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US6813662B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Memory drive having multi-connector and method of controlling the same

Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
•
Filing: 2003-02-11
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Granted: 2004-11-02
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Expires: 2023-02-11
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Abstract

Abstract A portable memory drive having a multi-connector, including a plurality of connectors different in type, receiving data from and transmitting data to an electronic device; a memory storing therein the data inputted from the electronic device; a controller storing the data received through the connector connected to the electronic device in the memory, reading out the data stored in the memory and providing the data to the electronic device through the connector connected to the electronic device. With this configuration, a memory drive having a multi-connector with which the memory drive can be directly connected to various ports provided in an electronic device, without other separate connections.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hee-chun Park

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 06:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/067; G06K19/07; G06K19/077; G06K19/0772; G06K19/07732; G06F3/00; G06F3/06; G06F3/0601; G06F3/0602; G06F3/0604; G06F3/0607; G06F3/0628; G06F3/0655; G06F3/0661; G06F3/0668; G06F3/0671; G06F3/0673; G06F3/0679

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim 109 words
A memory drive for connection with a plurality of electronic devices, comprising: a multi-connector including a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality of connectors of the multi-connector having plural conductors and being different in type to receive data from and transmit data to one of the plurality of electronic devices; a memory storing therein the data received from the electronic device; and a controller storing in the memory the data received through the multi-connector connected to the electronic device, reading out the data stored in the memory and providing the data to the electronic device through only one of the plurality of connectors connected to the electronic device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 109 words
A memory drive for connection with a plurality of electronic devices, comprising: a multi-connector including a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality of connectors of the multi-connector having plural conductors and being different in type to receive data from and transmit data to one of the plurality of electronic devices; a memory storing therein the data received from the electronic device; and a controller storing in the memory the data received through the multi-connector connected to the electronic device, reading out the data stored in the memory and providing the data to the electronic device through only one of the plurality of connectors connected to the electronic device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 73 words
The memory drive having a multi-connector according to claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of switches corresponding to the plurality of connectors, switching signals inputted and outputted through the plurality of connectors; wherein the controller controls the plurality of switches so that data is prevented from being inputted and outputted through other connectors except for one predetermined connector, where at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors connect the electronic device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 35 words
The memory drive according to claim 1 , wherein the multi-connector includes at least two of an A-type USB connector, a B-type USB connector, a 5-pin mini B-type USB connector, and a 4-pin mini-USB connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 47 words
The memory drive according to claim 1 , wherein when two or more of the plurality of connectors are simultaneously connected to the electronic device, the one connector to be used to input and output the data from the memory is determined according to a predetermined priority.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
The memory drive according to claim 1 , further comprising: an LED to indicate an operational state of the memory drive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 20 words
The memory drive according to claim 1 , further comprising: a write protection switch to write protect the memory drive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 58 words
The memory drive according to claim 1 , further comprising: one or more reverse voltage-preventing parts connected between one or more corresponding connectors of the plurality of connectors and the controller to prevent a voltage inputted on the one or more corresponding connectors from the external device from energizing another connector of the one or more corresponding connectors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 58 words
The memory drive according to claim 1 , wherein: the in-line switches switch signals through the plurality of connectors; and a switching signal generator to switch the in-line switches such that the data is only transmitted through one connector of the plurality of connectors, where at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors connect the electronic device.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 109 words
A method of controlling a portable memory drive having a multi-connector for connection with a plurality of electronic devices, comprising: preparing a plurality of connectors different in type for data reception from and transmission to one of the plurality of electronic devices; determining whether at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors are connected to the electronic device when power is supplied; preventing input and output of data through other connectors except for one predetermined connector of the plurality of connectors, when the at least two connectors are determined to be connected to the electronic device; and processing the data inputted and outputted through the one predetermined connector.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 109 words
A method of controlling a portable memory drive having a multi-connector for connection with a plurality of electronic devices, comprising: preparing a plurality of connectors different in type for data reception from and transmission to one of the plurality of electronic devices; determining whether at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors are connected to the electronic device when power is supplied; preventing input and output of data through other connectors except for one predetermined connector of the plurality of connectors, when the at least two connectors are determined to be connected to the electronic device; and processing the data inputted and outputted through the one predetermined connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 40 words
The method according to claim 9 , wherein if only one of the plurality of connectors is determined to be connected to the electronic device, the data inputted and outputted through the one connector determined to be connected is processed.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 135 words
A method of controlling a memory drive having a multi-connector with a plurality of different types of connectors, each of which is connected to one of plural electronic devices, comprising: receiving and/or transmitting data from the memory drive to the electronic device through the multi-connector; if at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors are connected to the electronic device when power is supplied to the electronic device, then preventing input data and/or output data through any of the connectors of the plurality of connectors except for one predetermined connector of the plurality of connectors; and if one connector of the plurality of connectors is connected to the electronic device when power is supplied to the electronic device, then processing input data and/or output data through the one connector of the plurality of connectors.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 135 words
A method of controlling a memory drive having a multi-connector with a plurality of different types of connectors, each of which is connected to one of plural electronic devices, comprising: receiving and/or transmitting data from the memory drive to the electronic device through the multi-connector; if at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors are connected to the electronic device when power is supplied to the electronic device, then preventing input data and/or output data through any of the connectors of the plurality of connectors except for one predetermined connector of the plurality of connectors; and if one connector of the plurality of connectors is connected to the electronic device when power is supplied to the electronic device, then processing input data and/or output data through the one connector of the plurality of connectors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 69 words
The method of controlling a memory drive according to claim 11 , wherein said preventing comprises: switching signals inputted and outputted through the at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors by controlling a plurality of switches so that the signals are prevented from being inputted and outputted through any of the connectors of the plurality of connectors except for one predetermined connector of the plurality of connectors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of controlling a memory drive according to claim 12 , wherein said switching includes determining the one predetermined connector according to a predetermined priority.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of controlling a memory drive according to claim 11 , further comprising: indicating an operational state of the memory drive.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of controlling a memory drive according to claim 11 , further comprising: write protecting the memory drive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 36 words
The method of controlling a memory drive according to claim 11 , further comprising: preventing a voltage inputted on the one or more corresponding connectors from energizing another connector of the one or more corresponding connectors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 55 words
The memory drive according to claim 11 , further comprising: switching signals transmitted through the plurality of connectors by a plurality of switches corresponding to the plurality of connectors; and only transmitting data through one connector of the plurality of connectors, when at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors connect the electronic device.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 125 words
A method of controlling a memory drive having a multi-connector with a plurality of different types of connectors, each of which is connected to plurality of electronic devices, comprising: receiving and/or transmitting data from the memory drive to the electronic device through the multi-connector; if at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors are connected to the electronic device when power is supplied to the electronic device, then processing input data and/or output data through only one predetermined connector of the at least two connectors; and if one connector of the plurality of connectors is connected to the electronic device when power is supplied to the electronic device, then processing input data and/or output data through the one connector of the plurality of connectors.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 125 words
A method of controlling a memory drive having a multi-connector with a plurality of different types of connectors, each of which is connected to plurality of electronic devices, comprising: receiving and/or transmitting data from the memory drive to the electronic device through the multi-connector; if at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors are connected to the electronic device when power is supplied to the electronic device, then processing input data and/or output data through only one predetermined connector of the at least two connectors; and if one connector of the plurality of connectors is connected to the electronic device when power is supplied to the electronic device, then processing input data and/or output data through the one connector of the plurality of connectors.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 141 words
A memory drive having a multi-connector for connection with a plurality of electronic devices, comprising: a plurality of connectors of the multi-connector different in type, each of the plurality of connectors including at least one data line to receive data from and transmit data to one of the plurality of electronic devices, each of the data lines including an in-line switch to allow electrical disconnection of the electronic device from the memory drive when the memory drive is coupled with the electronic device; a memory storing therein the data received from the electronic device; and a controller storing in the memory the data received through the multi-connector connected with the electronic device, reading out the data stored in the memory and providing the data to the electronic device through only one of the plurality of connectors connected with the electronic device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 141 words
A memory drive having a multi-connector for connection with a plurality of electronic devices, comprising: a plurality of connectors of the multi-connector different in type, each of the plurality of connectors including at least one data line to receive data from and transmit data to one of the plurality of electronic devices, each of the data lines including an in-line switch to allow electrical disconnection of the electronic device from the memory drive when the memory drive is coupled with the electronic device; a memory storing therein the data received from the electronic device; and a controller storing in the memory the data received through the multi-connector connected with the electronic device, reading out the data stored in the memory and providing the data to the electronic device through only one of the plurality of connectors connected with the electronic device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 61 words
The memory drive according to claim 19 , wherein: the in-line switches switch signals inputted and outputted through the plurality of connectors; and the controller controls the in-line switches so that data is prevented from being inputted and outputted through other connectors except for one predetermined connector, where at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors connect the electronic device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 58 words
The memory drive according to claim 19 , wherein: the in-line switches switch signals through the plurality of connectors; and a switching signal generator to switch the in-line switches such that the data is only transmitted through one connector of the plurality of connectors, where at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors connect the electronic device.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2007-11-02 2008-05-03 2008-11-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2011-11-02 2012-05-03 2012-11-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2015-11-02 2016-05-03 2016-11-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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