VIA Technologies has been granted a patent for an electronic apparatus with a secure firmware update method. The system includes integrated circuit chips and non-volatile memory chips for storing firmware codes. A secure firmware update console performs a verification procedure before updating the firmware code, ensuring data integrity and security. GlobalData’s report on VIA Technologies gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on VIA Technologies, Device power optimization was a key innovation area identified from patents. VIA Technologies's grant share as of January 2024 was 82%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Secure firmware update method for electronic apparatus
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11874927B2) discloses an electronic apparatus with a secure firmware update mechanism. The apparatus includes a first integrated circuit chip with a secure firmware update console, a first non-volatile memory chip storing firmware code, a second integrated circuit chip, and a second non-volatile memory chip storing firmware code. The secure firmware update console verifies firmware code update data stored in a spare data storage space and updates the second firmware code by overwriting it with the verified data. The verification procedure involves a signature verification process using a digital signature and the firmware code update data.
Specifically designed for a USB-C hub, the electronic apparatus facilitates communication with a host through a USB cable. The USB power delivery control chip, acting as the first integrated circuit chip, communicates with the first non-volatile memory chip via a Serial Peripheral Interface bus. The second integrated circuit chip communicates with the second non-volatile memory chip through a separate Serial Peripheral Interface bus. An operating system on the host triggers a secure update command to update the second firmware code, ensuring data integrity and security through digital signatures and verification procedures before updating the firmware code in the second non-volatile memory chip.
In conclusion, the patented secure firmware update method ensures the integrity and security of firmware updates in electronic apparatus, particularly in USB-C hubs. By employing digital signatures and verification procedures, the method guarantees that only authenticated firmware code update data are written into the non-volatile memory chips, enhancing the reliability and safety of the update process.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
