Microcontroller firmware running from ram and applications of the same

A computer system having a processor, a system memory, and a firmware, the system memory comprising:

• (a) a random access memory (RAM);
• and
• (b) a flash memory having stored thereon a firmware image comprising a boot block image in a first memory location and an operational code image in a second memory location, wherein the boot block image comprises computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause a computer to perform functions comprising:
• (i) initializing the firmware;
• (ii) determining if the operational code image is valid;
• (iii) if the operational code image is valid, copying the operational code image from the flash memory to the RAM;
• and
• (iv) if the operational code image is not valid, waiting for an available firmware update image and, when a firmware update image is available, receiving the firmware update image from a firmware update image provider.

A computer-implemented method for updating a firmware within a computer system having a system memory device and a processor, comprising:

• (a) initializing the firmware;
• (b) determining if an operational code data is valid, wherein the operational code data is stored in a read-only memory (ROM) within the system memory device;
• and
• (c) if the operational code data is valid, copying the operational code data from the ROM to a random-access memory (RAM) within the system memory, wherein the operational code data is operative to enable a plurality of different interfaces to receive a firmware update from a firmware update provider;
• and
• (d) if the operational code data is not valid:
• (i) waiting for an available firmware update;
• and
• (ii) when a firmware update is available, receiving the firmware update from the firmware update provider.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform functions for updating a firmware within a computer system having a system memory device, the functions comprising:

• (a) initializing the firmware;
• (b) determining if an operational code data is valid, wherein the operational code data is stored in a read-only memory (ROM) within the system memory device;
• and
• (c) if the operational code data is valid, copying the operational code data from the ROM to a random-access memory (RAM) within the system memory, wherein the operational code data is operative to enable a plurality of different interfaces to receive a firmware update from a firmware update provider;
• and
• (d) if the operational code data is not valid:
• (i) waiting for an available firmware update;
• and
• (ii) when a firmware update is available, receiving the firmware update from the firmware update provider.