Common Area Swap File Management for Firmware Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact digital multi-function peripherals face challenges in allocating sufficient memory space for high-performance software without increasing hardware costs, as memory (DRAM) is more expensive than storage devices, and existing solutions require large storage capacity for swap files, limiting the creation of swap files larger than the image processing memory area.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an information processing apparatus with a storage device containing a common area for creating and managing swap files, allowing for improved performance without increasing memory or storage capacity by using this common area for swap file creation and activation during normal startup and deletion during firmware update.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a swap file is created using the memory area for image processing, then the OS can have a swap file, but the swap file size is limited to the memory area size and cannot be larger
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is divided into multiple areas: a first area for first firmware, a second area for second firmware, and a common area for swap files. This segmentation allows the swap file to be stored in the common area rather than consuming image processing memory, enabling swap file sizes larger than the image processing memory area while maintaining clear functional separation.
2Quantity of substance
If memory capacity is increased to create a larger swap file, then the swap file size constraint is removed, but the hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common area in the storage device serves multiple functions: storing swap files during normal operation, storing backup firmware during firmware updates, and providing a shared resource for both first and second firmware operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to increase memory capacity solely for swap file storage, as the storage device already has the required capacity and is being underutilized for other purposes.
3Reliability
If a swap file is constantly backed up in a storage device, then the OS has a backup swap file, but large storage capacity is required which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages the common area by creating swap files during normal startup and deleting them during firmware updates. The backup mechanism is dynamic rather than static - the common area is reused for different purposes at different times. During firmware updates, the common area is cleared and reused for firmware storage, eliminating the need for permanently dedicated backup storage space.
4Quantity of substance
If memory area for image processing is increased to allow larger swap files, then swap file creation is enabled, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common area in the storage device acts as an intermediary between the image processing memory area and the firmware storage areas. It provides a shared space where swap files can be stored without consuming image processing memory, and where firmware can be temporarily stored during updates without consuming permanent storage capacity. This intermediary space resolves the conflict between memory constraints and swap file size requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus which is capable of improving performance without increasing memory or storage capacity. The information processing apparatus includes a storage device that includes a first area in which first firmware is stored, a second area in which second firmware is stored, and a common area that is used in a case where the information processing apparatus is started using the first or second firmware. The information processing apparatus is started in a first startup using the first firmware or started in a second startup using the second firmware. During the first startup, a swap file is created in the common area, and swapping is activated. During the second startup, in a case where a swap file is present in the common area, the swap file is deleted from the common area.