Firmware Update Confirmation Flow for Image Forming Interfaces

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses lack a confirmation screen for firmware updates, leading to unexpected updates that can interrupt user jobs and impair operability and convenience.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a display that shows a confirmation screen for firmware updates and requires administrator authentication, allowing users to cancel updates and ensuring updates occur at predetermined times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If firmware update processing is performed automatically upon receiving an update instruction, then firmware can be updated efficiently, but user jobs may be interrupted and operability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update efficiencyVSAvoiduser operability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by displaying a confirmation screen before executing the firmware update. This allows users to review update information, check current version vs. new version, and decide whether to proceed. The update is deferred until user confirmation is received, preventing automatic execution that would interrupt user jobs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces feedback by presenting update information to the user and waiting for their response. The confirmation screen provides feedback about the update details, and the system waits for user input (confirmation or cancellation) before proceeding. This feedback loop ensures user awareness and control over the update process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If firmware update is executed without confirmation, then update processing is simplified, but unexpected updates occur causing harm to user workflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate processing complexityVSAvoidunexpected update interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the harmful effect of unexpected updates through a confirmation requirement. Before the update can execute, the user must actively confirm by selecting an update button on the displayed screen. This preliminary protective measure blocks automatic execution and eliminates the harmful interruption to user workflows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If a confirmation screen is displayed for firmware updates, then user convenience is improved, but update processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidupdate processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The confirmation information is prepared and displayed in advance before the user makes their decision. The screen shows all necessary update details (current version, new version, update content) upfront, allowing users to make informed decisions quickly without needing to search for information or navigate multiple screens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12504932B2Image forming apparatus and method to display a screen for updating firmware based on received firmware update instruction

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 SHARP KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a display; and one or more controllers that control update processing of firmware for driving a device, wherein the controller displays, on the display, a first screen for confirming to a user whether to update the firmware, in a case where an instruction to update the firmware is received, and displays, on the display, a second screen for receiving an input of authentication information by an administrator, in a case where update of the firmware is permitted.