Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Digital data processing system initialization or configuration – Loading initialization program
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-23
2003-06-17
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2185)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
Loading initialization program
C713S187000, C713S191000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06581159
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field
This disclosure relates to basic input-output systems (BIOS) and, more particularly, to updating BIOS.
2. Background Information
As is well-known, system firmware is a relatively expensive form of memory in comparison with alternatives, such as random access memory and disk storage, for example. It is noted that through out this document the term “firmware” may refer to a memory device, such as flash memory, for example, or, alternatively, to the code stored on the device, depending on the particular context. Due to this expense, firmware is typically space constrained. Therefore, in many instances, it may be desirable to provide an externally originating BIOS, e.g., a non-resident part of the firmware, that may be used to update or supplement the existing BIOS. For example, such an externally provided module may include bug fixes or special purpose code to be executed once and then erased or discarded. One issue when updating BIOS is ensuring that the update is relatively resistant to tampering. Often, however, making an update tamper resistant may involve a large amount of additional code space in the firmware, such as if cryptographic techniques are implemented in code. A need, therefore, exists for a technique to update BIOS at run time that is both efficient in terms of size or memory utilization and also relatively resistant to tampering by unauthorized intruders.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5579522 (1996-11-01), Christeson et al.
patent: 5671413 (1997-09-01), Shipman et al.
patent: 5778070 (1998-07-01), Mattison
patent: 5859911 (1999-01-01), Angelo et al.
patent: 6122733 (2000-09-01), Christeson et al.
patent: 6266809 (2001-07-01), Craig et al.
patent: 6401208 (2002-06-01), Davis et al.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/941,535, filed Sep. 30, 1997.
Albrecht Mark
Nevis Bryon S.
Chang Eric
Intel Corporation
Lee Thomas
Skaist Howard A.
LandOfFree
Secure method of updating bios by using a simply... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Secure method of updating bios by using a simply..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Secure method of updating bios by using a simply... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3162095