Abstract: A plurality of memory cells are managed by obtaining values of one or more environmental parameters of the cells and adjusting values of one or more reference voltages of the cells accordingly. Alternatively, a statistic of at least some of the cells, relative to a single reference parameter that corresponds to a control parameter of the cells, is measured, and the value of the reference voltage is adjusted accordingly. Examples of environmental parameters include program-erase cycle count, data retention time and temperature. Examples of reference voltages include read reference voltages and program verify reference voltages. Examples of statistics include the fraction of cells whose threshold voltages exceed initial lower bounds or initial medians.

Abstract: A method includes exchanging information between a local web-server of a local storage device and a remote web-server through a network. The exchange of the information is initiated autonomously by the local storage device upon a determination by the local web server that the information is not stored at the local storage device.

Abstract: A method includes storing at a non-volatile memory in a data storage device a first copy of a memory management table. The method further includes storing, at the non-volatile memory, a list of data entries that identify unused blocks of the non-volatile memory, where the list defines an order of allocating the unused blocks. The method further includes, in response to detecting a power event, accessing an entry of the ordered list to identify a block, and selectively updating the first copy of the memory management table based on a status of the identified block.

Abstract: A method for writing into a flash memory device includes calculating a physical block for writing data thereto, checking whether the calculated physical block has been erased since a last power-up of the device and if it has been erased writing the data, or, if it has not been erased performing a refresh operation thereby obtaining a newly erased block since a last power-up that the data can be written to. The newly erased block may be the calculated block or another block of the flash memory.

Abstract: A method in which non-volatile memory device is accessed using voltages which are customized to the device, and/or to portions of the device, such as blocks or word lines of non-volatile storage elements. The accessing can include programming, verifying or reading. By customizing the voltages, performance can be optimized, including addressing changes in threshold voltage which are caused by program disturb. In one approach, different sets of storage elements in a memory device are programmed with random test data. A threshold voltage distribution is determined for the different sets of storage elements. A set of voltages is determined based on the threshold voltage distribution, and stored in a non-volatile storage location for subsequent use in accessing the different sets of storage elements. The set of voltages may be determined at the time of manufacture for subsequent use in accessing data by the end user.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device is accessed using voltages which are customized to the device, and/or to portions of the device, such as blocks or word lines of non-volatile storage elements. The accessing can include programming, verifying or reading. By customizing the voltages, performance can be optimized, including addressing changes in threshold voltage which are caused by program disturb. In one approach, different sets of storage elements in a memory device are programmed with random test data. A threshold voltage distribution is determined for the different sets of storage elements. A set of voltages is determined based on the threshold voltage distribution, and stored in a non-volatile storage location for subsequent use in accessing the different sets of storage elements. The set of voltages may be determined at the time of manufacture for subsequent use in accessing data by the end user.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of transferring data over a plurality of communication lines is described. A first command is sent from a master device coupled with the communication lines to a first destination slave device coupled with the communication lines instructing the first destination slave device to listen to and write data from the communication lines starting at a first time. A second command is sent from the master device to a second source slave device coupled with the communication lines instructing the second source slave device to read and output first data onto the communication lines starting at or after the first time. In this way, the first data output from the second source slave device beginning at the first time is stored by the first destination slave device beginning at the first time without requiring first transferring the data to the master device or any other device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of aggregating content are disclosed. A data storage device includes a host interface, a controller coupled to the host interface, and a memory array coupled to the controller. The host interface is configured to enable the data storage device to be operatively coupled to the host device. First content includes a reference to a source of second content to be embedded in the first content. The first content is retrievable via access to a resource. Upon retrieval, the reference is replaced by the second content such that the second content is embedded in the first content. The controller is configured to receive data of the resource, such received data including the second content embedded in the first content.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of aggregating content are disclosed. A method includes, at an aggregation server coupled to a communication network, receiving a first request to provide content to a mobile device via the communication network. The first request identifies a first network resource address. The method includes retrieving first content associated with the first request. The first content identifies second content to be embedded in the first content when the first content is displayed at a browser of the mobile device, and the second content is associated with a second network resource address. The method includes retrieving the second content prior to sending the first content to the mobile device. The method also includes sending the second content embedded in the first content to the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods responsive to a data file deletion instruction are disclosed. A method includes receiving an instruction to delete a data file. The data file is stored at a plurality of persistent memory cells of a memory. The memory also stores a directory that includes a first entry corresponding to the data file. In response to receiving the instruction to delete the data file, multiple attribute bits of the first entry are programmed and also a first bit of the first entry is programmed. The first bit of the first entry is distinct from the multiple attribute bits. Programming the multiple attribute bits converts the first entry from a first entry type to a second entry type. Programming the first bit of the first entry indicates that the first entry has an unused status.

Abstract: A peripheral device of a host computer includes a microcontroller and two virtual devices. The first virtual device passes, to the microcontroller, commands of a first command set from any user of the host computer and preferably also commands of a second command set from only privileged users of the host computer. The second virtual device passes, to the microcontroller, commands of the second set from any user of the host computer. In one physical implementation of the invention, the two virtual devices are implemented as separate physical devices, and the second device is connected to an interface to the host computer only if the user is not privileged. In another physical implementation of the invention, the two virtual devices are implemented in a common physical device, and a sector of a memory of the peripheral device is reserved for handling commands of the second set from non-privileged users.

Abstract: A method enables a storage device to autonomously (i.e., without intervention of a host device) determines whether an integral sequence of commands, which is related to one or more storage commands issued by the host device, is in a certain state (i.e., it is “active” or “inactive”) or is transitioning from “active” state to “inactive” state, or from “inactive” state to “active” state. Depending on the determined state or transition, the storage device determines whether to refrain from executing Extra-Sequence (“ESQ”) operations and permit executing Intra-Sequence (“ISQ”) operations, or vice versa.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a memory card structure having an edge connector portion. The edge connector portion has a thickness that complies with a memory card specification. The data storage device also includes an electrical connector portion of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) compatible receptacle or of an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 1394 compatible receptacle. The electrical connector portion is attached within the edge connector portion of the memory card structure to remain stationary with respect to the memory card structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods of finalizing a semiconductor memory are disclosed. A method includes receiving an instruction to finalize data at a data storage device that includes a controller coupled to a semiconductor memory. The data storage device also includes a status indicator to indicate a finalize status of the semiconductor memory. In response to receiving the instruction to finalize the data at the data storage device, the status indicator is set to a finalize value. Write to the semiconductor memory operations are prevented by the controller in response to the status indicator having the finalize value.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector and a card holder associated with the first USB connector. A controller including a USB host interface is coupled to the first USB connector. A housing enclosing the controller and at least partially enclosing the card holder has an opening that is dimensioned to enable insertion of a memory card into the card holder. The first USB connector is configured to connect to a second USB connector of the memory card when the memory card is inserted into the card holder.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method and device for implementing error-correction code (ECC) in flash memory. The present invention discloses methods which utilize a modified ECC algorithm, and a flash memory device which incorporates these methods.

Abstract: A user interface apparatus includes a display device, display application, and processor. The display device includes a display area, and the display area includes an active area. The processor and display application are configured to display application stacks, each of which may be moved into and out of the active area in response to user input, and each of which contains one or more stack cards. Each application stack is associated with a computer application, and each stack card represents a content entity capable of being operated on by the computer application corresponding to its application stack. When an application stack is in the active area the application stack is activated such that its stack cards are displayed in sequence and at least one of them may be selected. Selecting a stack card causes the corresponding computer application to be executed and to operate on the corresponding content entity.

Abstract: A storage device is provided. The storage device includes a memory that includes interleaved fast and slow pages and a controller. In response to a command from a host of the storage device the controller stores fast-reading data in the memory. If the fast and slow pages alternate, the controller stores the fast-reading data in the first pages alternately with filler data in the low pages, and if contiguous pluralities of the fast and slow pages alternate, the controller stores the fast reading data in the contiguous pluralities of the fast pages alternately with the filler data in the contiguous pluralities of the slow pages.

Abstract: A portable data storage device (such as a USB flash drive) including a housing shaped to facilitate a reversible packaging of at least one such portable data storage device into an object having a shape of a ring, preferably having dimensions of a standard CD ROM, a non-volatile memory within the housing for storing digital information, and a connecting mechanism protruding from the housing for reversibly operationally connecting the non-volatile memory to a host. The housing includes a mechanism for reversibly packaging together the portable data storage device to other such portable data storage devices. The scope of the invention also includes a method of distributing such portable data storage devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reading data are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a data storage device includes a host interface that is adapted to couple the data storage device to a host. The host includes memory that is addressable by a host memory address space. The data storage device also includes a device address space that is independent from the host memory address space. The device address space includes a first address region and a second address region, where the second address region is distinct from the first address region. The data storage device also includes a non-volatile memory array and a controller coupled to the non-volatile memory array and further coupled to a mapped device. The controller is adapted to, in response to a first request from the host for access to the first address region of the device address space, perform a memory access operation at the non-volatile memory array.