Software update server, storage medium, and software update method

A non-transitory storage medium storing a software update program for execution by an update server including a processor and a memory, the software update program causing the update server to manage distribution of software updates for electronic control units installed in vehicles the software update program causing the update server to:

• store, in the memory:
• campaign information including (1) information specifying a target vehicle for performance of a software update process, and (2) information specifying update software to be applied to the electronic control unit installed in the target vehicle by the software update process,
• distribution timing information indicating a time for distribution of the update software by the software update process, and
• accompanying information including defect information indicating whether there is a defect in the update software itself for each piece of the update software;
• and
• cause the processor to execute the steps of:
• storing the accompanying information including the defect information in the memory based on an input from outside the update server, and
• in response to receipt of a request for updating generated by the target vehicle and after confirming that a current time is after the time for distribution of the update software indicated by the distribution timing information stored in the memory:
• transmitting the update software to the target vehicle via a wireless communication device, by executing the software update process, when the accompanying information does not indicate that there is the defect in the update software itself, and
• when the accompanying information includes the defect information indicating that there is the defect in the update software itself, prohibiting execution of the software update process by not informing the target vehicle of the campaign information and not transmitting the update software to the target vehicle.

A software update method executed by an update server including a processor and a memory, the software update method managing distribution of software updates for electronic control units installed in vehicles, the method including:

• storing, in the memory;
• campaign information including (1) information specifying a target vehicle for performance of a software update process, and (2) information specifying update software to be applied to the electronic control unit installed in the target vehicle by the software update process,
• distribution timing information indicating a time for distribution of the update software by the software update process, and
• accompanying information including defect information indicating whether there is a defect in the update software itself for each piece of the update software;
• and
• the processor performing the steps of:
• storing the accompanying information including the defect information in the memory based on an input from outside the update server, and
• in response to receipt of a request for updating generated by the target vehicle and after confirming that a current time is after the time for distribution of the update software indicated by the distribution timing information stored in the memory;
• transmitting the update software to the target vehicle via a wireless communication device, by executing the software update process, when the accompanying information does not indicate that there is the defect in the update software itself, and
• when the accompanying information includes the defect information indicating that there is the defect in the update software itself, prohibiting execution of the software update process by not informing the target vehicle of the campaign information and not transmitting the update software to the target vehicle.