SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UPDATING READ-ONLY MEMORY IN SMART CARD MEMORY MODULES

摘要

A storage device contains a smart-card device and a memory device, both connected to a controller. The storage device may be used in the same manner as a conventional smart-card device, or it may be used to store a relatively large amount of data in various partitions. One of these partitions may be a read-only partition that is normally accessible only for read accesses. However, it may sometimes be necessary to update or supplement the data stored in the read-only partition. This is accomplished by a host issuing an appropriate command to the storage device, which may be accompanied by an identifier for an appropriate level of authorization. The controller then changes the attribute of the read-only partition from “read-only” to “read/write” to allow data to be written to the partition. Upon completion, the controller changes the attribute of the partition back to read-only.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a non-volatile memory configured to store data, the memory having a read-only partition; a controller coupled to the non-volatile memory, the controller configured to change an attribute of the read-only partition from read-only to read/write responsive, at least in part, to opening the read-only partition to writing, the controller further configured to determine a size of the read-only partition and a size of data to be written to the read-only partition, and execute a resizing command to resize the read-only partition if the controller determines that the size of data to be written to the read-only partition exceeds the size of the read-only partition; and an integrated circuit device coupled to the controller and configured to provide an indication to the controller to open the read-only partition to writing responsive to a command to open the read-only partition to writing.