Printers, copiers, scanners, digital cameras, and a myriad of other digital devices contain firmware that stores logical instructions that may be executed by processors. Periodically, this firmware can be updated and modified to provide enhanced functionality and improved performance. Generally, firmware is configured by a user to provide custom functions suited to a particular user or usage. These configuration options are typically stored in memory along with the executable instructions of the firmware. Configuration data is commonly stored monolithically within the firmware download file where it is difficult to separate from the executable instructions.
If configuration and option data are not extracted from the firmware instructions prior to a firmware upgrade, the configuration and option data may be lost during the upgrade process. This will necessitate reconfiguration of the firmware which can be a tedious and difficult process particularly when the device has a limited user interface or awkward input device as is the case of many smaller digital devices.
In many cases firmware upgrade is accomplished by establishing a serial connection between a firmware-containing device and a host computer used for the upgrade. The host computer will contain a firmware download utility and a firmware upgrade file. The firmware upgrade file is sent across the serial connection to the device where it overwrites the existing firmware file including any configuration data. During the firmware download process the device is not generally available for use.
Methods and Systems of embodiments of the present invention comprise a web-based printer administration utility that manages firmware configuration data during the firmware download process. Some of these embodiments employ logic to determine what data is to be preserved and where that data should be preserved. After the download process is accomplished or during the process, some embodiments will restore the configuration data. Some embodiments may also maintain a download or upgrade history as metadata or in some other format.
The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for modifying, upgrading, downloading and otherwise changing firmware executables and data without the necessity of repeating manual input of configuration data after the download process.
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Some embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in
The firmware download process typically takes place over download connection 18 between download computing device 14 and the firmware-upgradeable device 12. This process may be made aware of the web-based download management tool on web server 10 during the firmware download process. The download process may trigger a user interface comprising a menu structure or some other interface for selecting configuration preservation options. The firmware download process may utilize methods of the present invention to enhance the download process by managing the configuration data in the device 12 that is typically lost during firmware download.
The combination of a web-based data management utility connected via a network 16 and the download computing device 14 connected via direct link 18 to device 12 allows flexibility beyond known download methods. The device management web server 10 manages device 12 configuration and settings data during the firmware download process. In this manner configuration data may be extracted and stored and then restored to the new firmware structure during and after the download process.
Using embodiments of the present invention, device 12 firmware memory may be completely erased while the previous configuration and settings data is preserved in a central server accessible by the upgradeable device 12 and the download computing device 14.
In some embodiments of the present invention, pre-download configuration and settings data are extracted and stored. This configuration data may then be converted to updated configuration data that is compatible with the new firmware upgrade. For example, when new functionality is added in the firmware upgrade that requires configuration data in a new format, embodiments of the present invention may extract the old data, convert it to a new format and restore the new configuration to the upgraded firmware.
Some embodiments may also query network elements to ascertain configuration data needed by a new firmware upgrade. When new functionality is added that requires information about peripherals on the network or the type and configuration of the network itself, a web-based management utility may query network components to obtain this data and configure the new firmware functions to interface properly with the network configuration.
Some embodiments of the present invention, illustrated in
Some embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to
In some embodiments of the present invention, as described with reference to
Data from all sources may then be compiled 46 into a configuration data structure that may be combined with the firmware before download or integrated into the firmware after download. In either case, the firmware is downloaded 48 into the upgradeable device 12 and the configuration data is also downloaded 50 either as a part of the new firmware or separately in a distinct operation.
The terms and expressions which have been employed in the forgoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalence of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.