Information storage and information processing system utilizing state-designating member provided on supporting card surface which produces write-permitting or write-inhibiting signal

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. That, a write prohibit mechanism is realized at low cost.

1. An information storage card apparatus comprising:
 a supporting card;  
 storage medium means on said supporting card in which information can be written; and  
 a state-designating conductive member provided on a surface of the supporting card designating a state of said storage medium means in which writing information to the storage medium means is permitted or prohibited, wherein a write-permitting signal is produced by virtue of an absence of said state-designating conductive member or a write-inhibiting signal is produced by virtue of a presence of said state-designating conductive member, and wherein the produced write- permitting or write - inhibiting signal identifies a state of the storage medium means.    
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said supporting storage medium means comprises a storage medium device including at least one nonvolatile semiconductor memory device. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said supporting card has a recess in which said state-designating conductive member is provided. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said supporting card is nonconductive and said state-designating conductive member is conductive to designate indicate that said writing information is prohibited. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said state-designating conductive member is a seal. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said state-designating conductive member is a seal. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said conductive member is a seal. 
     
     
       8. An information storage apparatus comprising:
 a storage medium in which information can be written; and  
 a support member incorporating said storage medium, the support member having a first portion on a main surface thereof where an external connection terminal electrically connected to said storage medium is provided, and a second portion on said main surface, where a state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information to the storage medium is prohibited is provided, and wherein a write-permitting or a write-inhibiting signal is produced by virtue of a presence of said state-designating member, and wherein the produced write-inhibiting signal identifies a state of the storage medium.  
 
     
     
       9. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said state-designating member is composed of a conductive material. 
     
     
       10. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said state-designating member is composed of a non-conductive material. 
     
     
       11. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein a height of the first portion on the main surface of said support member where said external connection terminal is provided is equal to a height of the second portion on the main surface of said support member, where said state-designating member is provided. 
     
     
       12. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said first portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a fast recess on the main surface of said support member and said second portion where said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is permitted or prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess on the main surface of said support member. 
     
     
       13. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the depths of said first and second recesses are greater than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member. 
     
     
       14. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess. 
     
     
       15. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said first portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the main surface of said support member and said second portion where said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is permitted or prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess on the main surface of said support member. 
     
     
       16. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the depths of said first and second recesses are deeper than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member. 
     
     
       17. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess. 
     
     
       18. An information storage apparatus comprising:
 a storage medium in which information can be written; and  
 a support member incorporating said storage medium, the support member having a first portion on a main surface thereof where an external connection terminal electrically connected to said storage medium is provided, and a second portion on said main surface, adapted for providing thereon a state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information to the storage medium is prohibited wherein, a write-permitting or a write-inhibiting signal is produced by virtue of a presence of said state-designating member, and wherein the produced write- inhibiting signal identifies a state of the storage medium.    
 
     
     
       19. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said state-designating member is composed of a conductive material. 
     
     
       20. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said state-designating member is composed of a non-conductive material. 
     
     
       21. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein a height of the first portion on the main surface of said support member where said external connection terminal is provided is equal to a height of the second portion on the main surface of said support member, adapted for providing thereon said state-designating member. 
     
     
       22. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said first portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the main surface of said support member and said second portion adapted to be provided with said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is permitted or prohibited is formed in a second recess on the main surface of said support member. 
     
     
       23. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the depths of said fast and second recesses are greater than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member. 
     
     
       24. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess. 
     
     
       25. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said first portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the main surface of said support member and said second portion adapted for providing thereon said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is permitted or prohibited is formed in a second recess on the main surface of said support member. 
     
     
       26. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the depths of said first and second recesses are deeper than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member. 
     
     
       27. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess. 
     
     
       28. The information storage apparatus comprising:
 a storage medium in which information can be written;  
 a supporting member incorporating said storage medium, the support member having a first portion on a main surface thereof where an external connection terminal electrically connected to said storage medium is provided, and a second portion on said main surface; and  
 a state-designating member on said second portion, for designating a stare in which writing of information to the storage medium is prohibited, wherein a write-permitting or a write-inhibiting signal is produced by virtue of a presence of said state-designating member, and wherein the produced write- inhibiting signal identifies a state of the storage medium.    
 
     
     
       29. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein said state-designating member is composed of a conductive material. 
     
     
       30. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein a height of the first portion on the main surface of said support member where said external connection terminal is provided is equal to a height of the second portion on the main surface of said support member, where said state-designating member is provided. 
     
     
       31. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein said fast portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the main surface of said support member and said second portion where said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess on the main surface of said support member. 
     
     
       32. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the depths of said first and second recesses are greater than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member. 
     
     
       33. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess. 
     
     
       34. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein said first portion where said external connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the main surface of said support member and said second portion where said state-designating member for designating a state in which writing of information is prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess on the main surface of said support member. 
     
     
       35. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein the depths of said first and second recesses are greater than the height of said external connection terminal and the height of said state-designating member. 
     
     
       36. The information storage apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess.