Memory flash apparatus and method for providing device upgrades over a standard interface
First Claim
1. An electronic host device comprising:
- a processor;
a memory subsystem storing a boot code, said processor operative to boot with said boot code; and
routing logic in the electronic host device, operatively coupled to said memory subsystem and at least one communication port of said electronic host device, said communication port being accessible externally from said electronic host device, said communication port providing access to an internal bus of said electronic host device,wherein said routing logic is operative to route boot code upgrade data, from a peripheral stand-alone device that is external to said electronic host device, to said memory subsystem to bypass said processor in response to said peripheral stand-alone device transmitting a data packet to the electronic host device indicating that a boot code upgrade will be performed when connected at said at least one communication port, said boot code upgrade data for modifying or replacing said boot code stored within said memory subsystem.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic device includes routing logic operatively coupled to a communication port that is externally accessible so that there is no need to disassemble the electronic device to gain access. The port may be a USB (universal serial bus) port and provides access to an internal bus. The routing logic is also operatively coupled to a memory subsystem such that it may route data from an external device, connected at the port, to the memory subsystem to modify or replace a boot code, including a BIOS code. A memory interface device includes an interface module, a memory interface module for communicating with a memory subsystem including a boot PROM (programmable read only memory), and a routing logic coupled to the interface module and the memory interface module. The routing logic routes data from the external device to the boot PROM, so that a boot code, including a BIOS (basic input/output system), may be modified or replaced.
32 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An electronic host device comprising:
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a processor; a memory subsystem storing a boot code, said processor operative to boot with said boot code; and routing logic in the electronic host device, operatively coupled to said memory subsystem and at least one communication port of said electronic host device, said communication port being accessible externally from said electronic host device, said communication port providing access to an internal bus of said electronic host device, wherein said routing logic is operative to route boot code upgrade data, from a peripheral stand-alone device that is external to said electronic host device, to said memory subsystem to bypass said processor in response to said peripheral stand-alone device transmitting a data packet to the electronic host device indicating that a boot code upgrade will be performed when connected at said at least one communication port, said boot code upgrade data for modifying or replacing said boot code stored within said memory subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A host device comprising:
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an interface module having a communication port for communicating with a peripheral stand-alone device attached to said communication port; a memory interface module for communicating with a memory subsystem of the host device including a boot Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM); and a routing logic coupled to said interface module and said memory interface module, said routing logic operative to route boot code upgrade data, from said peripheral stand-alone device that is external to said host device, to said boot PROM to bypass a processor of said host device in response to said peripheral stand-alone device transmitting a data packet to the electronic host device indicating that a boot code upgrade will be performed when connected at said communication port, said processor operative to boot from said boot PROM, said boot code upgrade data for modifying a boot code stored on said boot PROM. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method comprising:
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detecting a device at an interface port of an electronic host device; detecting, by a routing logic, that a peripheral stand-alone device, connected at a communication port of said electronic host device, is a PROM (programmable read only memory) programming device, wherein said peripheral stand-alone device is external to said electronic host device; and routing boot code upgrade data, from said peripheral stand-alone device to a memory subsystem of said electronic host device to bypass a processor of said electronic host device in response to said peripheral stand-alone device transmitting a data packet to the electronic host device indicating that a boot code upgrade will be performed when connected, said boot code upgrade data for modifying or replacing said boot code stored within said memory subsystem, said processor operative to boot from said boot code. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer readable memory comprising:
executable instructions for execution by at least one processor, that when executed cause said at least one processor to; detect a device at an interface port of an electronic host device including a processor; detect that a peripheral stand-alone device, connected at a communication port of said electronic host device including said at least one processor, is a PROM (programmable read only memory) programming device, wherein said peripheral stand-alone device is external to said electronic host device; and route boot code upgrade data, from said peripheral stand-alone device to a memory subsystem of said electronic host device, to bypass said processor of said electronic host device in response to said peripheral stand-alone device transmitting a data packet to the electronic host device indicating that a boot code upgrade will be performed, said boot code upgrade data for modifying or replacing said boot code stored within said memory subsystem, said processor operative to boot with said boot code. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
Specification