System and method for updating contents of a flash ROM
US7017004B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2212/2022
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Upgrading a non-volatile memory image such as a flash ROM is accomplished by partitioning the flash ROM into a plurality of flash ROM regions. One of the flash ROM regions is selected to receive the software upgrade, which can then be directly overwritten without having to overwrite the flash ROM image in its entirety. Through the use of an image buffer, which stores information about the ROM regions, it is possible to move ROM regions, delete ROM regions, add ROM regions, expand/contact ROM regions, update ROM regions, and enable/disable ROM regions without having to modify the entire ROM image or shadow parts of the ROM image in RAM. Additionally, security and registry information can also be logically linked to a particular region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.