Centralized Firmware Tracking for Intelligent Electronic Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) lack efficient systems and methods for tracking and upgrading firmware, leading to potential compatibility issues and outdated software that can affect their performance and compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a client device with a firmware tracking and update module that tracks firmware versions, identifies updates, and automatically updates IEDs, utilizing a server cache to store and retrieve new firmware versions while maintaining compatibility information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional IEDs are used without a centralized firmware tracking system, then device complexity is reduced, but firmware compatibility and reliability deteriorate due to outdated software and lack of coordinated updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that centralizes firmware tracking and management. The server maintains a database of firmware versions for multiple IEDs, allowing centralized coordination of updates without requiring complex peer-to-peer communication between devices. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by externalizing the complexity to a dedicated management system while ensuring firmware compatibility across the fleet.
Solution Approach 2:
The server implements a universal firmware tracking system that can manage multiple IEDs with different firmware requirements through a single platform. The system provides multi-functional capabilities including firmware version tracking, update coordination, and compatibility verification across diverse device types, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing individual device complexity.
2Extent of automation
If manual firmware update processes are used, then automation is reduced, but system complexity for implementing automated tracking is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service automated firmware update mechanism where the server autonomously tracks firmware versions across the IED fleet, identifies devices requiring updates, and coordinates the update process without manual intervention. The system automatically queries IEDs for their current firmware versions, compares them against the database, and initiates updates when needed, thereby high automation with managed complexity.
3Loss of information
If firmware updates are not tracked centrally, then loss of information about firmware versions occurs, but implementing tracking increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by maintaining a pre-established database of firmware versions and update information before updates are needed. This advance preparation allows the system to quickly identify which IEDs require updates without real-time complexity, as the tracking infrastructure is already in place to monitor and manage firmware information across the device fleet.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods for tracking and upgrading firmware in intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) are provided. The devices, systems and methods provide for tracking firmware versions of at least one or a fleet of IEDs, e.g., electronic power or revenue meters, notifying a user that an update to an existing firmware is available and providing the ability to automatically upload the current or latest version of the firmware to all IEDs.