EXTERNAL MEMORY DEVICES

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a New Data Memory Device ( NDMD ) that is quite unique and better than other existing memory devices such as External Hard Disks, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and Memory card or similar memory devices.

Background of the Invention

[0002] The need for external memory devices is increasing continuously and can only continue to increase with the availability of new applications, Software, and larger data files.

[0003] This need for more memory and storage space of data, has led to wide use of external memories in many forms, such as USB's, external hard disks and drives, mechanical and solid state, as well as memory cards and quite a few other external memory storage devices and facilities.

[0004] However despite the effectiveness and convenient size of these various devices, external hard discs, USB's and similar, it is not easy nor prompt to view a lists of contents, and requires users to connect the existing devices to a computer ( Tablet, smart phone, notebooks etc ) or similar other device. After connection to the computer users have to go to the disc where files are stored. After one has to scroll through the documents data items saved to check and locate the particular item or file required. Such procedure can take very long and in some cases up to 10 minutes or more, depending on the hardware used and size of memory stored therein.

[0005] The process for viewing data stored in presently available devices is cumbersome, and time consuming and can in many cases take 5 minutes or more while going through such procedure depending on the hardware used. Even after such procedure the user may discover that the item he is looking for is not on that particular memory unit he opened and reviewed, but on another memory device, hard disk, USB or other, and thus have to repeat the process several times, until the item is located. [0006] This invention is of a new memory storage Device and method that save time and provide the means for the user of the external memory device of this invention to speedily locate files stored in this memory device. This invention Device and method enables the user to locate almost immediately and view a list or index of contents on a screen on the surface of the memory device before and without the need to connect it to a computer. The screen, or screens, on one or both sides of the new External Memory storage device can be viewed by simply turning on a switch to power the screen without the need to connecting it to the main reading device such as computer or smart phone, tablet or similar device. A simple single function selector switch is all that is needed to complete this new process using the device of this invention.

[0007] The visual display can be powered by a battery or any power source connected to the Device. The battery can be chargeable lithium Ion for example, dry cell or other. The chargeable battery if provided can be also charged by main memory unit (computer) when unit is connected to it.

[0008] The same idea and method of this invention can also be utilized to make a portable Display device that can be used on multiple external memory devices as a variation.

[0009] A thorough patent and non-patent search for similar products or ideas to this invention was carried out.

[0010] We have also visited major electronics distribution outlets such as Smart Buy and many others in several cities in USA (Raleigh, NC, McLean, Va., Atlanta, Chicago) and overseas outlets in Toronto Canada, London, UK, Dubai, and others.

[0011] The results of this search via Internet and vendors outlets and web sites, established that no similar device exists nor any ideas that lead to this invention.

Summary of the invention

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for allowing quick viewing of the contents of external memory devices such as external Hard Disks, USBs, memory cards, Smart Phones and similar storage devices, comprising a housing with a plurality of sides and at least one display unit, wherein such display unit is integrated within said device; a control unit; and a power source.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, said display unit comprises a display screen.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, said display unit displays an index containing the contents stored on said external memory devices.

[0015] In another aspect, said device operates on all types of operating systems.

[0016] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to have said device operating with Smart Phones Memory content.

[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, said at least one display unit is positioned on one side of said housing.

[0018] As another aspect of the present invention, said device could be connected to said external memory devices using one or more suitable state-of-the art-connectivity methods and tools/ connections.

[0019] Preferably, said display unit comprises Monochrome or colored screens.

[0020] Preferably, said display screens comprises Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode (LED), Thin Film Transistor (TFT), or Optoelectronic.

[0021] Preferably, said device includes a scroll function to move data titles Up and down for quick movement of position of any selected file.

[0022] Preferably, said device is configured as an integrated External Memory Device.

[0023] Preferably, said device is configured as a separate Display Device. Brief Description Of The Drawings

[0024] The drawings included herein are simplified but show all needed details describing and enabling understanding the present invention. [0025] The drawings show some possible configurations of the device where it is connected and powered by the proper tools on 2 sides of the device. However, the possibilities for configuration can vary a great deal.

[0026] Figure 1 shows another possible alternative connection arrangement where connections are made on one side of the device.

[0027] Figure 2 shows another possible alternative connection arrangement where connections are made on another side of the device.

[0028] Figure 3 and Figure 4 show the device with display screen on both sides of the device for larger number of files titles.

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the components of the device of the present invention, configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Comparison Between Processes of locating Data or file by present existing devices versus the Method of the invention Device process to access External Memory Index.

1 - Plug external memory device into Computer

2- Wait for Pop Up screen asking if you want to see content

3- Select View File and wait for files list to appear to open, which can take in some cases up to 10 minutes, depending on hardware used and size of data on the device.

4- Start searching for the particular data item you are looking for.

5- Either File is found, by scrolling the list or after going through all items stored therein, discover the File is not in that particular external memory device thus end of that first attempt and repeat in other devices (hard disks etc) and repeat process.

6- After success by further attempts, go to Icon to enable removal of external HD

7- Select and choose Remove External memory device

8- Click the item in the window and wait for permission to remove 9- Remove external memory Device

10- Remove the external device

[0030] In case the Data File user is looking for is not found on the first External Memory device, above ( 9/10 ) steps will have to be repeated on the second, and third, or more Devices until item is found in one of them. Thus user has to go through the above listed ( 9/10 ) steps as above several times. The process of finding the File in present Memory Devices can involve ( 9 ) to ( 27 ) steps or more, depending on number of external devices involved which may take about 3- 15 minutes or much longer.

Process to locate item desired to be viewed by this invention

[0031] Turn On the New External Memory Device by clicking button / selector Switch on NEW External Memory Device (NEMD) the powering the screen and promptly view the Index or List of contents.

[0032] Thus practically a ONE step process that may take about 5 seconds to complete.

[0033] When finished, user just shuts the viewing screen by clicking the switch to OFF.

[0034] The Index of contents can be modified any time the NEMD is used with the Computer. It can be rearranged, and changed by adding or deleting items of Data files listed.

[0035] In addition by use of the New memory device of this invention, the user can find the file he is searching for that maybe on other such New devices at the same time by turning them ALL ON and hence save a great deal of time. By quick viewing the screens of all of these New devices the file is located promptly within 5- 15 seconds. Thus for one New external Memory disc it may take about 5 seconds, and 10 seconds for two, 15 seconds for three and so on.

[0036] Other features of this invention include viewing the Index of contents of USB's and other types of memory devices that can be connected to the New External Memory Device of this invention, (NEMD) through plugging them into the NEMD with the multiple plug-in types of connection. See drawings.

[0037] FIGs. 1 -5 illustrate a device for displaying data content stored in external memory devices without the need to plug in such memory devices in a computer, wherein such device is configured according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Said device comprises a housing with a plurality of sides and at least one display unit 1 , wherein such display unit is integrated within said device; a control unit 2; a power source 3; and a switch 4.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 2 is connected to an external memory device main board 5.

[0039] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, said power source 3 provides said display unit 1 and said control unit 2 with the required electrical power to operate the device of the present invention.

[0040] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises a USB host connector 6.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, said switch 4 allows and prevents power from being fed to said control unit 2 and said display unit 1 .

[0042] Upon turning on the Device by means of the switch 4, said control unit 2 will automatically access the external memory device and in particular an index page , that can also be designated by other names such as Contents, Files and the like. This powering of the unit promptly turns on the display unit, which is utilized and programmed to display the designated file named index or other names.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, said power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 2 is dedicated to read the index file (via any suitable state-of-the-art methods and tools/connections) in the hard drive and display it on the display unit 1 . [0045] The rechargeable battery will supply the system with the required power and will be charged from the USB power when the hard drive is plugged to the computer.

[0046] An optional USB host controller can be connected to the control unit 2 to read USB flash memories or other storage of the USB type.

[0047] When said switch 4 is turned on and the device starts operating, the control unit 4 will read the index file from the external memory drive and display it on the display unit 1 to allow user to view the files on the external memory drive before connecting it to a computer.

[0048] In another embodiment to the present invention, hard drive's main is modified instead of connecting the control unit 2 to the main board 5. This can be accomplished by modifying the hard drive's main board 5 and extend its' functionalities to support the display of the content of the drive on the display unit 1 .