Firmware Update Partitioning via Segmentation and Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current firmware updating methods are inefficient due to the need to transmit and compare entire image files, leading to increased transmission time, memory space issues, unnecessary data transfer, and reduced updating efficiency, especially when only a part of the firmware needs to be updated.
Innovation Solution
A firmware updating system and method that utilize a merging module to output only the to-be-updated parts of the file system from an image updating device to an embedded device, where a self-updating module updates the file system, reducing the need for transmitting unnecessary data and optimizing memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire image file is transmitted from the personal computer to the embedded system via a communication port, then the firmware can be updated, but the transmission time increases relatively when the size of the firmware increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the firmware image file into multiple partitions (e.g., boot partition, system partition, data partition) and transmits only the specific partition that needs to be updated rather than the entire image file. This segmentation allows selective transmission of only the necessary data portion, significantly reducing transmission time while maintaining reliable firmware update capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and transmits only the specific partition data that requires updating from the complete image file, rather than transmitting the entire file. The embedded system receives only the necessary partition (e.g., only the system partition if boot partition is unchanged), which directly reduces the transmission time proportional to the size of the extracted portion.
2Reliability
If the entire image file is written to the random access memory for updating the firmware, then the firmware can be updated, but the random access memory may lack of sufficient space, hence the system stability is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firmware update process into partition-level operations rather than requiring the entire image file to be loaded into RAM simultaneously. Only the specific partition data needing update is written to memory, which fits within available RAM capacity and prevents system instability caused by insufficient memory space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by updating only the specific partition that requires changes rather than loading and processing the entire image file in memory. This partial update approach reduces the memory burden to only the necessary data portion, ensuring sufficient space availability and maintaining system stability during the update process.
3Reliability
If the entire image file, including the programming code that does not need to be updated, is transmitted to the electronic device for comparison, then the firmware can be updated, but unnecessary waste of time occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firmware into distinct partitions and enables selective transmission and comparison of only the specific partition that needs updating. The embedded system compares only the relevant partition data with the existing firmware partition, eliminating the time waste associated with comparing unchanged portions of the entire image file and significantly improving update efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the specific partition requiring update from the complete image file for transmission and comparison operations. By taking out only the necessary partition data (e.g., only the system partition if boot and data partitions are unchanged), the system avoids unnecessary comparison time and improves overall updating productivity.
4Reliability
If the entire programming code of the embedded system is positioned at the same image file, then the firmware can be updated, but the hardly updated part of the image file such as the kernel code or the boot code would also be transmitted to the electronic device for comparison, not only wasting frequency width but also deteriorating updating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firmware image file into distinct partitions (e.g., boot partition, kernel partition, system partition) that can be independently identified and transmitted. This segmentation allows the system to transmit only the specific partition containing the code that needs updating (e.g., only the system partition), avoiding the transmission and comparison of stable, hardly-updated portions like boot code, thereby improving update efficiency and reducing bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the specific partition data requiring update from the complete image file, separating it from the unchanged portions. By taking out only the necessary partition (e.g., extracting only the modified system partition while leaving boot and kernel partitions unchanged), the system avoids wasting frequency width on transmitting stable code portions and improves updating efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A firmware updating system and a method for updating the same are provided. The firmware updating system comprises an image updating device and an embedded device. The image updating device comprises a first storage device and a merging module. The first storage device is for storing a first header and a first file system. The merging system is for merging the first header and the first file system to output a first image file. The embedded device comprises a second storage device and a self-updating module. The second storage device is for storing a second image file. The second image file includes a second header, a second file system, and a third file system. The self-updating module is for updating the second file system of the second image file as the first file system according to the first image file.