Dynamic Firmware Update for Debug Log Collection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing firmware installed on apparatuses to investigate malfunctions is often insufficient to identify the cause of malfunctions, as it may not collect sufficient logs to diagnose issues effectively.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that transmits inspection firmware to an apparatus to collect logs and updates the firmware to enhance log collection capabilities, allowing for more comprehensive analysis of malfunctions by increasing the quantity and frequency of debug logs or identifying their causes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If firmware is installed in advance to collect logs, then log collection capability is provided, but the logs collected are insufficient to identify the cause of malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelog information sufficiencyVSAvoidmalfunction cause identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The firmware is made dynamic and adaptable by enabling remote updates. The system transitions from a static pre-installed firmware to a dynamic one that can be updated based on malfunction types, thereby improving log collection sufficiency and malfunction cause identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The firmware parameters are changed through remote updates to match the specific malfunction scenario. By updating the firmware with appropriate parameters and configurations for different malfunction types, the system collects more relevant and sufficient log information for accurate cause identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If inspection firmware is transmitted and firmware is updated, then log collection capability is improved, but additional steps and complexity are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebug log completenessVSAvoidfirmware update process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing automatic firmware updates to be transmitted and installed remotely without requiring manual intervention. The apparatus automatically receives and applies the inspection firmware, reducing operational complexity while improving debug log completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection firmware is prepared and transmitted in advance before the actual malfunction analysis is needed. This preliminary action ensures that the appropriate firmware is already in place to collect the necessary debug logs, simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250021457A1Information processing system, information processing method, and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing system includes a processor configured to, if a malfunction occurs in an apparatus, transmit, to the apparatus, inspection firmware for collecting a log for investigating the malfunction and cause the apparatus to update firmware possessed by the apparatus to the inspection firmware.