Cartridge

Abstract

To provide a novel cartridge that is attachable / detachable with respect to a game device.SOLUTION: A terminal arrangement area of the cartridge is divided into an upper area and a lower area, the cartridge including: a plurality of terminals disposed on the upper area; a plurality of terminals disposed on the lower area; and a plurality of long terminals provided astride over the upper area and the lower area. The long terminals may be a ground terminal, a chip-enabled terminal, a power terminal, or a reset terminal. A strobe terminal and a clock terminal are aligned vertically. Two data input / output terminals are aligned vertically, and the cartridge includes four sets of vertically-aligned data input / output terminals. A long terminal is provided near the vertically-aligned strobe terminal and clock terminal, and a long terminal is provided near the vertically-aligned two data input / output terminals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge connectable to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been memory cartridges that can be attached to and detached from information processing devices such as game devices (for example, Patent Document 1). For example, such memory cartridges store a program to be executed by the game device, and when the memory cartridge is attached to the game device, the program stored in the storage device in the memory cartridge is read out from the game device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-150938 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is still room for improvement in terms of making the cartridge smaller.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new cartridge that is detachably attachable to an information processing device such as a game device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.

[0007] One example of the present invention is a cartridge having a front end and a rear end, and connectable to a game device by being inserted into a cartridge insertion port of the game device from the front end side. The cartridge is provided with a terminal arrangement area including a first area and a second area in which a plurality of terminals electrically connectable to terminals of the game device provided in the cartridge insertion port are arranged. When a direction in which the cartridge is inserted into and removed from the cartridge insertion port is defined as a first direction and a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, the second area and the first area are arranged side by side in the first direction. The first area is arranged closer to the front end of the cartridge than the second area in the terminal arrangement area. The plurality of terminals include at least a first data input / output terminal, a second data input / output terminal, a strobe terminal, a clock terminal, a power supply terminal, and a ground terminal. The clock terminal and the first data input / output terminal are arranged in the first area. The strobe terminal and the second data input / output terminal are arranged in the second area. A plurality of long terminals spanning the first area and the second area are arranged in the terminal arrangement area. The strobe terminal and the clock terminal are arranged side by side in the first direction. The second data input / output terminal and the first data input / output terminal are arranged side by side in the first direction. The multiple long terminals include the power supply terminal and the ground terminal. Any of the multiple long terminals is arranged adjacent to at least one of the second data input / output terminal and the first data input / output terminal arranged in the first direction in the second direction. Any of the multiple long terminals is arranged adjacent to at least one of the strobe terminal and the clock terminal arranged in the first direction in the second direction.

[0008] According to the above, the two data input / output terminals are arranged side by side in the first direction, and the strobe terminal and the clock terminal are also arranged side by side in the first direction. Therefore, the length in the second direction can be shortened. In addition, a long terminal is provided as a power supply terminal or a ground terminal next to the first and second data input / output terminals in the second direction. Since the power supply terminal or the ground terminal, which has a low frequency of voltage change, is provided next to the first and second data input / output terminals, the first and second data input / output terminals are less susceptible to noise. Since the power supply terminal or the ground terminal is provided next to the strobe terminal and the clock terminal, they are also less susceptible to noise. Therefore, stable data communication can be performed. In addition, the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion port from its front end, and the clock terminal (input terminal) is arranged in a first region on the front end side of the cartridge, and the strobe terminal (output terminal) is arranged in a second region on the rear end side of the cartridge. Therefore, for example, when removing the cartridge from the game device, the output terminal on the cartridge side (strobe terminal on the cartridge side) and the output terminal on the game device side (clock terminal on the game device side) do not come into contact with each other, and the cartridge can be removed from the game device more safely.

[0009] In another configuration, the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal may be arranged so that when the second data input / output terminal is moved in the first direction to the position of the first data input / output terminal, at least a portion of the two terminals overlap.

[0010] According to the above configuration, for example, when the second data input / output terminal is moved in the first direction, it overlaps with the first data input / output terminal, and the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal are not substantially displaced in the second direction, so that the length of the cartridge in the second direction can be shortened.

[0011] In another configuration, a first terminal and a second terminal may be provided in the cartridge insertion port of the game device. When the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion port and connected to the game device, the first data input / output terminal is connected to the first terminal of the game device, and the second data input / output terminal is connected to the second terminal of the game device. The first data input / output terminal is arranged so that the second terminal of the game device comes into contact with the first data input / output terminal during the process of inserting the cartridge into the cartridge insertion port.

[0012] According to the above configuration, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the game device, the second terminal of the game device comes into contact with the first data input / output terminal provided in the first area of ​​the cartridge, and when the cartridge is inserted further in, the second terminal of the game device comes into contact with the second data input / output terminal. That is, the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal are not substantially misaligned in the second direction. This makes it possible to shorten the length of the cartridge in the second direction.

[0013] In another configuration, the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal may be located at the same position in the second direction.

[0014] According to the above configuration, since the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal are positioned to coincide with each other in the second direction, it is possible to reduce the length of the cartridge in the second direction.

[0015] In another configuration, the plurality of long terminals may include a chip enable terminal. Any long terminal of the ground terminal, the power supply terminal, and the chip enable terminal may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal in the second direction.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the chip enable terminal is arranged as a long terminal. The chip enable terminal is a terminal whose voltage changes infrequently, and the voltage is substantially constant during data communication via the data input / output terminal. Since the long terminal is arranged next to the two data input / output terminals aligned in the first direction, the two data input / output terminals are less susceptible to noise from the adjacent long terminal. In addition, the adjacent long terminals can reduce the impact of the two data input / output terminals on the surroundings.

[0017] In another configuration, a long terminal arranged adjacent to at least one of the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal in the second direction may be formed so that the long terminal is adjacent to at least a portion of the first data input / output terminal in the second direction and is adjacent to at least a portion of the second data input / output terminal in the second direction.

[0018] According to the above configuration, at least a part of the two data input / output terminals is disposed adjacent to one long terminal in the second direction where the frequency of voltage changes is low. Therefore, the two data input / output terminals are less susceptible to noise from the adjacent long terminal. In addition, the adjacent long terminal can reduce the influence of the two data input / output terminals on the surroundings.

[0019] In another configuration, when the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal are moved in the second direction to the position of the long terminal provided adjacent thereto, both the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal after the movement may overlap at least in part with the long terminal.

[0020] According to the above configuration, at least a part of the two data input / output terminals is disposed adjacent to one long terminal in the second direction where the frequency of voltage changes is low. Therefore, the two data input / output terminals are less susceptible to noise from the adjacent long terminal. In addition, the adjacent long terminal can reduce the influence of the two data input / output terminals on the surroundings.

[0021] In another configuration, any one of the ground terminal, the power supply terminal, and the chip enable terminal may be disposed as the long terminal adjacent to one of the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal in the second direction. A distance between the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal and a terminal adjacent to the other in the second direction may be wider than a distance between the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal and the long terminal disposed adjacent to the one.

[0022] According to the above configuration, a long terminal is provided adjacent to one of the first and second data input / output terminals, and a gap is provided adjacent to the other of the first and second data input / output terminals, so that, for example, a conductor or a separator of the first data input / output terminal can be disposed in the gap.

[0023] In another configuration, the ground terminal may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal in the second direction.

[0024] According to the above configuration, by arranging the ground terminals next to the clock terminal and the strobe terminal, the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are less susceptible to noise from the adjacent ground terminal. In addition, the adjacent ground terminals can reduce the impact of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal on the surroundings.

[0025] In another configuration, a ground terminal arranged adjacent to at least one of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal in the second direction may be formed so that the ground terminal is adjacent to at least a portion of the clock terminal in the second direction and is adjacent to at least a portion of the strobe terminal in the second direction.

[0026] According to the above configuration, at least a part of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are arranged adjacent to one ground terminal in the second direction where the frequency of voltage changes is low. Therefore, the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are less susceptible to noise from the adjacent ground terminal. In addition, the adjacent ground terminal can reduce the impact of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal on the surroundings.

[0027] In another configuration, when the ground terminal arranged adjacent to at least one of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal in the second direction is moved in the second direction to the position of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal, both the clock terminal and the strobe terminal may overlap at least in part with the ground terminal after the movement.

[0028] According to the above configuration, at least a part of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are arranged adjacent to one ground terminal in the second direction where the frequency of voltage changes is low. Therefore, the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are less susceptible to noise from the adjacent ground terminal. In addition, the adjacent ground terminal can reduce the impact of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal on the surroundings.

[0029] In another configuration, the plurality of long terminals may include a reset terminal, and the reset terminal may be disposed at one end of the terminal arrangement region in the second direction.

[0030] According to the above configuration, the reset terminal is arranged at one end of the terminal arrangement area, thereby making it possible to make the reset terminal less susceptible to influence from other terminals, and, for example, to prevent circuits within the cartridge from being reset or unreset unexpectedly.

[0031] In another configuration, a ground terminal may be provided adjacent to the reset terminal on the other end side of the terminal arrangement area.

[0032] According to the above configuration, the reset terminal is arranged at one end of the terminal arrangement area, and the ground terminal is provided adjacent to the other end of the reset terminal, which makes it possible to prevent the reset terminal from being affected by the surroundings, and for example, to prevent the circuitry in the cartridge from being reset or released from reset unexpectedly.

[0033] In another configuration, the plurality of terminals may include a third data input / output terminal arranged in the first region and a fourth data input / output terminal arranged in the second region. The third data input / output terminal and the fourth data input / output terminal may be arranged side by side in the first direction. The power supply terminal may be arranged adjacent to one of the second data input / output terminal and the first data input / output terminal arranged in the first direction in the second direction, and adjacent to the other of the third data input / output terminal and the fourth data input / output terminal arranged in the first direction in the second direction.

[0034] According to the above configuration, the power supply terminal is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the multiple data input / output terminals. This makes it difficult for each data input / output terminal to be affected by noise from the power supply terminal. In addition, the influence of the data input / output terminal on its surroundings can be reduced by the power supply terminal next to it.

[0035] In another configuration, a plurality of data input / output terminals including the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal, and the power supply terminal may be arranged alternately in the second direction in at least a portion of the terminal arrangement area.

[0036] According to the above configuration, in at least a part of the terminal arrangement region, the data input / output terminals and the power supply terminals are arranged alternately in the second direction, so that the data input / output terminals are less susceptible to noise from the power supply terminals, and the power supply terminals can reduce the influence of the data input / output terminals on the surroundings.

[0037] In another configuration, the plurality of long terminals may include a chip enable terminal. When the power supply terminal and the chip enable terminal are first type terminals and the plurality of data input / output terminals are second type terminals, the first type terminals and the second type terminals may be arranged alternately in the second direction in at least a part of the terminal arrangement region.

[0038] According to the above configuration, in at least a part of the terminal arrangement region, terminals whose voltage changes infrequently (chip enable terminals, power supply terminals) and terminals whose voltage changes infrequently (data input / output terminals) can be arranged alternately in the second direction. Therefore, the data input / output terminals are less susceptible to noise from surrounding terminals. In addition, the terminals whose voltage changes infrequently reduce the impact of the data input / output terminals on the surroundings.

[0039] In another configuration, the second type terminals may include the clock terminals or the strobe terminals. The first type terminals and the second type terminals may be arranged alternately in the second direction in at least a part of the terminal arrangement region.

[0040] According to the above configuration, in at least a part of the terminal arrangement region, terminals whose voltage changes infrequently (chip enable terminals, power supply terminals) and terminals whose voltage changes infrequently (data input / output terminals, clock terminals, strobe terminals) can be arranged alternately in the second direction. Therefore, the data input / output terminals, clock terminals, and strobe terminals are less susceptible to noise from surrounding terminals. In addition, the influence of the data input / output terminals, clock terminals, and strobe terminals on the surroundings can be reduced.

[0041] In another configuration, the first type terminals may include the ground terminals. The first type terminals and the second type terminals may be arranged alternately in the second direction in at least a part of the terminal arrangement region.

[0042] According to the above configuration, in at least a part of the terminal arrangement region, terminals whose voltage changes infrequently (chip enable terminals, power supply terminals, ground terminals) and terminals whose voltage changes infrequently (data input / output terminals, clock terminals, strobe terminals) can be arranged alternately in the second direction. Therefore, the data input / output terminals, clock terminals, and strobe terminals are less susceptible to noise from surrounding terminals. In addition, the influence of the data input / output terminals, clock terminals, and strobe terminals on the surroundings can be reduced.

[0043] In another configuration, the plurality of terminals may include a reset terminal. The reset terminal may be provided at one end of the terminal arrangement region, and the ground terminal may be provided at the other end of the terminal arrangement region. The first type terminals and the second type terminals are alternately arranged from the other end toward the one end. A data input / output terminal may be provided next to the one end side of the second type terminals alternately arranged from the other end toward the one end, and the reset terminal may be provided further toward the one end side of the data input / output terminal.

[0044] According to the above configuration, a data input / output terminal (second type terminal) is provided next to the second type terminals arranged alternately from the other end toward the one end of the terminal arrangement area, and a reset terminal is provided further toward the one end.

[0045] In another configuration, the power supply terminal may include a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal.

[0046] According to the above configuration, two power supply terminals can be provided, and for example, the power supply for the memory control circuit and the power supply for the data input / output terminal can be separated.

[0047] In another configuration, the first power supply terminal may be connected to a power supply of approximately 3.1V, and the second power supply terminal may be connected to a power supply of approximately 1.8V.

[0048] In another configuration, the first power supply terminal may be a terminal for supplying power to drive a control circuit of a memory, and the second power supply terminal may be a terminal for supplying power to the data input / output terminal.

[0049] According to the above configuration, the power supply for the memory control circuit and the power supply for the data input / output terminals can be separated.

[0050] In another configuration, the long terminal and a set of two terminals arranged side by side in the first direction in each of the second region and the first region may be arranged alternately in the second direction in at least a portion of the terminal arrangement region.

[0051] According to the above configuration, one long terminal and two terminals are alternately arranged in the second direction, which makes it possible to shorten the length of the cartridge in the second direction.

[0052] In another configuration, a plurality of terminal groups each including the pair of two terminals and the long terminal may be arranged in the second direction in a portion of the terminal arrangement area. The distance between the long terminal and the two terminals in one terminal group in the second direction may be shorter than the distance between two adjacent terminal groups in the second direction.

[0053] According to the above configuration, by providing a plurality of terminal groups in the terminal arrangement area, the distance between terminals in one terminal group in the second direction can be shortened, and the length of the cartridge in the second direction can be shortened. Also, for example, the influence of two terminals adjacent to a long terminal on the surroundings can be reduced.

[0054] In another configuration, a conductor may be provided between the terminal groups, and the conductor may be connected to a terminal disposed in the first region.

[0055] According to the above configuration, wiring for the terminals arranged in the first region (i.e., the terminals arranged on the side that is inserted first into the cartridge insertion port) can be provided in the gaps between the terminal groups, making it possible to provide wiring at a lower cost than wiring inside the substrate.

[0056] In another configuration, the terminal arrangement region may have a plurality of gaps between the terminal groups, and at least one of the gaps between the plurality of terminal groups may have two conducting wires provided therein, and the two conducting wires may be connected to two terminals arranged in the first region, respectively.

[0057] According to the above configuration, since the wiring of the two terminals arranged in the first area is provided in the gap between the terminal groups, the number of gaps between the terminal groups can be reduced, and the width of the cartridge can be narrowed.

[0058] In another configuration, at least a portion of the conducting wire may be formed to extend from a side surface of the terminal in the second direction in a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction.

[0059] According to the above configuration, for example, the conductor can be formed so as to extend obliquely from the side of the terminal, which can reduce the change in impedance compared to when the conductor is bent at a right angle midway, thereby suppressing the generation of noise.

[0060] In another configuration, of the terminals and the plurality of long terminals arranged in the first region, a tip end of a ground terminal may be located closest to a tip end of the cartridge.

[0061] According to the above configuration, for example, when the cartridge is viewed with the first region on the bottom and the second region on the top (i.e., when the cartridge is viewed with the front end of the cartridge on the bottom and the rear end of the cartridge on the top), the bottom end of the ground terminal (the front end of the ground terminal) is located at the bottommost position. Therefore, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the game device, the ground terminal can be configured to come into contact with the ground terminal of the game device first.

[0062] In another configuration, the multiple long terminals may include a detection terminal for the game device to detect the cartridge, and among the terminals arranged in the first area and the multiple long terminals, the tip of the detection terminal may be located the farthest from the tip of the cartridge.

[0063] According to the above configuration, for example, when the cartridge is viewed with the first region on the bottom and the second region on the top (i.e., when the cartridge is viewed with the front end of the cartridge on the bottom and the rear end of the cartridge on the top), the lower end of the detection terminal (the front end of the detection terminal) is located at the topmost position among the terminals arranged in the lower region and the multiple long terminals. In other words, the position of the lower end of the detection terminal is located higher than the positions of the lower ends of the terminals arranged in the lower region and the lower ends of the multiple long terminals. Therefore, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the game device, the detection terminal can be brought into contact with the detection terminal of the game device last, and the cartridge can be detected by the game device after all the terminals on the cartridge side have come into contact with the terminals of the game device.

[0064] In another configuration, the detection terminal may also serve as a ground terminal.

[0065] According to the above configuration, the detection terminal can be used as a ground terminal, and the number of terminals can be reduced.

[0066] In another configuration, the tip of the power supply terminal may be located closer to the tip of the cartridge than the tip of the clock terminal and the tip of the first data input / output terminal.

[0067] According to the above configuration, for example, when the cartridge is viewed with the first region on the bottom and the second region on the top (i.e., when the cartridge is viewed with the front end of the cartridge on the bottom and the rear end of the cartridge on the top), the bottom end of the power supply terminal (the tip of the power supply terminal) is located below the bottom end of the clock terminal (the tip of the clock terminal) and the bottom end of the data input / output terminal (the tip of the first data input / output terminal) located in the lower region. Therefore, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the game device, the power supply terminal can be brought into contact with the terminals on the game device before the clock terminal and the data input / output terminal come into contact with the terminals on the game device. Therefore, for example, when power is supplied from the game device to the memory control circuit in the cartridge, power can be supplied to the memory control circuit before the clock terminal and the data input / output terminal come into contact with the terminals on the game device.

[0068] In another configuration, the plurality of long terminals may include a chip enable terminal. An end of the power supply terminal may be located closer to an end of the cartridge than an end of the first data input / output terminal, an end of the chip enable terminal, and an end of the clock terminal.

[0069] According to the above configuration, for example, when the cartridge is viewed with the first region on the bottom and the second region on the top (i.e., when the cartridge is viewed with the leading end of the cartridge on the bottom and the trailing end of the cartridge on the top), the bottom end of the power supply terminal is located below the bottom ends of the data input / output terminal, the chip enable terminal, and the clock terminal, which are arranged in the bottom region. Therefore, when the cartridge is inserted into a cartridge insertion port of a game device, the power supply terminal can be brought into contact with terminals on the game device before the clock terminal, the chip enable terminal, and the data input / output terminal. Therefore, for example, when power is supplied from the game device to a memory control circuit in the cartridge, power can be supplied to the memory control circuit before the clock terminal, the chip enable terminal, and the data input / output terminal come into contact with terminals on the game device.

[0070] In another configuration, when the cartridge is inserted into a cartridge insertion port of the game device, the terminals arranged in the first area and the multiple long terminals may come into contact with the terminals of the game device in a different order.

[0071] According to the above configuration, when the cartridge is inserted into or removed from the cartridge insertion port of the game device, the terminals can be brought into contact with the terminals on the game device in different orders.

[0072] In another configuration, when the cartridge is inserted into a cartridge insertion port of the game device, the terminal arranged in the first region and the terminal among the plurality of long terminals which first comes into contact with a terminal of the game device may be a ground terminal.

[0073] According to the above configuration, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion opening of the game device, the ground terminal can first be brought into contact with the ground terminal of the game device.

[0074] In another configuration, the plurality of long terminals may include a detection terminal for the game device to detect the cartridge. The cartridge is detected by the game device when the detection terminal of the game device comes into contact with the detection terminal of the cartridge. When the cartridge is inserted into a cartridge insertion port of the game device, the detection terminal of the cartridge may be the last of the terminals arranged in the first region and the plurality of long terminals to come into contact with the detection terminal of the game device.

[0075] According to the above configuration, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the game device, the detection terminals on the cartridge are the last to come into contact with the detection terminals on the game device, so that the game device can detect the cartridge after all the terminals on the cartridge have come into contact with the terminals of the game device, and data communication between the game device and the cartridge can be started after all the terminals are securely connected.

[0076] In another configuration, the detection terminal of the cartridge may also serve as a ground terminal.

[0077] According to the above configuration, the detection terminal can be used as a ground terminal, and the number of terminals can be reduced.

[0078] In another configuration, when the cartridge is inserted into a cartridge insertion port of the game device, the power supply terminal may come into contact with the power supply terminal of the game device before the clock terminal and the first data input / output terminal.

[0079] According to the above configuration, the power supply terminal comes into contact with the terminal on the game device before the clock terminal and the data input / output terminal arranged in the first region come into contact with the terminal on the game device. Therefore, for example, when power is supplied from the game device to a memory control circuit in the cartridge, power can be supplied to the memory control circuit before the clock terminal and the data input / output terminal arranged in the first region come into contact with the terminal on the game device.

[0080] In another configuration, the plurality of long terminals may include a chip enable terminal. When the cartridge is inserted into a cartridge insertion opening of the game device, the first data input / output terminal, the chip enable terminal, and the clock terminal may contact terminals of the game device after the power supply terminal contacts a power supply terminal of the game device.

[0081] According to the above configuration, the clock terminal, the data input / output terminal, and the chip enable terminal come into contact with the terminals on the game device after the power supply terminal comes into contact with the terminals on the game device. Therefore, for example, when power is supplied from the game device to a memory control circuit in the cartridge, power can be supplied to the memory control circuit before the clock terminal, the data input / output terminal, and the chip enable terminal come into contact with the terminals on the game device.

[0082] In another configuration, the multiple long terminals may include a detection terminal which is a terminal for the game device to detect the cartridge and which shorts two terminals arranged in the first direction within the cartridge insertion port of the game device.

[0083] According to the above configuration, by shorting two terminals arranged in the first direction on the game device, the game device can detect the cartridge.

[0084] In another configuration, the two terminals arranged in the first direction in the cartridge insertion opening of the game device may be a terminal on the cartridge insertion opening side and a detection terminal on the back side. The detection terminal of the cartridge may contact the terminal arranged in the first region and the detection terminal of the game device last among the plurality of long terminals when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion opening of the game device.

[0085] According to the above configuration, the detection terminal on the cartridge comes into contact with the detection terminal on the game device last, so that data communication between the game device and the cartridge can start only after all of the terminals are securely connected.

[0086] In another configuration, the detection terminal of the cartridge may also serve as a ground terminal.

[0087] According to the above configuration, the detection terminal can be used as a ground terminal, and the number of terminals can be reduced.

[0088] In another configuration, the cartridge may also include at least one separator located between the terminals.

[0089] According to the above configuration, a separator can be provided between the terminals.

[0090] In another configuration, the at least one separator may be provided so as to cover a conductor connected to at least any one of the plurality of terminals.

[0091] In another configuration, the at least one separator may be disposed so as to cover and conceal the conductive wires.

[0092] According to the above configuration, the conductor wire can be protected by the separator.

[0093] In another configuration, the conductive wire may be connected to a terminal disposed in the first region and formed to extend in a direction from the front end to the rear end of the cartridge.

[0094] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the wiring can be performed at low cost, and the wiring can be protected by the separator.

[0095] In another configuration, a plurality of the separators may be provided, and at least one of the plurality of separators may be provided so as to cover two conductive wires.

[0096] According to the above configuration, the wiring of the two terminals can be protected by the separator.

[0097] In another configuration, the conductive wire may be formed to extend from a side surface of the terminal in the second direction toward a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction.

[0098] According to the above configuration, the conductor can be formed to extend obliquely from the side of the terminal, which reduces the change in impedance compared to when the conductor is bent at a right angle midway, thereby suppressing the generation of noise.

[0099] In another configuration, when the cartridge is viewed from the front, the terminal arrangement area may be divided into a plurality of areas by the separator, and a plurality of the terminals may be arranged in each area.

[0100] According to the above configuration, for example, the separator can prevent the user's fingers from touching the terminals arranged in each of the multiple regions.

[0101] In other configurations, the separator may be part of the cartridge housing.

[0102] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the separator can be formed at low cost.

[0103] In another configuration, the cartridge may have an insertion port for inserting a storage medium for storing data.

[0104] According to the above configuration, an external storage medium can be removably inserted into the cartridge, and the game device can read data from the external storage medium and write data to the external storage medium. For example, a general-purpose storage medium may be used as the external storage medium removably inserted into the cartridge.

[0105] Another example of the present invention is a cartridge having a front end and a rear end, which can be connected to a game device by being inserted into a cartridge insertion port of a game device from the front end side. The cartridge has a plurality of terminals electrically connected to terminals of the game device provided in the cartridge insertion port. When a direction in which the cartridge is inserted into and removed from the cartridge insertion port is defined as a first direction, the plurality of terminals include a second data input / output terminal and a first data input / output terminal aligned in the first direction. The first data input / output terminal is disposed closer to the front end of the cartridge than the second data input / output terminal. A first terminal and a second terminal are provided in the cartridge insertion port of the game device. When the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion port and connected to the game device, the first data input / output terminal is connected to the first terminal of the game device, and the second data input / output terminal is connected to the second terminal of the game device. The first data input / output terminal is disposed such that the second terminal of the game device comes into contact with the first data input / output terminal during the process of inserting the cartridge into the cartridge insertion port.

[0106] According to the above configuration, the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion opening from its front end. The second data input / output terminal and the first data input / output terminal are arranged side by side in the first direction, and the first data input / output terminal is arranged closer to the front end of the cartridge than the second data input / output terminal. In the process of inserting the cartridge into the cartridge insertion opening of the game device, the second terminal of the game device comes into contact with the first data input / output terminal of the cartridge, and when the cartridge is further inserted, the second terminal of the game device comes into contact with the second data input / output terminal. In other words, the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal are not substantially misaligned in the second direction. This makes it possible to shorten the length of the cartridge in the second direction.

[0107] In another configuration, the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal may be arranged such that the two terminals at least partially overlap when the second data input / output terminal is moved in the first direction to the position of the first data input / output terminal.

[0108] According to the above-described configuration, the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal are not substantially misaligned in the second direction, which makes it possible to shorten the length of the cartridge in the second direction.

[0109] In another configuration, when a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, a chip enable terminal or a power supply terminal may be provided adjacent to the first data input / output terminal and the second data input / output terminal in the second direction.

[0110] According to the above configuration, the chip enable terminal or the power supply terminal, which has a low frequency of voltage changes, is arranged next to the data input / output terminal in the second direction, which has a high frequency of voltage changes, so that the data input / output terminal is less susceptible to the effects of noise. Also, since the chip enable terminal or the power supply terminal is arranged next to the data input / output terminal, the effect of the data input / output terminal on the surroundings can be reduced.

[0111] Another example of the present invention is a cartridge that has a front end and a rear end, and can be connected to a game device by being inserted into a cartridge insertion port of the game device from the front end side. The cartridge has a plurality of terminals that are electrically connected to terminals of the game device provided in the cartridge insertion port. The plurality of terminals include a clock terminal for inputting a clock signal from the game device and a strobe terminal for outputting a strobe signal to the game device. When a direction in which the cartridge is inserted into and removed from the cartridge insertion port is defined as a first direction, the strobe terminal and the clock terminal are arranged side by side in the first direction. The clock terminal is arranged closer to the front end of the cartridge than the strobe terminal.

[0112] According to the above configuration, the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion port from its tip. The strobe terminal (output terminal) and the clock terminal (input terminal) are arranged side by side in the first direction, and the clock terminal is arranged closer to the tip of the cartridge than the strobe terminal. Therefore, for example, when removing the cartridge from the game device, the output terminal on the cartridge side (strobe terminal on the cartridge side) and the output terminal on the game device side (clock terminal on the game device side) do not come into contact with each other, and the cartridge can be removed from the game device more safely.

[0113] In another configuration, the clock terminal and the strobe terminal may be arranged such that the two terminals at least partially overlap when the strobe terminal is moved in the first direction to the position of the clock terminal.

[0114] According to the above configuration, the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are not substantially misaligned in the second direction, which makes it possible to shorten the length of the cartridge in the second direction.

[0115] In another configuration, the game device includes a strobe terminal and a clock terminal aligned in the first direction. When the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion port and connected to the game device, the strobe terminal of the cartridge is connected to the strobe terminal of the game device, and the clock terminal of the cartridge is connected to the clock terminal of the game device. The clock terminal may be arranged such that the strobe terminal of the game device comes into contact with the clock terminal of the cartridge during the process of inserting the cartridge into the cartridge insertion port.

[0116] According to the above configuration, the clock terminal of the cartridge is located on a path through which the strobe terminal of the game device passes during the process of inserting the cartridge into the cartridge insertion port of the game device. In other words, the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are not substantially offset in the second direction, so that the length of the cartridge in the second direction can be shortened.

[0117] In another configuration, when a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, a ground terminal may be provided adjacent to the clock terminal and the strobe terminal in the second direction.

[0118] According to the above configuration, by arranging the ground terminal next to the clock terminal and the strobe terminal, the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are less susceptible to the effects of noise, and the effects of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal on the surroundings can be reduced.

[0119] Another example of the present invention is a cartridge having a front end and a rear end, and connectable to a game device by being inserted into a cartridge insertion port of the game device from the front end side. The cartridge includes a plurality of terminals electrically connected to terminals of the game device provided in the cartridge insertion port. When a direction in which the cartridge is inserted into and removed from the cartridge insertion port is defined as a first direction and a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, the plurality of terminals of the cartridge include at least four short terminals and a long terminal whose length in the first direction is longer than the short terminals. The four short terminals constitute a first set of short terminals consisting of two short terminals arranged in the first direction, and a second set of short terminals consisting of two short terminals arranged in the first direction and whose positions in the second direction are different from those of the first set of short terminals. The long terminal is disposed between the short terminals of the first set and the short terminals of the second set. When the four short terminals are moved in the second direction to the position of the long terminal, each of the four short terminals after the movement at least partially overlaps with the long terminal. The long terminal is a power supply terminal or a chip enable terminal, and the short terminal is a terminal that changes voltage more frequently than the long terminal.

[0120] According to the above configuration, at least two sets of two short terminals arranged in a first direction are provided, and a long terminal is provided between the two sets of short terminals. The short terminals are terminals that change voltage frequently, and the long terminals are power supply terminals or chip enable terminals that change voltage infrequently. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, noise from entering a short terminal adjacent to the long terminal in the second direction. In addition, the influence of the two short terminals on the surroundings can be reduced by the long terminal provided adjacent to it.

[0121] In another configuration, the four short terminals may be data input / output terminals, and the long terminal may be a power supply terminal.

[0122] According to the above configuration, since the power supply terminal, whose voltage changes infrequently, is provided next to the data input / output terminal, the data input / output terminal is less susceptible to the effects of noise from the power supply terminal. In addition, the power supply terminal provided next to the data input / output terminal can reduce the effects of the data input / output terminal on its surroundings.

[0123] In another configuration, the first set of short terminals may be a clock terminal and a strobe terminal aligned in the first direction, the second set of short terminals may be two data input / output terminals aligned in the first direction, and the long terminal may be a chip enable terminal.

[0124] According to the above configuration, since the chip enable terminal, whose voltage changes in frequency are low, is provided next to the clock terminal and the strobe terminal, the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are less susceptible to noise from the chip enable terminal. In addition, the chip enable terminal can reduce the influence of, for example, two data input / output terminals on the surroundings.

[0125] In another configuration, the clock terminal may be located closer to the tip of the cartridge than the strobe terminal.

[0126] According to the above configuration, the clock terminal (input terminal) and the strobe terminal (output terminal) are arranged side by side in the first direction, and the clock terminal is arranged on the side that is inserted first into the cartridge insertion port. Therefore, for example, when removing the cartridge from the game device, the output terminal on the cartridge side (the strobe terminal on the cartridge side) and the output terminal on the game device side (the clock terminal on the game device side) do not come into contact with each other, and the cartridge can be removed from the game device more safely.

[0127] Another example of the present invention is a cartridge connectable to a game device by being inserted into a cartridge insertion port of the game device. The cartridge comprises at least one first terminal electrically connectable to the game device and at least one second terminal electrically connectable to the game device. The first terminal includes a power terminal. The second terminal includes a data input / output terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal are arranged alternately in a predetermined direction.

[0128] According to the above configuration, the power supply terminals as the first terminals and the data input / output terminals as the second terminals are arranged alternately in a predetermined direction. Therefore, the data input / output terminals are less susceptible to noise than when the data input / output terminals are arranged in a predetermined direction. In addition, the influence of the data input / output terminals on the surroundings can be reduced.

[0129] In another configuration, the second terminal may include a plurality of data input / output terminals. The first terminal and the plurality of data input / output terminals may be arranged alternately in a predetermined direction.

[0130] In another configuration, the first terminal may include a plurality of power supply terminals. The plurality of power supply terminals and the plurality of data input / output terminals may be arranged alternately in a predetermined direction.

[0131] In another configuration, the first terminal may include a chip enable terminal, the second terminal may include a clock terminal or a strobe terminal, and the first terminal and the second terminal may be arranged alternately in a predetermined direction.

[0132] According to the above configuration, the first terminals (power supply terminals, chip enable terminals) and the second terminals (data input / output terminals, clock terminals, strobe terminals) are arranged alternately, so that the second terminals are less susceptible to noise. Also, the influence of the second terminals on the surroundings can be reduced.

[0133] In another configuration, the first terminal may include a ground terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal may be arranged alternately in a predetermined direction.

[0134] According to the above configuration, the first terminals (power supply terminal, chip enable terminal, ground terminal) and the second terminals (data input / output terminal, clock terminal, strobe terminal) are arranged alternately, so that the second terminals are less susceptible to noise. Also, the influence of the second terminals on the surroundings can be reduced.

[0135] In another configuration, the second terminal may include a strobe terminal and a clock terminal arranged side by side in a first direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The first direction is a direction in which a user inserts the cartridge into the cartridge insertion opening, and the clock terminal may be arranged on a side of the cartridge that is first inserted into the cartridge insertion opening when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion opening.

[0136] According to the above configuration, the second terminals (data input / output terminal, clock terminal, strobe terminal) are less susceptible to noise. Also, the influence of the second terminals on the surroundings can be reduced. Also, the clock terminal (input terminal) and the strobe terminal (output terminal) are arranged side by side in the first direction, and the clock terminal is arranged on the side that is inserted first into the cartridge insertion port. Therefore, for example, when removing the cartridge from the game device, the output terminal on the cartridge side (strobe terminal on the cartridge side) and the output terminal on the game device side (clock terminal on the game device side) do not come into contact with each other, and the cartridge can be removed from the game device more safely.

[0137] In another configuration, a reset terminal may be arranged at one end in the predetermined direction. The first terminal may include a ground terminal, a chip enable terminal, a first power supply terminal, and a second power supply terminal. The second terminal may include a strobe terminal and a plurality of data input / output terminals. The first terminal and the second terminal may be arranged alternately from the other end toward the one end in the predetermined direction. A data input / output terminal may be further arranged next to the second terminals arranged alternately from the other end toward the one end, and the reset terminal may be arranged on the one end side of the data input / output terminal.

[0138] According to the above configuration, the first terminals and the second terminals are arranged alternately from the other end to the one end, the data input / output terminal is arranged next to them, and the reset terminal is further provided on the one end side. Since the reset terminal is provided at the one end, it is possible to prevent unnecessary signals from entering the reset terminal.

[0139] In another configuration, a ground terminal may be arranged between the data input / output terminal and the reset terminal, which are arranged next to the second terminals on the one end side of the second terminals arranged alternately from the other end toward the one end.

[0140] In another example of the present invention, the cartridge is connectable to a game device by being inserted into a cartridge insertion port of the game device. The cartridge includes a plurality of first terminals electrically connectable to the game device and a plurality of second terminals electrically connectable to the game device. The plurality of first terminals include at least one power supply terminal and at least one ground terminal. The plurality of second terminals include at least one data input / output terminal, a clock terminal, and a strobe terminal. A plurality of terminal-dense areas including the first terminals and the second terminals are provided. The plurality of terminal-dense areas are arranged side by side in a predetermined direction. The distance in the predetermined direction between the terminal-dense areas is longer than the distance in the predetermined direction between the first terminal and the second terminal in each terminal-dense area.

[0141] According to the above configuration, a plurality of terminal-dense areas each including a first terminal and a second terminal are arranged. The first terminal is a power supply terminal or a ground terminal, and is a data input / output terminal, a clock terminal, or a strobe terminal. Since the first terminal and the second terminal are close to each other, the second terminal is less susceptible to noise, and the influence of the second terminal on the surroundings can be reduced. Furthermore, a gap is provided between the terminal-dense areas, so that the influence between the terminal-dense areas can be reduced.

[0142] In another configuration, a conductor connected to the first terminal or the second terminal may be provided between the terminal densely packed areas.

[0143] According to the above configuration, the conductor wires can be arranged in the gaps between the terminal densely packed areas.

[0144] In another configuration, the cartridge may also include at least one separator located between the contact dense areas.

[0145] According to the above configuration, the separator can cover the gaps between the densely-packed terminal areas, making it difficult for a user's fingers to touch the terminals. Also, if a conductor is disposed in the gap between the densely-packed terminal areas, the conductor can be protected by the separator.

[0146] In another configuration, the plurality of terminal-dense regions may include a first terminal-dense region and a second terminal-dense region adjacent to each other. A data input / output terminal in the first terminal-dense region and a data input / output terminal in the second terminal-dense region may be adjacent to each other.

[0147] According to the above configuration, even if a data input / output terminal in a first terminal-dense area and a data input / output terminal in a second terminal-dense area are adjacent to each other, a gap is provided between them, making it possible to prevent these data input / output terminals from affecting each other.

[0148] In another configuration, between the first terminal-dense area and the second terminal-dense area, a conductor from the data input / output terminal in the first terminal-dense area and a conductor from the data input / output terminal in the second terminal-dense area may be provided.

[0149] According to the above configuration, by arranging the conductors of the data input / output terminals in each terminal-dense area in the gap between the first terminal-dense area and the second terminal-dense area, the number of gaps can be reduced, and the width of the cartridge can be narrowed.

[0150] Another example of the present invention is a cartridge that can be connected to a game device by being inserted into a cartridge insertion port of the game device. The cartridge is provided with a terminal arrangement area in which a plurality of terminals are arranged to be electrically connected to terminals of the game device provided in the cartridge insertion port. When a direction in which a user inserts the cartridge into the cartridge insertion port is defined as a first direction and a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, in a portion of the terminal arrangement area, a single first terminal arranged in the first direction and two second terminals arranged side by side in the first direction are arranged alternately in the second direction.

[0151] According to the above configuration, one terminal and two terminals arranged in the first direction are arranged alternately in the second direction in a part of the terminal arrangement area. By arranging the two terminals in the first direction, the length in the second direction can be shortened.

[0152] In another configuration, the first terminal may be any one of a power supply terminal, a ground terminal, or a chip enable terminal, and the second terminal may be any one of a data input / output terminal, a strobe terminal, or a clock terminal.

[0153] According to the above configuration, by alternately arranging the first terminals (power supply terminal, ground terminal, chip enable terminal) whose voltage changes less frequently and the second terminals (data input / output terminal, strobe terminal, clock terminal) whose voltage changes more frequently, it is possible to reduce noise to the second terminals (data input / output terminal, clock terminal, strobe terminal). Also, it is possible to reduce the influence of the second terminals on the surroundings.

[0154] In another configuration, four terminal groups each including the first terminals and the second terminals may be provided in a portion of the terminal arrangement area in the second direction.

[0155] In another configuration, the second direction may be a direction from one end of the terminal arrangement area toward the other end, and the first terminal, the second terminal, the first terminal, the second terminal, the first terminal, the second terminal, the first terminal, the second terminal, and the second terminal may be arranged in this order from the one end to the other end in a portion of the terminal arrangement area. Further to the other end side of the second terminal located closest to the other end in the portion of the terminal arrangement area, the second terminal, the first terminal, and the first terminal may be arranged in this order from the one end to the other end. Effect of the Invention

[0156] According to the present invention, for example, the width of the cartridge can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0157] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge 1 as seen from the front side. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge 1 as seen from the rear side. [Diagram 2] Rear view of cartridge 1 [Diagram 3] Block diagram showing the internal configuration of the cartridge 1 [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows how the cartridge 1 is connected to an information processing device 50. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing details of terminals T1 to T16 provided on a cartridge 1. [Figure 6] A diagram for explaining the use of each terminal of the cartridge 1. [Figure 7] This is a diagram of terminals T1, T2, and T3, and is used to explain the arrangement of each terminal. [Figure 8A] FIG. 1 shows an example in which a terminal T1 is located horizontally adjacent to a portion of a terminal T2 in the vertical direction, and is located horizontally adjacent to a portion of a terminal T3 in the vertical direction. [Figure 8B] FIG. 1 shows an example in which a terminal T1 is located horizontally adjacent to a terminal T2 over the entire vertical direction, and is located horizontally adjacent to a terminal T3 over the entire vertical direction. [Figure 8C] FIG. 1 shows an example in which a terminal T1 is adjacent to a terminal T2 in the lateral direction over the entire vertical direction, and is not adjacent to a terminal T3 in the lateral direction over the entire vertical direction. [Figure 8D] FIG. 1 shows an example of a case where a terminal T1 is not adjacent to a terminal T2 in the lateral direction over the entire vertical direction, and is not adjacent to a terminal T3 in the lateral direction over the entire vertical direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the voltage state of each terminal from when the cartridge 1 is connected to the information processing device 50 until data communication is performed. [Figure 10] A diagram to explain the spacing between terminals and the position of the bottom end of each terminal [Figure 11] FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of pins on the information processing device 50 (main unit) side. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 shows the connection state between the pins on the main body side and the terminals on the cartridge 1 side when the cartridge 1 is stored in the cartridge storage section 51 on the main body side. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the terminals of the cartridge 1 first come into contact with the pins on the main body side when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows the state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further back (downward) from the state shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows the state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further back (downward) from the state shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows the state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further back (downward) from the state shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows the state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further back (downward) from the state shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 shows the state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further back (downward) from the state shown in FIG. 17. [Figure 19] A diagram showing the conductive wires formed on the substrate 12 of the cartridge 1. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cartridge 1 when the substrate 12 is housed in the housing 11. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a terminal in another embodiment; [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a terminal in another embodiment; [Diagram 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a terminal in another embodiment; [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a terminal in another embodiment; [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a terminal in another embodiment; [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a terminal in another embodiment; [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a terminal in another embodiment; [Figure 28]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a terminal in another embodiment; [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a terminal in another embodiment; [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a terminal in another embodiment; [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a terminal in another embodiment; [Diagram 32] FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration in which a non-volatile memory 13 is detachably connected to a cartridge 1. [Diagram 33] FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration in which a non-volatile memory 13 is detachably connected to a cartridge 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0158] A cartridge (e.g., a memory card) according to one embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1A and 1B are external perspective views of a cartridge 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 1A is an external perspective view of the cartridge 1 as viewed from the front side, and Fig. 1B is an external perspective view of the cartridge 1 as viewed from the back side. Fig. 2 is an external view of the back side of the cartridge 1. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the cartridge 1.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 2, the cartridge 1 is configured by housing a substrate 12 in a housing 11 formed of resin or the like. The cartridge 1 is formed, for example, with a length of about 31.1 mm, a width of about 21.4 mm and a thickness of about 3.4 mm. The size of the cartridge 1 is merely an example and is not limited thereto. The cartridge 1 has a front end and a rear end, and in the front end region on the rear surface of the cartridge 1, a part of the substrate 12 is exposed from the housing 11, and a plurality of external connection terminals T1 to T16 are provided on the exposed portion. The housing 11 has four separators 11a, and the separators 11a divide the terminal arrangement region in which the plurality of external connection terminals T1 to T16 are arranged into five. The four separators 11a are formed as a part of the housing 11. Here, in this specification, the tip of the cartridge 1 means the bottom end of the cartridge 1 in Figure 2, and the tip of each terminal T1 to T16 means the end of each terminal that is closer to the tip of the cartridge 1 (the bottom end in Figure 2).

[0160] As shown in FIG. 3, the substrate 12 is equipped with a nonvolatile memory 13 for storing data (e.g., programs, image data, audio data, etc.), a memory control unit 14, and external connection terminals T1 to T16. The nonvolatile memory 13 may be a read-only memory or a readable / writable memory. For example, a flash memory may be used as the nonvolatile memory 13. The memory control unit 14 controls the reading and writing of data stored in the nonvolatile memory 13. For example, the memory control unit 14 reads data from the nonvolatile memory 13 based on a command from the information processing device, and outputs the data to the information processing device. In addition, when the nonvolatile memory 13 is a writable memory, the memory control unit 14 controls writing data output from the information processing device to the nonvolatile memory 13. In addition, the memory control unit 14 may have a function of encrypting and decrypting data. For example, when writing data to the nonvolatile memory 13, the memory control unit 14 may encrypt the data and write the encrypted data to the nonvolatile memory 13. Furthermore, when reading data from the non-volatile memory 13, the memory control unit 14 may obtain encrypted data from the non-volatile memory 13, decrypt the data, and output the decrypted data to the information processing device.

[0161] The cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a predetermined information processing device.

[0162] The information processing device 50 is a device capable of executing various applications, and may be, for example, a portable game device or a stationary game device. The information processing device 50 is not limited to a device dedicated to games, and may be a device capable of executing any other application. The information processing device 50 may be capable of executing a game application and also capable of executing other applications. The information processing device 50 may not be a device that executes a game application, but may be a device capable of executing other applications. For example, the information processing device 50 may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The information processing device 50 includes, for example, a CPU, a RAM, a storage device (for example, a non-volatile memory or a magnetic disk), a display device, an input button, a touch panel, and a communication device (not shown).

[0163] As shown in FIG. 4, the information processing device 50 includes a cartridge storage section 51 for storing the cartridge 1. For example, a cartridge insertion port for inserting the cartridge 1 is provided on the top surface of the information processing device 50, and the cartridge 1 is inserted from the cartridge insertion port to be stored in the cartridge storage section 51. The cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50 from the side where the terminals T1 to T16 are arranged. That is, the cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port from its front end. The user inserts the cartridge 1 into the cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50 from the top to the bottom in FIG. 4 with the side where the terminals T1 to T16 are arranged facing down.

[0164] The information processing device 50 is capable of reading and executing a predetermined application program (for example, a game program) stored in the non-volatile memory 13 of the cartridge 1. The predetermined application program may be, for example, a program for executing a game application, an application for displaying and capturing moving images and still images, an application for creating and editing documents, an application for browsing the web, an application for browsing and sending and receiving e-mails, etc.

[0165] 4, a cartridge storage section 51 of an information processing device 50 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "main body") is provided with terminals P0 to P16 on the main body side which are electrically connected to external connection terminals T1 to T16 of the cartridge 1. Hereinafter, the external connection terminals T1 to T16 on the cartridge 1 side will be referred to as "terminals," and the terminals P0 to P16 on the main body side will be referred to as "pins."

[0166] Next, a detailed description will be given of the external connection terminals T1 to T16 of the cartridge 1. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the details of the terminals T1 to T16 provided on the cartridge 1. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the use of each terminal of the cartridge 1.

[0167] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of the substrate 12. In FIG. 5, the separator 11a of the housing 11 and the leads from the terminals T1 to T16 are not shown. Here, a cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50 is located at the bottom of FIG. 5, and when the user inserts the cartridge 1 into the cartridge insertion port, the cartridge 1 is inserted in a direction (insertion direction) from top to bottom in FIG. 5. That is, the bottom end of the cartridge 1 in FIG. 5 is the front end of the cartridge 1. In the following, the positional relationship of each external connection terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as "terminal") arranged on the substrate 12 will be described with the direction in which the cartridge 1 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50 being the up-down direction.

[0168] As shown in Fig. 5, the board 12 is provided with a terminal arrangement area A (area surrounded by a dashed line) in which 16 terminals T1 to T16 are arranged. The terminal arrangement area A is divided into a lower area (also referred to as a "first area") and an upper area (also referred to as a "second area") located above the lower area. The lower area is the area that is inserted first into the cartridge insertion opening when the terminal arrangement area A is divided into two in the insertion / removal direction of the cartridge 1 (for example, when the terminal arrangement area A is divided by a dashed line that passes through the middle of the gap between two short terminals lined up vertically as shown in Fig. 5), and is the area on the leading end side of the cartridge 1.

[0169] In the terminal arrangement area A, five terminal groups (also called "terminal-dense areas") each including a plurality of terminals are formed. Specifically, the terminal group B1 is provided on the leftmost side of the terminal arrangement area A, the terminal group B2 is provided on the right side of the terminal group B1, the terminal group B3 is provided on the right side of the terminal group B2, the terminal group B4 is provided on the right side of the terminal group B3, and the terminal group B5 is provided on the right side of the terminal group B4. The terminal group B1 is composed of one long terminal T1 extending in the vertical direction and two short terminals (T2 and T3) arranged vertically, lined up to the right. The terminal group B2 is composed of one long terminal T4 extending in the vertical direction and two short terminals (T5 and T6) arranged vertically, lined up to the right. The terminal group B3 is composed of one long terminal T7 extending in the vertical direction and two short terminals (T8 and T9) arranged vertically, lined up to the right. The terminal group B4 is composed of one long terminal T10 extending in the vertical direction and two short terminals (T11 and T12) arranged vertically side by side to the right. The terminal group B5 is composed of two short terminals (T13 and T14) arranged vertically side by side, one long terminal T15 extending in the vertical direction, and one long terminal T16 extending in the vertical direction side by side to the right. Each terminal will be described in detail below.

[0170] A terminal T1 is provided at the left end of the terminal arrangement area A. The terminal T1 is formed so as to straddle the upper area and the lower area of ​​the terminal arrangement area A, and is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal T1 is a ground terminal. The terminal T1 is grounded by being connected to the ground pin of the information processing device 50. The terminal T1 also serves as a detection terminal for the information processing device 50 to detect the cartridge 1. The terminal T1 serving as both the ground terminal and the detection terminal is indicated as "GND / DET" in the figure. The terminal T1 is not a terminal through which a high-frequency signal flows, such as a clock terminal, a strobe terminal, or a data input / output terminal, which will be described later. That is, the terminal T1 is a terminal whose voltage changes relatively infrequently while it is connected to the ground pin of the information processing device 50. For example, the voltage of the terminal T1 may be approximately constant (for example, 0 V). The ground terminal T1 does not need to be 0 V as long as the voltage is relatively low.

[0172] Terminals T2 and T3 are provided near the right side of terminal T1. Terminal T2 is provided in the upper region, and terminal T3 is provided in the lower region. Terminals T2 and T3 are arranged vertically side by side, and their horizontal positions are the same. In other words, when terminal T3 is arranged on a straight line extending vertically from the position of terminal T2, and terminal T2 is moved downward to the position of terminal T3, terminals T2 and T3 after the movement will at least partially overlap.

[0173] As shown in FIG. 6, terminal T2 is a terminal (strobe terminal) for outputting a strobe signal. Terminal T3 is a terminal (clock terminal) for inputting a clock signal. In the figure, the strobe terminal is denoted as "DQS" and the clock terminal is denoted as "CLK." When cartridge 1 is normally connected to information processing device 50 (when each terminal of cartridge 1 is electrically connected to each pin on the main body side), a clock signal from information processing device 50 is input to clock terminal T3. Also, when cartridge 1 is normally connected to information processing device 50, a strobe signal is output from strobe terminal T2 to information processing device 50.

[0174] The clock signal is a signal used by the main body to receive data from cartridge 1 via the data input / output terminal, and by the main body to transmit data to cartridge 1 via the data input / output terminal. The clock signal is a signal that periodically changes between a high voltage state and a low voltage state, and is a high-frequency signal. The voltage state of the data input / output terminal at the timing of the clock signal switching (in other words, the timing of switching between low voltage and high voltage) determines what data ("0" or "1") is flowing through the data input / output terminal. In other words, the clock terminal T3 is a terminal through which a high-frequency signal flows, and is a terminal where the voltage changes frequently.

[0175] The strobe signal is a signal that assists the clock signal. The strobe signal is a signal that is output from cartridge 1 and has the same waveform as the clock signal, but is delayed from the clock signal. A timing discrepancy occurs between the clock signal output by the main body and the signal that is output from non-volatile memory 13 of cartridge 1 and input to the main body through a circuit within cartridge 1. The main body uses the strobe signal to determine the extent of this discrepancy. Like clock terminal T3, strobe terminal T2 is a terminal through which a high-frequency signal flows and where the voltage changes frequently.

[0176] The terminal T4 is provided to the right of the terminals T2 and T3. The terminal T4 is formed so as to straddle the upper region and the lower region of the terminal arrangement region A, and is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction.

[0177] As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal T4 is a chip enable terminal. In the figure, the chip enable terminal is written as "CEB". The chip enable terminal is a terminal for inputting a chip enable signal for selecting whether or not data is input / output. While data communication (for example, input / output of image data, audio data, etc., or input / output of commands) is not performed between the cartridge 1 and the information processing device 50, the chip enable terminal T4 is maintained in a high voltage state. On the other hand, while data communication is performed between the cartridge 1 and the information processing device 50, the chip enable terminal T4 is maintained in a low voltage state. That is, the chip enable terminal T4 is not a terminal through which a high frequency signal flows like the clock terminal T3, the strobe terminal T2, and the data input / output terminal described later, but is a terminal whose voltage changes less frequently. Conversely to the above, while data communication is not performed between the cartridge 1 and the information processing device 50, the chip enable terminal T4 may be maintained in a low voltage state, and while data communication is performed between the cartridge 1 and the information processing device 50, the chip enable terminal T4 may be maintained in a high voltage state.

[0178] Terminals T5 and T6 are provided near the right side of terminal T4. Terminal T5 is provided in the upper region, and terminal T6 is provided in the lower region. Terminals T5 and T6 are arranged vertically side by side, and their horizontal positions are the same. In other words, terminal T6 is arranged on a straight line extending vertically from the position of terminal T5, and when terminal T5 is moved downward to the position of terminal T6, terminals T5 and T6 after the movement will at least partially overlap.

[0179] As shown in Fig. 6, terminals T5 and T6 are data input / output terminals. In the figure, the data input / output terminals are denoted as "IO." At one time, the data input / output terminals function as data input terminals for inputting data to the cartridge 1, and at another time, they function as data output terminals for outputting data from the cartridge 1.

[0180] Specifically, the data input / output terminal is in an input state before data communication is started. For example, when the main body reads data stored in the non-volatile memory 13 of the cartridge 1, a command for reading data from the main body is input from the data input / output terminal. At this time, since the data input / output terminal is in an input state, the command is input. When the command is input, the memory control unit 14 switches the data input / output terminal to an output state. Then, the memory control unit 14 reads out the data stored in the non-volatile memory 13 and outputs it from the data input / output terminal. When the data reading is completed, the memory control unit 14 returns the data input / output terminal to the input state.

[0181] Data communication via the data input / output terminal is performed at a relatively high speed, and high-frequency signals flow through the data input / output terminal when inputting or outputting data or commands. In other words, the data input / output terminal is a terminal where the voltage changes frequently.

[0182] A terminal T7 is provided to the right of the terminals T5 and T6. The terminal T7 is formed so as to straddle the upper region and the lower region of the terminal arrangement region A, and is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction.

[0183] Terminal T7 is a power supply terminal (labeled "Vcc" in the diagram) for the memory control unit. When cartridge 1 is electrically connected to the main body, power is supplied from the main body to terminal T7, and the memory control unit 14 of cartridge 1 operates by this power supply. The power supply voltage supplied from the main body to terminal T7 is approximately 3.1V. This power supply voltage supplied from the main body to terminal T7 is approximately constant. In other words, power supply terminal T7 is not a terminal through which high-frequency signals flow, such as a clock terminal, strobe terminal, or data input / output terminal, but rather a terminal through which voltage changes occur less frequently.

[0184] Terminals T8 and T9 are provided as data input / output terminals near the right side of terminal T7. Terminal T8 is provided in the upper region, and terminal T9 is provided in the lower region. Terminals T8 and T9 are arranged vertically side by side. Specifically, terminals T8 and T9 are in the same horizontal position. That is, terminal T9 is arranged on a straight line extending vertically from the position of terminal T8, and when terminal T8 is moved downward to the position of terminal T9, terminals T8 and T9 after the movement will at least partially overlap.

[0185] A terminal T10 is provided to the right of the terminals T8 and T9. The terminal T10 is formed so as to straddle the upper region and the lower region of the terminal arrangement region A, and is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction.

[0186] Terminal T10 is a power supply terminal for data input / output (labeled "Vccio" in the diagram). When cartridge 1 is electrically connected to the main body, power for data input / output is supplied from the main body to terminal T10. Power is supplied to the data input / output terminal by this power supply for data input / output, and data communication is performed between the main body and cartridge 1 via the data input / output terminal. The power supply voltage supplied from the main body to terminal T10 is approximately 1.8V. This power supply voltage supplied from the main body to terminal T10 is approximately constant. In other words, power supply terminal T10 is not a terminal through which high-frequency signals flow, such as a clock terminal, a strobe terminal, or a data input / output terminal, but rather a terminal through which voltage changes occur less frequently.

[0187] Terminals T11 and T12 are provided as data input / output terminals near the right side of terminal T10. Terminal T11 is provided in the upper region, and terminal T12 is provided in the lower region. Terminals T11 and T12 are arranged vertically side by side. Specifically, terminals T11 and T12 are in the same position in the horizontal direction. That is, terminal T12 is arranged on a straight line extending in the vertical direction from the position of terminal T11, and when terminal T11 is moved downward to the position of terminal T12, terminals T11 and T12 after the movement will at least partially overlap.

[0188] Terminals T13 and T14 are provided to the right of terminals T11 and T12 as data input / output terminals. Terminal T13 is provided in the upper region, and terminal T14 is provided in the lower region. Terminals T13 and T14 are arranged vertically side by side. Specifically, terminals T13 and T14 are in the same horizontal position. That is, terminal T14 is arranged on a straight line extending vertically from the position of terminal T13, and when terminal T13 is moved downward to the position of terminal T14, terminals T13 and T14 after the movement will at least partially overlap.

[0189] Here, the eight data input / output terminals (terminals T5, T6, T8, T9, T11 to T14) are all substantially in an input state at one timing, and are all in an output state at another timing. That is, at one timing, some of the eight data input / output terminals are in an input state to input data, while others are in an output state to output data. Note that "all are in an input state at one timing, and all are in an output state at another timing" does not mean that the input state or output state switching timings of the eight data input / output terminals are completely synchronized, and the switching timings of each data input / output terminal do not have to be completely synchronized as long as the eight data input / output terminals are switched at substantially the same timing.

[0190] A terminal T15 is provided adjacent to the right side of the terminals T13 and T14. The terminal T15 is provided across the upper and lower areas of the terminal arrangement area A, and is formed to extend in the vertical direction.

[0191] Terminal T15 is a ground terminal (labeled "GND" in the diagram). Cartridge 1 is grounded by connecting terminal T15 to the ground pin of the main body. Because terminal T15 is a ground terminal, the voltage at terminal T15 is approximately constant (for example, 0 V). In other words, terminal T15 is not a terminal through which high-frequency signals flow, such as a clock terminal, strobe terminal, or data input / output terminal, but rather a terminal where voltage changes infrequently.

[0192] A terminal T16 is provided adjacent to the right side of the terminal T15. The terminal T16 is provided so as to straddle the upper region and the lower region of the terminal arrangement region A, and is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction.

[0193] The terminal T16 is a reset terminal (indicated as "RES" in the figure) for inputting a reset signal. When the reset signal is input to the cartridge 1, each device of the cartridge 1 (such as the memory control unit 14) is returned to its initial state. Specifically, when the terminal T16 becomes low voltage, the device is reset. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the main body side detected the cartridge 1, the main body puts the terminal T16 in a high voltage state, and the reset is released. In this state, data communication is possible between the main body and the cartridge 1. Basically, after the main body and the cartridge 1 are electrically connected, the terminal T16 is maintained in a high voltage state (a reset is released state). For this reason, the reset terminal T16 is not a terminal through which a high-frequency signal flows, such as a clock terminal, a strobe terminal, or a data input / output terminal, but rather a terminal through which the voltage changes infrequently.

[0194] (Description of the features of each terminal arrangement) Next, the characteristics of the arrangement of each terminal will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, two terminals are arranged vertically side by side, and the two vertically arranged terminals are not shifted in the left-right direction. This allows the number of data input / output terminals to be increased while narrowing the width of the cartridge 1, enabling high-speed data communication with the information processing device 50. Note that the horizontal positions of the two vertically arranged terminals do not have to be completely consistent, and for example, like terminals T2 and T3 in Fig. 31 described later, the two vertically arranged terminals may be slightly shifted in the left-right direction.

[0195] 5, terminals whose voltage changes less frequently, such as a ground terminal, a chip enable terminal, and a power supply terminal, are arranged near terminals whose voltage changes more frequently, such as a clock terminal, a strobe terminal, and a data input / output terminal. Specifically, a ground / detection terminal T1 is provided near the left side of the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3. Terminal T1 is formed to straddle the upper and lower regions, and is formed to a length that straddles the entire terminal T2 and a part of terminal T3.

[0196] 7 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of terminals T1, T2, and T3. The axis parallel to the up-down direction of cartridge 1 (the direction in which cartridge 1 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge insertion port on the main body side) is defined as the y-axis, and the axis parallel to the left-right direction of cartridge 1 is defined as the x-axis.

[0197] 7, the y-axis coordinate value of the upper end of terminal T1 is "y1", and the y-axis coordinate value of the lower end of terminal T1 is "y4". Additionally, the y-axis coordinate value of the upper end of terminal T2 is "y1", and the y-axis coordinate value of the lower end of terminal T2 is "y2". Additionally, the y-axis coordinate value of the upper end of terminal T3 is "y3", and the y-axis coordinate value of the lower end of terminal T3 is "y5".

[0198] The y-axis direction range of terminal T1 is "y1" to "y4", the y-axis direction range of terminal T2 is "y1" to "y2", and the y-axis direction range of terminal T2 as a whole is included in the y-axis direction range of terminal T1. In addition, the y-axis direction range of terminal T3 is "y3" to "y5", and a part of terminal T3 (the part from y3 to y4) is included in the y-axis direction range of terminal T1, but another part of terminal T3 (the part from y4 to y5) is not included in the y-axis direction range of terminal T1.

[0199] That is, the terminal T1 is located next to the terminal T2 in the entire vertical direction, and is located next to the terminal T3 in the horizontal direction in a part of the vertical direction. For example, when the terminals T2 and T3 are moved leftward to the position of the terminal T1, the whole of the terminal T2 after the movement overlaps with the terminal T1, and a part of the terminal T3 after the movement overlaps with the terminal T1. Note that when the terminals T2 and T3 are moved leftward to the position of the terminal T1, at least a part of the terminal T2 after the movement overlaps with the terminal T1, and at least a part of the terminal T3 after the movement may overlap with the terminal T1. For example, when the width of the terminals T2 and T3 in the horizontal direction is narrower (or wider) than the width of the terminal T1 in the horizontal direction, when the terminals T2 and T3 are moved to the position of the terminal T1, the terminals T2 and T1 after the movement overlap in part, and the terminals T3 and T1 after the movement overlap in part. In such a case, it is also said that "terminal T1 is adjacent to terminal T2 in the horizontal direction and is adjacent to terminal T3 in the horizontal direction." In other words, "terminal T1 is adjacent to terminal T2 in the horizontal direction" means that if a straight line is extended horizontally (specifically, to the left) from at least a portion of terminal T2 in the vertical direction, the straight line will hit terminal T1. Similarly, "terminal T1 is adjacent to terminal T3 in the horizontal direction" means that if a straight line is extended leftward from at least a portion of terminal T3 in the vertical direction (the range from y3 to y4 in the example shown in FIG. 7), the straight line will hit terminal T1.

[0200] In this way, since the ground terminal T1 is provided near the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3, the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3 are less susceptible to noise. That is, since the voltage of the terminal T1 is almost constant (for example, 0 V), electromagnetic noise is less likely to be generated from this terminal. Therefore, the terminals T2 and T3 located near the terminal T1 are less susceptible to noise.

[0201] For example, when a data input / output terminal with a high frequency of voltage changes is provided near the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3, an electromagnetic field may be generated by a high frequency signal flowing through the data input / output terminal, which may affect the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3. The reverse is also true, when a data input / output terminal is provided near the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3, a high frequency signal flowing through the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3 may affect the data input / output terminal. That is, when a high frequency signal flows through a certain terminal, the terminal may become a source of noise generation, and the waveform of a signal flowing through a terminal present around the certain terminal may be disturbed. When the waveform of a high frequency signal flowing through the clock terminal T3, the strobe terminal T2, or the data input / output terminal is disturbed, erroneous data may be transmitted and received. In this embodiment, the terminal with a high frequency of voltage changes that causes noise is not provided near the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3, and the terminal T1 with a low frequency of voltage changes is provided, so that the terminal is less susceptible to noise and erroneous data transmission and reception can be prevented. Also, because high-frequency signals flow through the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3, there is a possibility that they may affect other terminals in the vicinity, but because the terminal T1 is provided nearby, it is possible to reduce the effect on terminals other than the terminals T2 and T3. In other words, the effect of the electromagnetic field from the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3 is easily absorbed by the terminal T1, which is located closest to them, and the effect on other terminals can be reduced compared to when the terminal T1 is not provided nearby.

[0202] 8A to 8D are diagrams showing an example of a case where the length and position of the terminals are changed. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of a case where the terminal T1 exists next to the terminal T2 in the horizontal direction in a part of the vertical direction, and exists next to the terminal T3 in the horizontal direction in a part of the vertical direction. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of a case where the terminal T1 exists next to the terminal T2 in the horizontal direction over the entire vertical direction, and exists next to the terminal T3 in the horizontal direction over the entire vertical direction. FIG. 8C is a diagram showing an example of a case where the terminal T1 exists next to the terminal T2 in the horizontal direction over the entire vertical direction, and does not exist next to the terminal T3 in the horizontal direction over the entire vertical direction. FIG. 8D is a diagram showing an example of a case where the terminal T1 does not exist next to the terminal T2 in the horizontal direction over the entire vertical direction, and does not exist next to the terminal T3 in the horizontal direction over the entire vertical direction. In FIGS. 8A to 8D, the vertical direction is the y-axis direction in FIG. 7, and the left-right direction is the x-axis direction in FIG. 7.

[0203] In FIG. 8A, the upper end of terminal T2 is not included in the range of terminal T1 in the vertical direction, and the lower end of terminal T2 is included in the range of terminal T1 in the vertical direction. Also, the upper end of terminal T3 is included in the range of terminal T1 in the vertical direction, and the lower end of terminal T3 is not included in the range of terminal T1 in the vertical direction. That is, terminal T1 is located horizontally adjacent to terminal T2 in a part of the vertical direction, and is located horizontally adjacent to terminal T3 in a part of the vertical direction. In other words, when terminals T2 and T3 are moved leftward to the position of terminal T1, a part of terminal T2 after the movement overlaps with terminal T1, and a part of terminal T3 after the movement overlaps with terminal T1.

[0204] 8B, the upper end of terminal T2 coincides with the upper end of terminal T1, and the lower end of terminal T2 is included in the range of terminal T1 in the up-down direction. The upper end of terminal T3 is included in the range of terminal T1 in the up-down direction, and the lower end of terminal T3 coincides with the lower end of terminal T1. That is, terminal T1 exists next to terminal T2 in the horizontal direction over the entire up-down direction, and exists next to terminal T3 in the horizontal direction over the entire up-down direction. In other words, when terminals T2 and T3 are moved leftward to the position of terminal T1, the entire terminal T2 after the movement overlaps with terminal T1, and the entire terminal T3 after the movement overlaps with terminal T1.

[0205] The above-mentioned effects can be achieved even with the terminal arrangements shown in Figures 8A and 8B. That is, in Figures 7, 8A, and 8B, terminal T1, which has a low frequency of voltage changes, is located near at least a part of terminal T2 in the lateral direction, and is also located near at least a part of terminal T3 in the lateral direction. This makes it possible to make both terminals T2 and T3 less susceptible to the effects of noise, thereby improving the quality of the waveform.

[0206] 8C, the upper end of terminal T2 coincides with the upper end of terminal T1, and the lower end of terminal T2 is included in the range of terminal T1 in the up-down direction, but the upper end of terminal T3 is not included in the range of terminal T1 in the up-down direction. That is, terminal T1 exists next to terminal T2 in the horizontal direction over the entire up-down direction, but does not exist next to terminal T3 in the horizontal direction over the entire up-down direction. In other words, when terminals T2 and T3 are moved leftward to the position of terminal T1, the entire terminal T2 after the movement overlaps with terminal T1, but the entire terminal T3 after the movement does not overlap with terminal T1.

[0207] 8C, since terminal T1 is located near terminal T2 in the lateral direction, the influence on other terminals can be reduced as described above. On the other hand, terminal T1 is not located near terminal T3 in the lateral direction.

[0208] 8D, terminals T2 and T3 are not included in the range of terminal T1 in the up-down direction. That is, terminal T1 is not located next to terminal T2 in the lateral direction over the entire up-down direction, and is not located next to terminal T3 in the lateral direction over the entire up-down direction. In other words, if terminals T2 and T3 are moved leftward to the position of terminal T1, the entire terminal T2 after the movement does not overlap with terminal T1, and the entire terminal T3 after the movement does not overlap with terminal T1.

[0209] Returning to FIG. 5, the same is true for the data input / output terminals. That is, like the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3, the data input / output terminals are also terminals whose voltage changes frequently. A chip enable terminal T4 whose voltage changes infrequently is provided near the left side of the data input / output terminals T5 and T6. A power supply terminal T7 whose voltage changes infrequently is provided near the left side of the data input / output terminals T8 and T9. A power supply terminal T10 whose voltage changes infrequently is provided near the left side of the data input / output terminals T11 and T12. A ground terminal T15 whose voltage changes infrequently is provided near the right side of the data input / output terminals T13 and T14.

[0210] Thus, in this embodiment, long terminals (T1, T4, T7, T10, T15) whose voltage changes less frequently are arranged laterally near two short terminals (T2 and T3, T5 and T6, T8 and T9, T11 and T12, T13 and T14) that are arranged vertically and whose voltage changes more frequently. The long terminals are formed to straddle the upper and lower regions, and are located near at least a portion of both of the two short terminals. By providing the long terminals near the two short terminals, the two short terminals are less susceptible to noise from the nearby long terminals, and the influence of the two short terminals on other terminals can be reduced.

[0211] The long terminal and the two short terminals adjacent thereto may be arranged as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, or FIG. 8C.

[0212] Moreover, since no other terminals are provided to the right of the reset terminal T16, it is less susceptible to the effects of noise. Moreover, a terminal T15 (ground terminal) whose voltage changes less frequently is provided near the left side of the reset terminal T16. For example, if terminals T13 and T14 whose voltage changes more frequently are provided near the reset terminal T16, noise may enter the terminal T16, causing each device in the cartridge 1 to be reset. In this embodiment, in order to prevent noise from entering the reset terminal T16 as much as possible, a ground terminal T15 is provided between the reset terminal T16 and the data input / output terminals T13 and T14.

[0213] As described above, in this embodiment, terminals whose voltage changes less frequently (ground terminals T1, T15, chip enable terminal T4, power supply terminals T7, T10) are provided near terminals whose voltage changes more frequently (strobe terminal T2, clock terminal T3, data input / output terminals T5, T6, T8, T9, T11 to T14). This makes it possible to reduce the influence of noise. Also, it is possible to reduce the influence of the terminals whose voltage changes more frequently (T2, T3, T5, T6, T8, T9, T11 to T14) on the surroundings.

[0214] Here, a description will be given of the voltage state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50 and data communication is performed. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the voltage state of each terminal from when the cartridge 1 is connected to the information processing device 50 until data communication is performed.

[0215] As shown in FIG. 9, when the cartridge 1 (card) is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50, first, the voltage levels of the power terminal T7 (Vcc) and the power terminal T10 (Vccio) become "high voltage". Next, the voltage level of the reset terminal T16 (RES) becomes "high voltage". While the cartridge 1 is connected to the information processing device 50, the voltage levels of the power terminal T7 (Vcc), the power terminal T10 (Vccio), and the reset terminal T16 (RES) are maintained at "high voltage". When the voltage level of the reset terminal T16 (RES) becomes "high voltage", preparation on the cartridge 1 side is completed, and the voltage level of the chip enable terminal T4 (CEB) becomes "high voltage".

[0216] When the information processing device 50 reads data from the cartridge 1 (or writes data to the cartridge 1), the voltage level of the chip enable terminal T4 (CEB) becomes "low voltage", and the voltage level of the clock terminal T3 (CLK) changes between "high voltage" and "low voltage" at a fixed period. Although not shown, the strobe terminal T2 also has a waveform similar to that of the clock terminal T3, although there is a slight delay. Furthermore, the eight data input / output terminals (IO) change between "high voltage" and "low voltage" depending on the data to be input or output. Specifically, a command is sent from the information processing device 50 to the cartridge 1 using the eight data input / output terminals (IO), and then, after a predetermined waiting time (BUSY), actual data (for example, image data or audio data stored in the cartridge 1) is sent from the cartridge 1 to the information processing device 50.

[0217] 9, the chip enable terminal T4 (CEB) is maintained at a "low voltage" while data communication is being performed between the information processing device 50 and the cartridge 1. Meanwhile, while data communication is being performed, the clock terminal T3 (as well as the strobe terminal T2) and the eight data input / output terminals alternate between a "high voltage" and a "low voltage."

[0218] In this way, the voltage levels of the power terminals T7, T10, and the reset terminal T16 are maintained at "high voltage" while the information processing device 50 and the cartridge 1 are connected. Also, the chip enable terminal T4 changes between "high voltage" and "low voltage" while the information processing device 50 and the cartridge 1 are connected, but the frequency of this change is low. That is, the chip enable terminal T4 changes from "high voltage" to "low voltage" at the timing when data communication starts, but is maintained at "low voltage" during data communication. In contrast, the clock terminal T3, the strobe terminal T2, and the eight data input / output terminals change between "high voltage" and "low voltage" during data communication (while the chip enable terminal T4 maintains "low voltage"), and the frequency of this change is high.

[0219] In this specification, a terminal whose voltage level changes between "high voltage" and "low voltage" during data communication is referred to as a "terminal whose voltage changes frequently". Specifically, the "terminal whose voltage changes frequently" refers to the clock terminal T3, the strobe terminal T2, and the eight data input / output terminals (T5, T6, T8, T9, T11, T12, T13, and T14). On the other hand, a terminal whose voltage level is relatively stable during data communication (for example, a terminal whose voltage is approximately constant) is referred to as a "terminal whose voltage changes infrequently". Specifically, the "terminal whose voltage changes infrequently" refers to the ground / detection terminal T1, the chip enable terminal T4, the power supply terminals T7 and T10, the ground terminal T15, and the reset terminal T16.

[0220] Next, the intervals between the terminals and the positions of the lower ends of the terminals will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining the intervals between the terminals and the positions of the lower ends of the terminals.

[0221] As shown in Fig. 10, the horizontal distance between terminal T2 and terminal T1 is, for example, about 0.2 mm, and the horizontal distance between terminal T3 and terminal T1 is, for example, about 0.2 mm. Similarly, the horizontal distance between terminal T5 and terminal T4 included in terminal group B2 is also about 0.2 mm, and the horizontal distance between terminal T6 and terminal T4 is also about 0.2 mm. The same is true for the other terminal groups. That is, the horizontal distances between two terminals included in the same terminal group are all about 0.2 mm.

[0222] The horizontal distance between terminal group B1 and terminal group B2 is about 1.0 mm. The same is true for the other terminal groups, with a terminal group being separated from its neighboring terminal group by about 1.0 mm. In other words, the distance between a terminal group and its neighboring terminal group is longer than the horizontal distance between the terminals in the terminal groups.

[0223] In this embodiment, "near" typically means the horizontal distance (about 0.2 mm) between two terminals included in the same terminal group. The range of "near" is not limited to about 0.2 mm. Specifically, the range of "near" may be a range with an upper limit of the distance (for example, about 1.2 mm) between pins P0 and P2 shown in FIG. 11 (described later).

[0224] The six long terminals (T1, T4, T7, T10, T15, T16) and the five terminals (T2, T5, T8, T11, T13) in the upper region are aligned in the vertical direction. The five terminals (T3, T6, T9, T12, T14) in the lower region are aligned in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the terminals T1 to T16 all have the same width, e.g., about 1 mm.

[0225] The five short terminals (T2, T5, T8, T11, T13) in the upper region and the five short terminals (T3, T6, T9, T12, T14) in the lower region all have the same length in the vertical direction, e.g., about 4.5 mm. On the other hand, the vertical positions of the bottom ends of the six long terminals and the bottom ends of the five terminals in the lower region are different, as shown in FIG.

[0226] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, terminal T15 is the longest in the vertical direction, and the lower end of terminal T15 is located at the lowest position. For example, the vertical length of terminal T15 is about 11.3 mm. Terminals T7 and T10 are the next longest after terminal T15, and have the same vertical length. For example, the vertical length of terminals T7 and T10 is about 10.9 mm. Therefore, the lower ends of terminals T7 and T10 are located, for example, about 0.4 mm above the lower end of terminal T15.

[0227] The terminals T4 and T16 have the same length in the vertical direction, and for example, the length in the vertical direction of the terminals T4 and T16 is about 10.5 mm.

[0228] In addition, the lower ends of the terminals T3, T4, T6, T9, T12, T14, and T16 are aligned. That is, the positions in the up-down direction of the lower ends of the terminals T3, T4, T6, T9, T12, T14, and T16 are the same. The lower ends of the terminals T3, T4, T6, T9, T12, T14, and T16 are located, for example, about 0.8 mm above the lower end of the terminal T15.

[0229] Among the long terminals, terminal T1 extends downward the shortest, and the length of terminal T1 in the vertical direction is, for example, about 10.1 mm. Specifically, the lower end of terminal T1 is located, for example, about 0.4 mm above the lower ends of terminals T3 (the same applies to terminals T4, T6, T9, T12, T14, and T16).

[0230] In this way, the tip of the ground terminal T15 (i.e., the lower end of the terminal T15 in FIG. 5) is located closest to the tip of the cartridge 1. Also, among the terminals T1, T3, T4, T6, T7, T9, T10, T12, T14, T15, and T16 (i.e., terminals other than the terminals provided in the upper region), the tip of the ground and detection terminal T1 (see FIG. 5) is located farthest from the tip of the cartridge 1. Also, the tips of the power supply terminals T7 and T11 are located closer to the tip of the cartridge 1 than the tip of the clock terminal T3 (similarly, the chip enable terminal T4, and the data input / output terminals T6, T9, T12, and T14). Note that the size of each terminal shown in FIG. 10 is merely an example, and the length and width of each terminal may be changed.

[0231] (Pin arrangement on main unit) Next, the arrangement of the pins on the main body side will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the pins on the information processing device 50 (main body). In FIG. 11, the cartridge insertion port is located on the upper side, and the vertical direction in FIG. 11 is the insertion and removal direction of the cartridge 1. As shown in FIG. 11, 17 pins P0 to P16 are arranged in the cartridge storage section 51 of the main body. The pins P0, P2, P4, P5, P7, P8, P10, P11, P13, P15, and P16 are located in the upper area of ​​the cartridge storage section 51. The pins P0, P2, P4, P5, P7, P8, P10, P11, P13, P15, and P16 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. That is, the vertical positions of the 11 pins P0, P2, P4, P5, P7, P8, P10, P11, P13, P15, and P16 are the same. The pins P1, P3, P6, P9, P12, and P14 are positioned on the lower side of the cartridge storage section 51 and are aligned horizontally. That is, the six pins P1, P3, P6, P9, P12, and P14 are aligned vertically.

[0232] Furthermore, the horizontal positions of two pins aligned vertically match. That is, the horizontal positions of pins P0 and P1 match, the horizontal positions of pins P2 and P3 match, and the horizontal positions of pins P5 and P6 match. Furthermore, the horizontal positions of pins P8 and P9 match, the horizontal positions of pins P11 and P12 match, and the horizontal positions of pins P13 and P14 match.

[0233] Each of the pins P0 to P16 is arranged so as to be located at approximately the center of each of the terminals T1 to T16 in the horizontal direction when the cartridge 1 is stored in the cartridge storage section 51. For example, the interval between the pins P0 and P2 is about 1.2 mm obtained by adding the distance between the terminals T1 and T2 (about 0.2 mm) to the width of the terminals T1 and T2 (1.0 mm x 1 / 2 x 2 = 1.0 mm). Similarly, the interval between the pins P4 and P5, the interval between the pins P7 and P8, the interval between the pins P10 and P11, the interval between the pins P13 and P15, the interval between the pins P15 and P16, and the interval between the pins P1 and P3 are also about 1.2 mm. In addition, the interval between the pins P2 and P4 is about 2.0 mm obtained by adding the distance between the terminal group B1 and the terminal group B2 (about 1.0 mm) to the width of the terminals T2 and T4 (about 1.0 mm). Similarly, the distance between pins P5 and P7, the distance between pins P8 and P10, and the distance between pins P11 and P13 are also about 2.0 mm.

[0234] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a connection state between the pins on the main body side and the terminals on the cartridge 1 side when the cartridge 1 is stored in the cartridge storage section 51 on the main body side.

[0235] 12, when the cartridge 1 is completely housed in the cartridge storage section 51 on the main body side (i.e., when the cartridge 1 is inserted from its bottom end into the cartridge insertion opening of the main body and inserted to the back of the cartridge storage section 51 and fixedly housed in the cartridge storage section 51), the terminal T1 of the cartridge 1 is electrically connected to the pins P0 and P1 on the main body side. Also, the terminals T2 to T16 of the cartridge 1 are connected to the pins P2 to P16 on the main body side, respectively.

[0236] The pin P0 on the main body side is a ground pin. The pin P1 is a detection pin for detecting the cartridge 1. The information processing device 50 detects the cartridge 1 when it detects that the pins P0 and P1 are short-circuited.

[0237] The pin P2 is a strobe signal pin for inputting a strobe signal from the cartridge 1, and the pin P3 is a clock signal pin for outputting a clock signal to the cartridge 1. The pin P4 is a pin for outputting a chip enable signal. The pins P5 and P6 are pins for data input / output. The pin P7 is a power supply pin for supplying power to the memory control unit 14 of the cartridge 1, and the voltage is about 3.1V. The pins P8 and P9 are pins for data input / output. The pin P10 is a power supply pin for supplying power for data input / output to the cartridge 1, and the voltage is about 1.8V. The pins P11 to P14 are pins for data input / output. The pin P15 is a ground pin. The pin P16 is a pin for outputting a reset signal (reset release signal).

[0238] (State of each terminal when cartridge is inserted) Next, the state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50 will be described. FIGS. 13 to 18 are diagrams showing the transition of the contact state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the terminal of the cartridge 1 first contacts the pin on the main body side when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further back (downward) from the state of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further back (downward) from the state of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further back (downward) from the state of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further back (downward) from the state of FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the state of each terminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further back (downward) from the state of FIG. 17.

[0239] 13 to 18, the pins on the main body side that are not in contact with the terminals of cartridge 1 are indicated by dashed white circles, and the pins on the main body side that are in contact with the terminals of cartridge 1 are indicated by filled circles.

[0240] 13, when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50, the lower end of the ground terminal T15 is located at the lowest position (i.e., the tip of the ground terminal T15 is located closest to the tip of the cartridge 1), so the ground terminal T15 comes into contact with the ground pin P15 on the main body side first. In this way, by first bringing the ground terminal T15 into contact with the ground pin P15 on the main body side, unnecessary charges accumulated in the electronic circuitry inside the cartridge 1 can be released.

[0241] As shown in Figure 14, when cartridge 1 is pressed further downward from the state shown in Figure 13, power terminals T7 and T10 come into contact with pins P7 and P10 on the main body, respectively. When power terminal T7 comes into contact with power pin P7 on the main body, it becomes possible to supply power to memory control unit 14 in cartridge 1, and when power pin P7 on the main body is in the ON state (approximately 3.1 V), memory control unit 14 becomes operable.

[0242] As shown in Figure 15, when cartridge 1 is pressed further downward from the state shown in Figure 14, terminal T3 comes into contact with pin P2 on the main body side, terminal T4 and pin P4 on the main body side, terminal T6 and pin P5 on the main body side, terminal T9 and pin P8 on the main body side, terminal T12 and pin P11 on the main body side, terminal T14 and pin P13 on the main body side, and terminal T16 and pin P16 on the main body side.

[0243] As shown in FIG. 16, when the cartridge 1 is pressed further downward from the state shown in FIG. 15, the terminal T1 comes into contact with the pin P0 on the main body side.

[0244] 15 and 16, terminal T3 is in contact with pin P2, terminal T6 is in contact with pin P5, terminal T9 is in contact with pin P8, terminal T12 is in contact with pin P11, and terminal T14 is in contact with pin P13, and these terminals are in contact with pins on the main unit that are different from the pins they should be connected to on the main unit. However, in this state, since detection pin P1 on the main unit is not in contact with terminal T1, the main unit does not detect cartridge 1, and no signal is input from the main unit to each terminal of cartridge 1.

[0245] When the cartridge 1 is further pushed downward from the state shown in FIG. 16, it becomes the state shown in FIG. 17. In this state shown in FIG. 17, all the pins except the pin P1 on the main body side are in contact with the terminals T1 to T16. That is, the terminals T1 and P0, the terminals T2 and P2, the terminals T3 and P3, the terminals T4 and P4, the terminals T5 and P5, the terminals T6 and P6, the terminals T7 and P7, the terminals T8 and P8, the terminals T9 and P9, the terminals T10 and P10, the terminals T11 and P11, the terminals T12 and P12, the terminals T13 and P13, the terminals T14 and P14, the terminals T15 and P15, and the terminals T16 and P16 are in contact with each other. In this state, the detection pin P1 on the main body side is not in contact with the terminal T1, so the main body does not detect the cartridge 1, and no signal is input from the main body side to each terminal of the cartridge 1.

[0246] 18, when the cartridge 1 is pressed further downward from the state shown in FIG. 17, the terminal T1 comes into contact with the pin P1 on the main body side, and all the pins P0 to P16 come into contact with the terminals T1 to T16. This causes the main body to detect the cartridge 1, and a signal is input from the main body to the cartridge 1.

[0247] As is clear from Figures 13 to 18, first the ground terminal T15 comes into contact with the ground pin P15 (Figure 13), then the power terminals T7 and T10 come into contact with the power pins P7 and P10, respectively (Figure 14). Next, the chip enable terminal T4, the reset terminal T16, the strobe terminal T2, the clock terminal T3, and the data input / output terminals (T5, T6, T8, T9, T11 to T14) come into contact with the pins on the main body side, respectively (Figure 17). And finally, the detection terminal T1 comes into contact with the detection pin P1 on the main body side (Figure 18).

[0248] When the cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port of the information processing device 50, the terminals come into contact with the pins on the main body side in this order, so that the cartridge 1 can be inserted more safely.

[0249] That is, the ground terminal T15 first comes into contact with the ground pin P15 on the main body side, thereby allowing unnecessary charges that have built up in the circuitry within the cartridge 1 to be released.

[0250] Next, when the power supply pin P7 on the main body side is ON, power is supplied to the memory control unit 14 in the cartridge 1 by the power supply terminals T7 and T10 coming into contact with the power supply pins P7 and P10 on the main body side, and it becomes possible to control signals input to each terminal of the cartridge 1. When power is supplied to the memory control unit 14 and the memory control unit 14 is in an operable state (when the power supply pin P7 on the main body side is ON and the power supply pin P7 and the power supply terminal T7 are in contact), even if some unexpected signal is input to the terminal of the cartridge 1, the signal can be controlled (ignored).

[0251] Also, the detection pin P1 on the main body side is configured to contact the terminal T1 last. Therefore, until all the terminals are connected to the pins on the main body side to which they should be connected, the main body does not detect the cartridge 1, and no signal from the main body side is input to each terminal of the cartridge 1. For example, when the main body side detects the cartridge 1 in the state shown in FIG. 16, a data read command may be sent from the main body side to the cartridge 1. In this case, for example, the terminal T6 should be connected to the pin P6 on the main body side, but is connected to the pin P5, so that an unexpected signal may be input. However, in this embodiment, the detection pin P1 on the main body side is configured to be connected to the terminal T1 last, so that such a situation can be prevented from occurring.

[0252] It is not necessary that the power terminals T7 and T10 contact the pins on the main body at the same time, and for example, the power terminal T7 may contact the pin P7 on the main body first. That is, the lower end of the power terminal T7 may be provided lower than the lower end of the power terminal T10. Also, for example, the ground terminal T15 may have the same length as the power terminals T7 and T10.

[0253] (State of each terminal when removing the cartridge) When removing the cartridge 1 from the main body, the above procedure is reversed. That is, the state transitions from the state shown in Figure 12 to the states shown in Figures 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, and 13 in this order, and all of the terminals are no longer in contact with the pins on the main body side.

[0254] Specifically, first, the detection pin P1 is no longer in contact with the terminal T1, and the main unit recognizes that the cartridge 1 has been removed (Fig. 17). Then, the main unit immediately switches the reset pin P16 from a high voltage to a low voltage state. In other words, a reset signal is sent to the cartridge 1. In this state, the reset terminal T16 of the cartridge 1 is in contact with the pin P16 on the main unit, and the power terminal T7 is also in contact with the power pin P7 on the main unit, so that the cartridge 1 can receive this reset signal when power is being supplied from the main unit. The memory control unit 14 of the cartridge 1 initializes the circuit in response to receiving this reset signal.

[0255] In the reset state (when the reset terminal T16 is at a low voltage (0V)), the memory control unit 14 of the cartridge 1 ignores any signal that is input from the main body. This makes it possible to prevent malfunctions from occurring even if some unexpected signal is input to each terminal of the cartridge 1. For example, even if an erroneous signal is input to the data input / output terminal of the cartridge 1 due to some cause on the main body side, the memory control unit 14 of the cartridge 1 ignores that signal. This makes it possible to prevent malfunctions from occurring.

[0256] 17, the ground terminals T1 and T15 are also in contact with the ground pins on the main body, so no unnecessary charge accumulates in the circuitry within the cartridge 1, and the reset terminal T16 is also in contact with the reset pin P16 on the main body. This means that the reset terminal T16 will not reach an unexpectedly high voltage state, and will not be released from reset. Therefore, even if an unexpected signal flows through each terminal of the cartridge 1, there is little chance of a malfunction occurring.

[0257] Furthermore, the reset terminal T16 is provided near the right side of the ground terminal T15, and no other terminals are provided to the right of the reset terminal T16. For this reason, when inserting or removing the cartridge 1 into the main body, it is unlikely that the reset terminal T16 will come into contact with other pins on the main body (for example, a data input / output pin), and the reset terminal T16 is unlikely to reach an unexpectedly high voltage state (i.e., the reset is unlikely to be released).

[0258] When the state changes from that shown in Figure 17 to that shown in Figure 16, the terminals T2, T5, T8, T11, and T13 in the upper region of the cartridge 1 no longer contact the pins P2, P5, P8, P11, and P13 on the upper side of the main body, and instead the pins P2, P5, P8, P11, and P13 on the upper side of the main body come into contact with the terminals T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14, respectively, in the lower region of the cartridge 1.

[0259] Specifically, in the state shown in Fig. 16, the strobe signal pin P2 on the main body side and the clock terminal T3 of the cartridge 1 are in contact. The strobe signal pin P2 on the main body side is a pin to which a strobe signal from the cartridge 1 is input, and no signal is output from this pin P2 to the cartridge 1 side. Also, the terminal T3 of the cartridge 1 is a terminal to which a clock signal from the main body side is input, and no signal is output from this terminal T3 to the main body side. That is, in the state shown in Fig. 16, the input pin P2 and the input terminal T3 are in contact, and no signal flows between this pin P2 and terminal T3.

[0260] If the clock terminal and strobe terminal are reversed (i.e., the clock signal pin and clock terminal are on the top and the strobe signal pin and strobe terminal are on the bottom), when cartridge 1 is removed from the main body in the state shown in Figure 16, the clock signal pin on the main body and the strobe terminal on cartridge 1 will come into contact, which may result in an unexpected signal being input.

[0261] However, in this embodiment, the strobe terminal and strobe signal pin are arranged on the upper side, and the clock terminal and clock signal pin are arranged on the lower side, so that when the cartridge 1 is removed from the main body, the pins on the main body side in the input state simply come into contact with the terminals on the cartridge side in the input state. In this case, it is possible to prevent an unexpected signal from being input as described above.

[0262] 16, the data input / output terminals T6, T9, T12, and T14 are in contact with the pins P5, P8, P11, and P13 of the main body, respectively, which are different from the pins they are supposed to be in contact with. However, even in this state, the power terminal T7 is in contact with the power pin P7 of the main body, and the memory control unit 14 is in an operable state in a reset state (if the power pin P7 of the main body is in an ON state). Therefore, even if a signal is input to the terminals T6, T9, T12, and T14, the memory control unit 14 can ignore this signal.

[0263] Moreover, all eight data input / output terminals are switched to the input state or the output state at the same timing. The memory control unit 14 of the cartridge 1 switches all eight data input / output terminals T5, T6, T8, T9, T11 to T14 to either the input state or the output state based on a command from the main body side. For example, when the main body reads data in the cartridge 1, it outputs a command to read data from the eight data input / output pins P5, P6, P8, P9, P11 to P14. This command is input to the eight data input / output terminals T5, T6, T8, T9, T11 to T14, which are in the input state. Then, the memory control unit 14 of the cartridge 1 switches the eight data input / output terminals to the output state. The eight data input / output pins on the main body side are also switched to the input state. Then, the memory control unit 14 reads data from the non-volatile memory 13 and outputs the data from the eight data input / output terminals. When the data reading is completed, the memory control unit 14 returns the eight data input / output terminals to the input state.

[0264] That is, the memory control unit 14 switches all eight data input / output terminals T5, T6, T8, T9, and T11 to T14 to an input state at one timing, and switches all to an output state at another timing.

[0265] Therefore, even if the state shown in FIG. 16 occurs while the cartridge 1 is being removed from the main body, the pins P5, P8, P11, and P13 on the main body side are in the output state, and the terminals T6, T9, T12, and T14 of the cartridge 1 are not in the output state. For example, while data is being transmitted from the cartridge 1 to the main body side, the eight data input / output pins P5, P6, P8, P9, P11 to P14 on the main body side are all in the input state, and the eight data input / output terminals T5, T6, T8, T9, T11 to T14 of the cartridge 1 are all in the output state. If the cartridge 1 is removed from the main body at a high speed while the main body is reading data in the cartridge 1, the pins P5, P8, P11, and P13 on the main body side and the terminals T6, T9, T12, and T14 of the cartridge 1 are in contact with each other as shown in FIG. 16 before the process when the cartridge 1 is removed from the main body side (such as the process to end data input / output) is performed. Even in such a case, the pins P5, P8, P11, and P13 on the main unit are in the input state, and the terminals T6, T9, T12, and T14 on the cartridge 1 are in the output state. In other words, both the pins on the main unit and the terminals on the cartridge 1 are never in the output state. The same is true while data is being sent from the main unit to the cartridge 1.

[0266] In this way, when inserting or removing the cartridge 1, the clock terminal T3 and the data input / output terminals T6, T9, T12, and T14 come into contact with pins different from the pins on the main body that they would normally come into contact with. However, even in this state, the terminals in the output state do not come into contact with the pins, and the signals input to each terminal are controlled by the memory control unit 14 of the cartridge 1. This makes it possible to remove the cartridge 1 from the main body without any problems.

[0267] When the state shown in Fig. 16 changes to the state shown in Fig. 15, terminal T1 and pin P0 on the main body side are no longer in contact. Even in this state, power terminal T7 is in contact with power pin P7 on the main body side, and (when power pin P7 on the main body side is ON) the memory control unit 14 is in an operable state in a reset state. That is, signals input to each terminal of the cartridge 1 can be controlled by the memory control unit 14 (for example, it is possible to maintain the state of the terminals at the time of reset (a state in which no current flows through the terminals)).

[0268] 14 from the state shown in Fig. 15, all terminals except for power terminals T7 and T10 and ground terminal T15 are no longer in contact with the pins on the main body. Even in this state, the reset terminal T16 is in a low voltage state (0V) and the power terminal T7 is in contact with the power pin P7 on the main body, so when the power pin P7 on the main body is ON, power is supplied to the memory control unit 14, and the memory control unit 14 is in an operable state.

[0269] 13, the two power terminals T7 and T10 are no longer in contact with the power pins P7 and P10 on the main body, and only the ground terminal T15 is in contact with the ground pin P15 on the main body. Finally, the ground terminal T15 is no longer in contact with the pin P15 on the main body, and the cartridge 1 is completely removed from the main body. Finally, the ground terminal T15 is removed from the main body (because the ground terminal T15 is in contact with the ground pin P15 of the main body until the end), so the cartridge 1 is removed from the main body in an electrically stable state.

[0270] As described above, since the cartridge 1 of this embodiment has the terminals arranged and of the length described above, the cartridge 1 can be inserted and removed more safely.

[0271] (Wiring from each terminal) Next, there will be described wiring for connecting each terminal to the circuitry within the cartridge 1. Figure 19 is a diagram showing conductors formed on the substrate 12 of the cartridge 1.

[0272] As shown in FIG. 19, conductors 15 are formed on the surface of the substrate 12 by printing. Although not shown, the conductors 15 connect the terminals T1 to T16 to the memory control unit 14 in the cartridge 1. The conductors from the terminals T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14 provided in the lower region extend upward through the gaps between the terminal groups. Specifically, the conductors are drawn diagonally upward (for example, at 45 degrees from the horizontal direction being 0 degrees) from the sides of the terminals T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14 provided in the lower region, and are formed so as to bend midway and extend linearly upward.

[0273] Here, it is also conceivable to pull the conductor from the side of the terminal in the 0 degree direction (straight to the side), bend it at a right angle along the way, and extend it upward. However, if the conductor is bent at a right angle along the way, the line width at this right angle will be wider than other parts, and the impedance will change at the right angle, which will cause noise to occur. For this reason, in this embodiment, the conductor is bent at an angle smaller than 90 degrees (for example, 45 degrees) to reduce the change in line width, i.e., the change in impedance, making it less likely to generate noise.

[0274] 19, the conductor from terminal T12 and the conductor from terminal T14 extend upward through the same gap, which reduces the number of gaps and allows the overall width of the cartridge 1 to be narrowed.

[0275] Also, in this embodiment, the conductors are not drawn out from the upper ends of the terminals T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14 provided in the lower region, but are drawn out from the side. As a result, when the board 12 is stored in the housing 11, these conductors are hidden by the separator 11a of the housing 11. Also, since the conductors are not drawn out from the upper ends of the terminals but are drawn out from the side, the pins on the main body side do not come into contact with the conductors when the cartridge 1 is inserted or removed from the main body (the pins on the main body side do not pass over the conductors when passing between the terminals arranged above and below), and physical damage to the conductors can be prevented.

[0276] FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a part of the cartridge 1 when the board 12 is housed in the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 20, each of the terminals T1 to T16 is exposed to the outside, and the gaps between the terminal groups (for example, T1 to T3) and the terminal groups (for example, terminals T4 to T6) are covered by the separator 11a, which is a part of the housing 11. In this way, all of the conductors from the terminals T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14 are covered and hidden by the separator 11a. This makes it possible to protect the conductors. Also, the separator 11a makes it possible to prevent the user's fingers from touching the terminals.

[0277] The conductive wires 15 are not limited to being printed on the surface of the substrate 12, but may be formed inside the substrate so that they are not visible on the surface of the substrate 12.

[0278] (Main Effects) As described above, the terminals T1 to T16 of the cartridge 1 have distinctive arrangements and lengths, which provide the following main advantages.

[0279] That is, multiple sets of two terminals aligned vertically (the direction in which cartridge 1 is inserted and removed) are arranged horizontally. This allows a large number of data input / output terminals to be used for high-speed data input / output, while also shortening the horizontal length of cartridge 1.

[0280] In addition, terminals with low frequency of voltage changes (ground terminal, power supply terminal, chip enable terminal, reset terminal) are provided near terminals with high frequency of voltage changes (data input / output terminal, strobe terminal, clock terminal). In particular, two terminals with high frequency of voltage changes are arranged vertically, and a long terminal with low frequency of voltage changes that spans the upper and lower regions is provided near either the left or right of the two terminals. This allows two short terminals with high frequency of voltage changes to be arranged next to one long terminal with low frequency of voltage changes, and even if many data input / output terminals are arranged, long terminals can be arranged in the vicinity of them. As described above, by providing a terminal with low frequency of voltage changes in the vicinity of a terminal with high frequency of voltage changes, the terminal with high frequency of voltage changes can be made less susceptible to noise. In addition, by providing a long terminal with low frequency of voltage changes in the vicinity, the influence of the terminal with high frequency of voltage changes on the surroundings can be reduced.

[0281] In addition, in this embodiment, the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3 are arranged in the upper and lower regions, respectively. This prevents the clock signal pin (output) on the main body from coming into contact with the strobe terminal (output) on the cartridge when the cartridge 1 is removed from the main body. This allows the cartridge 1 to be removed from the main body more safely.

[0282] In this embodiment, four sets of two data input / output terminals are provided, each set vertically. All eight data input / output terminals are in either the input state or the output state at a certain timing. Therefore, even if the data input / output terminals in the lower area come into contact with the upper data input / output pins on the main body when the cartridge 1 is removed from the main body, both the main body side and the cartridge side will not be in the output state. This allows the cartridge 1 to be removed from the main body without any problems.

[0283] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the main body, the terminal T1 and the detection pin P1 on the main body side are finally configured to come into contact. This means that the main body will not detect the cartridge 1 until all of the terminals are connected to the pins on the main body side, and no unexpected signals will be input from the main body to the cartridge 1. Conversely, when the cartridge 1 is removed from the main body, the detection pin P1 on the main body side moves away from the terminal T1 first, and the main body will no longer detect the cartridge 1. After this, no signals are output from the main body, so it is possible to reduce the possibility of an unexpected signal being input from the main body to the cartridge 1.

[0284] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the main body, the ground terminal T15 comes into contact first, so that unnecessary electric charges accumulated in the circuitry of the cartridge 1 can be released.

[0285] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the main body, the power supply terminal T7 comes into contact with the power supply pin on the main body before the data input / output terminal, the reset terminal, and the chip enable terminal come into contact with the pins on the main body, making it possible to supply power to the power supply terminal T7, and when the power supply pin P7 on the main body is ON, the memory control unit 14 of the cartridge 1 becomes operable. This makes it possible to control an unexpected signal even if it is input to each terminal before the cartridge 1 is completely inserted into the main body.

[0286] (Modification) The shape, arrangement, and size of the terminals of the above-described cartridge 1 are not limited to those described above. Modifications of the cartridge 1 will be described below.

[0287] Figures 21 to 31 are diagrams showing an example of terminals in another embodiment. In Figures 21 to 31, similarly to above, the terminals arranged on the substrate 12 of the cartridge 1 are represented by T1 to T16, and the pins on the main body side are represented by P0 to P16.

[0288] As shown in Fig. 21, the lower ends of all the terminals may be aligned. Specifically, in the modification shown in Fig. 21, the lower ends of six long terminals (T1, T4, T7, T10, T15, T16) spanning the upper and lower regions and five terminals (T3, T6, T9, T12, T14) in the lower region are aligned in the same position in the up-down direction.

[0289] Also, as shown in FIG. 22, the lower ends of the other terminals except the terminal T1 may be aligned. Specifically, in the modified example shown in FIG. 22, the lower ends of the five long terminals (T4, T7, T10, T15, T16) straddling the upper and lower regions and the five terminals (T3, T6, T9, T12, T14) in the lower region are aligned in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the lower end of the ground / detection terminal T1 is located higher than the lower ends of the other terminals. Therefore, when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the main body, the detection pin P1 on the main body side comes into contact with the terminal T1 last. That is, the main body detects the cartridge 1 in a state where all the terminals are connected to the pins on the main body side. This allows the main body to transmit a signal to the cartridge 1 in a state where all the terminals of the cartridge 1 are connected to the pins on the main body side, thereby preventing malfunctions.

[0290] Also, as shown in FIG. 23, the lower end of the terminal T15 may be aligned with the terminals T7 and T10.

[0291] In the above embodiment, when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the main body, the terminals of the cartridge 1 are connected to the pins on the main body in the following order (1) to (4). (1) First, bring ground terminal T15 into contact with ground pin P15 on the main body. (2) Contact power terminals T7 and T10 with power pins P7 and P10 on the main unit. (3) The strobe terminal T2, the clock terminal T3, the chip enable terminal T4, the eight data input / output terminals T5, T6, T8, T9, T11 to T14, and the reset terminal T16 are brought into contact with pins P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P8, P9, P11 to P14, and P16 on the main body, respectively. (4) Contact the ground / detection terminal T1 with the detection pin P1 on the main body.

[0292] 23, the ground terminal T15 and the power terminals T7 and T10 are first connected to the pins P15, P7 and P10 on the main body side, respectively. Even with this configuration, it is possible to first release unnecessary electric charges in the cartridge 1 and to make it possible to supply power to the memory control unit 14. When power is supplied to the power terminal T7 from the main body side, the memory control unit 14 can control signals.

[0293] Also, some of the long terminals may be formed short as shown in Fig. 24. For example, in Fig. 24, the chip enable terminal T4 and the power supply terminals T7 and T10 are provided in the upper region and are configured to be short like the other terminals (T2, T5, etc.) provided in the upper region.

[0294] Also, as shown in Fig. 25, all the long terminals except for the terminal T1 may be formed short. Specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 25, the chip enable terminal T4, the power terminals T7, T10, the ground terminal T15, and the reset terminal T16 are provided in the upper region, and are formed short like the other terminals (T2, T5, etc.) provided in the upper region. On the other hand, the ground / detection terminal T1 is formed with a length that spans the upper region and the lower region. This is because the main body detects the cartridge 1 when the pins P0 and P1 on the main body side are short-circuited, and this terminal T1 needs to be formed at least as long as the distance between the pins P0 and P1.

[0295] 24 and 25 are merely examples, and at least one of the terminals T4, T7, T10, T15, and T16 may be formed short. For example, the two terminals T15 and T16 may be formed short (similar to the terminal T13, for example). Also, for example, the terminals T4 and / or T16 may be configured to be short.

[0296] Also, as shown in Fig. 26, the ground / detection terminal T1 may be divided into two short terminals, and these two terminals may be connected by a conductor. Such two terminals connected by a conductor are electrically one terminal, and are substantially the same as the long terminal T1 that spans the upper and lower regions shown in Fig. 5. When the terminal T1 is apparently divided into two terminals as shown in Fig. 26, the conductor may be printed on the surface of the substrate 12, or may be formed inside the substrate 12 so that it is not visible from the outside.

[0297] Also, as shown in Fig. 27, the width of some terminals may be wider. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 27, terminal T4 is made shorter (placed in the upper region), and the width of terminal T3 is made wider up to the region created by shortening terminal T4. Also, terminal T15 is made shorter, and the width of terminal T14 is made wider up to the region created by shortening terminal T15.

[0298] That is, in the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, four terminal groups, each including one long terminal and two short terminals arranged vertically, are arranged side by side. Also, a gap is provided between the terminal groups. In other embodiments, as shown in Fig. 27, for example, the shape of each terminal may be any shape as long as each terminal of the cartridge 1 is connected to a correct pin on the main body side when the cartridge 1 is fixed to the main body.

[0299] For example, as shown in FIG. 28, the distance between the terminals may be set to be the same, and the gap between the terminal groups as shown in FIG. 5 may not be provided. Even with such a shape of each terminal, a terminal with a low frequency of voltage change is provided near a terminal with a high frequency of voltage change. For example, a ground / detection terminal T1 is located near the left side of the strobe terminal T2, a chip enable terminal T4 is located near the left side of the data input / output terminal T5, a power terminal T7 is located near the left side of the data input / output terminal T8, a power terminal T10 is located near the left side of the data input / output terminal T11, and a ground terminal T15 is located near the right side of the data input / output terminal T13. Similarly, a ground / detection terminal T1 is located near the left side of the clock terminal T3, a chip enable terminal T4 is located near the left side of the data input / output terminal T6, a power terminal T7 is located near the left side of the data input / output terminal T9, a power terminal T10 is located near the left side of the data input / output terminal T12, and a ground terminal T15 is located near the right side of the data input / output terminal T14.

[0300] 28, as in FIG. 5, in at least a part of the terminal arrangement region, terminals with low frequency of voltage change and terminals with high frequency of voltage change are arranged alternately in the horizontal direction. For example, in the upper region, terminals T1, T2, T4, T5, T7, T8, T10, and T11 are arranged in the horizontal direction, and terminals with low frequency of voltage change and terminals with high frequency of voltage change are arranged alternately in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, a data input / output terminal T13 is provided to the right of the terminal T11, a ground terminal T15 is provided further to the right of that, and a reset terminal T16 is provided further to the right of that (at the right end of the terminal arrangement region). Similarly, in the lower region, terminals T1, T3, T4, T6, T7, T9, T10, and T12 are arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0301] In FIG. 28, the conductor wires from each terminal may be formed inside the substrate 12.

[0302] Also, as shown in FIG. 29, for example, each terminal of the cartridge 1 of the above embodiment may be arranged at different positions in the vertical direction, or may be formed to have different lengths in the vertical direction. In the example shown in FIG. 29, the terminals T4, T5, T10, T11, and T12 are different in position and length from those shown in FIG. 5 and the like. Specifically, the terminal T4 is formed shorter than the terminal T4 shown in FIG. 5, and is formed so that the upper end of the terminal T4 contacts the pin P4 on the main body side when the cartridge is inserted all the way into the main body. The terminal T5 is moved upward from the position shown in FIG. 5, and is formed so that the lower end of the terminal T5 contacts the pin P5 on the main body side when the cartridge is inserted all the way into the main body. The terminal T10 is formed short, and is formed so that the lower end of the terminal T10 contacts the pin P10 on the main body side when the cartridge is inserted all the way into the main body. 5, the terminal T11 is longer and located lower than the terminal T11 shown in Fig. 5, and is formed so that the upper end of the terminal T11 comes into contact with the pin P11 on the main body side when the cartridge is inserted all the way into the main body. The terminal T12 is shorter than the terminal T12 shown in Fig. 5, and is formed so that the upper end of the terminal T12 comes into contact with the pin P12 on the main body side when the cartridge is inserted all the way into the main body.

[0303] Even with the terminal arrangement shown in Figure 29, when the cartridge is inserted all the way into the main body (when it is completely inserted and fixed into the main body), each terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to each pin on the main body. This allows the main body to read and write data from the cartridge.

[0304] In this way, as long as each terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to each pin on the main body, the position and shape of each terminal of the cartridge may be any. Even if the position or shape of each terminal is changed, at least some of the multiple terminals of the cartridge are configured such that a terminal with a low frequency of voltage change is located laterally adjacent to a terminal with a high frequency of voltage change.

[0305] Specifically, the ground / detection terminal T1 is located to the left of the strobe terminal T2, and the chip enable terminal T4 is located to the left of the data input / output terminal T5. The power supply terminal T7 is located to the left of the data input / output terminal T8, and the power supply terminal T10 is located to the left of the data input / output terminal T11. The ground terminal T15 is located to the right of the data input / output terminal T13.

[0306] In addition, in at least a portion of the terminal arrangement region, terminals with low frequency of voltage changes and terminals with high frequency of voltage changes are arranged alternately in the horizontal direction. In the example shown in Fig. 29, for example, in the upper region, terminals T1, T2, T4, T5, T7, T8, T10, and T11 are arranged in the horizontal direction (the direction in which the upper pins on the main body side are arranged), and terminals with low frequency of voltage changes and terminals with high frequency of voltage changes are arranged alternately in the horizontal direction.

[0307] 30, the ground terminal T15 does not have to be provided. Even if the terminal T15 is not provided, the cartridge is grounded by connecting the terminal T1 to the pin P0 on the main body side. Therefore, the ground terminal T15 is not necessary.

[0308] Also, as shown in FIG. 31, two short terminals arranged vertically may be slightly offset in the left-right direction. For example, in FIG. 31, terminals T2 and T3 are arranged vertically, and the horizontal center position of terminal T2 does not completely match the horizontal center position of terminal T3. Similarly, terminals T5 and T6 are arranged vertically, and the horizontal center position of terminal T5 does not completely match the horizontal center position of terminal T6. In this way, the horizontal centers of two short terminals arranged vertically may be substantially offset in the left-right direction to the extent that the two short terminals arranged vertically contact the pins on the main body side. In other words, the positions of two terminals arranged vertically do not need to be strictly aligned in the left-right direction. Also, the widths of two short terminals arranged vertically do not necessarily need to be the same, and may be narrower than terminal T8, as in terminal T9 in FIG. 31. (Conversely, it may be configured to be wider than terminal T8.) In this way, as long as it contacts the pin on the main body side, the width of one of the two terminals lined up vertically may be configured to be narrower (or wider) than the other terminal.

[0309] 21 to 31 are merely examples, and the positions, sizes, and distances between the terminals may be any as long as the terminals of the cartridge and the pins on the main body are electrically connected. In addition to the terminals electrically connected to the pins on the main body, the terminal arrangement area may also be provided with terminals that are not electrically connected to any pins on the main body.

[0310] Additionally, the non-volatile memory 13 of the cartridge may be detachably connected to the cartridge 1 .

[0311] 32 and 33 are diagrams showing an example of a configuration in which the nonvolatile memory 13 is detachably connected to the cartridge 1. In the example shown in FIG. 32, for example, an insertion port for inserting the nonvolatile memory 13 is provided at the top end of the cartridge 1. The nonvolatile memory 13 is inserted from the insertion port and fixed to the cartridge 1. The information processing device 50 reads out a predetermined program or data (for example, a game program or game data) from the nonvolatile memory 13 through the cartridge 1, and writes a predetermined program or data to the nonvolatile memory 13. A general-purpose nonvolatile memory may be used as the removable nonvolatile memory 13. For example, an SD card, a miniSD card, a microSD card, or the like may be used as the removable nonvolatile memory 13. In addition, a general-purpose nonvolatile memory based on other standards may be detachably connected to the cartridge 1. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 33, for example, an insertion port for inserting the nonvolatile memory 13 is provided on the side of the cartridge 1, and the nonvolatile memory 13 is inserted from the insertion port provided on the side. In this manner, the nonvolatile memory 13 may be detachably connected to the cartridge 1. The nonvolatile memory 13 is not limited to being inserted from the top or side of the cartridge 1, and may be detachably connected to the cartridge 1 by, for example, forming a recess for fitting the nonvolatile memory 13 on the front or back surface of the cartridge 1 and fitting the nonvolatile memory 13 into the recess.

[0312] In addition, in the above embodiment, non-volatile memory 13 is used as a storage device for storing specified programs, data, etc., but instead of non-volatile memory, any storage medium capable of storing information (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.) may be used.

[0313] Furthermore, the cartridge of the present invention may be provided with an insertion port for inserting another cartridge (for example, a cartridge storage section 51 provided in the information processing device 50) instead of the insertion port for the non-volatile memory 13 in the above embodiment. In this case, the information processing device 50 reads out a predetermined program or data (for example, a game program or game data) stored in the other cartridge inserted into the insertion port via the cartridge of the present invention, or writes data to the other cartridge. In other words, the cartridge of the present invention also includes a so-called adapter type cartridge that mediates communication between the other cartridge and the information processing device 50.

[0314] Furthermore, although the cartridge 1 is provided with the separator 11a, the separator 11a does not necessarily have to be provided. For example, some or all of the four separators 11a shown in FIG. [Explanation of symbols]

[0315] 1 Cartridge 11. Housing 12 Substrate 13 Non-volatile memory 14 Memory control section 50 Information processing device (main unit) 51 Cartridge storage section A Terminal placement area T1~T16 Cartridge side terminals P0~P16 Main body pins

Claims

1. A cartridge that can be connected to a game device by being inserted into a cartridge insertion port of the game device, the cartridge is provided with a terminal arrangement area in which a plurality of terminals are arranged to be electrically connected to terminals of the game device provided in the cartridge insertion port, When a direction in which a user inserts the cartridge into the cartridge insertion opening is defined as a first direction and a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, at least one first terminal is arranged in the first direction in a partial area of ​​the terminal arrangement area, and a set of second terminals, each set including two terminals arranged in line in the first direction, are arranged in line in the second direction, in a portion of the terminal arrangement region, four of the first terminals are arranged, four sets of the second terminals are arranged, and each of the four first terminals and each of the four sets of the second terminals are arranged alternately in the second direction; A cartridge in which a terminal group is formed by the first terminal and a set of the second terminals adjacent to each other in the second direction, and in the terminal group, the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal in the second direction is shorter than the distance between the set of the second terminals in the first direction.

2. At least two of the terminal groups are provided in a portion of the terminal arrangement area, The cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein in each terminal group, a distance between the first terminal and the second terminal in the second direction is shorter than a distance between a pair of the second terminals in the first direction.

3. A cartridge as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein no other terminals are arranged in the first direction of the first terminal.

4. A cartridge as described in claim 3, wherein in the group of terminals, the distance between the first terminal and each of the set of second terminals in the second direction is shorter than the distance between the set of second terminals in the first direction.

5. A cartridge as described in claim 1, wherein a first terminal A, which is one of the four first terminals, is composed of a first terminal A1 and a first terminal A2.

6. The terminal group including the first terminal A, a second terminal A1 adjacent to the first terminal A1 in the second direction; a second terminal A2 adjacent to the first terminal A2 in the second direction, a distance between the first terminal A1 and the second terminal A1 in the second direction is shorter than a distance between the second terminal A1 and the second terminal A2 in the first direction; The cartridge according to claim 5 , wherein a distance between the first terminal A2 and the second terminal A2 in the second direction is shorter than a distance between the second terminal A1 and the second terminal A2 in the first direction.

7. A cartridge as described in claim 5 or 6, wherein the first terminal A is located at the endmost position in the second direction.

8. A cartridge described in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first terminal A1 and the first terminal A2 are electrically connected to each other.

9. A set of second terminals B, in which two terminals are arranged side by side in the first direction, is further arranged next to the set of second terminals located at the ends of the four sets of second terminals in the second direction; a first terminal B is disposed adjacent to the set of second terminals B in the second direction, the first terminal B being disposed one by one in the first direction; a first terminal C is disposed adjacent to the first terminal B in the second direction, the first terminal C being disposed one by one in the first direction; a distance between the second terminal B and the first terminal B in the second direction is shorter than a distance between a pair of the second terminals B in the first direction; 9. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the first terminal B and the first terminal C in the second direction is shorter than a distance between a pair of the second terminals B in the first direction.

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