Secure firmware update

Abstract

A secure firmware update method includes receiving a firmware update image, for example, firmware code including corrected or updated functionality. Next, the firmware update image and the source of the firmware update image are authenticated. After the firmware update image and the source of the firmware update image have been authenticated, the current firmware image is replaced by the firmware update image. If either of the new firmware image or the firmware update module is not authorized, the memory remains locked; thereby, preventing the unauthorized firmware image from being flashed into the memory. An electronic device includes a processor and a memory. The memory maintains instructions that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a firmware update image. Next, the instructions cause the processor to authenticate the firmware update image and the source of the image. After the firmware update image and the source of the firmware update image have been authenticated, the current firmware image is replaced by the firmware update image.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.