Counting computer software cartridge

• US 4,553,252 A
• Filed: 12/06/1982
• Issued: 11/12/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Egendorf, Harris H.
• Original Assignee: Egendorf, Harris H.
• Inventors: Egendorf, Harris H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Heyman, John S.
• Application Number:
  US06/446,847
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 377/15, 360/137, 360/132, 364/300
• US Class Current: 377/15
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/04 using counting means or digital clocks
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0875 Indicating means, e.g. quantity of tape

Abstract

A cartridge housing contains a semi-conductor or memory for storing digital information which may be accessed by an external device for display on a screen. The cartridge includes a counting circuit for counting the number of times the cartridge is used and a display for exhibiting the count.

Claims

1. In a cartridge adapted for insertion and use in a computer, the cartridge including electronic memory containing a stored program for use with the computer, the combination comprising a housing, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing and having a conductor portion electrically connectable to the computer, sensing means for sensing insertion of the cartridge into the computer and for generating an electrical signal, counting means electrically coupled to the sensing means for maintaining an electronic count of the number of times that the cartridge is inserted in the computer and display means electrically coupled to said counting means and located on the housing for displaying the count maintained by said counting means.

2. A cartridge in accordance with claim 1 wherein said display means is a liquid crystal display located at one end of the housing, and a bar label at said one end of the housing adjacent said display.

3. A cartridge in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing is comprised of mating halves coupled together, and a tear-away label associated with the mating halves for indicating unauthorized separation of the mating halves.

4. A cartridge in accordance with claim 1 including a liquid crystal display mounted on the housing, said display being electrically coupled to said counting means for exhibiting the count.

5. In a cartridge adapted for insertion and use in a computer, the cartridge including electronic memory containing a stored program for use with the computer, the combination comprising a housing, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing and having a conductor portion electrically connectable to the computer, sensing means for sensing insertion of the cartridge into the computer and for generating an electrical signal, counting means electrically coupled to the sensing means for maintaining an electronic count of the number of times that the cartridge is inserted in the computer, a liquid crystal display electrically coupled to said counting means and located at one end of the housing for displaying the count, a bar label at said one end of the housing adjacent said display, said housing being comprised of mating halves coupled together, a tear-away label associated with the mating halves for indicating unauthorized separation of the mating halves.

6. A cartridge comprising a housing insertable in an external device, comprising:

a wall mounted on the housing and provided with an opening, said wall being displaceable between two positions,

a printed circuit board having a conductor portion in juxtaposition with the wall opening such that the conductor portion protrudes through the opening when the wall is in one of said positions and is disposed behind the opening when the wall is in the other of said positions,

signal generating means for generating an electrical signal based on displacement of the wall between said positions,

means electrically coupled to said signal generating means for electronically maintaining a count based on the number of times that said wall is displaced between said positions, and

display means mounted on the housing and electrically coupled to said counting means for displaying the count.

7. In a cartridge adapted for insertion and use in a computer, the cartridge including electronic memory containing a stored program for use with the computer, the combination comprising a housing, sensing means for sensing insertion of the cartridge in the computer and for generating an electrical signal indicating the same, counting means electrically coupled to the sensing means so as to receive said electrical signal and for maintaining an electronic count of the number of insertions of the cartridge in the computer, and display means electrically coupled to said counting means and located on the housing for displaying the count maintained by said counting means.