Patent ID: 8120707

Claim:
A multi-mode external storage device comprising: a) a non-volatile memory for storing at least one digital media content item; b) a multi-use device port for inter-device coupling; c) a data controller for: i) receiving at least one said digital media content item via said device port; and ii) writing said received at least one content item to said nonvolatile memory, when the external digital media device is in a download mode; d) a video generation element operative to: i) generate a video menu signal for a plurality of said digital media content items stored in said non-volatile memory and to export said video menu signal via said multi-use device port when the external media device is in a menu mode; ii) generate a video content signal for at least one said digital media content item and to export said generated video content signal from the external storage device via said multi-use device port when the external media device is in a content-presentation mode; and e) a host device type detector operative to detect a host device type upon said inter-device coupling via said device port, wherein the external digital media playback device is operative, in response to a display device detection by said host device type detector, to adopt said menu mode.