System and method for providing software upgrades to a vehicle
First Claim
1. A system for providing software upgrades to a vehicle comprising:
- a network transmission medium configured to be installed in said vehicle;
a first network device coupled to said network transmission medium; and
a second network device coupled to said network transmission medium, wherein said second network device is configured to receive said software upgrade from a source external to said network and wherein said second network device is further configured to convey said software upgrade to said first network device;
wherein said first network device is configured to accept software upgrades, wherein accepting software upgrades includes;
retrieving information from said vehicle regarding said second network device;
determining whether said second network device requires said upgrade data;
transmitting said upgrade data to said first network device in response to determining that said second network device requires said upgrade data; and
delivering said upgrade data from said first network device via said transmission medium to said second network device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An system and method for providing software upgrades to components of a vehicle, wherein the labor, time and expense of providing the upgrades are minimized. In one embodiment, a network is installed in the vehicle, wherein the network comprises a transmission medium and one or more network devices coupled thereto. The network devices are addressable using IP addresses or object terminology. Data, software or service upgrades may be provided to the devices coupled to the network. The data, software and services may be delivered to the network through a first device, such as a wireless communication device, and then transmitted through the network to the device which is to be upgraded. The network may join an external network which is configured to query the in-vehicle network and/or automatically download data to the in-vehicle network.
83 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for providing software upgrades to a vehicle comprising:
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a network transmission medium configured to be installed in said vehicle;
a first network device coupled to said network transmission medium; and
a second network device coupled to said network transmission medium, wherein said second network device is configured to receive said software upgrade from a source external to said network and wherein said second network device is further configured to convey said software upgrade to said first network device;
wherein said first network device is configured to accept software upgrades, wherein accepting software upgrades includes;
retrieving information from said vehicle regarding said second network device;
determining whether said second network device requires said upgrade data;
transmitting said upgrade data to said first network device in response to determining that said second network device requires said upgrade data; and
delivering said upgrade data from said first network device via said transmission medium to said second network device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for providing software upgrades to a vehicle comprising:
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providing a vehicle having a network installed therein wherein said network comprises a transmission medium, a first network device connected to said transmission medium and a second network device connected to said transmission medium;
retrieving information from said vehicle regarding said second network device;
determining whether said second network device requires said upgrade data;
transmitting said upgrade data to said first network device in response to determining that said second network device requires said upgrade data; and
delivering said upgrade data from said first network device via said transmission medium to said second network device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification