Vehicle Charging Control for User-Prioritized Software Updates

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing devices face inconvenience as they cannot simultaneously update software programs and charge a rechargeable battery, leading to unsatisfied user requests for either charging or software updates.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that includes execution circuitry to prioritize either charging power or software updates based on user input, allowing updates and charging to be performed in an order that reflects user preference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If charging is given priority and executed when software update is requested, then charging function is satisfied, but software update request cannot be satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging function satisfactionVSAvoidsoftware update request satisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the priority between charging and software update operations based on user input received at the time of conflict. The execution circuitry can switch between different operational modes (charging priority or update priority) depending on real-time user preferences, making the system adaptable rather than fixed in its behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates user feedback through input interfaces that allow users to express their preferences when both charging and software update are requested. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adjust its operation accordingly, ensuring that the user's immediate needs are met while maintaining the ability to handle both functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If software update is given priority and executed when charging is requested, then software update function is satisfied, but charging request cannot be satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update function satisfactionVSAvoidcharging request satisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the priority between charging and software update operations based on user input received at the time of conflict. The execution circuitry can switch between different operational modes (charging priority or update priority) depending on real-time user preferences, making the system adaptable rather than fixed in its behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates user feedback through input interfaces that allow users to express their preferences when both charging and software update are requested. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adjust its operation accordingly, ensuring that the user's immediate needs are met while maintaining the ability to handle both functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If charging and software update cannot be executed simultaneously, then system simplicity is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of user preferences through input interfaces before executing either charging or software update operations. By gathering user input in advance and making a determination based on that input, the system resolves the conflict before execution, maintaining simplicity in the execution logic while improving user convenience through preference-based decision making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4675422A1Information processing device, information processing method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.07 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

Figure 1
Figure 2

AI summary

Provided are an information processing device, an information processing method, and a storage medium. An execution circuit updates at least one software application stored in a storage circuit (14). The execution circuit controls charging power for a secondary battery (71) mounted to a vehicle (100). The at least one software application comprises at least one non-charging-time software application. The non-charging-time software application cannot be updated at the same time as charging the secondary battery (71). When an update of the non-charging-time software application has been requested, the execution circuit, on the basis of input information from a user, selects between the supply of charging power for the secondary battery (71) and the update of the non-charging-time software application, whichever is to be performed first.