Updating firmware of an electronic device by storing a version identifier in a separate header

1. A method of operating an electronic device, the electronic device comprising a non-volatile memory comprising:

first and second distinct versions of a control program (CP);

a first header comprising a first version identifier (VID) identifying the first version of the CP and a first VID check code generated based at least in part on the first VID; and

a second header comprising a second VID identifying the second version of the CP and a second VID check code generated based at least in part on the second VID; and

the method comprising:

generating a first validation VID check code based at least in part on the first VID;

reading the first VID from the first header;

determining whether the first validation VID check code matches the first VID check code from the first header to verify the validity of the first VID;

generating a second validation VID check code based at least in part on the second VID;

reading the second VID from the second header;

determining whether the second validation VID check code matches the second VID check code from the second header to verify the validity of the second VID;

when the first and second VIDs are valid, selecting a version between the first version and the second version of the CP based at least in part on the first and second VIDs;

generating a validation CP check code based at least in part on the selected version of the CP;

when the validation CP check code matches the CP check code of the selected version of the CP, executing the selected version of the CP; and

erasing the non-selected version of the CP from the non-volatile memory and invalidating the header of the non-selected version.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein when the first VID is invalid, further comprising selecting the second version of the CP to execute.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a third version of the CP;

storing the third version of the CP in the non-volatile memory; and

after storing the third version of the CP in the non-volatile memory, storing a third header in the non-volatile memory, wherein the third header comprises a third VID identifying the third version of the CP.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 , further comprising receiving the third VID.

5. The method as recited in claim 3 , further comprising generating the third VID.

6. The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein:

a third VID check code is included in the third header stored in the non-volatile memory; and

the third VID check code for verifying the third VID.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 , further comprising generating the third VID check code over at least the third VID.

8. An electronic device comprising:

control circuitry; and

a non-volatile memory comprising:

first and second distinct versions of a control program (CP) stored in the non-volatile memory by the control circuitry, each including a CP check code;

a first header stored in the non-volatile memory by the control circuitry and comprising a first version identifier (VID) identifying the first version of the CP and a first VID check code generated based at least in part on the first VID; and

a second header stored in the non-volatile memory by the control circuitry and comprising a second VID identifying the second version of the CP and a second VID check code generated based at least in part on the second VID;

wherein the control circuitry is operable to:

generate a first validation VID check code based at least in part on the first VID;

read the first VID from the first header;

determine whether the first validation VID check code matches the first VID check code from the first header to verify the validity of the first VID;

generate a second validation VID check code based at least in part on the second VID;

read the second VID from the second header;

determine whether the second validation VID check code matches the second VID check code from the second header to verify the validity of the second VID;

when the first and second VIDs are valid, select a version between the first version and the second version of the CP based at least in part on the first and second VIDs;

generate a validation CP check code based at least in part on the selected version of the CP;

when the validation CP check code matches the CP check code of the selected version of the CP, execute the selected version of the CP; and

erase the non-selected version of the CP from the non-volatile memory and invalidate the header of the non-selected version.

9. The electronic device as recited in claim 8 , wherein when the first VID is invalid, the control circuitry is operable to select the second version of the CP to execute.

10. The electronic device as recited in claim 8 , wherein the control circuitry is further operable to:

receive a third version of the CP;

store the third version of the CP in the non-volatile memory; and

after storing the third version of the CP in the non-volatile memory, store a third header in the non-volatile memory, wherein the third header comprises a third VID identifying the third version of the CP.

11. The electronic device as recited in claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further operable to receive the third VID.

12. The electronic device as recited in claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further operable to generate the third VID.

13. The electronic device as recited in claim 10 , wherein:

a third VID check code is included in the third header stored in the non-volatile memory; and

the third VID check code for verifying the third VID.

14. The electronic device as recited in claim 13 , wherein the control circuitry is further operable to generate the third VID check code over at least the third VID.