Methods and apparatus for upgrading firmware in an embedded system
US6834384B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 21, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/656
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for upgrading firmware in an embedded system, without impacting the system. More specifically, the present invention enables an embedded system to be upgraded without any system downtime, by providing two application areas in non-volatile programmable read only memory. A processor can boot up and run from either application area. A fixed vector table is provided, which, in cooperation with a software vector table, enables the processor to maintain proper interrupt vector addresses while being able to run from either application area. Upgraded firmware can be loaded into one application area while the system is running from the other application area. Resetting the processor allows the system to run the upgraded version of firmware.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.