Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ENABLING HOLOGRAPHIC MEDIA BACKWARDS
COMPATIBILITY WITH DUAL-USE MEDIA CARD CONNECTOR
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application makes reference to and claims the priority date of co-
pending
Prov. App. No. 60/948,769, entitled "A METHOD FOR ENABLING MEDIA
BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY BY DUAL-USE MEDIA SOCKET DESIGN," filed July
10, 2007, the entire disclosure and contents of which is hereby incorporated
by reference.
STATEMENT OF JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0002] In compliance with 37 C.F.R. 1.71(g) (1), disclosure is herein made
that the
claimed invention was made pursuant to a Joint Research Agreement as defined
in 35 U.S.C.
103 (c) (3), that was in effect on or before the date the claimed invention
was made, and as a
result of activities undertaken within the scope of the Joint Research
Agreement, by or on the
behalf of the InPhase Technologies, Inc. and Nintendo Co., Ltd.
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a holographic read only
memory card
which may be coupled to a card connector and read by a card reader to which
electronic read
only memory cards may also be coupled to and read by.
Related Art
[0004] Suppliers of electronic equipment that makes use of removable media of
pre-
recorded data content can face backwards-compatibility issues when developing
newer
versions of their products to use updated or newly developed media
technologies. For
example, the maker of a computer or video game station console might want to
release a
newer version of such a device that takes advantage of the latest improvements
in storage
capacity, size and cost reduction, yet makes it feasible for their existing
customers to use
previously purchased media, resulting in more incentive for these customers to
buy the newer
version of device. As a result the newer product may be designed to have
multiple media
slots that accept different media developed at different times in the
evolutionary life cycle of
the product line, some accepting the latest technology and others accepting
older and what
may be outdated media.
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[0005] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide in such newer media
technologies the
ability to provide backwards compatibility to read the earlier (older) media
with the devices
that read such more recent (newer) media.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a
device comprising a holographic read only memory card which can be coupled to
and read by
a card reader to which electronic read only memory cards can also be coupled
to and read by
the holographic read only memory card comprising:
a housing having a compartment for receiving a holographic storage medium; and
a holographic storage medium having stored thereon holographic data;
wherein the housing comprises one or more card locating members to thereby
repeatedly position the holographic read only memory card each time the
holographic
read only memory card is coupled to the card reader so that the holographic
data can
be read.
[0007] According to a second broad aspect of the invention, there is provided
a device
comprising a holographic read only memory card which can be coupled to and
read by a card
reader to which electronic read only memory cards can also be coupled to and
read the
holographic read only memory card comprising:
a housing having a compartment for receiving a holographic storage medium; and
a holographic storage medium having stored thereon holographic data; and
an electronics panel member having an electronic memory component which can be
read by the card reader when the holographic read only memory card is coupled
to the
electronic card reader;
wherein the housing comprises one or more card locating members to thereby
repeatedly position the holographic read only memory card each time the
holographic
read only memory card is coupled to the electronic card reader so that the
holographic
data can be read.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in
which:
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[0009] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a representative embodiment of a
flash or
electrical ROM memory card (EROM card);
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the card of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a electrical contact interface end view of the card of FIGS.
1-2;
[0012] FIG. is 4 is perspective view of an embodiment of a holographic read
only memory
(HROM) card with the electronic panel member detached from the housing;
[0013] FIG. 5 is bottom perspective view of the HROM card of FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an alternative bottom perspective view of the HROM card shown
in FIG.
5;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a side-by-side bottom perspective view comparing the
configurations of
the EROM card of FIGS. 1-3 and the HROM card of FIGS 4-6;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the superimposed HROM and E-ROM
cards of
FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is side view but in a reversed perspective of the superimposed
HROM and
E-ROM cards of FIG. 8;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a card connector
showing
the EROM card of FIGS. 1 through 3 in a card fully inserted position;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the card connector embodiment
shown in
FIG. 10;
[0020] FIG. 12 is bottom perspective view similar to that of FIG. 11 showing
one of the
components of the card connector embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view similar to that of FIG. 10, but with
components of
the card connector embodiment removed to better illustrate how the EROM card
fits within
and cooperates with features and/or components of the card connector;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a view similar to that of FIG. 13 but with the EROM card
removed (i.e.,
a fully ejected card position) from the card connector embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 15 is an enlarged breakout of a portion of FIG. 14 to better
illustrate certain
features shown therein;
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[0024] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the underside of the ejection/retention
mechanisms
shown in FIGS. 14 and 15;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a side sectional view of FIG. 14 to further illustrate the
ejection/retention
mechanism shown FIGS. 14 through 16 in cooperation with other features and/or
components
of the card connector embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 18 is perspective view of the underside of one of the components
of the card
connector embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 through 11 to illustrate features for
repeatably
locating the EROM card or HROM card when in a fully inserted card position;
[0027] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of FIG. 18 to better
illustrate
certain features for repeatably locating the EROM card or HROM card when in a
fully
inserted card position;
[0028] FIG. 20 is top perspective view of the card connector embodiment of
FIG. 10, but
showing the HROM card of FIGS. 4 through 6 in a fully inserted card position;
and
[0029] FIG. 21 is a top perspective view similar to that of FIGS. 13 and 20,
but with
features and/or components of the card connector embodiment removed to better
illustrate
how the HROM card fits within and cooperates with other features and/or
components of the
card connector embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] It is advantageous to define several terms before describing the
invention. It
should be appreciated that the following definitions are used throughout this
application.
Definitions
[0031] Where the definition of terms departs from the commonly used meaning of
the
term, applicant intends to utilize the definitions provided below, unless
specifically indicated.
[0032] For the purposes of the present invention, directional terms such as
"top",
"bottom", "side," "front," "frontal," "forward," "rear," "rearward," "back,"
"trailing,"
"above", "below", "left", "right", "horizontal", "vertical", "upward",
"downward", etc. are
merely used for convenience in describing the various embodiments of the
present invention.
The embodiments of the present invention may be oriented in various ways. For
example,
the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 21 may be flipped over, rotated by 90
in any
direction, etc.
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[0033] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "disk" refers to a
disk-shaped
holographic storage medium.
[0034] For the purposes of the present invention, the terms "holographic
grating,"
"holograph" or "hologram" (collectively and interchangeably referred to
hereafter as
"hologram") are used in the conventional sense of referring to an interference
pattern formed
when a signal beam and a reference beam interfere with each other. In cases
wherein digital
data is recorded page-wise, the signal beam may be encoded with a data
modulator, e.g., a
spatial light modulator (SLM), etc.
[0035] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "storage medium"
refers to any
component, material, etc., capable of storing data which may be in the form of
information,
operable programs (e.g., software), such as, for example, a holographic
storage medium.
[0036] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "holographic
storage medium"
refers to medium that has a least one component, material, layer, etc., that
is capable of
recording and storing one or more holograms (e.g., bit-wise, linear array-wise
or page-wise)
as one or more patterns of varying refractive index imprinted into the medium.
Examples of
holographic media useful herein include, but are not limited to, those
described in: U.S. Pat.
No. 6,103,454 (Dhar et al.), issued August 15, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,551
(Dhar et al.),
issued November 19, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,650,447 (Curtis et al.), issued
November 18,
2003, U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,552 (Setthachayanon et al.), issued June 1, 2004;
U.S. Pat. No.
6,765,061 (Dhar et al.), July 20, 2004; U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,546 (Trentler et
al.), issued
August 24, 2004; U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0206320 (Cole et al.)
published
November 6, 2003; and U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0027625 (Trentler et
al.),
published February 12, 2004, the entire disclosure and contents of which are
herein
incorporated by reference. A holographic storage medium may be any type of
holographic
storage medium including: a transparent holographic storage medium, a
holographic storage
medium including a plurality of components or layers such as a reflective
layer, a
holographic storage medium including a reflective layer and a polarizing layer
so reflection
may be controlled with polarization, a holographic storage medium including a
variable beam
transmission layer that may be pass, absorb, reflect, be transparent to, etc.,
light beams,
grating layers for reflecting light beams, substrates, substrates with servo
markings, etc.
[0037] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "holographic
recording" refers
to the act of recording a hologram in a holographic storage medium. The
holographic
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recording may provide bit-wise storage (i.e., recording of one bit of data),
may provide
storage of a 1-dimensional linear array of data (i.e., a 1 x N array, where N
is the number
linear data bits), or may provide 2-dimensional storage of a page of data.
[0038] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "processor" refers
to a device
capable of, for example, executing instructions, implementing logic,
calculating and storing
values, etc. Exemplary processors may include application specific integrated
circuits
(ASIC), central processing units, microprocessors, such as, for example,
microprocessors
commercially available from Intel and AMD, etc.
[0039] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "reading data"
refers to
retrieving, recovering, or reconstructing data (e.g., holographic data) stored
in a storage
medium (e.g., a holographic storage medium), and may include using,
displaying, etc., such
retrieved, recovered, or reconstructed data.
[0040] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "recording data"
refers to
storing or writing data (e.g., holographic data) into a storage medium (e.g.,
a holographic
storage medium).
[0041] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "device" may refer
to an
apparatus, a mechanism, equipment, a machine, a combination of elements,
components, etc.
[0042] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "holographic storage
system or
device" refers to a system or device which may record (store) holographic
data, which may
read (recover) holographic data, or which may record (store) and read
(recover) holographic
data.
[0043] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "media content
label" refers to a
label attached to a media card that presents information describing the card's
data contents.
[0044] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "flash memory"
refers to non-
volatile computer memory that may be electrically erased and reprogrammed.
[0045] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "ROM" refers to read-
only
memory. ROM may include memory which cannot be modified (at least not very
quickly or
easily), memory which may be erased and re-programmed multiple times such as,
for
example, Erasable Programmable read-only memory (EPROM) and flash Electrically
Erasable Programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc.
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[0046] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "SSM" refers to a
solid state
memory device, such as an electronic memory card.
[0047] For the purpose of the present invention, the terms "EROM or E-ROM"
refer to an
electronic or solid-state read-only memory device.
[0048] For the purpose of the present invention, the terms "H-ROM" or "HROM"
refer to
a holographic read-only memory device.
[0049] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "compatible cards"
refers to
memory cards which may be used interchangeably in a given card connector, and
are thus
"compatible" with that card connector.
[0050] For the purpose of the present invention, the terms "backwards
compatible,"
"backwards compatibility," etc. refer to memory cards of an earlier (older)
design (in terms of
shape, mechanism, function, hardware, software, technology, etc.) compared to
more recent
(newer) card designs (also in terms of shape, mechanism, function, hardware,
software,
technology, etc.), but which are able to compatibly function with a card
connector designed
for the older card, or designed to accommodate both the newer and older card.
[0051] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "memory card" refers
to a solid-
state electronic and/or holographic memory data storage device which may be
used with
digital cameras, handheld and portable (mobile) computers, personal digital
assistants
(PDAs), telephones, music players, video game players, etc., as well as
combinations thereof.
[0052] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "card reader" refers
to a device
which reads memory cards so that the data, programs, etc., contained therein
may be
displayed, printed, used, manipulated, operated, etc.
[0053] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "card connector"
(also referred to
interchangeably as a "card socket") refers to device which receives, is
coupled to, has
inserted therein, etc., memory cards and which enables the memory cards to be
read by a card
reader. In some embodiments, the card connector may be simply electronically
connected to
the card reader, may be the integral with or structurally part of the card
reader, etc.
[0054] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "fully inserted
card position"
refers to when a memory card is fully inserted and locked position within the
card connector
so that the memory card may be read by a card reader.
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[0055] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "partially inserted
card
position" refers to when a memory card is partially or fully inserted within
the card connector
but is not in a locked position so that the memory card may or may not be
readable by a card
reader.
[0056] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "fully ejected card
position"
refers to when a memory card is in a position where the card is fully,
completely, totally, etc.,
ejected from within the card connector so that the memory card cannot be read
by a card
reader.
[0057] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "partially ejected
card position"
refers to when a memory card is partially, but not fully, ejected from within
the card
connector so that the memory card cannot be read by a card reader.
[0058] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "card locating
member" refers
to one or more elements, features, surfaces, recesses, notches, protrusions,
etc., which may be
used to repeatedly locate a memory card when in a fully inserted card position
within the card
connector. The card locating member may repeatedly locate the memory card in
one or more
of: the side-to-side direction, bottom-to-top direction, front-to rear
direction, etc.
[0059] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "repeatably locate"
refers to a
memory card which, when in a fully inserted card position, is positioned in
the card
connector each time such that a card reader may read the data on the memory
card in a
reproducible, consistent and correct manner.
[0060] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "undeformed state"
refers to the
position of an element, feature, component, segment, etc., without any biasing
forces being
applied thereto.
[0061] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "deformed state"
refers to the
position of an element, feature, component, segment, etc., with any biasing
forces being
applied thereto, e.g., by link 1338/shaft 1504 pressing against the unattached
end of segment
1322, as described below.
[0062] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "portable electronic
device"
refers to an electronic device which is relatively mobile and which may be
carried by the user
relatively easily from one place to another. Portable electronic devices may
include, for
example, digital cameras, portable or laptop computers, personal digital
assistants (PDAs),
video game players, etc.
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Description
[0063] In portable electronic devices such as digital cameras, portable or
laptop
computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), video game players, etc., an
electronic memory
card (e.g., an EROM card) may be provided for storing, downloading, swapping,
etc.,
electronic data, operable programs, etc. In order to read and utilize the
electronic memory
card (by utilizing a card reader), it may be necessary to provide a card
connector for the
portable device, to receive the memory card, where the card connector is
simply
electronically connected to the card reader, or where the card connector is
integral with or
forms part of the card reader. For example, the card connector may provide the
ability to
electronically connect the memory card with a microprocessor in the portable
electronic
device which is able to read the memory card. In addition, the card connector
may be
required to accommodate multiple electronic memory cards having different
lengths, widths,
thicknesses, shapes, configurations, functions, couplings, etc., that may also
be used with
many different types of portable electronic devices. See, for example, U.S.
Pat. No.
6,386,920 (Sun), issued May 14, 2002, which describes a card connector in the
form of a
socket device for electronic memory cards which is illustrated as being able
to receive
upwards of four different electronic memory cards having different lengths,
widths,
thicknesses, shapes, configurations, functions, couplings, etc.
[0064] In place of electronic memory cards, holographic memory cards may be
used with
at least some of these portable electronic devices. Holographic memory cards
may provide
the ability to store significantly more data than electronic memory cards,
provide more
updated or current versions of programs that provide enhanced features
(compared to earlier
electronic memory cards), provide memory storage that is more permanent or at
least more
difficult, for example, to accidentally (or intentionally) erase or copy, thus
making it more
difficult to replicate or "pirate" whatever data, programs, etc., is stored on
the memory card
(or for the user to accidentally lose the stored data, programs, etc.), etc.
But because
electronic memory cards have been around for quite a bit longer, and because
the portable
devices using such electronic memory cards may be owned by many different
users, it may
not be practical to simply construct portable devices for use by holographic
memory cards
only. Also, in some cases, it may be desirable for the user of the portable
device to be able to
still use and read the electronic memory cards, and especially pre-existing
electronic memory
cards, with the portable device, be it a digital camera, portable computer,
video game player,
etc.
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[0065] Creating a holographic memory cards, as well as card connectors for
reading,
using, receiving, coupling to, etc., such cards that are compatible with pre-
existing electronic
memory cards may present challenges. For example, a holographic memory card
design may
need to be made sufficiently similar (but not necessarily identical) to a pre-
existing electronic
memory card so that the pre-existing electronic memory card may be inserted
into a card
connector and then read by a card reader designed for the holographic memory
card. In
addition, while data that is not changed may be permanently stored on the
holographic
storage medium of the holographic memory card, some data which may change or
be
changed during use and over time (for example, dates, scores, etc.) and which
may need to be
stored permanently or temporarily, transferred to other devices, etc., may
require at least
some changeable electronic memory capability. For example, the memory card (as
well as
the card reader and related card connector receiving and reading same) may
incorporate the
ability to both read the holographic storage medium, as well as to read and/or
store electronic
data in the electronic memory component of the memory card so that at least
some data may
be changeable, as well as storable for future reading, modification, etc.,
during use and over
time.
[0066] FIGS. 1 through3 illustrate an embodiment of a pre-existing electronic
memory or
solid state memory (SSM) electronic read only memory (EROM) storage card,
while FIGS. 4
through9 illustrate how an embodiment of a holographic read-only memory
storage card
(HROM) might be designed to allow use of both the EROM and HROM cards with the
same
card connector and/or card reader. The data, programs, etc., recorded, stored,
etc., on the
HROM card may be read and used by a holographic reading device or system, for
example,
one described in U.S. Pat. Application No. 2006/0279823 (Riley et al.),
published December
14, 2006, and U.S. Pat. Application No. 2006/0238841 (Anderson et al.),
published
December 14, 2006 (the entire disclosure and contents of which are hereby
incorporated by
reference), while the EROM card may be received by, inserted into, etc., a
card connector and
read through a separate electrical connection and by a separate electronic
device or system.
See, for example, U.S Pat. No. 7,118,394 (Yoneyama et al.), issued October 10,
2006; U.S
Pat. No. 6,398,567 (Nishimura et al.), issued June 4, 2002; and U.S. Pat.
Application No.
2003/0096521 (Kikuchi et al.), published May 22, 2003 (the entire disclosure
and contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference), which illustrate some card
connectors for
receiving/insertion of electronic memory cards.
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[0067] FIGS. 1 and 2 provide bottom and top perspective views of an embodiment
of a
representative flash or electronic ROM memory card (EROM card), which is
generally
indicated as 100. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, EROM card 100 may be provided
with an outer
housing, indicated generally as 102. EROM card 100 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
as having a
generally square-shaped configuration but may also have other shapes and
configurations, for
example, rectangular, etc. EROM 100 is shown FIGS. 1 and 2 as comprising a
housing 102
having a leading or forward electrical connector edge 104, a rearward or
trailing edge 108
laterally spaced apart from, and generally parallel with, forward edge 104,
and a first side
edge 112 connecting one end of each of forward edge 104 and rearward edge 108.
Housing
102 is also provided with a second side edge 116 laterally spaced apart from
and generally
parallel with first side edge 112 and connecting the other end of each of
forward edge 104
and rearward edge 108, as well as a generally square-shaped bottom section
120, and a
similarly generally square-shaped top section 124.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 1, bottom section 120 is provided with an electrical
contact
interface 128, which positioned within recess 130 in bottom section 120 at or
proximate to
forward edge 104 and which has a width which is slightly smaller than the
width between
first side edge 112 and second side edge 116. First side edge 112 has formed
therein a first
retainer and/or ejection feature in the form of a generally cube-shaped recess
132 between
forward edge 104 and rearward edge 108 (shown in FIG. 1 as being approximately
midway
between forward edge 104 and rearward edge 108), and a second retainer and/or
ejection
feature 136 in the form of a notch-shaped recess formed at or proximate to
where first edge
112 connects to forward edge 104. Second side edge 116 has formed therein a
card
orientation feature in the form of a generally L-shaped groove 140 extending
from or
proximate forward edge 104 to or proximate rearward edge 108. As shown in FIG.
2, top
section 124 is provided with a media content label, indicated as 144.
[0069] FIG. 3 is electrical contact interface edge or end view of EROM card
100 of FIGS.
1 and 2 to illustrate the various guide surfaces of EROM card 100. As shown in
FIG. 3,
EROM card 100 has a first side guide surface 312 along first side edge 112, a
second side
guide surface 316 along second side edge 116, a bottom guide surface 320 along
bottom
section 120, and a top guide surface 324 along top section 124.
[0070] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a holographic ROM memory card (HROM
card),
which is generally indicated as 400. As shown in FIG. 4, HROM card 400
comprises a
generally rectangular-shaped housing, indicated generally as 402. Housing 402
has a
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recessed inner compartment 408 which is provided with or has formed therein a
retainer
section, indicated generally as 412, for receiving a holographic storage
medium 416. HROM
card 400 also comprises a generally rectangular-shaped electronics panel
member 420
(shown in FIG. 4 as being detached from housing 402). Panel member 420 may be
optionally
provided with an electronic flash memory component, indicated generally as
424, to provide,
for example, flash electronic "user" memory for card 400 (e.g., to provide
updates, dates
accessed, etc.), that may not be recordable on holographic storage medium 416
during, for
example, use of HROM card 400, as opposed to before HROM card 400 is sold,
provided,
etc., to the user and when holographic data is normally recorded, stored,
etc., on medium 416,
and which fits within portion 428 of compartment 408 when electronics panel
member 420 is
attached, secured, etc., to housing 402. As also shown in FIG. 4, housing 402
has provided or
formed therein an upper generally rectangular-shaped recessed portion 432 for
receiving and
retaining electronics panel and which has a shoulder 436 for on which the
electronics panel
member 420 is seated when attached, secured, etc., to housing 402 so that HROM
card 400 is
ready for use.
[0071] FIGS. 5 and 6 provide alternative bottom perspective views of HROM card
400 of
FIG. 4 to illustrate other features of HROM card 400. Referring to FIGS. 5 and
6, housing
402 of HROM card 400 has leading or forward edge 504, a rearward or trailing
edge 508
laterally spaced apart from, and generally parallel to, forward edge 504, and
a first side edge
512 connecting one end of each of forward edge 504 and rearward edge 508.
Housing 402 is
also provided with a second side edge 516 laterally spaced apart from, and
generally parallel
to, first side edge 512 and connecting the other end of each of forward edge
504 and rearward
edge 508, Electronic panel member 420, which is attached, secured, etc., to
housing 402,
completes bottom section 520 of housing 402, with bottom section 520
(including panel
member 420) thus being generally rectangular-shaped, as shown in FIGS. 5 and
6. Housing
402 is also provided with a generally rectangular-shaped top section,
indicated generally as
524.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 5, panel member 420 is provided with an electrical
contact
interface, indicated generally as 528, at or proximate to forward edge 504.
First side edge
512 has formed therein, for example, a first retainer and/or ejection feature
in the form of a
generally cube-shaped recess 532 between forward edge 504 and rearward edge
508 (for
example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, approximately midway between forward edge
504 and
rearward edge 508), and a second retainer and/or ejection feature 536 in the
form of a recess
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formed at or proximate to where first side edge 512 connects to forward edge
504. As shown
in FIG. 5, first side edge 512 is also provided with a first side-to-side card
locating member in
the form of, for example, protrusion 544 provided on or formed in housing 402
proximate
second feature (recess) 536, as well as a second side-to-side card locating
member in the form
of, for example, protrusion 548 provided on or formed in housing 402 which is
located
between second feature (recess) 536 and rearward edge 508 (for example, as
shown in FIG. 5,
approximately midway between feature (recess) 536 and rearward edge 508). As
also shown
in FIG. 5, bottom section 520 of housing 402 has a first side portion 552
adjacent and
connected to first side edge 512, and a second side portion 556 adjacent and
connected to
second side edge 516.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, first side portion 552 of bottom section 520 has
formed therein
a recessed first bottom guide and positioning surface, indicated as 612, while
second side
portion 556 of bottom section 520 has formed therein a second recessed bottom
guide and
positioning surface, indicated as 616. Surfaces 612 and 616 may each be
engaged by
respective guide or positioning fingers (not shown) of the card connector
(also not shown).
As also shown in FIG. 6, second side edge 516 has formed therein a card
insertion reference
feature in the form of, for example, a notch 640 extending from top section
524 to second
side portion 556.
[0074] FIG. 7 is a side-by-side bottom perspective view of EROM card 100 of
FIGS. 1-3
and bottom perspective view of HROM card 400 of FIGS 4-6 comparing the
compatibility of
the configurations of these cards. As shown in FIG. 6, various features of
HROM card 400
correspond to various features of EROM card 100. For example, HROM card 400
has
electrical contact interface 528 (corresponding to electrical contact
interface 128 of EROM
card 100), a first retainer and/or ejection feature (recess) 532
(corresponding to first retainer
and/or ejection feature (recess) 132 of EROM card 100), and a second retainer
and/or ejection
feature (recess) 536 (corresponding to second retainer and/or ejection feature
(recess) 136 of
EROM card 100)
[0075] The compatibility, as well as differences, of the configurations of
EROM card 100
and HROM card 400 are further illustrated by FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 provides a
top
perspective view of HROM card 400 superimposed on E-ROM card 100 and shows top
section 524 being provided with a first top ridge 802 (extending along
adjacent side edge
512), a second top ridge 806 (extending along adjacent side edge 516) with an
inwardly
curved rearward portion 810 formed between and connecting first top ridge 802
and second
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top ridge 806 proximate rearward edge 508. FIG. 9 provides a side view (with a
reversed
perspective relative to the view of FIG. 8 in that the respective tops and
bottoms of cards 100
and 400 are shown in reversed order) of HROM card 400 superimposed on E-ROM
card 100
with the respective bottom section 520 and bottom section 120 facing upwardly,
and the
respective top section 524 and top section 124 facing downwardly. As can be
seen in FIG. 7,
HROM card 400 has a length (i.e., from forward edge 504 to rearward edge 508)
that is
longer than that (i.e., from forward edge 104 to rearward edge 108) of EROM
card 100, but
has a width (i.e., from first side edge 512 to second side edge 516) that is
similar to, although
slightly larger than, the width (i.e., from first side edge 112 to second side
edge 116) of
EROM card 100. See also FIG. 9. This slightly larger but similar width of HROM
card 400
and EROM 100 enables each of these cards to be coupled, received, inserted,
etc., within the
same card connector component of a backwards compatible card reader. But as
shown in
FIG. 9, side edges 512 and 516 of HROM card 400, which provide side edge guide
surfaces
for card 400, are of a sufficiently different configuration from side edge
guide surfaces 312
and 316 of EROM card 100 so that HROM card 400 may be repeatedly positioned or
located
(with the aid of protrusions 544 and 548 not shown in FIG. 9, alone or in
combination with
other features on a card connector in which HROM card 400 is in a fully
inserted card
position) each time in the same or similar position within the card connector
component of
the card reader so that the holographic data recorded, stored, etc., on
holographic storage
medium 416 may be read reproducibly, consistently and correctly. Similarly, as
also shown
in FIGS. 8 and 9, first top ridge 802 (from top section 524) and first side
edge 512 have
formed therein at the juncture thereof a first side-to-side card locating
surface, for example, a
recess in the form of notch 812 adjacent and extending along first side edge
512, while
second top ridge 806 (from top section 524) and second side edge 516 have
formed therein at
the juncture thereof a second side-to-side card locating surface, for example,
a recess in the
form of notch 816 adjacent and extending along first side edge 512, so that
HROM card 400
may again be repeatedly positioned each time within the card connector
component of the
card reader so that the holographic data recorded, stored, etc., on
holographic storage medium
416 may be read.
[0076] A pre-existing EROM card connector may not accept the HROM card. For
example, if the HROM card has a wider width (e.g., as shown for embodiment of
HROM
card 400 in FIG. 9), the HROM card would precluded from being inserted into a
pre-existing
EROM card connector accepting an EROM card having a narrower width (e.g., as
shown for
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the embodiment of the EROM card 100 in FIG. 9). In fact, making the HROM card
non-
insertable into a pre-existing card connector or card socket for an EROM card
may be useful
in preventing a user from mistakenly assuming that the HROM card would work or
be usable
with the pre-existing card connector for the EROM card. Accordingly, designing
a card
connector which: (1) may accept both an HROM card and an EROM card; (2) be
able to
position or locate each of the respective cards uniquely using features on the
cards, alone or
in combination with other features on the card connector; and (3) be able to
distinguish
between the two cards when each is respectively inserted into the card
connector may allow
for each card to be uniquely identified, used, etc., by the card connector,
for example, in
conjunction with a card reader. For example, after insertion of either the
EROM card or
HROM card in the card connector, card identification may be carried out by
performing an
"identification-read" step by attempting to read the inserted card
electronically and/or
holographically.
[0077] FIGS. 10 through 21 illustrate an embodiment of a card connector in the
form of,
for example, a card socket, indicated generally as 1000, which may be used
either separately
or integrally with a card reader to read, use and/or display the embodiment of
the EROM card
100 of FIGS. 1 through 3, as well as the embodiment of the HROM card 400 of
FIGS. 4
through 6. FIGS. 10 through 12 illustrate how EROM card 100 fits within and
engages the
various components of card socket 1000. Card socket 1000 comprises an outer
main r frame
1002 having a generally rectangular or square shape. Outer frame 1002
comprises a front
segment 1004, a rear segment 1008 generally parallel to and laterally spaced
from front
segment 1004, a first side segment 1012 connecting one end of each of front
and rear
segments 1004 and 1008, and a second side segment 1016 generally parallel to
and laterally
spaced from first side segment 1012 and connecting the other end of each of
front and rear
segments 1004 and 1008. Card socket 1000 further comprises an inner memory
card
receiving frame 1020 having a memory card receiving section, indicated
generally as 1024,
and an electrical connector section 1028 which are separated by a divider
segment 1032 of
inner frame 1020. Inner frame 1020 further comprises a front segment 1036, a
rear segment
1040 generally parallel to and laterally spaced from front segment 1036, a
first side segment
1044 connecting one end of each of front and rear segments 1036 and 1040, and
a second
side segment 1048 generally parallel to and laterally spaced from first side
segment 1044 and
connecting the other end of each of front and rear segments 1036 and 1040. As
shown in
FIG. 10, divider segment 1032 is connected to first and second side segments
1044 and 1048
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and is positioned closer to rear segment 1040, relative to front segment 1036.
Front segment
1036 of inner frame 1020 is joined, connected secured, etc., to inner surface
1052 of front
segment 1004 of outer frame 1002, while rear segment 1040 of inner frame 1020
is joined,
connected secured, etc., to inner surface 1056 of rear segment 1004 of outer
frame 1002. The
manner in which front segment 1036 of inner frame 1020 is joined, connected
secured, etc.,
to inner surface 1052 of front segment 1004 of outer frame 1002 provides
memory card
insertion port, indicated generally as 1060.
[0078] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, card socket 1000 further comprises a
bottom card
cover bracket, indicated generally as 1102, which may be made of a suitable a
suitable
material having flexible, spring-like characteristics, for example, a sheet
metal such as
stainless steel. Bracket 1102 comprises a generally rectangular or square-
shaped base
member 1104 which is joined, connected secured, etc., to inner frame 1020 and
which has a
frontal edge 1106 and rear edge 1108 laterally spaced apart from frontal edge
1106. Bracket
1102 further comprises a first side wall 1112 connected to and extending
generally
perpendicularly or orthogonally from one side edge 1114 of base member 1104
from front
edge 1004 to rear edge 1008, and a second side wall 1116 generally parallel to
and laterally
spaced apart from first side wall 1112. Second side wall 1116 is connected to
and extends
generally perpendicularly or orthogonally from the other side edge 1118 of
base member
1104 from front edge 1004 to rear edge 1008. Bracket 1102 provides a memory
card
receiving or insertion area or slot, indicated generally as 1120, defined as
being generally
between front edge 1106, rear edge 1108, and side walls 1112 and 1116.
[0079] As further shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, front edge 1106 is provided with a
generally
arcuate shaped recess 1124 between side edges 1114 and 1118, while rear edge
1108 is
provided with a generally rectangular-shaped recess 1128 between side edges
1114 and 1118.
Recess 1128 allows bracket 1102 to receive the base portion 1132 of electrical
connector
component 1136 of card socket 1000. Base portion 1132 may be joined, connected
secured,
etc., to the bottom 1140 of outer frame 1002 at or proximate rear segment
1008. Electrical
connector component 1136 further comprises a plurality of electrical contact
members in the
form of, for example, electrical contact fingers 1144 which are joined,
connected secured,
etc., at one end to base portion 1132. The other end of electrical contact
fingers 1144 extend
through a generally rectangular-shaped aperture 1148 formed in base member
1104. As also
shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are a plurality of cantilever-like and spring-like
card biasing
elements 1152-1 through 1152-3 formed from base member 1104, for exerting an
upwards
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biasing force away from base member 1104 and against the respective bottom
section 120 of
EROM card 100 or bottom section 520 of HROM card 400 so as to keep the card
located
against locating surfaces or features of inner frame 1020, as described below)
As shown in
FIGS. 11 and 13, side wall 1112 has a plurality of spaced apart and generally
square shaped
apertures 1164-1 through 1164-3 for receiving respective retainer members 1168-
1 through
1168-3 protruding outwardly from side segment 1044 of inner frame 1020, to
provide one
way or mechanism for securing bracket 1102 to inner frame 1020, and thus to
card socket
1000. As shown in FIG. 13, similar apertures 1176 may be formed in side wall
1116 for
receiving similar retainer members like 1168 (not shown) protruding outwardly
from side
segment 1040 of inner frame 1020.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 13, bracket 1102 is provided with an upper memory
card
engaging surface 1204. Bracket 1102 is also provided with a retainer and/or
ejection
mechanism, indicated generally as 1212, which may engage retainer and/or
rejection features
132 and/or 136, and which is positioned proximate or adjacent to side wall
1112. As also
shown in FIG. 13, bracket 1102 is also provided with a front-to-rear direction
card locator
mechanism, indicated generally as 1216, which may engage a front-to-rear
locator direction
feature in the form of, for example, notch 640 formed in side edge 516) of
HROM card 400,
as further described below. Front-to-rear direction card locator mechanism
1216 is
positioned proximate or adjacent to side wall 1116 and is secured attached,
fastened, etc., to
the underside of segment 1048 by clip member 1220 (which may be formed
integrally with
mechanism 1212) by, for example, fasteners (not shown).
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, retainer and/or ejection mechanism 1212
comprises
a clip member 1304 having a generally vertical stiffening rib portion 1308
shown as
extending upwardly and generally perpendicularly or orthogonally relative to
upper surface
1204, a generally horizontal main portion 1310 shown as extending generally
perpendicularly
or orthogonally from rib portion 1308 and towards side wall 1112, and a
vertical portion 1312
shown as extending generally upwardly and generally perpendicularly or
orthogonally from
edge 1316 of main portion 1310. Main portion 1310 is used to secure, attach,
fasten, etc.,
clip member 1304 to the underside of side segment 1044 by, for example,
fasteners (not
shown). Main portion 1310 is provided with a generally circular-shaped
protrusion 1320
extending generally outwardly and upwardly from main portion 1310, and a
spring-like
cantilever segment 1322 extending generally diagonally and upwardly from edge
1324
proximate protrusion 1320 and towards rear edge 1326 of main portion 1310.
Cantilever
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segment 1322 is provided with an elongated slot 1328 for making the spring-
like action of
cantilever segment 1322 more "gentle" and to thus reduce the upward biasing
force applied
by segment 1322). Mechanism 1212 further comprises a slider member 1334, an
elongated
generally U-shaped link 1338 (which deflects cantilever segment 1322
downwardly towards
the plane of main portion so that segment 1322 lies below link 1338) and a
biasing member
in the form of a coiled spring 1342 having one end 1344 proximate rear edge
1326. Slider
member 1334 is provided with a generally cylindrical shaft 1348 which is
surrounded by
spring 1342 and along which spring 1342 may move laterally. Slider member 1334
is also
provided with an inwardly projecting first engagement member 1352 which is
positioned to
releasably engage first ejection and/or retention feature 132 of EROM card
100, as well as an
inwardly projecting second engagement member 1356 which is positioned to
releasably
engage second ejection and/or retention feature 136 of EROM card 100, as
further described
below.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 14, front-to-rear direction card locator mechanism
1216 further
comprises an elongated engagement member, indicated generally as 1364 which is
connected
to or integral with clip member 1220 and which has at one end thereof a
generally V-shaped
prong 1368 which may releasably engage notch 640 of HROM card 400, as further
described
below.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 16, link 1338 is provided with a generally
horizontally extending
shaft 1504, a first forward prong 1508 extending upwardly from one end of
shaft 1504 and a
second rearward prong 1512 extending upwardly from the other end of shaft
1504. Shaft
1504 makes contact with the free, unattached end of cantilever segment 1322
(thus
preventing segment from returning to an undeformed position), with the lateral
positioning of
link 1338, relative to clip member 1304, being relatively fixed and limited by
first prong
1508 being biased by cantilever segment 1322 (in its deformed state as shown
in FIGS. 15
and 17), along with circular protrusion 1320, into, for example, a cylindrical
recess (not
shown) formed in the side segment 1040, but allowing for at least some
pivoting of link 1338
about the axis defined by first prong 1508. Cantilever segment 1322 also
biases rearward
prong 1512 into a cam recess formed in slider member 1334, as described
further below with
and shown in FIG. 16. As further shown in FIG. 16, slider member 1334
comprises an upper
portion 1516 having a forward end 1520, a rearward portion 1524 extending
downwardly
from upper portion 1516, a first side portion 1528 extending downwardly from
upper portion
1516 and having a feature 1530 proximate forward end 1520 and extending
outwardly from
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first side portion 1528 (for potentially causing slider member 1334 move or
"rock" slightly
sideways so that engagement features 1356 and 1352 may be engaged by
respective recesses
132/532 and 136/536 of EROM card 100 or HROM card 400 as slider member 1334
initially
moves laterally in response to when card 100 or 400, for example, makes
contact with
engagement feature 1356 and starts to compress spring 1342), a second side
portion 1532
extending downwardly from upper portion 1516, with first engagement member
1352 and
second engagement member 1356 extend outwardly from second side portion. Side
portions
1528 and 1532 are positioned on either side of upper portion 1516 so that
these side portions
are on either side of cantilever segment 1322 so that slider member 1334 is
freely movable
laterally forwards (or rearward) relative to segment 1322, as further
described below. As
shaft 1348 slides rearwardly within spring 1342, rearward portion 1524 (which
may be in
continuous contact) engages front end 1534 of spring 1342, thus compressing
spring 1342, as
further described below.
[0084] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, upper portion 1516, rearward portion 1524
and first
and second side portions 1528 and 1532 define a hollow area 1536. As shown in
FIG. 15,
upper portion 1516 has a generally Y-shaped cam recess 1540 formed in the
underside 1544
thereo Peninsula-shaped protruding feature 1548 of underside 1544 extends
into forked
portion 1550 of cam recess 1540, while island-shaped protruding feature 1552
is positioned
in forked portion 1550 to define a rearward elongated slot 1560; a first
branched slot 1564
extending from elongated slot 1560 and terminating in forward end 1566, a
second branched
slot 1568 extending from rearward slot 1560 and terminating in forward end
1570, and a
short transverse slot 1572 connected at each end to first and second branched
slots 1564 and
1568. Feature 1548 has a rearward prong-receiving locking notch 1576. In
response to the
forward or rearward lateral movement of slider member 1334, and in response to
the
engagement of first and second engagement members 1352 and 1356 by respective
retainer
and/or ejection features (recesses) 132 and 136, of EROM card 100, rearward
prong 1512
may be directed to move within rearward slot 1560, branched slots 1564 or
1568, or
transverse slot 1572, which may have shaped, configured, etc., surfaces to
direct the
movement of rearward prong 1512 within these slots depending on whether slider
member
1334 is moving (primarily) laterally forward or rearward, or moving or
"rocking" slightly
inwardly towards card receiving/insertion area/slot 1120 or outwardly towards
sidewall 1112
to engage/disengage engagement members 1352 and 1356 in response to recesses
132/532
and 136/536 of cards 100/400, as further described below.
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[0085] Referring to FIG. 18, a perspective view of the underside of inner
frame 1020 is
shown to illustrate features for repeatably locating EROM card 100 or HROM
card 400 when
in a fully inserted card position in card socket position. As shown in FIG.
18, a pair of
spaced apart and larger EROM card locating members 1804 and 1808 are provided.
Also
provided are three smaller HROM card locating members 1812, 1816 and 1820. As
shown in
FIG. 18, HROM card locating member 1812 is positioned proximate side segment
1044 and
nearer or closer to front segment 1036. As also shown FIG. 18, HROM card
locating
members 1816 and 1820 are positioned proximate side segment 1048, with HROM
card
locating member 1816 being positioned nearer or closer to front segment 1036,
while HROM
card locating member 1820 being positioned nearer or closer to rear segment
1040. Referring
now to FIG. 19 which shows an enlarged view of circular area 1824, EROM card
locating
member 1808 (EROM card locating member 1804 is similarly configured) of
comprises an
inner generally vertical side wall 1904, a generally planar and horizontal
EROM card locating
surface 1908 extending perpendicularly from side wall 1904 at connecting edge
1910, and a
generally vertical EROM card locating shoulder 1912 extending generally
perpendicularly
from EROM card locating surface 1908 at connecting edge 1916. As further shown
in FIG.
19, side segment 1048 is provided with a generally planar and horizontal
underside surface
1924 (which, in FIG. 19, is oriented generally horizontal and higher
than/displaced above
surface 1908) which extends generally perpendicularly from EROM card locating
shoulder
1912 at connecting edge 1928. As shown in FIG. 19, HROM card locating member
1816
(which is representative of HROM card locating members 1812 and 1818)
protrudes
outwardly away from surface 1924 and comprises a generally square-shaped,
horizontal and
planar HROM locating surface 1932 and a pair of rounded flanges 1936 and 1940
adjacent or
flanking, respectively, upper edges 1944 and 1948 of surface 1932. As further
shown in FIG.
19, the underside of side segment 1048 (which, in FIG. 19, is oriented
generally horizontal
and higher than/displaced above surface 1924) is further provided with a
generally vertical
HROM card locating shoulder 1952 extending generally perpendicularly from
surface 1924
at connecting edge 1956 and which further includes an upper HROM card notch-
engaging
edge 1960 which is vertically spaced apart from connecting edge 1956.
[0086] When EROM card 100 is in used with card socket 1000, EROM may be
inserted
into insertion port 1060 and is then received within area/slot 1120 in a
partially inserted card
position. During insertion of EROM card 100 within area/slot 1120 towards rear
edge
1108/rear segment 1008, recess 136 of side edge 112 receives and engages first
engagement
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member 1352 of slider member 1334, followed by recess 136 of side edge 112
receiving and
engaging second engagement member 1356 of slider member 1334. As slider member
1334
moves laterally rearward towards rear edge 1108/front segment 1004, and in
response to
recesses 136 and 132 engaging respective engagement members 1356 and 1352,
rearward
portion 1524 engages and compresses spring 1342. Rearward prong 1512 also
moves
forward within cam recess 1540 as slider member 1334 moves laterally rearward
towards rear
edge 1108/rear segment 1008. To lock slider member 1334 in a relatively fixed
position,
EROM card 100 is allowed (as necessary) to move slightly forward towards front
edge 1106,
thus partially decompressing spring 1342 and enabling rearward prong 1512 to
reach and be
locked within locking notch 1576 (due to the biasing force of spring 1342),
thus achieving a
fully inserted card position for EROM card 100. During the process of
inserting EROM card
100 into area/slot 1120, card biasing elements 1152-1 through 1152-3 press
against bottom
section 120 and urge EROM card 100 upwardly against EROM card locating surface
1908 of
EROM card locating member 1808, as well as EROM card locating surface 1972 of
EROM
card locating member 1804 such that the side edges of top section 124/top
guide surface 324
are pressed against upper inner surfaces of side segments 1044 and 1048.
Because the
distance between EROM card locating shoulder 1912 and a corresponding EROM
card
locating shoulder (not shown) which is similar to shoulder 1912 and proximate
to EROM
card locating member 1804 is slightly wider than the width of EROM card 100
(as defined by
side edges 112 and 116), side edges 112 and 116 are seated and pressed against
the respective
EROM card locating shoulders, thus locating EROM card 10 repeatably in the
side-to-side
direction, as well as in the bottom-to-top direction.
[0087] To eject EROM card 100, EROM card 100 may pushed slightly towards rear
edge
1108/rear segment 1008 to unlock rearward prong 1512 from locking notch 1576.
Once
rearward prong 1512 is unlocked, slider member 1334 may then move laterally
forward
towards front edge 1106/front segment 1004 (due to the biasing force exerted
by spring 1342
as it uncompresses) so that EROM card 100 (due to recesses 136 and 132 still
engaging
engagement members 1356 and 1352) is move to a partially ejected card
position. As
engagement members 1356 and 1352 are disengaged from recesses 136 and 132 as
EROM
card 100 continues to move laterally forward towards front edge 1106/front
segment 1004,
EROM card 100 reaches a fully ejected card position so that EROM card 100 it
may be
retrieved from card socket 1000 through port 1060. There may be some
"looseness" or
clearance between engagement members 1352 and 1356 and respective recesses 132
and 136
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to enable engagement members 1352 and 1356 to more easily disengage from
recesses 132
and 136 during the ejection operation.
[0088] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate card socket 1000 when HROM card 400 is
inserted
through port 1060. The insertion and ejection process for HROM card 400 is
similar to that
for the EROM card 100 previously described, and further described hereafter.
When in a
fully inserted card positions, as particularly shown in FIG. 21, mechanism
1212 engages
retention/ejection features (recesses) 532 and 536, while front-to-rear
direction card locator
mechanism 1216 engages front-to-rear direction card locator notch 640. Second
engagement
1356 presses against side edge 512 of HROM card 400, thus causing reference
features
(protrusions) 544 and 548 along side edge 516 to engage inner surface 18XX of
side segment
1012, to thus locate HROM card 4001aterally in the side-to-side direction
(e.g., as defined by
the direction from side segment 1012 to side segment 1016) within card socket
1000. V-
shaped prong 1368 of front-to-rear direction card locator mechanism 1216
engages front-to
rear direction locator feature (e.g., notch 640) of HROM card 400, thus
locating card 400
repeatably in the front-to-rear direction (e.g., as defined by the direction
from front segment
1004 to rear segment 1008) of card socket 1000. Mechanism 1212, which engages
retention/ejection features (recesses) 532 and 536, should be "loose" enough
in the front-to-
rear direction such that HROM card 400 may be positioned in the front-to rear
direction by
the combination of front-to rear direction locator mechanism 1216 engaging
front-to rear
direction locator notch 640. In addition, because HROM card 400 (as defined by
side edges
512 and 516) is slightly wider than the distance between EROM card locating
shoulder 1912
and the corresponding EROM card locating shoulder (not shown) which is similar
to shoulder
1912 and proximate to HROM card locating member 1812, respective ridges 802
and 806 of
HROM card 400 are pressed upwardly against the HROM card locating surfaces
(e.g.,
surface 1932) of HROM card locating members 1812, 1816 and 1820 (due to the
upward
biasing force exerted by card biasing elements 1152-1 through 1152-3 press
against bottom
section 520). Also, notch 816 engages, is seated and pressed against HROM card
notch-
engaging edge 1960, while notch 812 engages, is seated and pressed against
HROM card
notch-engaging edge (not shown) which is similar to edge 1960 on the underside
of side
segment 1044, thus locating HROM card 400 repeatably in the side-to-side
direction, as well
as in the bottom-to-top direction.
[0089] Although the present invention has been fully described in conjunction
with several
embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be
understood that
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various changes and modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Such changes
and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the
present invention
as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart therefrom.
[0090] All documents, patents, journal articles and other materials cited in
the present
application are hereby incorporated by reference.
23
