JPH0698864B2 - Information storage card - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information storage medium for storing various kinds of information such as game software for computers, learning software, etc. The present invention relates to an information storage card configured by mounting an IC chip of only memory.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as this type of information storage card, a card-type substrate has a read-only memory (hereinafter abbreviated as ROM).
There is one equipped with. This product functions as a software package and is sold in a state where various software such as game software is stored in the ROM. The purchaser can obtain the necessary software by purchasing the information storage card storing the target software.

However, in this information storage card, since the IC chip that constitutes the ROM is expensive,
There is a problem that the ratio to the total price increases and the price of software increases for the package.

Further, since this information storage card has a configuration in which the software is fixedly stored in the ROM, in the case of game software or the like, when it gets tired, it is often stored or abandoned thereafter. There is a similar tendency for other software such as learning software.

On the other hand, new software for games, learning, etc. has been announced one after another, and each time the user purchases new software in the form of an information storage card, that is, a package including a ROM. It will be.

As described above, the conventional information storage card is expensive.
While ROMs are being stored or abandoned, there is the irrational point that new software must be purchased at a price that includes expensive ROMs.

In contrast, erasable read-only memory (hereinafter EP
Abbreviated as ROM. ) Is considered to be equipped with an IC chip.

This is to mount the EPROM IC chip mounted on the printed circuit board in the recess provided on one surface of the card type substrate, and at least the portion of the recess facing the IC chip,
A window portion is provided so as to penetrate the other surface side of the card type substrate, and a material such as quartz glass that can transmit ultraviolet rays for erasing a memory is inserted into the window portion.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the information storage card equipped with the EPROM is practically used.
There are various drawbacks.

First, quartz glass is usually used as a material that can transmit ultraviolet rays for erasing memory, but this quartz glass has the drawbacks of being expensive, not easy to process, and easily damaged. .

Secondly, in a normal state, the window member needs to be attached with a light-shielding seal so that the contents of the memory are not erased. There is a drawback that it remains on the surface of the member and scatters ultraviolet rays for memory erasing, which hinders erasing. In this case, the dirt may be removed, but it takes time and labor, and when removing the dirt, the window member may be damaged or scratched.

On the other hand, it is possible to use a synthetic resin that transmits ultraviolet rays as the window member. This resin has the advantages of being inexpensive and less likely to be damaged.

However, the ultraviolet-transparent resin has a drawback that the surface is more likely to be damaged than glass. Therefore, when removing the dirt due to the adhesive when the light-shielding seal is peeled off, it is easy to get fine scratches on the surface, and if this scratch is made, ultraviolet rays for memory erasing will be scattered and the erasing efficiency will decrease, erasing It takes a long time, and in extreme cases, it may not be erasable.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and does not use a window member that is easily damaged or scratched, and in a normal state, can protect the IC chip from light-shielding surely, while erasing memory. At times, it is possible to easily release the light-shielding protection state without taking the trouble of removing dirt with an adhesive.
An object is to provide an information storage card that does not reduce the erasing efficiency.

[Means for Solving Problems] According to the first invention and the second invention of the present application, an IC chip of an erasable read-only memory mounted on a printed circuit board is mounted in a recess provided on one surface of a card type substrate. The present invention is applied to an information storage card in which a window portion penetrating the other surface side of a card type substrate is provided at least in a portion of the concave portion facing the IC chip so that a memory erasing light beam can be transmitted. Then, as means for solving the above problems, each has the following configuration.

First, the first aspect of the present invention is: (a) a lid for closing the window is attached to the opening of the window, and (b) a side of the card type substrate that includes the lid and is provided with a window. It is characterized in that a sticker piece is attached on the surface of.

Further, the second invention of the present application includes (a) a lid body that is fitted into the window portion to close the window portion, and (b) the lid body and the window portion are provided on respective corresponding side surfaces,
A locking projection and a locking recess that engage with each other are provided, and the locking projection and the locking recess are engaged with each other, and the lid body is fitted into the window section. , Is characterized.

[Operation] The first invention of the present application protects the IC chip housed in the recess from light-shielding by fitting the lid that closes the window into the opening of the window. This lid is made of metal, synthetic resin, etc.
Any material can be used as long as it can block light rays such as ultraviolet rays that erase the memory, and can be constructed at low cost. Further, the lid is covered with the seal piece and is securely fixed.

To erase the software stored in EPROM, remove the lid. The lid can be easily removed by peeling off the seal piece. In addition, at that time, the window is completely opened, so that the dirt due to the adhesive does not remain on this portion.

In the second invention of the present application, the lid is fitted into the window to close the window. The lid and the window are provided with locking projections and locking recesses that engage with each other on their corresponding side surfaces. Therefore, when the lid body is fitted into the window portion, by engaging the locking convex portion and the locking concave portion, both can be firmly and reliably fixed.

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Structure of First Embodiment> FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the information storage card of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the information storage card of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is its rear view, FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the printed circuit board used in this embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3C is a perspective view showing the lid used in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the front side structure of the substrate used in this example, FIG. 3D is a perspective view showing the back side structure of the substrate used in this example, and FIG. 3E is a sheet piece used in this example. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the information storage card of this embodiment.

As shown in these figures, the information storage card of this embodiment is
A printed circuit board 7 having an EPROM IC chip 11 mounted thereon is mounted on the front side of the card type substrate 1, and
A lid 15 for closing the window 5 provided at a position facing the IC chip 11 is attached, and a seal piece 16 is attached to almost the entire back surface of the substrate 1 except the peripheral portion. It

The substrate 1 is made of plastic, ceramic, etc.,
One end side thereof is the insertion portion 2 of the connector. The substrate 1
A recessed portion 3 for storing a printed circuit board and a recessed portion 4 for storing an IC chip are provided on the insertion portion 2 side of the front surface. On the other hand, the substrate 1
On the back surface side of the
A shallow concave portion 6 having a depth corresponding to the thickness of the seal piece 16 to be adhered is provided, and in the concave portion 6, the IC
There is provided a window portion 5 for penetrating the chip accommodating concave portion 4 to the back surface side of the substrate 1, and a concave portion 5a provided in an opening portion of the window portion 5. Further, in this embodiment, a hole 6a slightly deeper than the recess 6 is provided at the upper corner of the recess 6.

The window 5 communicates with the IC chip housing recess 4 and is formed to have the same cross-sectional shape in this embodiment. The position of the window 5 need only be a position facing the 1C chip 11, and therefore, it is not necessary to have the same sectional shape as that of the IC chip housing recess 4 as in the present embodiment. For example, different shapes such as circular shapes may be used, and the cross-sectional area may be reduced.

The IC chip 11 is formed by forming an EPROM on a semiconductor such as silicon, and stores various software such as game programs and learning programs. Also, this IC chip 11
By irradiating light rays such as ultraviolet rays (ultraviolet rays in this embodiment), the stored contents can be erased, and then new information can be written.

As shown in FIG. 3A, this IC chip 11 is placed and fixed on the back surface side of the printed board 7, and has an unillustrated electrode portion and a wiring portion 9 previously provided on the back surface of the printed board 7 with a gold wire. They are connected by bonding wires 13 (see FIG. 4). The wiring part 9 is connected to the connection terminal groups 8a and 8b provided on the front side of the printed circuit board 7 through the through holes 10. Therefore, the IC chip 11 inputs / outputs information via the connection terminal groups 8a and 8b.

Around the IC chip 11 on the back surface of the printed circuit board 7,
A protective frame 12 is provided, and a resin (for example, a silicon-based resin) that transmits ultraviolet rays is filled in the protective frame 12 to form a protective layer 14 to protect the IC chip 11 and its peripheral portion. .

The printed circuit board 7 on which the IC chip 11 is mounted is fitted in the printed circuit board housing recess 3 and fixed with an adhesive.
At this time, the IC chip 11 is housed in the IC chip housing recess 4.

The lid 15 is made of a material that blocks ultraviolet rays for erasing, such as metal or plastic. Further, the shape of the lid 15 is formed in a disk shape in the present embodiment, but it goes without saying that the shape is not limited to this. The lid 15 is fitted into the opening recess 5a of the window 5 provided on the back side of the substrate 1.
In this embodiment, they are simply fitted, but they may be fixed with an adhesive.

The seal piece 16 is made of, for example, a metal foil, a synthetic resin seal, or the like, and an adhesive is applied to one surface, that is, the sticking surface. The seal piece 16 is attached to the shallow recess 6 on the back surface side of the substrate 1. Since this seal piece 16 has a function of fixing the lid body 15, it has at least a larger area than the lid body 15 and covers the lid body 15 and its outer peripheral portion on the back surface side of the substrate plate 1. It is desirable to attach the However, as long as the lid 15 has a sufficient function of fixing, it is not always necessary to adhere the cover 15 to almost the entire back surface of the substrate 1.

The other surface of the seal piece 16, that is, the non-stick surface 16a
It is convenient to print information about the contents of the software stored in the EPROM, how to use it, and so on.

<Operation of First Embodiment> In order to rewrite the software of the information storage card of the present embodiment configured as described above, an erasing device and a writing device are required. However, since these are expensive, they are usually installed in the software store.

Now, suppose that the owner of the information storage card configured as described above gets tired of the stored software such as games, and the dealer of the software having the erasing device and the writing device described above holds this card. go to.

At the store, when you receive this card, first, the seal piece 16
Peel off. In this case, since the seal piece 16 is adhered in the recess 6 having a depth corresponding to the thickness thereof, the peripheral edge of the seal 6 is protected by the frame-shaped edge of the recess 6 and is not easily peeled off. . Therefore, the hole 6a is used to slightly peel off the corner of the seal piece 16, and the whole peeled off using the peeled portion as a clue. As a result, the entire seal piece 16 can be easily peeled off.

With the peeling of the seal piece 16, the lid body 15 comes off from the recess 5a. This is because the lid 15 is bonded to the seal piece 16 with an adhesive.

In this way, when the window 5 is opened, the information storage card is put on the erasing device. In the erasing device, ultraviolet rays are radiated into the window portion 5 to irradiate the IC chip 11 through the protective layer 14. As a result, the software stored in the IC chip 11 is erased. At this time, since there is no glass or the like in the window portion 5, there is no loss due to a decrease in the transmittance of itself or a decrease in the transmittance due to dirt, and erasing can be performed efficiently.

After erasing the contents, the writing device writes new software.

After writing, fit the lid 15 into the opening recess 5a of the window 5,
The sticker piece 16 is attached from above. This allows the lid 15
Is firmly fixed and the internal IC chip 11 is protected from light.

<Structure of Second Embodiment> FIGS. 5 to 6C show a second embodiment of the information storage card of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part of the information storage card of this embodiment, FIG. 6A is a plan view showing an example of a lid used in this embodiment, and FIG. 6B is an example of a window frame used in this embodiment. FIG. 6C is a plan view showing the cover glass used in this embodiment.

The information storage card of this embodiment has an IC covered with a protective layer 14.
Covering the top of the chip 11 with a cover plate 17, and
It is characterized in that the window frame 18 is installed inside the lid body 15, and the other structure is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, the same points as those of the first embodiment are
The description will be omitted, and the description will focus on the characteristic points.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, a rectangular lid 15 is used. Therefore, unlike the case of the first embodiment, the opening recess 5a of the window 5 on the rear surface of the substrate 1 is not circular, but has a shape that can be fitted to the lid 15 shown in FIG. 6A (not shown). ).

The window frame 18 is made of, for example, stainless steel, and the IC chip 11
The window 18a is opened only at the position facing the, and other portions are covered. The window frame 18 is fixed to the bottom surface of the recess 5a with an adhesive or the like.

Although the window frame 18 is provided separately from the substrate 1 in this embodiment, it may be integrally formed of the same material as the substrate 1.

The cover plate 17 is made of an ultraviolet-transparent resin, an ultraviolet-transparent glass, or the like, and is fixed to the protective frame 12 with an adhesive or the like. The cover plate 17 covers the protective layer 14 to prevent the protective layer 14 from being soiled when the window 5 is open. It is not easy to remove the dust adhering to the protective layer 14 because the protective layer 14 is easily scratched, but the dust adhering to the cover plate 17 can be easily removed with a brush or the like.

<Operation of Second Embodiment> The operation of this embodiment is basically the same as the operation of the first embodiment. The difference is that when the lid 15 is removed, the window frame 18 remains, so that ultraviolet rays for erasing are performed through the window 18a of the window frame 18 and through the cover plate 17.

The window frame 18 is opened only at a position facing the IC chip 11 as a window 18a and covers the other portion, so that the bending of the lid 15 placed on the window frame 18a is reduced.

<Structure of Third Embodiment> FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the information card of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part of the information storage card of this embodiment with the lid removed.

The information storage card of the present embodiment has a lid body instead of a sticker piece.
The feature is that the 19 is fitted into the window 5. Other configurations are
It is almost the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the case of the present embodiment, the shallow recess 6 on the back surface of the substrate 1 does not necessarily have to be formed, but for reinforcement, a seal piece is attached due to the contents of newly written software or instruction for handling. In this case, it is convenient to form the concave portion 6 because the seal piece can be prevented from peeling off.

The lid 19 of this embodiment is made of the same material as the substrate 1, and its outer shape is set so as to be substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the window 5 to be fitted. Further, locking projections 20 are provided at a plurality of locations on the outer side surface thereof. This locking projection 20
In the present embodiment, is provided near the lower surface of the lid, but needless to say, it is not limited to this position. In the present embodiment, the locking projection 20 is a plurality of projections, but the lid 19
It may be a ridge that goes around the outer surface of the.

The lid body 19 can be formed in various forms provided that it matches the cross-sectional shape of the window portion 5 to be fitted. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, it may be disk-shaped. Also, in this example, the locking projection 20 is not a plurality of protrusions but a lid body.
It is a ridge that goes around the outer surface of 19. If the locking projection 20 is a ridge, its mechanical strength is increased, and in the case of a disk-shaped lid, alignment with a locking recess 21 described later is unnecessary, which is convenient.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the lid 19 may be provided with a jig engaging hole 22 for convenience of removal.

In this embodiment, the window 5 is formed by punching out the bottom surface of the IC chip housing recess 4, and the inner surface of the window 5 is provided with the locking projection 20 when the lid 19 is fitted. A locking recess 21 is provided in a hole shape at a corresponding position.

However, the locking recess 21 may be formed in the shape of a groove that goes around the inner surface of the window 5. With the groove shape, it is possible to cope with the case where the locking projection 20 is a ridge, and it is possible to eliminate the need for positioning even when the locking projection 20 is a plurality of projections. And convenient. Further, the locking projection 20 may be provided on the window 5 and the locking recess 21 may be provided on the lid 19.

A locking projection (or a ridge) is provided below the locking recess 21 to prevent the lid 19 from falling when the lid 19 is fitted.
23 is provided.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the window portion 5 is similar to that of the lid body 19 described above,
Various forms can be adopted according to the form of the lid body 19 to be fitted. An example is shown in FIG.

That is, in the structure shown in the same drawing, the window 5 is made smaller than the cross section of the IC chip accommodating recess 4 so that the inside of the outer periphery of the recess 4 is
An opening is formed at a position facing the IC chip 11. Also,
At the lower part of the window portion 5, a locking projection 23 for preventing the lid 19 from falling is provided.

<Operation of Third Embodiment> The operation of this embodiment is basically the same as the operation of the first embodiment. The difference lies in the attachment and detachment of the lid, which is based on the difference in the fixing structure of the lid.

When rewriting the software of the information storage card of the present embodiment, the lid 19 is removed from the window 5 by sucking the lid 19 with, for example, a suction cup or a vacuum chuck. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the lid 19 has a hole 22 for locking the jig.
When using the locking hole 22 by a jig,
The lid 19 can be removed.

Further, as in the case of the first embodiment, when a seal piece is attached, in this embodiment, the lid body 19 includes the engaging projection 20 and the engaging recess 21. Since it is fitted, it cannot be removed only by the adhesive force with the seal piece. Therefore, after peeling off the seal piece as described in the operation of the first embodiment, the lid 19 is removed as described above.

After writing the new software, the lid 19 is fitted into the window 5. At this time, the lid 19 is pushed in until the locking projection 20 and the locking recess 21 engage with each other. Here, even if the lid 19 is pushed further in the state where the engaging projection 20 and the engaging recess 21 are engaged, the lid 19 comes into contact with the engaging projection 23 to prevent the lid 19 from falling. .

Note that the seal piece may be attached after the lid body 19 is fitted into the window portion 5. As in the case of the above-described first embodiment, it is convenient to print a description of the newly written software, a content guide, etc. on this sticker piece.

[Advantages of the Invention] The present invention does not use a window member that is easily damaged or scratched, and can reliably protect the IC chip from light-shielding in a normal state. There is an effect that it is possible to realize an information storage card in which the light-shielding protection state can be easily released and the erasing efficiency is not lowered without the need for removing and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the external appearance of the information storage card of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is its rear view, FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the printed circuit board used in this embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3C is a perspective view showing a lid body used in this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the front side structure of the substrate used in this example, FIG. 3D is a perspective view showing the back side structure of the substrate used in this example, and FIG. 3E is a sheet piece used in this example. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an essential part of the information storage card of this embodiment, FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the essential part of the information storage card of this embodiment, and FIG. 6A is this embodiment. FIG. 6B is a plan view showing an example of a window frame used in this embodiment, FIG. 6C is a plan view showing a cover plate used in this embodiment, and FIG. An enlarged sectional view of an essential part of the information storage card of the embodiment with the lid removed, FIGS. 8 and 9 are plan views showing another structure of the lid, and FIG. 10 is a modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 1 ... Substrate 3 ... Recessed part for storing printed circuit board 4 ... Recessed part for storing IC chip 5 ... Window part, 6 ... Recessed part 7 ... Printed circuit board, 11 ... IC chip 14 ... Protective layer, 15, 19 ...... Lid body 16 ...... Sealing piece, 17 ...... Cover plate 18 ...... Window frame, 20 ...... Locking convex part 21 ... Locking concave part, 22 ...... Locking hole

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A recess provided on one surface of a card type substrate,
An erasable read-only memory IC chip mounted on a printed circuit board is mounted, and at least a portion of the recess facing the IC chip is provided with a window portion penetrating to the other surface side of the card type substrate, and a memory erasing light beam is provided. In an information storage card configured to allow the transmission of a card, a lid for closing the window is attached to the opening of the window, and a window of the card type substrate including the lid is provided. An information storage card, characterized in that a sticker piece is attached on the side surface. 2. The information storage card according to claim 1, wherein a metal plate is used as the lid, a seal piece is attached, and the metal plate is fixed to the window opening. 3. A recess provided on one surface of a card type substrate,
An erasable read-only memory IC chip mounted on a printed circuit board is mounted, and at least a portion of the recess facing the IC chip is provided with a window portion penetrating to the other surface side of the card type substrate, and a memory erasing light beam is provided. An information storage card configured to be capable of penetrating through a window includes a lid body that fits into the window portion and closes the window portion, and the lid body and the window portion engage with each other on their corresponding side surfaces. A locking projection and a locking recess are provided, and the locking projection and the locking recess are engaged with each other, and the lid is fitted into the window. An information storage card.