Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to an information storage module for an
electronic record and read-out apparatus.
Modern data processing utilizes various types of information
storage modules. Among these are built-in memory units in computers, as
well as peripheral storage modules, e.g., magnetic tape reels, magnetic
discs, magnetic core storage units, and others.
A differentiation is also made between read-only memories, and
those capable of repeated write operations, subsequent interrogation, and
optional erasure.
- All storage modules should be easy to handle and the access
time for the diverse data stored therein should be minimal.
Recent developments have tended increasingly to favour station-
ary storage devices, i.e., devices wherein the data can be read out
without movement of the storage medium. This type of data storage
obviously has the advantage of dispensing with moving parts and drive
mechanisms.
Small computers, as well as larger installations, already
utilize such devices with internal storage capacities that will undoubtedly
expand further with continued developments in VLSI (Very Large Scale
Integration) technology.
It is, therefore, an object of an aspect of the present in~ention
to provide a storage module for an electronic record and read-out appara-
tus, in particular for recording an reproducing digitially stored langulage
and music. By this aspect of the present invention, the module is adapted
to be inserted in a compatible receptacle in such a manner that, depending
on the manner in which itiis inserted, the access point of the memory is
determined.
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By a broad aspect of the present invention, a storage medium
is provided for an electronic record and read~out apparatus which com-
prises: a data recording medium comprising first and second surfaces
having a plurality of edgesr the medium containing therein a multitude
of storage elements corresponding to each of the respective edges of the
medium for storing memory content in the data recording medium for use in
recording and read-out of digital information; and a plurality of taps
arranged at each respective edge of the data recording medium which input
information into, for recording, and initiate read-out from the storage
elements, the recording medium being divided into a plurality of storage
sections comprising the storage elements corresponding to each edge of
the recording medium for storing the memory content, each of the storage
sections being separately accessible via the taps depending upon which
edge of the storage medium is inserted into a holder fitting for the
record or read-out apparatus, whereby the storage emdium is insertable
into at least four different positions of the record and read-out appara-
tus such that the storage section associated with the respective edge of
the data recording medium corresponding to the position is recordable or
readable.
By a variant thereof, the storage medium includes four memory
content storage sections, each of which corresponds respectively to each
- edge of the data recording medium with the related taps being accessed
depending upon which edge of the storage medium is inserted into the holder
fitting.
By another variant thereof, the storage medium includes eight
memory content storage sections, two corresponding to each edge of the
data recording medium in association with the respective surfaces thereof,
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with the related taps being accessed depending upon which surface and
edge of the storage medium is inserted into the holder fitting.
By still another variant thereof, the taps are arranged in
such a way near the edges of the data recording medium so as to record
and read-out the digital information from the storage elements in a cyclic-
series fashion.
By a further variant thereof, the dat recording medium comprises
a printed circuit board inclusive of the storage elements, with the tap
means being in contact with corresponding storage elements.
By yet a further variant thereof, the storage medium includes
means associated with the taps for preventing the erasure of the digital
information stored in the storage elements.
By another variant thereof, the means for preventing the erasure
of the stored digital information comprises: interruptable connecting leads
connecting each of the taps with corresponding storage elements such that
electrical current supply between one of the taps and a corresponding
storage element is interrupted, thereby open circuiting the respective con-
necting lead.
By yet another variant thereof, the means for preventing the
erasure of the stored digital information comprises a mechanical contact
means located within the holder fitting for interrupting the supply of
erasing current when one edge of the data recording medium comes into
contact therewith.
By a further variant thereof, the storage medium further in-
cludes-label identifying means present at the outer edge of the data re-
cording medium for identifying the digital information stored therein.
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9y another variant thereof, the taps are arranged around an
inner zone on at least one of the surfaces of the data recording medium
and further including label identifying means arranged around the taps on
the respective surface.
By another variant thereof, the data recording medium is square
in sahpe.
By another variant thereof, the data recording medium is
flexible and has a relatively small thickness dimension.
By another variant thereof, the storage medium further includes
means for locking the data recording medium into the holder fitting means
when the data recording medium is inserted thereinto.
By another`aspect of this invention, a plate-like module is
provided for supporting a digital storage device for electrical data, the
module being adapted for insertion into a compatible receptacle providing
means for operating the storage device and being of polygonal shape having
two major surfaces and a plurality of edges, the storage device being
supported by the dule and being electrically connected to a plurality
of contact means on the module, each plurality of contact means being
disposed in a predetermined manner on a major surface of the module along
an edge thereof; a plurality of associated contacts on the receptacle, the
contacts being compatible with an associated respective plurality of con-
tact means each plurality of contact means being associated with a pre-
determined section of the storage device; whereby, upon insertion of the
module into the receptacle with an edge thereof associated with the re-
ceptacle the associated predetermined section of the storage device is
; made accessible to the means for operating the storage device.
;~ By a variant thereof, the plurality of contact means i5 disposed
on both the two major surfaces, so that, upon turning the module over and
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reir.serting it into the receptacle with the edge associated with the
receptacle, a different portion of the digital storage device is made
accessible.
By another variant thereof, the module includes means r pro-
vided in the digital storage device for providing continuous access to at
lèast two predetermined sections, one after the other, without the neces-
sity of repositioning the module within the receptacle.
By a further variant thereof, the module is in the shape of a
square having at least one edge which does not permit access to other
sections of the digital storage device, and having at least one other edge
permitting such access.
By still another variant thereof, the module is in the shape
of a square printed circuit board having the pluralities of contact means
at its periphery.
By yet another variant thereof, the module is a printed circuit
board, and further including means for precluding erasure of information
stored in the digital storage device.
By still another variant thereof, the module is a printed
circuit board, having interruptable`printed connections for precluding
erasure of inormation stored in the digital storage device by being in-
terrupted by scratching.
By yet a further variant thereof, the module is a printed
circuit board, having an edge portion thereof broken off to prevent
erasure of information stored in the digital storage device in cooperation
with switch means in the receptacle.
By still another variant thereof, the module is of polygonal
shape and labels along an edge of at least one of its two major surfaces
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identifying information stored in the predetermined section of the digital
storage device~
By a still further variant thereof, the digital storage device
is centrally located on the module.
By other variants, the module may be in the shape of a square,
or in the form of a thin flexible plate.
By yet another variant thereof, the receptacle has a switch
activated through module insertion to switch on the means for operating the
digital storage device.
By a still further variant thereof, the receptacle has locking
means for retaining the module in place therein.
The construction of the storage module according to one aspect
of this invention as a square plate permits the association of at least
four storage sections of the memory s-upported by the module with the four
sides of the square~ The plate may be flexible and have a relatively small
thickness dimension.
A further aspect of the invention is that upon turning the
module over and reinserting it into the receptacle, four additional memory
sections or access points are associated with each side of the square in
that position. By such arrangement of the memory taps and the module, it
is thus possible to sub-divide the memory into eight distinct storage
sections enabiing direct access thereto.
For the optimal utilization of whatever storage capacity is
supported by the mdoule, it is often desirable according to another a~pect
of this invention to arrange the memory section cyclically (as further dis-
cussed below), each corresponding to a module edge, maintaining continuity
therebetween. It remains the designer's choice, however, to determine
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the capacities of the individual sections, while maintaining direct access
to each memory section.
In certain applications, according to yet another aspect of this
invention, it may be desirable to select each section individuaoly, yet
still to have the capability of coupling the memory section in series.
This would be of interest, for example, should a number of musical -
selections be involved, which are to be played either individually or as
a succession of musical selections.
For this purpose, according to another aspect of this invention,
it is-provided that, depending on the edge with which the module is in-
serted in the receptacle, the memory section associàted with that edge
are activated or interrogated without cyclic continuation, and at least
one other position is additionally provided wherein, aftèr insertion of the
module, the input and/or read-out procedure is continued cyclically.
It is of importance for practical usage in accordance with still
another aspect of this invention that the module have arrangements by means
of which erasure of stored information is prevented.
Such arrangements are known for tape recorder cassettes, both
by electrical and mechanical means. In order to prevent the erasure of
stored information, according to aspects of this invention, the memory
erase connections may be arranged on the module such that they may be
interrupted, for instance by scraping. This measure provides an electri~
cal remedy. A mechanical device is likewise possible. Parts from the
storage module, for example at its edges, may be broken off, thus blocking
erasing signals from the receptacle. This is accomplished in a well-known
manner, for example, by means of a scanning lever which opens or closes a
~; switch.
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According to still another aspect of this invention, a clear
labeling or characterization of the data contents is likewise of special
significance. AccordinglyJ this problem may be solved by arranging labels
or characteristic sym~ols denoting the associated data
content on the outer~rim of the square plate. It is, of course, well
known that the labeling or characterization is clearly recognizable while
the storage module is in the receptacle.
To protect the taps, particularly if they are electrical contact
pads, from contamination and damage during use, it is proposed, according
to another aspect of this invention, to arrange these taps in the inner
zone of the square area. Thus, the outer rim remains preserved for label-
ing or characterizing symbols.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 Is a schematic representation of an aspect of this
invention of a square module having a plurality of contact taps tapping
a memory (not shown) supported by the module;
Figure 2 shows the module of Figure 1 from its back side;
Figure 3 shows schematically a module in its receptacle;
Figure 4 is a schematic of a simple access circuit for the
memory on a module;
Figure 5 is an alternate version of the module in Figure l; and
Figure 6 is a frontal pictorial view of a module in its recep-
tacle.
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Fi~ure 1 shows a square, plate~ e module having abutting
its edge taps 2 and 4 as indicated on or in the one side, and 3 on or in
the other side. m e letters "A", ~'B", "C", "D" are associated with the
four sides of the square on one side of the module as characterizing
symbols.
Figure~2 shows the same module of Figure 1 from the back, so
that the taps 3 are now located on top. The same taps may, of course, also
appear on both sides of the module as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The characterization of the edges of the other sdie of the
module with the letters "E", "F", "G", and "H" is likewise illustrated.
Figure 1 and Figure 2 do not show the actual storage elements
which may be, for example, ~ubble memories, that are arranged on the module
board and connected to the taps in the manner of printed circuit boards.
Me ry contents represented as 7,7', 7", 7' " , 8, 8', 8", 81'', 9, 9', 9",
9' " and 10, 10', 10", 10 " '. The plate 1 is inserted into the holder
(Figs. 3 or 6) in the directions indicated by the arrows.
Figure 3 shows schematically a storage module 1 inserted in a
housing 5, wherein the pads 2 and 4 correspond to associated receptacle
contacts 6.
The individual read-out of specific storage contents and/or
the cyclic series connection of the memory sections performed by means of
well-known circuits and is illustrated schematically in Figure 4.
The memory sections designated 7, 8, 9 and 10 are individually
activated by means of one of the ~ontacts or taps 11, 12, 13, or 14, upon
insertion of the module into the receptacle. The contact pad 12, for
example, is connected to its counter contact in the receptacle and the
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memory section 8 is re1eased for read-out and, afeer read-out has been
accomplished, this process is terminated. The same process takes place in
case of the other memory sections 7, 9 and 10. In contrast thereto, if
the interrogation procedure is started via the contact pad 15, then all
four storage contents 7 through 10 are released for read-out, and they may
be read out cyclically. The diodes 18 serve electr~cally to separate the
commands. Of course, other known circuits may be used to accomplish the
same results.
Figure l and Figure 2 illustrate an embodiment of the module as
a printed circuit board, with the taps along the edge of the board, where~
by the storage elements or media are disposed and protected between the
two module surfaces.
Figure 5 shows a different realization of the storage module
having the taps in the inner zone of the square and carrying the labels
and/or characterizations on the periphery.
Such arrangement has the advantage of protecting the pads by
being in the inner zone. The labeling may also be easier to recognize
while the module is in use.
Figure 6 shows a different version of the labeling on a module,
na~lely on the narrow sides of the module. The module is inserted in a
slot 17 of the receptacle 16 so that the narrow side with its labeling,
for example "Tango", is readily readable. In such case, one of the eight
labels is visible but is inverted, since there are only four edges with
two labels each.
In Figure 6, a resilient hinged flap l9 is indicated in dashed
lines, permitting a mechanical locking of the inserted module in the
receptacle and thereby covering the inverted label.
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Figure 3 also illustrates schematically how a storage module,
already storing information, may be protected from unintentional erasure.
The corner 20 of the module is broken off thus contact 21 would remain
open even if the module has been inserted in the housing 5. As long
as the corner 20 has not been broken off, thè module 1 actuates the contact
21 upon insertion which in turn causes circuitry to permit introduction
of information to be~written in the ~emory. Alternatively, erasure of
the information can be prevented by a mechanical contact located within
the holder fitting for interrupting the supply of erasing currents when
one edge of the plate comes into contact therewith.
Another arrange~ent for preventing the unintended erasing of
data is shown schematically in Figure 1. The bridges 22 each lead to the
terminals 23 and thus establish the actual connection to the storage
units. If, now, one of the uncovered connecting lines or bridges 22 is
interrupted, for example by being scraped off, then further writing of
data for storage is prevented.
An auxiliary contact, e.g. contact 21 shown in Figure 3, may
be associated with an auxiliary function in such a way that when the module
has been inserted, i.e., when the contact 21 is closed, the total instal~
lation or the entire unit is turned on by means of this contact~
The module of an aspect of the present invention is, of course,
also suitable for dictating devices, word processing, video programs, as
well as for applications wherein it is important to have available for
direct access digitally stored data in an easily retrievable characterized
and labeled manner.
