Electronic Device Data Backup via Downloadable Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming devices, such as multifunction printers, require large-capacity storage for data backup due to the enormous amount of data involved, and existing methods for data transmission and backup are inefficient, necessitating the development of a system that can manage and restore specific data without the need for extensive firmware updates or large storage devices.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a system control section, data acquisition section, and data restoration section that downloads applications for backup and restoration procedures from a cloud server, acquires and transmits specific data to a backup server, and deletes applications after transmission, allowing for efficient data backup and restoration without requiring extensive firmware updates or large storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large-capacity storage device is mounted to store backup data, then data backup capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary to store backup data instead of using local storage devices. The image forming device transmits backup data to the server, which acts as a remote storage intermediary, eliminating the need for large-capacity local storage devices while maintaining backup capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the storage function from the image forming device itself and relocates it to an external server. By taking out the storage requirement from the local system, the device no longer needs to mount large-capacity storage devices, reducing complexity and cost
2Adaptability or versatility
If firmware is updated to incorporate backup procedures, then data backup function is improved, but device complexity and update requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the backup procedure from the firmware and implements it as a separate application program. This application is downloaded and executed independently without requiring firmware updates, thereby adding backup functionality while avoiding increased device complexity and update requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an application program that can be downloaded and executed temporarily to perform backup operations. This copied software solution provides the necessary backup function without permanently modifying or complicating the device firmware
3Reliability
If status information is transmitted using agent section method, then remote maintenance capability is improved, but data transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the transmission timing of backup data based on the operation schedule information. By determining transmission timing that coincides with device operation periods, the system optimizes data transmission efficiency while maintaining reliable remote maintenance capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses transmission schedule information received from the server and combines it with operation schedule information to determine optimal transmission timing. This feedback mechanism ensures efficient data transmission while maintaining reliable remote maintenance functionality
Data Source
AI summary
Enablement of backup and restoration of specific data (SD) without creating a new firmware. An electronic device includes a system control, data-acquisition, and data-restoration sections. The system-control section downloads, from an application-providing-server, an application having an SD backup-procedure and a data-restoration-procedure of the SD based on the backup-procedure and the data restoration-procedure. A storage-section stores the downloaded application. The data-acquisition section executes the application to acquire the SD. The data-restoration section executes the application to restore the SD. The system control section causes, during the backup-procedure, transmit the SD acquired by the data-actuation-section to a backup-server and delete, thereafter, the application stored in the storage device. The system control section causes, during the data-restoration-procedure, to download the SD from the backup-server to use the downloaded SD, and to delete the application after the data-restoration section completes the restoration of the SD.