Patent ID: 7415332
Filing Date: 2008-08-19
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A vehicle component management data update method for updating component management data of a certain vehicle by using a management center when a component in an in-vehicle system in the certain vehicle is substituted or added, wherein the certain vehicle includes a component management system including: a storing unit that stores, as the component management data, identification codes that are assigned to a plurality of respective components included in the in-vehicle system in the certain vehicle; an identification code obtaining unit that obtains, when the in-vehicle system is started, identification codes from the plurality of components included in the in-vehicle system in the certain vehicle; a determining unit that determines whether the obtained identification codes accord with the identification codes stored as the component management data; and a prohibiting unit that prohibits, when a certain component whose identification code does not accord with any one of the identification codes stored as the component management data is present, the certain component from being used, wherein the management center is located outside of the certain vehicle, is accessed via a communications network, and includes: a vehicle database that is registered with, as vehicle data, identification codes of the entire plurality of components included in the in-vehicle system with respect to each of plural vehicles including the certain vehicle, that are shipped from an assembling factory; and a management computer configured to manage the identification codes and the vehicle data registered in the vehicle database, the method comprising steps of: obtaining an identification code of a new component of a target for one of substitution and addition; transmitting the obtained identification code to the management center via the communications network to thereby inquire whether the new component is enabled to be usable in the certain vehicle; updating, when a response that the new component is enabled to be usable is received, the component management data stored in the storing unit of each of the components based on the obtained identification code; and causing the management center to update the vehicle data of the certain vehicle that is registered in the vehicle database.