METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EMBEDDED SYSTEMS REPROGRAMMING

• US 20120303946A1
• Filed: 05/21/2012
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Inventors: Braunberger, Beau M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,972,712 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/100
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/406 Test-mode; Self-diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/061 Improving I/O performance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0629 Configuration or reconfiguration of storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0673 Single storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/70 Software maintenance or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/00 Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units program control for peripheral devices G06F13/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4401 Bootstrapping security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4416 Network booting; Remote initial program loading [RIPL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

A reprogramming device is used for reprogramming embedded systems. The reprogramming device comprises a microprocessor, a memory programmed with software to accomplish the reprogramming of distinctly different embedded systems architectures, and one or more hardware devices that facilitate communication over multiple protocols contained in a portable package designed for both one-time and multi-occurrence use scenarios. In some embodiments, the reprogramming device is able to be used to enhance one or more attributes of performance of existing embedded systems through the reconfiguration of internally stored parameters. In some embodiments, the reprogramming device is also to be used to extract and receive information and instruction from existing embedded systems and enable useful presentation of this information. As a result, the reprogramming device is able to be used to adjust and/or monitor the parameters of the on-board diagnostics computer of a vehicle to ensure peak performance and detect errors.

Claims

1. A device for reprogramming an embedded system on a vehicle comprising:

a. a memory for storing an application, the application configured for;

i. presenting a user interface configured for displaying embedded system information and receiving an instruction;

ii. extracting the embedded system information contained on the embedded system;

iii. sending the instruction to the embedded system; and

iv. reprogramming the embedded system information on the embedded system with the instruction; and

b. a processing component coupled to the memory, the processing component configured for processing the application.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the application utilizes an embedded system interface for sending the instruction to the embedded system and extracting the embedded system information.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the application is further for increasing transaction capabilities between the embedded system and the device for reprogramming.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is portable.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is releasably coupled to the embedded system.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is permanently coupled to the embedded system.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the embedded system comprises a motorcycle on-board computing system.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the embedded system information is selected from the group consisting of horsepower, speed, rpm, torque, fuel economy parameters, emissions parameters and internally stored variables.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the application is further for writing a unique identification code to the embedded system to allow an initial reprogramming and preventing any additional reprogramming except to return the embedded system to an initial state or a reprogrammed state.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the application is further for modifying a boot loader of the embedded system to accept larger amounts of data per singular write event.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the application is further for temporarily increasing a baud rate communication speed during a reprogramming event.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the application is further for reducing required instances of verification of received information.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the application is further for altering checksum calculation routines to accept longer write streams between checksum calculations during reprogramming.

14. A device for reprogramming an embedded system on a vehicle comprising:

a. a memory for storing an application, the application configured for;

i. presenting a user interface configured for displaying embedded system information and receiving an instruction;

ii. increasing transaction capabilities between the embedded system and the device for reprogramming;

iii. extracting the embedded system information contained on the embedded system using an embedded system interface;

iv. sending the instruction to the embedded system using the embedded system interface;

v. reprogramming the embedded system information on the embedded system with the instruction; and

b. a processing component coupled to the memory, the processing component configured for processing the application.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the device is portable.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the device is releasably coupled to the embedded system.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein the device is permanently coupled to the embedded system.

18. The device of claim 14 wherein the embedded system comprises a motorcycle on-board computing system.

19. The device of claim 14 wherein the embedded system information is selected from the group consisting of horsepower, speed, rpm, torque, fuel economy parameters, emissions parameters and internally stored variables.

20. The device of claim 14 wherein the application is further for writing a unique identification code to the embedded system to allow an initial reprogramming and preventing any additional reprogramming except to return the embedded system to an initial state or a reprogrammed state.

21. The device of claim 14 wherein the application is further for modifying a boot loader of the embedded system to accept larger amounts of data per singular write event.

22. The device of claim 14 wherein the application is further for temporarily increasing a baud rate communication speed during a reprogramming event.

23. The device of claim 14 wherein the application is further for reducing required instances of verification of received information.

24. The device of claim 14 wherein the application is further for altering checksum calculation routines to accept longer write streams between checksum calculations during reprogramming.

25. A method of reprogramming an embedded system on a vehicle, the method programmed in a memory of a reprogramming device comprising:

a. presenting a user interface configured for displaying embedded system information and receiving an instruction;

b. increasing transaction capabilities between the embedded system and the reprogramming device;

c. extracting the embedded system information contained on the embedded system using an embedded system interface;

d. sending the instruction to the embedded system using the embedded system interface; and

e. reprogramming the embedded system information on the embedded system with the instruction.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the device is portable.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the device is releasably coupled to the embedded system.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the device is permanently coupled to the embedded system.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein the embedded system comprises a motorcycle on-board computing system.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein the embedded system information is selected from the group consisting of horsepower, speed, rpm, torque, fuel economy parameters, emissions parameters and internally stored variables.

31. The method of claim 25 further comprising writing a unique identification code to the embedded system to allow an initial reprogramming and preventing any additional reprogramming except to return the embedded system to an initial state or a reprogrammed state.

32. The method of claim 25 further comprising modifying a boot loader of the embedded system to accept larger amounts of data per singular write event.

33. The method of claim 25 further comprising temporarily increasing a baud rate communication speed during a reprogramming event.

34. The method of claim 25 further comprising reducing required instances of verification of received information.

35. The method of claim 25 further comprising altering checksum calculation routines to accept longer write streams between checksum calculations during reprogramming.