In-Vehicle Software Update Switching Across Wired and OTA Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing update methods for vehicle software on electronic control units either require bringing the vehicle to a maintenance shop for wired updates, reducing user convenience, or rely on potentially unstable wireless communication for over-the-air updates.
Innovation Solution
An update control system that determines whether the vehicle is in a state suitable for wireless or wired updates and seamlessly switches between the two, carrying over the update process progress when switching states, using a distribution package containing OTA and wired update data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired update is used, then communication stability is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to requiring vehicle to be brought to maintenance shop
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between wired and wireless update modes based on the vehicle's location and communication availability. The in-vehicle control device determines whether to perform wired or wireless updates in real-time, making the update system adaptable rather than fixed, thus resolving the contradiction between stable wired communication and user convenience.
2Ease of operation
If wireless update is used, then user convenience is improved by allowing updates anywhere, but communication stability deteriorates in areas with poor signal
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the update method based on communication conditions. When wireless communication is available, it performs convenient wireless updates; when communication becomes unstable, it switches to wired updates at maintenance shops, thus maintaining both user convenience and communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for potential communication failures by having a fallback wired update mechanism ready. If wireless update encounters communication instability, the system can switch to wired update as a pre-planned backup, cushioning against the risk of update failure due to poor signal.
3Adaptability or versatility
If update process is interrupted due to state switching, then adaptability is improved by allowing mode changes, but update time increases due to potential rework
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by downloading and storing the distribution package in advance during wireless connectivity periods. When switching to wired mode, the update data is already prepared and stored, eliminating the need to re-download and significantly reducing update completion time despite the mode switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of the update process across mode switches by preserving update state information and resuming the update from where it left off. The in-vehicle control device continues the update operation seamlessly after switching between wired and wireless modes, avoiding rework and minimizing time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
An update control system includes: a vehicle including an in-vehicle control device; an information processing terminal configured to communicate with the in-vehicle control device by wire communication; and a center configured to communicate with the in-vehicle control device over a wireless network. The in-vehicle control device is configured to: determine whether the vehicle is in a first state in which a wireless update process is possible or a second state in which a wired update process is possible; and when the state of the vehicle is switched between the first state and the second state after start and before completion of an update process using a distribution package, carry over a progress of the update process performed until the state is switched; and perform the update process in the switched state.