Abstract:
A system including a plug device, configured to be reversibly operationally plugged into a socket of a standard configuration, and a socket device, configured with at least one restriction structure that prevents a plug that is configured according to the standard configuration from being operationally plugged into the socket device. The plug device is configured with a respective accommodating structure to be reversibly operationally plugged into the socket device despite the restriction structure. The scope of the invention also includes a method of digital rights management by configuring a media player with the socket device of the present invention to connect to a media carrier configured with the plug device of the present invention, thereby allowing only the media carrier configured with the plug of the present invention to download data to this media player.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/774,157 filed Feb. 17, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of USB connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a USB male connecting device that is operationally plugged into a USB female connecting device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    USB (Universal Serial Bus) connectors and protocols are well known in the art of wired communication and are used as standard means for connecting devices to computers and other peripherals. 
         [0004]    The broad acceptability of standard USB protocols and USB connectors obtains extreme connection flexibility between different devices. The A Type connector, such as USB A Type plug, available from ACON, Advanced-Connectek, Inc., is a flat form factor type of connector commonly used at the end of a cable of a device that plugs into the host/computer USB port or USB hub. 
         [0005]    There are, however, business situations in which there is a need to limit the ability to connect USB peripherals to a device. 
         [0006]    One example of such a business situation is a case of cooperation between a vendor of a portable media storage device and a vendor of a digital media playing device, wherein the cooperation implies that the storage device will be able to connect to a standard USB device for uploading content, and then to connect to only a specific media playing device for downloading the digital media. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to solve a problem that is not addressed by the prior art techniques, by introducing a USB connecting device and method for selectively plugging only an authorized male connector into a respective female connector. 
         [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system including: (a) a plug device that is configured to be reversibly operationally plugged into a socket, the socket configured according to a standard (such as the USB standard and the Firewire standard); and (b) a socket device that is configured with at least one restriction structure to prevent a plug that is configured according to the standard from being operationally plugged into the socket device, wherein the plug device is configured with a respective at least one accommodating structure to be reversibly operationally plugged into the socket device despite the restriction structure. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the restriction structure of the socket device includes at least one protrusion. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the socket device includes: (i) a socket housing; and (ii) a plurality of socket pins, such that the restriction structure of the socket device is configured on a surface of the socket housing that is opposite the plurality of socket pins. More preferably, the plug device includes: (iii) a plug housing; and (iv) a plurality of plug pins, wherein at least one the accommodating structure of the plug device is configured on a surface of the plug housing that is opposite the plurality of plug pins. 
         [0011]    Alternatively, the socket device includes: (i) a socket housing; and (ii) a plurality of socket pins, such that the restriction structure of the socket device is configured on a surface of the socket housing that is adjacent the plurality of socket pins. More preferably, the plug device includes: (iii) a plug housing; and (iv) a plurality of plug pins, wherein at least one the accommodating structure of the plug device is configured on a surface of the plug housing that is adjacent to the plurality of plug pins. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the restriction structure includes a structure that is configured on a side surface of a housing of the housing device. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the restriction structure includes at least two structures that are configured on a housing of the socket device at at least two locations, such as a surface of the housing that is opposite pins of the socket device, a surface of the housing that is adjacent the pins of the socket device, a side surface of the housing, etc. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the restriction structure includes a material that is attached to the socket device. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the restriction structure includes a dent extending inwards within a housing of the socket device. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the system further includes two electric conductors embedded within the socket device, such that the plug device provides an electrically conductive path between the two electric conductors when the plug device is plugged into the socket device. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the accommodating structure of the plug device includes at least one recess. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the standard is a USB standard. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the standard is a Firewire standard. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the system further includes a media player for playing digital media that is configured with the socket device. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the system further includes a media carrier (including a non-volatile memory for storing digital information) that is configured with the plug device. 
         [0022]    In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a system including: (a) a socket device configured to being reversibly operationally plugged into a plug that is configured according to a standard; and (b) a plug device configured with at least one restriction structure that prevents a socket that is configured according to this standard to be operationally plugged into the plug device; wherein the socket device is configured with a respective at least one accommodating structure for being reversibly operationally plugged into the plug device despite the restriction structure. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the system further includes a media player for playing digital media that is operationally connected to the plug device. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the system further includes a media carrier, including a non-volatile memory for storing digital information, which is operationally connected to the socket device. 
         [0025]    In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method of digital rights management including the steps of: (a) configuring a media player with a socket device, having at least one restriction structure, to prevent a plug that is configured according to a standard from being operationally plugged into the socket device; (b) storing digital information in at least one media carrier; and (c) configuring the media carrier with a plug device to be reversibly operationally plugged into a socket that is configured according to this standard, wherein the plug device is configured with a respective at least one accommodating structure to be reversibly operationally plugged into the socket device despite the restriction structure, whereby allowing the media carrier, of which its plug device includes the accommodating structure, to download the digital information to the media player. 
         [0026]    Preferably, only the media carrier, of which its plug device includes the accommodating structure, is allowed to download the digital information to the media player. 
         [0027]    In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method of digital rights management including the steps of: (a) configuring a media player with a plug device, having at least one restriction structure, to prevent a socket that is configured according to a standard from being operationally plugged into the plug device; (b) storing digital information in at least one media carrier; and (c) configuring the media carrier with a socket device for being reversibly operationally plugged into a plug that is configured according to this standard, wherein the socket device is configured with a respective at least one accommodating structure for being reversibly operationally plugged into the plug device despite the restriction structure, whereby allowing said the media carrier, of which its socket device includes the accommodating structure, to download the digital information to the media player. 
         [0028]    Preferably, only the media carrier, of which its socket device includes the accommodating structure, is allowed to download the digital information to the media player. 
         [0029]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    For a better understanding of the invention with regard to the embodiment thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate corresponding sections or elements throughout, and in which: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1A  shows a front view of a prior art USB socket; 
           [0032]      FIG. 1B  shows a front view of a USB socket of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 1C  shows a cross-section of the USB socket of  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2A  shows a top view of a prior art USB plug; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2B  shows a top view of a USB plug of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  shows the way in which the USB plug of  FIG. 2B  is plugged into the USB socket of  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4A  shows, in side cross sectional view, the way in which the USB socket of the present invention is designed to selectively prevent plugging an unauthorized prior art plug into the USB socket. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4B  shows a top view of the way in which the USB socket of the present invention is designed to selectively prevent plugging an unauthorized prior art plug into the USB socket. 
           [0039]      FIG. 4C  shows, in side cross sectional view, the way in which the USB plug of the present invention is plugged into the USB socket of the present invention; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 4D  shows a top view of the way in which the USB plug of the present invention is plugged into the USB socket of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]    The present invention is a system that includes a selective socket device and a selective plug device, which are configured to prevent plugging a standard plug (e.g. a standard USB male connector) into a socket of the present invention (e.g. a USB female connector of the present invention), while allowing a plug of the present invention to be plugged into either a standard socket or a socket of the present invention. 
         [0042]    A standard socket is configured according to a standard (such as the USB standard and the Firewire standard) to allow enhanced connectivity and data transfer for video, audio and other storage peripheral applications. 
         [0043]    The socket of the present invention is a selective socket that features a protrusion to prevent from plugging an unauthorized plug into the socket of the present invention. In other words, the socket of the present invention is configured to accommodate only the plug of the present invention. 
         [0044]    The socket of the present invention is a modified socket device, including a restriction structure that is configured to prevent plugging a standard plug into the socket of the present invention. The plug of the present invention includes an accommodation structure (such as a recess) for accommodating the restriction structure of the socket, thus enabling to plug the plug of the present invention into the socket of the present invention as well as into any other standard socket. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 1A , there is shown a front view of a prior art USB socket  10 . Socket  10  includes a housing  12 , typically made of metal, and a printed circuit board  14 . Four conductor pins  16  are configured within the printed circuit board  14 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 1B , there is shown a front view of a USB socket  20  of the present invention. USB socket  20  is used here only as an example and it will be clear to those skilled in the art to apply the principles of the present invention to any kind of plug/socket combination. 
         [0047]    Socket  20  includes a housing  21  having a printed circuit board  14  with four conductive pins  16  and a protrusion  22  that is designed to selectively prevent plugging an unauthorized plug (e.g. USB plug  40  of  FIG. 2A ) into socket  20 . Hence, only plug  50  of  FIG. 2B  can be properly plugged into socket  20 . 
         [0048]    Most preferably, protrusion  22  is placed on the inward-facing surface at the broad side  25  of housing  21  that is remote from the printed circuit board  14  and conductor pins  16 , opposite printed circuit board  14 , as shown. Alternatively but less preferably, protrusion  22  is placed on the inward-facing surface at the broad side  26  of housing  21  that is closest to the printed circuit board  14  and conductor pins  16  or at a side inward-facing surface (i.e. the inward facing surface of wall  27  of housing  21 ). Alternatively, more than one protrusion  22  is placed in housing  21 , for example on either broad side of housing  21 . 
         [0049]    Protrusion  22  as illustrated in  FIG. 1B  is an integral part of housing  21 , protruding into the interior volume of housing  21 . Alternatively, protrusion  22  is a dent in housing  21 , extending inwards into the volume of housing  21  or is an additional piece of material attached to housing  21 , substantially as thick as the walls of housing  21 . The thickness of protrusion  22  is alternatively designed slightly thinner or slightly thicker than housing  21 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 1C , there is shown a view of socket  20  of  FIG. 1B , along a cross section A-A of  FIG. 1B . Protrusion  22  is positioned at the broad side  26  of housing  21  that is remote from the printed circuit board  14 , opposite printed circuit board  14 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , there is shown a top view of a prior art USB plug  40  that is designed to be plugged into a standard USB socket, such as the prior art USB socket  10  of  FIG. 1A . The body  42  of plug  40  is attached to a standard USB connector housing  44  known in the art. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 2B , there is shown a top view of a selective plug  50  of the present invention. The body  42  is attached to a connector shell  52 , typically made of metal. A recess  54  is included at the top-side (i.e. the flat side remote from the printed circuit board) of connector shell  52  to match protrusion  22  placed on the inward-facing surface at the broad side  25  of housing  21  that is remote from the printed circuit board  14  (of  FIG. 1B ). Recess  54  is shaped to fit protrusion  22  of  FIG. 1B  when USB plug  50  is plugged into socket  20  of  FIG. 1B . By contrast, a standard male connector that is not equipped with such a recess can not be plugged into socket  20  of  FIG. 1B . 
         [0053]    Alternatively, recess  54  is located at the bottom-side (i.e. the flat side close to the printed circuit board) of connector shell  52  to match a protrusion similar to protrusion  22  but placed on the inward-facing surface at the broad side  26  of housing  21  that is closest to the printed circuit board  14  and conductor pins  16  (of  FIG. 1B ). Alternatively, more than one recess can be located at either or both side of connector shell  52 . 
         [0054]    Since recess  54  is designed to not affect the functionality of plug  50 , plug  50  can be also plugged to any standard female connector (e.g. the USB socket  20  of  FIG. 1A ). 
         [0055]    Conductor pins  56  implemented within connector shell  52  are marked with dotted lines to indicate that these pins, which are to contact conductors  16  of printed circuit board  14  (of  FIG. 1B ), are located on the hidden bottom part of printed circuit board  55  (of  FIG. 2B ). 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown the way in which plug  50  of  FIG. 2B  is plugged into socket  20  of  FIG. 1B . Connector shell  52  is attached to the body  42  of plug  50 . Conductor pins  56  implemented within connector shell  52  contact conductors  16  of printed circuit board  14  (see  FIG. 1B ). 
         [0057]    Plug  50  (see  FIG. 2B ) includes recess  54  for accommodating protrusion  22  of socket  50  (see  FIG. 1B ). Two electric wires  74  and  76  are routed, insulated, through the volume of socket housing  78 . When plug  50  is plugged into socket  20 , a part of the metallic connector shell  52  contacts two conductive pads  70  and  72  and provides electric wires  74  and  76  an electrically conductive path between the two conductive pads  70  and  72 . Such provision of an electrically conductive path between two conductive pads  70  and  72 , is conditional on connecting an authorized plug only (e.g. plug  50  of  FIG. 2B ) to the socket  20  of  FIG. 1B . 
         [0058]    Optionally, if the shell of socket  20  is grounded, then upon connecting plug  50  into socket  20  the two electric wires  74  and  76  are further grounded through connector shell  52  of plug  50 . 
         [0059]    This requirement of a conductive path between the two conductive pads  70  and  72  protects against any attempt to remove or cut shell of socket  20  that may be made by users who wish to bypass the security feature of the present invention. 
         [0060]    Optionally, socket  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 3  is part of a device, such as a media player  62  for playing data such as music stored on digital media, and plug  50  is part of a device such as a media carrier  64  for storing the digital data. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 4A , there is shown, in side cross section, the way in which socket  20  is designed to selectively prevent from plugging an unauthorized prior art plug  40  into socket  20 . Protrusion  22  is configured inside socket  20  so that no prior art plug  40 , not even a prior art plug  40  configured according to the standard of socket  20 , can properly be plugged into socket  20 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 4B , there is shown a schematic top view of the way in which the socket  20  is configured with protrusion  22  to prevent plugging the unauthorized prior art plug  40  into socket  20 . 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 4C , there is shown, in side cross section the way in which plug  50  of the present invention is plugged into socket  20  of the present invention. Plug  50  is equipped with recess  54  that accommodate protrusion  22  when plug  50  is plugged into socket  20 . 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 4D , there is shown a schematic top view of the way in which plug  50  of the present invention is plugged into USB socket  20 . 
         [0065]    The examples of plug and socket devices of the present invention presented above are male and female Type A USB connecting devices respectively. However, it can be understood that modification of plugs and sockets that conform to other standards and protocols are possible within the scope of the invention, thus relating to any male and female connectors. 
         [0066]    The implementation of the selective socket device and the selective plug device of the present invention provides digital rights protection. While uploading of data can be made from the media player to any media carrier, only media carriers including the selective plug device of the present invention are configured to allow downloading digital information into such media player. This can be achieved by configuring a media player with the selective socket device and a media carrier with the selective plug device. Alternatively, this can be further achieved by connecting, by means of a cable, the media player to the selective socket device and by connecting the media carrier to the selective plug device. 
         [0067]    It should be understood that the distinction between the terms “plug” and “socket” is done herein for clarity of description. The difference between a plug and a socket is only in their relative posture when mating—the plug is typically brought to penetrate into the socket. It should be clear that the system of the present invention remains valid also if the operational features of the plug and the socket are switched (i.e. the connecting device of the media player operates as a plug and the connecting device of the media carrier operates as a socket), as long as the media player is connected to a connecting device having a restriction structure and the media carrier is connected to a connecting device having a respective accommodating structure. 
         [0068]    Having described the invention with regard to a certain specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation, since further modifications will now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.