Vehicle Software Update via Publish-Subscribe Topic Trees
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for updating vehicle software require vehicles to be physically taken to a dealership, where technicians manually apply updates, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and vehicle-based computing system that utilize a publish/subscribe model and topic tree structure to automatically identify and apply software updates by subscribing to relevant topics, allowing vehicles to retrieve and install updates over-the-air when a newer version is available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual software update process at dealership is used, then software updates can be applied, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's computing system automatically performs software updates by subscribing to topic trees, receiving update packages, and installing them without human intervention. The system self-manages the entire update process from detection to installation, eliminating the need for technician involvement and dealership visits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively subscribes to topic trees associated with installed software versions before updates are needed. This allows the vehicle to automatically receive and prepare for software updates as soon as they become available, performing the update action in advance of when it would traditionally be scheduled at a dealership.
2Extent of automation
If manual software update process is used, then software updates can be applied, but labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle computing system autonomously manages software updates by subscribing to relevant topic trees, receiving update notifications, downloading update packages, and installing updates without requiring technician labor. This self-service capability eliminates manual intervention entirely, reducing both labor costs and deployment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The publish/subscribe system provides a universal framework that handles multiple software update scenarios simultaneously - detecting updates, downloading packages, installing updates, and managing multiple software components - through a single automated mechanism that works across different vehicle models and software types.
3Productivity
If automated over-the-air update system is implemented, then update efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The publish/subscribe system acts as an intermediary layer between the update server and the vehicle's software components. This mediator manages the complexity by providing standardized subscription mechanisms, automatic topic tree management, and coordinated update distribution, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the automation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The update system is segmented into distinct functional modules: topic tree subscription management, update notification reception, update package download, and software installation. This segmentation allows each component to be independently managed and optimized, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high update productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method may include subscribing to a first topic tree topic associated with an installed vehicle software component version; identifying a desired software component version based on a published notification retrieved from the first topic; and when the desired version and the installed version differ, updating a software component using a software update retrieved from a second topic tree topic associated with software updates to the installed version.