Vehicle data communication device, center device, data communication method, and computer program

Abstract

A data communication device for a vehicle, a center device, a data communication method, and a computer program are provided. As one mode of the present disclosure, an OTA client (7) wirelessly communicates with a center device (2) using a line of a communication carrier to acquire update data for writing to a plurality of ECUs (6). A communication information acquisition section (12) acquires information of the communication carrier and information of a region in which the center device (2) exists by wirelessly communicating. In a database (11), a plurality of communication clients corresponding to different distribution servers (23(1))-(23(3)) are stored. An OTA provider switching control section (10) selects an OTA client (7) corresponding to the communication carrier and the region from the database (11) based on the information acquired by the communication information acquisition section (12) and makes the OTA client (7) active, so that data communication with the distribution server (23) is enabled.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-38735, filed on March 6, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to an apparatus that is mounted in a vehicle along with multiple electronic control devices and has a communication client paired with a distribution server on the central device side, and that wirelessly communicates with the central device, as well as the central device, a data communication method, and a computer program. Background Technology

[0004] In recent years, with the diversification of vehicle control functions such as driver assistance and autonomous driving, the scale of applications for vehicle control and diagnostics using electronic control units (ECUs) installed in vehicles has increased. Furthermore, with version upgrades based on functional improvements, the opportunity for so-called reprogramming—rewriting the ECU's applications—has also increased. On the other hand, with the development of communication networks, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology is becoming increasingly widespread. In this context, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for distributing ECU update programs from a central location to in-vehicle devices via OTA (Over-The-Air) and rewriting the update programs on the vehicle side.

[0005] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-116400.

[0006] In this scenario, it is also assumed that the telecommunications companies providing the infrastructure for mobile communications via wireless vary by region and country. Furthermore, it is envisioned that each country has multiple telecommunications operators, and each supplier uses different operators. Under such circumstances, when a vehicle travels across multiple regions and countries, it is desirable to be able to communicate smoothly with operators in each region—in other words, to update applications. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a vehicle data communication device, a central device for communicating with the aforementioned device, a data communication method, and a computer program that can easily obtain updated data of the electronic control device from communication operators in various regions, even when the vehicle is moving across multiple regions.

[0008] According to the vehicle data communication device described in Technical Solution 1, the communication client performs wireless communication with the center device using the line of the communication carrier to acquire update data for writing to the plurality of electronic control devices. The information acquisition section acquires information of the communication carrier and information of the region where the center device exists by performing wireless communication. In the client storage section, a plurality of communication clients corresponding to a plurality of different distribution servers are stored. Further, the client selection section selects a communication client corresponding to the communication carrier and the region based on the information acquired by the information acquisition section from the client storage section and makes the communication client active, so that data communication with the distribution server is possible.

[0009] According to the configuration as such, when the vehicle moves across regions, by selecting a communication client corresponding to the communication carrier and the region based on the information acquired by the client selection section and making the communication client active, data communication with the distribution server in each region is possible. Therefore, even if the user does not have a special awareness of the movement of the vehicle, the vehicle data communication device can acquire update data for the electronic control devices in the region of the movement destination.

[0010] According to the vehicle data communication device described in Technical Solution 2, the communication control section controls the transition state between four states consisting of (1) data update check, (2) download, (3) installation, and (4) activation in data communication with the distribution server. Further, if the client selection section switches the communication client and makes the switched communication client active while the state is (2) or (3), data communication is performed again from state (1).

[0011] That is, if the communication client is switched while data communication with the distribution server is in the state of download or installation, the possibility that the acquisition of update data and writing to the electronic control device are interrupted is very high. Therefore, the communication control section performs again from the data update check by the switched distribution server and the communication client, so that appropriate update data can be reliably acquired.

[0012] According to the vehicle data communication device described in Technical Solution 3, in the same manner as in Technical Solution 2, if the client selection section switches the communication client and makes the switched communication client active, the communication control section takes over the current state to perform data communication. That is, even if the communication client is switched while data communication with the distribution server is in the state of download or installation, it is not necessary to perform again from the data update check, but it is sufficient to take over at least the state at the time of switching the communication client. Thereby, an increase in the amount of communication between the distribution server and the communication client can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a multi-OTA provider system in the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 is an image diagram illustrating the state of migration of the OTA provider corresponding to movement of the vehicle between a plurality of regions.

[0016] Figure 3 is a diagram showing one example of the state of the OTA provider corresponding to each region and the implementation status of the OTA in each OTA provider.

[0017] Figure 4 is a diagram showing one example of switching of the implementation status of the OTA between two regions, OTA providers.

[0018] Figure 5 is a timing chart showing the processing corresponding to Figure 4

[0019] Figure 6 is a diagram showing one example of switching of the implementation status of the OTA between two regions, OTA providers in the second embodiment.

[0020] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the format conversion of the metadata included in the distribution package when changing the OTA provider from the E company to the F company.

[0021] Figure 8 is a timing chart showing the processing corresponding to Figure 6

[0022] Figure 9 is a flowchart corresponding to the processing shown in Figure 8

[0023] Figure 10 is a diagram showing one example of the format conversion of the metadata.

[0024] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the structure of a multi-OTA provider system in the third embodiment.

[0025] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the processing by the WEB portal.

[0026] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the processing of merging the data of the implementation status of the OTA of each provider. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] ​​​(First Implementation)

[0028] exist Figure 1 In the multi-OTA supplier system 1 of this embodiment shown, there is an OTA center 2 as a central device and a vehicle-side system 3. The vehicle-side system 3 includes a DCM (Data Communication Module) 4, a CGW (Central Gateway) 5, and multiple ECUs 6. Figure 1 In the diagram, three ECU6s are shown as electronic control units, which will become the targets for updating the application, but in actual vehicles, there are more ECU6s.

[0029] DCM4 is an in-vehicle communicator that communicates with OTA Center 2 via mobile communication networks such as 4G lines, the Internet, or WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark). If DCM4 downloads a distribution package from OTA Center 2, it extracts the write data from the package and forwards it to CGW5. CGW5 then writes data to the ECU6, which is the target of the write operation.

[0030] In OTA Center 2, the web portal 21 queries the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) user 22 for application updates, and if updates are available, reflects the updated content to the distribution server 23. Figure 1 For example, three distribution servers 23(1) to 23(3) corresponding to three OTA providers are shown. In addition, OEM users 22 can exist independently corresponding to the three OTA providers, and use all three companies together.

[0031] DCM4 includes OTA clients 7(1) to 7(3) corresponding to distribution servers 23(1) to 23(3), respectively. OTA client 7 is software that has the function of wirelessly communicating with OTA center 2 and downloading distribution packets via distribution server 23. The downloaded distribution packets are transferred to vehicle cooperation unit 9 via OTA sequence control unit 8. OTA sequence control unit 8 is an example of a communication control unit, and OTA client 7 is an example of a communication client.

[0032] In addition, DCM4 includes an OTA vendor switching control unit 10, a database 11, and a communication information acquisition unit 12. The communication information acquisition unit 12 is a wireless communication interface that communicates with external entities, such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), separately from the OTA client 7. By communicating with telecommunications operators in various regions via LTE, the communication information acquisition unit 12 can acquire information such as connection operator information (Mobile Network Code) and country information (Mobile Country Code).

[0033] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, database 11 stores information indicating which OTA provider should be used in each region. Furthermore, Figure 2 , Figure 3 These are different examples. Furthermore, if the OTA provider switching control unit 10 obtains connection operator information and country information from the communication information acquisition unit 12, it retrieves the aforementioned information by referring to the database 11. Moreover, via the OTA sequence control unit 8, the OTA client 7 corresponding to the distribution server 23 used by the OTA provider in that region becomes active. The OTA provider switching control unit 10 is an example of a client selection unit, and the database 11 is an example of a client storage unit.

[0034] The vehicle-mounted communication unit 9 serves as the interface for in-vehicle communication with the CGW5, and possesses functions such as "vehicle information acquisition," "command control," and "CAN / Eth communication." Furthermore, "CAN" is a registered trademark of ROBERT BOSCH GmbH, and "Eth" is an abbreviation for "Ethernet," a registered trademark of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. As described above, the CGW5 is also a reprogrammer that writes data to the ECU6, which is the target of the reprogramming process. It communicates with the ECU6 and the vehicle-mounted communication unit 9, and has functions such as "vehicle information collection," "ECU reprogramming control," and "power control." The CGW5 utilizes the "ECU reprogramming control" function, using distribution packets transferred from the vehicle-mounted communication unit 9, to update the application program of the target ECU6, which is the ECU to be rewritten. Additionally, the vehicle-side system 3 is an example of a data communication device.

[0035] Next, the function of this embodiment will be explained. For example... Figure 3 As shown, in three regions, No.1 (North), No.2 (Central), and No.3 (South), the respective operators X, Y, and Z correspond to OTA providers E, F, and G, respectively. The status of OTA implementation is categorized into State 1 through 4.

[0036] State1: Check if the distribution server has been updated.

[0037] State2: Download

[0038] State3: Installation

[0039] State4: Activation

[0040] like Figure 5 As shown, for example, if the initial region is "No.2", the OTA provider switching control unit 10 activates the OTA client 7(1) corresponding to the OTA provider, Company F (S1). If the OTA client 7(1) is activated, it communicates with the distribution server 23(1). Although the illustration is omitted, it checks the distribution server 23(1) for program updates. If there are updates, it downloads the distribution package (S2). At this stage, if the communication information acquisition unit 12 acquires country information, etc., and identifies that the region has been switched to "No.1", it notifies the OTA provider switching control unit 10 of this (S3).

[0041] Therefore, the OTA vendor switching control unit 10 accesses DB11 and checks which OTA vendor should be selected in region No.2 (S4). Since the OTA vendor for region No.1 is Company E, it is determined that it needs to switch to OTA client 7 (2) (S5). Therefore, the OTA vendor switching control unit 10 invalidates OTA client 7 (1) (S6) and then makes OTA client 7 (2) valid (S7).

[0042] OTA client 7(2) checks distribution server 23(2) for updates. If an update is found, it downloads the distribution package (S8). If installation (S9) and activation (S10) are then performed, the OTA provider switching control unit 10 can monitor the transition of these states.

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, for each OTA provider, while confirming the user's permission between states, the states transition in the order of State 1 to 4. In this embodiment, for example, if a change in region occurs in State 3 and the OTA provider is switched, the OTA sequence control unit 8 returns to State 1 to restart processing from checking for updates.

[0044] As above, according to the present embodiment, the OTA client 7 acquires the update data for writing to the plurality of ECUs 6 by wirelessly communicating with the center device 2 using the line of the communication carrier. The communication information acquisition section 12 acquires the information of the communication carrier and the information of the region where the center device 2 exists by wirelessly communicating. In the database 11, a plurality of communication clients corresponding to the different distribution servers 23(1) to 23(3) are stored. Further, the OTA provider switching control section 10 selects the OTA client 7 corresponding to the communication carrier and the above region from the database 11 based on the information acquired by the communication information acquisition section 12 and makes the same active, so that data communication with the distribution server 23 is possible.

[0045] According to the configuration like this, when the vehicle moves across regions, by selecting the OTA client 7 corresponding to the communication carrier and the above region based on the information acquired by the OTA provider switching control section 10 and making the same active, data communication with the distribution server 23 of each region is also possible. Therefore, even if the user does not have a special awareness of the moving condition of the vehicle, the vehicle-side system 3 can acquire the update data of the ECUs 6 in the region of the moving destination.

[0046] Further, if the state in the data communication with the distribution server 23 is (2) download or (3) installation, the OTA provider switching control section 10 switches the OTA client 7 and makes the same active, and then the OTA sequence control section 8 re-executes the data communication from the state (1) again.

[0047] That is, if the OTA client 7 is switched while the data communication with the distribution server 23 is in the state of download or installation, the possibility that the acquisition of the update data and the writing to the ECUs 6 are interrupted is very high. Therefore, the OTA sequence control section 8 re-trial from the data update check by the distribution server 23 and the OTA client 7 after the switching, so that appropriate update data can be reliably acquired.

[0048] (Second Embodiment)

[0049] Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are attached to the same parts as those of the first embodiment and the description is omitted, and the different parts are described. In the second embodiment, Figure 6 The migration of the states of the OTA sequence control section 28 and the switching control section 30 shown is different from that of the first embodiment. For example, in communication with the F company, if there is a change in the region in "State 3: installation", the OTA sequence control section 28 switches the OTA provider to the E company and takes over the same "State 3: installation" to execute.

[0050] As Figure 7As shown, the encryption key / signature key used at the time of distribution of the package differs in each OTA vendor. In addition, the rewriting action / sequence for the rewriting target ECU differs in each OTA vendor, and the contents / format of the specification data, i.e., the metadata, which specifies the action, also differ for each OTA vendor, so when the OTA vendor is changed from F Company to E Company, format conversion of the specification data, i.e., the metadata, included in the distribution package is required. The metadata is provided by the OEM as information involved in rewriting of the application program, contains information that can determine the rewriting target ECU, information that can determine the rewriting sequence when the rewriting target ECU is plural, and the like, and is data that defines the action involved in rewriting.

[0051] In Figure 8 In the sequence shown, steps S1 to S6 are performed as in the first embodiment. In this example, since "State2: Download" is completed, if the format conversion processing of the metadata is performed (S11), installation (S9) and activation (S10) are performed after step S7.

[0052] Next, the format conversion processing of the metadata will be described. As Figure 10 As shown, in the format conversion processing, there are (1) replacement of the order of items, (2) conversion of data values, and (3) addition of the number of items. As Figure 9 As shown, the OTA vendor switching control section 30 first confirms the conversion source and the conversion destination of the metadata (S11, S12). In Figure 10 In the example shown, the conversion source is F Company, and the conversion destination is E Company.

[0053] Next, the OTA vendor switching control section 30 accesses the database 31 in place of the database 11, and confirms the necessity of replacement of the order of items, conversion of data values, and addition of items for the above-mentioned conversion source and conversion destination (S13). That is, in the database 31, information required for these conversion processes is stored in advance. The database 31 also constitutes a part of the client selection section. Further, if the order change is required (S14; Yes), the order of the items of the conversion destination of the metadata is replaced (S15), if the data value conversion is required (S16; Yes), the data value is converted (S17). Further, if the addition of items is required (S18; Yes), the items are added (S19).

[0054] In Figure 10In the example shown, the order of the item "rewrite environment" is changed from first to third, the data value of the item "data identification" is changed, and the item "target ECU number" is added. In addition, in the meta data, there is information related to the update data of the ECU to be rewritten, type information indicating the type of the ECU, and attribute information indicating the attribute of the ECU. The type information is an ID for identifying the device indicating the type of each ECU. The attribute information is information indicating the hardware attribute and the software attribute related to the ECU. For example, "update program size" is one example of the software attribute information. In addition, "power supply control information" is one example of the hardware attribute information.

[0055] As described above, according to the second embodiment, if the OTA client 7 is switched by the OTA client switching control section 30 and the switched OTA client 7 becomes active, the OTA sequence control section 28 takes over the current state to perform data communication. That is, even if the OTA client 7 is switched while the data communication with the distribution server 23 is in a state of downloading or installation, it is not necessary to necessarily start over from the data update check, but it is sufficient to perform at least the state at the time of switching the OTA client 7, so it is possible to suppress the increase in the communication amount between the distribution server 23 and the OTA client 7.

[0056] Further, the database 31 holds specification data including information related to the ECU to be updated and the update data association information of the above-described ECU, and if the OTA client 7 is switched by the OTA client switching control section 30 and becomes active, the format of the specification data held before the switching is converted to a format corresponding to the OTA client 7 that becomes active after the switching. Thereby, it is possible to take over the state before the switching of the OTA client and continue to perform the State after the switching.

[0057] (Third Embodiment)

[0058] As shown in Figure 11 , the third embodiment relates to processing performed on the side of the center device 41 that replaces the center device 2. The WEB portal 42 is connected to OEM back-end systems 43G to 43E that replace the OEM user 22. The OEM back-end systems 43G to 43E are systems that manage software for each vehicle model in each OEM, and have a function of forwarding to the corresponding distribution server 23G to 23E via the WEB portal 42 if an operator selects software that becomes an update target.

[0059] In the third embodiment, as shown in Figure 12 , the WEB portal 42 listens to the implementation status of the OTA for each distribution server 23G to 23E, in other words, the update status of the program for each vehicle (S21). The distribution server 23 is one example of a log information storage section. Further, compared to the OTA implementation status for each vehicle, asFigure 13 As shown, if the status of the OTA implemented at the latest time is selected and the information is merged, the merged result is displayed as KPI information on a display or the like (S22). The WEB portal 42 is an example of the information processing section.

[0060] As described above, according to the third embodiment, in the center device 41, the log information of the execution time of the above-described status (2) to (4) involved in the update of the program transmitted from the DCM 4 is stored in the distribution server 23. If the communication client is switched by the OTA provider switching control section 30 and the switched communication client becomes active, and if there is a vehicle that stores a plurality of log information to the distribution server 23 in correspondence with a plurality of communication clients, the WEB portal 42 merges the log information of a plurality of vehicles into the latest information. Thereby, the user can grasp the latest OTA implementation status for each vehicle by referring to the merged log information, that is, the KPI information.

[0061] (Other Embodiments)

[0062] The DCM 4 and the CGW 5 are separated, but can be integrated into an ECU, and the functional part for communication can be separated, and the other functional parts of the DCM 4 and the CGW 5 can be integrated into an ECU. In addition, the functions of the DCM 4 in the embodiments can be mounted on the CGW 5.

[0063] The present disclosure has been described based on an embodiment, but it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment, the configuration. The present disclosure also includes various modifications, modifications within the equivalent scope. Among them, various combinations, modes, further only include one element, one or more or one or less other combinations, modes of them are also included in the scope, the idea of the present disclosure.

[0064] The control section and the method thereof described in the present disclosure can also be realized by a dedicated computer provided by a processor programmed to execute one or more functions embodied by a computer program and a memory. Alternatively, the control section and the method thereof described in the present disclosure can also be realized by a dedicated computer provided by a processor constituted by one or more hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control section and the method thereof described in the present disclosure can also be realized by one or more dedicated computers constituted by a processor programmed to execute one or more functions and a memory and a processor constituted by one or more hardware logic circuits. In addition, the computer program can be stored as instructions executed by a computer on a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium.

Claims

1. A vehicle data communication device that is mounted on a vehicle together with a plurality of electronic control devices, and has a communication client that is paired with a distribution server on a center device side, and performs data communication with the center device wirelessly, the vehicle data communication device comprising: an information acquisition section that acquires information of a communication carrier and information of a region where the center device exists by performing wireless communication using a line of the communication carrier; a client storage section that stores a plurality of communication clients that correspond to a plurality of different distribution servers respectively; and a client selection section that enables data communication with the distribution server by selecting a communication client that corresponds to the communication carrier and the region from the client storage section based on the information acquired by the information acquisition section and making the communication client active, wherein the communication control section has the following states in data communication with the distribution server: (1) data update check, (2) download of update data, (3) installation of the downloaded data to the electronic control device, and (4) activation of the installed data, the communication control section controls transition between the states, the communication client, if made active by the client selection section, acquires update data for writing to the plurality of electronic control devices, if the client selection section switches the communication client and makes the switched communication client active while the state is (2) or (3), the communication control section takes over the current state and performs data communication, if an electronic control device that is an object of update data is set as an object device, the client selection section holds specification data, if the communication client is switched and the switched communication client is made active, the format of the specification data held before the switching is converted to a format corresponding to the communication client that is made active after the switching, the specification data includes information related to the object device and update data association information of the object device.

2. The vehicle data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the specification data held by the client selection section includes a kind of the object device, an attribute of the object device, and information indicating an overwrite environment related to data update of the object device.

3. A vehicle data communication device that is mounted on a vehicle together with a plurality of electronic control devices, and has a communication client that is paired with a distribution server on a center device side, and performs data communication with the center device wirelessly, the vehicle data communication device comprising: an information acquisition section that acquires information of a communication carrier and information of a region where the center device exists by performing wireless communication using a line of the communication carrier; a client storage section that stores a plurality of communication clients that correspond to a plurality of different distribution servers respectively; and a client selection section that enables data communication with the distribution server by selecting a communication client that corresponds to the communication carrier and the region from the client storage section based on the information acquired by the information acquisition section and making the communication client active, wherein the communication control section has the following states in data communication with the distribution server: (1) data update check, (2) download of update data, (3) installation of the downloaded data to the electronic control device, and (4) activation of the installed data, the communication control section controls transition between the states, the communication client, if made active by the client selection section, acquires update data for writing to the plurality of electronic control devices, if the client selection section switches the communication client and makes the switched communication client active while the state is (2) or (3), the communication control section takes over the current state and performs data communication, if an electronic control device that is an object of update data is set as an object device, the client selection section holds specification data, if the communication client is switched and the switched communication client is made active, the format of the specification data held before the switching is converted to a format corresponding to the communication client that is made active after the switching, the specification data includes information related to the object device and update data association information of the object device. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ a client selection section that selects a communication client corresponding to the communication carrier and the region from the client storage section based on the information acquired by the information acquisition section and makes the communication client active so as to be able to perform data communication with the distribution server; and a communication control section that has the following states in data communication with the distribution server: (1) data update check (2) download of update data (3) installation of the downloaded data to the electronic control device (4) activation of the installed data the communication control section controls the transition between the states, the communication client, if made active by the client selection section, acquires update data for writing to the plurality of electronic control devices, if the client selection section switches the communication client and makes the switched communication client active while the state is (2) or (3), the communication control section performs data communication again from state (1).

4. A vehicle data communication device that is mounted on a vehicle together with a plurality of electronic control devices and has a communication client that is paired with a distribution server on a center device side and performs data communication with the center device by wireless communication, the vehicle data communication device comprising: an information acquisition section that acquires information of a communication carrier and information of a region in which the center device exists by performing wireless communication using a line of the communication carrier; a client storage section that stores a plurality of communication clients corresponding to a plurality of different distribution servers, respectively; a client selection section that selects a communication client corresponding to the communication carrier and the region from the client storage section based on the information acquired by the information acquisition section and makes the communication client active so as to be able to perform data communication with the distribution server; and a communication control section that has the following states in data communication with the distribution server: (1) data update check (2) download of update data (3) installation of the downloaded data to the electronic control device (4) activation of the installed data the communication control section controls the transition between the states, the communication client, if made active by the client selection section, acquires update data for writing to the plurality of electronic control devices, if the client selection section switches the communication client and makes the switched communication client active while the state is (2) or (3), the communication control section performs data communication again from state (1).

5. A center device that has the distribution server and performs data communication with the vehicle data communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the center device comprising: a log information storage section that stores log information on execution time of the states (2) to (4) transmitted by the vehicle data communication device; and the center device comprising: a log information storage section that stores log information on execution time of the states (2) to (4) transmitted by the vehicle data communication device; and If the communication client is switched by the client selection unit and the switched communication client is activated, the information processing unit combines log information of a plurality of vehicles into the latest information.

6. A data communication method for a vehicle data communication device mounted on a vehicle together with a plurality of electronic control devices and having a communication client paired with a distribution server on a center device side to perform data communication with the center device via wireless communication, by using a line of a communication carrier to perform wireless communication, information of the communication carrier and information of a region where the center device exists are acquired, a plurality of communication clients corresponding to a plurality of different distribution servers are stored in a client storage unit, by selecting a communication client corresponding to the communication carrier and the region from the client storage unit based on the acquired information and activating the communication client, data communication with the distribution server is enabled, in the data communication with the distribution server, the following states are present: (1) data update check (2) download of update data (3) installation of the downloaded data to the electronic control device (4) activation of the installed data the states are controlled, if the communication client is activated, update data for writing to the plurality of electronic control devices is acquired, if the communication client is switched while the state is (2) or (3) and the switched communication client is activated, the current state is taken over to perform data communication, if an electronic control device to be an object of update data is set as an object device, specification data is held, if the communication client is switched and the switched communication client is activated, the format of the specification data held before the switch is converted to a format corresponding to the communication client activated after the switch, the specification data includes information related to the object device and update data association information of the object device.

7. A data communication method for a vehicle data communication device mounted on a vehicle together with a plurality of electronic control devices and having a communication client paired with a distribution server on a center device side to perform data communication with the center device via wireless communication, by using a line of a communication carrier to perform wireless communication, information of the communication carrier and information of a region where the center device exists are acquired, a plurality of communication clients corresponding to a plurality of different distribution servers are stored in a client storage unit, by selecting a communication client corresponding to the communication carrier and the region from the client storage unit based on the acquired information and activating the communication client, data communication with the distribution server is enabled, in the data communication with the distribution server, the following states are present: (1) data update check (2) download of update data (3) installation of the downloaded data to the electronic control device (4) making installed data valid controlling the transition between the above states, if the above communication client is made valid, acquiring update data for writing to the above plurality of electronic control devices, if the communication client is switched and the switched communication client is made valid while the above state is (2) or (3), data communication is performed again from state (1).

8. A data communication method for a vehicle data communication device that is mounted on a vehicle together with a plurality of electronic control devices and has a communication client that is paired with a distribution server on a center device side to perform data communication with the above center device via wireless, by performing wireless communication using a line of a communication carrier, acquiring information of the above communication carrier and information of a region where the above center device exists, storing a plurality of communication clients that respectively correspond to a plurality of different distribution servers to a client storage section, by selecting a communication client that corresponds to the above communication carrier and the above region from the above client storage section based on the acquired information and making the above communication client valid, data communication with the above distribution server is enabled, in data communication with the above distribution server, the following states are present: (1) data update check (2) download of update data (3) installation of writing downloaded data to the above electronic control devices (4) activation of making installed data valid controlling the transition between the above states, if the above communication client is made valid, acquiring update data for writing to the above plurality of electronic control devices, if the communication client is switched and the switched communication client is made valid while the above state is (2) or (3), data communication is performed again from state (1).

9. A recording medium that records a computer program that causes a vehicle data communication device that is mounted on a vehicle together with a plurality of electronic control devices and has a communication client that is paired with a distribution server on a center device side to perform data communication with the above center device via wireless, by performing wireless communication using a line of a communication carrier, acquiring information of the above communication carrier and information of a region where the above center device exists, storing a plurality of communication clients that respectively correspond to a plurality of different distribution servers to a client storage section, by selecting a communication client that corresponds to the above communication carrier and the above region from the above client storage section based on the acquired information and making the above communication client valid, data communication with the above distribution server is enabled, in data communication with the above distribution server, the following states are present: (1) data update check (2) download of update data (3) installation of writing downloaded data to the above electronic control devices (4) activation of making installed data valid controlling the transition between the above states, if the above communication client is made valid, acquiring update data for writing to the above plurality of electronic control devices, if the communication client is switched and the switched communication client is made valid while the above state is (2) or (3), data communication is performed again from state (1). If the communication client is switched and the switched communication client is activated in the state (2) or (3), the data communication is executed from the state (1) again, If an electronic control device to be an object of update data is set as an object device, specification data is held, and if the communication client is switched and the switched communication client is activated, the format of the specification data held before the switching is converted into a format corresponding to the communication client activated after the switching, the specification data including information related to the object device and update data association information of the object device.

10. A recording medium recording a computer program which causes a vehicle data communication device mounted on a vehicle together with a plurality of electronic control devices and having a communication client paired with a distribution server on a center device side to perform data communication with the center device wirelessly, obtains information of a communication carrier and information of a region where the center device exists by performing wireless communication using a line of the communication carrier, stores a plurality of communication clients corresponding to a plurality of different distribution servers to a client storage section, selects a communication client corresponding to the communication carrier and the region from the client storage section based on the obtained information and activates the communication client, so that data communication with the distribution server is enabled, has the following states in the data communication with the distribution server: (1) data update check (2) download of update data (3) installation of writing the downloaded data to the electronic control device (4) activation of activating the installed data controls the transition between the states, obtains update data for writing to the plurality of electronic control devices if the communication client is activated, if the communication client is switched and the switched communication client is activated in the state (2) or (3), the data communication is executed from the state (1) again.

11. A recording medium recording a computer program which causes a vehicle data communication device mounted on a vehicle together with a plurality of electronic control devices and having a communication client paired with a distribution server on a center device side to perform data communication with the center device wirelessly, obtains information of a communication carrier and information of a region where the center device exists by performing wireless communication using a line of the communication carrier, stores a plurality of communication clients corresponding to a plurality of different distribution servers to a client storage section, selects a communication client corresponding to the communication carrier and the region from the client storage section based on the obtained information and activates the communication client, so that data communication with the distribution server is enabled, has the following states in the data communication with the distribution server: (1) data update check (2) download of update data (3) installation of writing the downloaded data to the electronic control device (4) activation of activating the installed data controls the transition between the states, If the above communication client is made active, update data for writing to the above plurality of electronic control devices is acquired, If the above communication client is switched and the switched communication client is made active at (3) after the above state is updated data download complete, the current state is taken over to perform data communication.

12. A data communication method, which is a method of performing data communication with the vehicle data communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, with a distribution server, Log information regarding execution times of the above states (2) to (4) transmitted by the above vehicle data communication device is stored in a log information storage section, If the above communication client is switched and the switched communication client is made active by the above client selection section, and vehicles having a plurality of log information stored in the above log information storage section corresponding to a plurality of communication clients are present, the log information of the plurality of vehicles is all merged into the latest information.

13. A recording medium recording a computer program, which is a program for causing a center device performing data communication with the vehicle data communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, with a distribution server, to execute, Log information regarding execution times of the above states (2) to (4) transmitted by the above vehicle data communication device is stored in a log information storage section, If the above communication client is switched and the switched communication client is made active by the above client selection section, and vehicles having a plurality of log information stored in the above log information storage section corresponding to a plurality of communication clients are present, the log information of the plurality of vehicles is all merged into the latest information.

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