Vehicle Network Activation for Software Updates in Inactive Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles operating in an inactive mode face challenges in performing network-based functions such as software updates due to limited or disabled data transmissions, making it difficult to execute essential functionalities like navigation and real-time mapping.
Innovation Solution
A system is implemented to temporarily activate network connectivity by identifying software updates and transmitting a request to a mobile device associated with the vehicle, allowing the vehicle to establish a network connection for installation, even in inactive mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle network is deactivated to conserve battery and reduce network consumption, then energy efficiency and security are improved, but network-based functions like software updates and navigation become unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts network connectivity state based on operational needs. The network can transition between inactive and active states, allowing the vehicle to adapt network availability to specific functions like software updates while maintaining energy savings during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The network connectivity is segmented into different modes or states. Instead of a single on/off state, the system creates distinct network modes (e.g., fully active, limited active for updates only, completely inactive), allowing selective activation of network functions based on current vehicle needs.
2Reliability
If network connectivity is completely disabled in inactive mode, then network security and battery life are improved, but authorized functions like software updates cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
Different quality levels of network access are provided based on the specific function being performed. For software updates, the system creates a localized network access pathway that is more permissive than the general network state, allowing update traffic while maintaining stricter security controls for other network communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (such as a connectivity management service or authorized function gateway) that mediates between the inactive network state and the need for authorized updates. This intermediary evaluates and facilitates permitted functions while blocking unauthorized network access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network connection is activated for software updates, then update functionality is restored, but network consumption and potential security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of activating full network connectivity, the system implements partial network activation that provides only the minimal necessary network access required for software updates. This partial action approach enables update functionality while limiting overall network data consumption to only what is essential for the update process.
Data Source
AI summary
An inactive vehicle mode is provided. A system can include a data processing system including one or more processors, coupled with memory. The system can identify a software update to install on a computing system in a vehicle remote from the data processing system. The system can determine that a network connection to the computing system used to provide software updates from the data processing system to the vehicle is inactive. The system can transmit, responsive to the identification of the software update for installation and the determination that the network connection to the computing system is inactive, to a mobile device associated with an identifier of the vehicle, a request to activate the network connection of the computing system to download the software update for installation on the computing system. The system can provide the software update to the computing system for installation.