Firmware Update Recovery Using Stored Version Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information processing apparatuses with reduced flash memory capacity, firmware updates can fail if power is interrupted during the process, leading to an error state where the post-restoration version may not be the intended update version.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a non-volatile storage medium for firmware and a volatile storage medium for temporary data, enabling the retrieval of update firmware data from a server, storing version information, and performing update processes to restore the firmware to the intended version after an abnormal termination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If firmware update is performed using volatile memory as temporary storage, then production cost is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to power interruption causing abnormal termination
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing version information of update firmware in the non-volatile storage medium before the actual update process. This allows the system to restore to the correct version after power interruption, resolving the contradiction by preparing recovery data in advance without requiring additional non-volatile storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Version information acts as an intermediary element between the volatile storage (temporary firmware data) and non-volatile storage (permanent firmware). This intermediary allows the system to track and restore to the correct firmware version after update failures, maintaining reliability while using volatile memory for the update process.
2Ease of repair
If firmware is restored using distributed restoration tool, then firmware error state is resolved, but version control deteriorates as post-restoration version may not be the intended update version
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by storing version information of update firmware in the non-volatile storage medium before update. After restoration, the system can compare the restored firmware version with the stored version information to determine whether additional update is needed, ensuring the final version matches the intended update version.
Solution Approach 2:
The version information is preliminarily stored in non-volatile memory before the update process begins. This preliminary action enables the system to verify and correct the firmware version after restoration, preventing version mismatch issues while maintaining ease of repair.
3Ease of manufacture
If flash memory capacity is reduced, then production cost is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates as temporary storage area cannot be secured
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the version information from the firmware data and stores it separately in the non-volatile storage medium before update. This extraction allows the main firmware update process to use volatile memory temporarily, while the extracted version information provides the necessary adaptability for correct restoration without requiring additional flash memory capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus obtains first update firmware data from a server apparatus, holds the first update firmware data in a volatile storage medium, and stores version information of the first update firmware data in a non-volatile storage medium. The apparatus performs an update process of updating the firmware stored in the non-volatile storage medium, using the first update firmware data held in the volatile storage medium. The apparatus restores the firmware from an error state that accompanies the update process being abnormally terminated, based on second update firmware data, and decides whether or not to obtain update firmware data corresponding to the stored version information from the server apparatus based on the stored version information after the restoration.