Dual Partition Firmware Update for Continuous Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firmware update processes in information processing apparatuses, such as image forming devices, are unable to operate during updates and may fail due to power interruptions, resulting in incomplete updates and subsequent system unavailability.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with duplicated storage partitions for firmware, allowing updates to be performed on non-active partitions in the background, enabling continuous operation during updates and automatic fallback to previous partitions in case of failures, ensuring seamless system activation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If firmware update is performed by overwriting the current program, then the firmware can be updated, but the apparatus cannot be used during the update process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the firmware storage into multiple storage areas (first storage area and second storage area), each storing a complete firmware program. This segmentation allows the system to update one area while keeping the other as backup, enabling continuous operation during the update process without interrupting apparatus availability.
2Device complexity
If firmware update is performed without backup, then the update process is simple, but the apparatus cannot recover from power interruption or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a backup mechanism where a complete firmware program is stored in advance in the second storage area. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if the update process in the first storage area fails due to power interruption or system failure, the apparatus can restore the firmware from the backup without complex restoration procedures, thereby improving reliability while maintaining simple update operations.
3Device complexity
If single storage area is used for firmware, then the device complexity is low, but the system is vulnerable to update failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firmware storage into multiple independent storage areas, each capable of holding a complete firmware program. This segmentation strategy provides redundancy without significantly increasing overall system complexity, as each storage area functions independently and can be activated separately. The result is improved system availability during updates while maintaining relatively low device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: a memory including a plurality of storage areas including a first storage area and a second storage area each of which stores a same program; and circuitry to: obtain an update program to be used for updating the program stored in each one of the first storage area and the second storage area; update the program stored in the second storage area with the update program, when the first storage area is activated and the second storage area is not activated; and control the information processing apparatus to start operating with the updated program stored in the second storage area, after shutdown and activation of the information processing apparatus.