A method for operating a control apparatus of an infotainment apparatus of a motor vehicle for enabling functions, wherein the control apparatus comprises an integrated circuit, the method comprising:
- receiving, by the infotainment apparatus, a user request for enabling a circuit function and/or a circuit area of the integrated circuit from a user;
- creating, by the infotainment apparatus, a corresponding request signal based on the user request;
- transmitting, by the infotainment apparatus, the corresponding request to a central computer of a manufacturer of the infotainment apparatus or a central computer of the motor vehicle;
- receiving, by the central computer, the corresponding request;
- verifying, by the central computer, a admissibility and an applicability of the corresponding request;
- transmitting, by the central computer, a signal to a central enabling computer of a manufacturer of the control apparatus, wherein the signal is associated with the corresponding request;
- sending, by the central computer, a predetermined communication signal to the infotainment apparatus;
- receiving, by the infotainment apparatus, the predetermined communication signal;
- setting, by the infotainment apparatus, the infotainment apparatus to a mode, wherein a direct communication between the control apparatus and the central enabling computer is enabled in the mode;
- transmitting, by the infotainment apparatus, in response to setting the infotainment apparatus to the mode, a second signal to the central computer, wherein the second signal indicates that the control apparatus is ready for communication;
- instructing, by the central computer, the central enabling computer to transmit an actuation signal to the control apparatus by sending a third signal;
- generating, by the central enabling computer, a control signal associated with the user request using a cryptographic method, and transmitting the control signal to the control apparatus;
- verifying, by the control apparatus, a signature of the control signal using the cryptographic method;
- confirming, by the control apparatus, an authorization of the central enabling computer based on verifying the signature;
- permitting, by the control apparatus, an actuation of the control apparatus;
- processing, by a function control unit of the control apparatus, the actuation signal and changing at least one entry of a function register unit, wherein the at least one entry of the function register unit is associated with the circuit function and/or the circuit area of the integrated circuit;
- enabling, by the integrated circuit, the circuit function and/or the circuit area for use based on the at least one entry of the function register unit;
- sending, by the function control unit, a confirmation signal to the central enabling computer, wherein the confirmation signal indicates enabling the circuit function and/or the circuit area of the integrated circuit by changing the at least one entry of the function register unit;
- transmitting, by the central enabling computer, a second confirmation signal to the central computer to confirm transmitting the actuation signal and the enabling the circuit function and/or the circuit area of the integrated circuit;
- and
- transmitting, by the central computer, a notification signal to the control apparatus to confirm enabling the circuit function and/or the circuit area of the integrated circuit,
- wherein the central enabling computer controls the function control unit of the control apparatus by means of the actuation signal via a protected connection.