Method and central data processing device for updating software in a plurality of vehicles

A device for updating software in a plurality of vehicles of a fleet of vehicles during a software rollout, comprising:

• a central data processing device configured to:
• register vehicles of the vehicle fleet by receiving vehicle identification data of the vehicles via an air interface to the central data processing device when a vehicle communicates with the central data processing device for the first time;
• continuously check whether a trigger signal is present that is capable of triggering an update of the software in at least one of the plurality of vehicles of the vehicle fleet;
• select at least one vehicle registered in the central data processing device from the plurality of vehicles of the vehicle fleet on the basis of vehicle identification data received by the central data processing device when a trigger signal is detected and a software update is available;
• and
• transfer the software update from the central data processing device to the selected vehicle via the air interface, wherein
• the trigger signal generated by a vehicle of the vehicle fleet is generated for a first time at a randomly determined time within a specified period of time.

A vehicle, comprising:

• a software update trigger signal generator that generates a trigger signal to initiate an update of software of the vehicle, the trigger signal being transmitted via an air interface to a central data processing device, wherein
• the vehicle is one of a plurality of vehicles of a fleet of vehicles, and
• the central data processing device is configured to:
• register vehicles of the vehicle fleet by receiving vehicle identification data of the vehicles via an air interface to the central data processing device when a vehicle communicates with the central data processing device for the first time;
• continuously check whether a trigger signal is present that is capable of triggering an update of the software in at least one of the plurality of vehicles of the vehicle fleet;
• select at least one vehicle registered in the central data processing device from the plurality of vehicles of the vehicle fleet on the basis of vehicle identification data received by the central data processing device when a trigger signal is detected and a software update is available;
• and
• transfer the software update from the central data processing device to the selected vehicle via the air interface, wherein
• the trigger signal generated by a vehicle of the vehicle fleet is generated for a first time at a randomly determined time within a specified period of time.