Image Forming Apparatus Firmware Status Display Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses lack effective mechanisms to display the update state of firmware for both the main body and operating device during the update process, and prevent unintended shutdowns due to user interference during firmware updates.
Innovation Solution
A management microcomputer communicably connected to the main body and operating device receives update state information directly via dedicated signal lines, controlling the display to indicate update states and preventing shutdowns, even if abnormalities occur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operation control unit is used to display firmware update status, then the update information can be shown to users, but the system may shutdown during update causing loss of update information and incomplete updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into two independent parts: the operation control unit (for user interaction) and the main control unit (for critical update management). The main control unit independently monitors firmware update status and controls shutdown signals, while the operation control unit only displays information. This segmentation ensures that critical update functions cannot be interrupted by user operations, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated main control unit as an intermediary between the firmware update process and the operation control unit. This intermediary receives update status from the operation control unit, independently manages the update process, and controls shutdown signals. This mediator ensures that update information is preserved and updates cannot be interrupted, while still allowing the operation control unit to display information to users.
2Device complexity
If the operation control unit manages the entire update process, then the interface is simple, but the update state information may be lost due to unintended shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by separating the operation control unit (handling user interface) from the main control unit (handling critical update management). The main control unit independently tracks firmware update status and controls shutdown signals, ensuring update state information is never lost even when the operation control unit is involved in user interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The main control unit performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing independent control over shutdown signals and update status tracking before the update process begins. This preliminary setup ensures that even if the operation control unit encounters issues or unintended shutdowns occur, the main control unit has already secured the update state information and can prevent loss.
3Device complexity
If shutdown control is centralized in one unit, then the control logic is simple, but the other unit cannot prevent unintended shutdowns during critical update operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments shutdown control authority from the operation control unit and assigns it exclusively to the main control unit. The main control unit independently receives shutdown signals and decides whether to allow shutdown based on current firmware update status. This segmentation ensures that even though the control logic remains relatively simple, the update process stability is protected because the main control unit can prevent shutdowns during critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The main control unit implements feedback by continuously monitoring firmware update status and using this information to control shutdown signals. When the main control unit detects that a firmware update is in progress, it provides feedback by blocking shutdown signals, thereby ensuring update process stability while maintaining simple centralized control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, an operating device, a management microcomputer, and a display. The main body performs image forming operation. The operating device receives a user operation. The management microcomputer is communicably connected to the main body and the operating device. The display displays an update state of firmware of the main body and an update state of firmware of the operating device. When at least one of the firmware of the main body and the firmware of the operating device is being updated, the management microcomputer receives information indicating the update state of the at least one of the firmware of the main body and the firmware of the operating device that is being updated and controls displaying operation of the display based on the update state indicated by the information.