Vehicle OTA Incremental Upgrade Task File Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle software upgrade methods, particularly over-the-air (OTA) technologies, face challenges such as long upgrade times due to the need to upgrade the entire software, lack of incremental upgrade support, and unmanaged restarts which can lead to upgrade failures and poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating task files that compare firmware and application version information to create incremental upgrade packages, allowing for selective software updates, unified restart management, and conditional execution to ensure successful and efficient upgrades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complete firmware image is downloaded and installed to achieve complete upgrade of system function, then system function is improved, but upgrade time and network traffic are significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem functionVSAvoidupgrade time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the firmware update process into two distinct modes: complete firmware image installation for major system function upgrades, and incremental package installation for minor updates. This segmentation allows the system to choose the appropriate upgrade strategy based on the specific needs, thereby reducing unnecessary upgrade time and network traffic for minor updates while maintaining full functionality for major upgrades.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by introducing incremental packages that contain only the specific components that need to be updated, rather than installing the complete firmware image. This partial update approach significantly reduces the amount of data that needs to be downloaded and installed, thereby reducing upgrade time and network traffic consumption while still achieving the necessary system function improvements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Adaptability or versatility

If complete firmware image is downloaded and installed to achieve complete upgrade of system function, then system function is improved, but network traffic consumption is significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem functionVSAvoidnetwork traffic
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the firmware update mechanism into complete image installation and incremental package installation. This segmentation enables the system to transmit only the necessary incremental differences for minor updates, significantly reducing network traffic consumption compared to transmitting complete firmware images, while still achieving the required system function improvements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by transmitting and installing only the specific incremental components that need to be updated, rather than the complete firmware image. This approach minimizes network traffic consumption by sending only the essential data required for the update, thereby reducing energy loss in network transmission while maintaining system function adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If controller is restarted after upgrade to take effect, then upgrade is completed, but spontaneous restart may lead to failure of associated upgrade objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupgrade completionVSAvoidupgrade stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by collecting and analyzing restart requirements from all upgrade objects before executing the upgrade process. The system determines the optimal restart timing in advance, ensuring that restarts are coordinated to prevent conflicts and failures. This preliminary planning ensures reliable upgrade completion while maintaining upgrade stability by avoiding spontaneous, uncoordinated restarts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the upgrade process and restart status. Based on feedback from upgrade objects about their restart requirements and current system state, the system dynamically adjusts the restart timing and sequence. This feedback loop ensures that restarts are executed at appropriate moments, preventing failures while ensuring upgrade completion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4455867A1Vehicle software incremental upgrade method and system, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 CHONGQING CHANGAN TECH CO LTD
  • EP4455867A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4455867A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4455867A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A vehicle software incremental upgrade method and system and a vehicle are provided, belonging to the field of automotive networking technology. The vehicle software incremental upgrade method includes: collecting vehicle software version information and transmitting to an over-the-air technology (OTA) cloud, the vehicle software version information comprising firmware version information and application version information; receiving an upgrade task file issued by the OTA cloud based on the vehicle software version information; parsing the upgrade task file and generating an execution task file to be issued to the execution module; checking preset conditions, and downloading a software package or issuing the execution task when the preset conditions are met; receiving all the feedback task execution status and uploading to the OTA cloud. This method generates an upgrade task file according to the firmware version information and the application version information, generates the execution task file after parsing, also considering the firmware version information and application version information, and can realize the firmware upgrade and application software upgrade at the same time.