Image Processing Apparatus Software Update Scheduling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software update methods for information processing devices, such as smartphones and portable terminals, often incur high communication costs due to the need for immediate updates during late-night low-charge periods, and may fail if the device is powered off during this time, especially when security issues or bugs require prompt attention.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus equipped with a module that holds identification information for specific mobile communication contracts, which provides a message indicating a predetermined low-cost communication time slot for software updates, allowing the apparatus to download updates during this time, ensuring the power is kept on or alternative power sources are used to facilitate the update process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software is updated immediately when needed (for security issues or bugs), then software reliability is improved, but communication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by scheduling software updates during specific time slots when communication rates are low. The system divides the update process into periodic phases: checking for updates, downloading during low-rate periods, and installing when appropriate. This allows the system to maintain software reliability while exploiting periodic low-cost communication windows to reduce manufacturer communication costs.
2Loss of energy
If software is updated during late-night time slot when communication charge is low, then communication cost is reduced, but the update may fail if power supply is not turned on
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by checking the power supply state before initiating software updates during low-cost time slots. The system performs preliminary verification to ensure the device is powered on and capable of completing the update process. If the device is off, the system schedules the update for a later time when power is available, thus preventing update failures while still aiming to utilize low-cost communication periods.
3Reliability
If software is updated at application reservation time or before power supply cutoff, then software reliability is improved, but communication cost cannot be lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the update timing flexible and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts update scheduling based on multiple factors including power supply state, communication rate variations, and update urgency. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize both reliability and communication cost by selecting the most appropriate update window in each situation, rather than adhering to rigid predetermined times.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image processing apparatus provided with a module that holds identification information capable of specifying a subscriber who has entered a contract for specific mobile communication. The image processing apparatus provides, if software needs to be updated, a message indicating a predetermined time slot and that the image processing apparatus has to be in a state in which downloading software for updating using the specific mobile communication is possible, and downloads the software for updating in the predetermined time slot using the specific mobile communication. The predetermined time slot is at least a portion of a time slot which is determined depending on the contract for the specific mobile communication.