JPH0453031B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a memory cassette used, for example, as game software for microcomputers, game computers, and the like.

[Conventional technology]

The memory cassettes of microcomputers, game computers, etc. currently in use use mask ROMs in order to make them cheap and reduce prices. For these memory cassettes, insert the reading connection terminal of the memory cassette into the insertion part of the CPU device such as the main body of a microcomputer or game computer.
The contents can be called up from the CPU's microcontroller through the read connection terminal to play games, etc. Additionally, memory cassettes that use an eraseable programmable ROM (hereinafter referred to as EPROM), which is different from the mask ROM, are also used. This EPROM can erase the contents of the memory or program that has already been written by exposing it to ultraviolet light for a certain period of time (for example, about 10 minutes), and then write new or popular software again. It is something that can be done.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, for memory cassettes using EPROM, the board on which the EPROM IC is mounted, that is, the printed circuit board, is wrapped and packed in a plastic case, etc., and fixed with welding, adhesive, etc. Ta. Therefore, even if I wanted to rewrite the software on the memory cassette I had collected from the market, I had to disassemble the case and expose the EPROM. then exposed
Expose the EPROM to ultraviolet light for a certain period of time to erase the software that has already been written, write new software, etc., and finally insert the board carrying the EPROM IC into the upper and lower cases again and secure the cases to each other. I had to. for that,
Experts are required to perform these tasks, the number of processes and parts are large, it is difficult to finish at a low cost, and even though it is necessary to rewrite it immediately when it is collected from the market, it takes a long time. This meant that many problems remained.

The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and by using EPROM, it is possible to erase the contents of the program without dismantling the case made of plastic etc. To provide a memory cassette in which new program software can be easily written by providing a writing connection terminal and setting the entire cassette.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, this invention
EPROM is used as the ROM, and a write connection terminal is provided that allows, for example, erasing the contents of one memory and writing the contents of another memory without opening the case of the memory cassette, i.e. without disassembling it. In more detail, for example, read connection terminals are arranged in parallel on one side of a flat board, and write connections are arranged on another side of the board. Terminals were placed side by side, an IC was placed on the board, a hole was made in the IC, and a program such as a game was inserted into the hole.
Insert the EPROM, connect the EPROM IC and the read connection terminal and write connection terminal with printed wiring, wrap this board in a plastic case, and expose the read connection terminal and write connection terminal in this case. At the same time, a hole is formed in the case at a location corresponding to the hole of the EPROM IC, and the hole in the case and the recess in the case where the write connection terminal is exposed are closed. This invention relates to a memory cassette characterized in that a label is attached to the case. In this case, the label is of course made of, for example, an opaque material that does not transmit ultraviolet rays.

[Effect]

A memory cassette is used to store memory in the CPU of a game computer, microcontroller, etc., for example.
The exposed read connection terminal of the cassette is inserted into the cassette, and the contents can be read out through the read connection terminal to play games or the like. To erase and rewrite the program in the memory cassette, first peel off the label covering the plastic case of the memory cassette. This label covers the hole in the case that corresponds to the EPROM mounted on the memory cassette board and the recess in the case that exposes the write connection terminal of the memory cassette. By peeling off, these holes and recesses are exposed. The EPROM is exposed to ultraviolet light for a period of time through the exposed hole in the case. This action erases the EPROM memory that has already been written. Next, the writing connection terminal of the memory cassette is inserted into the memory writing machine, and new or well-selling software, etc., is written to the memory. Finally, the label is fixed to the case by pasting it with an adhesive or the like so that the label covers the hole in the case and the recess in the case where the write connection terminal is exposed.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, a partially exploded perspective view of a memory cassette according to the present invention is shown.
The memory cassette contains programs such as games for microcomputers, game computers, etc. The memory cassette mainly consists of a printed circuit board or board 1, 11 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a case enclosing or packing said board 1, 11, and a label 15 covering the case. ing. The case consists of an upper case 5 and a lower case 6, and the upper case 5 and the lower case 6 are joined together with an adhesive or the like, combined, etc. so as to wrap around the substrates 1 and 11. There are two holes 7 in the upper case 5.
are formed so that, when the upper case 5 and lower case 6 are combined with each other, recesses 9 and 10 are formed for exposing the terminals of the boards 1 and 11, which will be described later. 6 has a notch formed therein. The label 15 is attached to cover the case so as to close at least the two holes 7, 7 of the upper case 5 and one of the recesses 10 where the write connection terminals 3, 13 are exposed. In the drawing, the label 15 is shown not covering the holes 7, 7 and the recess 10, that is, the case is not attached, but in order to attach the label 15 to the case, move the label 15 in the direction of arrow A. All you have to do is attach the case so that it narrows above and below the case.

In FIG. 3, the printed circuit board of the microcomputer on which the EPROM of the game software is mounted is shown. The printed circuit board, ie, the board 1, is a flat plate, and on one side of the flat plate, reading connection terminals 2 to be connected to the microcomputer main body are arranged in a row. Write connection terminals 3 are provided side by side on a side different from the side on which read connection terminals 2 are provided, that is, on the opposite side in the drawing. Board 1 has two
IC8 for EPROM is mounted, and this IC8 has hole 4.
is formed. IC8 is the read connection terminal 2
and the write connection terminal 3 by printed wiring (not shown).

In FIG. 4, a printed circuit board of a game computer on which an EPROM of game software is mounted is shown. Figure 4 is the same as Figure 3, and for the same elements, the same number is 10.
It is shown as a number with the digit number plus. Therefore, a detailed explanation will be omitted and only the correspondence between symbols and elements will be shown. 11 is a board, 12 is a read connection terminal, 13 is a write connection terminal, 14 is a hole, and 18 is a
This shows an IC for EPROM.

Since the substrates 1 and 11 are constructed as described above, the readout connection terminals 2 and 12 of the substrates 1 and 11 are located in the recess 9 of the case so that they are always exposed as shown in FIG. . Further, the write connection terminals 3 and 13 of the boards 1 and 11 are sandwiched so as to be exposed from the recess 10 of the case, as shown in FIG. This recess 10 of the case is covered by a label 15, and when used on the market, it is covered and cannot be seen. Although the label 15 can be removed without damaging the case, it is fixed by, for example, pasting, so that the user of the memory cassette cannot easily remove it, and is made of a material that does not transmit ultraviolet light, such as opaque material. It is made of paper, plastic, etc.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to eliminate the conventional drawbacks. That is,
Since the writing connection terminal is exposed and installed in the recess of the case, there is no need to take the case apart, and the program can be written easily and reliably by simply peeling off the label and inserting it into the writing machine. That is, since it is connected to the EPROM by printed wiring and the write connection terminals are arranged side by side on one side, the electrical contact is good and no errors occur. In addition, the hole formed in the case corresponds to the location where the EPROM is located, and the EPROM is exposed from the case, so for example, software written in the EPROM of the memory cassette There is no need to separate the upper and lower cases and disassemble the case when erasing the EPROM, and the EPROM can be exposed by simply peeling off the label. You can erase the software already written in EPROM by simply hitting the button. Therefore, the number of rewriting steps is small, and the data can be erased and written immediately upon collection, which is extremely effective from a sales perspective. After writing, all you need to do is paste a new label according to the software written to the EPROM onto the case so as to cover the hole in the case and the recessed part of the case where the writing connection terminal is exposed. can complete the product.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a memory cassette according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing write connection terminals of the memory cassette of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of a memory cassette according to the present invention. - A plan view showing the printed circuit board of the microcomputer in the cassette, and a fourth
The figure is a plan view showing a printed circuit board of a game computer with a memory cassette according to the present invention. 1, 11... Board, 2, 12... Reading connection terminal, 3, 13... Writing connection terminal, 4, 14
... hole, 5 ... upper case, 6 ... lower case, 7 ...
...hole, 8, 18...IC for EPROM, 9...recess in case (for read connection terminal), 10...recess in case (for write connection terminal), 15...label.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Readout connection terminals are arranged in parallel on one side of a single flat substrate, and readout connection terminals are arranged in parallel on one side of a single flat substrate, and
An EPROM IC is mounted and mounted, the readout connection terminal and the IC are connected by printed wiring, and the board further has a recessed portion that allows the readout connection terminal to be exposed. In the memory cassette comprising a case enclosing the IC, write connection terminals are arranged in parallel on a side of the board other than the side on which the read connection terminals are provided, and the and the write connection terminal are connected by printed wiring, and a recess in the case that allows the write connection terminal to be exposed is located on the side where the recess for the read connection terminal is provided. is formed on a different side, a hole is formed in the case corresponding to the EPROM placed on a plane of the board, and the hole in the case and the write connection terminal are further exposed. A memory cassette comprising: a label that covers the case so as to cover both the recessed portion and the recessed portion.