Method for automatic updating of software

• US 20050102661A1
• Filed: 01/10/2002
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Dominguez Lorenzo, Olivier, De Boer, Gerrit
• Granted Patent: US 7,424,707 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A method for automatically updating software which is used for updating software which is running on a system, by using new software modules, these software modules first being tested, and application modules then being derived from these software modules. The actual new function is implemented by the application modules. The software modules may be received advantageously over a wireless interface. The method according to the present invention is particularly suited for applications where software is used in a motor vehicle. The application module is usually derived from the software module on the basis of the principle of inheritance. The software module is tested by a call instruction using test parameters.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A method for automatically updating software comprising:

expanding a functionality of the software by adding a software module;

testing the software module during operation of the software;

deriving at least one application module from the software module on the basis of the principle of inheritance of object-oriented programming, as a function of a result of the test; and

using the application module by the software module for operation.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising receiving the software module over a wireless interface.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising overwriting functions used only for the test when the at least one application module is derived from the software module.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the software module is tested by a call instruction using test parameters.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

monitoring, by the software, test of the software module by setting a variable; and

repeating the test as a function of a content of the variable.

14. A device for automatically updating software comprising:

a processor;

a memory;

wherein the processor and the memory operate the software; and

a loading device for simultaneously loading a software module and receiving useful data, the software module being for expanding a functionality of the software.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the loading device includes a wireless interface.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the device is contained in a motor vehicle.