Vehicle Program Update Device Ignition State Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional program updating methods for vehicles require user intervention, are inconvenient, and may consume battery power, posing safety risks and inefficiencies in updating software for in-vehicle control systems.
Innovation Solution
A program updating device that determines when the vehicle is in a safe state to transition to a driving-prohibition mode with the ignition-on state held, allowing for secure and efficient software updates without user intervention, using a communication unit, determination unit, state control unit, and update processing unit to manage the update process while ensuring power supply from the engine rather than the battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If program updating is executed using conventional methods with dealer connection, then updating can be performed, but the user is required to bring the vehicle to the dealer each time and the dealer cannot handle multiple vehicles simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the update source and the vehicle. The server stores update programs and communicates with the vehicle via wireless communication, enabling remote updates without requiring the user to visit the dealer. This mediator facilitates the update process while eliminating the need for physical presence at the dealer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection method (physical connection between dealer terminal and vehicle diagnosis terminal) with wireless communication. The update program is transmitted wirelessly from the server to the vehicle, eliminating the need for physical cables and direct connection between dealer and vehicle.
2Ease of operation
If program updating is executed in ignition-off state using battery power, then updating can be performed without user intervention, but the updating may consume all battery power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit monitors the power source state during update execution. When the engine is started during updating, the system detects this change and continues to draw power from the engine rather than the battery. This feedback loop ensures that the update process adaptively switches power sources to prevent battery depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the power supply dynamic by allowing the system to switch between battery power and engine power during the update process. The power source is not fixed but changes based on engine state, enabling the system to utilize engine power when available to avoid draining the battery.
3Reliability
If user motion is required to exit and return to vehicle for updating, then driving can be prohibited during updating, but the user feels inconvenient if updating is frequently executed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the vehicle to perform the update process autonomously without requiring user intervention. The control unit automatically manages the entire updating process including receiving update programs, executing updates, and monitoring power sources. This self-service capability eliminates the need for users to exit and re-enter the vehicle, making frequent updates convenient while maintaining safety through automatic driving prohibition during updates.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a program updating device, program updating system, and a program updating method for updating a program without imposing a load on a user. A program updating device (“PUD”) includes a communication unit transmitting/receiving information to/from an in-vehicle device operating on a software program, the PUD transmitting update information of a software program from the communication unit to execute update processing, further including: a determination unit configured to determine whether an operation switch of a vehicle has been switched from an on-state to an off-state; a state control unit configured to, if it is determined that the operation switch has been switched to the off-state, instruct to transition to a driving-prohibition state and hold an ignition-on state; and an update processing unit configured to start update processing based on the update information after confirming of a state is made.