Abstract:
Different peripheral devices of the present invention include: a display panel interface to which is reversibly operationally attachable a display panel and a power interface for receiving power from a host; a display panel to which are individually reversibly operationally attachable display panels for displaying respective aspects of the device&#39;s operation; a display panel for providing a semantic display of the device&#39;s mode of operation and a power interface for receiving power from a host; or a display panel, a controller for operating the display panel in accordance with ambient conditions, and a power interface for receiving power from a host. A system includes an appliance, an ornament dock and a peripheral device, reversibly operationally attachable to either the appliance or the ornament dock, that operates a display panel in accordance with data received from the appliance.

Description:
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/669,790, filed Apr. 11, 2005 
    
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to computer peripherals, and in particular to a portable storage device that includes a display. 
     The last few years have brought a great rise in the popularity of portable mass storage devices. These devices follow a variety of forms and standards but usually share some common features. It is according to the following features that the term “portable mass storage device” and “portable storage device” will henceforth be defined: 1) it contains a non-volatile storage unit, 2) it allows for the storage of large amounts of data, typically in the megabyte or gigabyte range 3) it is operatively and reversibly connectable to an electronic appliance, 4) it is energized by a host electronic appliance and has no independent self-powering capabilities such as batteries, and 5) it is pocketable, in the sense that a user can easily carry the device on his or her own person. A portable mass storage device may be implemented in a number of ways ranging from a memory card for storing digital image files to a USB flash drive operatively connectable to a computer. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of a standard portable storage device  100  of the prior art connected to an appliance  150 . Portable storage device  100  contains a storage unit  120  for storing digital data. Storage unit  120  is a non-volatile memory that allows the writing, reading, and erasing of data. A controller  115  is used for regulating the flow of data to and from  storage unit  120  and for logically interconnecting the different components of portable storage device  100 . A power interface  105  receives electrical power for operating the various components of storage device  100 . Device  100  also includes a data interface  110  that manages data exchange between controller  115  and appliance  150 . A display unit  125  is electronically controlled by controller  115 , and is commonly used to give a visual indication of the operation status of portable storage device  100 , for example: to indicate whether device  100  is energized, or in the case that device  100  supports more than one communication standard, which communication standard is being used. Controller  115  uses its computational resources to determine the status of device  100 , for example to determine whether device  100  is energized, and signals to display unit  125  to give a visual indication of that status. Display unit  125  typically utilizes light emitting diodes (LED) as its primary display technology. Display unit  125  typically consists of one or two LED segments in a simple configuration and in a narrow range of colors, thus, the ability of display unit  125  to exhibit complex visual indications is limited. For example, if a USB flash drive can communicate with a host device using one of two communication standards, prior art display units would indicate the use of a first communication standard by lighting a LED lamp in a first color, and indicate the use of a second communication standard by lighting a LED lamp in a second color. This kind of visual indication is non-intuitive and often misunderstood by users. The information displayed by display unit  125  is also regularly state-based and not quantity or quality oriented. Appliance  150 , is a device that is reversibly operatively connectable to portable storage device  100 , for example a digital camera or a computer. Appliance  150  is operative to implement a number of functions  168 . For example, if appliance  150  is a digital camera its function  168  include the digital  recording of visual images. In order for a data exchange between portable storage device  100  and appliance  150  to take place, an electrical power link  166  and a data link  167  have to be established. Electrical power link  166  connects a power supply  155  of appliance  150  to a power interface  105  of storage device  100  in a way which energizes storage device  100 . Data link  167  connects a data interface  165  of appliance  150  with a data interface  110  of portable storage device  100 . It should be noted that in many cases, as in the case of USB connectors frequently used in portable storage devices, electrical power link  166  and data link  167  form part of the same connector. Having established links  166  and  167 , portable storage device  100  is generally operable, meaning that portable storage device  100  can perform its general purpose of reading, writing and erasing data packages. For example, appliance  150  may read information stored on storage unit  120 , or data originating from appliance  150  may be written to storage unit  120 . 
     In addition to LED, there are other display technologies known in the art. Among these display technologies the dominant ones are Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Electro-Luminescent elements (EL). These technologies, along with a more complex configuration of LED lamps, can achieve a better visual representation of information than the single/dual LED segment display that is regularly used in portable storage devices. However, these technologies are not presently being used in portable storage devices. 
     Electronic ornaments are an up-and-coming trend in the world of fashion and technology-based apparel. An electronic ornament is a wearable device that includes a display unit that can emit programmable visual signals that achieve an eye-pleasing effect. Wearable electronic devices that do not produce programmable eye-pleasing visual signal when worn are not considered electronic ornaments herein. An electronic  ornament may be a single-purpose dedicated device such as a wrist-watch or pendant exhibiting a predetermined visual pattern. More-advanced electronic ornaments also allow for the updating of the visual display by including optional connectivity to an external device. The Nokia Medallion produced by Nokia Group, Espoo, Finland is an example of an advanced prior art electronic ornament. The ornament displays a digital image and is also connectable through infrared communication to a cellular phone for uploading digital images to the ornament. Thus, the displayed image may be replaced and updated. The miniaturization of common hand-held devices such as digital cameras and cellular phones further challenges the definitions of electronic ornaments, for these devices are becoming compact enough to be wearable and also regularly include means of display. Yet, none of these devices falls under the aforementioned definition of portable storage devices. An electronic ornament&#39;s basic requirement for an on-board portable electrical power source as a condition for operation, and the lack of such a power source in portable storage devices, has lead to the fact that portable storage devices are not usable as electronic ornaments. It should be noted that electronic ornaments usually utilize the same display technology (LED) that currently is used in the portable storage device arena as display units  125 , as well as the technologies. (LCD, EL) mentioned above that currently are not used in portable storage devices as display units  125 . 
     Considering the possibility of enhancing the information displayed by a portable mass storage device, by using display technologies other than just LED, and the growing popularity of electronic ornaments, it would be advantageous to have a portable storage device with enhanced display capabilities that can also double as an electronic ornament.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved portable storage device by including in the device an enhanced display unit that adds two main novel features: allowing the visual display of complex types of information in an intuitive manner, and allowing the storage device to function as an electronic ornament. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to increase the number of possible display patterns, designs and colors of the display unit by making the display panel of the display unit detachable and interchangeable. Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to further diversify the visual effects of the display unit by allowing a choice among a number of flashing sequences. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide means for the electro-visual display of the function or content of a storage device. The display unit portrays the content or function of the device, thus allowing the user to view/exhibit this content or function, a feature which may be desirable to the user, while creating a publicity opportunity for manufacturers. 
     Therefore, according to the present invention there is provided a peripheral device including: (a) a display panel interface; (b) a display panel that is reversibly operationally attachable to the display panel interface; and (c) a power interface for receiving power, from a host of the peripheral device, for powering the display panel via the display panel interface. 
     Furthermore, according to the present invention there is provided a peripheral device including: (a) a display panel interface; and (b) a plurality of display panels that are individually reversibly operationally attachable to the display panel interface, each display panel being operative to display only a respective aspect of operation of the peripheral device.  
     Furthermore, according to the present invention there is provided a system including: (a) an appliance that includes: (i) an appliance power supply, and (ii) an appliance data interface; (b) an ornament dock that is separate from the appliance and that includes an ornament dock power supply; and (c) a peripheral device, that is alternately reversibly operationally attachable to the appliance and to the ornament dock, and that includes: (i) a display panel, (ii) a peripheral data interface for receiving data from the appliance, a mode of operation of the display panel then being in accordance with the data, and (iii) a power interface for receiving power for the display panel: (A) from the appliance power supply when the peripheral device is operationally attached to the appliance, and (B) from the ornament dock power supply when the peripheral device is operationally attached to the ornament dock. 
     Furthermore, according to the present invention there is provided a peripheral device, including: (a) a display panel for providing a semantic display of a mode of operation of the peripheral device; and (b) a power interface for receiving power for the display panel from a host to which the peripheral device is reversibly operationally attached. 
     Furthermore, according to the present invention there is provided a peripheral device, including: (a) a display panel; (b) a controller for operating the display panel in accordance with ambient conditions; and (c) a power interface for receiving power for the display panel and for the controller from a host to which the peripheral device is reversibly operationally attached. 
     Furthermore, according to the present invention there is provided a method of labeling a peripheral device, including the steps of: (a) operationally attaching a display panel to the peripheral device; and (b) displaying a label on the display panel responsive to data stored in the peripheral device.  
     Furthermore, according to the present invention there is provided a peripheral device including: (a) a housing; and (b) a plurality of display panel interfaces on an exterior surface of the housing for reversibly attaching a display panel to the peripheral device. 
     A first basic aspect of the present invention is a peripheral device that includes a display panel interface, a display panel that is reversibly operationally attachable to the display panel interface. As understood herein, a “peripheral device” is a device intended to be used in conjunction with a host device. The examples of preferred “peripheral devices” that are discussed below all are portable data storage devices that are used in conjunction with hosts such as personal computers and digital cameras. 
     The basic peripheral device also includes a power interface for receiving power from the host. The power is for powering the display panel via the display panel interface. Preferably, the peripheral device also includes a mechanism for toggling between a first state in which the display panel receives power via the display panel interface and a second state in which the display panel does not receive power via the display panel interface. 
     Preferably, the peripheral device also includes a controller for setting the mode of operation of the display panel. 
     Preferably, the peripheral device also includes a data interface for exchanging data with the host and a non-volatile memory for storing the data. All the peripheral devices discussed below include such data interfaces and such a non-volatile memories. 
     A second basic aspect of the present invention is a peripheral device that includes a display panel interface and a plurality of interchangeable display panels. Each display panel is individually reversibly operationally attachable to the display  panel interface, and is operative to display only a respective aspect of the operation of the peripheral device. For example, one display panel of a portable data storage device may display only the free storage space available while another display panel of the data storage device displays only the direction of data exchange with the host. 
     Fraser et al., in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0160771, teaches a handheld computing device that includes a processing unit and a detachable visual display unit. Unlike the first basic aspect of the present invention, the device of Fraser et al., being independently operable, does not include a power interface for receiving power from a host. Unlike the second basic aspect of the present invention, the device of Fraser et al. has only one kind of detachable display panel, and not a set of display panels, each of which is dedicated to a specific type of display. 
     A third basic aspect of the present invention is a system that includes an appliance, an ornament dock that is separate from the appliance, and a peripheral device. The appliance includes an appliance power supply and an appliance data interface. The ornament dock includes an ornament dock power supply. The peripheral device is alternately reversibly operationally attachable to either the appliance or the ornament dock. The peripheral device includes a display panel, a peripheral data interface for receiving data from the appliance and a power interface for receiving power for the display panel. The mode of operation of the display panel is set in accordance with the data received from the appliance. The power is received from the appliance power supply when the peripheral device is operationally attached to the appliance and from the ornament dock power supply when the peripheral device is operationally attached to the ornament dock. 
     Preferably, the peripheral device also includes a non-volatile memory for storing the data.  
     Lev, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0202052, teaches a cellular telephone that serves as both an appliance and an ornament. Unlike the third basic aspect of the present invention, in which the ornament dock is separate from the appliance, the cellular telephone of Lev has an integral ornament dock. 
     A fourth basic aspect of the present invention is a peripheral device that includes a display panel for providing a semantic display of the mode of operation of the peripheral device and a power interface for receiving power for the display panel from a host to which the peripheral device is reversibly operationally attached. That the display is a “semantic” display means that the form of the display is related to the meaning of the display. This is as opposed to e.g. the prior art LED displays discussed above, in which different colors are given arbitrary meanings. Preferred examples of semantic displays include iconic displays and textual displays. 
     Preferably, the peripheral device also includes a data interface for exchanging data with the host and a non-volatile memory for storing the data. Most preferably, the mode of operation that is displayed semantically is a mode of interaction of the peripheral device with the host, for example a security level of the exchange of data with the host or a direction of the exchange of data with the host. Alternatively, the mode of operation that is displayed semantically is an occupancy of the non-volatile memory, i.e. how much of the non-volatile memory is occupied by the data. 
     A fifth basic aspect of the present invention is a peripheral device that includes a display panel, a controller for operating the display panel in accordance with ambient conditions, and a power interface for receiving power for the display panel and for the controller from a host to which the peripheral device is reversibly operationally attached.  
     Preferably, the peripheral device also includes a sensor such as a sensor of ambient light intensity or a motion sensor. 
     Preferably, the ambient conditions include the level of the power provided to the peripheral device by the host via the power interface. 
     Preferably, the peripheral device also includes a data interface for exchanging data with the host and a non-volatile memory for storing the data. 
     A sixth basic aspect of the present invention is a method of labeling a peripheral device. A display panel is operationally attached to the peripheral device and a label is displayed on the display panel responsive to data stored in the peripheral device. Preferably, the display panel is reversibly operationally attached to the peripheral device. 
     A seventh basic aspect of the present invention is a peripheral device that includes a housing and a plurality of display panel interfaces, on an exterior surface of the hosing, for reversibly attaching a display panel to the peripheral device. Preferably, each display panel interface faces in a different respective direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of a portable storage device of the prior art connected to an appliance; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified block diagram of a system that includes a preferred portable storage device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic block diagram of the storage device of  FIG. 2  connected to an appliance;  
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic block diagram of the storage device of  FIG. 2  connected to an ornament dock; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an exemplary workflow procedure of the storage device of FIG.  2 .; 
         FIG. 4A  is a flowchart of the workflow of a data flow direction display feature of the storage device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a flowchart of the workflow of a write mode display feature of the storage device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a method for power consumption adjustment in the storage device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  are perspective views of a portable storage device of the present invention that can be positioned in several orientations relative to a host. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is of a portable peripheral device, such as a portable storage device, that has an enhanced display, and a method of operation thereof. The principles and operation of a portable peripheral device according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 
     Referring again to the drawings,  FIG. 2  is a high-level schematic block diagram of a system containing a portable storage device  200  that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Portable storage device  200  is configured to store data packages in a similar manner to that which has been described above in the prior art. Thus, portable storage device  200  includes a power interface  205 , a data interface  210 , a controller  215  and a  storage unit  260  whose general operation and functionality are similar to the general operation and functionality of corresponding blocks  105 ,  110 ,  115 ,  120  of prior art  FIG. 1 . In the system described herein portable storage device  200  is energized by a power supply  235  through an electrical power link  176  and power interface  205  in a similar manner to the energizing of portable storage device  100  by power supply  155  through electrical power link  166  and power supply  155  of the prior art. It should be noted that power supply  235  may be a portable power supply such as a battery. An optional data link  177  is established between an optional data connection  240  and data interface  210  in a similar manner to the establishment of data link  167  between data interface  165  and data interface  110  of portable storage device  100 . In the system described herein, portable storage device  200 , when connected to an external device and having established both data link  177  and power link  176 , is generally operable. Yet, portable storage device  200  may also be connected to an external device that does not contain a data interface and still maintain some of its functionalities, in particular the display functionality. 
     Portable storage device  200  also includes a display panel  230  that interfaces mechanically and electrically with the rest of portable storage device  200  at a display panel interface  225 . Display panel  230  has the capability of translating electrical signals into visual effects. Display panel  230  consists of a number of illuminable segments, set up in accordance with a certain design or drawing, that forms the artwork of display panel  230 . Furthermore, the segments may be lighted or remain unlighted, for variable periods of time and at variable light intensities, in accordance with a programmable sequence, which is called herein the “flashing sequence” of display panel  230 . By means of example, in one typical exemplary embodiment, the artwork of display panel  230  consists of three illuminable segments, a first segment in  the form of a blue circle, a second segment in the form of a green square and a third segment in the form of a red triangle. An exemplary flashing sequence in this particular example is the alternate lighting of the first and third illuminable segments, each lighting interval having a duration of one second, and the lighting of the second illuminable segment every tenth interval for a duration of three seconds. It is clear from the given example that the variety of artworks and flashing sequences is dependant on the creative ingenuity of the designer and on the number of illuminable segments that fit on display panel  230 . Using display panel  230 , information that has been displayed according to the prior art in a non-intuitive manner may be better represented, furthermore, some types of information, that were impossible to display under the display restrictions set by the display configuration of the prior art, may be displayed using display panel  230 . For example, in order to represent whether portable storage device  200  is being read from or written to, the artwork on display panel  230  depicts an arrow that, when illuminated, points in the direction of the data flow.  FIG. 4A  is a flowchart of a process of visually indicating whether portable storage device  200  is being written to or read from. The user initiates either a read or a write command (step  370 ) to portable storage device  200 . Controller  215 , according to whether a read or a write command has been initiated (step  375 ) gives an instruction to display panel  230  through display panel interface  225  to display whether portable storage device  200  is being read from or written to (steps  380  and  385  accordingly). This kind of display is useful for security reasons: it allows a user to detect uninitiated data transfers as an indication of harmful software attempting to read or write information from/to portable storage device  200 . Another example of a security feature is the display of the mode of operation of portable storage device  200 , for example in a device having two security modes: private and public. In this  example, storage unit  260  is divided logically into two storage areas, one private and one public, with the private storage area being encrypted and password protected. A visual indication notifies the user to which storage area data are being written to.  FIG. 4B  is a flowchart of a process of visually indicating to the user whether the data are being written to the private or public storage area. The user attempts to write data to portable storage device  200  (step  350 ). Controller  215 , which has already been set to work in private or public mode by the user (not shown), now checks what mode it should operate under (step  355 ). Controller  215  now gives an instruction to display panel  230  through interface  225  to display whether the device is in private or public mode (steps  360  and  365  accordingly). Thus, the problem of current devices, wherein a user presumes that data are written to the private storage area while it is actually written to the public storage area by mistake, is noticed and avoided by the user. This feature is easily implemented by lighting display panel  230  in a first color, green, to show that data are being written to the public storage area, and lighting display panel  230  in a second color, red when data are written to the private storage area. Other visual indications such as a depiction of a lock indicating a secure mode or an appropriate textual message are also possible. Yet another example is the depiction of the amount of storage space that is left on storage unit  260 , which may be represented using an advancing bar, a pie-chart or a number depicting the percentage of space used. 
     In some cases, as in the case of the EL technology, the artwork of display panel  230  may be seen even when the segments are not illuminated and portable storage device  200  is not energized. Display panel  230  has electric wiring and contact regions that are configured so that display panel  230  may be electronically connected to display panel interface  225 . Hence, given a wire configuration of panel interface   225 , any display panel  230  having a matching wiring configuration may be coupled with panel interface  225 . Display panel  230  is optionally removable from display panel interface  225 . Thus, different removable display panels  230  may be interchangeably coupled with a given display panel interface  225 , provided that these display panels  230  and display panel interface  225  have matching wiring configuration. A detachable display panel  230  enables the user to diversify the visual display capabilities of portable storage device  200 . For example, a first detachable display panel  230  allows the display of information regarding the amount of free storage space available on portable storage device  200 . The user may decide that a display panel  230  displaying the direction of data communication may be more relevant and so by simply switching display panels  230  and ensuring that controller  215  operates under an instruction set appropriate to the display panel  230  presently connected to display panel interface  225 , the desired data will subsequently be displayed. The instruction set for each display panel  230  either is programmed into controller  215 , as part of a library of instruction sets for a collection of display panels  230  of diverse types, or is embedded in display panel  230  and is read from display panel  230  by controller  215  via display panel interface  225 . Another example for the practical use of a detachable panel becomes evident when considering that manufacturers may improve display technologies and artwork supported as time advances. Using detachable display panels  230 , users may upgrade their display capabilities without the need to purchase new portable storage devices  200 . A detachable display panel  230  may also present itself as a marketing opportunity for storage device related merchandise, examples of which include digital cameras that use portable storage devices  200  for storing images and video games and video game consoles that use portable storage devices  200  as means for storing “saved games”. A  manufacturer of such storage-device-related merchandise may market the merchandise together with a detachable display panel  230  that includes artwork that operates in congruence with the merchandise. Such a display panel  230  thus either adds to the functionality of the merchandise or visually exhibits the user&#39;s possession of the merchandise. For example, a gaming manufacturer may decide to merchandise a video game with a detachable display panel  230 , with the artwork of display panel  230  including the game&#39;s logo. The user may attach such a detachable display panel  230  to a portable storage device  200 , thus displaying the possession of the game. Further expanding the previous example, a display panel  230  that has been manufactured by the gaming manufacturer can display game achievements. For example if display panel  230  is attached to a portable storage device  200  which is used to store “saved games” relating to a game that this display panel  230  has been manufactured with, this display panel  230  could display the score reached by the user, could give a visual representation of the level reached by the user, etc., using the games saved on portable storage device  200  as a source of information. Another example of the use of a detachable display panel  230  working in congruence with the data stored on portable storage device  200  presents itself as a means for differentiating between different portable storage devices  200 . As portable mass storage devices are becoming more common and their price continues to drop, users may own more than one such device. The ability to use the display to distinguish one device from the other based on the contents of the device is advantageous over the old methods of distinguishing between devices by permanent physical features such as stickers. Controller  215  may analyze storage unit  260  for different file-types and light file-type icons appearing on display panel  230  according to the file-types identified.  
     Portable storage device  200  may be positioned in several orientations in relation to appliance  150 , as is the case of a standard USB connection between appliance  150  and portable storage device  200 . The USB receptacle connector of appliance  150  may be positioned in one of four possible alignments, rotated by 90 degrees with respect to each other, and the user, inserting the USB plug of portable storage device  200  into the receptacle, may find that display panel  230  cannot be seen because display panel  230  is facing down. Portable storage device  200  preferably allows multiple positioning of display panel  230 , selectable according to the orientation of insertion of portable storage device  200  into the receptacle connector of appliance  150 . The user may thus choose a position that allows display panel  230  to be viewed. In order to achieve this goal, portable storage device  200  preferably includes several panel interfaces  225  positioned in different location on the device body. 
     Interface  225  may be sunken below the level of that which surrounds it and thus display panel  230  may be attached to interface  225  and covered by an optional detachable transparent cover  262 , allowing the possibility of replacing display panel  230  while maintaining the integrity of the form factor of portable storage device  200 . Cover  262 , being transparent, allows the panel to be visible. Optionally, cover  262  may come in several colors, creating combinations of color filters and artwork with display panel  230 . 
     Display panel interface  225  is configured to receive display instructions from controller  215  and to accordingly send electrical signals to display panel  230 , dictating which segment is to be lighted, for how long and at what intensity. Controller  215  may be programmed to dictate a flashing sequence of any display panel  230  electrically connected to display panel interface  225 . The flashing  sequence, in congruence with the artwork of display panel  230 , may supply information on the status of portable storage device  200 . Otherwise, the artwork may create a non-informatory, eye-pleasing effect. In the case that display panel  230  exhibits status information, such as the amount of free space available in storage unit  260  or the direction of the data flow, controller  215  uses a computer program for determining the status of portable storage device  200 , translates this status to a flashing sequence, and transmits the flashing sequence to display panel interface  225 , causing the lighting of display panel  230  in the prescribed manner. In the case that display panel  230  is used as a non-informatory, decorative display, controller  215  may use either a predetermined flashing sequence or a computer program that calculates a flashing sequence dependent on a number of parameters. An example of such a computer program is one that determines the flashing sequence according to the day of the week. In the example of the display panel previously mentioned, the flashing sequence on Mondays alternates between the first lighting region and the second lighting region in intervals of one second, and on Tuesdays the flashing sequence alternates between the second lighting region and the third lighting region in intervals of two seconds. A plurality of programs and/or predetermined sequences may be hardwired into controller  215  or be stored as a number of optional flashing sequence files  265  on storage unit  260 . Each sequence file  265  is a file including a computer program for determining a flashing sequence, be it status based or non-informatory decorative display based. Each sequence file  265  may also hold an instruction set for a predetermined flashing sequence. It should be noted that two display panels  230 , having similar illuminated segments but with different artwork, may be lighted by the same sequence. Thus, a certain flashing sequence may lend itself to several display panels  230 .  
     Controller  215 , in a portable storage device  200  having more than one display operation mode, is configured to determine which display option to operate under in accordance with a user command. Alternatively, the display option is determined by controller  215  according to measurable parameters, for example, if data are being written to storage unit  260  the display option is one which exhibits the amount of free storage space available on storage unit  260 , if data are not being written the display option is set to flash according to a predetermined sequence. The controller can control electrical characteristics of interface  225 , for example voltage and frequency, in order to achieve flexibility in the trade-off between brightness and the lifetime of the display. Thus, display panel  230 , using measurable parameters to determine a mode of operation, may further enhance the display capabilities of portable storage device  200 . Some preferred embodiments further contain optional sensors  263  for measuring parameters such as amount of light, and movement of portable storage device  200 . Using a light sensor enables display panel  230  to flash at a stronger brightness in the daytime and at a weaker brightness at night. In this context, a system clock that keeps track of time-of-day to distinguish between daytime and nighttime is considered a “light sensor”. Using a movement sensor controller  215  may decide that the user is carrying the device around as an electronic ornament and increase the brightness of illumination accordingly. 
     A button  220  is optionally included in portable storage device  200  to switch the display functions of portable storage device  200  on and off in order to conserve energy. Moreover, button  220  may be used for indicating to controller  215  the flashing sequence option that controller  215  should operate under, for example to toggle between a hard-wired option and a sequence file  265 . Optional button  220  can also be used as a “try me” button that activates the display configuration in a  predetermined manner so that a user may view the featured display capabilities of portable storage device  200 . This feature presents itself as a means of attracting a potential buyer in a store or as a means for the user to exhibit the visual capabilities of portable storage device  200  while portable storage device  200  is not connected to a host appliance  150   
     Portable storage device  200  can use its ability to control display panel interface  225  as a method for controlling power consumption. This may be better understood with reference to  FIG. 5 , a flowchart of power consumption adjustment in a portable storage device  200 . The user connects portable storage device  200  to appliance  150  (step  400 ). Portable storage device  200  reports its level of power consumption while enumerating with a USB host (step  405 ), the host system checks whether it can support the power consumption demands of portable storage device  200  (step  410 ) and if the system rejects the connection due to over current (in the case that the host port allows only a low power USB device) controller  225  decreases the power consumption level (step  415 ) by reducing the illumination brightness of display panel  230 , lighting only part of the illumination segments, or even turning off display panel  230 . Portable storage device  200  now re-enumerates (step  420 ) with a lower power consumption parameter, thus enabling a display capability that the host system can support (step  425 ). 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are schematic block diagrams showing portable storage device  200  alternately connected to an appliance  150  ( FIG. 2A ) and to an ornament dock  170  of an ornament  180  ( FIG. 2B ). Portable storage device  200  has a form factor that, on the one hand, is convenient to connect to an appliance  150  and, on the other hand, is convenient to connect to an ornament dock  170 .  
       FIG. 2A  is a schematic block diagram of portable storage device  200  connected to an appliance  150 . Appliance  150  is a device, that is operatively connectable to a portable storage device  200 . Examples of such an appliance  150  include a digital camera operatively connectable to a memory card  200  for storing images, or a computer of any form factor operatively connectable to a USB flash drive  200 . When portable storage device  200  is operationally coupled with appliance  150 , an electrical link  176  and a data link  177  are established. Portable storage device  200  is electrically connected to appliance  150  once electrical link  176  has been established between power interface  205  and power supply  155  in a similar manner to the establishment of electrical link  166  in the prior art ( FIG. 1 ). Data link  177  is established between data interface  210  and data interface  165  in a similar manner to the way data link  167  established in the prior art ( FIG. 1 ). Having established both links, portable storage device  200  is generally operable. As was mentioned above, “generally operable” implies that the device can perform its general purpose of reading, writing and erasing of data packages. Furthermore, the aforementioned advanced visual display capabilities are also functional under the prescribed mode of operation. The visual display exhibited by portable storage device  200  is determined according to the visual mode of operation as has been described in reference to  FIG. 2 . Appliance  150  may also use data interface  210  to pass to portable storage device  200  one or more commands dedicated to the operation of display panel  230 . For example appliance  150  may pass a command which indicates the status of operation of appliance  150  itself, such as: if portable storage device  200  is connected to an appliance  150  that is a host computer, the computer may initiate a lighting sequence on portable storage device  200  if an e-mail has been received on the host computer. Another implementation using a host computer as appliance  150  allows the user to  create new flashing sequences on the host appliance  150  and to test the new sequences on display panel  230  as the new sequences are created. 
       FIG. 2B  shows portable storage device  200  operationally connected to an ornament dock  170 . Ornament dock  170  has a form factor, such as a chain, a necklace, a wristwatch or a bracelet, that makes ornament dock  170  convenient for wearing and that allows ornament dock  170  to be connectable to portable storage device  200 . Ornament dock  170  includes a portable power supply  175 , such as a battery, to energize portable storage device  200 . When portable storage device  200  is coupled to ornament dock  170  an electrical link  176  is established. Electrical link  176  is established between power interface  205  of portable storage device  200  and power supply  175  of ornament dock  170  in a manner similar to the establishment of electrical link  176  of  FIG. 2A . When portable storage device  200  is connected to ornament dock  170  a data link is not established. Having established only link  176  without also establishing a data link, only the advanced visual display capabilities of portable storage device  200  are functional under the prescribed mode of operation. The visual image exhibited by portable storage device  200  is determined according to the visual mode of operation as has been described in reference to  FIG. 2 . Portable storage device  200  coupled with ornament dock  170  together form an electronic ornament  180 . The integrated design of portable storage device  200  and ornament dock  170 , together with the eye pleasing lighting of display panel  230 , form the ornamental effect of electronic ornament  180 . Since the power supply  175  of ornament dock  170  is not regularly connected to a power source, a method of renewing its power may be required. Such a method may be for power supply  175  to be a replaceable battery, thus by replacing a battery power is renewed, or by recharging power supply  175  via a recharging cable (not shown). An example of such  an implementation is a USB cable, with both ends being A-Type plugs (which, according to the USB standard, supplies electrical energy from the respective appliance  150 ), may be inserted on one side to ornament dock  170  and on the other side to appliance  150 , thus connecting appliance  150  and ornament dock  170  to recharge power supply  175 . Alternatively, ornament dock  170  may have a USB plug (not shown) to be connected directly to an appliance  150  and to draw energy from power supply  155  of appliance  150 . 
       FIGS. 6A through 6C  are perspective views of a portable storage device  200  that can be positioned in several orientations relative to a host. To this end, this portable storage device  200  includes four display panel interfaces, a display panel interface  225   a  on the top surface of device  200 , a display panel interface  225   b  on a side surface of device  200 , and two more display panel interfaces that are not visible in the Figures: one on the bottom surface of device  200  and one on the side surface of device  200  that is hidden from view. This portable storage device  200  is connected to its host via a USB connector that includes power interface  205  and data interface  210 .  FIG. 6B  shows a display panel  230  operationally attached to display panel interface  225   a .  FIG. 6C  shows a display panel  230  operationally attached to display panel interface  225   b.    
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the steps of a method for the operation of portable storage device  200 . Reference also is made to  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A and  2 B. The initial state of portable storage device  200  is that portable storage device  200  it is not energized (step  301 ). A decision is made to couple portable storage device  200  with another device (at step  305 ), which may be either ornament dock  170  or appliance  150 . If, by the process of coupling, processor  215  has not been energized (step  310 ), meaning that electrical link  176  has not been established, the process awaits the connection to  be made. Otherwise the processor has been energized and a check is made as to whether a data link  177  has been established (step  315 ). If data link  177  has been established (step  320 ), this means that portable storage device  200  is connected to appliance  150 , and so is generally operable under these circumstances, meaning that portable storage device  200  can perform its main function of reading, writing and erasing data packages and also support the advanced display capabilities of portable storage device  200 . In the case that data link  177  has not been established as is the case when portable storage device  200  is connected to ornament dock  170 , or alternatively in continuation to step  320 , the procedure proceeds with optional step  325 , which is dependent on whether portable storage device  200  has button  220 , and wherein a check is made as to whether display capabilities are turned on by button  220 . If the display capabilities are on, or if there is no button  220  at all, storage device  220  operates display capabilities (step  330 ), functioning under the prescribed mode of operation, and the procedure proceeds to the end of the process (step  335 ). Otherwise the process ends at step  335  without the implementing of display capabilities. This method may be implemented by setting the logical state of the interface of ornament dock  170  to be one that is different from the standard logical state for a USB host for example by forcing the logical level of the data connectors to be low. Portable storage device  220 , upon identifying that the logical state is non-standard, assumes that it is connected to an ornament dock  170  and acts accordingly by implementing only the advanced display capabilities of portable storage device  200  and not attempting to make portable storage device  200  generally operable. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the method of operation herein described is exemplary.  
     While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.