FOTA Upgrade Package Generation Reducing Download Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) upgrade methods generate large difference files only for files with the same filename, leading to increased package volume and download time for files with different filenames but similar contents.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines if files with the same or similar filenames exist between old and new software versions, generating difference files for similar files and adding whole files for non-matching files, reducing the FOTA upgrade package size and download time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the whole file is added to the FOTA upgrade package for files with different filenames but similar contents, then the completeness of the upgrade package is ensured, but the volume of the FOTA upgrade package increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of upgrade packageVSAvoidvolume of FOTA upgrade package
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the file comparison process into two distinct paths: one for files with identical filenames (generating difference files) and one for files with different filenames (potentially generating difference files through similarity detection). This segmentation allows the system to apply different strategies to different file types, optimizing the overall upgrade package size while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of file identification from relying solely on filename matching to including content-based similarity detection. By introducing content similarity as an additional parameter, the system can identify files with different filenames but similar contents and generate appropriate difference files, thereby reducing the upgrade package volume without compromising completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the whole file is added to the FOTA upgrade package for files with different filenames, then the upgrade completeness is maintained, but the download time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupgrade completenessVSAvoiddownload time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the file processing into different categories based on filename matching results. For files with different filenames, it further segments them into those with similar contents (where difference files can be generated) and those without (where whole files must be included). This segmentation enables targeted optimization of download size and time while maintaining upgrade completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces content similarity as an additional parameter for file matching beyond filename comparison. This parameter change enables the system to identify files with different filenames but similar contents, generate difference files for them, and thereby reduce download time and data consumption while maintaining upgrade completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If only files with the same filename are used for difference file generation, then the processing complexity is reduced, but the upgrade package volume increases for files with different filenames but similar contents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidupgrade package volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first checking filename similarity before proceeding to content-based similarity detection. This two-stage approach allows the system to quickly identify obvious matches through filename comparison, and only perform the more complex content analysis when necessary, thereby managing processing complexity while reducing upgrade package volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the file matching parameters from simple filename comparison to include content-based similarity detection. This parameter expansion allows the system to identify files with different filenames but similar contents, generate difference files for them, and reduce the overall upgrade package volume while managing processing complexity through a structured two-stage approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3021218B1Upgrade packet generation method, server, software upgrade method, and mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 HUIZHOU TCL MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3021218B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3021218B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3021218B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of generating a Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) upgrade package is disclosed, comprising: determining whether a file having a same filename as a file in a software package of a new version exists in a software package of an old version; if a file having a same filename does not exist, continuing to determine whether a file similar to the file in the software package of the new version exists in the software package of the old version; and if there is a similar file, generating a difference file between the file in the software package of the old version and the file in the software package of the new version and adding the difference file into the FOTA upgrade package, and if a similar file does not exist, adding the file in the software package of the new version into the FOTA upgrade package. An FOTA upgrading method, a server, and a mobile terminal are also disclosed, which can reduce the volume of the FOTA upgrade package so as to reduce the traffic and time taken to download the FOTA upgrade package.