Patent Publication Number: US-9418538-B2

Title: Self-contained, pocket-sized presentation apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/955,792, entitled USB Drive with Wireless Slide Advance, filed on Aug. 14, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to presentation equipment, and more particularly to a self-contained, pocket sized presentation device with wireless slide advance. 
     2. Background Information 
     Presentations have long been used as a convenient tool to convey information in business, personal, as well as academic life. More recently, with highly developed computer technologies, a computer screen has been widely utilized as a convenient medium for presenting information to an audience. The use of computer-implemented presentations has become particularly popular due to the popularity of presentation software such as the PowerPoint™ application by Microsoft® Corporation (Redmond, Wash.). 
     If presented to relatively small audiences, these presentations may be displayed on the screen of a personal computing device such as a desktop or notebook computer, or even a handheld device such as a cell phone or PDA. However, when presented to a larger audience, such as in a conference center or auditorium, presentations are generally outputted from a host computer onto a large screen, such as by a projector coupled to the host computer, or onto a large wall mounted flat panel display. In these latter instances, a presenter may electronically forward the presentation as a data file e.g., in .ppt (PowerPoint™) format or the like, to the venue, where an organizer may upload the presentation onto the host computer. Then, at the venue, the presenter may operate the host computer to open and display the .ppt presentation on the screen. 
     In such a large venue, the presenter (e.g., a teacher or a reporter) generally stands in front of the audience, next to or in front of the screen. The presenter may stand in a fixed location, e.g., at a podium, or may move among various locations while presenting. In these instances, an assistant is usually required to actuate the “Page Up” and “Page Down” keys on the computer to proceed through the presentation. 
     Disadvantageously, there are times in which what is displayed on the screen is not what is wanted by the presenter, and substantial time may be wasted in correcting the display. Other disadvantages associated with the foregoing approach include the possibility of the .ppt presentation becoming corrupted or damaged during emailing to the venue, or of the presentations becoming lost or damaged due to human error of the personnel at the venue. Moreover, the presenter may make last minute changes to the presentation, which would not be reflected in the version previously sent to the venue. 
     In an attempt to avoid these potential pitfalls, the presenter may save the presentation onto portable media, and personally bring the media to the venue, for use in the host computer. While this may help eliminate some of the foregoing issues, one still runs the risk that the media may be of the wrong format or version, or otherwise incompatible with the hardware or software of the host machine. Moreover, even if the presentation is able to be properly read and displayed by the host computer, the presenter may still be effectively tethered to the host computer, or be required to employ an assistant, in order to manually actuate the “Page Up” and “Page Down” keys. And, while some host computers may be equipped with remote controls to remotely actuate the “Page Up” and “Page Down” keys, such remotes tend to become easily lost or broken, and as such, their availability can not be relied upon by visiting presenters. 
     A need therefore exists for an improved presentation apparatus that addresses one or more of the foregoing unresolved issues. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a self-contained, pocket-sized presentation apparatus includes a USB drive having a housing, a memory, a processor, a USB plug configured for engagement with a USB receptacle of a host computer, and a protective cover configured for removable engagement with the USB plug. At least one user input device, a wireless transmitter, and a power source, are integrally disposed within the cover, the transmitter being operatively engaged with the input device and configured to selectively transmit a plurality of wireless signals in response to selective user actuation of the input device. A wireless receiver is disposed within the housing and operatively engaged with the USB drive, to receive and couple wireless signals from the transmitter to the USB drive. The USB drive is configured to receive the wireless signals from the wireless receiver, to selectively generate USB compliant Page Up and Page Down instructions responsive thereto, and to send the Page Up and Page Down instructions via the USB plug. Computer readable program code is stored in the memory, and defines a presentation application configured to access presentation data for display by the host computer. The memory is also configured for storing computer readable program code defining presentation data accessible by the computer, and the apparatus has a pocket-sized form factor. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a self-contained, pocket-sized presentation apparatus includes a USB drive having a housing, a memory, a processor, a USB plug configured for receipt within a USB receptacle of a computer, and a protective cover configured for removable engagement with the USB plug. At least one user input device, a wireless transmitter, and a power source, are integrally disposed within the cover, the transmitter being operatively engaged with the input device and configured to selectively transmit a plurality of wireless signals in response to selective user actuation of the input device. A wireless receiver is disposed within the housing and operatively engaged with the USB drive, to receive and couple wireless signals from the transmitter to the USB drive. The USB drive is configured to receive the wireless signals from the wireless receiver, to selectively generate Page Up and Page Down instructions responsive thereto, and to send the Page Up and Page Down instructions via the USB plug. The memory is configured to contain computer readable program code therein, in the form of a presentation, and in the form of a portable presentation application, and the apparatus has a pocket-sized form factor. 
     In a still further aspect of the invention, a method of deploying a self-contained, pocket-sized presentation apparatus includes providing a USB drive having a housing, a memory, a processor, a USB plug configured for receipt within a USB receptacle of a computer, and a protective cover configured for removable engagement with the USB plug. At least one user input device, a wireless transmitter, and a power source, are integrally disposed within the cover. The transmitter is operatively engaged with the input device and configured to selectively transmit a plurality of wireless signals in response to selective user actuation of the input device. A wireless receiver is disposed within the housing in operative engagement with the USB drive. The wireless receiver is configured to receive and couple wireless signals from the transmitter to the USB drive, which is configured to receive the wireless signals from the wireless receiver, to selectively generate Page Up and Page Down instructions responsive thereto, and to send the Page Up and Page Down instructions via the USB plug. The memory is configured to contain computer readable program code therein, in the form of a presentation and in the form of a portable presentation application. The apparatus is configured to have a pocket-sized form factor. 
     The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, is should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic top view of a presentation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic perspective, partially exploded, view of an exemplary application employing the embodiment of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view, with a portion of the housing removed, of the USB drive portion of the presentation apparatus of  FIGS. 1A-1B ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a bottom view, with a portion of the housing removed, of the USB drive portion of the presentation apparatus of  FIGS. 1A-2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary signal emission circuit diagram for a transmitter portion of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-2B ; and 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary circuit diagram for a corresponding receiver portion of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to be understood that structural, procedural and system changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, well-known structures, circuits and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition, like features shown in the accompanying drawings are indicated with like reference numerals and similar features as shown in alternate embodiments in the drawings are indicated with similar reference numerals. 
     Briefly described, an embodiment of the present invention includes a self-contained, pocket size presentation apparatus in the form of a USB drive (also known as a flash drive, jump drive or memory stick) that plugs into the USB port of a computer, and which may be used to store a presentation, such as a conventional .ppt presentation, optionally along with a copy of a presentation application (e.g., a full or portable version of Microsoft® PowerPoint™, or similar/compatible applications). The drive includes a removable cap that serves to protect the USB plug from physical damage and/or static electricity. This cap, however, is modified to include a wireless (e.g., IR or RF) remote slide advance mechanism, which communicates with a receiver built into the drive, for communication with the host computer via the USB port. 
     In operation, a user may simply store a presentation (and optionally, the presentation application) onto the drive, and plug it into a USB port of a host computer located at a conference room or other presentation venue. For example, the host computer may be connected to a projector, to display the presentation on a large screen. The user may simply bring the cap to a podium or other location away from the computer, and depress ‘forward’ or ‘reverse’ buttons integrated therein, which send signals to the receiver in the drive which sends “Page Up” and “Page Down” keyboard signals via the USB port to respectively advance or reverse the presentation. 
     Embodiments of the present invention thus provide a unitary, self-contained and pocket-sized device upon which a user may store a presentation along with software application capable of displaying the presentation. A user may simply bring the device to the host venue, remove the cap from the device, and plug the base/housing into an available USB port of the host computer. The host computer then automatically recognizes the device in a conventional manner, and either accesses the presentation with a pre-installed application (e.g., PowerPoint™) or permits an application stored on the device  10  to run without having to either install any applications onto the host computer, or rely on any presentation applications previously loaded onto the host computer. The presentation is then displayed by the host computer, and the user may actuate the fwd and rev buttons on the cap  14  to wirelessly cycle through the presentation slides. 
     Where used in this disclosure, the term “computer” is meant to encompass a workstation, personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless telephone, or any other suitable computing device. The acronym “USB” refers to the Universal Serial Bus specification standardized by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). The term “pocket-sized” refers to substantially any size or form factor typically associated with being conveniently carried within a pocket, such as those of a pen, key fob, cell phone, PDA or deck of playing cards. “Pocket-sized” thus generally refers to dimensions at or below about 6″×3″×1″, and in particular embodiments, at or below about 3″×1″×0.5″. 
     Aspects of exemplary systems and methods embodying the present invention can be programmed in any suitable language and technology, including, but not limited to: C++; Visual Basic; Java; VBScript; Jscript; BCMAscript; DHTM1; XML, CGI, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Active ServerPages (ASP) and Javascript. Alternative versions maybe developed using other programming languages. 
     Referring now to the Figures, embodiments of the present invention will be more thoroughly described. As shown in  FIG. 1A , an embodiment of the present invention includes a self-contained, pocket-sized presentation module  10  in the form factor of a conventional USB drive disposed within a housing  12  having a protective cap  14  configured for removable engagement with the USB plug portion ( FIG. 2 ) thereof. As also shown, the cap  14  includes a user input device, in the form of one or more buttons  16 . The buttons are coupled to an integral wireless transmitter  18  (and power source  19 ) such as shown in phantom, and as described in greater detail hereinbelow with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     In addition to a conventional USB drive ( FIG. 2 ), housing  12  includes a wireless receiver operatively engaged therewith, such as shown and described below with respect to  FIG. 4 . The wireless receiver is configured to receive and couple wireless signals from the transmitter of cap  14 , to the USB drive of housing  12 , such as when deployed as shown in  FIG. 1B . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1B , in a representative application, cap  14  is removed from housing  12  to expose the plug ( FIG. 2 ) of the USB drive. The USB drive, which has previously been loaded with a presentation, e.g., in .ppt format (and optionally, a software application such as PowerPoint™), is then inserted into an available USB port  20  of the host computer  22  as shown. 
     The operating system of the host computer  22  then automatically recognizes the USB drive in a conventional manner, and then in some embodiments, permits the presentation stored thereon to be accessed by a presentation software application resident on the host computer  22 . Optionally, a presentation software application stored on the device  10  is permitted to run and access the presentation. The host computer then outputs the presentation slides to a display device such as a projector  24  and screen  26  as shown. The user may actuate the fwd and rev buttons on the cap  14  to wirelessly cycle through the presentation slides. 
     Thus, embodiments of the present invention permit a user to conveniently transport a presentation to a particular venue, along with sufficient hardware and software for displaying and remotely cycling through the presentation slides, using substantially any host computer having a USB port. Moreover, these embodiments enable the presentation to be displayed nominally without leaving any information on the host computer, since the presentation may be displayed without having to install or use any applications on the host computer. These embodiments also provide the presenter with the peace of mind of knowing that the safety of the presentation enroute to the presentation venue, as well as the ability to successfully display and cycle through the presentation at the venue, is not dependent on the availability or technical ability of host personnel at the venue, or on the particular version of software application installed on the host computer. The presenter may also be assured that any last minute changes to the presentation are accurately reflected in the version presented. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , as mentioned hereinabove, housing  12  includes components of a conventional USB drive (or “flash drive), including a USB (e.g., ‘type-A’) connector  31  configured for receipt within a USB receptacle of a host computer, and a processor  32  (e.g., a USB mass storage controller, to implement a USB host controller). In particular embodiments, the processor  32  is a conventional RISC microprocessor including some on-chip ROM and RAM. The USB drive also includes memory  34 , such as a conventional NAND flash memory chip. An oscillator  35  produces the device&#39;s main (e.g., 12 MHz) clock signal. Optionally, an LED  37  may be provided to indicate when the device is operational, e.g., when the device is making reads or writes. USB drives suitable for use in embodiments of the present invention include substantially any memory device which is compliant with the USB specification standardized by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). As discussed hereinabove, in addition to these conventional USB drive components, embodiments of the present invention include an integral wireless receiver integrated into the housing  12 . This receiver may be configured to receive substantially any type of wireless signal, including infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF). The wireless receiver may be incorporated into the processor  32 , including its on-chip ROM and/or RAM, or alternatively, may be embodied in a separate chip  38 , such as disposed on the opposite side of the USB drive from processor  32  and memory  34  as shown. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary infrared signal emission circuit diagram is shown, which may be used to fabricate the wireless transmitter of cap  14  ( FIGS. 1A, 1B ). As shown, the infrared signal emission circuit supplies a voltage Vc (e.g., from a battery, not shown) to a microprocessor IC, which is a processor capable of emitting an encoded infrared signal. When the FWD or REV switches are pushed, a transistor Q 1  is actuated to cause an infrared-emitting diode IR to emit an encoded infrared signal, which is transmitted to and received by the receiver of housing  12 , which is connected to host computer  22  via universal serial bus (USB) connector  31  to page the presentation on display on the screen  26  either up or down, respectively. 
     Those skilled in the art, in light of the instant disclosure, will readily recognize any number of commercially available processors may be used to implement the wireless transmitter of cap  14 . One relatively simple representative example is shown in  FIG. 3 , and includes a remote control CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) transmitter configured to emit an infrared ray, and which has 24 pins. A signal is output via one of the pins from KO 0  to KO 7 , and is input via one of the pins from KI 0  to KI 3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the FWD switch SW 1  is pushed, a signal is output at the pin KO 0  and input at the pin KI 0 . At this point, the microprocessor IC will output a code to an infrared module IR which is transmitted therefrom. When the REV switch SW 2  is pushed, the signal is output at the pin KO 4  and input at the pin KI 1 . At this point, the microprocessor IC will output another code to the infrared module IR which is transmitted therefrom. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a circuit diagram for an exemplary receiver suitable for use in housing  12  is shown and described. As shown, receiver  38  is a photo-receiver P 1  for receiving an infrared signal transmitted from cap  14 . The received infrared signal is input to a central processor U 1 , where the signal is decoded to emulate a mouse-controlled Page Up signal and be input to a computer. When a receiving module in the receiver P 1  shown in  FIG. 4  receives an infrared signal transmitted from the infrared module IR of  FIG. 3 , the received signal is compared to determine whether it matches with a preset code or not. When the received signal is determined as matching with the code obtained by pushing the first switch SW 1 , a signal emulating the function of Page Up is sent out via an interface of the USB connector  31  to the host computer  22  to page the screen as described hereinabove. Similarly, when the received signal is determined as matching with the code obtained by pushing the second switch SW 2 , a signal emulating the function of Page Down is sent out via the interface of the USB connector  31  to the host computer  22  to page the presentation to the next slide. 
     It should be understood that device  10 , including housing  12  and cap  14  is not necessarily limited to a configuration as shown in  FIG. 1A , but rather, these elements may be fabricated in substantially any pocket-sized form factor, such as that of a pen, key fob, and the like, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, although the embodiments disclosed herein may be conveniently powered by a battery, i.e., a battery embedded within the housing  12  and within the cap  14 , these elements may be powered in nominally any convenient manner, such as by solar cells integrated into the surface of the housing and/or cap, miniature fuel cells, by physical connection to an external power supply, and/or combinations thereof. It should also be recognized that although the USB drive shown and described herein has a physical USB plug configured for receipt within a USB port of a host computer, the USB plug may connect to the host computer in a non-physical, manner, e.g., wirelessly, without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, rather than a physical plug, the USB drive may connect to a host computer using a virtual USB plug in the form of a wireless module  21 , shown in phantom in  FIG. 1A , such as one configured to implement a wireless USB protocol, or similar Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or other IEEE standard that currently exists or that may be developed in the future, operating in any medium including IR, RF, etc. These simple and functionally equivalent alternatives should be included in the scope of the present invention. 
     Embodiments of the invention having been described, an exemplary method of the present invention is shown and described with respect to the following Table I. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 50 
                 providing a USB drive having a protective cover 
               
               
                 52 
                 user input device, wireless transmitter, and power source 
               
               
                   
                 integrated into cover 
               
               
                 54 
                 Transmitter operatively engaged with the input device 
               
               
                 56 
                 wireless receiver disposed within the housing in operative 
               
               
                   
                 engagement with the USB drive 
               
               
                 58 
                 wireless receiver configured to receive and couple wireless 
               
               
                   
                 signals to the USB drive 
               
               
                 60 
                 USB drive configured to generate and send Page Up and Page 
               
               
                   
                 Down instructions to a host computer in response to the received 
               
               
                   
                 wireless signals 
               
               
                 62 
                 wherein the memory is configured to contain computer readable 
               
               
                   
                 program code therein, in the form of a presentation and in the form 
               
               
                   
                 of a portable presentation application. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As shown, a method of fabricating a self-contained, pocket-sized presentation apparatus includes providing  50  a USB drive having a housing, a memory, a processor, a USB plug configured for receipt within a USB receptacle of a computer, and a protective cover configured for removable engagement with the USB plug. A user input device, wireless transmitter, and power source are each integrated  52  into the cover. The transmitter is operatively engaged  54  with the input device to selectively transmit wireless signals in response to selective user actuation of the input device. At  56 , a wireless receiver is disposed within the housing in operative engagement with the USB drive. At  58 , the wireless receiver is configured to receive and couple the wireless signals to the USB drive. The USB drive is configured  60  to receive the wireless signals from the wireless receiver, to selectively generate Page Up and Page Down instructions responsive thereto, and to send the Page Up and Page Down instructions via the USB plug. The presentation apparatus is thus configured to enable a presentation and/or presentation software application to be loaded onto the memory of the USB drive, with the presentation slides being advanced wirelessly by actuating the user interface within the cover. 
     It should be understood that any of the features described with respect to one of the embodiments described herein may be similarly applied to any of the other embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In the preceding specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.