`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0107120 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`May 19, 2005
`Yueh
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`US 2005O107120A1
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`(54) MOBILE STORAGE DEVICE WITH
`WIRELESS BLUETOOTH MODULE
`ATTACHED THERETO
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`(76) Inventor: Wen Hsiang Yueh, Hsin Chuang City
`(TW)
`Correspondence Address:
`ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
`3458 ELLCOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUTE 101
`ELLICOTT CITY, MD 21043 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/713,047
`(22) Filed:
`Nov. 17, 2003
`Publication Classification
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`(51) Int. Cl. .............................. H04M 1/00; H04B 1/38
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 455/557
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`(57)
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`ABSTRACT
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`A mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth module
`attached thereto has a memory control module connected
`with at least a memory for storage of digital data, an MP3
`processing module connected to the memory control module
`and used to encode/decode a voice Signal and an MP3 digital
`file, a detachable Bluetooth earphone module connected to
`the memory control module and the MP3 processing module
`and capable of accomplishing wireleSS transmission of digi
`tal data or Voice Signals with a remote device, and an
`electronic control Switch connected to the MP3 processing
`module and the Bluetooth earphone module and also con
`nected with at least an earphone and a microphone. Digital
`data or voice I/O signals transmitted by the Bluetooth
`earphone module or the MP3 processing module can be
`Switched by the electronic control Switch to accomplish
`wireleSS transmission function of the mobile Storage device.
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`MOBILE STORAGE DEVICE WITH WIRELESS
`BLUETOOTH MODULE ATTACHED THERETO
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The present invention relates to a mobile storage
`device with a wireless Bluetooth module attached thereto
`and, more particularly, to a Small mobile Storage device like
`a mobile disk, an MP3 walkman or a small digital voice
`recorder (DVR) with a wireless Bluetooth module attached
`thereto So that it can accomplish wireleSS transmission of
`data or voice with a mobile phone or a computer equipment.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002 Along with progress of the memory technology,
`many electronic products have become increasingly com
`pact but can Still Store Several megabytes of data. If expan
`Sion memory cards are added, the Storage capacity can even
`be limitlessly expanded. Moreover, with multifunctional
`processing chips, electronic products have more and more
`functions. For instance, existent mobile disks use flash
`memories for Storing considerable quantities of digital data
`and use USB interface for connection with computers.
`0003) If an MP3 processing chip is attached to a mobile
`disk, pop Songs can be Stored in the flash memory in the
`format of MP3 files. Through playback of the MP3 process
`ing chip, the mobile disk becomes an MP3 walkman. If a
`microphone is further combined with the MP3 processing
`chip, the mobile disk becomes a Small digital voice recorder
`capable of recording voices anytime, anywhere. Because the
`multifunctional mobile disk is Small, it can be attached to
`another electronic product like a digital Still camera, and an
`then make use of the memory card of the digital Still camera
`to expand its Storage capacity. Therefore, the digital Still
`camera has all the functions of digital Still camera, mobile
`disk, MP3 walkman, and digital voice recorder. Further
`more, the mobile disk can be attached to a mobile phone or
`a personal digital assistant (PDA) to expand the functions
`thereof further.
`0004. However, whatever the above multifunctional
`mobile Storage device is connected to, a computer, a mobile
`phone, a digital Still camera or a PDA, a transmission line
`like a USB transmission line is required. Moreover, the MP3
`walkman also needs an earphone line connected the MP3
`mobile disk for listening to music. Along with quick devel
`opment of wireleSS transmission techniques, the above wired
`transmission methods can be replaced with a wireleSS trans
`mission method like the Bluetooth technology for transmis
`Sion of data and Voice Signals.
`0005 Nowadays, the Bluetooth technology is becoming
`increasingly popular. Many Bluetooth earphones are on the
`market, and they are usually accompany mobile phones for
`hands-free use. This kind of Bluetooth earphone has only a
`Single function and can’t be used for other applications.
`Accordingly, the present invention aims to integrate a wire
`less Bluetooth module in the above multifunctional mobile
`disk to replace the original wired transmission method with
`a wireleSS transmission way for transmission of digital data
`and Voice Signals to a Bluetooth earphone.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0006 An object of the present invention is to integrate a
`wireless Bluetooth module like a Bluetooth earphone into a
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`multifunctional mobile Storage device like a Small mobile
`disk, an MP3 walkman or a small digital voice recorder to
`accomplish wireleSS connection with a remote device like a
`Bluetooth computer, a Bluetooth PDA or a Bluetooth MP3
`walkman for wireless transmission of digital data, MP3
`digital files or voice signals, thereby enhancing the wireleSS
`transmission function of the multifunction mobile Storage
`device.
`0007 To achieve the above object, the present invention
`provides a mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto, which comprises a memory control
`module connected with at least a memory for Storage of
`digital data, an MP3 processing module connected to the
`memory control module and used to encode/decode a voice
`signal and an MP3 digital file, a Bluetooth earphone module
`movably inserted into the Storage device and connected to
`the memory control module and the MP3 processing module
`and capable of accomplishing wireleSS transmission of digi
`tal data or voice Signals with a remote device using the same
`frequency and channel, and an electronic control Switch
`connected to the MP3 processing module and the Bluetooth
`earphone module and also connected with at least an ear
`phone and a microphone. Digital data or Voice I/O Signals
`transmitted by the Bluetooth earphone module or the MP3
`processing module can be Switched by the electronic control
`Switch to achieve wireleSS transmission function of the
`mobile Storage device.
`0008 Another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide the above mobile storage device with a wireless Blue
`tooth module attached thereto, in which the MP3 processing
`module can be use as an MP3 walkman or a recording
`device.
`0009. Yet another object of the present invention is to
`provide the above mobile Storage device with a wireleSS
`Bluetooth module attached thereto. The remote device is
`also a Bluetooth module, which can be connected to a
`computer device, a mobile phone, a Bluetooth earphone, a
`PDA, or another mobile Storage device to accomplish Shar
`ing and transmission of data Stored in the memory.
`0010 Still another object of the present invention is to
`provide the above mobile Storage device with a wireleSS
`Bluetooth module attached thereto, where when the remote
`device is connected to a mobile phone and the mobile phone
`has an incoming call, the electronic control Switch can be
`controlled to Switch the earphone and the microphone to be
`connected to the Bluetooth earphone module for accom
`plishing the effect of automatically answering the incoming
`call.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0011. The various objects and advantages of the present
`invention will be more readily understood from the follow
`ing detailed description when read in conjunction with the
`appended drawing, in which:
`0012 FIG. 1 is a perspective view and a wireless con
`nection architecture diagram of the present invention;
`0013 FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the present
`invention;
`0014 FIG. 3 is an application diagram showing wireless
`connection between the present invention and a mobile
`phone, and
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`FIG. 4 is an application diagram showing sharing
`0.015
`of MP3 files of the present invention.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`0016. As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention provides
`a mobile storage device 1 with a wireless Bluetooth ear
`phone module 10 attached thereto. The mobile storage
`device 1 can be a multifunctional flash memory disk having
`the functions of storage of digital data, an MP3 walkman or
`a recording device. The Bluetooth earphone module 10 can
`be for wireless transmission with at least a remote device.
`The remote device has also a wireless Bluetooth module (a
`remote device having a wireless Bluetooth module will be
`briefly termed as a remote Bluetooth module below), and
`can transmit digital or voice data using the same frequency
`and channel. The remote Bluetooth module can be a com
`puter equipment 100, a mobile phone 101, a PDA 102, a
`Bluetooth earphone/microphone 103, or another mobile
`Storage device.
`0.017. The mobile storage device 1 of the present inven
`tion has an outer shell 11 with a display 12 and a plurality
`of function operation keys 13 arranged thereon. The display
`12 can display the information (e.g., the directory and name)
`of the MP3 file being played. The function operation keys 13
`can be used to Select the function of the mobile Storage
`device 1, such as, for example, MP3 playback function,
`voice recording function, memory function or transmission
`function, and can also be used to select the MP3 file to be
`played. The operation keys 13 can comprise a playback key,
`a stop key, a recording key and a Volume key.
`0.018. The outer shell 11 has an opening at the upper end
`thereof, and forms an accommodating groove. The Blue
`tooth earphone module 10 can be inserted into or detached
`from the accommodating groove. When the Bluetooth ear
`phone module 10 is inserted into the accommodating
`groove, it can be connected with internal circuits of the
`mobile storage device to become a Bluetooth module of the
`mobile Storage device 1 for accomplishing wireleSS trans
`mission with a remote Bluetooth module. When the Blue
`tooth earphone module 10 is detached from the accommo
`dating groove, it can be used as a common Bluetooth
`earphone. Besides, an earphone/microphone connection port
`14 can be provided on the outer shell 11 for connection with
`an earphone 15 and a microphone 16. The microphone 16 is
`preferably installed inside the outer shell 11.
`0019. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile storage device 1 of
`the present invention at least comprises a memory control
`module 21, an MP3 processing module 22, a Bluetooth
`earphone module 23 and an electronic control Switch 24.
`The electronic control Switch 24 is electrically connected to
`the earphone 15 and the microphone 16. The memory
`control module 21 is electrically connected with at least a
`memory 211 capable of Storing considerable quantities of
`digital data. The memory 211 can be a flash memory. It is
`also feasible that the memory control module 211 is a
`memory card reader and the memory card 211 is a memory
`card movably inserted into the memory card reader for
`expansion or replacement of the memory card.
`0020. The MP3 processing module 22 is electrically
`connected to the memory control module 21, and has at least
`a first output signal line SO1 and a first input signal line SI1
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`both connected to the electronic control Switch 24. The MP3
`processing module 12 can be an MP3 decoding chip capable
`of decoding an MP3 digital file in the memory 211 into a
`Voice Signal outputted to the first output Signal line SO1 and
`then to the earphone 15 through control of the electronic
`control Switch 24. The electronic control Switch 24 can also
`control the voice signal to be outputted to the Bluetooth
`earphone module 23 for wireleSS transmission to a remote
`Bluetooth module 200 like the Bluetooth earphone/micro
`phone 103, thereby forming an MP3 playback device.
`0021. The MP3 processing module 22 is further electri
`cally connected with the display 12 and the function opera
`tion keys 13. The display 12 can be used to display the
`information of an MP3 digital file to be displayed. The
`function operation keys 13 include the playback key, the
`Stop key and the Volume key, and can be used to control
`playback or stop of the MP3 digital file, or select the MP3
`digital file to be played by the MP3 processing module 22,
`or control the volume.
`0022. The MP3 processing module 22 can also be an
`MP3 encoding chip capable of encoding the Voice Signal
`inputted from the microphone 16 via the first input Signal
`line SI1 into the MP3 digital file stored into the memory 211
`through control of the electronic control switch 24, thereby
`forming a voice recording device. Similarly, the electronic
`control switch 24 can control the Bluetooth earphone mod
`ule 23 to send the voice signal of the remote Bluetooth
`module 200 like the Bluetooth earphone/microphone 103 to
`the MP3 processing module 22. The function operation keys
`13 can further comprise the recording key for controlling the
`MP3 processing module 22 to record voice.
`0023 The Bluetooth earphone module 23 can be mov
`ably inserted into or detached from the memory control
`module 21 and the MP3 processing module 22. The Blue
`tooth earphone module 23 can accomplish wireless trans
`mission of the digital data, the MP3 digital file or the voice
`signal with at least a remote Bluetooth module 200 using the
`Same frequency and channel. The Bluetooth earphone mod
`ule 23 has at least a Second output Signal line SO2 and a
`Second input signal line SI2 both connected to the electronic
`control Switch 24.
`0024. When the remote Bluetooth module 200 is the
`computer equipment 100, because the Bluetooth earphone
`module 23 is connected to the memory control module 21,
`the memory control module can accomplish wireleSS con
`nection with the computer equipment 100 for direct trans
`mission of digital data. This is an application of flash
`memory disk. The transmitted digital data can be an MP3
`digital file directly Stored in the memory 211 for expansion
`or replacement of the MP3 digital file.
`0025. As shown in FIG. 3, when the remote Bluetooth
`module 200 is a mobile phone 101, the Bluetooth earphone
`module 23 can accomplish wireleSS connection with the
`mobile phone 101. The electronic control switch 24 can
`Switch the Second output signal line SO2 and the Second
`input signal line SI2 to electrically connect the earphone/
`microphone 103 for answering the mobile phone 101.
`0026 If the present invention is used for the function of
`an MP3 walkman, the electronic control Switch 24 will
`Switch the first output signal line SO1 to electrically connect
`the earphone 15 so that one can listen to the MP3 digital file.
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`When the mobile phone 101 has an incoming call, The
`electronic controls Switch 24 can automatically Switch the
`Second output Signal line SO2 and the Second input Signal
`line SI2 to electrically connect the earphone 15 and the
`microphone 16 for automatically answering the incoming
`call, respectively.
`0027. As shown in FIG. 4, when the present invention is
`used for the function of an MP3 walkman and the remote
`Bluetooth module 200 includes a plurality of Bluetooth
`earphones/microphones 103, all the Bluetooth earphone
`module 23 and the plurality of Bluetooth earphones/micro
`phones 103 can use the same frequency and channel So that
`all the Bluetooth earphones/microphones 103 can be used
`for listening to the MP3 digital file being played. This
`application is preferably applied in a multi-user language
`learning situation. If the remote Bluetooth module 200 is
`another mobile storage device, sharing of MP3 digital files
`can be accomplished through wireleSS transmission. Of
`course, the Bluetooth earphone module 23 can switch dif
`ferent channels to avoid mutual interference.
`0028. To sum up, the electronic control switch 24 of the
`present invention can make use of function control of the
`function operation keys 13 to switch the Bluetooth earphone
`module 23 and the remote Bluetooth module 23 for wireless
`transmission of digital data, or Switch the first output Signal
`line SO1 or the second output signal line SO2 to electrically
`connect the earphone 15, or Switch the first input signal line
`SI1 or the Second input signal line SI2 to electrically connect
`the microphone 15.
`0029. Although the present invention has been described
`with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will
`be understood that the invention is not limited to the details
`thereof. Various Substitutions and modifications have been
`Suggested in the foregoing description, and other will occur
`to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such
`Substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced
`within the Scope of the invention as defined in the appended
`claims.
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`I claim:
`1. A mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto comprising:
`a memory control module electrically connected with at
`least a memory for Storage of digital data;
`an MP3 processing module electrically connected to Said
`memory control module and having at least a first
`output signal line and a first input Signal line and used
`to encode/decode data between a voice Signal and an
`MP3 digital data;
`a Bluetooth earphone module electrically connected to
`Said memory control module and Said MP3 processing
`module and capable of accomplishing wireleSS trans
`mission of said digital data, said MP3 digital file or said
`Voice Signal with a remote device using the same
`frequency and channel, Said Bluetooth earphone mod
`ule having at least a Second output Signal line and a
`Second input Signal line; and
`an electronic control Switch electrically connected to Said
`first output Signal line, Said Second output Signal line,
`Said first input signal line and Said Second input Signal
`line, Said electronic control Switch being also con
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`nected with at least an earphone and a microphone to
`Switch said Bluetooth earphone module to transmit
`wirelessly digital data, Switch Said first output Signal
`line or said Second output signal line to connect elec
`trically Said earphone, or Switch said first input Signal
`line or Said Second input Signal line to connect electri
`cally said microphone.
`2. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 1 further
`comprising an outer Shell, a display electrically connected to
`Said MP3 processing module being provided on Said outer
`shell, Said display being used to display information of the
`MP3 digital file being played by said MP3 processing
`module.
`3. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said
`memory electrically connected with Said memory control
`module is a flash memory.
`4. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said
`memory control module is a memory card reader, Said
`memory is a memory card, and Said memory card is mov
`ably inserted into Said memory card reader for expansion or
`replacement of Said memory card.
`5. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said
`MP3 processing module is an MP3 decoding chip capable of
`fetching an MP3 digital file from said memory and then
`decoding it into Said Voice Signal outputted to Said first
`output Signal line, thereby forming an MP3 playback device.
`6. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 5, wherein Said
`MP3 processing module is further electrically connected
`with at least a playback key for controlling said MP3
`processing module to play said MP3 digital file.
`7. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 5, wherein Said
`MP3 processing module is further electrically connected
`with a plurality of Selection keys for Selecting data in Said
`MP3 digital file to be played by said MP3 processing
`module.
`8. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 5, wherein Said
`MP3 processing module is further electrically connected
`with a plurality of Volume keys for controlling the playback
`volume of said MP3 digital file.
`9. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said
`MP3 processing module is an MP3 encoding chip capable of
`inputting Said Voice Signal via Said first input Signal line and
`then encoding Said voice Signal into an MP3 digital file
`Stored in Said memory, thereby forming a recording device.
`10. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 9, wherein Said
`MP3 processing module is further connected with a record
`ing key for controlling Said MP3 processing module to
`record Voice.
`11. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said
`Bluetooth earphone module is further connected to Said
`memory control module, Said remote Bluetooth module is
`connected to a computer equipment, and Said memory
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`control module accomplishes wireleSS transmission of Said
`digital data with Said computer equipment through said
`Bluetooth earphone module.
`12. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
`digital data transmitted between Said memory control mod
`ule and Said computer equipment is an MP3 digital file, and
`said MP3 digital file is directly stored into said memory.
`13. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said
`Bluetooth earphone module is further connected to said MP3
`processing module, Said remote Bluetooth module is elec
`trically connected to a mobile phone, and Said Bluetooth
`earphone module achieves wireleSS connection with Said
`mobile phone to answer Said mobile phone.
`14. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said
`Bluetooth earphone module is electrically connected to Said
`MP3 processing module, said remote Bluetooth module is a
`Bluetooth earphone, and said Bluetooth earphone mobile
`accomplishes wireleSS connection with Said Bluetooth ear
`phone to listen to Said voice Signal.
`15. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said
`Bluetooth earphone module is electrically connected to Said
`memory control module, Said remote Bluetooth module is a
`remote mobile Storage device, and Said Bluetooth earphone
`mobile accomplishes wireleSS connection with Said remote
`mobile Storage device for transmission of digital data
`between them.
`16. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 15, wherein the
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`digital data transmitted between Said Bluetooth earphone
`module and said remote mobile storage device is an MP3
`digital file, and the MP3 digital file is directly stored into
`Said memory.
`17. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said
`electronic control Switch further has a function key for
`Switching functions of Said electronic control Switch.
`18. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said
`electronic control Switch is controlled by Signals transmitted
`by said remote Bluetooth module to Switch automatically
`functions of Said electronic control Switch.
`19. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 18, wherein Said
`remote Bluetooth module is connected to a mobile phone,
`and Said remote Bluetooth module automatically controls
`Said electronic control Switch to Switch Said Second output
`Signal line to connect electrically said earphone and Said
`Second input Signal line to electrically connect Said micro
`phone when Said mobile phone has an incoming call.
`20. The mobile storage device with a wireless Bluetooth
`module attached thereto as claimed in claim 19, wherein Said
`remote Bluetooth module is connected to Said mobile phone,
`and Said remote Bluetooth module automatically controls
`Said electronic control Switch to Switch Said first output
`Signal line to connect electrically Said earphone and Said first
`input signal line to electrically connect Said microphone
`when the incoming call of said mobile phone is cut off.
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