Patent ID: 7831740

Claim:
A method of programming an electronic device comprising: transferring data information and address information included in program data provided from outside the electronic device to a buffer circuit coupled to a programmable memory in the electronic device without using Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM) devices that are separate from a programmable memory controller circuit, wherein the programmable memory controller circuit controls programming of the programmable memory in the electronic device that is separate from a general operation processor circuit used to provide general operations of the electronic device subsequent to transferring data information into the programmable memory; transferring command information only to the programmable memory controller circuit, wherein the programmable memory controller circuit receives only command information, wherein command information is used to generate control signals used in conjunction with data information and address information transferred to the buffer circuit, wherein the control signals are only generated by the programmable memory controller circuit; decoding addresses received without passing through the general operation processor circuit, to determine that data information transferred to the buffer circuit is directed to the programmable memory mapped address information transferred to the buffer circuit; asserting a signal to the general operation processor circuit, responsive to decoding the programmable memory mapped address by the programmable memory controller circuit, to prevent the general operation processor circuit from accessing the programmable memory during transfer of data information into the programmable memory; transmitting an indication to outside the electronic device that the transfer of data information to the programmable memory is complete; and then de-asserting the signal to the general operation processor circuit to allow the general operation processor circuit to access the programmable memory.