Vehicle OTA Update Scheduling for Off-Hours Remote Reprogramming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing over-the-air (OTA) controller update methods require users to directly control their vehicles for extended periods, making them inconvenient and unavailable for use during the update process.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that schedules OTA controller updates based on vehicle conditions, allowing updates to be performed remotely and at optimal times, such as midnight or early morning, without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If OTA controller update is performed using related art methods, then software update capability is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates due to required direct vehicle control and driving for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by downloading software packages to external storage devices (USB drives, SD cards) before the user needs to use the vehicle. The update preparation is completed in advance, allowing the vehicle to be ready for immediate use without requiring extended driving periods or ignition-on time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces external storage devices as intermediaries between the wireless communication system and the controller memory. Instead of directly updating controllers during vehicle operation, the system uses USB drives or SD cards as intermediate storage to hold update packages, enabling updates to be performed offline and without user intervention during critical driving periods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reprogramming is performed on controllers with large capacity, then updated functionality is achieved, but reprogramming time increases to 30-40 minutes requiring extended ignition-on period
Solution Approach 1:
Large software packages are downloaded and prepared in advance on external storage devices before the update execution phase. This preliminary action separates the time-consuming download process from the actual reprogramming operation, allowing the vehicle to be used normally during download while minimizing ignition-on time required for the actual update.
Solution Approach 2:
The update process is segmented into distinct phases: download phase (can occur during vehicle use), preparation phase (transferring to external storage), and execution phase (reprogramming). This segmentation allows different parts of the update process to occur at different times, reducing the continuous ignition-on duration needed for large capacity controllers.
3Reliability
If wireless download and background send are performed for memory redundancy controller, then update capability is achieved, but ignition must remain on for 20-30 minutes or vehicle must be driven for certain period
Solution Approach 1:
External storage devices serve as intermediaries that decouple the wireless download process from the vehicle's ignition state. The system can complete background sends to external storage without requiring the ignition to remain on, as the external storage is independent of the vehicle's power state. This maintains update reliability while improving user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically managing the update process including downloading, preparing, and executing updates without requiring continuous user attention or intervention. Once the update is initiated and scheduled, the system autonomously manages the process, checking conditions and executing updates without requiring the user to maintain ignition-on state or drive the vehicle for specific durations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for enabling a software update without a need for a user to directly control a vehicle. The method is performed by scheduling a time for an over-the-air (OTA) controller update function. The method includes: setting time scheduling for a software update for the vehicle through a cooperative controller by input from a user; checking, by a management controller, the set time scheduling to generate scheduled time information; sending, by the management controller, the scheduled time information to a management server; and remotely executing, by the management server, the software update for the vehicle on the management controller by using the scheduled time information.