Abstract: A method for real-time widespread distribution of software updates of vehicle components comprising flash memory is provided.

Abstract: A method for updating a vehicular electronic control unit (ECU) comprising a flash memory storing a digital content image and a boot loader is provided. The method comprises: generating a differential update package (DUP) for said ECU to update the digital content image to an updated digital content image, said DUP comprising instructions to perform one or more of copying bytes from said flash memory, and applying a set of modifications to said copied bytes; transmitting said DUP over a wireless carrier system to a telematics device of the vehicle; storing an original block portion of said digital content image; modifying said original block portion in accordance with said DUP to produce a modified block portion; erasing said original block portion from said flash memory; and writing said modified block portion into said flash memory in place of said original block portion.

Abstract: A telematics control unit (TCU) installable in a vehicle comprises: a wireless network interface; an interface to a vehicle bus coupled to a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs); a memory; a processor; a differential update package (DUP) received via the wireless network interface to provide an update to a specific one ECU. The DUP comprising a flashing tool, differential update instructions for the specific one ECU and differential update data for the flash memory of said specific one ECU. The processor utilizes the flashing tool to provide the differential update instructions to a boot loader of the specific one ECU and to update the ECU flash memory.

Abstract: A method for wireless remote updating of vehicle software of one or more target electronic control units (ECUs) in a target vehicle group comprises manager software on a server. The manager software selects the target vehicle group and generates a differential update package (DUP) comprising an update manager. Download manager software downloads the DUP to one or more target vehicles. The update manager in each vehicle updates the one or more target ECUs.

Abstract: A centralized system for real-time monitoring widely distributed software updates of vehicle components, comprises: an arbitration server; a distributed network comprising a plurality of communication servers; a plurality of vehicles, each vehicle of said plurality of vehicles comprising a telematics control unit (TCU) operable to communicate with one communication server of said plurality of communication servers, each TCU is adapted to receive and deploy software updates to electronic control units (ECUs) within its corresponding vehicle, and said TCU is operable to generate status updates for software updates and communicate the status updates to the corresponding communication server; and each communication server is operable to simultaneously receive data messages comprising status updates from the plurality of vehicles and to generate a data stream comprising the data messages, the data stream being sent to a log file.

Abstract: A method for upgrading vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) in a vehicle comprises: creating a differential upgrade package (DUP) for each upgrade to a predetermined ECU, said creating comprises: comparing a new image of the digital contents of a predetermined ECU flash memory with a present image of the digital contents of the predetermined ECU flash memory; and producing a set of changes to modify the present image to the new image, said changes comprising a set of instructions. The DUP comprises a set of instructions that are utilized to update the ECU flash memory a block at a time.

Abstract: A method for real-time widespread distribution of software updates of vehicle components comprising flash memory is provided.

Abstract: A method for wireless remote updating of vehicle software of one or more target electronic control units (ECUs) in a target vehicle group comprises: hosting manager software on a server that is one of a client server or a central server accessible by a the client; utilizing said manager software for selecting said target vehicle group and generating a differential update package (DUP) comprising an update manager; providing download manager software for downloading said DUP to each said one or more target vehicles; and utilizing the update manager in each vehicle to update the one or more said target ECUs.

Abstract: A method for upgrading vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) in a vehicle comprises: creating a differential upgrade package (DUP) for each upgrade to a predetermined ECU, said creating comprises: comparing a new image of the digital contents of a predetermined ECU flash memory with a present image of the digital contents of the predetermined ECU flash memory; and producing a set of changes to modify the present image to the new image, said changes comprising a set of instructions. The DUP comprises a set of instructions that are utilized to update the ECU flash memory a block at a time.

Abstract: A telematics control unit (TCU) installable in a vehicle comprises: a wireless network interface; an interface to a vehicle bus coupled to a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs); a memory; a processor; a differential update package (DUP) received via the wireless network interface to provide an update to a specific one ECU. The DUP comprising a flashing tool, differential update instructions for the specific one ECU and differential update data for the flash memory of said specific one ECU. The processor utilizes the flashing tool to provide the differential update instructions to a boot loader of the specific one ECU and to update the ECU flash memory.

Abstract: A method for updating a vehicular electronic control unit (ECU) comprising a flash memory storing a digital content image and a boot loader is provided. The method comprises: generating a differential update package (DUP) for said ECU to update the digital content image to an updated digital content image, said DUP comprising instructions to perform one or more of copying bytes from said flash memory, and applying a set of modifications to said copied bytes; transmitting said DUP over a wireless carrier system to a telematics device of the vehicle; storing an original block portion of said digital content image; modifying said original block portion in accordance with said DUP to produce a modified block portion; erasing said original block portion from said flash memory; and writing said modified block portion into said flash memory in place of said original block portion.

Abstract: A centralized system for real-time monitoring widely distributed software updates of vehicle components, comprises: an arbitration server; a distributed network comprising a plurality of communication servers; a plurality of vehicles, each vehicle of said plurality of vehicles comprising a telematics control unit (TCU) operable to communicate with one communication server of said plurality of communication servers, each TCU is adapted to receive and deploy software updates to electronic control units (ECUs) within its corresponding vehicle, and said TCU is operable to generate status updates for software updates and communicate the status updates to the corresponding communication server; and each communication server is operable to simultaneously receive data messages comprising status updates from the plurality of vehicles and to generate a data stream comprising the data messages, the data stream being sent to a log file.

Abstract: The Stickle Seat is a portable seat attachment that is attached to a walking stick or pole that is very lightweight and is foldable in an up and down motion. The seat attachment can be removed and carried separately or can be carried on the stick or pole when using the walking stick or pole. In a completely folded position it is held in place resting against the stick or pole and in an open position it is at an angle for a person to sit on the seat facing the stick or pole or with the persons back to the stick or pole.

Abstract: A flashlight with light emitting diode (LED) sources that produce at least two different colors and at least two other activatable components. The colored LEDs and activatable components cycle on and off using two or three separate switches. One switch cycles preferably white LEDs on and off. Another switch preferably cycles between a non-white LEDs and two other activatable components and combinations thereof. The activatable components include strobes, sirens, GPS tracking, emergency calling, radio, weather notification, laser light, and light not visible to humans. A third switch disposed on the exterior surface(s) of the body that is operable to asynchronously cycle through the functions of the white light source, wherein the functions include blinking, strobe, pre-programmed varying visible intensity, and Morse code messages.

Abstract: A self-defense device that includes a flashlight with a weapon end, tissue-abrading and tissue-collecting features, and with or without a writing instrument.

Abstract: A flashlight with light emitting diode (LED) sources that produce at least two different colors and at least two other activatable components. The colored LEDs and activatable components cycle on and off using two or three separate switches. One switch cycles preferably white LEDs on and off. Another switch preferably cycles between a non-white LEDs and two other activatable components and combinations thereof. The activatable components include strobes, sirens, GPS tracking, emergency calling, radio, weather notification, laser light, and light not visible to humans. A third switch disposed on the exterior surface(s) of the body that is operable to asynchronously cycle through the functions of the white light source, wherein the functions include blinking, strobe, pre-programmed varying visible intensity, and Morse code messages.

Abstract: A self-defense device that includes a flashlight with a weapon end, tissue-abrading and tissue-collecting features, and with or without a writing instrument.