System with hardware register and controller external to processor that facilitates transitions between firmware images using hardware register written with firmware image entry points
US11899567B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2021 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/3692
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system includes a memory programmed with multiple firmware images each having a distinct entry point, a processor, a writable hardware register initially seeded with an initial firmware image entry point address. A controller external to the processor, prior to an initial processor reset, reads the hardware register and causes the processor to begin fetching instructions at the initial firmware image entry point read from the hardware register. Prior to a subsequent reset, the external controller facilitates at least one transition to at least one of the multiple firmware images other than the initial firmware image by reading the entry point of the other firmware images from the hardware register and causing the processor to begin fetching instructions at the entry point of the other firmware images read from the hardware register.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.