Machine Unit Software Update via Standard Memory Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for updating or upgrading software in automotive shop machines are complex and often require professional assistance, and there is a lack of efficient mechanisms for collecting and transferring operational data back to manufacturers without service personnel or specialized connections.
Innovation Solution
A method involving connecting a data storage device to the machine unit to check for older software versions, downloading updates or upgrades automatically or upon user request, and using a separate storage device to collect and store operational data, which can be exchanged or transferred for further use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software updates are performed using traditional methods requiring service personnel and specialized equipment, then update reliability is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The machine unit performs software updates autonomously by detecting the presence of a data storage device, checking for newer software versions, and automatically downloading and installing updates without requiring service personnel or specialized equipment. The system serves itself by managing the entire update process internally.
Solution Approach 2:
A standard data storage device serves as an intermediary carrier for transferring software updates to the machine unit. This intermediary enables reliable software updates using common, easily obtainable equipment rather than requiring specialized service tools.
2Loss of information
If operational data is collected and stored locally in the machine unit, then data availability is improved, but data loss risk increases without external transfer capability
Solution Approach 1:
Operational data is extracted from the machine unit's internal memory and transferred to an external data storage device. This extraction enables data backup and external storage, preventing data loss while using a simple, standard interface rather than a complex specialized transfer mechanism.
3Manufacturing precision
If specialized service equipment is used for software updates and data collection, then update precision is improved, but cost and accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standard, inexpensive data storage devices that are widely available and can be easily replaced or updated. These common devices replace expensive specialized service equipment, maintaining sufficient update precision while dramatically improving accessibility and reducing costs.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
Figure 3c
AI summary
An update/upgrade concept which regards a convenient procedure for making updates or upgrades of control software and/or configuration data available to microcontroller-based hardware of machine units in the field without requirement of special tools and experience. In particular, by use of a standard memory device as known in the field of digital cameras, mp3-players whatsoever, together with a procedure which detects an available update/upgrade stored on such memory device and performs a respective download of the update/upgrade data to the respective microcontroller-based hardware, if applicable. An additional or optional aspect relates to collecting of operational data during operation of a machine unit in the field, which operational data can be transferred/carried back to the manufacturer of the machine unit for research and development purposes as well as for quality control, also a tracking of machine units through their lifetime is made possible thereby.