Operating System Image Segmentation for Device Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for creating and maintaining firmware-based images for information handling devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, are costly and complex due to the need for multiple unique images and frequent updates, especially when dealing with variations in geographical regions or device identifying aspects, leading to inefficiencies in space usage and update processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where a base operating system is combined with additional operating system content from a separate repository, allowing for a unitary device operating system to be formed by communicating device aspects, such as geographical regions or user information, and downloading region-specific or unique content during the first boot process, thereby reducing the number of preloaded images and streamlining the update process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple unique images are created for each geographical region or device variation, then device customization and regional support are improved, but manufacturing complexity and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operating system image into two distinct parts: a common base image containing shared components and a unique region-specific image containing localized content. This segmentation allows the base image to be reused across multiple regions while only the unique portions need to be customized per region, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The common base image serves multiple functions across different geographical regions and device variations. By creating a universal base image that can be combined with different region-specific images, the system achieves multi-functionality where one base image supports multiple customization scenarios, reducing the overall number of unique images needed and simplifying manufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple partitions are created for each customizing option, then device customization capability is improved, but device storage space is consumed inordinately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the common base image with the unique region-specific image to form a single customized operating system image. Instead of maintaining separate partitions for each customization option on the device, the system combines the shared and unique content into one integrated image that is downloaded and installed as a complete unit, thereby providing full customization capability without consuming excessive device storage space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If monolithic OS images are used with patches and updates for each device variation, then device support for unique variations is improved, but update complexity and costs increase immensely
Solution Approach 1:
The update mechanism is segmented into updates for the common base image and updates for region-specific images. Since the base image is shared across multiple regions, a single update to the base image benefits all regions simultaneously. Region-specific updates can be applied independently to their respective images. This segmentation dramatically reduces update complexity compared to maintaining separate monolithic images for each device variation.
4Reliability
If a complete unique image is preloaded for each device variation, then device functionality and regional compliance are ensured, but manufacturing cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by preparing the common base image in advance, which contains all the shared components and functionality needed across different regions. The region-specific content is then added separately during or after the device boot process. This preliminary preparation of the base image allows for faster manufacturing since the bulk of the image content is already prepared, while still ensuring complete device functionality and regional compliance through the addition of unique content.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and products directed toward creating device preloads via employing base and additional operating system content. One aspect includes communicating an aspect of an information handling device, and assimilating additional operating system content at the information handling device responsive to communication of the aspect of the device, the additional operating system content deriving from a repository separate from the information handling device, wherein a base operating system and additional operating system content combine to form a unitary device operating system. Other embodiments are described herein.