Method for firmware variable storage with eager compression, fail-safe extraction and restart time compression scan
US7934209B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03M7/30
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Firmware-based conversion methods for storing converted firmware variables in a firmware storage device, such as flash memory. Under one method, “eager” compression of firmware is performed. In response to a storage request, a determination is made to whether a compressor is available. If it is, the firmware variable is stored in a compressed form in the storage device; if not, the firmware variable is stored in an uncompressed form. In response to a read request for a stored firmware variable, a determination is made to whether the variable is stored in a compressed or uncompressed form. If it is compressed, a decompressor is employed to return the variable to its uncompressed form prior to providing it to the requestor; already uncompressed variables are provided directly to the requester. An application program interface is provided to enable operating system runtime access to the firmware variables. Similar conversions may be employed separately or in parallel, including encryption.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.