Vehicle control device

Abstract

To provide a controller for a vehicle that updates software of the controller by using software for update transmitted from a server, the controller for a vehicle capable of updating the software without causing increase in a load on the server.SOLUTION: A software update unit 122 determines whether software for vehicle control 92 needs update on the basis of data for execution determination 126J as determination information for determining whether software for vehicle control 92 needs update and vehicle information Ive reflecting a vehicle state, and when determining that the software for vehicle control 92 needs update, updates the software for vehicle control 92 by using software for update 126S to update the necessary software for vehicle control 92 while suppressing increase in a load on an external server 200. The software update unit can avoid update of unnecessary software and can prevent reduction in convenience for a driver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to updating software of a control device mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] As a technology for updating software of a control device mounted on a vehicle, a technology is known in which update software is received from a server outside the vehicle and the received update software is used to update the software of the vehicle control device. An example of such a technology is the software distribution system described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 proposes that when a server acquires defect information about the on-board software from a vehicle, the server identifies vehicles that are presumed to have the same defect, and distributes a correction file for correcting the defect in the on-board software to the identified vehicles. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-119236 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is update software such as a correction file that corrects software defects, and the need for updating varies from vehicle to vehicle. However, if the update software is used on the server side to identify vehicles that require an update of the control device software, there is a problem that this leads to an increase in the load on the server.

[0005] The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a vehicle control device that updates the software of the control device using update software transmitted from a server, thereby enabling software updates without increasing the load on the server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gist of a first invention is (a) a vehicle control device comprising: (b) a receiving unit that receives update software from a server; (c) a storage unit that stores software and vehicle information that is changed based on a vehicle state and reflects the vehicle state; and (d) an update unit that updates the software using the update software, wherein (e) the update unit is configured to determine whether or not the software needs to be updated based on determination information for determining whether or not the software needs to be updated and the vehicle information, and to update the software using the update software when it is determined that the software needs to be updated. (f) the vehicle information includes at least one of a learning value learned by a learning control, diagnostic data of a diagnostic code, an operating time of a cruise control system, a size of a backlash formed between parts, information about a drift of an input rotation speed during a gear shift, and information about a vehicle behavior when a shift operation position is changed. It is characterized by:

[0007] The gist of the second invention is as follows: (a) a vehicle control device, comprising: (b) a receiving unit that receives update software from a server; (c) a storage unit that stores software and vehicle information that is changed based on a vehicle state and reflects the vehicle state; and (d) an update unit that updates the software using the update software, (e) the update unit is configured to determine whether or not the software needs to be updated based on determination information for determining whether or not the software needs to be updated and the vehicle information, and to update the software using the update software when it is determined that the software needs to be updated; and (f) the update unit has a function of determining whether or not the software needs to be updated based on the vehicle information, and when it is determined that the software needs to be updated based on the vehicle information, the update unit has a function of inquiring of a server as to whether or not the update software related to the vehicle information is stored in the server. It is characterized by:

[0008] The gist of the third invention is that in the first or second invention, the judgment information includes a threshold value for a variable for determining whether or not the software needs to be updated, and the update unit determines whether or not the software needs to be updated based on whether the value of the variable stored as the vehicle information is greater than or smaller than the threshold value.

[0009] The gist of a fourth aspect of the present invention is that in the third aspect of the present invention, the determination information is transmitted from the server together with the update software.

[0010] The gist of the fifth invention is that in the third invention, the judgment information is transmitted from the server separately from the update software, and when the update unit determines that an update of the software is necessary based on the transmitted judgment information and the vehicle information, it outputs a request to the server to transmit the update software.

[0012] No. 6 The gist of the invention is as follows: 2 In the present invention, when the update software is not stored in the server, the vehicle information is stored in the server. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the necessity of software update is judged based on the judgment information for judging the necessity of software update and the vehicle information reflecting the vehicle state, and when it is judged that the software update is necessary, the software is updated using the update software, thereby making it possible to update the necessary software while suppressing an increase in the load on the server. In addition, it is possible to avoid unnecessary software updates and prevent a decrease in convenience for the driver. In addition, the vehicle information includes at least one of the following: learning values ​​learned by the learning control, diagnostic data of the diagnostic code, operating time of the cruise control system, dimensions of the gap formed between parts, information regarding the input rotational speed drift during gear shifting, and information regarding vehicle behavior when the shift operation position is switched. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not a software update is required based on at least one of these vehicle information.

[0014] According to the second invention, The necessity of software update is judged based on the judgment information for judging the necessity of software update and the vehicle information reflecting the vehicle state, and when it is judged that the software update is necessary, the software is updated using the update software, thereby making it possible to update the necessary software while suppressing an increase in the load on the server. In addition, it is possible to avoid unnecessary software updates and prevent a decrease in convenience for the driver. In addition, since the vehicle determines whether or not a software update is necessary based on the vehicle information, the server only needs to determine whether or not update software related to the vehicle information is stored on the server, thereby preventing an increase in the load on the server.

[0015] According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not a software update is required based on whether the value of the variable stored as vehicle information is greater than or smaller than a threshold value serving as determination information.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the determination information is transmitted from the server together with the update software, so that when it is determined that a software update is necessary based on the determination information and the vehicle information, the software can be updated promptly.

[0017] According to the fifth invention, the judgment information is transmitted from the server separately from the update software, and a request to transmit the update software is output to the server only when it is determined that a software update is necessary based on the judgment information and vehicle information, thereby avoiding the transmission of unnecessary update software.

[0019] No. 6 According to the invention, when the update software is not stored in the server, the vehicle information is stored in the server, so that the developer can efficiently create update software that can handle the vehicle information by referring to the vehicle information stored in the server. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicle to which the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a system configuration that executes various controls for the vehicle in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is an image diagram of update data transmitted from an external server. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of times of learning and a threshold value used when determining whether or not an update is required based on a learning value. [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram showing a change in input rotation speed during a gear shift from first gear to second gear of a stepped transmission section. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram showing the behavior of the output rotation speed when the operating position of the shift lever is switched from a reverse drive position to a forward drive position. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a conceptual diagram showing the exchange of information between a server and a vehicle when implementation determination data and update software are transmitted separately. FIG. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart that explains the main control operations of a vehicle control device, i.e., the control operations that can reduce the load on the external server by determining on the vehicle side whether or not to update update software transmitted from the external server. [Figure 9]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of times of learning and a threshold value used when determining whether or not an update is required based on a learning value. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart that explains the main control operations of a vehicle control device, namely, the control operations that can reduce the load on the external server by having the vehicle inquire of an external server whether new software is available and updating the vehicle control software according to the results of the inquiry. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following embodiments, the drawings are appropriately simplified or modified, and the dimensional ratios and shapes of the various parts are not necessarily drawn accurately. EXAMPLES

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a vehicle 10 to which the present invention is applied. The vehicle 10 is a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine 14, a first rotating machine MG1, and a second rotating machine MG2, and uses the engine 14 and the second rotating machine MG2 as a driving force source for traveling. The vehicle 10 also includes a power transmission device 12 on a power transmission path between the engine 14 and driving wheels 28. The power transmission device 12 includes an electric variable speed unit 18 and a mechanical stepped speed unit 20, which are arranged in series on a common axis in a case 16, which is a non-rotating member. The electric variable speed unit 18 is connected to the engine 14 directly or indirectly via a damper (not shown). The mechanical stepped speed unit 20 is connected to the output side of the electric variable speed unit 18. The power transmission device 12 also includes a differential gear device 24 connected to an output shaft 22 which is an output rotating member of the mechanical stepped transmission portion 20, and a pair of axles 26 connected to the differential gear device 24, and the like.

[0023] In the power transmission device 12, the power output from the engine 14 and the second rotary machine MG2 is transmitted to the mechanical stepped transmission unit 20, and then transmitted from the mechanical stepped transmission unit 20 to driving wheels 28 of the vehicle 10 via a differential gear device 24 and the like. Hereinafter, the electric stepped transmission unit 18 will be referred to as the stepped transmission unit 18, and the mechanical stepped transmission unit 20 will be referred to as the stepped transmission unit 20. In addition, when no particular distinction is made, the term "power" also refers to torque or force. In addition, the stepped transmission unit 18, the stepped transmission unit 20, and the like are configured approximately symmetrically with respect to the common axis, and the lower half of the axis is omitted in FIG. 1.

[0024] The engine 14 is an engine that functions as a power source capable of generating a driving torque, and is, for example, a known internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, etc. The engine 14 has an engine torque Te, which is an output torque of the engine 14, controlled by an engine control device 50 that includes a throttle actuator, a fuel injection device, an ignition device, etc., provided in the vehicle 10.

[0025] The first rotating machine MG1 and the second rotating machine MG2 are rotating electric machines having a function as an electric motor (motor) and a function as a generator (generator), and are so-called motor generators. The first rotating machine MG1 and the second rotating machine MG2 are each connected to a battery 54 as an electricity storage device provided in the vehicle 10 via an inverter 52 provided in the vehicle 10, and the inverter 52 is controlled by a traveling control device 90 described later, thereby controlling the MG1 torque Tg and MG2 torque Tm, which are the output torques of the first rotating machine MG1 and the second rotating machine MG2, respectively.

[0026] The continuously variable transmission 18 includes a first rotating machine MG1 and a differential mechanism 32 as a power split mechanism that mechanically splits the power of the engine 14 to the first rotating machine MG1 and an intermediate transmission member 30 that is an output rotating member of the continuously variable transmission 18. The second rotating machine MG2 is connected to the intermediate transmission member 30 so as to be capable of transmitting power. The differential mechanism 32 is composed of a single-pinion type planetary gear device, and the engine 14 is connected to the carrier CA0 of the planetary gear device via a connecting shaft 34 so as to be capable of transmitting power, the first rotating machine MG1 is connected to the sun gear S0 so as to be capable of transmitting power, and the second rotating machine MG2 is connected to the ring gear R0 so as to be capable of transmitting power. The continuously variable transmission 18 is an electric type continuously variable transmission in which the differential state of the differential mechanism 32 is controlled by controlling the operating state of the first rotating machine MG1. A mechanical oil pump 58 driven by the power of the engine 14 is connected to the connecting shaft 34.

[0027] The stepped transmission unit 20 is a mechanical transmission mechanism that constitutes a part of the power transmission path between the continuously variable transmission unit 18 and the drive wheels 28. The stepped transmission unit 20 is a known planetary gear type automatic transmission that includes a plurality of planetary gear sets, for example a first planetary gear set 36 and a second planetary gear set 38, and a plurality of engagement devices, including a one-way clutch F1, a clutch C1, a clutch C2, a brake B1, and a brake B2, and is capable of shifting to a plurality of gear stages (speed stages). Hereinafter, the clutches C1, C2, brakes B1, and B2 will be simply referred to as engagement devices CB unless otherwise specified. The engagement hydraulic pressure PRcb supplied to each engagement device CB is controlled by a hydraulic control circuit 56 provided in the vehicle 10. When the gear to be shifted is determined based on the accelerator operation amount (accelerator opening θacc) and the vehicle speed V, the stepped transmission unit 20 switches the engagement state of each engagement device CB so as to achieve a predetermined engagement pattern of the engagement devices CB for each gear. The hydraulic control circuit 56 is supplied with hydraulic oil discharged from a mechanical oil pump 58 or hydraulic oil discharged from an electric oil pump (not shown).

[0028] Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a system configuration for executing various controls of the vehicle 10 in Fig. 1. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a driving control device 90 that mainly executes various controls related to the driving of the vehicle 10. The driving control device 90 is configured to include a so-called microcomputer equipped with, for example, a CPU, RAM, ROM, an input / output interface, etc., and the CPU performs various controls of the vehicle 10 by performing signal processing according to a program previously stored in the ROM while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM. The driving control device 90 is configured to be divided into a plurality of components such as one for driving force source control and one for stepped transmission control, etc., as necessary.

[0029] The driving control device 90 receives various signals based on detection values ​​by various sensors and the like provided in the vehicle 10 (for example, an engine rotation speed sensor 60, an output rotation speed sensor 62, an MG1 rotation speed sensor 64, an MG2 rotation speed sensor 66, an accelerator opening sensor 68, a throttle valve opening sensor 70, a brake pedal sensor 71, a steering sensor 72, a driver state sensor 73, a G sensor 74, a yaw rate sensor 76, a battery sensor 78, an oil temperature sensor 79, a vehicle surroundings information sensor 80, a vehicle position sensor 81, an antenna for external network communication 82, a navigation system 83, a driving assistance setting switch group 84, a shift position sensor 85, etc.), and outputs various signals and the like (for example, an engine rotation speed Ne, an output rotation speed No corresponding to a vehicle speed V, an MG1 rotation speed Ng which is the rotation speed of the first rotating machine MG1, an MG2 rotation speed Nm which is the same value as the AT input rotation speed Ni, an accelerator opening θacc which is an accelerator operation amount by the driver which indicates the magnitude of the acceleration operation by the driver, a throttle valve opening θth which is an opening of an electronic throttle valve, the vehicle 10 is supplied with the vehicle status signal (e.g., a brake-on signal Bon indicating a state in which the brake pedal for braking is being operated by the driver, a brake operation amount Bra indicating the magnitude of the brake pedal depression operation by the driver, a steering angle θsw and a steering direction Dsw of a steering wheel provided in the vehicle 10, a steering-on signal SWon indicating a state in which the steering wheel is being gripped by the driver, a driver status signal Drv indicating a signal indicating the state of the driver, a longitudinal acceleration Gx and a lateral acceleration Gy of the vehicle 10, a yaw rate Riaw which is the rotational angular velocity about the vertical axis of the vehicle 10, a battery temperature THbat, a battery charge / discharge current Ibat and a battery voltage Vbat of the battery, a hydraulic oil temperature THoil which is the temperature of the hydraulic oil, vehicle surrounding information Iard, position information Ivp, a communication signal Scom, navigation information Inavi, a driving assistance setting signal Sset which is a signal indicating a setting by the driver in driving assistance control such as automatic driving control and cruise control, and an operating position POSsh of a shift lever provided in the vehicle 10).

[0030] The driving control device 90 outputs various command signals (e.g., an engine control command signal Se for controlling the engine 14, a rotating machine control command signal Smg for controlling each of the first rotating machine MG1 and the second rotating machine MG2, a hydraulic control command signal Sat for controlling the operating state of the engagement device CB, a communication signal Scom, a brake control command signal Sbra for controlling the braking torque applied by the wheel brakes, a steering control command signal Sste for controlling the steering of the wheels (particularly the front wheels), an information dissemination control command signal Sinf for warning or informing the driver, etc.) to each device provided in the vehicle 10 (e.g., the engine control device 50, the inverter 52, the hydraulic control circuit 56, the external network communication antenna 82, the wheel braking device 86, the steering device 88, an information dissemination device 89, etc.).

[0031] In order to realize various controls related to the driving of the vehicle 10, the driving control device 90 further includes an AT shift control means, i.e., an AT shift control unit 94, a hybrid control means, i.e., a hybrid control unit 95, and a driving control means, i.e., a driving control unit 96.

[0032] The AT shift control unit 94 makes a shift decision for the stepped transmission unit 20 using an AT gear stage shift map (not shown), which is a relationship that is determined beforehand experimentally or by design and stored, i.e., a predetermined relationship, and executes shift control of the stepped transmission unit 20 as necessary. The AT gear stage shift map is a predetermined relationship having a shift line for deciding a shift of the stepped transmission unit 20 on a two-dimensional coordinate system having, for example, vehicle speed V and required driving force Frdem as variables.

[0033] The hybrid control unit 95 includes a function as an engine control means for controlling the operation of the engine 14, i.e., an engine control unit, and a function as a rotating machine control means for controlling the operation of the first rotating machine MG1 and the second rotating machine MG2 via the inverter 52, i.e., a rotating machine control unit, and executes hybrid drive control by the engine 14, the first rotating machine MG1, and the second rotating machine MG2 by using these control functions. The hybrid control unit 95 calculates the required driving force Frdem [N] at the driving wheels 28 as the driving demand amount by applying the accelerator opening θacc and the vehicle speed V to, for example, a driving demand amount map, which is a predetermined relationship. In addition to the required driving force Frdem, the required driving torque Trdem [Nm] at the driving wheels 28, the required driving power Prdem [W] at the driving wheels 28, the required AT output torque at the output shaft 22, etc. can also be used as the driving demand amount.

[0034] In addition, for example, when the hybrid control unit 95 operates the continuously variable transmission unit 18 as a continuously variable transmission, taking into account the engine optimum fuel efficiency point, etc., the hybrid control unit 95 controls the engine 14 and the generated power Wg of the first rotating machine MG1 so that the engine rotation speed Ne and engine torque Te are obtained to obtain the engine power Pe that realizes the required driving power Prdem, thereby performing continuously variable transmission control of the continuously variable transmission unit 18 and changing the gear ratio γ0 of the continuously variable transmission unit 18.

[0035] In addition, the hybrid control unit 95 selectively establishes a motor driving mode or a hybrid driving mode as the driving mode depending on the driving state. For example, the hybrid control unit 95 establishes the motor driving mode when the required driving power Prdem is in a motor driving region smaller than a predetermined threshold value, and establishes the hybrid driving mode when the required driving power Prdem is in a hybrid driving region equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0036] The driving control unit 96 can perform the following driving control of the vehicle 10: manual driving control in which the vehicle runs based on the driving operation of the driver; automatic driving control in which the vehicle runs by automatically controlling the driving of the vehicle 10 regardless of the driving operation of the driver; for example, automatic driving control in which a target driving state is automatically set based on a destination or map information input by the driver, and automatic acceleration / deceleration and steering are performed based on the target driving state. When the driver operates the automatic driving selection switch in the driving assistance setting switch group 84 to select automatic driving, the driving control unit 96 establishes an automatic driving mode and executes automatic driving control. In addition, the driving control unit 96 can execute cruise control by operating a cruise control system as a driving assistance control system to maintain a constant vehicle speed during driving, maintain a constant distance from a preceding vehicle, and maintain a set lane while driving.

[0037] The vehicle 10 further includes a transceiver 100, a first gateway ECU 110, a wireless update control device 120, a second gateway ECU 140, and a connector 150. The vehicle control device 180 is configured to include the driving control device 90, the first gateway ECU 110, the wireless update control device 120, and the second gateway ECU 140.

[0038] The transceiver 100 is a device that communicates with an external server 200, which is an external device separate from the vehicle 10. The transceiver 100 is connected to the external server 200 via wireless communication. The external server 200 corresponds to the server of the present invention.

[0039] The first gateway ECU 110 is connected to the transceiver 100. The first gateway ECU 110 functionally comprises a data receiving unit 112 that receives, by using the transceiver 100, a plurality of types of new software 202 transmitted via wireless communication from the external server 200, and a data transmitting unit 114 that transmits the received plurality of types of new software 202 to the wireless update control device 120. The data receiving unit 112 corresponds to the receiving unit of the present invention.

[0040] The wireless update control device 120 is a control device that controls updates of multiple types of vehicle control software 92 in the vehicle 10. The wireless update control device 120 updates (rewrites) a part or all of the multiple types of vehicle control software 92 stored in the first storage unit 98 by using multiple types of new software 202 transmitted from the first gateway ECU 110.

[0041] The first gateway ECU 110 and the wireless update control device 120 are each configured with the same hardware configuration as the driving control device 90, and have a function of receiving new software 202 via wireless communication from an external server 200, which is an external device other than the vehicle 10, and using the received new software 202 to perform an update (rewrite) process of multiple types of vehicle control software 92 stored in a first storage unit 98 such as a rewritable ROM provided in the driving control device 90. The vehicle control software 92 is software used for multiple types of control of the vehicle 10 by the driving control device 90. That is, the driving control device 90 is configured to be able to rewrite the vehicle control software 92 for controlling the vehicle 10 stored in the first storage unit 98 at any time. The vehicle control software 92 includes, for example, multiple types of vehicle control programs 92P in which the control procedure of the vehicle 10 is defined, and multiple types of control data 92D used when controlling the vehicle 10 according to the vehicle control programs 92P. The first storage unit 98 corresponds to a storage unit that stores the software of the present invention.

[0042] The second gateway ECU 140 is also configured with the same hardware configuration as the driving control device 90. The second gateway ECU 140 is connected to a connector 150, and is used to rewrite a plurality of types of vehicle control software 92 using an external rewrite device 160 connected via the connector 150. Note that the vehicle 10 and the external rewrite device 160 are configured to be connectable via a wire via the connector 150, but may be configured to be connectable wirelessly.

[0043] The connector 150 is for connecting an external rewrite device 160, which is an external device separate from the vehicle 10. The shape and electrical signals of the connector 150 are determined by known standards. The connector 150 can also be used as a connector for connecting a fault diagnosis device.

[0044] The external rewrite device 160 is directly connected to the in-vehicle communication network and, like the driving control device 90, can receive CAN (Controller Area Network) frames flowing through the in-vehicle communication network and transmit CAN frames to the in-vehicle communication network.

[0045] The external server 200 is a system connected to a network outside the vehicle 10. The external server 200 stores new software 202 to be distributed. The external server 200 transmits the new software 202 to the vehicle 10 as necessary. The external server 200 functions as a software distribution center that distributes a plurality of types of new software 202. The plurality of types of new software 202 is software that updates (rewrites) the corresponding vehicle control software 92. The plurality of types of new software 202 includes, for example, a plurality of types of new programs 202P that updates (rewrites) the corresponding vehicle control program 92P, and a plurality of types of new data 202D that updates (rewrites) the corresponding control data 92D. The new program 202P is the vehicle control program 92P after the current vehicle control program 92P is updated (rewritten) using the new program 202P, that is, the updated program 92Pr. The new data 202D is the control data 92D obtained after the current control data 92D is updated with the new data 202D, that is, becomes the post-update data 92Dr.

[0046] The wireless update control device 120 includes a software update means, i.e., a software update unit 122, and a second storage unit 124 such as a rewritable ROM in order to realize the update of a plurality of types of vehicle control software 92. The software update unit 122 corresponds to the update unit of the present invention.

[0047] When the software update unit 122 receives new software 202 distributed to the vehicle 10 from the external server 200 via wireless communication, the software update unit 122 stores the new software 202 in the second storage unit 124 as update software 126S. The update software 126S includes an update program 126P, which is the new program 202P stored in the second storage unit 124, and update data 126D, which is the new data 202D stored in the second storage unit 124. The software update unit 122 also determines whether or not the update software 126S is stored in the second storage unit 124, and when it determines that the update software 126S is in the second storage unit 124, updates the vehicle control software 92 to be updated, i.e., to be rewritten, to the update software 126S using the update software 126S stored in the second storage unit 124.

[0048] The vehicle control software 92 includes a vehicle control program 92P and control data 92D. The vehicle control program 92P includes, for example, an engine program 92Peg which is an engine control program used for controlling the engine 14 by the hybrid control unit 95, an MG1 program 92Pm1 which is a first rotating machine control program used for controlling the first rotating machine MG1 by the hybrid control unit 95, an MG2 program 92Pm2 which is a second rotating machine control program used for controlling the second rotating machine MG2 by the hybrid control unit 95, and an AT program 92Pat which is an automatic transmission control program used for controlling the stepped transmission unit 20 by the AT shift control unit 94.

[0049] The control data 92D includes, for example, a plurality of types of shift lines SH for determining the shift of the stepped transmission unit 20, a driving range switching line CHt that defines the boundary of the driving range between the motor driving mode and the hybrid driving mode, a control value Sct used for controlling the vehicle 10, and a limit value GD that limits a correction value or a correction amount as a learned value by learning control of the control value Sct. The control value Sct is, for example, various command values ​​based on the engine control command signal Se, the rotating machine control command signal Smg, the hydraulic control command signal Sat, the brake control command signal Sbra, the steering control command signal Sste, and the like. In addition, the control value Sct includes, for example, an engagement hydraulic pressure command value as a hydraulic control command signal Sat that controls to change the engagement hydraulic pressure PRcb of the engagement device CB whose operating state is switched during the transition of the shift control of the stepped transmission unit 20 by the AT shift control unit 94. Here, the engagement hydraulic pressure command value is corrected as needed by learning control so that the shift time becomes appropriate while suppressing the shift shock in the shift control of the stepped transmission unit 20. The limit value GD is a predetermined guard value for limiting the change in the control value Sct due to, for example, the learning control so that the change is not too large, and is predetermined for each different control value Sct.

[0050] Incidentally, it has been proposed that when an external server acquires defect information about vehicle control software from a vehicle, the external server identifies vehicles that are presumed to have the same defect, and distributes correction software (i.e., update software) that corrects the defect in the vehicle control software to the identified vehicles. In the above-mentioned technology, it is necessary for the external server to identify vehicles that are presumed to have a defect in the vehicle control software, which creates the problem of increasing the load on the external server.

[0051] In response to this, the software update unit 122 is configured to determine whether or not the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated based on the determination information for determining whether or not the update software 126S needs to be updated and the vehicle information Ive reflecting the vehicle state, and to update the vehicle control software 92 using the update software 126S when it is determined that the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated. Here, the vehicle information Ive reflecting the vehicle state is information that is changed as needed based on the vehicle state, and is stored as needed in the second storage unit 124. The second storage unit 124 corresponds to the storage unit that stores the vehicle information reflecting the vehicle state of the present invention.

[0052] The vehicle information Ive includes, for example, learning values ​​learned by various learning controls, diagnostic data of diagnostic codes, the operating time Twrk of the cruise control system, the dimension Lgap of the gap formed between specified parts, information regarding the skipping of the AT input rotation speed Ni that occurs during shifting of the stepped transmission unit 20, and information regarding the vehicle behavior when the operating position POSsh (shift operating position) of the shift lever is switched.

[0053] When the update software 126S is stored in the second storage unit 124, the software update unit 122 refers to the implementation judgment data 126J transmitted from the external server 200 together with the update software 126S, and judges whether or not to update the vehicle control software 92 using the update software 126S based on the implementation judgment data 126J and the vehicle information Ive. The implementation judgment data 126J corresponds to judgment information for judging whether or not the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated. FIG. 3 is an image diagram of the update data transmitted from the external server 200. As shown in FIG. 3, the implementation judgment data 126J is transmitted so as to accompany the update software 126S. The software update unit 122 refers to the transmitted implementation judgment data 126J, and judges whether or not to update the vehicle control software 92 based on the implementation judgment data 126J and the vehicle information Ive. By transmitting the implementation determination data 126J together with the update software 126S, if it is determined that the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated, the vehicle control software 92 can be updated promptly.

[0054] The implementation determination data 126J includes parameter information as determination information for determining whether or not to update the vehicle control software 92. The parameter information includes variable information (variable VR) for determining whether or not to update the vehicle control software 92, and a threshold value α set for the variable VR. The software update unit 122 determines whether or not to update the vehicle control software 92 based on whether the value of the variable VR defined as the parameter information of the implementation determination data 126J is greater than or less than the threshold value α corresponding to the variable VR.

[0055] As parameter information of the implementation determination data 126J, for example, a learned value PRlern of the engagement hydraulic pressure PRcb of a predetermined engagement device CB learned during a shift of the stepped transmission unit 20 is specified as a variable VR, and further a threshold value α1 for the learned value PRlern for determining whether or not an update is required is specified. At this time, the software update unit 122 determines whether or not an update is required based on whether or not the learned value PRlern of the engagement hydraulic pressure PRcb of the predetermined engagement device CB stored as the vehicle information Ive is greater than, for example, the threshold value α1.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows the relationship of the threshold value α1 when determining whether or not an update is required based on the learning value PRlern of the engagement hydraulic pressure PRcb. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis shows the number of times of learning, and the vertical axis shows the learning value PRlern. Note that the threshold value β shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4 indicates the threshold value for determining whether or not a part needs to be replaced. In general, the threshold value β is greater than the threshold value α1 for determining whether or not an update is required. In FIG. 4, the threshold value α1 increases in proportion to the number of times of learning. In FIG. 4, in the region greater than the threshold value α1 shown by the solid line, it is determined that the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated, and in the region equal to or less than the threshold value α1, it is determined that the vehicle control software 92 is not required.

[0057] Therefore, when the learning value PRlern is equal to or smaller than the threshold value α1, the software update unit 122 determines that it is not necessary to update the vehicle control software 92. Also, when the learning value PRlern is greater than the threshold value α1, the software update unit 122 determines that it is necessary to update the vehicle control software 92. Note that a region where the learning value PRlern exceeds the threshold value β is a region where the malfunction is not resolved by updating the vehicle control software 92, and when the learning value PRlern becomes greater than the threshold value β, it is determined that the replacement of the part is necessary. Also, the learning value is not limited to learning of the engagement oil pressure PRcb of the engagement device CB, and learning values ​​calculated by other learning controls, such as learning values ​​by air-fuel ratio learning control of the engine 14, are also appropriately applied as the implementation determination data 126J.

[0058] As parameter information of the implementation judgment data 126J, for example, diag data of a diag code stored in the vehicle 10 from time to time is defined as a variable VR, and further, a threshold value α2 for the diag data for determining whether or not an update is required is defined. For example, a flag is set every time a predetermined operation is confirmed from the diag data, and the number of times the flag is set, NF, is counted. This number of times the flag is set, NF, is regarded as the substantial variable VR. The software update unit 122 determines whether or not an update is required based on whether or not the number of times the flag is set, NF, stored as the vehicle information Ive, exceeds the threshold value α2.

[0059] As parameter information of the implementation determination data 126J, for example, the operation time Twrk of the cruise control system is defined as a variable VR, and further, a threshold value α3 for the operation time Twrk for determining whether or not an update is required is defined. The software update unit 122 determines whether or not an update is required based on whether or not the operation time Twrk of the cruise control system stored as the vehicle information Ive exceeds the threshold value α3.

[0060] Furthermore, as parameter information of the implementation judgment data 126J, for example, the dimension Lgap of the gap formed between predetermined parts is specified as a variable VR, and further, a threshold value α4 for the gap dimension Lgap for determining whether or not an update is required is specified. The software update unit 122 determines whether or not an update is required based on whether or not the gap dimension Lgap stored as, for example, the vehicle information Ive is larger than the threshold value α4. As the gap of the predetermined part, for example, a gap (gap) formed between a friction plate and a piston when the engagement device CB is released is specified. For example, a dimension measured when the vehicle is collected or a dimension detected at any time by a sensor or the like is applied as the gap dimension Lgap.

[0061] In addition, as parameter information of the implementation judgment data 126J, for example, the number of occurrences of the blowing NB, the amount of the blowing Mbu, the time Tbu of the blowing, etc. are specified as variables VR as information on the blowing of the AT input rotation speed Ni occurring during the shifting of the stepped transmission unit 20, and further, each threshold value (α51, α52, α53) for each variable VR (the number of occurrences of the blowing NB, the amount of the blowing Mbu, the time Tbu of the blowing) for determining whether or not to update is specified. FIG. 5 shows the change in the AT input rotation speed Ni during the shifting from the 1st gear stage to the 2nd gear stage of the stepped transmission unit 20. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates time T [s], and the vertical axis indicates the AT input rotation speed Ni. As shown in FIG. 5, when the inertia phase starts at time t1, the AT input rotation speed Ni decreases, and at time t2, the AT input rotation speed Ni is synchronized with the rotation speed after the shifting to the 2nd gear stage.

[0062] Here, for example, if the engagement oil pressure PRcb of the engagement device CB on the disengagement side that is disengaged during shifting of the stepped transmission unit 20 drops too quickly, the AT input rotation speed Ni temporarily rises after the inertia phase begins, and a skip of the AT input rotation speed Ni occurs. The travel control device 90 counts the number of occurrences NB of skip each time the skip occurs during shifting of the stepped transmission unit 20. In addition, the amount of skip Mbu and the time Tbu of skip are calculated each time the skip occurs. The amount of skip Mbu is calculated, for example, as the maximum value of the difference (|Ni-Ni1|) between the estimated rotation speed Ni1 at 1st gear and the AT input rotation speed Ni estimated in the case of the 1st gear stage shown by the dashed line. In addition, the time Tbu of skip is calculated, for example, as the time during which the difference between the estimated rotation speed Ni1 at 1st gear and the AT input rotation speed Ni shown by the dashed line is equal to or greater than a predetermined value that is set in advance.

[0063] At this time, the software update unit 122 judges whether or not the update is necessary based on, for example, whether the number of times NB of the occurrence of the blowing, which is stored as the vehicle information Ive, exceeds a threshold value α51. The number of times NB of the occurrence of the blowing is the cumulative number of occurrences up to now, or the number of occurrences for a specified number of shifts in the past including the most recent shift, or the like is applied. Alternatively, the software update unit 122 judges whether or not the update is necessary based on, for example, whether the amount of the blowing Mbu stored as the vehicle information Ive exceeds a threshold value α52. Alternatively, the software update unit 122 judges whether or not the update is necessary based on, for example, whether the time Tbu of the blowing, which is stored as the vehicle information Ive, exceeds a threshold value α53. The judgment of whether or not the update is necessary may be based on any one of the number of times NB of the occurrence of the blowing, the amount of the blowing Mbu, and the time Tbu of the blowing, or may be based on two or all of these requirements.

[0064] In addition, as parameter information of the implementation judgment data 126J, for example, a switching time Tres at the time of switching the operating position POSsh of the shift lever is specified as a parameter, and further, a threshold value α6 for the switching time Tres for determining whether or not updating is required is specified. FIG. 6 shows the behavior of the output rotation speed No when the operating position POSsh of the shift lever is switched from the reverse driving position R to the forward driving position D. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates time T [s], and the vertical axis indicates the operating position POSsh of the shift lever and the output rotation speed No of the stepped transmission unit 20. As shown in FIG. 6, when the operating position POSsh is switched from the reverse driving position R to the forward driving position D at time t1 during reverse driving, the output rotation speed No changes from a negative value to a positive value at time t2, and the switching to the forward driving position D is completed at time t3.

[0065] Here, the switching time Tres from time t1 when the operating position POSsh is switched to time t2 when the rotation direction of the output rotation speed No is actually switched, as shown in FIG. 6, is specified as a parameter. The software update unit 122 judges whether or not the update is necessary based on, for example, whether the switching time Tres stored as the vehicle information Ive exceeds a threshold value α6. Furthermore, the parameter when the operating position POSsh of the shift lever is switched is not limited to the switching time Tres required for the rotation direction of the output rotation speed No to be switched, but can be appropriately applied as long as it is information about the vehicle behavior when the operating position POSsh is switched, such as the longitudinal acceleration Gx or the rate of change of the output rotation speed No. Furthermore, the parameter is not limited to switching of the operating position POSsh from the reverse driving position R to the forward driving position D, but can be appropriately applied to switching to other operating positions POSsh, such as switching from the forward driving position D to the reverse driving position R.

[0066] Here, each threshold value α for each variable VR stored as parameter information of the implementation judgment data 126J can be changed as appropriate according to the usage state, usage environment, etc. of the vehicle 10. For example, the threshold values ​​α1, α6 for the learned value PRlern of the engagement oil pressure PRcb and the switching time Tres when switching the operation position POSsh may be changed according to the hydraulic oil temperature THoil. For example, a relationship map of the threshold values ​​α1 and α6 with respect to the hydraulic oil temperature THoil is stored in advance, and the values ​​of the threshold values ​​α1, α6 are changed as needed by applying the hydraulic oil temperature THoil to the relationship map.

[0067] In addition, in the above embodiment, the implementation judgment data 126J is transmitted from the external server 200 together with the update software 126S, but it is also possible that only the implementation judgment data 126J is transmitted from the external server 200, and the software update unit 122 determines whether or not the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated based on the transmitted implementation judgment data 126J and the vehicle information Ive.

[0068] Fig. 7 is an image diagram for explaining data exchange between the external server 200 and the vehicle 10 in the case where only the implementation determination data 126J is transmitted from the external server 200. As shown in Fig. 7, the implementation determination data 126J is transmitted from the external server 200 separately from the update software 126S. When the implementation determination data 126J is transmitted from the external server 200, the software update unit 122 determines whether or not to update the vehicle control software 92 based on the transmitted implementation determination data 126J and vehicle information Ive.

[0069] When the software update unit 122 determines that the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated based on the implementation determination data 126J and the vehicle information Ive, it outputs a request from the vehicle 10 side to the external server 200 to transmit the update software 126S associated with the implementation determination data 126J. This request is transmitted to the external server 200 via wireless communication. In response to this, the external server 200 transmits the requested update software 126S in response to the request from the vehicle 10 side. When the software update unit 122 receives the update software 126S from the external server 200, it updates the vehicle control software 92 using the received update software 126S. As a result, only when it is determined that the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated, a request to transmit the update software 126S is output to the external server 200, and therefore transmission of unnecessary update software 126S is avoided.

[0070] As described above, when the implementation judgment data 126J is transmitted from the external server 200, the software update unit 122 judges whether or not the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated based on the parameter information of the implementation judgment data 126J and the vehicle information Ive, so that the load on the external server 200 is smaller than when the external server 200 judges whether or not an update is needed for each vehicle.

[0071] In addition, after it is determined from the parameter information of the implementation judgment data 126J and the vehicle information Ive that the vehicle control software 92 does not need to be updated, if information that changes the vehicle information Ive is input, the software update unit 122 updates the vehicle control software 92 using the update software 126S. Here, the information that changes the vehicle information Ive is, for example, information that the driver is changed, information that a part of a predetermined part constituting the vehicle 10 is replaced, and the like. When the driver is changed, the way the vehicle 10 is used (driving mode) may change significantly, so the vehicle control software 92 is updated starting from the change of the driver. When a part of the vehicle 10 is replaced, the dimension Lgap of the gap between the parts changes, so the vehicle control software 92 is updated starting from the replacement of the part. When the driver is changed or a part is replaced, the necessity of the update may be determined again based on the contents of the implementation judgment data 126J.

[0072] 8 is a flowchart explaining the main part of the control operation of the vehicle control device 180, that is, the control operation that can reduce the load on the external server 200 by determining on the vehicle 10 side whether or not to update the update software 126S transmitted from the external server 200. This flowchart is executed at predetermined time intervals as needed.

[0073] First, in step S10 (hereinafter, step is omitted) corresponding to the control function of the software update unit 122, it is determined whether or not the update data is stored in the second storage unit 124 by transmitting update data from the external server 200. If the determination in S10 is negative, this routine is terminated. If the determination in S10 is positive, it is determined in S20 corresponding to the control function of the software update unit 122 whether or not the update data includes the data for execution judgment 126J. If the data for execution judgment 126J is not included, the determination in S20 is negative and the process proceeds to S40. If the data for execution judgment 126J is included, the determination in S20 is positive and the process proceeds to S30. In S30 corresponding to the control function of the software update unit 122, it is determined whether or not the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated based on the parameter information of the transmitted data for execution judgment 126J and the vehicle information Ive. If the determination in S30 is negative, this routine is terminated. If the determination in S30 is positive, the vehicle control software 92 is updated using the update software 126S in S40, which corresponds to the control function of the software update unit 122. Note that, if only the implementation determination data 126J is transmitted, the update software 126S associated with the implementation determination data 126J is transmitted from the external server 200, and then the vehicle control software 92 is updated.

[0074] Furthermore, the vehicle control device 180 can not only determine whether an update is necessary when the implementation determination data 126J is transmitted from the external server 200 to the vehicle 10 side, but also determine whether an update is necessary for the vehicle control software 92 based on the vehicle information Ive. When the software update unit 122 determines that an update of the vehicle control software 92 is necessary based on the vehicle information Ive, it inquires of the external server 200 whether or not update software 126S related to the vehicle information Ive is stored in the external server 200. The software update unit 122 determines whether or not an inquiry about an update of the vehicle control software 92 is necessary based on whether or not any of the variables VR stored as the vehicle information Ive falls outside the threshold value α set for each of them.

[0075] The software update unit 122 judges whether any of the vehicle information Ive has deviated from the threshold value α based on, for example, whether the learning value PRlern has exceeded the threshold value α1, whether the number of times NF where a flag based on the diagnosis data has been set has exceeded the threshold value α2, whether the operation time Twrk of the cruise control system has exceeded the threshold value α3, whether the dimension Lgap of the backlash is larger than the threshold value α4, whether the number of times NB of the racing occurring during the shifting of the stepped transmission unit 20 has exceeded the threshold value α51, whether the amount of racing Mbu has exceeded the threshold value α52, whether the time Tbu of the racing has exceeded the threshold value α53, whether the switching time Tres at the time of switching the operating position POSsh of the shift lever has exceeded the threshold value α6, etc., in the same manner as when the implementation judgment data 126J described above is transmitted. Each of the threshold values ​​α is predefined and stored on the vehicle 10 side. In addition, each threshold value α pre-stored on the vehicle 10 side and each threshold value α specified in the implementation judgment data 126J are basically the same, but they do not have to be exactly the same. There may be a threshold value α for a variable VR that is specified on only one side, or the threshold values ​​α corresponding to the same variable VR may be different values.

[0076] FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the number of learning times stored as the vehicle information Ive and the threshold value α1 of the learning value PRlern. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis shows the number of learning times, and the vertical axis shows the threshold value α1 of the learning value PRlern. In FIG. 9, the solid line shows the threshold value α1, and it is determined that an inquiry to the external server 200 for an update is unnecessary in an area where the learning value PRlern is equal to or less than α1, and when the learning value PRlern becomes larger than the threshold value α1, it is determined that an inquiry to the external server 200 for an update is necessary. For example, when the learning value PRlern becomes larger than the threshold value α1, the software update unit 122 determines that an update of the vehicle control software 92 is necessary because the learning value PRlern deviates from the threshold value α1. At this time, the software update unit 122 inquires of the external server 200 whether or not the update software 126S related to the vehicle information Ive that deviates from the threshold value α1 is stored in the external server 200.

[0077] In this way, when the software update unit 122 determines that an inquiry about an update to the external server 200 is necessary because any of the variables VR of the vehicle information Ive deviates from the threshold value α set for each variable, the software update unit 122 transmits the vehicle information Ive used in the judgment, i.e., the vehicle information Ive that deviates from the threshold value α, to the external server 200, and inquires of the external server 200 about the presence or absence of update information related to this vehicle information Ive. At this time, the software update unit 122 can also transmit to the external server 200, in addition to the vehicle information Ive used in the judgment, the identification information of the vehicle 10 and keyword information associated with the vehicle information Ive that deviates from the threshold value α.

[0078] The external server 200 determines whether there is update information for the new software 202 according to the transmitted vehicle information Ive, and if there is update information for the new software 202, transmits the new software 202 to the vehicle 10. Here, when keyword information associated with the vehicle information Ive is transmitted from the vehicle 10, the external server 200 can search for new software 202 related to the keyword information from the keyword information. In addition, when the identification information of the vehicle 10 is transmitted, the external server 200 can also transmit similar new software 202 to vehicles of the same model or equipped with a common device. Even in this case, the load on the external server 200 is reduced by each vehicle determining whether the new software 202 transmitted to each vehicle is actually updated.

[0079] On the other hand, if there is no update information for the new software 202 corresponding to the vehicle information Ive, i.e., if the new software 202 is not stored in the external server 200, the transmitted vehicle information Ive is stored in the external server 200. Note that the vehicle information Ive may include information before and after the point in time when the vehicle information Ive deviates from the threshold value α. The vehicle information Ive from each vehicle when it deviates from the threshold value α is accumulated in the external server 200, and the vehicle information Ive is further notified to the developer, which allows the developer to determine the necessity of the new software 202 and create the new software 202 efficiently.

[0080] 10 is a flowchart explaining the main part of the control operation of the vehicle control device 180, that is, the control operation in which the vehicle 10 inquires of the external server 200 about the presence or absence of new software 202 and updates the vehicle control software 92 according to the result of the inquiry, thereby reducing the load on the external server 200. This flowchart is executed at predetermined time intervals as needed.

[0081] First, in S100 corresponding to the control function of the software update unit 122, it is determined whether any of the vehicle information Ive is out of the threshold value α set for each vehicle information Ive. If the determination in S100 is negative, this routine is terminated. If the determination in S100 is positive, in S110 corresponding to the control function of the software update unit 122, the vehicle information Ive that is out of the threshold value α is transmitted to the external server 200, and the external server 200 is inquired as to whether there is update information for the new software 202 related to the vehicle information Ive. In S120 corresponding to the control function of the external server 200, it is determined whether there is update information for the new software 202 based on the transmitted vehicle information Ive and keyword information related to the vehicle information Ive. In S120, if there is update information for the new software 202, S120 is positive and the process proceeds to S130, and if there is no update information for the new software 202, S120 is negative and the process proceeds to S140. In S130, which corresponds to the control function of the software update unit 122, new software 202 is transmitted from the external server 200, and the vehicle control software 92 is updated to the transmitted new software 202. In S140, the vehicle information Ive transmitted to the external server 200 is stored. The developer is also notified at any time that the vehicle information Ive has been stored, so that the developer can efficiently create new software 202 corresponding to the vehicle information Ive. In this manner, the vehicle 10 determines whether or not the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated based on the vehicle information Ive, and the external server 200 only needs to determine whether or not the update software 126S related to the vehicle information Ive is stored in the external server 200, thereby suppressing an increase in the load on the external server 200.

[0082] As described above, according to this embodiment, whether or not the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated is determined based on the implementation determination data 126J as determination information for determining whether or not the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated and the vehicle information Ive reflecting the vehicle state, and when it is determined that the vehicle control software 92 needs to be updated, the vehicle control software 92 is updated using the update software 126S, thereby making it possible to update the necessary vehicle control software 92 while suppressing an increase in the load on the external server 200. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid unnecessary software updates and prevent a decrease in convenience for the driver.

[0083] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the present invention can be applied to other embodiments.

[0084] For example, in the above embodiment, the vehicle information Ive includes the learning value obtained by learning control, the diagnostic data, the operation time Twrk of the cruise control system, the dimension Lgap of the clearance between parts, information related to the racing of the AT input rotation speed Ni, and information related to the vehicle behavior when the operating position POSsh of the shift lever is changed, and the necessity of updating the vehicle control software 92 is determined based on this information, but it is not necessary to include all of these, and the necessity of updating may be determined based on at least one of these. Furthermore, the vehicle information Ive is not limited to the above, and other variables VR and threshold values ​​α may be specified as the vehicle information Ive.

[0085] In the above embodiment, it is determined that updating is necessary when each variable VR defined as the vehicle information Ive is larger than the threshold value α defined for each threshold value, but this is not necessarily limited to when it is larger than the threshold value α, and it may be determined that updating is necessary when it is smaller than the threshold value α. For example, it can be appropriately changed according to the variable VR, such as determining that updating is necessary when the dimension Lgap of the gap formed between specified parts is smaller than the threshold value α.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle 10 is configured with the power transmission device 12 in which the continuously variable transmission unit 18 and the stepped transmission unit 20 are connected in series, but the structure of the vehicle of the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the engine and the rotary machine may be directly connected without the intervention of a differential mechanism 32 or the like, and a stepped transmission may be provided between the engine and the rotary machine and the drive wheels. In addition, the transmission is not necessarily limited to a stepped transmission, and may be a belt-type continuously variable transmission, for example.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a hybrid vehicle having the engine 14 and the second rotary machine MG2 as a driving force source, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to a hybrid vehicle. For example, the vehicle may have only the engine 14 as a driving force source, or may be an electric vehicle having only a rotary machine as a driving force source. In other words, the present invention is not particularly limited to the driving force source or drive type of the vehicle.

[0088] It should be noted that the above is merely one embodiment, and the present invention can be embodied in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10: Vehicle 92: Vehicle control software (software) 98: First memory unit (memory unit for storing software) 112: Data receiving unit (receiving unit) 122: Software Update Department (Update Department) 124: Second storage unit (storage unit that stores vehicle information reflecting the vehicle state) 126S: Update software 126J: Data for implementation judgment (judgment information for determining whether or not software updates are necessary) 180: Vehicle control device 200: External server (server) Ive:Vehicle Information VR(PRlern, NF, Twrk, Lgap, NB, Mbu, Tbu, Tres): Variables α(α1~α4、α51~α53、α6): threshold

Claims

1. A vehicle control device, A receiving unit for receiving update software from a server; a storage unit that stores software and vehicle information that is changed based on a vehicle state and reflects the vehicle state; an update unit that updates the software using the update software, the update unit is configured to determine whether or not the software needs to be updated based on determination information for determining whether or not the software needs to be updated and the vehicle information, and when it is determined that the software needs to be updated, to update the software using the update software; The vehicle information includes at least one of a learning value learned by learning control, diagnostic data of a diagnostic code, an operating time of a cruise control system, a size of a backlash formed between parts, information about a drift of an input rotation speed during a gear shift, and information about a vehicle behavior when a shift operation position is changed. A vehicle control device comprising:

2. A vehicle control device, A receiving unit for receiving update software from a server; a storage unit that stores software and vehicle information that is changed based on a vehicle state and reflects the vehicle state; an update unit that updates the software using the update software, the update unit is configured to determine whether or not the software needs to be updated based on determination information for determining whether or not the software needs to be updated and the vehicle information, and when it is determined that the software needs to be updated, to update the software using the update software; The update unit has a function of determining whether or not the software needs to be updated based on the vehicle information, The update unit has a function of, when determining that the software needs to be updated based on the vehicle information, inquiring of the server as to whether the update software related to the vehicle information is stored in the server. A vehicle control device comprising:

3. the determination information includes a threshold value for a variable for determining whether or not the software needs to be updated; The update unit determines whether or not the software needs to be updated based on whether or not the value of the variable stored as the vehicle information is greater than or smaller than the threshold value.

3. The vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The determination information is transmitted from the server together with the update software.

4. The vehicle control device according to claim 3.

5. the determination information is transmitted from the server separately from the update software; When the update unit determines that the software needs to be updated based on the transmitted determination information and the vehicle information, the update unit outputs a request to the server to transmit the update software.

4. The vehicle control device according to claim 3.

6. If the update software is not stored in the server, the vehicle information is stored in the server.

3. The vehicle control device according to claim 2.

Images