Vehicle Software Update Proxy Resuming Interrupted Downloads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle software update methods often fail due to interrupted communication between the vehicle and the update system, requiring manual intervention and dealership visits, which is inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a mobile electronic device as a proxy to resume software updates from an offset location, allowing downloads to continue even when communication is interrupted, using non-cellular, cellular, or short-range wireless communications to ensure seamless updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the vehicle downloads software updates directly from a server, then the update process can be automated, but the download may be interrupted when communication between the vehicle and server is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the vehicle and the update server. When the vehicle cannot complete a download directly from the server, the mobile device acts as a proxy to resume the download from the offset location and transfer the remaining update data to the vehicle, ensuring reliable update completion without requiring dealership intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the mobile device download and store the remaining portion of the software update before the vehicle needs it. The offset location is calculated and saved in advance, allowing the mobile device to prepare the update data locally before transferring it to the vehicle, thus preventing interruption issues during the critical transfer phase.
2Reliability
If the vehicle is driven to a dealership for manual software updates, then interrupted downloads can be resolved, but the process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the mobile device to automatically resume and complete software updates that were interrupted. The vehicle's computing system automatically calculates the offset location and communicates it to the mobile device, which then independently downloads and transfers the remaining update data without requiring technician intervention or dealership visits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the update resolution function from the dealership environment and relocates it to the mobile device. By separating the update completion capability from the physical dealership setting, the system allows users to resolve interrupted downloads anywhere with internet connectivity, eliminating the need to travel to a dealership.
3Reliability
If the mobile device proxies the download process, then downloads can resume from offset locations, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs multiple functions: it acts as a communication bridge between the vehicle and server, stores update data locally, calculates and manages offset locations, and transfers data to the vehicle. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized components, actually reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable update resumption capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems to update controls in vehicle modules. Updating controls can include downloading an update to a vehicle from a server, upon interruption of the update, sending a download instruction to a proxy operating on a mobile device to resume update download at an offset location, resuming download of the update from the offset location using the mobile device, and sending the resumed part of the update from the mobile device to the vehicle when the vehicle requests an update from the proxy. The proxy can be an application running on the mobile device, which can use cellular or non-cellular communication and be away from the vehicle when completing download of a control update.