Vehicle Head Unit Software Update Using Single Memory Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for software updates in vehicles, particularly for head units, often require the vehicle to be stationary for security reasons, which can disrupt operation and are energy-intensive, and typically require additional memory or physical separation of memory banks, making them costly and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a single data memory with logically separated memory areas to store and update software, allowing updates to be performed while the vehicle is in operation by switching access from a current software area to a secondary area, enabling updates during driving without interrupting vehicle operation and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If software updates are performed using a single data memory with logical separation, then device complexity is reduced and cost is decreased, but ensuring safe updates during vehicle operation becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The single data memory is logically segmented into first and second memory areas through a control device that manages access rights. This allows independent storage of current and updated software versions without physical duplication, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining update safety through controlled access switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the vehicle device and the data memory, managing access to different memory areas. It switches access from the first memory area to the second memory area during updates, ensuring safe transitions without direct vehicle device intervention, thus maintaining reliability with simplified memory structure.
2Reliability
If software updates are performed while the vehicle is stationary for security reasons, then update safety is improved, but vehicle operation is interrupted and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary actions by validating and preparing the updated software in the second memory area before switching access. This preliminary validation ensures update safety is maintained while allowing the switch to occur during vehicle operation, preventing interruptions and maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches access between the first and second memory areas based on update status. This dynamic access management allows updates to be performed during vehicle operation by temporarily redirecting access to the updated software in the second memory area, ensuring both safety and operational continuity.
3Reliability
If additional physical memory banks are used for software updates, then update reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple physical memory banks into a single data memory by implementing logical separation through the control device. The first and second memory areas are distinct logical regions within the same physical memory, eliminating the need for additional hardware while maintaining update reliability through controlled access switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The single data memory serves multiple functions by being accessible as different memory areas at different times. The control device enables the same physical memory to store both current and updated software versions, making it multi-functional and eliminating the need for dedicated separate memory banks, thus reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for processing a software update for at least one vehicle device, in particular for a head unit in the vehicle. The software update is stored by a control device in a second memory area which is different from a first memory area that has a software currently used by the vehicle device. The control device controls the access of the vehicle device to a single data memory, the data memory including at least the first and second memory areas.