Abstract: A data transfer system comprising a host device and a data transfer device. The host device generates an encryption key based upon information unique to a removable data storage item onto which data are to be stored. The encryption key is then delivered by the host device to the data transfer device. Data to be stored are encrypted by the data transfer device using the encryption key.

Abstract: A data transfer device for transferring data to and/or from a removable data storage item, wherein data are encrypted or decrypted during data transfer using a feature of the removable data storage item.

Abstract: A data transfer device for storing data to a removable data storage item. The data transfer device comprises a non-volatile memory suitable for storing an encryption key. Unauthorised access to the contents of the non-volatile memory is prevented. The data transfer device is operable to receive data to be stored, encrypt the data using an encryption key stored in the non-volatile memory and a seed value derived from information obtained from the removable data storage item, and store the encrypted data to the removable data storage item.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data between a disk and a CPU is disclosed comprising a pair of toggling header buffers and a pair of toggling data buffers. In operation, data is transferred between a sector on a disk and one of the data buffers under the control of one of the header buffers. While the data in the header buffer is being transferred between the data buffer and a CPU, data is transferred between an adjacent sector on the disk and the other data buffer under the control of the other header buffer. The rate of transfer of data between the data buffer and the CPU is higher than the rate of transfer of the data between the disk and the other data buffer. This provides sufficient time to check the data transferred from and to the CPU for errors and to address a new sector on the disk prior to the completion of the data transfer of the previous sector between the disk and the data buffer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a check sum and a syndrome for detecting errors in a series of bytes comprising a plurality of stages, each stage comprising a plurality of networks of exclusive OR gates, a memory and an exclusive OR gate for exclusively ORing the outputs of the networks resulting from a byte transmitted therethrough with the results stored in a memory in a previous stage due to a previous byte. Each of the stages and the networks therein correspond to a term in a Reed-Solomon polynomial. Except for differences in the number and construction of the networks in each stage, each of the stages are substantially identical and can be selectively used for detecting single and double burst errors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading data from a disk having missing or unreadable field address marks. Expected address marks are searched for within a time window which is generated using a counter. When an expected address mark is generated at any time within the time window, the counter is set or reset to generate another time window within which the next address mark is expected to occur. By starting or restarting the counter each time an expected address mark is detected the effects of variations in spindle speed which occur prior to the detection of the address mark are eliminated, thus increasing the probability that readable address marks will be detected within a time window.

Abstract: In a process for chemically stimulating the production of oleoresinous material in association with living wood cells it is advantageous to use a dilute dispersion of primary amine.

Abstract: Apparatus for elctrolytically removing silver from a spent photographic processing solution. A thin flexible cathode sheet is removably fitted within the inside periphery of a tank which receives the solution. A lid unit is removably secured over the tank and rotatably supports an anode assembly extending within the tank. A power unit is removably secured on the lid unit and carries a motor for driving the anode assembly to circulate the solution. An electric power conducting circuit in the power unit is automatically connected to the anode assembly and the cathode when the power unit is secured.