Abstract: A method for data storage includes, in a host system that operates alternately in a normal state and a hibernation state, reserving a hibernation storage space in a non-volatile storage device for storage of hibernation-related information in preparation for entering the hibernation state. While the host system is operating in the normal state, a storage task other than storage of the hibernation-related information is performed using at least a portion of the reserved hibernation storage space.

Abstract: A vehicle operator may activate turn signals without interfering with his/her enjoyment of ambient music. A turn signal system has a tempo extractor to determine the tempo of the ambient music and a trigger generator to transmit to a turn signal controller a trigger that causes the system's turn signaling mechanism to produce a repetitive sound that coincides with the ambient music. As the repetitive sound does not interfere with the vehicle operator's music enjoyment, the system increases diligence in the use of turn signals and thus increases safety of the vehicle operator and the safety of those proximate the vehicle operator who would be affected by a vehicle turn or lane change.

Abstract: A portable storage device includes a mechanism for receiving a value of an identification parameter from a receiving device, a non-volatile memory for storing digital content, a licensing policy, and a license for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the identification parameter, and a controller that is operative, in response to the identification parameter and the license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device, in accordance with the licensing policy.

Abstract: A vehicle operator may activate turn signals without interfering with his/her enjoyment of ambient music. A turn signal system has a tempo extractor to determine the tempo of the ambient music and a trigger generator to transmit to a turn signal controller a trigger that causes the system's turn signaling mechanism to produce a repetitive sound that coincides with the ambient music. As the repetitive sound does not interfere with the vehicle operator's music enjoyment, the system increases diligence in the use of turn signals and thus increases safety of the vehicle operator and the safety of those proximate the vehicle operator who would be affected by a vehicle turn or lane change.

Abstract: A method for data storage includes, in a host system that operates alternately in a normal state and a hibernation state, reserving a hibernation storage space in a non-volatile storage device for storage of hibernation-related information in preparation for entering the hibernation state. While the host system is operating in the normal state, a storage task other than storage of the hibernation-related information is performed using at least a portion of the reserved hibernation storage space.

Abstract: A method for data storage includes, in a host system that operates alternately in a normal state and a hibernation state, reserving a hibernation storage space in a non-volatile storage device for storage of hibernation-related information in preparation for entering the hibernation state. While the host system is operating in the normal state, a storage task other than storage of the hibernation-related information is performed using at least a portion of the reserved hibernation storage space.

Abstract: A data transmission system and method includes providing a current to a first conductor by a current source to transmit a first binary digit while isolating a second conductor from the current source. In response to a command to transmit a second binary digit, amount of current provided by the current source to the first conductor is decreased from a maximum value to zero while simultaneously increasing the amount of current provided to the second conductor from zero to a maximum value. The increase and the decrease in the amount of current are done the same rate. A first and a second signal corresponding to the current provided to the first and the second conductors each have a transition edge with a leading section, a midsection and trailing section such that an average slope of the midsection is greater than average slope of the leading section and the average slope of the trailing section.

Abstract: A method for storing data in a computer having a magnetic hard disk drive (HDD) and an electronic solid-state drive (SSD). The method includes configuring the computer so that the HDD and the SSD are each independently accessible by an operating system of the computer. A plurality of files is received for storage by the computer. A predicted use profile of the computer is defined. A respective one of the HDD and the SDD is selected for the storage of each of the files responsively to the predicted use profile.

Abstract: A double-sided USB connector may include a first PCB that may provide a first set of electrical contacts on its first side and solder pads on its second side. The first PCB may further include a components side, solder pads, and signal traces. The double-sided USB connector may also include a second PCB that may provide a second set of electrical contacts on its first side and terminals on its second side. Contacts selected from the second set of contacts may be connected to selected terminals, for example through via paths in the second PCB. Contacts from the first and second sets of contacts may selectively be connected to components on the first PCB using signal traces rather than wires. The first PCB may be joined to the second PCB by using the terminals, and the two PCBs may be packaged using a common molded body.

Abstract: A double-sided USB connector may include a first PCB that may provide a first set of electrical contacts on its first side and solder pads on its second side. The first PCB may further include a components side, solder pads, and signal traces. The double-sided USB connector may also include a second PCB that may provide a second set of electrical contacts on its first side and terminals on its second side. Contacts selected from the second set of contacts may be connected to selected terminals, for example through via paths in the second PCB. Contacts from the first and second sets of contacts may selectively be connected to components on the first PCB using signal traces rather than wires. The first PCB may be joined to the second PCB by using the terminals, and the two PCBs may be packaged using a common molded body.

Abstract: A method for storing data in a computer having a magnetic hard disk drive (HDD) and an electronic solid-state drive (SSD). The method includes configuring the computer so that the HDD and the SSD are each independently accessible by an operating system of the computer. A plurality of files is received for storage by the computer. A predicted use profile of the computer is defined. A respective one of the HDD and the SDD is selected for the storage of each of the files responsively to the predicted use profile.

Abstract: A double-sided USB connector may include a first PCB that may provide a first set of electrical contacts on its first side and solder pads on its second side. The first PCB may further include a components side, solder pads, and signal traces. The double-sided USB connector may also include a second PCB that may provide a second set of electrical contacts on its first side and terminals on its second side. Contacts selected from the second set of contacts may be connected to selected terminals, for example through via paths in the second PCB. Contacts from the first and second sets of contacts may selectively be connected to components on the first PCB using signal traces rather than wires. The first PCB may be joined to the second PCB by using the terminals, and the two PCBs may be packaged using a common molded body.

Abstract: A data transmission method includes providing, by a current source, a current to the first conductor while isolating the second conductor from the current source, to thereby transmit a first binary digit; and, responsive to a command to transmit a second binary digit, (i) decreasing from a maximum value to zero an amount of the current provided to the first conductor and (ii) increasing from zero to a maximum value an amount of the current provided by the current source to the second conductor.

Abstract: A system including a plug device, configured to be reversibly operationally plugged into a socket of a standard configuration, and a socket device, configured with at least one restriction structure that prevents a plug that is configured according to the standard configuration from being operationally plugged into the socket device. The plug device is configured with a respective accommodating structure to be reversibly operationally plugged into the socket device despite the restriction structure. The scope of the invention also includes a method of digital rights management by configuring a media player with the socket device of the present invention to connect to a media carrier configured with the plug device of the present invention, thereby allowing only the media carrier configured with the plug of the present invention to download data to this media player.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the performance of a host system including the steps of: providing an operating system, running on the host system, that supports a ReadyDrive and ReadyBoost accelerator; and providing a flash-memory storage device, which supports both the accelerators, having a single flash-memory module. Preferably, the method further includes the steps of: monitoring a frequency of write commands by the host system to the device; and upon the frequency exceeding a predefined threshold, suspending operations of the accelerators until the frequency is below the threshold.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a flash-memory storage device for implementing both ReadyBoost and ReadyDrive Windows PC accelerators, the device including: a single flash-memory module adapted to be configured as a ReadyBoost accelerator and as a ReadyDrive accelerator; and a controller for controlling the flash-memory module. Preferably, the device further includes: a mechanism for wear-leveling the flash-memory module. Preferably, the device further includes: a mechanism for repartitioning the flash-memory module. Most preferably, the mechanism is configured to erase the flash-memory module. A flash-memory storage device including: a flash-memory module having at least one partition, wherein at least one partition is adapted to be alternatively reversibly configured as a ReadyBoost accelerator and as a ReadyDrive accelerator; and a controller for controlling the flash-memory module. Preferably, the device further includes: a mechanism for wear-leveling the flash-memory module.

Abstract: A peripheral device for connecting to a host includes a body and a peripheral connector attached to the body. The peripheral connector is connectable to a connector of the host. The peripheral device is configured to facilitate manual attachment to the host and to impede manual detachment from the host. Also provided a peripheral device that includes a body, a first connector connectable to the host connector and a second connector connectable to a connector of an add-on peripheral device; where the body, the first connector and/or the second connector are configured to facilitate manual attachment to the host and to impede manual detachment from the host.

Abstract: A double-sided USB connector may include a first PCB that may provide a first set of electrical contacts on its first side and solder pads on its second side. The first PCB may further include a components side, solder pads, and signal traces. The double-sided USB connector may also include a second PCB that may provide a second set of electrical contacts on its first side and terminals on its second side. Contacts selected from the second set of contacts may be connected to selected terminals, for example through via paths in the second PCB. Contacts from the first and second sets of contacts may selectively be connected to components on the first PCB using signal traces rather than wires. The first PCB may be joined to the second PCB by using the terminals, and the two PCBs may be packaged using a common molded body.

Abstract: A system including a plug device, configured to be reversibly operationally plugged into a socket of a standard configuration, and a socket device, configured with at least one restriction structure that prevents a plug that is configured according to the standard configuration from being operationally plugged into the socket device. The plug device is configured with a respective accommodating structure to be reversibly operationally plugged into the socket device despite the restriction structure. The scope of the invention also includes a method of digital rights management by configuring a media player with the socket device of the present invention to connect to a media carrier configured with the plug device of the present invention, thereby allowing only the media carrier configured with the plug of the present invention to download data to this media player.

Abstract: A portable storage device includes a meclhanismn for receiving a value of an identification parameter from a receiving device, a non-volatile memory for storing digital content, a licensing policy, and a license for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the identification parameter, and a controller that is operative, in response to the identification parameter and the license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device, in accordance with the licensing policy.