Methods and systems for software upgrades
First Claim
1. A method for upgrading software for one, or more, hardware modules of vehicle, comprising:
- transmitting an upgraded software file containing upgraded software for one, or more, of the vehicle'"'"'s electronic control units to a vehicle telematics control unit of the vehicle via a communication network
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Accused Products
Abstract
Before delivery, a manufacturer records module information identifying hardware modules, and corresponding software modules, installed in a vehicle. The module information includes a part number and a unique identifier for each hardware module, and name and version identifier of software loaded for each hardware module. The manufacturer, or a telematics operator, may broadcast files with upgraded software to vehicles over a wireless network. Or, upgraded software may be delivered to a vehicle via a connection between the vehicle and a computer, or a wired network. A vehicle'"'"'s computer system authenticates a software file before upgrading from it by performing steps of an authentication sequence as a server in a client-server relationship with a computer device that broadcasted the file to the vehicle. A telematics system onboard the vehicle may collect and store vehicle usage information for use in determining when to upgrade from the authenticated software file.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for upgrading software for one, or more, hardware modules of vehicle, comprising:
transmitting an upgraded software file containing upgraded software for one, or more, of the vehicle'"'"'s electronic control units to a vehicle telematics control unit of the vehicle via a communication network - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for upgrading software in a vehicle, comprising:
receiving an upgraded software file for one, or more, of the vehicle'"'"'s electronic control units from a communication network with a telematics control unit at the vehicle in communication with the communication network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- 22. A method for creating and updating module information records in a module information table, comprising associating a model identifier and a unique identifier corresponding to each of a plurality of electronic modules in a vehicle with a unique identifier of the vehicle.
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29. A method for upgrading the software modules of a vehicle'"'"'s computer system, comprising:
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collecting vehicle usage information during a predetermined period; determining a usage schedule based on the usage information; determining, based on the usage schedule, a preferred period, or periods, to upgrade the vehicle'"'"'s software; and upgrading the software during the preferred period, or periods. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification