Patent · US Active

Methods and apparatus for performing resilient firmware upgrades to a functioning memory

US8286156B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
8References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 7, 2006
Grant dateOct 9, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 14, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F8/65
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

This invention relates generally to methods and computer readable media for upgrading firmware stored in a non-volatile memory, in phases, and restoring firmware in-situ to compensate for failed firmware upgrades. In various embodiments, methods and computer readable media can upgrade and restore the firmware as the non-volatile memory remains functioning. In one embodiment, a method includes designating a first copy of firmware for accessing, and designating a second copy of the firmware for upgrading. The method continues by accessing one or more firmware instructions from the first copy. It also can include upgrading at least a portion of the second copy with at least a portion of new firmware. Upgrading the second copy can be coincident or substantially coincident to accessing the one or more firmware instructions in the first copy.

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