Method and arrangement for installing a software module in a device

• US 7,793,280 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2002
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: De Boer, Gerrit, Knopke, Juergen
• Primary Examiner(s): Kendall; Chuck O
• Application Number:
  US10/497,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20050081197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,917 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 717/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation

Abstract

A method and arrangement for installing a software module in a device are provided, an operating system and a hardware-independent software environment such as a Java environment may be operated on the device and new software modules for the operating system may be installed via an interface with the software environment and an installation manager in the operating system. For this purpose, the software environment provides data to the installation manager via the installation interface. The installation manager, shielded from the software environment, then carries out the installation of the software module.

Claims

1. A method for installing a software module in a device, the method comprising:

operating an operating system and a device-independent software environment on a processor of the device, wherein the device-independent software environment includes an installation interface configured to interface with an installation manager program located in the operating system;

at the software environment, determining that the software module is to be installed within the operating system;

at the software environment, responsive to the determining that the software module is to be installed, calling up the installation manager and transferring a parameter identifying a location of a data file, the data file including the software module and at least one installation command, from the software environment to the installation manager, via the installation interface;

at the installation manager, locating the data file based on the parameter, loading the data file and extracting the software module along with the at least one installation command; and

performing the installation of the software module via the installation manager, including executing the at least one installation command at the installation manager, the installation occurring solely within the operating system and hidden from the software environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data file includes at least one of data concerning the source of the software module, at least one signature, an encryption information, a text description, and at least one software tool.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the data file includes a first field configured for an identification, a second field for required resources for the software module, a third field for the at least one installation command, a fourth field for the software module, and a fifth field for the at least one signature.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

implementing at least one of remote servicing and remote diagnosis via the installation manager.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

issuing a report about a result of the installation.

6. A system for installing a software module in a device, comprising:

a computer program executable with a processor and operable to perform the following;

operating an operating system and a device-independent software environment on a processor of the device, wherein the device-independent software environment includes an installation interface configured to interface with an installation manager program located in an operating system;

at the software environment, determining that the software module is to be installed within the operating system;

at the software environment, responsive to the determining that the software module is to be installed, calling up the installation manager and transferring a parameter identifying a location of a data file, the data file including the software module and at least one installation command, from the software environment to the installation manager, via the installation interface;

at the installation manager, locating the data file based on the parameter, loading the data file and extracting the software module along with the at least one installation command; and

performing the installation of the software module via the installation manager, including executing the at least one installation command at the installation manager, the installation occurring solely within the operating system and hidden from the software environment;

wherein the device includes a processor, a memory and a communication interface, and wherein the operating system, the software environment, the installation interface, and the installation manager are stored in the memory.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the device includes a telematics device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the device includes one of a radio receiver, a navigation device, and an automotive PC.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the data file includes at least one of data concerning the source of the software module, at least one signature, an encryption information, a text description, and at least one software tool.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the data file includes a first field configured for an identification, a second field for required resources for the software module, a third field for the at least one installation command, a fourth field for the software module, and a fifth field for the at least one signature.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of remote servicing and remote diagnosis is implemented via the installation manager.

12. The system of claim 6, wherein a report is issued about a result of the installation.