Vehicle ECU Update Client Switching Across Regions and Carriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle data communication systems face challenges in seamlessly updating electronic control units across multiple regions, as they need to adapt to different communication carriers and regions, leading to interruptions and inefficiencies in data communication.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle data communication device that wirelessly communicates with a center device, featuring a client selection unit that activates the appropriate communication client based on the region and communication carrier, enabling smooth data communication and update acquisition for electronic control units across regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single communication client is used for data communication, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different regions and communication carriers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication client structureVSAvoidregion and carrier adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication client is segmented into multiple specialized clients (first communication client for first region/carrier, second communication client for second region/carrier). Each client is optimized for specific regions and carriers, allowing the system to adapt to different communication environments without requiring a single complex client to handle all scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects and switches between different communication clients based on the current region and carrier. The controller activates the appropriate communication client according to the vehicle's location and available communication carriers, enabling flexible adaptation to changing communication environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If communication client switching is implemented across regions, then the adaptability to different regions improves, but the loss of time during switching increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregion adaptabilityVSAvoidswitching time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple communication clients for different regions and carriers before switching is needed. The controller is ready to activate the appropriate client based on region information, reducing the time required for switching by having clients pre-prepared and configured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system ensures continuous data communication by maintaining multiple communication clients in a ready state. When switching between regions, the transition is smoothed by having the target communication client already prepared, minimizing interruptions and maintaining continuous update acquisition for electronic control units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If multiple communication clients are maintained for different regions, then the reliability of data communication improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication client management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller acts as an intermediary that manages the selection and switching between multiple communication clients. It receives region information, determines the appropriate communication client, and activates the suitable client. This intermediary management simplifies the complexity by providing a centralized decision-making mechanism rather than requiring distributed client management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller serves multiple functions: it manages region information, selects appropriate communication carriers, activates corresponding communication clients, and ensures continuous data communication. This multi-functional approach consolidates the management of multiple clients into a single versatile component, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12236227B2Vehicle data communication device, center device, data communication method, and computer-readable non-transitory tangible storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A vehicle data communication device mounted in a vehicle having a plurality of ECUs. The vehicle data communication device wirelessly communicates data with a center device. The vehicle data communication device comprises: a plurality of communication clients each pairing with a respective one of a plurality of distribution servers included in the center device; a communication information acquisition unit acquiring information of a communication carrier and a region where the center device is located; a client storage unit storing the plurality of communication clients each of which corresponds to the corresponding one of the plurality of distribution servers; and a client selection unit (i) selecting one of the plurality of communication clients that corresponds to the communication carrier and the region that are specified by the information and (ii) activating the selected one of the plurality of communication clients to enable data communication with the corresponding distribution server.