Charger Firmware Updating Using Charging State Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current charger firmware cannot be updated, leading to potential safety hazards due to charging failures and faults, as it lacks the ability to detect and adapt to charging state information.

Innovation Solution

A firmware updating method where a charger sends charging state information to a terminal, which then receives program data from a cloud for updating the charger's firmware, allowing timely updates and adaptation to charging conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If charger firmware is fixed and cannot be updated, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to adapt to charging failures and faults

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging reliabilityVSAvoidfirmware update system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic firmware updating by allowing the charger's firmware to be updated remotely based on charging state information. The system transitions from a static firmware model to a dynamic one where firmware can be changed over time to adapt to different charging conditions and fix issues, thereby improving reliability without requiring physical intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback loop where charging state information is collected from the charger, transmitted to a server, and used to determine updated firmware. This feedback mechanism enables the system to learn from charging failures and faults, generate appropriate firmware updates, and push them back to the charger, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If charger firmware is updated based on charging state information, then adaptability improves, but loss of information increases due to transmission of charging data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirmware adaptabilityVSAvoidcharging data transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary charging state information from the complex charging process, focusing on critical parameters needed for firmware update decisions. By selecting and transmitting only essential data elements rather than complete charging logs, the system achieves adaptability while minimizing information loss and transmission overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of repair

If firmware update system is implemented, then ease of repair improves, but device complexity increases due to additional communication protocols

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirmware repairabilityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service firmware update mechanism where the charger can automatically receive and apply firmware updates without requiring physical disassembly or professional intervention. The system uses existing communication interfaces between the charger and terminal to transmit update information, enabling easy repair through automated remote updates while minimizing the need for additional complex communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4481559A1Firmware updating method and apparatus, firmware updating system, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4481559A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4481559A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4481559A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A firmware updating method includes: sending (11) first data to a terminal, wherein the first data includes charging state information of a charger during charging; receiving (12) second data sent by the terminal, wherein the second data includes program data determined based on the first data and configured for updating firmware of the charger; and updating (13) the firmware of the charger based on the second data.