Base Image Segmentation for Device Preload Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and cost associated with creating and maintaining multiple unique firmware images for information handling devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, due to variations in geographical regions and device identifying aspects, lead to inefficiencies in manufacturing and updating processes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a base image that can be combined with additional image content at first boot, allowing for a unitary device image to be formed, where common content is preloaded during manufacturing and region-specific or unique content is downloaded later, streamlining the process and reducing the number of images needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple unique firmware images are created for each geographical region and device variant, then device customization and regional support are improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice customizationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The firmware image is segmented into a common base image containing shared components and region-specific additional image content. This segmentation allows the base image to be manufactured once and reused across multiple regions, while only the additional content needs to be customized per region, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base image is designed to be universal and applicable to multiple geographical regions and device variants. By creating a single multi-functional base image that can serve multiple purposes, the system eliminates the need to create separate complete images for each region, reducing manufacturing complexity while preserving customization capabilities through optional additional content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple unique firmware images are maintained for different device variants, then regional requirements are met, but the number of images to create and maintain becomes very large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregional supportVSAvoidnumber of images

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple region-specific firmware variations are merged into a single common base image that contains shared components. The additional image content for each region is then layered on top of this unified base, reducing the total number of images from one per region to one base image plus multiple smaller additional content sets, thereby reducing the quantity of images while maintaining regional support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base image is designed as a universal foundation that serves multiple geographical regions and device variants simultaneously. This universal base image eliminates the need to maintain separate complete images for each region, reducing the total number of images required while preserving the ability to meet regional requirements through customizable additional content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple partitions are created for each customizing option, then device customization is enabled, but valuable device space is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice customizationVSAvoiddevice space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The firmware is segmented into a compact base image and smaller additional image content modules. Only the necessary additional content for each specific region is loaded or stored, rather than pre-storing all possible customization options. This segmentation enables device customization while minimizing the space occupied on the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Region-specific additional image content is extracted from the complete firmware image and stored separately, either in cloud storage or in a minimal cache on the device. This extraction allows the base image to remain compact while enabling customization, reducing the volume of data that must be stored on the device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of repair

If monolithic OS images are used with binary patches for updates, then discrete element updates are possible, but the process becomes immensely complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate capabilityVSAvoidupdate process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The firmware update process is segmented by allowing updates to be applied to the base image independently of region-specific additional content. This segmentation simplifies the update process by enabling centralized updates to the common components without requiring complex coordination with multiple region-specific variants, reducing update process complexity while maintaining update capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9182970B2Methods for creating device preload via manufacturing and cloud content

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

Systems, methods and products directed toward creating device preloads via employing base and additional image content. One aspect includes communicating an aspect of an information handling device, and assimilating additional image content at the information handling device responsive to communication of the aspect of the device, wherein a base image and the additional image content are combined to form a unitary device image. Other embodiments are described herein.