Memory module with audio playback mode

• US 20030176935A1
• Filed: 03/18/2002
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Inventors: Lian, Yam Fei, Leow, Chon Hock, Yee, Fook Chye
• Granted Patent: US 7,987,007 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/025 Portable cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2207/16 Solid state audio deprecated, only for historical reasons, G06F3/16, G11B
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/16 Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters

Abstract

A memory module with a playback mode for audio signals through a playback port, and having an input port for input of both analogue and data signals as well as power, the power being from a separate power source. The input port may be a USB or IEEE1394 port and may be used with a battery pack and cradle having a female socket for receiving therein the connector. The input port includes at least four terminals being: ground, power, and two differential data terminals; the differential data terminals carrying signals at frequencies in the range of from 1 to 480 MHz. The input port is also for passing power from the battery pack and cradle to the memory module.

Claims

1. A memory module with a playback mode for audio signals through a playback port, and having an input port for input of both analogue and data signals as well as power, the power being from a separate power source.

2. A memory module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input port is selected from the group consisting of:

a USB port and an IEEE1394 port.

3. A memory module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory module is adapted to be used with and releasably received in a battery pack and cradle having a female socket for receiving therein the input port, the battery pack and cradle including the separate power source.

4. A memory module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the input port is also for passing power from the separate power source in the battery pack and cradle to the memory module.

5. A memory module as claimed in claim 1, further including a controller circuit and an earphone socket.

6. A memory module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the playback port is the earphone socket.

7. A memory module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the playback port is an earphone socket fitted to the battery pack and cradle, audio signals being able to be passed from the memory module to the earphone socket by means of the input port.

8. A memory module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the input port has at least four terminals including:

ground, power, and at least two differential data terminals.

9. A memory module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the differential data terminals carry signals at frequencies in the range of from 1 to 480 MHz.

10. A memory module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the input port has at least four terminals including:

ground, power, and at least two differential data terminals, the differential data terminals being for transfer of data to the memory module, and for transferring audio signals to the earphone socket.

11. A memory module as claimed in claim 3, wherein there is further included a multiplexing circuit so that the memory module knows in which of a plurality of modes it is to operate.

12. A memory module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of modes includes audio and data.

13. A memory module as claimed in claim 10, wherein audio is replay only, and data is download and replay.

14. A memory module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the multiplexing circuit selects between the output of a USB transceiver and an audio preamplifier.

15. A memory module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the multiplexing circuit is electronically operated by using a voltage level between a ground line and a power line, the voltage level being different when the memory module is connected to the battery pack and cradle to when it is connected to a computer.

16. A memory module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the multiplexing circuit is mechanically operated by a physical switch for a user to operate to switch between data and audio modes.

17. A memory module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the multiplexing circuit is mechanically operated by a mechanical switch including a finger fitted to the battery pack and cradle and a switch on the memory module such that whenever the memory module is fitted to battery pack and cradle the finger contacts the switch to switch the memory module to audio mode and, in the absence of the finger, the memory module will automatically be in data mode.