Abstract: A mother/daughter card non-volatile memory system includes a daughter card containing the memory and a mother card containing the memory controller and host interface circuits. The daughter memory card contains as little more than the memory cell array as is practical, in order to minimize its cost, and has an interface for connecting with a variety of mother controller cards having physical attributes and host interfaces according to a number of different published or proprietary memory card standards. Different types of memory cards may be used when the operating parameters of the memory are stored within it in a protected location, the mother card controller then reading these parameters and adapting its operation accordingly. A radio frequency antenna may be included on a surface of the card along with its electrical contacts, in order to provide a radio frequency identification function.

Abstract: Defects in an underground channel, such as a sewer, are detected by an infrared scanning device (preferably an infrared video camera) moved internally along the channel. The scanning device senses temperature deviations which mark defects in the channel, as, for example, deviations due to the inflow of cool extraneous water into a sewer. The scanning device is in communication with an above-ground central unit which processes the scanning device output and displays and/or records thermal representations of the defect. The central unit also monitors the location (distance travelled) of the scanning device so that the locations of defects may be determined.