I was wrong about 737 being all about the switch, It's the coupling SD slot and an integrity test on secondary storage; it includes editing points per messages and get-this, they're even assertin in 6 that the insertion of a battery is needed to initiate it all... Cool....

But note: 4b - I might nota been too wrong.

US5742737

5. A method for verifying the integrity of memory on a removable flash memory recording medium chip for use within a hand held recording device, such that the flash memory is suitable for recording voice messages, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a removable flash memory recording chip and a hand held recording device with a plug assembly for electrically coupling the flash memory and the recording device; and

b) activating a memory integrity test by manually inserting the flash memory chip into the plug assembly of said recording device to electrically couple the flash memory to the recording device.
````````````````````

4. A method for recording a new message on a hand held recording device without disturbing the physical continuity of existing messages and without manually searching for a blank segment of memory on the flash memory digital recording medium, said method comprising the steps of:

a) placing the recording device in an idle mode where all recorder functions are inactive; and

b) activating a record switch causing the recording device to:

i) search for an end of a last recorded message on the recording medium,

ii) identify a segment of flash memory past the end of a last recorded message as a beginning point where the new message may be recorded, and

iii) begin recording a new message at the beginning point
`````````````````
6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the memory integrity test of step b) further comprises the steps of:

a) testing memory segments of the flash memory to determine whether said segments can record and play a voice message, or are defective; and

b) marking defective memory segments so that the recording device will not record to said segments.

7. A method as defined in claim 5, further providing a method for verifying the integrity of memory on a removable flash memory recording medium chip, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a removable flash memory recording chip and a hand held recording device with a plug assembly for electrically coupling the flash memory and the recording device; and

b) activating a memory integrity test of said flash memory by manually inserting batteries into the recording device that is electrically coupled to the flash memory.''

e