Methods and Apparatus for Vehicle Computing System Software Updates

• US 20140052330A1
• Filed: 08/16/2012
• Published: 02/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Esselink, Chad Evert, Shelcusky, Darren Peter, Westra, Michael Raymond, Mitchell, David Chase
• Granted Patent: US 9,858,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/31.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

In a first illustrative embodiment, a system includes a mobile device processor configured to communicate wirelessly with both a remote server and a vehicle computing system (VCS). The processor is further configured to query the VCS for a module version, relay the module version to a remote system and receive information relating to an updated module version and module. The processor is also configured to query the VCS for vehicle battery information, inform a user of battery sufficiency for a recommended installation of the updated module, and, responsive to a user instruction to proceed with installation, instruct the VCS to download and install the updated module.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a mobile device processor configured to communicate wirelessly with both a remote server and a vehicle computing system (VCS), wherein the processor is further configured to

query the VCS for a module version,

relay the module version to a remote system and receive information relating to an updated module version and module,

query the VCS for vehicle battery information,

inform a user of battery sufficiency for a recommended installation of the updated module,

and, responsive to a user instruction to proceed with installation, instruct the VCS to download and install the updated module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the information relating to the updated module version includes an estimated download and installation time for the updated module.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to compare the estimated download and installation time to the battery information to determine the battery sufficiency for the recommended installation.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to provide one or more instructions relating to steps to increase remaining battery power, if remaining battery power is insufficient to complete the installation.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to query a VCS to determine if the VCS is currently wirelessly connected to a LAN, and wherein the processor is further configured to inform a user of a VCS LAN connection status.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to receive one or more status updates during the download and installation process and to relay the status updates to a user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a verification and completion update upon completion of download, installation and verification of an updated status of the updated module and to relay the verification and completion update to the user.

8. A system comprising:

a vehicle processor configured to communicate with wirelessly over a LAN with at least one module update source, wherein the processor is further configured to

receive and respond to requests for a current module version,

receive and respond to requests for a current battery power level, and

responsive to received instructions to download and install a module update, lock out at least some level of vehicle functionality, subsequently download and install the module update from the module update source, verify the completion of the download and installation, and restart at least the module and restore functionality to the vehicle subsequent to the verification.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the module update source is a cloud-based server.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions to download and install the module update are received from a wireless phone in wireless communication with the processor.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the module update source is a PC also connected to the LAN.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to receive information that a module update is available for download from the PC connected to the LAN.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions to download and install the module update are received via an in-vehicle input in operable communication with the processor.

14. A computer-implemented method comprising:

querying a VCS for a module version, using a wireless phone,

relaying the module version to a remote system and receiving information relating to an updated module,

querying the VCS for vehicle battery information,

informing a user of battery sufficiency for a recommended installation of the updated module,

and, responsive to a user instruction to proceed with installation, instructing the VCS to download and install the updated module.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the information relating to the updated module includes an estimated download and installation time for the updated module.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein further including comparing the estimated download and installation time to the battery information to determine the battery sufficiency for the recommended installation.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing one or more instructions relating to steps to increase remaining battery power, if remaining battery power is insufficient to complete the installation.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising querying a VCS to determine if the VCS is currently wirelessly connected to a LAN;

and informing a user of a VCS LAN connection status.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving one or more status updates during the download and installation process and relaying the status updates to a user.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving a verification and completion update upon completion of download, installation and verification of an updated status of the updated module and relaying the verification and completion update to the user.