Computer implemented method for sending an OTA update

Abstract

A computer implemented method for sending an Over-The-Air update for a software program in a vehicle is described. The method comprises the following steps. An OTA update for a vehicle is initiated and a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters is send to a vehicle. After receiving information about these vehicle parameters from the vehicle, this information is analysed using statistical analysis or Artificial Intelligence, based on information about implementations of this or OTA updates in this or other vehicles and information about the vehicle parameters of these vehicles. Based on this analysis a completion probability is determined. Only when the estimated completion probability is above a pre-determined threshold, the update is sent to the vehicle from the back-end server and implemented in the vehicle.

Description

[0001] 202405737

[0002] 1

[0003] COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR SENDING AN OTA UPDATE

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Modern vehicles may be able to receive updates for a software program in these vehicles using wireless communication with a back-end server. This may be referred to as an Over-The-Air Update or OTA-update. The implementation or installation of such an update may not always be successful. In that case, after an unsuccessful implementation, the sending of the update to the vehicle may be considered as pointless. The objective of the invention is to minimise the sending of OTA-updates that will not be successfully implemented.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] The objective of the invention is met by providing a method according to claim 1 , a method according to claim 2, a back-end server according to claim 6 and a vehicle according to claim 7.

[0008] According to a first aspect, a computer implemented method in a back-end server for sending an OTA update for a software program in a vehicle is provided, the method comprising the steps of: initiating an OTA update for a vehicle; sending a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters to said vehicle; receiving information about said one or more vehicle parameters from said vehicle; analysing said information and determining a completion probability based on said analysis; and, sending an OTA update to said vehicle, only when said completion probability is above a pre-determined threshold, wherein said analysing comprises using statistical analysis or Al based on information about previous implementations of said update and / or other updates in said vehicle and / or other vehicles and information about the one or more vehicle parameters of these vehicles. 202405737

[0009] 2

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the initiating of an OTA update may comprise determining that an update is available for a software program in one or more vehicles. When such an update is available in the back-end server, the sending process of this update over the air may commence.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the initiating of an OTA update may comprise receiving a request from a vehicle for an update for a software program in that vehicle. When such an update is available in the back-end server, the sending process of this update over the air may commence.

[0012] As an advantage of the invention, the update will only be sent when there is a high probability that the update may be implemented or install completely (and thus successful). In order to achieve this, the current state of the vehicle may be compared with the state of other vehicles that have tried - successfully or unsuccessfully - to implement that update before. This comparison may be based on an analysis of one or more vehicle parameters that describe the states of the vehicles.

[0013] The current state of the vehicle may also be compared with the state of other vehicles that have tried - successfully or unsuccessfully - to implement another update before, preferably a similar update.

[0014] The current state of the vehicle may also be compared with a previous state of that vehicle when it has tried - successfully or unsuccessfully - to implement this or another update before.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention, the one or more vehicle parameters may comprise (or relate to) a battery level, a vehicle condition, a critical diagnostic flag, an environment condition, and / or a resource availability, wherein the critical diagnostic flag and / or the resource availability preferably relates to the components involved in the OTA update. 202405737

[0016] 3

[0017] Indeed, it may be the case that an almost empty battery may have prevented the successful implementation of the update in other vehicles. Likewise, when the components of the vehicle that should be involved in implementation of the update, are not available or have been diagnosed with a critical red flag, the implementation of the update may not have been successful in other vehicles.

[0018] Furthermore, it may be the case that certain combinations of values for these one or more vehicle parameters have also a negative influence on the probability of a complete (and thus successful) implementation of the update, for example a battery that is half full and the electrical component or unit that is using more power than it should.

[0019] To take into consideration many combinations of many values of many one or more vehicle parameters, the information about the one or more vehicle parameters of the vehicle that is to implement the update, may be analysed using Al (= artificial intelligence) or any other statistical method on the basis of large data sets comprising the information about the one or more vehicle parameters of that or other vehicles that have implemented or tried to implement this or other -similar - updates.

[0020] Based on this analysis, a completion probability is determined. The completion probability may indicate a probability that said update will be completely (and thus successfully) implemented in that specific vehicle, i.e. it is not the probability that a vehicle in general will be able to implement this update successfully.

[0021] According to the invention, the OTA update will only be sent to the vehicle when for that vehicle the probability of a complete implementation of the update is above a predetermined threshold. For example, the threshold may be pre-determined as 90% and the determined completion probability may be determined as 95%. In that case, the update will be sent to that vehicle.

[0022] In another embodiment, the method may further comprise the step of receiving (in the back-end server) information about an implementation of said OTA update from said vehicle. In one or more embodiment, this information indicates which update 202405737

[0023] 4 was received, whether the implementation was successful or not, and / or which error messages or codes were generated during or after the implementation.

[0024] In this way, the back-end server may collect more information about implementations of the update in many vehicles, which will result in a more accurate determination of the completion probability.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, a computer implemented method in a vehicle for an OTA update of a software program in said vehicle is provided, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters from a back-end server; sending information about said one or more vehicle parameters to said back-end server; receiving an OTA update from said back-end server; implementing said OTA update; and, sending information about said implementation to said back-end server.

[0026] In another aspect of the invention, a back-end server for sending an OTA update for a software program in a vehicle is provided, the server comprising a processing unit and a communication unit, wherein the processing unit is arranged for: initiating an OTA update for a vehicle; sending a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters to said vehicle using said communication unit; receiving information about said one or more vehicle parameters from said vehicle using said communication unit; analysing said information and determining a completion probability; and, sending an OTA update to said vehicle using said communication unit, only when said completion probability is above a pre-determined threshold, wherein said analysing comprises using statistical analysis or Al based on information about previous implementations of said and / or other OTA updates in said vehicle and / or other vehicles and information about one or more vehicle parameters of these vehicles. 202405737

[0027] 5

[0028] In a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle for implementing an OTA update for a software program in said vehicle is provided, the vehicle comprising a processing unit and a communication unit, wherein the processing unit is arranged for: receiving a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters from a back-end server using said communication unit; sending information about said one or more vehicle parameters to said back-end server using said communication unit; receiving an OTA update from said back-end server; implementing said OTA update; and, sending information about said implementation to said back-end server.

[0029] In yet another aspect of the invention, a computer program is provided, the program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method of any of claims 1 -5. Furthermore, a computer-readable medium is provided, the medium having stored thereon the computer program of claim 7.

[0030] The working, advantages and embodiments of the back-end server, the vehicle as well as the working, advantages, and embodiments of the computer program and computer-readable medium, correspond with the working, advantages and embodiments of the methods as described in this document, mutatis mutandis.

[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference in the following description is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of a back-end server and a vehicle according to one or more embodiments of the invention;

[0034] Figure 2 shows a schematic overview of a method in a back-end server for sending an OTA update for a software program in a vehicle according to one or more embodiments of the invention; and, 202405737

[0035] 6

[0036] Figure 3 shows a schematic overview of a method in a vehicle for implementing an OTA update for a software program according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of a back-end server 200 and a vehicle 100 according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Back-end server 200 may comprise a processing unit 210 and a communication unit 220. The vehicle 100 may comprise a processing unit 110 and a communication unit 120. In one or more embodiments, the vehicle 100 may be a car, a motorbike, a van, a truck, a bicycle or a scooter.

[0039] The communication unit 220 of the back-end server 200 may be connected, directly or indirectly, with wireless network 300. An update for a software program in vehicle 100 may be stored in the back-end server 200. The update may be sent to the vehicle 100 over-the-air using the wireless network 300. In one or more embodiments the wireless network 300 may be a cellular wireless network or a WLAN-based network.

[0040] The processor 210 of the back-end server 200 may initiate an OTA update for the vehicle 100 by determining that on back-end server 200 an update is available for a software program in vehicle 100. Using its communication unit 220, and preferably the wireless network 300, the processor 210 send a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters to vehicle 100.

[0041] Vehicle 100 receives this request using its communication unit 120. The processing unit 110 of the vehicle 100 may in response to this request collect information about the vehicle parameters in vehicle 100. The processing unit 110 may send this information using its communication unit 120 and preferably wireless network 300 to the back-end server 200.

[0042] The information about the one or more vehicle parameters may relate to a battery level, a vehicle condition, a critical diagnostic flag, an environment condition, and / or 202405737

[0043] 7 a resource availability, wherein the critical diagnostic flag and / or the resource availability preferably relates to the components involved in the OTA update.

[0044] Using its communication unit 220, the back-end server 200 may receive the information about these one or more vehicle parameters from vehicle 100 and from other vehicles that have also received and tried to implement this update or other, preferably similar, updates. Furthermore, the back-end server may have also received information about the implementation of these updates from these other vehicles, e.g. whether the implementation was successful or not.

[0045] The processing unit 210 is further arranged for analysing information about the one or more vehicle parameters from vehicle 100 and determining a completion probability based on this analysis. This completion probability may be determined using statistical analysis or Al based information about previous implementations of said and / or other OTA updates in said vehicle and / or other vehicles and the information about the one or more vehicle parameters from these vehicles.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the processor unit 210 is further arranged for comparing the determined completion probability with a predetermined threshold and for sending the update to vehicle 100 using its communication unit 220 only when the completion probability is above this pre-determined threshold.

[0047] Figure 2 shows a schematic overview of a method 400 in a back-end server 200 for sending an OTA update for a software program in a vehicle 100 according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0048] The method 400 comprises the steps of

[0049] 410 initiating an OTA update for a vehicle 100;

[0050] 420 sending a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters to said vehicle 100;

[0051] 430 receiving information about said one or more vehicle parameters from said vehicle 100; 202405737

[0052] 8

[0053] 440 analysing said information and determining a completion probability based on said analysis, wherein said analysing comprises using statistical analysis or Al on the basis of information about implementations of said and / or other OTA updates in said vehicle and / or other vehicles and information about the one or more vehicle parameters of these vehicles; and,

[0054] 450 sending an OTA update to said vehicle, only when said completion probability is above a pre-determined threshold.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the method may further comprise step:

[0056] 460 receiving information about an implementation of said OTA update from said vehicle 100.

[0057] Figure 3 shows a schematic overview of a method 500 in a vehicle 100 for implementing an OTA update for a software program according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0058] The method 500 comprises the steps of:

[0059] 510 receiving a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters from a back-end server;

[0060] 520 sending information about said one or more vehicle parameters to said back-end server;

[0061] 530 receiving an OTA update from said back-end server;

[0062] 540 implementing said OTA update; and,

[0063] 550 sending information about said implementation to said back-end server.

[0064] Also provided, but not depicted in the figures, is a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of any of the methods described in this document. Furthermore, a computer-readable medium is provided but not depicted in the figures, the medium having stored thereon this computer program.

[0065] Those of skill will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments 202405737

[0066] 9 disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer a software program, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and a software program, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or a software program depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those of skill in the art may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

[0067] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0068] The benefits and advantages that may be provided by the present invention have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variations thereof, are intended to be interpreted as non-exclusively including the elements or limitations which follow those terms. Accordingly, a system, method, or other embodiment that comprises a set of elements is not limited to only those elements and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to the claimed embodiment.

[0069] While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, 202405737

[0070] 10 modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention as detailed within the following claims.

Claims

20240573711CLAIMS1 . Computer implemented method in a back-end server for sending an OTA update for a software program in a vehicle, comprising the steps of: initiating an OTA update for a vehicle; sending a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters to said vehicle; receiving information about said one or more vehicle parameters from said vehicle; analysing said information and determining a completion probability based on this analysis; and, sending an OTA update to said vehicle, only when said completion probability is above a pre-determined threshold, wherein said analysing comprises using statistical analysis or Al based on information about previous implementations of said and / or other OTA updates in said vehicle and / or other vehicles and information about the one or more vehicle parameters of these vehicles.

2. Computer implemented method in a vehicle for an OTA update of a software program in said vehicle, comprising the steps of: receiving a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters from a back-end server; sending information about said one or more vehicle parameters to said back-end server; receiving an OTA update from said back-end server; implementing said OTA update; and, sending information about said implementation to said back-end server.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said one or more vehicle parameters comprise a battery level, a vehicle condition, a critical diagnostic flag, an environment condition, and / or a resource availability, wherein the critical diagnostic flag and / or the resource availability preferably relates to the components involved in the OTA update.202405737124. Method according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein said completion probability indicates a probability that said update is completely implemented, or more specifically is completely implemented in a safe condition without damage to the vehicle.

5. Method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving information about an implementation of said OTA update from said vehicle.

6. A back-end server for sending an OTA update for a software program in a vehicle, the server comprising a processing unit and a communication unit, wherein the processing unit is arranged for: initiating an OTA update for a vehicle; sending a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters to said vehicle using said communication unit; receiving information about said one or more vehicle parameters from said vehicle using said communication unit; analysing said information and determining a completion probability based on this analysis; and, sending an OTA update to said vehicle using said communication unit, only when said completion probability is above a pre-determined threshold, wherein said analysing comprises using statistical analysis or Al based on information about previous implementations of said and / or other OTA updates in said vehicle and / or other vehicles and information about the one or more vehicle parameters of these vehicles.

7. A vehicle for implementing an OTA update for a software program in said vehicle, the vehicle comprising a processing unit and a communication unit, wherein the processing unit is arranged for: receiving a request for information about one or more vehicle parameters from a back-end server using said communication unit; sending information about said one or more vehicle parameters to said back-end server using said communication unit;20240573713 receiving an OTA update from said back-end server; implementing said OTA update; and, sending information about said implementation to said back-end server.

8. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method of any of claims 1 -5.

9. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer program of claim 8.

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