Motor Vehicle Computer Reprogramming via Memory Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle computers face limitations in simultaneous read and write access capacity of flash memories, making it difficult to reprogram software due to limited RAM capacity, which is necessary to keep costs low.

Innovation Solution

The method involves dividing reprogramming software into two sets, where only the components requiring simultaneous execution with memory modification are copied into RAM, while others are executed from non-volatile memory, using a task sequencer with standard and reprogramming modes to manage these operations, reducing the need for simultaneous access to flash memory.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If reprogramming software is executed directly from flash memory to modify application software, then no additional RAM is required, but simultaneous read and write access to flash memory is required which exceeds current flash memory capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRAM memory capacityVSAvoidsimultaneous read and write access capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reprogramming software is divided into multiple segments: a first segment containing critical routines that require simultaneous execution with flash modification operations, and a second segment containing non-critical routines. Only the first segment is copied to RAM during reprogramming, minimizing RAM requirements while ensuring proper access control to flash memory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated reprogramming microcontroller unit acts as an intermediary between the host computer and the flash memory. This intermediary manages all read and write operations to flash memory, coordinating access timing and preventing simultaneous conflicting operations, thereby resolving the access capacity limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If all reprogramming software is copied to RAM memory before execution, then simultaneous read and write access to flash memory is avoided, but RAM memory capacity requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflash memory access controlVSAvoidRAM memory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The reprogramming software is segmented into critical and non-critical portions. Only the critical first segment requiring simultaneous execution with flash modification is copied to RAM, while the non-critical second segment remains in flash memory and is executed from there, significantly reducing RAM capacity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of copying the entire reprogramming software to RAM, only the necessary portion (first segment) is copied. This partial action approach achieves the goal of avoiding simultaneous flash access conflicts while minimizing the amount of RAM memory consumed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If flash memory is organized in multiple segments for simultaneous read and write access, then access capacity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous read and write access capabilityVSAvoidflash memory organization structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A reprogramming microcontroller unit serves as an intermediary that manages flash memory access operations. This intermediary coordinates read and write operations timing, enabling proper simultaneous access control without requiring complex multi-segment flash memory organization, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9223697B2Computer reprogramming method, data storage medium and motor vehicle computer

Publication Date: 2015.12.29 VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

AI summary

A method (50) for reprogramming a computer (10) by modification of the content of a non-volatile rewritable memory (104) of the computer via reprogramming software stored in the non-volatile rewritable memory (104). The reprogramming software includes a task sequencer and a plurality of software components, divided in advance into at least two sets, namely: a first set including each software component to be executed simultaneously with an operation of modifying the content of the non-volatile rewritable memory (104), and a second set including some or all of the other software components of the reprogramming software. During the reprogramming of the computer, the software components of the second set are executed from the non-volatile rewritable memory (104), and the task sequencer and the software components of the first set to be executed are copied in advance into a volatile memory (106) of the computer, and are executed from the volatile memory.