Networked Image Processing Apparatus Automated Software Update
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing apparatus software updating methods rely on manual administration, leading to incomplete or inaccurate updates, and require the upper-level apparatus to be at the latest revision for network-wide updates, which is inflexible and burdensome, especially for devices with multiple software components.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with automated software updating capabilities, including a search unit to identify devices on a network, a response analyzer to determine necessary updates, and a software transmission unit to distribute updates based on analysis, allowing flexible determination beyond revision information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual administration methods are used for software updating, then flexibility in determining update requirements can be maintained, but updating completeness and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing apparatus automatically determines whether software updating is required by analyzing response information from other apparatuses, eliminating the need for manual administration. The system performs self-updating by automatically comparing revision information and executing updates without human intervention, thereby improving updating completeness while reducing administration burden.
2Reliability
If the upper-level apparatus must always have the latest software revision, then network-wide updates can be achieved, but system complexity and constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the upper-level apparatus to always have the latest software, the invention inverts the approach by enabling any apparatus on the network to serve as an update source. The system allows downward updates from lower-level to upper-level apparatuses, eliminating the strict hierarchical constraint and simplifying software version management while maintaining network-wide update capability.
3Ease of operation
If only revision information is used for update determination, then the updating process is simple, but update flexibility under various conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extends update determination beyond simple revision information by incorporating multiple parameters including apparatus type, software type, installation environment, and various condition flags. This multi-parameter approach maintains operational simplicity through automated analysis while achieving high flexibility in adapting to different update scenarios and conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
At the power-on timing, a device search request is sent in broadcast transmission or multicast transmission from a server side device. Device search response data is transmitted from a client side device to the server side device. At the server side device receiving the device search response data, any client side device present on the network is detected. The server side device determines a client side device whose software can be updated based on the device search response data, and transmits the required software to the client side device to request update. The client side device receives the software from the server side device to update its own software.