Method and apparatus to reprogram flash ROM without proxy code
US6035346A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4401
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
By allowing a host processor to control an intelligent Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) device's reset logic, the PCI device's programmable read only memory (also known as PROM, EEPROM, or FLASH EEPROM) can be reprogrammed without storing any reprogramming instructions (also known as PROXY code) in the PROM itself. During reprogramming operations the host processor commands the PCI device into a reset-and-hold mode. During this time the host processor downloads reprogramming instructions and replacement code into the PCI's random access memory. When released from reset, the PCI device executes the reprogramming code downloaded by the host processor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.