Firmware Update Timing Control for Additional Software
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software updating methods, such as Windows Update, do not allow for timely additional updates beyond regular updates, leading to delays and requiring burdensome user intervention, especially when urgent updates are needed.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that allows for separate setting of download and application times for firmware updates, enabling additional updates to be applied earlier than the scheduled regular update time, with options for immediate, specified, or synchronized timing with regular updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If additional update is performed by canceling regular update setting and manually downloading software, then additional update can be performed with desired timing, but regular update setting should be configured again
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages the conflict between regular and additional updates by detecting the presence of additional update software and automatically canceling the regular update setting. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for user intervention to reconfigure regular update settings, resolving the contradiction between update timing flexibility and operation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The update system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the situation: when additional update software is detected, the system automatically cancels the regular update setting and performs the additional update. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to provide desired update timing while automatically managing configuration complexity
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional update is performed by waiting for next regular update, then regular update schedule is maintained, but additional update is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the additional update requirement from the regular update schedule by automatically detecting additional update software and canceling the regular update setting. This separation allows the additional update to be performed independently at the desired time rather than being constrained by the regular update schedule
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of additional update software before the regular update executes. By detecting the presence of additional update software in advance and automatically canceling the regular update setting, the system prepares the update environment to accommodate urgent updates without delay
3Ease of operation
If modules to be updated are accumulated in order occurred and require user approval, then update control is manual, but whether modules will be updated is unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback by notifying the user when additional update software is detected and when the regular update setting has been automatically canceled. This feedback mechanism informs users of the update status and system actions taken, resolving the uncertainty about whether modules will be updated while maintaining automated control
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus which is capable of, when in software updating, a need to perform an additional update arises in addition to regular updates, efficiently performing the updates. First time information indicative of a first time at which update firmware is obtained from an external server is applied is set, and second time information indicative of a second time at which the update firmware obtained from the external server is applied to the information processing apparatus is set. When update firmware is obtained based on the first time information, the update firmware is applied to the information processing apparatus at the second time indicated by the second time information. When a need to perform an additional update of firmware arises, additional update firmware relating to the additional update is applied to the information processing apparatus earlier than the second time indicated by the second time information.