Firmware Update via Flash Memory Block Differences

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing firmware update methods for devices with Micron's Authenta Flash are inefficient, requiring the entire firmware image to be transferred and recorded, even if only minor changes are made, leading to high data transmission and network resource consumption, and lack reliability and stability, especially when updating multiple devices simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A firmware massive update method that calculates and transmits only the differences in the firmware image in blocks of 4 KB to 64 KB, using a gRPC protocol for communication, and manages firmware data by storing and updating boot images in specific areas of the flash memory, with Authenticated Modify (AM) blocks, minimizing data transmission and improving performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire firmware image is transferred and recorded to Authenta flash, then the update reliability is ensured, but the data transmission volume and network resource consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate reliabilityVSAvoiddata transmission volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The firmware image is divided into multiple blocks (e.g., 4KB to 64KB blocks). The system calculates and transmits only the difference values for changed blocks rather than the entire firmware image, significantly reducing data transmission volume while maintaining update reliability through selective block updating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts only the changed portions (difference values) from the firmware image for transmission and updating. By identifying and transmitting only the modified blocks rather than the complete firmware image, data transmission volume is minimized while ensuring reliable updates through targeted block replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the entire firmware image is recorded even for minor changes, then the Authenta flash requirements are met, but the update time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate stabilityVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The firmware update process is segmented into block-level operations. By dividing the firmware image into manageable blocks and updating only the changed blocks rather than the entire image, the update time is significantly reduced while maintaining stability through systematic block management and verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial updating by applying only the necessary block changes rather than re-recording the entire firmware image. This partial action approach reduces update time for minor changes while ensuring stability through comprehensive block-level error checking and verification protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If firmware update is performed on multiple devices simultaneously using traditional methods, then all devices are updated, but the network resources and time consumption become excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemassive update capabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The massive update process is segmented into device-level independent block operations. Each device receives and processes only its specific changed blocks rather than complete firmware images, allowing parallel updates across multiple devices with minimal network resource consumption and optimized time efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

For massive simultaneous updates, the system applies partial updating to each device by transmitting only the difference values for changed blocks. This approach enables efficient batch processing of multiple devices while minimizing cumulative network resource consumption and total update time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11789719B2Firmware massive update method using flash memory and computer program stored in recording media for executing the same

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 SECURITY PLATFORM INC

AI summary

A firmware massive update method using a flash memory includes: a firmware data registration step of receiving, from a manufacturer server, at least one of information of a user device that is a firmware update target, and firmware information and registering the received information as firmware data; a firmware data management step of receiving a request from a firmware update server in which the registered firmware data is stored, and storing and managing the registered firmware data in a specific area of a flash memory included in the user device via a network; and a firmware update execution step of executing a firmware update on the firmware data managed in the specific area of the flash memory included in the user device through the firmware update server.