Card type integrated circuit and respective 8/16-bit card connector

Claim 1

A card type integrated circuit and respective 8/16-bit card connector compatible with 8-bit and 16-bit systems, wherein the card type integrated circuit comprises: a substrate; predetermined number of circuit devices disposed on the substrate, the circuit devices including memory; a plurality of terminals arranged in a terminal array to be compatible with 8-bit and 16-bit systems in that terminals common to both 8 and 16 bit systems are disposed in a central portion of the terminal array and terminals associated with only a 16 bit system are symmetrically disposed at end portions of the terminal array, the terminal array being connected to said circuit devices through an I/O bus system for inputting and outputting signals from and to an external device via the card connector; a surface cover having a separatable terminal protector formed thereon for protecting said plurality of terminals when not in use; a backup battery for maintaining memory contents when external power is removed; and a control circuit for controlling operations of said card type integrated circuit; and wherein the card connector comprises: a pair of grooves for receiving said card type integrated circuit; a connecting pin array having connecting pins corresponding to said plurality of terminals of said card type integrated circuit, for connecting to said plurality of terminals when said card type integrated circuit is received in said connector grooves, said connecting pins extending to an external portion of said connector for connection to an external device; and a protrusion for separating said terminal protector of said surface cover so that contact between said plurality of terminals and said connecting pin array can be made when said memory card is received by said pair of grooves.