Server Parking Lot Infrastructure for Vehicle Software Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Software updates for vehicles often fail due to unreliable mobile phone connections, especially in areas with poor network coverage, leading to incomplete or failed updates.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a communication connection between a server and a vehicle via the communication infrastructure of a parking lot, allowing for reliable software updates when the vehicle is stationary, utilizing a more robust and reliable communication network within the parking lot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile phone connection is used for software updates, then updates can be performed remotely, but communication may be interrupted due to poor network coverage or dead spots

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote software update capabilityVSAvoidcommunication connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a parking lot communication infrastructure as an intermediary system between the server and the vehicle. This infrastructure includes communication base stations deployed throughout the parking lot that provide a dedicated, stable communication channel for software updates, replacing the unreliable mobile phone connection while maintaining remote update capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the communication parameter from using public mobile phone networks to using a dedicated parking lot communication infrastructure. This parameter change includes switching to a controlled communication environment with guaranteed coverage, eliminating dead spots and interference issues associated with public networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If software updates are sent while the vehicle is moving, then updates can be performed during normal operation, but communication interruptions may occur due to vehicle movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate operation timing flexibilityVSAvoidupdate transmission stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by detecting when the vehicle enters the parking lot and automatically initiating the software update process before the vehicle leaves. The system prepares the update data, establishes the communication connection, and completes the transfer while the vehicle is stationary in the parking lot, ensuring reliable transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic action by continuously monitoring the vehicle's location and communication conditions. The system periodically checks whether the vehicle is in the parking lot and whether update conditions are met, triggering the update process at appropriate intervals rather than attempting continuous updates during vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If communication infrastructure is deployed throughout the parking lot, then reliable communication coverage is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidcommunication infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the parking lot communication infrastructure to serve multiple functions: providing communication coverage for software updates, enabling vehicle location tracking, and supporting other smart parking services. This multi-functionality justifies the infrastructure deployment by maximizing its utility beyond just software updates.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3269123B1Procedure for operating a server
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3269123B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a server, comprising the following steps: establishing a communication link between the server and a vehicle located in a parking place by means of a communication network, said communication network is established by means of a communication infrastructure of the parking place; checking via the communication link whether software stored on the processing device of the vehicle must be updated - sending the updated data for updating the software via the communication link, depending on the result of the check, to the vehicle by means of the server, such that the software can be updated, based on the updated data, whilst the vehicle is in the parking place. The invention also relates to a server, a parking system for vehicles and to a computer program.