Remote Embedded Device Update Platform for Proactive Diagnostics

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing embedded device update methods are often cumbersome and impractical, requiring physical intervention and lacking remote management capabilities, which hinders efficient software updates and diagnostics across connected devices.

Innovation Solution

The Remote Embedded Device Update Platform (REDUP) enables remote management of embedded devices through a cloud-based platform, utilizing a suite of client/server components for software and firmware updates, analytics, and diagnostics, allowing for real-time data collection and predictive analytics to identify and address issues proactively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical connection and manual updating is used, then update reliability is ensured, but device complexity and operational burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate reliabilityVSAvoidoperational burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables devices to automatically check for updates, download them, and install them without manual technician intervention. The update server autonomously manages the entire update process, including notifying devices of available updates and handling the installation workflow, thereby eliminating the need for physical connections and manual operations while maintaining reliable updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical update mechanism (technician physically connecting to devices) with an automated digital system. The update server communicates with devices over a network, automatically delivering updates and managing the process remotely, thus substituting manual physical operations with automated electronic communication and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If remote management capability is added, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote management capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The update server is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple functions: storing update information, communicating with numerous devices, managing update workflows, providing notifications, and coordinating installations. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single centralized system rather than distributing it across individual devices, making remote management feasible without significantly increasing device-level complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If automated update notification system is implemented, then productivity is improved, but loss of information may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate efficiencyVSAvoidupdate information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the update server sends notifications to devices about available updates, and devices respond by indicating their update status, download progress, and installation completion. This bidirectional communication ensures that update information is accurately transmitted and confirmed, preventing information loss while maintaining high update efficiency through automated workflows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3167598B1Remote embedded device update platform apparatuses, methods and systems
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 HARMAN CONNECTED SERVICES INC
  • EP3167598B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3167598B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3167598B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The Remote Embedded Device Update Platform Apparatuses, Methods and Systems ("REDUP") transforms telemetry inputs via REDUP components into remote embedded updates outputs. The REDUP may include a memory and processor with instructions to: obtain a remote embedded device connection request message from a remote embedded device and analyze the message to determine a version of embedded instructions on the remote embedded device. With that, the REDUP may determine if other remote embedded devices similar to the remote embedded device have provided request messages by searching a remote embedded device connection request message database. This allows the REDUP to determine if a potential issue requiring updates on the remote embedded device exists. With that, the REDUP may determine and provide an update for the remote embedded device.