Image Forming Firmware With Startup Configuration for Model Variants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in development time and cost due to the need for separate software creation for each model with unique function combinations, lacking a unified approach for function control across different models.
Innovation Solution
A common binary file and function-activating configuration file are used, compatible with multiple models, reflecting model-specific settings and conditions, allowing a single program to support various function combinations through environment variables and update mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate software is created for each model with unique function combinations, then each model can have optimized function control, but development time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal firmware structure where a single binary file can be used across multiple image forming apparatus models. The firmware includes a function activation determination unit that reads model identification information and selectively activates appropriate functions, allowing one firmware to serve multiple models with different function combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses configuration files that store activation conditions as parameters. By changing the parameter values in these configuration files based on model identification information, the system can adapt the firmware behavior to different models without modifying the binary file itself, thus reducing development time while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate software is created for each model, then model-specific function optimization is achieved, but development cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal firmware framework where the binary file contains all possible functions but uses model identification information to selectively activate only the functions needed for each specific model. This eliminates the need to develop and maintain separate software for each model, significantly reducing development costs while still providing model-specific optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating unique software for each model, the patent uses configuration files that copy and adapt the same binary firmware structure. The configuration files contain model-specific activation conditions that are applied to the universal binary, allowing cost-effective model-specific customization without actual software development for each model.
3Productivity
If a unified firmware structure is used across models, then development efficiency improves, but function control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains high function activation precision by using configuration files that store detailed activation conditions as parameters. These parameter files contain specific conditions for each function based on model identification information, ensuring that the correct functions are activated with the correct parameters for each model while using a single unified binary structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the firmware into two independent parts: a universal binary file containing the core functionality and model-independent code, and model-specific configuration files containing activation conditions. This segmentation allows the binary to be developed once and reused, while the configuration files provide model-specific precision without compromising overall development efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, a first storage device, and a control device that functions as a controller. The first storage device stores firmware for the image forming apparatus. The firmware contains: a binary file that controls hardware capable of realizing a function installed in the image forming apparatus; and a function-activating configuration file describing an operating condition for the binary file. The controller reads, upon startup of the image forming apparatus, the binary file and the function-activating configuration file from the first storage device and executes the binary file in a manner to reflect in the binary file the condition described in the function-activating configuration file.