Electronic Device Broadcast Upgrade to Reduce Multi-Device Update Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices require significant time for program upgrades due to inefficient data transmission methods, leading to decreased residual value and user dissatisfaction.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and method that utilize a main device to broadcast upgrade data to multiple devices in a sequential acknowledgment process, employing different communication units for efficient data transmission, such as Wi-Fi for the main device and asynchronous serial communication for secondary devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data for program upgrade is transmitted to multiple devices individually, then each device can receive the upgrade data, but the total time required for upgrading all devices increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupgrade data receptionVSAvoidupgrade time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the upgrade process into two distinct phases: a broadcasting phase where the main device transmits upgrade data to all secondary devices simultaneously, and an acknowledgment phase where secondary devices sequentially send receipt signals. This segmentation allows parallel data distribution while maintaining reliable confirmation, thereby reducing total upgrade time without sacrificing reception reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The main device performs preliminary action by storing and preparing the upgrade data before transmission. The broadcasting of upgrade data to all secondary devices occurs in advance of individual sequential transmissions, allowing all devices to receive the upgrade content simultaneously rather than waiting in sequence, thus significantly reducing the overall upgrade time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If a broadcasting manner is used to transmit upgrade data to multiple devices, then the transmission time is reduced, but coordination and acknowledgment management becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupgrade speedVSAvoidcommunication coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the functions of multiple secondary devices into a coordinated acknowledgment system where all devices send receipt signals to the main device. This consolidation allows the main device to manage a single centralized acknowledgment process rather than coordinating multiple individual transmissions, reducing communication complexity while maintaining high upgrade speed through broadcasting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4206550A1Upgradable electronic device and method for upgrading electronic device
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4206550A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4206550A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4206550A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An upgradable electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes: a first communication unit receiving data for upgrade from outside the electronic device; and a main controller receiving the data from the first communication unit to retransmit the data or to perform a predetermined function using the data, wherein the main controller transmits the data to a plurality of devices in a broadcasting manner and sequentially receives a receipt acknowledgment signal from the plurality of devices.