Vehicle Program Management With Segmented Update Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle software update systems require large storage capacity due to the need for multiple storage areas, limiting the flexibility in timing for program updates.

Innovation Solution

A program management system with a first storage unit for vehicle control programs and a second storage unit for update programs, allowing independent update processing to reduce storage capacity requirements and enable flexible update timing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple storage areas are provided for storing programs, then program update flexibility is improved, but storage capacity requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram update flexibilityVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is segmented into a first storage unit for vehicle control programs and a second storage unit for update programs. This segmentation allows independent management of control and update functions, enabling flexible update timing without requiring the entire storage capacity to be allocated for both purposes simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The update program storage function is extracted from the vehicle control program storage. By separating the second storage unit specifically for update programs, the system achieves update flexibility while the first storage unit maintains its original capacity for control programs, avoiding unnecessary capacity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If update programs are stored in the same storage unit as control programs, then storage capacity is reduced, but program update reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidprogram update reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The storage units are segmented to separate control programs from update programs. This physical separation ensures that update operations cannot interfere with or corrupt the vehicle control programs, thereby maintaining high update reliability while using storage capacity efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second storage unit acts as an intermediary buffer for update programs. Update programs are stored and processed in this dedicated unit before being applied, preventing direct interaction with the control program storage and ensuring reliable updates without capacity waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12461737B2Program management device, program management method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A program management device includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device that is present outside a vehicle, a first storage unit having an irrespective program storage area where an irrespective program that is irrespective of control of the vehicle is stored, a second storage unit provided independently of the first storage unit, and an update processing unit configured to store in the second storage unit an irrespective update program received by the communication unit, the irrespective update program being used to update the irrespective program. The update processing unit executes processing of storing, in the second storage unit, the irrespective program stored in the irrespective program storage area, and subsequently executes processing of storing the irrespective program in the irrespective program storage area based on the irrespective update program stored in the second storage unit.