HK1069252B - Memory module with playback mode - Google Patents

Description

Memory module with playback mode

Technical Field

The present invention relates to memory modules having an audio playback mode, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a memory module in which one connector port can be used for input and output of digital and analog data, including the playback mode in the case of analog.

Background

Currently, a range of memory modules are in use. An example of such a storage module is an MP3 player. This requires cables to enable them to be connected to the user's computer and to enable the transfer of music from the computer to the player. Such a cable may be an RS-232 cable, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable, or an IEEE1394 cable. Currently, two different high speed cables have gained consumer acceptance-USB 1.1 and 2.0 and IEEE 1394. IEEE1394 is called "firewire". With these, differential data lines are used to transmit data at speeds up to 480 MHz. Any playback or output will pass through a separate connector port. Likewise, the input lines and output lines are mutually exclusive, the input lines being of no use during playback and the playback lines being of no use during download.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playback apparatus, comprising a connector port for data transmission and analog audio playback; a data storage storing audio data received via the connector port; and a function controller that controls playback of the audio data stored in the data storage. When in an audio playback mode in which the playback apparatus is connected to the main machine via the connector port, the connector port outputs analog audio, and the output from the connector port is controlled by the controller circuit.

Preferably, the connector port may be a USB or IEEE1394 connector port. The connector port may also be a male connector port.

Preferably, the playback device may further include an earphone jack.

Preferably, in the audio playback mode, the playback device is capable of receiving power via a power cord in the connector port.

Also preferably, the controller circuit may include a multiplexing circuit coupled to the connector port and selecting between the USB transceiver and the output of the audio preamplifier. The multiplexing circuit may be electrically operated by detecting a voltage level between the ground line and a power line in the connector port. The multiplexing circuit may also be mechanically operated by a physical switch of the user to operate to switch between data and audio modes.

Preferably, the analog audio output is provided on a data line in the connector port.

Also preferably, the controller circuit may further comprise a multiplexing circuit coupled to the data line and selecting between the USB transceiver and the output of the audio preamplifier. The multiplexing circuit may be electrically operated by detecting a voltage level between the ground line and a power line in the connector port.

Drawings

In order that the present invention may be clearly understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the following illustrative drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view from above of a first embodiment mounted to a battery holder;

FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 prior to installation of the battery support;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the first embodiment mounted to a battery bracket;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the direction of arrows B-B in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the first embodiment prior to engaging the battery holder; and

fig. 6 is a view of the second embodiment corresponding to fig. 5.

Detailed Description

Referring first to fig. 1-5, a memory module 10 is shown, suitable for use with a computer (not shown), and intended to be capable of functioning as a recording and playback module. To be able to operate off the computer, it is used with a mating battery pack and cradle 12.

The module 10 has a functional controller 13 of a known type to control the playback of the data stored in the module 10. The data may be audio and/or video and/or other storable data. The earphone socket 14 is provided for audio functions so that the module 10 can be used by a user when the battery pack and cradle 12 are installed, without the need for other external reproduction equipment.

The battery assembly and cradle 12 has a cover 16 in which a battery 18 is removably received. The battery is connected to a power cord 20 which is connected to a female socket 22.

The memory module 10 has a housing 24 in which the earphone socket 14 is mounted. Also mounted within the housing 24 is a connector port 26 for data and power transfer. This may be a USB or IEEE1394 port. Power 42 is delivered from port 26 to the necessary components of memory module 10 in a known manner. These components have well-known categories and operations. Data 44 is sent to and from the controller circuit 28 and then to the non-volatile memory 30. The controller circuit 28 is connected to the earphone socket 14.

When it is desired to download data to the module 10, the module 10 is removed from the battery pack and cradle 12, and the connector 26 is connected directly to the USB or IEEE1394 port ("port") of the user's computer. Power for the module is provided from port 26 via a port of the computer. When the module 10 is connected to a user's computer, if the user wants to use the module 10 in a playback mode, the port 26 is used to play back data with the computer without using the headphone jack 14.

The second embodiment of fig. 6 shows a case where the port 26 is used for audio output through the earphone socket 14, in which case the earphone socket 14 is mounted to the cover 16. The port 26 and receptacle 22 each have at least four terminals, each connected to a separate line: ground 32, power supply 34(+5V), D +36 and D-38 as differential data lines. The data lines 36, 38 transmit signals at a frequency in the range of 1-480 MHz. Only one line is shown to represent the two data lines 36, 38 (audio left and right channels) of the USB port. IEEE1394 will have four data lines and they are also represented by a single line 36, 38.

Controller circuit 28 includes multiplexing circuit 40 so that module 10 knows in which mode it is operating-audio 46 or data 48. As can be seen, audio 46 is unidirectional (playback) and data 48 is bidirectional (download or input and playback or output). The circuit 40 selects between the audio preamplifier and the output of the USB transceiver. It may be electrically or mechanically operated. Electrical operation may be performed, for example, by using a voltage level between ground 32 and power line 34. Since the voltage at the power line 34 is higher when connected to a computer than when connected to the battery pack, the controller circuit 28 can easily determine whether the module is connected to a computer or to the battery pack by measuring the voltage at the power line 34.

The selection may be a mechanical operation by switching between data and audio (playback) modes being operated by a physical switch prepared for the user. The mechanical switch may also be operated automatically by a finger mounted to the cover 16 that operates a physical switch on the housing 24 and switches the mode to audio (playback) mode whenever the module is mounted to the battery assembly and cradle 12. When there is no such finger, the module will automatically enter the data mode. Alternatively, module 10 may enter an audio (playback) mode when no fingers are present.

As seen in the figures, the stent 12 has a generally L-shaped configuration. The female data connector or receptacle 22 is formed in the short arm of the generally L-shaped structure, while the box in the cradle 12 that receives the battery 18 is formed in the long arm of the generally L-shaped structure. As seen in fig. 1 and 4, when the memory module and the holder are assembled together by engagement of the male 26 and female 22 data connectors, the memory module and holder are in a side-by-side configuration and the case containing the battery 18 is located alongside the memory module 10.

Thus, the present invention provides a memory module that can be directly connected to a user's computer for download and playback, and used off the computer for use by using a battery pack and cradle, and then for playback by using a headphone jack. This is in contrast to existing memory modules, which are either memory devices: they have no playback capability and cannot operate independently of their "master" machine (computer, PDA, etc.); or a device such as an MP3 player where a cable is required to connect the player to a computer for downloading music to be stored in the player. During the downloading of music, the USB port of the MP3 player is used for data transfer only. In order to have reasonable playback time, MP3 players have a built-in battery compartment that contains a battery. Which makes them too large and prevents direct coupling to machines such as computers, PDAs, etc.

Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design, construction or operation may be made without departing from the present invention.

The invention extends to all features disclosed either individually or in all possible permutations and combinations.

Claims (9)

1. A playback apparatus comprising:

a connector port for data transmission and analog audio playback;

a data storage storing audio data received via the connector port; and

a function controller that controls playback of the audio data stored in the data storage,

wherein, when in an audio playback mode in which the playback device is connected to a host via the connector port, the connector port outputs analog audio, the output from the connector port being controlled by a controller circuit comprising a multiplexing circuit.

2. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the connector port is a USB or IEEE1394 connector port.

3. A playback device as defined in claim 2, wherein the connector port is a male connector port.

4. The playback device of claim 3, further comprising an earphone jack.

5. A playback device as defined in claim 1, wherein the analog audio output is provided on a data line in the connector port.

6. The playback device of claim 1, wherein in the audio playback mode, the playback device is capable of receiving power via a power cord in the connector port.

7. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the multiplexing circuit is coupled to the connector port and selects between a USB transceiver and an output of an audio preamplifier.

8. The playback device of claim 7, wherein the multiplexing circuit is electrically operated by detecting a voltage level between a ground line and a power line in the connector port.

9. The playback device of claim 7, wherein the multiplexing circuit is mechanically operated by a physical switch of a user to operate to switch between data and audio modes.