JP2011035834A - Communication system, communication apparatus and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system, in which each communication apparatus, sensor or actuator can be individually shifted to a dormant state or an active state without remarkably changing a communication protocol in particular, the communication system including communication apparatuses of master/slave configuration, and to provide the communication apparatus and a communication method. <P>SOLUTION: A master communication apparatus transmits corresponding tokens (Token 0, Token 1, ...) to respective slave communication apparatuses cyclically in order and if a token corresponding to each slave apparatus itself is transmitted to a communication line, the slave apparatus transmits data (Data 1, Data 2, ...) subsequently to the token. The master communication apparatus transmits a corresponding dormant shift instruction token (Token 128) in place of a token (e.g., Token 2) to a slave communication apparatus to be shifted to a dormant state and if the dormant shift instruction token is transmitted to the slave communication apparatus itself, the slave communication apparatus is shifted into the dormant state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system including a communication device of a master / slave configuration, and in particular, without making a major change in the communication protocol used, each communication device and a sensor or actuator connected to the communication device are put into a sleep state or activated. The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication apparatus, and a communication method that can individually realize transition to a state.

  In recent years, control systems that control a large number of devices and realize various functions as a whole have become widespread. A control device for controlling each device is connected to each device, and each control device is provided with a communication means to exchange data with each other so that each control device does not perform independent control, but other control devices, etc. It is realized as a communication system that executes control in cooperation, such as controlling a device to be controlled corresponding to itself based on data obtained through the network, and is used in various fields.

  In such a system, as the function increases, the number of devices to be controlled increases, and the number of devices such as sensors that acquire or measure data used for control also increases. Especially in the field of vehicles, a lot of devices such as actuators or sensors corresponding to various functions are arranged in the vehicle, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) is arranged corresponding to each as a control device for controlling each device. Operates by sending and receiving data to and from each other. Vehicle control is shifting from mechanical control to electrical control, and further, specialization of functions realized by the control system, increase in functions that can be realized, and diversification are progressing. As a result, the number of devices such as actuators and sensors and ECUs mounted on the vehicle is increasing.

  Further, in a system including a large number of devices, power saving as a whole system is being promoted. Even in the field of vehicles, it is essential to transition to a sleep state in which only some minimum functions such as battery saving are activated. Therefore, each ECU is set so that the clock frequency can be changed or the power supply voltage can be lowered, and the transition to the sleep state such as lowering the clock frequency or lowering the power supply voltage is possible while the processing is not performed. is there. The same can be said for devices such as sensors and actuators. Each device also transitions to a dormant state during an unnecessary period, thereby effectively reducing the power consumption of the entire system.

  In a communication system in which a large number of control devices each have a communication function and cooperate as a communication device, conventionally, devices connected to the same communication line (network) transition to a dormant state or to an activated state all at once. (Patent Documents 1, 2, etc.). Because each device may be treated as an error when there is no response from other devices, it may not be allowed for some devices to be up or down due to communication protocol regulations. is there.

  However, although some devices or devices can transition to a dormant state depending on the situation, power saving cannot be effectively achieved with a configuration in which they continue to be activated together with other devices.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 3, in a communication system including a plurality of communication devices, a communication device (node) in a dormant state (sleep state) and a communication device (node) in an activated state (active state) are allowed to coexist. A system is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-135257 JP 2007-030714 A JP 2003-037610 A

  In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3, it is possible to mix a communication device in a dormant state and a communication device in a start state. However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3, a communication device (slave node) in a dormant state (sleep state) receives a beacon broadcast from a specific communication device (master node) to each device. It is necessary to respond, and the reduction in power consumption is not sufficient. In addition, address management for specifying each communication device requires a table managed only by the communication device which is the master node, and therefore processing such as starting a dormant slave node from another slave node cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when communication is performed based on a communication protocol using a token in a communication network having a master / slave configuration, each communication can be performed without greatly changing the communication protocol. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system, a communication apparatus, and a communication method capable of individually realizing a transition to a sleep state or an activated state of a sensor or actuator connected to the apparatus.

  A communication system according to a first invention includes one master communication device, a plurality of slave communication devices, and a communication line to which each communication device is connected, and the master communication device is a token corresponding to each slave communication device. Token transmitting means for intermittently transmitting to the communication line, and each of the plurality of slave communication devices transmits data following the token when the token transmitted to the communication line is a token corresponding to itself. In the communication system, the token transmission unit cyclically transmits a token corresponding to each slave communication device in a predetermined order in advance, and the master communication device transmits each slave communication device. Means for individually determining whether or not to transition to a dormant state, and a slave communication device that is determined to transition to a dormant state The token communication unit is changed to a dormant transition instruction token for instructing a transition to a dormant state and transmitted by the token transmitting unit, and the slave communication device stores the predetermined order; , Based on the predetermined order, a means for specifying a timing at which a token corresponding to itself is transmitted, and determining whether the token transmitted to the communication line at the specified timing is the pause transition instruction token And a sleep transition means for transitioning to a sleep state when it is determined that the determination means is a sleep transition instruction token.

  The communication system according to a second aspect is characterized in that the pause transition instruction token in the first aspect is an empty token.

  In a communication system according to a third aspect of the present invention, one or a plurality of devices that input / output data are connected to a part or all of the communication device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, and input / output between the devices is performed. Data is transmitted to the communication line, and the communication device comprises means for causing a connected device to transition to the dormant state when it transitions to the dormant state.

  The communication system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the communication system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the pause transition unit is in a pause state when the determination unit determines that the token is a pause transition instruction token continuously several times. It is characterized by making a transition to.

  In the communication system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the master communication device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects determines whether or not the slave communication device that has transitioned to the dormant state should be transitioned to the active state. And a means for resuming transmission of a token corresponding to the slave communication device determined to be changed to the activated state by the token transmission unit, and the slave communication device is in the case of changing to the dormant state. When it is determined by the determination means that the token is not the pause transition instruction token, an activation means for transitioning to an activation state is provided.

  In the communication system according to a sixth aspect of the invention, the slave communication device according to the first, third, or fourth aspect of the invention determines whether or not other slave devices that are transitioning to a dormant state should be transitioned to an activated state. And means for specifying the timing at which a token corresponding to the slave communication device determined to be changed to the activated state when it is determined to be changed to the activated state by the means, and identified by the means Means for transmitting predetermined data following the dormant transition instruction token transmitted to the communication line at a timing, and if it is transitioning to a dormant state, the token corresponding to itself or the dormant transition instruction token A means for determining whether or not the predetermined data has been transmitted subsequently, and an activation when the means determines that the predetermined data has been transmitted; Characterized in that it comprises a starting means for transition to the state.

  In the communication system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the master communication device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is configured to determine whether or not the predetermined data has been transmitted following the transmitted pause transition instruction token, and the means transmits And a means for restarting transmission of the token that has been changed to the pause transition instruction token by the token transmission means.

  A communication device according to an eighth aspect includes means for communicating with a plurality of other communication devices via a communication line, and token transmission means for intermittently transmitting a token corresponding to each of the other communication devices to the communication line. In the communication apparatus configured to control communication on the communication line, the token transmission unit cyclically transmits tokens corresponding to the other communication apparatuses in a predetermined order. A means for individually determining whether or not to transition to a dormant state for other communication devices, and a token corresponding to the other communication device that is determined to be shifted to a dormant state. And a means for changing to an instructed pause transition instruction token and transmitting the token by the token transmitting means.

  A communication device according to a ninth invention is the eighth invention, wherein the other communication device that has transitioned to the dormant state is determined to transition to the activated state, and is determined to transition to the activated state. And means for resuming transmission of a token corresponding to the other communication device by the token transmission means.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein means for determining whether or not predetermined data is transmitted by another communication apparatus subsequent to the transmitted pause transition instruction token is transmitted. And a means for resuming transmission of the token that has been changed to the pause transition instruction token by the token transmission means.

  A communication device according to an eleventh aspect of the invention corresponds to a communication means that communicates with a plurality of other communication devices via a communication line, and each of the communication devices, and cyclically returns to the communication line in a predetermined order. A communication apparatus comprising: means for receiving a token to be transmitted; and means for transmitting data following the token when the received token is a token corresponding to itself. Means for storing an order; means for identifying a timing at which a token corresponding to itself is transmitted based on the order; and a token transmitted to the communication line at a timing specified by the means is shifted to a dormant state. Determining means for determining whether the token is a dormant transition instruction token, and a dormant transition for transitioning to a dormant state when the determining means determines that the token is a dormant transition instruction token Characterized in that it comprises a means.

  A communication device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the communication apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, further comprising an activation unit that transitions to an activation state when the determination unit determines that the token is not the pause transition instruction token when the transition is to the dormant state. Features.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, a communication device according to the eleventh aspect is configured to determine whether or not another communication device that has transitioned to a dormant state should be transitioned to an activated state, and to cause the transition to the activated state. A means for specifying a timing at which a token of data transmitted by a communication device that has been determined to transition to an activated state is determined, and the pause transition instruction token transmitted at the timing specified by the means Means for transmitting predetermined data subsequent to, and if the device itself has transitioned to the dormant state, the token corresponding to itself or the dormant transition instruction token transmitted corresponding to itself is followed by the predetermined data Means for determining whether or not data has been transmitted, and activation means for transitioning to an activated state when the means determines that the predetermined data has been transmitted. It is characterized in.

  A communication method according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention includes one master communication device, a plurality of slave communication devices, and a communication line to which each communication device is connected, and the master communication device is a token corresponding to each slave communication device. When the token transmitted to the communication line is a token corresponding to itself, the slave communication apparatus transmits data following the token, and the slave communication apparatus transmits data from each communication apparatus. In the method of controlling data transmission, the master communication device should cyclically transmit the tokens corresponding to each slave communication device in a predetermined order, and the slave communication device should transition to a dormant state. A dormant transition instruction for instructing the transition to the dormant state for the token corresponding to the slave communication device that has been decided whether or not to transit to the dormant state. The slave communication device stores the determined order, specifies a timing at which a token corresponding to itself is transmitted based on the order, and transmits the communication line at the timing. It is determined whether or not the token transmitted to is the dormant transition instruction token. If it is determined that the token is the dormant transition instruction token, the token transits to the dormant state.

In the present invention, when each slave communication device transmits data in a communication system including one master communication device, a plurality of slave communication devices, and a communication line to which each communication device is connected, each master communication device The token corresponding to the communication device is intermittently transmitted to the communication line, and the other slave communication device transmits data after the token when the token corresponding to itself is transmitted to the communication line. Communication takes place. That is, each communication device obtains transmission rights in a time division manner, and transmits data in a time period starting from a token corresponding to itself, that is, a time slot assigned to itself.
With this configuration, in the present invention, the tokens are transmitted cyclically in a predetermined order. Each communication device stores the predetermined order, and based on the fact that one of the tokens is transmitted to the communication line, the time slot in which the corresponding token is included, that is, the time at which the communication device itself should transmit data. It is possible to recognize the slot. That is, each communication device performs communication based on a so-called polling / selecting communication protocol in a master / slave configuration.
In the present invention, the master communication device transmits a sleep transition instruction token instructing a transition to the sleep state in place of the original token corresponding to the slave communication device to the time slot of the slave communication device to be shifted to the sleep state. To do. The slave communication device transitions to a dormant state when a dormant transition instruction token is transmitted in a time slot for which the slave communication device obtains a transmission right.
The pause transition instruction token may be a specially identified signal, but may be an empty token, that is, a no-signal state. The synchronization signal at the head of the token may be transmitted.
Thereby, each slave communication apparatus can be individually shifted to a dormant state. In this case, each slave communication device cannot obtain the token when it should transit to the sleep state, although it must obtain the token corresponding to the data in order to transmit some data. You can't send any data to others and you will be silent. In addition, since it is possible to recognize that another device has also stopped, it is possible to avoid a situation where it is determined that an error has occurred, and the communication protocol is not affected.

  In the present invention, each device that inputs and outputs data, such as a sensor or an actuator connected to the communication device, is similarly changed to the sleep state when the communication device is changed to the sleep state. As a result, the communication devices constituting the communication system can be individually shifted to a dormant state, and the sensors or actuators connected to the communication device can also be paused to make power saving more effective. Is possible.

  In the present invention, each slave communication device transitions to a dormant state when it is continuously transmitted a plurality of times even when it is determined that a dormancy transition instruction token is transmitted in a time slot assigned to itself. Thus, only when it is determined that the transition to the dormant state is to be ensured, the transition to the dormant state is made, and unnecessary transition is avoided.

In the present invention, the master communication device determines whether or not to transition to the activated state for each slave communication device that has transitioned to the dormant state, and has been transmitted in the time slot to the slave communication device to be activated. By returning the transition instruction token to the original token, the communication device can be shifted to the activated state.
Thereby, each communication apparatus which comprises a communication system can be individually changed to a dormant state or a starting state, and power saving can be made effective.

In the present invention, the slave communication device determines whether or not the other slave communication device should transition to the activated state, and when the slave communication device transitions to the activated state, it is transmitted in the time slot of the other slave communication device. Predetermined data is transmitted following the pause transition instruction token. Each of the slave communication devices transitions to an activated state when predetermined data is transmitted following the sleep transition instruction token.
In this case, when the master communication device receives and detects that predetermined data has been transmitted following the pause transition instruction token transmitted by itself, the slave communication device corresponding to the token transmits another communication. Recognizing the transition to the activated state by the device, the transmission of the pause transition instruction token is stopped and the transmission of the original token is restored.
As a result, not only control by the master communication device but also slave communication devices can transition from the sleep state to the start state when necessary.

  According to the present invention, a communication protocol that uses tokens cyclically in a predetermined order in a communication network having a master / slave configuration, or a sensor connected to each communication device without significant changes to the protocol or The transition to the resting state or the starting state of the actuator can be realized individually.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the transition to the activated state can be controlled between the slave communication devices, a flexible system can be realized such that the activation can be speeded up.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle-mounted communication system in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which simplifies and shows the internal structure of ECU, GW, and IOU which comprise the vehicle-mounted communication system in this Embodiment, and the connection of each apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the information transmitted to the communication line in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which GW which is a communication apparatus of the master of this Embodiment performs in order to change any IOU to a sleep state. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence in case the IOU which is a slave communication apparatus of this Embodiment changes from a wakeup state to a sleep state based on the information from GW. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the information transmitted to a communication line by the process which changes to the sleep state in GW which is the master of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence in case the IOU which is a slave communication apparatus of this Embodiment changes from a sleep state to a wake-up state based on the information from GW. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the information transmitted to a communication line by the process which changes to the wake-up state in GW which is the master of this Embodiment. In this Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which the communication part of IOU which is a slave performs in order to make another IOU transition to a wake-up state. In this Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence in case IOU which is a communication apparatus of a slave changes from a sleep state to a wake-up state based on the information from IOU which is another slave. In this Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence by the 1st communication part of GW in the case of making it change to a wake-up state between IOUs which are slaves. In this Embodiment, it is explanatory drawing which shows typically the information transmitted to a communication line, when making it change to a wakeup state between IOUs which are slaves.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. In the following embodiment, the communication system according to the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle communication system in which a large number of actuators, sensors, and ECUs mounted on a vehicle communicate data with each other to realize various functions. An example will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle communication system in the present embodiment. The in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment includes a temperature sensor or camera mounted on the front of a vehicle, wheel speed sensors attached to tire shafts, various sensors 1, 1,. The actuators 2, 2,... Such as lights and door locks, and the ECUs 3a, 3b that control the operations of the actuators 2, 2,. GW (Gate Way) 4 that relays transmission / reception of data, and further, IOU (In-Out Unit :) that performs communication in a network of data input and output by various sensors 1, 1,... And actuators 2, 2,. Input / output unit) 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d.

  The various sensors 1a, 1b,... And the actuators 2, 2,... Are connected to the IOUs 5a, 5b,. The sensors 1a, 1b,... And the actuators 2, 2,... May be configured to be able to communicate with the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d via LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

  The IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are connected to the communication line 7, and the ECUs 3a and 3b are connected to the communication line 8. That is, the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and the ECUs 3a, 3b are connected to different communication lines 7, 8, respectively. The GW 4 is connected to both the communication lines 7 and 8, and the GW 4 relays control data for controlling the actuators 2, 2,... Transmitted from the ECUs 3a, 3b from the communication line 8 to the communication line 7. The gateway function such as processing, processing of relaying various data from the sensors 1, 1,... Transmitted by the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d to the ECUs 3a, 3b that require the data. The IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d receive the control data relayed by the GW 4 from the communication line 7 and give it to the actuators 2, 2,... To be controlled, or input various data from the sensors 1, 1,. Then, processing for transmitting to the communication line 7 is performed.

  In addition, the connection form in the communication lines 7 and 8 is a bus type in the drawings and in the following description, but is not limited to this, and a star type, a ring type, or the like can be used as long as communication can be obtained with a token. Other connection forms may be used. Also, the communication protocol is not particularly limited as long as it can realize the processing described below.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configurations of the ECU 3a, the GW 4 and the IOU 5a constituting the in-vehicle communication system in the present embodiment, and the connection of each device in a simplified manner.

  The ECU 3a includes a control unit 30a, a storage unit 31a, and a communication unit 32a. Since the internal configuration of the ECU 3b is similar to the internal configuration of the ECU 3a, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is used for the control unit 30a. A memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) is used for the storage unit 31a. A control program read and executed by the control unit 30a, a table referred to by the control 30a, and the like are stored. The communication unit 32 a realizes communication via the communication line 8. Details of the communication method by the communication unit 32a will be described later. Note that a part (controller) of the control unit 30a, the storage unit 31a, and the communication unit 32a in the ECU 3a may be configured as a microcomputer.

  The GW 4 includes a control unit 40, a storage unit 41, a first communication unit 42, and a second communication unit 43. The controller 40 uses a CPU. The storage unit 41 uses a memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM, and stores a control program that is read by the control unit 40 and executed to realize the gateway function. In addition, in order to relay the transmission / reception of data between the communication lines 7 and 8, the storage unit 41 has a relay table indicating correspondence between data IDs assigned to each data, necessity of relaying, and relay destinations. 44 is stored.

  The first communication unit 42 realizes communication via the communication line 7. The second communication unit 43 realizes communication via the communication line 8. Details of the communication method by the first communication unit 42 and the second communication unit 43 will be described later.

  The IOU 5a includes a control unit 50a, a storage unit 51a, a communication unit 52a, and an input / output unit 53a. Since the internal configuration of the IOUs 5b, 5c, and 5d is the same as the internal configuration of the IOU 5a, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The control unit 50a uses a CPU. The storage unit 51a uses a memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM, and stores a control program read and executed by the control unit 50a, a table referred to by the control unit 50a, and the like. The communication unit 52a realizes communication via the communication line 7. Details of the communication method by the communication unit 52a will be described later.

  The input / output unit 53a is an interface for inputting signals from the sensors 1, 1,... And outputting signals to the actuators 2, 2,. The input / output unit 53a notifies the data input from the sensors 1, 1,... To the control unit 50a, and outputs the data provided from the control unit 50a to the actuators 2, 2,.

  The IOU 5a may be configured by a configuration that is not software processing by a microcomputer, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). ECU3a, 3b, GW4 may also be comprised by ASIC, FPGA, etc.

  A communication method between the GW 4 and the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d configured as described above will be described below. Communication via the communication line 8 between the GW 4 and the ECUs 3a and 3b uses a communication method different from the communication line 7, for example, a communication method such as CAN.

  Communication between the GW 4 and the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d is realized by a method using a token by processing of each communication unit. Communication is controlled in a master-slave system in which the GW 4 is a master, the other communication devices IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are slaves, and a slave that acquires a token that is intermittently transmitted from the master GW 4 transmits data. The

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing information transmitted to the communication line 7 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, “Token 0”, “Data 0”, “Token 1”,..., “Token N” and subsequent “Data N” are transmitted in order from “Token 0” shown on the left side. Subsequently, “Token 0” and “Data 0” are transmitted again. That is, the right to transmit data on the communication line 7 is time-divided as time slots, and each time slot starts when a token is transmitted. The numbers “0 (zero)” to “N” following “Token” representing the token in each time slot shown in FIG. 3 are identification information for identifying each token. Here, N is an arbitrary integer, but excludes “0 (zero)” and a number (128) for identifying a special token described later. A Sync signal (synchronization signal) is included at the head of each token so that the GW 4 and the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d can recognize that the token has been transmitted to the communication line 7.

  The first communication unit 42 of the master GW 4 intermittently transmits tokens such as “Token 0” and “Token 1” to the communication line 7 intermittently in a predetermined order. Only the first communication unit 42 of the master GW 4 transmits the token. Each token of “Token 1”,..., “Token N” corresponds to each of IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d that are slaves. The IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d may associate a token with each data so that a plurality of different data can be transmitted at different timings. Here, it is assumed that “Token 1”, “Token 2”, “Token 3”, and “Token 4” are associated with each of the four IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d.

  Only when the tokens “Token 1”,..., “Token 4” corresponding to the slave IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are transmitted to the communication line 7, the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d follow the token in the time slot including the token. As shown, “Data 1”,..., “Data 4” can be transmitted to the communication line 7. “Token 0” is transmitted as a starting point of a token transmitted cyclically, and “Data 0” after the token of “Token 0” may be no signal, that is, empty. The predetermined order in which the first communication unit 42 of the GW 4 transmits the tokens “Token 1”,..., “Token 4” is such that the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d that transmit data after each transmit data in order. It has been decided. In this embodiment, when “Token 1” is transmitted to the communication line 7, the communication unit 52a of the IOU 5a transmits data obtained from the sensors 1, 1,..., And when “Token 2” is transmitted. The communication unit of the IOU 5b transmits data. When “Token 3” is transmitted, the communication unit of the IOU 5c transmits data. When “Token 4” is transmitted, the communication unit of the IOU 5d transmits data. Has been determined.

  The first communication unit 42 of the master GW 4 cyclically intermittently transmits each token in the order of “Token 0”, “Token 1”, “Token 2”, “Token 3”, and “Token 4”.

  The communication unit 52a of the slave IOU 5a uses the token “Token 0” as a starting point transmitted to the communication line 7 as a reference to determine the timing of the time slot in which the communication unit 52a can transmit data, that is, the time slot including the token “Token 1”. Identify. The order of tokens is stored in the storage unit 51a of the IOU 5a, and the communication unit 52a can recognize the order by referring to this. Since the intermittent transmission of tokens is performed at a constant cycle, the communication unit 52a specifies the timing based on the timer built in itself or the timer shared by the IOU 5a, or counts the number of tokens to determine the timing. It is possible to specify.

  Further, the communication unit 52a determines whether or not “Token 1” is actually transmitted to the communication line 7 in the time slot including “Token 1”. Specifically, when the communication unit 52a detects the sync signal at the head of the token on the communication line 7, the communication unit 52a acquires token identification information and determines whether the token corresponds to itself. If the communication unit 52a determines that the token corresponds to itself, the communication unit 52a transmits data provided from the control unit 50a to the communication line 7.

  When the IOU 5b needs the data transmitted from the IOU 5a to the communication line 7, the communication unit of the IOU 5b can recognize the time slot in which the data is transmitted from the IOU 5a on the communication line 7. Data can be extracted from the slot, received, and passed to the control unit.

  With such a communication control system, as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to transmit and receive data in a time division manner in the time slots to which the GW 4 and the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are assigned.

  Next, between the GW 4 and the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d communicating by the above-described communication method, the sensors 1 connected to the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, and the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d by the control of the GW 4 respectively. , 1,... And / or the actuators 2, 2,.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure that is executed by the GW 4 that is the master communication device according to the present embodiment in order to shift any of the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d to the sleep state.

  The first communication unit 42 of the GW 4 determines whether it is time to transmit a token to the communication line 7 (step S11). The first communication unit 42 controls the timing by a built-in timer or a timer shared by the GW 4. If the first communication unit 42 determines that it is not time to transmit a token (S11: NO), the first communication unit 42 returns to step S11 and waits until it is time to transmit.

  If the first communication unit 42 determines that it is time to transmit a token (S11: YES), the first communication unit 42 specifies a token to be transmitted next in a predetermined order (step S12). The first communication unit 42 individually determines whether any of the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d corresponding to the specified token is to be changed to the sleep state (pause state) (step S13). The individual determination as to whether or not to transition to the sleep state for the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d is made by the control unit 40 and notified to the first communication unit 42, and the first communication unit 42 stores it individually. It is good also as a structure to keep. In this case, the first communication unit 42 determines whether to shift to the sleep state based on the notification from the control unit 40.

  In step S13, for example, the control unit 40 acquires an ignition signal or an accessory signal through a signal line (not shown), and when only the accessory signal is off, only the IOU 5b among the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d is in the sleep state. Judge that it should be changed to. When both the ignition signal and the accessory signal are off, it is determined that all the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are shifted to the sleep state. In addition, the control unit 40 detects the remaining battery level, unlocking / locking the door lock, opening / closing the door, opening / closing the window, etc., and sleeps the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d individually according to the state. It may be determined that the state should be changed.

  When the first communication unit 42 transmits the token “Token 2” next time, for example, there is no notification from the control unit 40, and the IOU 5b corresponding to “Token 2” is not shifted to the sleep state, that is, in the wake-up state. When it is determined that it is acceptable (S13: NO), the first communication unit 42 transmits the token “Token 2” corresponding to the IOU 5b to the communication line 7 (step S14), and ends the process.

  When the first communication unit 42 receives a notification from the control unit 40 when transmitting the token “Token 2” next time and determines that the IOU 5b is to be shifted to the sleep state (S13: YES), the first communication unit 42 Transmits a token “Token 128” to which a special identification number indicating an instruction for transition to the sleep state is given to the communication line 7 instead of the token “Token 2” (step S15), and ends the process.

  If it is determined in step S13 that the first communication unit 42 should transition to the sleep state, in step S15, instead of the above processing (transmission of token “Token 128”), each token is lost. Also good. That is, an empty token can be transmitted.

  The first communication unit 42 sets the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d that are determined to transition to the sleep state to the time slots corresponding to the respective transmission orders until it is determined that the transition to the wake-up state is to be performed next. Thus, the token “Token 128” (or an empty token) indicating the transition instruction to the sleep state is continuously transmitted.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when the IOU 5a, which is a slave communication device according to the present embodiment, transitions from the wake-up state to the sleep state based on information from the GW 4. Note that the processing in the IOUs 5b, 5c, and 5d is the same as the processing by the IOU 5a, and thus illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted.

  The communication unit 52a of the IOU 5a executes the following processing after specifying its own transmission order and timing based on the starting token “Token 0” as described above. The communication unit 52a determines the transmission order of data transmitted by itself, that is, whether a time slot corresponding to the communication unit 52a has arrived (step S21). When determining that the transmission order has not arrived (S21: NO), the communication unit 52a returns the process to step S21 and waits until the transmission order has arrived. When the communication unit 52a determines that the transmission order has arrived (S21: YES), the communication unit 52a specifies identification information of the received token (step S22), and a special token “Token 128” indicating an instruction to transition to the sleep state. It is determined whether it is (or an empty token) (step S23).

  If the communication unit 52a determines in step S23 that the token is not a special token “Token 128” (or an empty token) indicating a transition instruction to the sleep state (S23: NO), that is, the transmitted token is “Token If “1”, the data is transmitted to the communication line 7 following the token “Token 1” (step S24), and the process is terminated. Note that the data transmitted in step S24 is data input by the control unit 50a via the input / output unit 53a and given to the communication unit 52a to be transmitted.

  If the communication unit 52a determines in step S23 that the token is a special token “Token 128” (or an empty token) indicating a transition instruction to the sleep state (S23: YES), the communication unit 52a controls the transition instruction to the sleep state. The unit 50a is notified (step S25), and the process is terminated.

  When the control unit 50a receives the notification of the transition instruction to the sleep state from the communication unit 52a, the control unit 50a includes the sensors 1, 1,... And / or the actuators 2, 2,. A control signal is output by the input / output unit 53a to pause the operation. In this case, the control unit 50a shifts the operation in the application layer to the sleep state, for example, stops a part or all of the application program read and executed from the storage unit 51a. At this time, the clock frequency may be set to the low frequency side.

  Since the communication unit 52a needs to determine whether or not the transition to the wake-up state is necessary later, the communication unit 52a cannot completely transition to the sleep state.

  When the communication unit 52a of the slave IOU 5a determines in step S23 that the actually transmitted token is the special token “Token 128”, the number of times the special token “Token 128” has been received is counted. The transition to the sleep state is made only when it is determined that “Token 128” has been transmitted multiple times (for example, 3 times) in the time slot where “Token 1” should be transmitted. The control unit 50a may be notified that the instruction is issued.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing information transmitted to the communication line 7 by the process of transitioning to the sleep state in the GW 4 that is the master of the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the case where the IOU 5b and the sensors 1, 1,... Connected to the IOU 5b are shifted to the sleep state is shown. Indicates when to use. In either case, the broken-line block indicates no signal.

  In the example in the case where the special token shown in the upper part of FIG. 6 is used, the token in the time slot in which the IOU 5b transmits data is not the original “Token 2” but “Token 128” indicating the transition instruction to the sleep state. It has been replaced. Since the communication unit of the IOU 5b cannot transmit data when “Token 2” is not transmitted to the communication line 7, the communication unit does not transmit data in the example shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6, the data “Data 2” is not transmitted to the communication line 7. In addition, since the time slot is identified as corresponding to the transmission order of its own data, the communication unit itself enters the sleep state by including the special token “Token 128” at the beginning of the time slot. It can be recognized that a transition should be made.

  In the example in the case of using the empty token shown in the lower part of FIG. 6, the token in the time slot in which the IOU 5b transmits data has disappeared, and the empty token (no signal) is shown as a broken line instead of the original “Token 2”. State). Since the communication unit of the IOU 5 b cannot transmit data when “Token 2” is not transmitted to the communication line 7, the data “Data 2” is not transmitted to the communication line 7 as indicated by a broken line. The communication unit of the IOU 5b can recognize that the token of the time slot is an empty token, that is, that the token has disappeared, and recognize that it should transition to the sleep state.

  Next, the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d that have transitioned to the sleep state as described above, and the sensors 1, 1,... And / or the actuators 2, 2,. Next, a process for transitioning to the wake-up state will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d connected to the communication line 7 are executed when all have transitioned to the sleep state.

  Even in the case of transition to the wake-up state, the processing in the GW 4 is the same as the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 and will be described with reference to FIG. If it is determined that it is time to transmit a token to the communication line 7 (S11: YES), the first communication unit 42 specifies a token to be transmitted next in a predetermined order (S12). The first communication unit 42 determines whether or not any of the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d corresponding to the specified token is to be changed to the sleep state, that is, whether or not to be changed to the wake-up state. Is determined (S13). The control unit 40 may determine whether the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are individually shifted to the wake-up state. In this case, the first communication unit 42 determines whether to make a transition to the wake-up state individually based on the notification from the control unit 40.

  For example, the control unit 40 acquires an ignition signal or an accessory signal through a signal line (not shown), and determines that the IOUs 5a, 5c, and 5d should transition to the wake-up state when only the accessory signal is on. It also detects door lock unlocking / locking, door opening / closing, and window opening / closing, and judges that IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d should be individually shifted to the wake-up state according to the state. Also good.

  For example, if the first communication unit 42 determines that the IOU 5b remains in the sleep state without changing to the wake-up state (S13: YES), the first communication unit 42 instructs to change to the sleep state instead of the token “Token 2”. Is transmitted to the communication line 7 (S15), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the first communication unit 42 determines in step S13 that the IOU 5b is to be shifted to the wake-up state, that is, is not to be shifted to the sleep state (S13: NO), the first communication unit 42 has transmitted the token “Token 128”. Is stopped and the transmission of the token “Token 2” is restarted (step S14), and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when the IOU 5a, which is a slave communication device according to the present embodiment, transitions from the sleep state to the wake-up state based on information from the GW 4. Note that the processing in the IOUs 5b, 5c, and 5d is the same as the processing by the IOU 5a, and thus illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted.

  The communication unit 52a of the IOU 5a executes the following processing after specifying its own transmission order and timing with reference to the starting token “Token 0”. The communication unit 52a determines whether or not the transmission order of the data transmitted by the communication unit 52a, that is, the timing for transmitting the token corresponding to the communication unit 52a has arrived (step S31). When determining that the transmission order has not arrived (S31: NO), the communication unit 52a returns the process to step S31 and waits until the transmission order has arrived. If the communication unit 52a determines that the transmission order has arrived (S31: YES), the communication unit 52a specifies the identification information of the received token (step S32), and a special token “Token 128” indicating a transition instruction to the sleep state. It is determined whether it is (or an empty token) (step S33).

  If the communication unit 52a determines in step S33 that the token is a special token “Token 128” (or an empty token) indicating an instruction to transition to the sleep state (S33: YES), the communication unit 52a ends the process in the sleep state. .

  In step S33, the communication unit 52a is not a special token “Token 128” (or an empty token) indicating an instruction to transition to the sleep state, but is a token corresponding to the data transmitted by itself, that is, “Token 1”. (S33: NO), the control unit 50a is notified of a transition instruction to the wake-up state (step S34), and the process is terminated.

  When the control unit 50a receives the notification of the transition instruction to the wake-up state from the communication unit 52a, the control unit 50a is connected to the sensor 1, 1,... And / or the actuators 2, 2,. A control signal is output by the input / output unit 53a to activate the. The control unit 50a activates an operation in the application layer, such as reading an application program from the storage unit 51a and re-executing it. At this time, the clock frequency may be set to the high frequency side.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing information transmitted to the communication line 7 by the process of transitioning to the wake-up state in the GW 4 that is the master of the present embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, when all of the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d connected to the communication line 7 have transitioned to the sleep state, the IOU 5b is transitioned to the wake-up state. The upper stage, the middle stage, and the lower stage each show a process in which a process for transitioning to a wake-up state is executed. An example of using a special token and transitioning to a sleep state for each process and an empty token are shown.

  As shown in the upper part of FIG. 8, when a transition is made to the sleep state in the case of a configuration using a special token, all the tokens of the time slots in which the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d transmit data are in the sleep state. It has been changed to “Token 128” which indicates an instruction to transition to a state. The IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d cannot transmit data when the corresponding “Token 1”, “Token 2”, “Token 3”, and “Token 4” are not transmitted. In the example shown, each communication unit does not transmit data. Therefore, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 8, “Data 1”, “Data 2”, “Data 3”, and “Data 4” are not transmitted to the communication line 7. Only “Token 0” and “Token 128” as the starting points are transmitted. In the case of a configuration using an empty token, only “Token 0” as a starting point continues to be transmitted while maintaining the timing.

  As shown in the middle part of FIG. 8, in the case of a configuration using a special token, a token corresponding to a time slot corresponding to the IOU 5b, that is, a timing at which “Token 2” is originally transmitted is “Token 128” ( Or, an empty token indicated by a broken line) is returned to the original “Token 2”. The communication unit 52a of the IOU 5b recognizes that the token of the time slot has returned from “Token 128” to “Token 2”, and can recognize that it should transition to the wake-up state.

  Then, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 8, the IOU 5 b transitions to the wake-up state and transmits “Data 2” to “Token 2”. In the middle of FIG. 8, “Data 2” following “Token 2” is not transmitted (indicated by a broken line), but “Data 2” may be transmitted immediately by the communication unit at this time. .

  In this way, the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d can specify the timing at which they transmit data by using a configuration in which tokens are transmitted cyclically in a predetermined order as in this embodiment. The IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d can be individually shifted to the sleep state or the wake-up state by transmitting a special token to each slave transmitted by the first communication unit 42 of the GW4.

  The transition to the wake-up state may be executed not only by the control by the first communication unit 42 of the GW 4 that is the master but also by the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d that are the slaves.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the communication unit 52a of the slave IOU 5a to cause the other IOU 5b to transition to the wake-up state in the present embodiment.

  The following processing is performed when the GW 4 and the IOU 5a are in the wake-up state.

  The communication unit 52a of the IOU 5a determines whether or not the other IOUs 5b, 5c, and 5d that have transitioned to the sleep state, for example, the IOU 5b, are to transition to the wake-up state (step S41). When the IOU 5b to which the power window actuator 2 is connected has transitioned to the sleep state, the control unit 50a detects that the operation of the vehicle window has been performed by processing based on its own application program. It is determined that the IOU 5b is to be changed to the wake-up state, and the communication unit 52a is notified that the IOU 5b should be changed to the wake-up state.

  If the communication unit 52a determines based on the notification from the control unit 50a that the IOU 5b should not be changed to the wake-up state, that is, the sleep state may remain (S41: NO), the process returns to step S41. If the communication unit 52a determines that the IOU 5b is to be shifted to the wake-up state based on the notification from the control unit 50a (S41: YES), the transmission order of the data transmitted by the IOU 5b, that is, the token corresponding to the IOU 5b is transmitted. It is determined whether or not the timing has arrived (step S42).

  When the communication unit 52a determines that the transmission order has not arrived (S42: NO), the communication unit 52a returns the process to step S42 and waits until the transmission order has arrived. When the communication unit 52a determines that the transmission order has arrived (S42: YES), even if the received token is the special token “Token 128”, the communication unit 52a is a predetermined token including a specific value following the token. Data is transmitted (step S43), and the process ends.

  During the processing from step S41 to step S43, the token of the time slot corresponding to the IOU 5b is changed from “Token 128” (or empty slot) so as to shift the IOU 5b to the wake-up state by the processing of the first communication unit 42 of the GW4. When it is detected that the token has returned to “Token 2”, the processing may be interrupted.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when the IOU 5b, which is a slave communication device, transitions from a sleep state to a wake-up state based on information from the other slave IOU 5a in the present embodiment. is there. Among the processing procedures shown below, the steps common to the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are denoted by the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Note that when the IOUs 5a, 5c, and 5d transition to the wake-up state, the processing is the same as the processing by the IOU 5b, and thus illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted.

  The communication unit of the IOU 5b determines that the transmission order of the IOU 5b has arrived (S31: YES), and the transmitted token indicates a transition instruction to the sleep state based on the token identification information specified in step S32. Even if it is determined that the token is “Token 128” (S33: YES), it is determined whether or not predetermined data including a specific value follows the token (step S35). If the communication unit of the IOU 5b determines that the predetermined data does not follow in step S35 (S35: NO), the communication unit ends the process in the sleep state. If the communication unit of the IOU 5b determines that the predetermined data follows in step S35 (S35: YES), the communication unit notifies the control unit of an instruction to transition to the wake-up state (S34), and ends the process.

  At this time, the master GW 4 also detects that predetermined data has been transmitted from the IOU 5a to shift the IOU 5b to the wake-up state, and executes a process of resuming transmission of the original token “Token 2”. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the first communication unit 42 of the GW 4 when the slaves IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are shifted to the wake-up state in the present embodiment.

  The first communication unit 42 includes predetermined data including a specific value following a special token “Token 128” indicating a transition instruction to the sleep state transmitted in correspondence with any of the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d. Is transmitted to the communication line 7 (step S51). If the first communication unit 42 determines that the predetermined data is not transmitted (S51: NO), the process returns to step S51.

  When the first communication unit 42 determines that the predetermined data has been transmitted (S51: YES), the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, which are slaves, are based on the timing at which the predetermined data is transmitted and the predetermined transmission order. 5d is identified (step S52). The first communication unit 42 stores the slave IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, for example, the IOU 5b, identified in step S52 when the wake-up state is entered (step S53), and ends the process. As a result, when the first communication unit 42 next executes the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, in step S13, the first communication unit 42 determines that the IOU 5b is not shifted to the sleep state (S13: NO), and the token corresponding to the IOU 5b. The transmission (S14) of “Token 2” to the communication line 7 is resumed.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating information transmitted to the communication line 7 when the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d that are slaves are shifted to the wake-up state in the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 12, when the IOUs 5b, 5c, and 5d connected to the communication line 7 have transitioned to the sleep state, the IOU 5b is transitioned to the wake-up state by the processing of the IOU 5a. The upper part shows information transmitted before the process of transitioning to the wake-up state is executed, that is, in the sleep state of the slave corresponding to “Token 2”. The middle row shows information transmitted after the processing by the IOU 5a is executed, that is, when a wakeup request is transmitted by another slave. The lower part shows information transmitted after the process by the GW 4 is executed according to the process by the IOU 5a, that is, when the slave corresponding to “Token 2” is in the wake-up state.

  As shown in the upper part of FIG. 12, when the slave is in the sleep state, the tokens of the time slots in which the IOUs 5b, 5c, and 5d transmit data are all changed to “Token 128” indicating the transition instruction to the sleep state. Yes. Since the IOUs 5b, 5c, and 5d cannot transmit data when the corresponding “Token 2”, “Token 3”, and “Token 4” are not transmitted, in the example shown in FIG. The communication unit does not transmit data.

  As shown in the middle part of FIG. 12, at the time of transmitting the request to the wake-up state, the token at the timing when the time slot corresponding to the IOU 5b, that is, “Token 2” is originally transmitted by the processing of the communication unit 52a of the IOU 5a. Is “Token 128”, which indicates that predetermined data is subsequently transmitted with a specific value indicated by hatching. The communication unit of the IOU 5b recognizes that the predetermined data has been transmitted and transitions to the wake-up state.

  As shown in the lower part of FIG. 12, in the slave wake-up state, it is indicated that the transmission of the token “Token 2” corresponding to the IOU 5b is resumed by the processing of the first communication unit 42 of the GW 4.

  In this way, the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are not only themselves but also other IOUs 5a, 5b, and 5d, respectively, by the configuration in which the tokens are cyclically transmitted in a predetermined order as in the present embodiment. The timing at which 5c and 5d transmit data can be specified, and can be individually shifted to the sleep state or the wake-up state.

  In the present embodiment, the communication control in the communication line 7 has been described with the GW 4 as a master communication device and the IOUs 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d as slave communication devices. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same communication control may be performed in communication on the communication line 8. In this case, the GW 4 is a master communication device, the ECUs 3a and 3b are slave communication devices, and the ECUs 3a and 3b transmit data according to a token transmitted to the communication line 8. Thereby, GW4 which is a master communication apparatus judges individually whether the transition to the sleep state of ECU3a, 3b is separately required, and instruct | indicates the transition to a sleep state to ECU3a, 3b which needs the transition to a sleep state. By transmitting “Token 128”, the operation states of the ECUs 3a and 3b can be individually controlled.

  The disclosed embodiments should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

3 ECU (communication device, slave communication device)
30a Control unit 32a Communication unit 4 GW (communication device, master communication device)
40 control unit 42 first communication unit 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d IOU (communication device, slave communication device)
50a Control unit 52a Communication unit 7 Communication line 8 Communication line

Claims (14)

One master communication device, a plurality of slave communication devices, and a communication line to which each communication device is connected, and the master communication device intermittently transmits a token corresponding to each slave communication device to the communication line In the communication system comprising a transmission means, each of the plurality of slave communication devices is configured to transmit data following the token when the token transmitted to the communication line is a token corresponding to itself.
The token transmission means cyclically transmits a token corresponding to each slave communication device in advance in a predetermined order,
The master communication device is
For each slave communication device, means for individually determining whether or not to transition to a dormant state;
A sleep unit that changes a token corresponding to a slave communication device that is determined to be shifted to a dormant state to a dormant transition instruction token that instructs a transition to a dormant state and transmits the token using the token transmitting unit; and
The slave communication device is
Means for storing the predetermined order;
Means for identifying when a token corresponding to itself is transmitted based on the predetermined order;
Determining means for determining whether or not a token transmitted to the communication line at the specified timing is the pause transition instruction token;
A communication system comprising: sleep transition means for transitioning to a sleep state when the determination means determines that the token is a sleep transition instruction token. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the pause transition instruction token is an empty token. One or more devices that input and output data are connected to a part or all of the communication device, and data that is input and output between the devices is transmitted to the communication line.
The communication device
The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for causing a connected device to transition to a dormant state when the device transits to a dormant state. The said hibernation transition means changes to a hibernation state, when the said determination means determines with being a hibernation transition instruction | indication token continuously several times. Communication system. The master communication device is
Means for determining whether or not to transition to the activated state for the slave communication device that has transitioned to the dormant state;
Means for resuming transmission of a token corresponding to the slave communication device determined to be changed to the activated state by the token transmission means,
5. The slave communication device includes an activation unit that transitions to an activation state when the determination unit determines that the slave communication device is not the suspension transition instruction token when the slave communication device has transitioned to the suspension state. The communication system in any one. The slave communication device is
Means for determining whether or not to transition to the activated state for other slave devices that are transitioning to the dormant state;
Means for specifying the timing at which the token corresponding to the slave communication device determined to be changed to the activated state is transmitted when it is determined that the means should be changed to the activated state;
Means for transmitting predetermined data following the pause transition instruction token transmitted to the communication line at a timing specified by the means;
Means for determining whether or not the predetermined data has been transmitted following the token corresponding to itself or the dormant transition instruction token if the transition to the dormant state occurs;
The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: an activation unit that transitions to an activation state when the unit determines that the predetermined data has been transmitted. The master communication device is
Means for determining whether or not the predetermined data has been transmitted subsequent to the transmitted pause transition instruction token;
The communication system according to claim 6, further comprising: a unit that causes the token transmission unit to resume transmission of the token that has been changed to the dormant transition instruction token when it is determined that the unit has been transmitted. Controlling communication on the communication line, comprising means for communicating with a plurality of other communication devices via a communication line and token transmission means for intermittently transmitting a token corresponding to each of the other communication devices to the communication line In a certain communication device,
The token transmission means is configured to cyclically transmit tokens corresponding to the other communication devices in a predetermined order,
For other communication devices, means for individually determining whether or not to transition to a dormant state;
Means for changing a token corresponding to another communication device that is determined to be shifted to a dormant state to a dormant transition instruction token that instructs a transition to a dormant state and transmitting the token by the token transmitting unit. A communication device. Means for determining whether or not to transition to the activated state for other communication devices that have transitioned to the dormant state;
9. The communication apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for resuming transmission of a token corresponding to another communication apparatus that is determined to be changed to an activated state by the token transmission means. Means for determining whether or not predetermined data has been transmitted by another communication device following the transmitted pause transition instruction token;
9. The communication apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a unit that causes the token transmission unit to resume transmission of a token that has been changed to the pause transition instruction token when it is determined that the unit has been transmitted. A communication means for communicating with a plurality of other communication apparatuses via a communication line; and a means for receiving a token corresponding to each of the communication apparatuses and cyclically transmitted to the communication line in a predetermined order; A communication device comprising means for transmitting data following the token when the received token is a token corresponding to the token,
The communication means includes
Means for storing the determined order;
Means for identifying when a token corresponding to itself is transmitted based on the order;
Determining means for determining whether or not a token transmitted to the communication line at a timing specified by the means is a dormant transition instruction token instructing a transition to a dormant state;
A communication apparatus comprising: a sleep transition means for transitioning to a sleep state when the determination means determines that the token is a sleep transition instruction token. The communication apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an activation unit that shifts to an activation state when the determination unit determines that the token is not the pause transition instruction token when the transition to the dormant state is made. Means for determining whether or not to transition to the activated state for other communication devices that have transitioned to the dormant state;
Means for specifying a timing at which a token of data transmitted by the communication device determined to be changed to the activated state is transmitted when it is determined that the means should be changed to the activated state;
Means for transmitting predetermined data following the pause transition instruction token transmitted at the timing specified by the means;
Means for determining whether or not the predetermined data has been transmitted subsequent to the token corresponding to itself or the pause transition instruction token transmitted corresponding to the self when transitioning to the dormant state; ,
The communication device according to claim 11, further comprising: an activation unit that transitions to an activation state when the unit determines that the predetermined data has been transmitted. One master communication device, a plurality of slave communication devices, and a communication line to which each communication device is connected, the master communication device intermittently transmits a token corresponding to each slave communication device to the communication line, In the method of controlling the transmission of data from each communication device, the slave communication device transmits data following the token when the token transmitted to the communication line is a token corresponding to itself.
The master communication device is
Tokens corresponding to each slave communication device are cyclically transmitted in a predetermined order,
For the slave communication device, individually determine whether or not to transition to a dormant state,
Change the token corresponding to the slave communication device that has been determined to transition to the dormant state to the dormant transition instruction token that instructs the transition to the dormant state, and transmit the token.
The slave communication device is
Memorize the determined order,
Based on the order, identify when the token corresponding to itself is transmitted,
Determining whether the token transmitted to the communication line at the timing is the pause transition instruction token;
When it is determined that the token is a dormant transition instruction token, the communication method is characterized by transitioning to a dormant state.

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