JP2004259304A - Memory card - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to improve usability, cost reduction, and mechanical reliability of a memory card.
A light emitting diode for electromotive force functioning as a power supply and a light emitting diode for communication are provided on a memory card provided with a flash memory and a CPU. The electromotive light emitting diode 4 of the memory card 1 is used as the power supply light emitting diode 21 of the memory card reader / writer device 16, and the communication light emitting diode 5 of the memory card 1 is used as the communication light emission of the memory card reader / writer device 16. When the power supply light emitting diode 21 emits light while facing the diode 22, the electromotive force light emitting diode 4 receives the light and generates power to supply the power to the flash memory 2 and the CPU 3 as power supply power. . The communication light emitting diode 5 and the communication light emitting diode 22 perform bidirectional communication of optical signals.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a memory card equipped with a nonvolatile memory.

  A memory card is used by being connected to a device such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, or a game machine.The shape of the memory card varies depending on the device to be connected, but the internal circuit configuration is almost the same. More specifically, it is configured to include a memory, a control unit, and a power supply (battery). In such a memory card, for example, when data for storage is sent from a device to be connected, writing of data to the memory is performed by the control operation of the control unit using the power of the power supply. When a data read command is received from the connection partner device, the requested data is read from the memory and transmitted to the connection partner device by the control operation of the control unit. .

JP-A-63-242686 JP-A-3-76167 JP-A-2-123668

  Such a memory card is expected to be used more and more in the future, and it is required to further improve the usability, reduce the cost, and enhance the mechanical reliability.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide good usability, high mechanical reliability, and furthermore, it is easy to reduce the cost and to promote application expansion. It is to provide a memory card which can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides means for solving the above-mentioned problems with the following configuration. That is, the memory card of the first invention includes a nonvolatile memory, a control unit that controls writing and reading of data to and from the nonvolatile memory, and a power supply that supplies power to the nonvolatile memory and the control unit. In the memory card, the power supply is constituted by a light emitting diode that performs a photovoltaic operation by receiving light from the outside, and is a means for solving the above problem.

  A memory card according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the power supply is configured by connecting a plurality of light emitting diodes.

  A memory card according to a third aspect of the present invention includes the configuration of the first or second aspect, wherein the light emitting diode of the power supply is a GaAlAs-based light emitting diode.

  In the present invention, when the light emitting diode of the power supply receives light and generates power, the electromotive force of the light emitting diode is supplied to the non-volatile memory and the control unit. Controls writing / reading of data to / from As described above, since the light emitting diode functions as a power supply, a battery can be omitted. As a result, the circuit configuration can be simplified, and the cost of the memory card can be easily reduced because the light emitting diode is an inexpensive part. Furthermore, the weight of the memory card can be reduced, and the usability can be improved by eliminating the trouble of power supply maintenance.

  As described above, the present invention can provide an innovative memory card that has a simple circuit configuration, is easy to use, has high mechanical reliability, and is low in cost. .

  In the case where the light-emitting diode of the power supply is constituted by a GaAlAs-based light-emitting diode, the light-emitting diode can generate a large power of about 1.5 V by one element, so that the number of light-emitting diodes used is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to obtain further effects such as weight reduction and cost reduction of the memory card.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  By the way, among a plurality of types of light emitting diodes, there are light emitting diodes that generate large electric power by receiving light and exhibit excellent performance in receiving and transmitting optical signals with excellent light receiving response and AC signal light emitting response. There is. The present inventor has paid attention to the ultra-high-brightness light emitting diode, and has conceived an unprecedented innovative memory card using the light emitting diode and a data writing / reading system thereof.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of the memory card and its data writing / reading system. The memory card 1 shown in this embodiment is a flash memory card. As shown in FIG. 1, a flash memory 2 which is a nonvolatile memory, a CPU 3 which is a control unit, a light emitting diode 4 for electromotive force, It has a light emitting diode 5, a power supply path 6, and signal paths 7 and 8.

  The flash memory 2, the CPU 3, the electromotive light emitting diode 4, and the communication light emitting diode 5 are mounted on a circuit board (not shown), and the electromotive force light emitting diode 4 is formed by a lead pattern or a conductive wire formed on the circuit board. The communication light-emitting diode 5 is connected to the CPU 3 by a signal path 7 such as a lead wire or a lead pattern. A signal path 8 similar to the signal path 7 is electrically connected to the flash memory 2. A circuit board having such a circuit is housed and sealed in the card case 10.

  The light emitting diode 4 for electromotive force and the light emitting diode 5 for communication, which are the most characteristic in the memory card of this embodiment, are constituted by the GaAlAs-based light emitting diodes which are the ultra-high brightness light emitting diodes. In other words, the light emitting diode 4 for electromotive force and the light emitting diode 5 for communication have a unique property of receiving light and generating large power and exhibiting excellent optical signal transmission / reception performance. Since it is constituted by a GaAlAs-based light emitting diode, its photovoltaic power is about 1.5 V, which is as large as that of a normal manganese battery (about three times the photovoltaic power of a silicon photodiode), and It is very suitable for two-way communication of optical signals.

  In this embodiment, the light emitting diode 4 for electromotive force and the light emitting diode 5 for communication are unitized by aligning the positions of the light emitting portions 4a and 5a and juxtaposed with an interval therebetween. Are arranged at the end of the card in the card with the light emitting portions 4a and 5a facing outward. In the card case 10, a portion facing the light emitting portion 4a of the light emitting diode 4 for electromotive force forms an optical input end, and a portion facing the light emitting portion 5a of the light emitting diode 5 for communication forms an optical input / output end. In the card case 10, at least portions of the light emitting diodes 4 and 5 facing the light emitting portions 4a and 5a are made of a transparent material (for example, glass or transparent plastic). Thereby, the optical path from each light emitting portion 4a, 5a of each light emitting diode 4, 5 to the outer end of the card becomes transparent, and light from the outside to the light emitting portion 4a, 5a of each light emitting diode 4, 5 becomes transparent. It is configured not to hinder the incidence and emission of light from the light emitting portion 5a of the communication light emitting diode 5 to the outside.

  The electromotive force light emitting diode 4 receives external light to generate power (performs photovoltaic operation), and functions as a power supply that supplies the power to the flash memory 2 and the CPU 3 through the power supply path 6. It is.

  The communication light emitting diode 5 functions as a receiving unit that receives an optical signal from the outside when the light emitting unit 5a is turned off, and as a transmitting unit that transmits an optical signal to the outside by the light emission of the light emitting unit 5a. It works.

  In FIG. 1, each of the light emitting diodes 4 and 5 is shown one by one. However, the number of each of the light emitting diodes 4 and 5 is provided by an appropriate number as needed. It is not limited. When a plurality of the light emitting diodes 4 or 5 are provided, their connections are appropriately connected as necessary.

  The memory card 1 shown in this embodiment is configured as described above. Next, an example of a system for writing data to and reading data from the memory card 1 will be described. The memory card data writing / reading system 15 shown in FIG. 1 includes the memory card 1, a memory card reader / writer device 16, and a personal computer 17 connected to the memory card reader / writer device 16. The characteristic feature is that the memory card reader / writer device 16 is provided with a signal connection unit 20 having a specific configuration for signal connection with the memory card 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the signal connection unit 20 includes a power supply light emitting diode 21 and a communication light emitting diode 22. The power supply light emitting diode 21 and the communication light emitting diode 22 emit light of the memory card 1. Like the diodes 4 and 5, it is constituted by a GaAlAs-based light emitting diode. The power supply light emitting diode 21 and the communication light emitting diode 22 are united by aligning and aligning the positions of the respective light emitting portions 21a and 22a, and the light emitting diodes 21 and 22 are arranged such that the light emitting portions 21a and 22a extend outward. The memory card reader / writer device 16 is disposed at an end inside the case 18. Like the case 10 of the memory card 1, the case 18 has at least portions of the light emitting diodes 21 and 22 facing the light emitting portions 21a and 22a made of a transparent material. , 22a so as not to impede light from entering or exit from outside.

  The memory card 1 and its data writing / reading system 15 shown in the first embodiment are configured as described above. Hereinafter, an example of the operation of writing and reading data to and from the memory card 1 by the memory card data writing / reading system 15 will be described. For example, the light emitting part 4a of the electromotive force light emitting diode 4 of the memory card 1 is used as the light emitting part 21a of the power supply light emitting diode 21 of the signal connection part 20, and the light emitting part of the communication light emitting diode 5 of the memory card 1 is used. 5a are opposed to the light emitting portions 22a of the communication light emitting diodes 22 of the signal connection portion 20, respectively.

  In this state, the power supply light-emitting diode 21 of the signal connection unit 20 emits light, so that the light is incident on the electromotive force light-emitting diode 4 of the memory card 1 and is transmitted from the electromotive force light-emitting diode 4 to the flash memory 2. Power is supplied to the CPU 3. Here, it is necessary to control the light emitting operation of the power supply light emitting diode 21 so that the power is output from the electromotive force light emitting diode 4. Therefore, a control unit (not shown) for controlling the light emitting operation of the power supply light emitting diode 21 is provided in the memory card reader / writer device 16.

  When the flash memory 2 and the CPU 3 are in the driving state, the data for storing the memory card created by the personal computer 17 is output to the reader / writer device 16 for the memory card, and the reader / writer device 16 for the memory card is output. When an electric signal for transmitting the data is generated, the communication light emitting diode 22 of the signal connection unit 20 converts the electric signal into an optical signal and directs the electric signal to the communication light emitting diode 5 of the memory card 1. To send.

  Upon receiving the optical signal, the communication light emitting diode 5 converts the optical signal into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to the CPU 3. The CPU 3 receiving the signal extracts data from the received signal and writes the data into the flash memory 2.

  As described above, when a data read command is given from the personal computer 17 to the CPU 3 via the communication light emitting diodes 22 and 5 in order, the CPU 3 reads the requested data from the flash memory 2 and transmits the data. And outputs it to the communication light emitting diode 5. The communication light emitting diode 5 converts the electric signal into an optical signal and emits the light signal toward the communication light emitting diode 22 of the signal connection unit 20. The communication light emitting diode 22 converts the optical signal into an electric signal. Data is extracted from the electric signal by the memory card reader / writer device 16 and supplied to the personal computer 17.

  According to this embodiment, since the electromotive light emitting diode 4 functioning as a power supply is provided, a conventional battery is not required. Thereby, the circuit configuration can be simplified. Further, it is possible to reduce the weight, and it is possible to improve the usability by eliminating the trouble such as maintenance of the power supply. Further, since the light emitting diode is a significantly cheaper component than the battery, the cost of the memory card 1 can be easily reduced. Further, since the light emitting diode 4 for electromotive force performs a photovoltaic operation by receiving light, it does not need to be exposed to the outside and can be accommodated in the card case 10.

  Further, since the communication light emitting diode 5 for transmitting and receiving signals using light is provided, signals can be transmitted and received without directly connecting to a communication partner. Thus, similarly to the electromotive force light emitting diode 4, it is not necessary to expose it to the outside, and it can be accommodated in the card case 10.

  As described above, both the electromotive force light emitting diode 4 and the communication light emitting diode 5 can be housed inside the card case 10, so that all the circuit components constituting the memory card 1 are stored inside the card case 10. The memory card 1 having high mechanical reliability can be provided by eliminating externally formed components.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, a unique signal connection unit 20 for connecting to the memory card 1 having the above-described characteristic configuration is provided, and the memory card 1 and the signal connection unit 20 provide an innovative signal connection. A data writing / reading system for a memory card can be constructed.

  That is, conventionally, in order to make a signal connection between the memory card 1 and the device to be connected, a direct connection had to be made. However, the memory card 1 and the signal connection unit 20 shown in this embodiment were required. Is capable of signal connection in a non-contact state. Power is output from the electromotive force light emitting diode 4 only by emitting light from the connection partner to the electromotive force light emitting diode 4 of the memory card 1. Therefore, an epoch-making effect that power and signals can be exchanged without contact can be achieved.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the light emitting diodes 4, 5, 21, and 22 are constituted by GaAlAs-based light emitting diodes, a large electromotive force and high luminance can be obtained with one element, and high frequency Can be transmitted and received, and the above-described excellent effects can be obtained.

  In addition, since the set of the light emitting diodes 4 and 5 and the set of the light emitting diodes 21 and 22 are unitized, manufacturing and assembly of the memory card 1 and the memory card reader / writer device 16 can be facilitated.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can adopt various embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, the flash memory 2 is mounted on the memory card 1, but the present invention can also be applied to a memory card having a nonvolatile memory other than the flash memory 2. .

  In the above embodiment, the set of the electromotive force light emitting diode 4 and the communication light emitting diode 5 and the set of the power supply light emitting diode 21 and the communication light emitting diode 22 are unitized. It does not need to be done. Further, the light emitting diodes 4, 5, 21, and 22 are constituted by GaAlAs-based light emitting diodes, but may be constituted by other ultra-high brightness light emitting diodes.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the memory card 1 has a configuration in which the circuit board is housed in the card case. However, for example, a memory card in which the circuit board on which the components are mounted is covered with a protective film, or the like. As described above, the present invention can be applied to memory cards of other forms.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the example in which the memory card 1 exchanges data with the personal computer 17 has been described. However, the present invention connects to various data processing devices other than the personal computer, such as a mobile phone and a game machine. It can be applied to a memory card. In addition, the data writing / reading system for a memory card according to the present invention can construct a new system in various fields other than the data exchange system between the personal computer and the memory card described in the above embodiment. . For example, the present invention can be applied to a collation system for a person or the like using the memory card of the present invention as an ID card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a memory card according to the present invention, together with a data writing / reading system.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 memory card 2 flash memory 3 CPU
Reference Signs List 4 light emitting diode for electromotive force 5 light emitting diode for communication 6 power supply path 7, 8 signal path 20 signal connection part 21 light emitting diode for power supply 22 light emitting diode for communication

Claims (3)

A memory card comprising: a nonvolatile memory; a control unit that controls writing and reading of data to and from the nonvolatile memory; and a power supply that supplies power to the nonvolatile memory and the control unit. A memory card comprising a light emitting diode that performs a photovoltaic operation by receiving light from the outside. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein the power supply is configured by connecting a plurality of light emitting diodes. 3. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting diode of the power supply is a GaAlAs-based light emitting diode.

Images