docpaul--Yes, it does sound like SSTI has a broad enough patent to cover a multitude of non-volatile memory devices, so you're probably right that it would work for NOR as well as NAND flash memories.
On the patent application date--that's an important date because it means that if someone else has a similar device and applies for a patent AFTER that date, the Patent Office may deny certain attributes on the grounds that those same attributes are covered by the earlier patent (i.e., what they call "prior art"). One of the things the patent applicant tries to do is get as many attributes approved as possible. The more attributes, the more likely that later patent applications for similar stuff by others will be limited to attributes not already approved in the earlier patent application. This increases the likelihood that a later patented product may still require its owner to get a license from the owner of the earlier patent.
An example of a recent controversy deals with competition between QUALCOMM and NOKIA regarding third generation wireless phone technology. QUALCOMM, which pioneered the CDMA system, owns so many patents that virtually any flavor of third generation CDMA will require use of at least some QUALCOMM patents. For years, NOKIA claimed it had broadband CDMA technology that did not infringe the QUALCOMM patents. But earlier this year, NOKIA obtained a license from QUALCOMM. That should settle once and for all the notion of who gets royalties for broadband CDMA phones. (Hint, it won't be NOKIA!)
Getting back to SSTI, if it is true that SSTI can make a NOR flash chip that will handle large image files at great speed and retain the reliability that is attributed to NAND flash, then two events should occur rather soon: (1) Flash memory will become so inexpensive that it will replace all but the largest conventional magnetic disk drives. (2) NOR flash will be a low cost substitute for NAND, forcing the producers of NAND units to drop their prices. Somehow I don't think this last notion is accurate, but more likely NOR will be used only in certain applications.
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