Patent Publication Number: US-6991483-B1

Title: Flash memory drive with quick connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/965,641 filed Oct. 14, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/328,519 filed Dec. 23, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/387,796, filed Jun. 11, 2002, and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/401,900, filed Aug. 8, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to computers, computer peripherals, computer related devices, and other devices that may benefit from a quick and efficient method and/or system for connection to other like or different devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for connecting computers and/or computer peripherals to other computers and/or computer peripherals using a universal computer cable having quick connectors and interchangeable ends, and a universal cabling system and method of using the connectors to connect computers, computer peripherals, computer related devices and other devices together. One such computer peripheral is a flash memory storage device. 
     The fields of computers, computer peripherals, and computer related devices are rapidly expanding. All of these devices must be connected to one another to communicate. This has caused a problem in the art due to the large number of conventional connector types and cable lengths, which are currently used. Many of these devices currently use universal serial bus (USB) or Firewire® computer architecture. 
     The USB architecture uses a four wire cable, or whatever the current USB specification calls for, usually in six, ten, or fifteen foot lengths, having seven different configurations possible on one end of the cable, and three different configurations possible on the other end of the cable, making possible many different configurations in each of the three popular lengths. Current USB Standards do not permit a cable length greater than fifteen feet without a repeater. 
     Five different types of plugs (male) or receptacles (female) are used on the ends of the USB cables to form these configurations. These are a USB A Male, USB B Male, MiniUSB A Male and MiniUSB B Male plugs, as well as a USB A Female receptacle. Any one of these plugs or receptacles may be found on either end of a USB cable. The only limitation on the possible combinations is that an A Male USB plug is not used with a MiniUSB A Male plug, and a MiniUSB B Male plug is not used with a USB B Male plug. 
     Firewire® computer architecture uses a four or six wire cable, or whatever the current Firewire® specification calls for, usually in the same lengths as a USB cable, and having a six pin Firewire® computer connector on one or both ends of a Firewire® cable, and a four pin audio-visual connector, which also may be on one, or both, ends of a Firewire® cable, thus providing additional cable configurations. 
     The large number of cable configurations causes problems in the art for the computer and/or peripheral, or device manufacturer, the wholesaler, the retailer, and the user, all of whom are put to the expense of manufacturing and/or stocking and/or selling and/or buying and/or using a bewildering array of cables to connect computers and/or computer peripherals to other computers and/or computer peripherals or devices. Thus, those skilled in the art have begun to search for an easier and less costly way to accomplish these connections. 
     Flash memory is well known and is utilized in various portable storage devices for transferring and storing computer files and programs. A typical flash memory device has a housing including an integral connector for connecting to a USB port on a computer. When plugged into a USB port, the computer&#39;s operating system recognizes the flash memory device as a removable drive and allows data to be retrieved from and written to the flash memory drive. 
     It is desirable to provide a flash memory drive that can accommodate a variety of interface connections and/or configurations to enable transfer of files from the flash memory drive to a variety of external devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns a flash memory device including a housing having opposed first and second ends; a flash memory drive enclosed in the housing; and a quick connector mounted in the housing and having a plurality of pins exposed at the second end, the pins being configured for connection to a selected one of at least two different interchangeable connectors. The flash memory device housing can include a loop portion extending from the first end. 
     The plurality of pins can be six female pins arranged in two parallel rows of three pins each and including a female connector body extending about said pins. The flash memory drive is electrically connected to the pins. Also provided are at least two interchangeable connectors each having a male quick connector electrically connected to a conventional connector and adapted to engage said female quick connector on the flash memory device. The conventional connectors can be, for example, a 4-Pin USB Series “A” Receptacle, a 4 Pin USB Series “A” Plug, a 4-Pin USB Series “B” Plug, a 5-Pin USB 2.0 Specification Mini-“A” Plug, and a 4-Pin USB 2.0 Specification Mini-“B” Plug. By selecting the appropriate interchangeable connector, the flash memory device can be connected a computer or other device having a conventional connector port such as a USB port. 
     The flash memory can be part of a kit including a container for storing the interchangeable connectors and the flash memory device when not in use. The kit can also include a universal computer cable useable for USB or Firewire® computer architecture, and having the quick connectors for the use with the interchangeable connectors. The items in the kit can be packaged in a blister pack for display. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a construction embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of a modification of the construction shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of a further modification of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded, perspective, view of a construction embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a top plan view, partially in section, of the male portion of the construction illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows, along the section line  5 B— 5 B of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a right end view of the construction shown in  FIG. 5B ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a top plan view, partially in section, of the female portion of the construction illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is a sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows, along the section line  6 B— 6 B of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C  is a left end view of the construction shown in  FIG. 6B ; 
         FIG. 7A  is an elevation view of a plug, receptacle or converter embodying the construction shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 7B  is a left side view of the construction of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a right side view of the construction of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7D  is a pin-out diagram of the construction of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8A  is an elevation view of a first modification of the construction shown in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8B  is a left side view of the construction of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 8C  is a right side view of the construction of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 8D  is a pin-out diagram of the construction of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9A  is an elevation view of a second modification of the construction shown in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 9B  is a left side view of the construction of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9C  is a right side view of the construction of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9D  is a pin-out diagram of the construction of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 10A  is an elevation view of a third modification of the construction shown in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 10B  is a left side view of the construction of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10C  is a right side view of the construction of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10D  is a pin-out diagram of the construction of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 11A  is an elevation view of a forth modification of the construction shown in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 11B  is a left side view of the construction of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11C  is a right side view of the construction of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11D  is a pin-out diagram of the construction of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12A  is an elevation view of a fifth modification of the construction shown in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 12B  is a left side view of the construction of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 12C  is a right side view of the construction of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 12D  is a pin-out diagram of the construction of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 13A  is an elevation view of a sixth modification of the construction shown in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 13B  is a left side view of the construction of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 13C  is a right side view of the construction of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 13D  is a pin-out diagram of the construction of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial perspective view of a construction embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a universal computer cable kit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the universal computer cable kit of  FIG. 15  shown in a blister pack; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a universal computer cable kit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a top plan view of a flash memory storage device with quick connector in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a front elevation view of the flash memory device of  FIG. 18 ; and 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic block diagram of the flash memory device and quick connector of  FIGS. 18 and 19 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a diagrammatic view of a universal cable system, generally indicated by the numeral  35 , which generally includes a universal cable  20  having a universal cable portion  22 . The universal cable portion  22  comprises a predetermined length of a USB cable, Firewire® cable, or other suitable cable for the purpose intended. The universal cable portion  22  has a universal cable portion first end and a universal cable portion second end,  22 A and  22 B, respectively. 
     The universal cable portion first end  22 A is mechanically and electrically attached to a universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable portion second end  22 B is mechanically and electrically attached to a universal cable second connector portion  24 B, said portions  24 A and  24 B preferably are, but not necessarily, female. Hence the universal cable first connector portion  24 A is in electrical communication with the universal cable second connector portion  24 B. Thus, the combination of the universal cable portion  22 , and the universal connector portions  24 A and  24 B define the basic universal cable  20 . In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the universal cable first connector portion  24 A is identical to universal cable second connector portion  24 B. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1  are two universal cable connectors  25 , which comprise a combination of the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and a quick connect first mating connector portion  26 A, or a combination of the universal cable second connector portion  24 B and a quick connect second mating connector portion  26 B. Thus, the universal cable  20  may be further defined as the combination of the universal cable portion  22  and the two universal cable connectors  25 . If the universal cable  20  is mateably attached to first and second USB or Firewire® plugs, receptacles, or converters ( 32  and  36  respectively), then the universal cable  20  of the present invention may be referred to as a universal USB cable or a universal Firewire® cable, respectively, of the universal cable system  35 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a modification of the present invention, which is in large part similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 , with an additional feature that the quick connect first mating (or male) connector portion  26 A is formed integrally with the first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  32 . Similarly, the quick connect second mating (or male) connector portion  26 B is formed integrally with the second USB plug, receptacle, Firewire® plug, or converter  36 . Thus the quick connect first cable portion  30  and quick connect second cable portion  33  are eliminated, making the modification of the invention shown in  FIG. 2  simpler and less costly to produce than the version shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a universal serial bus cabling system  38  may be provided, in accordance with the present invention, by providing a universal serial bus cable portion  40 , or one of the other types of cables mentioned above. The universal serial bus cable having a universal serial bus cable first end  40 A and a universal serial bus cable second end  40 B with at least a universal first system connector  42  electrically connected to the universal serial bus cable second end  40 B. Further provided is at least one quick connect system serial bus plug or receptacle or converter  45 , which may be miniature in size, and having a quick connect system mating connector  44  that is capable of making mateable electrical and mechanical attachment to the universal first system connector  42 . With the universal serial bus cable first end  40 A of the universal serial bus cable  40  being electrically and mechanically connected to a computer, computer peripheral, computer related device, or other device  50 , the present invention is thus capable of providing a universal serial bus cabling system  38  that possesses interchangeability of plugs, receptacles, Firewire® plugs, or converters for electrical communications between computer peripherals and/or computers or other electronic devices. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a universal cable connector  25  comprising the universal cable first (typically, female) connector portion  24 A, and the universal cable quick connect first mating (typically, male) connector portion  26 A. In the present invention a combination of the universal cable second (typically, female) connector portion  24 B and the universal cable quick connect second mating (typically, male) connector portion  26 B, and a combination of the universal first system connector  42  and the quick connect system mating connector  44  also form a universal cable connector  25 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A–C , the universal cable first connector portion  24 A (as does the universal cable second mating connector portion  24 B and the universal first system connector  42 ) comprises a six pin female connector  160  having a female connector body  161  having a universal connector shelf  178  that electrically and mechanically isolates the two sets of three female pins  163  that are mechanically attached to, or held in fixed relation to the connector body  161  by means well known in the art, such as molding. The female pins  163  have female cable connection points  167 , which are the means for making electrical connections to the connector portions  24 A,  24 B ( FIG. 2 ), and  42  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 5A–C , is the universal cable quick connect first mating (male) connector portion  26 A (this applies equally to  26 B and  44 ) of the universal cable connector  25  in the form of a six pin male connector  109  of the present invention having six male pins  138  that are mechanically attached to, or held in place in relation to, the male connector body  136  by means well known in the art, and a connector shelf  177  that electrically and mechanically isolate each row of three male pins  138 . Male cable connection points  153 , which may be part of the male pins  138 , aid in electrically attaching the male connector  109  to wires in a cable, for example, cable portion  22 , or a converter, for example, miniature converter  32 . The above-described structure applies equally as well to the universal cable quick connect second mating connector portion  26 B and the connector  44 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A–D , there is illustrated a first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle, or converter  32 , or second serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  36  in the form of a Firewire®—IEEE Standard 1394a-2000 4-Circuit Plug  201  (said standard being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), having a first pin arrangement  114  and a second pin arrangement  116 , which are mechanically and electrically connected per first pin-out diagram  115  and in electrical communication therewith. 
     The 4-Circuit Plug  201 , when used as a first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  32  comprises a miniature quick connect first housing  181 , a third connector portion  172 A, and a universal cable quick connect first mating connector portion  26 A, wherein each of the connector portions  172 A,  26 A are in mechanical attachment with the housing  181  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  172 A,  26 A. 
     Similarly, the 4-Circuit Plug  201 , when used as a second serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  36  comprises miniature quick connect first housing  181 , fifth connector portion  176 B, and universal cable quick connect second mating connector portion  26 B, wherein each of the connector portions  176 B,  26 B are in mechanical attachment with the housing  181  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  176 B,  26 B. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 8A–D , there is a first modified first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  32 A in the form of a Firewire®—IEEE Standard 1394-1995(said standard being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), 6-Circuit Plug  202  having a third pin arrangement  121  and a fourth pin arrangement  123  (substantially identical to first pin arrangement  116 ), which are mechanically and electrically connected per second pin-out diagram  125  and in electrical communication therewith. 
     The 6-Circuit plug  202 , when used as a first modified first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  32 A comprises a miniature quick connect second housing  182 , third connector portion  172 A, and universal cable quick connect first mating connector portion  26 A, wherein each of the connector portions  172 A,  26 A are in mechanical attachment with the second housing  182  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  172 A,  26 A. 
     Similarly, the 6-Circuit plug  202 , when used as the first modified second serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  36 A comprises miniature quick connect second housing  182 , fifth connector portion  176 B, and universal cable quick connect second mating connector portion  26 B, wherein each of the connector portions  176 B,  26 B are in mechanical attachment with the housing  182  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  176 B,  26 B. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 9A–D  is a second modified first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle, or converter  32 B in the form of a 4 Pin USB Series “A” Receptacle  203 , Rev. 2.0 (said standard being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), having fifth pin arrangement  128  and a sixth pin arrangement  131  (substantially identical to second pin arrangement  116 ), which are mechanically and electrically connected per third pin-out diagram  129  and in electrical communication therewith. 
     The 4-pin USB Series “A” receptacle  203 , when used as the second modified first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  32 B comprises miniature quick connect third housing  183 , quick connect third mating connector portion  172 A, quick connect first mating connector portion  26 A, wherein each of the connector portions  172 A,  26 A are in mechanical attachment with the housing  183  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  172 A,  26 A. 
     Similarly, the 4-Pin Series “A” receptacle  203 , when used as the second modified second serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  36 B comprises miniature quick connect third housing  183 , fifth connector portion  176 B, and quick connect second mating connector portion  26 B, wherein each of the connector portions  176 B,  26 B are in mechanical attachment with the housing  183  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  176 B,  26 B. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 10A–D  there is illustrated a third modified first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle, or converter  32 C in the form of a 4 Pin USB Series “A” Plug  204 , Rev. 2.0 (said standard being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), having a seventh pin arrangement  137  and an eighth pin arrangement  139  (substantially identical to second pin arrangement  116 ), which are mechanically and electrically connected per fourth pin-out diagram  135  and in electrical communication therewith. 
     The 4-Pin USB Series “A” plug  204 , when used as the third modified first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  32 C comprises miniature quick connect fourth housing  184 , third connector portion  172 A, and universal cable quick connect first mating connector portion  26 A, wherein each of the connector portions  172 A,  26 A are in mechanical attachment with the housing  184  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  172 A,  26 A. 
     Similarly, the 4-Pin USB Series “A” plug  204 , when used as the third modified second serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  36 C comprises miniature quick connect fourth housing  184 , fifth connector portion  176 B, and universal cable quick connect second mating connector portion  26 B, wherein each of the connector portions  176 B,  26 B are in mechanical attachment with the housing  184  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  176 B,  26 B. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 11A–D , is a fourth modified first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle, or converter  32 D in the form of a four pin USB Series “B” Plug  205 , Rev. 2.0 (said standard being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), having a ninth pin arrangement  143  and a tenth pin arrangement  146  (substantially identical to second pin arrangement  116 ), which are mechanically and electrically connected per fifth pin-out diagram  147  and in electrical communication therewith. 
     The 4-Pin USB-Series “B” plug  205 , when used as the fourth modified first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  32 D comprises miniature quick connect fifth housing  185 , third connector portion  172 A, and universal cable quick connect first mating connector portion  26 A, wherein each of the connector portions  172 A,  26 A are in mechanical attachment with the housing  185  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  172 A,  26 A. 
     Similarly, the 4-Pin USB Series “B” plug  205 , when used as the fourth modified second serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  36 D comprises miniature quick connect fifth housing  185 , fifth connector portion  176 B, and universal cable quick connect second mating connector-portion  26 B, wherein each of the connector portions  176 B,  26 B are in mechanical attachment with the housing  185  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  176 B,  26 B. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 12A–D , is a fifth modified first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle, or converter  32 E in the form of a five pin USB 2.0 Specification Mini-“A” Plug  206 , Rev. 1.0 (said standard being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), having an eleventh pin arrangement  152  and a twelfth pin arrangement  154  (substantially identical to second pin arrangement  116 ), which are mechanically and electrically connected per sixth pin-out diagram  151  and in electrical communication therewith. 
     The 5-Pin USB Mini-“A” plug  206  when used as the fifth modified first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  32 E comprises miniature quick connect sixth housing  186 , third connector portion  172 A, and universal cable quick connect first mating connector portion  26 A, wherein each of the connector portions  172 A,  26 A are in mechanical attachment with the housing  186  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  172 A,  26 A. 
     Similarly, the 5-Pin USB Mini “A” plug  206 , when used as the fifth modified second serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  36 E comprises miniature quick connect sixth housing  186 , fifth connector portion  176 B, and universal cable quick connect second mating connector portion  26 B, wherein each of the connector portions  176 B,  26 B are in mechanical attachment with the housing  186  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  176 B,  26 B. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 13A–D , of the present invention, is a sixth modified first serial b/us plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle, or converter  32 F in the form of a four pin USB 2.0 Specification Mini-“B” Plug  207 , Rev. 1.0 (said standard being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), having a thirteenth pin arrangement  158  and a fourteenth pin arrangement  162  (substantially identical to second pin arrangement  116 ), which are mechanically and electrically connected per seventh pin-out diagram  155  and in electrical communication therewith. 
     The 4-Pin USB-“Mini-B” plug  207 , when used as the sixth modified first serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  32 F, comprises miniature quick connect seventh housing  187 , third connector portion  172 A, and universal cable quick connect first mating connector portion  26 A, wherein each of the connector portions  172 A,  26 A are in mechanical attachment with the housing  187  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  172 A,  26 A. 
     Similarly, the 4-Pin USB “Mini-B” plug  207 , when used as the sixth modified second serial bus plug, Firewire® plug, receptacle or converter  32 F, comprises miniature quick connect seventh housing  187 , fifth connector portion  176 B, and universal cable quick connect second mating connector-portion  26 B, wherein each of the connector portions  176 B,  26 B are in mechanical attachment with the housing  187  and in electrical attachment with the cabling  190 , thus allowing electrical communications between the connector portions  176 B,  26 B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , since the second pin arrangement  116 , the fourth pin arrangement  123 , the sixth pin arrangement  131 , the eighth pin arrangement  139 , the tenth pin arrangement  146 , the twelfth pin arrangement  154 , the fourteenth pin arrangement  162  and an n th  pin arrangement (not shown) are all substantially identical, a single universal cable  20  having a first universal cable connector portion  24 A, and a second universal cable connector portion  24 B can accept all necessary plugs, receptacles or converters (conventional connectors  32 ,  36 ) which are needed to connect computers, computer peripherals, computer related devices and other devices together. 
     First connector portion  24 A and second connector portion  24 B each have a connector housing  200 , which preferably are identical. Mechanically attached to each connector housing  200  is a six pin-female connector  160 , such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . Since each six pin female connector  160  has a female connector body  161 , connector shelf  178 , and female connection points  167 , the six pin female connector  160  is easily connected to cable portion  22  of universal cable  20  by means well known in the art. Each six pin female connector  160  will be mechanically attached to connector housing  200 , and electrically connected to cable portion  22 . 
     A method of connecting computers to computer peripherals is provided utilizing a universal cable and a quick connect connector comprising the steps of: a) providing a universal computer cable (USB or Firewire®)  20  having a universal cable connector portion (female) ( 24 A,  24 B) electrically connected to an end of the universal computer cable; b) providing a universal cable miniature quick connect connector having a universal cable quick connect mating connector portion ( 26 A,  26 B); and c) connecting the universal cable connector to the quick connect connector by plugging the universal cable connector portion into the quick connect mating connector portion. 
     Also provided is a method of connecting external electrical equipment to computers and computer peripherals that comprises: a) providing a universal cable  20  having a universal cable first end  22 A and second end  22 B, wherein the universal cable first end has a universal cable first or female connector portion electrically connected thereto, which is in electrical communication with the universal cable second end  22 B that is electrically connected to external electrical equipment; b) providing at least one quick connect serial bus plug or receptacle or converter  32  having a quick connect mating or male connector portion; and c) connecting the external electrical equipment to the at least one quick connect serial bus plug or receptacle or converter  32  by plugging the universal cable first connector portion  24 A into the quick connect mating connector  26 A. 
     Because the universal cable connector portions, and the quick connect mating connector portions may remain unchanged and accommodate a large number of first and/or second serial bus plugs, Firewire® plugs receptacles and/or converters, a truly universal cable system is provided. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a universal computer cable kit in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at  300 . The kit  300  includes the universal cable  20  having the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B attached to opposing ends thereof, the 4-Pin USB Series “A” Receptacle  203 , the 4 Pin USB Series “A” Plug  204 , the 4-Pin USB Series “B” Plug  205 , the 5-Pin USB 2.0 Specification Mini-“A” Plug  206 , and the 4-Pin USB 2.0 Specification Mini-“B” Plug  207 , collectively referred to as interchangeable plugs or connectors. The kit  300  also includes a container  302  that is sized to contain all of the connectors  203  through  207 . The interchangeable connectors  203  through  207  are each operable to be interchangeably and releasably connected to either the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B. 
     The interchangeability of the connectors  203  through  207  of the kit  300  advantageously allows the universal cable  20  to be configured in a plurality of configurations, depending on the needs of the user of the universal cable  20 . In a first configuration of the kit  300 , the 4-Pin USB Series “A” plug  204  is attached to a one of the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B and the 4-Pin USB Series “B” plug  205  is attached to the other of the universal cable first connector portions, as outlined in more detail above. In the first configuration of the kit  300 , the universal cable  20  is advantageously operable to connect a computer or hub (not shown) to a printer (not shown), a scanner (not shown), or a CD/DVD drive (not shown), such as by connecting the Pin USB Series “A” plug  204  to the computer or hub and connecting the 4-Pin USB Series “B” plug  205  to the printer, the scanner or the CD/DVD drive. 
     In a second configuration of the kit  300 , the 4-Pin Series “A” receptacle  203  is attached to a one of the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B and the 4-Pin USB Series “A” plug  204  is attached to the other of the universal cable first connectors, as outlined in more detail above. In the second configuration of the kit  300 , the universal cable  20  is advantageously operable to provide a USB extension cable. 
     In a third configuration of the kit  300 , the 4-Pin USB Series “A” plug  204  is attached to a one of the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B and the 4-Pin USB-“Mini-B” plug  207  is attached to the other of the universal cable first connectors, as outlined in more detail above. In the third configuration of the kit  300 , the universal cable  20  is advantageously operable to connect the computer or hub to a PDA (not shown), a digital camera (not shown), or a MP3 player (not shown), such as by connecting the 4-Pin USB Series “A” plug  204  to the computer or hub and connecting the 4-Pin USB-“Mini-B” plug  207  to the PDA, the digital camera or the MP3 player. 
     In a fourth configuration of the kit  300 , the 5-Pin USB Mini “A” plug  206  is attached to a one of the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B and the 4-Pin USB-“Mini-B” plug  207  is attached to the other of the universal cable first connectors, as outlined in more detail above. In the fourth configuration of the kit  300 , the universal cable  20  is advantageously operable to connect the PDA to a cell phone (not shown), to connect the cell phone to the digital camera and to connect the MP3 player to another MP3 player, such as by connecting the 5-Pin USB Mini “A” plug  206  to the PDA, the cell phone, or the MP3 player and connecting the 4-Pin USB-“Mini-B” plug  207  to the cell phone, the digital camera, or the other MP3 player. 
     In a fifth configuration of the kit  300 , the 5-Pin USB Mini “A” plug  206  is attached to a one of the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B and the 4-Pin USB Series “B” plug  205  is attached to the other of the universal cable first connector portions, as outlined in more detail above. In the fifth configuration, the universal cable  20  is advantageously operable to connect the PDA to the printer or to a hard drive (not shown), or to connect the digital camera to the printer, such as by connecting the 5-Pin USB Mini “A” plug  206  to the PDA or the digital camera and connecting the 4-Pin USB Series “B” plug  205  to the printer or the hard drive. 
     When the kit  300  is configured in any of the configurations detailed above, the container  302  securely stores those of the 4-Pin USB Series “A” Receptacle  203 , the 4 Pin USB Series “A” Plug  204 , the 4-Pin USB Series “B” Plug  205 , the 5-Pin USB 2.0 Specification Mini-“A” Plug  206 , and the 4-Pin USB 2.0 Specification Mini-“B” Plug  207  that are not used in the current configuration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , the kit  300  is shown encased in a blister pack  310  used for packaging and displaying the kit  300 . The blister pack  310  includes a first side wall  312  and a second side wall  314  attached together for enclosing the kit  300  therein and forming a display. The first side  312  is formed of a transparent material and includes a plurality of smaller, generally rectangular protuberances  316  extending therefrom near an upper end, each of which defines a corresponding recess for one of the interchangeable connectors  203  through  207 . An intermediate size, generally rectangular protuberance  318  is formed in the first side  312  to define a recess for the container  302 . A larger, generally circular protuberance  320  is formed at a lower end of the first side  312  to define a recess for the coiled universal cable  20 . A pair of smaller, generally rectangular protuberances  322  are formed on the protuberance  320  to define a corresponding recesses for the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B. The blister pack  310  may also enclose a first insert  324 , formed of a cardboard or the like material, shaped to fit into the protuberance  320  in front of the cable  20  for displaying information and/or images. A second insert  325 , formed of a cardboard or the like material, is shaped to fit between the first wall  312  and the second wall  314  for displaying information and/or images. The second wall  314  can be formed of a transparent material. An aperture  326  is formed in an upper portion of the blister pack  310  and extend through the walls  312 ,  314  for use in hanging the blister pack  300  for display. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , an alternative embodiment of a kit in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at  300 ′. The kit  300 ′ includes the universal cable  20  having the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B, a pair of the Firewire®—IEEE Standard 1394a-2000  201  4-Circuit Plugs  201  and a pair of the Firewire®—IEEE Standard 1394-1995 6-Circuit Plugs  202 , the plugs collectively referred to as interchangeable connectors. The kit  300 ′ also includes the container  302  that is sized to store all of the plugs  201 ,  202 . The interchangeable connectors  201 ,  202  are each operable to be interchangeably and releasably connected to the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B. 
     The interchangeability of the connectors  201 ,  202  of the kit  300 ′ advantageously allows the universal cable  20  to be configured in a plurality of configurations, depending on the needs of the user of the universal cable  20 . In a first configuration of the kit  300 ′, a one of the 4-Circuit Plugs  201  is attached to a one of the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B and a one of the 6-Circuit Plugs  202  is attached to the other universal cable first connector portion, as outlined in more detail above. In the first configuration of the kit  300 ′, the universal cable  20  is advantageously able to connect the computer or the hub to a digital video camera (not shown) or to audio mixing equipment (not shown), such as by connecting the 4-Circuit Plug  201  to the computer or the hub and connecting the 6-Circuit Plug  202  to the digital video camera or to the audio mixing equipment. 
     In a second configuration of the kit  300 ′, a one of the 4-Circuit Plugs  201  is attached to a one of the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B and the other 4-Circuit Plug  201  is attached to the other of the universal cable first connector portions, as outlined in more detail above. In the second configuration of the kit  300 ′, the universal cable  20  is advantageously able to connect the digital video camera to another digital video camera or the audio mixing equipment, and to connect the audio mixing equipment to the digital video camera or to another audio mixing equipment, such as by connecting one of the 4-Circuit plugs  201  to the digital video camera or the audio mixing equipment and connecting the other 4-Circuit plug  201  to the other digital video camera or the other audio mixing equipment. 
     In a third configuration of the kit  300 ′, a one of the 6-Circuit Plugs  202  is attached to a one of the universal cable first connector portion  24 A and the universal cable second connector portion  24 B and the other 6-Circuit Plug  202  is attached to the other of the universal cable first connector portions, as outlined in more detail above. In the third configuration of the kit  300 ′, the universal cable  20  is advantageously able to connect the computer or hub to another computer or hub, to the scanner, to the CD/DVD drive or to the hard drive, such as by connecting one of the 6-Circuit Plugs  202  to the computer or hub and connecting the other 6-Circuit Plug  202  to the other computer or hub, to the scanner, to the CD/DVD drive or to the hard drive. 
     When the kit  300 ′ is configured in any of the configurations detailed above, the container  302  securely store those of the 4-Circuit Plugs  201  and the 6-Circuit Plugs  202  that are not used in the current configuration. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various combinations of the interchangeable ends  201  through  207  may be provided and that more or fewer of the interchangeable ends  201  through  207  including, but not limited to, Firewire® plugs, receptacles, and/or converters may be provided with the universal cable  20  and/or the container  302  to form a kit, such as the kit  300  or  300 ′, while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , a flash memory storage device with a quick connector in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at  400 . The flash memory device  400  includes a housing  402  having a first end  404  and an opposed second end  406 . The first end  404  includes a loop portion  408  extending therefrom for attaching the flash memory drive  400  to a key chain, a lanyard, or the like. Preferably, a flash memory drive  418  ( FIG. 20 ) is selected from various commercially available flash drives well known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, those manufactured and/or sold by Sony®, SanDisk®, Iomega®, Lexar®, Verbatim®, Targus®, and the like. The total amount of available flash memory storage capacity may be, but is not limited to, 64 megabytes (MB) of data storage, 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 gigabyte (GB) or other amounts of memory. Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that the amount of memory storage may be chosen for a specification application or desired use while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
     The second end  406  of the housing  402  includes a six pin female quick connector or receptacle  410 , best seen in  FIG. 19 , that includes a female connector body  412  having two sets of three female pins  414  that are electrically and mechanically isolated by a universal connector shelf (not shown), such as the universal connector shelf  178  shown in  FIG. 6C . The two sets of three female pins  414  are mechanically attached to, or held in fixed relation to the connector body  412  by means well known in the art, such as molding. The female pins  414  are arranged in a pin arrangement  416 , substantially identical to the pin arrangement  116 , and have female cable connection points (not shown), such as the female cable connection points  167  shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , which are the means for making electrical connections to the connector portions  24 A,  24 B ( FIG. 2 ), and  42  ( FIG. 3 ), discussed in more detail below. 
     Since the pin arrangement  416  is substantially identical to the second pin arrangement  116 , the fourth pin arrangement  123 , the sixth pin arrangement  131 , the eighth pin arrangement  139 , the tenth pin arrangement  146 , the twelfth pin arrangement  154 , the fourteenth pin arrangement  162  and the n th  pin arrangement (not shown), the connector  410  of the second end  406  of the flash memory device  400  is operable to connect to a one of the respective quick connect first mating connector portions  26 A and quick connect second mating connector portions  26 B of the 4-Pin USB Series “A” Receptacle  203 , the 4 Pin USB Series “A” Plug  204 , the 4-Pin USB Series “B” Plug  205 , the 5-Pin USB 2.0 Specification Mini-“A” Plug  206 , and the 4-Pin USB 2.0 Specification Mini-“B” Plug  207 , collectively referred to as interchangeable connectors. The interchangeable connectors  203 ,  205 ,  205 ,  206  and  207 , therefore, are each operable to be interchangeably and releasably connected to the connector  410  to electrically communicate with the flash memory  418  in the housing  402 . 
     The flash memory device  400  may be combined with the kit  300  to form an alternative embodiment of the kit. The container  302  of the kit  300  shown in  FIGS. 15 and 17  can be sized to contain all of the connectors  203 ,  204 ,  205 ,  206  and  207  and the flash memory device  400  and the universal cable  20 , if desired. The flash memory device  400  may be encased in the blister pack  310  by providing an additional protuberance, such as the protuberances  316  and  322  shown in  FIG. 16 , suitably sized and shaped. 
     The interchangeability of the ends  203 ,  204 ,  205 ,  206  and  207  advantageously allows the flash memory device  400  to be configured in a plurality of conventional connector configurations, depending on the needs of the user. For example, when the 4-Pin USB Series “A” plug  204  is attached to the connector  410  of the flash memory device  400 , the flash memory drive  418  is advantageously operable to connect to a computer or a hub (not shown) having the corresponding conventional USB port. When connector  204  with the flash memory device  400  is engaged with the USB port (not shown) in the computer, the operating system of the computer will recognize the flash memory drive  418  as a removable drive and allow data to be retrieved from and written to the flash memory storage. 
     Similarly, when the 4-Pin USB Series “B” plug  205  is attached to the connector  410  of the flash memory device  400 , the flash memory drive  418  is advantageously operable to connect to a printer (not shown), a scanner (not shown) or a CD/DVD drive (not shown). Similarly, when the 5-Pin USB Mini “A” plug  206  is attached to the connector  410  of the flash memory device  400 , the flash memory drive  418  is advantageously operable to connect to a PDA (not shown), a cell phone (not shown), or a MP3 player (not shown). Similarly, when the 4-Pin USB-“Mini-B” plug  207  is attached to the connector  410  of the flash memory device  400 , the flash memory drive  418  is advantageously operable to connect to the PDA, a digital camera (not shown) or the MP3 player. 
     Since the pin arrangement  416  is substantially identical to the second pin arrangement  116 , the fourth pin arrangement  123 , the sixth pin arrangement  131 , the eighth pin arrangement  139 , the tenth pin arrangement  146 , the twelfth pin arrangement  154 , the fourteenth pin arrangement  162  and the n th  pin arrangement (not shown), the connector  410  of the second end  406  of the flash memory device  400  is also operable to connect to a one of the respective quick connect first mating connector portions  26 A and quick connect second mating connector portions  26 B of the Firewire®—IEEE Standard 1394a-2000 4-Circuit Plug  201  and the Firewire®—IEEE Standard 1394-1995 6-Circuit Plug  202 , the plugs  201  and  202  collectively referred to as interchangeable plugs or connectors. The interchangeable connectors  201  and  202 , therefore, are each operable to be interchangeably and releasably connect to the connector  410  of the flash memory device  400 . The interchangeability of the connectors  201  and  202  advantageously allows the flash memory device  400  to be configured for connection to a number of devices as described above depending on the needs of the user. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various combinations of the interchangeable connectors  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 ,  205 ,  206 , and  207  may be provided and that more or fewer of the interchangeable connectors may be provided with the universal cable  20  and the flash memory device  400  to form alternative embodiments of the kit while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.