Memory module with audio playback mode

Abstract

A memory module with a playback mode for audio signals through a playback port, and having an input port for input of both analogue and data signals as well as power, the power being from a separate power source. The input port may be a USB or IEEE1394 port and may be used with a battery pack and cradle having a female socket for receiving therein the connector. The input port includes at least four terminals being: ground, power, and two differential data terminals; the differential data terminals carrying signals at frequencies in the range of from 1 to 480 MHz. The input port is also for passing power from the battery pack and cradle to the memory module.

1 . A playback device, comprising: 
 a data connector port for both data transfer and audio playback;    memory for storing audio data received via the connector port; and    functional controls to control the playback of audio data stored in the memory, wherein, when in an audio playback mode, the data connector port is used to play back audio data.    
     
     
         2 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector port is a USB or IEEE 1394 connector port.  
     
     
         3 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the connector port is a male connector port.  
     
     
         4 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising an earphone socket.  
     
     
         5 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the audio playback is provided on data lines in the connector port.  
     
     
         6 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein, in the audio playback mode, the playback device is capable of receiving power via a power line in the connector port.  
     
     
         7 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a multiplexing circuit coupled to the connector port and that selects between the output of a data transceiver and an audio output circuit.  
     
     
         8 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the multiplexing circuit is electronically operated by detecting a voltage level between a ground line and a power line in the connector port.  
     
     
         9 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the multiplexing circuit is mechanically operated by a physical switch for a user to operate to switch between data and audio modes.  
     
     
         10 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the audio output circuit is an audio preamplifier.  
     
     
         11 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising a multiplexing circuit coupled to the data lines and that selects between the output of a data transceiver and an audio output circuit.  
     
     
         12 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the multiplexing circuit is electronically operated by detecting a voltage level between a ground line and a power line in the connector port.  
     
     
         13 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the audio playback is provided on data lines in the connector port.  
     
     
         14 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in the audio playback mode, the playback device is capable of receiving power via a power line in the connector port.  
     
     
         15 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the audio playback is provided on data lines in the connector port.  
     
     
         16 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein, in the audio playback mode, the playback device is capable of receiving power via a power line in the connector port.  
     
     
         17 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising a multiplexing circuit coupled to the data lines and that selects between the output of a data transceiver and an audio output circuit.  
     
     
         18 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the audio output circuit is an audio preamplifier.  
     
     
         19 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising a multiplexing circuit coupled to the data lines and that selects between the output of a data transceiver and an audio output circuit.  
     
     
         20 . A playback device as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the audio output circuit is an audio preamplifier.