Image Processing Apparatus Firmware Update via Dual Storage Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firmware updates for image processing apparatuses, such as MFPs, are inconvenient as they require the device to be in an inactive state and cannot be used during the update process, leading to user inconvenience and slow start-up times due to the need to access slower storage devices like HDDs for partial program modifications.
Innovation Solution
The image processing apparatus stores firmware in a first storage area and temporarily stores modification programs in a second storage area, allowing for automatic rewriting of the firmware when communication processing is terminated, eliminating the need for the device to access slower storage at start-up and enabling updates without requiring an inactive state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If firmware is updated by storing modification programs in HDD, then firmware can be updated without device inactivity, but start-up time increases due to slower access speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by copying modification programs from HDD to RAM during device initialization before they are needed for execution. This pre-positioning of data in faster memory eliminates the slow HDD access during actual program execution, thus reducing start-up time while maintaining the ability to update firmware without requiring device inactivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RAM as an intermediary between HDD and the execution environment. Modification programs are first stored in HDD for updates, then copied to RAM which serves as a high-speed buffer before being executed. This intermediary memory layer resolves the contradiction by providing fast access paths while maintaining the update capability.
2Reliability
If firmware update requires device to be in inactive state, then update can be performed safely, but user convenience deteriorates and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the firmware update process to occur while the device remains in an active, operational state. The system dynamically manages memory resources to accommodate modification programs during execution, allowing updates without requiring the device to transition to an inactive state, thus maintaining both safety and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by allowing the device to remain operational during firmware updates. The modification programs are loaded and executed in RAM while the device continues to function, eliminating interruptions and maintaining continuous productivity while ensuring update safety through controlled memory management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modification programs are stored in HDD, then firmware can be updated without ROM re-expansion, but access speed decreases causing slow response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-copying modification programs from HDD to RAM during initialization. This ensures that when the programs need to be executed, they are already in high-speed memory, eliminating the slow HDD access during runtime while maintaining the flexibility to update firmware without ROM re-expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses RAM as an intermediary storage layer between HDD and the execution environment. Modification programs are stored in HDD for flexible updates, then copied to RAM which provides high-speed access during execution. This intermediary layer resolves the speed contradiction while preserving update flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a first storage area for storing firmware including a processing program for communication processing with an external terminal, and a processor. A processor starts execution of the processing program when a request to start the communication processing is received from the external terminal during execution of the firmware in the first storage area, and stores a modification program supplied into a second storage area when the modification program is received during execution of the processing program. The modification program is a modified program of at least a partial program in the processing program. The processor terminates execution of the processing program when a request to terminate the communication processing is received, and rewrites the processing program in the first storage area using the modification program in the second storage area when execution of the processing program is terminated.