Reprogramming System and Reprogramming Tool

The reprogramming system and tool manage communication with multiple vehicle units to prevent congestion and abnormalities, enabling successful reprogramming by executing transmission and message processes.

JP7712850B2Active Publication Date: 2025-07-24SUBARU CORP
View PDF 5 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021181722
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-11-08
Publication Date
2025-07-24
Estimated Expiration
2041-11-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The increasing data capacity of programs for reprogramming in control units of vehicles leads to communication congestion and potential failure during transmission, inhibiting normal reprogramming processes.

Method used

A reprogramming system and tool that includes a processor and memory, which execute a transmission process, a retry process, and a message transmission process to manage communication with other units, ensuring ongoing communication with the target unit by sending messages indicating ongoing communication to other units.

Benefits of technology

Enables normal reprogramming of target units by preventing communication congestion and reducing the risk of session transitions and communication abnormalities in other units, ensuring successful reprogramming.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007712850000001
    Figure 0007712850000001
  • Figure 0007712850000002
    Figure 0007712850000002
  • Figure 0007712850000003
    Figure 0007712850000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To enable reprogramming of a target unit of reprogramming by a reprogramming tool to be normally executed.SOLUTION: A reprogramming system comprises: a plurality of units installed in a vehicle and including a target unit being the target of reprogramming and another unit connected to the target unit in a communicable manner; and a reprogramming tool which is connected to the plurality of units in a communicable manner. The reprogramming tool comprises: one or a plurality of processors; and one or a plurality of memories connected to the processor. The processor executes transmission processing of transmitting data for executing reprogramming to the target unit, executes retry processing of executing the transmission processing again when a prescribed condition is established, and executes message transmission processing of transmitting a message indicating that communication between the reprogramming tool and the target unit is continuing to at least the other unit in the plurality of units before the retry processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reprogramming system and a reprogramming tool.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, technologies for updating programs of various electronic devices provided in vehicles (hereinafter also referred to as "reprogramming") have been proposed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes that an external device is connected to a vehicle to perform reprogramming of a control device mounted on the vehicle in order to perform reprogramming.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, with the increasing functionality of the control unit (hereinafter also referred to as the "target unit") to be reprogrammed, the data capacity of the program for performing reprogramming has tended to increase. Therefore, when transmitting a program for performing reprogramming from a reprogramming tool to a target unit, if other units other than the target unit communicate, the communication will be concentrated, resulting in a decrease in communication speed and the possibility that reprogramming cannot be normally performed.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to enable normal reprogramming of a target unit to be reprogrammed by a reprogramming tool.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a reprogramming system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of units including a target unit provided in a vehicle and targeted for reprogramming, and another unit communicably connected to the target unit, and a reprogramming tool communicably connected to the plurality of units, and is provided with The reprogramming tool includes one or more processors, and one or more memories connected to the processor, and has The processor executes a transmission process of transmitting data for executing the reprogramming to the target unit, executes a retry process of re-executing the transmission process when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and before the retry process, executes a message transmission process of transmitting a message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool and the target unit is ongoing to at least the other unit among the plurality of units.

[0008] Also, to solve the above problems, a reprogramming tool according to an embodiment of the present invention is a reprogramming tool communicably connected to a plurality of units including a target unit provided in a vehicle and targeted for reprogramming, and another unit communicably connected to the target unit, and The reprogramming tool includes one or more processors, and one or more memories connected to the processor, and has The processor executes a transmission process of transmitting data for executing the reprogramming to the target unit, When the specified conditions are satisfied, a retry process for re-executing the transmission process is executed. Before the retry process, a message transmission process is executed to send a message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool and the target unit is ongoing to at least the other unit among the plurality of units.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to normally perform the reprogramming of the target unit by the reprogramming tool.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific dimensions, materials, numerical values, etc. shown in such embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining a reprogramming system 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the reprogramming system 10 includes a plurality of units 200 provided in a vehicle 202 and a reprogramming tool 300 communicably connected to the plurality of units 200. The plurality of units 200 includes a target unit 200a which is a unit for which reprogramming is to be executed and one or more other units 200b different from the target unit 200a. The plurality of units 200 are communicably connected to each other.

[0013] The vehicle 202 is, for example, a hybrid vehicle including an engine and a motor as driving power sources.

[0014] The target unit 200a has one or more processors 202a and one or more memories 204a connected to the processors 202a. The other unit 200b has one or more processors 202b and one or more memories 204b connected to the processors 202b. The processors 202a and 202b include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memories 204a and 204b include, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM is a storage element that stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU. The RAM is a storage element that temporarily stores data such as variables and parameters used for processing executed by the CPU.

[0015] Note that the target unit 200a and the other units 200b may be control units for various electronic devices mounted on the vehicle 202. Specifically, the target unit 200a and the other units 200b may be, for example, an engine control unit that controls the engine, a motor control unit that controls the motor, a battery control unit that controls the battery, a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an external data center of the vehicle 202, a car navigation system control unit that controls the car navigation system, an automatic driving control unit that controls the automatic driving of the vehicle 202, and the like. In the present embodiment, the target unit 200a to be reprogrammed is one selected from among the units 200, and a plurality of other units 200b other than the target unit 200a may be provided.

[0016] Further, the reprogramming tool 300 includes one or more processors 310 and one or more memories 312 connected to the processor 310. The processor 310 includes, for example, a CPU. The memory 312 includes, for example, a ROM and a RAM.

[0017] The reprogramming tool 300, the target unit 200a, and the other units 200b are connected and communicate with each other, for example, via a CAN (Controller Area Network) 210. Further, the target unit 200a and the other units 200b are connected and communicate with each other, for example, via the CAN 210.

[0018] In recent years, the capacity of data for reprogramming has tended to increase. Therefore, when reprogramming of the target unit 200a is executed, a program for executing reprogramming is divided into a plurality of blocks and transmitted from the reprogramming tool 300 to the target unit 200a. Then, the target unit 200a writes the program for executing reprogramming for each received block into the memory 204a, thereby executing reprogramming.

[0019] Also, usually, each unit 200 communicates with other units 200 via CAN 210 for vehicle control and exchanges various data. Therefore, when reprogramming the target unit 200a is executed, if communication of various data for vehicle control is performed, the communication of CAN 210 may be congested by the various data for vehicle control, and there is a risk that the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a will be inhibited.

[0020] Also, while the reprogramming of the target unit 200a is being executed, the target unit 200a cannot communicate with other units 200b. Therefore, in the diagnostic process executed in other units 200b, a communication abnormality with the target unit 200a may be recorded.

[0021] Therefore, when executing the reprogramming process of the target unit 200a, the reprogramming tool 300 needs to stop various processes such as diagnostic processes at least for other units 200b before starting the execution of the reprogramming process.

[0022] In this embodiment, a plurality of units 200 are provided and are set in any one of a plurality of sessions. For example, as sessions of the unit 200, a default session, an extended diagnostic session, and a reprogramming session may be included. For example, in the unit 200 in which the session is set to the default session, various processes such as diagnostic processes cannot be stopped. Also, in the unit 200 in which the session is set to the extended diagnostic session, various processes such as diagnostic processes are stopped in response to a request from the reprogramming tool 300. Also, in the unit 200 in which the session is set to the reprogramming session, the target unit side reprogramming process (step T5) described later is executed and reprogramming is performed.

[0023] Therefore, in this embodiment, before starting the execution of the reprogramming process, the reprogramming tool 300 causes at least the session of the other unit 200b to transition to an extended diagnostic session, and then sends a message requesting diagnostic stop, thereby stopping various processes such as diagnostic processing for at least the other unit 200b. When receiving the message requesting diagnostic stop, the other unit 200b will wait without recording communication abnormalities or the like for a preset fixed period of time.

[0024] Also, for example, when the session of the unit 200 is set to an extended diagnostic session, if the communication from the reprogramming tool 300 is interrupted for a preset fixed period of time, and the specification is such that a session timeout occurs and the session transitions to a default session, if the overall time related to reprogramming becomes long, there is a possibility that the session of the other unit 200b will transition to the default session before the reprogramming is completed. Therefore, in this embodiment, before the preset fixed period of time elapses, a message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a is ongoing is sent from the reprogramming tool 300 to at least the other unit 200b. For example, a Tester Presents, which is a diagnostic request used in an ECU diagnostic communication protocol such as UDS (Unified Diagnostic Services), is sent.

[0025] When sending Tester Presents from the reprogramming tool 300 to the other unit 200b, it may be sent by so-called unicast that individually specifies the destination, or it may be sent by so-called broadcast that specifies all units 200.

[0026] That is, when Tester Presents is transmitted by broadcast, Tester Presents will be transmitted to all units 200. Therefore, inevitably, Tester Presents will also be transmitted to the target unit 200a. However, it is also possible to specify all units 200 including the target unit 200a and other units 200b as the transmission destination by unicast and transmit Tester Presents.

[0027] When receiving Tester Presents, the unit 200 will continue the operations being executed by the diagnostic services requested so far in the session being set for a preset fixed period. That is, when other units 200b that are executing various process stops such as diagnostic processes requested in the extended diagnostic session receive Tester Presents, they will continue the various process stops such as diagnostic processes requested in the extended diagnostic session. Also, when the target unit 200a in which the target unit side reprogramming process (step T5) described later and set for reprogramming is being executed receives Tester Presents, the target unit side reprogramming process (step T5) described later in the reprogramming will be continuously executed.

[0028] As described above, since the program for executing reprogramming is divided into a plurality of blocks and transmitted from the reprogramming tool 300 to the target unit 200a, the overall time related to reprogramming tends to be prolonged. Also, when a communication failure occurs or when a failure occurs in writing to the memory 204a, a retry process of retransmitting the program of the same block from the reprogramming tool 300 to the target unit 200a is executed, and there is a possibility that the overall time related to reprogramming will be prolonged.

[0029] Also, if the overall time related to reprogramming becomes long, a certain period of time may elapse before the reprogramming is completed, and there is a possibility that the session of another unit 200b may transition to the default session. That is, in another unit 200b, a communication abnormality diagnosis process may be executed and a communication abnormality with respect to the target unit 200a may be recorded. Therefore, the reprogramming tool 300 needs to resend Tester Presents, which is a message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a is ongoing, to at least the other unit 200b before a certain period of time elapses.

[0030] However, if the target unit 200a receives Tester Presents from the reprogramming tool 300 during the reception of reprogramming data or during the writing of the received program for executing the reprogramming to the memory 204a, the reception of the reprogramming data and the writing of the received program for executing the reprogramming to the memory 204a may stop, and there is a possibility that the reprogramming cannot be normally carried out.

[0031] Therefore, in the present embodiment, before transmitting the program of each block in the retry process, the reprogramming tool 300 transmits Tester Presents to at least the other unit 200b. As a result, it is possible to prevent the target unit 200a from receiving Tester Presents from the reprogramming tool 300 while the target unit 200a is receiving the reprogramming data or while writing to the memory 204a of the program for executing the reprogramming received by the target unit 200a. Further, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the session of the other unit 200b transitions to the default session and the possibility that the communication abnormality diagnosis process is executed in the other unit 200b, and it becomes possible to normally perform the reprogramming of the target unit 200a by the reprogramming tool 300.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing flow between the reprogramming tool 300 and the unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that various processes including the processes described below can be executed by the processor 310 of the reprogramming tool 300, the processor 202a of the target unit 200a, or the processor 202b of the other unit 200b.

[0033] Note that when the ignition power supply (IG power supply) of the vehicle 202 is controlled from IG-OFF to IG-ON for the first time, the session of the unit 200 is set to the default session. As described above, a plurality of sessions of the unit 200 are provided. In the present embodiment, at least a default session, an extended diagnosis session, and a reprocessing session are provided as the sessions of the unit 200.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, first, the reprogramming tool 300 sends a transition request to the extended diagnostic session to the target unit 200a and other units 200b (step S1). At this time, the transition request to the extended diagnostic session may be sent by broadcast, or all units 200 including the target unit 200a and other units 200b may be specified as the transmission destination by unicast, and the transition request to the extended diagnostic session may be sent.

[0035] When the target unit 200a receives a transition request to the extended diagnostic session from the reprogramming tool 300, the target unit 200a transitions the session to the extended diagnostic session (step T1).

[0036] Also, when the other unit 200b receives a transition request to the extended diagnostic session from the reprogramming tool 300, the other unit 200b transitions the session to the extended diagnostic session (step H1).

[0037] In the unit 200 where the session is set to the extended diagnostic session, when receiving various messages from the reprogramming tool 300, the unit 200 executes processing according to the received messages.

[0038] Next, the reprogramming tool 300 sends a diagnostic stop request message to the target unit 200a and other units 200b (step S2). At this time, the diagnostic stop request message may be sent by broadcast, or all units 200 including the target unit 200a and other units 200b may be specified as the transmission destination by unicast, and the diagnostic stop request message may be sent. Note that after sending the diagnostic stop request message to the target unit 200a and other units 200b, the reprogramming tool 300 may send Tester Presents to the target unit 200a and other units 200b.

[0039] When the target unit 200a receives a diagnostic stop request message from the reprogramming tool 300, it waits without recording communication abnormalities or the like for a preset fixed period (step T2).

[0040] Also, when the other unit 200b receives a diagnostic stop request message from the reprogramming tool 300, it waits without recording communication abnormalities or the like for a preset fixed period (step H2).

[0041] Next, the reprogramming tool 300 transmits a communication stop request message to the target unit 200a and the other unit 200b (step S3). At this time, the communication stop request message may be transmitted by broadcast, or it may be specified that all units 200 including the target unit 200a and the other unit 200b are the transmission destinations by unicast, and the communication stop request message is transmitted. Note that after the reprogramming tool 300 transmits a communication stop request message to the target unit 200a and the other unit 200b, it may transmit Tester Presents to the target unit 200a and the other unit 200b.

[0042] When the target unit 200a receives a communication stop request message from the reprogramming tool 300, it waits without transmitting various messages for a preset fixed period (step T3).

[0043] Also, when the other unit 200b receives a communication stop request message from the reprogramming tool 300, it waits without transmitting various messages for a preset fixed period (step H3).

[0044] Note that, as described above, when the communication from the reprogramming tool 300 to the unit 200 in which the session is set to the extended diagnostic session is interrupted for a preset fixed period, the session times out and the session is transitioned to the default session. Therefore, when the communication from the reprogramming tool 300 to the unit 200 is interrupted for a preset fixed period, the unit 200 terminates various processes such as the diagnostic process required in the extended diagnostic session, and transitions the session to the default session.

[0045] However, when Tester Presents is received before the preset fixed period from the reprogramming tool 300 has elapsed, the unit 200 waits without transitioning the session to the default session until a further fixed period has elapsed since Tester Presents was last received. Therefore, when the unit 200 receives Tester Presents before the preset fixed period from the reprogramming tool 300 has elapsed, the unit 200 continues various processes such as the diagnostic process required in the extended diagnostic session.

[0046] Next, the reprogramming tool 300 transmits a transition request to the reprogramming to the target unit 200a (step S4), and starts a tool-side reprogramming process (step S5) described later. At this time, the target unit 200a may be specified as the transmission destination by unicast, and a transition request to the reprogramming may be transmitted.

[0047] When receiving a transition request to the reprogramming from the reprogramming tool 300, the target unit 200a transitions the session to the reprogramming (step T4), and starts a target unit-side reprogramming process (step T5).

[0048] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the tool-side reprogramming process (step S5) by the reprogramming tool 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that various processes including the processes described below can be executed by the processor 310 of the reprogramming tool 300. Specifically, the processor 310 executes a program stored in the memory 312 of the reprogramming tool 300, whereby various processes are executed.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, first, the reprogramming tool 300 executes a transfer address calculation process (step S5-1). In the transfer address calculation process, specifically, a program for executing the reprogramming of the target unit 200a is divided into a plurality of blocks. At this time, the program for executing the reprogramming of the target unit 200a is divided into a plurality of blocks so that the data capacity of one block is equal to or less than a preset data capacity.

[0050] Next, the reprogramming tool 300 executes a transmission process of transmitting the reprogramming data of one block for which transmission has not been completed among the plurality of blocks divided in step S5-1 to the target unit 200a (step S5-2).

[0051] After that, the reprogramming tool 300 determines whether it has received a positive response message from the target unit 200a within a preset grace period (step S5-3). As a result, if a positive response is received from the target unit 200a within the preset grace period (YES in step S5-3), the process proceeds to step S5-4 described below. Although details will be described later, the target unit 200a transmits a positive response message to the reprogramming tool 300 when it can successfully write the received reprogramming data for a block to the memory 204a within a preset writing time. Also, the target unit 200a transmits a negative response message to the reprogramming tool 300 when it cannot successfully write the received reprogramming data for a block to the memory 204a within the preset writing time.

[0052] Next, the reprogramming tool 300 executes a Tester Presents transmission process of transmitting Tester Presents to all units 200 by broadcast (step S5-4).

[0053] Furthermore, the reprogramming tool 300 executes a completion determination process of determining whether all transmissions of the plurality of blocks divided in step S5-1 have been completed (step S5-5).

[0054] When it is determined in step S5-5 that the transmission of the reprogramming data for all blocks has been completed (YES in step S5-6), the reprogramming tool 300 ends the reprogramming process. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S5-5 that the transmission of the reprogramming data for all blocks has not been completed (NO in step S5-6), the reprogramming tool 300 returns to step S5-1 and sequentially transmits the reprogramming data for each block.

[0055] On the other hand, if a positive response has not been received from the target unit 200a within a preset grace period (NO in step S5-3), the process proceeds to step S5-7 described below. The reprogramming tool 300 determines whether the preset retry upper limit count has been reached (step S5-7). As a result, if the retry upper limit count has not been reached (NO in step S5-7), the process proceeds to step S5-8 described below. The reprogramming tool 300 executes a Tester Presents transmission process of transmitting Tester Presents to all units 200 by broadcast (step S5-8).

[0056] Thereafter, the process returns to step S5-2 above, and the reprogramming tool 300 executes a retry process of transmitting the reprogramming data of the same block to the target unit 200a again. At this time, the reprogramming tool 300 adds the retry count each time the retry process is executed.

[0057] On the other hand, if the retry upper limit count has been reached (YES in step S5-7), the process proceeds to step S5-9 described below. The reprogramming tool 300 executes a predetermined error process (step S5-9) and ends the reprogramming process. As the error process, for example, the operator performing the reprogramming is notified of the failure of the reprogramming.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a target unit side repro process (step T5) by the target unit 200a according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that various processes including the processes described below can be executed by the processor 202a of the target unit 200a. Specifically, by the processor 202a executing a program stored in the memory 204a of the target unit 200a, various processes of the target unit 200a are executed.

[0059] The target unit 200a determines whether reprogramming data has been received from the reprogramming tool 300 (step T5-1). As a result, if the reprogramming data has been received (YES in step T5-1), the process proceeds to step T5-2.

[0060] The target unit 200a executes a writing process of writing the received reprogramming data of the block to the memory 204a (step T5-2).

[0061] In step T5-2 above, the target unit 200a determines whether the received reprogramming data of the block has been successfully written to the memory 204a within a preset writing time (step T5-3). As a result, if the writing is completed successfully (YES in step T5-3), the process proceeds to step T5-4. The target unit 200a sends an affirmative response message to the reprogramming tool 300 and ends the reprogramming process on the target unit side.

[0062] On the other hand, if the writing is not completed successfully (NO in step T5-3), the process proceeds to step T5-5. The target unit 200a sends a negative response message to the reprogramming tool 300 and ends the reprogramming process on the target unit side.

[0063] Also, if the reprogramming data has not been received (NO in step T5-1), the reprogramming process on the target unit side is ended.

[0064] As described above, the reprogramming system 10 of the present embodiment is provided in the vehicle 202 and includes a plurality of units 200 including a target unit 200a to be reprogrammed and another unit 200b communicably connected to the target unit 200a, and a reprogramming tool 300 communicably connected to the plurality of units 200. The reprogramming tool 300 has one or more processors 310 and one or more memories 312 connected to the processor 310. The processor 310 executes a transmission process of transmitting data for executing reprogramming to the target unit 200a, executes a retry process of re-executing the transmission process when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and before the retry process, at least to another unit 200b among the plurality of units 200, executes a message transmission process of transmitting a message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a is ongoing.

[0065] Also, as described above, the reprogramming tool 300 of the present embodiment is a reprogramming tool 300 communicably connected to a plurality of units 200 including a target unit 200a to be reprogrammed and another unit 200b communicably connected to the target unit 200a, which is provided in the vehicle 202. The reprogramming tool 300 has one or more processors 310 and one or more memories 312 connected to the processor 310. The processor 310 executes a transmission process of transmitting data for executing reprogramming to the target unit 200a, executes a retry process of re-executing the transmission process when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and before the retry process, at least to another unit 200b among the plurality of units 200, executes a message transmission process of transmitting a message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a is ongoing.

[0066] In such a reprogramming system 10 and reprogramming tool 300 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the target unit 200a from receiving Tester Presents from the reprogramming tool 300 while the target unit 200a is receiving reprogramming data or while writing to the memory 204a of the program for executing the reprogramming received by the target unit 200a.

[0067] Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the session of another unit 200b may transition to the default session before the reprogramming is completed, and the possibility that a communication abnormality diagnosis process may be executed in another unit 200b. Therefore, it becomes possible to normally perform the reprogramming of the target unit 200a by the reprogramming tool 300.

[0068] Also, in the reprogramming system 10 and reprogramming tool 300 of the present embodiment, the plurality of units 200 are units that continue the operation being executed for a preset period of time when receiving a message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a is ongoing, and the processor 310 does not need to transmit a message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a is ongoing to the target unit 200a during the execution of the transmission process and the retry process. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the session of another unit 200b may transition to the default session before the reprogramming is completed, and the possibility that a communication abnormality diagnosis process may be executed in another unit 200b. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the communication of the CAN 210 becomes congested and the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a is inhibited.

[0069] Also, in the reprogramming system 10 and the reprogramming tool 300 of the present embodiment, in the message transmission process, the processor 310 of the reprogramming tool 300 may transmit a message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a is ongoing to all of the plurality of units 200. By doing so, it is no longer necessary to individually determine whether to send a message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a is ongoing for each destination, so it becomes possible to reduce the processing load on the processor 310 of the reprogramming tool 300. For example, as in the present embodiment, a message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a is ongoing may be sent to all units 200 by broadcast. Thereby, it becomes possible to further reduce the processing load compared to the case of sending by unicast that individually specifies the transmission destination.

[0070] Also, in the reprogramming system 10 and the reprogramming tool 300 of the present embodiment, the message indicating that the communication between the reprogramming tool 300 and the target unit 200a is ongoing may be Tester Presents, which is a diagnostic request used in the ECU diagnostic communication protocol. Since Tester Presents can generally be used on the CAN used by in-vehicle ECUs, it becomes possible to suppress the introduction cost and the development cost.

[0071] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that those also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the case where the vehicle 202 is a hybrid type has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can be applied to various vehicle types such as gasoline vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), non-plug-in hybrid vehicles (hybrid vehicles), and the like.

[0073] Also, in the above embodiment, an example where an external device equipped with the reprogramming tool 300 is connected to the vehicle 202 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, a unit having the function of the reprogramming tool 300 shown in the above embodiment may be incorporated in the vehicle 202.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0074] 10 Reprogramming System 200 Unit 200a Target Unit 200b Other Unit 202 Vehicle 300 Reprogramming Tool 310 Processor 312 Memory

Claims

1. A plurality of units including a target unit provided in a vehicle and subject to reprogramming, and another unit communicably connected to the target unit, and a reprogramming tool communicably connected to the plurality of units, comprising: The reprogramming tool has one or more processors, and one or more memories connected to the processor, and the processor executes a transmission process of transmitting data for executing the reprogramming to the target unit, executes a retry process of re-executing the transmission process when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and executes a message transmission process of transmitting a message indicating that communication between the reprogramming tool and the target unit is ongoing to at least the other unit among the plurality of units before the retry process. A reprogramming system.

2. A reprogramming tool communicably connected to a plurality of units including a target unit provided in a vehicle and subject to reprogramming, and another unit communicably connected to the target unit, wherein the reprogramming tool has one or more processors, and one or more memories connected to the processor, and the processor executes a transmission process of transmitting data for executing the reprogramming to the target unit, executes a retry process of re-executing the transmission process when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and executes a message transmission process of transmitting a message indicating that communication between the reprogramming tool and the target unit is ongoing to at least the other unit among the plurality of units before the retry process. A reprogramming tool.

3. The plurality of units are units that continue an operation in progress for a preset period when receiving the message, and the processor does not transmit the message to the target unit during execution of the transmission process and during execution of the retry process. The reprogramming tool according to claim 2.

4. The processor transmits the message to all of the plurality of units in the message transmission process. The reprogramming tool according to claim 3.

5. The reprogramming tool according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the message is a Tester Presents which is a diagnostic request used in an ECU diagnostic communication protocol.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Communication device of on-vehicle electronic control device

    JP2005297653A

  • Electronic control device for vehicle

    JP2014221608A

  • Electronic control device and program rewriting system

    JP2018120438A

  • Vehicle network system

    JP2020167573A

  • System and method for evaluating the performance of an automotive switch fabric network

    US20060083172A1