Printing Apparatus Background Decompression for Update Downtime

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing apparatuses experience downtime during software updates, which interferes with normal operation and delays the printing process.

Innovation Solution

The printing apparatus employs background processing to download and decompress update software only when predetermined processing is not being performed, allowing for seamless software updates without interrupting normal operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If software update is performed during normal operation, then downtime is reduced, but normal operation is interfered with or delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedowntimeVSAvoidnormal operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The decompression unit performs decompression processing of update firmware in advance during idle periods before the actual software update is needed. This preliminary action prepares the update files ahead of time so that when an update is required, the decompression step (which would otherwise cause downtime) has already been completed, thus reducing update downtime while not interfering with normal print operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If decompression processing is performed continuously, then update speed is improved, but print processing is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate speedVSAvoidprint processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The decompression unit dynamically adjusts its operation based on the operational state of the printing apparatus. When print processing is detected as ongoing, the decompression unit suspends or reduces decompression processing to prioritize print jobs. When idle periods are detected, the decompression unit actively performs decompression processing. This dynamic adjustment ensures both print processing speed and update speed are optimized according to real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates an inert or low-priority environment for decompression processing during active print operations, effectively isolating the update preparation tasks from critical print processing paths. This allows the printing apparatus to maintain normal operational performance while update preparations proceed in the background during idle moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Data Source

PatentUS10019212B2Printing apparatus that decompresses and updates software installed therein, method of controlling the same, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 CANON KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus that is capable of reducing downtime caused by software update. A printing apparatus downloads update software for updating software installed therein, and updates the installed software using the downloaded update software. The update software is downloaded by background processing. It is determined whether or not predetermined processing is being performed when the update software is decompressed. When it is determined that the predetermined processing is not being performed, the downloaded update software is decompressed by background processing, and the installed software is updated using the decompressed update software.