Object searching device firmware upgrading system and method based on differential increment upgrading

Abstract

The invention discloses an object searching device firmware upgrading system and method based on differential increment upgrading. The technical problems that in the prior art, object searching devices are time-consuming in upgrading and low in upgrading rate are solved. Comprising a management platform used for generating a difference file of a new firmware version; the base station is used for broadcasting the new firmware version number and receiving the current version number, the electric quantity information and the real-time network state reported by the object searching device; according to the version number and the electric quantity information reported by the object searching device, distributing an upgrading batch for the object searching device and setting the number of groups in different batches, and arranging an upgrading window for each group of object searching device; in each upgrading window, transmitting the differential file by adopting a selective retransmission protocol; and the plurality of object searching devices are used for generating new firmware by applying the difference file. According to the upgrading system, the timeliness and stability of firmware upgrading of the object searching device can be effectively improved, the communication data volume is reduced, and the equipment energy consumption is reduced. The method can be widely applied to the technical field of Internet of Things equipment firmware upgrading.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of firmware upgrade technology for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, specifically to a firmware upgrade system and method for a tracking device based on differential incremental upgrades. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of IoT technology, tracking devices based on 2.4G communication networks are being used more and more widely in the express delivery industry. Users can quickly find the location of their packages using the sound and light guidance of these devices. Express delivery stations typically have a large number of tracking devices. As the number of devices continues to increase, how to effectively manage and maintain these devices, especially firmware upgrades, has become a key issue. Currently, the main strategy for upgrading tracking devices is a full upgrade. A full upgrade requires the transmission of the complete firmware file, which involves a large amount of data and can easily lead to network congestion. Especially in scenarios where a large number of devices are upgraded simultaneously, the firmware update process may consume a lot of time and bandwidth, leading to problems such as increased network congestion, decreased upgrade efficiency, and increased maintenance costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a firmware upgrade system and method for a locator based on differential incremental upgrade, which overcomes the defects of the prior art, such as network storms, low upgrade efficiency and insufficient energy consumption optimization, when upgrading firmware of large-scale locator devices.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a firmware upgrade system for a locator based on differential incremental upgrades, comprising: Management platform used to generate differential files for new firmware versions; Base stations, including: The communication unit is used to broadcast the new firmware version number and receive the current version number, battery information, and real-time network status reported by the item-finding device; the batch grouping scheduling unit is used to allocate upgrade batches to the item-finding device according to the version number and battery information reported by the item-finding device, set the number of groups in different batches, and arrange an upgrade window for each group of item-finding devices; the differential file transmission unit is used to transmit the differential file using a selective retransmission protocol within each upgrade window; and the dynamic parameter adjustment unit is used to dynamically adjust the number of groups and the size of the upgrade window based on the real-time network status, and to couple the selective retransmission protocol with the battery information. Multiple object-finding devices, each including a processing module for generating new firmware using the differential file.

[0005] Preferably, the step of allocating upgrade batches for the item-finding devices based on the version number and battery level information reported by the device, setting the number of groups within different batches, and assigning an upgrade window for each group of item-finding devices specifically involves: Filter the items that need to be upgraded based on the version number difference between the old and new firmware; Based on the battery information of the item finding device and the size of the differential file to be received, the item finding device is divided into upgrade batches, the number of groups of item finding devices within each batch is divided, and the size of the upgrade window for each group is set.

[0006] Preferably, the number of groups and the size of the upgrade window are dynamically adjusted based on the real-time network status, wherein: The real-time network status is obtained based on round-trip time (RTT) and packet loss rate. When the network status is determined to be congested, the number of packets in the batch is increased and the upgrade window interval is increased.

[0007] Preferably, the step of transmitting the differential file using a selective retransmission protocol within each upgrade window specifically involves: when the base station sends the differential file to the locator using the selective retransmission protocol, the differential file is divided into several sub-packets by blocks, each sub-packet being smaller than or equal to the remaining storage space of the locator, and each sub-packet carrying a digest tree for single-block verification at the end; after the base station broadcasts the sub-packet, if no ACK feedback is received from the locator within a preset time, the sub-packet is retransmitted.

[0008] Preferably, the selective retransmission protocol is coupled with the power information, specifically: the base station allocates the data block size and retransmission limit of the sub-packet according to the remaining power of the locator.

[0009] Preferably, the object finding device uses differential data packets to generate new firmware, specifically: after receiving all the sub-packets, the object finding device performs verification based on the digest tree of the sub-packets, completes differential recovery locally, generates new firmware, and flashes it.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes an error recovery unit, used to send upgrade results to the base station by all the locating devices in a batch after the upgrade window of all groups in a certain batch or all batches has ended; wherein, the locating devices that fail to upgrade also report the failure type, and the base station creates a new batch for the locating devices that fail to upgrade and performs the upgrade according to the different failure types.

[0011] Preferably, the management platform and the base station transmit the differential file using the HTTPS protocol, and the base station and the tracking device transmit the differential file using the 2.4G protocol or the Bluetooth protocol.

[0012] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a firmware upgrade method for a locator based on differential incremental upgrades, applied to the aforementioned firmware upgrade system, comprising the following steps: The management platform generates a differential file for the new firmware version; The base station broadcasts the new firmware version number and receives the current version number, battery information and real-time network status reported by the item finding device; The base station assigns upgrade batches to the item-finding devices based on the version number and power information reported by the devices, sets the number of groups within each batch, and arranges an upgrade window for each group of item-finding devices. Within each upgrade window, the base station uses a selective retransmission protocol to transmit the differential file; The base station dynamically adjusts the number of packets and the size of the upgrade window based on the real-time network status, and couples the selective retransmission protocol with the power information; The object locator uses the differential file to generate new firmware through the processing module.

[0013] Furthermore, the base station allocates upgrade batches for the finding devices based on the version number and battery level information reported by the devices, sets the number of groups within each batch, and assigns an upgrade window for each group of finding devices, specifically: Filter the items that need to be upgraded based on the version number difference between the old and new firmware; Based on the battery information of the item finding device and the size of the differential file to be received, the item finding device is divided into upgrade batches, the number of groups of item finding devices within each batch is divided, and the size of the upgrade window for each group is set.

[0014] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: The firmware upgrade system and method for object-finding devices based on differential incremental upgrades provided in this invention reduce data transmission volume and network bandwidth usage through differential file generation, avoiding network congestion caused by large data volumes during upgrades. By using batch partitioning and dynamic grouping driven by real-time network status, network peak values ​​and packet loss rates are reduced, improving the timeliness and stability of upgrades. A selective retransmission mechanism coupled with power information optimizes device energy consumption, reducing battery replacement frequency and maintenance costs. The core logic of this invention is processed at the base station edge, reducing dependence on cloud platforms, and possesses strong practicality and scalability, providing an efficient and reliable implementation solution for large-scale firmware upgrades of low-power IoT devices. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the firmware upgrade system disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the framework structure of the firmware upgrade system disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the firmware upgrade system disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the firmware upgrade method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0017] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than that illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or modules is not necessarily limited to those explicitly listed steps or modules, but may include other steps or modules not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses. The naming or numbering of steps in this invention does not imply that the steps in the method flow must be executed in the chronological / logical order indicated by the naming or numbering. The execution order of named or numbered process steps can be changed according to the desired technical purpose, as long as the same or similar technical effect is achieved. The division of modules in this invention is a logical division; in practical applications, other division methods may be used. For example, multiple modules may be combined into or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the modules or sub-modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, may or may not be physical modules, or may be distributed among multiple circuit modules. Some or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present invention.

[0018] With the continuous penetration of IoT technology, the application of package-locating devices powered by wireless communication networks is becoming increasingly widespread in the express delivery industry. These devices use sound and light prompts to help users quickly locate their packages, so express delivery stations often deploy a large number of such devices.

[0019] However, as the deployment scale of these tracking devices continues to expand, efficient management and maintenance, especially firmware upgrades, has become a critical issue. Currently, the industry primarily uses a full-upgrade approach for these devices, requiring the transfer of the complete firmware file. This method has significant drawbacks: the large volume of data to be transferred easily leads to network congestion. Particularly in scenarios where large-scale devices are simultaneously undergoing upgrades, the firmware update process not only consumes considerable time and network bandwidth but also further exacerbates network congestion, significantly reducing upgrade efficiency. Ultimately, these problems directly increase the equipment maintenance costs for express delivery stations.

[0020] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a firmware upgrade system and method for a locator based on differential incremental upgrades.

[0021] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0022] Figure 1 This invention provides a schematic diagram of a firmware upgrade system for a tracking device based on differential incremental upgrades. The upgrade system includes a management platform 101, a base station 102, and a tracking device 103. The management platform 101 may employ a server cluster architecture. The base station 102 includes a main control chip, a communication module, a storage module, and a power module. The tracking device 103 (hereinafter referred to as the device) includes a processing module, a communication module, a functional module, and a power module. The functional module further includes an audio-visual module for tracking indication and a power detection module. The differential file is transmitted between the management platform and the base station using the HTTPS protocol, and the differential file is transmitted between the base station and the tracking device using the 2.4G protocol or the Bluetooth protocol. In this embodiment, the base station and the tracking device communicate using the 2.4G protocol.

[0023] This invention reduces data transmission volume and network bandwidth usage through differential file generation, avoiding network congestion caused by large data volumes during upgrades. By using batch partitioning and dynamic grouping driven by real-time network status, it reduces network peak values ​​and packet loss rates, improving the timeliness and stability of upgrades. A selective retransmission mechanism coupled with power information optimizes device energy consumption, reducing battery replacement frequency and maintenance costs. The core logic of this invention is processed at the base station edge, reducing dependence on cloud platforms, and possesses strong practicality and scalability, providing an efficient and reliable implementation solution for large-scale firmware upgrades of low-power IoT devices.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the framework structure of a firmware upgrade system for a locator device based on differential incremental upgrade, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the upgrade system includes: Management platform 101 is used to generate differential files for new firmware versions; In embodiments of the present invention, the differential file generation tool can use bsdiff 4.3 to generate incremental patches. The management platform 101 retrieves the old and new versions of the locator 103 from the device management database and executes the bsdiff command: it performs sliding window matching on the old version, decomposing it into multiple data blocks and recording the offset addresses; it performs the same decomposition on the new version, finding matching blocks with the old version and retaining non-matching blocks as difference data; it compresses the difference data using the bzip2 algorithm to generate the final patch file; it calculates the SHA256 value of the patch file and assembles it into a FOTA package. The number of generated differential files is based on the iteration level of the old and new versions. For example, if the device management database shows that the current device includes old versions 1.0 and 1.5, and the new version being upgraded is 2.0, then the corresponding number of generated differential files is 2. The size of the FOTA package generated by the present invention is significantly reduced compared to traditional full firmware, greatly reducing the amount of data to be transmitted, reducing network bandwidth usage, laying a low-traffic foundation for subsequent large-scale device upgrades, and alleviating data transmission pressure from the source.

[0025] Base station 102 includes: The communication unit 201 is used to broadcast a new firmware version number and receive the current version number, battery information, and real-time network status reported by the item finding device 103; the batch grouping scheduling unit 202 allocates upgrade batches for the item finding device 103 according to the version number and battery information reported by the item finding device 103 and sets the number of groups within different batches, and arranges an upgrade window for each group of item finding devices 103; the differential file transmission unit 203 is used to transmit the differential file using a selective retransmission protocol within each upgrade window; the dynamic parameter adjustment unit 204 is used to dynamically adjust the number of groups and the size of the upgrade window based on the real-time network status, and couple the selective retransmission protocol with the battery information; In an embodiment of the present invention, after receiving the FOTA packet from the management platform 101, the base station 102 initiates a version broadcast via its 2.4G communication module. The broadcast frame structure includes a frame header, base station 102 ID, new firmware version, broadcast sequence number, and checksum. The broadcast period and duration are set to ensure that all tracking devices 103 within the coverage area can receive the broadcast. Upon receiving the broadcast frame, the device verifies the frame header and checksum, immediately wakes from sleep mode, collects its own status, and reports it to the base station 102. The status information includes: device ID, current version, battery level, and real-time network status (RTT: 0-1000ms; packet loss rate: 0-100%). If reporting fails after receiving the broadcast, the device enters sleep mode and waits for the next broadcast.

[0026] Preferably, the step of allocating upgrade batches for the item finding device 103 based on the version number and battery information reported by the item finding device 103, setting the number of groups within different batches, and arranging an upgrade window for each group of item finding devices 103 specifically involves: Based on the version number differences between the old and new firmware, the following items in the locator 103 need to be upgraded; Based on the battery information of the item finding device 103 and the size of the differential file to be received, the item finding device 103 is divided into upgrade batches, the number of groups of item finding devices 103 in different batches is divided, and the size of the upgrade window for each group is set.

[0027] For example, after the initial broadcast, M devices report a total of N valid data entries ((MN) devices have been upgraded to the new version). After receiving the reported data, base station 102 performs batch and group division by the main control chip. Base station 102 parses the reported data, removes (MN) devices with the new version, and the remaining N devices are those that need to be upgraded. It records their device ID, battery level, and differential file compatibility. For example, it sets several batches according to the priority of battery level from high to low. Within each batch, the number of groups is divided according to the concurrent processing capability of the 2.4G communication module of base station 102. By prioritizing battery level, it ensures that devices with high battery level complete the upgrade first, reducing the probability of upgrade interruption. If the number of version iterations in a single upgrade is greater than one, the group size is adapted according to the differential file size to avoid efficiency loss caused by devices that need to receive small differential files waiting for devices that need to receive large differential files. Through fine-grained scheduling, the overall upgrade time can be significantly shortened. When grouping, a random sorting strategy for device IDs can also be adopted to avoid the locating devices 103 in the same area being concentrated in the same group. Random grouping can disperse communication interference.

[0028] Preferably, the number of groups and the size of the upgrade window are dynamically adjusted based on the real-time network status, wherein: The real-time network status is obtained based on round-trip time (RTT) and packet loss rate. When the network status is determined to be congested, the number of packets in the batch is increased and the upgrade window interval is increased.

[0029] In embodiments of the present invention, base station 102 monitors the network status in real time before and during each batch of transmission. It determines whether to adjust the number of packets and the window interval based on thresholds for RTT and packet loss rate. These thresholds can be calculated and set based on empirical values ​​or models, and are not limited to these in this invention. For example, when RTT ≤ A1 and packet loss rate ≤ B1, the network status is considered smooth, and the upgrade proceeds according to the initial settings. When RTT is between A2 and A3 and packet loss rate is between B2 and B3, the network status is considered slightly congested, and the number of packets can be increased. When RTT > A3 and packet loss rate > B3, the network status is considered heavily congested, and the number of packets is further increased while the window interval is widened. By establishing a real-time linkage mechanism between network status and upgrade strategy, traffic is dispersed by splitting packets and extending intervals during congestion, while maintaining an efficient transmission rhythm during smooth operation. This adjustment mechanism can effectively reduce network congestion rate while ensuring upgrade throughput, achieving load-adaptive upgrades.

[0030] Preferably, the selective retransmission protocol is used to transmit the differential file within each upgrade window. Specifically, when the base station 102 sends the differential file to the tracking device 103 using the selective retransmission protocol, the differential file is divided into several sub-packets by blocks. The size of each sub-packet is less than or equal to the remaining storage space of the tracking device 103, and the tail of the sub-packet carries a digest tree for single-block verification. After the base station 102 broadcasts the sub-packet, if it does not receive an ACK feedback from the tracking device 103 within a preset time, it retransmits the sub-packet.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base station 102 fragments the FOTA packet into blocks, and the size of the sub-packet is determined according to the remaining storage space of the device. During actual transmission, data frame aggregation technology is used, which adapts to the module performance and reduces the number of fragments. This avoids device storage overflow due to excessively large single packets and can adapt to devices with different remaining space. At the same time, the digest tree at the end of the sub-packet implements block-level verification, which can accurately locate damaged sub-packets without retransmitting the full data, thus improving the verification and repair efficiency.

[0032] Furthermore, each sub-package has the following structure: sub-package sequence number + data block + digest tree + check digit.

[0033] Base station 102 uses a sliding window mechanism to manage sub-packet transmission. The specific process may include: Base station 102 broadcasts sub-packets to devices within the group; After receiving the data, the device performs a verification. If the verification is successful, it returns an ACK; otherwise, it returns a NACK. After receiving the ACK / NACK, base station 102 slides the window to the unacknowledged sub-packet; Repeat the steps until all sub-packets have been transmitted.

[0034] Preferably, the selective retransmission protocol is coupled with the power information, specifically: the base station 102 allocates the data block size and retransmission limit of the sub-packet according to the remaining power of the tracking device 103.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base station 102 dynamically adjusts the sub-packet data block size and retransmission limit based on the battery level reported by the device. When the device has sufficient battery power, it transmits data according to the standard data block size and sets a regular retransmission limit. When the device has low battery power, it reduces the data block size and sets a reduced retransmission limit. By dynamically adjusting the sub-packet data block size and retransmission limit, power-adaptive transmission optimization is achieved. Low-power devices use smaller sub-packets and fewer retransmissions to reduce energy consumption per transmission. High-power devices use standard parameters to ensure efficiency, avoiding disconnections of low-power devices or waiting times for high-power devices caused by a one-size-fits-all transmission approach. This coupling mechanism reduces battery life losses related to device upgrades and extends battery life.

[0036] Multiple object-finding devices 103, each of which includes a processing module for generating new firmware using the differential file.

[0037] Preferably, the object locator 103 uses differential data packets to generate new firmware, specifically: after receiving all the sub-packets, the object locator 103 performs verification based on the digest tree of the sub-packets, completes differential recovery locally, generates new firmware, and flashes it.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, after the locator 103 receives all sub-packets, the processing module performs differential recovery and writing, which may specifically include the following steps: Sub-packet verification and concatenation: The digest tree is verified sub-packet by sub-packet. If the verification of a sub-packet fails, a NACK is immediately sent to base station 102. After the verification passes, all sub-packets are concatenated into a complete patch according to their sequence numbers and stored in a temporary buffer. Differential recovery: Invokes the bspatch algorithm to execute the recovery command; Firmware verification: Calculate the MD5 value of the new firmware and compare it with the MD5 value in the FOTA packet metadata; if the verification passes, mark the recovery as successful, otherwise mark the verification as failed and report the result to base station 102. Firmware flashing: After verification, the flashing process is started, and the backup data is copied to the main firmware area through the Flash erase command; Reboot takes effect: After flashing is complete, the processing module sets the reboot flag and performs a soft reboot; after reboot, the bootloader detects the reboot flag and loads the new version of the main firmware.

[0039] In this process, the object locator 103 is only awakened during the upgrade phase and remains in sleep mode at other times, minimizing energy consumption. Unified verification after full data reception avoids the risk of firmware incompleteness caused by simultaneous transmission and flashing; the digest tree-based verification mechanism ensures data integrity, and differential recovery only processes the differences, improving flashing efficiency while reducing the probability of firmware corruption.

[0040] Preferably, to further improve the upgrade coverage, an error recovery unit is also included, which is used to send the upgrade results to the base station 102 by all the locating devices 103 in a batch after the upgrade window of all groups in a certain batch or all batches ends; wherein, the locating devices 103 that fail to upgrade also report the failure type, and the base station 102 creates a new batch for the locating devices 103 that fail to upgrade and performs the upgrade according to the different failure types.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base station 102 performs targeted recovery based on the failure types reported by the device. Failure types may include: sub-packet loss, verification failure, and insufficient battery power. Sub-packet loss is defined as failing to receive a complete sub-packet even after exceeding the retransmission limit; the recovery strategy is to retransmit the missing sub-packet. Verification failure is defined as a firmware MD5 mismatch after differential recovery; the recovery strategy is to retransmit the full differential packet. Insufficient battery power is defined as automatic interruption during the upgrade process due to battery power falling below the upgrade battery power threshold; the recovery strategy is to wait for the battery power to rise to the starting value before re-upgrading. The base station 102 statistically analyzes the different failure types reported by the device and creates new upgrade batches based on these types. The base station 102 creates new targeted upgrade batches, implementing precise strategies according to failure type; for sub-packet loss, only the missing portion is retransmitted; for insufficient battery power, the upgrade is postponed until charging is completed. This mechanism significantly shortens the upgrade time, improves the upgrade success rate, and reduces maintenance costs. Example

[0042] This embodiment uses a firmware upgrade scenario at a domestic express delivery station as an example. 1000 XY-F01 item-finding devices are deployed within the station. These devices are currently running firmware version V1.0 and need to be upgraded to V2.0. The devices communicate with the base station via the 2.4G protocol, and the management platform exchanges upgrade data with the base station via the HTTPS protocol. Figure 3 As shown, the upgrade process is as follows: The management platform generates a 51KB FOTA packet using differential calculation. The FOTA packet structure includes: Packet header: 0x55AA55AA + packet type (0x01 = differential upgrade) + version number (V2.0); Metadata area: contains patch information, SHA256 value, and upgrade timeout. Data area: patch binary data; Checksum: The overall SHA256 value of the FOTA packet.

[0043] The base station initiates a version broadcast. The broadcast frame structure is as follows: frame header (0xAA55) + base station ID (00:1B:44:11:3A:B7) + new firmware version (V2.0) + broadcast sequence number + checksum (CRC16). The broadcast strategy is as follows: the broadcast period is 100ms, lasting for 5 seconds, to ensure that all tracking devices within the coverage area can receive the broadcast. If there is no device response within 5 seconds, the broadcast will be repeated after an interval of 1 minute, with a maximum of 3 retries.

[0044] After receiving the broadcast frame, the item-finding device verifies the frame header and CRC16, immediately wakes up from sleep mode, collects its own status, and reports it to the base station. The reported data structure is: Device ID (XY-F01-0001 to XY-F01-1000) + Current Version + Battery Level (0-100%, calculated from the voltage detected by the TC118S) + Real-time Network Status (RTT; Packet Loss Rate). Reporting timing: Reporting is made within 100ms of receiving the broadcast. If reporting fails (no ACK), it retryes twice after a 50ms interval. If it still fails, it enters sleep mode, waiting for the next broadcast. In this embodiment, 1000 item-finding devices reported a total of 980 valid data entries within 5 seconds of the first broadcast (20 devices, having been upgraded to V2.0, reported a "No Upgrade Required" status).

[0045] In this embodiment, the differential file sizes of the devices to be upgraded are the same. Therefore, the base station divides them into three batches according to power priority: Batch G1: power ≥ 70%, number of devices 397, number of groups 10, set to upgrade immediately, window interval 1 minute; Batch G2: power 30%-69%, number of devices 486, number of groups 10, set to upgrade with a 5-minute delay, initial window interval 2 minutes; Batch G3: power < 30%, number of devices 97. Since the power of the devices in Batch G3 is lower than the upgrade power threshold, the devices re-enter sleep mode and trigger charging / battery replacement reminders.

[0046] Before and during each batch of transmission, the base station monitors the network status in real time. In this embodiment, the base station presets the following network status judgment thresholds: when RTT ≤ 100ms and packet loss rate ≤ 10%, the network status is judged as smooth and the upgrade is performed according to the initial settings; when RTT is between 101-200ms and packet loss rate is between 11-20%, the network status is judged as slightly congested and the number of packets can be increased by 20%; when RTT > 200ms and packet loss rate > 20%, the network status is judged as heavily congested and the number of packets is increased by 50%, while the window interval is increased by 50%.

[0047] For example, in batch G2, there were 10 groups, with approximately 48 units per group. The upgrade window interval was 2 minutes. The first group (G2-01) started transmission 5 minutes after the end of batch G1. During the transmission of group G2-01, the base station monitored the network status in real time: RTT=60ms, packet loss rate=8%, which was judged as "smooth" and the original configuration was maintained. During the transmission of group G2-05, due to the addition of a wireless barcode scanner to the 2.4G network in the station, the network status changed abruptly: RTT=250ms, packet loss rate=35%, which was judged as "severe congestion". The base station immediately implemented adjustments, splitting the remaining 5 groups into 8 groups, and adjusting the window interval to 3 minutes. After the adjustment, during the transmission of group G2-06, the RTT dropped to 120ms, the packet loss rate dropped to 12%, and it returned to "mild congestion".

[0048] The base station dynamically adjusts the sub-packet data block size and retransmission limit based on the battery level reported by the device. In this embodiment, the rules can be set as follows: when the device battery level is ≥80%, the data block size is 4KB, the retransmission limit is 5 times, and the timeout is 200ms; when the device battery level is 50-79%, the data block size is 4KB, the retransmission limit is 4 times, and the timeout is 150ms; when the device battery level is <50%, the data block size is 2KB, the retransmission limit is 3 times, and the timeout is 100ms.

[0049] After the upgrade is completed, the base station will perform targeted recovery based on the failure type reported by the item finding device. In this embodiment, after the equipment upgrade is completed, the base station summarizes the reported results of all batches of equipment: 950 devices succeeded, and 50 devices failed (Type 1 sub-packet loss: 30 devices, Type 2 verification failure: 5 devices, Type 3 insufficient power: 15 devices). The base station creates a supplementary upgrade batch G4 for the 50 failed devices, grouped by failure type: G4-01 (Type 1): 30 devices, 12 groups; G4-02 (Type 2): 5 devices, 1 group; G4-03 (Type 3): 15 devices, 1 group (started after a 30-minute delay). Among them, in G4-01 group: the base station queries the missing sub-packet sequence number of 30 devices and only retransmits the missing sub-packet; in G4-02 group: retransmits the full quantum packet; in G4-03 group: after 30 minutes, the power of 15 devices is checked, 12 devices rise to ≥30%, and the upgrade is performed; 3 devices are still <30%, a charging reminder is triggered, and the device is checked and upgraded again after 2 hours; recovery result: 48 devices in the G4 batch succeeded in the end, and the other 2 devices were marked as requiring manual intervention.

[0050] Compared to the traditional full upgrade mode, the firmware upgrade system of this invention significantly reduces data transmission volume, upgrade time, peak network traffic, device upgrade energy consumption, and packet loss rate through differential compression, dynamic packetization, and SR protocol optimization, thereby significantly improving the upgrade success rate.

[0051] like Figure 4As shown, in a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a firmware upgrade method for a locator based on differential incremental upgrades, applied to the aforementioned firmware upgrade system, comprising the following steps: The management platform generates a differential file for the new firmware version; The base station broadcasts the new firmware version number and receives the current version number, battery information and real-time network status reported by the item finding device; The base station assigns upgrade batches to the item-finding devices based on the version number and power information reported by the devices, sets the number of groups within each batch, and arranges an upgrade window for each group of item-finding devices. Within each upgrade window, the base station uses a selective retransmission protocol to transmit the differential file; The base station dynamically adjusts the number of packets and the size of the upgrade window based on the real-time network status, and couples the selective retransmission protocol with the power information; The object locator uses the differential file to generate new firmware through the processing module.

[0052] Furthermore, the base station allocates upgrade batches for the finding devices based on the version number and battery level information reported by the devices, sets the number of groups within each batch, and assigns an upgrade window for each group of finding devices, specifically: Filter the items that need to be upgraded based on the version number difference between the old and new firmware; Based on the battery information of the item finding device and the size of the differential file to be received, the item finding device is divided into upgrade batches, the number of groups of item finding devices within each batch is divided, and the size of the upgrade window for each group is set.

[0053] The specific process of the above method can be referred to the corresponding content disclosed in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0054] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A firmware upgrade system for a tracking device based on differential incremental upgrades, characterized in that, include: Management platform used to generate differential files for new firmware versions; Base stations, including: The communication unit is used to broadcast the new firmware version number and receive the current version number, battery information, and real-time network status reported by the item-finding device; the batch grouping scheduling unit is used to allocate upgrade batches to the item-finding device according to the version number and battery information reported by the item-finding device, set the number of groups in different batches, and arrange an upgrade window for each group of item-finding devices; the differential file transmission unit is used to transmit the differential file using a selective retransmission protocol within each upgrade window; and the dynamic parameter adjustment unit is used to dynamically adjust the number of groups and the size of the upgrade window based on the real-time network status, and to couple the selective retransmission protocol with the battery information. Multiple object-finding devices, each including a processing module for generating new firmware using the differential file.

2. The firmware upgrade system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process involves allocating upgrade batches for the locating devices based on their reported version number and battery level information, setting the number of groups within each batch, and assigning an upgrade window to each group of locating devices. Specifically: Filter the items that need to be upgraded based on the version number difference between the old and new firmware; Based on the battery information of the item finding device and the size of the differential file to be received, the item finding device is divided into upgrade batches, the number of groups of item finding devices within each batch is divided, and the size of the upgrade window for each group is set.

3. The firmware upgrade system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of packets and the size of the upgrade window are dynamically adjusted based on the real-time network status, wherein: The real-time network status is obtained based on round-trip time (RTT) and packet loss rate. When the network status is determined to be congested, the number of packets in the batch is increased and the upgrade window interval is increased.

4. The firmware upgrade system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Within each upgrade window, the differential file is transmitted using a selective retransmission protocol. Specifically, when the base station sends the differential file to the locator using the selective retransmission protocol, it divides the differential file into several sub-packets by blocks. The size of each sub-packet is less than or equal to the remaining storage space of the locator, and the end of the sub-packet carries a digest tree for single-block verification. After the base station broadcasts the sub-packet, if it does not receive an ACK feedback from the locator within a preset time, it retransmits the sub-packet.

5. The firmware upgrade system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The selective retransmission protocol is coupled with the power information, specifically: the base station allocates the data block size and retransmission limit of the sub-packet according to the remaining power of the locator.

6. The firmware upgrade system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The object locator uses differential data packets to generate new firmware. Specifically, after receiving all the sub-packets, the object locator performs verification based on the digest tree of the sub-packets, completes differential recovery locally, generates new firmware, and flashes it.

7. The firmware upgrade system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an error recovery unit, which is used to send the upgrade results to the base station by all the locating devices in a batch after the upgrade window of all groups in a certain batch or all batches has ended; wherein, the locating devices that fail to upgrade also report the failure type, and the base station creates a new batch for the locating devices that fail to upgrade and performs the upgrade according to the different failure types.

8. The firmware upgrade system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The management platform and the base station transmit the differential file using the HTTPS protocol, and the base station and the tracking device transmit the differential file using the 2.4G protocol or the Bluetooth protocol.

9. A firmware upgrade method for a target locator based on differential incremental upgrade, characterized in that, The firmware upgrade method is applied to the firmware upgrade system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and includes the following steps: The management platform generates a differential file for the new firmware version; The base station broadcasts the new firmware version number and receives the current version number, battery information and real-time network status reported by the item finding device; The base station assigns upgrade batches to the item-finding devices based on the version number and power information reported by the devices, sets the number of groups within each batch, and arranges an upgrade window for each group of item-finding devices. Within each upgrade window, the base station uses a selective retransmission protocol to transmit the differential file; The base station dynamically adjusts the number of packets and the size of the upgrade window based on the real-time network status, and couples the selective retransmission protocol with the power information; The object locator uses the differential file to generate new firmware through the processing module.

10. The firmware upgrade method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The base station assigns upgrade batches to the locating devices based on the version number and battery level information reported by the devices, sets the number of groups within each batch, and allocates an upgrade window for each group of locating devices, specifically as follows: Filter the items that need to be upgraded based on the version number difference between the old and new firmware; Based on the battery information of the item finding device and the size of the differential file to be received, the item finding device is divided into upgrade batches, the number of groups of item finding devices within each batch is divided, and the size of the upgrade window for each group is set.

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