Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory – Storage accessing and control – Specific memory composition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-20
2003-02-18
Porter, Gary J (Department: 2187)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory
Storage accessing and control
Specific memory composition
C710S008000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06523083
ABSTRACT:
This application incorporates by reference Taiwanese application Serial No. 88121610, Filed Dec. 9, 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for updating a flash memory of peripheral devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for updating a flash memory of peripheral devices in a computer system.
2. Description of Related Art
Peripheral devices of a computer system may contain a flash memory for storing programs to drive it. The flash memory is reprogrammable and the computer system can reprogram, or update, the flash memory when needed. For example, the flash memory needs to be updated when there are bugs in the program stored in the flash memory, or when a new version is released.
There are two methods for updating a flash memory. In one method, the flash memory is first unplugged from the peripheral device, and then put within a programmer for updating. In the other, the flash memory is directly updating without unplugging it from the peripheral device, i.e., the flash memory is updated in circuit.
FIG. 1
shows a block diagram of a conventional system for updating a flash memory of a peripheral device. As shown in
FIG. 1
, according to the conventional method, a host
100
uses a driver to control a host interface controller
102
and the host interface controller
102
is used for controlling signal transmission between the host
100
and a peripheral device
106
through an interface
104
. The interface
104
, which may be an integrated device electronics (IDE) interface, connects to a peripheral device
106
. The peripheral device
106
can be a hard disk, a compact disc drive such as a CD-ROM, or a digital versatile disc-read only memory (DVD-ROM) drive, etc.
The peripheral device
106
contains a peripheral interface controller
108
, a microcontroller unit (microcontroller or MCU)
110
, a loader ROM
112
and a flash memory
114
. The peripheral interface controller
108
controls signal transmission between the peripheral device
106
and the host
100
trough the interface
104
. The peripheral interface controller
108
connects to the MCU
110
, the loader ROM
112
and the flash memory
114
within the peripheral device
106
. The MCU
110
is used for executing programs stored in the flash memory
114
and controls the peripheral device
106
. The loader ROM
112
is used for recording a programming procedure, programming code, and firmware code, all of which are needed during flash memory updating. The flash memory
114
is used for storing programs used for operating the peripheral device
106
under normal circumstances. A loading program used for updating the flash memory is stored in the loader ROM
112
which can be an independent memory block inside or outside the MCU
110
. Alternatively, the loading program may be downloaded from the host
100
.
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2
,
FIG. 2
depicts a flow chart of a conventional method for updating a flash memory. At step
204
, the host
100
uses the driver to acknowledge the MCU
110
to update the flash memory
114
th rough the host interface controller
102
and the interface
104
. At the step
206
, the MCU
110
temporarily suspends current executed command while at the same time, the host
100
transmits a new updated program to the MCU
110
for updating the flash memory
114
. The flash memory
114
is then updated by the MCU
110
according to the programming procedure, the programming code, and the firmware code stored in the loader ROM
112
.
At step
208
, after the flash memory
114
is completed, a checking step is performed to check whether the flash memory
114
has been updated correctly. If the flash memory
114
is not updated correctly, the update procedure repeats step
206
until the flash memory
114
is updated correctly. If the flash memory
114
is updated correctly, the update procedure completes and the MCU
110
then executes the updated content of the flash memory.
Therefore, according to the conventional method, a loader ROM must be used for updating the flash memory, resulting in an increase in the cost. Furthermore, for supporting various types of flash memories in the system, a number of programming procedures and codes for various types of flash memories as well as a program for updating the flash memory must be recorded in the loader ROM. However, if a new release or a new model flash memory is used in the peripheral device
106
, the update procedure can not be executed according to the programming procedure, the programming code, and the firmware code stored in the loader ROM
112
. Accordingly, a new loader ROM must be installed before the updating of the flash memory can continue, and cost for updating is increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a system and a method for updating a flash memory of a peripheral device. According to the present invention, no loader ROM is needed in the peripheral device, and the peripheral device does not need to record various programming procedures, programming codes, and firmware codes. The update procedure is entirely executed and controlled by the host. The system or method of the present invention is simple and cost effective and is not limited by differing types of flash memories.
It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide a system for updating a flash memory of a peripheral device. The system includes a host that sends an update content. The peripheral device contains a peripheral interface controller and a flash memory. The peripheral interface controller couples to the host, and the flash memory couples to the peripheral interface controller. When the peripheral interface controller detects a signal for updating the flash memory from the host, the peripheral interface controller updates the flash memory according to the update content.
It is another objective of the invention to provide a method for updating a flash memory of a peripheral device from a host. The method includes the following steps: detecting a setup signal transmitted from the host to the peripheral device; activating a loading circuit and the flash memory; idling a micro controller unit of the peripheral device, transmitting to the peripheral device an update content from the host to update the flash memory; verifying the updated content of the flash memory; and transmitting a terminate command to the peripheral device for terminating to update the flash memory and activating the micro controller unit.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5603056 (1997-02-01), Totani
patent: 5819108 (1998-10-01), Hsu et al.
patent: 5901330 (1999-05-01), Sun et al.
patent: 6009497 (1999-12-01), Wells et al.
patent: 6038640 (2000-03-01), Terme
patent: 6151657 (2000-11-01), Sun et al.
patent: 6253281 (2001-06-01), Hall
Hu Pei-Jei
Lin Kun-Long
Su Wei-Ming
Porter Gary J
Rabin & Berdo P.C.
Via Technologies Inc.
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