IBM...an old ally.....yes flash indeed...

Edig was is in the Compact Flash Association and note these 2 items:

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/GOVERNMENT+GRANTS+NORRIS+COMMUNICATIONS+PATENT+FOR+DIGITAL+RECORDING...-a017910891

"Leon Malmed, Senior Vice President of SanDisk Corporation, said, "The usage of Flash in digital recording technology is a major breakthrough as it totally eliminates all mechanically moving components, improves the reliability, improves the functionality and enables interaction with computers, telephones, fax machines, still cameras, motion cameras, etc. SanDisk is pleased to be working closely with Norris in developing the next generations of voice recording technology."

Also this from 1996:

"

Company to Discuss Patent Implications March 26 At CompactFlash

                          Association Meeting

SAN DIEGO, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Norris Communications (Nasdaq: NORRF) said today that it will discuss the implications of a recently-received patent covering the use removable flash memory, as well as its intention to license its proprietary multimedia Flash memory software engine, at the upcoming March 26 CompactFlash Association meeting in Hawaii.

Norris received notification from the U.S. Patent Office in February 1996 that the first in a series of patents has been granted protecting the company's hand-held digital recorder technology and applications. Since then, questions have surfaced regarding the scope of the patent and what its effect will be on the Flash memory, and other, industries.

Norris executives will address members at the CompactFlash Association meeting and discuss its stand on enforcing the patent. CompactFlash Association members include 3M, Apple, Asahi Optical (Pentax), Canon, Centennial Technologies, Eastman Kodak, Hewlett- Packard, Hitachi, LG Semicon, Matsushita, Micron Quantum Devices, Motorola, NEC (NEC Corporation, Tokyo, www.nec.com, www.necus.com) An electronics conglomerate known in the U.S. for its monitors. In Japan, it had the lion's share of the PC market until the late 1990s (see PC 98).

NEC was founded in Tokyo in 1899 as Nippon Electric Company, Ltd. , Nikon, Polaroid, Pretec Electronics, RICOH, SanDisk, Seagate, Seiko Epson, Sharp, Sony and Thinstor. "