Update Process Support System for Image Forming Apparatus

Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses often require unnecessary reboots during updates, disrupting business operations and reducing efficiency, as current methods do not differentiate between updates that require reboots and those that do not.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and update process support system that includes a reboot necessity information storage unit, a difference extracting unit, and a determining unit to assess whether a reboot is needed based on the differences between program versions and stored reboot necessity information, allowing the system to determine if a reboot is required and return this determination for non-essential updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the image forming apparatus is rebooted after every update process, then the updated program functions are activated, but the business operations of users are significantly affected and availability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram update effectivenessVSAvoidbusiness operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of reboot necessity from a fixed requirement to a variable determination based on update content analysis. By analyzing whether the updated program requires system restart, the system dynamically adjusts the reboot decision, avoiding unnecessary reboots and maintaining business continuity while ensuring updates are properly activated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by analyzing the update content and determining reboot necessity based on the specific changes made. The update process provides information about what was changed, and the system uses this feedback to decide whether a reboot is actually needed, rather than following a blanket reboot policy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the image forming apparatus is not rebooted after update, then business operations continue without disruption, but the updated program may not be properly activated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebusiness operation continuityVSAvoidupdate activation completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of reboot necessity from a fixed requirement to a variable determination based on update content analysis. By analyzing whether the updated program requires system restart, the system dynamically adjusts the reboot decision, avoiding unnecessary reboots and maintaining business continuity while ensuring updates are properly activated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by analyzing the update content and determining reboot necessity based on the specific changes made. The update process provides information about what was changed, and the system uses this feedback to decide whether a reboot is actually needed, rather than following a blanket reboot policy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If all updates are treated as requiring reboot, then system stability is maintained, but update efficiency and user satisfaction are reduced due to unnecessary reboots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidupdate process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of reboot necessity from a fixed requirement to a variable determination based on update content analysis. By analyzing whether the updated program requires system restart, the system dynamically adjusts the reboot decision, avoiding unnecessary reboots and maintaining business continuity while ensuring updates are properly activated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by analyzing the update content and determining reboot necessity based on the specific changes made. The update process provides information about what was changed, and the system uses this feedback to decide whether a reboot is actually needed, rather than following a blanket reboot policy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9003388B2Information processing apparatus and update process support system

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores reboot necessity information for respective versions of programs that are install targets of an electronic device, the reboot necessity information indicating whether the electronic device needs to be rebooted when a first program of a first version installed in the electronic device is updated to a second program of a second version; an extracting unit that extracts difference information indicating a difference between the first program and the second program in response to a request to acquire the second program, the request specifying the first version of the first program; a determining unit that determines whether the electronic device needs to be rebooted when the second program is installed, based on the difference between the first version and the second version indicated in the difference information and the reboot necessity information; and a responding unit that returns a determination result.