Communication Device Update Method for Network Load Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication devices face challenges in reducing network bandwidth usage and network load during firmware updates, requiring efficient methods to perform updates quickly and effectively.
Innovation Solution
A communication device and method that include a receiving unit for metadata indicating required updates, a determining unit to assess dependency versions, and an update process unit to execute updates based on received metadata, ensuring that dependency versions are updated before the target update, thereby optimizing network usage and reducing update time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all update data and metainformation are obtained by accessing a server via network, then the communication device can be updated, but network bandwidth consumption increases and network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device checks its current version against the latest version information before initiating a full update download. By performing this preliminary version check, the device can determine whether an update is actually needed, avoiding unnecessary network bandwidth consumption for devices that are already up-to-date.
Solution Approach 2:
The update mechanism extracts and processes only the necessary metainformation (version numbers, update requirements) separately from the full update data. This allows the device to make update decisions based on minimal information exchange, reducing network load while ensuring update completeness when needed.
2Reliability
If all update data and metainformation are obtained by accessing a server via network, then the communication device can be updated, but network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The update process is segmented into distinct phases: metainformation exchange phase (version checking) and data download phase (actual update). This segmentation allows the system to minimize network interactions by performing version verification locally and only initiating full data transfer when absolutely necessary, thereby reducing overall network load.
Solution Approach 2:
Metainformation acts as an intermediary between the device and full update data. The device uses this intermediate information layer to make intelligent update decisions without directly triggering full data transfers, reducing unnecessary network traffic and server load.
3Reliability
If dependency version updates are performed before target updates, then update reliability is improved, but update time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of update dependencies by examining metainformation to determine the update order before execution. By pre-planning the sequence of updates (dependency versions first, then target versions), the system ensures reliability without unnecessary delays, as the sequencing decision is made in advance based on version information rather than during execution.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device includes a first receiving unit configured to receive first metainformation indicating a target update required for a program of the communication device from an update information providing device, the first metainformation including information about a dependency version that is another version of update dependent upon the target update; a determining unit configured to determine whether the dependency version is newer than a device version which is a current version of update of the communication device; a second receiving unit configured to receive second metainformation indicating an update for the dependency version from the update information providing device if the dependency version is newer than the device version; and an update process unit configured to execute the update for the dependency version on the basis of the second metainformation and execute the target update based on the first metainformation after executing the update for the dependency version.