Software update apparatus, software update method, non-transitory storage medium storing program, vehicle, and OTA master

A software update method executed by a computer of a software update apparatus, the software update method comprising:

• sending a request for downloading update data to a center;
• storing the downloaded update data;
• executing, based on the update data, a control for installing, or installing and activating updated software on a target electronic control unit from among a plurality of electronic control units connected to each other via an in-vehicle network;
• and
• acquiring software versions of the electronic control units, determining whether there is a consistency in a combination of the acquired software versions after the target electronic control unit installs, or installs and activates the updated software, and executing, upon determining that there is an inconsistency in the combination of the acquired software versions, a process for attaining the consistency in the combination of the software versions a predetermined number of times, and
• notifying a user of an occurrence of an abnormality when the computer does not confirm the consistency in the combination of the software versions even after repeating the process the predetermined number of times.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program executable on a computer of a software update apparatus, the program causing the computer to execute processing comprising the following functions:

• sending a request for downloading update data to a center;
• storing the downloaded update data;
• executing, based on the update data, a control for installing, or installing and activating updated software on a target electronic control unit from among a plurality of electronic control units connected to each other via an in-vehicle network;
• and
• acquiring software versions of the electronic control units, determining whether there is a consistency in a combination of the acquired software versions after the target electronic control unit installs, or installs and activates the updated software, and executing, upon determining that there is an inconsistency in the combination of the acquired software versions, a process for attaining the consistency in the combination of the software versions a predetermined number of times, and
• notifying a user of an occurrence of an abnormality when the computer does not confirm the consistency in the combination of the software versions even after repeating the process the predetermined number of times.