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 fallback state.

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 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.

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 intengrity.

Abstract: A method for increasing information capacity in nominally m-bit-per-cell Flash technology, using advanced coding techniques and changes in the Flash array interface, without increasing the basic cell size or the bit read failure rate. The increase in information capacity is obtained by using a number n, greater than 1, of memory cells, each cell having a respective adjustable parameter, setting the parameters to collectively represent a binary number of b bits, b being greater than nm, measuring the parameters and decoding the measured parameters collectively to recover the number.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A flash memory system having a controller and a flash memory device for providing BIOS, operating system and user storage capabilities is described. 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.

Abstract: A scale comprising a regular arrangement of optically or magnetically different response characteristics such as light reflection and light diffusion portions or light reflection and absorption portions is attached to a moving object either directly or by way of an intermediate member. The scale can be attached to a motor or the like even after assembling with associated mechanical components, thereby enabling easy measurement of the mode of operation of the motor or similar movable objects. The light beam from the light emitting device is directed to the label media and the reflected light beam is received by a light receiving device to identify the individual object or product based on the label.

Abstract: Characteristic parameters of a torque of a stepping motor and its associated driving current or voltage are measured in advance to providetorque vs. characteristic information data representative of the torque vs. driving current/voltage characterisitcs. Then, the above characteristic parameters are measured again when a real load is applied to a stepping motor as installed with associated mechanical coupling components. An actual load torque is determined by referencing the subsequently measured characteristic parameters to the previously obtained torque vs. characteristic information data. A load inertia moment can be determined by subtracting the motor's rotor inertia moment from a determined inertia moment of the entire system. Efficiency of the motor can be determined by multiplying the output of the measured load torque by the nuber of revolutions per second thereof and dividing this by the power supplied to the motor or driving circuit.

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.