IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,124,832
Granted Patent B2
US 12,124,832 · App. 17/154,654 · Granted Oct 22, 2024

Semiconductor component update device

Inventors: Ryan Albright (Beaverton, OR); William Andrew Mecham (Elk Grove, CA); Michael Thompson (Wilsonville, OR); Aaron Richard Carkin (Hillsboro, OR); William Ryan Weese (Portland, OR); Benjamin Goska (Portland, OR)
Assignee: Nvidia Corporation
G06F8/65G06F1/266
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,124,832
App. No.
17/154,654
Filed
Jan 21, 2021
Granted
Oct 22, 2024
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2192
USPC
717/169
Abstract

Devices and methods to update semiconductor components are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a device updates semiconductor components independent of a semiconductor component operational state.

Claims (33)

1. A device comprising one or more interfaces to establish a physical power connection and a physical data transfer connection with one or more semiconductor components arranged within a container to update firmware corresponding to the one or more semiconductor components, independent of an operational state of the one or more semiconductor components, the container comprising an access interface that enables the physical power connection and the physical data transfer connection with the one or more semiconductor components while the one or more semiconductor components remain within the container.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the interface is to transmit power to the one or more semiconductor components, the power exceeding a threshold level for updating firmware.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the interface is a data communication interface to transmit data using one or more communication protocols.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

memory to store one or more updates, including at least one of firmware updates, configuration updates, MAC tables, or hardware serial numbers.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the operational state of the one or more semiconductor components is non-operational such that the one or more semiconductor components are decoupled from an external power source.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a display to receive instructions from a user and provide update information to the user.

7. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

power circuitry to transmit power to one or more semiconductor components, the power circuitry receiving power from an external power source.

8. A system, comprising:

one or more processors comprising one or more interfaces to establish a physical power connection and a physical data transfer connection with one or more semiconductor components positioned within a container to update firmware corresponding to the one or more semiconductor components, independent of an operational state of the one or more semiconductor components, the container comprising an access interface that enables the physical power connection and the physical data transfer connection with the one or more semiconductor components while the one or more semiconductor components remain within the container.

9. The system of claim 8 ,

wherein the interface is to transmit power to the one or more semiconductor components, the power exceeding a threshold level for updating firmware.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the interface is a data communication interface to transmit data using one or more communication protocols.

11. The system of claim 8 , further comprising:

memory to store firmware updates.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the operational state of the one or more semiconductor components is non-operational such that the one or more semiconductor components are decoupled from an external power source.

13. The system of claim 8 , further comprising:

a display to receive instructions from a user and provide update information to the user.

14. The system of claim 8 , further comprising:

power circuitry to transmit power to one or more semiconductor components, the power circuitry receiving power from an external power source.

15. The system of claim 8 , wherein the container comprises a physical container.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the one or more semiconductor components are positioned within a warehouse and the one or more semiconductor components are not coupled to an external power source.

17. A method, comprising:

causing firmware for one or more semiconductor components arranged within a container to be updated using a device comprising one or more interfaces to establish a physical power connection and a physical data transfer connection with the one or more semiconductor components, the device transmitting instructions and electrical power exceeding a threshold level to update the firmware, the container comprising an access interface that enables the physical power connection and the physical data transfer connection with the one or more semiconductor components while the one or more semiconductor components remain within the container.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

identifying the one or more semiconductor components;

selecting a first firmware update for a first semiconductor component; and

selecting a second firmware update for a second semiconductor component.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

forming a physical connection between the device and the one or more semiconductor components, the one or more semiconductor components being detached from a main power supply.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the physical connection is to transmit power to the one or more semiconductor components, the power exceeding a threshold level for updating firmware.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2021
From: ALBRIGHT, RYAN; MECHAM, WILLIAM ANDREW; THOMPSON, MICHAEL; CARKIN, AARON RICHARD; WEESE, WILLIAM RYAN; GOSKA, BENJAMIN
To: NVIDIA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055115/0109 →
Continuity (1)
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