# US 2025/0156554 A1 · Image processing apparatus, backup storage method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2025/0156554 A1 - Document ID: US20250156554A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/937,677 - Filed: 2024-11-05 - Published: 2025-05-15 - Earliest claimed: 2023-11-13 - Assignees: Konica Minolta, Inc. - Applicants: Konica Minolta, Inc. - Inventors: Kazuhiro TOMIYASU; Hiroshi SUGIURA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250156554A1 ## CPC - G06F 21/577: {Assessing vulnerabilities and evaluating computer system security} - G06F 11/1417: {Boot up procedures} - G06F 11/1433: {during software upgrading} - G06F 11/1451: {by selection of backup contents} - G06F 11/1458: {Management of the backup or restore process} - G06F 11/1469: {Backup restoration techniques} - G06F 21/572: {Secure firmware programming, e.g. of basic input output system [BIOS]} - G06F 2221/033: Test or assess software - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract An image processing apparatus includes: a first storage section that stores multiple pieces of firmware to be started in stages; a second storage section that stores firmware selected from the multiple pieces of firmware as a backup; and a hardware processor. The hardware processor detects tampering of each of the multiple pieces of firmware stored in the first storage section, and restores the tampered firmware by using the firmware stored in the second storage section in a case where the tampering of the firmware stored in the first storage section is detected. The hardware processor selects, according to an apparatus state, the firmware to be stored as backup in the second storage section. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image processing apparatus, comprising: a first storage section that stores multiple pieces of firmware to be started in stages; a second storage section that stores firmware selected from the multiple pieces of firmware as a backup; and a hardware processor that: detects tampering of each of the multiple pieces of firmware stored in the first storage section, and restores the tampered firmware by using the firmware stored in the second storage section in a case where the tampering of the firmware stored in the first storage section is detected, wherein the hardware processor selects, according to an apparatus state, the firmware to be stored as backup in the second storage section. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second storage section stores the firmware selected by the hardware processor in a non-rewritable storage area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor selects the firmware to be stored as a backup in the second storage section from among the multiple firmware based on a storage capacity of the second storage section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor selects the firmware to be stored as backup in the second storage section from among the multiple pieces of firmware based on a change in data amount of the multiple pieces of firmware. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor sets in advance prohibition or permission to acquire the multiple pieces of firmware from an external apparatus via a network, and selects the firmware to be stored as a backup in the second storage section based on the setting of prohibition or permission. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when acquisition of firmware from the external apparatus is prohibited, the hardware processor selects, as firmware to be stored as a backup in the second storage section, the firmware capable of notifying that tampering of the firmware has been detected. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when acquisition of firmware from the external apparatus is permitted, the hardware processor selects the firmware necessary for acquiring the firmware from the external apparatus and updating the firmware as the firmware to be stored as a backup in the second storage section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hardware processor selects all of the multiple pieces of firmware when the second storage section can store all of the multiple pieces of firmware. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor updates the multiple pieces of firmware stored in the first storage section, selects firmware to be stored as backup in the second storage section when the firmware in the first storage section is updated, and changes the firmware to be stored in the second storage section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor determines whether an apparatus state has changed at the time of activation, and when the apparatus state has changed, selects firmware to be stored as backup in the second storage section and changes the firmware to be stored in the second storage section. ### Claim 11 A method for storing firmware as a backup in an image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus comprising: a first storage section that stores multiple firmware to be started up in stages; a second storage section that stores, as a backup, a firmware selected from among the multiple firmware; and a hardware processor that detects tampering with each of the multiple firmware stored in the first storage section and, upon detection of tampering with a firmware, restores the tampered firmware using the firmware stored in the second storage section, wherein the method comprises: selecting, from among the multiple firmware, firmware to be stored as a backup in the second storage section in accordance with an apparatus state; and changing firmware stored as backup in the second storage section according to the selection result. ### Claim 12 A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program executed in an image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus comprising: a first storage section that stores multiple firmware to be started up in stages; a second storage section that stores, as a backup, a firmware selected from among the multiple firmware; and a hardware processor that detects tampering with each of the multiple firmware stored in the first storage section and, upon detection of tampering with a firmware, restores the tampered firmware using the firmware stored in the second storage section, wherein the program causes the hardware processor to perform: selecting, from among the multiple firmware, firmware to be stored as a backup in the second storage section in accordance with an apparatus state; and changing firmware stored as backup in the second storage section according to the selection result.