Storage-Aware In-Vehicle OTA Updates Using Compressed Data Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software update systems face challenges in efficiently managing storage space for updating programs in vehicles, leading to potential shortages and incomplete updates due to varying available storage sizes in in-vehicle devices.
Innovation Solution
A software update apparatus that includes a communication module, storage section, and control section to manage and optimize the download and installation of update data based on the available storage size of both the apparatus and individual in-vehicle devices, using compression and division strategies to ensure data fits within available space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If update programs are collectively downloaded and stored in a shared storage section, then update efficiency is improved, but storage availability deteriorates when free space is small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the update process into two distinct phases: (1) collective download and storage of compressed update programs in the shared storage section of the software update apparatus, and (2) individual decompression and installation in each in-vehicle device. This segmentation allows the bulk storage burden to be borne by the apparatus with larger storage capacity, while individual devices only need to accommodate decompressed update programs temporarily during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nesting by storing compressed update programs (smaller size) in the shared storage section of the software update apparatus, which are then decompressed and installed in individual in-vehicle devices. The compressed format acts as a nested container that reduces storage requirements during the download phase, while the decompressed format is used only when actually needed for installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If update data is compressed and divided to fit storage space, then storage compatibility is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compression and division operations from the individual in-vehicle devices and centralizes them in the software update apparatus. The master control unit of the apparatus performs the compression and division of update programs before transmission, while the in-vehicle devices simply receive and decompress the data. This extraction reduces the processing burden and complexity of individual devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The software update apparatus acts as an intermediary between the update source and individual in-vehicle devices. It performs the complex operations of compression, division, and coordination, while individual devices only need to execute simple receive-decompress-install sequences. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing complexity in a dedicated control unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A master includes: a communication module configured to request a download of update data from a center; a first storage device configured to store the update data obtained by the download; and one or more processors configured to at a time of execution of the download, check at least one of a free space size of the first storage device or a free space size of a second storage device of each of one or more update-target in-vehicle devices among a plurality of in-vehicle devices connected through an in-vehicle network, and perform control such that, based on the update data, update software is installed, or installed and activated, in the one or more update-target in-vehicle devices, wherein the communication module is configured to request the download of the update data from the center based on the free space size.