WO1998048376A1 - Ejection apparatus for memory card connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An ejection error taking place with the ejection mechanism of one memory card, can produce a negative effect on the subsequent ejection operation or on the ejection mechanism of the other memory card. A first memory card (100A) inserted in a first card-receiving slot (2A) is ejected by an output gear (6d) having an ejection control pin (7) rotating counterclockwise through an ejection mechanism (20). When the ejection control pin (7) rotates clockwise, a second memory card (100B) inserted in a second card-receiving slot (2B) is ejected. Connection status of cards (100) inserted in slots (2) is detected by a detector device (40). If an ejection error is detected in the first slot (2A), connection status of the second slot (2B) is determined; and, based on these results, controller device (70) directs the rotation of the output gear (6d).

Description

EJECTION APPARATUS FOR MEMORY CARD CONNECTOR

This invention relates to an ejection apparatus for memory cards which are mounted in memory card connectors of equipment as, for example, personal computers, the ejection apparatus is intended for ejecting the memory cards from the memory card connectors .

In personal computers, the insertion and ejection of memory cards is usually carried out manually. However, in such manually-operated memory card insertion/ejection mechanisms, a danger exists that the user can accidentally initiate ejection operation when access to the data recorded on the memory card is under way, thus causing destruction of the data recorded on the memory card; in addition, the force required for card ejection will increase with an increase in the number of insertion/ejection cycles which can lead to undesirable displacement of the memory card if such a force is applied obliquely. in order to deal with such a situation, this invention proposes to use an electrically-driver rather than manually-operated ejection apparatus for ejection of memory cards as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 95-47832. Below, explanations are provided concerning such an ejection apparatus for memory cards. Fig. 28 represents a side view of the ejection apparatus for memory cards disclosed by the foregoing Japanese Patent Application depicting main components of the apparatus; Fig. 29 is a plan view of the apparatus.

This ejection apparatus for memory cards is characterized by the fact that it has upper and lower card-receiving slots and a single driving mechanism providing ejection action against the cards inserted in these slots. The ejection apparatus 1 for a memory card connector depicted in Fig. 28 comprises a pair of card- receiving slots 2A, 2B into which two memory cards 100A, 100B can be inserted individually, a pair of ejection levers 3A, 3B having operating ends 3a protruding inside these slots 2A, 2B can be independently moved by rotating the levers around pivot 4, a pair of operating levers 5A, 5B coupled individually to ejection levers 3A, 3B which can slide independently relative to each other, and a single operating mechanism 6 which can be evenly applied to the operating levers 5A, 5B and which can be selectively engaged with either of operating levers 5A, 5B depending on the direction of rotation of operating mechanism 6 by means of operating member 7 attached to the operating mechanism.

Ejection apparatus 1 has a first ejection mechanism intended for the ejection of the first memory card 100A inserted in card- receiving slot 2A and a second ejection mechanism intended for the ejection of second memory card 100B inserted in card- receiving slot 2B; these ejection mechanisms are symmetrical with each other relative to the plane P-P. Therefore, explanations concerning the design and operation of the first ejection mechanism are applicable also to the second ejection mechanism.

Inside the slot 2A, an electrical connector 2a is provided which is intended to form electrical connection with electrical contacts (not shown) on the end of the memory card 100A. As can be seen from Fig. 29, the ejection lever 3A has at one end an operating end 3a and a slot 3b at the other end.

In frame 8 of the apparatus, straight guiding groove 9 is formed in which operating levers 5A, 5B can slide. One end 9a of straight guiding groove 9 is made wider than the other end. Fig. 30 show a perspective view of operating lever 5A which comprises two perpendicular flat sections 5d, 5f; on flat section 5f of which a catch protrusion 5a fitting into the slot 3b of the ejection lever 3A, a stopper lug 5b to which one end of a spring 10 (to be described below) is attached and an extension 5c engaging against a manual operation lever 11. The plane in which the catch protrusion 5a and stopper lug 5b are positioned is parallel to the plane of flat section 5d which is the other flat section of operating lever 5A. The extension 5c forms a third plane which is perpendicular to the flat section 5f and to the flat section 5d. Catch protrusion 5a and stopper lug 5b are inserted into the guiding groove 9 in the frame 8. The flat section 5d of the operating lever 5A has a smoothly inward bent extension 5e at it front end, which is positioned at a distance from or comes in contact with the operating member 7.

Fig. 32 shows plan view of the ejection apparatus 1 for memory card connector 1 containing two memory cards

100A, 100B, one of which 100B is in the process of being ejected. Fig. 32a shows the status when the two memory cards 100A, 100B are completely inserted in slots 2A, 2B (complete connection status); in this status, the front end of the flat section 5d is in its extreme position and is at the closest distance to the operating member 7. When the operating lever 5A is in this position, its stopper lug 5b is located in the inward facing slack end 9a of the straight guiding groove 9. On the other hand, since some gap exists between the catch protrusion 5a of the operating level 5A and the inside sliding surface of the straight guiding groove 9 , the operating level can swing to a certain degree while retaining engagement with the groove. As can be seen from Fig. 29, one end of the spring 10 is attached to the stopper lug 5b and the other end to a lug 8a on frame 8. Action of the spring 10 holds stopper lug 5b at the inside corner of the slack end 9a of the straight guiding groove 9. In addition, since the lug 8a is made on the center line which is perpendicular to the movement of the operating lever 5A, spring 10 functions as a toggle.

With the beginning of movement, spring 10 is gradually compressed as it is shown in Figs. 32a through 32d, and after it attains the greatest deformation, the deformation and accumulated force are released, and, at the end of movement of the operating level 5A, the accumulated force of the spring 10 acts in the direction of the operating lever movement.

The operating member 7 is made in the form of a round ejection control pin mounted vertically on the surface of an output gear 6d, the last gear in gear train 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d. The tip of this ejection control pin 7 represents a head flange 7a. The purpose of head flange 7a is to prevent the front end of the operating lever 5A, which is in contact with the operating member 7, from disengagement when the operating lever 5A is in motion. The output gear 6d is driven by motor 12 through the gear train 6a, 6b, 6c. The motor 12, in turn, is controlled by a icon controller system not shown in the drawing.

As can be seen from Fig. 31 a and b, the shaft of the output gear 6d has a cam 13 made as an integral part of the output gear 6d. Cam 13 has a lug 13a.

In the vicinity of output gear 6d, a switch 14 is mounted. Contacts 14a of switch 14 are closed and opened by the lug 13a of the cam 13 which rotates together with the output gear 6d. The switch is set up in such a way that when, during rotation of the output gear 6d, the outside surface of the lug 13a of the cam 13 does not touch contacts 14a, the switch 14 is in OFF position, and when the lug 13a of the cam 13 engages the contacts 14a, the switch 14 turns ON and the rotation stops.

When the ejection control pin 7 of the output gear 6d makes half a turn in either direction from the initial position, the memory card 100A inserted in the slot 2A of ejection apparatus 1 for the memory card connector is ejected. After that, it makes another half a turn and returns to the initial position. Therefore, the purpose of switch 14 is to detect that the ejection control pin 7 makes one full turn and returns to the initial position. In other words, switch 14 operates as a switch circuit for the detection of the gear position.

A Micon controller system controls the ejection mechanism by detecting ON-OFF positions of the switch circuit for the detection of the gear position.

Due to the fact that the manual operating lever 11 is not linked to the extension 5c, it will not affect operation of operating lever 5A, thus making it possible to eject card 100A manually by operating the operating lever 5A by means of the manual operation lever 11. Below, explanations are provided concerning the operation of the ejection apparatus for the memory card connector. Figs. 32 a-d represent plan views illustrating a sequence of operations related to the ejection of the second card 100B from the second slot 2B.

Fig. 32a represents a state in which two memory cards 100A, 100B are inserted in slots 2A, 2B. If in this state, the motor 12 is turned on, the output gear 6d starts to rotate being driven by means of the gear train 6a, 6b, 6c which results in clockwise (as shown in Fig. 28) rotation of the ejection control pin 7 playing the role of the operating member. Ejection control pin 7 comes in contact with the front end of the second operating lever 5B and pushes it. At this time, the head flange 7a prevents disengagement of the ejection control pin 7 from the front end of the second operating lever 5B.

This action by the second operating lever 5B takes place independently from the first operating lever 5A. Because of this, the ejection control pin 7 mounted on the output gear 6d reaches the extreme position of the operation as shown in Fig. 32b. The second operating lever 5B moves the second ejection lever 3B to the position shown by the dotted line. The operating end 3a of the second ejection lever 3B pushes the edge of the memory card 100B in the ejection direction A at the extreme position of the operation. At this time, the spring 10 passes the point of maximum deformation to a position as shown in Fig. 32b, and, due to the toggle action, drives the second operating lever 5B beyond its extreme point of operation by means of the ejection control pin 7, thus providing sufficient movement to the second ejection lever 3B to reliably eject the memory card 100B from slot 2B. In the first half of the remaining half -turn of the output gear 6d, the head flange 7a of the ejection control pin 7 mounted on the output gear 6d moves so as to be separated from the flat section 5d of the first operating lever 5A, and in the second half, it interferes with the bent extension 5e of the flat section 5d.

However, movement of the first operating lever 5A is checked by the spring 10 and the stopper lug 5b swings to the outside in the slack end 9a of the straight guiding groove 9 around the catch protrusions 5a. The rounded portion of the head flange 7a of the ejection control pin 7 deviates the bent section 5e to the outside of the first operating lever 5A, as shown in Fig. 32c, and continues its rotational movement until it comes to the position shown in Fig. 32d, that is, returns to the initial position, thus stopping the motor 12. After the ejection control pin 7 passes under the operating lever 5A, the operating lever 5A return to its initial position by the action of spring 10.

These actions result in the completion of the ejection of the memory card 100B from slot 2B by means of the second operating lever 5B; Figs. 33a through 33e depict the process of the ejection of the first memory card 100A by means of the first operating lever 5A, during which process the output gear 6d is rotated from the initial position in an opposite direction.

According to previous explanations, in this ejection apparatus 1 for the memory card connector, the switch 14 used in the circuit for the detection of the gear position, which detects the initial position of the ejection control pin 7, can be implemented as a microswitch or other switch based on a mechanical principle; however, the same functions can be performed by photoelectric sensors or other similar devices.

In the ejection apparatus 1 for the memory card connector, the head flange 7a of ejection control pin 7 is usually in the initial position, that is, it is set in the position shown in Fig. 28 toward the card- insertion opening. When the memory card 100A is ejected, the output gear 6d rotates counterclockwise (as shown in Fig. 33a) for half a turn pushing the operating lever 5A by means of the ejection control pin 7 (see Figs. 33b and c) . After the card 100A is ejected from the slot 2A, the gear 6d rotates another half a turn, thus returning the ejection control pin 7 to its initial position (see Figs. 33d and e) .

This means that the ejection control pin 7 is set so that during the full rotation, it pushes the operating lever 5A (as shown in Figs. 33a and b) , after which it passes under the bent section 5e of the operating lever 5B and returns to its initial position. During the ejection of the memory card 100B, the output gear 6d rotates clockwise, and after ejecting card 100B during the first half a turn, it completes the second half turn and returns the ejection control pin 7 to its initial position.

In other words, the ejection control pin 7 is set so that during one turn it pushes either the operating lever 5A or the operating lever 5B, after which is passes under the bent section 5e of the other operating lever and returns to the initial position.

That means that in this ejection apparatus 1 for memory card connector, the ejection of either card 100A or 100B can be implemented by rotating output gear 6d in a certain direction for half a turn; and, at the end of the remaining half a turn, it returns the ejection control pin 7 to its initial position.

In order to ascertain that the ejection control pin 7 of the output gear 6d indeed returned to its initial position, a switch operated by the cam 13 of the output gear 6, in other words, switch circuit 14 for the detection of the gear position, is used.

However, if cards damaged by frequent use, cards with dirty contacts or non-standard cards are used in slots 2A, 2B of the ejection apparatus 1 for the memory card connector, the motor 12 can experience overloading during the process of ejection of such cards from slots 2A, 2B. In order to avoid overloading of the motor 12 when there is a problem with card ejection or if the ejection process takes an excessively long time, it is necessary to de-energize the motor 12 before the card will have been ejected.

To handle such a situation, it is possible to provide the ejection apparatus with an option to rotate the output gear 6d one more time in the same direction if an ejection error is detected with one of the cards. If such an operation fails to produce the desired effect, it is possible to use the manual ejection mechanism operated by the manual operation lever 11. The user can eject the card experiencing an ejection error by pushing the manual operation lever 11 fully down, thus actuating the required operating lever 5A, 5B, and then returning it to the necessary position.

However, even if it is possible to eject a card showing ejection error manually using the manual operation lever 11, there might be cases when the lever 11 will not press all the way down. In such a case, the operating lever 5 related to the ejection error is not always returned to the correct position shown by dotted line in Fig. 34b, but in a position causing interference of the ejection control pin 7 with the operating lever 5 as shown in Fig. 34b. That is, depending on the direction of rotation, the ejection control pin 7 can engage against a side surface of the operating lever 5 rather than pass under the bent section 5e resulting in the failure of the ejection control pin 7 to return to its initial position.

In order to handle such a situation, one can use a recovery operation during which the output gear 6d is rotated in an opposite direction and the ejection control pin 7 of the output gear 6d is returned to its initial position. In an unlikely event that the gear detection switch circuit 14, whose purpose is to determine if the ejection control pin 7 returned to the initial position or not, fails to operate properly, the ejection control pin 7 may go beyond the initial position, which will result in pushing the other operating lever 5, thus ejecting wrong card 100.

It is also possible that in a situation when no ejection error was detected, position of the operating lever 5 not related to the card 100 subject to ejection causes interference with the ejection control pin 7.

Then, if an attempt is made to eject the other card 100, the ejection control pin 7 of the output gear 6d cannot clear the front end of the operating lever 5 related to the card not subject to ejection, thus resulting in failure to return pin 7 to the initial position. In other words, there is danger that if an ejection error occurs in the ejection mechanism of one card of the ejection apparatus at the time of the next ejection operation, it can affect ejection operation for the other card. The purpose of this invention is eliminate problems described above and to provide an ejection apparatus for a memory card connector enabling it to successfully perform an ejection operation even when an ejection error took place prior to the ejection operation. The present invention is directed to an ejection apparatus for memory cards of a memory card connector comprising a frame having card- receiving slots for receiving memory cards, electrical connectors located in each of the card- receiving slots for electrical connection with the memory cards, ejection members mounted on the frame for individual ejection of the memory cards inserted in respective card- receiving slots, operating levers connected to the ejection members, a rotary member for engagement with the operating levers for operating one of the operating levers and the respective ejection member connected thereto to eject one of the memory cards when the rotary member is rotated in one direction from an initial position and for operating the other of the operating levers and the respective ejection member connected thereto to eject the other of the memory cards when the rotary member is operated in a reverse direction, a driver for imparting rotary movement to the rotary member, an initial position detector to detect the initial position of the rotary member, a controller generating actuation control signals for operating the driver, connection status detectors provide along the card- receiving slots for detecting whether the memory cards in the card- receiving slots form a complete connection, incomplete connection or no connection between the memory cards and the electrical connectors, and an ejection error detector detecting errors that occur at the time of ejection of the memory cards by the ejection members, the controller receiving signals from the ejection error detector if an ejection error took place with one memory card when it is being ejected by the ejection member or from the connection status detectors concerning the connection status of the memory cards with the electrical connectors.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an ejection apparatus for a memory card connector according to the present invention. Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c are schematic views showing operation of a switch circuit detecting memory card position therein, Fig. 2a shows no switch connection, Fig. 2b shows an incomplete electrical connection and Fig. 2c shows a complete electrical connection. Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing operation of switch circuits detecting positions of two memory cards wherein the memory card in one card- receiving slot is in complete electrical connection whereas the memory card in the other card- receiving slot is in an incomplete electrical connection condition.

Fig. 4 is an electrical circuit diagram for the ejection apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional memory card. Fig. 6 is a part plan view of the memory card showing internal electrical receptacle contacts thereof. Fig. 7 is a part plan view showing pin contacts of an electrical connector for the memory card.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing the processing of ejection errors taking place during operation of the ejection apparatus.

Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing the main routine in the Micon controller processing operation.

Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing Micon controller processing for checking the electrical connection status of the first card- receiving slot.

Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing processing as applied to an EJECT SW check for the first card- receiving slot.

Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing processing as applied to an EJECT operation for the first card- receiving slot.

Figs. 13a-d are schematic views showing operation of an ejection control pin during an EJECT operation for the first card-receiving slot. Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing processing as applied to ERROR 1.

Fig. 15 is a flow chart showing processing as applied to ERROR 2 for the first card- receiving slot.

Fig. 16 is a flow chart showing processing as applied to ERROR 2A for the first card- receiving slot.

Figs. 17a- c are schematic views showing operation of the ejection control pin during ERROR 2A processing for the first card- receiving slot.

Fig. 18 is a flow chart showing processing as applied to ERROR 2B for the first card- receiving slot.

Figs. 19a- c are schematic views showing operation of the ejection control pin during ERROR 2B processing for the first card- receiving slot.

Fig. 20 is a flow chart showing processing for checking of the electrical connection status in the second card- receiving slot. Fig. 21 is a flow chart showing processing as applied to EJECT SW checking for the second card- receiving slot.

Fig. 22 is a flow chart showing processing as applied to EJECT processing for the second card- receiving slot.

Fig. 23 is a flow chart showing processing as applied to ERROR 2 for the second card- receiving slot.

Fig. 24 is a flow chart showing processing as applied to ERROR 2A for the second card- receiving slot.

Fig. 25 is a flow chart showing operation of the ejection control pin during ERROR 2B processing for the second card- receiving slot.

Figs. 26a- c are schematic views showing operation of the pin switch detecting memory card presence and detecting no connection status used in an alternate embodiment with Fig. 26a showing no connection status, Fig. 26b showing incomplete status and Fig. 26c showing complete connection status. Fig. 27 is a circuit diagram showing the no connection status detector used in the alternative embodiment .

Fig. 28 is a side view of a conventional ejection apparatus for a memory card connector showing major components.

Fig. 29 is a plan view of Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of an operating lever used in the ejection apparatus.

Figs. 31a and b are schematic views showing operation of the switch detecting gear position when the gear position detecting switch is ON and when it is OFF.

Figs. 32a-d are plan and part-plan views showing operation of the card ejection apparatus.

Figs. 33a- e are plan and side schematic views showing operation of the ejection control pin in the card ejection apparatus. Figs. 34a and b are side and plan views showing the position of the operating levers and the ejection control pin in the incomplete connection condition.

The ejection apparatus 1 for memory card connector is practically the same as described in connection with Figs. 28 through 34, the same reference numbers of the components will be used throughout the specification. Explanations concerning mechanical and operational features will be omitted. The gist of the present invention is that the rotation of the output gear 6d having the ejection control pin 7 from the initial position in a prescribed direction causes the ejection mechanism 20 to eject the first memory card 100A inserted in the card- receiving slot 2A; if the gear is rotated in the opposite direction, then the second memory card 100B is ejected from the second card- receiving slot 2B. If during the ejection of card 100A an ejection error arises, the ejection control pin 7 will return to the initial position without affecting the card 100B which is not supposed to be ejected.

The ejection apparatus for memory card connector 1 depicted in Fig. 1 comprises an ejection mechanism 20, a driver 30 which drives the ejection mechanism 20, a detector 40 detecting the connection status of the card 100 inserted in the card-receiving slot 2 and position of the ejection control pin 7, an indicator 50 providing various information to the user, an actuator 60 producing ejection action, and a controller 70 operating the entire apparatus. Design of the ejection mechanism

20 is shown in Fig. 28. Its major components comprise an ejection lever 3 and operating lever 5 linked to it, an output gear 6d having an ejection control pin 7 mounted thereon. The driver 30, as can be seen from Fig. 4, comprises a motor 12 and motor drive 31 driven by the motor. Warning indicator 50 has red LED 51, green LED 52 and yellow LED 53. There are two green LEDs 52 and two yellow LEDs 53, one for each card- receiving slot. The actuator 60 comprises a first switch 60A initiating ejection action of the first memory card 100A from the first card- receiving slot 2A and a second switch 60B initiating ejection action of the second memory card 10OB from the second card- receiving slot 2B. As shown in Fig. 2, the detector 40 comprises an electrical connector 2a located in the card- receiving slot 2 and a pin switch circuit 41, whose purpose is to detect connection status of the memory card 100, a card position detection switch circuit 42, whose purpose is to detect if the memory card 100 is inserted in the card- receiving slot 2, and a switch circuit 14 (Figs. 31a and b) whose purpose is to detect the position of the gear 6d. Fig. 2 illustrates the operations of the card connection detection pin switch circuit 41 and card position detection switch circuit 42, where Fig. 2a corresponds to no- connection status, Fig. 2b corresponds to incomplete connection status, and Fig. 2c corresponds to completely connected status. Fig. 3 depicts a situation in which a memory card is completely inserted in the first card- receiving slot 2A and incompletely inserted in the second card- receiving slot 2B.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, there are two of each (one for each slot 2) of the card connection detection pin switch circuits 41 and card position detection switch circuits 42; card detection pin switch circuit 41A and card position detection switch circuit 42A for the first card-receiving slot 2A, and card detection pin switch circuit 41B and card position detection switch circuit 42B for the second card- receiving slot 2B. As will be explained below, the pin switch circuit 41 for the detection of card connection operates by engaging the short electrical pin 2e of the connector 2a (Fig. 7) forming ON and OFF states.

As shown in Fig. 2, the switch circuit 42 for the detection of card position is OFF when the card is removed from the slot 2. Fig. 2a corresponds to the condition when the memory card 100 is in the no- connection status relative to the slot 2. Both the card detection pin switch circuit 41 and the card position detection switch circuit 42 are OFF. Fig. 2b corresponds to the condition when the card 100 is in the incomplete connection status relative to the slot 2. In such a condition, the card detection pin switch circuit 41 is OFF and the card position detection switch circuit 42 is ON. Fig. 2c corresponds to the condition when the card 100 is in the complete connection status relative to the slot 2. Both the card detection pin switch circuit 41 and the card position detection switch circuit 42 are ON.

Below, explanations are given regarding cards 100 intended for the insertion in slots 2 and connectors 2a mounted in the slots 2 of the ejection apparatus for a memory card connector according to this invention.

As can be seen from Fig. 5, the total number of electrical receptacle contacts 101 (Fig. 6) of the card 100 is sixty-eight; thirty-four on the upper side (1-34) and thirty-four on the lower side (35 - 68) .

Connectors 2a also have sixty- eight electrical pin contacts 2b; thirty- four on the upper side (1 - 34) and thirty- four on the lower side (35 - 68) , that is the same number as the number of receptacle contacts 101 of the memory card 100.

Pin contacts 2b of the connector 2a comprise long pin contacts 2c, medium pin contacts 2d and short pin contacts 2e. Among long pin contacts 2c, pin contacts 17 and 51 are power supply pin contacts and four pin contacts are for grounding (1, 34, 35, 68); two short pin contacts 2e (36 and 67) are used for a card detection purpose; the remaining pin contacts are of medium length and they are signal pin contacts used for information transmission. Next, explanations are given concerning operations of the ejection apparatus 1 for the memory card connector according to the embodiment of this invention. Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the main feature of the invention; the system for recovery of ejection errors, Micon controller 70.

The system for the recovery of ejection errors operates as follows: the output gear 6d rotates in a given direction from the initial position ejecting the first card 100A from the first slot 2A, and when the gear 6d rotates from the initial position in an opposite direction, the second card 100B is ejected from the second slot 2B by means of the ejection mechanism 20. During ejection of a card 100, ejection errors may take place. The purpose of the error recovery system is to make it possible for the ejection control pin 7 to return to its initial position without affecting the other card 100 which is not an object of ejection. Among such errors, the following conditions may occur: de- energizing of the motor 12 due to overloading, an excessively long time required for the ejection of card 100 from slot 2, a condition when the card's connection status changes during the ejection of card 100 from complete connection to incomplete connection, without going to no-connection status. Fig. 8 covers ejection errors up to the step Sll.

Micon controller 70 depicted in Fig. 8 includes the following: motor 12 is energized, thus rotating the ejection control pin 7 in counterclockwise (CCW) direction; if an ejection error is detected with the card being ejected from the first slot 2A, the motor 12 is stopped (step Sll) and the status of connection of the card is detected (is it incomplete connection or otherwise) (step S12) . As was explained above, the connection status of cards in both slots 2 can be determined by means of the card position detection switch circuit 42 and the card status detection switch circuit 42.

In step S12, if in the first slot 2A no incomplete connection status is observed, the status of the card in the second slot 2B is identified (if it is complete connection or no- connection) (step S13) . If the connection status in the second slot 2B is not a complete connection, it is checked if the status is non- connection or not (step S14) .

If the status in the second slot 2B is not no- connection, then it is an incomplete connection, which means that the operating lever 5B of the second slot 2B may be in such a position that it may interfere with the ejection control pin 7. In order to clear this interference condition, the card should be either fully inserted (complete connection) or ejected manually (no- connection) which condition is displayed for the user in the form of a warning signal or indicator 50 (step S15) , after which step S13 takes place.

During step S13, the motor is rotated in the same direction as before the ejection error if the complete connection status is observed in the second slot 2B

(step S16) , and the ejection control pin 7 is returned to its initial position by rotating it counterclockwise.

If the connection status in the second slot 2B is not no- connection during step S14, the motor 12 is energized (step S17) and the ejection control pin 7 is returned in its initial position by rotating it clockwise.

The error recovery process schematically shown in Fig. 8 will be explained in more detail using Figs. 9 through 25. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing Micon controller 70 operations within the main routine.

Micon 70 shown in Fig. 9 performs as follows: connection status in the first slot 2A is checked as shown in Fig. 10 in check procedures for the first slot 2A (step S20) , next, the connection status is checked for the second slot 2B as shown in Fig. 20 (step S30) , next, the first EJECT SW 60A is turned on and the EJECT SW of the first slot is checked as shown in Fig. 11 (step S40) , next, the second EJECT SW 60A is turned on and the EJECT SW of the second slot 2B is checked as shown in Fig. 21 (step S50) , after which transfer to step S20 is effected.

Next, procedures will be explained related to checking the connection status in the first slot 2A shown as step S20 in Fig. 9. Fig. 10 represents the flow chart of checking procedures for the connection status in the first slot 2A as they are processed by Micon controller 70. in Fig. 10, processing steps by Micon 70 are as follows: to check if the connection status of card 100A in the first slot 2A is a complete connection or not (step S21) . If the connection status of card 100A in the first slot 2A is a complete connection, green LED 52 of the first slot 2A turns on (step S22) , thereby finishing the process of checking.

In step S21, if the connection status of card 100A in the first slot 2A is not a complete connection, green LED 52 of the second slot 2B turns on, thereby finishing this check. Each slot has its own green LED 52 which is on when a card is inserted in the slot, and off when the card is ejected.

The next step S40 in Fig. 9 concerns with the checking of EJECT SW for the first slot 2A. Fig. 11 is a flow chart depicting the processing of the EJECT SW for the first slot by Micon controller 70. In Fig. 11, the first procedure performed by controller 70 comprises checking if the first EJECT SW 60A is On or not (step S41) . If the first EJECT SW 60A is ON, the connection status for the first slot 2A is checked (if it is a complete connection or not) (step S42) .

If the connection status in the first slot 2A is a complete connection, the connection status in the second slot 2B is checked (step S43) . If the connection status in the second slot 2A is not a complete connection, checking is done to determine if it is an incomplete connection or not (step S44) .

If the connection status in the second slot 2B is not an incomplete connection, the system proceeds to step S60 consisting in EJECT processing for memory card 100A from the first slot 2A (see Fig. 12) . After that EJECT SW checking is performed.

Step S41 consists in checking if the first EJECT SW 60A is not ON, or if the connection status for the first slot 2A in step S42 is not a complete connection, checking of EJECT SW is then completed.

If the connection status in the second slot 2B for the step S43 is a complete connection, then proceed to step S60. In step S44, if the connection status in the second slot 2A is an incomplete connection, yellow LED 53 of the second slot 2B turns on (step S45) , thereby completing the checking of this EJECT SW. Each slot 2A, 2B has its own yellow LED 53 which is on when the connection status of a card 100 inserted in a slot 2 is an incomplete connection, and off when the incomplete connection status is corrected. Yellow LEDs 53 warn the user about an incomplete connection status.

According to the checking of the EJECT SW for the first slot 2A shown in Fig. 11, when the process for the ejection of card 100A from the first slot 2A is initiated, the connection status for the first slot 2A and the second slot 2B is checked before the motor 12 is energized. Since card ejection is initiated after these checks, proper measures can be taken if abnormalities are detected for example in the second slot 2B.

Upon receiving an input signal for the ejection for the first slot 2A based on the check procedures for EJECT SW of the first slot 2A, it is checked whether the status in the second slot 2B is an incomplete connection or not, and if it is incomplete, the EJECT action is delayed until the detected status is corrected. This results in blocking the rotation of the motor 12, thus making it possible to prevent possible damage from rotating ejection control pin 7 attached to the output gear 6d.

Step S60 shown in Fig. 11 relates to EJECT processing for the first slot 2A. Flow chart of the treatment by Micon controller 70 of the EJECT processing for the first slot 2A is shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 13 illustrates operations of the output gear 6d and the ejection control pin 7 during EJECT processing for the first slot 2A.

According to the flow chart of Micon controller 70 processing shown in Fig. 12, gear position detection switch circuit 14 is energized (step 61) , the motor 12 rotates the output gear 6d counterclockwise as shown in Fig. 13a (step S62), the 0.3 sec timer starts (step S63) , the timer determines if the 0.3 sec period is over or not (step S64) . Determination is made if 0.3 sec elapsed and if the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is OFF or not (step S65) . If the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is ON, the ejection control pin 7 of the output gear 6d is in the initial position, if the switch is OFF, then the ejection control pin 7 is not in the initial position. If we assume that in step S65 the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is OFF, that is the ejection control pin 7 is not in the initial position, the 4 sec timer starts (step S66) , during which time the gear position detection switch circuit 14 shall change to ON (step S67) . The processing according to step S67 consists in returning the ejection control pin 7 to the initial position after completion of ejection from the first slot 2A. Under normal conditions, the ejection control pin 7 shall make one turn in 4 sec.

If the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is ON, the ejection control pin 7 moves as shown in Figs. 13b and c. When the ejection control pin 7 returns to its initial position (Fig. 13d) , the motor 12 stops (step S69) , the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is OFF (step S70) , status in the first slot 2A is an incomplete connection, and determination is made if it is an incomplete connection or not (step S71) . Position of the ejection control pin 7 shown in Fig. 13c corresponds to the time of actual completion of ejection, and the return from this position to the initial position means that the ejection process of the entire system is accomplished.

In step S71, if the status in the first slot 2A is an incomplete connection, yellow LED 53 of the first slot 2A turns on (step S72) , thereby completing the EJECT processing.

If in step S65 the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is not OFF, the ejection control pin 7 can stop only in the position shown in Fig. 13a, and if the output gear 6d is not rotating, the process proceeds to ERROR 1 processing (step S80) as shown in Fig. 14. If in step S67 the timer exceeds 4 sec, it is considered as motor overload and the ejection control pin 7 fails to make one full turn, after that the system proceeds to the processing ERROR 2 for the first slot 2A (step S90) . If in step S68 the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is ON, the system proceeds to step S67. If in step S71 the status in the first slot 2A is not an incomplete connection, then EJECT processing for this first slot 2A is completed.

If in step S64 the system is waiting until the timer exceeds 0.3 sec, after which it is determined if the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is OFF or not. If 0.3 sec elapses before the gear position detection switch circuit 14 becomes OFF, it is possible to proceed to step S80, ERROR 1 processing.

Next, how ERROR 1 of the step S80 is processed will be described. Flow chart of ERROR 1 processing by Micon controller 70 is set forth in Fig. 14. First of all the motor 12 is de-energized (step S81) , the power is turned OFF by the gear position detection switch circuit 14 (step S82) and red LED 51 is ON (step S83) . Red LED 51 turns ON in cases of trouble with the motor 12 or the switch 14 or when mechanical repair is required. If red LED 51 turns ON during step

S83, it will turn OFF after elimination of the trouble.

Next, how ERROR 2 of the first slot 2A of the step

S90 is processed will be described. Flow chart of ERROR

2 processing by Micon controller 70 is provided in Fig. 15.

First of all the motor 12 is de-energized (step S91) , the power is turned OFF by the gear position detection switch circuit 14 (step S92) and red LED 51 is turned ON (step S93) . Red LED 51 turns ON and OFF in step S93, for example, in cases of excessive force required for the ejection of a memory card, if an attempt is made to pull the card 100 out manually from the slot 2, or if the gear position detection switch circuit 14 does not stay ON for more than 4 sec (not enough time for one full turn) . Measures which can be used in such cases include the use of the manual operation lever 11. Red LED 51 turns OFF after elimination of the trouble.

After red LED 51 turns on in step S93, status in the first slot 2A is determined, namely, if it is an incomplete connection or not (step S94) . If the status in the first slot 2A is an incomplete connection, blinking yellow LED 53 turns on (step S95) and the system proceeds to step S94. The blinking yellow LED 53 will turn off after the incomplete connection status in the first slot 2A is corrected by means of the manual operating lever 11.

When the user sees blinking yellow LED 53, it is necessary to determine if the status in the first slot 2A is an incomplete connection, and if so, it is necessary to correct the situation by means of the manual operating lever 11.

If in step S94 the status in the first slot 2A is not an incomplete connection, the blinking yellow LED 53 turns off (step S96) , and the checks are performed to determine if the status in the second slot 2B is a complete connection or not (step S97) .

If in step S97 the status in the second slot 2B is not a complete connection, then it is determined if it is an incomplete connection or not (step S98) . If the status in the second slot 2B is an incomplete connection, yellow LED 53 turns ON (step S99) and the system proceeds to step 97. Yellow LED 53 can be turned OFF by means of manual operating lever 11 or by fully reinserting the card. If in step S97 the status in the second slot 2B is a complete connection, the system proceeds to the processing of ERROR 2-A (step S100) for the first slot 2A shown in Fig. 16. If in step S98 the status in the second slot 2B is not an incomplete connection, the system proceeds to the processing of ERROR 2-B (step S110) . If by processing ERROR 2 for the first slot 2A, an ejection error for the first card 100A inserted in the first slot 2A was identified, status of the card is checked, and if it is an incomplete connection, rotation of the output gear 6d is stopped until the possibility of interference is not eliminated.

After the possibility of interference is eliminated for the first slot 2A, status in the second slot 2B is checked, and until there exists possibility of interference with an incompletely ejected card, rotation of the output gear 6d is stopped. This is done to prevent the apparatus from damage which can be caused by the ejection control pin 7.

Using Fig. 15, step S90 concerning the processing of ERROR 2 -A will be explained. Fig. 16 is a flow chart depicting the processing of ERROR 2 -A for the first slot 2A by Micon controller 70. Fig. 17 depicts positions of the output gear 6d and the ejection control pin 7 during the processing of ERROR 2 -A for the first slot 2A. The processing of ERROR 2 -A for the card 100A inserted in the first slot 2A deals with an ejection error produced during the ejection of the first card 100A. If the status in the second slot 2B is a complete connection, the ejection control pin 7 used for the ejection of the first card 100A from the first slot 2A is rotated counterclockwise, as shown in Fig. 17, and it is returned to the initial position.

Fig. 16 represents a flow chart of processing by Micon controller 70. It includes turning power on to the gear position detection switch circuit 14 (step S101) , turning power on for the motor 12 rotating in the same direction (counterclockwise) for the ejection from the first slot 2A (step S102) , start of the 4 sec timer (step S103) , determining if 4 sec set up by the timer is elapsed or not (step S104) . If this time did not elapse, gear position detection switch circuit 14 will be ON, and it will be determined whether or not the ejection control pin 7 is in the initial position (step S105) .

If the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is ON, the drive of the motor 12 is stopped (step S106) , and the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is de- energized (step S107) , red LED 52 stops blinking (step S108) , thus completing the processing of ERROR 2 -A for the first slot 2A.

If during step S105, the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is not ON, the processing goes back to step S104.

If during step S104 the 4 sec time set up by the timer is over, the processing goes to step S80, ERROR 1 processing (Fig. 14) . If by processing ERROR 2 -A for the first slot 2A, an ejection error for the first card 100A inserted in the first slot 2A was identified, the status of the card in the second slot 2B is checked, and if it is a complete connection, the ejection control pin 7 is rotated counterclockwise for the ejection of the card

100A from the first slot 2A, as shown in Fig. 17. Since in this process the ejection control pin 7 returns to the initial position, no such troubles as defects in the gear position detection switch circuit 14 or erroneous ejection of the second card 100B from the second slot 2B exist, because if the status in the second slot 2B is a complete connection, the ejection control pin 7 mounted on the output gear 6d will not interfere with the pressure plate of the second slot 2B. Using Fig. 15, step S110 concerning the processing of ERROR 2-B of the first slot 2A will be explained. Fig. 18 is a flow chart depicting the processing of ERROR 2-B for the first slot 2A by Micon controller 70. Fig. 19 depicts positions of the output gear 6d and the ejection control pin 7 during the processing of ERROR 2- B for the first slot 2A. The processing of ERROR 2-B for the card 100A inserted in first slot 2A deals with an ejection error produced during the ejection of the first card 100A. If the status in the second slot 2B is no- connection, the ejection control pin 7 used for the ejection of the first card 100A from the first slot 2A is rotated clockwise, as shown in Fig. 19, and it is returned to the initial position. If no- connection status (no card in the slot) exists, the bent section 5e of the operating lever 5 (see Fig. 34b) assumes the position shown by the dotted line in the left part of the drawing .

Fig. 18 represents a flow chart of processing by Micon controller 70. It includes turning power on to the gear position detection switch circuit 14 (step Sill) , turning power on for the motor 12 rotating in the same direction (clockwise) (step S112) , start of the 4 sec timer (step S113), and determining if 4 sec set up by the timer has elapsed or not (step S114) . If the time controlled by the timer (4 sec) did not elapse, it will be determined if the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is ON or not (step S115) . If the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is ON, the 0.3 sec timer is started (step S116) and it is checked if the time elapsed or not (step S117) .

If the 0.3 sec set up by the timer did not elapse, it is checked if the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is OFF or not (step S118) .

If the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is OFF, the 0.4 sec timer is restarted (step S119) , and if this time did not elapse, it is checked if the gear position detection switch circuit 14 is ON or not (step S121) .

The drive of the motor 12 is stopped (step S122) , energized gear position detection switch circuit 14 is turned OFF (step S123) , blinking red LED 51 stops blinking (step S124) , thus completing the processing of ERROR 2-B.

If by processing ERROR 2-B for the first slot 2A, an ejection error for the first card 100A inserted in the first slot 2A was identified, status of the card in the second slot 2B is checked, and if it is no- connection, the ejection control pin 7 is rotated in the opposite direction clockwise, as shown in Fig. 19, thus proceeding to recovery treatment. Since in this process the ejection control pin 7 returns to the initial position, and no erroneous ejection of the second card 100B from the second slot 2B exists, the return to the initial position becomes more effective than with the retry process. The return to the initial position is faster than with retry processing because in the recovery processing it is possible to return to the initial position without going around locations where there were problems with ejection errors. Using procedures shown in Figs. 12 through 19, it is possible to return the ejection control pin 7 to its initial position even if there is an ejection error in the first slot 2A.

Explanations were provided with reference to the first slot 2A using Figs. 10 through 19. Since operations relating to the second slot 2B are the same, they are omitted herein. The output gear 6d will rotate in an opposite direction. Processing of status for the first slot 2A shown in Fig. 10 (step S20) corresponds to (step S40) shown in Fig. 20 for the second slot 2B.

EJECT SW checking for the first slot 2A shown in Fig. 11 (step S30) corresponds to EJECT SW checking for the second slot 2B shown in Fig. 21 (step S50) . EJECT processing for the first slot 2A shown in Fig. 12 (step S60) corresponds to EJECT processing for the second slot 2B shown in Fig. 22 (step S130) . ERROR 2 processing for the first slot 2A shown in Fig. 15 corresponds to ERROR 2 processing for the second slot 2B shown in Fig. 21 (step S150) . ERROR 2 -A processing for the first slot 2A shown in Fig. 16 (step S100) corresponds to ERROR 2 -A processing for the second slot 2B shown in Fig. 24 (step S160) . ERROR 2-B processing for the first slot 2A shown in Fig. 18 (step S110) corresponds to ERROR 2-B processing for the second slot shown in Fig. 25 (step S170) . In the embodiment of the ejection apparatus for the memory card connector described above, no- connection status of the cards 100 inserted in the slots 2 is carried out by the card position detection switch circuit 42 shown in Figs. 2 through 4; however, the same function can be performed by means of pin switch circuit 41 having a card detection pin for connector 2a according to JEIDA standards.

Other embodiments of this invention are also possible. Fig. 26 depicts a card detection pin switch circuit of a different design, and Fig. 27 depicts a schematic diagram of non- connection detector 43 of a different design.

Connector 2a used for the connection of cards 100 have long pin contacts 2c, medium pin contacts 2d and short pin contacts 2e. Fig. 26a represents pin contacts 2b of the connector 2a and connection receptacle contacts 101 of the card 100 when they are not connected. Fig 26b shows a state in which long pin contacts 2c of the connector 2a are joined with receptacle contacts 101; short pin contacts 2e do not make contact. Fig. 26c depicts a state when all pin contacts of the connector 2a, including short pin contacts 2e are connected to receptacle contacts 101 of the board 100. In this case, there is no card position detection switch circuit 42 shown in Figs. 2 through 4, and no card connection status is detected by means of circuit 43 mounted on the card rather than by card detecting pin contacts 41.

The card position detection switch circuit 42 shown in Fig. 4 can be replaced with no- connection detection circuit 43 shown in Fig. 27, that is the circuit 43 detects connection between long pin contacts 2c of the connector 2a and receptacle contacts 101 of the card 100. Long pin contacts 2c and short pin contacts 2e are connected inside the card in accordance with the JEIDA standards. Circuits shown in Figs. 27 and 4 make it possible to detect various conditions of connection.

Therefore, using no- connection detection circuit 43 mounted on the card provides certain advantages compared to the card position detection switch circuit 42. It does not require space for wiring and can be placed inside the pin switch circuit 41.

The ejection apparatus for a memory card connector described above makes it possible to carry out ejection of a card by means of an ejection control pin of an output gear by rotating it in one direction from an initial position. If an ejection error is detected in the process of ejection, a detector of the connection status in receiving positions provides information used to control the movement of the ejection control pin in such a manner as to avoid effecting the ejection process.

Claims

1. An ejection apparatus for memory cards of a memory card connector comprising a frame having card- receiving slots for receiving memory cards, electrical connectors located in each of the card-receiving slots for electrical connection with the memory cards, ejection members mounted on the frame for individual ejection of the memory cards inserted in respective card-receiving slots, operating levers connected to the ejection members, a rotary member for engagement with the operating levers for operating one of the operating levers and the respective ejection member connected thereto to eject one of the memory cards when the rotary member is rotated in one direction from an initial position and for operating the other of the operating levers and the respective ejection member connected thereto to eject the other of the memory cards when the rotary member is operated in a reverse direction, a driver for imparting rotary movement to the rotary members, characterized in that an initial position detector to detect the initial position of the rotary member, a controller generating actuation control signals for operating the driver, connection status detectors provide along the card- receiving slots for detecting whether the memory cards in the card-receiving slots form a complete connection, incomplete connection or no connection between the memory cards and the electrical connectors, and an ejection error detector detecting errors that occur at the time of ejection of the memory cards by the ejection members, the controller receiving signals from the ejection error detector if an ejection error took place with one memory card when it is being ejected by the ejection member or from the connection status detectors concerning the connection status of the memory cards with the electrical connectors.

2. An ejection apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the controller generates actuation control signals returning the rotary member to said initial position if the connected status of the memory card with the connector located in the other card-receiving slot is detected by means of the connection status detector.

3. An ejection apparatus according to claim 2 characterized by the fact that the controller receives actuation control signals generated by the connection status detector and returns the rotary member to its initial position by rotating it in one direction if the completely connected status with the connector located in the other card-receiving slot is detected by means of the connection status detector.

4. An ejection apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 characterized by the fact that the controller generates actuation control signals returning the rotary member to said initial position by forcing its rotation in an opposite direction if a no connection status with the connector located in the other card-receiving slot is detected by means of the connection status detector.

5. An ejection apparatus according to Claim 2, 3 or 4 characterized by the fact that the controller blocks rotation of the rotary member if the incompletely connected status with the connector located in the other card- receiving slot is detected by means of the connection status detector until the incompletely connected status is corrected.

6. An ejection apparatus according to claim 5 characterized by the fact that in the incompletely connected status, the ejection member ejecting the other memory card from the other card-receiving slot interferes with the rotation of said rotary member in one direction. ro ro l-¹ ->

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