Smartphone-Mediated ECU Firmware Updates via Cloud Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle manufacturers rely on long-range radios for firmware updates, including for the Engine Control Unit (ECU), which requires inconvenient delivery to a facility for short-range wireless updates, limiting efficient software management and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a cloud server and a smartphone app to manage software updates and data transmission via short-range wireless connections, prioritizing data and utilizing cellular or WiFi connections based on urgency and availability, allowing for efficient onboard firmware upgrades and vehicle data analytics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If short-range wireless connection or wire is used for firmware updates, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenient delivery to facility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable mobile device as an intermediary between the cloud server and the vehicle's short-range wireless system. The mobile device receives firmware updates via long-range wireless from the cloud server, then forwards them to the vehicle component through short-range wireless connection. This mediator approach allows the vehicle to benefit from both cloud-based update delivery and simple short-range wireless architecture without requiring complex integrated long-range radio systems.
2Ease of operation
If long-range radio is installed in vehicle, then ease of operation improves for remote updates, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the long-range wireless communication function from the vehicle system and relocates it to the portable mobile device. The vehicle retains only the simple short-range wireless radio, while the mobile device handles all long-range communications with the cloud server. This extraction eliminates the need for complex long-range radio hardware and software in the vehicle, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation for remote updates.
3Reliability
If manual process is performed at facility, then reliability improves for firmware updates, but loss of time increases due to delivery requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by preparing and validating firmware updates in advance through automated cloud-based processes. The portable mobile device can download and prepare update files before the user needs them, and the system can pre-validate compatibility and integrity. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming manual processes at facilities while maintaining reliability through automated validation checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical vehicle delivery to facilities with an automated wireless transmission system. Firmware updates are transmitted electronically through the cloud server and portable mobile device, substituting the mechanical delivery process. This substitution dramatically reduces update time while maintaining reliability through automated error checking and validation protocols.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an example, a system is provided and the system includes a motor vehicle component client, a server located in the cloud, and an application to be installed on a personal portable device, such as mobile phone or other portable, mobile electronic device. In some examples, the system enables efficient vehicle software updates to the Engine Control Unit (ECU), the head unit, or the like, or combinations thereof, and/or enables efficient wireless transmission of vehicle data analytics associated with diagnostic information, location information, or the like, or combinations thereof.