Patent ID: 8909852
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: G06F,G11C

Abstract:
1. A machine-implemented method for disabling write protection on a serial peripheral interface (SPI) chip, the method comprising: providing for termination of asserting a hardware write protect pin on the SPI chip by providing for connection of the hardware write protect pin on the SPI chip to a power supply on the SPI chip, wherein the hardware write protect pin on the SPI chip is connected to a switch, the switch alternating between connecting the hardware write protect pin to a power supply pin of the SPI chip and connecting the hardware write protect pin to a ground pin on the SPI chip, and wherein, upon connecting, using the switch, the hardware write protect pin to the ground pin, the hardware write protect pin is grounded; detecting a status of the hardware write protect pin on the SPI chip via a general purpose input/output (GPIO) pin on the SPI chip, wherein the GPIO pin is connected to the hardware write protect pin; setting a software write protect enable bit on the SPI chip to indicate that write protection is disabled on the SPI chip; and reprogramming at least one bit on the SPI chip to a reprogrammed value, wherein the at least one bit has a different storage location from the hardware write protect pin and the software write protect enable bit.