DE102009002086A1 - Programmable unit reprogramming device for motor vehicle, has microcontroller designed to start automatically during processing program, where program comprises sequence to load software stored in memory into programmable unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for reprogramming a programmable unit in a motor vehicle, comprising - a programmable microcontroller with an interface module suitable for the vehicle communication bus, - a memory for storing new software for the programmable unit, - one with the inputs and outputs of a microcontroller Connector adapted for connection to a vehicle bus connected to the programmable unit, wherein the microcontroller is configured so that it automatically starts to run its program when a supply of power through the connector and the program of the microcontroller a command order includes to load the stored in the memory new software in the programmable unit.

Description

The The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the reprogramming of a programmable unit in a motor vehicle.

modern Motor vehicles have one or more often even more programmable Calculating units or electronic control unit for certain tasks, such as B. engine control, exhaust gas monitoring, Airbag control etc.

Around their functions or modes of operation to change, repair or by adding patches, etc., it is often necessary their software, ie change programming, similar as is the case with computers.

So far In addition, complex systems made of special software and hardware are used or (portable) computer with appropriate interface used. These systems are expensive, complex and difficult to operate and use, so it often comes to operating errors and only specially trained Staff to deal with them.

From the DE 103 548 49 A1 a method and a corresponding device for reading the diagnostic code in vehicles with electronic control unit and transition plug is known, in which the data are transported to the computer unit and the electrical energy through the connection cable with the vehicle, by means of the keypad, the desired user data is entered and the respective data flow to LEDs and the determined data are displayed on the display, as well as via the receiver / transmitter, the computer unit with a personal computer / host can exchange central data and an external interface for at least one additional device further data in the vehicle can be read.

This Process and the corresponding device are only able Read out data, but not make a programming.

In contrast, The object of the present invention therefore consists in a To provide apparatus and a corresponding method, with which the software of the programmable units in a motor vehicle can be easily changed.

These The object is achieved by the recited in claim 1 device and the method specified in claim 8.

Needed according to the invention the use of the device has no or virtually no interaction or Action of the operator to the previously complicated process to perform the reprogramming. Once the device is connected to the vehicle, so infected to the vehicle bus and thus the unit to be programmed connected and above is powered, the microcontroller starts automatically with the execution of his program. The program of the microcontroller includes an appropriate order of instruction to store the data stored in memory new "software" in the programmable unit to load and thus umzuprogrammieren or up to date etc. (update) to bring.

Only In some cases, it may be necessary for the user a start button, etc. pressed, if technically necessary should be.

The Device is thus loaded with the new program / software and then serves only this in a specific programmable unit to load. The device is therefore in contrast not universally applicable to the previous device, but in reverse of the previous practice specifically designed for the respective purpose, namely change the software of a particular programmable unit in a particular Vehicle.

Under "reprogramming" becomes in this case, the importing or flashing of a new software version or changing settings by importing new ones Values understood. In principle, this is always about that Changing data / values in a programmable memory Unit.

If necessary, the programming of the device or its microcontroller also perform safety checks in handshaking or go through.

at the programmable units can be z. B. the engine control, On-board computer, exhaust control, airbag control, displays, radio and CDROM or music system, telecommunications systems, etc. act. In principle, any device can be reprogrammed has a suitable memory which is writable from "outside" is.

The Connection with the unit preferably takes place indirectly via the vehicle bus via corresponding plugs or Plugs, like the OBD plug. Alternatively, the respective unit can also directly provided with an appropriate connection be.

So that the operator knows when he can disconnect the device again and whether the reprogramming was successful, it makes sense if the pros direction has a status indicator. It may operate visually or acoustically, preferably comprising two LEDs indicating a success, failure or ongoing reprogramming activity.

Of the Microcontroller then becomes so with the status indicator and the vehicle bus be connected, that it depends on the feedback of the programmable unit the status indicator for indication of Status of software change (reprogramming) controls. So an LED can glow green if successful, one If they fail, they can turn red and both can go off the reprogramming alternately light up. This status indicator can naturally be formed in any other suitable way d. H. it can also be just a light indicator, the different colors lights, or even more lights, each one specific Status are assigned.

Of the Microcontroller includes an interface module (transceiver) to to be compatible with the vehicle or on this bus to communicate with the respective target unit. Usually will He therefore with a bus to the fieldbus system (CAN, LIN, Flexray etc.) to be compatible.

Prefers a transmitting unit is provided, which is a wireless communication of the microcontroller with a base station. Then the status report can be sent directly to a central production control or surveillance will be sent. This can be checked automatically which vehicles have been successfully reprogrammed or where a reprogramming was unsuccessful.

• – Verbindung der Vorrichtung mit der zu verändernden programmierbaren Einheit mittels des Steckers;
• – Stromversorgung beim Verbinden der Vorrichtung über das Fahrzeug;
• – automatischer Ablauf einer im Mikrokontroller hinterlegten Programmierung;
• – Ausführen von Befehlen durch die in dem Mikrokontroller hinterlegte Programmierung zur Veränderung der Software der programmierbaren Einheit durch Laden der neuen Software aus dem Speicher in die programmierbare Einheit.

According to the invention, the innovation also comprises a corresponding method for modifying the software of a programmable unit in a motor vehicle by means of a device having a microcontroller, a memory and a plug, comprising the steps:

• - Connection of the device with the programmable unit to be modified by means of the plug;
• - Power supply when connecting the device via the vehicle;
• - automatic execution of a stored in the microcontroller programming;
• Execution of instructions by the program stored in the microcontroller for changing the software of the programmable unit by loading the new software from the memory into the programmable unit.

The Reprogramming thus runs according to the invention without Intervention or action of the operator. He's just stuck the device to the vehicle bus and the device is about it powered and then automatically works its inherent Program to automatically rewrite the target unit (see above).

Further Details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent the following description of an embodiment based on the single drawing, in the

1 a schematic diagram of a device for reprogramming a programmable unit in a motor vehicle shows and

2 a flowchart for a method for reprogramming a programmable unit in a motor vehicle by means of the device 1 shows.

In the 1 is one as a whole with 1 designated device for reprogramming a programmable unit in a motor vehicle shown.

The device 1 includes an elongated housing 2 , similar to a USB stick.

At one end of the forehead 3 of the housing 2 is a plug compatible with the OBD standard 4 arranged, via which the device is connected to the corresponding terminal on the vehicle. The plug 4 also serves to connect the device 1 with a computer station in which the device 1 or their memory is "loaded" or provided with the new software for modifying the programmable unit.

At the other end of the head 5 is a status indicator 6 in the form of two visible LEDs 7 . 8th arranged. The one LED 7 glows green and the other LED 8th shines red:
In the case 2 is a programmed microcontroller 9 with an interface module suitable for the vehicle communication bus of the respective vehicle 10 arranged. With the inputs and outputs of the microcontroller interface module 10 is on the one hand the plug 4 connected. The microcontroller 9 is also with a memory 11 for the storage of new software for the programmable unit interconnected or configured.

The memory 11 is doing so with the microcontroller 9 connected and interconnected, that it can be read from this and also rewritten.

The microcontroller 9 is designed, ie wired and wired as well as programmed, that this with a supply of power over the plug 4 automatically with the processing of his pro starts and the program of the microcontroller 9 a command order includes those in memory 11 to load stored new software into the programmable unit.

Furthermore, the microcontroller 9 so with the status indicator 6 Wired, depending on the feedback of the programmable unit, the status indicator 6 to indicate the status of the change of the software. The LED 7 glows green on success and the LED 8th glows red in case of an error. During the actual reprogramming, the LEDs flash 7 and 8th alternately.

Based on 2 A method sequence is described with the just described device for reprogramming a programmable unit in a car. The process essentially comprises the following sub-operations:
Connecting the device 1 (Step i) with the programmable unit to be changed by means of the plug 4 with the communication bus of the vehicle so that it is supplied with power over it (step ii) and has access to the unit to be programmed. Preferably, this is the OBD connector of the CAN bus of the car.

Automatic start and sequence (step iii) of the stored in the microcontroller programming after the power supply, which has commands to "recognize" the unit to be programmed (step iv) and in the programming state and then loading the new software from the Storage 11 into the programmable unit (step v). When charging, the LEDs flash 7 and 8th alternately.

In step vi, it is checked whether the loading has been completed successfully or not. The user is then over the status indicator 6 or its LED 7 and 8th about the success, LED 7 glows green, or an error, LED 8th glows red, informs.

1

contraption

2

casing

3

front end

4

plug

5

front end

6

Status Indicator

7

LED

8th

LED

9

microcontroller

10

Interface Module

11

Storage

12

transmission unit

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 10354849 A1 [0005]

Claims (11)

Device for reprogramming a programmable unit in a motor vehicle, comprising - a programmable microcontroller ( 9 ) with an interface module suitable for the vehicle communication bus ( 10 ), - a memory ( 11 ) for the deposit of new software for the programmable unit, - one with the inputs and outputs of a microcontroller interface module ( 10 ) connected plug ( 4 ) suitable for connection to a vehicle bus connected to the programmable unit, the microcontroller ( 9 ) is designed so that when a supply of electricity through the plug ( 4 ) automatically begins to execute its program and the program of the microcontroller includes a command order to store in memory ( 9 ) load new software stored in the programmable unit. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a status indicator ( 6 ) having. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the microcontroller ( 9 ) so with the status indicator ( 6 ) and the vehicle bus is connected to the status indicator (depending on the feedback of the programmable unit). 6 ) for indicating the status of the change of the software. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the status indicator ( 6 ) two LEDs ( 7 . 8th ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug ( 4 ) is an OBD-compatible connector. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface module ( 10 ) is compatible with a bus according to the fieldbus system. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that provided a start button or button is. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one transmitting unit ( 12 ), which provides wireless communication of the microcontroller ( 9 ) with a base station. Method for modifying the software of a programmable unit in a motor vehicle by means of a device ( 1 ) with a microcontroller ( 9 ), a memory ( 11 ) and a plug ( 4 ), in particular a device according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps: - connection of the device ( 1 ) with the programmable unit to be changed by means of the plug ( 4 ); - Power supply when connecting the device ( 1 ) over the vehicle; - automatic execution of a microcontroller ( 9 ) stored programming; Execution of instructions by the in the microcontroller ( 9 ) programmed to change the software of the programmable unit by loading the new software from the memory ( 11 ) into the programmable unit. Method according to claim 9, wherein a transmitting unit ( 12 ) is in wireless contact with a base station. Method according to claim 1, wherein a transmitting unit ( 12 ) sends a status report to the base station.