Method for managing versions of application software, device for installing software and method for operating it, and computer program product

Abstract

Starting from the use of two partitions (12-1, 12-2) with respective copies for application software, when the application software is installed on one of the partitions (12-2), the other of the partitions (12-1) is defined as the boot object, so that if the new application software crashes, the old application software is automatically reactivated when restarting.

Claims

[1] Method for managing versions of application software in a control unit, in particular a control unit of a vehicle (1), comprising: - providing a memory with two partitions (12-1, 12-2) on the control unit, each of which is capable of storing the application software, and wherein, in an initial situation, the same previous version of the application software is stored on both partitions; - Providing boot software for which a first or a second partition (12-1, 12-2) of the memory can be defined as a boot object by setting a date; - Installing a new version of the application software on one of the two partitions (12-2) and setting the date to define the other (12-1) of the two partitions as the boot object; - immediately initiate a start of the new version of the application software on one partition (12-2); - Starting the test process and only if the test process is successfully completed and the result of the test process is positive: - Copy the new version of the application software from one partition (12-2) to the other partition (12-1), and otherwise: - Copy the previous version of the application software from the other partition (12-1) to the one partition (12-2). [2] Method according to claim 1, in which, if the testing process is not completed: - Using the date to define a boot object to start the application software on the other partition (12-1), whereby this application software in the previous version copies the application software in the previous version to the one partition (12-2). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, if the result of the test process is negative, a switch to using the application software on the other partition (12-1) takes place and, by this, a copying of the application software in the previous version to the one partition (12-2) takes place. [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the boot software enables the setting of a two-valued date which defines the boot object. [5] Device (20) for loading software onto a memory (12-1, 12-2) of a control unit, wherein the memory has two partitions (12-1, 12-2), and wherein a boot software (14) is stored in the memory and a data item (16) is stored which defines a boot object for the boot software (14), characterized bythat the device (20) is designed to load the software at least initially onto only one (12-2) of the partitions and at the same time to set the date (16) in such a way that it defines the other (12-1) of the partitions as a boot object. [6] A method for operating a device (20) according to claim 5, comprising the steps of: - loading the software onto a partition (12-2) of a control unit (10); - Setting the date (16) on the control unit so that it designates another partition (12-1) of the control unit (10). [7] Computer program product, comprising a program code designed to cause a device (20) for loading software to carry out the method according to claim 6. [8] Method for providing application software for a motor vehicle (1), in which the application software is loaded onto a partition (12-2) of a memory with multiple partitions (12-1, 12-2), wherein the application software itself initiates a test process and, upon successful completion of the test process and upon positive result of the test process, writes a copy of itself to another partition (12-1). [9] Computer program product for providing application software for a motor vehicle, comprising a program code which causes a data processing device to check the application software itself and, if the result is positive, to cause a copy of the application software itself to be written. [10] Motor vehicle (1) with a control unit (10) with two partitions (12-1, 12-2), wherein at least on one partition (12-2) a computer program product for providing application software is stored, which provides a program code that causes the control unit to check the application software itself and, if the result is positive, to cause a copy of the application software to be written to another partition (12-1).

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