Information storage apparatus and information processing apparatus using the same

Abstract

In a small and thin memory module for sharing data among electronic devices such as information processing apparatuses, a write prohibit state can be visually recognized. A conductive seal is attached to a predetermined position on a support member, thereby setting the memory module in the write prohibit state. The conductive seal visually indicates the write prohibit state. When the memory module is mounted in a connector section of a card-shaped holder, connector pins are electrically connected to each other via the conductive seal. Thus, a write prohibit mechanism is realized at low cost.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An information storage apparatus comprising: 
 storage medium means in which information can be written;    a support member incorporating said storage medium means; and    a state-indicating conductive member provided on a surface of the supporting member, indicating a state of said storage medium means in which writing of information to the storage medium means is prohibited.    
     
     
         2 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said storage medium means comprises a storage medium device including at least one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.  
     
     
         3 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said support member has a recess in which said state-indicating conductive member is provided.  
     
     
         4 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said support member is of non-conductive, and said state-indicating conductive member is of conductive to indicate the information write prohibit state of the storage medium means.  
     
     
         5 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said state-indicating conductive member is a seal;  
     
     
         6 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said state-indicating conductive member is a seal.  
     
     
         7 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said state-indicating conductive member is a seal.  
     
     
         8 . An information storage apparatus comprising: 
 storage medium means in which information can be written;    a support member incorporating said storage medium means; and    a state-indicating non-conductive member provided on a surface of the supporting member, indicating a state of said storage medium means in which writing of information to the storage medium means is prohibited.    
     
     
         9 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said storage medium means comprises a storage medium device including at least one nonvolatile semiconductor memory device.  
     
     
         10 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said support member has a recess in which said state-indicating non-conductive member is provided.  
     
     
         11 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein when said support member is of conductive, and said state-indicating non-conductive member is of non-conductive to indicate the information write prohibit state of the storage medium means.  
     
     
         12 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said state-indicating non-conductive member is a seal.  
     
     
         13 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said state-indicating non-conductive member is a seal.  
     
     
         14 . The information storage apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said state-indicating non-conductive member is a seal.  
     
     
         15 . An information processing apparatus comprising: 
 an information storage device wherein information writable storage medium means is incorporated in a support member and a state-indicating conductive member is visibly provided, the state-indicating conductive member indicating a state of the storage medium means in which writing of information to the storage medium means is prohibited; and    a processing device for receiving said information storage device, the processing device having discriminating means for detecting the conductivity of said state-indicating conductive member to discriminate the prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means.    
     
     
         16 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said storage medium means comprises a storage medium device including at least one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.  
     
     
         17 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said support member has a recess in which said state-indicating conductive member is provided.  
     
     
         18 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said state-indicating conductive member is a seal.  
     
     
         19 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein said state-indicating conductive member is a seal.  
     
     
         20 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means by detecting the conductive state of said state-indicating conductive member.  
     
     
         21 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means by bringing two or more connection pins into contact with said state-indicating conductive member and detecting the conductivity of the state-indicating conductive member.  
     
     
         22 . The,information processing apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said processing device is a processing device including a driving mechanism for driving said information storage device.  
     
     
         23 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said processing device includes a card-shaped holder detachably attached to the processing device and including a driving mechanism for driving the information storage device incorporated in the card-shaped holder.  
     
     
         24 . An information processing apparatus comprising: 
 an information storage device wherein information writable storage medium means is incorporated in a support member and a state-indicating non-conductive member is visibly provided, the state-indicating non-conductive member indicating a state of the storage medium means in which writing of information to the storage medium means is prohibited; and    a processing device for receiving said information storage device, the processing device having discriminating means for detecting the non-conductivity of said state-indicating non-conductive member to discriminate the prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means.    
     
     
         25 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein said storage medium means comprises a storage medium device including at least one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.  
     
     
         26 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein said support member has a recess in which said state-indicating non-conductive member is provided.  
     
     
         27 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein said state-indicating nonconductive member is a seal.  
     
     
         28 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein said state-indicating non-conductive member is a seal.  
     
     
         29 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein said discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means by detecting the non-conductive state of said state-indicating non-conductive member.  
     
     
         30 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein said discriminating means discriminates the prohibit sate of writing information to the storage medium means by bringing two or more connection pins into contact with said state-indicating non-conductive member and detecting the non-conductivity of the state-indicating non-conductive member.  
     
     
         31 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein said processing device is a processing device including a driving mechanism for driving said information storage device.  
     
     
         32 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein said processing device includes a card-shaped holder detachably attached to the processing device and including a driving mechanism for driving the information storage device incorporated in the card-shaped holder.