Unified Distribution Package for Vehicle Software Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software update methods for electronic control units in vehicles require two distinct distribution packages, one for wired updates and another for over-the-air (OTA) updates, leading to inefficiencies in package generation and management.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that generates a unified distribution package containing update data, external device information, and OTA master information, allowing both wired and OTA updates to reference the same package, with identification information determining which information to use, enabling efficient software updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate distribution packages are created (one for wired updates and one for OTA updates), then both update methods can be supported, but the complexity of package generation and management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the previously separate wired update package and OTA update package into a single unified distribution package. This package contains all necessary update data and includes identification information that enables both wired external devices and OTA masters to correctly interpret and use the update data according to their respective communication methods, thereby reducing package management complexity while maintaining compatibility with both update methods
Solution Approach 2:
The unified distribution package is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be used for both wired updates via external devices and wireless OTA updates via OTA masters. The package includes universal update data structures and identification information that allow the same package to be properly processed by different types of update systems, eliminating the need to create separate specialized packages
2Reliability
If separate distribution packages are generated for wired and OTA updates, then each package can be optimized for its specific method, but the time and resources required for package generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unified distribution package is prepared in advance with all necessary update data and identification information structured in a way that anticipates both wired and OTA update scenarios. By pre-organizing the package with universal structures and appropriate identification markers, the system eliminates the need for separate package generation processes, reducing the time and resources required while maintaining method-specific optimization
Data Source
AI summary
A center configured to communicate with an OTA master configured to control software update for an electronic control unit mounted on a vehicle, the center comprising includes one or more processors configured to generate a distribution package including update data of software of a target electronic control unit, first information, and second information. The first information is referenced by an external device connected to the vehicle by wire when the external device updates the software of the target electronic control unit via an in-vehicle network. The second information is referenced by the OTA master wirelessly connected to the center when the OTA master updates the software of the target electronic control unit via the in-vehicle network. The one or more processors are configured to transmit the distribution package to the OTA master based on a request from the OTA master.