Method and system of locating a firmware image in non-volatile memory

A method of locating a starting point of a firmware image in a non-volatile memory unit, comprising checking each of a number of possible starting points within said non-volatile memory unit until a code space signature is located that indicates said starting point of said firmware image.

A system for locating a starting point of a firmware image in a non-volatile memory unit comprising:

• means for writing a code space signature in said non-volatile memory unit at a starting point of said firmware image;
• and
• means for checking each of a number of possible starting points within said non-volatile memory unit until said code space signature is located that indicates said starting point of said firmware image.

A method of locating where in a non-volatile memory unit an incoming firmware image can be stored, said method comprising, on receipt of a said incoming firmware image,

• attempting to erase at least one block of said non-volatile memory unit;
• and
• storing said incoming firmware image in said non-volatile memory unit where said attempt to erase succeeds.

A system for locating where in a non-volatile memory unit an incoming firmware image can be stored, said system comprising:

• a processor of said host device for running an existing firmware image;
• wherein said existing firmware image is configured, on receipt of a said incoming firmware image, to attempt erasure of at least one block of a non-volatile memory unit, and store said incoming firmware image in said non-volatile memory unit where said attempted erasure succeeds.

A system for locating where in a non-volatile memory unit an incoming firmware image can be stored, said method comprising, on receipt of a said incoming firmware image,

• means for attempting to erase at least one block of said non-volatile memory unit;
• and
• means for storing said incoming firmware image in said non-volatile memory unit where said erasure succeeds.

A method of locating a position in memory at which to store an incoming firmware image, said method storing a firmware image in memory with a header that comprises information about a location within memory of said firmware image.

Computer-readable instructions for locating a starting point of a firmware image in a non-volatile memory unit, said instructions, when executed, causing a processor to check each of a number of possible starting points within said non-volatile memory unit until a code space signature is located that indicates said starting point of said firmware image.

Computer-readable instructions for locating where in a non-volatile memory unit an incoming firmware image can be stored, said instructions, when executed, causing a processor to, on receipt of a said incoming firmware image,

• attempt to erase at least one block of said non-volatile memory unit;
• and
• store said incoming firmware image in said non-volatile memory unit where said attempt to erase succeeds.

Computer-readable instructions for locating where in a non-volatile memory unit an incoming firmware image can be stored, said instructions, when executed, causing a processor to store a firmware image in memory with a header that comprises information about a location within memory of said firmware image.