Systems and methods relating generally to firmware updating with an image are disclosed. In an example method thereof, an image graphically representing a binary file is obtained. The image is input via an optical-to-electric converter into an electronic device. The image input is processed by the electronic device to recreate the binary file in a binary form. Firmware of the electronic device is updated with the binary file in the binary form.

An image forming apparatus includes a connection portion to which a first optional device and a second optional device are selectively detachably connectable, and a determination portion configured to determine whether to prohibit an operation of the image forming apparatus. A plurality of first optional devices are stacked and connectable to the image forming apparatus. The second optional device is installed on a floor and is connectable to the first optional device. In a case in which the second optional device is not connected and the first optional devices of a number larger than a first threshold value are connected to the image forming apparatus, and in a case in which the second optional device is connected and the first optional devices of a number larger than a second threshold value are connected to the image forming apparatus, the determination portion prohibits the operation of the image forming apparatus.

In one example of the disclosure, subject audio data, indicative of a subject audio captured via a transducer during an operation of a subject electromechanical device, is accessed. Baseline audio data, indicative of a baseline audio captured during an operation of a baseline electromechanical device, is accessed. An electronic file that includes differences between the subject audio data and the baseline audio data is created.

An example of an apparatus including a communication interface to receive an image file is provided. The image file represents a scanned image of a output generated by a printing device. The apparatus further includes an identification engine to process the image file with a convolutional neural network model to identify a feature. The feature may be indicative of a potential failure. The apparatus also includes an image analysis engine to indicate a life expectancy of a part associated with the potential failure based on the feature. The image analysis engine uses the convolutional neural network model to determine life expectancy.

Methods and systems for monitoring the integrity of a graphics processing unit (GPU) are provided. The method comprises the steps of determining a known-good result associated with an operation of the GPU, and generating a test image comprising a test subject using the operation of the GPU, such that the test subject is associated with the known-good result. The test image is written to video memory, and the known-good result is written to system memory. Subsequently, the test subject from the test image is transferred from video memory to system memory. The test subject in the system memory is compared with the known-good result in system memory. If the test subject does not match the known-good result, then a conclusion is drawn that the integrity of the GPU has been compromised.

A design support system includes memory, a receiving unit, and an associating unit. The memory stores information on design element classification that classifies a design element included in a product, and information on design requirement classification that classifies a design requirement required for the product. The receiving unit receives technical information regarding a design trouble. The associating unit refers to technical information regarding a design trouble, received by the receiving unit, and associates a classification item in the design requirement classification to which the design trouble belongs and a classification item in the design element classification to which a design element causing the design trouble belongs with each other, along with information on a phenomenon indicating a failure status of the design element included in the technical information.

A method for outputting information in a printing process, includes: acquiring, from an image forming apparatus, a log including a piece of interruption information for each of a plurality of interruption factors; aggregating, for each of the interruption factors, a plurality of pieces of the interruption information; and outputting the interruption information aggregated for each of the interruption factors.

An image forming apparatus includes a wireless tag communication device to write data to, and read data from, a wireless tag attached to a sheet. An image forming device in the apparatus is configured to form an image on the sheet. A controller in the apparatus is configured to determine whether a writing of data to a wireless tag was successful based on a notification from the wireless tag communication device and generate investigation support information if the writing was not successful and control the image forming device to form an investigation support image corresponding to the investigation support information if the writing was not successful.

An example error handling method includes detecting an error in an image forming apparatus, transmitting error information regarding the detected error to an external apparatus, identifying an error category based on the error information, providing a solution corresponding to the error information to the image forming apparatus based on the identified error category, transmitting result information obtained by applying the provided solution to the external apparatus, and updating the provided solution based on the result information.

In examples, an electronic device comprises a component, communication port, and a controller coupled to the component and the communication port. The controller is to store operational data of the component during operation of the electronic device. The controller is to provide the operational data to a peripheral device coupled to the electronic device in response to the electronic device establishing a wired connection to the peripheral device via the communication port, the operational data secured by a security credential of the controller. The controller is to receive a repair command from the peripheral device based on the operational data. The controller is to correct a malfunction of the component based on the repair command.