Mobile Terminal Software Update System for Vehicle Control Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for updating software in motor vehicles are inefficient and lack secure, cost-effective methods for communicating and installing sequence controllers and control unit data, often requiring additional components and risking manipulation or falsification.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a mobile terminal with a software version transmission device that communicates with a vehicle-external download device via Internet protocols, allowing secure and cost-effective updating of sequence controllers and control unit data, including authentication checks and encryption, which can be performed using public key infrastructure (PKI) and leveraging the driver's domestic internet connection for faster and more secure updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional software update systems are used in motor vehicles, then software updates can be performed, but the systems are inefficient, costly, and require additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal is utilized for multiple purposes: it serves as both the driver's communication device and as the software update download and transfer device. The system leverages the mobile terminal's existing communication capabilities (Bluetooth, USB) to perform software update functions, eliminating the need for dedicated update hardware and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables software updates to be performed using the driver's own mobile terminal and internet connection, rather than requiring specialized service center equipment. The mobile terminal automatically downloads update data from external servers and transfers it to the vehicle's control units, making the update process self-service oriented
2Reliability
If traditional software update systems are used, then updates can be performed, but they lack security and are vulnerable to manipulation or falsification
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal acts as an intermediary device between the external download server and the vehicle's control units. It establishes secure communication channels, verifies data integrity, and manages the transfer process, thereby enhancing security without requiring complex authentication hardware in the vehicle itself
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements verification mechanisms where the mobile terminal receives software version messages, analyzes them to determine if updates are available, and confirms the integrity of downloaded data before installation. This feedback loop ensures that only authentic, unmanipulated update data is installed in the control units
3Productivity
If vehicle-based download systems are used, then software updates can be performed, but they are slow and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal serves as a high-speed intermediary that leverages the driver's domestic internet connection (which is typically much faster than vehicle-based connections) to download update data. The terminal then transfers the data to the vehicle's control units via Bluetooth or USB, achieving rapid updates without requiring complex vehicle-based communication infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the vehicle's limited communication infrastructure with the mobile terminal's advanced communication capabilities. By substituting the vehicle-based download mechanism with mobile terminal-based downloading using existing high-speed internet connections and wireless transfer protocols, the system achieves significantly faster update speeds
Data Source
AI summary
A system for using at least one mobile terminal in a motor vehicle, such as a passenger automobile or a two-wheeled vehicle in particular, having the at least one mobile terminal and a communication interface between the motor vehicle and the mobile terminal is provided. A software version transmission device transmits a software version message indicating which sequence controllers and/or control unit data are stored and/or installed in one or more control units of the motor vehicle. The software version message is analyzed to ascertain whether the vehicle-external download device has one or more current sequence controllers and/or control unit data ready for downloading, which are downloaded via a communication link and stored in the mobile terminal. An updating device stores and/or installs the sequence controllers and/or control unit data stored in the mobile terminal in the at least one affected control unit.