Vehicle Gateway ECU Reprogramming via Remote Server Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for updating vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) are costly and inconvenient, requiring significant hardware resources and direct wired connections, limiting the adoption of Over-the-Air (OTA) programming in the automotive industry.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that generates a reprogramming file by extracting high-to-low level command conversions, converting high-level language diagnostic sequence commands into imperative language instructions, segmenting binary images into data blocks, and assembling them into Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS) stages, allowing for efficient OTA programming with reduced memory and CPU requirements, using a standardized specification language like Open Test sequence data eXchange (OTX) and Open Diagnostic Data Exchange (ODX).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vehicle gateway runs powerful operating systems with XML interpreters to execute ODX/OTX protocols, then diagnostic and programming functionality is improved, but FLASH and RAM memory requirements and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the XML interpretation functionality from the vehicle gateway and relocates it to an external server. The gateway only needs to communicate basic diagnostic messages, while the complex ODX/OTX script interpretation is performed remotely. This extraction eliminates the need for large XML interpreter binaries and associated memory structures in the gateway, reducing FLASH and RAM requirements while preserving full diagnostic and programming functionality through the remote server.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a vehicle gateway runs powerful operating systems with XML interpreters to execute ODX/OTX protocols, then diagnostic and programming functionality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex XML interpretation engine and operating system requirements are extracted from the gateway and placed on an external server. The gateway is simplified to perform only basic message routing and communication functions, dramatically reducing both hardware and software complexity while maintaining full diagnostic and programming capabilities through the remote server's processing power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary server that handles the complex ODX/OTX script interpretation and translation. This intermediary receives high-level diagnostic commands, translates them into appropriate communication sequences, and manages the interaction with the vehicle's ECUs, allowing the gateway itself to remain simple while achieving sophisticated diagnostic functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wired connections and diagnostic tools are used for ECU reprogramming, then programming capability is achieved, but convenience and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. Instead of requiring physical diagnostic cables and direct connections between tools and vehicle gateways, the system uses wireless networks (cellular, Wi-Fi, or other wireless protocols) to transmit diagnostic commands, software updates, and responses between the remote server and the vehicle, eliminating the need for physical tool connections and significantly improving convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the vehicle to receive and execute software updates autonomously through wireless communication. The gateway can receive update packages from the remote server, manage the installation process, and verify updates without requiring continuous human intervention or connection to external diagnostic equipment, allowing the vehicle to perform self-updates conveniently.
4Reliability
If dealers perform ECU updates at service centers, then software updates are installed, but vehicle owner time and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical presence requirement at dealer service centers with wireless communication capabilities. The vehicle can receive and process software updates remotely through wireless networks, eliminating the need for the vehicle owner to transport the vehicle to a dealer and wait for update installation, while maintaining reliable update deployment through the remote server's managed process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating a reprogramming file for reprogramming a target electronic control unit (ECU) in a target vehicle converts high-to-low level command conversions specific for the target ECU to generate Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS) operation transactions. The method converts high-level language diagnostic sequence commands into imperative language instructions that are compiled into binary code corresponding to handling routines. A binary image of the target ECU is segmented into a plurality of data blocks that are compiled along with respective the UDS operation transactions to provide a plurality of UDS stages. The plurality of UDS stages and the handling routines are assembled into the reprogramming file.