Abstract:
A detection functionality of any type sensor is integrated into a flash memory disk. The sensor detects its environment and generates signals constantly. A microcontroller, connected with the sensor, saves all signals into a flash memory. A connection port, connected with the microcontroller, enables the flash memory disk to transfer its data to and from a computer when the connection port is coupled with the computer. A battery supplies power to the flash memory, the sensor and the microcontroller.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Taiwan Application Serial Number 94133127, filed Sep. 23, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a flash memory disk. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flash memory disk with detection functionality.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Detecting or measuring a personal environment by means of different kinds of sensors is an extensive application. For instance, equipment is used to measure a patient&#39;s pulse or heartbeat while he stays in a hospital. However, measuring one&#39;s pulse or heartbeat in a ward for a long period of time, i.e. a week, is considered impractical for a healthy person.  
         [0006]     There are people who like to know the average number of steps they walk every day, from the moment they rise out of bed to the moment they return to bed. Moreover, they may desire data from several days so as to precisely measure an average step count and consumed calories.  
         [0007]     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a personal device with long-term measuring and storage abilities.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0008]     It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a flash memory disk with detection functionality.  
         [0009]     In accordance with the foregoing objective of the present invention, a detection functionality of any type sensor is integrated into a flash memory disk. The sensor detects its environment and generates signals constantly. A microcontroller, connected with the sensor, saves all signals into a flash memory. A connection port, connected with the microcontroller, enables the flash memory disk to transfer its data to and from a computer when the connection port is coupled with the computer. A battery supplies power to the flash memory, the sensor and the microcontroller.  
         [0010]     Thus, a flash memory disk equipped with detection functionality can resolve problems regarding long-term measuring and storage. The flash memory disk can be carried in one&#39;s pocket to detect or measure its environment for a long period of time.  
         [0011]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are by examples and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings,  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a flash memory disk with detection functionality according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of flash memory disk with step-count functionality according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.  
         [0016]     In order to satisfy the need of a personal device with long-term measuring and storage abilities, a sensor of a certain function is integrated into a flash memory disk. The flash memory disk can expand its use by adding detection functionality. Thus, the flash memory disk becomes a personal device with long-term measuring and storage ability, rather than merely a storage device.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a flash memory disk with detection functionality according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. Connections among all components of the flash memory disk  100  are presented by lines linked between blocks. The flash memory  102  provides storage space and a function for storing data. A sensor  104  measures or detects certain physical changes in its environment and generates a signal to a microcontroller  106  for a next processing step. The sensor  104  measures or detects its environment under the control of the microcontroller  106 , and measured or detected data is stored in the flash memory  102  or output by a display module  108 . Data in the flash memory  102  can also be accessed or be output by the display module  108  under the control of microcontroller  106 . Moreover, data can be transferred from the flash memory  102  to a computer  114  or be transferred from the computer  114  to the flash memory  102  under the control of microcontroller  106  when a connection port  110  is coupled with the computer  114 . A battery  112  provides power to all components, which need it, such as the flash memory  102 , the microcontroller  106 , the sensor  104  and the display module  108 .  
         [0018]     The display module  108  can be an LCD apparatus or an LED display apparatus. A connection between the computer  114  and the flash memory disk  100  (presented by the dashed-line in  FIG. 1 ) can be achieved by the following ways: (1) USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, (2) RS 232 Serial Port, (3) Printer Serial Port, (4) wireless protocol interface (such as Bluetooth, 802.11, IR and RF interfaces), and (5) IEEE 1394 interface.  
         [0019]     The sensor  104 , which can be applied in the flash memory disk  100 , is any of the following:  
         [0020]     1. Temperature: platinum resistance thermometer.  
         [0021]     2. Humidity: polymer moisture sensor.  
         [0022]     3. Vibration: reed switch, accelerometer, piezoelectric sensor.  
         [0023]     4. Gravity: gravity sensor.  
         [0024]     5. Position: draw-wire displacement sensor, laser displacement sensor, eddy-current displacement sensor, angle sensor, GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver.  
         [0025]     Above-mentioned sensors can be applied in the following fields:  
         [0026]     1. Temperature: measuring body temperature, ambient temperature, or temperature of a specific object.  
         [0027]     2. Humidity: measuring ambient humidity.  
         [0028]     3. Vibration: measuring strength of an earthquake or times of repeated movements.  
         [0029]     4. Gravity: detecting varied height or environmental changes (such as the altitude of an airplane).  
         [0030]     6. Position: detecting absolute coordinate or relative coordinate.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of flash memory disk with step-count functionality according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. This preferred embodiment is a flash memory disk equipped with a step-count function. According to personal characteristics (such as weight) and steps walked in one day, consumed calories in one day can be obtained. Components in  FIG. 2  named the same as those in  FIG. 1  have the same function. Connections among all components of the flash memory disk  200  are presented by lines linked between blocks. A vibration sensor  204   b , such as a reed switch, an accelerometer or a piezoelectric sensor, is integrated into the flash memory disk  200  to detect vibrations of walking. A counter  204   a  accumulates what the vibration sensor  204   b  detects. Personal characteristics information, such as weight and height, is input by an input module  216 . Other system information, such as date, time or alarm can also be input by the input module  216 .  
         [0032]     The flash memory disk can record start time, how many steps, and end time, and all information is stored in the flash memory  202 . The display module  208  can output information, such as accumulated walking steps or consumed calories.  
         [0033]     The connection between the computer  214  and the flash memory disk  200  (presented by the dashed-line in  FIG. 2 ) is achieved by a USB port  210 . A user can access the flash memory disk  200  via the computer  214  and process data as he wants when the USB port  210  is coupled with the computer  214 . A battery  212  provides power to all components, which need it, such as the flash memory  202 , the microcontroller  206 , the vibration sensor  204   b , the counter  204   a , the display module  208  and the input module  216 .  
         [0034]     According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a flash memory disk equipped with detection functionality can resolve problems regarding long-term measuring and storage. The flash memory disk can be carried in one&#39;s pocket to detect its environment for a long period of time.  
         [0035]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.