On November 22, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple’s patent application titled Compactable Memory Disc Adapter and Methods thereof . Apple’s patent generally relates to a memory storage device. More specifically, the invention describes a compactable memory storage disc adapter. Apple’s exemplary embodiment of a memory disc player is actually that of a Mac Mini like device. Perhaps Apple is contemplating a new storage device that will work in sync with OS X Leopard’s Time Machine feature in the New Year.

Apple’s Patent Background

Rotating memory storage discs have become an important means of data storage. Conventional rotating memory storage discs including compact discs (CDs) and digital versatile discs (DVDs) are produced in standard (i.e. currently 12 cm) and reduced diameter (i.e. currently 8 cm) configurations (with the memory storage capacity being proportional to the disc area). However, only 12 cm memory discs are compatible with currently configured slot drives as seen in FIG. 1 showing a memory disc player 100 having a slot interface 102 suitable for receiving a standard diameter disc. It should be noted that the slot interface 102 can also be found on laptop computers, car audio systems, etc. However, there are many applications requiring less storage capacity than is available on the standard diameter (high storage capacity) disc. In such situations it would be advantageous to use a reduced diameter (lower storage capacity) disc. Such advantages include reduced shipping costs, reduced production costs, etc.

Unfortunately, these reduced diameter discs are not compatible with slot drives exclusively designed to receive standard diameter discs. One currently available solution to using reduced diameter discs in slot drives is that of a rigid adapter that when used in conjunction with the reduced diameter disc enables a memory disc player to accept and play the reduced diameter memory disc. However, this solution does nothing to reduce shipping costs since the rigid adapter (with its larger footprint) must be shipped with the reduced diameter disc and therefore a standard sized shipping container must be used to accommodate both the rigid adapter and reduced diameter disc.

What is needed is a cost effective method and apparatus for shipping reduced diameter discs that assures the end user will be able to use the reduced diameter disc in a slot drive designed exclusively for a standard diameter disc.

Apple’s Summary

The invention described provides for a cost effective method and apparatus for shipping reduced diameter discs that assures that the end user will be able to use such reduced diameter discs in a slot drive designed exclusively for a standard diameter disc.

In one embodiment, a compactable memory disc adapter is described. In an expanded state, the compactable memory disk adapter can be used to play a reduced diameter memory disc in a slot drive designed exclusively for a standard diameter disc. Alternatively, in a compacted state, the compactable memory disc adapter provides a footprint commensurate with a reduced diameter disc footprint.

In another embodiment, a method of playing a reduced diameter memory disc in a slot interface designed exclusively for a standard diameter memory disc is described. If a memory disc adapter is in a compacted state, then the memory disc adapter is expanded. Once the memory disc adapter is expanded, the reduced diameter memory disc is provided and placed onto the expanded memory disc adapter, and then inserted into the slot interface.

In yet another embodiment, a method of shipping a reduced diameter disc that assures that an end user can play the reduced diameter disc in a slot interface design exclusively for a standard diameter disc is described. A compactable memory disc adapter in a compacted state and a reduced diameter disc are provided. The reduced diameter disc and compacted memory disc adapter are placed in a container having a size commensurate with a reduced diameter disc footprint.

In still another embodiment, a compactable disc adapter includes a substrate capable of effectively extending the diameter of a disc having a compacted position and an extended position. In the compacted position, the substrate has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the disc and in the extended position the substrate diameter is greater than the diameter of the disc.

Exemplary Compactable Memory Disc Adapter

Apple’s patent FIG. 2, shown below, illustrates an exemplary compactable memory disc adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration.

The compactable memory disc adapter includes a first portion (202) and a second portion (204) coupled via joints (206). It should be noted that although two joints are shown, it is contemplated that any number of joints can be used. Once portions 202 and 204 are suitably coupled they form the expanded adapter 200 having an inner diameter (208) and outer diameter (210). The inner diameter (208) is consistent with that of a reduced diameter disc and the outer diameter (210) is consistent with the standard diameter memory disc.

The compactable memory disc adapter can exist in several different embodiments. In Apple’s patent FIG. 3 shown here to your right; they illustrate one such embodiment in which two separated portions 302 and 304 are mated together via a locking mechanism to form the expanded memory disc adapter 200. For example, such a locking mechanism can include tabs 306 and 308 that when mated with corresponding tab receivers 310 and 312 form the expanded memory disc adapter 200. Again it should be noted that such an embodiment could be implemented with any number of portions and corresponding locking mechanisms along the lines described above. It should be noted that when in a compacted configuration the portions 302 and 304 are stacked one atop the other in such a way as to have a reduced footprint.

A Telescopic Compactable Memory Disc Adapter

In Apple’s patent FIG. 5 they illustrate a telescopic compactable memory disc adapter in accordance with another embodiment of the invention in an expanded configuration 500 and a compacted configuration 501. As shown in FIG. 5 the telescopic memory disc adapter includes a number of sliding overlapping sections 502-1 through 502-N (where N is the number of sections) that provide for expansion or compaction as required. For example, in the case where N=3, an intermediate section 502-2 immediately adjacent to the sections 502-1 and 502-3 can be telescopically extended from the overlapping section 502-1. Section 502-3 can then be telescopically extended from the section 502-2 and subsequently connected to 502-1 via a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a tab 504 on the section 502-1 and a corresponding tab receiver 506 on the section 502-3.

FIG. 6 shows an assembly (600) illustrating the expanded memory disc adapter (200) receiving the reduced diameter disc (602) with outer diameter (208). The disc (602) is placed within the region defined by the diameter (208) and then rigidly connected to the adapter (200). The assembly 600 can then be inserted into the memory disc player 100 by way of the slot 102. In this way the reduced diameter disc (602) can then be played in the memory disc player (100). It should be noted that although shown in terms of the memory disc adapter (200), the assembly (600) can include any appropriate embodiment of the adapter such as that of memory disc adapter (500) shown in FIG. 5, above.

Apple’s patent FIG. 7 shows an assembly 700 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The assembly 700 includes a container 702 having a size commensurate with the disc 602 suitable for shipping both the reduced diameter disc 602 and the compacted memory disc adapter together. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the memory disc adapter is configured so as to fit within the footprint of the container 702.

As noted in the reports opening paragraph, Apple’s exemplary embodiment of a memory disc player is actually that of a Mac Mini like device, as shown below.

Apple lists Anthony M. Fadell (Portola Valley, CA) as the sole inventor of this patent which was originally filed in May 2006.

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Written and researched by Neo.