USB MEMORY DRIVES AND DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH

The present invention relates to mass storage devices, and more particularly to solid-state USB (Universal Serial Bus) connectable memory drives which may be used to store media files.

Media players, such as MP3 players, which have a removable memory in the form of a USB memory drive are well known in the art . Such media players have a female USB port which connects to the male USB connector on the memory drive so as to allow the data on the memory drive to be accessed and played. The memory drive can be removed from the player and replaced by another memory drive having different data stored thereon. For example, several memory drives having different music or video collections stored thereon may be interchanged and played on the same media player. When it is desired to add, delete or otherwise modify data stored on the memory drive, the memory drive is removed from the media player and inserted into the female USB port on a computer. When the computer has modified the data as desired the memory drive is then removed from the computer and can be reinserted into the media player for accessing and playing the modified data .

The present invention provides an improved memory drive and an improved device for use with a memory drive.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a memory drive comprising a male USB connector,

power input terminals, a memory and at least one power output terminal; wherein the power input terminals are electrically connected to the memory and at least one of the power input terminals is electrically connected to the at least one power output terminal so that power can be transferred from the power input terminals to the memory and to the power output terminal in use.

Therefore, the present invention provides a memory drive which may be inserted into a female USB port on a computer for accessing and/or modifying data stored on the memory drive, and which is configured so that the computer can simultaneously power a device through the power output terminal on the memory drive. The memory drive of the preferred embodiment may .alternatively be connected to a female USB port in equipment other than a computer for accessing and/or modifying the data stored thereon, and/or for supplying power from the equipment to the at least one power output terminal in the memory drive . ^* The memory drives of the preferred embodiments are configured to be removably inserted into a device or equipment for accessing data stored thereon. The memory drives are also preferably capable of being hot-plugged, i.e. plugged into and removed from a computer or other equipment without the computer or equipment being switched off.

Preferably, the memory drive is hand-held and portable and is preferably also for use with portable, handheld devices . According to the preferred embodiments the memory drive houses a fixed memory. Alternatively, the memory drive comprises a removable memory chip.

In the preferred embodiments , the memory drive has a male USB connector, i.e. a USB connector capable of being inserted into a female USB port. The USB connector may be a standard male USB connector. Alternatively, the memory drive may comprise a modified USB connector and may comprise, for example, a USB connector without the metal casing, such as the Kingsmax USB Super Stick™. The memory drive of the preferred embodiments comprises data channels for transmitting data between the USB connector and the memory in use.

These data channels enable equipment and devices such as a computer or media player to access and add, delete or otherwise modify data stored on the memory drive in the conventional manner. According to the preferred embodiments, the memory drive only has data channels for transferring data between the memory and the male USB connector . Therefore, in the preferred embodiments, the memory drive must be inserted into another device or equipment in order to access and run the data stored in the memory drive. The memory drive itself preferably does not comprise means for accessing the memory and for running data stored therein. Preferably, the memory drive is in the form of a USB flash drive, thumb disk, pen disk, memory stick, memory card or the like.

According to the preferred embodiment, the memory drive comprises power input terminals which are electrically connected to the memory enabling a computer or another device, such as a portable media player, to supply an electrical current (i.e. power) to the memory and access data stored thereon. The power input terminals are also electrically connected to at least

one power output terminal so as to allow an electrical current (i.e. power) to be transferred from the computer, through the memory drive and into another device via the power output terminal. Preferably, the memory drive comprises a plurality of power input terminals and a plurality of power output terminals . In the preferred embodiment, each power input terminal is electrically connected to a different power output terminal. Embodiments are also contemplated wherein one or more of the power input terminal is electrically connected to a plurality of power output terminals. Preferably, the memory drive comprises only two power input terminals and only two power output terminals .

Preferably, the power input terminals are directly electrically connected to the at least one power output terminal for transferring power directly from the power input terminals to the at least one power output terminal . Alternatively, the power input terminals are electrically connected to the at least one power output terminal via the memory circuits within the memory of the memory drive. Embodiments are also contemplated comprising a plurality of power output terminals, wherein one or more of the power output terminals is directly electrically connected to a power input terminal and one or more of the power output terminals is indirectly electrically connected to a power input terminal, e.g. via the memory circuits.

In the preferred embodiments , the power input terminals are located in the USB connector of the memory drive. As such, when the memory drive is inserted into the female USB port on a computer or other equipment, the equipment can deliver power into the memory drive.

In the preferred embodiments the at least one power output terminal is located in or on an external surface of the memory drive. Preferably, the at least one power output terminal is located outside of both the USB connector and the memory of the memory drive. According to the preferred embodiments the memory drive comprises a housing connected to the USB connector. The housing preferably houses all of the components of the memory drive except for the male USB connector. The at least one power output terminal is preferably located on an outer surface of the housing so that power can be supplied into the USB connector of the memory drive, through the memory drive and to an outer surface of the housing. As such, a further device can be connected to the housing of the memory drive so as to receive power from the at least one power output terminal. In another embodiment, the at least one power output terminal can be provided in at least one recess in the housing, rather than on one or more of the outer surfaces of the housing.

The at least one power output terminal may be located in or on any surface of the hoμsing. Preferably, at least one of the power output terminals is arranged at the end surface of the housing which is opposite to the end of the housing connected to the USB connector. Alternatively, or additionally, at least one of the power output terminals is arranged in or on a surface of the housing which extends between the end on which the USB connector is arranged and the opposite end of the housing. In the embodiment wherein the memory drive comprises a plurality of power output terminals, the power output terminals may be located in or on

different ones of the above-mentioned housing surfaces. For example, power output terminals may be arranged in or on opposing surfaces of the housing. Alternatively, or additionally, at least some of the power output terminals may be arranged in or on the same surface of the housing. In these embodiments the power output terminals may be arranged substantially adjacent to each other, although spaced apart enough to be electrically isolated or insulated from each other. Alternatively, the power output terminals may be spaced apart on the same surface of the housing and may preferably be arranged at opposite ends of the surface of the housing.

Preferably, the memory drive is configured to ensure that only the USB connector can be inserted into the female USB port of a device to which the memory drive is to be connected to. In a preferred embodiment, the memory drive comprises a housing and a USB connector which have different dimensions in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the USB connector. Preferably, a cross-section through the USB connector is of lower area and/or a different shape to a cross-section through the housing, wherein the cross-sections are taken in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the USB connector. In other words, the housing preferably has a width and/or depth which is greater than the width and/or depth of the USB connector. In the preferred embodiments at least the portion of the housing that is connected to the USB connector is dimensioned differently to the USB connector. In these embodiments the housing may have a uniform width and/or depth. Alternatively, or additionally, the housing itself may be configured so as

to have a first portion of a first width and/or depth and a second portion of a greater width and/or depth. In these embodiments, the first portion of the housing is preferably the portion at which the USB connector is located.

The preferred embodiment relates to a USB thumb drive. Therefore, according to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a USB thumb drive comprising a standard male USB connector where the power pins in the USB connector are connected both to the memory circuits in the thumb drive and also to a connection or connections in the body of the thumb drive to allow a current to be transferred through the thumb drive and into a player allowing the rechargeable battery within the player to be charged.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a USB thumb drive designed to locate into a slot in a player, wherein the thumb drive can be docked such that the male USB connection in the thumb drive locates with a female USB connector in the player allowing data transfer from the thumb drive to the player; and wherein the thumb drive can be rotated and inserted in the same slot of the player making the male USB connector available for connection to a computerised device for the purpose of managing the media files held on the thumb drive and allowing current through the thumb drive from a female USB connection to the electrical connection or connections in the body of the thumb drive and then through corresponding connection or connections in the body of the player to recharge the battery in the player.

The USB thumb drive may have any or all of the features of the preferred memory drives described above-. However, the memory drive of the present invention need not be a USB drive and may in fact be any type of memory drive which is capable of having power supplied to its memory through a first connector and which is configured to supply power to a second, different connector. Therefore, from another aspect the present invention provides a memory drive comprising a first connector for releasably engaging a first device and a second connector for releasably engaging a second device in use, wherein the memory drive is configured so that the first connector enables the first device to access the memory within the memory drive and so that power can be supplied from the first connector to the second connector in use.

Of course, this memory drive may have any or all of the features of the preferred memory drives, including the USB drives, described above. The present invention also relates to a device for use with the memory drives of the preferred embodiments. Therefore, according to another aspect, the present invention provides a device configured to receive a memory drive having a male USB connector and to access data stored on the memory drive, wherein the device comprises a memory- drive receiving portion comprising a female USB port for removeably receiving the memory drive in use, and at least one power input terminal arranged within the receiving portion for supplying power into the device and to a component within the device in use.

The female USB port of the device comprises power output ports for powering the memory within the memory drive in use. The USB port further comprises data terminals for transmitting data between the device and memory drive in use. According to the present invention, the device comprises at least one power input terminal for receiving an electrical current (i.e. power) and transmitting it to a component within the device. Preferably, the at least one power input terminal is arranged in the memory drive receiving portion at a location outside of the female USB port. Less preferably, the at least one power input terminal is arranged inside the female USB port. According to the preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least two power input terminals arranged within the memory drive receiving portion.

Preferably, the at least one power input terminal of the device is electrically connected to a rechargeable battery within the device. As such, an electrical current (i.e. power) may be supplied into the at least one power input terminal of the device so as to recharge the battery. Alternatively, or in addition, the at least one power input terminal of the device may be connected to other components within the device and/or to components attached to the device. For example, power may be supplied from the power input terminal (s) to power a display screen on the device and/or to power headphones attached to the device.

According to the preferred embodiment, the device is configured to removably receive the memory drive in a first orientation in use such that the male USB connector engages the female USB port; and wherein the

device is configured to removably receive the memory- drive in a second orientation in use so that the memory drive can not enter the female USB port of the device and movement of the memory drive into the device is limited such that the male USB connector extends outwardly from the device. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as it allows a large portion, and preferably all of the memory drive to be received in the device in the first orientation. In this configuration, the device and memory drive can be assembled so that the device can access the data stored on the memory drive without significantly increasing the size of the device. This is particularly useful when the device is desired to be portable or handheld. In contrast, in the second orientation the device maintains at least the USB connector of the memory drive protruding from the device. This enables the memory drive to be connected to the female USB port in a computer or other equipment whilst it remains connected to the device. As such, the computer or other equipment can access and preferably modify the data on the memory drive whilst also supplying power to the device through the memory drive .

Preferably, the memory drive receiving portion comprises the female USB port and a slot for removably receiving the memory drive. In the preferred embodiments, a cross-section through the slot is of greater area and/or a different shape to a cross-section through the female USB port (wherein the cross-sections are taken in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the

USB port) so as to limit the movement of the memory drive into the device in use. In other words, the width

and/or depth of the slot is greater than the width and/or depth of the female USB port. Preferably, at least one shoulder is defined within the memory drive receiving portion for limiting the movement of the USB drive into the device in use. In a particularly preferred embodiment the at least, one shoulder is defined between the slot and the female USB port. In these embodiments the at least one power input terminal of the device is preferably located on the at least one shoulder.

The device of the preferred embodiment is preferably a portable, handheld device. Preferably, the device is a media player, such as an MP3 player. However, the device may be any other apparatus which uses a removable memory drive such as, for example, a video games console, camera, camcorder, telephone or digital personal assistant.

Preferably, the device is configured for use with any one of the preferred memory drives discussed above. Therefore, the memory drive and the device are preferably configured such that when the memory drive is inserted into the device, the at least one power output terminal on the memory drive engages the at least one * power input terminal on the device such that an electrical current (i.e. power) can be transmitted from the power output terminal on the memory drive into the power input terminal in the device in use.

It will be appreciated that the device of the present invention need not necessarily comprise a USB port. Therefore, from another aspect the present invention provides a device configured to removably receive a memory drive in a memory drive receiving

portion and to access data stored on the memory drive, wherein the device comprises a power input terminal within the memory drive receiving portion for supplying power to a component within the device in use. From another aspect, the present invention provides a method of supplying power to a memory drive so as to power the memory in the memory drive and power a further device through the memory drive.

The method preferably further comprises simultaneously accessing and/or modifying data stored on the memory drive. Preferably, the device is any one of the preferred devices described above. Additionally, or alternatively, the memory drive is preferably one of the preferred memory drives described above. Various embodiments of the present invention and illustrative prior art arrangements will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. IA shows a conventional USB thumb drive, Fig. IB shows the USB thumb drive connected to a media player, and Fig. 1C shows the USB thumb drive connected to a computer;

Figs. 2A-2D show memory drives according to preferred embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows the memory drive of a preferred embodiment being connected to a media player of a preferred embodiment in a first orientation;

Figs . 4A-4D show a preferred embodiment during several stages wherein the memory drive is disconnected from the media player, rotated and re-inserted into the media player in a second orientation and then also connected to a computer;

Fig. 5 shows the memory drive of Fig. 3 being connected to the media player in a second orientation and also to a computer;

Figs. 6A-6C show a front view, a cross-sectional side view and an end view of a media player according to a preferred embodiment;

Figs . 7A-7B show a preferred memory drive with and without its protective cap,-

Figs. 8A-8C show 3D views of a media player of a preferred embodiment during rotation of the memory drive.

The differences between the preferred embodiments of the present invention and conventional equipment will now be illustrated by referring to the accompanying drawings .

Figs. 1A-1C illustrate a conventional USB thumb drive 1 ' and the manner in which it is conventionally used. Referring to Fig. IA, the USB drive comprises a male USB portion 2, a memory 4, a housing 6, power input terminals 8 and data terminals 10. The power input terminals 8 are connected to the memory 4 via conductive pathways 12 so that power can be transferred to the memory 4 so as to access data stored thereon. The data terminals 10 are connected to the memory 4 via conductive pathways 14 to enable data to be sent to and received from the memory circuits 4 so as to manage files stored on the USB drive 1' .

Fig. IB shows the USB drive I ¹ inserted into the female USB port 16 of a media player 18. The media player 18 powers the memory circuits 4 in the USB drive 1' and transfers data from the USB drive 1' into the media player 18. Often, it is desirable to add new data

to the USB drive I ¹ , or to otherwise modify the files stored on the USB drive 1 ' . In order to do this the USB drive 1' is disconnected from the media player 18 and connected to a computer. Fig. 1C shows the USB drive 1' disconnected from the media player 18 and inserted into a female USB port 20 of a personal computer 22. The computer 22 powers the memory circuits 4 in the USB drive 1 ' and data is transferred between the computer 22 and USB drive 1' so as to add new files or manage the files currently on the USB drive 1 ' . Once the files have been managed as desired, the USB drive 1 ' can be disconnected from the computer 22 and re-inserted into the media player 18 so as to run its modified content on the player 18. Figs . 2A-2D show USB drives 1 according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. The USB drives 1 are similar to the USB drive 1' shown in Fig. IA. The preferred USB drives 1 comprise a male USB portion 2, a memory 4, a housing 6, positive and negative (or positive and earthed) power input terminals 8 and data terminals 10. The power input terminals 8 are electrically connected to the memory 4 via conductive pathways 12 so as to supply power to memory circuits therein. The data terminals 10 are also electrically connected to the memory 4 via conductive pathways 14 so that data can be transferred to and from the memory 4. The housing 6 of the USB drive 1 has a width and thickness in the Y and Z directions respectively which are greater than the width and thickness of the male USB portion 2.

In addition to these components the USB drive 1 comprises power output terminals 24 which are

electrically connected to the power input terminals 8 , via conductive pathways 26,26' such that power can be transferred from the power input terminals 8 to the - power output terminals 24. In some embodiments, the power output terminals 24 may be directly electrically connected to the power input terminals 8 by conductive pathways 26 as shown in Figs. 2A-2C. Alternatively, the power output terminals 24 may be indirectly electrically connected to the power input terminals 8 via conductive pathways 26' and the memory circuits 4, as shown in Fig. 2D.

The power output terminals 24 may be located on the housing 6 at various different positions and spacings , depending upon the configuration of the device into which it is to be inserted. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2A the power output terminals 24 are located on the opposite end of the USB drive 1 to the power input terminals 8 located in the male USB portion 2. Fig. 2B shows an alternative embodiment wherein the power output terminals 24 are located on opposing walls of the housing 6. Fig. 2C shows another embodiment wherein the power output terminals 24 are located adjacent to each other and on the same side wall of the housing 6. In this embodiment the power output terminals are spaced sufficiently far apart so as to be electrically isolated from one another. The embodiment shown in Fig. 2D is the same as the embodiment shown in Fig. 2A, except that the power output terminals 24 are connected to the power input terminals 8 via the memory circuits 4. Fig. 3 shows the USB drive 1 of Fig. 2A being connected in a first orientation to a media player 30 of a preferred embodiment. The media player 30 comprises a

female USB port 32 for receiving the male USB portion 2 on the USB drive 1. The media player 30_also includes a slot 34 which is sized and configured so as to receive the housing 6 on the USB drive 1. The slot 34 in the player 30 is dimensioned so as to have a width and depth in the Y and Z directions respectively which are . larger than the width and depth of the female USB port 32. The media player 30 further comprises power input terminals 36 which are electrically connected to a rechargeable battery within the player (not shown) . The power input terminals 36 may also be electrically connected to other components in the media player 30 which need to be supplied with power in use.

When the male portion 2 of the USB drive 1 is inserted into the female USB port 32 in the media player 30, the media player 30 is able to supply power from ^' its battery to the power input terminals 8 on the USB drive 1 so as to power the memory circuits 4 in the conventional manner. Data can then be exchanged in the conventional manner between the USB drive 1 and media player 30 via the data terminals 10 in the male USB portion 2 and the data terminals in the female USB port 32. In this way, the media player 30 is able to access and run files stored in the memory 4 of the USB drive 1. According to the preferred embodiment, the USB drive 1 can be removed from the media player 30, rotated and re-inserted in the media player 30 in a second orientation. This enables the media player 30 to be connected to a computer via the USB drive 1, as will be described further below.

Figs. 4A-4D show the various steps involved in changing the orientation of the USB drive 1 within the

media player 30 so as to enable the USB drive 1 to be connected to both the media player 30 and a computer 22 simultaneously. Fig. 4A shows the USB drive 1 inserted into the media player 30 in the first orientation. Figs . 4B and 4C show the USB drive 1 being removed from the media player 30 and rotated for re-insertion in the second orientation. Fig. 4D shows the USB drive 1 reinserted into the media player 30 in the second orientation such that the male portion 2 of the USB drive 1 does not engage the female USB port 32 in the media player 30, but rather protrudes outwardly from the media player 30. In this second orientation the USB drive 1 is arranged so that the male USB portion 2 can be inserted into the female USB port 20 on a computer 22, as shown.

Fig. 5 illustrates the arrangement shown in Fig. 4C, which is just prior to inserting the USB drive 1 into both the media player 30 and computer 22. The housing 6 of the USB drive 1 is inserted into the slot 34 in the media player 30 so that the power output terminals 24 on the USB drive 1 engage with the power input terminals 36 on the media player 30. As the USB drive housing 6 and the slot 34 in the media player 30 are larger than the female USB port 32 in the media player 30, the extent to which the USB drive 1 can be inserted into the media player 30 is limited by the shoulders 38 between the slot 34 and the female port 32. The power input terminals 36 in the media player 30 are located on the shoulders 38 and the power output terminals 24 on the USB drive 1 are located laterally outward (in the Y-direction) of the USB connector 2. This arrangement ensures that when the power output

terminals 24 of the USB drive 1 are connected to the power input terminals 36 of the media player 30 the male portion 2 on the USB drive 1 protrudes far enough outwardly from the media player 30 so as to be able to enter and engage the female USB port 20 on the computer 22.

Once the USB drive 1 ^• is inserted into both the media player 30 and the computer 22 (as shown in Fig. 4D) , power can be supplied from the female USB port 20 of the computer 22 to the power input terminals 8 on the USB drive 1. This powers the memory circuits 4 in the USB drive 1 in the conventional manner. Data may then be exchanged between the computer 22 and the memory 4 of the USB drive 1 via the data terminals 10 so as to add, delete or manage files stored in the memory 4 in the conventional manner. According to the preferred embodiments, power supplied from the computer 22 to the power input terminals 8 of the USB drive 1 is also supplied to the power output terminals 24 of the USB drive 1 via the conductive paths 26,26'. As such, power is supplied to the power input terminals 36 of the media player 30 in order to recharge the battery therein (not shown) and further optionally power other components in the media player 30. The location of the power input terminals 36 on the media player 30 may be chosen for use with any particular arrangement of power output terminals 24 on the USB drive 1, such as those shown in Figs. 2A-2D. The media player 30 may be provided with several sets of power input terminals 36 so that it can be used with USB drives 1 having different arrangements of power output terminals 24.

Figs. 6A-6C show various views of the media player 30 and USB drive 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the male portion 2 of the USB drive 1 is inserted into the female port 32 of the media player 30 in the first orientation. Referring to Fig. 6A, the media player 30 comprises a control panel 40, an LCD display panel 42 and a portion 44 for receiving the USB drive 1. The casing of the media player 30 also comprises a recess 46 adjacent to the USB drive receiving portion 44 so that the user can insert their finger into the recess 46, grasp the edge of the USB drive 1 and slide it out of the player 30 in the axial direction towards the end of the player 30. The broken lines in Fig. 6A represents the position of the male portion 2 ' of the USB drive 1 when the USB drive 1 is inserted into the media player 30 in the second orientation for connecting the USB drive 1 also to the computer 22. It can be seen that by configuring the USB drive 1 and media player 30 such that the USB drive 1 is removeably connectable in two different orientations the size of the media player 30 can be significantly reduced since during portable use of the media player 30 the male portion 2 of the USB drive 1 can be hidden inside the media player 30. Fig. 6B shows a cross-sectional side view through the media player 30 of Fig. 6A. From this view the relative positions of the various components can be seen. The media player 30 comprises a control panel 40, a control processor 48, an LCD display panel 42 and a rechargeable battery 50. The USB drive 1 and associated memory circuits 4 are shown inserted into the media player 30 with the male USB connection 2 docked inside

the slot 32 of the media player 30. The media player 30 ^' further comprises a conductive path 52 which connects the rechargeable battery 50 to the power input terminals 36 of the media player 30 (shown in Fig. 5) . As in Fig. βA, the broken lines represent the position of the male , portion 2 ' of the USB drive 1 when the USB drive 1 is inserted into the media player 30 in the second orientation for connecting the USB drive 1 also to the computer 22. Fig. βC shows a view of the end of the media player 30 into which the USB drive 1 is inserted. Again, the position of the male portion 2 ' of the USB drive 1 is shown by the broken lines. From this view it can be seen that the edges of the USB drive 1 are configured to co-operate with the media player 30 so that the USB drive 1 can be retained in the media player 30 whilst the outwardly facing surface of the USB drive 1 remains visible from outside of the player 30. In particular, ^• the lateral edges 54 of the USB drive 1 and edges 56 of the slot 34,44 of the media player 30 are angled relative to their outer faces . This configuration enables the USB drive 1 to be retained in the media player 30 whilst being removable by sliding the USB drive 1 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the .media player 30. As the face of the USB drive 1 remains visible, this configuration enables the user to easily determine which particular USB drive 1 is inserted into the player 30 without removing it.

Figs. 7A-7B show the USB drive 1 of the preferred embodiment with and without a protective cap 60 that covers the male USB portion 2 and abuts the housing 6.

Figs. 8A-8C show 3D views of the preferred media player 30 and USB drive 1 corresponding to those in Pigs. 4A-4D, wherein the USB drive 1 is rotated between its two possible orientations within the media player 30. These figures also show an additional USB drive 1 for use with the media player 30 together with its associated protective cap 60.