Patent ID: 8346430

Claim:
A method for generating operating software on an onboard control device of a motor vehicle by communicating with an external data source storing a plurality of software components in a non-executable state, comprising the following steps: a) at the onboard control device of the motor vehicle, executing a diagnosis function of control software stored in the onboard control device of the motor vehicle, with which the configuration of the motor vehicle can be established so that functions to be performed by the control device are identified, b) the control software at the onboard control device communicating with the external data source to select from the plurality of software components stored in a non-executable state on the external data source only software components necessary for performing the identified functions to be performed by the control device, and c) the control software at the onboard control device initiating the generation of operating software on the control device from external components stored in a non-executable state by either: causing the selected software components in the non-executable state to be compiled or linked in the external data source to generate executable operating software for the control device, which executable operating software is then transferred from the external data source to the onboard control device, or causing the selected software components in the non-executable state to be transferred from the external data source to the onboard control device and then compiled or linked in the onboard control device to generate executable operating software for the control device.