Game Console Software Update Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for updating system software in devices often fail to synchronize updates between connected devices, leading to inconsistencies in software versions and increased complexity in managing multiple versions.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that acquires and updates both main device and accessory device software independently or simultaneously, using a storage unit, update data acquisition unit, and update unit, allowing for automatic updates even when devices are not connected, ensuring both devices have the latest software versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If firmware updates are performed individually for main device and accessory device, then each device can be updated separately, but version inconsistency occurs between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the update processes of the main device and accessory device into a single coordinated operation. The update management device simultaneously manages firmware updates for both devices, ensuring they receive compatible versions together. This is achieved by the update management device receiving update information from both devices, determining compatibility, and coordinating the updates to maintain version consistency while allowing separate update execution.
2Reliability
If firmware updates require device connection to service site, then update security is maintained, but update flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having accessory devices transmit their firmware version information to the update management device in advance, before the actual update process. This allows the update management device to pre-determine compatibility and prepare update coordination strategies. The main device then receives update information from the service site and shares it with connected accessory devices, enabling flexible update distribution while maintaining security through centralized management.
3Productivity
If accessory device firmware is updated without connection to main device, then update independence is achieved, but compatibility issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where accessory devices continuously transmit their firmware version information to the update management device. The update management device uses this feedback to determine compatibility between main device and accessory device firmware versions. Before coordinating updates, the system verifies compatibility through this feedback loop, ensuring that only compatible firmware combinations are updated together, thus maintaining precision while enabling efficient updates.
Data Source
AI summary
An example of a game apparatus, regardless of whether or not a peripheral device is connected to the game apparatus, acquires, from a server, update data for main body system software for controlling the game apparatus, together with update data for peripheral device system software, and saves the pieces of update data in a data storage unit. If the peripheral device is connected to the game apparatus, the game apparatus updates the main body system software and the peripheral device system software using the pieces of update data stored in the data storage unit. If the peripheral device is not connected to the game apparatus, the game apparatus updates only the main body system software. If the peripheral device has been connected to the game apparatus after that, the game apparatus updates the peripheral device system software using the update data stored in the data storage unit.