Method and apparatus for executing firmware from a valid startup block
US6591352B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/1417
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A startup program for protecting against corruption of firmware resides in multiple blocks of a firmware device in a processor-based system. While the firmware device typically stores code, the device may additionally store data that is accessible to application programs. The startup program confirms that the block from which it executes is a valid startup block. If the block is not a valid startup block, the startup program searches the other blocks in the firmware device for a valid startup block. Upon identifying a valid startup block, the startup program sets an execution address such that subsequent initialization of the processor-based system occurs from the startup block.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.