Image Processing Firmware Updates After Delayed External Storage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing apparatuses fail to perform firmware updates when the attachment of an external storage device is not detected during the boot process due to delays or other reasons, leading to incomplete or missed updates.
Innovation Solution
The image processing apparatus includes a controller that initiates firmware updating at appropriate timings, even if the external storage device is attached after the boot process, by detecting and processing the update during application activation, and provides user prompts for confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the firmware update is performed only when the external storage device is detected during the boot process, then the update process is simple, but the update reliability deteriorates because updates are missed when detection is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by checking for external storage device attachment at multiple predetermined timings (boot process completion, application activation completion) before executing the firmware update. This ensures the update can proceed reliably even if the device is attached after the initial boot detection, without requiring complex continuous monitoring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously checks whether the external storage device is still attached at subsequent predetermined timings after the boot process. Based on this feedback, the controller determines whether to proceed with the firmware update, ensuring reliable update execution while maintaining a relatively simple process structure.
2Reliability
If the controller continuously monitors for external storage device attachment, then the update reliability improves, but the processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the controller performs periodic checks at predetermined timings (boot process completion, application activation completion). This periodic action approach maintains update reliability by checking at critical moments while significantly reducing processing time and system complexity compared to continuous monitoring.
3Ease of operation
If the firmware update is automatically executed upon detecting the external storage device, then the ease of operation improves, but the risk of incorrect updates increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to confirm the external storage device is still attached at predetermined timings before executing the firmware update. This feedback-based confirmation ensures the update operation is both easy to initiate and accurate in execution, reducing the risk of incorrect updates while maintaining user-friendly operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary confirmation actions by checking device attachment status at multiple predetermined timings before initiating the firmware update. This preliminary verification maintains ease of operation while ensuring update accuracy by confirming the correct conditions are met before execution.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing apparatus (1) includes a storage device (112), a controller (111), an external storage device connecting device (17), and an input receiving device (12). The controller (111) holds connection information indicating that the external storage device (3) has been attached in a case where a detection signal is received from the external storage device connecting device (17) during activation of an application, and performs processing of overwriting updating firmware in a region where firmware is stored in the storage device (112) when a firmware updating execution instruction is input to the input receiving device (12) in a case where the connection information is held and the external storage device (3) stores the updating firmware when the activation of the application is completed.