Staged Data Update System for Vehicle Module Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for updating vehicle modules are prone to errors, potentially damaging modules or vehicle systems due to incorrect or incomplete byte-level data transfer.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a user interface device and a programming device that stages and updates vehicle modules using staged data, ensuring data integrity through checksum verification and defined operations, and communicates via a wired or wireless connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If byte-level data is written directly to vehicle modules during updating, then the update process can be completed quickly, but the risk of module damage or system failure increases due to potential data corruption or incorrect data transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data update process into distinct phases: a staging phase where data is prepared and verified in advance, and an execution phase where the verified data is applied to the module. This segmentation allows for thorough data validation before application, preventing corruption while maintaining efficient update timing through pre-computed data structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating a staging area where update data is pre-processed, validated through checksums, and prepared in advance before being applied to the vehicle module. This preliminary verification ensures data integrity without delaying the actual update operation, as the verified data is ready for immediate application.
2Reliability
If comprehensive checksum verification and data validation processes are implemented, then data integrity and module safety are improved, but the complexity of the programming device and update process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a staging area as an intermediary component between the data source and the vehicle module. This staging area handles all complex verification operations including checksum calculations and data validation, acting as a buffer that simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing complexity in a dedicated component rather than distributing it throughout the entire programming device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms through checksum verification where the programming device calculates and compares checksums of the update data against expected values. This feedback loop provides automatic verification of data integrity without requiring complex manual validation processes, simplifying the device while ensuring reliability.
3Ease of operation
If data is transferred and written in a single operation, then the update process is simple and fast, but the risk of incomplete or corrupted data transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transfer operation into two distinct stages: data collection/staging and data application. During the staging phase, data is gathered and verified in its entirety; during the application phase, the verified data is written to the module in a single operation. This segmentation maintains simplicity from the user perspective while ensuring accuracy through pre-verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data collection and verification actions before the actual write operation. By pre-assembling and validating the complete data set in the staging area, the system ensures data transfer accuracy without requiring complex multi-step write operations, maintaining ease of operation while preventing corruption.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable memory for updating vehicle modules. For instance, a system may include: a user interface device configured to: receive and store a re-program file; and display a graphical user interface configured to receive a user input to initiate a re-program process for at least one onboard module of a vehicle. The system may also include a programming device configured to be physically and communicably coupled to an onboard port of the vehicle. The programming device may be configured to: receive, via a defined sequence of messages with the user interface device, and store, via defined operations with a local cache, mapping-and-byte data; re-program the at least one onboard module using the mapping-and-byte data; and in response to determining a checksum condition is satisfied, transmit a re-program success message to the user interface device.