Vehicle Communication Relay for Software Updates Beyond Server Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle software update methods via Over The Air (OTA) are limited to areas where communication with external servers is possible, preventing updates outside these areas.
Innovation Solution
A communication device mounted on vehicles facilitates software updates by storing update data and transmitting it to nearby vehicles via vehicle-to-vehicle wireless communication, using both telephone and Wi-Fi networks to extend the update range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software updates are performed via OTA from external servers, then update reliability is ensured, but update coverage is limited to areas with server communication range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces nearby vehicles as intermediary nodes to relay update data. When a vehicle cannot directly communicate with the external server, it can receive update data from nearby vehicles that have successfully obtained the updates, thereby extending update coverage to areas outside the server's direct communication range while maintaining update reliability through verified data sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension update model (vehicle to external server) to a multi-dimensional mesh network model (vehicle-to-vehicle communication). By adding the spatial dimension of peer-to-peer communication, the system expands update coverage beyond the limitations of centralized server communication ranges
2Reliability
If update data is distributed only from external servers, then data security is maintained, but update speed in remote areas is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Vehicles that are within communication range of external servers perform preliminary actions by obtaining and storing update data in advance. These vehicles then serve as local distribution points, enabling rapid update propagation to other vehicles in the network without requiring each vehicle to individually communicate with distant servers, thereby accelerating update deployment in remote areas
3Measurement precision
If vehicles wait for external server communication to receive updates, then update accuracy is ensured, but update time increases for vehicles outside communication range
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where vehicles report their update status and availability to the network. Vehicles that have successfully received updates provide feedback about data integrity and availability, enabling other vehicles to obtain verified accurate update data without repeatedly attempting direct server communication, thus reducing update time while maintaining accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
When the update data of the predetermined software is held in the storage unit, the communication device mounted on the vehicle transmits data information related to the update data to another vehicle existing within a predetermined range in which wireless communication with the vehicle is enabled. The communication device transmits the update data to the other vehicle when receiving a request to transmit the update data from the other vehicle that has received the data information.