Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Reconfiguration
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2003-09-16
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2185)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Reconfiguration
C713S002000, C714S054000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06622246
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to methods for storing computer programs and methods for initiating program control.
2. Description of Related Art
The majority of computer peripherals, such as image scanners, modems, and printers, typically employ an on-board controlling system including alterable memory, such as random access memory (RAM), which may be volatile and/or non-volatile, and nonalterable memory, such as read only memory (ROM), and various hardware circuits that facilitate firmware transfer. One drawback to early peripheral devices was the inability to upgrade and improve the software within the devices without requiring a service technician to physically remove the old programs contained on the non-alterable memory and install a new non-alterable memory containing the upgraded software.
As non-volatile memories improved, especially flash electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), hardware vendors developed techniques to remotely download and store upgraded software onto the peripherals. The methods typically involved providing the peripheral device with the new software, and then directing the on-board controller in the peripheral device to store the new program within the non-volatile alterable memory. The software and the storing of such software in non-alterable memory are commonly referred to in combination as firmware.
However, one drawback to this method for downloading and storing the new firmware is that data and programs could be corrupted, thus rendering the system useless, if, during this firmware upgrade routine, the process is interrupted by, for example, an unexpected loss of power. Often, when this occurs, the only remedy to fix the peripheral is to deploy a service technician to physically replace the non-volatile alterable memory or even to replace an entire circuit board.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides systems, methods and architectures that enable recoverable software upgrading of software contained in a non-volatile alterable memory.
This invention separately provides a firmware architecture that allows recovery from failed firmware upgrading procedures.
This invention separately provides a firmware architecture that allows a firmware upgrade without removing the upgraded firmware.
In various exemplary embodiments of this invention, a system containing firmware includes memory storing a bootstrap program. The system further includes a non-volatile alterable memory having at least two firmware memory spaces. The first one of the firmware memory spaces stores a current firmware program.
When that firmware program is to be upgraded, the upgrade firmware is received and stored in a second one of the at least two memory spaces. After the upgrade firmware is completely received and stored in that second memory space, the original firmware in the first memory space is erased or otherwise marked as no longer being valid. Thus, the only valid firmware is then the upgrade firmware in the second memory space. The bootstrap program accesses which ever memory space contains valid firmware.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5003591 (1991-03-01), Kauffman et al.
patent: 5432927 (1995-07-01), Grote et al.
patent: 5495611 (1996-02-01), Bealkowski et al.
patent: 5568641 (1996-10-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 5623604 (1997-04-01), Russell et al.
patent: 5704031 (1997-12-01), Mikami et al.
patent: 5781921 (1998-07-01), Nichols
patent: 5784551 (1998-07-01), De Leva et al.
patent: 5812857 (1998-09-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 5878256 (1999-03-01), Bealkowski et al.
patent: 5937434 (1999-08-01), Hasbun et al.
patent: 5940074 (1999-08-01), Britt, Jr. et al.
patent: 5974454 (1999-10-01), Apfel et al.
patent: 5974461 (1999-10-01), Goldman et al.
patent: 5987605 (1999-11-01), Hill et al.
patent: 6009500 (1999-12-01), Rossi
patent: 6070012 (2000-05-01), Eitner et al.
patent: 6357021 (2002-03-01), Kitagawa et al.
patent: 790554 (1997-08-01), None
patent: 0 790 554 (1997-08-01), None
patent: WO 99/42924 (1999-08-01), None
Chang Eric
Lee Thomas
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
Xerox Corporation
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for booting and upgrading firmware does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for booting and upgrading firmware, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for booting and upgrading firmware will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3096248