Vehicle Computer Software Configuration via Volatile Memory Restart

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Solution Overview

Problem

The power-latch procedure in modern vehicles significantly slows down production by requiring lengthy execution times, especially when faults are detected, disrupting the assembly line flow and preventing immediate continuation of electronic function commissioning operations.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows the computer software to restart and configure itself using volatile memory parameters before the end of the power-latch phase, enabling the continuation of electronic function commissioning operations without waiting for the power-latch completion, by verifying valid configuration parameters and dynamic vehicle states before initiating the restart.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power-latch procedure is executed to completion before software configuration, then system reliability is ensured through proper parameter saving and engine cooling, but production time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by enabling the software to perform configuration operations using parameters already loaded in volatile memory before the power-latch procedure completes. The system prepares the configuration in advance using available data, allowing commissioning operations to start early while the power-latch procedure finishes in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the configuration process into two independent parts: configuration preparation using volatile memory parameters (can start immediately) and parameter persistence to non-volatile memory (waits for power-latch completion). This segmentation allows the configuration phase to proceed without waiting for the entire power-latch procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the power-latch procedure is interrupted early to continue assembly line operations, then production speed increases, but configuration parameters may be lost or corrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidparameter integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by maintaining configuration parameters in volatile memory as a working copy that can be used immediately for software configuration. This copy exists independently of the power-latch procedure status, allowing configuration operations to proceed without waiting for or interrupting the parameter persistence process to non-volatile memory.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If manual operator intervention is required to wait for power-latch completion, then parameter saving is ensured, but assembly line efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter persistenceVSAvoidassembly line efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the software to autonomously perform configuration operations using parameters from volatile memory without requiring manual operator intervention to wait for power-latch completion. The system serves itself by using available data immediately while the persistence process completes independently in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2409225B1Method for the software of a computer onboard a vehicle to take configuration parameters into account
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP2409225B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2409225B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2409225B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the software of a computer onboard a vehicle to take configuration parameters into account, wherein after a computer initialisation phase, the parameters are written in a volatile memory and copied in a non-volatile memory during a power-latch phase following the cut-off of power to the vehicle. According to the invention, after the reception of said configuration parameters by the volatile memory, a request is sent to the computer and instructs the latter to restart while taking into account said parameters recorded in the volatile memory thereof, and the computer takes said parameters into account immediately after the execution of said request.