GB2185134A - Memory package - Google Patents

Abstract

A memory package (10) comprising a rewritable non-volatile memory (12) which can retain stored data even in a power shut-off condition. Transmission of data signals between the memory package (10) and an external unit (20) is performed by contactless coupling means (14,16,18) such as a photocoupler, magnetic coupling, or the like. The power supply for the memory package is provided by the external unit, using a power transformer divided into primary (36,40) and secondary (38,44) units located in the external unit and memory package respectively. An AC induction field from the primary side transformer unit (36,40) induces an AC voltage in the secondary winding (44) which is rectified (46) and the resulting D.C. power source voltage is supplied to the circuitry of the memory package. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Memory package The present invention relates to a memory package having therein a non-volatile memory in which data can be electrically rewritten by an external unit.

In recentyears, in orderto allow an article or apparatus itself to have a function as an information medium, information codes have been printed onto the article or apparatus, or a magnetictape or strip on which information was recorded has been adhered to the article or apparatus. In the case of printed codes, these are optically read by an OCR (optical character reader) or the like. In the case of the magnetictape, the information recorded on the magnetic tape is read by use of a dedicated magnetic reading apparatus. On the basis of the information read out by such a reading apparatus, processes to detect the price of the article, make the apparatus operative, or the like can be automatized by the program control.

In the case where the article, apparatus, or the like has a function as an information medium byway of such printed codes or magnetic tape, no problem will occur if there is no need to change the recorded information. However, in some instances the initial information may change in accordance with a change in the situation, and then a problem will occur because the recorded information cannot be rewritten. Further, in the case of printed codes or magnetic tape, the amount of information recordable on the information medium is limited. Therefore, there is a large restriction on the use ofthe article or apparatus as a memory medium.

In some cases a semiconductor memory may be used to increase the amount of storage capacity orto enable the information to be rewritten. However, if a semiconductor memory device is packaged as an information medium, in order to enablethe memory contents to be read out or rewritten, connecting terminalsfortransmission and reception ofthe memory data, a power source connecting terminal for supplying a power source to the memory, and the like must be attached to the package so as to be exposed to the outside thereof. In such a constitution, oil and dirt may become deposited on the connecting terminals afterthe semiconductor memory package has been used for a long time, so that defective contact is likely to occur. In addition, there may be a problem in terms of reliability and durability because of defective contact and the like due to mechanical deformation ofthe package.

Forthe power source, on the other hand, it might be possible to provide a battery in the package. However, it is undesirable to dispose a battery in the package in view of problems such as the electrolyte in the battery may leak, the durability and service life are limited, and the battery needs to be periodically exchanged. Therefore, it is desirable to make the package operative by supplying a power source from the outside so that the package can be used semipermanently.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a memory package comprising: an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory which can hold memory data even in a powershutoff condition; contactless coupling means for data transmission and reception, operable to couplethe non-volatile memorytoan external unitforreading andwriting, such that transmission and reception of data can be performed between the non-volati(e memory and the external unit without electrical pontactthere- between; and power supply means comprising an induction winding for receiving an AC induct on field from an external unitandfor generating an-induction ACvol- tagetherefrom, and rectifying means operable to re ctify the induction AC voltage and to supply DC power to circuitry of the memory package including said memory.

According to a second aspect of the present invention,there is provided an information processing apparatus, comprising such a memory package in combination with an external unit comprising contactless coupling means for data transmission and reception, which are cooperabiewith the contactless coupling means ofthe memory package for effecting reading and writing of data from and to the memory package.

An embodiment of the present invention may provide a memory package in which a semiconductor memory is provided as an information medium in the package, the transmission and,reception of signals between the memory and an external unit can be performed without using any electrical connecting terminals, and the circuitry ofthe unit can be made simple and capable of semipermanent use.

An embodiment of the invention may provide a memory package in which a powersourcecan be supplied from an external unit to the memory in a contactless mannerwithout using any electrical connecting terminals.

An embodiment ofthe invention may provide a memory package in which even if the power supply from an external unit is shut off, the memory content of the memory is not erased.

An embodiment ofthe invention may provide an external unit which can write and read information into and from a memory provided in a memory package and further which can supply a power source to the memory.

In an embodiment of the invention, a rewritable non-volatile memory which can hold the memory data even in a power shut-off condition is disposed in a package unit. The transmission and reception of signals between the non-volatile memory and an external unit are performed through a contactless coupling means such as a photocoupler, magnetic induction apparatus or the like. Further,forthe power supply, an induction winding for receiving an AC induction field from an external unit and for generating an induction AC voltage is provided in the package unit. By rectifying the voltage generated from the induction winding, a DC power source can be supplied to the memory package circuitry including the memory itself.

Reference is made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an embodi ment ofthe present invention; Figure2 is a diagram for explaining a format of write/read data; Figure3is an explanatory diagram showing a combination of a memory package and an external unit in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is an explanatorydiagram showing another embodiment of a combination of a memory package and an external unit; and Figure5isa blockdiagramshowinganotheremb- odiment of the invention.

Figure lisa blockdiagram showing an embodiment ofthe present invention together with a write/ read apparatus which is used as an external unit.

The component parts will first be described. Reference numeral 10 denotes a memory package unit of the invention. A non-volatile memory 12 serving as a memory medium is built into an independent unit box ofthe memory package 10. The non-volatile memory 12 can keep its memory contents even in the power shut-off condition, and its memory contents can be electrically rewritten in a real time manner.

Practically speaking, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) may be used. For reading out and rewriting the data, it is des arable to use a serial input/outputtype memory in orderto reduce the number of transmission lines required. For example, it is preferable to use an X2404 type device made by, Xicor Co., Ltd. as such an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory 12 ofthe seriall/Otype.

The memory 12 has a serial data port SDAthrough which address data and memory data are input and output, and a serial clock port SCLforreceiving clock pulses and determining the serial timings forwriting and reading the data. An example of a format of data which can be written into and read out from the memory byway of the SDA port and SCL port is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows the data format atthe writing location. Chip selection codesfollowa start pulse S.An RNV code to select the writing or reading operating is arranged afterthe chip selection codes. Further, eight-bit address codes and eight-bit data codes are provided. An end pulse E is arranged at the lastloca- tion. In the reading mode, the RIW code becomes bit "1" and when the data upto and including the address codes is written into the memory, the data codes are outputfrom the memory subsequent to the address codes. Regarding this kind of non volatiie memory 12, a memory having a capacity of about 512 bytes has been put into practical use at present.Therefore, a sufficient memory capacity is assured forthe memory package unit of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 again, the serial data port SDC and serial clock port SCL of the non-volatile memory 12 are used to perform transmission and reception of signals between these ports and a write/ read apparatus 20 which is provided as an external unit, by an optical coupling by use of photocouplers.

That is, the serial data port SDA ofthe memory 12 is connected to a light emitting diode 14which operates in accordance with the read data, and to a phototransistor 16 for receiving optical write data transmitted from the write/read apparatus 20 and for converting the write data into electrical signals. The serial clock port SCL is connected to the output of a phototransistor 18 for receiving the light emitted from the write/read apparatus in response to clock pulses and for converting the light into electrical signals.

In correspondence to the light emitting diode 14 and phototransistors 16 and 18 provided on the memory package unit 10, a phototransistor 24 and light emitting diode 26 and 28 are provided on the write/read apparatus 20. The phototransistor 24 receives the light emitted from the light emitting diode 14 driven on the basis of the read data and converts that light into electrical signals. The light emitting diode 26 is made operative by each signal of a write address and data, or a read address, and emits corresponding light signals to the phototransistor 16.

The light emitting diode 28 is made operative by a clock pulse and emits corresponding photosignalsto the phototransistor 18.

The phototransistor 24 and light emitting diodes 26 and 28 provided on the write/read apparatus 20 are connected to an input/output(l/O) port30for serial transfer. Parallel write and read output data from a microprocessor 32 is converted into serial data, and the light emitting diode 26 is driven under control ofthe microprocessor 32. The memory data serially derived from the memory package unit 10 by the phototransistor 24 is converted into parallel data by the serial transfer I/O port 30 and sent to the microprocessor32. A display and operation panel 34for reading, displaying, and rewriting the memory data of the memory package unit 10 is 6onnected to the microprocessor 32.Further, the display and operation panel 34 makes it possible to perform transmission and reception of data between the microprocessor 32 and other external apparatuses.

A power source apparatus for supplying a power source from the write/read apparatus 20 to the memory package unit 10 may be constituted in the following manner. A power transformer is divided into primary and secondary transformer units. A primary transformer unit 36 is provided in the write/ read apparatus 20. A secondary transformer unit 38 is provided in the memory package 10. An AC power source of a fixed frequency is supplied from an oscil lator 42 to a primary winding 40 of the primarytrans- former unit 36, thereby allowing an AC field bythe primary winding 40 to be generated in the transformer core.

On the other hand, a secondary winding 44 is prov ided in the secondarytransformerunit38 inthe memory package 10. In a state in which the memory package 10 and write/read apparatus 20 are arranged with a space between them, with the primary and secondary tra nsformer u nits facing each other as shown in Figure 1, the AC induction current from the oscillator42flowingthroughtheprimarywinding40 is applied to the secondary winding 44 thorough the transformer cores ofthe primary and secondary transformer units. Thus, an AC induction voltage is generated in the secondary winding 44 bytheAC induction field.The AC induction vpltage of the sec ondary winding 44 is supplied to a rectifying and re gulating power source 46 and rectified into a DC voltage. Thereafter, it is regulated to a constant circuit voltage and supplied to the other circuitry of the unit including the non-volatile memory 12.

The write/read apparatus 20 is equipped with a power circuit 48 to which a commercially available (mains) power source is applied. Each circuit section in the apparatus 20 is made operative by a DC power source voltage from the power circuit48.

Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of how the memory package unit 10 and write/read apparatus 20 may be combined together.

The write/read apparatus 20 is formed as, for example, a disc unit (a unit having a disc drive for data storage) and has an operating keyboard 50 and a dis play unit52.A unitenclosing portion 54 adaptedto receivethe memorypackage unit 10 isformed inthe upper surface ofthe apparatus 20.

The memory package unit 10 is formed in this example as a portable package casing with a shape adapted to engage with the unit enclosing portion 54 of the write/read apparatus 20. The memory package unit 10 is placed onto the upper surface (combination recess surface) of the write/read apparatus 20 and in the resulting combined state, the transformer units of the primary and secondary sides of the splittransformerstructure, and the light emission and light reception sides of the photocouplers, are arranged on the respective surfaces ofthe unit 10 and apparatus 20 so as to face each other. Therefore, by merely mounting the memory package 10 overthe uniten- closing portion 54 ofthe write/read apparatus 20 as illustrated in the Figure, an electrical interface is formed therebetween.Thus, by operating the keyboard 50 or like operating means, the data in the nonvolatile memory 12 ofthe memory package unit 10 can be read out and rewritten.

Accordingly, the power supply between the memory package 10 and the write/read apparatus 20, and the transmission and reception of signalsto read and write data from and into the memory can be attained in a contactless coupling manner by merely disposing the unit 10 and apparatus 20so as to face each other without needing any physical electrical terminal connection. Consequently, the problem of defective contact due to deposition of oil or dirt in the case ofthe conventional terminal structure is prevented or mitigated and high reliability can be assu red in operation, even when the memory package unit and write/read apparatus of the invention are used over a long time period.

Moreover, the power source is supplied from the write/read apparatus 20 to the memory package 10 byway of an AC induction field, whereas the trans mission and reception of signals to and from the memory are optically performed by use of photocouplers. This has the advantage that data transmis sion is not influenced at all by the induction field for supply of the power source.

Figure4 is an explanatory diagram showing an other example of a combination ofthe memory package 10 and writelreaq apparatus 20. According to this embodiment, a separate scanner unit 58 con tainsthecoupling means forthe power source and data signals (the parts shown in the section indicated by a broken line in the write/read apparatus 20 shown in Figure 1) and is connected to a write/read apparatus 20 (in Figure 4) through a signal cable 56.

In operation, the scanner 58 is brought into contact orproximitywithacoupling portion 60for power supply and data transmission provided on the memory package unit 10, so that power is supplied to the unit 10 and data can be read outfrom and written into the non-volatile memory 12 built into the unit10.

As an example of a practical application of a memory package ofthe invention, it can be used in place of a schedule control table attached to each product in a manufacturing lineofautomobiles, domestic electrical products, and the like. In particular, if products of different types and specifications are transported together on the same manufacturing line,thedataforthemanufacturing schedule control of each product can be written into a memory package 10, which can then be attached to the product and the product then transported.

Along the manufacturing line, the memory package attached to the product is removed and coupled to a write/read apparatus 20 such as that shown in Figure 3 for every schedule. The content of the memory package is read out and displayed on, for example, a CRT or the like, thereby confirming the content of the scheduled work. After completion of the scheduled work, data signifying the fact (end of work data) is written into the memory package unit 10. Then,the memory package is attached back onto the product and the product is transported to the next scheduled work (manufacturing stage).In this case, since the write/read apparatus 20 provided at each stage of a manufacturing processes is connected to the central monitoring apparatus, the content ofthe memory package unit loins sent to the central monitoring apparatus in a real time manner. The content ofthe memory package 10 can be also rewritten whilst on the manufacturing linebyin- structions from the central monitoring apparatus.

Figure 5 is a block diagram showing anotherembodiment ofthe invention together with a write/read apparatus. In this embodiment, the transmission and reception ofsignals between the non-volatile memory 12 and the external write/read apparatus 20 are performed by induction magnetic coupling.

That is, three sets of transformer cores 62 and 64; 66 and 68; and 70 and 72 each having a split transformer structure are arranged on confronting surfaces ofthe memory package unit 10 and write/read apparatus 20 as shown in Figure 5, respectively. Induction coils 74,76, and 78 are wound on transformercores 62,68 and 72 serving asthesignal transmission side. As shown by the hatched portions, magnetic sensors 80,82 and 84 are attached to the transformer cores 64,66 and 70 serving as the reception side. A Hall device o r m or magneto-resistance device can be used as each of the magnetic sensors 80,82 and 84. Each sensor has a function to receive an induction field from the induction coil and convert it into an electrical signal. The remaining construction is similarto that ofthe firstembodiment.

Using this magnetic coupling system comprising combinations of induction coils and magnetic sen sors for signal transmission and reception between the non-volatile memory 12 and the external unit, physical connection via electrical terminals is unnecessary as in the em bodiment shown in Figure 1.

Merely by positioning the relevant parts ofthewrite/ read apparatus 20 and memory package unit 10 so as to face each other, the supply of power and the transmission and reception of signals for reading and writing of data from and into the memory can be performed.

In the magnetic coupling arrangement of Figure 5, it is desirable to shield the signal transmission and reception parts against the magneticfields generated bythe power source parts, in orderto prevent the magnetic sensors for signal transmission and reception from being influenced by the AC magnetic field forthe power supply. However, if portions 90 and 92 indicated by broken lines in Figure are enclosed in a ferromagnetic material such as a metal casing or the like, the signal transmission and reception parts are magnetically shielded by the enclosing constructionsthemselves.Therefore,thereis no need to provide an additional magneticshield.

As explained above, in embodiments ofthe present invention, electrical terminal connection with the outside is unnecessary with respectto both power supply from the outside to the memory package unit and also signal transmission and reception for writing and reading of data. Even if oil and dirt become deposited on the memory package unit in use, the supply of power and data transmission and reception can be reliably performed without being influenced by the oil and dirt.

In addition, since the circuitry of the memory package unit including the non-volatile memory is made operative only when it receives power from the outside, the memory package unit can be semipermanently used, unlike a package having a battery built into the unit.

Furthermore, if a memory package unit embodying the invention is built into a product or used together with the product, the article or apparatus itself can be used as a memory medium having a sufficient memory capacity for most requirements.

Since information can be written into the nonvolatile memory device, not only is it possible to read a large amount of information but also the information can be freely rewritten. Hitherto, information pertaining to an article or apparatus has been recorded and stored by use of a slip, document, or the like.

However, these information recording means can be replaced bythe memory package unit ofthe invention. Thus, management, control, scheduled working processes, and the like of a fairly wide range can be facilitated and moreover automated by use of a computer system.

Claims (13)

1. A memory package comprising: an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory which can hold memory data even in a powershutoff condition; contactless coupling means for data transmission and reception, operable to couple said non-volatile memory to an external unit for reading and writing, such that transmission and reception of data can be performed between the non-volatile memory and the external unit without electrica I contacttherebetween; and power supply means comprising an induction winding for receiving an AC induction field from an external unit and for generating an induction ACvoltage therefrom, and rectifying means operable to rectify said induction AC voltage and to supply DC power to circuitry of the memory package including said memory.

2. A memory package according to claim 1, wherein an electrically erasable PROM is used as said non-volatile memory.

3. A memory package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said contactless coupling means is a magnetic induction coupling means comprising a magnetic induction coil and a magnetic sensor.

4. A memory package according to claim 3, wherein said magnetic sensor is a Hall device or a magneto-resistance device.

5. A memory package according to claim 1 or2, wherein said contactless coupling means is a photocoupler comprising a light emitting eiement and a light receiving element.

6. An information processing apparntus, com- prising a memory package as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with an external unitcom- prising contactless coupling means for data transmission and reception, which are cooperable with said contactless coupling means of the memory package for effecting reading and writing of data from and to the memory package.

7. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the external unitfurther comprises data input means for entering data to be written into the memory package.

8. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or7, wherein the external unit further comprises data display means for displaying data read from the memory package.

9. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 6,7 or 8, wherein the external unit has a casing including a portion adapted to receive the memory package in a disposition suitable for cooperation of the contactless coupling means of the memory package and of the external unit.

10. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 6,7,8, or 9, wherein the external unitfurther comprises a primary transformer unit, and the induction winding of said power supply means of the memory package is the secondary winding of a secondary transformer unit, said primary and secondarytransformer units being cooperabletoform a power transformer, whereby, in use, said AC induction field is generated by said primary transformer unit and induces said induction AC voltage in said secondary transformer unit.

11. An information processing apparatus comprising a memory package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in combination with an external unitfor inputting and/or displaying of data from the outside and a scanner unitfor reading and writing data from and to the memory package, wherein the external unit is connected to the scanner unit for data transmission and reception by a cable, and wherein said scanner unit comprises contactless coupling means for data transmission and reception which are coop erable with said contactless coupling means of the memory package for effecting reading and writing of data.

12. A memory package as defined in claim 1 and substantially according to any one of the embodi mentsthereofhereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. An information processing apparatus as defined in claim 6 and substantially according to any one of the embodiments thereof hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.