Patent ID: 7934049
Filing Date: 2011-04-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a flash memory device comprising: storing firmware in an unsecure mass storage memory in the flash memory device, the firmware comprising a first level and a second level, wherein the first level includes a boot loader that is stored in an exclusively physically addressed partition of the unsecure mass storage memory without logical mapping, and the second level is stored in a logical partition of the unsecure mass storage memory having logical mapping; signing the firmware with a controller of the flash memory device while the firmware is being stored in the unsecure mass storage memory and storing a signature generated by the controller for the firmware in the unsecure mass storage memory; reading the firmware stored in the unsecure mass storage memory and, prior to execution of the firmware, verifying authenticity of the firmware as it is read from the unsecure mass storage memory wherein the first level firmware is read without performing logical mapping and the second level firmware is moveable in the logical partition by a wear leveling routine; and wherein verifying authenticity comprises the controller of the flash memory device generating a signature for the firmware read from the unsecure mass storage memory and comparing the generated signature with the signature stored in the unsecure mass storage memory.