Centralized Communication Module Firmware Update
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for updating firmware in household appliances often result in incomplete updates due to interruptions, requiring on-site intervention by a service technician, and necessitate redundant memory for fault-tolerant updates across multiple sub-modules.
Innovation Solution
A communication module with a non-volatile memory for temporarily storing program update data, which retrieves and updates firmware for sub-modules via a WAN/WLAN/LAN connection, eliminating the need for redundant memory in sub-modules and ensuring error-free updates by using a central memory and an external communication partner like a server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If double memory is kept in each sub-module for fault-tolerant updates, then update reliability is improved, but memory overhead and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the update storage function from individual sub-modules to a central communication module. Instead of each sub-module having its own double memory, the communication module maintains a central memory that stores update data for multiple sub-modules, thereby reducing overall memory overhead while maintaining update reliability through centralized management
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a communication interface and as a centralized memory storage for update data. This universal design eliminates the need for dedicated double memory in each sub-module, reducing complexity while maintaining the ability to perform fault-tolerant updates across multiple sub-modules
2Reliability
If redundant memory is provided in sub-modules for fail-safe updates, then update safety is improved, but appliance construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the redundant storage function into the communication module rather than distributing it across sub-modules. The central memory in the communication module stores backup update data that can be deployed to any sub-module, achieving fail-safe updates without increasing the complexity of individual sub-module constructions
3Device complexity
If central memory is used for storing program update data, then memory overhead is reduced, but data retention during power interruption becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the communication module retrieves update data from an external server before storing it in the central memory. This intermediary approach ensures that the most current update data is always available in the central memory, and the system can recover from power interruptions by retrieving updated data from the server when power is restored
4Reliability
If sub-modules check module program on activation, then update verification is improved, but update speed and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the communication module retrieve and prepare update data in advance before the sub-module activation check occurs. The central memory in the communication module is pre-loaded with verified update data, so when a sub-module activates and requests an update, the data is already ready, eliminating the need for real-time verification during activation and speeding up the update process
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a communication module (100) for establishing a data connection with an updateable submodule (101-1, 101-2,..., 101-n), wherein the communication module (100) comprises a memory (103) for temporarily storing program update data for the updateable submodule (101-1, 101-2,..., 101-n) and a suitable submodule for this purpose.