Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for communicating information in a light-based signal utilizing a fob device is disclosed. One method disclosed includes encoding transmission information data into a bar code format; generating a signal from the bar code format to simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static visual image of the bar code format; and actively transmitting the signal as light pulses from the fob device. Alternatively, commercial information data may be transmitted to a light-based data receiving device by generating a signal from commercial information data and actively transmitting the signal as light pulses from a fob device. Transmission information data may also be transmitted from a fob device by generating a first signal from a first encoded format; generating a second signal from a second encoded format; transmitting the first signal as light pulses from a fob device; and transmitting the second signal from the fob device.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for communicating information encoded in a bar code format between a mobile communications device and a bar code scanner. Transmission information data is encoded into a bar code format. A signal is generated from the bar code format to simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static visual image of the bar code format; and the signal is transmitted as light pulses from the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A user is provided with a secure database containing information in diverse categories that relates to the user and that may be represented at least in part in bar code form and communicated with light from a mobile communications device. The diverse information is obtained from any combination of a variety of vendor and governmental computer systems, internet service providers, and communications devices. The user has access to the database using a mobile communications device for displaying, managing, and entering information, and for communicating information in bar code form with light. The user first selects the category that contains the specific item of information, and then selects the specific item of information. The specific item of information then is communicated in bar code form with light from the mobile communications device for scanning by a bar code scanner to obtain the desired good or service.

Abstract: A handwriting capture system includes a portable electronic tablet that capture pen strokes made on a standard pad of paper and transfer the captured pen strokes to a digital image capture device such as a personal data assistant or PDA using infrared communications circuitry. The portable electronic tablet is battery powered, and the handwriting capture system includes an infrared activated power switch to extend the useful lifetime of the battery by power up the electronic tablet and infrared communications circuitry only when the system is in use and otherwise by powering off the electronic tablet and much of the communications circuitry, in a manner that is entirely transparent to the user. An IR activity detector remains powered up when the system generally is powered off, and also furnishes power to at least the receiver section of the IR transceiver.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for communicating information encoded in a bar code format between a mobile communications device and a bar code scanner. Transmission information data is encoded into a bar code format. A signal is generated from the bar code format to simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static visual image of the bar code format; and the signal is transmitted as light pulses from the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for communicating information encoded in a bar code format between a mobile communications device and a bar code scanner. Transmission information data is encoded into a bar code format. A signal is generated from the bar code format to simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static visual image of the bar code format; and the signal is transmitted as light pulses from the mobile communications device.

Abstract: Static display of a bar code on a display of a mobile communications device is disclosed. At least one element of the bar code is displayed on a mobile communications device in a color that is selected to be accepted or rejected by a bar code scanner. A second element can also be displayed in a second color that is selected to be rejected or accepted, respectively, by a bar code scanner.

Abstract: The note capture device enables a user of any type of image capture device to enjoy the advantages of handwritten notes while having access to the power and flexibility offered by standalone as well as networked computing devices for information storage, retrieval, modification, and communication. The major elements of the note capture device are a housing which contains preferably an electromagnetic digitizer tablet, a small notepad such as a Post-it® Notes product or a small paper pad overlying the region of the housing that contains the digitizer tablet, a pen that works in conjunction with the electromagnetic digitizer tablet in the housing, and a wireless or wired connection to a host computer. The notepad has a removable paper writing surface and the pen includes an inked tip of any desired type so that the user experiences a comfortable and familiar feel of pen/pencil on paper as he or she writes on the notepad.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for communicating information in a light-based signal utilizing a fob device is disclosed. One method disclosed includes encoding transmission information data into a bar code format; generating a signal from the bar code format to simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static visual image of the bar code format; and actively transmitting the signal as light pulses from the fob device. Alternatively, commercial information data may be transmitted to a light-based data receiving device by generating a signal from commercial information data and actively transmitting the signal as light pulses from a fob device. Transmission information data may also be transmitted from a fob device by generating a first signal from a first encoded format; generating a second signal from a second encoded format; transmitting the first signal as light pulses from a fob device; and transmitting the second signal from the fob device.

Abstract: A handwriting capture system combines an image capture device such as a PDA, notebook computer, set top box, smart television, or other type of smart appliance having an image capture capability and a built-in wireless transceiver, with an ink capture device such as, for example, a digital notepad using, for example, electromagnetic, resistivity, or laser digitizing technology and presenting a suitable writing surface such as, for example, a paper writing surface for conventional ink. Communications between the ink capture device and the image capture device is achieved with wireless technology.

Abstract: A user is provided with a secure database containing information in diverse categories that relates to the user and that may be represented at least in part in bar code form and communicated with light from a mobile communications device. The diverse information is obtained from any combination of a variety of vendor and governmental computer systems, internet service providers, and communications devices. The user has access to the database using a mobile communications device for displaying, managing, and entering information, and for communicating information in bar code form with light. The user first selects the category that contains the specific item of information, and then selects the specific item of information. The specific item of information then is communicated in bar code form with light from the mobile communications device for scanning by a bar code scanner to obtain the desired good or service.

Abstract: A low power recording devices permits various flexible power options, including a no-battery option in which the recording device satisfies its entire power requirements from the telephone wall socket and from the RS-232 socket of a computer, and a no-battery option in which the recording device satisfies its entire power requirements from the power source for the mobile telephone. Neither no-battery option exerts a significant additional load on the power source. Voice signals are digitized and stored in low power non-volatile memory. Facsimile signals either are digitized and stored in low power non-volatile memory, or are decoded and stored in low power non-volatile memory. An audio recording and playback capability through an integrated speaker-microphone pair is provided.

Abstract: A low power recording devices permits various flexible power options, including a no-battery option in which the recording device satisfies its entire power requirements from the telephone wall socket and from the RS-232 socket of a computer, and a no-battery option in which the recording device satisfies its entire power requirements from the power source for the mobile telephone. Neither no-battery option exerts a significant additional load on the power source. Voice signals are digitized and stored in low power non-volatile memory. Facsimile signals either are digitized and stored in low power non-volatile memory, or are decoded and stored in low power non-volatile memory. An audio recording and playback capability through an integrated speaker-microphone pair is provided.

Abstract: A memory (1) operative in an erase mode, a program mode, or a read mode includes a memory cell array, word lines (30, 40, 50, 60), a row decoder (9) connected to the word lines, bit lines (2, 4, 6, 8), a precharge circuit (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80) connected to the bit lines, a load circuit (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29) connected to the bit lines, and a sense circuit (12, 14, 16, 18) connected to the bit lines. The memory array includes both floating gate MOSFET transistors and switch MOSFET transistors arranged in groups associated with respective subsets of word lines and bit lines.

Abstract: A memory cell (510) suitable for an array of memory cells (100) has a source that is part of a buried bit line and a drain that is part of an adjacent buried bit line. The memory cell also includes a split gate arrangement (580) in which the gate is integral with the word line (120), with a part of the gate being the control gate of an EEPROM transistor which erases and programs on the principle of Fowler-Nordheim tunneling (560, 570), and another part of the gate being the control gate of a series select transistor. The memory cell is erased by placing a voltage on the word line which is positive relative to the bit line and the substrate and of sufficient magnitude to cause tunneling. The memory cell is programmed by placing a negative voltage on the word line and a voltage corresponding to the logical value on the bit line. The bit line voltage is sufficient to cause tunneling for one logical value, and insufficient to cause tunneling for the other logical value.

Abstract: A memory (1) operative in an erase mode, a program mode, or a read mode includes a memory cell array, word lines (30, 40, 50, 60), a row decoder (9) connected to the word lines, bit lines (2, 4, 6, 8), a precharge circuit (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80) connected to the bit lines, a load circuit (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29) connected to the bit lines, and a sense circuit (12, 14, 16, 18) connected to the bit lines. The memory array includes both floating gate MOSFET transistors and switch MOSFET transistors arranged in groups associated with respective subsets of word lines and bit lines.

Abstract: A magnetic media hard disk is emulated in a solid state hard disk having a disk controller, a data buffer, a microcontroller, and a disk emulator section. The disk emulator section includes a disk emulator interface and a memory array. The architecture of the memory array includes a number of memory banks which typically correspond to respective sectors of the emulated hard disk, but could correspond to respective groups of sectors of the emulated hard disk. Each of the memory banks has its own serial data line and its own serial clock line, and include a number of serial memory devices that connect to the bank serial data line and bank clock line with respective serial data and clock lines. Each of the serial memory devices also has a static address corresponding to a head address of the emulated hard disk.

Abstract: A single-transistor EEPROM device of the present invention comprises memory transistors in banks similar to NAND structures wherein the control gates of the memory transistors have negative voltages applied in various modes that allow reading, writing, and programming regardless of the V.sub.th of nonselected memory transistors in a bank. Programming and erasing results from various combinations of negative and positive voltages are used on the select gates together with positive voltages less than that alone which is necessary to induce Fowler-Nordheim tunneling are applied to the bit lines.

Abstract: A single-transistor non-volatile memory cell MOS transistor with a floating gate and a control gate using two levels of polysilicon and a tunnel dielectric that overlaps the drain area wherein a tunneling of charge can take place between the drain and the floating gate by means of a system of applied voltages to the control gate and drain.

Abstract: A single-transistor EEPROM device of the present invention comprises memory transistors in banks similar to NAND structures wherein the control gates of the memory transistors have negative voltages applied in various modes that allow reading, writing, and programming regardless of the V.sub.th of nonselected memory transistors in a bank. Programming and erasing results from various combinations of negative and positive voltages are used on the select gates together with positive voltages less than that alone which is necessary to induce Fowler-Nordheim tunneling are applied to the bit lines.