Abstract: A portable mass storage device is used to store large files such as digital pictures, movies and music. The mass storage device has firmware with security mechanisms that limit access to read write operations to ensure reliable operation of the device to prevent unwanted copying or storing of secure content such a copyrighted material. Although the security mechanisms generally limit access, the firmware is operable to work with a virtual machine and allows the virtual machine to access the secure content and work in conjunction with the firmware to read and write data to the mass storage memory, if the virtual machine is present. The virtual machine is either loaded but not activated at the time of manufacture, or is downloaded and activated post manufacture. Any royalty for the virtual machine is paid for only if and when the virtual machine is both present and activated in the device.

Abstract: A method for accessing content is provided. In this method, information from a first memory device is retrieved. A parameter is generated based on the information and an account on a second memory device is accessed based on the parameter. The second memory device is configured to store the content and the account is associated with the content. The first and second memory devices are configured to be removably coupled to a computing device.

Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory configured to store information. The memory device also includes a memory controller in communication with the memory. The memory controller is configured to encrypt the information to define a parameter and access an account on a second memory device based on the parameter to gain access to content. The content is stored in the second memory device and the memory device and the second memory device are configured to be removably coupled to a computing device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently enabling firmware associated with a flash memory card to be updated are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for updating firmware associated with a memory storage device includes providing new firmware to a host and sending the new firmware from the host to a reader which communicates with the host. The reader interfaces with the memory storage device which includes installed firmware. The method also includes sending the new firmware from the reader to the memory storage device, and incorporating the new firmware into the memory storage device such that the new firmware at least partially replaces the installed firmware. In one embodiment, the method further includes embedding the new firmware into a first command. In such an embodiment, sending the new firmware from the host to the reader includes sending the first command from the host to the reader.

Abstract: A method and system for booting a microprocessor controlled device. A microprocessor that is designed to read from a linear storage device executes code from a non linear storage device through an interface or emulator that writes and retrieves specially formatted boot instructions to/from the non linear storage device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining an average erase count in a system memory of a non-volatile memory system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining an average number of times each block of a number of blocks within a non-volatile memory of a memory system has been erased includes obtaining an erase count for each block that indicates a number of times each block has been erased. Once all the erase counts have been obtained, the erase counts are summed, and an average erase count that indicates the average number of times each block of the number of blocks has been erased is created by substantially dividing the sum by the number of blocks.

Abstract: A secure software system for a portable device or computer that provides a simple interface to the device or computer and that retrieves and dynamically decrypts keys and content from a secure media while minimizing exposure of the keys and eliminating the need for manufacturers of the device or computer to create a their own system to manage these complex processes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently enabling firmware associated with a flash memory card to be updated are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for updating firmware associated with a memory storage device includes providing new firmware to a host and sending the new firmware from the host to a reader which communicates with the host. The reader interfaces with the memory storage device which includes installed firmware. The method also includes sending the new firmware from the reader to the memory storage device, and incorporating the new firmware into the memory storage device such that the new firmware at least partially replaces the installed firmware. In one embodiment, the method further includes embedding the new firmware into a first command. In such an embodiment, sending the new firmware from the host to the reader includes sending the first command from the host to the reader.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently enabling pages within a block to be accessed are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for writing data into a first block in a non-volatile memory which includes pages that are grouped into groups which each include two or more pages involves determining when a first group is available to receive the data. When it is determined that the first group is available to receive the data, the data is written into a first page included in the first group. The method also includes determining when a second group is available to receive the data if it is determined that the first group is not available to receive the data, and writing the data into a second page included in the second group when it is determined that the second group is available to receive the data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allow different mapping implementations, including a many-to-one logical to physical block mapping, to be used within a memory system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for mapping a plurality of logical blocks to a physical block includes identifying a first logical block meets at least one criterion. The method also includes identifying a second logical block which is substantially complementary to the first logical block, and providing contents associated with the first logical block and contents associated with the second logical block to the physical block.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining which of a plurality of physical blocks associated with a logical block is more recently associated with the logical block are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for resolving associations of a first physical block and a second physical block to a logical block associated with a non-volatile memory system includes obtaining a first identifier associated with the first physical block and obtaining a second identifier associated with the second physical block. The identifiers are compared to ascertain whether the first identifier indicates that the first physical block is more recently associated with the logical block. The method also includes completing an operation arranged to provide contents associated with the logical block to the first physical block when it is determined that the first identifier indicates that the first physical block is more newly associated with the logical block.

Abstract: A secure software system for a portable device or computer that provides a simple interface to the device or computer and that retrieves and dynamically decrypts keys and content from a secure media while minimizing exposure of the keys and eliminating the need for manufacturers of the device or computer to create a their own system to manage these complex processes.

Abstract: One or more rights objects (RO) files may be used for storing RO's preferably in the protected area available only to authenticated users. A RO navigation file is stored preferably in an unprotected public area containing status bits, where each status bit identifies whether a location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not. Preferably, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the location for a RO in a RO file and a location in the RO navigation file for the status bit which identifies whether its corresponding location in the RO file contains a valid RO or not. Whether a particular location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not can be found by checking its corresponding status bit in the RO navigation file. By finding out whether a particular location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not in this manner, it is possible to delete ROs without having to go through an authentication process. The process of finding an empty slot in the RO file for storing a new RO is also simplified.

Abstract: One or more rights objects (RO) files may be used for storing RO's preferably in the protected area available only to authenticated users. A RO navigation file is stored preferably in an unprotected public area containing status bits, where each status bit identifies whether a location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not. Preferably, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the location for a RO in a RO file and a location in the RO navigation file for the status bit which identifies whether its corresponding location in the RO file contains a valid RO or not. Whether a particular location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not can be found by checking its corresponding status bit in the RO navigation file. By finding out whether a particular location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not in this manner, it is possible to delete ROs without having to go through an authentication process. The process of finding an empty slot in the RO file for storing a new RO is also simplified.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a power up process of a non-volatile memory to occur efficiently are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for utilizing a memory system that has a non-volatile memory with at least one reserved memory area includes providing power to the memory system, initializing the non-volatile memory, and writing a first signature into the reserved memory area. The first signature is arranged to indicate that the memory system was successfully initialized. In one embodiment, the method also includes executing a power down process on the memory system, and writing a second signature into the reserved memory area which indicates that the power down process has been executed.

Abstract: A system for booting a microprocessor controlled system wherein a basic interface between the processor and peripheral devices is copied from an application and file storage device into random access memory without usage of the microprocessor or need for a non-volatile code storage device.

Abstract: The memory device contains control structures that allow media content to be stored securely and distributed in a manner envisioned by the content owner, or service providers involved in the distribution. A wide variety of different avenues become available for distributing media content using such memory devices, such as where the devices contain one or more of the following: abridged preview media content, encrypted unabridged media content, prepaid content, rights and/or rules governing access to such content. The memory device has a type of control structures that enable a service provider (who can also be the content owner) to create a secure environment for media content distribution where end users and terminals register with the service provider, and gain access to the content in a manner controlled by the service provider. The various components to be loaded (e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allow different mapping implementations, including a many-to-one logical to physical block mapping, to be used within a memory system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for mapping a plurality of logical blocks to a physical block includes identifying a first logical block meets at least one criterion. The method also includes identifying a second logical block which is substantially complementary to the first logical block, and providing contents associated with the first logical block and contents associated with the second logical block to the physical block.

Abstract: The memory device contains control structures that allow media content to be stored securely and distributed in a manner envisioned by the content owner, or service providers involved in the distribution. A wide variety of different avenues become available for distributing media content using such memory devices, such as where the devices contain one or more of the following: abridged preview media content, encrypted unabridged media content, prepaid content, rights and/or rules governing access to such content. The memory device has a type of control structures that enable a service provider (who can also be the content owner) to create a secure environment for media content distribution where end users and terminals register with the service provider, and gain access to the content in a manner controlled by the service provider. The various components to be loaded (e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a power up process of a non-volatile memory to occur efficiently are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for utilizing a memory system that has a non-volatile memory with at least one reserved memory area includes providing power to the memory system, initializing the non-volatile memory, and writing a first signature into the reserved memory area. The first signature is arranged to indicate that the memory system was successfully initialized. In one embodiment, the method also includes executing a power down process on the memory system, and writing a second signature into the reserved memory area which indicates that the power down process has been executed.