Information processing system including processing device for detecting non-conductivity of state-indicating non-conductive member and discriminating prohibit state of writing information to information writable storage medium

• US 6,094,697 A
• Filed: 08/28/1998
• Issued: 07/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Iwasaki, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Perveen, Rehana
• Application Number:
  US09/143,739
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 710/1, 710/102, 710/62, 710/129, 711/115
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/16 Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/24 Memory cell safety or protection circuits, e.g. arrangements for preventing inadvertent reading or writing; Status cells; Test cells
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 8/20 Address safety or protection circuits, i.e. arrangements for preventing unauthorized or accidental access

Abstract

In a small and thin memory module for sharing data among electronic devices such as information processing apparatuses, a write prohibit state can be visually recognized. A conductive seal is attached to a predetermined position on a support member, thereby setting the memory module in the write prohibit state. The conductive seal visually indicates the write prohibit state. When the memory module is mounted in a connector section of a card-shaped holder, connector pins are electrically connected to each other via the conductive seal. Thus, a write prohibit mechanism is realized at low cost.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

an information storage card device including a supporting card, information writable storage medium means on the supporting card and a state-indicating conductive member on a surface of said supporting card, the state-indicating conductive member indicating a state of the storage medium means in which writing of information to the storage medium means is prohibited; and

a processing device for receiving said information storage card device, the processing device having discriminating means for detecting the conductivity of said state-indicating conductive member to discriminate the prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium means comprises a storage medium device including at least one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting card has a recess in which said state-indicating conductive member is provided.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said state-indicating conductive member is a seal.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said state-indicating conductive member is a seal.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means by detecting the conductive state of said state-indicating conductive member.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means by bringing two or more connection pins into contact with said state-indicating conductive member and detecting the conductivity of the state-indicating conductive member.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing device includes a driving mechanism for driving said information storage card device.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing device includes a card-shaped holder detachably attached to the processing device and including a driving mechanism for driving the information storage card device incorporated in the card-shaped holder.

10. An information processing apparatus comprising:

an information storage card device including a supporting card, information writable storage medium means on the supporting card and a state-indicating non-conductive member on a surface of the supporting card, the state-indicating non-conductive member indicating a state of the storage medium means in which writing of information to the storage medium means is prohibited; and

a processing device for receiving said information storage device, the processing device having discriminating means for detecting the non-conductivity of said state-indicating non-conductive member to discriminate the prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said storage medium means comprises a storage medium device including at least one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said supporting card has a recess in which said state-indicating non-conductive member is provided.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said state-indicating non-conductive member is a seal.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said state-indicating non-conductive member is a seal.

15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means by detecting the non-conductive state of said state-indicating non-conductive member.

16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said discriminating means discriminates the prohibit sate of writing information to the storage medium means by bringing two or more connection pins into contact with said state-indicating non-conductive member and detecting the non-conductivity of the state-indicating non-conductive member.

17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said processing device includes a driving mechanism for driving said information storage device.

18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said processing device includes a card-shaped holder detachably attached to the processing device and including a driving mechanism for driving the information storage device incorporated in the card-shaped holder.

19. An information processing apparatus for use in receiving an information storage device which includes a storage medium with a first portion having an external connection terminal and a second portion where a state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information to the storage medium is prohibited is provided, said processing apparatus comprising:

an external support member having a cavity therein, at least one side wall of said external support member having an opening, the cavity including at least a pair of opposing inner faces;

a plurality of first electrodes, formed on one of the pair of opposing inner faces, for providing an electrical connection with the information storage device to retrieve the information from the information storage medium;

a plurality of second electrodes, formed on the one of the pair of opposing inner faces, for providing a contact with the state-designating member; and

a discriminating circuit operably coupled to said second electrodes for discriminating whether writing information to said storage medium is prohibited by detecting conductive/non-conductive state between said second electrodes.

20. An information processing apparatus comprising:

an information storage device having an information writable storage medium and an internal support member incorporating said storage medium, the internal support member having a first portion on a main surface thereof where an external connection terminal is provided and electrically connected to said storage medium, and a second portion on said main surface, where a state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information to said storage medium is prohibited is to be provided; and

a processing device having an external support member having a cavity therein, at least one side wall of said external support member having an opening, a plurality of first electrodes formed inside of said external support member and electrically connected to said external connection terminal of said storage device, a plurality of second electrodes formed inside said external support member and electrically connected to the second portion of the main surface of the internal support member where the state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information to said storage medium is prohibited is provided, and a discriminating circuit for discriminating whether writing information is prohibited by detecting conductive/non-conductive state between said second electrodes,

wherein said first and second electrodes are formed in a same inner plane of said external support member.

21. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said state-designating member is comprised of a conductive material.

22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said state-designating member is comprised of a non-conductive material.

23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the function of said state-designating member can be served by said internal support member.

24. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a height of the first portion on the main surface of said internal support member where said external connection terminal is provided is equal to a height of the second portion on the main surface of said internal support member, where said state-designating member is provided.

25. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said first portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the main surface of said internal support member and said second portion where said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess provided on the main surface of said internal support member.

26. The information processing apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the depths of said first and second recesses are greater than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member.

27. The information processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess.

28. The information processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said first portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the main surface of said internal support member and said second portion where said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess provided on the main surface of said internal support member.

29. The information processing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the depths of said first and second recesses are greater than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member.

30. The information processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess.

31. An information processing apparatus comprising:

an information storage device having an information writable storage medium, and an internal support member incorporating said storage medium, the internal support member having a first portion on a main surface thereof where an external connection terminal is provided and electrically connected to said storage medium, and a second portion on said main surface, adapted for providing thereon a state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information to said storage medium is prohibited; and

a processing device having an external support member having a cavity therein, at least one side wall of said external support member having an opening, a plurality of first electrodes formed inside of said external support member and electrically connected to said external connection terminal of said storage device, a plurality of second electrodes formed inside said external support member and electrically connected to the second portion of the main surface of the internal support member, the second portion of the main surface of the internal support member being adapted for providing thereon the state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information to said storage medium is prohibited, and a discriminating circuit for discriminating whether writing information is prohibited by detecting conductive/non-conductive state between said second electrodes,

wherein said first and second electrodes are formed in a same inner plane of said external support member.

32. The information processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said state-designating member is comprised of a conductive material.

33. The information processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said state-designating member is comprised of a non-conductive material.

34. The information processing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the function of said state-designating member can be served by said internal support member.

35. The information processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein a height of the first portion on the main surface of said internal support member where said external connection terminal is provided, is equal to a height of the second portion on the main surface of said internal support member, the second portion on the main surface of said internal support member being adapted for providing thereon said state-designating member.

36. The information processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said first portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the main surface of said internal support member and said second portion adapted for providing thereon said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is prohibited is formed in a second recess provided on the main surface of said internal support member.

37. The information processing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the depths of said first and second recesses are greater than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member.

38. The information processing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess.

39. The information processing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said first portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the main surface of said internal support member and said second portion adapted for providing thereon said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is prohibited is formed in a second recess provided on the main surface of said internal support member.

40. The information processing apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the depths of said first and second recesses are greater than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member.

41. The information processing apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess.

42. An information processing apparatus comprising:

an information storage device having an information writable storage medium, an internal support member incorporating said storage medium, and a state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information to said storage medium is prohibited, said internal support member having a first portion on a main surface thereof where an external connection terminal is provided and electrically connected to said storage medium, and a second portion on said main surface, where said state-designating member is provided; and

a processing device having an external support member having a cavity therein, at least one side wall of said external support member having an opening, a plurality of first electrodes formed inside of said external support member and electrically connected to said external connection terminal of said storage device, a plurality of second electrodes formed inside said external support member and electrically connected to the second portion of the main surface of the internal support member where the state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information to said storage medium is prohibited is provided, and a discriminating circuit for discriminating whether writing information is prohibited by detecting conductive/non-conductive state between said second electrodes,

wherein said first and second electrodes are formed in a same inner plane of said external support member.

43. The information processing apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said state-designating member is comprised of a conductive material.

44. The information processing apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the function of said state-designating member can be served by said internal support member.

45. The information processing apparatus according to claim 42, wherein a height of the first portion on the main surface of said internal support member where said external connection terminal is provided, is equal to a height of the second portion on the main surface of said internal support member, where said state-designating member is provided.

46. The information processing apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said first portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the main surface of said internal support member and said second portion where said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess provided on the main surface of said internal support member.

47. The information processing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the depths of said first and second recesses are greater than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member.

48. The information processing apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess.

49. The information processing apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said first portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the main surface of said internal support member and said second portion where said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess provided on the main surface of said internal support member.

50. The information processing apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the depths of said first and second recesses are greater than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member.

51. The information processing apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said first recess is separated form said second recess.