RTC-Free Firmware Update via Charging Device Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices without a real-time clock (RTC) face challenges in scheduling firmware updates, as users cannot easily set update times and wake up the device for updates without external assistance.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device and charging device system where the charging device, equipped with an RTC, communicates with the electronic device to set a firmware update time and flag, allowing the electronic device to wake up and update its firmware at a predetermined time using firmware data received from a user terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electronic device does not include an RTC, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot easily set update times
Solution Approach 1:
The charging device serves as an intermediary that contains the RTC functionality. When the electronic device is placed on the charging device, the charging device's RTC enables time-based firmware update scheduling without requiring the electronic device itself to have an RTC, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The charging device is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only charges the electronic device but also provides RTC-based firmware update scheduling. This multi-functionality allows the RTC capability to be shared across multiple electronic devices without each device needing its own RTC
2Device complexity
If the electronic device does not include an RTC, then the device complexity is reduced, but the extent of automation deteriorates because firmware updates cannot be scheduled automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The charging device acts as an automated intermediary that monitors the set time using its RTC and automatically triggers firmware updates at the scheduled time without requiring user intervention or the electronic device to have its own time-keeping capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the charging device autonomously manages the firmware update process by detecting when the set time is reached and initiating the update procedure without needing continuous user input or complex electronic device infrastructure
3Reliability
If firmware update requires user input and wake-up, then the reliability of update timing is improved, but the loss of time increases due to user intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The user sets the firmware update time in advance through the user interface. The charging device stores this predetermined time and automatically executes the firmware update when the time is reached, eliminating the need for user presence or intervention at update time and reducing time loss
Data Source
AI summary
A firmware update method, an electronic device performing same, and a charging device are provided. An electronic device includes a battery, memory storing one or more computer programs, a communication module for establishing communication with a user terminal and a charging device, and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the battery, the memory, and the communication moule, wherein the one or more computer programs further include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to transmit, to the charging device via the communication module, a set time to initiate a firmware upgrade and a flag that causes firmware of at least one of the electronic device or the charging device to be updated at the set time, receive, via the communication module, the flag from the charging device at the set time, and update firmware of at least one of the electronic device or the charging device by using firmware data that is received from the user terminal according to the flag and stored in the memory.