Method and system for programming a peripheral flash memory via an IDE bus
US6507881B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/65
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for programming a periphery flash ROM is provided. The system in-cludes a host computer, an IDE interface, a flash controller, a flash ROM, and a micro-processor. The flash controller is coupled to the host computer through the IDE interface. The flash ROM and the microprocessor are also coupled to the flash controller. When the system enters a flash ROM programming mode, task files used between the IDE interface and the host computer are redefined by the host computer and is interpreted by the flash controller so that a firmware code from the host computer is written into the flash ROM through the flash controller. After the flash ROM is completely programmed, the task files return to their original definition. The microprocessor is required to disable the access to the flash ROM during the flash ROM programming mode. If several flash ROM programming cycles are needed in one host request, the firmware can be temporarily stored into a buffer, such as a RAM and then sequentially written into the flash ROM through the flash controller. Since the software method may occupy too much time of the IDE interface, resulting in a delay for the other subsequent activities, the hardwa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.