Abstract: In an ECU, a flash ROM has a main storage area for storing a current version of an application program and a sub-storage area for storing update version program that includes updated points from the current version program. A rewriting tool executes program rewrite processing including: store processing of storing the update version program in the sub-storage area; and memory changeover processing in which, when the writing of the update version program in the sub-storage area has been done successfully, the sub-storage area where the storing of the update version program has ended is changed over to a new main storage area instead of a memory area currently being used as the main storage area. When the writing in the sub-storage area has failed, the changeover is not conducted.

Abstract: When a local operation is carried out on a vehicle, a local operation record is stored in a storage section of a remote operation control master unit and a storage section of a smart entry key. When a remote operation of canceling the local operation is carried out, the local operation record stored in the smart entry key is transmitted to the vehicle through a cellular phone. The local operation record received by an in-vehicle communication device is compared with the local operation record stored in the storage section of the remote operation control master. When the comparison result indicates the agreement between the local operation records, the authority for canceling the local operation is given.

Abstract: A vehicle remote control apparatus for causing a vehicle to perform a requested operation in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information about vehicle condition of the vehicle, and an operation instruction transmission controlling unit configured to compare a remote operation requested from the vehicle user with the information about the vehicle condition, to transmit an operation instruction corresponding to the requested remote operation to the vehicle if the requested remote operation has not been performed, and to refrain from transmitting an operation instruction corresponding to the requested remote operation to the vehicle if the requested remote operation has already been performed at the vehicle and is thus not performable.

Abstract: A method of rewriting a flash EEPROM of an electronic control device for controlling a vehicle equipment via a microcomputer is proposed. The flash EEPROM stores a control program and a flash EEPROM rewriting program. The operation of the vehicle equipment is changed by changing the control program via a microcomputer. When receiving a control-program-rewriting command signal, data on an internal condition and state of connection of the microcomputer are memorized. Then, the control program is changed to the flash EEPROM rewriting program, so that the data are read according to the flash EEPROM rewriting program to control the microcomputer to operate in the same internal condition and state of connection thereof as before. Thereafter, the microcomputer rewrites the flash EEPROM with a new control program sent from outside. Therefore, the vehicle equipment can be continuously operated by a user during the rewriting mode.

Abstract: A vehicle remote control apparatus for causing a vehicle to perform a requested operation in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information about vehicle condition of the vehicle, and an operation instruction transmission controlling unit configured to compare a remote operation requested from the vehicle user with the information about the vehicle condition, to transmit an operation instruction corresponding to the requested remote operation to the vehicle if the requested remote operation has not been performed, and to refrain from transmitting an operation instruction corresponding to the requested remote operation to the vehicle if the requested remote operation has already been performed at the vehicle and is thus not performable.

Abstract: A rewriting tool for rewriting a content of a nonvolatile memory including vehicle information and the like provides a supplemental authentication process that detects a wireless authentication medium associated to an authorized rewriting tool user by wireless polling on an unconditional basis besides authenticating the authorized rewriting tool user based on an input from the rewriting tool for the purpose of an improved security.

Abstract: When a local operation is carried out on a vehicle, a local operation record is stored in a storage section of a remote operation control master unit and a storage section of a smart entry key. When a remote operation of canceling the local operation is carried out, the local operation record stored in the smart entry key is transmitted to the vehicle through a cellular phone. The local operation record received by an in-vehicle communication device is compared with the local operation record stored in the storage section of the remote operation control master. When the comparison result indicates the agreement between the local operation records, the authority for canceling the local operation is given.

Abstract: In an ECU, a flash ROM has a main storage area for storing a current version of an application program and a sub-storage area for storing update version program that includes updated points from the current version program. A rewriting tool executes program rewrite processing including: store processing of storing the update version program in the sub-storage area; and memory changeover processing in which, when the writing of the update version program in the sub-storage area has been done successfully, the sub-storage area where the storing of the update version program has ended is changed over to a new main storage area instead of a memory area currently being used as the main storage area. When the writing in the sub-storage area has failed, the changeover is not conducted.

Abstract: A method of rewriting a flash EEPROM of an electronic control device for controlling a vehicle equipment via a microcomputer is proposed. The flash EEPROM stores a control program and a flash EEPROM rewriting program. The operation of the vehicle equipment is changed by changing the control program via a microcomputer. When receiving a control-program-rewriting command signal, data on an internal condition and state of connection of the microcomputer are memorized. Then, the control program is changed to the flash EEPROM rewriting program, so that the data are read according to the flash EEPROM rewriting program to control the microcomputer to operate in the same internal condition and state of connection thereof as before. Thereafter, the microcomputer rewrites the flash EEPROM with a new control program sent from outside. Therefore, the vehicle equipment can be continuously operated by a user during the rewriting mode.