Patent
1995-11-30
1998-01-27
Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W.
39518501, G06F 1120
Patent
active
057129690
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods for complete reprogramming of an erasable, nonvolatile memory and, more particularly, to methods for complete reprogramming of an erasable, nonvolatile memory in a motor vehicle control device.
Methods are known for complete reprogramming of an erasable, nonvolatile memory in a control device having at least one central processing unit, a volatile memory and input/output circuits as well as the erasable, nonvolatile memory. These methods include transferring data to be programmed in the control device from an external electronic device and executing a programing module for programming the erasable, nonvolatile memory in the central processing unit.
A method for completely reprogramming an erasable, non-volatile memory is already known from WO 80/02881. In this method the erasable, non-volatile memory (EPROM) is contained on the chip of a microcomputer. The ROM of the microcomputer contains a programming module for programming. To program the erasable, non-volatile memory (EPROM), the microcomputer is connected via a serial interface to a data terminal. The microcomputer then receives the data to be programmed from the terminal. The microcomputer uses the programming module stored in the ROM for programming the erasable, non-volatile memory (EPROM).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for completely reprogramming an erasable, nonvolatile memory in a control device, especially the control device of a motor vehicle.
These objects, and others which will become more apparent hereinafter, are attained in a method for complete reprogramming of an erasable, nonvolatile memory in a control device having at least one central processing unit, a volatile memory and input/output circuits as well as the erasable, nonvolatile memory, in which data to be programmed is transferred into the control device from an external electronic device and a programming module for programming the erasable, nonvolatile memory is executed in the at least one central processing unit.
According to the invention, the method comprises the steps of dividing the erasable, nonvolatile memory into at least two separately erasable and programmable areas, providing at least one first area of the erasable, nonvolatile memory with an error-free programming module for programming the erasable, nonvolatile memory; providing an external electronic device with data to be programmed in the erasable, volatile memory; executing the error-free programming module for programming the erasable, nonvolatile memory under control of the at least one central processing unit, thereby receiving data to be programmed in the erasable, nonvolatile memory from an external electronic device; during the programming of the erasable, nonvolatile memory first programming a second area of the erasable, nonvolatile memory and thereby storing another programming module in this second area and thereafter programming the at least one first area with other programming module already stored in the second area.
The method according to the invention for completely reprogramming an erasable, non-volatile memory has by contrast the advantage that it is possible to dispense with providing an expensive, and above all subsequently unalterable, ROM with a programming module. The invention namely envisages that the programming module is provided additionally in the erasable, nonvolatile memory. Before the actual programming operation the programming module is then loaded into the volatile memory (code RAM) of the microcomputer and is then available there for execution. It is furthermore advantageous that the erasable, non-volatile memory can also be reprogrammed completely and reliably at a later time. This makes it possible, for example in the case of a motor vehicle control device, for subsequent program changes to be made after delivery to the customer without having to remove the motor vehicle control device, for example from the motor vehicle, and send it
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Grote Walter
Zimmermann Jurgen
Baderman Scott T.
Beausoliel, Jr. Robert W.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Striker Michael J.
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