Vehicle ECU Program Update Activation With Dual Parking Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic control systems for vehicles may erroneously recognize a vehicle as parked while it is traveling, leading to premature activation of updated programs, which cannot be activated under normal circumstances.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a dual detection mechanism, where a first detection unit determines if the vehicle is parked and only allows activation of the updated program when a second detection unit confirms the parking state, thereby preventing erroneous activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single detection unit is used to determine parking state for program activation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of program activation control deteriorates due to erroneous recognition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection unit structureVSAvoidprogram activation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection function is segmented into two independent detection units (first detection unit and second detection unit) that separately determine parking state. This segmentation allows cross-verification of detection results, preventing erroneous recognition while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control where the second detection unit verifies the parking state determination made by the first detection unit. The program activation is controlled based on feedback from both detection units, ensuring that activation only occurs when both confirm the vehicle is parked, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If program activation is allowed based on single detection result, then the activation speed is improved, but the measurement precision of parking state deteriorates due to noise and hacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram activation speedVSAvoidparking state detection
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The first detection unit performs preliminary determination of parking state before program activation. This preliminary action is followed by verification from the second detection unit, ensuring that the activation decision is based on verified information rather than potentially erroneous single detection results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by having the second detection unit verify and potentially counteract erroneous detection results from the first detection unit before program activation occurs. This prevents noise or hacking from causing premature or incorrect program activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4224313B1Vehicle electronic control system, and method for updating program used therein
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4224313B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4224313B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4224313B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Update data is acquired from an external instrument (10) to a master device (1), and the update data acquired to the master device (1) is written to a data storage side of a storage unit (201) included in an electronic control device (2) according to an instruction from the master device (1). After the update data is written to the data storage side, a first detection unit (102) is used to determine whether or not a vehicle is parked, and when a determination is made using the first detection unit (102) that the vehicle is parked, an instruction is given to the electronic control device (2) to activate a program stored in the data store side and rewritten with the update data. Then, when the program is activated according to the instruction to activate the program, a second detection unit (202) different from the first detection unit (102) is used to determine whether or not the vehicle is in a parking state, and when the second detection unit (202) is used to determine that the vehicle is in the parking state, the program is activated, thereby updating the program for the vehicle.