Firmware Recovery Using Remote Server Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information processing apparatuses require large-capacity storage for firmware recovery, leading to increased costs due to the need for storing both normal and recovery firmwares.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with volatile and non-volatile memory, where a communication firmware is used to access a server, obtain recovery firmware, and update the main firmware stored in non-volatile storage using the loaded recovery firmware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two firmwares (normal firmware and recovery firmware) are stored in the storage to enable recovery, then recovery capability is improved, but storage capacity requirement increases leading to increased cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery capabilityVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the recovery firmware storage requirement from the local device by implementing a remote recovery mechanism. Instead of storing both normal and recovery firmwares locally, the system stores only the normal firmware in the device's storage and retrieves the recovery firmware from an external server when needed, thus eliminating the need for large-capacity storage while maintaining recovery capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that stores the recovery firmware remotely. The recovery process involves accessing the server through a communication interface, downloading the recovery firmware, and installing it locally. This intermediary approach allows the device to have minimal local storage while still achieving reliable recovery functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12189483B2Information processing apparatus that performs program recovery using limited storage space, method for controlling the same and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus comprises a volatile memory and a non-volatile storage capable of storing a main firmware for causing the information processing apparatus to realize the predetermined function and a communication firmware for booting. The information processing apparatus accesses a predetermined server using the communication firmware, obtains recovery firmware, and loads the recovery firmware into a volatile memory. Further, the information processing apparatus obtains an updated main firmware from the predetermined server using the loaded recovery firmware, and updates the main firmware stored in the non-volatile storage.