Selective configuration of operating programs stored in an application specific integrated circuit

An application specific integrated circuit including a controller and controller memory for storing controller programming, said circuit comprising:

• external connection means capable of connecting said application specific integrated circuit to a plurality of external storage means;
• a default configuration memory connected to said controller for storing default configuration data;
• and
• said controller memory storing a program operative to determine whether external storage means are connected to said external connection means, retrieve configuration data that may be stored in said external storage means, and retrieve configuration data from said default configuration memory if no configuration data is stored externally.

A method for configuring a program-controlled integrated circuit which contains default configuration data and includes input/output circuit connectable to a plurality of external sources of configuration data, said method comprising:

• a) testing for connection of a first external memory to said program-controlled integrated circuit;
• b) testing for connection of a second external memory to said program-controlled integrated circuit;
• c) determining whether an external source of configuration data is connected to said input/output;
• d) in response to a determination that an external source of configuration data is connected to the input/output circuit, locating the externally stored configuration data;
• (e) configuring the program-controlled integrated circuit in accordance with the externally located configuration data;
• and
• (f) in response to a determination that an external source of configuration data is not connected to the input/output circuit, configuring the program-controlled integrated circuit in accordance with the default configuration data stored in said program-controlled integrated circuit.

An integrated circuit including a controller and controller memory for storing controller programming, said circuit comprising:

• an external connection capable of connecting said integrated circuit to a plurality of external storage means;
• a default configuration memory connected to said controller for storing default configuration data;
• and
• said controller memory storing a program operative to determine whether external storage means are connected to said external connection, retrieve configuration data that may be stored in said external storage means, and retrieve configuration data from said default configuration memory if no configuration data is stored externally.