In-Vehicle Program Rewriting via Segmented Controller Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for updating in-vehicle programs in construction machines, such as excavators, are inefficient due to long update times, risks of incomplete updates, and reduced work efficiency caused by unstable external communication, which can lead to extended downtime and potential malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle program rewriting device with a communication area for receiving updates from an external server and a normal control area for vehicle operations, connected via an internal communication unit, allows for conditional program updates only when the vehicle is stopped, ensuring reliable and swift updates by transferring and verifying the update program using a controller-mounted system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If data transmission from the server and rewriting of the program are directly and continuously performed on the on-board controller, then the update process is simplified, but the updating time becomes very long and communication stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the controller into two separate areas: a communication area for receiving and storing update programs, and a normal control area for executing the updated program. This segmentation allows the update program to be downloaded and stored separately before being transferred to the control area, thereby reducing the time the external communication means must remain active and improving communication stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The update program is downloaded and stored in the communication area before the actual updating process begins. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare the update data in advance, reducing the time required during the critical updating phase and minimizing the period when communication stability is at risk.
2Device complexity
If data transmission from the server and rewriting of the program are directly and continuously performed on the on-board controller, then the update process is simplified, but communication stability deteriorates due to long use of external communication means
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the controller into communication area and normal control area, the patent separates the data reception function from the program execution function. This allows the external communication means to be used only for downloading the update program to the communication area, after which the stable internal communication bus transfers the data to the normal control area, thereby improving communication stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication area acts as an intermediary buffer between the external server and the normal control area. It temporarily stores the downloaded update program and facilitates its transfer to the control area through the internal communication unit, reducing the time external communication means must remain active and improving overall communication stability.
3Reliability
If updating is aborted when rewriting has not been completed within a set time period and the program is written again into the pre-update current program, then system reliability is maintained, but the binding time extends further worsening work efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the update program storage and execution into different areas. The update program is downloaded to the communication area first, then transferred to the normal control area for execution. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability by having a backup current program while reducing binding time, as the update process can proceed more efficiently with dedicated storage and transfer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The update program is downloaded and verified in the communication area before being transferred to the normal control area for execution. This preliminary verification ensures that only valid update programs are installed, maintaining system reliability while reducing the need for time-consuming rollback procedures and extending binding time.
4Productivity
If the time required for updating the program is reduced, then work efficiency improves, but the risk of incomplete updating due to hung-up or abnormal communication increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the controller into communication area and normal control area, the patent enables a two-stage update process: downloading to communication area followed by transfer to control area. This segmentation reduces the time the system must remain in update mode while maintaining reliability through separate verification steps at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The update program is downloaded and stored in the communication area before the actual updating begins. This preliminary action allows verification of the downloaded data integrity before committing to the update, ensuring reliable completion while minimizing the time the system is non-operational.
Solution Approach 3:
The system includes verification mechanisms that check the downloaded update program in the communication area before transfer, and verify the transfer completion before executing the update. This feedback mechanism ensures update completion reliability while maintaining efficient timing by only proceeding when verification succeeds.
Data Source
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AI summary
A program is reliably rewritten within a short period of time to improve work efficiency. A controller includes a communication controller (2) having a communication area and a normal control controller (3) having a normal control area, and is provided in a vehicle. The controller stores an update program, which is transferred via an external communication means (N) from an external server (1) to a vehicle, in the communication controller (2). If it is determined, based on manipulation of a key switch (13) to a stop position, that updating can be performed, the controller transfers the update program stored in the communication controller (2) to the normal control controller (3) and performs rewriting.