Updating software in a wireless switching control system
A control system configured to update software by wireless communication includes a plurality of specific control devices each including one or more memories configured to store specific software, and one or more processors configured to execute the specific processing by executing the specific software; and a switching control device. The switching control device configured to, when an update of the specific software stored in the one or more memories of the specific control device executing the specific processing is to be performed, switch the specific control device executing the specific processing to another specific control device before starting of the update. The one or more processors of the specific control device are configured to, in a state where the specific control device executing the specific processing has been switched to the other specific control device, update the specific software.
1. A control system configured to update software by wireless communication, the control system comprising:
a plurality of specific control devices each including
one or more memories configured to store specific software for executing specific processing for controlling a control target, and
one or more processors configured to execute the specific processing by executing the specific software stored in the one or more memories; and
processing circuitry configured to:
switch, among the plurality of specific control devices, a specific control device that executes the specific processing; and,
when an update of the specific software stored in the one or more memories of the specific control device executing the specific processing among the plurality of specific control devices is to be performed, switch execution, among the plurality of specific control devices, from the specific control device executing the specific processing to another specific control device that is not executing the specific processing before starting of the update;
the one or more processors of the specific control device are further configured to, in a state where the specific control device executing the specific processing has been switched to the other specific control device, update the specific software stored in the one or more memories; and
the one or more processors of the other specific control device are further configured to, after the specific control device executing the specific processing has been switched to the other specific control device, execute the specific processing by executing the specific software stored in the one or more memories.
2. The control system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the number of the plurality of specific control devices is three or more;
the plurality of specific control devices are further configured to execute the specific processing in cooperation with each other; and
the processing circuitry is further configured to, when any one piece of the specific software stored in the memories of the plurality of specific control devices executing the specific processing is to be updated, switch execution, among the plurality of specific control devices, from the specific control device executing the specific processing to the other specific control device that is not executing the specific processing.
3. The control system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the one or more processors of the specific control device are further configured to:
determine whether compatibility exists before updating the specific software and after updating the specific software;
in a case where determining that the compatibility does not exist before updating the specific software, update the specific software when the specific processing is not being executed in any of the plurality of specific control devices; and
in an alternate case where determining that the compatibility exists before updating the specific software, update the specific software when the specific control device executing the specific processing has been switched to the other specific control device.
4. The control system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the control system is mounted on a vehicle;
the one or more processors of the specific control device are further configured to:
determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied; and
update the specific software when the predetermined condition is satisfied; and
the predetermined condition is a condition that a traveling situation of the vehicle in which the specific software is updatable is continued for a predetermined period or longer, the predetermined period being a period required for updating the specific software.
5. The control system according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of
a first situation in which the vehicle is traveling on a highway is continued for the predetermined period,
a second situation in which a traveling plan of the vehicle is unchanged is continued for the predetermined period, or
a third situation in which another vehicle does not exist within a predetermined distance from the vehicle is continued for the predetermined period.
6. The control system according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of
a first situation in which the vehicle is traveling on an ordinary road is continued for the predetermined period, or
a second situation in which the vehicle is stopped is continued for the predetermined period.
7. The control system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the processing circuitry is further configured to return execution of the specific processing from the other specific control device to the specific control device, that was executing the specific processing before the switching.
8. The control system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the processing circuitry is further configured to transmit a request to confirm a timing of switching the specific software to the specific control device executing the specific processing, and switch the specific control device executing the specific processing, in response to the reception of information indicating that the update of the specific software is permitted.
9. An update control method in a control system configured to update software by wireless communication,
the control system including
a plurality of specific control devices each including one or more memories configured to store specific software for executing specific processing for controlling a control target and one or more processors configured to execute the specific processing by executing the specific software stored in the one or more memories, and
processing circuitry configured to switch, among the plurality of specific control devices, a specific control device that executes the specific processing,
the update control method comprising:
switching execution, among the plurality of specific control devices, when the processing circuitry performs an update of the specific software stored in the one or more memories of the specific control device executing the specific processing among the plurality of specific control devices, from the specific control device that executes the specific processing to another specific control device that is not executing the specific processing before starting the update;
updating, by the one or more processors of the specific control device, the specific software stored in the one or more memories in a state where the specific control device that executes the specific processing has been switched to the other specific control device; and
after the specific control device executing the specific processing has been switched to the other specific control device, executing, by the one or more processors of the other specific control device, the specific processing by executing the specific software stored in the one or more memories.
10. A non-transitory storage medium storing instructions that are executable in one or more processors of a control system configured to update software by wireless communication and that cause the one or more processors to execute functions,
the control system including:
a plurality of specific control devices each including one or more memories configured to store specific software for executing specific processing for controlling a control target and one or more processors configured to execute the specific processing by executing the specific software stored in the one or more memories; and
processing circuitry configured to switch, among the plurality of specific control devices, a specific control device that executes the specific processing, and
the functions comprising:
switching execution, among the plurality of specific control devices, when the processing circuitry performs an update of the specific software stored in the one or more memories of the specific control device executing the specific processing among the plurality of specific control devices, from the specific control device that executes the specific processing to another specific control device that is not executing the specific processing before starting the update;
updating, by the one or more processors of the specific control device, the specific software stored in the one or more memories in a state where the specific control device that executes the specific processing has been switched to the other specific control device; and
after the specific control device executing the specific processing has been switched to the other specific control device, executing, by the one or more processors of the other specific control device, the specific processing by executing the specific software stored in the one or more memories.