JPH0734210B2 - Electronic device to which memory cartridge can be connected - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device which can be coupled with a memory cartridge by a physical signal (electrical signal, magnetic signal, optical signal, etc.) when the memory cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position. .

An IC card, a CPU card, or a memory card having a semiconductor element such as an IC or a semiconductor device built-in is used as an alternative to a conventional magnetic card on the one hand, and to an external memory such as a floppy disk on the other hand. Its use as an electronic medium or control means is being sought in a wide range of fields, and some have been put to practical use. When this type of card is installed in a predetermined place of an automatic machine, a control device, or other electronic device, it becomes possible to be connected to the electronic device by a physical signal (electrical signal, magnetic signal, optical signal, etc.). That is, the connection terminal of the card is connected to the connector of the electronic device, or magnetic or optical coupling is achieved. In such a state, the electronic device and the card communicate with each other, and the electronic device performs card processing such as writing data in the memory of the card.

In general, IC cards, CPU cards, and memory cards are handled by hand, so oil, dust, and other foreign matter are likely to adhere to the connection terminals, which causes connection failure. When the connection terminal is in the poor connection state, the above-mentioned normal card processing cannot be performed. That is, an error occurs in the communication between the electronic device and the card, and it becomes impossible to write the correct data in the memory of the card.

By the way, a memory with a relatively large capacity
As one of the uses of the card, it is considered to be used as a medium for recording image data taken by a digital electronic still camera. Since this type of camera is used not only indoors but also outdoors, water easily adheres to the connection terminals of the memory card, and this easily causes oxidation and corrosion of the connection terminals. If this happens, a connection failure will occur and normal recording of video data will not be performed. It is expected that the number of connection terminals will increase as the memory capacity of the memory card further increases. If even one terminal causes a poor connection, reliable recording cannot be expected, which increases the risk that normal recording will not be performed.

Not only those that can be joined by electrical contact between the connection terminals of the card and the connector of the electronic device, but also in the case of a card that is magnetically or optically coupled, dust adhesion or the like causes a coupling failure.

Further, normal card processing cannot be expected even when the card is not properly mounted (for example, inserted) in the electronic device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is capable of performing a connection check between an IC card, a CPU card provided with a memory, a memory card, etc. (collectively referred to as a memory cartridge) and an electronic device with relatively simple processing. The purpose is to

The present invention provides a means for detecting that a memory cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position in an electronic device that can be electrically coupled to the memory cartridge by a plurality of connection terminals when the memory cartridge including a memory is mounted. A means for writing a test code into the memory of the memory cartridge through the connection terminal by designating a predetermined address of the memory of the memory cartridge when detected.
Means for reading the inspection code written by the writing process from the memory of the memory cartridge through the connection terminal, means for detecting a match between the written inspection code and the read inspection code, and the inspection code 0 and While changing the predetermined address and the inspection code so that 1 passes through each of the connection terminals at least once,
It is characterized in that it is provided with a means for controlling the above-mentioned writing, reading and coincidence detection processing to be repeated.

When no match is detected, it is preferable to output an alarm signal because of poor coupling.

The memory cartridge means the one in which the memory is built in a case such as a card-shaped case or a box-shaped case as described above. Not only those with a CPU and memory, those with a liquid crystal display and keyboard, but also those without a CPU, only the memory, or those that have the necessary power supply in addition to the memory and some other circuits It goes without saying that it is included in the concept.

A plurality of connection terminals that electrically connect the electronic device and the memory cartridge are provided with a terminal through which a signal for designating an address of the memory of the memory cartridge passes and a signal of write data to the memory of the memory cartridge or a signal of read data from the memory. Includes terminals to pass through.

According to the present invention, the inspection code is sent from the electronic device through the connection terminal to the memory cartridge and written in the memory cartridge. In addition, the inspection code written in the memory is read through the connection terminal to check whether it matches the written inspection code. If they match, it is judged that the electrical coupling by the plurality of connection terminals is normal, and if they do not match, it is abnormal.

The predetermined address and the inspection code of the memory are changed so that the codes 0 (low level signal) and 1 (high level signal) pass through each connection terminal at least once, and the writing, reading and matching are performed. The detection process is repeated. This makes it possible to check whether or not the reference numerals 0 and 1 pass through each connection terminal, and it is possible to check whether or not there is an abnormality in all the connection terminals.

In this way, whether the connection of the connection terminals between the memory cartridge and the electronic device is normal can be determined in a relatively short time and with a relatively simple process.

Description of Embodiments FIG. 1 shows a connection state between an electronic device 10 and a memory card 20 as an example of a memory cartridge.

The electronic device 10 includes a memory, which is a medium for storing predetermined data, such as the digital electronic still camera described above.
It requires a card 20. The electronic device 10 is provided with a recess or guide 15 for mounting (eg inserting) the memory card 20. Memory card 20 recess
A large number of connection terminals 22 are formed in the portion inserted into 15. Then, in the recess 15 of the electronic device 10, the memory card
A connector (13) having the same number of terminals as the terminals (22) that electrically contact the respective connection terminals (22) when the (20) is mounted is provided. In addition, the limit switch 14 that detects that the memory card 20 is properly installed in the recess 15 has a recess.
It is located within 15. The detection signal of the limit switch 14 is given to the CPU 11. The mounting of the memory card 20 can be detected by various sensors such as a photoelectric switch for optically detecting and a switch for magnetically detecting. Further, it is possible to detect the mounting of the memory card 20 by an electrical detecting means as shown in FIG. One terminal 13a of the connector 13 of the electronic device 10 is connected to its ground, and the other terminal 13b is connected to the CPU 11 via an amplifier if necessary. On the other hand, memory card 2
The terminals 22a, 22b to be connected to the above-mentioned terminals 13a, 13b of 0 are connected to each other and to the ground of the card 20. When the memory card 20 is attached to the electronic device 10, the terminals
The signal of the ground level passes through 13a, 22a, 22b, 13b and the CPU 11
The CPU 11 detects that the card 20 has been installed.

The electronic device 10 has a CPU 11 for controlling various operations of the electronic device and for checking connection of a memory card described later.
Is provided. In addition, an alarm device 12 including a buzzer, a light emitting diode, and the like for notifying that an abnormality is found in the connection check is provided in the electronic device 10 and connected to the CPU 11.

In the memory card 20, several memory chips 21 are built in. If these memories are volatile, they will contain a power supply, such as a battery.

Connector 13 terminals and corresponding memory card
Some of the connection terminals 22 of 20 are memory card 20
Is for transmitting an address signal for designating an address of the memory, and some others are for data transfer. Further, one or more terminals are for chip select signal CS transmission, and there is also a terminal for read / write command R / W from the CPU 11. These terminals in connector 13 are address bus, data bus, and signals CS, R / W.
It is connected with CPU11 by the control line for. The terminal 22 of the memory card 20 is also connected to the address bus, data bus and control line connected to the memory chip 21, respectively. Therefore, when the memory card 20 is installed in the electronic device 10, the address bus, data bus and control lines in the electronic device 10 are connected to the corresponding buses and lines in the memory card 20 by the connector 13 and terminals. Connected via 22, the CPU 11 of the electronic device 10 can directly access the memory of the memory card 20.

In some cases, a connection terminal for connecting a power line for supplying power from the electronic device 10 to the memory card 20 is also provided.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the procedure of the connection check process performed by the CPU 11.

When the mounting switch detection signal of the memory card 20 is given from the limit switch 14 (step 31), the CPU 11 outputs an address signal and a chip select signal for designating a predetermined address of the memory in the memory card 20, and
A predetermined code is sent to the data bus and a write command is output (step 32). This causes the above code to be written to the designated memory location of the memory of memory card 20. Next, an address signal designating the same address, a chip select signal, and a read command are output, and the code previously written is read from the same memory location through the data bus (step 33). Then, the code sent for writing and the code read by the read command are compared and collated to determine whether these codes match (step 34). If they match, then at least one of the address and the code data is changed and the same process is repeated (step 35). When the writing, reading, and collating process for the combination of the address and the code given in advance are completed, the connection check process is completed, and the predetermined process for the memory card 20, for example, writing the video data to the predetermined memory area is performed. move on. If the two codes do not match in step 34, a command is given to the alarm device 12 to notify that effect (step 3
6).

For example, in the first processing, all 0s (all bits are 0s) are used as address signals (including chip select signals) and 1 is used as codes such as 1010.
Data beginning with and beginning with 1 and 0 are alternately repeated. As a result, the steps 32 to 34 are checked.
In the second time, the address signal of all 1s and the data 0101 ...
Perform step 34. By doing so, the signals of 1 and 0 are transmitted to all the terminals of the connector 13 and the corresponding connection terminals 22 in at least two processes. Therefore, if the determination in step 34 is OK in these processes, it can be seen that the connection state of all terminals is good.

Of course, it goes without saying that the combination of address signals, codes, etc. provided by the CPU 11 can be arbitrarily selected.

If necessary, when a NG judgment result is obtained in step 34, the same address is designated and the same code is transmitted and read out a predetermined number of times, and then alarm processing is performed only when an OK judgment is not obtained. You may proceed to. Further, in the case where the automatic loading mechanism for automatically loading the card is provided, when the NG determination result is obtained in step 34, the operation of once removing the card and reloading it may be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an outline of a connection state between an electronic device and a memory card and an electrical configuration thereof, FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a connection check processing procedure, and FIG. 3 detects card insertion. Another example is shown. 10 …… Electronic device, 11 …… CPU, 12 …… Alarm device, 13 …… Connector, 14 …… Mounting detection limit switch, 20 …… Memory card, 21 …… Memory chip, 22 …… Connection Terminal.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device capable of being electrically coupled to a memory cartridge by a plurality of connection terminals when a memory cartridge having a memory is attached, a means for detecting that the memory cartridge is attached at a predetermined position, A means for writing a test code into the memory of the memory cartridge through the connection terminal by designating a predetermined address of the memory of the memory cartridge when the above detection is made, and a test code written by the writing process from the memory of the memory cartridge. Means for reading through the connection terminal, means for detecting a match between the written inspection code and the read inspection code, and the predetermined number such that the reference codes 0 and 1 pass through the connection terminals at least once. While changing the address and inspection code, write the above, Out and coincidence detection processing means for controlling so as to repeat a memory that is cartridge electronic apparatus connectable to comprise a. 2. An electronic device to which a memory cartridge according to claim 1 can be connected, comprising means for outputting an alarm signal when no match is detected.