Low height USB interface connecting device and a memory storage apparatus thereof

• US 20040027812A1
• Filed: 08/11/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Power Quotient International Company Limited (FIT Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Power Quotient International Company Limited (FIT Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yen, Sheng Shun
• Granted Patent: US 7,068,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/752
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07732 the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks housings for electrical equipment in general, see H05K5/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07733 the record carrier containing at least one further contact interface not conform ISO-7816
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/725 containing contact members presenting a contact carrying strip, e.g. edge-like strip

Abstract

A connecting device with a low height comprises a connector part, and a set of metal terminals. The connector part has a height compatible with the height of an inner space in a standard USB interface slot socket so as to be inserted into the standard USB interface slot socket. The set of metal terminals is arranged on the connector part and composed of a plurality of metal sheets and each metal sheet has an end disposed in the connector part and another end extending outward the connector part. The first end of the respective metal sheet in the set of metal terminals contacts with internal electronic signal of the standard USB interface slot socket and the second end of the respective metal sheet is soldered to a printed circuit board. Furthermore, the low height connecting device can be revised as an electronic connecting device capable of being inserted into the USB slot socket so that both of the connecting devices can be used in a dual interface memory storage apparatus or a memory storage apparatus.

Claims

1. A connecting device with a low height, comprises

a connector part, having a height thereof compatible with a height of an inner space in a standard USB interface slot socket so as to be inserted into the standard USB interface slot socket;

and

a set of metal terminals, being arranged on the connector part, being composed of a plurality of metal sheets, each of the metal sheets having a first end being disposed in the connector part and a second end extending outward the connector part;

whereby, the first end of the respective metal sheet in the metal terminal assembly contacts with internal electronic signal of the standard USB interface slot socket and the respective second end is soldered to a printed circuit board or a signal connecting lines as a soldered joint such that a circuit loop can be formed.

2. The connecting device with a low height according to claim 1, wherein a set of jut pieces are fixedly attached to both lateral sides of the connector part for preventing the connecting device from being inserted into the slot socket in an incorrect direction.

3. The connecting device with a low height according to claim 1, wherein the metal terminal assembly provides four independent and disconnecting gold contacts for connecting with the electronic signal.

4. The connecting device with a low height according to claim 1, wherein the connector part provides an external recess to reinforce an engaging strength thereof during being inserted into the standard USB interface.

6. The storage apparatus according claim 5, wherein the interface connector is the same as the low height connecting device defined in claim 1.

11. The storage apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the another interface is a USB interface with an interface connecting device fixing to a USB signal end and the interface connector is the same as the low height connecting device defined in claim 1.

5. A low height USB interface memory storage apparatus, comprising:

a casing, receiving and bearing following components;

a printed circuit board, being arranged in the casing, providing a layout of lead wire circuit;

a memory array, at least comprising a memory component as a data storage apparatus;

a controller, being disposed in the casing, being provided with a layout of required circuit for completing transmission and change between USB interface signal and data signal and performing data saving into the memory array; and

an interface connector, being different from the standard USB interface connector but capable of being inserted into a USB slot socket, exposing outward the casing, providing a soldering joint to connect with the printed circuit board.

7. The storage apparatus according claim 5, wherein the memory component is provided with a read only switch or device exposing externally.

8. The storage apparatus according claim 5, wherein a signal light is mounted externally.

9. The storage apparatus according claim 5, wherein a detachable cover guard is provided to fit with and protect the connector.

10. A memory storage apparatus with dual interface connecting devices, comprising

a casing, receiving and bearing following components;

a printed circuit board, being disposed in the casing and having a circuit layout of lead wires;

a memory array, at least comprising a memory component and acting as data saving device;

a dual interface controller, changing data saved in an internal memory of being disposed in the housing, being provided with a required circuit for completing an interface signal change and transmitting data between an interface and the memory component;

a system interface connecting device, exposing outward the casing, providing wires to connect with the printed circuit board, having an external pin holes or connecting pins for engaging with a slot socket of an application system; and

another interface connecting device, exposing outward the casing, providing soldering joints to connect with the printed circuit board, having pin holes or connecting pins to engage with another interface slot socket.

12. The storage apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a read only switch or device is provided to expose externally.

13. The storage apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a signal light is mounted externally.

14. The storage apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a detachable cover guard is provided to fit with and protect the connector.

15. An electronic signal connecting device for being inserted into a USB slot socket, comprising

a printed circuit board, providing a circuit layout thereon;

a casing, providing a size for being associated with the printed circuit;

a set of metal lead wires, being laid and formed on the circuit board, and exposing outward the connecting device after the printed circuit board being associated with the casing;

whereby, a size and a height of the connecting device are compatible with an inner part of the USB slot socket so as to be capable of inserting into the USB slot socket.

16. The connecting device according to claim 15, wherein a set of jut pieces are fixedly attached to both lateral sides of the connector part for preventing the connecting device from being inserted into the slot socket in an incorrect direction.

17. The connecting device according to claim 15, wherein the metal lead wire part is composed of a set of parallel metal lead wires and the width of each of the lead wires and a clearance between any two adjacent ones of the lead wires are in accordance with the specification of USB interface terminal.

18. The connecting device according to claim 15, wherein an external recess is provided to reinforce an engaging strength thereof during being inserted into the standard USB interface.

20. The storage apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a connecting device same as the connecting device defined in claim 15 can be formed with the metal lead wire part as soon as the casing is associated with the printed circuit board.

25. The storage apparatus according to claim 24, wherein a connecting device same as the connecting device defined in claim 15 can be formed with the metal lead wire part as soon as the casing is associated with the printed circuit board.

19. A memory storage apparatus without interface connector, which can be inserted into a USB slot socket, comprising

a casing, receiving following electronic components, and having an opening;

a printed circuit board, providing a circuit layout with necessary lead wires and having a set of metal lead wire part exposing outward the casing;

a set of memory array, at least comprising a memory component for saving data;

a USB controller, changing data in the memory component into signal in accordance with a USB interface specification and changing the USB signal into the data so as be saved in the memory component, and connecting with the set of memory array to form a circuit loop.

21. The storage apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a read only switch or device is provided to expose externally to prevent data being written into the storage apparatus.

22. The storage apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a signal light is mounted externally for indicating a work status of read or write.

23. The storage apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a detachable cover guard is provided to fit with and protect the connector.

24. A dual interface memory storage apparatus without interface connector, which can be inserted into a USB slot socket, comprising

a casing, receiving following electronic components, and having an opening;

a printed circuit board, providing a circuit layout with necessary lead wires and having a set of metal lead wire part exposing outward the casing;

a set of memory array, at least comprising a memory component for saving data;

a dual interface controller, changing data in the memory component into signal in accordance with a USB interface specification and changing the USB signal into the data so as be saved in the memory component, and connecting with the set of memory array to form a circuit loop; and

a conventional interface connector or connecting device, being fixedly attached to the printed circuit board but being not compatible with the USB interface.

26. The storage apparatus according to claim 24, wherein a connector or connecting device same as an existing memory card interface connector or connecting device can be formed with the metal lead wire part as soon as the casing is associated with the printed circuit board.

27. The storage apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the existing memory card interface connector or connecting device is fixed to the printed circuit board and exposes outward the storage apparatus.

28. The storage apparatus according to claim 24, wherein a read only switch or device is provided to expose externally to prevent data being written into the storage apparatus.

29. The storage apparatus according to claim 24, wherein a signal light is mounted externally for indicating a work status of read or write.

30. The storage apparatus according to claim 24, wherein a detachable cover guard is provided to fit with and protect the USB interface signal contact end

31. An interface signal framework, comprising:

a power supply (V_bus), for offering a work voltage;

a signal group, further comprising a D+ and a D−

signals;

a ground signal (Power GND); and

a device work signal group, offering a work signal, for indicating a work status of the device;

wherein, the D+ and D−

signals are data signal in accordance with the standard USB interface specification and the device work signal group is offered by the device end and connects with a controller via a necessary circuit.

32. The interface signal framework according to claim 31, wherein the power supply offers a work voltage (V_bus) to support 5 volts, 3.3 volts, 2.5 volts and 1.8 volts.

33. The interface signal framework according to claim 31, wherein the device work signal further comprises a read/write or transmitting work signal for indicating a work status of the device.

34. The interface signal framework according to claim 31, wherein the device work signal group further comprises a power providing signal for indicating a status of power consumption.