Abstract:
A plug used for connection with a USB receptacle. The plug contains a plurality of metal contacts, which is used for contacting metal contacts of the USB receptacle when the plug is connected to the USB receptacle. It also contains a loader, which is used for loading the metal contacts of the plug. The plug has a thickness that is smaller than an ordinary USB plug, so it can be utilized by computer peripherals that have a thickness less than an ordinary USB plug.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial No. 91118593, filed on Aug. 16, 2002.  
         BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a connection plug. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plug, which can be connected to a receptacle of universal series Bus (USB) receptacle or a USB plug.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    As the semiconductor fabrication technology has been developed day by day, the functional of the computer is much powerful and is much better than the first computer, which had ever been made. The operation speed and the storage capacity have been tremendously improved but the computer volume has been reduced a lot. When the semiconductor fabrication technology has been extremely developed and the network technology has been developed being popular, the current computer has been not only the definition of computer in the early stage. The compute now can be connected with the other computer in any place of the world via the network, so as to transmit and receive any type of information. Also and, the current computer can process a large amount of multiple media information. In order to conveniently transmit, receive and store various kinds of information, the peripheral devices of the computer system have enormous varieties. In inputting devices includes, for example, keyboard, mouse, scanner, or digital camera, and the outputting devices includes, for example, displaying device, printer, or other kinds of storage devices. New devices are continuously developed, according to the needs from the user. In order to allow these kinds of peripheral devices to communicate with computer, various kinds of input/output (I/O) interface standard have been proposed, in which one of the most common standards is the universal series Bus (USB) standard, in which one of the most common standards is the IEEE 1394 communication standard. The USB standard defines transmitting format and speed of information when the USB peripheral device is transmitting information with the computer each other. In addition, the appearance and specification for the plug, receptacle, and the cable connected between, which have been implemented on the peripheral device and the computer, have also been defined, and the same in the IEEE 1394 standard. In the USB standard, it includes the specification for the plug and the receptacle with respect to the series A, series B, series Mini-A, series Mini-B, and so on. Wherein, the series A, series Mini-A, and series Mini-B and mini IEEE 1394 are designed to arrange a set of metal connection terminals of the plug to be disposed on a plane of a holder, as well as the series B is designed to arrange a set of metal connection terminals to be disposed on the upper and lower planes of a holder. For a computer peripheral device using the USB as the I/O interface standard, various kinds of storage devices have been well noted, such as the USB silicon disk. This kind of portable storage device has the advantages that the volume is smaller than that of the conventional portable storage devices, such as the floppy disk. Therefore, it is very convenient for carriage. However, the space for storage device is much greater than the amount for the conventional portable storage device. Furthermore, the capability of plug-and-play has been included between the USB and the computer, so that it has the advantages to avoid the extra connection device and reduce the tedious operation processes in use.  
           [0006]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 6 , FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are the drawing, schematically illustrating the conventional connection structure for the plug  10  and the receptacle  20  for the USB series A. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are the drawing, schematically illustrating the conventional connection structure for the plug  100  and the receptacle  10  for the USB series Mini-A. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are the drawing, schematically illustrating the conventional connection structure for the plug  30  and the receptacle  40  for the USB series Mini-B. In FIG. 1, the plug  10  includes a number of metal connection terminals  12 , used to connect to the metal connection terminals  22  on the first holder  24 , which is implemented in the receptacle  20 , when the plug is connected to the receptacle  20  as shown in FIG. 1. A second holder  14  is used to hold the metal connection terminals  12 . A metal frame  16  is used to fit into an outer frame  26  of the receptacle  20  when the plug  10  is connected to receptacle  20 , in which the four elastic plates  28  arranged in up side and the down side on the outer frame  26  can elastically contact to the metal frame  16 , so as to affix the plug  10 . In FIG. 3, the plug  100  includes a number of metal connection terminals  102 , used to connect to the metal connection terminals  112  on the first holder  114 , which is implemented in the receptacle  110 , when the plug  100  is connected to the receptacle  110  as shown in FIG. 4. A second holder  104  is used to hold the metal connection terminals  102 . A metal frame  106  is used to fit into an outer frame  116  of the receptacle  110  when the plug  100  is connected to receptacle  110 , in which the three elastic plates  118  on the outer frame  116  can elastically contact to the metal frame  106 , so as to affix the plug  100 . Likewise, the plug  30  in FIG. 5 includes a number of metal connection terminal  32 , used to connect to a number of connection terminals  42  implemented on a first holder  44  in the receptacle  40 , when the plug  30  is connected to the receptacle  40  as shown in FIG. 6. A second holder  34  is used to hold the metal connection terminals  32 . A metal frame  36  is used to fit into an outer frame  46  of the receptacle  40  when the plug  30  is connected to receptacle  40 , in which the three elastic plates  48  on the outer frame  46  can elastically contact to the metal frame  36 , so as to affix the plug  30 . However, in order to have the affixing function, the metal frame  16  is used to accept the first holder  24  when the plug  10  is connected to the receptacle  20 , in which a second space  16   a  exits between the metal frame  16  and the second holder  14 . The second space  16   a  determines the thickness of the metal frame  16  as well as the thickness of the plug  10 . In order to have the affixing function, the metal frame  106  is used to accept the first holder  114  when the plug  100  is connected to the receptacle  110 , in which a second space  106   a  exits between the metal frame  106  and the second holder  104 . The second space  106   a  determines the thickness of the metal frame  106  as well as therefore the thickness of the plug  100 . Likewise, in order to have the affixing function, the metal frame  36  is used to accept the first holder  44  when the plug  30  is connected to the receptacle  40 , in which a second space  36   a  exits between the metal frame  36  and the second holder  34 . The second space  36   a  determines the thickness of the metal frame  36  as well as therefore the thickness of the plug  30 . Therefore, when a designer for the peripheral device of the computer system intends to reduce the peripheral device, which uses the USB as the I/O interface standard, the designer will be limited by the thickness of the plug  10 ,  100  and  30  and cannot design a peripheral device with a thinner appearance than the thickness of the plugs  10 ,  100 , or  30 .  
           [0007]    For example, the USB silicon disk in the current market, the appearance is always designed to be a thin rectangular volume with a limitation of thickness by the thickness from the plug  10 ,  100  and  30  without being further reduced in thickness. Also and, the current memory card device usually has its standard size specification, such as, the IC card, which is usually used as the telephone card or the credit card, the compact flash (CF) card and the secure digital (SD) card used in digital camera as the storage unit, the memory stick card, the multi medial card, the smart media card, the MG memory stick card, the XD picture card, the memory stick duo card, the Microdrive card, and so on. Due to the foregoing reasons, those cards should need an extra access apparatus with a cable connection and cannot be directly connected to the computer system via the USB series A receptacle for communication.  
           [0008]    Also and, the CF card has the thickness of 0.33 cm but the USB plug, such as the series A, is thicker, such as 0.45 cm. If the thickness of the CF card is changed to 0.45 cm then it cannot be plugged into the CF slot of the digital camera. The computer uses the USB interface with the USB series A receptacle. In this situation, the CF card with the thickness of 0.33 cm cannot be installed with the convenient USB series A plug for directly connecting to the computer USB series A receptacle and providing a convenient way in data transmission. Thus, it needs a CF card reader to read data from CF card and through reader convenient USB series A plug for directly connecting to the computer USB series A receptacle. A USB “mini” type connector can be put in a CF card, but still needs a USB cable with “Mini” to “A” connector convert function, Otherwise it still can&#39;t directly connect a CF card into a computer common USB series A receptacle.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0009]    In the invention, a user can directly connect an additional connector of a CF card or a memory card to a USB series A receptacle. Further in the invention, the portable information storage device, which is connected to the peripheral device, can use the USB to connect to the computer, so that the use is more convenient.  
           [0010]    The present invention provides a USB plug, which has different appearance from the conventional appearance but can be connected to a plug or a receptacle of the USB series A, series Mini-A, series Mini-B, series Mini-AB, so that the conventional issue about the over large thickness of the USB plug can be solved.  
           [0011]    The invention has an objective to provide a USB plug and a Mini IEEE 1394 plug, which has different appearance from the conventional appearance and is exposed and like a connection terminals.  
           [0012]    The invention provides a plug, which is used to connect to a USB receptacle or a USB plug. The receptacle has an outer frame, a plurality of elastic member disposed on the inner side of the outer frame, and a first holder having a plurality of metal connection terminals. The plug includes a plurality of metal connection terminals, used to connect to the metal connection terminals of the receptacle when the plug is electrically connected to the receptacle. A second holder is used to hold the metal connection terminals of the plug. The USB plug has an outer frame and a first holder on which a plurality of metal connection terminals have been disposed.  
           [0013]    The invention is a design which is different from the conventional design of the USB plug implemented with the metal frame by an over large thickness or a holder with over large thickness, so that the issue of over thickness of the USB plug can be solved.  
           [0014]    The present invention uses an independent memory card associating with a master card, which can be individually dismounted with the memory card. For example, the independent memory card has a long rectangular shape, like a USB silicon disk as a memory card. The master card, for example, is a multifunctional CF card. The independent memory card can be mounted or dismounted from the master card. In this manner, when the independent memory car is to be connected to the USB connector of the computer, the space is not be restricted by the master card.  
           [0015]    The present invention can also be applied to the design of the IEEE 1394 plug, which conventionally has a metal frame, causing an over large thickness. As a result, the thickness of the conventional IEEE 1394 can be reduced.  
           [0016]    The objective of the invention includes providing an apparatus, which has an architecture of at least dual connector, allowing an inner-disposition single information storage card to be connected, wherein the single storage memory information storage card has at least one or two different connectors . The dual connector can also connect with the single information storage card with one or two connector. As a result, the number of slots for adapting multiple memory cards can be reduced and the volume is therefore reduced. This is convenient for design in adapting the storage memory card with at least two different connectors or one connector. It is also convenient to be connected to the computer USB for data access.  
           [0017]    One of the objectives in the invention is to provide a connection device with at least dual connectors, so as to connect to the connector of a single information storage card with at least two different connectors or one connector.  
           [0018]    One of the objectives in the invention is to provide a connector of an inner device of a computer peripheral apparatus. The connector can be implemented on an insert portable memory device to transfer data with USB mass storage protocol. The portable memory device is inserted to a computer, and the computer uses the same. USB mass storage protocol to transfer data to portable memory device, which can be dismounted and is connected to the USB connector of the computer in convenience. Also and, the portable memory device can be designed to be separated into two parts, so that when they are put together, it is suitable to insert into a slot. The separated part can include the memory card and a controller and has a connector to connect a device USB port. The function is like a USB silicon disk, but the size is small and long and thin for easy insert, so as to avoid the problem caused by too large area size. For example, for a CF card with a mini USB connector, the insertion of the CF card may touch the cables nearby, and against connector insertion to a USB port action, a CF card with rotate out connector, will support a long thin connector too. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    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  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a plug for USB series A;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a receptacle for USB series A;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a plug for USB series Mini-A;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a receptacle for USB series Mini-A;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a plug for USB series Mini-B;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a receptacle for USB series Mini-B;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a plug, according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a metal frame of the plug with one protruding part in FIG. 7;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 9 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a metal frame of the plug with one opening in FIG. 7;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 10 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a second holder of the plug with one protruding part in FIG. 7;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 11 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the plug with a protection cover as shown in FIG. 7;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 12 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the second holder of the plug with a reduced thickness FIG. 7;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 13 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the plug in FIG. 7 for application on a silicon disk;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 14 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the plug in FIG. 7 for application on an IC card;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 15 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the plug in FIG. 7 for application on a CF card;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 16 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the plug in FIG. 7 for application on an SD card;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 17 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the plug in FIG. 7 about the mechanism of using the cable to connect with outer devices; and  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 18 is a drawing, schematically a plug with reduced thickness, according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0038]    Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a plug  50 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 7, the plug  50  includes a number of metal connection terminals  52  being exposed, used to electrically connect to a number of metal connection terminals  22  on a first holder  24  inside the receptacle  20  when the plug  50  is connected with the receptacle  20  in FIG. 2. A second holder  54  is used to hold the metal connection terminals  52  and at least one at bottom of the elastic plate  28  on the outer frame  26  of the receptacle  20  when the plug  50  is connected with the receptacle  20 , or two elastic plates  54  at bottom are to elastically contact the second holder  54 . So, it affixes the plug  50 , in which at least one of the multiple elastic plates  28  on the outer frame  28  at the top will not contact with the plug  50 . Wherein, each element in the plug  50  can have correspondingly similar specification and appearance, so as to assure that the USB plug  50  is compatible with the USB receptacle  20 . However, the specification and the appearance can also be modified. For example, the metal connection terminals  52  can be the protruding points. It has been sufficient to only need a good contact between the metal connection terminals  52  of the plug  50  and the metal connection terminals  22  of the receptacle  20 . It is also not always necessary for the second holder  54  to cover the bottom of the metal connection terminals  52 . The second holder  54  can, for example, only hold the metal connection terminals  52  from the bottom for affixing. The plug  50  can also include an outer frame of a metal frame  56  or a non-metal frame, so as to connect to the outer frame  26  of the receptacle  20 . One of the purposes of the second holder  54  or the metal frame  56  is to connect in contact with the outer frame  26  of the receptacle  20 , so as to provide the affixing function by contact. However, the second holder  54  can be properly adjusted on the thickness, so as to assure that the elastic plates  28  can have the affixing effect. Since the multiple metal connection terminal  22  on the first holder  24  are the design of elastic plates, it not only can assure the electric connection with the metal connection terminals  52  on the second holder  54 , but also it has the affixing effect on the plug  50  by associating with the multiple elastic plates  28 . The conventional USB plug  10  has the thickness of 0.45 cm, and the plug  50  has the minimum thickness, which allows to be plugged into the space between a bottom of the outer frame  26  of receptacle  20  and the first holder  24 , wherein it has been sufficient to allow the multiple metal connection terminals  52  to have good contact with the multiple metal connection terminals  22  on the receptacle  20 . The thickness can be less than 0.24 cm or even down to about 0.18 cm. Optionally, a protruding part for avoiding a reverse connection can be included, in which some portion would be thicker. However, the thickness of the plug  50  can be less than the USB series A plug  10  by 0.45 cm or down to less than 0.38 cm. In this manner, it can be implemented on a CF card with thickness of 0.33 cm, a memory stick card with thickness of 0.28 cm, a SD card with thickness of 0.21 cm, a XD card with thickness of 0.17 cm, a memory stick duo card with thickness of 0.16 cm, a Microdrive card, a PCMCIA card, or a thinner USB silicon disk or HD, since the plug  50  can be used in light and small portable memory device, , the plug  50  structure still support enough strength connect to a receptacle.  
         [0039]    When the plug  50  is connected to the receptacle  110  in FIG. 4, the metal connection terminals  52  being exposed are used to electrically connect the multiple metal connection terminals  112  on the first holder  114  inside the receptacle  110 . The second holder  54  is used to hold the metal connection terminals  52  and affix the plug  50 , wherein at least one of the multiple elastic plates  118  on the outer frame  116  of the receptacle  110  can elastically contact the second holder  54  to affix the plug  50  when the plug  50  is connected to the receptacle  110 . Wherein, each element of the plug  50  can have the similar specification and appearance with the corresponding elements of the USB plug  100 , which is to be connected to the USB receptacle  110 , so that the plug  50  is compatible with the USB receptacle  110 . However, the specification and the appearance can be changed. For example, the metal connection terminals  52  can be the protruding points. It has been sufficient to only need the good contact between the metal connection terminals  52  of the plug  50  and the metal connection terminals  112  of the receptacle  110 . It is also not always necessary for the second holder  54  to cover the bottom of the metal connection terminals  52 . The second holder  54  can, for example, only hold the metal connection terminals  52  from the bottom for affixing. The second holder  54 , in thickness, can be properly adjusted to assure that the elastic plates  118  can effectively perform the affixing function. Since the multiple metal connection terminal  112  on the first holder  114  are the design of elastic plates, it not only can assure the electric connection with the metal connection terminals  52  on the second holder  54 , but also has the affixing effect on the plug  50  by associating with the multiple elastic plates  28 .  
         [0040]    Likewise, when the plug  50  is connected to the receptacle  40  in FIG. 6, the metal connection terminals  52  being exposed, are used to electrically connect the multiple metal connection terminals  42  on the first holder  44  inside the receptacle  40 . The second holder  54  is used to hold the metal connection terminals  52  and affix the plug  50 , wherein at least one of the multiple elastic plates  48  on the outer frame  46  of the receptacle  40  can elastically contact the second holder  54  to affix the plug  50  when the plug  50  is connected to the receptacle  40 . Wherein, each element of the plug  50  can have the similar specification and appearance with the corresponding elements of the USB plug  30 , which is to be connected to the USB receptacle  40 , so that the plug  50  is compatible with the USB receptacle  40 . However, the specification and the appearance can be changed. For example, the metal connection terminals  52  can be the protruding points. It has been sufficient to only need the good contact between the metal connection terminals  52  of the plug  50  and the metal connection terminals  42  of the receptacle  40 . It is also not always necessary for the second holder  54  to cover the bottom of the metal connection terminals  52 . The second holder  54  can, for example, only hold the metal connection terminals  52  from the bottom for affixing. The second holder  54 , in thickness, can be properly adjusted to assure that the elastic plates  48  can effectively perform the affixing function. Since the multiple metal connection terminals  42  on the first holder  44  are the design of elastic plates, it not only can assure the electric connection with the metal connection terminals  52  on the second holder  54 , but also has the affixing effect on the plug  50  by associating with the multiple elastic plates  48 . The USB series mini-A plug  30  or the mini-B plug  100  have the thickness of 0.3 cm. The minimum thickness of the plug  50 , which allows to be plugged into the space between a bottom of the outer frame  46  of receptacle  40  and the first holder  44 . Wherein, it has been sufficient to allow the multiple metal connection terminals  52  to have good contact with the multiple metal connection terminals  42  on the receptacle  40 . The thickness of the plug  50  can be less than 0.15 cm or even down to about 0.08 cm. Optionally, a protruding part for avoiding a reverse connection can be included, in which some portion would be thicker. However, the thickness of the plug  50  can be less than the 0.3 cm. Thickness USB series mini-A plug  40  and mini-B plug  110 . In this manner, it can be implemented on a CF card with thickness of 0.33 cm, a memory stick card with thickness of 0.28 cm, a SD card with thickness of 0.21 cm, a multimedia card by 0.14 cm, a smart card with thickness of 0.076 cm, a XD picture card with thickness of 0.17 cm, a memory stick duo card with thickness of 0.16 cm, a Microdrive card, a PCMCIA card or a thinner USB silicon disk. Since the plug  50  be used in light and small portable memory device, the plug  50  structure has enough strength support connect to a receptacle.  
         [0041]    Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in order to keep some affixing function for the metal frame of the conventional USB plug when the USB plug is connected to the USB receptacle and is affixed, under the condition without affecting the thickness of the plug  50 , a metal frame  56  can be implemented on the bottom or on the edge of the second holder  54  in the plug  50 . In this manner, the metal frame  56  is used to affix the plug  50  to the outer frame  26 ,  116 ,  46  of the receptacle  20 ,  110 ,  40  by contact friction and the outer appearance. When the user accidentally intends to connect the plug  50  to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40  in reverse direction, the power source terminal Vcc and the grounding terminal GND of the metal connection terminals  22 ,  112 , or  42  of the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40  may have contact with the metal frame  56 . Since the material of the outer frames  26 ,  116 , or  46  are metallic material, when the power source terminal and the grounding terminal contacts each other, a short circuit will occur. This short circuit is easy to cause the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40  to be breakdown or malfunction for the device using the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40 .  
         [0042]    Please note that, in the USB series A in FIG. 2, the receptacle  20  has a first space  26   a  between the first holder  24  and the outer frame  26 . This conventional design is used to adapt the metal frame  16  when the USB series A plug  10  is connected with the receptacle  20 . In FIG. 4 for the USB series Mini-A, the receptacle  110  has a first space  116   a  between the first holder  114  and the outer frame  16 . This conventional design is used to adapt the metal frame  106  when the USB series Mini-A plug  100  is connected with the receptacle  110 . In FIG. 6 for the USB series Mini-B, the receptacle  40  has a first space  46   a  between the first holder  44  and the outer frame  46 . This conventional design is used to adapt the metal frame  36  when the USB series Mini-B plug  30  is connected with the receptacle  40 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 8 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the plug  50  according to the first embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 8, at least one side of the metal frame  56  of the plug  50  has protruding part by a distance from the second holder  54 . The metal frame  56  will be plugged into the first space  26   a ,  116   a , or  46   a  when the plug  50  is connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40 . When the plug  50  is connected in reverse direction, since the shape for the first space  26   a ,  116   a , or  46   a  is different from the right connection, the metal frame  56  will not be smoothly plugged into the first space  26   a ,  116   a , or  46   a . By this mechanism, it can prevent a reverse connection for the metal frame  56  from occurring. FIG. 9 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the plug  50  according to the second embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 7, the metal frame  56  of the plug  50  has an opening part  60 . The opening part  60  is located at the place, where would match to the power source terminal of the metal connection terminals  22 ,  112 , or  42 . In this manner, when the plug  50  is connected in reverse direction to the receptacle, the short circuit will not occur between the power source terminal and the grounded terminal although the power source terminal has contacted with the metal frame  56 .  
         [0044]    Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the plug  50  according to the third embodiment of the invention. With similar foregoing reasons, in order to prevent the reverse connection for the plug  50  to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40 , the plug  50  is designed to have at least one protruding part  58  at the edge of the second holder  54 . The protruding part  58  will be inserted into the first space  26   a ,  116   a ,  46   a  when the plug  50  is connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40 . When the plug  50  is connected in reverse direction, since the shape for the first space  26   a ,  116   a , or  46   a  is different from that in right connection. The protruding part  58  then cannot be smoothly inserted into the first space  26   a ,  116   a , or  46   a . In this manner, the protruding part  58  can prevent the plug  50  from being reverse connection. An LED can also used to indicate whether or not the connection is correction. Furthermore, for example, since mini type IEEE 1394 plug and receptacle has the same structure as USB mini type connector, but with different pin pitch and size and different connector shape and size, the way of thickness modify done in USB connector, also can done in IEEE 1394 mini plug connector.  
         [0045]    Referring to FIG. 11, FIG. 10 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the plug  50  according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. The metal connection terminals  52  of the plug  50  in the invention is exposed over the second holder  54 . In order to prevent the metal connection terminals  52  from being broken by the external force or dirt during the usual state without connection, the second holder  54  can be implemented with a protection cap  62  thereon, which is implemented on by a retractable manner. When the plug  50  at the usual time without being connected, the protection cap  62  can be retracted and is tightly adjacent to the metal connection terminals  52 , so as to reduce the thickness of the plug  50 . When the plug  50  is connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40 , the protection cap  62  then can be shifted out, for example by elastic manner, so that the first holder  24 ,  114  or  44  can be located between the protection cap  62  and the second holder  54 . Thereby, it can prevent the plug  50  from being connected in reverse.  
         [0046]    Referring to FIG. 12, FIG. 12 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the plug  50  according to the fifth embodiment of the invention, wherein the actual situation is shown when the plug  50  of the invention is connected to the USB receptacle  20 ,  40 ,  110  in FIGS. 1, 4, and  6 . For convenient descriptions in FIG. 1, the receptacle  20  is used as the example. In order to further reduce the thickness of the plug  50  with respect to various needs, the thickness of the plug  50  can be reduced down to a degree, at which the plug  50  second holder  54  will not contact with the elastic plates  28 ,  48 ,  11   8  when the plug  50  is connected to the receptacle  20 ,  40  and  110 , and the second holder  54  in the plug  50  can be implemented with a number of elastic plates  98  at the bottom side to have contact with the metal frame of the receptacle  20 ,  40 ,  110 . Or, second holder  54  have a metal frame rack in bottom or both side touch the bottom outer frame of receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40 , is used to strengthen the connection effect. The metal connection terminals  52  of the plug  50  can be a design of elastic plate.  
         [0047]    In the invention, the plug  50  and the embodiments 1-5 have disclosed several options. The plug  50  of the invention can effectively reduce the thickness of the conventional USB plug, so as to be suitable for use in various computer peripheral devices. The present invention can be also applied to a mini type IEEE 1394 connector with four metal connection terminals, which is similar to the mini USB connector. The different is the size and the outer appearance. However, the connection mechanism between the plug and the receptacle are similar to the mechanism in the USB case. The present invention can also be applied to the mini type IEEE 1394 connectors. Referring to FIGS.  13 - 16 , FIG. 13 is the example for actual application using the plug  50  as shown by a plug  120 , which is implemented on a USB silicon disk drive  70  without using the manner of cable connection. Wherein, the plug  120  can be the plug  50  shown in FIG. 7. The silicon disk drive  70  has a indent space  80 . The plug  120  can be implemented on the indent space  80  by a non-retractable manner. The plug  120  can also be implemented on the silicon disk drive  70  by a protruding and non-retractable manner. The protruding plug  120  can be directly connected to a USB receptacle, and the receptacle  20 ,  110 ,  04   40  of a cable can also be directly connected to the plug  120  on the indent space  80 . The plug  120  can also be implemented in the indent space  80  by the retractable manner. When the plug  120  is to be connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110  or  40 , the plug  120  can then be shifted out from the indent space  80 . When the plug  120  is not to be connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40 , the plug  120  can be retracted into the indent space  80 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 14 is the example for the second actual application using the plug  50  as shown by a plug  120 . An IC card  72  has the metal connection terminals  92  used by a reading apparatus to read data, but also has a plug  130 , which can be the plug  50  shown in FIG. 7 and is implemented on the IC card  72  without cable connection. The IC card  72  has an indent space  82 . The plug  130  can be implemented on the indent space  82  or protruding from the IC card  72  by a non-retractable manner. The receptacle  20 ,  110 ,  04   40  of a cable can also be directly connected to the plug  130  in the indent space  82 . The plug  130  can also be implemented in the indent space  82  by a retractable manner. When the plug  130  is to be connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110  or  40 , the plug  130  can then be shifted out from the indent space  82 . Alternatively, the plug  130  can also be disposed in the indent spacer  82  and when it is to be used, the plug  130  is shifted out by rotating an angle of 90 or 125 degree or others. The metal connection terminals of the plug  130  being shifted out are connected to the chip of the IC card  72  via a conductive line, so that the plug  130  can be directly connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40  of the computer. When the plug  130  is not to be connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40 , the plug  130  can be retracted into the indent space  82 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 15 is the example for the third actual application using the plug  50  as shown by a plug  140 . A CF card  74  has a slot  94  for use by digital camera to access the data. Also and, a plug  140  is implemented on a CF card  74 , wherein the plug  140  can be the plug  50  in FIG. 7. The CF card  74  has an indent space  84 . The plug  140  can be implemented in the indent space  84  by a non-retractable manner, wherein the plug  140  can also be exposed. The receptacle  20 ,  110 ,  04   40  of a cable can also be directly, connected to the plug  140  in the indent space  84 . The plug  140  can be implemented in the indent space  84  by a retractable manner. When the plug  140  is to be connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110  or  40 , the plug  140  can then be shifted out from the indent space  84 . Alternatively, the plug  140  can be disposed in the indent spacer  84  and when it is to be used, the plug  140  is shifted out from the CF card by rotating an angle. The plug  130  can thereby be directly connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40  of the computer. When the plug  140  is not to be connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40 , the plug  140  can be retracted into the indent space  84 . The appearance of the CF card  74  is then returned and can be inserted into the slot of the digital camera, a memory card with a long-thin shift out plug  40 , will be easier to inset into receptacle, because a CF size will touch other nearby cable and against the inset action , this is the reason why USB silicon disk was long-thin shape.  
         [0050]    One design is as follows. Plug  140  also can be shifted out from the CF card (master card ) or other memory card, together with at least one memory card and at least one controller chip. As a result, it becomes an independent memory card, the controller chip for controlling the data storage and transmission can be integrate into the memory card. The controller has the function to control the system and data transfer. As a result, after the plug with the memory card is shifted out, the shifted-out independent memory card can be complete separated from the master card, or alternatively still has some mechanical connection without complete separation. Thus, it is convenient for the action of retracting back into the master card. The master card can optionally include one controller chip for controlling the information transmission. The independent memory can be inserted into a computer USB port, and become an independent memory card, like a USB memory card. Therefore, it is smaller than a CF card and can be designed with long thin shape to easy insertion to the slot. The independent memory card can be retracted back to the master card.  
         [0051]    There are many options about how the data is transferred between the memory to the inserted digital camera device, and many different connector design option. One design is that the plug  140  of the memory card on the CF card (master card) can also be directly connected to a connector inside a digital camera for information communication, so that the function of the master card can be only to mechanically support independent memory card and the mechanical member for insertion into the CF slot. One option is that the independent memory card have at least two connectors, of which in addition to the  140  plug, another connector A can be included for direct connection with a connector B, which is installed inside of the digital camera. In this manner, a CF card (master card) may be not necessary to include a connector C with  50  pins required by the conventional CF card or a controller. I It can be seen that the only need for the master card is the connection function to insert into the affixed slot.  
         [0052]    Alternatively, the independent memory card can include at least dual connectors, of which one is the plug  140  and another one is a connector A, which can be connected to a connector B on the CF card. The connector B of the CF card can be used for signal transmission or other uses. The CF card can include a connector C with the conventional  50  pins and a controller, so that it provides for the external electronic device to connect on the connector C via the  50  pins. In this manner, the signals for CF card can be converted into the signals of USB protocol and then used by the independent memory card. Alternatively, the CF card can only be simply the connector C with conventional  50  pins for connecting the external electronic device at the connector B, so that the information data can be transmitted to the memory card on the CF card (master card). Furthermore, the CF card can also be treated as only a mechanical support member without limitation by the function of actual connection.  
         [0053]    The another design is a memory card architecture, which can include a master card. The master card has an I/O port, capable of connecting with a first external electronic device. A controlling unit is implemented on the mater card, used to convert the I/O port into a USB interface. A memory card having another control unit and a USB interface I/O port member is capable of connection with a second external electronic device. Wherein the memory card can be mounted on the master card as a choice from a user, and by a mechanical operation or a direct connection, the USB interface I/O port member can be coupled with the USB interface. Wherein only one at a time can be selected for information communication from the group consisting of case  1  that the USB interface I/O port member of the memory card is coupled with the USB interface and case  2  that the USB interface I/O port member of the memory card is coupled with the second external electronic device.  
         [0054]    In the forgoing architecture, the controlling unit can convert the different signal protocol to the USB signal transmission protocol. The USB interface I/O port member can be, for example, like the structure as shown in FIG. 18 with the rotation part, in which when the connector is put back by, i.e., hand, then it is connected to the USB interface of the master card. When the memory card is mounted on the master card, the two control units can be optionally coupled together.  
         [0055]    The foregoing design of master card with the independent memory card can also be applied to the other kinds of memory card. The independent memory card can be retracted into the CF card, and then the CF card can be inserted into the CF slot in, for example, a digital camera. The CF card has the multiple function to provide for, i.e., a USB silicon disk (independent memory card) being coupled together. The independent memory card can be a long thing structure, so that the independent memory card can be plugged into the plug  140  of the computer, without being restricted by the size of the CF card.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 16 is the example for the fourth actual application using the plug  50  as shown by a plug  150 . A SD card  76  has a slot  96  for use by digital camera to access the data. Also and, a plug  150  is implemented on the SD card  76 , wherein the plug  150  is implemented on the SD card without cable, wherein the plug  150  can be the plug  50  in FIG. 7. The SD card  76  has an indent space  86 . The plug  150  can be implemented in the indent space  86  by a non-retractable manner, wherein the plug  150  can also be exposed. The receptacle  20 ,  110 ,  04   40  of a cable can also be directly connected to the plug  150  in the indent space  86 . The plug  150  can also be implemented in the indent space  86 . When the plug  150  is to be used, the plug  150  can be shifted out by rotating an angle. The plug  150  can also be implemented in the indent space  86  by the retractable manner. When the plug  150  is to be connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40 , the plug  150  would be shifted out from the indent space  86 . When the plug  150  is not to be connected to the receptacle  20 ,  110 , or  40 , the plug  150  can be retracted into the indent space  86 . The plug  150  can also be implemented by protruding out from the SD card  76  without retraction. The protruding plug  150  can be directly connected to the USB receptacle of the computer. The SD card can also be disposed into the slot in a digital camera. The plug  120 ,  130 ,  140 ,  150  as shown in FIGS.  13 - 16  can also be uses in the USB series A plug  10  in FIG. 1, the USB series Mini-A plug  100  in FIG. 3, or the USB series Mini-B plug  30  in FIG. 5.  
         [0057]    In the fifth application of the plug  50  in the invention, the metal connection terminals  52  can be changed into, i.e., elastic plates, so as to allow a connector to be inserted into. The connector can be the USB plug  30 ,  10 ,  100  in the computer. Likewise, the plug can also be connected to the USB receptacle, or even a reversed arrangement of the plug  50  suitable for use in the actual design.  
         [0058]    In application  6 , it is related to a design of the connectors for the peripheral equipment of the computer and an information storage device. The computer system is, for example, a notebook computer, and the information storage device, for example, is a PDA or storage device. For the storage device of the digital camera, it is, for example, a CF card. After the CF card is released out from the peripheral device of computer, conventionally it needs a reading apparatus to read the information. The information in the CF card can be input to the USB port of the computer via the reading device with the USB connector. The portable information storage device inside the peripheral device of computer can be a silicon disk or memory device, implemented with the conventional plug of USB series A  10 , USB series Mini-A  100 , or series Mini-B  30 . The silicon disk or memory device can also be implemented with a plug of the invention, which can be connected to the receptacle or the plug of USB series A, USB series Mini-A, series Mini-B, series Mini-AB. The silicon disk or memory device can be disposed inside the peripheral device of computer. The peripheral device of computer is implemented with a connector, which can be connected with the plug. This connector can be the receptacle in USB series A  10 , USB series Mini-A  100 , or series Mini-B  30 , or can be the plug  50 . In this design, The computer system can download data to the portable information storage with USB mass storage class protocol, the portable information storage device of the peripheral device can be released out and be directly connected or connected via a cable, as shown in FIG. 17. The cable can be, for example, the cable used for converting the receptacle into the plug, in which the data signals are not changed and can be directly connected to the USB port of the computer, and can be read data with USB mass storage class protocol. In this manner, it is convenient for reading the information of the portable information storage device. In FIG. 17, an information storage card  1000  is implemented with the plug  1006  of the invention compatible with the USB specification. The plug  1006 .is disposed on the rotation arm  1004 . The rotation arm  1004  is mounted on the information storage card  1000  via a rotation member  1002 , in which the interconnection line (not shown) is used to extend the connection terminals to the plug  1006 . Moreover, as shown in FIG. 16 or FIG. 17, the plug  1006  can also be designed to be directly connected to a connector, even the plug remains in the retraction position, the rotated-out plug can be implemented in memory card or a hard disk, or a PCMCIA card.  
         [0059]    In general, the peripheral device of computer can be implemented with a receptacle to be connected to a plug. The plug is implemented on a portable information storage device inside the peripheral device and is to be connected to the receptacle. The portable information storage device can be released out and is directly connected, via the plug, to a USB receptacle in an apparatus, or the portable information storage device can be released out and is connected by cable, via the plug, to a USB receptacle in an apparatus.  
         [0060]    For the seventh application, the storage device in the market used by the digital camera has the design of dual slot and dual card, such as the CF slot and SD slot. The peripheral device of computer in implemented with two connectors as a dual connector for adapting the two cards. The user can select one of the two cards to plug into the digital camera. However, since it needs to be implemented with the dual slot, it then needs a larger volume. The invention proposes that the digital device has at least two connectors, being able to connect one slot with one inserted single memory car. The CF card can have the original connector with 50 pins, but also have another connector, so as to form a dual-connector card. For example, the another connector can be the exposed plug  50  of the invention, which can be connected to the receptacle of, for example, USB series A, series Mini-A, or Mini-B. Alternatively, the another connector on the card can be the usual USB plug of USB series A, series Mini-A, or Mini-B. The peripheral device is implemented with two connectors inside. The two connectors can be to the two connectors of the portable information storage device, which has been inserted. For example, The information storage device has the receptacle for CF card, SD card, or multimedia card as well as another connector. This another connector can be the exposed plug  50  of the invention, which can be connected to the plug or receptacle of, for example, USB series A, series Mini-A, or Mini-B. The peripheral device can detect and select one of the two connectors to read the information on the information storage device. In this design, the user has multiple choices to select the portable information storage device. One choice is the CF card, which can be read by the card reading apparatus. One choice is the card with dual connector, in which one connector can be the USB plug of series A, series Mini-A, or series Mini-B, as well as the other connector is the connector of the CF card to connect to the silicon disk or memory device. The memory device has a CF card slot with about conformal shape with the appearance of the CF card, so that it can be released and connected to a computer for reading the information via the USB port. The digital camera can also select a fast transfer rate USB  2 . 0  to send data to this memory card. One choice is also the card with dual connector, in which one connector can be plug  50  of the invention capable of connecting to the USB plug, or the plug  60  (see FIG. 18, the 10 th  applications latter). Then, another connector is a CF connector for the silicon disk or memory card. The connection can be the CF slot about conformal to the CF card, is the connector of the CF card to connect to the silicon disk or memory device. One choice is the silicon disk or memory device, which has the CF slot about conformal to the CF card, implemented with a plug  50  or plug  60  of the invention, for connecting to USB series A, series Mini-A, or series Mini-B. Another option is that a design of the CF card like the embodiment three has a master card with the independent memory card. The peripheral device of the computer is implemented with at least two connectors, so that one of the connector of the master card and the connector of the independent memory card, or a single connector to connect to the master card or the independent memory card.  
         [0061]    The connecting part inside the peripheral device at least includes two connectors. The peripheral device of computer can have a single slot, allowing different card to be plugged in, wherein the slot can be connected to the at least two connectors or single connector on the card, which has been plugged into the single slot. In this manner, for example, it only needs a CF-card slot, which is rather small in size, and can allow the different information storage cards to be plugged in for use. Optionally, a faster transfer data connection can used, when the card has this kind of connector, and still keep the function to connect a standard one connector CF card, which was being used a lot. This method is also suitable for use in the memory card with different specification.  
         [0062]    The computer peripheral device can use inner connector satisfying the protocol of the windows operation system USB mass storage, so that it can use the memory card for data storage and transmission. The memory card can be dismounted. of the computer use the same protocol of USB mass storage to communicate with the memory card for information transmission. This kind of method can also be applied to the other type of data transmission protocol.  
         [0063]    With respect to the information storage card installed in the digital apparatus, the single storage card can have two different connectors, of which one can be the plug of the invention in reduced thickness for the USB connecting manner. As a result, the information storage card can used the USB manner to be directly connected to the external apparatus, such as the computer system.  
         [0064]    For the eighth application, one connector is to be connected to one connector on the CF card as shown in seventh application. The connector can be the plug  50  of the invention, which can be connected to the USB plug or the USB receptacle of series A, series Mini-A, series Mini-B. The connector can be the plug  50  with the metal connection terminals  52  as the elastic plate. The plug  50  in implemented with a second holder  54 , so as to hold the metal connection terminals  52 , which can be a design of elastic plates. In this manner, the plug  50  can be connected to another reversed plug  50  from up side or down side. The second holder  54  in the plug  50  can be implemented with at least a protruding part  58  at the edge, so as to prevent a reversed connection from occurring.  
         [0065]    In ninth application, one connection apparatus, used in the computer system as described in seventh application, has the design of at least two connector, so as to connect to at least two different connectors on a single information storage card. One of the two connector can be the connector as described in eighth application and the other one is used to be connected to a memory card, such as IC card, CF card, SD card, multimedia card, XD picture card, memory stick duo card, secure multimedia card, memory stick, MG memory stick, a Microdrive card, a PCMCIA card, or smart media card. The single data storage card can include a master card with an independent card, as described in embodiment 3.  
         [0066]    In tenth application, referring to FIG. 1 again, a conventional USB series A plug  10  has the thickness of 0.45 cm, which can be plugged into the USB series A receptacle  20  in FIG. 2. The plug  10  has multiple metal connection terminals  12 , used to be connected to have the electrical connection with the multiple metal connection terminal  22  on the first holder  24  of the receptacle  20  when the plug  50  is connected to the receptacle  20 . The metal frame  16  of the outer frame is used to contact in connection with the outer frame  26  of the receptacle  20 .  
         [0067]    Referring to FIG. 18, it is a drawing, schematically illustrating another plug with reduced thickness according to the invention. The invention is implementing another plug  60  on a CF card. The plug  60  has a reduced thickness by less than about 0.38 cm or even down to 0.28 cm, which is less than the thickness of the conventional USB series A plug. It can satisfy the requirement from the CF card by 0.33 cm or approach to the thickness of the memory stick card by 0.28 cm, so as to achieve the thickness used in PCMCIA card. As a result, the plug  60  can be implemented on the CF card or the memory stick card. It only needs to allow to be plugged into the CF slot. The plug  60  can be plugged into the USB series A receptacle  20  in FIG. 2. The plug  60  can be directly affixed onto a CF card. A receptacle on the USB cable for series A can be connected to the plug  60 . The plug  60  has a second holder  64 , used to hold the metal connection terminals  62 . Also and, when the plug  60  is connected to the receptacle  20 . At least one of the elastic plates  28  on the outer frame  26  of the receptacle  20  at the up side and each the edge side can elastically contact the outer frame  66 , such as a metal frame, of the plug  60 . Thickness of the second holder  64  is less than the thickness of the second holder  64  of the conventional USB series A plug  10 , so as to reduce the total thickness of the plug  60 . The second holder  64  can also be used just for holding the metal connection terminals  62  without need to cover the whole metal connection terminals  62  from the bottom. It can have an outer frame  66 , like the metal frame  16  but thinner, to enclose the second holder  64 . The bottom of the second holder  64  optionally has the outer frame  66 . When the plug  60  is plugged into the receptacle  20 , the outer frame  66  is inserted into the space between the first holder  24  of the receptacle  20  and the metal frame  16 . The outer frame  66  contacts the metal frame  26  of the receptacle  20 . At least one of the elastic plates  28  on the metal frame  26  at the up and each edge sides is elastically contacting with the outer frame  66 , so as to provide the affixing effect. As a result, the second holder  64  and the metal connection terminals  62  being held can tightly contact on the first holder  24  on the receptacle  20  and the metal connection terminals  22 . The elastic plates  28  on the metal frame  26  at the middle bottom may not contact the plug  60  due the reduction of thickness. One of the purposes of the second holder  64  or the metal frame  66  is to connect in contact the outer frame  26  of the receptacle  20 , so as to provide an affixing function.  
         [0068]    The metal connection terminals  62  on the second holder  64  can also be a design of elastic plates, wherein each element of the plug  60  is compatible, in specification and appearance, with the USB series A plug  10 , which is used to be plugged into the receptacle  20 . However, the specification and the appearance can also be modified. For example, the metal connection terminals  62  can be the exposed protruding terminals. It only needs to have a good contact between the metal connection terminals  62  of the plug  60  and the metal connection terminals  22  of the receptacle  20 . It is also not the absolutely necessary for the second holder  64  to cover the whole metal connection terminals  62  from the bottom. The second holder  64  can only be used to hold the metal connection terminals  62  from a bottom. The preferred embodiment is to assure for holding and protecting the metal connection terminals  62 . The thickness of the plug  60  can be (1) the thickness of the outer frame  66 , (2) the thickness between the outer frame  66  and the second holder  64 ( that thickness is thickness of the first holder  24  of the receptacle  20 ), and (3) the total thickness of the second holder  64  of the plug  60  and the metal connection terminals  62 . The total thickness is less than 0.38 cm or can even down to about 0.28 cm. The plug  60  can be affixed onto the CF card. The plug  60  at each edge side has a space, where a USB cable with series A receptacle can be connected with the plug  60 . The plug  60  can also be designed by a rotation arm or a retractable design, so that the plug can be directly plug into the receptacle, the outer frame  66  can be only keep the top side, and remove bottom, or other side.. The log thin connector can prevent from the difficulty of insertion action due to the over large volume of the CF card. The outer frame  66  can optionally keep only the upper part in which the side and the bottom part are removed.  
         [0069]    In conclusion, comparing with the conventional USB connector, the plug of the. invention can effectively reduce the thickness of the plug, which can be connected to the USB plug or USB receptacle. Then, the invention allows the peripheral device of computer to be designed with better appearance and having more options, and the design principle for the master card and independent card can be used in other different type of memory cards. In the foregoing different portable memory card. design, the electrical connection with the multiple metal connection terminals  62  or metal connection terminals  52  include the connection of voltage source Vcc and ground voltage GND. The number of GND connection terminals or the Vcc terminals can be reduced. The GND terminal can even be removed, and instead the frame  66  or  56  can be used as the GND connection terminal. This is because the communication distance is short.  
         [0070]    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 covers modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.