JP2011051552A - Customizing system, customizing device, vehicle and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce an amount of communication between a customizing device and an ECU and simplify customizing process. <P>SOLUTION: ECUs 21, 22, 23 include: a table 34 for storing identification information associated with a type of a self-changeable setting item and its setting value; and a setting value changing unit 33 for changing the setting value to a setting value associated with the received identification information when the identification information different from the identification information associated with the setting value that is currently set as to a predetermined setting item is received from a customizing device 10. The customizing device 10 includes: a table 13 for storing identification information associated with a type of a changeable setting item and its setting value as to each of the plurality of ECUs 21, 22, 23; and an identification information transmitting unit 12 for transmitting identification information associated with a setting value as to a setting item requiring the change of the predetermined ECU 21, 22, 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a customization system, a customization device, a vehicle, and a program.

  In recent years, automobiles that have been digitized have many ECUs (Electric Control Units). Since these ECUs have different locations for control, their setting methods and adjustment methods are also different. Therefore, conventionally, setting and adjustment are performed by connecting different customized devices to individual ECUs.

  On the other hand, there is a demand for making it possible for a dealer to change a simple control content of the ECU. However, many different dedicated customization devices are prepared only on the automobile manufacturer side, and it is extremely difficult to prepare such a large number of different dedicated customization devices on the dealer side.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique that allows a large number of ECUs to be set and adjusted by a single customization device.

JP 2007-190976 A

  In the customization device of Patent Document 1, all the stored contents of the ECU are temporarily copied to the customization device side, and then the stored contents are changed, and the changed stored contents are returned to the ECU again. Yes. Therefore, the customization device of Patent Document 1 requires a storage area that can store all of the stored contents of the ECU, and there is a problem that the device scale and cost increase.

  Moreover, in the customization apparatus of patent document 1, even if it is a case where it is a case where it is a case where it is desired to change a part of the memory content of ECU, it is necessary to copy the entire memory content of ECU to the customization apparatus for the time being. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes time to transmit and receive data between the ECU and the customization device. In particular, when a large number of ECUs are to be customized, it takes an enormous amount of time to exchange data between the customization device and the large number of ECUs.

  The present invention has been made under such a background, and it is possible to reduce the amount of communication between the customization device and the ECU, and to customize the customization system and customization that can simplify the customization process. An object is to provide an apparatus, a vehicle, and a program.

  One aspect of the present invention is a viewpoint as a customization system. That is, the customization system of the present invention is a customization system including a plurality of ECUs mounted on a vehicle and a customization device that changes the settings of the ECUs. When the identification information different from the table in which the identification information associated with the value is recorded and the identification information corresponding to the setting value currently set for the predetermined setting item is received from the customization device, the setting value is received. And a setting value changing means for changing to a setting value corresponding to the identification information, and the customization device records the type of setting item that can be changed for each of the plurality of ECUs and the identification information associated with the setting value. Identification information corresponding to the set table and the setting value of the setting item for which a predetermined ECU is requested to be changed An identification information transmission means for transmitting those comprising.

  Furthermore, the customization apparatus in the customization system of the present invention converts the type of setting items that can be changed based on a table and identification information of the setting values into information corresponding to the identification information for a predetermined ECU, and is currently set Display means to display with the set value being selected, and the setting value of the setting item for which change is requested by selecting either the currently set value or the changeable set value displayed on the display means And operating means to specify.

  Further, the ECU in the customization system of the present invention comprises control content notification means for transmitting identification information corresponding to the setting value of the setting item currently set in response to a request from the customization device to the customization device, and the customization The apparatus may include identification information acquisition means for requesting and acquiring transmission of identification information corresponding to a setting value of a setting item currently set in a predetermined ECU.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a viewpoint as a customization apparatus. That is, the customization device of the present invention is a customization device that changes the settings of a plurality of ECUs mounted on a vehicle, and the types of setting items that can be changed for each of the plurality of ECUs and the identification information associated with the setting values. And an identification information transmitting means for transmitting identification information corresponding to a setting value of a setting item for requesting a change to a predetermined ECU.

  Furthermore, the customization apparatus of the present invention converts the type of setting items that can be changed based on the table and the identification information of the setting values into information corresponding to the identification information for a predetermined ECU, and the currently set setting An operation to specify the setting value of the setting item to be changed by selecting one of the currently set value and the changeable setting value displayed on the display means to be displayed together with the value. Means.

  Furthermore, the customization apparatus of the present invention includes an identification information acquisition unit that requests and acquires the transmission of identification information corresponding to the setting value of the setting item currently set in the predetermined ECU. Can do.

  Still another aspect of the present invention is a viewpoint as a vehicle. That is, the vehicle of the present invention includes the customization device of the present invention.

  Still another aspect of the present invention is a viewpoint as a program. In other words, the program of the present invention is a program that, when installed in an information processing apparatus, causes the information processing apparatus to realize the function of a customization device that changes the settings of the plurality of ECUs mounted on the vehicle. Types of setting items that can be changed for each and functions of a table in which identification information associated with the setting value is recorded, and identification information corresponding to the setting value of the setting item that requires a predetermined ECU to be changed The function of the identification information transmission means to transmit is implement | achieved.

  According to the present invention, the amount of communication between the customization device and the ECU can be reduced, and the customization process can be simplified.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a customization system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the recording content of the table by the side of the customization apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the recording content of the table by the side of ECU of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the customization apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of ECU of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the communication procedure between the customization apparatus of FIG. 1, and ECU. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part of FIG. 1, and is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting value currently set to ECU. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part of FIG. 1, and is a figure which shows the example of a display of the menu of a vehicle system setting. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the display unit of FIG. 1, and is a diagram illustrating a display example when “transmission setting” is selected from a vehicle system setting menu. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part of FIG. 1, and is a figure which shows the example of a display of the menu of a transmission setting. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the display unit of FIG. 1, and is a diagram illustrating a display example when a setting item “PTO gear selection” is selected from a transmission setting menu. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display unit in FIG. 1, and is a diagram illustrating a display example of a set value type (“LOW” or “HIGH”) of a setting item of “PTO gear selection”. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the display unit of FIG. 1, and a display example when “HIGH” is selected from among types of setting values (“LOW” or “HIGH”) of “PTO gear selection” setting items. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part of FIG. 1, and is a figure which shows the example of a display when a setting is completed.

(About the configuration of the customization system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention)
A configuration of a customization system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the customization system 1.

  The customization system 1 includes the customization device 10 and ECUs 21, 22 and 23 mounted on the vehicle 20. In the example of FIG. 1, the customization device 10 is illustrated as if it were an external device for the vehicle 20. This is because the explanation is easier to understand, and the customization device 10 may actually be mounted on the vehicle 20. For example, the customization device 10 may be mounted on a part of the function of the navigation device mounted on the vehicle 20, the screen of the navigation device may be used as the display unit 14, and the operation unit of the navigation device may be used as the operation unit 15.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the ECU 21 will be described as a transmission ECU. The ECU 22 will be described as an air suspension (air suspension) ECU. The ECU 23 will be described as an idle stop ECU.

  The ECU 21 is a transmission ECU and is an ECU for controlling a transmission mechanism (not shown) of the vehicle 20. In the present embodiment, the ECU 21 performs a gear for performing PTO (Power Take Off) by a first speed gear (this is classified as LOW in the ECU 21), or a gear one level higher than the first speed gear (this) Will be described as being selectable.

  Further, the ECU 21 performs gears (referred to as reverse gears) when the vehicle 20 moves backward by using first gears (this is classified as LOW in the ECU 21), or gears that are one step higher than the first gears ( It will be described that it is possible to select and set whether the ECU 21 classifies this as HIGH).

  The ECU 22 is an air suspension ECU, and is an ECU for controlling an air suspension mechanism (not shown) of the vehicle 20. In the present embodiment, the ECU 22 determines whether the air suspension air pressure is relatively low (this is classified as LOW in the ECU 22) or whether the air suspension air pressure is relatively high (this is classified as HIGH in the ECU 22). A description will be given assuming that selection can be made.

  The ECU 23 is an idle stop ECU and is an ECU for controlling an idling stop mechanism (not shown) of the vehicle 20. In the present embodiment, when the vehicle 20 performs idling stop, the ECU 23 relatively shortens the time from when the ECU 23 determines that the vehicle 20 has stopped to when the idling stop is actually performed (this is the ECU 23). Can be selected or set to make the time from when the ECU 23 determines that the vehicle 20 is stopped until the actual idling stop is made relatively long (this is classified as HIGH in the ECU 23). It explains as being.

  The vehicle 20 includes a large number of ECUs in addition to the ECUs 21, 22, and 23, but will not be described here.

(Detailed configuration of the customization device 10)
Next, a detailed configuration of the customization apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The customization apparatus 10 includes an identification information acquisition unit 11 (part of identification information acquisition unit), an identification information transmission unit 12 (part of identification information transmission unit), a table 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a control unit 16 ( And a CAN communication unit 17 (a part of the identification information acquisition unit and a part of the identification information transmission unit).

  When the identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires the identification information (ID) from the ECUs 21, 22, and 23, the item corresponding to the acquired identification information is searched from the table 13 and output to the display unit 14.

The identification information transmission unit 12 searches the table 13 for identification information corresponding to an input item made by the user operating the operation unit 15, and transmits the identification information to the ECUs 21, 22, and 23. For example, the types of identification information transmitted by the identification information transmitting unit 12 include the following types.
(1) Conventional identification information (hereinafter referred to as ECU identification information) of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 for performing conventional CAN (Control Area Network) communication
(2) Identification information (hereinafter referred to as item identification information) of items (PTO gear selection, reverse gear selection, air pressure selection, start time selection, etc.) selected and set in the ECUs 21, 22, and 23
(3) Identification information of values (LOW, HIGH) selected and set in the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 (hereinafter referred to as set value identification information)
(4) Identification information used when the customization apparatus 10 requests the ECUs 21, 22, 23 to transmit item identification information and setting value identification information corresponding to a setting value currently set for a predetermined setting item (hereinafter referred to as “identification information”). This is called information request identification information)

  The table 13 is a memory in which ECU identification information, item identification information, set value identification information, and items corresponding thereto are recorded. Note that since the ECU identification information is conventional, it is also recorded in a table (not shown) inside the CAN communication unit 17.

  The recorded contents of the table 13 are those in which all information corresponding to the plurality of ECUs 21, 22, and 23 is recorded in advance. Therefore, the memory of the table 13 may be a non-rewritable ROM (Read Only Memory). However, the memory of the table 13 may be a rewritable nonvolatile memory or the like so as to cope with a case where the recorded contents of the table 13 are changed in the future.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the recorded contents of the table 13. Referring to FIG. 2, “transmission ECU⇔“ 000 ””, “air suspension ECU“ 001 ””, and “idle stop ECU” “011” ”are recorded as ECU identification information corresponding to the ECUs 21, 22, and 23. .

  Further, referring to FIG. 2, “PTO gear selection ⇔“ 11 ””, “reverse gear selection ⇔“ 10 ””, “air pressure selection ⇔“ 11 ””, “start” as item identification information corresponding to the selection setting item The time selection “11” is recorded. The identification information of “PTO gear selection”, “pneumatic pressure selection”, and “start time selection” are all the same “11”, but there is no problem because they are used in combination with the ECU identification information of each ECU 21, 22, 23. .

  For example, the identification information is “000” + “11” = “00011” for “PTO gear selection in transmission ECU”, and the identification information is “001” + for “air pressure selection in air suspension ECU”. “11” = “00111” ”.

  Further, referring to FIG. 2, “LOW「 “00” ”and“ HIGH⇔ “01” ”are recorded as set value identification information corresponding to the value of the selected setting.

  The display unit 14 displays the output of the identification information acquisition unit 11 in a format that can be recognized by the user (for example, text, image, sound, etc.). The display unit 14 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an EL (Electro Luminescence), a speaker, or the like.

  The operation unit 15 includes a switch or a touch panel operated by a user, and transmits a user operation input to the identification information transmission unit 12. Alternatively, the display unit 14 and the operation unit 15 may be overlapped, and a predetermined part of the operation unit 15 may be pressed by the user pressing an icon displayed on the display unit 14.

The control unit 16 is a computer device for controlling the operation of each unit (the identification information acquisition unit 11, the identification information transmission unit 12, the table 13, the display unit 14, the operation unit 15, and the CAN communication unit 17). For example, the control unit 16 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital
Signal processor) and memory. This memory stores control programs and data necessary for the CPU or DSP to operate.

  The CAN communication unit 17 is for performing CAN communication between the customization device 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, and 23. The CAN communication itself is a conventionally used communication method. The identification information transmission unit 12 and the identification information acquisition unit 13 communicate with the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 via the CAN communication unit 17.

  When the customization device 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 perform communication, first, a communication path is established between the CAN communication unit 17 of the customization device 10 and the CAN communication unit 31 of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23. The identification information transmission unit 12, the identification information acquisition unit 13, the setting value notification unit 32, and the setting value change unit 33 of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 communicate with each other using the communication path.

  Therefore, as described above, since the ECU identification information is conventional, it is recorded in a table (not shown) inside the CAN communication unit 17 in addition to the table 13, and the first communication path is established. In this case, ECU identification information recorded in a table (not shown) inside the CAN communication unit 17 is used.

(Detailed configuration of ECUs 21, 22, and 23)
Next, the detailed configuration of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 will be described with reference to FIG. The ECUs 21, 22, and 23 are roughly composed of a communication unit 30 and a vehicle control function unit 36. The vehicle control function unit 36 is for controlling a predetermined portion of the vehicle 20 and is a function of a conventional ECU.

  The communication unit 30 includes a CAN communication unit 31 (part of the set value notification unit, part of the set value change unit), a set value notification unit 32 (part of the set value notification unit), and a set value change unit 33 (set value A part of changing means), a table 34 and a control unit 35 (a part of setting value notifying means and a part of setting value changing means).

  The CAN communication part 31 is for performing CAN communication within the vehicle 20, and is a communication method used conventionally. In FIG. 1, the CAN communication unit 31 provided in each of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 communicates with the customization device 10. In addition, the CAN communication unit 31 communicates between the ECUs 21, 22, 23 and other ECUs (not shown) such as the ECUs 21, 22, 23 and various switches (not shown) in the cab or an engine ECU and a hybrid ECU. I also manage communication with the.

  When the ECUs 21, 22 and 23 communicate with the customization device 10, first, a communication path is established between the CAN communication unit 17 of the customization device 10 and the CAN communication unit 31 of the ECUs 21, 22 and 23. The identification information transmission unit 12, the identification information acquisition unit 13, the setting value notification unit 32, and the setting value change unit 33 of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 communicate with each other using the communication path.

  Therefore, as described above, since the ECU identification information is conventional, it is recorded in a table (not shown) inside the CAN communication unit 31 in addition to the table 34, and the first communication path is established. In this case, ECU identification information recorded in a table (not shown) inside the CAN communication unit 31 is used.

  The set value notification unit 32 informs the CAN communication unit 31 of the ECU 21 from the identification information transmission unit 12 of the customization device 10 via the CAN communication unit 17 of the customization device 10 that it wants to acquire information on the control content currently being executed. When the information request identification information indicating is received, predetermined item identification information and set value identification information are returned.

  For example, with respect to the set value notification unit 32 of the ECU 21, “I want to acquire the set value identification information of the set value currently set for a predetermined setting item from the identification information transmission unit 12 of the customization device 10 via the CAN communication unit 17. When the information request identification information indicating "" is received, the set value notification unit 32 of the ECU 21 receives the set value identification information (that is, item identification information + set value identification information) currently set for the predetermined set item. Send back.

  In addition, when one ECU has a plurality of types of setting items, and the customization apparatus 10 wants to acquire only information on a specific setting item among the plurality of setting items, a specific type of setting item The identification information for designating is also transmitted. For example, since the ECU 21 has setting items of “PTO gear selection” and “reverse gear selection”, one of these may be designated.

  Here, the information request identification information is preferably identification information that is not used in the tables 13 and 34. For example, 4-digit “1111” or the like may be used as the information request identification information. In addition, when one ECU has a plurality of types of setting items, a specific setting item may be specified. In this case, “1111 (information request identification information)” + “11 (PTO gear selection item identification information)” = “111111” may be set.

  That is, the set value notifying unit 32 of the ECU 21 has its own ECU identification information “000”, PTO gear selection item identification information “11”, and either LOW or HIGH set value identification information “00” or “01”. "And / or reverse gear selection item identification information" 10 ", set value identification information" 00 "or" 01 "of either LOW or HIGH is returned.

  That is, the set value notification unit 32 of the transmission ECU 21 is “000 (transmission ECU)” + “11 (PTO gear selection)” + “00 (LOW)” (or “01 (HIGH)”) + “10 (reverse gear). (Selection) "+" 00 (LOW) "(or" 01 (HIGH) ") =" 00011001000 "or" 00011011001 "is returned.

  When the setting value changing unit 33 receives setting value identification information of a setting value different from the currently set setting value from the identification information transmitting unit 12 of the customization apparatus 10 via the CAN communication unit 17, the vehicle control function unit 35. Change the setting value at.

  For example, when the ECU 21 uses the first speed gear (LOW) in the PTO gear selection, the setting using the gear (HIGH) higher than the first speed gear in the PTO gear selection from the identification information transmission unit 12 of the customization device 10 When the value identification information is received, an instruction to that effect is given to the vehicle control function unit 35.

  That is, the ECU 21 is represented by “ECU identification information + item identification information + setting value identification information” of “000 (transmission ECU)” + “11 (PTO gear selection)” + “00 (LOW)” = “0001100”. During the control, the “ECU identification information” “000 (transmission ECU)” + “11 (PTO gear selection)” + “01 (HIGH)” = “0001101” is sent from the identification information transmission unit 12 of the customization apparatus 10. When “+ item identification information + set value identification information” is received, the vehicle control function unit 35 is instructed to use a gear (HIGH) that is one step higher than the first speed (LOW) in PTO gear selection.

  The table 34 is a memory in which item identification information and setting value identification information and items corresponding thereto are recorded. The recorded contents of the table 34 are recorded in advance with information corresponding only to its own ECU. Therefore, the memory of the table 34 may be a non-rewritable ROM. However, the memory of the table 34 may be a rewritable nonvolatile memory or the like so as to cope with a case where the recorded contents of the table 34 are changed in the future.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the recorded contents of the table 34. Referring to FIG. 3, “PTO gear selection ⇔“ 11 ”” and “reverse gear selection ⇔“ 10 ”” are recorded as item identification information corresponding to the selection setting item of transmission ECU 21. Further, referring to FIG. 3, “LOW「 “00” ”and“ HIGH⇔ “01” ”are recorded as set value identification information corresponding to the value of the selected setting.

  The control unit 35 is a computer device for controlling the operation of each unit (CAN communication unit 31, setting value notification unit 32, setting value changing unit 33, table 34). For example, the control unit 35 includes a CPU or DSP and a memory. This memory stores control programs and data necessary for the CPU or DSP to operate.

(About the processing procedure of the customization apparatus 10)
Next, the processing procedure of the customization apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the control unit 16 of the customization apparatus 10.

  START: When the customization device 10 is activated, the control unit 16 of the customization device 10 proceeds to the process of step S1.

  Step S1: The control unit 16 calls the ECU to be customized using the identification information transmission unit 12, and proceeds to the process of step S2. For example, when the ECU 21 is to be customized, the control unit 16 transmits “000”, which is ECU identification information of the ECU 21, from the CAN communication unit 17 to the CAN communication unit 31 of the ECU 21.

  The control unit 35 of the transmission ECU 21 that has received the identification information “000” from the customization device 10 recognizes that the customization device 10 has the transmission ECU 21 as a customization target. Further, the control unit 35 sends its own ECU identification information “000” from the CAN communication unit 31 to the customizing device 10 in order to respond that the customizing device 10 has recognized that its own transmission ECU 21 is the customization target. Reply.

  Step S2: The control unit 16 determines whether or not the calling of the ECU to be customized is completed. That is, the control part 16 transfers to the process of step S3, when the call of ECU used as customization object is completed (it is Yes at step S2). On the other hand, when the calling of the ECU to be customized is not completed (No in step S2), the control unit 16 returns to the process of step S1.

  That is, the control unit 16 customizes by determining whether or not the identification information acquisition unit 11 has received a reply to the ECU identification information transmitted from the CAN communication unit 17 to the ECU (that is, the ECU identification information of the ECU). It is determined whether or not the target ECU has been called.

  For example, when the control unit 16 transmits ECU identification information “000” from the CAN communication unit 17 to the ECU 21, if the CAN communication unit 17 receives a reply of the ECU identification information “000”, the ECU 21 is called. It will be completed.

  Step S3: Based on an input from the operation unit 15, the control unit 16 determines whether or not there is an acquisition request for setting value identification information of the currently set setting value in the ECU to be customized. That is, when there is an acquisition request for setting value identification information of the setting value currently set in the ECU to be customized (YES in step S3), the control unit 16 performs processing in step S4. Migrate to On the other hand, when there is no acquisition request for setting value identification information of the currently set setting value in the ECU to be customized (No in step S3), the control unit 16 performs the process in step S7. Migrate to

  In other words, if the user who wants to customize the ECU already knows the setting value currently set in the ECU to be customized, the user can change the setting value currently set in the ECU to be customized. There is no need to request acquisition of set value identification information. On the other hand, if the user who wants to customize the ECU does not know the setting value currently set in the ECU to be customized, the user can set the setting value currently set in the ECU to be customized. It is necessary to request acquisition of value identification information.

  For example, when requesting the set value identification information of the set value currently set in the ECU to be customized, the identification information transmitting unit 12 transmits information request identification information indicating that to the ECU to be customized. .

  Step S4: The control unit 16 transmits information request identification information (for example, “1111”) as an acquisition request from the identification information transmission unit 12 via the CAN communication unit 17 to the ECU to be customized. Transition to processing.

  Step S5: As a result of the transmission of the information request identification information in step S4, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the identification information acquisition unit 11 has acquired the set value identification information of the currently set set value from the ECU to be customized. to decide. In other words, as a result of the transmission of the information request identification information in step S4, the control unit 16 can acquire the set value identification information of the set value currently set from the ECU to be customized (step S5). Yes), the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, as a result of transmitting the information request identification information in step S4, the control unit 16 cannot acquire the set value identification information of the set value currently set from the ECU to be customized (step S5). No), it returns to the process of step S4.

  Step S6: The control unit 16 recognizes the item corresponding to the set value identification information of the set value currently set in the ECU to be customized acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 11 by referring to the table 13. This is displayed on the display unit 14, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  Step S7: The control unit 16 determines whether or not the user has changed the set value within a predetermined time. That is, when there is a change in the set value by the user within a predetermined time (Yes in step S7), the control unit 16 proceeds to the process of step S8. On the other hand, the control part 16 complete | finishes a process, when there is no change of the setting value by a user within predetermined time (No in step S7) (END).

  Step S8: The control unit 16 transmits the set value identification information corresponding to the change of the set value from the identification information transmission unit 12 to the ECU to be customized, and ends the process (END).

  In this way, the customization device 10 calls an ECU designated by the user from among a plurality of ECUs to establish a communication path, and displays a set value currently set in the ECU according to a user request, Further, the set value currently set in the ECU can be changed in response to a user request.

  At this time, the user can easily recognize the information content by referring to the information displayed on the display unit 14. That is, since various types of identification information exchanged between the customization device 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 are converted into information in a format that can be recognized by the user by the table 13, the user is displayed on the display unit 14. Information can be easily recognized. The format of information displayed on the display unit 14 is, for example, text information or image information. Further, the display unit 14 may be a speaker or headphones (or earphones), and display may be performed using audio information.

(Regarding the processing procedure of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23)
Next, the processing procedure of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the control unit 35 of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23.

  START: When the key switch of the vehicle 20 is turned on, the control unit 35 proceeds to the process of step S10.

  Step S10: The control unit 35 determines whether or not there is a call to the ECU. That is, when there is a call to the ECU (Yes in step S10), the control unit 35 proceeds to the process of step S11. On the other hand, when there is no call of the own ECU (No in step S10), the control unit 35 proceeds to the process of step S16.

  Here, “calling of the own ECU” refers to a state in which the CAN communication unit 31 has received ECU identification information that matches the ECU identification information of the own ECU, as described above.

  Step S11: The control unit 35 responds with the ECU identification information of its own ECU from the CAN communication unit 31, and proceeds to the process of step S12.

  Step S12: The control unit 35 determines whether or not the CAN communication unit 31 has received from the customization apparatus 10 an acquisition request for setting value identification information of the setting value currently set. That is, when the CAN communication unit 31 receives an acquisition request for setting value identification information of the setting value currently set by the CAN communication unit 31 (Yes in step S12), the control unit 35 proceeds to the processing of step S13. On the other hand, the control part 35 transfers to the process of step S14, when the CAN communication part 31 has not received the acquisition request | requirement of the setting value identification information of the setting value currently set from the customization apparatus 10 (it is No at step S12). .

  Step S13: The control unit 35 transmits the set value identification information of the set value currently set from the set value notification unit 32 to the customization apparatus 10, and proceeds to the process of step S14.

  Step S14: The control unit 35 determines whether or not the CAN communication unit 31 has received setting value identification information different from the currently set setting value. That is, when the CAN communication unit 31 receives setting value identification information different from the currently set setting value (Yes in step S14), the control unit 35 proceeds to the process of step S15. On the other hand, if the CAN communication unit 31 has not received setting value identification information different from the currently set setting value (No in step S14), the control unit 35 proceeds to the process of step S16.

  Step S15: The control unit 35 changes the set value of the vehicle control function unit 36 to the set value corresponding to the received set value identification information using the set value changing unit 33, and proceeds to the process of step S16.

  Step S16: The control unit 35 determines whether or not the key switch of the vehicle 20 is in an OFF state. That is, when the key switch of the vehicle 20 is in the OFF state (Yes in step S16), the control unit 35 ends the process (END). On the other hand, if the key switch of the vehicle 20 is not in the OFF state (No in step S16), the control unit 35 returns to the process in step S10.

  In this manner, the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 can establish a communication path with the customization apparatus 10 and change the setting value currently set in the ECU in response to a user request. At this time, various types of identification information exchanged between the customization device 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 are simplified information with a small amount of data, and between the customization device 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, and 23. The amount of communication is very small. Therefore, the communication time between the customization device 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, 23 can be shortened, and the devices (CPU, DSP, memory, etc.) used for communication in the customization device 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, 23 can be reduced in size and The price can be reduced.

(Various types of identification information exchanged between the customization device 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, and 23)
Next, various types of identification information exchanged between the customization apparatus 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a timing chart of communication between the customization apparatus 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, and 23. Here, it is assumed that the customization apparatus 10 and the ECU 21 are communicating.

  State ST1: In response to an input from the operation unit 15 by the user, the customization device 10 calls the ECU to be customized from the customization device 10 to the ECU 21. At this time, “000 (transmission ECU)” is transmitted from the identification information transmission unit 12 of the customization apparatus 10 to the ECU 21 via the CAN transmission unit 17 as ECU identification information of the customization target ECU.

  State ST2: When the CAN communication unit 31 of the ECU 21 receives the ECU identification information of the ECU 21 from the customization device 10, the CAN communication unit 31 returns the ECU identification information “000” of the ECU 21 from the ECU 21 to the customization device 10. The ECU identification information of the ECU 21 is received by the identification information acquisition unit 11 via the CAN communication unit 17 and is referred to the table 13, whereby the ECU identification information of the “transmission ECU” is retrieved. The display “transmission ECU” is displayed to the user. Thereby, the user of the customization apparatus 10 recognizes that the calling of the ECU 21 is completed.

  State ST3: When the user makes an acquisition request for setting value identification information of the setting value currently set from the operation unit 15, information request identification information (for example, “1111”) is sent from the identification information transmission unit 12 to the ECU 21 as a CAN communication unit. 17 is transmitted. As an actual user operation, a button for instructing “setting value acquisition request” is simply operated. When the identification information transmission unit 12 recognizes a user operation, the identification information transmission unit 12 transmits information request identification information stored in advance to the ECU 21. At this time, the information request identification information may also be recorded in the table 13, and the identification information transmission unit 12 may recognize the information request identification information by referring to the table 13.

  State ST4: The set value notification unit 32 of the ECU 21 responds to the customization apparatus 10 with identification information including the set value identification information of the set value currently set in the ECU 21. In the example of FIG. 6, the ECU 21 sends “000 (transmission ECU)” + “11 (PTO selection)” + “00 (LOW)” + “10 (reverse gear selection)” + “00 (LOW) to the customization device 10. ) ”=“ 00011001000 ”.

  The identification information acquisition unit 11 of the customization device 10 searches the table 13 for items corresponding to the setting value identification information of the currently set setting values received from the ECU 21 via the CAN communication unit 17 and displays them on the display unit 14. indicate.

  State ST5: When the user tries to change the setting value currently set in the ECU 21, the setting value to be changed is input from the operation unit 15. This input is, for example, pressing of a button corresponding to “LOW” or “HIGH”. The identification information transmission unit 12 of the customization apparatus 10 retrieves the set value identification information corresponding to “LOW” or “HIGH” from the table 13, and the identification information including the set value identification information via the CAN communication unit 17 in the ECU 21. Send. In the example of FIG. 6, the customization apparatus 10 sends “000 (transmission ECU)” + “11 (PTO selection)” + “01 (HIGH)” + “10 (reverse gear selection)” + “01 (HIGH) to the ECU 21. ) ”=“ 00011011001 ”.

  The set value changing unit 33 of the ECU 21 searches the table 34 for items corresponding to the set value identification information received via the CAN communication unit 31, and sets the set values of the vehicle control function unit 35 according to the items. To change.

(Regarding the display example of the display unit 14)
Next, display examples of the display unit 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 14 are diagrams illustrating display examples of the display unit 14.

  When the user operates the operation unit 15 and acquires information on a set value that is currently set in the transmission ECU, a display as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 7, it can be seen that the ECU 21 that is the transmission ECU is currently set to LOW (first gear) for both PTO gear selection and reverse gear selection.

  Furthermore, when the user operates the operation unit 15 to perform an input for customization, a menu as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 14. In the example of FIG. 8, “transmission setting”, “air suspension setting”, and “idle stop setting” are displayed as selection items as “vehicle system setting”.

  The display example of FIG. 9 is a display example when the user performs an operation for selecting “transmission setting” from the menu of FIG. 8. It can be seen that the display of the selection item of “transmission setting” in FIG. 9 is surrounded. At this time, the display color of the selection item of “transmission setting” may be changed.

  The display example in FIG. 10 is a display example in which a transition is made when the user selects the “transmission setting” selection item in the display example in FIG. 9. It is displayed on the menu that there are two types of setting items, “PTO gear selection” and “reverse gear selection”, in the “transmission setting” selection items.

  The display example of FIG. 11 is a display example when the user performs an operation for selecting a setting item of “PTO gear selection” from the menu of FIG. It can be seen that the display of setting items of “PTO gear selection” in FIG. 11 is surrounded. At this time, the display color of the setting item of “PTO gear selection” may be changed.

  The display example of FIG. 12 is a display example in which a transition is made by the user selecting the setting item “PTO gear selection” in the display example of FIG. 11. “PTO gear selection” has two menu setting values “LOW” and “HIGH”.

  The display example of FIG. 13 is a display example when the user performs an operation for selecting a set value of “HIGH” from the menu of FIG. It can be seen that the setting value display of “HIGH” in FIG. 13 is surrounded. At this time, the display color of the set value of “HIGH” may be changed.

  The display example of FIG. 14 indicates that the setting value “HIGH” selected by the user in the display example of FIG. 13 is actually received by the ECU 21 and the change of the setting value of the ECU 21 is completed.

(Regarding the effect of the embodiment of the present invention)
In this way, the display unit 14 performs display using text information or the like so that the user can easily see. On the other hand, communication is performed between the customization apparatus 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 with simple identification information. Thereby, the amount of communication between the customization apparatus 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 can be reduced, and the customization process can be simplified.

  In addition, communication using the identification information is performed between the customization device 10 and the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 each time. As a result, a large-scale memory that temporarily stores the entire storage contents of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23, such as the customization device of Patent Document 1, is not required. Therefore, the apparatus scale and cost of the customization apparatus 10 can be kept low.

  Moreover, the communication time between the customization apparatus 10 and ECU21,22,23 can be shortened by reducing the communication amount between the customization apparatus 10 and ECU21,22,23. As a result, the customization work time can be shortened.

  Further, as described above, the customization device 10 can keep the device scale and cost low. For this reason, the customization apparatus 10 can be mounted in a part of the cab of the vehicle 20 using a small space. Alternatively, the function of the customization device 10 may be implemented as a part of the function of the navigation device of the vehicle 20. At this time, it is possible to prevent the cost of the vehicle 20 from being increased by mounting the customization device 10 on the vehicle 20.

  As described above, the customization device 10 can be used as an external device that can be commonly used for a plurality of vehicles 20, or the customization device 10 can be mounted on each vehicle and used.

(About the embodiment using the program)
The control unit 16 of the customization device 10 and the control unit 35 of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 may be configured by general-purpose information processing devices (CPU, DSP, microprocessor (microcomputer), etc.) that operate according to a predetermined program. For example, a general-purpose information processing apparatus has a memory, a CPU, an input / output port, and the like. The CPU of the general-purpose information processing apparatus reads and executes a control program as a predetermined program from a memory or the like. Thereby, the function of the control part 16 of the customization apparatus 10 and the control part 35 of ECU21,22,23 is implement | achieved by a general purpose information processing apparatus. As for other functions, functions that can be realized by software can be realized by a general-purpose information processing apparatus and a program.

  The control program executed by the general-purpose information processing apparatus is stored in a memory or the like of the general-purpose information processing apparatus before shipment of the control unit 16 of the customization apparatus 10 and the control unit 35 of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23. Even after the shipment of the control unit 16 of the customization device 10 and the control unit 35 of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23, it may be stored in a memory or the like of a general-purpose information processing device. A part of the control program may be stored in a memory or the like of a general-purpose information processing device after shipment of the control unit 16 of the customization device 10 and the control unit 35 of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23. A control program stored in a memory or the like of a general-purpose information processing apparatus after shipment of the control unit 16 of the customization device 10 and the control unit 35 of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 is, for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. May be installed, or may be installed via a download medium such as the Internet.

  The control program includes not only a program that can be directly executed by a general-purpose information processing apparatus, but also a program that can be executed by being installed on a hard disk or the like. Also included are those that are compressed or encrypted.

  As described above, the functions of the control unit 16 of the customization device 10 and the control unit 35 of the ECUs 21, 22, and 23 are realized by a general-purpose information processing device and program, thereby increasing the number of vehicles and changing specifications (or design changes). It becomes possible to respond flexibly to.

(Other embodiments)
The embodiment of the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the CAN communication unit 17 for performing CAN communication in the customization apparatus 10 and the CAN communication unit 31 for performing CAN communication in the ECUs 21, 22 and 23 have been illustrated and described. On the other hand, the function of the CAN communication unit 17 of the customization device 10 is built in the identification information transmission unit 12 and the identification information acquisition unit 13, respectively, and the function of the CAN communication unit 31 of the ECUs 21, 22, 23 is set to the set value notification unit 32 and You may make it each incorporate in the setting value change part 33. FIG.

  According to this, the tables 13 and 34 can be substituted for the tables (not shown) that the CAN communication units 17 and 31 have conventionally.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Customize system, 10 ... Customize apparatus, 11 ... Identification information acquisition part (a part of identification information acquisition means), 12 ... Identification information transmission part (a part of identification information transmission means), 13 ... Table, 16 ... Control part (Part of identification information acquisition means, part of identification information transmission means), 17 ... CAN communication part (part of identification information acquisition means, part of identification information transmission means), 20 ... vehicle, 21, 22, 23 ... ECU, 31 ... CAN communication part (part of control content changing means, part of control content notifying means), 32 ... setting value notifying part (part of control content notifying means), 33 ... setting value changing part (control) Part of content changing means), 34 ... table, 35 ... control unit (part of control content changing means, part of control content notifying means)

Claims (8)

In a customization system comprising a plurality of ECUs mounted on a vehicle and a customization device for changing the settings of the ECUs,
The ECU
A table in which the types of setting items that can be changed by the user and identification information associated with the setting values are recorded;
When the identification information different from the identification information corresponding to the setting value currently set for the predetermined setting item is received from the customization device, the setting value is changed to the setting value corresponding to the received identification information. Setting value changing means to
With
The customization device
A table in which the types of setting items that can be changed for each of the plurality of ECUs and identification information associated with the setting values are recorded;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information corresponding to a setting value of a setting item for requesting a change to the predetermined ECU;
Comprising
A customization system characterized by that. The customization system according to claim 1,
The customization device includes:
For the predetermined ECU, a display that converts the type of setting item that can be changed and the identification information of the setting value based on the table into information corresponding to the identification information, and displays it together with the currently set value Means,
An operation means for selecting one of the currently set value and the changeable setting value displayed on the display means to designate the setting value of the setting item requesting the change;
Comprising
A customization system characterized by that. The customization system according to claim 1 or 2,
The ECU includes control content notification means for transmitting the identification information corresponding to a setting value of a setting item currently set in response to a request from the customization device to the customization device,
The customization device includes an identification information acquisition unit that requests and acquires the transmission of the identification information corresponding to a setting value of a setting item currently set in the predetermined ECU.
A customization system characterized by that. In a customization device that changes settings of a plurality of ECUs mounted on a vehicle,
A table in which the types of setting items that can be changed for each of the plurality of ECUs and identification information associated with the setting values are recorded;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information corresponding to a setting value of a setting item for requesting a change to the predetermined ECU;
Comprising
A customizing device characterized by that. The customization device according to claim 4,
For the predetermined ECU, a display that converts the type of setting item that can be changed and the identification information of the setting value based on the table into information corresponding to the identification information, and displays it together with the currently set value Means,
An operation means for selecting one of the currently set value and the changeable setting value displayed on the display means to designate the setting value of the setting item requesting the change;
Comprising
A customizing device characterized by that. The customization device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein
An identification information acquisition unit configured to request and acquire transmission of the identification information corresponding to a setting value of a setting item currently set in the predetermined ECU;
A customizing device characterized by that.   A vehicle comprising the customization device according to any one of claims 4 to 6. In a program for realizing the function of a customization device that changes the settings of a plurality of ECUs mounted on a vehicle by installing the information processing device in the information processing device,
A function of a table in which the types of setting items that can be changed for each of the plurality of ECUs and identification information associated with the setting values are recorded;
A function of identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information corresponding to a setting value of a setting item for requesting a change to the predetermined ECU;
To realize,
A program characterized by that.

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