Patent ID: 7890726

Claim:
A method for performing an update procedure in a shared memory in a memory device controlled by an embedded controller, said method comprising the steps of: providing a computerized system comprising at least one Host linked to said memory device; providing access paths to said shared memory, to said at least one Host, and to said embedded controller; providing an arbitration device for allocating said access paths to said shared memory; partitioning said shared memory into separate blocks, each of which is designated for storing different types of data; and permitting access, via said arbitration device, to said separate blocks of said shared memory by using an access control unit that enables/disables access to predetermined portions of said shared memory by at least one of said access paths, wherein said at least one Host performs said update procedure by: (a) providing said embedded controller update data accompanied by a digital signature, and waiting for said embedded controller to issue an indication whether said update data is valid; (b) if an invalid indication is issued, terminating said update procedure; (c) if a valid indication is issued, setting a “flash touched/untouched” flag to a touched state; then enabling Host write operation; then writing said update data to said blocks of said shared memory; (d) upon completion of said write operation, issuing an “End” indication and waiting for said embedded controller to acknowledge said “End” indication; and (e) allowing said at least one Host to perform a Host re-boot process after receiving an acknowledgment indicating completion of said update process by said embedded controller.