Our idea is to add a small memory chip to the device itself or its cable. The chip contains drivers and software specifically for the main device. The chip serves as an additional storage device connected parallel with the main one: thus, when users plug their camera or player into the PC, the computer actually detects two devices: the gadget itself and a storage device that contains all the software and drivers. In technical words, we strive to implement a combination of a hub, such as a USB hub or other types, and a storage device connected to the hub, between the portable device and the computer. This combination can be shipped as an external device, as in the following picture, or as a chip built into the portable device cable or the device itself. For devices that support mass storage device interface (i.e. digital cameras) internal device memory or memory cards may be used.

The chip may store drivers or additional software for different platforms or any type of peripheral portable (digital cameras, audio and video players etc.) or non-portable (printers and scanners) devices.



Thus, the user doesn't need to insert any storage media (e.g. a software CD) into his computer. Since modern operating systems support USB flash autorun, the drivers and the software may be installed immediately after user plugged his peripheral device in. Using our concept, peripheral and non-peripheral devices manufacturers may improve users experience with their products.

Many devices today need connecting to a computer to get most out of their functionality. On their PCs, users can enhance shots taken from digital cameras, edit digital camcorder videos, organize the contact lists in their cell phones, copy media files to their portable players, and create playlists. In fact, some of those functions are built into the devices. Thus, digital photo cameras with embedded image editing software are available on the market. However, usability and functionality of such software are limited by the capabilities of these portable devices: small size and moderate CPU performance. Because any functionality is of little use if the user is unable to easily take advantage of it, such as mobile devices that don't have a mouse or a keyboard, the personal computer remains the center of a user's mobile universe despite all built-in functions.

The devices mentioned previously, as well as USB Wi-Fi cards, DVD recorders, and so forth, need a driver installed on the computer to start working with the device as well as additional software, such as photo editing software for photo cameras. All of this is absolutely essential to achieve the best results. Now these drivers and programs come on a CD. However, the problem is that many users would like to access all of the device capabilities whenever and wherever the person is close to a computer, such as while visiting their friends at the office or traveling. At the same time, users do not want to carry the driver CD with them everywhere?thus, even in the modern world where computers are everywhere, users often have to deal with the programs and interfaces embedded in the devices to do things that can easily be accomplished on a PC if the user has the drivers and software.

Moreover, those CDs became a limiting factor for portable devices' distributors and manufacturers. Despite the fact that modern mobile devices are actually smaller than a CD, it's impossible to make a package smaller, because the manufacturers still need to put the disk in. So the CD size often defines the package size.

We should also mention the factor of software updates, which are not CD-friendly as well. The user cannot update his software CD, unless he or she is willing to burn his/her own CD-Rs with newer software versions.

Instead of those troublesome CDs, VicMan offers a new OEM software shipment scheme which is free of those problems and inconveniences.

Our software shipment scheme is a combination of the following features:

• Flash memory-based hardware that can work as a stand alone device of the USB flash size or implemented as a small chip integrated into any peripheral device.
• New methods of the software licensing and distribution.

Together they offer the user and manufacturer a new concept: carry your drivers and your software within your peripheral device;

Imagine, for example, a device of the size of the USB flash drive, which can be clipped onto typical USB cable. This device will add software and drivers storage to every USB-enabled portable device. Just plug your camera into the USB port, and you can install the driver immediately, update it, or, for example, start the image editing software directly from this USB device, without any installation or need to look for the CD with the license key printed on it.

Or, what if you just bought a new mp3 player? Of course, you can carry it with you everywhere, but can you carry a software CD with you? Not likely. Now, with the help of our small invention, you can plug the player into the USB port, say, in Internet cafe, download your favorite songs, and start editing your playlists, or sort those new songs, with help of the software you can always find inside your player.

In short, our inventions present the following advantages:

For digital cameras, audio and video players:

• Smaller package size (no CD required), which is important for portable devices,
• Easier transport with the device
• Easy and efficient update of the software and drivers every time users connect to the Internet
• No worries about the license key or illegal software usage. The device and the new method of software distribution allow users to access the software whenever they go.

For non-portable devices, such as printers and scanners, consider the following:

• The software and drivers can be updated every time the computer, which uses the device, connects to the Internet.
• If you change the computer that uses the peripheral device, such as a scanner, or move your printer to a new office, you do not need to look for a CD with the driver or hastily connect to the Internet to search for the manufacturer's web site: the scanner has everything you need right here inside it.