Abstract: A method and system for enhanced electronic delivery and sale of a content item. In order to speed delivery and avoid congestion of a delivery channel, a potential customer is identified and the item delivered prior to solicitation by the customer. Delivery is at a time when communication resources available prior to a critical time of peak demand. Delivery of the item may be enhanced via multicasting. Sale of the item is encouraged through one click context sensitive buying.

Abstract: A storage device comprising a memory and a processor configured to categorize each item of a plurality of items stored at the memory as one of high-use and low-use according to a corresponding usage likelihood. Each item is associated with a corresponding item entry and each item includes a corresponding file that is compressible. The processor is configured to modify the usage likelihood corresponding to one or more of the plurality of items based on aspects of the corresponding item. Each aspect has a corresponding aspect value based on contextual information and a respective weighting factor applied to the aspect value.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system including: (a) a host device including: (i) a cavity; and (ii) a socket, recessed in the cavity; and (b) a UFD configured to be reversibly operationally connected to the host device via the socket, wherein the UFD is configured to physically reside substantially in the cavity when the UFD is operationally connected to the socket. Also disclosed is a UFD system including: (a) a first part having components of a UFD, wherein the components include a primary connector and an electronics assembly; and (b) a second art having a UFD holder and a secondary connector, wherein the UFD holder is configured to reversibly accommodate the first part, wherein a dimension of the first part parallel to an insertion direction of the primary connector is shorter than a dimension of the second part parallel to an insertion direction of the secondary connector.

Abstract: A portable storage device includes a meclhanismn for receiving a value of an identification parameter from a receiving device, a non-volatile memory for storing digital content, a licensing policy, and a license for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the identification parameter, and a controller that is operative, in response to the identification parameter and the license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device, in accordance with the licensing policy.

Abstract: A card vending machine includes a storage area, wherein each of a plurality of memory cards to be issued by a respective one of at least two different issuers are stored. A security mechanism conditions access of each issuer to only a respective portion of the storage area upon authorization of this issuer. An interface mechanism is operated by a user to define a purchasing transaction and a controller is operative, in accordance with the interface mechanism, to customize a memory card at least in part according to the purchasing transaction.

Abstract: A SIM card including: (a) a first NVM for storing user data; and (b) a second NVM, separate from the first NVM, for storing management data related to the user data. Preferably, the first NYM is block-erasable and the second NVM is word-erasable erasable. Preferably, the first NVM is a flash memory and the second NVM is an EEPROM. Preferably, the management data includes a mapping table for mapping virtual addresses, of the first NVM, to physical device addresses Preferably, the user data and the management data are organized in a file system Most preferably, the management data includes at least one file allocation table. Most preferably, the management data includes at least one files directory, wherein at least one files directory includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of: a file name, a file size, a file attribute, and a physical address of a file sector.

Abstract: An electromechanical lock device includes a communication mechanism, wherein are received digital data include an instruction set of operational instructions; a controller that is operative to produce electric signals in association with the instruction set; an actuator that is responsive to the controller to perform a set of operations that correspond to the electronic signals; and a lock mechanism that is manipulated in response to the set of operations, such that the locking mechanism is operative to unlock according to a specific pre-defined set of operations. A token operationally interacts with the communication mechanism of the electromechanical lock device. Access to a location is controlled by blocking the access using such an electromechanical lock device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for a smart card including: a first card having a device; and a second card having an aperture that is configured to allow a device to be inserted into an aperture when the second card is properly aligned with the first card, thereby allowing a device to protrude into an aperture. Optionally, the first card includes an aperture, and the second card includes a device, so that an aperture of the first card accommodates a device of the second card when the first card is properly aligned with the second card. Optionally, the apertures and the devices are configured to allow a stack of a plurality of the first and second cards to be densely packed Optionally, a card includes a magnetic stripe, an electronic circuit, and/or an embedded electrically-conductive wire for operationally connecting a device to a connector.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-volatile flash memory device, including setting a first number of bits stored per cell for at least one first cell less than a second number of bits stored per cell for at least one second cell such that the setting permanently fixes the first number and the second number prior to shipping the device for use. Preferably the setting is based on predicted reliabilities of the cells. Preferably, the predicted reliability of the first cells is less than the predicted reliability of the second cells. Preferably, the setting is based on respective locations within the device of the first cells and the second cells. Preferably, the setting is based on respective word lines connecting to the first cells and the second cells.

Abstract: A datum is stored in a memory by placing a memory cell in a first state that is indicative of the datum, and later placing the same or a different cell in a second state that is indicative of the same datum. If a different cell is placed in the second state, both cells are programmed to store the same number of bits, and then preferably the first cell is erased. Preferably, the first cell is placed in the first state by the application thereto of a first train of voltage pulses until the cell's threshold voltage exceeds a first reference voltage, and the first or second cell is placed in the second state by the application thereto of a second train of voltage pulses until the cell's threshold voltage exceeds a second reference voltage.

Abstract: A method to personalize a computer environment of a computer system. The method includes storing at least a portion of a user profile in a portable storage medium, logging onto the computer system using a user identification and validating the user identification from a relevant user list by the computer system. The method also includes retrieving the portion from the portable storage medium and at least partially configuring the computer environment of the computer system according to the retrieved portion, by the computer system. A method is also included to provide personalized services to a user. This method includes storing at least a portion of a user profile in a portable storage medium and retrieving the portion from the portable storage medium by a web server. This method additionally includes at least partially configuring an Internet service according to the retrieved portion by said web server.

Abstract: Devices, methods and computer-readable code for simultaneously monitoring the content of at least two streaming audio content channels are disclosed. In some embodiments, the monitored content is analyzed, and one or more features of the monitored content channels are computed, including but not limited to music classification features, content genre features, and spoken content features. These computed features may be used, for example, to compute a rating or score for each monitored audio channel, for example, a rating computed relative to user listening preferences, expressed, for example, in preference rules. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed device includes a channel selector for automatically tuning, for example, to a channel assigned a higher rating at a given time. Alternatively or additionally, content rating scores may be displayed to a user who manually selects and tunes to an audio content channel.

Abstract: A reversible connector for coupling with a USB A-type standard connector, including a first set of four electrical contacts deployed on a first slidingly retractable block and a second set of four electrical contacts deployed on a second slidingly retractable block, the contacts configured such that in a first coupling orientation of the reversible connector with the standard connector, the second block retracts so that only the first set of electrical contacts is mechanically connected with the contacts of the standard connector and in a second coupling orientation of the reversible connector with the standard connector, the first block retracts so that only the second set of electrical contacts is mechanically connected with the contacts of the standard connector.

Abstract: A card device has a generally rectangular body formed from flexible material and including electronic circuitry electrically connected to a set of electrical contacts. At least part of the card device is flexed, bent or folded in such a manner that the inherent resilience of the card material provides a force for pressing the set of contacts against the electrical contacts of a USB receptacle.

Abstract: Sectors of data are stored in a non-volatile memory by writing all the sectors in a first order and subsequently writing all the sectors in a different, second order that is determined prior to the second writing. Sectors are stored in a non-volatile memory by writing the sectors using a first set of write operations and again writing the sectors using a second set of write operations that write one or more of the sectors twice. The first set writes each sector only once and the second set writes the sectors from outside the memory. The first set writes in a mode that couples the cells of the memory less than the second set. The first set writes less reliably than the second set.

Abstract: A digital appliance, such as a digital camera, an MP3 player or a digital voice recorder, uses a memory card to store data. The appliance and the card use USB interfaces for appliance-card communication. When the appliance is connected to a host computer directly or via a passive USB cable, a switch within the appliance automatically establishes host-card communication for reading and/or writing data. In another embodiment, the switch can also connect the host to the appliance for configuration or operation. In another embodiment, the memory card temporarily stores data to be exchanged between the host and the appliance.

Abstract: A reversible connector for coupling with a USB A-type standard connector, including a first set of four electrical contact regions and a second set of four electrical contact regions, the contact regions configured such that in a first coupling orientation of the reversible connector with the standard connector, only the first set of electrical contact regions is mechanically connected with the contacts of the standard connector and in a second coupling orientation of the reversible connector with the standard connector, only the second set of electrical contact regions is mechanically connected with the contacts of the standard connector. Also provided are corresponding reversible USB devices and appliances based upon the aforementioned reversible connectors.

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.