An adapter to be attached to a memory card for changing an external shape such that it can be inserted into a memory card insertion section of specific type equipment is provided. The adapter includes: an adapter body for defining a space housing the memory card; a write protect mechanism including a write enable/disable setting member which is slidable with respect to the adapter body; and a terminal portion located in the adapter body, which is formed so as to be electrically connected to a terminal portion of the memory card when the memory card is housed in the adapter body, and in which the write protect mechanism sets whether to enable or disable writing of data into the memory card in accordance with the position of the write enable/disable setting member.
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0. 20. A memory card structured enabling it to be housed in an adapter, wherein:
the adapter has an adapter body for defining a space for housing the memory card, a protruding portion for preventing erroneous insertion of the memory card and a write protect mechanism for setting whether to enable or disable writing of data into the memory card;
the memory card comprises a memory portion to which data can be written, and a terminal portion electrically connected to the memory portion; and
a notch portion is formed on a side surface on one side of the memory card so as to conform to a shape of the protruding portion provided in the space for housing the memory card of the adapter when the memory card is inserted into the adaptor.
0. 24. A memory card module comprising:
an adapter to be attached to a memory card having a notch portion for changing an external shape of the memory card such that it can be inserted into a memory card insertion section of specific type equipment; and the memory card, wherein:
the adapter comprises an adapter body for defining a space for housing the memory card, a protruding portion for preventing erroneous insertion of the memory card, a write protect mechanism including a write enable/disable setting member which is slidable with respect to the adapter body, and a terminal portion located in the adapter body, which is formed so as to be electrically connected to a terminal portion of the memory card when the memory card is housed in the adapter body;
the protruding portion configured to conform to a shape of the notch portion of the memory card when the memory card is inserted into the memory card storing space;
the write protect mechanism sets whether to enable or disable writing data into the memory card in accordance with the position of the write enable/disable setting member;
the memory card housed in the adapter body comprises a memory portion to which data can be written, and a terminal portion electrically connected to the memory portion; and
the notch portion is formed on a side surface on one side of the memory card so as to conform to a shape of the protruding portion of the adapter.
0. 13. An adapter to be attached to a memory card having a notch portion, the adaptor for changing an external shape of the memory card such that it can be inserted into a memory card insertion section of specific type equipment, comprising:
an adapter body for defining a space housing the memory card;
a write protect mechanism including a write enable/disable setting member which is slidable with respect to the adapter body;
a coupling portion configured in the space housing the memory card capable of elastically maintaining an insertion state when the memory card is inserted into the space of the adapter body;
a protruding portion configured to conform to a shape of the notch portion of the memory card when the memory card is inserted into the memory card storing space; and
a terminal portion located in the adapter body, which is formed so as to be electrically connected to a terminal portion of the memory card for the input and output of data when the memory card is housed in the adapter body and electrically connected to a terminal portion of the memory card insertion section when the adapter is inserted into the memory card insertion section,
wherein the write protect mechanism sets whether to enable or disable writing of data into the memory card in accordance with the position of the write enable/disable setting member;
the notch portion is formed on a side surface on one side of the memory card so as to conform to a shape of the protruding portion of the adapter.
0. 1. An adapter to be attached to a memory card tor changing an external shape such that it can be inserted into a memory card insertion section of specific type equipment, comprising:
an adapter body for defining a space housing the memory card;
a write protect mechanism including a write enable/disable setting member which is slidable with respect to the adapter body; and
a terminal portion located in the adapter body, which is formed so as to be electrically connected to a terminal portion of the memory card for the input and output of data when the memory card is housed in the adapter body and electrically connected to a terminal portion of the memory card insertion section when the adapter is inserted into the memory card insertion section,
wherein the write protect mechanism sets whether to enable or disable writing of data into the memory card in accordance with the position of the write enable/disable setting member;
a notch portion is formed on a side surface on one side of the memory card so as to conform to a shape of the write protect mechanism of the adapter.
0. 2. An adapter according to
a notch portion is formed on a side surface of the adapter body;
the write enable/disable setting member is arranged such that either a first position or a second position is selected;
a part of the write enable/disable setting member covers a part of the notch portion at the first position; and
the part of the write enable/disable setting member covers the other part of the notch portion at the second position.
0. 3. An adapter according to
0. 4. An adapter according to
a terminal portion of the memory card includes N terminals;
a terminal portion of the adapter includes M terminals which is less than N; and
the terminal portion of the adapter is formed such that the predetermined M terminals among N terminals included in the terminal portion of the memory card respectively contact with the M terminals included in the terminal portion of the adapter when the memory card is housed in the adapter body.
0. 5. An adapter according to
0. 6. An adapter according to
0. 7. An adapter according to
the terminal portion located in the adapter body electrically connects the memory card to the memory card insertion section of the specific type equipment.
0. 8. A memory card structured enabling it to be housed in an adapter, wherein:
the adapter has an adapter body for defining a space for housing the memory card and a write protect mechanism for setting whether to enable or disable writing of data into the memory card;
the write protect mechanism is formed so as to protrude from a side surface on one side of the adapter body into an inner space of the adapter body;
the memory card comprises
a memory portion to which data can be written, and
a terminal portion electrically connected to the memory portion; and
a notch portion is formed on a side surface on one side of the memory card so as to conform to a shape of the write protect mechanism of the adapter.
0. 9. A memory card according to
0. 10. A memory card according to
0. 11. A memory card according to
0. 12. A memory card module comprising: an adapter to be attached to a memory card for changing an external shape such that it can be inserted into a memory card insertion section of specific type equipment; and the memory card, wherein:
the adapter comprises
an adapter body for defining a space for housing the memory card,
a write protect mechanism including a write enable/disable setting member which is slidable with respect to the adapter body, and
a terminal portion located in the adapter body, which is formed so as to be electrically connected to a terminal portion of the memory card when the memory card is housed in the adapter body;
the write protect mechanism sets whether to enable or disable writing data into the memory card in accordance with the position of the write enable/disable setting member;
the memory card housed in the adapter body comprises
a memory portion to which data can be written, and
a terminal portion electrically connected to the memory portion; and
a notch portion is formed on a side surface on one side of the memory card so as to conform to a shape of the write protect mechanism of the adapter.
0. 14. An adapter according to claim 13, wherein:
a notch portion is formed on a side surface of the adapter body;
the write enable/disable setting member is arranged such that either a first position or a second position is selected;
a part of the write enable/disable setting member covers a part of the notch portion at the first position; and
the part of the write enable/disable setting member covers the other part of the notch portion at the second position.
0. 15. An adapter according to claim 13, wherein the write protect mechanism is formed so as to protrude from a side surface on one side of the adapter body to an inner space of the adapter body.
0. 16. An adapter according to claim 13, wherein:
a terminal portion of the memory card includes N terminals;
a terminal portion of the adapter includes M terminals which is less than N; and
the terminal portion of the adapter is formed such that the predetermined M terminals among N terminals included in the terminal portion of the memory card respectively contact with the M terminals included in the terminal portion of the adapter when the memory card is housed in the adapter body.
0. 17. An adapter according to claim 13, wherein a step portion is provided in the adapter body, and the step portion is formed enabling it to fit onto a guide provided on at least a part of side surfaces on both sides of the memory card.
0. 18. An adapter according to claim 13, wherein the adapter body is formed such that a part of the memory card is exposed from the adapter body when the memory card is housed in the adapter body.
0. 19. An adapter according to claim 13, wherein:
the terminal portion located in the adapter body electrically connects the memory card to the memory card insertion section of the specific type equipment.
0. 21. A memory card according to claim 20, wherein a guide is formed in at least a part of side surfaces on both sides of the memory card, and the guide is formed enabling it to fit onto a step portion formed inside the adapter body.
0. 22. A memory card according to claim 20, wherein a projecting portion is provided in at least part of at least one of inner side surfaces of the adapter body, and at least one of the side surfaces on both sides of the memory card is formed enabling it to fit onto the projecting portion.
0. 23. A memory card according to claim 20, wherein the adapter body is formed such that a part of the memory card is exposed from the adapter body when the memory card is housed in the adapter body, and a groove is formed in a part of the memory card which is exposed.
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The length H1 may be the same as the length H2. Further, the length D1 and the length D2 may vary. The length A, length A1, length A2 and length B are predetermined based on specification of a memory card, and cannot be varied.
The present invention has been illustrated by using the preferable embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention should not be construed with limitation to such embodiments. It is understood that the scope of the present invention should be construed only from the claims. It is understood that, based on the descriptions regarding the specific preferable embodiments, those skilled in the art can carry out the scope of the descriptions as described herein and also the scope equivalent thereto based on the common technical knowledge. It is understood that the patents, patent applications, and other documents cited herein should be herein incorporated as a reference as if the contents thereof are specifically described herein.
According to the adapter of the present invention, a write protect mechanism set whether to enable or disable writing of data into a memory card in accordance with a position of a write enable/disable setting member. Thus, it is possible to mechanically set whether to enable or disable writing of data into a memory card. As a result, the external shape of a memory card can be changed without electrically setting whether to enable or disable writing of data into a memory card.
According to the memory card of the present invention, a notch portion is formed so as to conform to a shape of a write protect mechanism of an adapter on a side surface on one side of the memory card. Thus, the memory card of the present invention can be housed in the adapter so as to avoid the portion where the write protect mechanism is formed so as to protrude from a side surface on one side of an adapter body into an inner space of the adapter body. When the memory card of the present invention is attempted to be inserted in an opposite direction, the memory card cannot avoid the portion where the write protect mechanism is provided. Thus, it is possible to prevent the memory card from being erroneously inserted into the adapter.
Yamada, Hiroyuki, Yano, Masayoshi
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| Oct 01 2008 | MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO , LTD | Panasonic Corporation | CHANGE OF NAME SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 024121 | /0659 |
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