Encrypted communication system and method for controlling encrypted communication system

1. An encrypted communication system comprising a plurality of on-board devices configured to perform encrypted communication with a server located outside a vehicle, wherein

each of the plurality of on-board devices includes

an encrypted communication portion configured to perform encrypted communication with the server using an encryption key unique to the each of the plurality of on-board devices, and

a priority setting portion configured to set priority ranks of the plurality of on-board devices for encrypted communication, and

when a first on-board device of the plurality of on-board devices performs encrypted communication with the server and if any one of the plurality of on-board devices is set to a higher priority rank, the first on-board device is configured to perform the encrypted communication with the server via the encrypted communication portion of the on-board device having the higher priority rank, the first on-board device being configured to transfer unencrypted communication data to the on-board device having the higher priority rank for being encrypted by the encryption key of the on-board device having the higher propriety.

2. The encrypted communication system according to claim 1 , wherein if any one of the plurality of on-board devices has performed encrypted communication with the server, the priority setting portion of each of the plurality of on-board devices is configured to set the on-board device having performed encrypted communication to a higher priority rank than the rest of the plurality of on-board devices.

3. The encrypted communication system according to claim 2 , wherein when an on-board device is newly added to perform encrypted communication with the server and if any one of the plurality of on-board devices has performed encrypted communication with the server, the priority setting portion of each of the plurality of on-board devices is configured to set the on-board device having performed encrypted communication to a higher priority rank than the added on-board device.

4. The encrypted communication system according to claim 2 , wherein if none of the plurality of on-board devices has performed encrypted communication with the server, the priority setting portion of each of the plurality of on-board devices is configured to set one of the plurality of on-board devices having a relatively high cipher strength to a higher priority rank than the rest of the plurality of on-board devices.

5. The encrypted communication system according to claim 2 , wherein when an on-board device is newly added to perform encrypted communication with the server and if none of the plurality of on-board devices has performed encrypted communication with the server and the added on-board device has a higher cipher strength than the plurality of on-board devices, the priority setting portion of each of the plurality of on-board devices is configured to set the added on-board device to a higher priority rank than the plurality of on-board devices.

6. The encrypted communication system according to claim 1 , further comprising a communication line connecting each of the plurality of on-board devices and another one of the plurality of on-board devices separately from the rest of the plurality of on-board devices,

wherein when the first on-board device of the plurality of on-board devices performs encrypted communication with the server and if any one of the plurality of on-board devices is set to a higher priority rank, the first on-board device is configured to transmit the unencrypted communication data to the on-board device having the higher priority rank through the communication line.

7. A method for controlling an encrypted communication system including a plurality of on-board devices configured to perform encrypted communication with a server located outside a vehicle, the method comprising:

having each of the plurality of on-board devices set priority ranks of the plurality of on-board devices for encrypted communication; and

having, when a first on-board device of the plurality of on-board devices performs encrypted communication with the server and if any one of the plurality of on-board devices is set to a higher priority rank, the first on-board device perform via the on-board device having the higher priority rank, the encrypted communication with the server using an encryption key unique to the on-board device having the higher priority rank, wherein the first on-board device is configured to transfer unencrypted communication data to the on-board device having the higher priority rank for being encrypted by the encryption key of the on-board device having the higher propriety.

8. An encrypted communication system comprising a plurality of on-board devices configured to perform encrypted communication with a server located outside a vehicle, wherein

each of the plurality of on-board devices includes circuitry,

the circuitry is configured to set priority ranks of the plurality of on-board devices for encrypted communication, and

when the circuitry performs encrypted communication with the server and if any one of the plurality of on-board devices is set to a higher priority rank, the circuitry is configured to perform via the on-board device having the higher priority rank, the encrypted communication with the server using an encryption key unique to the on-board device having the higher priority rank, wherein the circuitry is configured to transfer unencrypted communication data to the on-board device having the higher priority rank for being encrypted by the encryption key of the on-board device having the higher propriety.