In-Vehicle Computing System Suspend Mode Reboot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infotainment systems in vehicles experience lag when starting up from a fully unpowered state, leading to undesirable delays in accessing system functionality, while keeping volatile memory active to reduce lag times results in error accumulation that impairs system performance.

Innovation Solution

The in-vehicle computing system is maintained in a suspend mode with volatile memory on standby, and a reboot is performed when the vehicle is shut down and not anticipated to be used soon, refreshing the memory and reducing startup times without inconveniencing users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the infotainment system is kept in a fully unpowered state when the vehicle is shut down, then energy consumption is reduced, but startup lag increases and system performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidstartup lag

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a reboot operation in advance during vehicle shutdown, before the next anticipated vehicle start. This preliminary action clears error accumulation and refreshes volatile memory, so that when the vehicle is started next, the system can quickly restore functionality without significant lag, thus reducing startup time while still allowing energy savings during shutdown periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If volatile memory is kept active to reduce startup lag times, then startup speed is improved, but error accumulation occurs that impairs system performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestartup speedVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic reboots during vehicle shutdown periods when the vehicle is not anticipated to be used soon. This periodic action clears error accumulation from volatile memory at regular intervals, maintaining system reliability and performance. The reboot timing is strategically chosen to minimize impact on user experience, ensuring the system is refreshed before the next anticipated vehicle start.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If a reboot is performed frequently to clear error accumulation, then system performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases and user access may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a timer or clock to monitor the duration of vehicle shutdown and determines whether a reboot should be performed based on whether the shutdown duration exceeds a threshold. This feedback mechanism ensures reboots are performed only when appropriate (during extended shutdowns when the vehicle is not anticipated to be used soon), balancing system performance maintenance with energy conservation and minimal disruption to user access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9424047B2System and methods for an in-vehicle computing system

Publication Date: 2016.08.23 HARMAN INT IND INC

AI summary

Embodiments are disclosed for controlling power modes of a computing system. In some embodiments, a method for an in-vehicle computing system includes, while the vehicle is shut down, operating the system in a suspend mode with volatile memory on standby, and determining whether a reboot may be completed before a next anticipated vehicle start. The method may further include, if it is determined that a reboot may be completed before the next anticipated vehicle start, performing a reboot of the system.