the like shown in FIG. In FIG.
The main battery 3 is housed in the battery holder 3a, and the battery holder 3a has a structure that can be easily inserted and removed from the memory card M. When the battery holder 3a is inserted, the switching means 12 pushes the lever 12f so that the contact 12c and the contact 12d are electrically connected by the movable contact 12e. If you remove the battery holder 3a, the lever 12
f returns to the original position, and the movable contact 12e brings the contacts 12a and 12b into conduction. The connector 18 includes a power input line 6, an interface bus 8, a monitor signal line 10, a backup battery signal line 16 and the like, and is electrically connected to a terminal or the like. The switching means 12 can be easily constituted by a push button type switch which is generally commercially available. When the valid / invalid means 13 is tilted to the holding side, its movable contact 13e makes the contacts 13a and 13b conductive, and when it is tilted to the erase side, the movable contact 13e makes the contacts 13c and 13d conductive.

This figure shows an example in which it is tilted to the holding side. The auxiliary battery 11 shows an example of being mounted inside. Next, the reason why the auxiliary battery 11 can be made extremely small will be described below. Now, assuming that the replacement time of the main battery 3 is as long as 6 minutes, the required battery capacity of the auxiliary battery 11 is shown below.

Battery capacity of auxiliary battery 11 ≈ 0.1 [mA] x 1/10 [time] = 0.0
It becomes 1 [mA H].

The number of replacements in 10 years is 10 (years) /0.19 (years) ≈ 53
Since it is [times], the capacity required for it is 0.01 [mA H] ×
It becomes 53 [times] = 0.53 [mA H], which is a very small capacity, and the auxiliary battery 11 is small.

Next, when it is not necessary to retain the data stored in the static RAM 1, the valid / invalid means 13 should be tilted to the erasing side (contacts 13c, 13d side). In this case, since the voltage of the auxiliary battery 11 is not supplied to the internal power supply line 7 even if the main battery 3 is removed, the auxiliary battery 11 does not consume current. When the data stored in the static RAM 1 can be erased, by tilting the valid / invalid means 13 toward the erasing side, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary battery 11 from draining even if the main battery 3 is removed for a long time. Becomes

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a main part mounted state of a memory card of another embodiment for explaining that the switching means 12 is provided with a lock (fixing) lever 12g of the battery holder 3a.
That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the knob 12h of the switching means 12 is tilted to the left, for example, the lock lever 12g moves to the left and locks the battery holder 3a on the memory card M.
In this case, the contacts 12c and 12d of the switching means 12 are conducted by the movable contact 12e. Therefore, the internal power supply line 7 is powered by the main battery 3. Also, in this case, the battery holder
Since 3a is locked, the battery holder 3a cannot be removed from the memory card M. Next, when the voltage drop of the main battery 3 is detected by any detecting means through the main battery voltage monitor signal line 10, or when the battery replacement date has been reached, the switching means 12 as shown in FIG. 3 (b). Knob
When 12h is tilted to the right, for example, and the lock is released, the contacts 12a and 12b of the switching means 12 are brought into conduction by the movable contact 12e.
Therefore, when the battery holder 3a is removed in this state, the voltage of the auxiliary battery 11 is supplied to the internal power supply line 7, and the stored data in the static RAM 1 is retained. In this embodiment, when the main battery 3 is replaced, the battery holder 3a can be removed after unlocking the battery, so that the stored data in the static RAM 1 is never erased. It should be noted that the auxiliary battery 11 need only have a battery capacity that is commensurate with the replacement time of the main battery 3, and can be realized in a very small size.

Reference numeral 17 in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a peep hole provided so that the position of the knob 13f of the valid / invalid means 13 can be seen from the surface of the memory card M. Therefore, the valid / invalid means 13
It is possible to easily determine whether is in a state of holding the stored data of the static RAM 1 or a state of erasing.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, the switching means 12 that detects the removal of the main battery 3 and switches the auxiliary battery 11 to connect to the static RAM 1 and the stored data in the static RAM 1 is retained (valid) or erased (valid). Enabled / disabled)
In the case where the invalidating means 13 and the auxiliary battery 11 are connected in series between the internal power supply line 7 and the ground and the valid / invalidating means 13 for holding or erasing the stored data is set on the holding side, the main battery 3 By supplying a voltage from the auxiliary battery 11 to the internal power supply line 7 when the memory cell M is removed from the memory card M side, the main battery 3 can be replaced while holding the stored data. Further, when it is not necessary to hold the stored data of the static RAM 1, the valid / invalid means 13 may be set to the erasing side, so that the power consumption of the auxiliary battery 11 can be prevented. Further, since the switching means 12 is provided with the lock lever 12g and the battery holder 3a can be locked, the stored data of the static RAM 1 can be surely held when the main battery 3 is replaced. As described above, the above embodiment can greatly improve the operability and convenience of battery replacement.

Although the auxiliary battery 11 is fixedly mounted inside the memory card M in the above-described embodiment, the auxiliary battery 11 may be housed in a battery holder such as the battery holder 3a so as to have a replaceable structure. Further, a light emitting diode may be inserted between the pull-up resistor 15 and the backup battery signal line 16 to display on the memory card M whether or not the power is supplied by the auxiliary battery 11. That is, the light emitting diode is turned off when the power is supplied from the auxiliary battery 11, but is turned on when the power is supplied from the main battery 3. However, in this case, the valid / invalid means 13 is set to the holding side. Therefore, even when the memory card M is inserted into the terminal while the power is supplied from the auxiliary battery 11, the power detection circuit 2
Can perform a detection operation.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, an auxiliary battery for energizing the storage element at the time of replacement of the main battery, a switching means for detecting removal of the main battery and switching the auxiliary battery to the storage element, effective / effective
Since it is configured to include the invalidating means, the storage element is powered by the auxiliary battery only when the stored data is retained (valid) when the main battery is replaced, and the battery can be replaced without the need for a terminal. In addition, since the voltage of the auxiliary battery is not consumed when the stored data is erased (invalidated), the life of the auxiliary battery can be extended.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a memory card as an information card according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a memory card of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a structure of a conventional memory card, and FIG. 4 is a main part mounting structure diagram of a memory card of another embodiment for explaining that a lock lever of a battery holder is provided in the switching means shown. 1 ... Static RAM, 2 ... Power detection circuit, 3 ... Main battery, 11 ... Auxiliary battery, 12 ... Switching means, 13 ... Valid /
Invalidation means, M ... Memory card.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A storage element for storing at least data,
In an information card equipped with the main battery of this storage element,
Auxiliary battery, switching means for detecting removal of the main battery from the information card at the time of replacement, and switching means for switching the auxiliary battery to the storage element side, and setting whether to enable the storage data of the storage element, An information card, comprising: valid / invalid means for supplying the voltage from the switching means to the storage element only when the memory card is valid.