Sensor Controller Firmware Recovery via Backup Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch input devices integrated into information processing devices can become inoperable due to failed or defective firmware updates, making it difficult to recover the original firmware without external assistance, especially when they serve as the sole input means.

Innovation Solution

A sensor controller with non-volatile memory and a processor that includes activation and recovery programs to determine the activation state of the application software and execute recovery processing independently, allowing the touch input device to recover from faulty updates without external instruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If firmware update processing is performed in the touch input device, then the functionality and performance of the touch input device can be improved, but the risk of the device becoming inoperable increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update capabilityVSAvoidoperational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing backup firmware in advance before update operations. The sensor controller keeps both old and new firmware versions stored, ready to switch between them if needed during or after an update process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements beforehand cushioning by maintaining backup firmware copies and readiness to revert. The system prepares compensatory measures (backup firmware storage and recovery mechanisms) in advance to offset potential update failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If the touch input device stores firmware locally in its memory, then update speed and independence are improved, but the risk of update failure and inability to recover increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate speedVSAvoidfirmware recovery difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor controller implements self-service by autonomously determining whether recovery is needed and executing recovery operations independently. The device can detect update failures and perform self-recovery without requiring external assistance from the information processing device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the sensor controller monitors its own operational status and provides feedback about update success or failure. Based on this feedback, the system automatically initiates appropriate actions including recovery operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the information processing device provides firmware to the touch input device every power-on, then recovery capability is improved, but startup time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery capabilityVSAvoidstartup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the firmware management functions by separating the information processing device from the sensor controller. The sensor controller becomes self-sufficient with its own firmware storage and recovery capabilities, eliminating the need for continuous firmware provision from the host device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing firmware in the sensor controller's local memory. This eliminates the need for firmware transfer during each power-on sequence, reducing startup time while maintaining recovery capability through local backup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9916029B2Sensor controller, sensor device including sensor controller, electronic apparatus equipped with sensor device, and application software recovery method

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 WACOM CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a sensor controller that controls a sensor device that gives input information to a computer. The sensor controller includes a non-volatile memory that stores application software for accepting and processing touch input, an activation program that checks an activation state of the application software at a time of activation, a recovery program that executes recovery processing of the application software, and information indicating the activation state. The sensor controller further includes a processor that activates the activation program at the time of activation and executes the recovery program when the activation state indicates that activation of the application software is a second or subsequent activation and indicates that touch input has not been processed normally by the application software at a time of past activation.