Device recovery system and method

Abstract

This invention provides a system, method, and recording medium for recovering a device that has experienced an error without applying a firmware recovery file, by connecting to a network or external storage space. [Solution] The device recovery system includes a processor that handles tasks to make the device operational, and an internal storage space that stores a first firmware file for booting the device and a second firmware file for recovering the device. When power is supplied to the device, the processor checks the first firmware file for errors, and if there are no errors, it drives the first firmware file; if there are errors, it drives the second firmware file.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device recovery system and method, and more particularly to a system and method that can recover a device and immediately drive it even when an error occurs in the firmware of the device without a separate storage device or network connection.

Background Art

[0002] Small electronic devices such as vehicle black boxes are used in various fields. Such small electronic devices are driven by firmware stored in an internal storage space, but if an error occurs in the storage space and the firmware file cannot be read normally, the device will stop operating.

[0003] In this case, for firmware recovery, a firmware recovery file must be saved and connected to a separate external storage space such as an SD memory or the firmware must be recovered via a network. However, it was inconvenient to recover a device such as an exemplary vehicle black box in such a way.

[0004] In a technology such as "Operating System Recovery by an Electronic Device" of Korean Patent No. 10-2271422 of the prior art, by recovering firmware in which an error has occurred using a network or the like in this way, the device can be made to drive again. However, in the case of an electronic device that does not include a separate communication module, it was difficult to apply such a technology.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a method that can automatically recover and drive a device without operations such as network connection or external storage space connection for recovery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

[0007] The present invention aims to recover a device that has encountered an error without applying a firmware recovery file by connecting to a network or external storage space.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention aims to restore the firmware using a second firmware for firmware recovery, enabling the device to operate normally without requiring the user to take any additional measures.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention aims to enable device recovery without requiring any additional operations in the event of a device error by continuously maintaining the state of the second firmware for firmware recovery in a normal state.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention aims to enable the device to be recovered even if a complete error occurs in the internal storage space by backing up the firmware and recovery firmware.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention aims to back up not only the firmware but also the resource files necessary for operation, and to automatically restore to a normal state in the event of an error. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a recovery system comprising: a processor that processes tasks to enable a device to operate; and an internal storage space for storing a first firmware file for booting the device and a second firmware file for recovering the device, wherein the processor, when power is supplied to the device, checks for errors in the first firmware file, drives the first firmware file if there are no errors, and drives the second firmware file if there are errors.

[0013] The internal storage space stores a backup file of the first firmware file, and when the second firmware file is activated, the processor can restore the first firmware file using the backup file of the first firmware file and reboot the device.

[0014] The internal storage space stores a backup file of the second firmware file, and when the first firmware file is activated, the processor checks for errors in the second firmware file, and if there are errors in the second firmware file, it can recover the second firmware file using the backup file of the second firmware file.

[0015] The internal storage space stores resource files necessary for the operation of the device, and when the first firmware file is activated, the processor can be controlled to maintain backup files of the resource files, the first firmware file, and the second firmware file in the external storage space.

[0016] When the first firmware file or the second firmware file is activated, the processor checks the internal storage space to check for errors in the backup files of the first firmware file, the backup files of the second firmware file, and the resource files. If errors are found, the processor can recover each file using the data stored in the external storage space.

[0017] When the second firmware file is activated, the processor checks for errors in the backup file of the first firmware file, and if errors are found, it can recover the first firmware file using the backup file of the first firmware file stored in the external storage space.

[0018] The present invention also provides a recovery method for restoring a device, the device comprising: a processor that processes tasks to enable the device to operate; and an internal storage space that stores a first firmware file for booting the device and a second firmware file for restoring the device, the recovery method comprising: the step of the processor checking for errors in the first firmware file when power is supplied to the device; and the step of the processor driving the first firmware file if there are no errors, and driving the second firmware file if there are errors.

[0019] The recovery method may further include the steps of the internal storage space storing a backup file of the first firmware file, and the processor, when the second firmware file is activated, recovering the first firmware file using the backup file of the first firmware file and rebooting the device.

[0020] The recovery method may further include the steps of: the internal storage space storing a backup file of the second firmware file; the processor checking for errors in the second firmware file when the first firmware file is driven; and, if there are errors in the second firmware file, recovering the second firmware file using the backup file of the second firmware file.

[0021] The recovery method may further include the step of controlling the internal storage space to store resource files necessary for the operation of the device, and the processor to maintain backup files of the resource files, the first firmware file, and the second firmware file in an external storage space when the first firmware file is driven.

[0022] The recovery method may further include the step of the processor, upon activation of the first firmware file or the second firmware file, checking the internal storage space for errors in the backup file of the first firmware file, the backup file of the second firmware file, and the resource file, and, if errors are found, recovering each file using data stored in the external storage space.

[0023] The recovery method may further include the step in which, when the second firmware file is driven, the processor checks for errors in the backup file of the first firmware file, and if there are errors, recovers the first firmware file using the backup file of the first firmware file stored in the external storage space.

[0024] Furthermore, the present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to perform the recovery method is recorded. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The present invention can achieve the effect of recovering a device in which an error has occurred without applying a firmware recovery file by connecting a network or an external storage space.

[0026] In addition, the present invention can achieve the effect of recovering the firmware and operating the device normally without the user taking separate measures by using a second firmware for firmware recovery.

[0027] In addition, the present invention can achieve the effect of enabling recovery without separate operations when an error occurs in the device by continuously maintaining the state of the second firmware for firmware recovery in a normal state.

[0028] In addition, the present invention can achieve the effect of enabling the device to be recovered even when an overall error occurs in the internal storage space by backing up the firmware and the firmware for recovery.

[0029] In addition, the present invention can achieve the effect of automatically recovering to a normal state when an error occurs by backing up not only the firmware but also the resource files necessary for driving.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] [Figure 1] It is a configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of a recovery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the internal storage space and the external storage space of a recovery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing the flow of a recovery method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the invention, such detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, in the description of embodiments of the present invention, specific numerical values ​​are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0032] The recovery system according to the present invention is a system for recovering a device, and in a device comprising a processor, memory, and internal storage space, it is a system for controlling the device's firmware to operate normally. Therefore, the recovery system according to the present invention may be configured as software incorporated into the device to be recovered, and the software and hardware may be configured to operate in conjunction.

[0033] For example, in the present invention, if the device is a vehicle black box, the processor may be a processing unit for processing commands to control the operation, video capture, and storage of the vehicle black box, and the internal storage space may be composed of NAND flash memory or the like to store firmware files for operating the vehicle black box and resource files such as images, videos, and audio, and to store captured videos.

[0034] In this embodiment, when power is connected to the vehicle's black box, the processor can load the firmware file from its internal storage space into memory, drive the firmware file in memory, and process the vehicle's black box to operate according to the instructions recorded in the firmware file.

[0035] The present invention is a technology that, in such cases, allows the firmware file to be recovered and the system to operate normally without requiring any additional user action, even if an error occurs in the firmware file in the internal storage space.

[0036] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a recovery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the recovery system according to the present invention may include a processor 110 and an internal storage space 120. It may also include an external storage space 120.

[0037] The processor 110 is responsible for processing tasks so that the device can operate, and can generally be interpreted as referring to the central processing unit (CPU) in a device such as a computer.

[0038] The processor 110 interprets instructions and operates the device. When power is supplied, it performs a predetermined operation, loads a firmware file stored in a predetermined boot area of ​​the internal storage space 120 into memory, and executes the device operation defined in the firmware file. The present invention is not limited to the physical configuration or operating method of the processor 110; any form of module that performs instruction processing work to operate a device can be equivalent to the processor 110 of the present invention.

[0039] For example, in the present invention, if the device to which the recovery system is applied is a vehicle black box device, the module that processes tasks such as photographing, saving, and interfaceping the vehicle black box to enable the vehicle black box to operate may be the processor 110.

[0040] The internal storage space 120 is a module installed in the device that stores firmware files for driving the device, and may be configured in the form of NAND flash memory, SSD, hard disk, etc.

[0041] The internal storage space 120 is mounted in a fixed form on the device and stores a first firmware file for driving the device and a second firmware file for restoring the device.

[0042] Furthermore, the internal storage space 120 can store recovery files for the first firmware file, recovery files for the second firmware file, and resource files necessary for the operation of the device in order to restore the device.

[0043] Resource files can include image files, audio files, UI files, etc., necessary for the system to run, and it is preferable to interpret them as a concept that refers to files necessary for device operation that are not generated by the user's device usage. The external storage space 130 refers to a storage space configured to be detachable from the device, mainly in the form of an SD memory card, which the user can attach or detach as needed.

[0044] The external storage space 130 is generally used to store files generated by user use, such as captured video footage. However, for stable device recovery, it can also store backup files of the first firmware file, the second firmware file, and the resource file stored in the internal storage space.

[0045] Thus, the recovery system 101 according to the present invention safely recovers the firmware that operates the device, thereby enabling the device to operate normally without requiring a separate user recovery operation.

[0046] The following section will focus on explaining the operation of processor 110 in order to facilitate recovery. When power is supplied to the device, the processor 110 executes pre-configured instructions and operates the first firmware, which is located in a predetermined location in the internal storage space 120 according to the settings, to drive the device.

[0047] In this invention, when power is supplied to the device, the processor 110 checks for errors in the first firmware file. If an error occurs in the first firmware that drives the device, it is generally because an error has occurred in the internal storage space 120 and the first firmware file cannot be read. For this reason, various methods can be applied to determine whether all the data constituting the file can be read correctly. The present invention is not limited to such file error checking methods.

[0048] The processor 110 checks the first firmware file and, if there are no errors, drives the first firmware file; if there are errors, drives the second firmware file.

[0049] The first firmware file is firmware that performs functions to drive the device correctly. If the device is a vehicle black box, as in the previous embodiment, it performs functions to drive the device, capture images with the camera module, process them, and save them.

[0050] The second firmware file performs the function of restoring the first firmware file. When the device is powered by the second firmware file, the second firmware file uses a backup file of the first firmware file to restore the first firmware file and reboots the device, thereby ensuring that the first firmware file functions correctly.

[0051] For this purpose, the internal storage space may store a backup file of the first firmware file, and when the second firmware file is activated, the processor may be configured to restore the first firmware file using the backup file of the first firmware file and reboot the device.

[0052] Furthermore, in order to prevent errors from occurring in the second firmware file, the internal storage space may store a backup file of the second firmware file, and when the first firmware file is activated, the processor may be configured to check for errors in the second firmware file, and if there are errors in the second firmware file, to restore the second firmware file using the backup file of the second firmware file.

[0053] In this way, each time the first firmware file is successfully operated, an error in the second firmware file is detected, and the second firmware file is maintained in a steady state. As a result, even if an error occurs in the first firmware file, the firmware is restored without any further action from the user, and the device operates normally.

[0054] Furthermore, the internal storage space stores resource files necessary for the operation of the device, and when the first firmware file is activated, the processor can be controlled to maintain backup files of the resource files, the first firmware file, and the second firmware file in the external storage space.

[0055] Resource files may include files necessary for the device's operation, such as images and videos displayed on the device screen, audio files output from the device, and setting values ​​required for sensor configuration. Since the device cannot function properly if an error occurs in the resource file, a backup file of the resource file is saved to an external storage space each time the first firmware file is successfully run. If recovery is necessary, this backup can be used to recover the error without requiring any further recovery operations from the user.

[0056] Furthermore, by additionally backing up backup files of the first firmware file and the second firmware file to an external storage space, it becomes possible to recover even if errors occur in the backup files.

[0057] In this way, by managing backup files each time the first firmware file is executed and the device operates normally, the device can be safely restored even if an error occurs.

[0058] To this end, when the first firmware file or the second firmware file is activated, the processor checks the internal storage space to check for errors in the backup files of the first firmware file, the backup files of the second firmware file, and the resource files. If errors are found, the processor recovers each file using the data stored in the external storage space.

[0059] By recovering errors in resource files and backup files each time the firmware file is activated, the system minimizes instances where the device is unable to operate due to errors, and allows for easy recovery and normal operation of the device even if errors occur.

[0060] When the second firmware file is activated, the processor checks for errors in the backup file of the first firmware file, and if errors are found, it restores the first firmware file using the backup file of the first firmware file stored in the external storage space.

[0061] In this way, each time the second firmware file is activated, errors in the backup of the first firmware file are recovered, and each time the first firmware file is activated, errors in the backup of the second firmware file are recovered. This maintains the state of the backup files correctly and allows for immediate recovery if errors occur, thereby enabling the device to operate normally.

[0062] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the internal and external storage spaces of a recovery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the device on which the recovery system according to the present invention operates may include an internal storage space and an external storage space.

[0063] As in the previous example, if the device is a vehicle black box, the device uses a camera module to capture images and saves them to storage. Generally, in the case of a vehicle black box, the internal storage space stores firmware files for driving the device, resource files used to drive the device, configuration files, etc., while user information such as captured images is stored in an external storage space, allowing the user to easily access the stored information by attaching and detaching the external storage space.

[0064] As shown in the drawings, in the present invention, the internal storage space may also include a resource folder for storing firmware files and resource files, and a settings folder for storing configuration files.

[0065] However, unlike conventional technologies, this system saves a first firmware file responsible for driving a typical device and a second firmware file that performs the operation to recover the first firmware file. By backing up and saving each firmware file in a resource folder, it becomes possible to immediately recover the device using these files if an error occurs.

[0066] According to conventional technology, if a firmware error occurred, the user had to save the firmware file separately to an external storage location and use that to directly restore the device. However, by saving a backup file of the firmware file separately and providing a second firmware file for restoring the firmware file, the device can be restored from a firmware error without any user intervention.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in the diagram, the external storage space stores a folder containing a backup of the resource folder, thereby saving backup files of the first firmware file, the second firmware file, and the resource files, as well as the configuration information stored in the configuration folder.

[0068] In this way, by backing up the data necessary for the device to function properly not only in the internal storage space but also in the external storage space, the problem of the device failing to function due to errors in the storage space can be minimized.

[0069] Thus, the folder structure for storing data in the internal and external storage spaces can be modified depending on the embodiment. As long as only the data necessary for backup and recovery is stored in each space and used for recovery, all such configurations fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0070] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of a recovery method according to one embodiment of the present invention. When power is supplied to the device, the processor 110 executes pre-configured instructions and drives the device by operating the first firmware located in a predetermined location in the internal storage space 120 according to the configuration.

[0071] In this invention, when power is supplied to the device, the processor 110 checks for errors in the first firmware file (S301). When an error occurs in the first firmware that drives the device, it generally means that an error has occurred in the internal storage space 120 and the first firmware file cannot be read. For this reason, various methods can be applied to determine whether all the data constituting the file can be read correctly. The present invention is not limited to such file error checking methods.

[0072] The processor 110 checks the first firmware file and, if there are no errors, drives the first firmware file (S302); if there are errors, drives the second firmware file (S306). The first firmware file is firmware that performs functions to drive the device correctly. If the device is a vehicle black box, as in previous embodiments, it performs functions to drive the device, capture video via the camera module, process it, and save it.

[0073] The second firmware file performs the function of restoring the first firmware file. When the device is powered by the second firmware file, the second firmware file uses a backup file of the first firmware file to restore the first firmware file and reboots the device, thereby enabling the first firmware file to function correctly. For this purpose, the internal storage space may store a backup file of the first firmware file, and when the second firmware file is activated, the processor may be configured to restore the first firmware file using the backup file of the first firmware file and reboot the device.

[0074] Furthermore, in order to prevent errors from occurring in the second firmware file, the internal storage space may store a backup file of the second firmware file, and when the first firmware file is activated, the processor may be configured to check for errors in the second firmware file, and if there are errors in the second firmware file, to restore the second firmware file using the backup file of the second firmware file (S303).

[0075] In this way, each time the first firmware file is successfully operated, an error in the second firmware file is detected, and the second firmware file is maintained in a steady state. As a result, even if an error occurs in the first firmware file, the firmware is restored without any further action from the user, and the device operates normally.

[0076] Furthermore, the internal storage space stores resource files necessary for the operation of the device, and when the first firmware file is activated, the processor can be controlled to maintain backup files of the resource files, the first firmware file, and the second firmware file in the external storage space (S304).

[0077] Resource files may include files necessary for the device's operation, such as images and videos displayed on the device's screen, audio files output from the device, and setting values ​​required for sensor configuration. Since the device's functions cannot operate normally if an error occurs in the resource file, a backup file of the resource file is saved to an external storage space each time the first firmware file is successfully run. If recovery is necessary, this backup can be used to recover from the error without requiring any further recovery operation from the user.

[0078] Furthermore, by backing up the backup files of the first firmware file and the second firmware file to an external storage space, it is possible to recover from errors in the backup files.

[0079] In this way, by managing backup files each time the first firmware file is executed and the device operates normally, the device can be safely restored even if an error occurs.

[0080] To this end, when the first firmware file or the second firmware file is activated, the processor checks the internal storage space to check for errors in the backup file of the first firmware file, the backup file of the second firmware file, and the resource file. If there are errors, the processor recovers each file using the data stored in the external storage space (S305).

[0081] By recovering errors in resource files and backup files each time the firmware file is activated, the system minimizes instances where the device is unable to operate due to errors, and allows for easy recovery and normal operation of the device even if errors occur.

[0082] When the second firmware file is activated, the processor checks for errors in the backup file of the first firmware file, and if there are errors, it restores the first firmware file using the backup file of the first firmware file stored in the external storage space (S307).

[0083] In this way, each time the second firmware file is activated, errors in the backup of the first firmware file are recovered, and each time the first firmware file is activated, errors in the backup of the second firmware file are recovered. This maintains the state of the backup files correctly, and if an error occurs, it is recovered immediately, allowing the device to operate normally.

[0084] The recovery method according to the present invention may be produced by a program designed to function on a computer and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0085] Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory.

[0086] Examples of program instructions include not only machine code generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware device may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the processing according to the present invention, and vice versa.

[0087] Although the above has been described with reference to examples, those skilled in the art can modify and change the present invention in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 101 Recovery System 110 processors 120 Internal storage space 130 external storage space

Claims

1. A processor that handles the work required for the device to function, An internal storage space for storing a first firmware file for booting the device and a second firmware file for restoring the device, Includes, The aforementioned processor, When power is supplied to the device, the device checks for errors in the first firmware file. A recovery system characterized by driving the first firmware file if there are no errors, and driving the second firmware file if there are errors.

2. The aforementioned internal storage space stores backup files of the first firmware file, The recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the second firmware file is activated, the processor restores the first firmware file using a backup file of the first firmware file and reboots the device.

3. The aforementioned internal storage space stores backup files of the second firmware file, The recovery system according to claim 2, characterized in that when the first firmware file is driven, the processor checks for errors in the second firmware file, and if there are errors in the second firmware file, it restores the second firmware file using a backup file of the second firmware file.

4. The aforementioned internal storage space stores resource files necessary for the operation of the device, The recovery system according to claim 3, characterized in that when the first firmware file is activated, the processor controls the system to maintain backup files of the resource file, the first firmware file, and the second firmware file in an external storage space.

5. The recovery system according to claim 4, characterized in that when the first firmware file or the second firmware file is driven, the processor checks the internal storage space to check for errors in the backup file of the first firmware file, the backup file of the second firmware file, and the resource file, and if there are errors, recovers each file using the data stored in the external storage space.

6. The recovery system according to claim 5, characterized in that when the second firmware file is activated, the processor checks for errors in the backup file of the first firmware file, and if there are errors, recovers the first firmware file using the backup file of the first firmware file stored in the external storage space.

7. A recovery method for restoring a device, The device described above, A processor that processes tasks to enable the aforementioned device to operate, An internal storage space for storing a first firmware file for booting the device and a second firmware file for restoring the device, Includes, When power is supplied to the device, the processor performs the steps of checking for errors in the first firmware file, The processor, if there are no errors, drives the first firmware file, and if there are errors, drives the second firmware file. Recovery methods, including those mentioned above.

8. The recovery method according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of: the internal storage space storing a backup file of the first firmware file; and when the second firmware file is driven, the processor recovers the first firmware file using the backup file of the first firmware file and reboots the device.

9. The recovery method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: the internal storage space storing a backup file of the second firmware file; the processor checking for errors in the second firmware file when the first firmware file is driven; and, if there are errors in the second firmware file, recovering the second firmware file using the backup file of the second firmware file.

10. The recovery method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of controlling the processor to maintain backup files of the resource files, the first firmware file, and the second firmware file in an external storage space when the first firmware file is driven.

11. The recovery method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of, when the processor drives the first firmware file or the second firmware file, checking the internal storage space to check for errors in the backup file of the first firmware file, the backup file of the second firmware file, and the resource file, and if there are errors, recovering each file using the data stored in the external storage space.

12. The recovery method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of the processor checking for errors in the backup file of the first firmware file when the second firmware file is driven, and if there are errors, recovering the first firmware file using the backup file of the first firmware file stored in the external storage space.

13. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function to perform the method described in any one of claims 7 to 12 is recorded.

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