Portable memory device with dynamically loaded audio content
First Claim
1. A portable data storage device, comprising:
- a connective port electrically connectable to a host machine, whereby the host machine provides power to the portable data storage device;
a non-volatile memory unit;
a memory controller for controlling the transfer of data between the non-volatile memory and the host machine via the connective port;
a sound transducer;
a sound unit for storing recorded audio content and playing the stored audio content through the sound transducer when the connective port is connected to the host machine; and
interface software stored in the non-volatile memory unit for automatically connecting the host machine to a remote server, receiving updated audio content from the remote server, and providing the updated audio content to the sound unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A USB flash memory device is provided which, when inserted into a USB port of a personal computer, automatically connects to a remote central management system via a wide area network such as the Internet to download updated audio and plays recorded audio. The housing of the memory device may be imprinted with promotional information. The recorded audio may include a promotional message, a message relating to a sweepstakes or other contest or any other information. The memory device includes a sound chip which includes its own memory that stores the recorded message. The sound chip of the memory device may be pre-recorded in mass with an initial message. Power to the memory device is supplied by the personal computer. The central management system stores and provides updated audio content for the flash memory device, and stores statistical data concerning use of the flash memory device.
48 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A portable data storage device, comprising:
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a connective port electrically connectable to a host machine, whereby the host machine provides power to the portable data storage device; a non-volatile memory unit; a memory controller for controlling the transfer of data between the non-volatile memory and the host machine via the connective port; a sound transducer; a sound unit for storing recorded audio content and playing the stored audio content through the sound transducer when the connective port is connected to the host machine; and interface software stored in the non-volatile memory unit for automatically connecting the host machine to a remote server, receiving updated audio content from the remote server, and providing the updated audio content to the sound unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for dynamically updating audio content stored in portable data storage devices, comprising:
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a central management system comprising a database, a plurality of portable data storage devices, each portable data storage device comprising a connective port being electrically connectable to a host machine, a non-volatile memory unit, a memory controller for controlling the transfer of data between the non-volatile memory and the host machine via the connective port, a loudspeaker, a sound unit for storing recorded audio content and playing the stored audio content through the speaker when the port is connected to the host machine, and interface software stored in the non-volatile memory unit for automatically connecting the host machine to the central management system, receiving updated audio content from the central management system, and storing the updated audio content in the sound unit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for dynamically updating and automatically playing audio content from a portable data storage device, comprising:
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providing a portable data storage device having a connective port electrically connectable to a host machine whereby the host machine provides power to the portable data storage device, a non-volatile memory unit, a memory controller for controlling the transfer of data between the non-volatile memory and the host machine via the connective port, a sound transducer, and a sound unit; storing audio content in the sound unit; automatically connecting the host machine to a remote server, receiving updated audio content from the remote server, and storing the updated audio content in the sound unit, and automatically playing the audio content from the sound unit through the sound transducer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification