Abstract: A method of managing a data storage medium. One portion of the medium is reserved for storing data files and directories. Another, separate portion of the medium is reserved for storing allocation information related to the data in the first portion. Upon beginning a change of one of the data files or directories in the first portion, that data file or directory is flagged robustly until the change is completed. As needed, for example when the medium is mounted on a host system, the incomplete changes to the flagged data files and directories are undone or completed.

Abstract: An improved method for affecting wear leveling in all units of a flash media, with a considerable decrease in usage of system resources. This is enabled by providing an algorithm that ensures that static areas do not remain static, and that the static data within them is guaranteed to move to other physical locations, such that wear leveling is achieved for all units. The method comprises: launching the wear leveling method once per some large number of write or erase operations done by the Flash data manager; selecting a unit in the media in a manner that successive selections will ultimately select all units; and moving the selected unit data to another free unit, and erasing the selected unit.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a data storage medium, for example one or more flash memory modules, and a direct interface, to the data storage medium, that supports a file system protocol. Preferably, the data storable device also includes a physical communication interface such as a USB interface or a wireless interface, a user interface and a power source. The scope of the invention also includes appliances that include such data storage devices.

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: A data storage and processing device is reversibly attachable to a selected member of a set of appliances. The device includes a data storage medium and a processor. Each appliance includes appropriate functional components, a power source and a user interface. The device receives power from the attached appliance. Commands for operating the attached appliance are stored in the data storage medium and are executed by the processor in response to user instructions received from the attached appliance in order to operate the functional components. Preferably, the device receives power only from the attached appliance, and the functional components are operated, in response to the user instructions, only by the device's processor.

Abstract: An improved method for affecting wear leveling in all units of a flash media, with a considerable decrease in usage of system resources. This is enabled by providing an algorithm that ensures that static areas do not remain static, and that the static data within them is guaranteed to move to other physical locations, such that wear leveling is achieved for all units. The method comprises: launching the wear leveling method once per some large number of write or erase operations done by the Flash data manager; selecting a unit in the media in a manner that successive selections will ultimately select all units; and moving the selected unit data to another free unit, and erasing the selected unit.

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 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: 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.

Abstract: Improved T2 values and signal to noise ratio obtained by magnetic resonance image synthesization. Each measured echo signal intensity is divided by a correcting factor that is a function of the echo number to obtain corrected echo signal intensity. A characteristic curve is best fitted to the corrected intensity values and the intensity values of the curve are used.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a separate data contribution from first and second spectral components during a single magnetic resonance scan. The method uses a scan sequence causing the data from the first and second spectral components to be 90 degrees out of phase. This shift of the data along with a measurement of the inhomegeneities of the field initiates two output signals which are used to provide all of the data required for imaging the two spectral components and/or correcting images for chemical shifts.