Vehicle Software Update Mode Selection for ECU Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software updating technologies for vehicles do not efficiently manage updates across multiple electronic control units, often resulting in incomplete or time-consuming processes, particularly when considering parallel and serial update modes and the need for timely activation.
Innovation Solution
A software updating apparatus that acquires new software versions via a network, determines the optimal update mode (parallel or serial) based on the completion timing relative to the vehicle's scheduled activation, and performs updates accordingly, allowing for flexible and reliable software updates across electronic control units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If software update is performed in parallel mode for multiple electronic control units, then update speed is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential conflicts and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the update process into distinct phases: preparation phase (downloading and validating update packages), execution phase (performing updates), and verification phase (checking update completeness). By dividing the parallel update process into these segments with clear transition points, the system can manage multiple updates simultaneously while maintaining control over reliability at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions before executing parallel updates: validating update packages, checking system state, and preparing rollback mechanisms. These preliminary checks ensure that each electronic control unit is ready for update before the parallel process begins, preventing conflicts and errors during execution.
2Reliability
If software update is performed in serial mode for multiple electronic control units, then update reliability is improved, but update time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges serial reliability checks with parallel execution capability. Common validation and verification operations are performed once for all updates rather than repeatedly for each individual update. This allows the system to maintain serial-level reliability checking while achieving parallel update speed for the actual installation process.
3Reliability
If software update process is extended to ensure completeness, then update reliability is improved, but vehicle activation timing is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic verification during the update process rather than a single lengthy final check. Progress validation occurs at regular intervals and at key transition points, allowing the system to confirm completeness without extending the overall process time. This periodic approach maintains reliability while meeting activation timing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A software updating apparatus includes an update control section that performs a software update for each of a plurality of electronic control units mounted in a vehicle, by using new versions of software supplied via a network, and an update mode determining section that selectively determines an update mode used when performing the software update, from among a parallel update mode and a serial update mode. The update control section performs the software update for each of the plurality of electronic control units based on the update mode determined by the update mode determining section.