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US6979210B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thumb drive with retractable USB connector
Assignee: ANU IP LLC
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Filing: 2004-07-29
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Granted: 2005-12-27
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Expires: 2024-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A thumb drive has an 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, and an extension/retraction mechanism coupled to the connector and on-board memory for extending the connector from an enclosure of the drive and for retracting the connector when not in use. In various embodiments a light is also provided for use with finding female USB ports for connection, and as a utility light.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Regen
- 👤 Peter Garrett
- 👤 Everett Hale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/66; H01R13/665; H01R13/6658; H01R13/717; H01R13/7175; H01R13/7177
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A thumb drive comprising: a housing enclosure; on-board memory within the housing enclosure for storing digital information; a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory and constrained to translate from a position within the housing enclosure to a position outside the housing enclosure, the USB connector for connecting to a female USB port of a computer appliance; and a slide button coupled through an opening in the housing to the USB connector; wherein moving the slide button in one direction extends the connector from the housing to couple to a female connector, and moving the slide button in the opposite direction retracts the connector within the housing enclosure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A thumb drive comprising: a housing enclosure; on-board memory within the housing enclosure for storing digital information; a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory and constrained to translate from a position within the housing enclosure to a position outside the housing enclosure, the USB connector for connecting to a female USB port of a computer appliance; and a slide button coupled through an opening in the housing to the USB connector; wherein moving the slide button in one direction extends the connector from the housing to couple to a female connector, and moving the slide button in the opposite direction retracts the connector within the housing enclosure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The thumb drive of claim 1 further comprising 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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thumb drive of claim 1 wherein the on-board memory is digital flash memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The thumb drive of claim 3 wherein memory capacity is equal to or exceeds 256 Mbytes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The thumb drive of claim 1 further comprising 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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The thumb drive of claim 5 wherein operating the slide button also turns on the light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The thumb drive of claim 1 further comprising internal control elements for managing MP3 player functions for the thumb drive, a display for displaying downloaded song titles, and user-operable controls for selecting and playing songs recorded as audio files in the on-board memory as audio output at an output connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The thumb drive of claim 7 further comprising a set of ear buds or earphones compatible with the output connector, and one or both of a built-in speaker and a microphone for a user to record digital audio files directly into the on-board memory.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
A thumb drive comprising: on-board memory for storing digital information; a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory and having an engagement direction for connecting to a USB port of a computer appliance; a light element positioned to provide light substantially in the engagement direction of the male USB connector; 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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A thumb drive comprising: on-board memory for storing digital information; a male USB connector coupled to the on-board memory and having an engagement direction for connecting to a USB port of a computer appliance; a light element positioned to provide light substantially in the engagement direction of the male USB connector; 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.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The thumb drive of claim 9 further comprising an on-board power supply for powering the light element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The thumb drive of claim 9 wherein the light element comprises one or the other of one or more high-intensity LEDs or an incandescent bulb.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
The thumb drive of claim 9 wherein the extension/retraction mechanism comprises a set of guides within a body of the thumb drive for translating the USB connector, and a slide button extending through an opening in the body and connected to the USB connector, wherein a user may translate the USB connector along the guides by translating the slide button from outside the body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The thumb drive of claim 12 further comprising detents which provide, in concert with the slide button, detention of the USB connector in a fully extended or a fully withdrawn position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thumb drive of claim 9 wherein the on-board memory is digital flash memory.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The thumb drive of claim 14 wherein memory capacity is equal to or exceeds 256 Mbytes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The thumb drive of claim 9 further comprising internal control elements for managing MP3 player functions for the thumb drive, a display for displaying downloaded song titles, and user-operable controls for selecting and playing songs recorded as audio files in the on-board memory as audio output at an output connector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The thumb drive of claim 16 further comprising a set of ear buds or earphones compatible with the output connector, and one or both of a built-in speaker and a microphone for a user to record digital audio files directly into the on-board memory.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-12-26 | 2009-06-27 | 2009-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-12-26 | 2013-06-27 | 2013-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-12-26 | 2017-06-27 | 2017-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |