Abstract: A portable storage device including a microprocessor and a secure user data area, the microprocessor operable to perform on-the-fly encryption/decryption of secure data stored on the storage device under a user password, the microprocessor also operable to exclude access to the secure user data area unless the user password is provided.

Abstract: A microelectronic apparatus and method for generating random binary words including at least one clocked pseudorandom binary number sequence generator normally operative to generate a cyclic output sequence of binary numbers, each number including a string of binary symbols, the cyclic output sequence including a basic sequence which is generated repeatedly, at least one bit stream generator generating a clocked bit stream including a stream of binary symbols of a first type occasionally interrupted by a binary symbol of a second type, wherein a first varying time interval between the occasional interruptions is intractably correlated to the output sequence of the number sequence generator, wherein each occurrence of an interruption of the stream of binary symbols of the first type by a binary symbol of the second type causes a pseudorandom modification of the cyclic output sequence of the number sequence generator and a sampling device operative to sample the cyclic output sequence of binary numbers thereby

Abstract: An extension of the serial/parallel Montgomery modular multiplication method with simultaneous reduction as previously implemented by the applicants, adapted innovatively to perform both in the prime number and in the GF(2q) polynomial based number field, in such a way as to simplify the flow of operands, by performing a multiple anticipatory function to enhance the previous modular multiplication procedures.

Abstract: An ASIC for implementing digital rights management includes a processor for requesting encrypted digital data from a server and decrypting the data, and a player for transforming the decrypted data to analog signals. Preferably, the ASIC is tamper-resistant. Preferably, all the management code of the ASIC is stored on a ROM in the ASIC. A device for receiving, decrypting and displaying encrypted digital data includes the ASIC, and also a transceiver for communicating with the server, a display mechanism for displaying the analog signals, and a nonvolatile memory for storing the encrypted data. A system for storing and displaying digital data includes both the server and the device. Preferably, the server is configured to send to the device only the encrypted digital data and associated decryption keys.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling concurrent usage of non-volatile memory for code execution and data storage/processing, comprising a hardware mechanism that can support automatic suspend and resume operations. This mechanism entails the integration of a suspend logic circuit and a resume logic circuit into the chip hardware, or the stationing of the logic chip in any way that it can operate together with the chip. This system and method enable a Flash memory chip to process code execution while it is processing erase/program operations, avoiding conflicts that ordinarily crash such a system. This is achieved by sensing the operation status of the chip and the CPU/Bus activity, and commanding the flash memory device to suspend and/or resume program/erase operations at appropriate times, so as not to conflict with read requests.

Abstract: An appliance that includes a host device and a memory unit with a primary memory, and a method of operating the appliance. According to one aspect of the appliance, the primary memory is nonvolatile and the memory unit also includes a volatile memory a power sensor and a controller. When the power sensor detects interruption of power to the memory unit, the controller copies data selectively from the volatile memory to the primary memory. Power for this copying is provided by a secondary power source such as a battery or a capacitor. According to another aspect of the appliance, the appliance includes primary and secondary power sources, and the memory unit also includes a charge pump whose functions include both boosting power from the primary source for the primary memory and charging the secondary source.

Abstract: A data storage device includes one or more non-volatile, blockwise erasable data storage media and a mechanism for sanitizing the media in response to a single external stimulus or in response to a predetermined physical or logical condition. Optionally, only part of the media is sanitized, at a granularity finer than the blocks of the medium. Setting a flag in an auxiliary nonvolatile memory enables an interrupted sanitize to be detected and restarted. Optionally, a “death certificate” verifying the sanitizing is issued. Preferably, the media are configured in a manner that allows atomic operations of the sanitizing to be effected in parallel.

Abstract: A method for managing page-based data storage media such as flash media, a system that uses that method, and a computer-readable storage medium bearing code for implementing the method. New data are written to the storage medium in a manner that precludes corruption of old data if the writing of the new data is interrupted. Specifically, risk zones are defined, by identifying, for each page, the other pages whose data are put at risk of corruption if writing to the page is interrupted. A page, that otherwise would be the target of a write operation, is not written if any of the pages in its risk zone contain data that could be corrupted if the write operation is interrupted.

Abstract: The present invention uses a portable memory device to directly or wirelessly interact with one or more host computing devices to provide a customized configuration for one or more aspects associated with a computing session. In particular, software on the portable device will automatically execute on the host computing device after the host computing device recognizes the presence of the portable device. The software provides instructions for the host computing device to launch a select program on the host computing device and provide a customized configuration for the program. The customized configuration is based on information stored on the portable device. As such, the portable device may automatically set preferred interface or program configurations personalized to the user. For example, the interface settings for a desktop, productivity, or browser application may be tailored as defined by information stored on the portable device.

Abstract: A method of managing the erasure of units of a flash memory. An indication is provided that an erasure of one or more units is pending, either before the units are erased or, in case of power loss, during the erasure. Subsequent to a completed erasure, an indication provided before an erasure is either erased or offset by an indication of a completed erasure. Upon powering up, or, in some embodiments, also prior to writing, the indications are inspected and units not completely erased are erased again. The present invention may be implemented in hardware, in firmware, in software, or in any combination of the three. In embodiments not totally reliant on software, appropriate non-volatile registers are provided, for storing the indications as erase pending flags and erase completed flags, and also for storing corresponding unit numbers.

Abstract: An integrated storage device, for storing a data package received wirelessly from a remote base station, includes a secondary non-volatile storage device, an antenna, a primary non-volatile storage medium, and a processor. The antenna is configured to receive the data package wirelessly from the remote base station. The antenna is also configured to receive electrical energy from the remote base station in order to power the secondary non-volatile storage device, such that, the secondary non-volatile storage device is accessible in order to store the data package. The primary non-volatile storage medium is only accessible when electrically connected to a power supply. The secondary nonvolatile storage device and the primary non-volatile storage medium are permanently operationally connected.

Abstract: A hardware accelerator for improving the decompression performance when decompressing data in Lempel-Ziv-Huffman compressed data format. The use of a Huffman encoding second stage in the popular and widely-used Lempel-Ziv-Huffman standard improves the compression ratio but complicates the decompression, because the Huffman encoding is applied selectively only to certain pails of the Lempel-Ziv tokens, and thus Huffman decoding must also be applied selectively during decompression. The present invention features a variable-length token decoder which is able to selectively decode the Huffman-encoded portions of the compressed data, and therefore enables high-performance decompression for compressed data having a very good compression ratio. Such an accelerator is well-suited for use in data processors which are to be loaded with pre-compressed data and software applications, particularly those employing flash memory.

Abstract: A method and system for archiving data. The data are classified according to their desired lifetime and then archived in a memory using a storage method whose reliability is in accordance with the desired lifetime. For example, when storing data in the cells of an EPROM, short-term data could be archived using larger programming voltage pulse increments than for long-term data, using a lower target threshold voltage than for long-term data, using wider programming voltage pulses than for long-term data, using higher starting programming voltages than for long-term data, using fewer programming voltage pulses than for long term data, using lower maximum programming voltages than for long term data, or using more levels per cell than for long-term data.

Abstract: A ruggedized file system, which provides ruggedness to non-volatile storage media at the device driver level. The ruggedized block device driver implementation provides ruggedness at the device driver level, thereby allowing atomic sequences of operations by the file system. Accordingly, the device driver is told that the current data state is a “fall-back” consistent state, into which the system should wake up if interrupted prior to completion of the sequence, following which operations are executed as required by the file system, including erasing, writing or overwriting blocks. The device driver is further told when the atomic sequence is complete, such that a new consistent state is thereby defined. It is, accordingly, the responsibility of the device driver to ensure that either the sequence completes and the file system reaches the target consistent state, or if power is lost or any other failure occurs in the middle, the file system will wake up in the initial fall-back state.

Abstract: A system and method for simplifying the testing and manufacturing process of multi-board solid-state storage systems. The system is constructed by placing secondary non-volatile memory components onto every board in multi-board system that carries primary solid-state components. This allows separate or independent testing of the boards, and final construction of the solid-state system by simply connecting these boards, without the need to either test the completely constructed system or to transfer geometry, faulty location and auxiliary records if the boards have been tested independently. The best mode of the invention is a solid-state storage system, wherein system data is stored on multiple boards, so that each board is a separate entity and can be attached, removed or replaced without additional steps for transferring the system information.

Abstract: An integrated storage device, for storing a data package received wirelessly from a remote base station, includes a secondary non-volatile storage device, an antenna, a primary non-volatile storage medium, and a processor. The antenna is configured to receive the data package wirelessly from the remote base station. The antenna is also configured to receive electrical energy from the remote base station in order to power the secondary non-volatile storage device, such that, the secondary non-volatile storage device is accessible in order to store the data package. The primary non-volatile storage medium is only accessible when electrically connected to a power supply. The secondary nonvolatile storage device and the primary non-volatile storage medium are permanently operationally connected.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling flash memory systems to support flash devices with pages that are larger than operating system data sector sizes, while not violating the device's specifications, and also optimizing performance. According to the present invention, the writing logic of a flash memory system must take into account the PPP limitations and page size of the device during sector write operations. The PPP influences the decision when to simply write the new data, and when to allocate a new page and copy previously existing data to the new page. According to the present invention, when a page contains more than one sector, the software makes the standard translation into physical address, but after finding the address, it examines the page containing that address, and counts the number of other sectors within the same page already containing data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an architectural development of a monolithic integrated circuit with dual public key cryptographic protected central processing units in a computing device, with large external non-volatile reprogrammable memory enabled to perform cryptographically controlled transactions for identification of persons, computers, and or mobile devices, for controlling access to physical and computational devices, for multivendor monetary transactions, and to serve as a safe depository of data, especially useful for encapsulating applications, programmed and updated by varied entitled programmers such that one or many vendors' applications are mutually exclusive, and virtually unable to corrupt, infringe, change or affect other vendor applications.

Abstract: This invention discloses apparatus and methods for accelerating processing, loading and unloading of data, from and to a plurality of memory addresses in a CPU having an accumulator, and to a memory-mapped coprocessing device for continuous integer computations.

Abstract: An improved method for affecting wear leveling in all units of a flash media, with a considerable decrease in usage of system resources. This is enabled by providing an algorithm that ensures that static areas do not remain static, and that the static data within them is guaranteed to move to other physical locations, such that wear leveling is achieved for all units. The method comprises: launching the wear leveling method once per some large number of write or erase operations done by the Flash data manager; selecting a unit in the media in a manner that successive selections will ultimately select all units; and moving the selected unit data to another free unit, and erasing the selected unit.