Abstract: A memory includes a plurality of flash cells and circuitry for programming a first cell to store first data and one or more second cells to store second data. Either the circuitry itself, or a controller of the memory, or a host of the memory by executing driver code, causes the programming of the first cell to be in accordance with the second data, with at least a portion of the programming of the first cell being effected before any of the programming of the second cell(s).

Abstract: A storage device has two connectors for transferring data files: a first connector through which data files can be transferred at an accelerated speed, and a second connector through which data files can be transferred at a conventional speed. According to the present disclosure a user can select the speed (i.e., “normal speed” or “accelerated speed”) at which s/he wants to transfer a data file from a host to the storage device, and vice versa, by connecting the host to the proper connector of the storage device. The first connector is internally connected to a plurality of controllers that facilitate data transfers at the accelerated speed, and the second connector is internally connected to a controller that facilitates data transfers at the normal speed.

Abstract: A signed multiplication method and a corresponding device for multiplying a first multiplicand with a second multiplicand. The device stores the first multiplicand in a first register as a first vector of at least one respective digit and storing the second multiplicand in a second register as a second vector of at least one respective digit, each digit having a pre-determined number of bits. The method further converts the digits of the first vector and the second vector to corresponding digits of one bit less each than the pre-determined number of bits. A processor effects signed multiplication of the multiplicands.

Abstract: Techniques for rendering the management of processes supported by a storage device are described. In particular, the efficient allocation of storage array processing resources when managing concurrent processes on a storage array is described.

Abstract: A double-sided USB connector may include a first PCB that may provide a first set of electrical contacts on its first side and solder pads on its second side. The first PCB may further include a components side, solder pads, and signal traces. The double-sided USB connector may also include a second PCB that may provide a second set of electrical contacts on its first side and terminals on its second side. Contacts selected from the second set of contacts may be connected to selected terminals, for example through via paths in the second PCB. Contacts from the first and second sets of contacts may selectively be connected to components on the first PCB using signal traces rather than wires. The first PCB may be joined to the second PCB by using the terminals, and the two PCBs may be packaged using a common molded body.

Abstract: A method of sending data from a memory to a host, and a data storage device that uses the method. The controller of the data storage device sends the data directly from the memory to a buffer in an interface to the host while simultaneously checking the data for errors. If sufficiently few errors are found, the data are sent from the buffer to the host. Otherwise, the data are corrected, the data in the buffer are replaced with the corrected data, and the corrected data are written to the memory. If the data are stored by segments, the simultaneous sending and checking is effected segmentwise. When a bad segment is found, an error flag is set. When all the data have been sent and checked, or when the buffer is full, if the error flag has not been set, the data in the buffer are sent to the host.

Abstract: A method of managing operation of a plurality of devices that includes receiving operational information that pertains to each of a plurality of device and managing operation of at least one of the plurality of devices. Each of the plurality of devices is configured to perform operations, the operations including sub-operations. The operation management includes associating parameters for a given sub-operation of a device based on 1) operational information pertaining to at least one of the plurality of devices and on 2) a maximum allowable current consumption level. Also provided is a system that includes a plurality of devices and a controller that is operationally connected to each of the plurality of devices for setting values for parameters of a device for a given sub-operation based on 1) operational information pertaining to at least one of the devices and on 2) a maximum allowable current consumption level of the system.

Abstract: A method of managing operation of a plurality of storage devices includes receiving current consumption information from at least one of the plurality of storage devices; and managing operation of at least one storage device, the operation management including permitting current consumption of a first one of the storage devices based on current consumption information that pertains to at least a second one of the storage devices. Also provided is a storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices, where each storage devices is configured to store data. A state machine, connected to each of the storage devices, is operative to permit current consumption of a first storage device based on current consumption information pertaining to at least a second storage device.

Abstract: Data are stored in cells of a flash memory by assigning a first portion of the data to be stored in a first cell and a second portion of the data to be stored in one or more second cells. The first cell is programmed to store the first portion in accordance with the second portion. The second cell(s) is/are programmed to store the second portion. At least a portion of the programming of the first cell is effected before any of the programming of the second cell(s).

Abstract: A third party facilitates preparation of a backup SSD for backing up a source SSD. Digital data of the source SSD, which includes protected and sensitive data and information, is copied to the backup SSD either by and via the third party or directly from the source SSD but under supervision of the third party. The digital data of the source SSD is copied to the backup SSD under stringent rules and only if each party (i.e., the source SSD, destination SSD, and third party) proves to a counterpart device with which it operates that it is authorized to send to it digital data or to receive therefrom digital data, depending on the device with which that party operates.

Abstract: A method of controlling storage of content on a storage device includes communicating with a storage device configured to cache content; and determining a storage cost for caching a first set of data objects on the storage device. The determining is based, at least in part, on characteristics of the first set of data objects and on characteristics of the storage device. Also provided is a storage system that includes a storage device capable of caching media content, a storage device agent and a cache manager. The storage device agent is operative to communicate with the storage device and with the cache manager, and to provide a storage cost to the cache manager. The storage device agent determines the storage cost for caching a data object on the storage device based, at least in part, on characteristics of the data object and on characteristics of the storage device.

Abstract: A dual-interface connector for providing an interface to a storage device and an interface to a host and for connecting between a storage device and a host includes a storage device interface, for connecting with a storage device, and a host interface, for connecting with a host. A controller is operable in at least two distinct modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the controller enables a session to be opened, by the host, between the storage device and the host when the storage device is connected to the storage device interface and the host is connected to the host interface. In a second mode of operation, the controller is operative, if an open session exists between the storage device and the host, to maintain the open session between the storage device and the host even after the storage device is disconnected from the storage device interface.

Abstract: A flash memory device includes an array of memory cells for storing data pages, at least one buffer (e.g. a memory buffer and a cache buffer) for transferring the data pages to and from the array of memory cells and a host, and an output pin. A logic mechanism is operative to select, from among a plurality of conditions related to an operation on the array of memory cells, a condition that drives a signal being output on the output pin. A data page transfer by the host is contingent on the signal being output on the output pin.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for an application, running on a host system, to access a restricted area of a storage device, the method including the steps of: providing a file system for running on the host system; restricting access, by the file system, to the restricted area; sending an indication, from the application to the storage device, that data being sent by the application to the storage device via the file system is intended for the restricted area; detecting the indication in the storage device; and making the data, residing in the restricted area, available for reading by the application upon receiving an application request. Preferably, the method further includes the step of: releasing wasted areas, of the storage device, for use by the file system. Preferably, the method further includes the step of: copying non-restricted data from a non-restricted area into the restricted area.

Abstract: Methods for enabling software from a storage-capable device including the steps of: loading, by a host system operationally connected to the storage-capable device, software from an authenticatable storage area residing in the storage-capable device; validating the software; and installing the validated software, wherein the validated software provides an interface between the host system and the storage-capable device. In some embodiments, the software is enabling software, the method further including the step of: loading, by the host system, device-functionality software from the authenticatable storage area. In some embodiments, the method further includes the steps of: validating the device-functionality software; and enabling the validated device-functionality software.

Abstract: A method of installing an application on a portable storage device is disclosed. The method includes receiving file system commands issued by an installer application and selectively intercepting and modifying at least one file system command before the at least one file system command is executed with respect to a destination file system. The method restricts access to a first file system located at a fixed storage memory device and directs access to a second file system located on the portable storage device.

Abstract: A portable device includes n (n?2) electrical sockets, each of which is configured to accommodate and to electrically engage a removable external memory card; an input device for selecting accommodated and electrically engaged external memory cards for data reading; and an output device for outputting information that is derived from or related to data read from such selected electrically engaged external memory cards. The information may pertain to digital content of the selected external memory card, to the identity of the selected external memory card, or to the storage capacity of the selected external memory card.

Abstract: A flash memory device includes an array of memory cells for storing data pages, one or more buffers for retrieving the data pages and a logic mechanism that, responsive to a plurality of commands, transfers the data pages between the buffers and a host. Each command subsequent to a first command instructs retrieval of a data page whose address either precedes, or exceeds by more than 1, the address of the data page retrieved by the immediately preceding command, and at least one command does not explicitly specify the address of its retrieved data page. Another similar flash memory device uses two buffers to implement cache reads of data pages whose addresses are specified arbitrarily in the commands subsequent to the first command.

Abstract: A method uses multiple communication modes for fast uploading of a datum preloaded from a manufacturing device to a data storage device over existing external contacts of the data storage device. Preferentially the data storage device is a high capacity SIM card and a user mode allows communication by standard protocols such as ISO, SD/MMC and USB whereas a manufacturer mode applies a multi data line SD/MMC protocol or a custom protocol for high speed data uploading.

Abstract: A system uses multiple communication modes for fast uploading of a datum preloaded from a manufacturing device to a data storage device over existing external contacts of the data storage device. Preferentially the data storage device is a high capacity SIM card and a user mode allows communication by standard protocols such as ISO, SD/MMC and USB whereas a manufacturer mode applies a multi data line SD/MMC protocol or a custom protocol for high speed data uploading.