Information Processing Apparatus Asynchronous Set Value Update

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for updating software and set values in information processing apparatuses are inefficient, particularly during busy times, as they often require synchronizing new program and set value downloads, leading to poor performance and ineffective use of new set values due to time intervals between downloads.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a program receiver, set values receiver, version judgment means, and update means that allows for asynchronous updates by matching version information in new set values with the current or new program, enabling all or partial set value updates based on category dependencies, and deferring reboot requiring set value updates until non-busy times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a new version of program is downloaded together with new set values to ensure synchronization, then version compatibility is improved, but server performance deteriorates during busy times due to large download volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversion compatibilityVSAvoidserver performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments set values into multiple categories (first category: program version-dependent, second category: program version-independent) and enables selective downloading. This allows the system to download only necessary set values without requiring the entire program package, thereby reducing server load during busy times while maintaining version compatibility through selective updates of version-dependent parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and separates program version-independent set values from the main program update package. These extracted set values can be downloaded and applied independently without waiting for the full program update, allowing the system to improve productivity by applying available updates immediately while maintaining reliability through version-dependent value synchronization when the program update is eventually applied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If new set values are downloaded before new program to reduce waiting time, then productivity is improved, but version compatibility may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate speedVSAvoidversion compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments set values into version-dependent and version-independent categories, allowing the system to download and apply version-independent set values immediately to improve productivity, while scheduling the download and application of version-dependent set values to coincide with the program update, thereby maintaining version compatibility without unnecessary delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary downloading and application of program version-independent set values before the program update is complete. This preliminary action improves productivity by applying available updates early, while the version-dependent set values are held pending until the program update is applied, ensuring version compatibility is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If all set values are updated together with program update to ensure consistency, then version compatibility is improved, but time consumption increases during busy times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveset values consistencyVSAvoidupdate time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments set values into two categories: version-dependent and version-independent. This segmentation allows the system to update version-independent set values immediately without waiting for the program update, reducing update time during busy times, while version-dependent set values are updated concurrently with the program update to maintain consistency and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial updates by updating only the necessary subset of set values (version-independent ones) before the program update is complete, rather than waiting for all set values to be ready. This partial action reduces time loss while maintaining sufficient consistency for system operation, with the remaining version-dependent values being updated when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2947564B1Information processing apparatus, set values update method for the same, and set values update program
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 KONICA MINOLTA INC
  • EP2947564B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2947564B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2947564B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus (11) comprises: a program receiver means (101) that receives a new program externally, the new program for updating of an existing program; a set values receiver means (101) that receives new set values externally, the new set values including version information, the version information identifying the version of program linked to the new set values; a version judgment means (101) that judges whether or not the version information included in the new set values matches a current program currently installed or the new program to be installed, the new program being received by the program receiver means; and an update means (101) that updates all the set values if the version information matches the current or new program, or only some of the set values if the version information does not match the current or new program.