Patent ID: 7114030

Claim:
A system for sharing a storage medium, the system comprising: (a) a memory module which stores data in the storage medium, the memory module having a first universal serial bus interface for exchanging data; (b) a host including a second universal serial bus interface operable for exchanging data; and (c) an appliance including: (i) a third universal serial bus interface for exchanging data; (ii) a switch which operatively connects said first universal serial bus interface to said third universal serial bus interface when said host is disconnected from said appliance, and said switch operatively connects said first universal serial bus interface to said second universal serial bus interface when said host is connected to said appliance; and wherein the system operates in at least one operative mode selected from the group consisting of: (I) sending first data from said appliance to said host, wherein: (i) said appliance sends said first data to said memory module while said appliance is disconnected from said host; and (ii) said host receives said first data from said memory module when said appliance is connected to said host; and (II) sending second data from said host to said appliance, wherein: (i) said host sends said second data to said memory module when said appliance is connected to said host; and (ii) said appliance receives said second data from said memory module when said appliance is disconnected from said host.