An electronic data flash card includes a processor and at least one flash memory device. The flash memory is partitioned such that it includes a first partition that is formatted using a file system that supports an Autorun function (e.g., CD-ROM file system (CDFS) format, fixed-disk format or Universal Disk Format (UDF)), and a disk partition that is formatted using a typical controller-based flash device file system (e.g., 16-bit File Allocation Table (FAT16) file system, 32-bit FAT (FAT32) file system, or New Technology File System (NTFS)). The electronic data flash card is produced such that Autorun-enabled application automatically executes a predetermined application or action when the electronic data flash card is installed in a host system. In one embodiment, the Autorun application includes an advertisement displayed on the host system prior to allowing access to data stored in the disk partition.
This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of co-pending U.S. patent application for "USB Electronic Data Flash Card with Multiple Partitions and Autorun Function", U.S. application Ser. No. 11/671,431, filed Feb. 5, 2007, which is a CIP of U.S. patent application for "Flash Memory Controller For Electronic Data Flash Card", U.S. application Ser. No. 11/466,759, filed on Aug. 23, 2006, which is a CIP of "System and Method for Controlling Flash Memory", U.S. application Ser. No. 10/789,333, filed on Feb. 26, 2004, now abandoned. This application is also related to "Integrated circuit card with fingerprint verification capability" application Ser. No. 09/366,976, filed on Aug. 4, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,130 and "Electronic Data Storage Medium With Fingerprint Verification Capability", U.S. application Ser. No. 09/478,720, filed Jan. 6, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,714, all of which are incorporated herein as though set forth in full.
As flash memory technology becomes more advanced, flash memory is replacing traditional magnetic disks as storage media for mobile systems. Flash memory has significant advantages over floppy disks or magnetic hard disks such as having a high-G resistance and a low power dissipation. Because of the smaller physical size of a flash memory, they are also more conducive to mobile systems. Accordingly, the flash memory trend has been growing because of its compatibility with portable (mobile) systems and a low-power feature.
Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an electronic data flash card including a flash memory device, an optional fingerprint sensor, an input-output interface circuit and a processing unit. The electronic data flash card is adapted to be accessed by a host (external) computer such as a personal computer, notebook computer or other electronic host device. As an electronic data flash card is easier to carry and durable for ruggedness, personal data can be stored inside the flash memory device in an encrypted form such that it can only be accessed, for example, by way of the optional fingerprint sensor associated with card body to make sure unauthorized person cannot misuse the card.
An embodiment of the present invention is particularly directed to an electronic data flash card in which the flash memory cells of the flash memory are partitioned using formatting techniques similar to those used to format "hard" disk drives to include at least one partition including an Autorun function (i.e., an Autorun.inf file and at least one application file containing a software application launched by the Autorun.inf file at start-up), and one or more disk partitions for storing user-accessible data. The "autorun" partition is formatted using a file system that supports/facilitates the Autorun function (e.g., CD-ROM file system (CDFS) or Universal File System (UFS)), and the disk partition is formatted using a typical data storage file system (e.g., 16-bit File Allocation Table (FAT16) file system, 32-bit File Allocation Table (FAT32) file system, or New Technology (NT) File System (NTFS)). In one embodiment, the autorun partition is not accessible to an end user, and is only accessible by way of a special utility and a manufacturer-defined password.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, when a communication link between an electronic data flash card and a host computer is established, the electronic data flash card is initialized, and then automatically executes commands stored in Autorun.inf file (i.e., either executes the software application using the card's controller, or causes the host computer to execute the software application). After initiating (and in some cases entirely completing) the execution of the software application, the flash memory controller enters a "normal" operating mode including one of: a programming mode in which the flash memory controller activates the input/output interface circuit to receive a data file from the host computer, and stores the data file in the disk partition; a data retrieving mode in which the flash memory controller reads the data file from the disk partition, and activates the input/output interface circuit to transmit the data file to the host computer; and a data resetting mode in which the flash memory controller erases the data file from the disk partition). By partitioning a flash memory device into two or more partitions that include both an autorun partition and a disk partition, an embodiment of the present invention provides an enhanced electronic data flash card that facilitates operations that are not possible with a flash card having only a single partition.
FIG. 1(C) is a block diagram showing the electronic data flash card of FIG. 1(B) in additional detail according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a simplified flow chart showing a method for operating the flash memory system of FIG. 1(D) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a flash memory system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of a flash memory system, which can be used to implement the flash memory system of FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a translation table, which can be used to implement the index of FIG. 3 or the address translation table of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) are exemplary applications of the address translation table of FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 7/1 and 7/2 are flow charts showing a method for providing the translation table of FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 8/1 and 8/2 are translation tables in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method for constructing the translation table of FIG. 8 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a method for programming a flash memory system of FIG. 4 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a method for setting-up an AutoRun function with a manufacturing host in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a method for running an AutoRun function user mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a method for booting up a read-only memory (ROM), in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a method for setting up a security partition of the manufacturing test in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14A is a block diagram illustrating a data block of a flash memory device according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a method for operating a security partition in user mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for providing a protection of a flash memory device according to one embodiment of the invention.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an improvement in methods for producing electronic data flash cards. Although embodiments of the present invention are described below with specific reference to USB electronic data flash cards, the present novel aspects of the present invention can be used in manufacturing a wide range of flash card types, including but not limited to PCI Express, Secure Digital (SD), Memory Stick (MS), Compact Flash (CF), IDE and SATA flash memory cards, such applications can also be adopted in various Vertical-Helical-Scan (VHS) and Digital-Versatile-Disk (DVD) format to auto-play the media contents inside. Whenever Autorun device is plugged in the host machine, it can fulfill the same function as today's popular media carrier does.
Flash memory device 3 is mounted on the card body 1, and stores in a known manner therein a data file, a reference password, and fingerprint reference data obtained by scanning a fingerprint of a person authorized to access the data file. The data file can be, for example, a picture file or a text file. As set forth below, the flash memory device 3 also includes boot code data and control code data.
The fingerprint sensor 4 is mounted on the card body 1, and is adapted to scan a fingerprint of a user of electronic data flash card 10 to generate fingerprint scan data. One example of the fingerprint sensor 4 that can be used in the present invention is that disclosed in a co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,130, entitled "INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CARD WITH FINGERPRINT VERIFICATION CAPABILITY", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The fingerprint sensor described in the above patent includes an array of scan cells that defines a fingerprint scanning area. The fingerprint scan data includes a plurality of scan line data obtained by scanning corresponding lines of array of scan cells. The lines of array of scan cells are scanned in a row direction as well as a column direction of the array. Each of the scan cells generates a first logic signal upon detection of a ridge in the fingerprint of the holder of card body, and a second logic signal upon detection of a valley in the fingerprint of the holder of card body.
The processing unit 2 is mounted on the card body 1, and is connected to the memory device 3, the fingerprint sensor 4 and the input/output interface circuit 5 by way of associated conductive traces or wires disposed on card body 1. In one embodiment, processing unit 2 is one of an 8051, 8052, and 80286 microprocessors available, for example, from Intel Corporation. In other embodiments, processing unit 2 includes a RISC, ARM, MIPS or other digital signal processors. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, processing unit 2 is controlled by a program stored at least partially in flash memory device 3 such that processing unit 2 is operable selectively in: (1) a programming mode, where the processing unit 2 activates the input/output interface circuit 5 to receive the data file, the boot code data, the control code data, and optional fingerprint reference data from the host computer 9, and to store the data in the flash memory device 3 (as an option, in a compressed format to increase storage capacity of the memory device 3); (2) a reset mode in which the boot code data and the control code data are read from the flash memory device and utilized to configure and control the operation of the processing unit 2; (3) a data retrieving mode, where the processing unit 2 reads the fingerprint scan data from the fingerprint sensor 4, compares the fingerprint scan data with at least a segment of the fingerprint reference data in the flash memory device 3 to verify if the user of the electronic data flash card 10 is authorized to access the data file stored in the flash memory device 3, and activates the input/output interface circuit 5 to transmit the data file to the host computer 9 upon verifying that the user is authorized to access the data file stored in the flash memory device 3; (4) a code updating mode in which the boot code data and the control code data are updated in the memory device 3; and (5) a data resetting mode, where the data file and the fingerprint reference data are erased from the memory device 3. In operation, host computer 9 sends write and read requests to electronic data flash card 10 via a card reader or interface bus 13 and input/output interface circuit 5 to the processing unit 2, which in turn utilizes a flash memory controller (not shown) to read from and/or write to the associated one or more flash memory device 3. In one embodiment, the processing unit 2 automatically initiates the data resetting mode operation upon detecting that a preset time period has elapsed since storage of the data file and the fingerprint reference data in the memory device 3.
8051, 8052 and 80286 processors are microprocessors developed by Intel Corporation, using a complex instruction set. 8051 and 8052 microprocessors have an 8-bit data bus, whereas 80286 processors have a 16-bit data bus. RISC, ARM and MIPS are microprocessors using the architecture of a reduced instruction set. 8051 and 8052 processors are widely used in a low cost application. 80286 processor can be used for higher speed/performance applications. RISC, ARM and MIPS processors are higher cost microprocessors better suited to more complex applications such as advanced ECC (Error Correction Code) and data encryption.
Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention are set forth below.
FIG. 1(C) shows processing unit 2A of FIG. 1(B) in additional detail. Electronic data flash card 10A includes a power regulator 22 for providing one or more power supplies. The power supplies provide different voltages to processing unit 2A and other associated units of electronic data flash card 10A according to the power requirements. Capacitors (not shown) may be required for power stability. Electronic data flash card 10A includes a reset circuit 23 for providing a reset signal to processing unit 2A. Upon power up, reset circuit 23 asserts a reset signal to all units. After internal voltages reach a stable level, the reset signal is then de-asserted, and resisters and capacitors (not shown) are provided for an adequate reset timing adjustment. Electronic data flash card 10A also includes a quartz crystal oscillator (not shown) to provide the fundamental frequency to a PLL within processing unit 2A. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, input/output interface circuit 5A, reset circuit 23, and power regulator 22 are integrated and/or partially integrated within processing unit 2A. A high integration substantially reduces the overall space needed, the complexity, and/or the cost of manufacturing. Compactness and reduced cost are key factors to removable devices such as the electronic data flash cards described herein. Modern IC (Integrated Circuits) packaging can integrate discrete IC components with different technologies and material into one IC package. For example, the input/output interface circuit is analog and digital mixed circuitry, which can be integrated into one MCP (Multi-Chip Package) with the processing unit. The reset circuit and power regulator are analog circuitry, which can also be integrated into the MCP with the processing unit. The nature of mixed signal IC technology allows the hybrid integration of both analog and digital circuitry. Therefore, a higher integration can be incorporated into the same chip/die for the processing unit which includes an input/output interface circuit, a flash memory controller, a reset circuit and a power regulator.
FIG. 1(D) is a block diagram of an electronic data flash card 10B in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Electronic data flash card 10B omits the fingerprint sensor and the associated user identification process. The electronic data flash card 10B also includes a highly integrated processing unit 2B including an input/output interface circuit 5B and a flash memory controller 21 for integration cost reduction reasons. Input/output interface circuit 5B includes a transceiver block, a serial interface engine block, data buffers, registers, and interrupt logic. Input/output interface circuit 5B is coupled to an internal bus to allow for various elements of input/output interface circuit 5B to communicate with the elements of flash memory controller 21. Flash memory controller 21 includes a microprocessor unit, a ROM, a RAM, flash memory controller logic, error correction code logic, and general purpose input/output (GPIO) logic. In one embodiment, the GPIO logic is coupled to a plurality of LEDs for status indication such as power good, read/write flash activity, etc., and other I/O devices. Flash memory controller 21 is coupled to one or more flash memory devices 3B.
Host computer 9B, which can either be a manufacture/test system or a user system, includes a function key set 8B, is connected to the processing unit 2B via an interface bus 15 when electronic data flash card 10B is in operation. When host computer 9B is a manufacture/test system, function key set 8B is used to selectively set electronic data flash card 10B in one of a formatting/testing mode and a code updating mode. When host computer 9B is a manufacture/test system, function key set 8B is used to selectively set electronic data flash card 10B in one of a data writing (programming) mode, a data retrieving mode, and data reset mode. The function key set 8B is also operable to provide an input password to the host computer 9B that facilitates either authorization to enter either the formatting/testing or code updating modes (i.e., entering a manufacturer-defined password), or authorization to access secure data (i.e., entering a user-defined password). The processing unit 2B compares the input password with the reference password stored in the flash memory device 3B, and initiates authorized operation of electronic data flash card 10B upon verifying that the input password corresponds with the reference password.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, processing unit 2B includes a flash memory type algorithm for detection if a flash memory type is supported by the flash memory controller logic. Flash memory controllers with such intelligent algorithms are disclosed, for example, in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/466,759, entitled FLASH MEMORY CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRONIC DATA FLASH CARD, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The system architecture of a typical flash memory system includes a flash memory controller having a processor, ROM and RAM, in which the boot code and control code are residing in the ROM as ROM code. Upon power up, the processor fetches the boot code for execution, the boot code initializes the system components and loads the control code into the RAM. Once the control code is loaded into the RAM, it takes control of the system. The control code includes one or more drivers to perform basic tasks such as controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output ports etc. The control code also includes a flash type detection algorithm and flash memory parameters data. The ROM is a read only memory, after the flash memory controller design is done and moved into a production, the software code in ROM is frozen and cannot be changed to support new flash types released to the market in a later time. In such a situation, a new flash memory controller has to be developed to support new flash memories from time to time, which is costly and time consuming.
Also in accordance with the present invention, the flash memory cells of flash memory device 3B are partitioned using formatting techniques similar to those used for hard disk drives into two or more partitions that include at least one autorun partition 32 that is formatted using a file system that facilitates an Autorun function (e.g., CD-ROM file system (CDFS) or Universal File System (UFS)), and at least one disk partition 33 that is formatted using a typical data storage file system (e.g., 16-bit File Allocation Table (FAT16) file system, 32-bit File Allocation Table (FAT32) file system, or New Technology (NT) File System (NTFS)). Autorun partition 32 includes an Autorun.inf file 32A that is executed by flash controller 21 when electronic data flash card 10B is operably connected to host computer 9B via interface bus 15, and an application file 32B including one or more software applications executed in response to calls from the Autorun.inf file 32A. Further details regarding operation of the Autorun function are discussed below. Disk partition 33 includes data that is either public data 33A that is accessible without a user-defined password, or secured data 33B that requires a password to access.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a simplified operation of electronic data flash card 10B according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the communication link between electronic data flash card 10B and host computer 9B is established (e.g., when electronic data flash card 10B is plugged into a USB socket on host computer 9B; YES branch is block 50), electronic data flash card 10B powers up and initializes system operations, and establishes a contact with host computer 9B (block 52). Next, in accordance with instructions provided in boot code 31A, flash memory controller 21 executes the commands stored in Autorun.inf file 32A (i.e., either executes software application 32B, or causes host computer 9B to execute software application 32B). After initiating (and in some cases entirely completing) the execution of software application 32B, flash memory controller 21 enters a "normal" operating mode in which a user is able to access data stored in disk partition 33, and/or write new data into disk partition 33 (e.g., operating in one of: a programming mode in which flash memory controller 21 activates input/output interface circuit 5B to receive a data file from host computer 9B, and stores the data file in disk partition 33; a data retrieving mode in which flash memory controller 21 reads the data file from disk partition 33, and activates input/output interface circuit 5B to transmit the data file to host computer 9B; and a data resetting mode in which flash memory controller 21 erases the data file from disk partition 33). By partitioning flash memory device 3B into two or more partitions that include both autorun partition 32 and disk partition 33, an embodiment of the present invention provides an enhanced electronic data flash card that facilitates operations that are not possible with a flash card having only a single partition. For example, electronic data flash card 10B may be distributed by a company without cost to users as a promotional item, and the autorun function may be used to play a predetermined advertisement on the user terminal's display each time electronic data flash card 10B is used. As set forth in additional detail below, electronic data flash cards manufactured in accordance with the present invention facilitate many other useful functions as well.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic data flash card 200 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, which is referred to below as flash memory system 200. Flash memory system 200 includes a transceiver 202, a flash memory controller 204, a central processing unit (CPU) 206, a read-only memory (ROM) 208, a flash memory 210, and a main memory 212. In this specific embodiment, the transceiver 202 is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) transceiver. Note that the term flash memory represents one or more flash memory devices. Flash memory controller 204 is an embedded controller and handles most of the CPU commands that are provided by the firmware in the ROM 208 and/or stored in predefined sections of flash memory 210.
In accordance with the present invention, flash memory 210 is configured during an initial formatting/testing operation to include multiple partitions 214, 216, 218. The specific number of partitions will vary and will depend on the specific application. The flash memory system 200 utilizes the multiple partitions 214-218 to provide multiple functions. Access to the multiple partitions is provided by an index 220 in the main memory 212. The functions can include, for example, an AutoRun function, non-secured data storage, and secured data storage. Embodiments implementing the multiple partitions 214-218, the index 220, and these exemplary functions are described in detail below in the remaining figures.
During a normal operation, the flash memory system 200 is adapted to be coupled to a user host 230. The user host 230 can be a PC or Mac-based personal computer. The user host 230 includes a user application 232 and a driver 234 which executes a bulk-only-transport (BOT) protocol 236. In this specific embodiment, the driver 236 is a USB driver, and can be provided by an operating system such as Windows.
During a formatting/testing mode operation, the flash memory system 200 is adapted to be coupled to a manufacturer host 240. The manufacturer host 240 can be a personal computer (PC) having special programming hardware and software. In this specific embodiment, the manufacturer host 240 includes a manufacturing application 242 and a driver 244 which executes a BOT protocol 246. In this specific embodiment, the driver 246 is a USB driver.
The manufacturer host 240 formats and tests the flash memory system 200 before it is shipped to an end user. This formatting/testing operation enables the flash memory system 200 to create the multiple partitions 214, 216, and 218 and to execute multiple functions such as data storage and the AutoRun function. The driver 246 is a special driver (USBmfg.sys for example) which facilitates the programming process. The BOT protocol 246 commands facilitate in programming reserved areas of the flash memory 210.
FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of a flash memory system 400, which can be used to implement the flash memory system 200 of FIG. 3 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. Generally, the flash memory system 400 includes a transceiver 402, a flash memory controller 404, a CPU 406, a ROM 408, a flash memory 410, and a main memory 412. The flash memory 410 is configured to include multiple partitions 414, 416, and 418. The main memory 412 stores an index or address translation table 420. The address translation table 420 stores information regarding the configuration of the flash memory 410 such as how many partitions it has and how the partitions are formatted (e.g. as a CD ROM, disk drive, etc.). The address translation table 420 also enables the CPU 406 to access the multiple partitions 414-418.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the partitions 414-418 have different file systems (e.g., structures or formats) that facilitate both the automatic execution of a manufacturer-defined Autorun operation and a "normal" (user-controlled) data access operation. Examples of various file structures are CD file structures (CDFSs), file allocation tables (FATs) such as FAT16 and FAT 32, and NT file structures (NTFSs). By having the multiple partitions 414-418 with different file structures, the flash memory system 400 can cause a host system to perform multiple functions. For example, one partition 414 (which may also be referred to as partition 0) can be formatted as a compact disk (CD) read-only memory (ROM) type partition, which uses a compact disk file system (CDFS) file structure. The CD ROM format enables the flash memory system to support an AutoRun function. The AutoRun function is described in more detail further below.
Another partition 416 (may also be referred to as partition 1) can be formatted as a disk partition. A disk partition can use different file structures (such as FAT16, FAT 32, or NTFS, etc.) and can be used for a typical flash memory usage (i.e. data storage). Being a disk type partition, this partition can be configured as a public partition, where it can be accessed without conditions (e.g. without a required password).
The flash memory system 400 also includes a logic unit number (LUN) counter 430, a LUN type register 432, and a LUN base address register 434. The flash memory controller 404 includes a manufacturer special command decoder 440, a small computer systems interface (SCSI) CD ROM dedicated command decoder 442, a SCSI fixed-disk type command decoder 444, and a SCSI general command decoder 446.
The address translation table 420 includes information regarding the configuration of the flash memory 410, and the CPU 406 can utilize the address translation table 420 to create and access the multiple partitions 414-418 in the flash memory 410. More specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the address translation table 420 associates LUNs with the respective partitions 414-418. A LUN is a unique identifier used on a SCSI bus to distinguish between devices that share the same bus.
In operation, the LUNs are used to identify each partition, and one LUN can correspond to one or more partitions. For example, one LUN can correspond to a CD ROM partition, which can be utilized for the AutoRun function. Another LUN can correspond to two disk-type partitions, which can be utilized for public and secured partitions. The number of LUNs and the types of partitions associated with each LUNs will vary and will depend on the specific implementation.
A reserved area 450 stores 512 bytes of pre-programmed control information for the flash memory 410. The control information includes LUN numbers, LUN types, volume capacity, IDs, holding capacities of non-volatile registers, partition information, etc. In a specific embodiment, the holding capacities of non-volatile registers and each partition information are stored in the first available address space of the reserved area 450. Typically, the information in the reserved area 450 needs to be programmed at a manufacturing site for an initial setup or later re-programmed for recall purposes or for firmware updates. In a specific embodiment, up to four copies (for purposes such as copying, backup, etc.) of the control information in the reserved area are preserved to facilitate erase-before-write operations of the flash memory. A "reserved space ratio," which is the amount of reserved flash memory space relative to the capacity of the flash memory, is determined by the manufacturer.
The architecture of the flash memory system 400 utilizes bulk-only-transport protocols and a command block wrapper (CBW) having 31 bytes of control information. A manufacturing command (e.g. F1, F2, etc., those specially coded command not listed in SCSI command manual) or a general purpose command block wrapper command block (CBWCB) (such as an SCSI inquiry command), and a dedicated Request-LUN-Number command (e.g. 43h command code) are decoded and passed to the flash memory controller 404 for proper operation of the flash memory system 400.
FIG. 5 is an example of translation table 500 of four partitions, which can be used to implement the index 220 of FIG. 3 or the address translation table 420 of FIG. 4, in accordance with the present invention. The translation table includes LUNs 500, 502, 504, and 506. The LUNs 500, 502, 504, and 506 are also referred to as LUN 0, LUN 1, LUN 2, LUN 3, respectively. In a specific embodiment, the CD ROM partition is assigned to the LUN0 500. The LUN0 500 is given the highest priority by the Windows operating system (OS) and will show a lower drive letter. The LUNs 502 to 506 are each assigned to separate partitions. The partition associated with the LUN 502 is password protected, and the partition associated with the LUN 504 and 506 are public, i.e. available for general access. In this example two public partitions are useful for data organizations.
FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) are exemplary applications of the address translation table 500 of FIG. 5 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The flash memory in this example is 256 Mega bits total capacity, which is organized as 2K bytes per page, and 64 pages per erasable block. FIG. 6(A) is applied to a partition that is formatted as a CD ROM partition (i.e. 2K bytes per CD-ROM sector), and FIG. 6(B) is applied to a partition that is formatted as a disk partition (i.e. 512 bytes per disk sector). Generally, the LUNs and LBAs are used by flash device firmware to calculate PBAs for physical block address access.
Referring to FIG. 6(A), the value in the LBA column 602 (LBAtbl) is formed by summing an LBA base address 604 and an LBAblk address 606. The LBA base address 604 is the same as the LUN base address. The LBAblk address 606 is a value derived from an LBA provided by the CBWCB 610 by LBALSB 608 (i.e. right shifting a particular number of bits). In this example, it is shifted by six bits in the case of an erasable block having 64 pages. A PBA page address 612, which has 2K bytes per page, is formed by two components, a PBAtbl 614 (a mapping result of the translation table) and a 6-bit offset 616. The PBAtbl table address 614 is the mapping result of the translation table 420 (FIG. 4) from the index of the LBAtbl 602. The offset 616 is provided by the lower six bits (LSBs) of the LBA from the CBWCB 610. In this case, the 6-bit PBA least significant bit (PBALSB)=6-bit LBALSB 608.
Referring to FIG. 6(B), the values are derived similarly to those in FIG. 6(A) except that the offset value LBALSB is 8 bits (due to 512 bytes per sector out of 2K bytes per page of flash memory). The six MSBs of the LBALSB are concatenated with the PBAtbl to construct the PBA address for the flash memory. The two LSBs of the LBALSB are used to access 512 bytes out of the 2K-page flash. In this case, 6-bit PBALSB equals 6-bit MSB from 8-bit LBALSB.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a flash memory can have different size formats such as a small format and/or a large format. The small format has a sector size of 512 bytes per page and 16K bytes per erase block. The large format has a sector size of 2K per page and 128K bytes per erase block. The specific sizes will vary and will depend on a specific implementation. The following is an example of a large format flash translation SRAM.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a method for providing the translation table 500 of FIG. 5 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. First, the flash memory system is initialized, in a step 700. The flash memory controller determines the type of flash memory that is in the flash memory system, whether the flash memory has a small format or large format, and determines values for the number of bytes per page, pages per block, and bytes per block.
The flash memory controller also reconstructs the translation table 420 from the flash memory. The device controller reads each first page of each erase block using the physical address from the beginning block to the last. On each read, the device controller reads the block-related information (such as LBAtbl) stored in the spare area next to the data area, which has 2K bytes (or 512 bytes). The device controller then uses the valid LBAtbl as an index to the address translation table 420 and stores a corresponding PBA.
Next, it is determined whether the flash memory is a large or small format, in step 714. If the flash memory is small format (512 bytes per page), the device controller needs a 5-bit PBALSB as the page offset address, in a step 724. The 5-bit PBALSB will be equal to a 5-bit LBALSB, or equal to a 3-bit LBALSB concatenated with two "0"s at the right, depending on the page size of the LBA. In the case where the flash memory is a large format (2K bytes per page), it is then determined that the LBA page size is greater than 512 bytes or equal to 512 bytes, in a step 716. If it is greater than 512 bytes, the 6-bit PBALSB value will be equal to the 6-bit LBALSB value, in a step 718. If less than 512 bytes, the page offset value will be equal to the 2 LSBs bits of the LBALSB, in a step 720, and the 6-bit PBALSB is equal to 6 most significant bit (MSB) bits of the LBALSB, in a step 722. The flash memory controller needs a 6-bit PBALSB as the page offset address. The 6-bit PBALSB will be equal to 6-bit LBALSB or 6 higher bits of 8-bit LBALSB, depending on the file format sector size of the LBA. Next, the 2 lower bits of an 8-bit LBALSB is offset, in a step 726.
Next, it is determined if the flash memory access is a read operation or a write operation, in a step 730. If the operation is a read operation, data is read from the PBA page, in a step 732. If it is a write operation, it is determined whether the address or the page is already occupied, in a step 734. If it is occupied, a new empty block is found and updated with the new PBA value to address translation table, in a step 736. As such, a new PBA page is calculated based on the new PBAtbl. If the page is unoccupied, data is written to the PBA page, in a step 738.
Generally, the LUN code is used to concatenate with LBAs and to generate corresponding PBAs. For different LUN numbers, the operating system (OS) can generate the same LBA value to access data. A single SRAM look up table can be dedicated for all LUNs. However, when the LUN changes, a reconstruction process is used to rebuild the address translation table in the SRAM device for later OS access. An index 810, which is for the translation table, consists of LUN code concatenated with the LBA. The content of the translation table provides PBAtbl values. The maximum index number in this example is 2048 (i.e. 256 Mbits flash memory). A copy of every physical block status page 812, which includes LUN code as well as valid states, is stored in flash reserved area 814 for a firmware statistics usage. Each page per block 816 of flash physical memory consists of data and spare areas. The spare area includes LUN code and LBA information from the host.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method for constructing the translation 800 table of FIG. 8 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Generally, referring to both FIGS. 8 and 9 together, if the LUN changes, the contents of the translation table are flushed for each access, and then the translation table is reconstructed.
Next, in a step 906, a physical byte number in the physical block status sector is read sequentially. The physical block status sector has all of the required physical block information (e.g. LUN code, valid flags, stale flags). Next, it is determined whether the physical block fulfills valid download requirements, in a step 908. If yes, it is determined if the valid flag matches, in a step 910, if the stale flag matches a non-stale state, in a step 912, and if the LUN code matches, in a step 914. If yes to all of the steps 910-914, in the flash memory the PBA is used determine the LBA, and then both the PBA and the LBA are used to reconstruct the translation table, in a step 916. Next, the physical byte number is incremented, in a step 918. If either the valid flag, non-stale flag, or the LUN code does not match, the physical byte number is incremented without updating the translation table, in the step 918. The physical block ends, in a step 920, and reconstruction of the new translation table completes, in a step 922. The process returns to the step 908 if the end of the physical block status page 812 has not been reached. This method can support a multiple LUN structure and share a single translation table. Hence, this method can support more OS types and is not limited to the Windows OS.
Next, the percentage of bad blocks are checked, in a step 1022. This percentage is compared to a predetermined value that is either pre-programmed or manually keyed-in, in step 1022. If the percentage is greater than the predetermined value, the flash memory system is rejected, in a step 1024. Next, if the percentage is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the total physical capacity of the flash memory and a reserved ratio is determined, in a step 1026. Next, error correction code (ECC) (e.g. checksum of reserved sector codes) is written in dedicated physical address of the flash memory using special manufacturing commands, in a step 1028. Firmware in the flash memory controller checks the ECC each time reserved sector codes are updated to another empty reserve space, and an outdated copy is erased.
Next, flash related information is written into the reserved area, in a step 1030. Run-time code is part of the booting processes. Any codes that are not directly involved with the initial booting of the controller are put into the flash memory device to reduce the ROM size of the device controller. Enumeration field programmed values (e.g. serial number and product version number) as well as some partition (volume) sizes are loaded in at the same time. Some special loading commands can be recognized by the flash memory controller and load values in the flash reserved areas which the user cannot modify or erase. A device embedded controller ASIC ID and the write-in special password code is checked when the reserved area is accessed. Run-time code is loaded to the reserved area. The code can be updated if any bugs are found or if newer versions are available. Also, a notice to a manufacturer operator may be indicated using an LED as to whether a tested device tests okay or not.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the AutoRun function is implemented by a combination of configuring an extra partition of flash memory with firmware and hardware support to emulate the Window system CD-ROM feature.
The Windows OS can support the AutoRun function using a partition that is either a CD ROM-type partition, or a fixed-disk partition (typically used for hard disk drives or ZIP drives). In one embodiment of the present invention, the AutoRun function is implemented using a partition that is a CD ROM-type partition, as describe above. As such, the enumeration is modified so that it informs the OS that the flash memory device is not a removable device but is instead a CD-ROM device. Also, the ROM code in the flash memory controller is modified so that the ROM code supports the AutoRun function.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the AutoRun function can be implemented using a partition that is a fixed-disk partition. As such, the partition associated with the AutoRun function is formatted as a fixed disk. This may be referred to as a software implementation, since the software for the AutoRun function can run without having to make any hardware changes to the flash memory system. However, files related to the AutoRun feature can be deleted if the AutoRun files are stored in a fixed-disk partition, but it cannot be deleted if the AutoRun file are stored in a CD-ROM partition.
Keying software can be implemented using the AutoRun feature, where the keying software program provides privileges for accessing the host system. For example, if the flash memory device is plugged into the USB port, the AutoRun feature automatically executes a keying software in the host system to facilitate access to information (data) stored on the host computer system. If the user unplugs the flash memory device from the USB port, the host system will be locked.
User profile software can be implemented using the AutoRun feature, where the user profile software provides user profile information (system settings) associated with each application. For example, the user profile information can include user-customized settings for internet browser options (e.g. bookmarks, default home page), email settings, Word settings, etc.
Next, an erase test and a write-read test are executed, and bad-block and reserved area ratios are determined, in a step 1116. Next, reserved information is downloaded into the flash memory, in a step 1118. Reserved information includes a serial number, a vendor, a product ID, a firmware version, etc. This information is available for access by an OS driver during enumeration process in normal operation mode. Information such as a mass storage class, BOT, and SCSI subclass are returned to the manufacturer host.
Next, the partition capacities, media types, file system types, and AutoRun types are determined, in a step 1120. A utility program issues a special command (i.e. F0h) to increment counters after each LUN partition recording file structure information in the flash memory. The partition information is saved in the flash memory reserved space for future user reference. File structure information such as master block record (MBR), partition block record (PBR), FATs per partition must be pre-programmed and saved in an OS accessible area.
To enable the CD ROM AutoRun function, all executive files must be stored in a CDFS format. The access method for a CD ROM file is different from that for a disk storage file. Next, each LUN partition is formatted, in a step 1122. Next, a CDFS image directory is downloaded to the flash memory together with AutoRun image files to the CD ROM partition, in a step 1124.
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a method for running an AutoRun function during a user mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. When a user plugs the flash memory system into a user host, the USB mass storage driver is executed by the OS, in a step 1202. Next, a device descriptor is set to a single configuration, in a step 1204. Next, a configuration descriptor is set to a single interface, in a step 1206. Next, interface descriptors are set, in a step 1208. These descriptors include an interface class (e.g. mass storage class), an interface subclass (e.g. SCSI transparent command set), and an interface protocol (e.g. bulk-only transport). Next, a first endpoint descriptor (i.e. bulk-in) is set, in a step 1210. Next, a second endpoint descriptor (i.e. bulk-out) is set, in a step 1212. Next, a control endpoint (EP0) is set, in a step 1214. Next, the maximum LUN is retrieved, in a step 1216, and 2 LUNs is assumed in this example.
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a method for booting up a ROM of the flash memory device in accordance with the present invention. First, a power-on reset operation is initiated, in a step 1302. Next, a flash ID handshake sequence (i.e. Flash memory chip address 90h read command) is executed, in a step 1304. Next, characteristics of each flash memory chip are determined, in a step 1306. Such information includes page/sector size, chip capacity, addressing schemes, etc. A flash device running code image file is fetched from the reserved area.
Next, an LBA-to-PBA table is reconstructed using information in the reserved area, in a step 1308. Next, descriptor values are updated, in a step 1310. Next, an enumeration process is executed by the host, in a step 1312. During the enumeration process, the user host requests information such as a device type and its configuration characteristics. Next, pre-programmed values stored in the reserved area are returned to the user host, in a step 1314. If a flash memory chip is empty, default hard-coded values are provided. The user host assigns new addresses to the flash memory each time during the enumeration process. The firmware records new address values for on-going transactions.
FIG. 14A is a block diagram illustrating a physical block structure of a flash memory according to one embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 14A, a physical block 1440 structure is used as an example to show how a secured partition and a public partition share the same logic unit number but distinguished by the controller to be allocated in different physical blocks. For a MLC (multi-level cell) flash memory, typically a block size has 128 pages, and each page includes a data area having 2048 bytes and a spare area having 64 bytes. In one embodiment, one page may be divided into 4 sectors each having a 512-byte data area 1445 and a 16-byte spare area 1446. Sixteen-byte spare area 1446 is mainly used for ECC protection 1451 and wear leveling. In FIG. 14A, 12.5 bytes in 16-byte spare area 1451 are defined for ECC usage, and 3 bytes are used for wear leveling. These 3 bytes are used to record the logic block information and error protection. However, in order to mark this block to be used as a secured partition or a public partition, at least one bit 1452 in these 3 bytes is specially defined as a flag of a partition property while the rest 23 bits are defined for LBA sector Address 1453. In the figure, four-bit parity 1454 is applied to protect 1452 and 1453. Therefore, the controller can access data in the corresponding physical block correctly even the two partitions share the same logic unit number.
FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a method for operating a secured partition in a user mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. First, a password for the secured partition is requested, in a step 1502. Next, a pre-stored LUN password is provided for matching purposes, in a step 1504. Next, a capacity for the secured partition is set, in a step 1506. Next, a LUN code, a capacity, a new update password, and logical base registers are written, in a step 1508. Next, a LUN code register is set to a secured mode, in a step 1510. The default mode is a public mode after power up. Next, the LUN for the secured partition is requested by the user host in the case where the secured partition and the public partition are not sharing the same LUN, in a step 1512. Next, the capacity of the secured partition is read by the user host, in a step 1514. Next, pre-stored LUN information is provided, in a step 1516. Next, a physical base address for the secured partition is provided, in a step 1518. Next, previously stored MBR/PBR/FAT information in the flash is read, in a step 1520. Password protected secured partition can share with a public data partition with same LUN. After powering up the flash memory system, a default public area will appear. A security utility program is requested and the correct password is given to enable the security function.
A secured partition can exist in a storage area of the flash memory. A default capacity is loaded by a manufacturer utility, and a special driver is used by the manufacturing host for power-up formatting so that the user can perform his or her own initial formatting after receiving the flash memory device. If a correct password is provided upon a utility software inquiry request, an attribute register is set so that the user can choose a secured partition over a public partition.
Further security protection may be required because the password is transferred between a host and device without any security mechanism in FIG. 15, and a hacker can "catch" the password by a logic analyzer or a bus analyzer. FIG. 16 is flow diagram illustrating a process for providing a secured communication link between a host and a flash memory device according to one embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 16, after power up, the host and device both work in a public partition mode, and host will issue a security command with certain security bytes to the device (step 1550). The security bytes are generated by a predefined mathematic formula such as, for example, F=f (AUTH, RGS), where RGS is randomly generated seed. The security bytes are received by the device at step 1552 and verified at step 1554. Once the device successfully verifies the security bytes, the device responds with another certain security bytes (step 1556), which are generated by another predefined formula, such as, for example, G=G (AUTH, RGS). After G qualified by the host, the host and device are recognized by each other. This procedure is also referred to as an "Authorization". After Authorization process finished, the host and the device can transfer the password, which is the decoding seed of the secured data. Since the authorization and password transferred between the host and device are physically transferred as certain security bytes generated from form a G and F under RGS, the bytes on bus between the host and device are in random pattern, which directly avoid any hacker's attempts. Step 1560 and 1662 can be used to replace step 1502 in FIG. 15 as an enhanced protection during acquiring password. After the Authorization is passed successfully and password is transferred with RGS scrambled, the controller can go ahead as FIG. 15 described.
According to the system and method disclosed herein, an embodiment of the present invention provides numerous benefits. For example, it provides a more flexible flash memory system by increasing its functionality. Also, the present invention can be applied to any controller-embedded Flash card including but not limited to MultiMediaCard (MMC), Secure Disk (SD), Memory Stick (MS), Compact Flash (CF), PCI Express, IDE, SATA, etc.
A system for implementing a flash memory system has been disclosed. The flash memory system includes flash memory having multiple partitions. The flash memory system can utilize the multiple partitions to provide multiple functions. The functions can include, for example, an AutoRun function, non-secured data storage, and secured data storage.
Although the present invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the inventive features of the present invention are applicable to other embodiments as well, all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, while the systems and methods described herein are specifically directed to USB devices, the spirit and scope of the present invention is intended to cover different interface bus types, which may include one or more of PCI Express, Secure Digital (SD), Memory Stick (MS), Compact Flash (CF), IDE and SATA. Some portions of the preceding detailed descriptions have been presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the ways used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
a data resetting mode in which the data file is erased from the disk partition.
2. The electronic data flash card of claim 1, wherein said autorun partition is formatted using one of CD-ROM file system (CDFS) and Universal file system (UFS), and wherein said disk partition is formatted using one of a file allocation table (FAT) file system and a New Technology file system (NTFS).
3. The electronic data flash card according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined application comprises causing a display of the host computer to display a predetermined advertisement before operating in said one of said programming mode said data retrieving mode and said data resetting mode.
4. The electronic data flash card according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined advertisement is stored in said at least one autorun partition such that erasure of said predetermined advertisement in said programming and data resetting mode is prevented.
5. The electronic data flash card according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined application comprises means for causing the host computer to execute a predetermined diagnostic routine.
6. The electronic data flash card according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined application comprises means for causing the host computer to facilitate access to restricted data stored on the host computer.
7. The electronic data flash card according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined application comprises means for causing the host computer to implement predetermined user-customized system settings.
8. The electronic data flash card according to claim 1, wherein said at least one disk partition comprises at least one public partition and at least one secured partition.
9. The electronic data flash card according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flash memory cells further comprise a reserved space including dynamic boot code and control code.
10. The electronic data flash card according to claim 1, further comprising an index coupled to the flash memory controller, wherein the index comprises information regarding a configuration of the at least one flash memory device, wherein the index provides access to the at least one autorun partition and the at least one disk partition.
11. The electronic data flash card of claim 10 wherein the index associates logic unit numbers (LUNs) with each of the at least one autorun partition and the at least one disk partition.
12. The electronic data flash card of claim 11 wherein one LUN corresponds to one or more of said at least one autorun partition and said at least one disk partition.
13. The electronic data flash card of claim 11 wherein the index maps the LUNs to logical block addresses (LBAs) and physical address blocks (PBAs) associated with the plurality of flash memory cells.
14. The electronic data flash card of claim 1 wherein the electronic data flash card comprises a universal serial bus (USB) compatible device.
15. The electronic data flash card of claim 1 wherein the flash memory controller comprises one of a 8032 processor, a 80286 processor, a RISC processor, an ARM processor, a MIPS processor and a digital signal processor.
16. The electronic data flash card of claim 1 wherein the input/output interface circuit comprises one of a Universal Serial Bus (USB), Secure Digital (SD), Multi-Media Card (MMC), Compact Flash (CF), Memory Stick (MS), PCI-Express (PCIE), Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), and a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) interface circuit.
17. The electronic data flash card of claim 1, wherein each physical block includes a plurality of pages, each page having a plurality of sectors, wherein each sector includes a data area and a spare area, and wherein the spare area includes an attribute indicating whether a data partition associated with the respective physical block is a secured data partition.
18. The electronic data flash card of claim 17, wherein each page includes four sectors each including a data area having a size of 512 bytes and a spare area having a size of 16 bytes, wherein the spare area includes an ECC (error correction code) field, a partition property field indicating whether the associated data partition is a secured partition, an LBA sector address field, and a parity field used to protect data stored in the partition property field and the LBA sector address field.
19. The electronic data flash card of claim 18, wherein the ECC field includes 12.5 bytes, wherein the partition property field includes one bit, wherein the LBA sector address field includes 23 bits, and wherein the parity field includes 4 bits.
wherein in response to the third command, the electronic data flash card sends the requested password scrambled with the RGS value to the host computer, and thereafter, the host computer and the electronic data flash card exchange data protected by the password.


Soar above the picturesque landscapes of Santorini and the surrounding sea on an unforgettable helicopter trip over the island. Spot the volcanic formations of the caldera and the charming, white-washed villages like Fira and Oia on a thrilling ride over the Aegean gem.
Exhilarating flight over the stunning island & the Aegean Sea.
Bird's-eye view of the caldera's incredible natural features.
Far-reaching vistas over the surrounding Greek isles.
Idyllic, white-washed villages perched on the volcanic rim.
Excellent vantage point for snapping some memorable photos.
Transportation with a modern minivan or a luxury car.
20-minute Helicopter flight above Santorini.
- Late afternoon flights are recommended since lighting conditions are better.


text:
How two different foot measures caused property chaos in the U.S.
Feb 1, 2020 | 2020 Toronto Star Property Law Column
When it comes to real estate, most Canadians speak in terms of Imperial measurement. The majority of home offers I see show frontage and depth measurements in feet, even though we officially switched to the metric system during the time of the first Prime Minister Trudeau.
Condominium listings usually show the size in square feet, while building materials, like the two by four, and the four by eight plywood sheets, are measured in inches or feet. Flooring is typically measured in square feet.
So it came as a huge surprise to me recently to discover that there were two common definitions of the 12-inch measurement known as a foot, and that the U.S. foot is slightly longer than the international foot. After a 60-year period in which both measurements were in common use south of the border, the United States has announced that it is giving the boot to its old official foot.
The story began back in 1893, when the U.S. government officially defined a foot as 1,200 metres divided by 3,937. The resulting length is 0.3048006 metres.
In 1933, the international foot was agreed to be 0.3048 metres, and the last three digits were lopped off.
This caused problems in measuring large dimensions, so in 1959 the American government started the switch to the international foot, but allowed surveyors a temporary reprieve.
Now, after more than 60 years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology have announced that the country will officially switch to the smaller foot in 2022.
Why is this important? It seems that surveyors in 40 U.S. states use the larger U.S. foot, while the rest use the smaller one.
The difference is about an eighth of an inch per mile. The measurement of the width of the entire United States is 28.3 feet wider using the international foot instead of the U.S. survey foot.
The result is chaos, according to Michael Dennis, a project manager for the National Geodetic Survey. He quoted a story from a fellow surveyor about a contractor in a state which uses the U.S. foot. It had planned a building in the glide path of a major airport in a state which uses the international foot.
Although the difference between the two definitions is small, it caused trouble during bridge work between Oregon, which sticks to the international foot, and Washington, which uses the U.S. foot.
With the world facing challenges from global warming, floods, fires, viruses, disease and widespread hunger, it's nice to know that at least one tiny world problem is finally about to be solved.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Rep. Doug Lamborn — now the dean of Colorado's Republican congressional delegation — has settled comfortably into his new role, if the ramped up communications coming from his Washington headquarters are any indication.
A life-size, cardboard cutout stood in for Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn at a debate with his challengers, Democrat Hal Bidlack and American Constitution Party candidate Brian Scott, on Wednesday night in Colorado Springs. Bidlack has been showing up at events with the cardboard Lamborn to point out the 5th Congressional District incumbent's refusal to show up at joint campaign events.


Mortgages That Make a Difference | Loan Simple, INC.
We make a difference one loan at a time.
On every loan closed we make donations to charities we know are dedicated to building a better world. We've learned that real change occurs with a little effort every day. That's why for over two decades we've been committed to making a difference one loan at a time. Take a look below at the organizations we're supporting on their missions to making a positive impact in our world.
Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers innovative, community-driven and market based solutions to provide access to safe water and sanitation. These solutions give communities and their children health and hope for a future free from the water borne disease that have prematurely ended the lives of so many innocent children. To date, Water.org has positively transformed millions of lives around the world, ensuring a better life for generations ahead.
RIF, the nation's largest children's literacy nonprofit, delivers books and literacy resources to kids who need them the most. For many of the kids RIF serves, their RIF books are their only books. Since RIF's establishment in 1966, they've provided 35 million kids with 400 million new, free books. RIF is hoping to end illiteracy in our impoverished US cities and we're doing our part to help that effort.
Feeding America is the nation's leading domestic hunger relief charity. Their mission is to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger. Feeding America is a network of more than 200 member food banks that support 61,000 assistance agencies. Such as food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and food service programs. Each year Feeding America provides food to 37 million people in communities all across the country, including nearly 14 million children and 3 million seniors.
EVERFI is dedicated to providing education for today's and tomorrow's challenges. We've teamed up with EVERFI to increase Financial Literacy through programs both in schools and online for adults. This will ensure that borrowers today, and in the future, are capable of making informed financial decisions that will make home ownership a pleasure and never a burden.
Over the past decade, America has done an amazing job replanting its disappearing forests. Despite 90% of the United States' original forests having been destroyed, the country has actually seen an increase in its total forest cover. While deforestation continues to exist throughout the nation, they have been very good at replanting those trees. American forests are home to over 33,000 plant and animal species, and we rely on them for over 2.5 million jobs, amounting to $102 billion of our GDP.
One Tree Planted is dedicated to rebuilding our forests. Every $1 donation = A Tree planted.


text:
Malaysia competed in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China from 12 to 27 November 2010. Athletes from the Malaysia won overall 41 medals (including nine golds), and clinched tenth spot in the medal table. Zolkples Embong was the chief of the delegation.

Medal summary

Medals by sport

Multiple medalists
Malaysian competitors that have won at least two medals.

Medalists
The following Malaysian competitors won medals at the games; all dates are for November 2010.

Aquatics

Diving

Men

Women

Swimming

Men

Women

Synchronized swimming

Women

Archery

Men's recurve

Athletics

Men
Field event

Women
Track events

Field event

Badminton

Singles

Doubles

Men's team

Quarterfinal

Women's team

Round of 16

Quarterfinal

Board games

Chess

Weiqi

Xiangqi

Bowling

Singles

Doubles

Trios

Team

All-events

Masters

Boxing

Men

Cricket

Men's tournament

Women's tournament

Cue sports

Men

Women

Cycling

Mountain bike

Road

Track
Sprint

Pursuit

Time trial

Points race

Keirin

Equestrian

Dressage

Jumping

Fencing

Men

Field hockey

Men's tournament

Women's tournament

Football

Men's tournament

Golf

Men

Women

Gymnastics

Artistic
Men

Women

Rhythmic
Women

Kabaddi

Men's tournament

Women's tournament

Karate

Men

Women

Rugby sevens

Men's tournament

Sailing

Men

Women

Open

Sepaktakraw

Men

Shooting

Men

Women

Squash

Individual

Men's team

Pool B

Semifinal

Gold medal match

Ranked 2nd in final standings

Women's team

Pool A

Semifinal

Gold medal match

Ranked 1st in final standings

Table tennis

Singles

Doubles

Team

Taekwondo

Men

Women

Triathlon

Volleyball

Beach volleyball
Men

Women

Wushu

Taolu

Sanshou

References

Nations at the 2010 Asian Games
2010
Asian Games

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Sending 1095-B Tax Forms to Members
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Evangelists, Developers, Entrepreneurs, Leaders: business terms, or church terms?
In my mind, I often equate "business startups" with "pioneer church planting movements" and look for lessons that can be learned from businesses.It's no surprise this article caught my eye: "From Startup to Rapid Growth: How SendGrid Scaled Their Developer Evangelist Strategy http://buff.ly/1u7932E via @CMXSummit" "Startup" and "Evangelist" in one line is a big flag for thinking goodness, in my content filter. There are lots of technical terms in this piece which need some translation. But they hint at different roles in church planting movements that can be important. SendGrid is a rapidly growing startup. In 5 years it has reached 230 employees. During that time they have a community team which has grown into 14 developer evangelists and community managers. The SendGrid product is aimed at developers in other businesses who use SendGrid to send mission-critical emails. In other words, SendGrid is a platform used by other people to launch their own businesses. (Are you a platform for other people to launch churches?) Developers are people in other enterprises who are creating tools that *their* users use, either for their own businesses or for consumption. Do you see that? SendGrid is powering businesses that power businesses. A developer evangelist, we're told, is a type of community builder. They (1) bring people [developers] together, (2) teach them how to use the SendGrid technology, and (3) serve as the 'foot soldiers' for technical products. Developer evangelists "go out and build a relationship and learn about the customer [other developers] and what they're trying to do, and then help them however we can." Developer evangelism is a growing role within big companies, and it's obvious to me there's a role for this in DMM. In fact, people are doing this role now, just perhaps without thinking of in these terms. When a missionary goes into a remote place and finds an existing believer who wants to launch a movement, and teaches them what we know now about how movements work - isn't that akin to a developer evangelist? Developer evangelists are finding people who are trying to develop products, and teaching them how to use new tools. Back to the article, the first guy SendGrid hired to do this, Tim, realized 'how vital community building was to the success of the business' and proposed to change his title. The path of changes: Marketing Coordinator > Community Guy > Director, Developer Relations > Director, Community.
When they first began, it was all about building relationships, trust, and value into everything they did.
Consider the following roles they have identified, and think about parallels in the DMM world:
Developer Education: through hackathons, technical workshops, kids+code, women in tech, code schools
Startup/Entrepreneur outreach: through the SendGrid Accelerate program and their involvement with accelerators, co-working spaces, incubators, and others throughout the world
Developer Experience at SendGrid: maintaining public documentation, managing open-source projects, facilitating product feedback from the community and through usability testing (hacking on our APIs/webhooks/beta features), monitoring and contributing to developer forums and social media
Misc/Events – speaking, attending, sponsoring conferences and organizing, attending, supporting meetups and offline events
There's a lot more at the original article, including things they measure (why are T-shirts given away an important measure?) and pivot points. I recommend you read that article. Think about your own ministry: are you building for people who consume your product (e.g. attendees of a church service) or are you building for developers? If we aren't building for developers, we aren't building to scale.


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Company runs out of Ebola drug ZMapp
Health workers transfer the body of an Ebola victim to a morgue Friday at a treatment center in Kailahun, Sierra Leone. At least 1,013 people have died in the outbreak in West Africa.
By Washington Post
The company that manufactures an experimental Ebola drug said Monday that it had sent the last of the medication to a West African country after receiving a request last week.
"The available supply of ZMapp is exhausted," Mapp Biopharmaceutical of San Diego said in a statement, adding that it provided the drug at no cost.
Mapp's disclosure comes amid growing sensitivity over whether West Africans have access to a drug that has been given to some Westerners. But it also underscores that ZMapp and other experimental drugs are in such short supply that the overwhelming number of Ebola victims have no hope of ever receiving them.
Mapp's statement said the recipients "include medical doctors in two West African countries," as well as two U.S. missionaries who received the drug in recent weeks. It is not clear what effect the drug is having.
A statement from the office of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Monday said the Obama administration and U.S. regulators approved a request from the country Friday for doses of the drug to treat Liberian doctors. The release also said Liberia expects to receive "additional doses" of the drug from the World Health Organization this week, also to aid Ebola-stricken doctors.
Another Western patient was identified early Monday when Spain announced that it had obtained ZMapp to treat a 75-year-old priest who contracted the infection in Liberia. It credited two international health organizations — the WHO and Doctors Without Borders — with helping to secure the medication.
But the two groups, which are working to contain the Ebola outbreak, said they had no roles in obtaining the medicine for the priest, Miguel Pajares.
"WHO had no role in this," Gregory Hartl, a spokesman for the organization, said in an email. He declined to answer any other questions.
Tim Shenk, a spokesman for Doctors Without Borders, said in an email that the organization "had an agreement allowing access to a course of experimental Ebola treatment held in Geneva specifically for compassionate use. Doctors Without Borders has in no way been involved in decisions about use of this treatment."
In a telephone interview, he said he did not know which agency in Geneva had the medicine nor how many doses exist.
The denials contradicted a statement released by the Spanish Health Ministry, which said it had obtained the treatment "from Geneva" under an agreement with Mapp and the two health organizations. The WHO is based in Geneva.
At least one government, Nigeria, has publicly asked for access to ZMapp.
Mapp and government authorities have said that very few doses of the medication exist. But that has not quelled a debate over whether ZMapp and other untested drugs should be used in West Africa, where Ebola has killed 1,013 people and sickened 1,848 as of Monday.
"When you have less than a handful of doses, the ethical issues become almost impossible. There are no clear-cut solutions to this," said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, adding that it remains uncertain how effective the experimental drug is.
Marcel Guilavogui, a pharmacist in Conakry, Guinea, expressed frustration in an interview with the Associated Press: "There's no reason to try this medicine on sick white people and to ignore blacks."
6 hours ago• Nation & World
What was once a 213-year-old tree will now be available for purchase — in the form of thousands of cloned versions of the tree once named 'Herbie.'
Update: Tampa Premium Outlets re-opens, deputies investigating robbery at diamond store
6 hours ago• Pasco
Deputies are searching for a suspect. There is no public safety threat.
6 hours ago• Florida
No one was aboard for the wild ride in the skies above Cape Canaveral, just two mannequins.
Hernando woman, 58, dies in crash, troopers say
Earlier today• Pasco
The driver lost control and crashed into an overpass wall.
Hillsborough man shot and killed after he assaulted, stabbed others, deputies say
Earlier today• Hillsborough
The woman called a second man for help, who shot the man, according to authorities.
Journalists visited immigration courts across U.S. and found nonstop chaos.
Earlier today• Nation & World
The Associated Press sent journalists throughout the country to immigration court.
Familiar face joins Pasco EDC staff
News and notes on Pasco businesses
Gut health among topics at digestive health lecture
Earlier today• Hernando
News and notes on Hernando businesses
Hillsborough's lobbying rules get tweaked
Earlier today• News
Politico Ed Turanchik is warned for lobbying about the MacDill ferry after his status as a consultant ended.
Earlier today• Florida
The case of James Dailey, facing a death sentence for the 1985 Pinellas County murder of a 14-year-old girl, is full of contradiction, ambiguity and doubt. Court records tell the terrible story.


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Pac-12 Networks Insider
Pac-12 Networks announces first three weeks of 2016 football television schedule
By Pac-12 Networks PR
UCLA Athletics
Action begins with 14 games in first three weeks, beginning Thursday, September 1
SAN FRANCISCO (June 1, 2016) – The countdown to the 2016 college football season has begun and Pac-12 Networks is excited to bring fans 14 live football games in just the first three weeks of the 2016 season, beginning Thursday, September 1.
Pac-12 Networks will air 35 Pac-12 games throughout the 2016 season, including 20 conference games. The early slate includes quadruple-headers on the first three Saturdays in September and features home openers for 10 Pac-12 schools: Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington and Washington State.
Week one kicks off with five games over three days, from Thursday, September 1 – Saturday, September 3. Head coach Kyle Whittingham and the Utah Utes kick things off Thursday, hosting Southern Utah at 6 p.m. MT/5 p.m. PT. A full college football Saturday on September 3 wraps up week 1 with Rutgers at Washington, followed by UC Davis at Oregon and Eastern Washington visiting Washington State. The Arizona State Sun Devils will serve up the nightcap with a 7:45 p.m. PT meeting against Northern Arizona.
In week two, Pac-12 Networks features five games on Saturday, September 10 starting with Utah State visiting the USC Trojans at 11 a.m. PT, and Idaho at Washington at 2 p.m. PT. The Buffs make their Pac-12 Networks debut with a home contest against Idaho State at 3:30 p.m. MT/2:30 p.m. PT, followed by UNLV visiting QB Josh Rosen and the UCLA Bruins at 5 p.m. PT. The day concludes with the Arizona Wildcats as they host Grambling State at 7:45 p.m. PT.
Week 3 begins Saturday, September 17 with another battle in Pullman, Wash. as the Cougars host Idaho at 11 a.m. PT, in addition to Idaho State visiting the Oregon State Beavers later that day. Washington hosts Portland State at 5 p.m. PT, with Hawai'i at Arizona closing out the day with a 7:45 p.m. PT start time.
Stay tuned for additional announcements regarding Pac-12 Networks' fall football programming slate, including new shows and broadcast and in-studio talent pairings on Pac-12.com. The remaining network television schedule will be determined and announced 6-to-12 days prior to the games.
Pac-12 Networks 2016 Football Telecast Schedule (first three weeks; all times PT)
Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Mountain
Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Washington
2 p.m. PT
Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Oregon
Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Arizona
Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Los Angeles
Pac-12 Networks announces week five football television schedule
Pac-12 Networks announces week six football television schedule
Pac-12 Networks announces first 13 games of 2014 football television schedule
The 12 Best: 2019 Football Games of the Year


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'No Smocking Gun': Trump Sends Incoherent Tweets That Contradict His Earlier Statements
President Donald Trump has sent tweets this morning defending the payment to former porn actress Stormy Daniels and attacking his former lawyer Michael Cohen. The tweets may land Trump in greater trouble, as they contradict what he has already said.
"'Democrats can't find a Smocking Gun tying the Trump campaign to Russia after James Comey's testimony. No Smocking Gun…No Collusion.'" Trump tweeted, quoting a report on Fox News. "That's because there was NO COLLUSION."
"So now the Dems go to a simple private transaction, wrongly call it a campaign contribution, which it was not (but even if it was, it is only a CIVIL CASE, like Obama's – but it was done correctly by a lawyer and there would not even be a fine. Lawyer's liability if he made a mistake, not me)," the President tweeted. "Cohen just trying to get his sentence reduced. WITCH HUNT!"
Trump is essentially admitting that he knew about the payment, which is a major campaign finance violation. Previously, Trump claimed that he did not know anything about the payment. By claiming that the payment was a private transaction, Trump is both acknowledging that he knew about it and contradicting the facts in Cohen's sentencing memo.
Trump has changed his defense and the decision could have serious repercussions. Trump has been identified with Individual-1 who instructed Cohen to commit a crime in order to advance his path to the presidency. Trump is essentially accused of violating campaign finance laws to make his election more likely, a very serious charge.
Trump's claim that this violation is the same as Obama's is not correct. The Obama campaign failed to report a contribution within the 48 hour deadline and received a large fine. That was a largely clerical matter and very different from paying hush money with the direct intention of influencing an election.
Speculation is mounting about Robert Mueller's final report and the possibility of indicting or impeaching Trump. Both are currently unlikely, but Trump's changing story and ineffective attempts to defend his actions aren't helping his case.
2016 ElectionDonald TrumpMichael CohenRussia investigation
Darragh Roche is Senior Editor and Political News Writer.


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HomeNews CommentaryFormer CIA Operative Congressional Candidate Accuses PAC Aligned with Paul Ryan of Having Illegal Access to Unredacted Clearance Application.
Former CIA Operative Congressional Candidate Accuses PAC Aligned with Paul Ryan of Having Illegal Access to Unredacted Clearance Application.
August 30, 2018 8:00 am EDT Halodoc News Commentary 0
On Tuesday the New York Times reported: "A former C.I.A. officer running for Congress accused a super PAC aligned with Speaker Paul D. Ryan on Tuesday of improperly obtaining her entire federal security clearance application – a highly sensitive document containing extensive personal information – and then using it for political purposes,"
By Wednesday BuzzFeed News ran the headline: In An Unprecedented Move, The US Postal Service Released A Former CIA Officer's Security Application To A Republican Group.
Tuesday: The Story
Abigail Spanberger, who won her Democrat primary in Virginia and will face incumbent Rep. Dave Brat (R) in November for Virginia's 7th Congressional District, went public on Tuesday with the allegation via the New York Times after sending a cease-and-desist letter to the super PAC Congressional Leadership Fund (C.L.F.) which is known to be aligned with House Speaker Paul Ryan, because, she says, "I personally don't see that they only have my documents…I just happen to be the canary in the coal mine and we had someone bring it to my attention."
(See posted at the end of this story for the statement Spanberger released Tuesday night on her social media Twitter account after the New York Times' published its report.)
Spanberger sent the cease-and-desist letter to C.L.F.'s executive director Corry Bliss demanding that C.L.F. "destroy and cease use" of her SF-86 security clearance application within 24 hours.
"I write as a former civil servant and as an American, in shock and anger, that you have tried to exploit my service to our country by exposing my most personal information in the name of politics," the letter reads, adding that she had "clear evidence" that C.L.F. provided her application document to "at least one news outlet," and told them she knew of no legal means they could have the document.
In the NYT's report Spanberger told them she already had her suspicions that something like this had been done after getting wind that "Republican-aligned" groups conducting push-polls and had been asking respondents about certain parts of her background after a supporter told her about receiving such a call.
Spanberger is referring to what she said she suspected is "the group was trying to exploit a brief time when she taught at a private Islamic school funded by Saudi Arabia," which was the Islamic Saudi Academy in Alexandria, Virginia, an "international baccalaureate program."
Spanberger told the NYT's that a supporter told her they had received a call asking the supporter, "would she be less likely to support Ms. Spanberger if she knew that the candidate had taught at a school funded by the Saudi royal family that had 'numerous students arrested for terrorism'."
And then at a political event earlier this month, Spanberger says, a reporter from the Associated Press approached and showed her a copy of her SF-86 C.I.A. security clearance form telling her C.L.F. had provided the document "on a background basis" which is used to imply a reporter would not "typically" name their source, but then showed her the email and she confirmed "she was "100 percent" certain it was hers." The form, she said, had personal information about her medical and work background, and her Social Security number, among other information.
Spanberger said the application she saw was one of two applications she had completed for government positions, one for a law enforcement postal inspector's position at the Postal Service and the other with the C.I.A. when she first applied to work for the federal government in 2002.
The C.L.F. released a statement to the allegations on Tuesday through their spokeswoman Courtney Alexander "strongly denying" the allegations, but did not deny having the document, only claiming they received it through a "Freedom of Information Act request filed with the United States Postal Service by America Rising, a separate Republican-aligned research firm."
It was C.L.F. who released Spanberger's cease-and-desist letter in their statement with a title, "What is Abigail Spanberger Hiding?" and calling Spanberger's letter "a desparate attempt to prevent Virginia voters from learning about her record and background" and the information they had "was obtained through legal channels."
With their statement the group released parts of Spanberger's application, now partially redacted, along with a copy of a letter dated July 30, 2018, with a United States Postal Service Human Resources (HQ) Employee Resource Management letterhead that read: "To Whom It May Concern" to "Please find enclosed the entire Official Personnel Folder (CPF) for Abigail Spanberger" along with the last 4 numbers of her Social Security. The USPS letter was addressed to America Rising Corporation in Arlington, VA and signed, Pamela Gabriela.
However, Spanberger's campaign lawyer Graham Wilson said at the time of the NYT's report their claim of the FOIA through the Postal Service "did not ring true," adding "In this unredacted form, this is not a document that the government can provide under the Privacy Act."
The NYT's report added that "National security experts said that the unauthorized release of such a highly confidential document is particularly troubling if it turns out to not be an isolated episode."
Because Spanberger is one of several Democrat candidates with national security backgrounds either through military or intelligence agencies that U.S. Representative Ben Ray Lujan (NM, D), who is also the chairman of the DCCC, said he sent a letter "to more than a dozen candidates" informing them of Spanberger's complaint, the NYT's further reports.
Rep. Lujan was reported to have said, "This is an official government document that only President Trump's administration should have in its possession in its unredacted form," adding, "To be clear, we have no reason to believe the Republican groups have illegally obtained any of your personal files" nor do they, the DCCC, know how C.L.F. came into possession of the confidential document.
Spanberger was a covert operative overseas for eight years, the Times' reports, "much of it investigating international terrorism cases.
Jeremy Adler, spokesman for House Speaker Paul Ryan, told the NYT's, "We cannot speak to the activity or behavior of outside groups."
When the NYT's reached out to the Associated Press for a comment, a spokesman for the news organization, Bryan Baldwin, replied, "As a matter of longstanding policy, The Associated Press does not publicly discuss its new gathering methods," and that "In this instance, The A.P. did not publish a story on this topic."
The NYT's does report that Spanberger herself noted she was notified in 2015 she may have been one of the millions of government workers whose records were breached in an intrusion that officials then said was traced to the Chinese government. The breach happened in the Office of Personnel Management who are responsible for federal employee records which includes security clearances records. You can read about that in a separate June 4, 2015 report here.
For the complete New York Times' report with more background on Abigail Spanberger's story you can read it in full, here.
Wednesday: An Update
In Wednesday's early am hour, at 4:02 a.m. ET, Buzzfeed reporters Grace Wyler and Jason Leopold write, "The United States Postal Service has released the entire federal security clearance application of a former CIA officer running for Democratic Congressional seat, in what experts say is a highly unusual and perhaps unprecedented move, given the extensive, highly personal nature of the information contained in such documents," and that they could "confirm that an unredacted copy of the federal security clearance application was obtained by America Rising, a research group allied with the Republican Party."
Buzzfeed reporters go on to say that America Rising said the organization believed "it was a response to its July 9 Freedom of Information Act request" from the Postal Service's human resources division and that once they had the application in their possession they then "shared it with its client, the Congressional Leadership Fund."
Documents the reporters viewed showed the C.L.F's request for Spanberger's "entire civilian personnel file" which was submitted by America Rising to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), part of the National Archives division, and sought records pertaining to Spanberger's dates of employment, salaries, titles, and position descriptions, but "did not explicitly mention the federal security clearance application" known as the SF-86.
Historically, Buzzfeed says, "such records would be withheld or heavily redacted under a FOIA."
With the first five digits of Spanberger's social security number provided by America Rising to the NPRC, obtained through, they claim, LexisNexis, the NPRC then pulled Spanberger's personal file and forwarded it to the US Postal Service's corporate management office located in Washington, DC, which keeps custody of all former employees' personnel files, they said in a letter to America Rising dated July 12..
As reported above, America Rising received from the Postal Service's HR division Abigail Spanberger's 'entire' Official Personnel Folder with their letter dated July 30, 2018.
"FOIA and security clearance expert" Bradley Moss told BuzzFeed reporters it was an unusual decision for someone at the USPS to release an unredacted SF-86 application form and that "someone at the USPS FOIA office is getting fired," saying that, "if they truly managed to release this file without noticing the Standard Form 86" there could be justifiable grounds to fire that officer.
"SF-86 paperwork is categorically privacy-protected and to my knowledge has never been released through FOIA to a third party absent a privacy waiver," Moss added.
BuzzFeed said that a USPS spokesman, David Partenheimer, told them Wednesday, "We are looking into this matter. I will reach out to you when we have more to say." However, the spokesperson they contacted at the NPRC "did not respond to requests for comment."
My statement in regards to the @nytimes article detailing actions by the Congressional Leadership Fund, Speaker Paul Ryan's Republican Super PAC, to release protected personal information to score political points. #VA07https://t.co/2iizY1lesR pic.twitter.com/FPVIDIGTvu
— Abigail Spanberger (@SpanbergerVA07) August 29, 2018
Abigail Spanberger Twitter statement 8/28/18 10:14 est
Side Note (Opinion)
This is going to be one to watch. Could it be this is just a wild coincidental bureaucratic mistake? Absolutely. Can pigs fly … if given enough thrust?
I encourage readers to read all the pieces of evidence and draw their own conclusions with what information is available at this time. If or when more information becomes available on this story I will update TNB readers.
Abigail Spanberger
America Rising
Congression Leadership Fund
super PAC
unredacted SF-86
The Post It Note 1/28/23
by Beth in News Notes (Open thread) 0
We don't do Fake News at https://t.co/d8RcqnnSH5 . Can you handle it? pic.twitter.com/EokJllgpfh