Patents Assigned to M-System Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20020108014
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling a fast wake-up of a flash memory system, without compromising the integrity of the flash data structures and without risking loss of data. This is achieved by storing translation tables in the flash, but adding some means for the software to invalidate them in a way that is detectable whenever reading them. Possible implementations include adding a checksum value that makes the sum of all entries equal some fixed known value, or adding a validity flag to the stored tables, enabling the tables to be invalidated at will. In addition, one should ask the application software to call a specific function in the translation layer before shutting the system down. The present invention enables fast wake-ups when the application software made an orderly exit and made us store the tables. In the case an orderly exit was not made, the present invention commands a regular wake-up procedure, thereby ensuring data integrity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: M-SYSTEMS FLASH DISK PIONEERS LTD.
    Inventor: Menahem Lasser
  • Publication number: 20020039418
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: FORTRESS U&T Div. M-SYSTEMS FLASH DISK PIONEERS LTD.
    Inventors: Itai Dror, Carmi David Gressel, Michael Mostovoy, Alexey Molchanov
  • Patent number: 6360321
    Abstract: A secure computer system including a host computer unit having embedded in a single package, a host CPU, and an authenticating and security controlling computer, a verification unit and a smart card accepting connector providing a public-key protected communication channel between the authenticating and security controlling computer and the verification unit, in a first mode of operation of the secure computer system, and between the host CPU, via the authenticating and security controlling computer, and a smart card, via smart cord terminal, in a second mode of operation of the secure computer system, wherein communication between the authenticating and security controlling computer and the smart card terminal is unmediated, and wherein the verification unit is operative to verify the identity of the authenticating and security controlling computer in the first mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd.
    Inventors: Carmi David Gressel, Ran Granot
  • Patent number: 6324537
    Abstract: A device, a method and a system for providing control of access to data which is stored in an electronic data storage device. The device, method and system enable various types of permissions to be set for determining access to the stored data, such that if an attempt is made to access particular data which does not have a suitable permission type, access is denied. Preferably, the present invention is implemented as an access control device, such as a chip for example, which more preferably controls all access to the data storage device. This implementation is preferred, since such electronic devices are more difficult to “hack” for access by an unauthorized user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd.
    Inventor: Dov Moran
  • Patent number: 6311272
    Abstract: This invention discloses a biometric method eliciting a migrating biometric characteristic from individuals, the method including storing at least first and second templates of at least one migrating biometric characteristic for each of a population of individuals, the first template being a reference sample of an individual's biometric characteristic and the second template being initially derived from the first template, and comparing an individual's first and second templates to a fresh sample provided by the individual and, if the fresh sample is found to sufficiently resemble the first and second templates, modifying the second template to take into account differences between the reference sample and the fresh sample. A biometric system eliciting a migrating biometric characteristic from individuals is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd.
    Inventor: Carmi David Gressel
  • Patent number: 6148354
    Abstract: A storage unit made of flash array and a USB controller, is implemented to be compatible with then USB specification. The unit includes memory modules which can accept write commands and read commands and are erasable and non-volatile herein referred to as flash modules. The USB/flash controller is configured to provide USB functionality and compatibility alone with common flash operations such as programming reading and erasing the above mentioned components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Ban, Dov Moran, Oron Ogdan
  • Patent number: 5937425
    Abstract: A method for organizing a flash memory in which the size of the memory portion for reading or writing data, such as a block, differs from the size of the smallest portion for erasing, such as a unit. The method of the present invention is particularly useful for page-mode devices exemplified by the NAND and AND technologies, in order to enable these devices to be reorganized when no more unwritten physical units are available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd.
    Inventor: Amir Ban
  • Patent number: 5799168
    Abstract: A flash memory controller operates a flash memory array comprising a plurality of different types of flash memory chips. The CPU interacts with the array by issuing generic commands through a single Memory Technology Driver (MTD), while the controller translates the generic commands into commands specific to the chip comprising the portion of the array being addressed. The controller operates each of the flash chips which comprises the flash memory array, and presents to the CPU a memory system comprised of a single addressable entity. According to a further feature of the invention, the controller is embedded into each of the flash chips in an array in order to further reduce overhead costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd.
    Inventor: Amir Ban
  • Patent number: 5535357
    Abstract: A flash memory system having a controller and a flash memory device for providing BIOS, operating system and user storage capabilities is provided. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, flash memory systems can be designed as integrated circuit packages which are pin compatible with conventional ROM BIOS chips so that existing systems can be readily upgraded without extensive modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd.
    Inventors: Dov Moran, Rony Levy, David Deitcher, Arie Mergui, Amir Ban, Anatoly Yurtsev
  • Patent number: 5404485
    Abstract: The provision of a flash memory, virtual mapping system that allows data to be continuously written to unwritten physical address locations. The virtual memory map relates flash memory physical location addresses in order to track the location of data in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd.
    Inventor: Amir Ban