Vehicle Computer Emergency Maintenance via Supervision Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current maintenance processes for on-board computers in vehicles are hindered by the inability to automatically update variable application data during maintenance operations due to data being distributed across multiple locations, mixed with operational data, and continuously updated, leading to expensive manual operations and incompatibility with existing software update mechanisms like SOTA.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a supervision program with a buffer memory and flag to manage and update variable application data independently of running application programs, allowing external tools to read and write data without interrupting the system, using a correspondence table to ensure compatibility across software versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If variable application data is distributed across multiple memory locations and continuously updated by running application programs, then the system maintains operational functionality, but maintenance tools cannot automatically read and update this data without risk of data loss or inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a supervision program as an intermediary layer between maintenance tools and application programs. This supervisor manages a dedicated buffer memory that stores copies of variable application data, allowing maintenance tools to read and update data without directly accessing the running application programs. The supervisor ensures data consistency by coordinating access between maintenance operations and application execution, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining operational reliability and enabling ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the memory system into distinct areas: a dedicated buffer memory for variable application data accessible by maintenance tools, and the original distributed memory locations used by application programs. This segmentation allows independent access paths - maintenance tools operate on the buffer while application programs continue using their original memory locations, eliminating conflicts and enabling automatic maintenance operations without compromising data consistency.
2Ease of repair
If maintenance operations are performed on an on-board computer, then system maintenance is achieved, but manual operations are required to re-enter application data and bring vehicle components into consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The supervision program provides self-service functionality by automatically managing the buffer memory and coordinating between maintenance tools and application programs. When maintenance tools update data in the buffer, the supervisor automatically ensures this data is properly integrated with the running system, eliminating the need for manual data re-entry and component consistency adjustments. This automation significantly reduces maintenance time while improving accessibility.
3Productivity
If application programs continue to execute during maintenance operations, then the vehicle remains operational, but new data written by maintenance tools can be overwritten by running application programs
Solution Approach 1:
The supervision program acts as a mediator that manages data flow between the buffer memory and application programs. It ensures that data written by maintenance tools into the buffer is properly protected and transferred to the running system without being overwritten. The supervisor monitors and coordinates access, allowing application programs to continue executing while maintaining data integrity in the buffer, thus resolving the contradiction between system availability and data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the buffer memory structure and supervisor control mechanisms before maintenance operations begin. The supervisor proactively manages data protection and transfer operations, ensuring that maintenance data is secured before application programs can potentially overwrite it. This preliminary setup enables concurrent operation while protecting data integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system comprising a computer and software comprising a monitoring program and at least one functional application program, said at least one functional application program having read and written application data (DA.1, DA.x), said monitoring program having a buffer memory designed to receive application data (DA.1, DA.x) when a maintenance operation is carried out by a maintenance tool connected to the system while at least one functional application program is run by the computer, the monitoring program also comprising a predetermined table of correspondence establishing a correspondence between the site of each piece of application data (DA.1, DA.x) received in the buffer memory (DA.PANDA.buffer.x) and the corresponding addresses of said application data in a volatile memory, said application data (DA.1, DA.x) received in the buffer memory (DA.PANDA.buffer.x) of the monitoring program being organised in the sites of said buffer memory (DA.PANDA.buffer.x) according to the predetermined table of correspondence. The invention further relates to the corresponding maintenance method.