JP2009298235A - Communication device, communication system, communication method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device, a communication system, a communication method and a computer program capable of alternatively executing the processing by other communication apparatuses without fixing the processing content of each communication apparatus, saving the capacity of a storage means of each communication apparatus, and reducing the communication load by the transmission and reception of the data. <P>SOLUTION: By the function of a platform 102a, a control unit 10a performs the storage and updating of the data group in a temporary storage area 11a in common with other ECU and performs the transmission and reception of the data by a communication unit 13a. The control unit 10a refers to configuration information 123a when transmitting the data to other ECU by the function of the platform 102a, and generates other data from one or a plurality of data included in the data group stored in the temporary storage area 11a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system in which data is mutually transmitted and received among a plurality of communication devices, and processing is performed in cooperation. In particular, the processing content of each communication device is not fixed, any communication device can perform processing by another communication device instead, and the capacity of the storage means of each communication device can be saved. The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication system, a communication method, and a computer program that can reduce a communication load due to data transmission / reception.

  In recent years, there have been various systems in which various control devices that perform various controls are provided with communication functions, connected to each other, and each control device is assigned a function, exchanges data with each other, and performs various processes in cooperation with each other. It is used in. For example, in the field of an in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network) arranged in a vehicle, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) has a communication function, and each ECU performs a specific process to exchange data with each other. By exchanging, various functions are realized as a system (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  When multiple control devices cooperate with each other to perform various processes, rather than specialize the functions of each control device, each control device can achieve the same function, depending on the setting. It is also possible to perform processing in place of each other. Specifically, the common function is separated from each control application program for causing each control device to realize a specific function, and the common function is realized by a program serving as a platform. The common functions include, for example, storage, update and transmission / reception of data used for execution of the control application program, mutual time synchronization processing, and the like.

  Thereby, when the definition of the communication specification changes, the platform program may be modified, and the modified platform program may be executed by all the control devices. In this case, it is not necessary to change the contents of each control application program, and the reusability of the program is improved. Also, by defining the data definition in common without defining the data to be transmitted / received for each control device, the amount of data transmitted / received can be reduced by the definition information.

Further, there may be a demand for a flexible system configuration in which the function of one control device can be realized by another control device in accordance with restrictions on the physical arrangement of the control devices or the like, or failure of the control device. In this case, the function realized by each control application program and the platform function are separated as described above so that the control application program executed by one control apparatus is executed by another control apparatus. By doing so, the functions can be rearranged. In addition, the data stored and used by one control device can be easily rearranged by using a common platform function so that other control devices can store the data in common.
JP 2007-329578 A

  As described above, with the configuration in which the data stored and used by one control device is stored in common with other control devices by the platform function of each control device, the control device stores the same data mutually. The functions can be easily rearranged because they are transmitted and received and stored. However, it is not always necessary that each control device stores completely the same data. Nevertheless, if the configuration is such that all data is transmitted and received and the same data is always stored, the storage capacity is wasted and communication load may further increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible for devices having a plurality of communication functions to mutually replace functions, and to completely store data stored in common by each device. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a communication system, a communication method, and a computer program that can save the storage capacity of each device by reducing the synchronization and reduce the data communication load between the devices.

  A communication apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a communication apparatus comprising means for communicating with another communication apparatus, means for executing a plurality of different application programs, means for executing a platform program common to other communication apparatuses, and data Storage means for storing data, data transmission / reception between the storage means and the application program, transmission / reception of data with other communication devices, and data received from other communication devices by the communication means by processing of the platform program Generating the other data using one or more of the data stored in the storage means by means of processing of the platform program and means for performing storage in the storage means in common with other communication devices Means for generating data generated by the generating means by means of the communication means. Characterized in that you have to transmit to.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus comprising: means for storing data definition information including a relational expression between data for generating other data from data stored in the storage means; Means for referring to the definition information.

  A communication apparatus according to a third aspect of the invention comprises means for storing data definition information of another communication apparatus, and the generation means generates data based on the data definition information of the other communication apparatus. It is characterized by.

  A communication system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a communication system including a plurality of communication devices connected to each other so as to communicate with each other, and each communication device has a plurality of different application programs. Means for executing, means for executing a common platform program with other communication devices, storage means for storing data, and processing of the platform program, exchange of data between the storage means and the application program, other Data is transmitted / received to / from the communication device, and data received from the other communication device by the communication unit is stored in the storage unit in common with the other communication device, and the storage is performed by the processing of the platform program. The raw data used to generate other data using one or more of the data stored by the means And means, characterized in that the data to which the generating means has generated are to be transmitted to another communication device by the communication unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method in which a communication device including means for communicating with another communication device performs data communication. The communication method executes any one or a plurality of different application programs, and the other communication device. A common platform program, exchange of stored data to the application program, transmission / reception of data to / from another communication device, and reception from another communication device by the communication means The data is stored in common with other communication devices, and data definition information including relational expressions between the data for generating data used by other communication devices for executing each application program using other data is stored. In addition, the data of the other communication device is obtained by the processing of the platform program. Based on the definition information, and generating other data by using one or more of the stored data.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program comprising: a computer having means for executing one or more of a plurality of different application programs; and communication means for communicating with other computers. In a computer program for storing and controlling transmission and reception of data by the communication means, based on data definition information including relational expressions between data for generating data used by other computers to execute each application program in a computer, A step of generating data using one or a plurality of data stored in itself and a step of transmitting the generated data to the other computer are executed.

  In the first invention and the fourth invention, each communication device executes an application program executed by each communication device and a platform program common to other communication devices. Each communication device realizes storage, transmission / reception, and transmission / reception of data used by an application program in common with other communication devices by processing of the platform program. However, when transmitting data, the communication device transmits data generated from one or more data stored in the communication device. Other communication devices receive and store the generated data. When the application program uses the generated data, it does not run out of data even if the configuration does not transmit or receive all data, and other communication devices use the generated data instead of the one communication device. An application program can be executed. Rather than a configuration in which all communication devices transmit and receive all data and the same data is stored in all communication devices, a configuration in which another communication device stores data generated from one or more data in one communication device, The amount of data stored in the communication device and the amount of data transmitted and received are reduced.

  In the second invention, the communication device stores information on data definition including so-called configuration information including relational expressions between data for generating other data using the stored data. As a result, when different application programs are executed in place of other communication devices, the configuration information is replaced without modifying the platform program, so that data can be properly stored and transferred to each application program. It becomes possible.

  In the third invention, the fifth invention, and the sixth invention, the communication device stores the configuration information of the data stored in the other communication device, and the data after generation to the other communication device based on the configuration information. Send. Thereby, each communication apparatus can transmit the data after generation | occurrence | production appropriately to another communication apparatus only by replacing configuration information to each other communication apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the communication device constituting the communication system executes an application program and a platform program that realizes an operation common to other communication devices. Through the processing of the platform program, each communication device also transmits and receives data used by application programs other than the application program being executed by itself. Therefore, any communication device can perform processing that is being performed by another communication device. Further, when data is transmitted / received to / from another communication device, other data is generated from the data stored therein and transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to save the capacity of the storage means of each communication device, and to reduce the communication load due to data transmission / reception, compared to the case where all data is transmitted / received between the communication devices.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.

  In the embodiment shown below, the communication device according to the present invention is applied to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that performs various controls mounted on a vehicle, and the ECUs are connected to each other through a communication line to cooperate with each other. A control system that performs the above will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system in the present embodiment. The control system includes ECUs 1a, 1b,..., A communication line 2, sensors 31, 32, and actuators 41, 42. ECUs 1a, 1b,... Are connected to the communication line 2 in a bus shape and can communicate with each other. Sensors 31 and 32 and an actuator 41 are connected to the ECU 1a, and an actuator 42 is connected to the ECU 1b. Another sensor may be connected to the ECU 1b.

  The ECU 1a includes a control unit 10a using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and the like that control the operation of each component, a temporary storage area 11a using a memory that can be accessed at high speed, and a nonvolatile memory A control signal is output to the storage unit 12a using the communication unit 13a, the communication unit 13a that realizes communication via the communication line 2, the input unit 14a that receives signals input from the sensors 31 and 32, and the connected actuator 41. And an output unit 15a. Since the configuration of the ECU 1b is the same as that of the ECU 1a, reference numerals corresponding to those of the ECU 1a are attached and detailed descriptions of the respective components are omitted. In addition, ECU1b in this Embodiment is not connected with the sensor, but is connected to the actuator 42. FIG.

  The control unit 10a of the ECU 1a receives power from a power supply device such as a vehicle battery and an alternator (not shown) to control the operation of each component.

  A memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) is used for the temporary storage area 11a. Various information generated in the course of processing by the control unit 10a is stored in the temporary storage area 11a. Further, as will be described later, data such as measured values represented by signals input from the sensors 31 and 32 and data groups such as data transmitted and received from other ECUs 1b and so on are stored in the temporary storage area 11a. .

  A memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) is used for the storage unit 12a. An application program 121a, a platform program 122a, and configuration information 123a described later are stored for the control unit 10a to read and execute. In addition, the storage unit 12a includes input / output driver software (not shown) for recognizing external devices such as the sensors 31 and 32 and the actuator 41 and controlling input / output of signals with the external device, and the communication unit 13a. Communication driver software (not shown) for controlling the input / output of these signals and realizing communication via the communication unit 13a is stored.

  The temporary storage area 11a and the storage unit 12a may be configured as a part of the microcomputer together with the control unit 10a.

  The communication unit 13a has a network controller, and realizes communication with the other ECUs 1b,... Via the communication line 2 by the control unit 10a. Specifically, the communication unit 13a in the present embodiment realizes communication conforming to a CAN (Control Area Network) protocol.

  The input unit 14a is an interface with the sensors 31 and 32 connected to the ECU 1a. The input unit 14a takes out a signal representing a measurement value or the like output from the sensors 31 and 32 and outputs it to the control unit 10a. The input unit 14a may have an A / D conversion function.

  The output unit 15a is an interface with the actuator 41 connected to the ECU 1a. The output unit 15 a outputs a control signal for the actuator 41 output from the control unit 10 a to the actuator 41. The output unit 15a may have a D / A conversion function.

  The control unit 10a of the ECU 1a configured as described above operates to control the operation of the actuator 41 based on data such as measurement values that can be acquired from signals output from the sensors 31 and 32. For example, the ECU 1a is an ECU that performs illumination control in the passenger compartment, and the sensors 31, 32 are door sensors each having a function of detecting the opening / closing of the driver's door and the passenger's door, and the control unit 10a detects the sensors 31, 32. Illumination control such as outputting a signal to turn on the indoor lamp when it is detected that either of the doors is opened is performed.

  The internal configuration of ECU 1b is the same, but in the control system in the present embodiment, no sensor is connected to ECU 1b. The ECU 1b receives data acquired by the other ECUs 1a,... Via the communication line 2, and performs other controls such as controlling the operation of the actuator 42 using the received data.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating functions realized by the control unit 10a of the ECU 1a in the present embodiment. The function by the control part 10b of ECU1b is also the same, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The control unit 10a of the ECU 1a functions as various control applications 101a, 101a,... By reading and executing the application program 121a stored in the storage unit 12a. The functions as control applications 101a, 101a,... Realized by the control unit 10a of the ECU 1a are configured to be different from the control applications realized by the control unit 10b of the ECU 1b. Even if the application programs 121a, 121a,..., 121b, 121b stored in the storage unit 12a and the storage unit 12b are the same, one or a plurality of application programs 121a,. , ... are executed.

  The control unit 10a controls the communication unit 13a based on the communication driver software in the storage unit 12a and functions as the communication driver 103a. When the communication unit 13a receives data by the function of the communication driver 103a, the control unit 10a detects this and notifies the platform 102a. Further, the control unit 10a controls the input unit 14a and the output unit 15a based on the input / output driver software of the storage unit 12a, thereby realizing the function of the input / output driver 104a. For example, the control unit 10a detects signals from the sensors 31 and 32 by the function of the input / output driver 104a, and outputs a control signal to the actuator 41 in accordance with a command from the control application 101a.

  Platform programs 122a and 122b are stored in the storage unit 12a of the ECU 1a and the storage unit 12b of the ECU 1b, respectively. The platform programs 122a and 122b are programs that realize common processes such as data reading / writing and data transmission / reception based on commands from the control applications 101a, 101a,..., 101b,. For example, if the function of the platform 102a receives the notification from the communication driver 103a and detects the reception of data, the control unit 10a writes to the data group in the temporary storage area 11a.

  The contents of the application programs 121a and 121b read and executed by the control unit 10a and the control unit 10b are different, and the functions realized by the control application 101a and the control application 101b are different. On the other hand, the contents of the platform programs 122a and 122b are common. The control unit 10a of the ECU 1a reads the platform program 122a from the storage unit 12a and executes it, and executes processing common to the other ECUs 1b,. The control unit 10a uses the functions of the platform 102a to read / write data based on commands from the control applications 101a, 101a,..., Control the sensors 31 and 32 and the actuator 41 via the input / output driver 104a, and data via the communication driver 103a. Are transmitted and received in common with the other ECUs 1b,.

  The ECU 1a performs data storage / update and transmission / reception in common with other ECUs 1b,... By the function of the platform 102a. At this time, the ECU 1a and the ECU 1b mutually transmit and receive data such as measured values acquired from sensors or the like, calculated values calculated by the control units 10a and 10b, or control values, and the like. The data is transmitted and received regardless of whether or not it is used by the application programs 121a and 121b being executed by the ECU 1a and ECU 1b. By storing data in common in each ECU 1a and ECU 1b in this way, for example, the application program 121b having the same contents as the application program 121a read and executed by the control unit 10a of the ECU 1a is transferred to the control unit of the other ECU 1b. When 10b reads and executes, since the ECU 1a stores the data used by the ECU 1b in the data group of the temporary storage area 11b, the function realized by the ECU 1b can be easily replaced and realized. is there.

  Even if the detailed hardware configuration differs between the ECU 1a and the ECU 1b, the difference is absorbed by the functions as the platforms 102a and 102b. Accordingly, when executing the application programs 121a and 121b having the same contents, the program can be re-used in that it can be applied universally without modifying the contents of the application programs 121a and 121b according to each ECU. Usability is increased.

  In the storage unit 12a of the ECU 1a in the present embodiment, configuration information 123a that defines the configuration of a data group stored in the temporary storage area 11a is stored. Further, the configuration information 123a stored in the storage unit 12a of the ECU 1a includes information defining the configuration of the data group stored in the temporary storage area 11b of the other ECU 1b.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the configuration information 123a stored in the storage unit 12a of the ECU 1a according to the first embodiment. The configuration information 123a represents the configuration of the data group stored in the temporary storage area 11a of the ECU 1a itself and the configuration of the data group stored in the temporary storage area 11b of the other ECU 1b.

  In the content example shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 3, the definition of data stored in the ECU 1a is stored in association with “ECU1” which is the ECU ID of the ECU 1a. Specifically, it is defined in the ECU 1a that data “A” and data “B” are stored in the temporary storage area 11a. Similarly, the definition of data stored in the ECU 1b is stored in association with “ECU2” which is the ECU ID of the ECU 1b. In the ECU 1b, it is defined that data “C” that is a logical sum (OR) of data “A” and data “B” is stored in the temporary storage area 11b. Therefore, in the above description, the ECUs 1a, 1b,... Store the data in common by transmitting and receiving data. However, in detail, as in the configuration information 123a shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. Then, the configuration of the stored data group is different.

  When the control unit 10a of the ECU 1a acquires the data “A” and the data “B” from the sensors 31 and 32 to which the control unit 10a is connected, for example, by referring to the configuration information 123a, the temporary storage area 11a. And the control part 10a transmits data in order to memorize | store in common with other ECU1b. However, the control unit 10a of the ECU 1a in the present embodiment refers to the configuration information 123a and transmits data based on the configuration information 123a when transmitting the data acquired by itself to the other ECUs 1b,.

  In any of the following cases, the control unit 10a refers to the configuration information 123a in the storage unit 12a shown in FIG. 3 and performs processing based on the contents of the configuration information 123a in the following cases. For example, when the control unit 10a writes data to the temporary storage area 11a by the function of the platform 102a, when reading data from the temporary storage area 11a based on a command from the control applications 101a and 101a, and the communication driver 103a This is a case where data is transmitted to other ECUs 1b,.

  A process in which the control unit 10a of the ECU 1a transmits data to other ECUs 1b,... When the data is acquired by the function of the platform 102a will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of data transmission by the control unit 10a of the ECU 1a in the present embodiment. The control unit 10a determines whether or not data has been acquired from the signals output from the sensors 31 and 32 by the function of the platform 102a (step S1). Specifically, the control unit 10a may acquire data from signals periodically output from the sensors 31 and 32 via the input / output driver 104a by the function of the platform 102a, or from the control application 101a. May be received and data may be acquired from signals from the sensors 31 and 32. Further, the control unit 10a may acquire data from the sensors 31 and 32 by detecting the signals output from the sensors 31 and 32 by the input driver 104a and notifying the platform 102a.

  When it is determined that the data is not acquired (S1: NO), the control unit 10a returns the process to step S1. When determining that the data has been acquired (S1: YES), the control unit 10a refers to the configuration information 123a stored in the storage unit 12a by the function of the platform 102a (step S2). The control unit 10a stores the data acquired from the sensors 31 and 32 in step S1 in the data group of the temporary storage area 11a based on the configuration information 123a referred to in step S2 by the function of the platform 102a (step S3).

  Based on the configuration 123a referred to in step S2, the control unit 10a includes the composite data using the data acquired from the sensors 31 and 32 in step S1 in the data definition in the other ECUs 1b,. It is judged whether it is (step S4). When it is determined that the composite data is included in the data definition in the other ECUs 1b,... (S4: YES), the control unit 10a generates composite data based on the definition in the configuration information 123a by the function of the platform 102a. (Step S5). And the control part 10a transmits the produced | generated data to other ECU1b, ... via the communication driver 103a with the function of the platform 102a (step S6), and complete | finishes the process with respect to the data acquired from the sensors 31 and 32. FIG.

  When it is determined in step S4 that the composite data using the acquired data is not included in the data definition in the other ECUs 1b,... (S4: NO), the control unit 10a directly uses the data via the communication driver 103a. It transmits to other ECU1b. If the data acquired in step S1 is not included in any of the data definitions corresponding to the other ECUs 1b,..., Transmission itself may be omitted. In this case, steps S4, S5 and S6 are omitted.

  The control unit 10a executes the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 by the function of the platform 102a, so that the data acquired from the sensors 31 and 32 by the control unit 10a via the input / output driver 104a is in principle the other ECU 1b, Also sent to ... It is transmitted regardless of whether the data is used by other ECUs 1b,. As described above, in the present embodiment, all ECUs 1a, 1b,... Connected to the communication line 2 by the functions of the respective platforms 1a, 1b,. . As a result, when the ECU 1b executes the application program that the ECU 1a has executed by rearranging the application program, the data used by the application program is already stored in the temporary storage area 1b, so that the function can be easily performed. Can be substituted.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a process in which data is transmitted and received and stored in the ECUs 1a and 1b in the present embodiment. In the explanatory diagram of FIG. 5, the hardware configuration of the ECUs 1a and 1b, the functions realized by the hardware, and the stored data are conceptually shown in blocks.

  The control unit 10a of the ECU 1a performs a process of controlling the actuator 41 using the data “A” and the data “B” that can be acquired from the sensors 31 and 32 by the function of the one control application 101a. In this case, the control unit 10a functioning as the control application 101a notifies the platform 102a of a logical sum request for the data “A” and the data “B” when the actuator 41 is controlled. The control unit 10a functioning as the platform 102a receives a request from the control application 101a, reads the data “A” and the data “B” from the temporary storage area 11a, takes a logical sum, and transfers the result to the control application 101a. The control unit 10a is used to control the actuator 41 using the logical sum of the data “A” and the data “B” as the control application 101a. For example, data “A” indicates the opening / closing of the door of the driver's seat, data “B” indicates the opening / closing of the door of the passenger seat, and the control unit 10a realizes the function of controlling the lighting / extinguishing of the indoor lamp by the control application 101a. In this case, the logical sum of the data “A” and the data “B” is used to turn on the room lamp when any of the doors is open.

  While the control unit 10a of the ECU 1a uses the data “A” and the data “B” by the function of the control application 10a, the control unit 10a uses the function of the platform 102a to transfer the acquired data “A” and the data “B” to another ECU 1b. Also send to. However, as described above, the control unit 10a refers to the configuration information 123a (see FIG. 3) in the storage unit 12a by the function of the platform 102a, and the data “C” stored in the ECU 1b is the data “A” and the data “B”. ”Is recognized. Then, the control unit 10a generates data “C” that is a logical sum of the data “A” and the data “B” based on the configuration information 123a, and transmits the data “C” to the ECU 1b.

  Thereby, the data “C” received by the function of the platform 102b of the control unit 10b is stored in the temporary storage area 11b of the ECU 1b. Even when the application is rearranged so that the ECU 1b can realize the function that the ECU 1a has realized later, the function can be replaced smoothly. Specifically, even when the application program 121a executed by the control unit 10a of the ECU 1a is executed instead by the control unit 10b of the ECU 1b and the actuator 42 is controlled to realize the same function, the application program 121a can be easily replaced. Is possible. When the ECU 1b executes the same application program 121b that has been executed by the ECU 1a and functions as the control application 101b, the data “C” that is the logical sum of the data “A” and the data “B” is used. Will not change. Therefore, there is no problem even if the configurations of the data groups stored in the ECU 1a and the ECU 1b are different.

  Since the ECUs 1a, 1b,... Are configured in this way, the data amount is reduced compared to the case where the data “A” and the data “B” are transmitted and received via the communication line 2, respectively. 2 is expected to reduce the communication load. Furthermore, since one piece of data generated from two pieces of data is stored in the temporary storage area 11b, the storage capacity can be saved. In particular, the ECUs 1a and 1b mounted on the vehicle are desired to be reduced in size and weight. In this case, there is an excellent effect that a reduction in size and weight can be realized by saving the storage capacity.

  In the above example, the control unit 10a generates one data “C” from the two data “A” and “B”. However, when the control unit 10a uses a calculation result using a large number of data for the control by the function of the control application 101a, the calculation result data is transmitted by the function of the platform 102a rather than transmitting each data to the other ECU 1b. When calculating and transmitting, the amount of data transmitted and received is effectively reduced.

  As described above, the functions of the platforms 102a and 102b executed by the control units 10a and 10b of the ECUs 1a and 1b based on the platform programs 122a and 122b are common. When it is desired to change the configuration of the data groups stored in the temporary storage areas 11a and 11b, the configuration information 123a and 123b may be changed as appropriate. There is no need to modify the platform programs 122a and 122b. For example, when the definition of the data “C” is changed from the logical sum of the data “A” and the data “B” to the logical sum including the other data “D”, the configuration is as follows: The information 123a may be rewritten and stored in the storage unit 12a of the ECU 1a that generates the data “C”. The relational expression {(data A) OR (data B)} of data “A” and data “B” in the definition of data “C” is changed to relational expression {(data A) OR (data B) OR (data D)}. rewrite. Thereby, the data “C” transmitted from the control unit 10a to the ECU 1b becomes data of newly defined contents. On the ECU 1b side, it is possible to continue the processing without modifying each program, configuration information 123b, and data group.

  Further, when the calculation result of the acquired data is used, the input / output driver 104a may be configured so that the composite data is stored from the beginning. However, in this case, the input / output driver software must be modified when changing the contents of the composite data. On the other hand, in the present invention, as described above, only rewriting the configuration information 123a eliminates the need to rewrite the platform programs 122a and 122b and the input / output driver software, and the system processing can be easily changed.

  When all the ECUs 1a, 1b,... Are configured to transmit and receive all data with the hardware configuration described above, the communication load on the communication line 2 increases. However, as illustrated in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 5, the control unit 10a generates data based on the configuration information 123a and transmits the data. Thereby, the amount of data transmitted and received is reduced. In addition, by not transmitting data that is not included in the data definition of the configuration information 123a, it is possible to avoid an increase in the communication load of the communication line 2 due to transmission / reception of data not related to the rearrangement of the application program. There is an effect.

  In the embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to an ECU mounted on a vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a computer apparatus that includes communication means and transmits / receives data to / from each other and performs control in cooperation.

  It should be understood that the embodiment disclosed above is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the meanings described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates notionally the function which the control part of ECU in this Embodiment implement | achieves. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of the configuration information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of ECU in this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of the transmission of the data by the control part of ECU in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the process in which data are transmitted / received by ECU in this Embodiment, and the process stored.

Explanation of symbols

1a, 1b ECU
10a, 10b Control unit 101a, 101b Control application 102a, 102b Platform 11a, 11b Temporary storage area 12a, 12b Storage unit 121a, 121b Application program 122a, 122b Platform program

Claims (6)

In a communication device comprising means for communicating with other communication devices,
Means for executing a plurality of different application programs;
Means for executing a common platform program with other communication devices;
Storage means for storing data;
Through the processing of the platform program, data exchange between the storage means and the application program, transmission / reception of data with other communication devices, and storage of data received from other communication devices by the communication means into the storage means Means for performing in common with other communication devices;
Generating means for generating other data using one or more of the data stored in the storage means by processing of the platform program;
The communication device, wherein the data generated by the generating means is transmitted to another communication device by the communication means. Means for storing data definition information including relational expressions between data for generating other data from data stored in the storage means;
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for referencing the data definition information by processing of the platform program. Means for storing data definition information of another communication device;
The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the generation unit is configured to generate data based on data definition information of the other communication device. In a communication system including a plurality of communication devices that are communicably connected to each other and have a communication means with other communication devices.
Each communication device
Means for executing a plurality of different application programs;
Means for executing a common platform program with other communication devices;
Storage means for storing data;
Through the processing of the platform program, data exchange between the storage means and the application program, transmission / reception of data with other communication devices, and storage of data received from other communication devices by the communication means into the storage means Means for performing in common with other communication devices;
Generating means for generating other data using one or more of the data stored in the storage means by processing of the platform program;
A communication system, wherein the data generated by the generating means is transmitted to another communication device by the communication means. In a method for performing data communication by a communication device comprising means for communicating with another communication device,
Execute any one or more of a plurality of different application programs;
Run a platform program common to other communication devices,
Transfer of stored data to the application program, transmission / reception of data to / from other communication devices, and storage of data received from other communication devices by the communication means by processing of the platform program. In common with
Stores data definition information including relational expressions between data for generating data used for execution of each application program by other communication devices using other data,
A communication method characterized by generating other data by using one or a plurality of stored data based on data definition information of the other communication device by processing of the platform program. A computer comprising means for executing one or more of a plurality of different application programs and communication means with another computer is stored with data used for execution of each application program. In a computer program for controlling transmission and reception,
On the computer,
A step of generating data using one or a plurality of data stored by itself based on data definition information including a relational expression between the data for generating data used by other computers to execute each application program; as well as,
A computer program for executing the step of transmitting the generated data to the other computer.

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