In-Vehicle Control Device Differential Program Update Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle control devices face challenges with differential reprogramming due to limited memory capacity and version control complexity, where diagnostic failures prevent updates and require managing multiple versions of software.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a memory unit with a rewritable execution program and a decompression/restoration unit to decompress and restore a specific program, allowing differential updates from differential data, and using a compressed specific program for emergency operations to simplify version control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If differential reprogramming is performed using only non-volatile memory, then memory cost is reduced and device complexity is simplified, but reliability decreases because diagnostic failures make rollback impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the non-volatile memory into multiple functional areas: a first non-volatile memory for storing the old program and a second non-volatile memory for storing compressed backup data. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through backup capabilities while keeping each memory component relatively simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary compression and storage of backup program data in the second non-volatile memory before the actual update process. This preliminary action ensures that rollback capability is pre-established, allowing the system to recover from diagnostic failures without requiring complex runtime decisions or additional hardware.
2Productivity
If the whole new program is transferred via CAN for updating, then update simplicity is maintained, but writing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the differential portions of the program that need updating, rather than transferring the entire new program via CAN. By identifying and transferring only the changed blocks, the system significantly reduces transfer time and writing time while maintaining update simplicity through the differential update mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing differential updates only on the specific blocks that have changed between versions, rather than updating the entire program. This approach reduces the amount of data transfer and writing operations required, directly improving update speed while minimizing time loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple versions of programs are stored for differential updates, then adaptability to different update scenarios is improved, but version control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal update mechanism that can handle multiple version scenarios through differential updates. By using a standardized differential update process that works across different program versions, the system achieves adaptability without requiring separate management mechanisms for each version, thus avoiding exponential complexity growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying of differential data between the first and second non-volatile memories to manage version transitions. Instead of maintaining complex version metadata and control structures, the system simply copies the necessary differential portions and compressed backups, simplifying version control while maintaining compatibility across updates.
4Reliability
If compression means is added to store previous program versions, then reliability is improved through backup capability, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses compression algorithms that are computationally efficient and can be implemented with minimal processing resources. The compressed backup data in the second non-volatile memory serves as a simple, cost-effective safety net that provides rollback capability without requiring complex real-time processing or expensive hardware components.
Data Source
AI summary
A decompression and restoration unit, when differential data between a new execution program and a specific program is input, decompresses and restores the compressed specific program and rewrites the execution program as the specific program. A differential restoration unit differentially restores the new execution program from the differential data and the specific program and rewrites the specific program as the new execution program. A differential restoration unit that, when differential data between a new execution program and a specific program is input, differentially restores the new execution program from the differential data and the execution program in a memory unit and rewrites the execution program in the memory unit as the new execution program. The decompression and restoration unit decompresses and restores the compressed specific program and rewrites the new execution program as the specific program.