Abstract:
A system and a method for data communication with a vehicle control device include a flash adapter which is inserted with a vehicle key into an ignition lock of a vehicle. Upon insertion into the ignition lock, the vehicle key is authenticated. Subsequently, a comparison between the control device data stored in the key and the vehicle can be triggered by using the flash adapter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     Field of the Invention  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a system and a method for data communication with a control device, in particular a system and a method for subsequently modifying data (reflashing) in a control device of a motor vehicle.  
         [0002]     In order, for example, to remedy failures or bugs in control device software or to release additional control device functions subsequently (after a vehicle has been delivered), the vehicle must be taken to a workshop and the control device of the vehicle must be accessed using a diagnostic device. In that case it is not possible to restrict the authorized user group for reflashing. For example, it is not possible to equip only a particular individual vehicle with new functions.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a system and a method for data communication with a control device having an adapter for reflashing control device software, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known systems and methods of this general type and in which an authorized user group for subsequently modifying data in a control device can be chosen selectively.  
         [0004]     With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a system for data communication with a control device. The system comprises a vehicle access device. An adapter is to be coupled to the vehicle access device. An interface transmits authentication data between the vehicle access device and the control device. The adapter communicates with the control device, upon the adapter being coupled to the vehicle access device and upon authentication of the vehicle access device.  
         [0005]     With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided a method for data communication with a control device. The method comprises coupling a vehicle access device, connected to an adapter, to a control device. The vehicle access device is authenticated. Data is transmitted between the adapter and the control device upon correct authentication of the vehicle access device.  
         [0006]     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a system contains an adapter, for example a flash adapter, which can be electrically coupled to a vehicle key. This vehicle key is then inserted together with the coupled flash adapter into an ignition lock of a vehicle. The vehicle key is authenticated when it is inserted into the ignition lock. It is only if the authentication is correct, that data can be transmitted between the adapter and the control device.  
         [0007]     In particular, the adapter receives information from the control device which is characteristic of a vehicle, for example the chassis number or cryptological data specific to the vehicle.  
         [0008]     A microcontroller contained in the adapter receives this information and compares it to information stored previously in the adapter. It is only if there is a match that the adapter sends data to the control device. This data can, for example, cause additional functions in the control device to be released, or update the software of the control device.  
         [0009]     It is possible to individualize the reflash procedure by coupling the reflash procedure to authentication of the vehicle key. The reflashing or functional upgrade can be restricted to an authorized user group by individualization.  
         [0010]     According to another development of the invention, hardware upgrades are provided in the vehicle key adapter. The hardware upgrade in the adapter is, for example, a transmitter with a greater range and/or an additional button.  
         [0011]     An adapter of this type can, for example, be used for a remote engine start or remote operation of the air-conditioning system used in combination with the vehicle key. As a result, no separate cryptological individualization of the adapter is necessary.  
         [0012]     Other features which are considered to be characteristic for the invention are set forth in the claims that are appended hereto.  
         [0013]     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a system and a method for data communication with a control device having an adapter for reflashing control device software, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown and described, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.  
         [0014]     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating a method implemented by the system according to  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is seen a block diagram of a system  1  in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]     The system  1  contains an adapter  2 , which can be linked to a vehicle key  3 . The vehicle key  3  is a vehicle access device which, for example, can also be configured as an IC card.  
         [0020]     The adapter  2  contains an interface  4  through which the adapter  2  can be connected to a corresponding interface  5  of the vehicle key  3 .  
         [0021]     According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the interface  4  of the adapter  2  and the interface  5  of the key  3  are constructed as plug-in connections. Alternatively, an infrared connection, a connection through USB, a serial or inductive connection, etc. is possible.  
         [0022]     As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the adapter  2  is inserted into an ignition lock  6  together with the vehicle key  3 , in order to permit data communication with a vehicle-mounted control device  7 .  
         [0023]     Data communication between the control device  7  and the vehicle key  3  is controlled by a microcontroller  8 . The vehicle key  3  further contains a memory  9  in which, for example, information is stored enabling authentication of the vehicle key  3  upon insertion into the ignition lock  6 .  
         [0024]     As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the adapter  2  also contains a microcontroller  10 , which is connected to a first memory  11  and a second memory  12 .  
         [0025]     Information is stored in the first memory  11  which, for example, is a ROM or EEPROM. That information is required for reflashing the software of the control device  7 . The stored information can, for example, release or deactivate particular additional functions of the control device  7 . The second memory  12  contained in the adapter  2  which, for example, is a ROM or EEPROM, preferably stores information characteristic of an individual vehicle.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a system according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the adapter  2  contains an additional button  13 . This enables a hardware upgrade to be provided in the adapter.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a flow-chart clarifying the functioning of the system according to the first embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0028]     In a step S 1 , the key  3  together with an attached adapter  2  is inserted into the ignition lock  6 .  
         [0029]     In a step S 2 , the vehicle key  3  is authenticated. In this case, authentication data stored in the memory  9  of the vehicle key  3  is compared to authentication data in the control device  7  by the microcontroller  8 .  
         [0030]     In a step S 3 , the microcontroller  8  determines whether or not the vehicle key has been authenticated. If it has not, the flow-chart terminates at step S 3 .  
         [0031]     If the vehicle key  3  has been successfully authenticated, data communication is enabled between the adapter  2  and the control device  7 . In particular, in a step S 4 , data stored in the control device is read out by the microcontroller  10  and compared to data contained in the second memory  12  of the adapter  2 . For example, a chassis number of the vehicle stored in the control device  7  is read out by the microcontroller  10  of the adapter  2  and compared to a predetermined list of chassis numbers stored in the second memory  12 . The list of chassis numbers stored in the second memory  12  represents an authorized user group of individual vehicles which can be reflashed with the adapter  2  and the corresponding vehicle keys. A step S 5  determines whether or not the chassis number read out from the control device  7  is contained in the list stored in the second memory  12  of the adapter  2 . If it is not, the flow-chart is terminated at a step S 6 , with no reflashing of the control device software being performed.  
         [0032]     If it is ascertained in step S 5  that authorization for reflashing is resent, in other words that the read-out chassis number is contained in the list stored in the second memory  12 , in a step S 7  the data contained in the first memory  11  of the adapter  2  is transmitted to the control device  7 .  
         [0033]     This data can, for example, release particular additional functions of the control device  7 . Alternatively, it is further possible for the microcontroller  10  to additionally read out a version number of the current software in the control device  7 , and to check whether or not a more recent software version is available for reflashing in the memory  11  of the adapter  2 .  
         [0034]     Although in the foregoing, preferred embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the attached drawings, it is clear that modifications and changes can be made without exceeding the scope of the invention, providing it is ensured that, through authentication of the vehicle key, the authorization to reflash an individual vehicle is examined.  
         [0035]     This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of German Patent Application 10 2004 050 882.8, filed Oct. 19, 2004; the entire disclosure of the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference.