Abstract
A USB media storage device includes a housing and USB flash drive mounted in the housing. A faceplate is mounted to the housing to indicate the content stored on the USB flash drive. The media stored on the USB flash drive is copy protected.
Claims
1. A USB media storage device, comprising: USB flash drive having a USB connector and a slider to selectively extend and retract the USB connector; and a housing comprising a bottom having a skirt and a top having an aperture to access the slider of the USB flash drive to selectively extend and retract the USB connector, the bottom having rails to mount the USB flash drive in the housing and further having a slot in the skirt through which the USB connector is selectively extended and retracted.
2. The USB media storage device of claim 1 wherein the top and bottom of the housing further comprise clasps to interconnect the top and bottom of the housing.
3. The USB media storage device of claim 1, further comprising lighting elements mounted on the skirt of the bottom of the housing.
4. The USB media storage device of claim 1, further comprising a faceplate mounted to the bottom of the housing.
5. The USB media storage device of claim 1, further comprising copy protection for media stored on the USB flash drive.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0009] The various examples of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawing to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. In the drawing:
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the USB media storage device in accordance with an example of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the USB media storage device shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the USB media storage device shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows top and side elevational views of the USB media storage device shown in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows details of the USB flash drive and housing comprising the USB media storage device in accordance with another example of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows additional details of the USB flash drive and housing comprising the USB media storage device shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXAMPLES
[0016] Various examples of the present invention provide a new age read only device usable for storage of all digital entertainment media such as music, e-hooks, movies, video, games, or other media in digital format. The device is configured to stop piracy and create an improved digital entertainment media storage device for all listening and viewing needs. This device has a long life, longer than the leading brand compact disc.
[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the USB media storage device 10 in accordance with a preferred example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the USB media storage device 10 comprises a USB flash drive 12 disposed in a housing 14. FIG. 1 shows a USB connector 12A comprising the USB flash drive 12 extending through a slot 16 in the housing 14 enabling the USB flash drive 12 to be connected to a digital media player (not shown).
[0018] The partially exploded view of FIG. 2 shows that the housing 14 of the USB media storage device 10 comprises a bottom 14A and a top 14B. The bottom 14A of the housing 14 comprises a skirt 14A1 having the slot 16 through which the connector 12A of the USB flash drive 12 is selectively extended and retracted, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. The housing 14 also comprises a top 14B having an aperture 14C to enable access to a slider 12B of the USB flash drive 12 to selectively extend and retract the USB connector 12A.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, the top 14B of the housing 14 is secured to the bottom 14A. Preferably, one or more clasps 18 are provided interior of the skirt 18 to attach the top 14B to the bottom 14A. The clasp(s) 18 may be formed integrally with the bottom 14A or affixed to the bottom.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the USB media storage device 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom 14A of the housing 14 comprises rails 14C and 14D to mount the USB flash drive 12 in the housing 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the USB media storage device 10 preferably comprises a faceplate 20 which may be printed with an image or other information to indicate the content stored on the USB media storage device.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, top elevational views and a side elevational view of the USB media storage device 10 are shown. FIG. 4A shows the connector 12A of the USB flash drive 12 in the retracted or closed position. FIG. 4B shows the connector 12A of the USB flash drive 12 in the extended or open position. FIG. 4C shows a side view with the connector 12A of the USB flash drive 12 in the extended or open position. Various preferred dimensions are also shown in FIG. 4.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows another example of the USB media storage device 10 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of lighting elements 22 such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be mounted in the skirt 14A1. The lighting elements may be powered by a battery (not shown) mounted in the housing 14. FIG. 5 also shows details of the clasps 18 of the bottom 14A and clasps 24 of the top 14B of the housing 14 to attach the top to the bottom.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows additional details of the USB flash drive 12 and housing 14 comprising the USB media storage device 10 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As also shown in FIG. 6, the USB flash drive 12 preferably comprises an LED 26 which is illuminated when the USB connector 12A of USB flash drive 12 is connected to a digital media player (not shown).
[0024] The media stored on the USB flash drive 12 is preferably copy protected to prevent piracy of the content stored on the USB flash drive. Various techniques including encryption may be utilized to prevent copying.
[0025] The examples described above are provided by way of example only, and various modifications which will be apparent to persons skilled in the art are contemplated. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention can only be ascertained with reference to the appended claims.
