BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective of an OTG type storage device and a notebook computer using the same according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the storage device of FIG. 1 disposed in the notebook computer;
FIG. 3 is a diagram of the storage device of FIG. 1 detached from the notebook computer;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the storage device of FIG. 3 detached from the notebook computer; and
FIG. 5 is a structural decomposition of the storage device of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective of an OTG type storage device and a notebook computer using the same according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The notebook computer 100 includes a first housing 110 and an on-the-go (OTG) type storage device 130 (referred as storage device 130 here below). The storage device 130 can be detached from the notebook computer 100 or disposed in the notebook computer 100. When the storage device 130 is detached from the notebook computer 100, the storage device 130 can function independently. When the storage device 130 is disposed in the notebook computer 100, the storage device 130 is used as a primary hard disc of the notebook computer 100. The operations of the storage device 130 under different states are elaborated below.
Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the storage device of FIG. 1 disposed in the notebook computer is shown. The notebook computer 100 further includes a second controlling module 120. The second controlling module 120 is a controlling chip module or a main circuit board composed by multiple controlling chip modules. In the present embodiment of the invention, the second controlling module 120 is exemplified by a main circuit board. The storage device 130 includes a hard disk 131, a first controlling module 132, a battery 300 and at least one hard disk connector 133. The dimension of the hard disk 131 includes 1.8 inch, 2.5 inch, 3.5 inch or 5.25 inch. In the present embodiment of the invention, the hard disk 131 is exemplified by a 2.5 inch hard disk most commonly used in the notebook computer 100. However, the dimension and capacity of the hard disk 131 are not for limiting the scope of technology of the invention. The first controlling module 132 is electronically connected with the hard disk 131 for driving the hard disk 131. The first controlling module 132 is exemplified by an OTG chip module. The battery 300 is electronically connected with the hard disk 131 and the first controlling module 132. The battery 300 is a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. The types and charging methods of the battery 300 are not for limiting the scope of technology of the invention.
The hard disk connector 133 is used for connecting with a computer system. In the present embodiment of the invention, the computer system is exemplified by the notebook computer 100. The hard disk connector 133 corresponds to SATA specification or PATA specification. The types of the hard disk connector 133 are determined according to the specifications. When the storage device 130 is disposed in the first housing 110, the hard disk 131 and the second controlling module 120 are electrically connected via the hard disk connector 133. An electrical signal can be transmitted between the hard disk 131 and the second controlling module 120. The second controlling module 120 drives the hard disk 131, such that the hard disk 131 is used as a primary hard disc of the notebook computer 100.
Referring to FIG. 3, a diagram of the storage device of FIG. 1 detached from the notebook computer is shown. When the storage device 130 is detached from the notebook computer 100, the storage device 130 functions independently outside the notebook computer 100. As indicated in FIG. 3, the storage device 130 can exchange data mutually with a memory card 600 or an electronic apparatus 400. Examples of the electronic apparatus 400 include digital camera, multi-functional machine or mobile phone. In the present embodiment of the invention, the electronic apparatus 400 is exemplified by a digital camera. However, the types of the electronic apparatus 400 and the memory card 600 are not for limiting the scope of technology of the invention. As for how the storage device 130 functions independently and the components of the storage device 130 are elaborated below.
Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram of the storage device of FIG. 3 detached from the notebook computer is shown. The storage device 130 further includes a first controlling module 132. When the storage device 130 is detached from the notebook computer 100, the hard disk 131, the first controlling module 132 and electronic apparatus 400 are electrically connected via a transmission port 134. The first controlling module 132 transmits an electrical signal to the hard disk 131 for driving the hard disk 131, such that the hard disk 131 respectively exchanges data with the electronic apparatus 400 and the memory card 600. By doing so, the user can exchange data with other electronic apparatus by the storage device 130 alone without using the notebook computer 100.
Referring to FIG. 5, a structural decomposition of the storage device of FIG. 4 is shown. The storage device 130 further includes a second housing 135 and a controlling circuit board 700. The second housing 135 retain the controlling circuit board 700 and the hard disk 131 from the top and the bottom to form a complete and independent device for the user to bring with. In the present embodiment of the invention, the first controlling module 132, the hard disk connector 133, the transmission port 134, the hard disk slot 139, the card reader 136 and the controlling interface 138 are all disposed on the controlling circuit board 700. The hard disk 131 is coupled with the hard disk slot 139 and is electronically connected with the hard disk connector 133 via the circuit of the controlling circuit board 700. The hard disk connector 133 is used for connecting with the notebook computer 100 of FIG. 1, such that the hard disk slot 139, the circuit of the controlling circuit board 700 and the hard disk connector 133 are connected to form a bus between the hard disk 131 and the second controlling module 120 of the notebook computer 100 for exchanging electrical signals.
Moreover, the hard disk 131 is coupled with the hard disk slot 139 and is further electronically connected with the transmission port 134 via the circuit of the controlling circuit board 700. The transmission port 134 is used for connecting with the electronic apparatus 400 of FIG. 4. As indicated in FIG. 2, the transmission port 134 is further electronically connected with electronic apparatus 400 via a transmission line 500, such that the hard disk slot 139, the circuit of the controlling circuit board 700, the transmission port 134 and the transmission line 500 are connected to form a bus between the hard disk 131 and the electronic apparatus 400 for exchanging electrical signals. The transmission line 500 is a universal serial bus (USB) transmission line or a 1394 connection line. In the present embodiment of the invention, the transmission line 500 is exemplified by a USB transmission line.
Besides, the hard disk 131 is coupled with the hard disk slot 139 and is further electronically connected with the card reader 136 via the circuit of the controlling circuit board 700. The card reader 136 is used for reading/writing the data of the memory card 600. The hard disk slot 139, the circuit of the controlling circuit board 700 and the card reader 136 are connected to form a bus between the hard disk 131 and the memory card 600 for exchanging electrical signals.
The controlling interface 138 is electronically connected with the first controlling module 132, when the storage device 130 is detached from the first housing 110, the user via the controlling interface 138 controls the storage device 130. In the present embodiment of the invention, the controlling interface 138 is a press button, and the user can press the press button to send a command. The controlling interface 138 has a large variety. However, any one who is skilled in the technology of the invention will understand that the scope of protection of the invention is not limited thereto, and modifications and similar arrangements within the spirit of the invention should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.
The storage device 130 is not necessarily powered by a built-in battery 300. The storage device 300 may be powered by alternate current via a power adaptor.
Preferably, the storage device 130 further includes a display interface 137 used for displaying the data of the hard disk 131 such as the storage capacity, transmission state or power state of the hard disk 131, making the hard disk 131 even more convenient to use. The display interface 137 is a light emitting diode (LED) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. In the present embodiment of the invention, the display interface 137 is exemplified by two LEDs as indicated in FIG. 5.
According to the above preferred embodiment, the storage device of the invention is exemplified by simple components. However, the OTG type storage device of the invention still can go with multi-functional accessories such as music player, dissipation module, recording module or audio/video player. Any design enabling the OTG type storage device to function independently and to be disposed in a computer system via a hard disk connector is within the scope of technology of the invention.
An OTG type storage device and a notebook computer using the same are disclosed in the above embodiments of the invention. The design of hard disk connector enables the hard disk of the OTG type storage device to be adaptable to two different states. The hard disk is used as a primary hard disc of the notebook computer, and when the user would like to transmit data, the storage device alone will do. Such design provides further convenience to the user but also saves the user cost which would otherwise be spent for purchasing a storage device.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures.
Patent Application
20070291449
