Embedded Device Data Update via Auxiliary Serial Port

Solution Overview

Problem

Embedded electronic devices without wireless communication functionality or In-Circuit Emulator (ICE) interfaces face significant difficulties in updating their software or firmware, as they lack a user interface and require special reference boards for debugging and updating, making over-the-air updates challenging.

Innovation Solution

A data updating system and method that utilizes an auxiliary updating device connected via a serial transmission port to transmit periodic signals, allowing the embedded electronic device to switch modes and receive update data through the same port, enabling data updates without relying on wireless communication or ICE interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an embedded electronic device uses wireless communication for data updates, then update convenience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate convenienceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The serial transmission port is designed to perform multiple functions: normal data communication in normal mode and update data reception in special mode. This eliminates the need for separate wireless communication hardware while maintaining update capability, thus improving ease of operation without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

An auxiliary updating device is introduced as an intermediary to facilitate data updates. The auxiliary device communicates with the embedded electronic device through the existing serial transmission port, enabling update functionality without requiring the embedded device to have built-in wireless communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If an embedded electronic device uses a special reference board with ICE interface for updates, then update capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The update functionality is extracted from the embedded electronic device itself and transferred to an external auxiliary updating device. The embedded device only needs to support standard serial communication, while the complex update management functions are handled externally, reducing device complexity while maintaining update capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The embedded electronic device uses its own existing serial transmission port (designed for normal operation) to also handle update data reception. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate ICE interfaces or special reference boards, reducing manufacturing cost and device complexity while maintaining update capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If an embedded electronic device lacks wireless communication functionality, then device complexity is reduced, but update difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidupdate difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The serial transmission port is designed to perform multiple functions: normal data communication in normal mode and update data reception in special mode. This eliminates the need for separate wireless communication hardware while maintaining update capability, thus improving ease of operation without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

An auxiliary updating device is introduced as an intermediary to facilitate data updates. The auxiliary device communicates with the embedded electronic device through the existing serial transmission port, enabling update functionality without requiring the embedded device to have built-in wireless communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10977026B2Data updating system, embedded electronic device and data updating method

Publication Date: 2021.04.13 PEGATRON

AI summary

A data updating system, an embedded electronic device and a data updating method are provided. The data updating system includes the embedded electronic device and an auxiliary updating device. The embedded electronic device has a serial transmission port. The auxiliary updating device is coupled to the serial transmission port of the embedded electronic device. The embedded electronic device in a normal mode transmits a periodic signal to the auxiliary updating device through the serial transmission port, and the auxiliary updating device transmits status information to the embedded electronic device according to the periodic signal. If the status information is mode switching information, the embedded electronic device enters a special mode, and the embedded electronic device in the special mode receives update data from the auxiliary updating device through the serial transmission port to update internal data of the embedded electronic device.