Memory controller and memory system
First Claim
1. A memory controller for controlling access to a flash memory based on a command provided from a host system, the memory controller comprising:
- a processor;
a RAM (random access memory); and
a mask ROM (read only memory) in which a first firmware is written,wherein the memory controller is configured to;
perform a search using the first firmware at a start-up time to determine if a second firmware is detected in the flash memory;
retrieve a third firmware from the host system and write the third firmware to the RAM if the second firmware is not detected in the flash memory; and
perform an initialization based on the third firmware written to the RAM,wherein the first firmware is software which causes the memory controller to perform a process of searching for the second firmware in the flash memory at the start-up time,wherein the second firmware is software which causes the memory controller to perform a process of controlling access to the flash memory, and is not able to cause the memory controller to initialize the flash memory, andthe third firmware is software which causes the memory controller to initialize the flash memory, and is not able to cause the memory controller to perform the process of controlling access to the flash memory.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A memory controller for preventing the storage area of a flash memory being reduced is provided. The memory controller controlling access to a flash memory based on a command provided from a host system, the memory controller includes: a processor, a RAM (random access memory), and a mask ROM (read only memory) in which a first firmware is written, wherein the memory controller is configured to: perform a search for a second firmware written in the flash memory based on the first firmware at a start-up time; and write a third firmware provided from the host system in the RAM when the second firmware is not found through the search and perform an initialization based on the third firmware written in the RAM.
0 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A memory controller for controlling access to a flash memory based on a command provided from a host system, the memory controller comprising:
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a processor; a RAM (random access memory); and a mask ROM (read only memory) in which a first firmware is written, wherein the memory controller is configured to; perform a search using the first firmware at a start-up time to determine if a second firmware is detected in the flash memory; retrieve a third firmware from the host system and write the third firmware to the RAM if the second firmware is not detected in the flash memory; and perform an initialization based on the third firmware written to the RAM, wherein the first firmware is software which causes the memory controller to perform a process of searching for the second firmware in the flash memory at the start-up time, wherein the second firmware is software which causes the memory controller to perform a process of controlling access to the flash memory, and is not able to cause the memory controller to initialize the flash memory, and the third firmware is software which causes the memory controller to initialize the flash memory, and is not able to cause the memory controller to perform the process of controlling access to the flash memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A memory system comprising:
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a flash memory; and a memory controller configured to control access to the flash memory based on a command provided from a host system, wherein the memory controller comprises; a processor; a RAM (random access memory); and a mask ROM (read only memory) in which a first firmware is written, wherein the memory controller is configured to; perform a search using the first firmware at a start-up time to determine if a second firmware is detected in the flash memory; retrieve a third firmware from the host system and write the third firmware to the RAM if the second firmware is not detected in the flash memory; and perform an initialization based on the third firmware written to the RAM, wherein the first firmware is software which causes the memory controller to perform a process of searching for the second firmware in the flash memory at the start-up time, wherein the second firmware is software which causes the memory controller to perform a process of controlling access to the flash memory, and is not able to cause the memory controller to initialize the flash memory, and the third firmware is software which causes the memory controller to initialize the flash memory, and is not able to cause the memory controller to perform the process of controlling access to the flash memory. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification