Abstract: Methods and systems for counting items in storage containers in an array of at least two storage containers, the method including the steps of: providing a storage array of at least two storage containers, each of the storage containers containing an unknown amount of items; providing a receiving array of at least two receiving containers, wherein the receiving containers initially contain no items; extracting a layer of the items from the storage array; inserting the layer into corresponding locations in the receiving array; repeating the steps of extracting and inserting while at least one of the storage containers is not empty; counting, for each storage container in the storage array, a productive-extraction amount; and reporting, for at least some of the storage containers, the productive-extraction amount from each storage container. Preferably, the method further includes recovering a storage identity upon recovery from a system failure that erases the productive-extraction amount.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for wireless communication. A device user defines a list of contacts and receives a collective indication of which contacts are located within a neighborhood of the device. The neighborhood is defined at the device, for example by the device itself or by the user. A plurality of device users define respective user profiles including user attributes. One of the users defines a target attribute, and receives an indication of which other users that have that attribute have devices in the first user's neighborhood. The devices communicate among themselves either indirectly, for example via cellular base stations, or directly.

Abstract: A mobile telephone device, comprising, an enclosure; a plurality of hardware components that provide the functionality of a cellular telephone or a satellite telephone, at least some of said components being inside or on said enclosure; a solid state non-volatile storage system inside of said enclosure; and a directly accessible connection for said storage system, adapted to connect to an external host system.

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: Methods, devices and systems for wireless communication. A device user defines a list of contacts and receives a collective indication of which contacts are located within a neighborhood of the device. The neighborhood is defined at the device, for example by the device itself or by the user. A plurality of device users define respective user profiles including user attributes. One of the users defines a target attribute, and receives an indication of which other users that have that attribute have devices in the first user's neighborhood. The devices communicate among themselves either indirectly, for example via cellular base stations, or directly.

Abstract: A device, a method and a system for direct execution of code from a flash memory arrangement, in which a separate memory component is not required, even if a flash memory component is used which has a restriction on the size of a data block which can be read at one time. Furthermore, the flash memory arrangement is optionally implemented as a “single die” chip or device, which is more efficient for manufacturing and which also results in lower costs.

Abstract: An electronic module includes electronic circuitry and first and second connection mechanisms, both operationally connected to the electronic circuitry, for mounting the module in a larger electronic device by different respective methods. Preferably, the first connection mechanism is a robotic connection mechanism such as a BGA with one or more solder balls and the second connection mechanism is a manual connection mechanism such as a plug with one or more electrically conducting pads, both mechanisms being for mounting the module on a PCB.

Abstract: An electronic module includes electronic circuitry and first and second connection mechanisms, both operationally connected to the electronic circuitry, for mounting the module in a larger electronic device by different respective methods. Preferably, the first connection mechanism is a robotic connection mechanism such as a BGA with one or more solder balls and the second connection mechanism is a manual connection mechanism such as a plug with one or more electrically conducting pads, both mechanisms being for mounting the module on a PCB.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a portable digital media player, and in particular to a portable digital media player device having specific mechanical properties. In some embodiments, the portable digital media player includes a device port that is configured as a supportive port. In some embodiments, the device port is a plug. In some embodiments, a volume ratio between a minimally circumscribing rectangular prism of the digital media player and a minimally circumscribing rectangular prism of the plug is at most 10:1, or at most 5:1. In some embodiments, a media system is provided where the digital media player is mated with the host presentation device. In some embodiments, the media system provides certain mechanical properties.

Abstract: A device, a method and a system for portable data storage and transfer through a simplified device interface. The operations of the device are restricted, in order to increase the ease of use of the device, and in order to provide certain core functions. These core functions include reading data, writing data and exchanging data with a similar device and/or with an external computer. The device features a minimal set of hardware components for accomplishing these functions, such as a data processor of some type, a memory storage medium or media, and a data exchange mechanism, which may optionally be an infrared port for example.

Abstract: A device, a method and a system for portable data storage and transfer through a simplified device interface. The operations of the device are restricted, in order to increase the ease of use of the device, and in order to provide certain core functions. These core functions include reading data, writing data and exchanging data with a similar device and/or with an external computer. The device features a minimal set of hardware components for accomplishing these functions, such as a data processor of some type, a memory storage medium or media, and a data exchange mechanism, which may optionally be an infrared port for example.

Abstract: A device, a method and a system for portable data storage and transfer through a simplified device interface. The operations of the device are restricted, in order to increase the ease of use of the device, and in order to provide certain core functions. These core functions include reading data, writing data and exchanging data with a similar device and/or with an external computer. The device features a minimal set of hardware components for accomplishing these functions, such as a data processor of some type, a memory storage medium or media, and a data exchange mechanism, which may optionally be an infrared port for example.

Abstract: Devices, methods and computer-readable code for simultaneously monitoring the content of at least two streaming audio content channels are disclosed. In some embodiments, the monitored content is analyzed, and one or more features of the monitored content channels are computed, including but not limited to music classification features, content genre features, and spoken content features. These computed features may be used, for example, to compute a rating or score for each monitored audio channel, for example, a rating computed relative to user listening preferences, expressed, for example, in preference rules. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed device includes a channel selector for automatically tuning, for example, to a channel assigned a higher rating at a given time. Alternatively or additionally, content rating scores may be displayed to a user who manually selects and tunes to an audio content channel.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunication device including a foreground unit, and a background unit that is physically separated from the foreground unit and in local communication with the foreground unit. The foreground unit is provided to support incoming calls independently of the background unit. Furthermore, the foreground unit and the background unit cooperate to support outgoing calls. The scope of the invention also includes a method for doing business by offering the foreground unit for sale in a packaging having a form factor selected from the group consisting of: a pen, a pen cap, a wristwatch, and a necklace.

Abstract: Code of a software product is delivered by embodying, on a computer-readable storage medium, installation code for installing the software product code on a computer and DRM code for permitting the installation only if a predetermined condition is satisfied. If the condition is violated, the installation code is erased and that part of the storage medium then is available for general use.

Abstract: A portable non-volatile memory device including a user interface for selectively assigning one of a plurality of security statuses to a user file stored therein is provided. In some embodiments, the memory device includes a power source so that the user interface is operative even when the memory device is in an uncoupled state. Optionally, the device provides a mechanism for authenticating users. In exemplary embodiments, the assigned security status of a user file is selected from the group consisting of non-secure, encrypted, visible while protected against copying and hidden.

Abstract: A method for operating a camera includes connecting the camera to a computer; the camera is programmed by storing operative steps in memory within the camera. The programming is performed using an application running on the computer. On completing the programming, the camera is disconnected from the computer and further programming is disabled and the program is executed. Preferably, the program includes correlating a photographic image with a previously stored photographic image and overwriting in memory a photographic image substantially identical to the previously stored photographic image. Preferably, the camera further includes manual controls functional solely during manual photography and disabled during surveillance photography.

Abstract: A data storage area of a data storage device is partitioned logically between a user storage area and a device storage area. Source data stored securely in the device storage area is copied as derivative data to the user storage area, or is used as a basis for creating derivative data stored in the user storage area, whenever the data storage device is initialized. In one embodiment, the data storage area is read-write and the device storage area has embodied thereon device system code, executed by a controller of the data storage device, for writing source data to the device storage area only if the source data satisfies a predetermined condition. Examples of derivative data include an autorun file, a volume label and user identification. Data from a host may be stored reversibly in the user storage area but must be stored securely in the device storage area.

Abstract: Digital audio content is delivered to a non-volatile memory device, operatively connected to a car radio mounted in a motor vehicle, and played back using a playback effecter mounted in the motor vehicle. Exemplary playback effecters include but are not limited to buttons contained within the car radio, rear seat audio controls, voice command recognizers, and playback effecters physically mounted to a steering wheel of the motor vehicle. A car radio capable of generating speech from digital text content is disclosed. According to some embodiments, digital text content is delivered to the non-volatile memory device, and played back using the car radio capable of generating speech from digital text content.

Abstract: A method for answering an incoming call from a caller to a telephone, the method including the steps of: (a) identifying the caller; (b) selecting a voice message that is intended solely for the caller; and (c) transmitting the voice message to the caller. Preferably, the identifying is performed by a user and the selecting is performed by pressing a button on the telephone. Alternatively, the identifying and the selecting are performed by a processor in the telephone or by a processor in a messaging server operationally connected to the telephone through a telephone network. Preferably, the voice message is stored in the telephone or in memory operationally connected to the messaging server.