USB toys
Encyclopedia
USB toys are toy
s or gadget
s which draw their electrical power from the USB or Universal serial bus on a computer. They are also known as "office toy
s" or "cubicle toys".
through the USB port. Examples of these would be paper shredder
s and reading lamps. The fun toys have no practical use other than pure fun. Examples include USB missile launcher, USB boxer and USB whack it. These are especially popular in office environments as they provide an interesting distraction and can often relieve stress in a similar way to the classic 'stress ball'.
s) supply on a single wire from which connected USB devices may draw power. The specification provides for no more than 5.25V and no less than 4.35V between the +ve and -ve bus power lines. The USB connector was originally designed as a replacement for the serial
and parallel
ports
on computers. It was hoped that eventually a number of devices would be able to daisy chain together using the USB ports. The use of a USB port to power toys was probably not what they were intended for.
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
s or gadget
Gadget
A gadget is a small technological object that has a particular function, but is often thought of as a novelty. Gadgets are invariably considered to be more unusually or cleverly designed than normal technological objects at the time of their invention...
s which draw their electrical power from the USB or Universal serial bus on a computer. They are also known as "office toy
Office toy
An office toy or desk toy is a type of toy intended to sit on desks in an office environment.Office toys are raised and developed gradually according to needs from office workers in the market...
s" or "cubicle toys".
Types
There are, broadly, 2 categories for USB toys, useful toys and fun toys. Useful toys are gadgets which aim to fulfill a useful purpose but are of limited practicality due to the restrictions on the power supplyPower supply
A power supply is a device that supplies electrical energy to one or more electric loads. The term is most commonly applied to devices that convert one form of electrical energy to another, though it may also refer to devices that convert another form of energy to electrical energy...
through the USB port. Examples of these would be paper shredder
Paper shredder
A paper shredder is a mechanical device used to cut paper into chad, typically either strips or fine particles. Government organizations, businesses, and private individuals use shredders to destroy private, confidential, or otherwise sensitive documents...
s and reading lamps. The fun toys have no practical use other than pure fun. Examples include USB missile launcher, USB boxer and USB whack it. These are especially popular in office environments as they provide an interesting distraction and can often relieve stress in a similar way to the classic 'stress ball'.
Power supply
The USB specification provides a 5V (voltVolt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
s) supply on a single wire from which connected USB devices may draw power. The specification provides for no more than 5.25V and no less than 4.35V between the +ve and -ve bus power lines. The USB connector was originally designed as a replacement for the serial
Serial port
In computing, a serial port is a serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time...
and parallel
Parallel port
A parallel port is a type of interface found on computers for connecting various peripherals. In computing, a parallel port is a parallel communication physical interface. It is also known as a printer port or Centronics port...
ports
Computer port (hardware)
In computer hardware, a port serves as an interface between the computer and other computers or peripheral devices. Physically, a port is a specialized outlet on a piece of equipment to which a plug or cable connects...
on computers. It was hoped that eventually a number of devices would be able to daisy chain together using the USB ports. The use of a USB port to power toys was probably not what they were intended for.