Portable memory device having mutually exclusive non-volatile electronic data storage

Abstract

A portable memory device includes an interface enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device; a group of components arranged to provide a certain non-volatile electronic data storage when coupled to the interface. The coupling is performed based on one or more control signals, or on one or more configurations of one or more physical control elements that are transitionable by hand to different configurations, or both. When the group of components and the interface are coupled, the certain non-volatile electronic data storage is provided for use by an external device through the interface; when the group of components and the interface is not coupled or are decoupled, the certain non-volatile electronic data storage is not provided and instead another non-volatile electronic data storage may be provided or none at all. The portable memory device preferably is a flash memory apparatus and may encompass multiple flash-memory drives.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable memory device, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a plurality of data storage groups connected to the board,
 (i) each data storage group comprising,
 (A) a controller, and 
 (B) one or more memory storage components including non-volatile memory for reading, writing, and storing of data, and 
 
 (ii) each data storage group managing both,
 (A) communications between the portable memory device and an external device through the interface, and 
 (B) reading of data from and writing of data to its respective one or more memory storage components; and 
 
   (d) a demux component connected to the board and configured to connect the interface with each data storage group of the plurality of data storage groups, the connections of the interface with the data storage groups being mutually exclusive of each other;   (e) wherein,
 (i) a first one of the plurality of data storage groups provides a first non-volatile electronic data storage when the interface is connected therewith by the demux component for use by an external device through the interface, 
 (ii) a second one of the plurality of data storage groups provides a second, different non-volatile electronic data storage when the interface is connected therewith by the demux component for use by an external device through the interface, and 
 (iii) the provision of the first non-volatile electronic data storage is mutually exclusive of the provision of the second, different non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device through the interface; and 
   (f) wherein a mutually exclusive connection of the interface with one of the data storage groups is made based on manual manipulation of one or more physical control elements of the portable memory device.   
     
     
         2 . The portable memory device of  claim 1 , wherein each data storage group of the plurality of data storage groups comprises an oscillator component that is used therewith when such data storage group is connected by the demux component with the interface. 
     
     
         3 . The portable memory device of  claim 2 , wherein the oscillator component of each data storage group of the plurality of data storage groups comprises a crystal oscillator. 
     
     
         4 . The portable memory device of  claim 1 , further comprising an oscillator component connected to the board, wherein the oscillator component is the only oscillator component of the portable memory device and is used in conjunction with each data storage group when such data storage group is connected by the demux component with the interface. 
     
     
         5 . The portable memory device of  claim 4 , wherein the oscillator component comprises a crystal oscillator. 
     
     
         6 . The portable memory device of  claim 1 , wherein each data storage group of the plurality comprises a micro controller chip. 
     
     
         7 . The portable memory device of  claim 1 , wherein each data storage group of the plurality comprises a USB controller. 
     
     
         8 . The portable memory device of  claim 1 , wherein each data storage group of the plurality comprises a flash-memory controller. 
     
     
         9 . The portable memory device of  claim 8 , wherein each data storage group of the plurality performs flash-translation-layer functions. 
     
     
         10 . The portable memory device of  claim 1 , wherein each data storage group of the plurality comprises flash memory. 
     
     
         11 . The portable memory device of  claim 10 , wherein the flash memory comprises NAND flash memory. 
     
     
         12 . The portable memory device of  claim 1 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         13 . The portable memory device of  claim 1 , wherein each non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         14 . The portable memory device of  claim 13 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         15 . The portable memory device of  claim 13 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         16 . The portable memory device of  claim 1 , wherein the first non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         17 . The portable memory device of  claim 1 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         18 . The portable memory device of  claim 17 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         19 . The portable memory device of  claim 17 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         20 . The portable memory device of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer casing enclosing the board, and wherein the one or more physical control elements are located on an exterior of the casing. 
     
     
         21 . The portable memory device of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more slide switches. 
     
     
         22 . The portable memory device of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more thumb wheel switches. 
     
     
         23 . The portable memory device of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more toggle switches. 
     
     
         24 . A portable memory device, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a controller group connected to the board for managing both,
 (i) communications between the portable memory device and an external device through the interface, and 
 (ii) reading of data from and writing of data to one or more memory storage components; 
   (d) a plurality of memory storage groups connected to the board, each memory storage group comprising one or more memory storage components including non-volatile memory for reading, writing, and storing of data; and   (e) a demux component connected to the board and configured to connect the controller group with each memory storage group of the plurality of memory storage groups, the connections of the controller group with the memory storage groups being mutually exclusive of each other;   (f) wherein,
 (i) a first non-volatile electronic data storage is provided for use by an external device through the interface when the controller group is connected with a first memory storage group of the plurality by the demux component, 
 (ii) a second, different non-volatile electronic data storage is provided for use by an external device through the interface when the controller group is connected with a second, different memory storage group of the plurality by the demux component, and 
 (iii) the provision of the first non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device through the interface is mutually exclusive of the provision of the second, different non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device through the interface. 
   
     
     
         25 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein the controller group comprises a micro controller chip. 
     
     
         26 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein the controller group comprises a USB controller. 
     
     
         27 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein the controller group comprises a flash-memory controller. 
     
     
         28 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein the controller group performs flash-translation-layer functions. 
     
     
         29 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , further comprising an oscillator component connected to the board, wherein the oscillator component comprises a crystal oscillator. 
     
     
         30 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , further comprising an oscillator component connected to the board, wherein the oscillator component is the only oscillator component of the portable memory device. 
     
     
         31 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein a mutually exclusive connection of the interface with one of the memory storage groups is made based on an identification of an external device using the portable memory device. 
     
     
         32 . The portable memory device of  claim 31 , wherein the identification uniquely identifies the external device. 
     
     
         33 . The portable memory device of  claim 31 , wherein the interface of the portable memory device comprises a USB plug, and wherein an identification of the external device is provided upon manually plugging the USB plug into a USB port of the external device. 
     
     
         34 . The portable memory device of  claim 33 , wherein the identification identifies a type of the external device. 
     
     
         35 . The portable memory device of  claim 33 , wherein the identification identifies a manufacturer of the external device. 
     
     
         36 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein each memory storage group of the plurality comprises flash memory. 
     
     
         37 . The portable memory device of  claim 36 , wherein the flash memory comprises NAND flash memory. 
     
     
         38 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein each memory storage group of the plurality comprises a flash-memory controller. 
     
     
         39 . The portable memory device of  claim 38 , wherein each memory storage group of the plurality performs flash-translation-layer functions. 
     
     
         40 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein a mutually exclusive connection of the interface with one of the memory storage groups is made based on manual manipulation of one or more physical control elements of the portable memory device. 
     
     
         41 . The portable memory device of  claim 40 , further comprising an oscillator component connected to the board, and further comprising a casing enclosing the board, oscillator, controller group, each of the plurality of memory storage groups, and demux component. 
     
     
         42 . The portable memory device of  claim 41 , wherein the one or more physical control elements are located on an exterior of the casing. 
     
     
         43 . The portable memory device of  claim 42 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more slide switches. 
     
     
         44 . The portable memory device of  claim 42 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more thumb wheel switches. 
     
     
         45 . The portable memory device of  claim 42 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more toggle switches. 
     
     
         46 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         47 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein each non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         48 . The portable memory device of  claim 47 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         49 . The portable memory device of  claim 47 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         50 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein the first non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         51 . The portable memory device of  claim 24 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         52 . The portable memory device of  claim 51 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         53 . The portable memory device of  claim 51 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         54 . The portable memory device of  claim 51 , wherein the interface is configured for both WiFi and Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         55 . A portable memory device for providing mutually exclusive non-volatile electronic data storage, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a first group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a first non-volatile electronic data storage when coupled to the interface;   (d) a second group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a second non-volatile electronic data storage when coupled to the interface; and   (e) a manually operated control transitionable to,
 (i) a first configuration for physically coupling of the interface to the first group of components to the exclusion of coupling of the interface to the second group of components, and 
 (ii) a second configuration for physically coupling of the interface to the second group of components to the exclusion of coupling of the interface to the first group of components; 
   (f) wherein, when the manually operated control is in the first configuration, the first group of components are coupled to the interface and provide the first non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device; and   (g) wherein, when the manually operated control is in the second configuration, the second group of components are coupled to the interface and provide the second non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device.   
     
     
         56 . The portable memory device of  claim 55 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         57 . The portable memory device of  claim 55 , wherein each non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         58 . The portable memory device of  claim 57 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         59 . The portable memory device of  claim 57 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         60 . The portable memory device of  claim 55 , wherein the first non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         61 . The portable memory device of  claim 55 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         62 . The portable memory device of  claim 61 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         63 . The portable memory device of  claim 61 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         64 . A portable memory device for providing mutually exclusive non-volatile electronic data storage, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a first group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a first non-volatile electronic data storage when coupled to the interface;   (d) a second group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a second non-volatile electronic data storage when coupled to the interface; and   (e) a manually operated control transitionable to different configurations for effecting coupling of the first group of components to the interface to the exclusion of coupling of the second group of components to the interface, and for effecting coupling of the second group of components to the interface to the exclusion of coupling of the first group of components to the interface;   (f) wherein, when the manually operated control is in a first configuration, the first group of components are coupled to the interface of the portable memory device and provide the first non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device through the interface; and   (g) wherein, when the manually operated control is not in the first configuration, the second group of components are coupled to the interface of the portable memory device and provide the second non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device through the interface.   
     
     
         65 . The portable memory device of  claim 64 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         66 . The portable memory device of  claim 64 , wherein each non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         67 . The portable memory device of  claim 66 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         68 . The portable memory device of  claim 66 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         69 . The portable memory device of  claim 64 , wherein the first non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         70 . The portable memory device of  claim 64 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         71 . The portable memory device of  claim 70 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         72 . The portable memory device of  claim 70 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         73 . A portable memory device for providing non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a certain non-volatile electronic data storage when coupled to the interface; and   (d) a manually operated control transitionable to different configurations for effecting coupling and decoupling of the group of components and the interface;   (e) wherein, when the manually operated control is in a certain configuration of the different configurations, the group of components and the interface are coupled and the certain non-volatile electronic data storage is provided for use by an external device through the interface; and   (f) wherein, when the manually operated control is not in the certain configuration, the group of components and the interface are decoupled and the certain non-volatile electronic data storage is not provided for use by an external device through the interface.   
     
     
         74 . The portable memory device of  claim 73 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         75 . The portable memory device of  claim 73 , wherein the certain non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         76 . The portable memory device of  claim 75 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         77 . The portable memory device of  claim 75 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         78 . The portable memory device of  claim 73 , wherein the certain non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         79 . The portable memory device of  claim 73 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         80 . The portable memory device of  claim 79 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         81 . The portable memory device of  claim 79 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         82 . A portable memory device for providing non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a group of components connected to the board and configured to provide, when coupled with the interface, the non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device through the interface; and   (d) a manually operated control transitionable by hand to different configurations for effecting coupling and decoupling of the group of components and the interface;   (e) wherein, when the manually operated control is in a use configuration, the group of components and the interface are coupled and the non-volatile electronic data storage is provided for use by an external device through the interface; and   (f) wherein, when the manually operated control is not in the use configuration, the group of components and the interface are decoupled and no non-volatile electronic data storage is provided for use by an external device through the interface.   
     
     
         83 . The portable memory device of  claim 82 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         84 . The portable memory device of  claim 82 , wherein the non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         85 . The portable memory device of  claim 84 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         86 . The portable memory device of  claim 84 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         87 . The portable memory device of  claim 82 , wherein the non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         88 . The portable memory device of  claim 82 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         89 . The portable memory device of  claim 88 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         90 . The portable memory device of  claim 88 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         91 . The portable memory device of  claim 90 , wherein the manually operated control comprises an arrangement of one or more physical control elements. 
     
     
         92 . The portable memory device of  claim 90 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more slide switches. 
     
     
         93 . The portable memory device of  claim 90 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more thumb wheel switches. 
     
     
         94 . The portable memory device of  claim 90 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more toggle switches. 
     
     
         95 . A portable memory device for providing non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a certain non-volatile electronic data storage when coupled to the interface; and   (d) means for effecting coupling and decoupling of the group of components and the interface;   (e) wherein, when the manually operated control is in a certain configuration of the different configurations, the group of components and the interface are coupled and provide the certain non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device through the interface; and   (f) wherein, when the manually operated control is not in the certain configuration, the group of components and the interface are decoupled and the certain non-volatile electronic data storage is not provided for use by an external device through the interface.   
     
     
         96 . The portable memory device of  claim 95 , wherein the certain non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         97 . The portable memory device of  claim 95 , wherein the certain non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         98 . The portable memory device of  claim 95 , wherein, when the manually operated control is not in the certain configuration, the group of components and the interface are decoupled and no non-volatile electronic data storage is provided for use by an external device through the interface. 
     
     
         99 . A portable memory device for providing non-volatile electronic data storage for use by an external device, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a non-volatile electronic data storage when coupled to the interface for use by an external device through the interface; and   (d) means for coupling and decoupling the group of components and the interface.   
     
     
         100 . The portable memory device of  claim 99 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         101 . The portable memory device of  claim 99 , wherein the certain non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         102 . The portable memory device of  claim 101 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         103 . The portable memory device of  claim 101 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         104 . The portable memory device of  claim 99 , wherein the certain non-volatile electronic data storage comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         105 . The portable memory device of  claim 99 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         106 . The portable memory device of  claim 105 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         107 . The portable memory device of  claim 105 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         108 . A portable memory device, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a plurality of mass storage device groups connected to the board,
 (i) each mass storage device group comprising,
 (A) a controller, and 
 (B) one or more memory storage components including non-volatile memory for reading, writing, and storing of data, and 
 
 (ii) each mass storage device group managing both,
 (A) communications between the portable memory device and an external device through the interface, and 
 (B) reading of data from and writing of data to its respective one or more memory storage components; and 
 
   (d) a demux component connected to the board and configured to connect the interface with each mass storage device group of the plurality of mass storage device groups, the connections of the interface with the mass storage device groups being mutually exclusive of each other;   (e) wherein,
 (i) a first one of the plurality of mass storage device groups provides a first mass storage device when the interface is connected therewith by the demux component, by which first mass storage device an external device uses the portable memory device, 
 (ii) a second one of the plurality of mass storage device groups provides a second, different mass storage device when the interface is connected therewith by the demux component, by which second, different mass storage device an external device uses the portable memory device, and 
 (iii) the provision of the first mass storage device for use by an external device is mutually exclusive of the provision of the second, different mass storage device for use by an external device; and 
   (f) wherein a mutually exclusive connection of the interface with one of the mass storage device groups is made based on manual manipulation of one or more physical control elements of the portable memory device.   
     
     
         109 . The portable memory device of  claim 108 , wherein each mass storage device group of the plurality of mass storage device groups comprises an oscillator component that is used therewith when such mass storage device group is connected by the demux component with the interface. 
     
     
         110 . The portable memory device of  claim 109 , wherein the oscillator component of each mass storage device group of the plurality of mass storage device groups comprises a crystal oscillator. 
     
     
         111 . The portable memory device of  claim 108 , further comprising an oscillator component connected to the board, wherein the oscillator component is the only oscillator component of the portable memory device and is used in conjunction with each mass storage device group when such mass storage device group is connected by the demux component with the interface. 
     
     
         112 . The portable memory device of  claim 111 , wherein the oscillator component comprises a crystal oscillator. 
     
     
         113 . The portable memory device of  claim 108 , wherein each mass storage device group of the plurality comprises a micro controller chip. 
     
     
         114 . The portable memory device of  claim 108 , wherein each mass storage device group of the plurality comprises a USB controller. 
     
     
         115 . The portable memory device of  claim 108 , wherein each mass storage device group of the plurality comprises a flash-memory controller. 
     
     
         116 . The portable memory device of  claim 115 , wherein each mass storage device group of the plurality performs flash-translation-layer functions. 
     
     
         117 . The portable memory device of  claim 108 , wherein each mass storage device group of the plurality comprises flash memory. 
     
     
         118 . The portable memory device of  claim 117 , wherein the flash memory comprises NAND flash memory. 
     
     
         119 . The portable memory device of  claim 108 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         120 . The portable memory device of  claim 108 , wherein each mass storage device comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         121 . The portable memory device of  claim 120 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         122 . The portable memory device of  claim 120 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         123 . The portable memory device of  claim 108 , wherein the first mass storage device comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         124 . The portable memory device of  claim 108 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         125 . The portable memory device of  claim 124 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         126 . The portable memory device of  claim 124 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         127 . The portable memory device of  claim 108 , further comprising an outer casing enclosing the board, and wherein the one or more physical control elements are located on an exterior of the casing. 
     
     
         128 . The portable memory device of  claim 127 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more slide switches. 
     
     
         129 . The portable memory device of  claim 127 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more thumb wheel switches. 
     
     
         130 . The portable memory device of  claim 127 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more toggle switches. 
     
     
         131 . A portable memory device, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a controller group connected to the board for managing both,
 (i) communications between the portable memory device and an external device through the interface, and 
 (ii) reading of data from and writing of data to one or more memory storage components; and 
   (d) a plurality of memory storage groups connected to the board, each memory storage group comprising one or more memory storage components including non-volatile memory for reading, writing, and storing of data;   (e) a demux component connected to the board and configured to connect the controller group with each memory storage group of the plurality of memory storage groups, the connections of the controller group with the memory storage groups being mutually exclusive of each other;   (f) wherein,
 (i) a first mass storage device is provided when the controller group is connected with a first memory storage group of the plurality by the demux component, by which first mass storage device an external device uses the portable memory device, 
 (ii) a second, different mass storage device is provided when the controller group is connected with a second, different memory storage group of the plurality by the demux component, by which second, different mass storage device an external device uses the portable memory device, and 
 (iii) the provision of the first mass storage device for use by an external device is mutually exclusive of the provision of the second, different mass storage device for use by an external device. 
   
     
     
         132 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , wherein the controller group comprises a micro controller chip. 
     
     
         133 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , wherein the controller group comprises a USB controller. 
     
     
         134 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , wherein the controller group comprises a flash-memory controller. 
     
     
         135 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , wherein the controller group performs flash-translation-layer functions. 
     
     
         136 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , further comprising an oscillator component connected to the board, wherein the oscillator component comprises a crystal oscillator. 
     
     
         137 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , further comprising an oscillator component connected to the board, wherein the oscillator component is the only oscillator component of the portable memory device. 
     
     
         138 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , wherein a mutually exclusive connection of the interface with one of the memory storage groups is made based on an identification of an external device using the portable memory device. 
     
     
         139 . The portable memory device of  claim 138 , wherein the identification uniquely identifies the external device. 
     
     
         140 . The portable memory device of  claim 139 , wherein the interface of the portable memory device comprises a USB plug, and wherein an identification of the external device is provided upon manually plugging the USB plug into a USB port of the external device. 
     
     
         141 . The portable memory device of  claim 140 , wherein the identification identifies a type of the external device. 
     
     
         142 . The portable memory device of  claim 140 , wherein the identification identifies a manufacturer of the external device. 
     
     
         143 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , wherein each memory storage group of the plurality comprises flash memory. 
     
     
         144 . The portable memory device of  claim 159 , wherein the flash memory comprises NAND flash memory. 
     
     
         145 . The portable memory device of  claim 147 , wherein each memory storage group of the plurality comprises a flash-memory controller. 
     
     
         146 . The portable memory device of  claim 145 , wherein each memory storage group of the plurality performs flash-translation-layer functions. 
     
     
         147 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , wherein a mutually exclusive connection of the interface with one of the memory storage groups is made based on manual manipulation of one or more physical control elements of the portable memory device. 
     
     
         148 . The portable memory device of  claim 147 , further comprising an oscillator component connected to the board, and further comprising a casing enclosing the board, oscillator, controller group, each of the plurality of memory storage groups, and demux component. 
     
     
         149 . The portable memory device of  claim 148 , wherein the one or more physical control elements are located on an exterior of the casing. 
     
     
         150 . The portable memory device of  claim 147 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more slide switches. 
     
     
         151 . The portable memory device of  claim 147 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more thumb wheel switches. 
     
     
         152 . The portable memory device of  claim 147 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more toggle switches. 
     
     
         153 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         154 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , wherein each mass storage device comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         155 . The portable memory device of  claim 170 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         156 . The portable memory device of  claim 170 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         157 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , wherein the first mass storage device comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         158 . The portable memory device of  claim 131 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         159 . The portable memory device of  claim 158 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         160 . The portable memory device of  claim 158 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         161 . A portable memory device for providing mutually exclusive mass storage devices, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a first group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a first mass storage device when coupled to the interface;   (d) a second group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a second mass storage device when coupled to the interface; and   (e) an arrangement of one or more physical control elements transitionable by hand to,
 (i) a first configuration for effecting coupling of the interface to the first group of components to the exclusion of coupling of the interface to the second group of components, and 
 (ii) a second configuration for effecting coupling of the interface to the second group of components to the exclusion of coupling of the interface to the first group of components; 
   (f) wherein, when the arrangement is in the first configuration, the first group of components are coupled to the interface and provide the first mass storage device for use by an external device; and   (g) wherein, when the arrangement is in the second configuration, the second group of components are coupled to the interface and provide the second mass storage device for use by an external device.   
     
     
         162 . The portable memory device of  claim 161 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         163 . The portable memory device of  claim 161 , wherein the arrangement comprises one or more slide switches. 
     
     
         164 . The portable memory device of  claim 161 , wherein the arrangement comprises one or more thumb wheel switches. 
     
     
         165 . The portable memory device of  claim 161 , wherein the arrangement comprises one or more toggle switches. 
     
     
         166 . The portable memory device of  claim 161 , wherein, when the arrangement is transitioned to the first configuration, the interface is physically coupled by such transition to the first group of components; and, when the arrangement is transitioned to the second configuration, the interface is physically coupled by such transition to the second group of components. 
     
     
         167 . The portable memory device of  claim 161 , further comprising a demux component connected to the board and configured to couple the first group of components and the interface when the arrangement is indicated to be in the first configuration, and to couple the second group of components and the interface when the arrangement is indicated to be in the second configuration. 
     
     
         168 . The portable memory device of  claim 167 , wherein, when the arrangement is transitioned to the first configuration, such state is indicated to the demux component; and, when the arrangement is transitioned to the second configuration, such state is indicated to the demux component. 
     
     
         169 . The portable memory device of  claim 168 , wherein the state of the arrangement is indicated by a control signal. 
     
     
         170 . The portable memory device of  claim 169 , wherein the control signal is communicated from the arrangement to the demux component. 
     
     
         171 . The portable memory device of  claim 161 , wherein the arrangement comprises a slide switch movable between first and second ends, wherein the first end is labeled “HOME”, “DRIVE A”, or “DISK 1”, and wherein the second end is labeled “WORK”, “DRIVE B”, or “DISK 2”. 
     
     
         172 . A portable memory device for providing mutually exclusive mass storage devices, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a first group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a first mass storage device when coupled to the interface;   (d) a second group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a second mass storage device when coupled to the interface; and   (e) an arrangement of one or more physical control elements transitionable by hand to different configurations for effecting coupling of the first group of components to the interface to the exclusion of coupling of the second group of components to the interface, and for effecting coupling of the second group of components to the interface to the exclusion of coupling of the first group of components to the interface;   (f) wherein, when the arrangement is in a first configuration, the first group of components are coupled to the interface of the portable memory device and provide the first mass storage device for use by an external device through the interface; and   (g) wherein, when the arrangement is not in the first configuration, the second group of components are coupled to the interface of the portable memory device and provide the second mass storage device for use by an external device through the interface.   
     
     
         173 . The portable memory device of  claim 172 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         174 . The portable memory device of  claim 172 , wherein each mass storage device comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         175 . The portable memory device of  claim 174 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         176 . The portable memory device of  claim 174 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         177 . The portable memory device of  claim 172 , wherein the first mass storage device comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         178 . The portable memory device of  claim 172 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         179 . The portable memory device of  claim 178 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         180 . The portable memory device of  claim 178 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         181 . The portable memory device of  claim 172 , further comprising an outer casing enclosing the board, and wherein the one or more physical control elements are located on an exterior of the casing. 
     
     
         182 . The portable memory device of  claim 181 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more slide switches. 
     
     
         183 . The portable memory device of  claim 181 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more thumb wheel switches. 
     
     
         184 . The portable memory device of  claim 181 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more toggle switches. 
     
     
         185 . A portable memory device for providing a mass storage device for use by an external device, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a certain mass storage device when coupled to the interface; and   (d) an arrangement of one or more physical control elements transitionable by hand to different configurations for effecting coupling and decoupling of the group of components and the interface;   (e) wherein, when the arrangement is in a certain configuration of the different configurations, the group of components and the interface are coupled and provide the certain mass storage device for use by an external device through the interface; and   (f) wherein, when the arrangement is not in the certain configuration, the group of components and the interface are decoupled and the certain mass storage device is not provided for use by an external device through the interface.   
     
     
         186 . The portable memory device of  claim 185 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         187 . The portable memory device of  claim 185 , wherein the certain mass storage device comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         188 . The portable memory device of  claim 187 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         189 . The portable memory device of  claim 187 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         190 . The portable memory device of  claim 185 , wherein the certain mass storage device comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         191 . The portable memory device of  claim 185 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         192 . The portable memory device of  claim 191 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         193 . The portable memory device of  claim 191 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         194 . The portable memory device of  claim 185 , further comprising an outer casing enclosing the board, and wherein the one or more physical control elements are located on an exterior of the casing. 
     
     
         195 . The portable memory device of  claim 194 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more slide switches. 
     
     
         196 . The portable memory device of  claim 194 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more thumb wheel switches. 
     
     
         197 . The portable memory device of  claim 194 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more toggle switches. 
     
     
         198 . A portable memory device for providing a mass storage device for use by an external device, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a mass storage device when coupled to the interface; and   (d) an arrangement of physical control elements transitionable by hand to different configurations for effecting coupling and decoupling of the group of components and the interface;   (e) wherein, when the arrangement is in a use configuration, the group of components and the interface are coupled and provide the mass storage device of the portable memory device for use by an external device through the interface; and   (f) wherein, when the arrangement is not in the use configuration, the group of components and the interface are decoupled and no mass storage device of the portable memory device is not provided for use by an external device through the interface.   
     
     
         199 . The portable memory device of  claim 198 , wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         200 . The portable memory device of  claim 198 , wherein the mass storage device comprises a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         201 . The portable memory device of  claim 200 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 2.0 interface. 
     
     
         202 . The portable memory device of  claim 200 , wherein the interface comprises a USB 3.0 interface. 
     
     
         203 . The portable memory device of  claim 198 , wherein the mass storage device comprises a bootable USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         204 . The portable memory device of  claim 198 , wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wireless communications. 
     
     
         205 . The portable memory device of  claim 204 , wherein the interface is configured for WiFi communications. 
     
     
         206 . The portable memory device of  claim 204 , wherein the interface is configured for Bluetooth communications. 
     
     
         207 . The portable memory device of  claim 198 , further comprising an outer casing enclosing the board, and wherein the one or more physical control elements are located on an exterior of the casing. 
     
     
         208 . The portable memory device of  claim 207 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more slide switches. 
     
     
         209 . The portable memory device of  claim 207 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more thumb wheel switches. 
     
     
         210 . The portable memory device of  claim 207 , wherein the one or more physical control elements comprise one or more toggle switches. 
     
     
         211 . A portable memory device for providing a mass storage device for use by an external device, comprising:
 (a) a board for providing electronic communication pathways;   (b) an interface connected to the board for enabling communications between the portable memory device and an external device;   (c) a group of components connected to the board and arranged to provide a certain mass storage device when coupled to the interface; and   (d) means for coupling and decoupling the group of components and the interface.