Robert Boschgmbh

Eberhard Tenbusch

Martin Hurich

Robert Seyfang

The present invention relates to a method for operating a control unit for controlling or regulating a function of a motor vehicle. The control unit includes a programmable memory device. The control or regulation is realized by executing a computer program (P) at least partially stored in the memory device and by using data (D) stored at least partially in the memory device. In order to offer the most efficient protection against manipulation of the contents of the memory device by an unauthorized person, it is provided that, at least following a modification of the computer program (P) stored in the memory device or of the data (D) stored in the memory device, the modified computer program (P) is executed only and/or the modified data (D) are used only if the modified computer program (P) and/or the modified data (D) has/have been successfully verified.

Method for operating a control device

A method and a device for modifying data and programs and for writing the data and programs into at least one first non-volatile memory of a computer system, in particular a memory of a control unit of a vehicle. In this context, the data and programs are divided into at least first and second data and programs, at least the second data and programs being worthy of backup, or containing backup-worthy data and programs. However, the old second data and programs in the assigned original sector are not erased until new second data and programs are written into a second memory sector not corresponding to the original sector, and a copying program is written into a second volatile memory. The copying program writes the new second data and programs from the second memory sector into the original sector. As a result, there is no need to create a backup copy of the backup-worthy data and programs. Thus, the old second data and programs are not erased by an erase command sent by a programming unit, and they then assume execution of the sequencing control.

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Vaihingen, Germany

Eberhard Tenbusch