A USB decoration is a decorative device that uses the

Universal Serial Bus Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply (interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broad ...

(USB) connector for electrical power, and sometimes the protocol, on a

computer A computer is a machine that can be programmed to Execution (computing), carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as C ...

or other host. In addition, some lightweight devices (e.g., a small lamp on a gooseneck stalk) use the USB connector itself for mechanical support.

History

Decorative

computer peripheral A peripheral or peripheral device is an auxiliary device used to put information into and get information out of a computer. The term ''peripheral device'' refers to all hardware components that are attached to a computer and are controlled by the ...

s have been around for a long time; in the days of CPU front panels,

computer hackers A security hacker is someone who explores methods for breaching defenses and exploiting weaknesses in a computer system or network. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, such as profit, protest, information gathering, challenge ...

would sometimes use them for entertaining or amusing "

Blinkenlights Blinkenlights is a neologism for Blinkenlights#Actual blinkenlights, diagnostic lights usually on the front panels on old mainframe computers, minicomputers, many early microcomputers, and modern network hardware. It has been seen as a ske ...

" displays. Today, USB-powered decorations are the most prominently seen examples, since the popularity of

USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply (interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broad v ...

lets them operate on most modern computers. The USB standard can also be used to power devices via

AC adapter An AC adapter or AC/DC adapter is a type of external power supply, often enclosed in a case similar to an AC plug. Other common names include wall wart, power brick, wall charger, and power adapter. Adapters for battery-powered equipment may ...

s traditionally used for mobile devices, allowing manufacturers of these decorations worldwide compatibility without the need for any

power converter Power most often refers to: * Power (physics), meaning "rate of doing work" ** Engine power, the power put out by an engine ** Electric power * Power (social and political), the ability to influence people or events ** Abusive power Power may a ...

s for different socket form factors.

USB Interface

Many USB decorations do not use the communications features of the USB bus, or fully comply with USB standard power discipline. This can interfere with the purposes for which the USB bus was designed, especially if the device suddenly attempts to draw the full 500 mA of power nominally available. The default power consumption is only 100 mA, which should not impact the computer's

PSU PSU may refer to: Organizations Military *Police Support Unit, a paramilitary wing of the Zimbabwe Republic Police *Port Security Unit, a U.S. Coast Guard expeditionary force protection unit Political parties * Parti Socialiste Unifié (disambig ...

if a device is suddenly connected without identifying itself first. A newly connected device is supposed to then use the USB protocol to communicate a request for more DC power, if needed. Often, several decorations are connected to a single USB hub, which is limited to 400 mA if it has no external power connection and is drawing all its power from a host computer. With each device drawing 100 mA, it is therefore only possible to run four low-power decorations. If instead a USB hub has an external

power adapter An AC adapter or AC/DC adapter is a type of external power supply, often enclosed in a case similar to an AC plug. Other common names include wall wart, power brick, wall charger, and power adapter. Adapters for battery-powered equipment may ...

, it may be able to support much higher power loads. In many cases, the powered hub may not even need to be connected to a computer host, but can serve as a stand-alone power source for USB decorations that need only DC power.

Decorative usage

USB decorations may have no useful functionality other than aesthetic ornamentation. For example, lights, lighted cables, displays, miniature disco balls, aquariums, terrariums, waterfalls, and pole dancersThe Top 15 USB geek gadgets
/ref> are all available in USB-powered versions. Arguably, there are many USB-based decorations embedded in existing products—

keyboard Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

s with impractical backlighting (such as ones that only turn on while pressing a key, and ones that flash to the beat of a song),

mice A mouse ( : mice) is a small rodent. Characteristically, mice are known to have a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse (''Mus musculus' ...

that (when the computer is turned off) turn on/off their light to a pre-programmed beat, or printers that show random quotations on LCD screens when not in use. A similar concept exists in the form of decorations that are powered by car adapter plugs. USB adapters for automobiles (and built-in USB ports in newer models) can also power USB decorations. Some USB devices can even be jury rigged to work on 12 volts with a simple resistor, in which is the electrical opposite of converting a light-up ornament to a DIY USB decoration.

Functional semi-decorations

Some USB decorations have a non-passive and at least nominal practical purpose.

Nightlight A nightlight is a small light fixture, usually electrical, placed for comfort or convenience in dark areas or areas that may become dark at certain times, such as at night or during an emergency. Small long-burning candles serving a similar fun ...

s, cooling fans, typing speedometers, a beverage chiller, and nodding dogs that guard internet connectionsIn the Dog Pound with the USB Barking Dog
Everything USB are all examples of USB semi-decorations.

Flash drives A flash drive is a portable computer drive that uses flash memory. Flash drives are the larger memory modules consisting of a number of flash chips. A flash chip is used to read the contents of a single cell, but it can write entire block of cel ...

may similarly be themed for aesthetic or amusement value. Such devices can be viewed anthropologically as pocket-sized versions of the "decorated shed" architecture celebrated by Robert Venturi in his influential book, ''Learning from Las Vegas: the Forgotten Symbolism of Architectural Form''. Although these functional devices are not pure USB decorations, they still have prominent decorative aspects. Usually these types of devices are simple modifications of ordinary designs, with most or all of the power used for the main function, not for the decoration.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Usb Decoration USB Novelty items

History

USB Interface

Decorative usage

Functional semi-decorations

See also

References