Firmware Update Notification for Image Processors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image-processing apparatuses lack effective notification mechanisms for firmware updates, leading to inadequate user awareness and potential operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An image-processing apparatus equipped with a communication interface, input interface, and controller that receives update information from a server and notifies users about specific firmware updates based on user instructions to execute image processes, displaying notification screens when updates are available for the selected processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a general firmware update notification screen is displayed, then users are notified of firmware updates, but users cannot identify which specific image process firmware is updated, reducing notification effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update informationVSAvoiduser understanding of update content

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The notification screen is segmented to display separate update information for each image process. Instead of showing a single general notification, the system divides the update information by specific image processes (copy, scan, fax, etc.), allowing users to see exactly which processes will be affected by the firmware update.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The notification provides localized information quality by tailoring the displayed content to the specific image process being queried. When a user selects a particular image process, the notification screen shows update information specific to that process's firmware, rather than generic update information applicable to all processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of time

If firmware updates are notified before process execution, then users can be informed of updates, but users cannot decide whether to update based on specific process relevance, reducing operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser decision timeVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system dynamically adapts based on user interaction. Instead of displaying a static general notification, the system changes the notification content based on which image process the user selects or intends to execute. This dynamic behavior allows users to quickly assess relevance and make informed decisions without unnecessary delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by monitoring which image process the user selects and providing corresponding update information. This feedback loop allows users to see the direct relationship between the selected process and the firmware update, enabling faster and more informed decision-making about whether to proceed with the update.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If general firmware update notifications are displayed, then update information is provided, but the notification lacks specificity about which image process is affected, reducing user awareness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate notification informationVSAvoidnotification specificity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The notification information is segmented by image process type. The display shows separate update details for each image process (copy, scan, fax, etc.), allowing users to precisely identify which specific process firmware will be updated. This segmentation transforms vague general notifications into precise process-specific information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The notification quality is localized to match the specific image process context. When a user interacts with a particular image process interface, the notification provides update information specifically tailored to that process's firmware, ensuring the information is both relevant and precisely targeted rather than broadly generic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10310781B2Image-processing apparatus capable of executing image processes and notifying user of information about update of firmware for executing image process

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image-processing apparatus includes a storage and a controller. The storage stores therein firmware for executing a plurality of image processes. The firmware includes a plurality of sets of sub firmware for executing respective ones of the image processes. The controller is capable of executing the image processes in accordance with the firmware. The controller is configured to perform: receiving update information about an update of the firmware from a server; when receiving an instruction to execute one of the image processes, determining whether the received update information includes specific information about an update of specific sub firmware which is one of the plurality of sets of sub firmware and is for executing the one of the image processes; and when determining that the received update information includes the specific information, notifying of notification information about the update of the specific sub firmware on the basis of the specific information.