JPH03182919A - Holding device for portable semiconductor memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To charge a power source while a memory is held or it is carried and to prolong a life by providing the power source supplying a voltage higher than an incorporated power source to a semiconductor memory for a holding tool case. CONSTITUTION:The power source 5 supplying the voltage higher than the incorporated power source 3 to the semiconductor memory 1 is provided for the holding tool case 4 for holding or carrying the portable semiconductor memory 1 provided with the incorporated power source 3. When the connection of an external power terminal 7 and the power source 5 is disconnected by the switching of a power switching circuit 6 and the power source 5 and a terminal 8 are connected, memory information can be held without using the incorporated power source 3. When the portable semiconductor memory 1 is set to be a holding state without carrying it, the voltage is supplied from the voltage supply terminal 7 from an external power source, the power source 5 can be charged and the power source 3 of the memory 1 can be charged. Thus, the life of the battery can be prolonged at the time of using the incorporated battery for carriage.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] This invention relates to a portable semiconductor memory holding device which holds or carries a semiconductor memory equipped with a built-in power supply, and which is further equipped with a power supply in a portable casing. The purpose of this project is to provide a portable semiconductor memory holding device that can extend the lifespan of a portable semiconductor memory by charging the power supply while holding or transporting the memory. A holder housing for holding or transporting a memory includes a power supply for supplying a voltage higher than the built-in power supply to the semiconductor memory, a voltage supply terminal for supplying voltage from an external power supply to the power supply, and a portable semiconductor. An output power supply terminal to the memory is provided.

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a portable semiconductor memory holding device which is further equipped with a power supply inside a portable housing that holds a semiconductor memory equipped with a built-in power supply.

Portable semiconductor memories have been put into practical use because it is convenient to read and write stored data in other locations, and in particular, written data is often transported to other locations. When the environment becomes hot and humid, the built-in power supply has the disadvantage of being consumed in a short period of time. It was requested that technology be developed to extend the lifespan of power supplies.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, portable memories include magnetic memories such as floppy disks and bubble memory cassettes. However, since these have mechanically moving parts, they cannot be used in adverse environments, require constant maintenance, and are expensive, among other advantages and disadvantages.

In recent years, the performance of semiconductor memories has improved, and portable semiconductor memories such as IC cards have been developed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conventional portable semiconductor memory and its holder. In FIG. 3, 1 shows the portable semiconductor memory as a whole, and 2 shows the semiconductor memory (for example, a capacity of 25
6 kb S-RAM), 3 indicates a hack-up power supply such as a button-type lithium battery, and 4 indicates a memory holder. The semiconductor memory 2 may include a predetermined program for a central processing unit (not shown). Predetermined data is stored in the portable semiconductor memory 1 when a service person for an information processing device system carries the portable semiconductor memory 1 with him and visits processors in remote areas.

The state of the processor is also stored in another portable semiconductor memory and used for performing precise operation checks by the boss processor.

Using the external connection pins of the portable semiconductor memory (not shown in FIG. 3), the semiconductor memory 2 is controlled by the central processing unit.
When writing information to and retaining that information, it is usually sufficient to use the backup power supply 3. This is because the portable semiconductor memory 1 has a built-in power supply 3. That is, this type of memory is connected to a central processing unit as a type of peripheral device. Note that when the portable semiconductor memory 1 is made portable, the holder 4 can be carried as a casing for protection.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] When the lithium battery 3 is used as a bank-up power source for the semiconductor memory 2, there is a drawback that its holding current value increases rapidly as the environmental temperature increases.

Figure 4 is a curve showing this situation. For example 0~40℃
In a 256 kb SRAM with a holding current of 5 μA in the range of , the current will be close to 10 μ8 at 50° C.

If the 256 kb semiconductor memories are connected in parallel to form an IMB memory in order to increase the memory capacity, the holding current will be 160 μA at maximum. If a button-type lithium battery currently on the market has a rating of 170 mAHr, the retention time will be approximately 1063 hours (approximately 44 days).

An object of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and to provide a portable semiconductor memory that is built into a portable semiconductor memory and can charge the power supply while storing or transporting the memory to extend its lifespan. The purpose is to provide memory.

[Means for Solving the Problems] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention. In FIG. 1, l indicates the portable semiconductor memory as a whole, and 2
is a semiconductor memory, 3 is a battery built into the portable semiconductor memory, 4 is a holder housing, 5 is a power supply for the holder housing, 6 is a power supply switching circuit, 7 is a voltage supply terminal from an external power supply, and 8 is a holding device. The output power terminal of the housing is shown.

A holder housing 4 for holding or transporting a portable semiconductor memory 1 equipped with a built-in power supply 3 has the following configuration according to the present invention. That is, a power supply 5 for supplying a voltage higher than the built-in power supply 3 to the semiconductor memory 1, a voltage supply terminal 7 for supplying voltage from an external power supply to the power supply 5,
The output power terminal 8 to the portable semiconductor memory 1 is provided.

[Operation] Since the portable semiconductor memory 1 is held in the holder housing 4, it can be carried in that state. By switching the power supply switching circuit 6, the external power supply terminal 7 and the power supply 5 are disconnected and the power supply 5 is connected to the terminal 8. Since the power supply 5 has a higher voltage than the power supply 3 built in the memory 1, Memory information can be held without using the built-in power supply 3.

Furthermore, if the built-in power source 3 is a secondary battery, the battery can be charged during the information retention time.

Also, when the portable semiconductor memory is in a holding state without being carried around, it is also possible to supply voltage from the voltage supply terminal 7 from an external power supply to charge the power supply 5 or the power supply of the memory 1. It is.

[Example] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, added numbers such as 1-1, 1-2 indicate that there are two similar elements in the drawing. Of course, it is also possible to connect two or more. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 9 indicates a battery charger, 10 to 1) 0-2 indicate switching switches, and the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 indicate the same components. In FIG. 2, the holder housing 4 is equipped with two portable semiconductor memories 1 1-1, 1-2 connected to a power source 5 in parallel. Each type of general semiconductor memory 1-
1 and 1-2 are switching switches 10-1 and 10 to the power supply section 5.
-2 is provided, and when the built-in battery 3 is a primary battery, its use or non-use can be switched by a switch, thereby saving battery power.

[Effects of the Invention] Thus, according to the present invention, when retaining the state of a portable semiconductor memory without transporting it, or when utilizing or changing data, it is possible to utilize the host hack-up power supply. It's easy to do. This is equivalent to increasing the capacity of the built-in power supply of the semiconductor memory, and has the effect of extending the life of the battery when the built-in battery is used for transportation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle configuration of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the power supply of a conventional semiconductor memory, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the temperature characteristics of memory holding current in FIG. I - Portable semiconductor memory 2 - Semiconductor memory 3 - Built-in battery 4 - Holder housing 5 = Power supply for the holder housing

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a holder housing (4) for holding or transporting a portable semiconductor memory (1) equipped with a built-in power supply (3),
A voltage higher than the built-in power supply (3) is applied to the semiconductor memory (1).
a voltage supply terminal (7) for supplying voltage from an external power supply to the power supply (5), and an output power supply terminal (8) to the portable semiconductor memory (1). A portable semiconductor memory holding device comprising: