Over-the-Air Microcontroller Flash Memory Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated systems for resource management, such as gas, water, and electricity metering, face inefficiencies in updating microcontroller firmware due to the need for on-site visits and lack of utilization of wireless communication networks for distributing updates.

Innovation Solution

Implementing over-the-air (OTA) microcontroller flash memory updates using a wireless network with a control node and device nodes that relay updates through a mesh network, allowing direct or indirect communication paths to ensure all nodes receive firmware updates efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If on-site hardware connection or optically isolated interface is used to update flash memory, then update reliability is improved, but update time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate reliabilityVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical on-site hardware connections with wireless communication (RF, Wi-Fi, cellular) to transmit firmware updates. This substitution eliminates the need for physical visits to device locations, reducing update time from days to hours while maintaining reliability through protocol-level error checking and acknowledgment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the update source and remote devices. The server manages firmware distribution, handles device authentication, and coordinates updates across multiple devices, enabling reliable over-the-air updates without requiring direct connection between the update source and each individual device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If on-site visiting each individual system device location is used to update firmware, then update accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases due to considerable time and expense

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate accuracyVSAvoidupdate productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual update operations into a single centralized firmware distribution process. The server can push updates to multiple devices simultaneously or sequentially without requiring separate human intervention for each device, thereby maintaining update accuracy through standardized protocols while dramatically improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables devices to automatically receive and install firmware updates without human intervention. Devices periodically check for updates, download them wirelessly, and self-install the firmware, eliminating the need for technicians to physically visit each location while ensuring accurate updates through automated verification processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If direct hardware connection is used for flash memory updates, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to need for physical access infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes existing wireless communication infrastructure (RF, Wi-Fi, cellular networks) that devices already possess for their primary functions. By repurposing these existing communication capabilities for firmware update transmission, the system avoids adding dedicated hardware update interfaces, thereby maintaining communication reliability while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of information

If on-site updating process is used, then firmware update completeness is improved, but loss of time increases due to inaccessible locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update completenessVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary actions including firmware validation before transmission, device authentication before update, and verification after update completion. These preliminary and follow-up actions ensure complete and accurate firmware updates are delivered to all devices including those in inaccessible locations, while the wireless nature of the system eliminates travel time constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8320302B2Over the air microcontroller flash memory updates

Publication Date: 2012.11.27 ELSTER ELECTRICITY LLC

AI summary

Techniques for over the air (OTA) microcontroller flash memory updates using a wireless network are disclosed herein. A control node first transmits the microcontroller flash memory update to all devices that can receive the message. Each packet of the message is relayed through multiple communication levels until all devices receive the packet. This starts with communications from the control node to each device node that has a direct communication path to the control node, which are referred to herein as “first level” device nodes. The first level device nodes then relay each communication to each other device node that has a direct communication path to the first level device nodes, which are referred to herein as “second level” device nodes. This process is repeated at each level of the wireless network until each of the plurality of device nodes has received the microcontroller flash memory update.