Firmware Update Scheduling Around Periodic Processing Deadlines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Firmware updates in information processing apparatuses cause delays in periodically executed processing, leading to performance issues and function disruptions.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus controls firmware updates based on predetermined conditions and the timing of periodically executed tasks, allowing updates to be performed before or after these tasks without waiting for their completion, thereby preventing delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If firmware update is executed automatically, then the firmware is kept updated to the latest version, but the information processing apparatus becomes incapable of executing other processing for several minutes, causing delay of periodically executed processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update statusVSAvoidexecution delay of periodically executed processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit identifies the timing of periodically executed processing in advance and schedules firmware updates to complete before these predetermined timings. By performing preliminary identification of task timings and planning update scheduling proactively, the system ensures that updates are executed in a manner that does not interfere with the timely execution of periodic processing tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit dynamically adjusts the firmware update execution timing based on the actual timing of periodically executed processing tasks. When a periodic task is detected to be approaching its execution time, the control unit modifies the update schedule to complete before this time, making the update process adaptive and flexible rather than following a rigid predetermined schedule.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If firmware update is executed without waiting for completion of periodically executed processing, then productivity is improved, but system stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate execution efficiencyVSAvoidsystem stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the execution status and timing of periodically executed processing tasks, using this feedback information to determine the appropriate timing for firmware updates. By observing whether periodic tasks are executing on schedule and adjusting update timing accordingly, the system maintains both high productivity and system stability through adaptive decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12602219B2Information processing apparatus capable of preventing delay of execution of periodically executed processing, method of controlling information processing apparatus, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus capable of preventing execution of periodically executed processing from being delayed due to update of firmware. Execution of update processing for updating the firmware of the information processing apparatus is controlled according to satisfaction of a predetermined condition. A CPU controls, based on a timing at which the predetermined condition is satisfied and a start time of periodically executed processing which is periodically executed by the information processing apparatus, whether to execute the update processing without waiting for completion of the periodically executed processing or execute the update processing after the completion of the periodically executed processing.