Vehicle Software Update via Over-the-Air Version Comparison
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The current method for updating vehicle software requires users to drive their vehicles to a designated location for professional technicians, making the process cumbersome and inefficient, especially when software updates are needed for driving safety and when vehicles are far from the update location.
Innovation Solution
A software update method that allows vehicles to receive indication information to report their current software version, compare it with updated version information from a control node, and download and update the software over-the-air (OTA) without the need for physical presence, using communication nodes like servers, mobile terminals, or other vehicles within a preset distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users drive vehicles to designated locations for software updates, then software can be updated by professional technicians, but the update process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle terminal performs software updates autonomously by automatically receiving update packets from the server and executing the update process without requiring user intervention or visits to service centers. The system self-manages the entire update workflow including version comparison, packet reception, and software installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically transporting vehicles to service centers with a wireless communication-based OTA update system. Information transmission through communication modules substitutes for physical movement, enabling remote software updates without mechanical intervention.
2Reliability
If users drive vehicles to designated locations for software updates, then professional technicians can perform updates, but the process becomes inefficient especially when vehicles are far from update locations
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle terminal autonomously manages the software update process by automatically comparing version information, receiving update packets, and executing updates without requiring technician intervention. This eliminates time loss associated with traveling to and from service centers while maintaining update quality through automated verification processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary version information comparison before initiating the update process. The vehicle terminal obtains current version information and compares it with the latest version from the server, ensuring update necessity is confirmed before proceeding. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary updates and optimizes time utilization.
3Reliability
If traditional update methods are used requiring physical visits, then software updates can be performed, but user experience deteriorates and driving risks increase when updates are urgently needed
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle terminal independently executes the complete software update workflow including version checking, packet reception, and software installation. This self-service capability enables updates to be performed at any time and location, dramatically improving scenario flexibility and eliminating the need for scheduled visits to service centers.
Solution Approach 2:
The update system can operate through multiple communication channels including direct server communication and vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The first control node can be a server, first vehicle, or mobile terminal, making the system universally applicable across different scenarios and communication infrastructures.
Data Source
AI summary
A software update method includes: receiving, by a target vehicle, first indication information, the first indication information being used to instruct to report version information of target software; sending, by the target vehicle, current version information of the target software configured on the target vehicle to a first control node currently establishing a communication connection with the target vehicle; further, receiving, by the target vehicle, second indication information sent by the first control node, the second indication information being used to indicate updated version information of the target software; and updating, by the target vehicle, the target software according to the second indication information.