Image Forming Apparatus Virtual Machine Extension Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face compatibility issues when the execution environment is updated, as they cannot execute bytecoded scripts generated by older versions of extension applications, leading to impaired functionality of extension applications.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a Virtual Machine (VM) that generates bytecode from operation programs, writes and stores both operation and bytecode programs into a package, ensuring compatibility by converting scripts to executable versions that match the current VM environment, allowing for seamless execution of extension applications even with updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the execution environment is updated to a newer version, then the system can support new features and improvements, but the VM cannot execute previously stored bytecoded scripts, causing compatibility loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexecution environment update capabilityVSAvoidextension application compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary conversion of operation programs to bytecode and stores both versions before execution environment updates occur. When an update happens, the pre-converted bytecode can be regenerated from the stored operation program using the new VM version, ensuring compatibility without losing the extension application functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of bytecode version to match the VM execution environment version. By storing operation programs that can be re-converted, the system allows bytecode parameters to be updated alongside VM updates, maintaining compatibility between the execution environment and extension applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the system stores only bytecoded scripts for quick execution, then startup speed is improved, but the system cannot adapt when the VM execution environment changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextension application startup speedVSAvoidcompatibility with updated VM environment

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a copy of the operation program alongside the bytecoded script. This copy serves as a source that can be re-converted to bytecode when needed, allowing the system to maintain fast startup with pre-converted bytecode while preserving the ability to regenerate compatible bytecode after VM updates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs the conversion from operation program to bytecode in advance and stores both versions. This preliminary conversion enables fast execution while the stored operation program serves as a backup that can be re-converted if the execution environment changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11397572B2Image forming apparatus capable of executing extension application, method of controlling same, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus capable of preventing compatibility with an extension application from being impaired. The image forming apparatus installs an operation program of an extension application therein, and includes a VM (Virtual Machine) that executes a bytecoded program generated based on the operation program. The bytecoded program is generated by converting the operation program to bytecode. The operation program and the bytecoded program are written into a package, and the package is stored in a storage of the image forming apparatus.