System and method for reprogramming ecu devices (electronic control units) in vehicles, via digital radio

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for the reprogramming of ECU devices in automotive vehicles, via digital radio, which allows new software files to be transmitted when synchronizing a radio station, automatically and safely downloading the new updates without having to take the vehicle directly to a dealership, characterized by comprising means for encrypting audio files with software files, data files with vehicle information files; means for mixing the files to be transmitted simultaneously from a radio broadcast station in digital format; means for receiving the files by digital radio receiver that are sent to receiving ECUs in the vehicles; memory means for storing said files; means for demodulating the files; means for decrypting the files that are retransmitted within the bus of the ECU device through the internal network of the vehicle, so that all ECUs receive the message simultaneously and, after authenticating the information, auto-reprogram with the software file received in an application memory.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to the technical field of electronics, the automotive industry and radio communication; in particular, to reprogramming systems for electronic control devices in motor vehicles; and relates, more specifically, to a system and method for the reprogramming of ECU devices (Electronic Control Units) in motor vehicles, via digital radio.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A vehicle currently has a large number of interconnected devices (the most common ones including gasoline pump, radio, seat control, air conditioning, engine controller, air bags etc.), which, most of the time, have some sort of microcontroller integrated into the electronic control device called Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which is the element that makes decisions based on the software that was downloaded within.[0003]An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in automobiles allows managing various aspects of the internal combustion operation of the engine.[0004]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables remote, secure, and efficient reprogramming of ECUs, reducing the need for physical dealership visits, improving vehicle reliability and brand reputation by allowing updates at any time and location, with enhanced security against fragmented transmissions.

Problems solved by technology

As a result of these changes, the old ECU may not provide proper control with the new configuration.

A large number of failures due to mechanical or programming defects in the ECUs are attributable to software problems, which may be due to a large number of circumstances such as poor software development processes, insufficient tests, errors when downloading the program in the microcontroller in the manufacturing plant, etc.

Due to the increasing complexity in the features and functionalities of said ECU devices, it is becoming more common every year to be required to take a new car to its corresponding distributor due to a manufacturing defect (which can be a mechanical or programming defect) in order to perform a necessary update or reprogramming of its software.

So far, it has been impossible to find a product that performs the reprogramming of electronic ECU control units via digital radio technology (such as HD Radio, Eureka-147 DAB, DRM, CAM-D etc.).

When it comes to innovation, these products do not transmit the information through the proposed form or method, since they do so by other means such as the Internet, which presents high security problems in the transmission / reception of data from or to the vehicle; not to mention that these products do not attack the problem dealing with this development.

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