Methods and apparatus for dual-boot memory selection, update, and recovery in a programmable device

A method operable within a dual-boot capable device for using boot information in said dual-boot capable device having a reset switch comprising the steps of:

• sensing a short activation of said reset switch;
• using boot information from a primary boot memory device in said device in response to said sensing of said short activation of said reset switch;
• sensing a long activation of said reset switch;
• and
• using boot information from a secondary boot memory device in said device in response to said sensing of said long activation of said reset switch.

A method operable within a dual-boot capable programmable device for initializing, aid dual-boot capable programmable device comprising the steps of:

• determining the validity of boot information in a presently active one of a plurality of boot memory devices associated with the programmable device;
• determining the validity of boot information in a presently inactive one of the plurality of boot memory devices in response to the step of determining that the boot information in the presently active boot memory device is valid;
• and
• updating the presently inactive boot memory device only in response to a determination that the boot information in the presently inactive boot memory device is invalid.

A dual-boot capable device comprising:

• a primary boot memory device;
• a secondary boot memory device;
• a switch;
• a sensor coupled to said switch and operable to sense a first type of activation of said switch and further operable to sense a second type of activation of said switch;
• and
• a selection circuit coupled to said sensor and to said primary boot memory device and to said secondary boot memory device, operable to select said primary boot memory device as a selected boot memory in response to sensing of a short activation of said switch and operable to select said secondary boot memory device as said selected boot memory in response to sensing of a long activation of said switch.