Firmware Update File Generator for Multi-Device Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for updating firmware in multiple electronic devices connected via a network are time-consuming and prone to errors, requiring manual intervention and specialized knowledge, especially when customization is requested by companies other than the manufacturer.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for updating firmware in multiple electronic devices connected to a data network, where a first device is configured with customizing company-generated data, a firmware update file is generated, and transmitted to other devices via the network, allowing for secure and user-friendly customization without requiring detailed knowledge of the product's software and hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual updating method is used for a large number of electronic products, then each product can be updated individually with control, but a large amount of time is needed and the process is prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a master firmware image from a single customized electronic product that can be copied and distributed to multiple other products. This master image contains all the customizations made to the source device, allowing bulk updates without manual intervention for each device, thus reducing time while maintaining consistency and accuracy across all updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary customization on one electronic product to create a master firmware image before distribution. All necessary customizations, configurations, and software modifications are completed in advance on the source device, so that subsequent updates to multiple devices can proceed automatically without requiring repeated manual customization efforts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customization is performed by companies other than the manufacturer, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but detailed knowledge of software and hardware system is required which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables customizing companies to perform firmware customization independently using the provided system and tools. The electronic product itself provides the capability to generate customized firmware images through its own processor and memory resources, allowing external companies to customize devices without needing deep internal knowledge of the hardware architecture or software internals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be universally applicable to multiple electronic products of the same type. The firmware customization process and master image generation can be applied across different devices, allowing a single customized image to serve multiple products. This universal approach simplifies the customization process for external companies as they don't need to understand device-specific complexities for each individual product.
3Adaptability or versatility
If firmware is customized for each electronic product individually, then each device gets optimal configuration, but preparation and programming requires significant work and specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manually customizing firmware for each electronic product, the system creates a single master customized firmware image from one source device and copies it to multiple target devices. This copying approach maintains optimal configuration across all devices while eliminating the repetitive manual work of preparing and programming firmware individually for each product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the customization process into a single unified operation performed on a master device. All customization activities—software modifications, configuration changes, and parameter adjustments—are combined into one process that generates a comprehensive firmware image, which then serves all subsequent devices, significantly reducing total preparation effort.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention, relates to a method for updating firm-ware in a number a of electronic devices connected to a data network. First, a firmware in a first electronic device of said plurality of electronic devices is configured. Then, a firmware update file is generated, in said first electronic device, based upon said configured firm-ware by using a firmware update file generator. Next, the firmware update file is transmitted from the first electtronic device to a number of electronic devices via a data network. Finally, the firmware is updated in the number of electronic devices by executing said firmware update file in each of the electronic devices.