Vehicle Update Data Buffering to Cut Transfer Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of efficiently and quickly updating computer systems in vehicles, particularly in the context of increasing computing requirements for automated driving functions, is exacerbated by the need for large updates that require significant downtime and potential security vulnerabilities.

Innovation Solution

An information technology system with data transfer acceleration modules in both the source and target systems, allowing simultaneous operation during latency periods to reduce the time required for data transfer by buffering and managing response messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If updates are transmitted sequentially with waiting for response messages, then data transfer reliability is maintained, but update installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer reliabilityVSAvoidupdate installation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The source system prepares and buffers multiple data blocks in advance before transmission is actually needed. This preliminary preparation eliminates idle waiting time during the update installation process while maintaining reliable transmission through sequential acknowledgment handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A buffer memory is introduced as an intermediary component between the data source and the target system. This buffer stores pre-prepared data blocks, allowing the transmission process to continue without idle waits for response messages, thus reducing total update time while preserving data integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the computer system is made unavailable during update installation, then data integrity is ensured, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Data blocks are prepared and validated in advance before the update installation begins. This preliminary action ensures data integrity is established beforehand, allowing the system to proceed with installation without requiring prolonged unavailability, thus improving user convenience while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If large update sizes are transmitted, then comprehensive updates are achieved, but transmission time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate data volumeVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Large update data is divided into multiple smaller data blocks that can be prepared and transmitted in parallel sequences. This segmentation allows comprehensive updates to be delivered while reducing total transmission time through efficient buffer utilization and reduced idle waiting periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer memory enables continuous transmission of data blocks without idle interruptions. By maintaining a ready supply of pre-prepared data blocks, the system achieves continuous useful action during transmission, delivering large update volumes in reduced time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4494319B1Information technology system, vehicle and method for introducing an update to a target system
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
  • EP4494319B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4494319B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4494319B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to an information technology system (1), comprising a source system (2) and a target system (5), information comprised by the source system (2) being transmittable to the target system (5) via a bidirectional data line (9). The information technology system (1) according to the invention is characterized in that the source system (2) and/or the target system (5) in each case have/has a data transfer accelerating model (11) for accelerating the transmission of information from the source system (2) to the target system (5).