Vehicle ECU Software Updates via User Equipment Battery Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Performing software updates on in-vehicle ECUs via user equipment can be inconvenient for users, especially when they need to operate the vehicle's HMI device to accept the update process, which may be cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle is configured to request the user equipment to display operation buttons for accepting software downloads and battery charge levels, allowing users to conveniently manage the update process using their equipment at hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user operates the vehicle's HMI device to accept the software update process, then the software update can be performed, but the user convenience deteriorates due to the cumbersome operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces user equipment (smartphone, tablet, or PC) as an intermediary device between the vehicle system and the user. The external server communicates update information to the vehicle, which then relays it to the user equipment for user interaction. The user accepts or rejects updates through their familiar device rather than the vehicle's HMI, significantly improving convenience while maintaining system control.
2Ease of operation
If the user equipment is used for software download, then user convenience is improved, but the risk of battery depletion during download increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by displaying the battery charge level on the user equipment before the user makes the accept decision. The vehicle requests the external device to display both the operation button and the battery charge level, allowing the user to assess whether sufficient power remains for the download process before committing to the update.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by providing real-time battery charge level information to the user during the update decision process. The vehicle communicates battery status to the external device, which displays this information to the user, enabling informed decision-making about whether to proceed with the software download based on available power.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including an electronic control unit configured to update software, the vehicle includes: a communication unit configured to communicate with user equipment; and a control unit configured to request the user equipment to display on a display unit of the user equipment, a first operation unit that is used when a user accepts download of software distributed from a server in a case where the software is downloaded to the vehicle via the user equipment, and a charge level of a battery of the user equipment.