Memory card, and receptacle for same

• US 6,616,053 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2000
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Okaue, Takumi, Sassa, Akira, Kobayashi, Toshiharu, Kondo, Yoshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FUREMAN, JARED
• Application Number:
  US09/484,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20020036236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 235/487, 235/492, 235/441, 710/62, 361/737, 439/140, 439/945, 439/946, 439/299, 439/345, 439/350, 439/355, 439/680, D13/182, 257/679
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 13/0856 the locking arrangement comprising a notch in the card and a complementary locking means in the card reading station
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 13/0893 the arrangement comprising means for cleaning the card upon insertion
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07732 the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks housings for electrical equipment in general, see H05K5/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07739 comprising a first part capable of functioning as a record carrier on its own and a second part being only functional as a form factor changing part, e.g. SIM cards type ID 0001, removably attached to a regular smart card form factor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07743 External electrical contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0021 for reading/sensing record carriers having surface contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0047 for reading/sensing record carriers having edge contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0254 High voltage adaptations; Electrical insulation details; Overvoltage or electrostatic discharge protection electrostatic discharge protection for electric apparatus in general H05K9/0067, H05K9/0079; Arrangements for regulating voltages or for using plural voltages
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/117 Pads along the edge of rigid circuit boards, e.g. for pluggable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/946 Memory card cartridge

Abstract

A memory card is disclosed which has a card body (2) having a concavity (9) formed at the forward end thereof in the inserting direction and in which terminals (5) are disposed and projections (10) are formed between the terminals (5) to prevent the terminals (5) from being touched or accessed from outside. A receptacle for the memory card is also disclosed. The memory card has a simple structure designed to positively protect the terminals and easily let out dust or the like from inside, thereby permitting to assure a positive connection with the receptacle.

Claims

1. An electrical device connectable to an external apparatus, comprising:

a substantially rectangular card body having first and second surfaces, first and second longitudinal edges and three corners,

said card body incorporating at least one controlling integrated circuit therein, and

three recesses disposed in said three corners, respectively.

each said recess being formed at an end of a respective longitudinal edge and located between said first surface and said second surface.

2. An electrical device connectable to an external apparatus, comprising:

a substantially rectangular card body having first and second surfaces, first and second longitudinal edges and four corners,

said card body incorporating at least one controlling integrated circuit therein, and

four recesses disposed in said four corners, respectively

each said recess being formed at an end of a respective longitudinal edge and located between said first surface and second surface.

3. A receptacle connectable to an electric device having a substantially rectangular card body, the card body having four recesses located in side walls of the card body, said receptacle comprising:

a top surface having a substantially rectangular concavity to receive said electric device, said concavity having side walls, and

four projections formed in the side walls of said concavity to engage respective ones of said recesses.

4. An information processing system comprised of an electric device and a receptacle connected to said electric device, said electric device comprising:

a substantially rectangular card body having first and second surfaces, first and second longitudinal edges and four corners;

said card body incorporating at least one controlling integrated circuit therein; and

four recesses disposed in said four corners, respectively, each said recess being formed at an end of a respective longitudinal edge and located between said first surface and said second surface; and

said receptacle comprising;

a top surface having a substantially rectangular concavity to receive said electric device, said concavity having side walls, and

four projections formed in the side walls of said concavity to engage respective ones of said recesses.

5. An electric device connectable to an external apparatus, comprising:

a substantially rectangular card body having first and second surfaces, and a first end,

a corner at said first end having a corner cut and a notch integrable with said corner cut,

said card body incorporating at least one controlling integrated circuit therein, and

a plurality of terminals disposed at said first end and offset from said corner having said corner cut and notch.

6. The electric device of claim 5, wherein said corner cut is formed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to said first end and said notch is formed perpendicularly to said first end.

7. An information processing system comprised of an electric device and a receptacle connected to said electric device, said electric device comprising:

a substantially rectangular card body having first and second surfaces, and a first end,

a corner at said first end having a corner cut and a notch integrable with said corner cut,

said card body incorporating at least one controlling integrated circuit therein, and

a plurality of terminals disposed at said first end and offset from said corner having said corner cut and notch; and

said receptacle comprising;

a projection having an incorrect insertion-preventive member to cooperate with said corner of the electric device.

8. An electric device connectable to an external apparatus, comprising:

a substantially rectangular card body having first and second opposing surfaces, and first and second longitudinal edges, respectively, extending between said first and second surfaces,

said card body incorporating at least one controlling integrated circuit therein,

plural terminals, exposed at said first surface and electrically coupled to said controlling integrated circuit, and

two notches disposed in said first and second longitudinal edges, respectively,

said two notches being opened to said first surface and not opened to said second surface.

9. The electric device of claim 8, wherein one of said two notches is of arcuate shape, and the other is of rectangle shape.

10. An information processing system comprised of an electric device and a receptacle connected to said electric device, said electric device comprising:

a substantially rectangular card body having first and second opposing surfaces, and first and second longitudinal edges, respectively, extending between said first and second surfaces,

said card body incorporating at least one controlling integrated circuit therein,

plural terminals, exposed at said first surface and electrically coupled to said controlling integrated circuit, and

two notches disposed in said first and second longitudinal edges, respectively, said two notches being opened to said first surface and not opened to said second surface;

and said receptacle comprising;

a disengaged-preventive member engaged with one of said two notches of the electric device.

11. An electrical device connectable to an external apparatus, comprising:

a substantially rectangular card body having first and second surfaces, first and second longitudinal edges, a forward end, a rearward end, and four corners,

said card body incorporating at least one controlling integrated circuit therein, and

at least three recesses disposed in at least three of said corners, respectively, each said recess being formed at an end of a respective longitudinal edge and located between said first and second surfaces, with respective recesses located at said forward end being opened at said forward end, and with those respective recesses located at said rearward end being opened at said rearward end.