US5579522A — Dynamic non-volatile memory update in a computer …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 155 words

A computer system comprising: a processor for executing processing logic; a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device coupled to said processor, said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device having BIOS firmware programmed therein, portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device being write modifiable; a random access memory (RAM) device coupled to said processor; means for transferring a first portion of said BIOS firmware from said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device to said RAM, said first portion being specifically directed to updating other portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said means for transferring coupled to said processor; means for erasing a portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said means for erasing coupled to said processor; and, means for updating a second portion of said BIOS firmware in said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory while said first portion of said BIOS firmware is executing from said RAM, said means for updating coupled to said processor.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 155 words

A computer system comprising: a processor for executing processing logic; a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device coupled to said processor, said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device having BIOS firmware programmed therein, portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device being write modifiable; a random access memory (RAM) device coupled to said processor; means for transferring a first portion of said BIOS firmware from said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device to said RAM, said first portion being specifically directed to updating other portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said means for transferring coupled to said processor; means for erasing a portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said means for erasing coupled to said processor; and, means for updating a second portion of said BIOS firmware in said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory while said first portion of said BIOS firmware is executing from said RAM, said means for updating coupled to said processor.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

The computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device is a flash semiconductor memory device.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 46 words

The computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device is partitioned into at least two separately erasable and programmable partitions, a first partition storing recovery processing logic and data, a second partition storing normal operating system processing logic and data.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

The computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said firmware is a basic input/output system (BIOS).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

The computer system as claimed in claim 1 said means for updating further including: means for selecting an update type, said update type being either a normal update type or a recovery update type, said means for selecting coupled to said processor.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 89 words

The computer system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for updating further including: means for selecting an update type, said update type being either a normal update type or a recovery update type, said means for selecting coupled to said processor; normal update processing logic operably disposed in said random access memory; means for activating said normal update processing logic if said normal update type is selected by said means for selecting; and means for reprogramming said second partition if said normal update processing logic is activated.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 65 words

The computer system as claimed in claim 6 said means for reprogramming further including: protected update processing logic residing within said normal operating system processing logic stored in said second partition; means for transferring said protected update processing logic to said random access memory; and means for activating said protected update processing logic, said protected update processing logic controlling the programming of said second partition.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 78 words

The computer system as claimed in claim 3 said means for updating further including: means for selecting an update type, said update type being either a normal update type or a recovery update type, said means for selecting coupled to said processor; means for activating said recovery processing logic if said recovery update type is selected by said means for selecting an update type; and means for reprogramming said second partition if said recovery processing logic is activated.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 19 words

The computer system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first partition is electronically protected from erasure or modification.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 158 words

A computer system comprising: a processor for executing processing logic; a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device coupled to said processor, said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device having BIOS firmware programmed therein, portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device being write modifiable; a random access memory (RAM) device coupled to said processor; means for transferring a first portion of said BIOS firmware from said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device to said RAM, said first portion being specifically directed to updating other portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said means for transferring coupled to said processor; means for erasing a portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said means for erasing coupled to said processor; and, means for updating application specific BIOS firmware residing in a second portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device while said first portion of said BIOS firmware is executing from said RAM, said means for updating coupled to said processor.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 158 words

A computer system comprising: a processor for executing processing logic; a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device coupled to said processor, said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device having BIOS firmware programmed therein, portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device being write modifiable; a random access memory (RAM) device coupled to said processor; means for transferring a first portion of said BIOS firmware from said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device to said RAM, said first portion being specifically directed to updating other portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said means for transferring coupled to said processor; means for erasing a portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said means for erasing coupled to said processor; and, means for updating application specific BIOS firmware residing in a second portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device while said first portion of said BIOS firmware is executing from said RAM, said means for updating coupled to said processor.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

The computer system as claimed in claim 10 further including means for enabling scanning of said second portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device containing application specific firmware.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 17 words

The computer system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said application specific firmware includes LAN processing logic.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 17 words

The computer system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said application specific firmware includes SCSI processing logic.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 161 words

In a computer system having a processor for executing processing logic, a random access memory (RAM) coupled to said processor and a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device coupled to said processor, said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device having firmware programmed therein, portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device being write modifiable, said firmware including a first portion programmed into an electronically write protected area of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said first portion being specifically directed to updating said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, a process for updating portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device while said firmware is executing from said RAM, said process comprising the steps of: transferring said first portion from said electronically protected area of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device to said RAM; executing said first portion to update a second portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device; and updating said second portion while said first portion is executing from said RAM.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 161 words

In a computer system having a processor for executing processing logic, a random access memory (RAM) coupled to said processor and a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device coupled to said processor, said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device having firmware programmed therein, portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device being write modifiable, said firmware including a first portion programmed into an electronically write protected area of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said first portion being specifically directed to updating said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, a process for updating portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device while said firmware is executing from said RAM, said process comprising the steps of: transferring said first portion from said electronically protected area of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device to said RAM; executing said first portion to update a second portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device; and updating said second portion while said first portion is executing from said RAM.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 107 words

The process as claimed in claim 14, said process further including the steps of: selecting whether said first portion or said second portion is initially executed; transferring said second portion from an unprotected area of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device to said RAM, said step of transferring said second portion being performed if said second portion is selected for initial execution in said selecting step; executing said second portion from said RAM if said second portion is selected for initial execution in said selecting step; and executing said first portion from said RAM if said first portion is selected for initial execution in said selecting step.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

The process of claim 15, wherein said second portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a second version of operating system firmware.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 21 words

The process of claim 15, wherein said second portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes application specific processing logic.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 146 words

In a computer system having a processor for executing processing logic, a random access memory (RAM) coupled to said processor and a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device coupled to said processor, said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device having operating system firmware programmed therein, portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device being write modifiable, a process for updating application specific firmware residing in a portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device while said operating system firmware is executing, said process comprising the steps of: transferring a first portion of said operating system firmware from said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device to said RAM, said first portion being specifically directed to reprogramming portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device; and executing said first portion of said operating system firmware to reprogram a second portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device with application specific firmware.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 146 words

In a computer system having a processor for executing processing logic, a random access memory (RAM) coupled to said processor and a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device coupled to said processor, said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device having operating system firmware programmed therein, portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device being write modifiable, a process for updating application specific firmware residing in a portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device while said operating system firmware is executing, said process comprising the steps of: transferring a first portion of said operating system firmware from said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device to said RAM, said first portion being specifically directed to reprogramming portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device; and executing said first portion of said operating system firmware to reprogram a second portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device with application specific firmware.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 29 words

The process as claimed in claim 18 further including a step of enabling scanning of said second portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device containing application specific firmware.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 16 words

The process as claimed in claim 18 wherein said application specific firmware includes LAN processing logic.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 16 words

The process as claimed in claim 18 wherein said application specific firmware includes SCSI processing logic.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 114 words

A computer system comprising: a processor for executing logic instructions; a programmable flash memory electrically connected to said processor, said programmable flash memory subdivided into a first part and a second part; said first part of said programmable flash memory stores BIOS instructions for a normal update mode, wherein said normal update mode includes the instructions needed to save, verify, or update areas of flash memory including said second part of said programmable flash memory; said second part of said programmable flash memory stores BIOS instructions for a recovery update mode, wherein said recovery update mode includes instructions needed to start the computer system and update the first part of said programmable flash memory.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 114 words

A computer system comprising: a processor for executing logic instructions; a programmable flash memory electrically connected to said processor, said programmable flash memory subdivided into a first part and a second part; said first part of said programmable flash memory stores BIOS instructions for a normal update mode, wherein said normal update mode includes the instructions needed to save, verify, or update areas of flash memory including said second part of said programmable flash memory; said second part of said programmable flash memory stores BIOS instructions for a recovery update mode, wherein said recovery update mode includes instructions needed to start the computer system and update the first part of said programmable flash memory.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 27 words

The computer system described in claim 22, wherein said computer system includes a hardware device for selecting either said normal update mode or said recovery update mode.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 14 words

The computer system of claim 23 wherein said hardware device is a jumper cable.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 113 words

A method of updating a BIOS stored in a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device in a computer, said method comprising the steps of: creating two portions of BIOS, a normal update portion and a recovery update portion and storing each portion in a section of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device; using a hardware device to switch between two start-up modes in said computer; choosing to load into RAM memory either said normal update portion of BIOS or said recovery update portion of BIOS depending on setting of said hardware device; loading the chosen portion of BIOS into said RAM memory; and updating the portion of BIOS not loaded into said RAM memory.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 113 words

A method of updating a BIOS stored in a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device in a computer, said method comprising the steps of: creating two portions of BIOS, a normal update portion and a recovery update portion and storing each portion in a section of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device; using a hardware device to switch between two start-up modes in said computer; choosing to load into RAM memory either said normal update portion of BIOS or said recovery update portion of BIOS depending on setting of said hardware device; loading the chosen portion of BIOS into said RAM memory; and updating the portion of BIOS not loaded into said RAM memory.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-11-26	2000-05-27	2000-11-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-11-26	2004-05-27	2004-11-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-11-26	2008-05-27	2008-11-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Dynamic non-volatile memory update in a computer system

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