Vehicle Controller Configuration Backup Using Data Snapshots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles face challenges in restoring customized configurations of electronic control units (ECUs) after replacement, as manual reconfiguration can be difficult and time-consuming, especially when sensitive user data like navigation preferences and network settings are involved.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates and sends data snapshots of vehicle controller configurations to an authorized digital entity for backup, allowing for seamless restoration of configurations to new controllers via wireless connection, ensuring minimal disruption to user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual reconfiguration is used to restore controller settings after replacement, then user settings can be restored, but the process is time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy (snapshot) of the controller configuration data and stores it externally. When a controller is replaced, this copy is automatically transferred to the new controller, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration and significantly reducing restoration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically creating and storing configuration snapshots before controller replacement occurs. This advance preparation ensures that when replacement is needed, the restoration process is already prepared and can execute automatically without user intervention.
2Reliability
If configuration data is stored locally in the controller, then quick access is possible, but data loss occurs when the controller fails or is replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary storage mechanism (external snapshot storage) that acts as a backup repository for configuration data. This intermediary preserves the data safely outside the controller, preventing information loss when the controller fails or is replaced, while still allowing quick restoration when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the storage parameter of configuration data from exclusively local to a hybrid model with external backup. This parameter change enables the system to maintain data preservation reliability while providing recovery capabilities through automated snapshot restoration.
3Productivity
If automated snapshot backup is implemented, then restoration efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service functionality by automatically detecting controller replacements, retrieving appropriate snapshots, and restoring configuration data without requiring user intervention. This automation improves restoration efficiency while the self-service nature minimizes the operational complexity users experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a processor, programmed to responsive to detecting a configuration modification to a controller of the vehicle, generate a snapshot to record a current configuration of the controller as modified; and responsive to detecting an authorized digital entity wirelessly connected to the vehicle, send the snapshot to the digital entity to back up the snapshot, wherein the snapshot includes configurations of multiple controllers of the vehicle including the current configuration.