270 results about "Floppy disk" patented technology

A digital ticket is procured by a client ticket consumer upon, preferably, the Internet from and by staged interaction with a ticket provider server. The digital ticket becomes embodied in a tangible transportable data storage medium, normally a 2-D bar code printed on paper by the consumer, or on the consumer's flexible disk or smart card, containing Sign(s,I||hash(R))||R where (1) R is a number having its origin in the computer of the ticket consumer, which number R is appended to (2) a number Sign(s,I||hash(R)). This number Sign(s,I||hash(R)) was earlier computed in the computer of the ticket provider as a digital signature using signature key s of a number hash(R) combined with event information I, and was subsequently communicated across the communications network to the computer of the ticket consumer. The number hash(R) was itself even earlier computed in the computer of the ticket consumer as a one-way function of random number R, which computed one-way function was subsequently communicated to the computer of the ticket provider. The number R is private to the ticket consumer and not public; the digital signature key s is private to the ticket provider.The digital ticket is redeemed by (1) transporting the transportable storage medium within which the Sign(s,I||hash(R))||R is written to the particular selected event; (2) tendering the digital ticket for verification and for admission; (3) reading the Sign(s,I||hash(R))||R to an event computer and extracting the number R; (4) decrypting the remaining Sign(s, I||hash(R)) with verification key v of the ticket producer to get hash(R) and I; (5) re-calculating from R, with the same one-way function previously used, a re-calculated hash(R); then, having this recalculated hash(R) to hand; (6) comparing the re-calculated hash(R) to the extracted hash(R). The (4) decrypting will work, producing a proper I for the selected event, and the (6) comparing will be equal, only for a legitimate ticket.

A peripheral card having a Personal Computer (“PC”) card form factor and removably coupled externally to a host system is further partitioned into a mother card portion and a daughter card portion. The daughter card is removably coupled to the mother card. In the preferred embodiment, a low cost flash “floppy” is accomplished with the daughter card containing only flash EEPROM chips and being controlled by a memory controller residing on the mother card. Other aspects of the invention includes a comprehensive controller on the mother card able to control a predefined set of peripherals on daughter cards connectable to the mother card; relocation of some host resident hardware to the mother card to allow for a minimal host system; a mother card that can accommodate multiple daughter cards; daughter cards that also operates directly with hosts having embedded controllers; daughter cards carrying encoded data and information for decoding it; and daughter cards with security features.

A method and apparatus for booting a client computer connected to a network without a boot ROM and without an operating system is provided. Instructions from a BIOS ROM are executed to load a boot code loader from a nonvolatile, read / write memory, such as a diskette or hard disk. The boot code loader executes to load a control program from the diskette, and the control program executes to load a set of programs and / or device drivers from the diskette without loading an operating system. The set of programs and / or device drivers communicate with a network server to retrieve a boot program from the network server, and the boot program executes to complete the boot process of the client, such as downloading an operating system from the server.

Encryption and decryption of data stored from a computing system to a storage medium is disclosed wherein the processing employs a non-accessible encryption key that is unique to the computing system. The unique encryption key can be embedded in non-removable hardware of the computing system or generated, e.g., from identification numbers ascertained from non-removable hardware of the computing system. Processing includes establishing the unique encryption key, encrypting data using the unique encryption key and storing the encrypted data to the storage medium without storing the unique encryption key on the storage medium. The storage medium can comprise any non-removable or removable storage medium, including for example a computer hard drive, floppy diskette, or recordable compact disk.

An initial setup method (100) stores recovery tools (400) and a further setup script (402) on a computer (1000) which has an operating system (302) that need not have any recovery capabilities. At the user site, a further setup method (700, 800) reserves (706) a container space (500) in the file system space (304), creates (716) an image (1008) of the main partition (300), and stores (720) the image in the container. If the partition is corrupted later, the computer can still be booted using virtual boot tools (602), the image can be retrieved (914) from the container even though the partition around it was lost, and the image can then be deployed onto disk (200) over the corrupted partition, thereby restoring a working partition to the computer. This can be done without secondary media such as a recovery CD or floppy, and without a network connection.

A programmable transdermal therapeutic apparatus provides facile programming instruction means to query for a patient's attributes and to translate these attributes into customized patient limits and instructions of specific medication delivery regimens. More specifically, when the therapeutic apparatus is inserted into an active personal computer and the programming instruction means is uploaded, then the delivery regimen is downloaded into the dispensing device of the therapeutic apparatus. In its preferred embodiment, this transdermal therapeutic apparatus is configured as a floppy disk for its interactions with a personal computer.

The present invention provides a picture frame for displaying digital images taken by a digital camera. The invention may be a wall mounted frame or a desk top frame. The invention includes a display, such as an active matrix display for rendering images for viewing. The invention includes an interface for manipulating images by using a graphical user interface in conjunction with an operating system. The present invention may be employed for displaying overhead projection slides for conferences, lectures and meetings. The invention includes sensors for monitoring conditions in areas around the frame. The frame includes floppy disk and CD / DVD drives for transferring data to a memory of the frame. The memory of the frame is used to store images and may select images according to a program or list.

The present invention relates to a data compression techniques and is of particular relevance to embedded devices having a flash-prom. Data compression techniques have been known for many years. Devices such as mobile telecommunications handsets, personal digital assistants and vehicular navigation systems do not support access to data storage systems such as hard or floppy devices and their operating system and applications are typically stored on a flash-PROM that is associated with the embedded device. Flash-proms, suffer, in the main, from being rather slow. Flash-proms are also expensive. The present invention seeks to provide a data compression / decompression arrangement which can reduce flash-PROM usage without increasing boot-up time and provides a method for processing information in a data processor operable to process data to provide a sequence of uncompressed and compressed data blocks, whereby each block comprises an even number of bytes. The invention can enable a reduction in boot-up time for systems.

An entertainment system integrates an image of a user into an audiovisual presentation. The patron enters a room where the lighting, sound, and scenery can be controlled. A standardized input sequence is obtained by computer automated / assisted process where user images (video camera input, voice parameters, etc.) prompting the user to provide certain views and voiced statements. Alternatively, photo scan or diskette / CD readers can accept user input image data. A one, two, or three dimensional image data representation of the user images is then generated, including the speech parameters of the patron. The image can later be manipulated to change the appearance of the image. This appearance change includes attire and adding tools relevant to the entertainment area used by the patron. The image can then be smoothly integrated into a preexisting audiovisual presentation, thus making the patron a part of or a synthetic actor in the production.

The present invention provides both a device and a method. The device is a human made replacement for the soft discs in the spine. A fabric pouch encloses a central hydraulic element made up of small soft beads. Two pouches with beads are implanted into a prepared disc space to function as an intervertebral disc. The method is conversion of the device into a fusion element.

An automated self-service mail processing and storing system is disclosed which is capable of receiving input from and providing instructions to a user via a touch-sensitive screen or a digitized voice system. The system is capable of weighing the mail item, receiving user identification information from a credit / debit card, for example, for payment, calculating the charge for shipment and deducting that amount from the user's charge account, and securely storing the item for subsequent pickup. The system contains a novel weighing means capable of detecting minute vibrations for purposes of obtaining an accurate weight amount. The system may also contain a tracking bar code generation means and a tracking bar code verification system. Optionally, a dual floppy disk system allows the user to send electronic mail, and a built-in facsimile apparatus allows the user to send "FAX" information through the telephone line. Also disclosed is a two-way communication means coupled between the mail processing and storing system computer and a remote computer station for providing such functions as credit authorization and charge reporting, transaction and tracking information transfers, error reporting, etc.

Pure random numbers from a sheet within a one-time pad are employed to encrypt the bytes of a source data packet and to order the encrypted bytes in a random order within the encrypted data packet. Pure random numbers fill remaining positions within the encrypted data packet. The resulting encrypted data packet is unconditionally secure (i.e., unbreakable). Sheets within the one-time pad are utilized only once, and the one-time pad is replaced when exhausted. For electronic checking applications, the one-time pad is distributed to the user stored in an electronic checkbook, with a copy retained by the bank. For cellular telephone applications, the one-time pad is stored in a replaceable memory chip within the mobile unit with a copy retained at a single, secured central computer. For client-server applications or applications involving sales over the Internet, the one-time pad may be provided to the user on a floppy disk or CD-ROM, with a copy retained by the vendor.

A method to communicate provide server management information that emulates a floppy disk drive (FDD) with a management processor. This management processor operably couples to a multi-function integrated circuit having a FDD controller. Monitoring hardware and sensors operably couple to the management processor and write server management information to data files within the emulated FDD. Programs that utilize the server management information may then read this server management information.

A method and computer system including a bootable storage media, preferably a CD-ROM, having a single bootable disk image that allows multiple emulations. A hard disk boot image including an MBR is provided at the beginning of the bootable disk image. A floppy DBR is provided at a predetermined sector boundary in the hard disk image so that the computer system can use either the hard disk or the floppy disk emulation at boot time. A computer article of manufacture embodying a single bootable disk image that allows both a hard disk or a floppy disk emulation is also provided.

A fully integrated portable personal computing device includes a lid body member and a main body member. An input system inputs data and commands and a microprocessor processes the data in accordance with the commands. A display system displays information. The display system is located in the lid body member. A projection system is integrally included in the portable personal computing device for projecting the information displayed on the display system to an area remote of the portable personal computing device. The projection system can also be a peripheral plug-in device for replacing a floppy disk drive peripheral for the portable personal computing device.

A camera device by which a still picture photographed without data transfer to a personal computer can be viewed on the personal computer. The camera apparatus includes an optical system, an imaging device 21 for converting light signals of the object from the optical system into electrical signals, an A / D converter 22 for converting the electrical signals from the imaging device 21 into digital picture data, a data compression unit 28a for compressing the picture data from the A / D converter 22 in a pre-set style based on a software program, and a data conversion unit 28, 31, 32 for converting compressed data from the data compression unit 28a into data of a pre-set style that permits recording on a recording floppy disc.

A peripheral card having a Personal Computer (“PC”) card form factor and removably coupled externally to a host system is further partitioned into a mother card portion and a daughter card portion. The daughter card is removably coupled to the mother card. In the preferred embodiment, a low cost flash “floppy” is accomplished with the daughter card containing only flash EEPROM chips and being controlled by a memory controller residing on the mother card. Other aspects of the invention includes a comprehensive controller on the mother card able to control a predefined set of peripherals on daughter cards connectable to the mother card; relocation of some host resident hardware to the mother card to allow for a minimal host system; a mother card that can accommodate multiple daughter cards; daughter cards that also operates directly with hosts having embedded controllers; daughter cards carrying encoded data and information for decoding it; and daughter cards with security features.

A data processing system and method are described for booting a computer system from a virtual floppy diskette. A native operating system is executed by the computer system which utilizes a native file system. A boot able floppy diskette image is stored on the hard drive. The image includes a second operating system which utilizes a second file system. A master boot record stored on the hard drive is modified to include a boot bit. The boot bit is set in response to a storage of the image. The computer system is then booted from the image in response to the boot bit being set. The native operating system and the native file system are unchanged during the booting of the computer system from the image.

A health information package that a person carries with him at all times with all his health data, and enables him to grant caregivers instant access to all or any part of his health data, whenever the information is needed, at all points of care anywhere in the world, in computer readable and eye readable forms. A database management software program is contained in a portable computer readable storage device of the package. A blank data recording form and an updated health overview, organized by body organ systems, problems, types and sub-types of data can be printed when desired. With the package, any standard personal computer can be used to record, update, link, integrate and display health data from birth to death. The owner has absolute control on the availability, completeness, accuracy, integrity, privacy, confidentiality, security, backups and access to his health data that are stored on the package. A computer-readable storage medium, such as a floppy disk may be used for the storage.

A method is provided for installing a device driver capable of driving a peripheral device installed in a slot of a PC after receiving the device driver from a server located in a global network. When a PC card device, including a memory in which both a network address of a server providing the device's driver and information identifying the device driver have been stored, is inserted into a slot, network address and the device driver identifying information is read from the memory. Using this information, a request of a download of the device driver from the server with reference to the read-out information is made. The PC then receives the device driver downloaded from the server, and executes the received device driver to enable the peripheral device. With this method, no floppy disk need be supplied with the driver and the URL information is provided in the device, eliminating the need for installation and updating steps by the user.

A computer pointing device employs memory for the storage of data allowing information to be copied from one computer to another without the need for a network or removable media such as a floppy disk. In a first aspect, the pointing device may be linked to multiple computers wherein the connection to the pointing device may be toggled from one computer to another. The connection method may be via a cabled interface or wireless interface, such as a radio frequency link. In a second aspect, the device may by physically moved from one computer to another. In a preferred embodiment, the pointing device is a universal serial bus device.

An IBM PC compatible processing system typically has a BIOS installed as system firmware. During a boot process of the processing system, the BIOS loads a boot loader from one of the boot media, i.e., hard drives, floppy disks, CDs, USB flash memories, taps, etc. and passes control of the boot loader, the boot loader then loads an OS from the boot media. The present invention takes advantage of the higher reliability and availability provided by the system flash memory and stores a boot loader as system firmware in the system flash memory. Further, it provides changes in the BIOS boot process to load the boot loader from system memory, the ROM, for example, without relying on boot media. With this new process, the boot loader can be loaded even when the boot media is corrupt, defective or un-initialized.

The invention discloses a method of shifting memory leaking secret protection and system to realize the method, which is characterized by the following: utilizing virtual disk technique; adopting disk grade bridging method; proceeding encryption for the data in the common memory through the virtual disk with special pattern; storing the data on the shifting memory with cryptogram style; loading the virtual disk before reading or writing data; proceeding order checkout and user identification proved; non-loading without right order or special form; assuring the safety of the data in the shifting memory; setting the system as three module of server, warranting center and custom terminal. This invention can be used to various memories such as flash memory, shifting hard disk, soft disk and so on.

A system for calculating waypoints and routes for marine navigation by pre-calculating the routes and waypoints, saving the results to databases contained within electronic media such as CD ROMs, floppy discs, and disseminating copies to mariners for use with prior art global positioning systems devices in common use in the marine industry. The mariner is enabled to send the information on a disc for use on other global positioning systems devices and to superimpose uniquely named waypoints and routes, which contain additional fields and features not found in prior art systems.

A device for holding, storing and displaying various media articles, such as CDs, CD Cases, DVDs, DVD Cases, Audio Cassettes, Audio Cassette Cases, Computer Mini-floppies, Video Cassette, Video Cassette Cases, Books, Magazines, Pictures, Cards and the like. The device is comprised of a single sheet of relatively thin pliable, resilient material, such as a sheet of vinyl, plastic, and the like, within and through said material are cut a plurality of slits, in sets of two or more slits or slit sets. The lower ends of slit sets are spaced apart by a distance which is less than the transverse dimension of an article to be supported or held, while the upper ends are spaced apart at a distance which is greater than the transverse dimension of said article to be supported or held. The lower ends and upper ends of slit sets are longitudinally spaced apart by a distance that is less than the longitudinal dimension of an article to be supported or held. The lower ends of a slit set are even on the horizontal axis while the upper ends of a slit set has at least one slit that is uneven, shorter or offset from at least one other slit on the horizontal axis. When an article is inserted into the space between slits in a slit set, the material deforms to form a compartment that captures or holds a portion of said article. Compartments are formed from a plurality of slits and / or slit sets and are open-topped / top-loading and are integrally formed with the sheet material. Compartments are capable of receiving at least one article and maintaining the article in an upright position, relatively parallel with the overall plane of the device with at least one part of the article visible for viewing. A slit sets size, shape and spacing is relatively proportional to the size, shape and / or dimensions of the articles thereby forming compatible compartments for the article. A portion of an article is within the compartment and a portion is exposed so as to permit a single article to be easily accessible and grasped by the fingers for easy placement and / or removal there from. The device is mountable to supports, such as a wall, door, and mirror or hung from racks etc.

A peripheral card having a Personal Computer (“PC”) card form factor and removably coupled externally to a host system is further partitioned into a mother card portion and a daughter card portion. The daughter card is removably coupled to the mother card. In the preferred embodiment, a low cost flash “floppy” is accomplished with the daughter card containing only flash EEPROM chips and being controlled by a memory controller residing on the mother card. Other aspects of the invention includes a comprehensive controller on the mother card able to control a predefined set of peripherals on daughter cards connectable to the mother card; relocation of some host resident hardware to the mother card to allow for a minimal host system; a mother card that can accommodate multiple daughter cards; daughter cards that also operates directly with hosts having embedded controllers; daughter cards carrying encoded data and information for decoding it; and daughter cards with security features.

A type of servo pattern suitable for tracking systems in magnetic recording devices such as floppy disks or linear tape or hard disks or in other machines. The pattern comprises several phase-encoded elements that provide an absolute transverse position coordinate from local data. Computations can be made with channel chips commonly used in magnetic recording disk drives.

Multi-chip computer module with a CPU and other functional circuits such as serial and parallel interfaces, a hard drive interface, a floppy disk interface, a keyboard interface, and flash memory. During initialization, the module can check the wiring of a connector coupled to a serial port to determine the mode in which the module should operate, and in an operational mode, normal serial communications can be carried on through the serial port. Fail safe BIOS operation is provided by storing a BIOS program both in a read only memory (ROM) and in a flash memory, with the flash memory serving as the source of the BIOS program under normal operating conditions. If the flash memory should become erased or otherwise corrupted, the ROM can serve as the source of the BIOS program and allow the flash memory to be reprogrammed.