JP2000260177A - Rack device for memory cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To check a recorded information content by stably feeding power to the respective memories and electric circuits of plural memory cassettes. SOLUTION: This rack device is constructed in such a manner that a power source supply section for supplying power to the respective semiconductor memories and electric circuits of memory cassettes 210 to 240 is integrally provided in guide rails 121 to 12N and 131 to 13N respectively engaged with the guiding grooves of the memory cassettes 210 to 240 during the housing of the same to guide the memory cassettes 210 to 240 to fixing positions. Thus, by simply housing the memory cassettes 210 to 240 in the opening part 110 of a rack device main body 100, the semiconductor memories and electric circuits of the memory cassettes 210 to 240 are connected to the power source, a light transmitting window approaches light terminals 141 to 14N and, by using an optical signal, information is read out in non-contact with each semiconductor memory.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a memory cassette rack device for accommodating a plurality of memory cassettes and managing the information recorded in a memory built in each memory cassette.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a tape cassette has been used as an information recording apparatus for recording a video signal, an audio signal, and the like. As the number of such tape cassettes increases, it becomes difficult to grasp what kind of recording is made on which tape cassette, and it becomes difficult to quickly search for desired recording contents.

On the other hand, a method of managing the contents of a tape cassette is such that a user attaches a label or the like to the tape cassette and the user writes the recorded contents by hand on the label.
Usually, a large part is in the hands of the user.

If the label is not attached, the tape cassette must be inserted into the main body of the recording / reproducing apparatus to reproduce the recorded contents. Will spend.

Therefore, recently, instead of a tape, a semiconductor memory that records audio signals and video signals and records title information and the like related to the recorded contents, and a method for reading or writing information from or to this semiconductor memory. A memory cassette having a built-in electric circuit is considered. When the memory cassette is provided with a liquid crystal display on the surface of the case, it is possible to display title information and the like relating to recorded contents.

In addition, a cassette having a built-in HDD (hard disk drive) is also conceivable. This is inexpensive but lacks reliability.

In the above-mentioned memory cassette, it is necessary to supply power to the semiconductor memory and the electric circuit in order to read or write information from or to the semiconductor memory. Therefore, when the power supply unit is provided in the memory cassette, the internal electric circuit becomes complicated, and the size of the memory cassette itself increases.

As a countermeasure, there is a method in which a power supply unit is provided in a rack device which accommodates and manages a memory cassette. However, this method requires a space for arranging the power supply unit in the cassette accommodating unit, so that the rack apparatus itself becomes large. Further, there is a case where power supply is not reliably performed due to a positional shift between the power receiving portion and the power supply portion of the memory cassette, which necessitates a design for positioning and the like, which is very troublesome when manufacturing a rack device. Take it.

[0009]

As described above, in the conventional rack apparatus, a power supply section is arranged in the cassette accommodating section in order to supply power to the semiconductor memory and electric circuit of each of the plurality of memory cassettes. This requires a space for the rack device, so that there is a problem that the rack device itself becomes large. Further, there is a case where the power supply is not reliably performed due to a positional shift between the power receiving portion and the power source portion of the memory cassette.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to stably supply power to a memory and an electric circuit of each memory cassette in a state in which a plurality of memory cassettes are accommodated, thereby recording data in each memory. It is an object of the present invention to provide a memory cassette rack device capable of quickly and easily examining information contents.

[0011]

A rack device for a memory cassette according to the present invention has a built-in memory and an information processing circuit for reading or writing information from / to the memory, and has a memory access portion at a part of a case surface. An apparatus for handling a plurality of memory cassettes each having a light transmitting portion and an insertion guide groove serving also as an insertion guide for supplying power received externally to the memory and the information processing circuit, wherein at least one of the plurality of memory cassettes is provided. A cassette accommodating portion accommodating the light transmitting portion forming surface and a plurality of memory cassettes accommodating in the cassette accommodating portion are provided. When the memory cassette is accommodated, the memory cassette is engaged with the insertion guide groove to guide the memory cassette to a fixed position. The cassette guide section and the plurality of cassette guide sections are provided respectively. A first power supply unit that electrically contacts the guide groove and supplies power to the memory and the information processing circuit of the memory cassette; and a plurality of memory cassettes that can be accommodated in cassette fixing positions in the cassette accommodation unit. A memory access unit for accessing the information processing circuit using light to the light transmitting unit and reading information from the memory while power is supplied to the memory and the information processing circuit of the cassette; It is.

According to this configuration, attention is paid to the fact that a power receiving portion for supplying power to the internal memory and the information processing circuit is provided in the insertion guide groove of the memory cassette.
A power supply for supplying power to the memory and the information processing circuit of the memory cassette is provided integrally with a cassette guide for guiding the memory cassette to a fixed position by engaging the insertion guide groove of the memory cassette when the memory cassette is accommodated. By simply accommodating the plurality of memory cassettes in the accommodating portion, the memory and the information processing circuit of each of the plurality of memory cassettes are connected to the power supply unit, so that power can be supplied to the memory and the information processing circuit. The transmissive part is close to the memory access part, and light can be used to read information without contacting the memory.

[0013] Therefore, based on the information read from the memory, the information contents recorded in the memories of the plurality of memory cassettes can be quickly and easily checked. In addition, the reliability of power supply is increased without requiring a space for providing a power supply unit in the cassette housing unit, and the size of the cassette housing unit is determined by integrally providing the guide rail and the power supply unit. In addition, based on the width and thickness of each of the plurality of memory cassettes to be housed, it is possible to minimize the design so that the required number can be housed. Therefore, it is effective for downsizing the device.

[0014] In the above configuration, an information presenting unit for presenting to the user memory access information of the plurality of memory access units in association with identification information for identifying the memory access unit is further provided.

According to this configuration, the user can recognize which information content is recorded in which memory cassette based on the identification information, and the memory cassette in which the desired information content is recorded can be recognized. It is also possible to recognize in which position of the rack device the data is stored.

In the above configuration, there is further provided an information transfer means for transferring the memory access information between the plurality of memory access units and an external device by adding the memory access information to the identification information for identifying the memory access unit. It is characterized by the following.

According to this configuration, the identification information for identifying each memory access unit is added to the memory access information of each of the plurality of stored memory cassettes, and the information is transferred to a personal computer or the like so that the information is managed. The user operates a personal computer or the like to determine what information content is stored in which memory cassette in the storage unit based on the identification information, or in which location the memory cassette storing the desired information content is stored. Can be searched quickly and easily.

In the above structure, when a power receiving portion for supplying power to the memory and the information processing circuit is provided separately from the insertion guide groove on the case surface of each of the plurality of memory cassettes, The number of memory cassettes to be accommodated is provided, and when the memory cassette is accommodated in the cassette accommodating portion, the memory cassette is electrically contacted with a power receiving portion to supply power to the memory and the information processing circuit of the memory cassette. A second power supply unit is provided.

According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably and stably supply power to the memory and the information processing circuit of each of the plurality of memory cassettes housed in the housing.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rack apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a memory cassette handled in one embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a rack device body formed in a substantially U-shape, and a plurality of guide rails 121 to 12N (N
Are natural numbers), 131 to 13N are provided in a predetermined arrangement, and further, optical terminals 141 to 14N (14 in FIG.
1, 147 and 14N only) are provided in a predetermined arrangement. The opening 110 has four memory cassettes 21.
0 to 240 are accommodated.

First, these four memory cassettes 210
２４０240 will be described using the memory cassette 210 as a representative. The memory cassette 210 includes, as shown in FIG.
Guide grooves 211 and 212 are formed on the left and right side surfaces along the direction of insertion into the rack apparatus main body 100 (the direction of arrow A in the figure), and the light transmission window 21 for memory access is formed on the back surface.
3 are provided. The memory cassette 210 is provided with a semiconductor memory (not shown) and an electric circuit (not shown) for reading or writing information from / to this semiconductor memory. Other memory cassettes 220 to 240 have the same configuration.

Next, a power supply mechanism for supplying power to the semiconductor memory and the electric circuit of the memory cassette 210 will be described. That is, the left and right guide grooves 211 and 212 of the memory cassette 210 are provided with electrodes 214 and 215 for supplying an externally supplied power to the internal semiconductor memory and the electric circuit, respectively. In this case, the electrode 214 is negative and the electrode 215 is positive.

The guide rails 123 and 133 have
When the memory cassette 210 is stored, the memory cassette 21
A power supply unit (not shown) for electrically supplying the power to the semiconductor memory and the electric circuit of the memory cassette 210 in electrical contact with the guide grooves 211 and 212 of the memory cassette 210 is provided. That is, the contact portions of the guide rails 123 and 133 are formed of a material having good conductivity. Note that power supply units are also provided on the other guide rails 121, 122, 124 to 12N and the guide rails 131, 132, 134 to 13N. Also, the guide rail 12
The power supply section of 1 to 12N becomes negative, and the guide rail 13
The power supply units of 1 to 13N are positive.

With such a configuration, the memory cassette 2
10 is inserted into the opening 110 of the rack apparatus main body 100 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 from the light transmitting window 213 forming surface, first the left and right guide grooves 211, 212 engage with the guide rails 123, 133. I do. Then, as the memory cassette 210 is deeply inserted into the opening 110, the light transmitting window 213 of the memory cassette 210 is guided to a position close to the optical terminal 143 by the guide rails 123 and 133. At this time, the guide rails 123, 13
3 are left and right guide grooves 211, 2 of the memory cassette 210.
12, the memory cassette 210
The electrodes 214 and 215 of the memory cassette 210 are in electrical contact with the power supply unit. Therefore, the semiconductor memory and the electric circuit of the memory cassette 210 are connected to the power supply unit, and power is supplied to the semiconductor memory and the electric circuit. It becomes possible to supply.

Next, the configuration for reading information from the semiconductor memory of the memory cassette 210 and the operation by the configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Optical terminal 143
Are connected to a memory access unit (not shown). The memory access unit accesses an electric circuit using an optical signal to the light transmitting window 213 and reads information from the semiconductor memory while the memory cassette 210 is inserted into the opening 110.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the memory access unit includes at least the information processing unit 150 and the interface units 160 and 170. Information processing unit 1
When a read command is given, a control signal for reading recorded information from the memory cassette 210 is converted into an optical signal by the interface unit 160, and an optical terminal 143 is provided.
To the light transmission window 213 of the memory cassette 210 via the. Then, the optical signal transmitted through the light transmission window 213 is converted into the original control signal by the interface unit 216 and supplied to the information processing unit 217. The interface unit 2
16 and the information processing section 217 constitute an electric circuit.
The information processing unit 210, based on the input control signal,
The recording information indicating the title, the recording date, and the like is read from the semiconductor memory 218, and the recording information is sent to the information processing unit 150 via the interface units 216 and 160.

The information processing section 150 is provided in the rack device main body 10.
The recording information is displayed on the display unit 180 provided with the identification information for identifying its own memory access unit, that is, the identification information indicating the cassette storage location of the rack apparatus main body 100.

The information processing section 150 transfers the record information to an external device via the interface section 170. In this case, identification information for identifying the own memory access unit is added to the recorded information and transferred. In this way, a personal computer or the like can be connected through the optical terminals 141 to 14N to easily construct a rack device search / management system.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the power supply unit for supplying power to the semiconductor memory 218 and the electric circuit including the interface unit 216 and the information processing unit 217 of the memory cassette 210 is provided by the memory cassette 21.
0, the guide grooves 211 and 211 of the memory cassette 210 are stored.
The memory cassette 210 is simply provided on the rack apparatus main body 10 by being provided integrally with the guide rails 123 and 133 for engaging the memory cassette 210 and guiding the memory cassette 210 to the fixed position.
0 in the memory cassette 2
The ten semiconductor memories 218 and the electric circuit are connected to the power supply unit to supply power, and the light transmission window 213 is close to the optical terminal 143, and the semiconductor memory 218 is controlled by using an optical signal. Information can be read without contact. Also, other memory cassettes 220 to 24
0 is accommodated in the opening 110, the guide rail 12
Power can be supplied by being engaged with and guided by 4-126, 134-136, and information can be read out in a non-contact manner.

Therefore, based on the read information,
The information contents recorded in the semiconductor memory of each of the memory cassettes 210 to 240 can be quickly and easily checked. Further, the rack device main body 100 having high reliability in power supply can be provided without requiring a space for providing a power supply unit in the opening 110. Further, since the guide rails 121 to 12N, 131 to 13N and the power supply unit are provided integrally, when determining the size of the opening 110 of the rack apparatus main body 100, the width and thickness of each of the memory cassettes 210 to 240 are determined. , The minimum number can be designed to accommodate the required number. Therefore, it is effective to reduce the size of the rack device main body 100 itself.

Further, if the read record information is displayed on the display section 180 in association with the identification information for identifying each memory access section, the user can use the rack apparatus main body 100 based on the identification information. It is possible to recognize what information content is recorded in the memory cassette accommodated in the storage device, and to which storage location in the rack apparatus main body 100 the memory cassette in which the desired information content is recorded is stored. Can be immediately recognized.

Further, the memory access information of each of the memory cassettes 210 to 240 accommodated in the rack apparatus main body 100 is added to identification information for identifying each memory access unit, transferred to a personal computer or the like, and information is managed. The user operates a personal computer or the like to determine what information content is recorded in which memory cassette in the opening 110 of the rack apparatus main body 100 based on the identification information, or a memory cassette in which desired information content is recorded. Can be quickly and easily searched in which storage location is stored.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention viewed from the side of the rack apparatus main body 100. In FIG. 4, the memory cassette 210 will be described as a representative, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted.

That is, the memory cassette 210 is provided with power receiving portions 301 and 302 for supplying power to the semiconductor memory and the electric circuit separately from the guide grooves 211 and 212. The opening 1 of the rack device body 100
In 10, there are provided power supply units 311 and 312 corresponding to the power receiving units 301 and 302.

When the memory cassette 210 is inserted into the opening 110 of the rack apparatus main body 100, its power receiving portions 301 and 302 come into electrical contact with the power supply portions 311 and 312. Receiving part 30
Power is supplied to the semiconductor memory and the electric circuit via the first and second circuits 302. The other memory cassette 22
Similarly, power supply receivers are provided for 0 to 240, and power supply units other than the power supply units 311 and 312 are provided by the number of memory cassettes that can be accommodated in the opening 110. That is.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the memory cassette 210 is housed, the guide rails 123, 1
In addition to the power supply from the power supply 33, power can be received from the power supply units 311 and 312 at the cassette fixing position in the opening 110, so that the semiconductor memory and the electric circuit of the memory cassette 210 can be reliably and stably provided. Power can be supplied, and the reliability can be increased as compared with the previous embodiment.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, a liquid crystal display may be provided in the memory cassette. By doing so, it is possible to immediately confirm the recorded information content of the semiconductor memory simply by housing the memory cassette in the rack apparatus main body.

Also, various methods may be adopted for storing the memory cassette in the rack apparatus main body. Further, a memory other than the semiconductor memory may be built in the memory cassette.

As for the guide rail and the guide groove, a guide rail may be provided on the memory cassette, and a guide groove may be provided on the opening of the rack apparatus main body.

In addition, the configuration of the rack apparatus main body, the configuration of the memory cassette, the type of guide rail, the method of supplying power to the semiconductor memory and the electric circuit of the memory cassette, the method of accessing the memory, and the like are also within the scope of the present invention. Various modifications can be made.

[0042]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
In a state in which a plurality of memory cassettes are accommodated, stable power supply can be performed to the memory and the electric circuit of each memory cassette, whereby the information content recorded in each memory can be quickly and easily checked. It is possible to provide a possible memory cassette rack device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a rack device main body according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view showing a configuration of a memory cassette handled in the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a processing structure of a memory cassette and a memory access unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Rack apparatus main body, 110 ... Opening part, 121-12N, 131-13N ... Guide rail, 141-14N ... Optical terminal, 150 ... Information processing part, 160, 170 ... Interface part, 180 ... Display part, 210-240 ... memory cassette, 211, 212 ... guide groove, 213 ... light transmission window, 214, 215 ... electrode, 301, 302 ... power supply receiving part, 311, 312 ... power supply part.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masaru Kogure 1, Komukai Toshiba-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Inside the Toshiba Komukai Plant (72) Inventor Norihege Fukuoka 1-1-1, Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo No. 1 F-term in Toshiba Corporation head office (reference) 5B058 CA03 CA13 CA16 CA22 KA06 KA12 YA16

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A memory and an information processing circuit for reading or writing information from / to this memory are built in, a light transmitting portion for memory access is provided on a part of a case surface, and the memory and the information processing circuit are externally An apparatus for handling a plurality of memory cassettes having an insertion guide groove serving as an insertion guide for supplying received power and having at least a light transmitting portion forming surface of the plurality of memory cassettes, A plurality of cassette guides which are provided by the number of memory cassettes that can be accommodated in the cassette accommodating portion and engage with the insertion guide grooves to guide the memory cassette to a fixed position when the memory cassette is accommodated; And when the memory cassette is accommodated, the memory is electrically contacted with the insertion guide groove. A first power supply unit for supplying power to a memory and an information processing circuit of the cassette; and a plurality of memory cassettes that can be accommodated in cassette fixed positions in the cassette accommodation unit. With power applied,
A memory cassette rack device, comprising: a memory access unit that accesses the information processing circuit using light with respect to the light transmission unit and reads information from and to the memory. 2. An information presentation unit for presenting to a user memory access information of the plurality of memory access units in association with identification information for identifying the memory access unit. A rack device for the memory cassette according to the above. 3. An information transfer means for transferring memory access information between the plurality of memory access units and an external device by adding identification information for identifying the memory access unit to the information. 2. The memory cassette rack device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. When the power supply receiving portion for supplying power to a memory and an information processing circuit is provided separately from the insertion guide groove on a case surface of each of the plurality of memory cassettes, The number of memory cassettes to be accommodated in the unit is provided, and when the memory cassette is accommodated in the cassette accommodating unit, the memory cassette is electrically contacted with the power receiving unit to supply power to the memory and the information processing circuit of the memory cassette. The rack device for a memory cassette according to claim 1, further comprising a second power supply unit that supplies the power.