JP2023102186A - Relay device, information processing device, relay method, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To obtain a relay device for reducing a transmission time of data via the relay device, an information processing device, a relay method, an information processing method, and a program.SOLUTION: A relay device includes a first time acquisition part for acquiring a first transmission time in the relay device for relaying data periodically transmitted from another device at timing based on a set period, an information creation part for creating information related to the determination of the next transmission timing of the data in the another device on the basis of the first transmission time, and a notification part for notifying the other device of the information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a relay device, an information processing device, a relay method, an information processing method, and a program.

In an in-vehicle system, data (hereinafter referred to as "periodic data") is periodically transmitted from an ECU to other devices. At this time, it has been proposed that the ECU measures the transmission time of the periodic data, and if the transmission time is longer than the specified transmission time, adjusts the next data transmission timing (changes the transmission period only once), thereby reducing the transmission load of the entire in-vehicle system (network) and shortening the transmission time of the periodic data (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-17850

In the prior art, each ECU measures the transmission time of periodic data and adjusts the next transmission timing of the periodic data. Therefore, there is a possibility that the transmission (relay) timing of the periodic data of the same period transmitted from different ECUs overlaps in the relay device.

For example, in an in-vehicle system (network), a plurality of buses are connected to a central gateway (hereinafter referred to as "central GW"), which is a relay device. Therefore, when periodic data with the same period is transmitted to the central GW from a plurality of ECUs connected to different buses, and the transmission timing of the plurality of periodic data overlaps in the central GW, the period data waiting in the central GW increases, and there is an inconvenience that the transmission time from the central GW to the destination ECU increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a relay device, an information processing device, a relay method, an information processing method, and a program capable of reducing the transmission time of data via the relay device.

A relay device according to a first aspect is a relay device that relays data periodically transmitted from another device at a timing based on a set cycle, the relay device comprising: a first time acquisition unit that acquires a first transmission time of the data in the relay device; an information creation unit that creates information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data in the other device based on the first transmission time;
and a notification unit that notifies the other device of the information.

This relay device relays data periodically transmitted from other devices at timing based on the set cycle. This relay device acquires a first transmission time of data in the relay device with an acquisition unit, determines the length of waiting time of data in the relay device based on the first transmission time, and creates information related to determination of next transmission timing of data in another device with an information creation unit. The notification unit notifies the other device to which data is to be transmitted of this information.

The other device adjusts the next transmission timing based on the information related to the determination of the next transmission timing transmitted from the relay device, and transmits the next data at the adjusted next transmission timing. As a result, when transmission (relay) timing overlaps with other data transmitted in the same period from different devices in the relay device, the transmission (relay) timing overlap with other data in the relay device is eliminated or the overlap time is reduced by adjusting the transmission timing of the data. As a result, the waiting time for data in the relay device is reduced, and the transmission time for data transmitted from another device via the relay device is reduced.

It should be noted that "information related to determination of the next transmission timing" includes determination information as to whether or not to adjust the next transmission timing, information on the amount of adjustment, and the like. The same applies to the following fifth, ninth, tenth, twelfth and thirteenth aspects.

Also, the "first transmission time" is the time from the timing at which data can be transmitted (relayed) in the relay device to the timing at which data transmission from the relay device is completed. The same applies to the following fifth, eighth to fourteenth aspects.

A relay device according to a second aspect is the relay device according to the first aspect, wherein the information is information of a first offset for delaying the next transmission timing of the data from the period.

In this relay device, based on the first transmission time acquired by the acquisition unit, the information creation unit creates first offset information for delaying the next transmission timing of data in another device from the cycle. The notification unit notifies the information of the first offset to other devices.

Based on the first offset information transmitted from the relay device, the other device transmits the next data at the timing after the time obtained by adding the first offset to the period from the previous transmission completion timing (the transmission timing is delayed from the period by the first offset). As a result, when transmission (relay) timing overlaps with other data transmitted in the same period from different devices in the relay device, the transmission (relay) timing overlap with other data in the relay device is eliminated or the overlap time is reduced by adjusting (delaying) the transmission timing of the data. As a result, the waiting time for data in the relay device is reduced, and the transmission time for data transmitted from another device via the relay device is reduced.

Note that "determine the first offset" includes the case where the first offset is set to 0 or the case where the first offset is not determined. In addition, "notifying the other device of the information of the first offset" includes setting the first offset to 0 or not notifying the information of the first offset to the other device when the first offset is not determined.

A relay device according to a third aspect is the relay device according to the second aspect, wherein the information creating unit sets the first offset only when the first transmission time exceeds a time obtained by adding the cycle to a predetermined ratio of a preset allowable delay range of the data.

In this relay device, only when the first transmission time acquired by the first time acquisition unit exceeds the time obtained by adding the period to the predetermined ratio of the preset allowable delay range, the information creation unit sets the first offset, and the transmission unit transmits the information of the first offset to the other device.

That is, only when the first transmission time of data in the relay device, i.e., the waiting time, is long to some extent, the information of the first offset is transmitted to the other device, thereby delaying the next transmission timing of the periodic data from the other device from the cycle. That is, it is intended to reduce the data waiting time (first transmission time) in the relay device, that is, to reduce the total data transmission time.

On the other hand, if the first transmission time is equal to or less than the time obtained by adding the period to the predetermined ratio of the allowable delay range, it is determined that the data waiting time in the relay device is within the allowable range, and the information creating unit does not set the first offset. This prevents the control from becoming unnecessarily complicated by changing the next transmission timing of data in another device until the waiting time of data in the relay device is not so long.

A relay device according to a fourth aspect is the relay device according to the second or third aspect, wherein the information creation unit sets the first offset so that the time obtained by adding the first offset to the cycle is equal to or less than a preset allowable transmission time.

In this relay device, the information creating unit determines the first offset for delaying the next transmission timing of data in another device from the cycle based on the first transmission time related to the relay of data. Here, the information creating unit determines the first offset so that the time obtained by adding the first offset to the cycle is equal to or less than the allowable transmission time. Thus, even if another device transmits the next data at the timing after the time obtained by adding the first offset to the period from the previous transmission completion timing of the data, it is possible to prevent the total transmission time of the data from exceeding the allowable transmission time.

Here, the "permissible transmission time" is the maximum permissible time from the previous data reception timing to the current data reception timing (total data transmission time), which is set for each periodical series of data in the data transmission destination device.

An information processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data created based on the first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data that is periodically transmitted at a timing based on a set cycle, an adjustment unit that adjusts the next transmission timing of the data based on the information, and a transmission unit that transmits the data to another device at the next transmission timing.

This information processing device periodically transmits data to another device via a relay device. At this time, the information acquisition unit acquires information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data created based on the first transmission time of the data in the relay device. In the information processing device, the adjustment unit adjusts the next transmission timing of data based on the information, and the transmission unit transmits data to the other device at the adjusted next transmission timing.

As a result, the next transmission timing of the data is adjusted based on the first transmission time of the data in the relay device, so that the duplication of the transmission (relay) timing of the data and other data transmitted in the same period in the relay device is eliminated or the duplication time is reduced. As a result, the data waiting time in the relay device is reduced, and the data transmission time is reduced.

In the information processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, in the information processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the information acquisition unit acquires information of a first offset that delays the next transmission timing of the data from the cycle, and the adjustment unit determines the next transmission timing as the timing after the time obtained by adding the first offset to the cycle from the previous transmission completion timing of the data based on the information of the first offset.

In this information processing device, the information acquisition unit acquires the information of the first offset that is set based on the first transmission time of the data in the relay device and delays the next transmission timing of the data from the period. In the information processing device, the adjustment unit sets the next transmission timing to be the timing after the elapse of the time obtained by adding the first offset to the cycle from the previous transmission completion timing of the data. The transmission unit transmits data to the other device at the adjusted next transmission timing.

In this way, the next transmission timing of data is delayed by the first offset from the cycle, and the overlapping of the transmission timings of the data and other data of the same cycle in the relay device is eliminated or the overlapping time is reduced, thereby reducing the data transmission time.

An information processing apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the information processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, further comprising: a second time acquisition unit configured to acquire a second transmission time of the data in the information processing device when the information acquisition unit fails to acquire the information of the first offset; to send the data to.

In this information processing device, when the information acquisition unit fails to acquire the information of the first offset from the relay device, the second time acquisition unit acquires the second transmission time of the data in the information processing device, the setting unit sets the second offset for the cycle based on the second transmission time, and the transmission unit transmits the data at the timing after the time obtained by adding the second offset to the cycle from the previous transmission completion timing of the data.

Note that "the case where the first offset information could not be acquired" includes both the case where the first offset information is not transmitted from the relay device to the information processing device and the case where the first offset of the acquired first offset information is 0 (first offset = 0).

Further, the "second transmission time" is the time from the timing at which data can be transmitted in the information processing device, which is the source of the data, to the timing at which data transmission from the information processing device is completed.

In this case, when the information processing device does not acquire the first offset information from the relay device, that is, when the first offset is not set because the data waiting time in the relay device is within the allowable range, the data waiting time in the information processing device is determined based on the second transmission time.

When it is determined that the data waiting time in the information processing device exceeds the allowable range, the second offset is set based on the second transmission time of the data, and the next data is transmitted at the timing after the time obtained by adding the second offset to the cycle from the previous transmission completion timing. As a result, on the communication path from the information processing device to the relay device, overlap of transmission timing with other data having the same period is eliminated or overlap time is reduced. As a result, data transmission time (standby time in the information processing apparatus) is reduced.

An information processing apparatus according to an eighth aspect includes a time information acquisition unit that acquires information on a first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data that is periodically transmitted at a timing based on a set cycle, an adjustment unit that adjusts the next transmission timing of the data based on the first transmission time, and a transmission unit that transmits the data to another device at the next transmission timing.

This information processing device periodically transmits data to another device via a relay device. The time information acquisition unit of the information processing device acquires information on the first transmission time of the data in the relay device. The adjustment unit of the information processing device adjusts the next transmission timing of the data based on the information of the first transmission time. The transmission unit of the information processing device transmits the data to the other device at the adjusted next transmission timing.

In this way, the next transmission timing of data is adjusted based on the first transmission time of data in the relay device. Therefore, when the transmission (relay) timing overlaps with other data transmitted in the same period as the data in the relay device, by adjusting the next transmission timing, the overlap of the transmission timing with other data is eliminated or the overlap time is reduced, and the data waiting time in the relay device is reduced. That is, the data transmission time is reduced. In addition, since the relay device only acquires (measures) the first transmission time, the control load is reduced.

In a relay method according to a ninth aspect, a computer acquires a first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data periodically transmitted from another device at a timing based on a set cycle, creates information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data in the other device based on the first transmission time, and notifies the other device of the information.

According to this relay method, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained.

In an information processing method according to a tenth aspect, a computer acquires information related to determining the next transmission timing of the data created based on a first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data that is periodically transmitted at a timing based on a set cycle, adjusts the next transmission timing of the data based on the information, and transmits the data to another device at the next transmission timing.

According to this information processing method, the same effects as those of the fifth aspect are obtained.

In an information processing method according to an eleventh aspect, a computer acquires information of a first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data that is periodically transmitted at a timing based on a set cycle, adjusts the next transmission timing of the data based on the first transmission time, and transmits the data to another device at the next transmission timing.

According to this information processing method, the same effects as those of the eighth aspect are obtained.

A program according to a twelfth aspect causes a computer to acquire a first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data periodically transmitted from another device at a timing based on a set cycle, create information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data in the other device based on the first transmission time, and notify the other device of the information.

By causing a computer to execute this program, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained.

A program according to a thirteenth aspect causes a computer to acquire information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data created based on a first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data that is periodically transmitted at a timing based on a set cycle, adjust the next transmission timing of the data based on the information, and transmit the data to another device at the next transmission timing.

By causing a computer to execute this program, the same effects as those of the fifth aspect can be obtained.

A program according to a fourteenth aspect causes a computer to acquire information of a first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data periodically transmitted at a timing based on a set cycle, adjust the next transmission timing of the data based on the first transmission time, and transmit the data to another device at the next transmission timing.

By executing this program on a computer, the same effects as those of the eighth aspect can be obtained.

The present disclosure can reduce the transmission time of data via relay devices.

1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an in-vehicle system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a central GW (and ECU) according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a central GW according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of each ECU according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing flow of the central GW in the first embodiment; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing flow of the central GW in the first embodiment; It is a flow chart which shows an example of the flow of processing of 1ECU in a 1st embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relay table stored in the storage of the central GW in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a transmission state of periodic data from a source ECU to a destination ECU in the in-vehicle system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a central GW according to the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of each ECU according to the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing flow of the central GW in the second embodiment; FIG. It is a flow chart which shows an example of the flow of processing of the 1ECU in a 2nd embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows an example of the flow of processing of the 1ECU in a 2nd embodiment.

[First embodiment]
An in-vehicle system 10 incorporating a central gateway (hereinafter referred to as "central GW") and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle system 10 uses a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication protocol, and a central GW 20 is connected to a plurality of buses, here, a first bus 31, a second bus 32, and a third bus 33 (hereinafter referred to as "first bus 31 to third bus 33"). The central GW 20 corresponds to a "relay device".

A plurality of ECUs are connected to each of the first bus 31 to the third bus 33 . Here, for simplification of the drawing, only the 1ECU 41 and the 2ECU 42 are connected to the first bus 31, the 3ECU 43 and the 4ECU 44 are connected to the second bus 32, and the 5ECU 45 and the 6ECU 46 are connected to the third bus 33. The first ECU 41 to the sixth ECU 46 correspond to the "other device" and the "information processing device".

Next, the hardware configuration of the central GW 20 will be explained with reference to FIG.

The central GW 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 20A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20C, a storage 20D, and an input/output interface (input/output I/F) 20E. Each component is communicably connected to each other via a bus 20F.

The CPU 20A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each section. That is, the CPU 20A reads a program from the ROM 20B or the storage 20D and executes the program using the RAM 20C as a work area. The CPU 20A performs control of the above components and various arithmetic processing according to programs recorded in the ROM 20B or the storage 20D.

The ROM 20B stores various programs and various data. The RAM 20C temporarily stores programs or data as a work area.

The storage 20D is configured by a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. A relay program and a relay table 22 (see FIG. 8) are stored in the storage 20D of this embodiment. This relay program and relay table 22 may be stored in the ROM 20B.

The input/output interface 20E is an interface for communicating with each of other devices (first ECU 41 to sixth ECU 46 in this embodiment). In addition, the input/output I/F 20E uses the CAN communication protocol as the communication protocol.

Next, the functional configuration of the central GW 20 will be described with reference to the timing charts shown in FIGS. 3 and 9. FIG. In addition, FIG. 9 shows a timing chart of periodic data, which will be described later, transmitted from the source ECU (here, 1ECU41) to the destination ECU (here, 3ECU43) via the central GW20.

Definitions of terms used in the following description are described in advance (see FIG. 9).

- First transmission time t1: The time from the timing of the transmission request of the received periodic data to the timing of completing the transmission of the periodic data in the central GW 20 .

Second transmission time t2: Time from the timing of transmitting the periodic data to the timing of completing the transmission of the periodic data in the ECU that is the transmission source of the periodic data.

・Total transmission time: The time from the previous reception timing of the periodic data to the current reception timing (transmission period + transmission delay time td (including offset (first offset or second offset)) in the destination ECU.

• Transmission delay time td: Time obtained by subtracting the transmission cycle from the total transmission time of the cycle data in the destination ECU (=total transmission time - transmission cycle).

The central GW 20 has a receiving section 50 , a first transmitting section 52 , a first time measuring section 54 , a first time determining section 56 , an offset determining section 58 and an offset transmitting section 60 . The first time measurement unit 54, the offset determination unit 58, and the offset transmission unit 60 correspond to the "first time acquisition unit", the "information creation unit", and the "notification unit", respectively.

The receiving unit 50 has a function of receiving data (including messages) (hereinafter referred to as “periodic data”) transmitted from the first ECU 41 to the sixth ECU 46 at timing based on a predetermined period and other data (hereinafter referred to as “non-periodic data”).

The first transmission unit 52 has a function of transmitting the received periodic data and non-periodic data toward the destination ECU (eg, the 3ECU 43) based on the transmission request. At the transmission timing, the first transmission unit 52 performs a process of transmitting periodic data or non-periodic data requested according to the CAN communication protocol onto the in-vehicle system 10 (for example, the second bus 32). The communication protocol in this embodiment is the CAN communication protocol. In the case of the CAN communication protocol, the smaller the CAN_ID number added to the data, the higher the priority. Therefore, when the transmission timing of periodic data transmitted from one other device (for example, 1ECU 41) overlaps with the transmission timing of periodic data transmitted from other devices (for example, 2ECU 42 to 6ECU 46) in the same cycle, data can be transmitted to the in-vehicle system 10 with the highest priority if the CAN_ID of the data is the smallest (transmission win), and if the CAN_ID is the smallest, the data can be transmitted after waiting for a while (transmission loss). The first transmission unit 52 completes the transmission of the periodic data to the in-vehicle system 10 after winning or losing the transmission.

By the way, in the relay table 22 stored in the storage 20D of the central GW 20, as shown in FIG. 8, information such as the source, the destination, the allowable transmission time, the transmission cycle, and the offset is stored for each period data received from the 1ECU 41 to the 6ECU 46. The offset stores the value of the first offset or the second offset that is selectively set.

The transmission (possible) timing of periodic data in the central GW 20 is, for example, the timing at which a transmission request is made. The timing at which the transmission request is issued is the timing at which the periodic data arrives at the central GW 20, the CAN_ID is read, the data is distributed to each destination bus, and the data is written to the transmission buffer.

The first time measurement unit 54 has a function of measuring t1 (refer to FIG. 9), which is the time (hereinafter referred to as “first transmission time”) from the timing of transmission (possible) of periodic data (the timing of receiving a transmission request from the periodic data) to the completion of transmission of periodic data in the central GW 20.

Note that the completion timing of transmission of the periodic data in the central GW 20 is, for example, the timing when the periodic data is written in the transmission mailbox of the central GW 20 .

The first time determination unit 56 has a function of determining whether or not the first transmission time t1 of the periodic data measured by the function of the first time measurement unit 54 exceeds the offset setting time.

That is, in the central GW 20, when the transmission timings of the periodic data of the same period transmitted from a plurality of sources (different ECUs) overlap, the waiting time (first transmission time t1 of the periodic data) in the central GW 20 for the periodic data whose transmission was lost increases. It is determined whether or not it is necessary to set a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as "first offset") for delaying the next transmission timing of the periodic data in the source ECU from the period in order to eliminate the overlap of the transmission timing of the periodic data in the central GW 20 or reduce the overlap time.

Here, the "offset setting time" is 1.1 times the transmission cycle of the cycle data. By the way, in this in-vehicle system 10, the allowable range (allowable delay range) for the transmission delay of periodic data is set to less than 20% of the transmission period. Therefore, the offset setting time is set when the delay (standby) time of the periodic data in the central GW 20 is 50% of the allowable delay range (10% of the transmission period). That is, "offset setting time = transmission cycle + transmission cycle x 10% = transmission cycle x 1.1".

By setting the offset setting time to (period + allowable delay range x 50%), it is possible to suppress the processing load of the central GW 20 and prevent the transmission delay time td (see FIG. 9) of the periodic data from exceeding the allowable delay range.

The first time determination unit 56 also has a function of determining whether or not the time obtained by adding the next first offset Yms (current (current) first offset + Xms) to the transmission cycle is less than the allowable transmission time (the next first offset Yms is less than the allowable delay time). When a second offset, which will be described later, is set, the above determination is performed with the current (current) second offset +Xms as the next first offset Yms.

Here, the "permissible transmission time" is the time from the previous reception timing of the periodic data to the current reception timing, which is set for each periodic data in the data transmission destination device (for example, the 3ECU 43). It is the maximum allowable time of the total transmission time.

This allowable transmission time is set for each cycle data in the destination ECU and stored in the relay table 22 (see FIG. 8).

When the first time determination unit 56 determines that the first transmission time t1 of the periodic data exceeds the offset setting time, and the time obtained by adding the next first offset Y ms to the transmission period of the periodic data is within the allowable transmission time, the offset determination unit 58 adds a predetermined time X ms to the current first offset that is set (updates the first offset). When a second offset, which will be described later, is set, the next first offset is obtained by adding a predetermined time X ms to the current second offset.

This predetermined time X ms is set to a time shorter than the minimum period set in the communication protocol (the CAN communication protocol in this embodiment), and is set to 1 ms in this embodiment.

Further, the offset determination unit 58 maintains the set first offset (does not update the first offset) when the first time determination unit 56 determines that the first transmission time t1 of the periodic data exceeds the offset setting time, and when the time obtained by adding the next first offset Yms to the transmission period of the periodic data exceeds the allowable transmission time.

Further, the offset determination unit 58 resets the set first offset (first offset=0 ms) when the first time determination unit 56 determines that the first transmission time t1 of the periodic data is equal to or less than the offset setting time.

The offset transmission unit 60 transmits the information of the first offset set by the offset determination unit 58 as offset information to the ECU (for example, the first ECU 41) that is the source of the data. When the first offset is not set or the first offset is 0 ms, the offset information is not transmitted to the ECU (for example, the first ECU 41) that is the transmission source of the period data. However, offset information indicating that the first offset is not set or that the first offset is 0 ms may be transmitted to the ECU that is the transmission source of the period data.

This "offset information (first offset information)" corresponds to "information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data in another device".

Next, the hardware configuration of the 1ECU 41 will be described with reference to FIG. Components similar to the hardware configuration of the central GW 20 are given the same reference numerals after the reference number 41, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the hardware configuration of the 2ECU42 to 6ECU46 is the same as that of the 1ECU41, the description thereof will be omitted.

That is, the first ECU 41 includes a CPU 41A, a ROM 41B, a RAM 41C, a storage 41D, and an input/output interface (input/output I/F) 41E. Each component is communicably connected to each other via a bus 41F.

A functional configuration of the first ECU 41 will be described. The functional configuration of the 2ECU42 to the 6ECU46 is the same as that of the 1ECU41.

The first ECU 41 has a request management section 70, a second transmission section 72, a second time measurement section 74, a second time determination section 76, and an offset setting section 78, as shown in FIG. The request management unit 70, the second transmission unit 72, the second time measurement unit 74, and the offset setting unit 78 correspond to the "adjustment unit", the "transmission unit", the "second time acquisition unit", and the "information acquisition unit and setting unit", respectively.

The request management unit 70 manages transmission timing for transmitting periodic data from the 1ECU 41 to other devices (in the present embodiment, the 2ECU 42 to the 6ECU 46). As an example, it can be managed using a counter that expires the count of period time. Further, the request management unit 70 delays the transmission timing of the periodic data from a predetermined cycle by a predetermined time (first offset or second offset described later) based on the offset information transmitted from the central GW 20, which will be described later, or based on the determination result of the second time determination unit 76, which will be described later.

The second transmission unit 72 performs a process of transmitting periodic data or non-periodic data requested according to the CAN communication protocol to the in-vehicle system 10 (here, the first bus 31) at the transmission timing. The communication protocol in this embodiment is the CAN communication protocol. In the case of the CAN communication protocol, the smaller the CAN_ID number added to the data, the higher the priority. Therefore, when the transmission timing of one other device (for example, 1ECU 41) overlaps with the transmission timing of other devices (for example, 2ECU 42 to 6ECU 46), if the CAN_ID of the data is the smallest, the data can be transmitted to the in-vehicle system 10 (here, the first bus 31) with the highest priority (transmission win), and if the CAN_ID is the smallest, the data can be transmitted after waiting for a while (transmission loss). The second transmission unit 72 completes the transmission of the periodic data to the in-vehicle system 10 after winning or losing the transmission.

The second time measurement unit 74 measures the time (hereinafter referred to as “second transmission time”) t2 (see FIG. 9) taken from the transmission (possible) timing of the periodic data to the completion of the transmission of the periodic data to the first bus 31 to which the first ECU 41 is connected. This second transmission time t2 is, for example, relatively short when the transmission timing of the periodic data does not overlap with the transmission timing of the periodic data transmitted from the other device and the periodic data can be transmitted immediately.

The second time determination unit 76 compares the second transmission time t2 measured by the second time measurement unit 74 with a predetermined specified transmission time. This prescribed transmission time is used to determine the length of waiting time for the periodic data in the ECU (eg, the first ECU 41) that is the transmission source of the periodic data. For example, if the transmission cycle of periodic data is 10 ms, it is assumed that 12 ms, which is obtained by adding the transmission cycle to the allowable delay range (20% of the transmission cycle), which is the communication establishment condition, is set as the prescribed transmission time. In this case, if the second transmission time t2 measured by the second time measuring unit 74 is 12 ms or less, it is determined that the period data waiting time in the first ECU 41, which is the transmission source, is within the allowable range, and if it exceeds 12 ms, it is determined that the delay exceeds the allowable delay range.

As an example, by setting the specified transmission time to be the same as the first offset setting time (1.1 times the transmission cycle (here, 11 ms)), it is possible to suppress the processing load on the other device (here, the 1ECU 41) of the transmission source and prevent the total transmission time of the cycle data from exceeding the allowable transmission time set in the in-vehicle system 10.

The offset setting unit 78 sets a predetermined time (offset) for delaying the transmission timing of the periodic data from the transmission period. Specifically, when offset information is received from the central GW 20 , the offset setting unit 78 sets the first offset of the offset information received from the central GW 20 to the offset of the first ECU 41 .

On the other hand, when the offset information is not received from the central GW 20 (or when the first offset of the offset information is 0 ms) and the second transmission time t2 of the periodic data exceeds the specified transmission time, the offset setting unit 78 sets a predetermined offset (hereinafter referred to as “second offset”) and uses the second offset as the offset of the first ECU 41.

When the offset setting unit 78 does not receive the offset information from the central GW 20 (or when the first offset of the offset information is 0 ms), and the second transmission time t2 of the data is equal to or shorter than the specified transmission time, the offset setting unit 78 does not set the second offset (sets (resets) the second offset to 0 ms).

Furthermore, the offset setting unit 78 transmits the set offset to the request management unit 70 . When the offset is set in the request management part 70, the next transmission timing of the periodic data is set to the timing (timing delayed by the offset from the transmission cycle) after the time elapsed by adding the offset (first offset or second offset) to the transmission cycle from the previous transmission timing.

(Processing flow)
The flow of processing in the in-vehicle system 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG.

Here, in the in-vehicle system 10, periodic data (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "this periodic data") is transmitted from at least the first 1ECU 41 connected to the first bus 31 to the second 3ECU 43 connected to the second bus 32. Periodic data having the same communication period as the main periodic data (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "other periodic data") is transmitted from the 5ECU 45 connected to the third bus 33 to the 4ECU 44 connected to the second bus 32. In the central GW 20, the transmission (relay) timing of the main cycle data and the other cycle data overlap, and the transmission of the main cycle data is lost. In this case, processing in the 1ECU 41 and the central GW 20, which are sources of periodic data, will be described.

First, the processes shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 are started by supplying power to the above-described other devices, that is, the central GW 20, the first ECU 41 to the first ECU 46, by actions such as turning on the accessories of the vehicle (ACC_ON), turning on the ignition (IG_ON), and connecting the battery to the battery terminal (+B_ON).

(Central GW)

First, the processing flow of the central GW 20 will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.

In FIG. 5, step S100 (hereinafter, "FIG. 5" is omitted), the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 receives the periodic data from the first ECU 41 via the first bus 31 by the function of the receiving unit 50, and determines whether or not a transmission (relay) request for periodic data has been received. That is, it is determined whether or not it is time to transmit (relay) (possible) periodic data in the central GW 20 .

Here, the "timing of the transmission request" is, for example, the timing at which the central GW 20 reads the CAN_ID of the received periodic data and writes it to the transmission buffer.

If a negative determination is made in step S100, the process waits in step S100 until there is a transmission request. If the determination in step S100 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 uses the function of the first transmission unit 52 to start transmitting the periodic data to the second bus 32 at the transmission (possible) timing, and uses the function of the first time measurement unit 54 to start measuring the first transmission time t1 (see FIG. 9) of the periodic data.

In step S<b>104 , the CPU 20</b>A of the central GW 20 determines whether or not the periodic data has been transmitted to the second bus 32 by the function of the first transmission unit 52 .

Here, the transmission completion timing is, for example, the timing at which periodic data is written in the mailbox of the central GW 20 .

If a negative determination is made in step S104, the process waits in step S104 until the transmission of the periodic data is completed. If the determination in step S104 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 completes the measurement of the first transmission time t1 (see FIG. 9) of the periodic data using the function of the first time measurement unit 54. FIG. That is, the CPU 20A uses the function of the first time measuring unit 54 to measure the time from the periodic data transmission request timing to the periodic data transmission completion timing as the first periodic data transmission time t1 in the central GW 20 .

Subsequently, in the central GW 20, the function of the offset determining unit 58 sets a first offset that delays the next transmission timing of the periodic data from the transmission period in the ECU that is the transmission source of the periodic data (here, the first ECU 41).

First, in FIG. 6, step S108 (hereinafter, "FIG. 6" is omitted), the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 determines whether or not the periodic data is transmitted for the first time after the central GW 20 is activated by the function of the offset determination unit 58.

If the determination in step S108 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S110, and if the determination in step S108 is negative, the process proceeds to step S112.

In step S110, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 sets the first offset (initial value) for this period data to 0 ms by the function of the offset determination unit 58. FIG.

Subsequently, in step S112, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 uses the function of the offset determination unit 58 to determine whether or not the first transmission time t1 of the periodic data is longer than 1.1 times the transmission period of the periodic data (offset set time). In the in-vehicle system 10, the periodic data communication establishment condition (permissible delay range of periodic data) is set to less than 20% of the transmission period (the total transmission time of periodic data (transmission period + transmission delay time td (including offset (first offset or second offset)) is less than 1.2 times the transmission period). Based on this, periodic data whose transmission delay time td is 50% of the permissible delay range and 10% of the transmission period (the first transmission time t1 is 1.1 times the transmission period) or more is determined as an offset. It is intended.

If the determination in step S112 is negative, the process proceeds to step S114, and if the determination in step S112 is positive, the process proceeds to step S116.

In step S<b>114 , the CPU 20</b>A of the central GW 20 resets (to 0 ms) the first offset set for the period data using the function of the offset determination unit 58 . That is, if the first transmission time t1 of the periodic data is less than 1.1 times the transmission period, the standby time of the periodic data in the central GW 20 is within the allowable range, and it is determined that there is no need to set the first offset to the transmission timing of the periodic data in the source ECU.

On the other hand, in step S116, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 uses the function of the offset determination unit 58 to determine whether or not the time obtained by adding the next first offset Yms (=current first offset + Xms) to the transmission cycle is shorter than the allowable transmission time of the cycle data.

This is because even if (the first transmission time t1 of) the periodic data is subject to offset setting (YES in step S112) in the central GW 20, if the total transmission time (transmission cycle + transmission delay time td (including the first offset)) of the periodic data in the destination ECU becomes greater than or equal to the allowable transmission time by updating the first offset (adding X ms), the total transmission time will also be greater than or equal to the allowable transmission time. It is determined whether addition (update) is possible or not.

When the second offset is set, the above determination is performed with "current second offset + Xms" as the next first offset Yms.

If the determination in step S116 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S118, and if the determination in step S116 is negative, the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S118, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 sets a new first offset (next first offset) by adding Xms to the current first offset (updates the first offset) by using the function of the offset determining unit 58. When the second offset is set, the value obtained by adding Xms to the second offset is set as a new first offset (next first offset).

On the other hand, in step S120, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 maintains the current first offset (does not update the first offset) by the function of the offset determination unit 58. FIG. This is because when the first offset is updated (added by X ms), the period data transmission time exceeds the allowable transmission time in the destination ECU (for example, the 3ECU 43), so the addition (update) of the first offset is stopped.

Next, in step S121, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 determines whether or not the first offset that has not been updated is 0 ms (whether or not the first offset is set) by the function of the offset setting section 78. FIG.

If the result in step S121 is affirmative, the process ends, and if the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S122.

When the first offset for the periodic data is changed (updated) as in steps S114 and S118, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 updates the offset stored in the relay table 22 stored in the storage 20D by the function of the offset determination unit 58.

In step S122, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 uses the function of the offset setting unit 78 to send information (offset information) of the first offset (≠0 ms) for the next transmission of the periodic data to the ECU (here, the first ECU 41) that is the transmission source of the periodic data, and the process ends.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S121, or if the offset is not set (reset) (offset=0 ms) as in step S114, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 terminates the process without transmitting the offset information to the ECU (here, the first ECU 41) that is the source of the period data by the function of the offset determination unit 58.

This series of processes is repeated for a plurality of period data transmitted from the 1ECU41 to the 6ECU46.

(Processing on the ECU side)

The processing of the ECU (here, the first ECU 41) that is the transmission source of the period data will be described. The same applies to the second ECU 42 to the sixth ECU 46.

In step S200 of FIG. 7 (hereinafter, "FIG. 7" is omitted), the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 determines whether or not the cycle data is at the transmission (start) timing in the request management section 70. For example, if the transmission period of the periodic data is 10 ms, the transmission timing basically arrives at intervals of 10 ms. When an offset (first offset or second offset) is set, the transmission timing of the periodic data is the transmission timing after the time obtained by adding the offset to the transmission period (10 ms) has elapsed from the previous transmission completion timing of the periodic data.

This transmission timing can be measured using a time counter, and the transmission timing can be determined by the expiration of the counter value.

If a negative determination is made in step S200, the process waits in step S200 until an affirmative determination is made. If the determination in step S200 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 uses the function of the second transmission unit 72 to start transmitting the periodic data to the first bus 31 at the transmission timing, and uses the function of the second time measurement unit 74 to start measuring the second transmission time t2 of the periodic data from the transmission timing.

Subsequently, in step S204, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 determines whether or not the transmission of the period data to the first bus 31 has been completed by the function of the second transmission section 72.

If the determination in step S204 is negative, the process waits in step S204 until an affirmative determination is made.

If the determination in step S204 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S206. That is, in step S206, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 uses the function of the second time measuring unit 74 to complete the measurement of the second transmission time t2 from the start of transmission of the periodic data to the first bus 31 to the completion of the transmission.

Next, in the 1ECU 41, next transmission timing setting control of periodic data is performed.

First, in step S208, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 determines whether offset information has been received from the central GW 20 by the function of the offset setting unit 78.

If the determination in step S208 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S210, and if the determination in step S208 is negative, the process proceeds to step S212.

In step S210, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 uses the function of the offset setting unit 78 to delay the next transmission timing of the cycle data by the first offset from the transmission cycle based on the offset information (updates the transmission timing).

On the other hand, in step S212, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 determines whether or not the second transmission time t2 is longer than the prescribed transmission time by the function of the offset setting section 78.

If the determination in step S212 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S214, and if the determination in step S212 is negative, the process proceeds to step S216.

That is, in step S214, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 uses the function of the offset setting unit 78 to delay the next transmission timing from the transmission cycle by a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as "second offset") (updates the transmission timing). Although step S214 is combined into one step, as in steps S116 to S122 for setting the first offset in the central GW 20, if the time obtained by adding the next second offset Y ms (current second offset + X ms) to the transmission period is less than the allowable transmission time, X ms is added to the second offset (update the second offset), and if it is equal to or longer than the allowable transmission time, the second offset is maintained (the second offset is not updated).

On the other hand, in step S216, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 uses the function of the offset setting unit 78 to set the transmission timing to the transmission cycle (reset the second offset (set the second offset to 0 ms)). This is because both the central GW 20 and the first ECU 41 determine that the waiting time of the periodic data (the time included in the first transmission time t1 and the second transmission time t2, respectively) is within the allowable range, so that it is determined that there is no need to set the offset (the first offset or the second offset), and the transmission timing of the periodic data is set as the transmission cycle.

Finally, in step S218, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 transmits (starts) periodic data at the updated transmission timing by the function of the second transmission unit 72. Note that when the second offset is set or reset in this process, the information is transmitted to the central GW 20 . As a result, the offset of the relay table 22 stored in the central GW 20 is updated.

(effect)
In the in-vehicle system 10 of this embodiment, the length of the standby time of the periodic data in the central GW 20 is determined based on the first transmission time t1 of the periodic data in the central GW 20 . Therefore, when the first transmission time t1 is longer than the offset setting time, the central GW 20 determines that the length of the waiting time of this periodic data exceeds the allowable range, and delays the next transmission timing of this periodic data by the first offset. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the duplication of the transmission (relay) timing of this periodic data and other periodic data having the same period on the central GW 20 . That is, it is possible to suppress the waiting time of the periodic data in the central GW 20 and reduce the total transmission time of the periodic data.

In addition, in the central GW 20, when the first transmission time t1 of the periodic data continuously exceeds the offset setting time, by increasing (updating) the first offset by X ms, the overlapping of the transmission timings of the present periodic data and other periodic data having the same period can be reliably eliminated or the overlap time can be reliably reduced.

Note that in the present embodiment, the unit of addition X ms when updating the first offset is 1 ms. This addition unit is set smaller than the minimum value of the transmission cycle that can be set by the communication protocol. In this embodiment, since the minimum value of the transmission cycle of the CAN communication protocol is several ms, by setting the addition unit X ms of the first offset to 1 ms, which is smaller than that, the transmission timing of the periodic data can be adjusted within the transmission cycle.

Also, in the central GW 20, when the time obtained by adding the next first offset Yms (current first offset (or current second offset) + Xms) to the transmission cycle of the periodic data is no longer less than the allowable transmission time, updating (addition) of the first offset is stopped. This is because if the central GW 20 updates the next transmission timing of this periodic data, the total transmission time of the periodic data (transmission cycle + next first offset Yms) will exceed the allowable transmission time.

On the other hand, in this case, if the first offset is reset (to 0 ms), the transmission timing of this periodic data in the central GW 20 may overlap with the transmission timing of other periodic data that originally overlapped, and the standby time and total transmission time of this periodic data may increase. However, in the in-vehicle system 10, by maintaining the first offset in this case, it is possible to prevent an increase in waiting time and total transmission time in the central GW 20. FIG.

On the other hand, in the central GW 20, when the first transmission time t1 of the periodic data becomes shorter than the offset setting time (transmission period T×1.1), the central GW 20 determines that the waiting time of the periodic data is within the allowable range, and resets the first offset setting for the periodic data (first offset=0 ms).

In this case, the source ECU (for example, the first ECU 41) determines whether or not the second transmission time t2 of the periodic data in the ECU exceeds the prescribed transmission time. As a result, it is determined whether or not the transmission timing of other periodic data having the same period as this periodic data overlaps on the same bus, and the standby time of the periodic data in the source ECU exceeds the allowable range. When the second transmission time of the periodic data exceeds the prescribed transmission time, the transmission timing of the ECU (e.g., the first ECU 41) is updated to the timing delayed by the second offset from the transmission period, thereby reducing the waiting time of the periodic data in the ECU (e.g., the first ECU 41) and reducing the total transmission time of the periodic data.

[Second embodiment]
An in-vehicle system 100 incorporating a central gateway (hereinafter referred to as "central GW") and an ECU according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Components similar to those of the in-vehicle system 100 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different parts will be described in detail.

(composition)
First, the functional configuration of the central GW 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 10, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

The central GW 20 has a receiving section 50, a first transmitting section 52, a first time measuring section 54, and a time information transmitting section 202, as shown in FIG.

The time information transmission unit 202 has a function of transmitting time information, which is information on the first transmission time t1 measured by the first time measurement unit 54 in the central GW 20, to the ECU (for example, the first ECU 41) that is the source of the periodic data. This "time information (information on the first transmission time t1)" corresponds to "information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data in another device".

Next, the functional configuration of the 1ECU 41 will be described with reference to FIG. 11, focusing on differences from the first embodiment. The second ECU42 to the sixth ECU46 are the same as the first ECU41.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first ECU 41 includes a request management unit 70, a second transmission unit 72, a time information acquisition unit 204, a first time determination unit 206, a first offset setting unit 208, a second time measurement unit 74, a second time determination unit 76, and a second offset setting unit 78. The second transmission section 72, the second time measurement section 74, and the first offset setting section 208 correspond to the "transmission section," the "second time acquisition section," and the "adjustment section," respectively.

The time information acquisition unit 204 has a function of receiving time information (first transmission time t1) transmitted from the central GW 20 .

The first time determination unit 206 has the same determination function as the first time determination unit 56 in the central GW 20 of the first embodiment.

The first offset setting unit 208 has a function of setting a first offset in the same manner as the offset determining unit 58 in the central GW 20 of the first embodiment.

The request management unit 70 has a function of delaying the transmission timing of the periodic data by a predetermined time, i.e., the offset (first offset or second offset) based on the first offset set by the first offset setting unit 208 or the second offset set by the second offset setting unit 210.

(Processing flow)
The flow of processing in the in-vehicle system 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 12 to 14. FIG. Here, in the in-vehicle system 100, as in the first embodiment, at least the periodic data transmitted from the 1ECU41 to the 3ECU43 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "this periodic data") and the periodic data (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "other periodic data") having the same transmission period as the present periodic data transmitted from the 5ECU45 to the 4ECU44 In the central GW 20, the transmission timing overlaps. It is In this case, processing in the 1ECU 41 and the central GW 20, which are sources of periodic data, will be described.

Further, steps similar to those in the first embodiment are assigned the same step numbers, and detailed descriptions of the steps are omitted.

(Central GW)
First, the processing flow of the central GW 20 will be described.

In FIG. 12, steps S100 to S106 (hereinafter, “FIG. 12” is omitted), the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 measures the first transmission time t1 using the function of the first time measuring section 54. FIG.

In step S130, the CPU 20A of the central GW 20 uses the function of the time information transmission unit 202 to transmit the time information of the measured period data (information of the first transmission time t1) to the ECU (here, the first ECU 41) that is the transmission source of the period data.

(ECU)
Next, the processing flow of the ECU (here, the first ECU 41) that is the transmission source of the period data will be described.

In steps S200 to S206 of FIG. 13 (hereinafter, “FIG. 13” is omitted), the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 measures the second transmission time t2 of the periodic data by the function of the second time measuring section 74.

Next, in step S300, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 uses the function of the first time determination section 206 to perform control to set the first offset based on the first transmission time t1 of the time information.

Specifically, in FIG. 14, step S402 (hereinafter, "FIG. 14" is omitted), the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 acquires time information (information on the first transmission time t1) by the function of the time information acquisition unit 204.

Thereafter, in steps S404 to S416, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 uses the functions of the first time determination unit 206 and the first offset setting unit 208 to set the first offset based on the first transmission time t1, as in the first embodiment.

After setting the first offset, the process returns to the process shown in FIG.

In addition, in the flowchart of FIG. 14, the step numbers written in parentheses next to each step number are the step numbers of the first embodiment that perform the same function.

In FIG. 13, step S302 (hereinafter, "FIG. 13" is omitted), the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 determines whether or not the first offset is set (first offset≠0) by the function of the request management unit 70.

Thereafter, in steps S210 to S216, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 updates the (next) transmission timing of the periodic data by the function of the offset setting unit 78, etc., in the same way as in steps S210 to S216 of the first embodiment.

Finally, in step S218, the CPU 41A of the first ECU 41 transmits (starts) periodic data at the updated transmission timing by the function of the second transmission unit 72.

(effect)

Also in the in-vehicle system 100 according to the second embodiment, the length of the standby time of the periodic data in the central GW 20 is determined based on the first transmission time t1 of the periodic data in the central GW 20 . Therefore, when the first transmission time t1 is longer than the offset set time, the central GW 20 determines that the transmission (relay) timing of this cycle data and other cycle data overlaps and the waiting time of this cycle data exceeds the allowable range, and delays the next transmission timing of this cycle data by the first offset. As a result, it is possible to suppress the waiting time on the central GW 20 and reduce the total transmission time of periodic data.

Further, when the first offset is not set, the length of the waiting time of the periodic data in the first ECU 41 is determined based on the second transmission time t2 of the periodic data in the source ECU (here, the first ECU 41). Therefore, when the second transmission time t2 is longer than the specified transmission time, it is determined that the waiting time in the first ECU 41 is excessively long due to overlap of the transmission (relay) timing with other periodic data on the first bus 31, and the next transmission timing is delayed by the second offset. As a result, it is possible to reduce the waiting time in the first ECU 41 and reduce the total transmission time of the periodic data.

Furthermore, since the central GW 20 only measures the first transmission time t1 of the periodic data, the control burden on the central GW 20 is reduced.

(others)

In the in-vehicle systems 10 and 100 of the first and second embodiments, the entire communication protocol is the CAN communication protocol, but a different communication protocol (for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) communication protocol) may be used.

In addition, the central GW 20 connects networks of the same communication protocol (CAN communication protocol) (in the first and second embodiments, each bus and communication equipment connected to the bus (ECU in a series of embodiments)), but networks of different communication protocols may be connected to each other. For example, the central GW 20 may connect a CAN communication protocol network or communication device and an Ethernet (registered trademark) communication protocol network or communication device.

In the in-vehicle systems 10 and 100 of the first and second embodiments, the information of the first offset or the information of the first transmission time t1 is transmitted from the central GW 20 to the source ECU (for example, the first ECU 41).

Furthermore, in the in-vehicle systems 10 and 100 of the first and second embodiments, an offset is set in order to adjust the transmission timing of the periodic data in the ECU that is the transmission source of the periodic data. For example, it may be configured to change the transmission period.

In the first and second embodiments, the central GW 20 is used as the device for relaying periodic data, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any relay device that relays periodic data may be used.

In addition, although the in-vehicle system 10 has been described in the present embodiment, the network is not particularly limited as long as it has a relay device.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the case of transmitting from one ECU to another ECU has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. One communication device that transmits data and another communication device that receives data may be used. The source communication device and the destination communication device of the periodic data may be of the same type or of different types.

Although the emergency call device according to the embodiment has been described above, it is needless to say that it can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Further, the display processing performed by the CPU by reading the software (program) in the above embodiment may be performed by various processors other than the CPU. The processor in this case includes a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed to perform specific processing, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). A dedicated electric circuit or the like is exemplified. Processing may also be performed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different type (e.g., multiple FPGAs, CPU and FPGA combinations, etc.). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electric circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the storage is configured to store various data, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, recording media such as CD (Compact Disk), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory may be used as the storage unit. In this case, various programs and data are stored in these recording media.

10, 100 In-vehicle system 20 Central GW (relay device)
41 to 46 1st ECU to 6th ECU (other devices, information processing devices)
54 First time measurement unit (first time acquisition unit)
58 First offset setting unit (information creation unit)
60 offset transmitter (notifier)
70 Request Management Department (Coordination Department)
72 second transmitter (transmitter)
74 second time measurement unit (second time acquisition unit)
78 second offset setting unit (information acquisition unit, setting unit)
204 time information acquisition unit 208 first offset setting unit (adjustment unit)

Claims (14)

A relay device that relays data periodically transmitted from another device at a timing based on a set cycle,
a first time acquisition unit that acquires a first transmission time of the data in the relay device;
an information creation unit that creates information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data in the other device based on the first transmission time;
a notification unit that notifies the other device of the information;
relay device. 2. The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information is information of a first offset for delaying next transmission timing of said data from said period. 3. The relay device according to claim 2, wherein the information creating unit sets the first offset only when the first transmission time exceeds a time obtained by adding the period to a predetermined ratio of a preset allowable delay range of the data. 4. The relay apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information creating unit sets the first offset so that the time obtained by adding the first offset to the cycle is equal to or less than a preset allowable transmission time. an information acquisition unit that acquires information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data created based on a first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data that is periodically transmitted at a timing based on a set cycle;
an adjustment unit that adjusts the next transmission timing of the data based on the information;
a transmission unit that transmits the data to another device at the next transmission timing;
Information processing device. The information acquisition unit acquires information of a first offset that delays the next transmission timing of the data from the cycle,
The adjusting unit sets the next transmission timing to be the timing after the time obtained by adding the first offset to the cycle from the previous transmission completion timing of the data based on the information of the first offset.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. a second time acquisition unit that acquires a second transmission time of the data in the information processing device when the information acquisition unit fails to acquire the information of the first offset;
a setting unit that sets a second offset that delays the next transmission timing from the cycle based on the second transmission time;
7 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the transmission unit transmits the data to the other device at a timing after a lapse of time obtained by adding the second offset to the cycle from a previous transmission completion timing of the data. a time information acquisition unit that acquires information on a first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data that is periodically transmitted at a timing based on a set cycle;
an adjustment unit that adjusts the next transmission timing of the data based on the first transmission time;
a transmission unit that transmits the data to another device at the next transmission timing;
Information processing device. A computer acquires a first transmission time of data in a relay device that relays data periodically transmitted from another device at a timing based on a set cycle;
creating information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data in the other device based on the first transmission time;
notifying the other device of the information;
A relay method that performs processing. A computer acquires information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data created based on the first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data that is periodically transmitted at a timing based on the set cycle,
an adjustment unit that adjusts the next transmission timing of the data based on the information;
transmitting the data to another device at the next transmission timing;
An information processing method that performs processing. A computer acquires information about a first transmission time of data in a relay device that relays data that is periodically transmitted at a timing based on a set cycle;
adjusting the next transmission timing of the data based on the first transmission time;
transmitting the data to another device at the next transmission timing;
An information processing method that performs processing. Acquiring a first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data periodically transmitted from another device at a timing based on a set cycle to a computer;
creating information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data in the other device based on the first transmission time;
notifying the other device of the information;
A program for executing a process. Acquiring information related to determination of the next transmission timing of the data created based on the first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data that is periodically transmitted to a computer at a timing based on a set cycle;
adjusting the next transmission timing of the data based on the information;
transmitting the data to another device at the next transmission timing;
A program for executing a process. Acquiring information on a first transmission time of the data in a relay device that relays data that is periodically transmitted to a computer at a timing based on a set cycle;
adjusting the next transmission timing of the data based on the first transmission time;
transmitting the data to another device at the next transmission timing;
A program for executing a process.