ECU Program Rewrite Resume Using Retry Point Flags

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) systems face inefficiencies in resuming program rewrite operations after suspension, leading to extended times for completing program updates due to the need to restart from the beginning of the process.

Innovation Solution

An electronic control unit with an update data receiving unit, program rewrite unit, first and second process flag setting units, and a retry point specifying unit that stores written update data and requests additional data from the vehicle master device to resume the program rewrite operation based on set flags, allowing for efficient resumption of the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the program rewrite operation restarts from the beginning after suspension, then the reliability of the rewrite process is maintained, but the time required to complete the rewrite operation increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverewrite process reliabilityVSAvoidrewrite operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by storing process flag information and written data amounts during the rewrite process before suspension occurs. When resuming, the system reads these pre-stored flags to determine the exact retry point, avoiding the need to restart from the beginning while maintaining process integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through process flags that continuously record the state of the rewrite operation. These flags provide feedback about the current position and status, enabling the system to resume accurately after suspension rather than restarting, thus reducing time loss while preserving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the ECU stores process flag information and written data amounts, then the ability to resume from the exact interruption point is improved, but the memory requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresume operation capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the rewrite process into distinct stages represented by process flags (first process flag, second process flag). This segmentation allows the system to track progress through discrete states without requiring complex continuous monitoring, simplifying the overall system structure while enabling precise resume capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces process flags as intermediary elements that mediate between the rewrite operation and the resume decision-making process. These flags serve as simple intermediaries that record state information without adding significant complexity, enabling the system to determine retry points efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the retry point is specified based on process flags and written data amounts, then the efficiency of the rewrite operation is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the correct retry point increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverewrite operation efficiencyVSAvoidretry point detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses process flags as feedback mechanisms that continuously report the state of the rewrite operation. These flags provide clear, measurable feedback about progress through different stages, making it easier to detect the correct retry point without increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or procedural methods for tracking rewrite progress with electronic flag-based indicators. This substitution simplifies the detection and measurement of retry points by using discrete electronic states rather than continuous physical monitoring, thereby improving efficiency without significantly increasing difficulty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11928459B2Electronic control unit, retry point specifying method and computer program product for specifying retry point

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 DENSO CORP

AI summary

An electronic control unit includes a first process flag setting unit that is configured to set a first process flag indicative of a progress of a first process that is one of a series of processes related to a program rewrite, a second process flag setting unit that is configured to set a second process flag indicative of a progress of a second process that is an other of the series of processes related to the program rewrite, and a retry point specifying unit that is configured to specify, based on the first process flag and the second process flag, a retry point for resuming the program rewrite when the program rewrite is suspended. The retry point specifying unit is further configured to store an amount of the update data that has been written until the program rewrite was suspended and request the vehicle master device to transfer the update data based on the stored amount of the update data when resuming the program rewrite.