Method and computer program product for loading and executing program code at micro-processor

• US 8,362,880 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2009
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xueshan Technologies Inc. (Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MStar Semiconductor Incorporated (MediaTek, Inc.)
• Inventors: Huang, Chih-Hua, Chang, Chih Yen
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): BURGDORF, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US12/430,408
• Publication Number:
  US 20090278667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,373 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.4, 340 101- 106, 709230-237, 710104-106, 711/105, 712200-248, 717/168, 717/169, 717/173, 717/174, 717/175, 717/178, 713/100
• US Class Current: 340/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4401 Bootstrapping security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication

Abstract

A method and apparatus for loading and executing program code at a micro-processor are disclosed. In this method, a monitoring procedure is performed to monitor whether the micro-processor receives a loading request corresponding to a target program code. If the loading request is received, the target program code is loaded from an external memory into an internal memory of the micro-processor. The micro-processor is then rebooted to enter a first mode in which the target program code in the internal memory is to be executed.

Claims

1. A method for loading and executing a target program code at a mobile communication device comprising a micro-processor, comprising steps of:

(a) entering a monitoring mode from a non-monitoring mode and performing a monitoring procedure for monitoring whether the micro-processor receives a loading request corresponding to the target program code;

(b) loading the target program code from an external memory into an internal memory of the micro-processor in response to the loading request;

(c) rebooting the micro-processor to prompt the micro-processor to exit the monitoring mode and enter the non-monitoring mode in which the target program code in the internal memory is to be executed; and

(d) after Step (c), setting the micro-processor to enter the monitoring mode in which the monitoring procedure is performed after the micro-processor is next rebooted; and

wherein the target program code is one of a plurality of predetermined program codes stored in the external memory, each of which respectively corresponds to a radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol, and

wherein the external memory is a flash memory and the external memory is a random access memory.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol is selected from a group consisting of an ISO 14443A protocol, an ISO 14443B protocol, an ISO 15693 protocol, an ISO 18092 protocol, and an EPC UHF C1G2 protocol.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the program code is loaded from the external memory into the internal memory in a direct memory access mode.

4. A mobile communication device, comprising:

an external memory, stored with a target program code corresponding to a target communication protocol; and

a micro-processor, coupled to the external memory and provided with an internal memory, for entering a monitoring mode from a non-monitoring mode and performing a monitoring procedure to monitor whether the micro-processor receives a loading request corresponding to the target program code, and loading the target program code into the internal memory in response to the loading request;

wherein the micro-processor is rebooted and exits the monitoring mode to enter into the non-monitoring mode in which the target program code stored in the internal memory is executed after the target program code is loaded into the internal memory;

wherein, after the micro-processor enters the non-monitoring mode, a next reboot is performed to prompt the micro-processor to enter the monitoring mode;

wherein a plurality of predetermined program codes are stored in the external memory, each of which respectively corresponds to a radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol, and

wherein the external memory is a flash memory and the external memory is a random access memory.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol is selected from a group consisting of an ISO 14443A protocol, an ISO 14443B protocol, an ISO 15693 protocol, an ISO 18092 protocol, and an EPC UHF C1G2 protocol.

6. The communication device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a monitor program code corresponding to the monitoring procedure is executed and is stored in the external memory.

7. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the program code is loaded from the external memory into the internal memory in a direct memory access mode.