A system of Flash EEprom memory chips with controlling circuits serves as non-volatile memory such as that provided by magnetic disk drives. Improvements include selective multiple sector erase, in which any combinations of Flash sectors may be erased together. Selective sectors among the selected combination may also be de-selected during the erase operation. Another improvement is the ability to remap and replace defective cells with substitute cells. The remapping is performed automatically as soon as a defective cell is detected. When the number of defects in a Flash sector becomes large, the whole sector is remapped. Yet another improvement is the use of a write cache to reduce the number of writes to the Flash EEprom memory, thereby minimizing the stress to the device from undergoing too many write/erase cycling.

Flash EEprom system

An improved endoscopic device which is introduced into the intestinal tract of a living organism and which operates autonomously therein, adapted to obtain and store or transmit one or more types of data such as visual image data, laser autofluorescence data, or ultrasonic waveform data. In another aspect of the invention, an improved endoscopic device useful for implanting the aforementioned endoscopic smart probe is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for delivering agents including nanostructures, radionuclides, medication, and ligands is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for obtaining a biopsy of intestinal tissue is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for detecting the presence of one or more molecular species within the intestine is disclosed. Methods for inspecting and/or treating the interior regions of the intestinal tract using the aforementioned apparatus are also disclosed.

Endoscopic smart probe and method

A method and apparatus are disclosed for approving a transaction request between an electronic transaction system and a portable electronic authorization device (PEAD) carried by a user using an electronic service authorization token The method includes the steps of receiving at the PEAD first digital data representing the transaction request The PEAD provides information to the user regarding an ability to approve the transaction request When the transaction request is approved by the user, the PEAD receives second digital data representing the electronic service authorization token In one aspect of the invention, the method and apparatus include a remote agent server that provides a bridge between the electronic transaction system and the PEAD In an embodiment providing a further level of security, the private key is stored on the portable device, encrypted The decryption key is stored outside of the device, at a trusted 3rd party location When the user attempts to make a signature the software sends a request for the decryption key, along with the user's password or pass phrase keyed in at the keyboard of the PDA, smart phone, or cell phone, to a server belonging to the trusted 3rd party This password is usually, but not always, different than the password stored in the PEAD The server checks the password or pass phrase and, if it is correct sends the decryption key to the portable device, where it is used once and immediately discarded In yet another aspect of the invention, the user's password is securely encoded in the method and apparatus and are used at a point-of-sale location Advantages of the invention include the ability to securely and conveniently perform transactions in a portable device

Electronic transaction systems and methods therefor

A computer network and a database are used to provide a hardware-independent, dynamic information system in which the information content is entirely user-controlled. Requests are received from individual users of the computer network to electronically publish information, and input is accepted from the individual users. Entries from the users containing the information to be electronically published are automatically collected, classified and stored in the database in searchable and retrievable form. Entries are made freely accessible on the computer network. In response to user requests, the database is searched and entries are retrieved. Entries are served to users in a hardware-independent page description language. The entries are password protected, allowing users to retrieve and update entries by supplying a correct password. Preferably, the process is entirely automated with any necessary billing being performed by secure, on-line credit card processing. The user making a database entry has complete control of that entry both at the time the entry is made and in the future after the entry has been made. The entry, when served to a client, is transformed on-the-fly to the page description language. Where the page description language is HTML and the computer network is the World Wide Web, the entry may function as a “mini” homepage for the user that made the entry. Provision is made for graphics and other kinds of content besides text, taking advantage of the content-rich nature of the Web.

Automated on-line information service and directory, particularly for the world wide Web

A number of improvements relating to methods and apparatuses for kidney dialysis are disclosed. These include checking of dialysate bypass status using flow measurement; using a flow sensor to confirm the absence of ultrafiltration during bypass; automatic testing of ultrafiltration function by removal of a discrete volume from a portion of the dialysate flow path coupled with a pressure test of that part of the flow path; using a touch screen user interface; bar graph profile programming of ultrafiltration, sodium, and bicarbonate parameters; using a RAM card to upload treatment instructions to, and to download treatment data from, the machine; automatic setting of proportioning mode (acetate or bicarbonate) based on connections of concentrate lines; predicting dialysate conductivity values based on brand and formulation of concentrates; minimizing no-flow dead time between dialysate pulses; initiating operation in a timed mode from a machine power-off condition; preserving machine mode during machine power-fail condition; calibration scheduling and reminding; automatic level adjusting; and blood leak flow rate detecting.

Method and apparatus for kidney dialysis

A security file system for a portable data carrier provides improved security for the data carrier and for data contained in files in the data carrier. Although the data carrier may be embodied to look and feel much like an ordinary credit card, it contains a computer and a programmable memory with operating power and input and output data provided through a contactless interface. In order to provide security for the data carrier, the security file system on the data carrier includes a stored access code for verifying the identity of an individual attempting to access the data carrier, and an appropriate routine for limiting the number of unsuccessful attempts to access the data carrier. The security file system is also configurable to include select ones of multiple stored access codes for enabling the retrieval and modification of data in corresponding select ones of the files. The routine similarly limits the number of unsuccessful attempts to access these files. Operation of the routine is such that a counter in the data carrier is advanced a count each time a code is externally provided to the data carrier. If this external code compares favorably with the stored access code, the counter is reset to its previous count and access to the data carrier is permitted. If the external code does not compare favorably with the stored access code, however, the counter is not reset. When the counter advances to a predetermined number, the data carrier is locked preventing further access attempts or, alternatively, the data erased from the data carrier. In limiting access to select files, the routine similarly locks or erases the data in the selected file in the same manner.

Security file system and method for securing data in a portable data carrier

A file system for a portable data carrier (10) provides improved security for files which support multiple applications, from custom repertory dialing to storage of individual medical and/or banking records. Although the portable data carrier looks and feels much like an ordinary credit card, it includes a computer (110) and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (115). Power for operation of the portable data carrier is provided from an associated station (18) via a reader/writer (15). The reader/writer also couples data between the data carrier and the associated station. The applications reside in multiple files (42-48) in memory on the portable data carrier. Appropriate application software residing in the station, when accompanied by an appropriate password, enables the retrieval and modification of these files. A separate password is required for gaining access to each of designated levels of interaction between the portable data carrier and the associated station. Additional restrictions such as requiring an additional password for writting to a file and also allowing a user logged in at a particular security level to only append information to a file may be imposed in accordance with file security on the portable data carrier. And since each of the files may have its own security requirements, multiple applications may exist on the portable data carrier without conflict or confusion.

Security file system for a portable data carrier

A portable data carrier system provides improved security for files which support multiple applications, from custom repertory dialing to storage of individual medical and/or banking records. Included in the system is a portable data carrier which looks and feels much like an ordinary credit card. The portable data carrier, however, includes a computer and an electrically erasable field programmable read-only memory. Power for operation of the portable data carrier is provided from an associated station via a reader/writer. The reader/writer also couples data between the data carrier and the associated station. Operation of the data carrier is through an executive operating system that is accessed from the station via a set of commonly understood command primitives. These command primitives manipulate the files in the data carrier in accordance with security requirements. Security is enhanced since the stations's application software receiving and interpreting the data from a file sees a contiguous stream of bytes relating only to the file of the application being accessed. No information is provided to a user of a particular application about other applications in the data carrier or about the data carrier's internal file structure.

Improved security system for a portable data carrier

A portable data carrier system (10, 15, 18) provides improved security for files (31-33) which support multiple applications, from custom repertory dialing to storage of individual medical and/or banking records. Included in the system is a portable data carrier (10) which looks and feels much like an ordinary credit card. The portable data carrier, however, includes a computer (110) and an electrically erasable field programmable read-only memory (115). Power for operation of the portable data carrier is provided from an associated station (18) via a reader/writer (15). The reader/writer also couples data between the data carrier and the associated station. Operation of the data carrier is through an executive operating system that is accessed from the station via a set of commonly understood command primitives. These command primitives manipulate the files in the data carrier in accordance with security requirements. Security is enhanced since the station application software receiving and interpreting the data from a file sees a contiguous stream of bytes relating only to the file of the application being accessed. No information is provided to a user of a particular application about other applications in the data carrier or about the data carrier internal file structure.

Avi Zahivi

Papers

Security file system and method for securing data in a portable data carrier

Security file system for a portable data carrier

Improved security system for a portable data carrier

System for a portable data carrier