Patent · US Expired

Efficient system and method for updating a memory device

US7210010B2 · kind B2 · utility

27Cited by
11References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 30, 2003
Grant dateApr 24, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 17, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S707/99955
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for updating a binary image stored across a block-structured memory device, such as a flash memory device. From comparison of original and new images, an update package is generated which includes an encoded instruction set comprising COPY and ADD operations instructing the copying of source data from locations in the memory device and adding other data provided in the update package. The instruction set comprises SETBLOCK operations that direct updating of the memory blocks in an order that optimizes the COPY and ADD operations required and resulting update package size. The instruction set further comprises SETCOPYOFFSET operations to toggle between copy-offset modes thereby allowing for improved efficient encoding of COPY operations. The update package further includes an array of status bits corresponding to the memory blocks to be updated, thereby allowing for reliable restarting of the update process following power loss or other interruption.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.