JP2003083155A - Memory writing system and method for electronic control unit, and general-purpose electronic control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a memory writing system for an electronic control unit capable of supplying various kinds of electronic control units, a method for writing the control program and data to a memory of the electronic control unit, and a general-purpose electronic control unit. SOLUTION: This system comprises a control program and data storing means 4 for storing the control program and data for every type of vehicle, a selecting means 1 for selecting the control program and data in accordance with the designated type of vehicle, and a writing means 5 for writing the selected control program and data to a rewritable memory of the electronic control unit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for writing a control program and data for each vehicle type in a memory of an electronic control device, a method thereof, and a general-purpose electronic control device capable of writing the control program and data for each vehicle type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since the early 1980s, an electronic control unit (Elec
Electronic control of the vehicle is performed by the tronic control unit (ECU). The electronic control unit performs fuel injection control, shift control of an automatic vehicle, self-diagnosis, and the like. In the fuel injection control, for example, the electronic control unit performs a control calculation based on sensor inputs such as a crank angle sensor, an intake pressure sensor, an intake temperature sensor, an O ₂ sensor, and controls actuators such as a fuel injector and an igniter. Send control output.

The electronic control unit includes a processor (CPU) for performing control calculation, an input device connected to the processor, an output device, a ROM and a RAM. The input device takes in the input from the sensor. The output device sends a control output to the actuator. The ROM stores control programs and data. RAM is used for temporary storage for control operations.

By the way, such an electronic control device for a vehicle may be different for each vehicle type.
In particular, various types of old-type electronic control devices are used according to age, vehicle type, and specifications due to restrictions on memory storage capacity. Therefore, as a repair part for an old vehicle type, an automobile company needs to secure an inventory of various types of electronic control devices.

However, since miniaturization and high performance of electronic parts are rapidly progressing, many parts of old electronic control devices are difficult to obtain. Further, when a large amount of repair electronic parts are required due to a disaster such as a large flood, it may be difficult to deal with the problem.

On the other hand, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-27261, in order to supply an engine control device for easily rewriting the ROM contents without replacing the engine control device body when a trouble occurs in the market, It is disclosed that a control program and data are stored in an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory and the control program and data are rewritten later.

Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-319880, even when the amount of control data that differs for each vehicle type increases, a plurality of microcomputers of one type can be used without using a large-capacity and expensive memory. In order to cope with the vehicle type, the vehicle type code is written on-board the EEPROM and the vehicle type code is read from the EEPROM to perform different control.

However, the prior art does not relate to writing of a general-purpose electronic control unit as a repair part, for example.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a memory writing system for an electronic control device and a memory for the electronic control device capable of supplying various types of electronic control devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for writing a control program and data and a general-purpose electronic control device.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a memory writing system for an electronic control unit, a control program / data storage means for storing a control program and data for each vehicle type, and a control program and a data storage means according to a designated vehicle type. A selection means for selecting data and a writing means for writing the selected control program and data in a rewritable memory of the electronic control unit are provided.

According to the method for writing a control program and data in a rewritable memory of an electronic control unit according to the present invention, a selecting means stores a control program and data for each vehicle type in accordance with a designated vehicle type. The method includes a step of selecting a control program and data of a designated vehicle type from the data storage means, and a step of writing the selected control program and data in a rewritable memory of the electronic control unit.

Therefore, by selecting the control program and data of the designated vehicle type from the control program / data storage means and writing the selected control program and data in the rewritable memory of the electronic control unit, general-purpose electronic control is performed. The device can be used to accommodate various vehicle types.

The car company no longer needs to keep an inventory of old parts for repairing old car models. Further, if the writing is performed before shipping, it is sufficient to store the general-purpose electronic control device in the state before storing the control program and data, and it is not necessary to store many kinds of inventory.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data includes a code for identifying the type of electronic control unit. Therefore, before writing the control program and the data in the rewritable memory of the electronic control unit, it is possible to judge whether or not the electronic control unit corresponds to the control program and the data based on the code. Therefore, it is possible to prevent troubles caused by the electronic control unit not corresponding to the control program and the data, and to write the selected control program and data in the rewritable memory of the electronic control unit safely and surely.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the data includes a code for identifying the type of adapter for mounting the electronic control unit on a vehicle of a designated vehicle type. Therefore, it is possible to prevent troubles caused by the correspondence between the adapter connected to the electronic control unit and the control program and data, and to prevent the selected control program and data from
It is possible to write safely and surely in the rewritable memory of the electronic control unit to which the adapter is connected.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the data includes a code for identifying the vehicle type. By using the code for identifying the vehicle type in the same manner as the code for identifying the type of the electronic control unit or the code for identifying the type of the adapter, the selected control program and data are stored in the electronic control unit. Safe and reliable writing to rewritable memory.

The general-purpose electronic control unit of the present invention includes a rewritable memory for storing a control program and data for each vehicle type, the data being for identifying the type of adapter to be installed in the vehicle of the vehicle type. Including the code.

Therefore, the correspondence between the control program and data included in the general-purpose electronic control device and the adapter connected to the general-purpose electronic control device is guaranteed.

[0019]

1A shows an example of the configuration of a memory writing system of an electronic control unit according to the present invention. Figure 1B
Shows an example of the configuration of the electronic control unit. In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 1 is a selection means for selecting a control program and data according to a designated vehicle type. Reference numeral 4 denotes a control program / data storage unit that stores a control program and data for each vehicle type, and the selection unit 1 selects a control program and data from those stored in the control program / data storage unit 4. The selection unit 1 is a computer having a function of managing the control program / data storage unit 4. The control program / data storage unit 4 may store the control program and data for each vehicle type as a database that can be searched by the vehicle type. Reference numeral 2 denotes an interface means, which may be in the form of a keyboard and a display so that the operator can specify the vehicle type. Further, it may be connected to another computer as a communication interface and receive an instruction for designating a vehicle type from the other computer.

Reference numeral 5 is a writing means for writing the control program and data selected by the selecting means 1 into the memory of the electronic control unit. Although it may be configured as a part of the function of the computer that constitutes the selecting means, FIG.
Alternatively, it may be configured as an independent processor. In that case, the writing means 5 uses the wide area network (W
Data may be exchanged with the selection unit 1 via a communication network 3 such as an AN) or a local area network (LAN). The writing unit 5 is connected to the interface unit 6, the communication interface unit 7, and the memory 8. The interface means 6 may be, for example, a panel having a simple display setting function, or a keyboard and a display. Communication interface means 7
Communicates with the electronic control unit (ECU) 15. The memory 8 stores the control program and data selected by the selection means 1 for writing and sent to the writing means 5.

In FIG. 1B, an electronic control unit 15 is mainly composed of a processor (CPU) 10 and connected to it, a communication interface unit 9, an input / output unit 11, a rewritable memory 12, a mask ROM 13 and a RAM 1.
Including 4. The communication interface unit 9 is connected to the communication interface unit 7 of the writing unit 5 to communicate with the writing unit. Communication is by serial data transmission, for example. The input / output device 11 receives inputs from various sensors and sends control outputs to various actuators.
The rewritable memory 12 is a non-volatile memory in which data can be electrically erased and written.
It is composed of an EEPROM, a flash memory and the like, and the control means and the data are written by the writing means 5. The mask ROM 13 is a non-rewritable non-volatile memory and stores a boot program etc. which does not change depending on the vehicle type. The RAM 14 temporarily stores the calculation result by the processor 10.

In the present invention, as the electronic control unit 15, a general-purpose unit capable of writing control programs and data for a plurality of vehicle types is used. However, various conventional electronic control devices are used for each vehicle type, and specifications of input / output devices connected to the vehicle are also various. Therefore, when the electronic control device of the present invention is used as a repair part of a conventional electronic control device, it is necessary to use an adapter for connecting to a vehicle. The adapter is different for each vehicle type in order to connect the general-purpose electronic control device to vehicles of various vehicle types. That is, by using the adapter for each vehicle type, the general-purpose electronic control device can be used for vehicles of various vehicle types.
The adapter has a function of connecting the input and output contacts of the general-purpose electronic control device to the corresponding contacts on the vehicle side, and is configured to mechanically combine the general-purpose electronic control device with the vehicle side. Anything will do. For this reason,
A general-purpose electronic control device is preferably smaller than a conventional electronic control device, but since integration and miniaturization of electronic components is rapidly progressing, it is necessary to create a smaller electronic control device than before. It's easy.

The processor 1 during normal use of the electronic control unit
The operation by 0 is as follows. When the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on and a voltage is supplied from a power source (not shown), the boot program in the mask ROM 13 is started. The boot program calls the control program in the rewritable memory 12. A control calculation is performed by the control program based on the sensor input from the input / output device 11. At this time, the RAM 14 is used to temporarily store the calculation result and the like.
The control output as a result of the control calculation is sent to the actuator via the input / output device 11.

Next, the operation of the memory writing system of the electronic control unit of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This operation is preferably performed, for example, before shipping the electronic control unit as a repair part. Step S
At 210, based on the input from the interface means 2, the selection means 1 determines the vehicle type in which the control program and data are written. In step S220, the selection unit 1 searches the contents of the control program / data storage unit 4 and determines whether or not the control program and data of the determined vehicle type are stored in the control program / data storage unit 4. . If the control program and data are constructed in the control program / data storage means 4 as a database with the vehicle type as a key, they can be easily searched. The control program and data of the determined vehicle type are the control program / data storage means 4.
If not stored in, the writing ends. If it is stored, in step S230, the selection unit 1 selects the control program and data of the determined vehicle type from the control program / data storage unit 4, and, for example, the writing unit 5 via the network 3.
Send to.

Next, the writing means 5 carries out step S2.
In 40, the type of the electronic control device to be written is
Determine if it matches the control program and data you are trying to write. This is because the control program and data are created on the assumption of the type of electronic control device that executes control, and need to be executed on a specific electronic control device. In the present invention, a general-purpose electronic control device is used as compared with the conventional one, but even in that case, it is conceivable that a plurality of electronic control devices are used. For this reason, there still exists a need to identify electronic control units. The above judgment is made based on the code for identifying the type of the electronic control unit included in the written data.

Regarding the detailed operation of step S240,
This will be described with reference to FIG. In step S310, the writing unit 5 requests the code for identifying the type of the electronic control unit 15 from the electronic control unit 15 via the communication interface unit 7. Electronic control unit 1
A mask ROM 13 stores a code for identifying itself.
This code, which is stored in the memory, is sent to the writing means 5 via the communication interface means 9 upon request. In step S320, the writing means 5 receives the code of the electronic control unit 15. In step S330, the writing unit 5 determines whether the code of the data of the designated vehicle type and the code received from the electronic control unit 15 match. If they do not match, step S
At 340, "mismatch" is displayed by the interface means 6, and the process ends without writing.
If they match, the process proceeds to step S250.

It should be noted here that the control program and the data are written to the electronic control unit after the matching of the control program and the data with the corresponding electronic control unit is confirmed. This prevents troubles caused by the mismatch between the control program and data and the electronic control unit. Further, if writing is performed just before shipping, only a general-purpose electronic control device needs to be stored, and it is not necessary to store a stock of various types of electronic control devices.

Next, an additional detailed operation in the case where an adapter for each vehicle type is attached to the electronic control unit 15 will be described with reference to FIG. The following operation is performed after the operation of step S330 in FIG. In step S410, the writing unit 5 requests information for identifying the type of adapter from the electronic control unit 15 via the communication interface unit 7. The electronic control unit 15 sends information for identifying the type of the connected adapter to the writing unit 5 via the communication interface unit 9. In step S420, the writing unit 5 receives information for identifying the type of adapter connected to the electronic control unit 15. In step S430, the writing unit 5 determines whether or not the type of the adapter by the code for identifying the adapter of the data of the designated vehicle type and the type of the connected adapter received from the electronic control unit 15 match. .
If they do not match, the interface means 6 displays "mismatch" in step S440,
Exit without writing. If they match, the process proceeds to step S250.

Here, how the electronic control unit 15 acquires the information for identifying the type of the connected adapter will be described. For example, the adapter is provided with a plurality of pins, and the electronic control unit 15 is provided with a plurality of receptacles for receiving the pins. The receptacle is provided with contacts, and the contacts are turned on when the pin is inserted. ON / OFF of the contact is detected by the detection circuit 1 provided in the electronic control unit 15.
11 (FIG. 1B) by a known method. For example, a voltage detection circuit may be connected to a constant voltage source via a contact, and ON / OFF of the contact may be detected depending on the presence / absence of voltage. By changing the presence or absence of a pin for each type of adapter, it is possible to identify the type of adapter by detecting the on / off state of the contact. A plurality of contacts may be turned on and off for each pin by changing the shape and length of the pin. By providing five contacts, 31 types of adapters can be identified. Instead of the presence or absence of the pins, the conductive portion and the non-conductive portion of the connector may be used.

The type of adapter can be identified by a method other than the above. For example, magnetic data may be stored in the adapter, and this portion may be read by the electronic control unit 15 after the connection. In addition, I
A C chip is provided so that the processor of the electronic control unit 15 can operate the I / O device 11 or another interface to
Information may be exchanged with the C chip.

It should be noted here that the control program and data are written to the electronic control unit after the matching of the control program and data with the corresponding adapter of the electronic control unit is confirmed. This prevents troubles caused by the mismatch between the control program and data and the adapter of the electronic control unit.

Further, in place of the writing means 5, the electronic control unit 15 itself identifies the type of the connected adapter, which is included in the data already written in the rewritable memory 12 of the electronic control unit 15 itself. It may be determined whether or not the code corresponds. The judgment result may be sent to the writing means 5 via the communication interface means 9 and 7 and displayed by the interface means 6. Alternatively, the result of the judgment by the electronic control unit 15 itself may be output to the input / output unit 11, and the output may be detected by connecting an appropriate unit.

In this case, the writing means 5 is not used to judge the type of the adapter. After writing the control program and data to the electronic control unit 15, the electronic control unit 15 makes a judgment.

The data may include a code for identifying the vehicle type instead of or in addition to the code for identifying the type of electronic control device or the code for identifying the type of adapter.

[0035]

According to the present invention, various vehicle types can be supported by using a general-purpose electronic control device.

The car company no longer needs to keep an inventory of old parts to repair old models. Further, if the writing is performed before shipping, it is sufficient to store the general-purpose electronic control device in the state before storing the control program and data, and it is not necessary to store many kinds of inventory.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, troubles caused by the non-correspondence between the electronic control unit and the control program and data are prevented, and the selected control program and data are safely and securely stored in the rewritable memory of the electronic control unit. Can be written on.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a trouble caused by a mismatch between the adapter connected to the electronic control unit and the control program and data is prevented, and the selected control program and data are connected by the adapter. It is possible to safely and surely write to the rewritable memory of the electronic control unit.

According to the present invention, the correspondence between the control program and data included in the general-purpose electronic control device and the adapter connected to the general-purpose electronic control device is guaranteed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A shows an outline of an example of a configuration of a memory writing system of an electronic control unit of the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows an outline of an example of a configuration of an electronic control device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an aspect of a processing flow of a method of writing a control program and data in a memory of an electronic control unit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a flow of processing for identifying the type of electronic control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows one aspect of a flow of processing for identifying the type of adapter of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 selection means 2.6 Interface means 3 communication network 4 Control program / data storage means 5 Writing means 10 Processor (CPU) 11 I / O device 12 rewritable memory 13 Mask ROM 14 RAM 15 Electronic control unit (ECU)

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A memory writing system for an electronic control unit, comprising: a control program / data storage means for storing a control program and data for each vehicle type; and a selection means for selecting a control program and data according to a designated vehicle type. A rewritable memory writing system for an electronic control device, comprising: a writing means for writing the selected control program and data into a rewritable memory of the electronic control device. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data includes a code to identify the type of electronic controller. 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data includes a code for identifying a type of an adapter for mounting the electronic control unit on a vehicle of a designated vehicle type. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data includes a code for identifying a vehicle type. 5. A method for writing a control program and data to a rewritable memory of an electronic control unit, wherein the selection means stores a control program and data for each vehicle type according to a designated vehicle type. Rewriting of the electronic control unit, including a step of selecting the control program and data of the specified vehicle type from the data storage means, and a step of writing the selected control program and data into the rewritable memory of the electronic control device by the writing means. For writing control programs and data to a feasible memory. 6. The data includes a code for identifying the type of electronic control unit, and the writing means is based on the code before the step of writing the control program and data into a rewritable memory of the electronic control unit. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of determining whether an electronic control device corresponds to the control program and data. 7. The data includes a code for identifying a type of an adapter for mounting the electronic control unit on a vehicle of a designated vehicle type, and the writing means stores a control program and data in a rewritable memory of the electronic control unit. The method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising the step of determining whether the adapter corresponds to the control program and data based on the code before the step of writing. 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the data includes a code for identifying a vehicle type. 9. A general-purpose electronic control device, comprising a rewritable memory for storing a control program and data for each vehicle type, the data identifying the type of adapter to be installed in a vehicle of the vehicle type. General-purpose electronic control unit containing code for