Method for updating an application for managing an anti-theft alarm, associated device and vehicle.

Abstract

A method for updating an anti-theft alarm management application, implemented in a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Receiving an application update notification (116); Upon receiving the update notification, reading initial alarm data from a first memory (116) in which the alarm management application is stored; Saving the initial alarm data to a second memory (115), external to the first memory (116); Updating the application in the first memory (116); Retrieving the initial data from the second memory (115); Restoring the initial data to the first memory (116). Figure 2 for the abbreviated version.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for updating an application for managing an anti-theft alarm, associated device and vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to applications for managing an anti-theft alarm for motor vehicles.

[0002] There is a need to make the use of these applications and vehicles more reliable during (or following) the updating of these applications.

[0003] To this end, the invention relates to a method for updating an application for managing an anti-theft alarm, implemented in a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Receiving a notification about an application update, - Upon (in other words: following) receipt of the update notification, an initial alarm data is read from a first memory location where the alarm management application is stored, then - Saving (in other words: Writing) the initial alarm data to a second memory location, external to (in other words: separate from) the first memory location, then - Updating the application in the first memory (that is, replacing, at least partially, an older version of the application in the first memory with a newer version of the application. For example, the update overwrites (in other words: erases) the initial data in the first memory), then - Retrieval (in other words: reading) of the initial data from the second memory, then - Restoration (in other words: Writing) of the initial data in the first memory.

[0004] Thus, the application does not lose the initial data after its update, which makes it possible to recover the state of the alarm before the application update, after the application update.

[0005] For example, the update step includes a step of receiving a new version of the application or a part of the application (stored in the first memory) from a mobile phone receiver in the vehicle. For example, the new version is received by the receiver from a server via a mobile phone network. The new version of the application may also be received from another electronic component of the vehicle.

[0006] The recovery and / or restoration step can be implemented by the application itself or another module.

[0007] For example, the update notification reception step includes a step of receiving the notification (stored in the first memory location) from a mobile phone receiver in the vehicle. For example, the notification is received by the receiver from a server (not shown), for example via a mobile phone network. The new version of the application can also be received from another electronic device in the vehicle.

[0008] The update step may include writing new alarm data to the first memory location, which is then replaced by the initial data during the restore step. However, new alarm data is not necessarily required.

[0009] For example, the update step may overwrite (in other words: erase or modify) the initial data in the first memory.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the initial alarm data indicates whether the alarm is activated or not (in other words: in monitoring or not).

[0011] Alternatively, the initial alarm data indicates whether volumetric detection (i.e., detection of a presence in the vehicle) is activated or deactivated (in other words, whether monitoring for a presence in the vehicle is enabled or deactivated). More generally, the initial alarm data may indicate an alarm configuration.

[0012] The anti-theft alarm can be configured to detect a theft or an attempted theft. The alarm can, for example, detect, using sensors (in the vehicle), an event such as: - The opening of a door or luggage compartment of the vehicle (perimeter detection), and / or - A presence in the vehicle (volumetric detection), and / or - A lifting of the vehicle (tilt detection).

[0013] Upon detection of the event, an alarm signal (for example, a sound) can be emitted by the alarm, if the alarm is activated (and this step may be part of the method according to the invention). No alarm signal is activated if the alarm is deactivated (and this step may be part of the method according to the invention).

[0014] According to one embodiment, the process according to the invention comprises the following step: - Restart the alarm management application after the restore step.

[0015] The restart step can be implemented by restarting the electronic device, a processor of the electronic device or a processor of the motor vehicle on which the application is run.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the process according to the invention comprises the following steps: - Blocking (in other words: freezing or fixing) the initial alarm data (in the first memory) (and / or possibly the new alarm data) before the backup step until (at least) the restoration step included (in other words: until after the end of the restoration step), - Unlocking (in other words: releasing) the initial alarm data (in the first memory) (and / or possibly the new alarm data) after the restoration step (included) (in other words: until after the end of the restoration step).

[0017] For example, during the blocking step, a first flag is stored in the vehicle or device's memory. The first flag indicates the impossibility (in other words: prohibits, inhibits, or makes impossible) of modifying the initial data, for example (entered by a vehicle driver) from a vehicle human-machine interface, for example from a touchscreen, remote control, or mobile phone.

[0018] For example, during the initial data unlocking step, the first flag is modified or deleted in the vehicle or device memory, or a new first flag is stored in the vehicle or device memory, which indicates the possibility (in other words: allows, disinhibits or makes possible) of a modification of the initial data, for example (entered by a driver of the vehicle) from a human-machine interface of the vehicle, for example a touch screen, or a remote control, or a mobile phone.

[0019] This prevents a risk of inconsistency between; - On the one hand, an initial data which would be modified, by an action of a legitimate or unauthorized user of the vehicle, via a human-machine interface between the backup stage and the restore stage, and - On the other hand, the initial data which was backed up.

[0020] For example, during the steps of the process according to the invention, the alarm can detect a break-in and emit an alert signal (and these steps can be part of the process according to the invention), if the alarm is activated. The alarm management application can manage only the configuration and / or activation of the alarm, which can therefore operate during the implementation of the process.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the motor vehicle includes openings (for example: side doors and / or a luggage compartment tailgate), and the update process includes the following steps: - Blocking (in other words: Freezing or fixing) of the openings between (before) the backup stage up to (at least) the restoration stage included (in other words: until after the restoration stage). - Unlocking (in other words; releasing) the openings (and / or possibly the new alarm data) after the initial data unlocking step (included) (in other words: until after the initial data unlocking step).

[0022] This prevents, for example, the openings from being unlocked while the alarm is activated, which would then trigger the alarm following the restoration step.

[0023] For example, during the door locking step, a second flag is stored in the vehicle or device's memory. The second flag indicates that it is impossible (in other words: prohibited, inhibited, or rendered impossible) to unlock or lock the doors, for example, from a remote control or a mobile phone.

[0024] For example, during the unlocking of the openings step, the second flag is modified or deleted in the memory of the vehicle or device, or a new second flag is stored in the memory of the vehicle or device, which indicates the possibility (in other words: authorizes, disinhibits or makes possible) of locking or unlocking the openings, for example (controlled) from a remote control or a mobile phone.

[0025] The restart step can take place before (or after) the opening unlocking step and / or the initial alarm data unlocking step.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the process according to the invention includes the following step: - Upon receiving the application update notification, the application is saved in a third memory location outside the first and second memory locations (in other words: separate from the first and second memory locations).

[0027] This backup can be used to restore the application, from the second memory into the first memory, in case of failure of the update.

[0028] Following the initial alarm data restoration or unlocking step, or following the restart step, the application is executed by a processor of the electronic device. During this execution, the application reads the initial data from the first memory location.

[0029] The update step may be preceded by a notification sending step following the backup step and / or the initial data and / or opening step. This notification informs the electronic entity that sends the new application version (to a server via the mobile phone network, or to an electronic entity of the vehicle) that the vehicle is ready for the update.

[0030] The first memory and / or the second memory and / or the third memory is, for example, a non-volatile memory of the electronic device.

[0031] Preferably, the blocking of the openings takes place before the blocking of the initial data and / or the unblocking of the openings takes place after the unblocking of the initial data.

[0032] Preferably, the blocking of the openings takes place before the reading of the initial data in the first memory and / or the unblocking of the openings takes place after restoration of the initial data.

[0033] The first memory and / or the second memory and / or the third memory is preferably a memory of the motor vehicle and / or the electronic device.

[0034] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller or a computer, to implement the steps of the process according to the invention, when executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller or the computer.

[0035] The steps of the process can be implemented by an electronic device. The invention therefore also relates to an electronic device configured to implement the steps of the process according to the invention, and a vehicle comprising the device.

[0036] The characteristics and advantages of the electronic device, the motor vehicle, or the computer program are identical to those of the method, therefore they are not repeated here.

[0037] An electronic device, motor vehicle, or other element is understood to be "configured to" (or "suitable to") perform or implement a step or operation by the fact that the element includes means to (in other words, "is designed to" or "is adapted to") perform the step or operation. These are preferably electronic means, for example, a computer program, data in memory, specialized electronic circuits, wired or wireless connections, or a microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0038] When a step or operation is performed (in other words: implemented) by such an element, this generally implies that the element has means for (in other words, "is designed for" or "is adapted for" or "is configured for") performing the step or operation. These may include, for example, electronic means, such as a computer program, data in memory, specialized electronic circuits, wired or wireless connections, a microprocessor, or a microcontroller.

[0039] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which includes embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which.

[0040] [Fig-1] represents an electronic device and a vehicle (more precisely the front of the vehicle) according to an embodiment of the invention. (NB: some elements are visible through transparency).

[0041] [Fig.2] represents details of the electronic device of [Fig.1], according to the invention.

[0042] [Fig.3] represents the implementation of the method according to the invention, according to an example of realization, by the electronic device and / or the vehicle of figures 1 and 2.

[0043] Detailed description of an example embodiment of the invention.

[0044] With reference to figures 1 to 3, at step S00, the electronic device 110 of the vehicle 100 stores in its memory 116 the application for managing the anti-theft alarm 160 of the vehicle 100.

[0045] At step S10, the device 110 receives, from a mobile phone receiver 150 of the vehicle 100, a notification of application update.

[0046] The notification is for example sent by a server (not shown), for example via a mobile telephone network 200. Alternatively, the notification can be sent by an electronic entity of the vehicle 100.

[0047] At step S20, upon receiving the application update notification, the device 110 saves the application in a memory 114 of the electronic device 110. This backup can be restored if the update fails.

[0048] up to date.

[0049] At step S30, the device 110 stores a flag 119 which indicates the impossibility of unlocking or locking the openings of the vehicle 100, in particular the side door 170, for example from a remote control, or a mobile phone.

[0050] At step S40, the device 100 stores a flag 118 which indicates the impossibility (in other words: prohibits, inhibits or makes impossible) of modifying the initial data, for example from a touch screen of the vehicle, or a remote control, or a mobile phone.

[0051] Flags 118 and 119 can also be stored outside the electronic device 110.

[0052] At step S50, still following receipt of the update notification, device 110 reads an initial alarm data from memory 116 of device 110.

[0053] For example, the initial alarm data indicates whether alarm 160 is activated or not (in other words: in monitoring or not).

[0054] The anti-theft alarm 160 is configured to detect a theft or attempted theft in the vehicle 100. The alarm 160 can, for example, detect, using sensors (in the vehicle), an event such as: - An opening of a side door 170 or a luggage compartment of the vehicle 100 (perimeter detection), and / or - A presence in the vehicle 100 (volumetric detection), and / or - A lifting of the vehicle 100 (tilt detection).

[0055] Upon detection of the event, an alarm signal (for example: a sound) can be emitted by alarm 160, if the alarm is activated. No alarm signal is activated if alarm 160 is deactivated.

[0056] At step S60, device 110 writes the initial alarm data into a memory 115 of device 110.

[0057] At step S70, device 110 sends a notification to the server (or to the entity sending the new version of the application which may be inside the vehicle) indicating that vehicle 100 or device 110 is ready for the update.

[0058] At step S80, the device 110 receives a new version of the application or part of the application (stored in memory 116) from a mobile phone receiver 150 of the vehicle 100. This new version can be received from a server (not shown), for example via a mobile phone network 200. The new version of the application can also be received from another electronic entity of the vehicle 100.

[0059] At step S90, the device 110 updates the application in memory 116. In other words, it replaces, at least partially, an older version of the application in the first memory 116 with the new version of the application. During this step, the initial data in memory 116 is overwritten by the new version of the application.

[0060] Steps S80 and S90 can be carried out in parallel, for example by executing boot program 117.

[0061] At step S100, the application is restarted. This restart can be achieved by restarting all or part (for example, by restarting the processor 111) of the electronic device 110.

[0062] At step SI 10, the electronic device 110 retrieves (in other words: reads) the initial data in memory 115.

[0063] At step S120, the electronic device restores (in other words: writes) the initial data in memory 116.

[0064] At step S130, the application is restarted so as to correctly take into account the initial data. This restart can be performed by restarting of all or part (for example by restarting processor 111) of the electronic device.

[0065] At step S140, the flag 118 is deleted from memory by device 110, which indicates the possibility of a modification of the initial data, for example entered by a driver of the vehicle from a touch screen of the vehicle, or a remote control, or a mobile phone.

[0066] At step S150, the flag 119 is deleted from memory by the electronic device 110, which indicates the possibility of locking or unlocking the vehicle's openings, in particular the side door 170 of the vehicle 110, for example controlled from a remote control or a mobile phone.

[0067] At step S160, the application is executed by the processor 111. During this execution, the application reads the initial data from the first memory 116.

[0068] Memories 114, 115, 116 are, for example, volatile memories.

[0069] The invention can be implemented, more specifically, by the processor 111 of the device 110, and the instructions of the boot program 117.

[0070] The electronic device may include several modules, for example a control module for openings capable of locking and unlocking the openings. For example, the flag 119 may be stored in the control module for openings.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for updating an anti-theft alarm management application (160), implemented in a motor vehicle (100) including openings, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Receiving a notification (S 10) to update the application (116), - Upon receiving the update notification (S 10), reading (S50) initial alarm data from a first memory (116) in which the alarm management application (160) is stored, then - Saving (S60) the initial alarm data to a second memory (115), external to the first memory (116), then - Updating (S90) the application in the first memory (116), then - Retrieving (S10) the initial data from the second memory (115), then - Restoring (S120) the initial data to the first memory (116),The process further comprises the following steps: - Blocking the initial alarm data (S40) before the backup step (S60) up to and including the restoration step (S120), - Blocking the openings between the backup step (S60) up to and including the restoration step (S120), - Unblocking the initial alarm data (S140) after the restoration step (S120), - Unblocking the openings (S150) after the initial data unblocking step (S140).

2. Method of updating an anti-theft alarm management application (160) according to the preceding claim in which the initial alarm data indicates whether the alarm (160) is activated or not.

3. A method for updating the alarm management application (160) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the following step: - Restart (S 130) the alarm management application (160) after the restore step.

4. Method of updating the alarm management application according to any one of the preceding claims comprising opening the following step: - Upon receipt of the notification (S 10) of application update, saving the application (S20) in a third memory (114) outside the first memory (116) and the second memory (115).

5. Computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or microcontroller, for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, when executed by the microprocessor or microcontroller.

6. Electronic device (110) configured to implement the steps of the update process according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. Motor vehicle (100) comprising the electronic device (110) according to the preceding claim.

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