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  Thumb drive with retractable usb connectorUSPTO Application #: 20060240692Title: Thumb drive with retractable usb connector Abstract: A thumb drive comprises on-board memory for storing digital information, a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory for connecting to a USB port of a computer appliance, internal control elements for managing MP3 player functions for the thumb drive, a display for displaying downloaded song titles, user-operable controls for selecting and playing songs recorded as audio files in the on-board memory as audio output at an output connector, a Bluetooth™ compatible transmitter for transmitting selected data and audio output to external Bluetooth™ compatible devices, and an extension/retraction mechanism coupled to the connector for extending the connector from an enclosure of the drive and for retracting the connector when not in use. (end of abstract)
Agent: Central Coast Patent Agency - Aromas, CA, US Inventors: Paul Regen, Peter Garrett, Everett Hale USPTO Applicaton #: 20060240692 - Class: 439131000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Electrical Connectors, Connector Movable Between Accessible And Inaccessible Positions The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060240692. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS [0001] The present application claims priority to co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/903,412, filed on Jul. 29, 2004 which claims priority to provisional application No. 60/528,645 filed Dec. 10, 2003. Both applications above are incorporated in their entirety by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is in the field of computer mass storage devices, and pertains more particularly to solid-state USB connectable drives. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In the computer arts there continues to be motivation for increased density and ease-of-use in mass storage devices. A solid state device known now in the art as a thumb drive was relatively recently introduced advancing the standard for both density and ease-of-use, and such hot-plug drives are made by several manufacturers. A common feature of thumb drives as known in the art is a male USB connector, and functionality to hot-plug and remove, that is, without turning off the computer to which the drive is connected and disconnected. Another common feature is a plastic protective cover for the male USB connector. [0004] Although the advance in the mass storage art with the advent of thumb drives is dramatic, there are still some problems with such a system. For example, the plastic covers for use on the male USB connectors are not very secure, and tend to come loose and be lost. As a remedy, many manufacturers provide two and sometimes three plastic covers with each device sold, often with different colors. Still another problem is that USB ports on computers are not universally easily visible and accessible. Some such ports are on the back of tower cases which are often placed under desks or other furniture, so finding an unused USB female port for connecting the male USB connector of a thumb drive is often not trivial. When a female port is out of sight or in a darkened area, the connection must often be made by feel alone. Still further, when the thumb drive is connected to a computer, the plastic protective cover is removed, and is easily misplaced. [0005] There are also other functions that may be accomplished with the considerable memory available with thumb drives, and their relatively easy connectivity to personal computers and other computerized appliances. One such function is as an MP3 player, to download MP3 files, such as music files, from a computerized appliance, and an ability to play these files into an ear piece, headphone or amplifier from the thumb drive. [0006] Therefore what is clearly needed is a way to dispense with the plastic covers and still protect the male USB connector for thumb drives, a way to aid in the search for unused USB ports, and aid in the engagement of the male USB connector of the thumb drive with the female port on the computer, and a way to use the thumb drive as an MP3 player. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] In an embodiment of the invention a thumb drive is provided, comprising on-board memory for storing digital information, a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory for connecting to a USB port of a computer appliance, internal control elements for managing MP3 player functions for the thumb drive, a display for displaying downloaded song titles, user-operable controls for selecting and playing songs recorded as audio files in the on-board memory as audio output at an output connector, a Bluetooth.TM. compatible transmitter for transmitting selected data and audio output to external Bluetooth.TM. compatible devices, and an extension/retraction mechanism coupled to the connector for extending the connector from an enclosure of the drive and for retracting the connector when not in use. [0008] In some embodiments the thumbdrive further comprises a set of Bluetooth.TM. compatible ear pieces. Also in some embodiments the ear pieces are configured to attach to a pair of glasses. Also in some embodiments the extension/retraction mechanism comprises a set of guides within a body of the thumb drive for translating the coupled memory and USB connector, and a slide button extending through an opening in the body and connected to the coupled USB port and on-board memory, wherein a user may translate the coupled memory and USB connector along the guides by urging the slide button from outside the body. The opening through the body may comprise detents which provide, in concert with the slide button, detention of the coupled memory and USB connector in a fully extended or a fully withdrawn position. [0009] In some embodiments the on-board memory is digital flash memory, which in some cases may be equal to or exceed 256 Mbytes. In some cases there may be a light integrated into the body and directed in the same direction as extending the USB connector, and an on-board power supply for energizing the light. In some cases there may be a set of guides within a body of the thumb drive for translating the coupled memory and USB connector, and a slide button extending through an opening in the body and connected to the coupled USB port and on-board memory, wherein a user may translate the coupled memory and USB connector along the guides by urging the slide button from outside the body, and wherein depressing the button also turns on the light. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES [0010] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a thumb drive according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the connector retracted. [0011] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the thumb drive of FIG. 1a with the connector partly extended. [0012] FIG. 1c is a perspective view of the thumb drive of FIG. 1a with the connector fully extended. [0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a thumb drive according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 3a is an exploded view of the thumb drive of FIG. 2. [0015] FIG. 3b, c, and d show details for detenting in an embodiment of the invention. [0016] FIG. 4a and 4b are a diagrams showing one way a protective cover may be implemented. [0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a thumb drive according to yet another embodiment of the invention. [0018] FIG. 6 is a [perspective view of a thumb drive associated with a Bluetooth.TM. headset in yet another embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Continue reading... 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