Appliance Sub-Controller Communication for Secure Firmware Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic household appliances with networked control systems face complexity and cost inefficiencies in securely updating firmware and communicating with external administrative units, often requiring dedicated communication modules with non-volatile memory.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a selected internal control unit with a communication device that facilitates data communication with external administrative units without buffering, utilizing existing computing and storage capacities, and integrating a simple communication module for data exchange, such as through Ethernet, Bluetooth, or USB connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated communication module with non-volatile memory is used for secure firmware updates and data communication, then security and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the communication device functions with an existing internal control unit, merging data communication capabilities into a component that already has processing and memory capabilities. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated communication module while maintaining secure firmware update functionality through the controller's existing resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a control unit for appliance operations and as a communication device for data exchange with external administrative units. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating specialized single-purpose components.
2Reliability
If an independent communication module with its own controller and memory is implemented, then communication reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication device with an existing internal control unit, combining data communication capabilities with control functions. This integration reduces the total component count and simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need to produce and assemble separate communication modules with their own controllers and memory.
3Reliability
If buffering capacity is added to the communication device for data storage, then data communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The internal control unit utilizes its own existing memory resources to handle data communication buffering needs, making the communication device self-sufficient. The controller manages data transmission and reception using its inherent processing and storage capabilities without requiring additional dedicated buffering components.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic household appliance has a control system which has a plurality of internal control units and a communication network between the plurality of internal control units. A selected internal control unit of the plurality of internal control units contains a controller and is additionally provided with a communication device which is configured for data communication with at least one external administrative unit without intermediate storage of the data to be communicated. The controller of the selected internal control unit is also configured to control data communication between the at least one external administrative unit and the plurality of internal control units of the control system via the communication device.