Portable memory devices with removable caps that effect operation of the devices when attached
First Claim
1. An electronic system, comprising:
- a re-programmable non-volatile memory system within an enclosure, said memory being accessible through at least first and second data transmission paths, wherein the first data transmission path includes a set of external contacts, at least first and second caps that are alternately attachable over the set of external contacts and are visually distinct from each other, wherein the first cap includes a control path that sets a parameter of the second data transmission path to a first value when the first cap is attached over the set of externally accessible contacts, and the second cap includes a control path that sets the parameter of the second data transmission path to a second value different from the first value when the second cap is attached over the set of externally accessible contacts.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flash memory card structure with an external contact structure according to a published standard, such as the USB standard, also includes a second data transmission path, such as a wireless one. A removable cap fits over the card to cover the external contacts when they are not being used as a memory data path. One of two or more different caps may be selected to be placed on the card in order to control operation of the second data transmission path, such as to select the distance of wireless transmission from one of two or more pre-set distances. Power to operate the memory card through the second path, when not connected to a host, may also be provided through the external contacts by including a battery in the caps.
98 Citations
42 Claims
-
1. An electronic system, comprising:
-
a re-programmable non-volatile memory system within an enclosure, said memory being accessible through at least first and second data transmission paths, wherein the first data transmission path includes a set of external contacts, at least first and second caps that are alternately attachable over the set of external contacts and are visually distinct from each other, wherein the first cap includes a control path that sets a parameter of the second data transmission path to a first value when the first cap is attached over the set of externally accessible contacts, and the second cap includes a control path that sets the parameter of the second data transmission path to a second value different from the first value when the second cap is attached over the set of externally accessible contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An electronic system, comprising:
-
a re-programmable non-volatile memory system within an enclosure, said memory being accessible through at least first and second data transmission paths, the first data transmission path including a set of external contacts, at least one cap removably attachable to the enclosure over the set of external contacts and communicating with the memory system therethrough, and a manually actuatable switch positioned on an outside of the cap that communicates a signal through the set of memory system external contacts for controlling a parameter of the second data transmission path according to a mechanical position of the switch. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. An electronic system, comprising:
-
a re-programmable non-volatile memory positioned within an enclosure, data being transferable with the memory through either of at least two data transmission paths, a wireless transceiver carried by the enclosure and connected with the memory to provide one of the at least two data transmission paths, said transceiver being operable with at least first and second controllable characteristics including at least one of a range or frequency of transmission of the transceiver, a set of external contacts compatible with a USB standard positioned for access from outside the enclosure and connected with the memory to provide the other of the at least two data transmission paths, at least first and second caps that are alternately attachable to the enclosure over the set of external contacts, wherein the first cap includes a control path with the wireless transceiver to cause it to operate with the first characteristic, and the second cap includes a control path with the wireless transceiver to cause it to operate with the second characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. An electronic system, comprising:
-
a re-programmable non-volatile memory positioned within an enclosure, data being transferable with the memory through either of at least two data transmission paths, a wireless transceiver carried by the enclosure and connected with the memory to provide one of the at least two data transmission paths, said transceiver being operable with at least first and second controllable characteristics including at least one of a range or frequency of transmission of the transceiver, a set of external contacts compatible with a USB standard positioned for access from outside the enclosure and connected with the memory to provide the other of the at least two data transmission paths, at least one cap removably attachable to the enclosure over the set of external contacts and communicating with at least the transceiver therethrough, and a manually actuatable switch positioned on an outside of the cap that communicates a signal through the set of external contacts that selects among at least the first and second controllable characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. An electronic system, comprising:
-
a re-programmable non-volatile memory system within an enclosure, said memory being accessible through at least first and second data transmission paths, a set of external contacts included in the first data transmission path, a cap that is removably attachable over the set of external contacts, and a battery within the cap and connected to provide power to the memory system through the external contacts when the cap is attached thereover, thereby to make the memory system operable for data transfer through the second data transmission path. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
-
-
40. An electronic system, comprising:
-
a re-programmable non-volatile memory system within an enclosure, a set of externally accessible contacts connected with the memory system, a cap that is removably attachable to the set of external contacts, the cap occupying a volume that is less than a volume within said enclosure, and a battery within the cap and connected to provide power to the memory system through the externally accessible contacts when the cap is attached thereto, whereby the memory system may operate without being connected with a host system. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
-
Specification