Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining which of a plurality of physical blocks associated with a logical block is more recently associated with the logical block are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for resolving associations of a first physical block and a second physical block to a logical block associated with a non-volatile memory system includes obtaining a first identifier associated with the first physical block and obtaining a second identifier associated with the second physical block. The identifiers are compared to ascertain whether the first identifier indicates that the first physical block is more recently associated with the logical block. The method also includes completing an operation arranged to provide contents associated with the logical block to the first physical block when it is determined that the first identifier indicates that the first physical block is more newly associated with the logical block.

Abstract: A secure software system for a portable device or computer that provides a simple interface to the device or computer and that retrieves and dynamically decrypts keys and content from a secure media while minimizing exposure of the keys and eliminating the need for manufacturers of the device or computer to create a their own system to manage these complex processes.

Abstract: One or more rights objects (RO) files may be used for storing RO's preferably in the protected area available only to authenticated users. A RO navigation file is stored preferably in an unprotected public area containing status bits, where each status bit identifies whether a location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not. Preferably, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the location for a RO in a RO file and a location in the RO navigation file for the status bit which identifies whether its corresponding location in the RO file contains a valid RO or not. Whether a particular location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not can be found by checking its corresponding status bit in the RO navigation file. By finding out whether a particular location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not in this manner, it is possible to delete ROs without having to go through an authentication process. The process of finding an empty slot in the RO file for storing a new RO is also simplified.

Abstract: One or more rights objects (RO) files may be used for storing RO's preferably in the protected area available only to authenticated users. A RO navigation file is stored preferably in an unprotected public area containing status bits, where each status bit identifies whether a location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not. Preferably, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the location for a RO in a RO file and a location in the RO navigation file for the status bit which identifies whether its corresponding location in the RO file contains a valid RO or not. Whether a particular location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not can be found by checking its corresponding status bit in the RO navigation file. By finding out whether a particular location in a RO file contains a valid RO or not in this manner, it is possible to delete ROs without having to go through an authentication process. The process of finding an empty slot in the RO file for storing a new RO is also simplified.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a power up process of a non-volatile memory to occur efficiently are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for utilizing a memory system that has a non-volatile memory with at least one reserved memory area includes providing power to the memory system, initializing the non-volatile memory, and writing a first signature into the reserved memory area. The first signature is arranged to indicate that the memory system was successfully initialized. In one embodiment, the method also includes executing a power down process on the memory system, and writing a second signature into the reserved memory area which indicates that the power down process has been executed.

Abstract: The memory device contains control structures that allow media content to be stored securely and distributed in a manner envisioned by the content owner, or service providers involved in the distribution. A wide variety of different avenues become available for distributing media content using such memory devices, such as where the devices contain one or more of the following: abridged preview media content, encrypted unabridged media content, prepaid content, rights and/or rules governing access to such content. The memory device has a type of control structures that enable a service provider (who can also be the content owner) to create a secure environment for media content distribution where end users and terminals register with the service provider, and gain access to the content in a manner controlled by the service provider. The various components to be loaded (e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allow different mapping implementations, including a many-to-one logical to physical block mapping, to be used within a memory system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for mapping a plurality of logical blocks to a physical block includes identifying a first logical block meets at least one criterion. The method also includes identifying a second logical block which is substantially complementary to the first logical block, and providing contents associated with the first logical block and contents associated with the second logical block to the physical block.

Abstract: The memory device contains control structures that allow media content to be stored securely and distributed in a manner envisioned by the content owner, or service providers involved in the distribution. A wide variety of different avenues become available for distributing media content using such memory devices, such as where the devices contain one or more of the following: abridged preview media content, encrypted unabridged media content, prepaid content, rights and/or rules governing access to such content. The memory device has a type of control structures that enable a service provider (who can also be the content owner) to create a secure environment for media content distribution where end users and terminals register with the service provider, and gain access to the content in a manner controlled by the service provider. The various components to be loaded (e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a power up process of a non-volatile memory to occur efficiently are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for utilizing a memory system that has a non-volatile memory with at least one reserved memory area includes providing power to the memory system, initializing the non-volatile memory, and writing a first signature into the reserved memory area. The first signature is arranged to indicate that the memory system was successfully initialized. In one embodiment, the method also includes executing a power down process on the memory system, and writing a second signature into the reserved memory area which indicates that the power down process has been executed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for caching updates or new data associated with a logical block are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for processing contents associated with blocks of a non-volatile memory includes obtaining a first set of contents that is associated with a first group of logical pages associated with a first logical block, and writing the first set of contents into a memory area. The first set of contents is then written from the memory area into a first group of physical pages associated with a second physical block that is then mapped to the first logical block. In one embodiment, the memory area is one of a RAM cache and a physical block cache.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tracking defective blocks such that at least some of the defective blocks may be readily identified and tested for usability when desirable are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for identifying spare blocks within a non-volatile memory includes subjecting at least one defective physical block associated with the non-volatile memory to a test that is arranged to determine if the defective physical block is usable. The method also includes determining when the defective physical block passes the test, and identifying the defective physical block as a usable physical block when it is determined that the defective physical block passes the test.

Abstract: A mass storage memory system and a method for re-allocating memory partition space is provided. The storage system includes a memory controller with a microprocessor that is adapted to receive data via a logical interface from a host system; a first memory partition with a system area and a data area; and a second memory partition with a system area and a data area; wherein the memory controller re-allocates memory space from the second memory partition to the first memory partition that is either full or has reached a threshold value, by using a virtual block address for the system area and the data area such that the system area and the data area appear contiguous to the host system.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting a transaction involving digital content is provided. The system includes, a first user of a first mobile device connected to a network; a second user of a second mobile device connected to the network; a MNO that is functionally coupled to the first mobile device and the second mobile device and to a digital content provider and a rights issuing authority. The MNO receives a request for digital content from the first user, searches for the requested digital content and if the second user has the requested digital content, then the MNO obtains any rights to re-distribute/access the requested digital content; and the second user, the digital content provider and the MNO are compensated for distributing the requested digital content from the second mobile device to the first mobile device.

Abstract: A tree structure stored in the storage medium provides control over what an entity can do even after gaining access. Each of the nodes of the tree specifies permissions by an entity who has gained entry through such node of the tree. Some trees have different levels, where the permission or permissions at a node of the tree has a predetermined relationship to permission or permissions at another node at a higher or lower or the same level in the same tree. By requiring entities to comply with the permissions so specified at each of the nodes, the tree feature of this application allows a content owner to control which entities can take action, and which actions each of the entities can take, irrespective of whether the tree has different levels. To enhance the commercial value that can be provided by the mobile storage medium, it is desirable for mobile storage devices to be capable of supporting more than one application simultaneously.

Abstract: The owner of proprietor interest is in a better position to control access to the encrypted content in the medium if the encryption-decryption key is stored in the medium itself and substantially inaccessible to external devices. Only those host devices with the proper credentials are able to access the key. An access policy may be stored which grants different permissions (e.g. to different authorized entities) for accessing data stored in the medium. A system incorporating a combination of the two above features is particularly advantageous. On the one hand, the content owner or proprietor has the ability to control access to the content by using keys that are substantially inaccessible to external devices and at the same time has the ability to grant different permissions for accessing content in the medium. Thus, even where external devices gain access, their access may still be subject to the different permissions set by the content owner or proprietor recorded in the storage medium.

Abstract: The mobile storage device may be provided with a system agent that is able to create at least one hierarchical tree comprising nodes at different levels for controlling access to data stored in the memory by corresponding entities. Each node of the tree specifies permission or permissions of a corresponding entity or entities for accessing memory data. The permission or permissions at the node of each of the trees has, a predetermined relationship to permission or permissions at nodes at a higher or lower or the same level in the same tree. Thus, the mobile storage devices may be issued without any trees already created so that the purchaser of the devices has a free hand in creating hierarchical trees adapted to the applications the purchaser has in mind. Alternatively, the mobile storage devices may also be issued with the trees already created so that a purchaser does not have to go through the trouble of creating the trees.

Abstract: In some mobile storage devices, content protection is afforded by dividing the memory into separate areas where access to protected areas requires prior authentication. While such feature does provide some protection, it does not protect against a user who obtained a password by illicit means. Thus, another aspect of the invention is based on the recognition that a mechanism or structure may be provided to divide a memory into partitions and so that at least some data in the partitions can be encrypted with a key, so that in addition to authentication that is required for accessing some of the partitions, access to one or more keys may be required to decrypt the encrypted data in such partitions. In some applications, it may be more convenient to the user to be able to log in the memory system using one application, and then be able to use different applications to access protected content without having to log in again.

Abstract: In some mobile storage devices, content protection is afforded by dividing the memory into separate areas where access to protected areas requires prior authentication. While such feature does provide some protection, it does not protect against a user who obtained a password by illicit means. Thus, another aspect of the invention is based on the recognition that a mechanism or structure may be provided to divide a memory into partitions and so that at least some data in the partitions can be encrypted with a key, so that in addition to authentication that is required for accessing some of the partitions, access to one or more keys may be required to decrypt the encrypted data in such partitions. In some applications, it may be more convenient to the user to be able to log in the memory system using one application, and then be able to use different applications to access protected content without having to log in again.

Abstract: A tree structure stored in the storage medium provides control over what an entity can do even after gaining access. Each of the nodes of the tree specifies permissions by an entity who has gained entry through such node of the tree. Some trees have different levels, where the permission or permissions at a node of the tree has a predetermined relationship to permission or permissions at another node at a higher or lower or the same level in the same tree. By requiring entities to comply with the permissions so specified at each of the nodes, the tree feature of this application allows a content owner to control which entities can take action, and which actions each of the entities can take, irrespective of whether the tree has different levels. To enhance the commercial value that can be provided by the mobile storage medium, it is desirable for mobile storage devices to be capable of supporting more than one application simultaneously.

Abstract: The mobile storage device may be provided with a system agent that is able to create at least one hierarchical tree comprising nodes at different levels for controlling access to data stored in the memory by corresponding entities. Each node of the tree specifies permission or permissions of a corresponding entity or entities for accessing memory data. The permission or permissions at the node of each of the trees has a predetermined relationship to permission or permissions at nodes at a higher or lower or the same level in the same tree. Thus, the mobile storage devices may be issued without any trees already created so that the purchaser of the devices has a free hand in creating hierarchical trees adapted to the applications the purchaser has in mind. Alternatively, the mobile storage devices may also be issued with the trees already created so that a purchaser does not have to go through the trouble of creating the trees.