Abstract: A portable device (12) comprising a connector (14) for connecting the portable device (12) to a host (18); a central processing unit (22) for controlling the operation of the portable device (12); at least one non-volatile memory module (24); a user interface (16) for input of user commands to the central processing unit (22) for enabling direct control of at least one function of the portable device (12) in a host (12). The central processing unit (22) is for uploading to a host an auto-run application to reside in the host (18) for enabling the user interface in the host. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for enabling the reading on a reader of content stored in an external storage device is disclosed. The reader is a read-only device and has a display, a processor for controlling the operation of the reader, and a port for operative connection of the external storage device. The external storage device has a non-volatile storage and a central processor. The central processor is able to download to the reader the content stored in the non-volatile storage upon a pre-condition being established. The pre-condition is at least one of receipt of a correct encryption key from the reader, and arrival at a start date and time as determined by a real-time clock. The reader, external storage device, and a corresponding method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Portable data storage apparatus includes a housing having a front wall, and an opening in the front wall. A circuit board is located within the housing. A connector is electrically connected to the circuit board and extends outwardly therefrom for movement therewith. A cap is pivotally connected to the housing for movement relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. An operating mechanism operatively connects the cap and the circuit board for moving the circuit board and the connector with the movement of the cap. The circuit board and the connector are in a retracted position when the cap is in the first position, and are in an extended position when the cap is in the second position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for overcoming system administration blockage and refers particulars, though not exclusively, to a method for overcoming system administrator blockage of a device newly connected to a computer.

Abstract: A storage apparatus is proposed for facilitating wireless communication between a computer device and one or more external portable electronic devices, or between those external devices. The storage apparatus includes a wireless transceiver for entering communication with any one of the devices. When the storage apparatus is communicating with any of the devices, it can transmit tot hat device any data stored in its memory for transmission to that device. Furthermore, the storage apparatus can receive from that device, and transmit to its memory, data to be relayed to another of the devices.

Abstract: A portable data storage device includes a USB controller, a master control unit and a NAND flash memory device. The master control unit receives data to be written to logical addresses, and instructions to read data from logical addresses. It uses a memory address mapping table to associate the logical addresses with the physical addresses in the memory device, and writes data to or reads data from the physical address corresponding to the logical address. The mapping is changed at intervals, so that different ones of the physical address regions are associated at different times with the logical addresses. This increases the speed of the device, and also means that no physical addresses are rapidly worn out by being permanently associated with logical addresses to which data is written relatively often.

Abstract: A method for authentication of an external storage device (16) operatively connected to a port of a host computer (10) where the host computer (10) conducts a handshake with the external storage device (16) seeking an authentication key from the external storage device. The host computer (10) electrically disconnects the external storage device (16) from the host computer (10) if the authentication key is incorrect or not provided within a predetermined period. The host computer (10) allows access to the host computer (10) by the external storage device (16) if the authentication key is correct and provided within the predetermined period. Corresponding apparatus and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage apparatus is proposed for facilitating wireless communication between a computer device and one or more external portable electronic devices, or between those external devices. The storage apparatus includes a wireless transceiver for entering communication with any of one the devices. When the storage apparatus is communicating with any of the devices, it can transmit to that device any data stored in its memory for transmission to that device. Furthermore, the storage apparatus can receive from that device, and transmit to its memory, data to be relayed to another of the devices.

Abstract: A method comprises performing an authentication of a user of a portable device, performing an authentication handshake between the portable device and a content server, wherein the portable device includes a USB plug that plugs directly into a USB port of a host computer and the host computer is communicatively coupled to the content server, and sending a first key sent from the portable device to the content server, wherein access to restricted content on the content server by the user is enabled if the user authentication, the authentication handshake, and an authentication using the first key are all successful. The process may also include encrypting restricted content received from the content server using a private key before storing the restricted content in a non-volatile memory of the portable device.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device having a USB connector with a USB controller, and a wireless antenna with a wireless controller. The USB controller and the wireless controller are both operatively connected to the non-volatile memory. When the non-volatile memory device is operatively connected to a host using the USB connector, the USB controller has priority over the wireless controller for read from, and write to, functions with the non-volatile memory. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual television tuner having a television tuner module and a wireless local area network module both operatively connected to an antenna for receiving a television signal from the antenna, and for passing the television signal for playing on a host to which the dual television tuner is able to be operatively connected.

Abstract: A portable memory device is provided that is capable of easy connection to a personal computer via a universal serial bus (USB) port, IEEE 1394 (i.e., firewire) or similar port. Included in the portable memory device is a compression/decompression engine capable of compressing and decompressing data. Data residing on a personal computer or other host platform is compressed by the engine and saved to the memory of the portable memory device. Compressed data is retrieved and decompressed by the engine and transmitted to the personal computer for use by the user. Embodiments of the present invention thus provide a highly convenient system and apparatus for users to access and save larger quantities of data to a relatively small device.

Abstract: A method for providing data access control over information networks comprises coupling a control device to a digital processing system, obtaining user identification by executing a user authentication process, retrieving initialization information from a first memory unit of the control device in response to a request from an information provider received over the information network when user's identity is authenticated, providing the initialization information to the information provider via the information network through the digital processing system, establishing a communication between the control device and the information provider over the information network when an acknowledgement of user identity is received, obtaining information from the information provider over the information network, and storing the information in a second memory unit of the control device.

Abstract: A tri-level authentication process comprises performing a biometrics-based authentication of a user of a portable device, performing an authentication handshake between the portable device and a content server, wherein the portable device includes a USB plug that plugs directly into a USB port of a host computer and the host computer is communicatively coupled to the content server, and performing a user authentication using a first key sent from the portable device to the content server, wherein access to restricted content on the content server by the user is enabled if the biometrics-based authentication, the authentication handshake, and the user authentication using a first key are all successful. The process may also include encrypting restricted content received from the content server using a private key before storing the restricted content in a non-volatile memory of the portable device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for implementing biometrics-based access control to a restricted resource. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is realized using a portable device. Specifically, in one embodiment, the portable device includes a microprocessor, a non-volatile memory coupled thereto, and a biometrics-based authentication module controlled by the microprocessor. Preferably, the biometrics technology used is fingerprint authentication technology. The authentication module is capable of registering a fingerprint upon first use of the portable device, storing an encoded version of the fingerprint in the non-volatile memory. Subsequently, the authentication module can read a person's fingerprint and reliably determine whether the fingerprint matches the registered fingerprint stored in the non-volatile memory. If a match is found, access to the restricted resource is granted to that person; otherwise, access is denied.

Abstract: A solid-state memory storage device and method for using the device includes storing data wirelessly transmitted from a host and wirelessly transmitting the data to the host. The storage device has an RF module which demodulates an ultra-wideband write signal received wirelessly from a host and outputs a wireless protocol write signal. A wireless protocol controller has a protocol conversion layer which converts the wireless protocol write signal into a USB protocol write signal. A microcontroller has function extraction layer for extracting a write command from the USB protocol write signal and, in response to the write command, controls the writing of data extracted from the USB protocol write signal to the solid-state memory to store the data in the solid-state memory. The microcontroller also reads the data stored in the solid-state memory in response to a read command received from the host and outputs a USB protocol read signal to the wireless protocol controller.

Abstract: A portable storage device for storage of data. The portable storage device comprises a first non-volatile memory of a first character; a second non-volatile memory of a second character, the second character being different to the first character; and a controller for determining to which of the first and second non-volatile memory the data is to be sent. The determining is based on a defined relationship between the first and second non-volatile memories, the defined relationship being buffer or backup.

Abstract: A portable data storage device is disclosed which includes an Interface for enabling the portable data storage device to be used for data transfer with a host Computer, and an Interface controller for controlling the interface. There is also a master control unit for controlling the writing of data to and reading data from a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes at least one single layer cell flash memory and at least one multiple layer cell flash memory. Upon receiving a write instruction, the master control unit determines which of the memories data contained in the instruction should be written to, and writes the data as appropriate similarly, upon receiving a read instruction, the master control unit reads the data from the appropriate one of the memories and transmits the data out of the device.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a cascade of a plurality of memory devices connected in series is disclosed. In one aspect, there is a memory controller operatively connected to the memory cell and a cascade circuit configured to enable a subsequent memory device in a cascade of memory devices.

Abstract: A data storage device includes two data storage media: both a hard disk and a non-volatile solid state memory device, such as a flash memory. Data received by the data storage device for storage is stored both in the hard disk and the flash memory. Since the data storage is duplicated, if a problem arises with retrieving data from one of the hard disk, the data can be retrieved from the flash memory.