JP2024018617A - vehicle control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress an increase in power consumption even when functions are distributed on the terminal side of a network.

SOLUTION: A vehicle control system 1 is configured such that a master node 2 and a plurality of slave nodes 7 communicate via a communication network B. The master node 2 specifies, for each slave node 7, a monitored port Px during a sleep period. Each slave node 7 transmits a wake-up signal and an event notification signal to the master node 2 when an input from the monitored port is detected during the sleep period. The master node 2 performs a wake-up operation based on the wake-up signal, and recognizes information obtained from the monitored port based on the event notification signal and the device port information.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The technology disclosed herein belongs to the technical field related to vehicle control systems.

Patent Document 1 shows a configuration example of an in-vehicle network in which ECUs are connected to each other via an in-vehicle network, and devices such as sensors and actuators are connected to each ECU (see FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1). .

Patent Document 2 discloses a technology in which a hub device is provided between a central processing unit and an in-vehicle device to decentralize vehicle functions at the end of an in-vehicle network.

Patent Document 3 discloses a technology for a LIN communication device having a wake-up mode in which the device wakes up in response to a signal applied to a WAKE port, and a sleep mode in which the device suspends operation.

JP2017-212725A International Publication No. 2021-010324 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-142662

Incidentally, in recent years, with the evolution of application technology, the evolution and change in functions particularly regarding vehicle behavior has been accelerating.

In conventional vehicle development, in response to the evolution and changes in vehicle functionality, the approach has been to individually build in-vehicle devices that implement each function, and then install them on the vehicle as retrofits after completion. For example, when providing an additional function related to door opening/closing, the in-vehicle device unit (e.g., sensor, actuator, and ECU that controls them) related to the new function must be built separately and then installed in the vehicle. , and to replace existing in-vehicle devices. By dividing the system by function as in the conventional configuration, it is easier to adopt advanced functions as add-ons to the vehicle, and there are advantages in that it is easier to outsource development for each function. This conventional configuration is very efficient when vehicle functionality evolves slowly.

However, as the speed at which vehicle behavior and end-of-vehicle functions evolve accelerates, the amount of development required to accommodate them inevitably increases. In other words, the conventional development style has the problem of not being able to respond flexibly and quickly to the rapid evolution and changes in vehicle functions.

Therefore, as shown in Patent Document 2, it is possible to decentralize the functions at the terminal side of the in-vehicle network by providing a central processing unit and connecting in-vehicle devices via a hub. In this case, as shown in Patent Document 3, if wake-up is enabled on the terminal side based on individual judgment, power consumption may not be reduced sufficiently.

The technology disclosed herein has been developed in view of these points, and it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption even when functions are distributed to the terminal side of the network in a vehicle control system. Our goal is to provide a vehicle control system that can

In order to solve the above problems, the technology disclosed herein targets a vehicle control system and includes a plurality of slaves, each having a plurality of ports including one or more input ports that accept input from an in-vehicle device. a master node having device port information of an in-vehicle device connected to the input port of each of the slave nodes and communicating with each of the slave nodes via a communication network; , a monitoring target port, which is the input port to be monitored during the sleep period, is specified to each of the slave nodes via the network, and the slave node receives the input port from the monitoring target port during the sleep period. When an input is detected, a wake-up signal is sent to the master node, and after the wake-up of the master node is confirmed, an event notification signal is sent to notify an event based on the input from the monitored port. If the master node receives the wake-up signal during the sleep period, the master node performs a wake-up operation and determines the monitoring target based on the event notification signal and the device port information received from the slave node. It is configured to recognize information obtained from the port.

The vehicle control system of the above aspect adopts a configuration in which the vehicle control system has a master-slave configuration and an in-vehicle device is connected to each slave node. By adopting such a configuration and subdividing the slave node configuration, it becomes possible to distribute functions to the terminals. In this aspect, the master node specifies ports to be monitored during the sleep period for each slave node. As a result, even when subdividing the configuration of slave nodes, it is possible to prevent an increase in power consumption and to appropriately manage power consumption.

In the above aspect, the specified signal may include a command for a monitoring interval for each monitoring port, and the slave node may monitor changes in input from the monitoring port at the monitoring interval during a sleep period. .

This makes it possible to further reduce power consumption in addition to the above aspect.

In the above aspect, the plurality of ports are general-purpose input/output ports, and the master node transmits initial configuration data indicating input/output settings of each of the general-purpose input/output ports to each of the slave nodes. The monitoring target port information may be included in the initial configuration data.

In this way, by setting the initial configuration data on the slave node and then specifying the port to be monitored, the slave node can be configured to respond flexibly and quickly to the evolution and changes in functionality of vehicle applications. While subdividing the configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption.

As described above, according to the technology disclosed herein, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption even when functions are distributed to the terminal side of a network in a vehicle control system.

Block diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle control system Block diagram showing an example configuration of a master node Block diagram showing an example configuration of a slave node Circuit block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the driver unit Diagram showing an example of the master configuration area Diagram showing another example of the master configuration area Diagram showing an example of the slave configuration area Diagram showing another example of the slave configuration area Diagram showing another example of the slave configuration area Flowchart showing an example of the operation of the vehicle control system Flowchart showing an example of the operation of the vehicle control system A diagram showing an example of configuration data transmitted and received in the operation of FIG. 11

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Identical or corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation may be omitted. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, configurations that are highly relevant to the content of the present disclosure will be mainly described.

Note that the following embodiments are illustrative, and the content of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited at all by the presence or absence of descriptions, illustrated numerical values, etc.

In addition, in this disclosure, with respect to configurations indicated by the terms "system," "unit," "module," and "node," some or all of them may be application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or programmable It can be realized with a dedicated circuit such as a logic array (PLA: Programmable logic array). Similarly, a "system," "unit," "module," or "node" executes computer-readable instructions (e.g., a program) to perform a particular function by performing predetermined processing steps. It can be realized with a processor circuit that allows

<Vehicle control system>
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a vehicle control system according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control system 1 is mounted on a vehicle CA, and has a configuration in which a master node 2 and a plurality of slave units are connected via an on-vehicle communication network.

In the example of FIG. 1, the plurality of slave units include a combination switch unit 4, left and right side mirror units 5, a steering switch unit 6, a cluster switch unit 31, an overhead console unit 32, a left and right seat heater unit 33, and a left and right side mirror unit 5. A door latch unit 34 is illustrated. Each slave unit is equipped with a slave node 7 (see FIG. 4) having a common configuration. For convenience of explanation, the side mirror unit 5, the door latch unit 34, and the seat heater unit 33 will be described with the same reference numerals on the left and right sides, respectively.

Specifically, the master node 2 and multiple slave units (in this example, the combination switch unit 4, the steering switch unit 6, the cluster switch unit 31, the right side mirror unit 5, the right seat heater unit 33, and the right door latch) unit 34) is bus-connected via communication network B1. In addition, the master node 2 and a plurality of other slave units (in this example, the overhead console unit 32, the left side mirror unit 5, the left seat heater unit 33, and the left door latch unit 34) are connected via the communication network B2. Bus connected.

The communication networks B1 and B2 are, for example, communication lines compliant with CXPI (Clock Extension Peripheral Interface). Note that the communication method is not limited to CXPI, and other communication methods (whether wired or wireless) may be used. Further, the number of communication lines used in the communication network is not particularly limited. Furthermore, a HUB (not shown), an ECU (not shown), etc. for communication relay may be provided in the middle of the communication network B.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the master node 2, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the slave node 7.

-Master node-
The master node 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a communication module 21, a recognition module 22, a judgment module 23, an operation module 24, and a memory 25.

The master node 2 includes, for example, one or more electronic control units (ECUs). The electronic control unit may be configured using a single IC (Integrated Circuit) or may be configured using a plurality of ICs. Additionally, an IC may include a single core or die, or multiple cooperating cores or dies.

[Communication module]
The communication module 21 has a function of receiving a reception signal from each slave node 7 and transmitting a transmission signal to each slave node 7 via the communication network B.

〔memory〕
The memory 25 includes a master configuration area 27 (see FIG. 5) in which configuration data (hereinafter referred to as "master configuration data") corresponding to each slave node 7 is stored.

The master configuration data includes initial configuration data set in each slave node 7 and device port information. In other words, the master node 2 holds the initial configuration data set in each slave node 7.

The device port information is data indicating the connection relationship between each port P of the slave node 7 and the device port of the in-vehicle device. In other words, the device port information is data indicating which function of the device port of the in-vehicle device is connected to each port P of the slave node 7.

Of the master configuration data, FIG. 5 shows master configuration data MC of the combination switch unit 4 (upper row of FIG. 5: also referred to as "first master configuration data MC1") and master configuration data MC of the side mirror unit 5 ( Lower part of FIG. 5: An example of the data (also referred to as "second master configuration data MC2") is shown. Further, FIG. 6 shows an example of master configuration data MC (also referred to as "third master configuration data MC3") of the steering switch unit 6.

The first master configuration data MC1 includes (1) device port information indicating the connection relationship between each port P1 to P12 of the combination switch unit 4 and each device port of the wiper switch 41, light switch 42, and turn switch 43; and (2) initial configuration data SC1 of the combination switch unit 4.

More specifically, a device port to which an ON/OFF operation signal of the wiper switch 41 is output is connected to port P1 of the combination switch unit 4, so the connection relationship is the device of the first master configuration data MC1. Saved as port information.

Similarly, ports P2 to P4 of the combination switch unit 4 are connected to a device port to which a speed setting signal of the wiper switch 41 is output, and port P5 is connected to a device port to which a light OFF setting signal of the light switch 42 is output. Since the ports are connected, each connection relationship is saved as device port information of the first master configuration data MC1. The same applies to the other ports P6 to P12 and each port P1 to P12 of the right side mirror unit 5.

The third master configuration data MC3 includes (1) a device indicating the connection relationship between each port P1 to P12 of the steering switch unit 6 and each device port of the auto cruise and audio operation switch 61 and the illumination LED 62; It includes port information and (2) initial configuration data SC3 of the steering switch unit 6.

Note that the memory 25 may be an internal memory built into an IC constituting the ECU, or an external memory externally attached to the IC. Furthermore, the memory may store, for example, a program for operating the CPU installed in the IC, or may store information such as processing results by the CPU.

Also, for convenience of explanation, the initial configuration data SC of the first master configuration data MC1 is designated with the symbol "SC1", and the initial configuration data SC of the second master configuration data MC2 is designated with the symbol "SC2", In some cases, the initial configuration data SC of the third master configuration data MC3 is given the symbol "SC3" and explained separately.

[Cognitive module]
The recognition module 22 performs recognition processing to recognize information acquired by a sensor mounted on an in-vehicle device based on the master configuration data MC stored in the memory 25 and changes over time in the detection signal received from the slave node 7. Execute. Here, information recognized in cognitive processing is referred to as "cognitive information." The recognition module 22 includes a decoding module 221 that decodes the detection signal received from the slave node 7, and an informationization module 222 that performs informationization processing on the decoded detection signal and recognizes the specific content of the detection information. include. The detection signal will be specifically explained later.

In addition, in this disclosure, the term "sensor" refers to sensors that measure and detect various physical quantities such as temperature, voltage, and current, as well as switches that accept various operations, cameras that capture images inside and outside the vehicle, and sensors that measure and detect various physical quantities such as temperature, voltage, and current. It is used as a concept that broadly includes radars that recognize targets, etc., and those that output mechanical and electrical conversion signals. Sensors include vehicle behavior information, occupant operation information, information on current flowing through actuators and applied voltage, vehicle failure status information, occupant status information, and/or external environment information (hereinafter collectively referred to as "sensing information"). information).

[Judgment module]
The judgment module 23 executes judgment processing to determine the behavior of the vehicle CA based on the recognition information recognized by the recognition module 22. The determination module 23 includes a purpose determination module 231 that determines the purpose of the behavior of the vehicle CA, an action plan module 232 that sets an action plan to achieve the determined purpose, and a , a behavior determination module 233 that determines an action to be actually executed, and a response determination module 234 that selects a means for realizing the determined action.

[Operation module]
The operation module 24 identifies an operation device corresponding to the vehicle behavior determined in the judgment process, generates an operation command signal for instructing the operation of the identified operation device, and sends the operation command signal to the slave node connected to the operation device. Execute the operation process to send. The operation module 24 includes an operation determination module 241 that determines an operation target and its operation amount for realizing a determined action, and an instruction generation module 242 that generates an operation command signal and transmits it to a slave node.

-Slave unit-
FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the combination switch unit 4, right side mirror unit 5 (hereinafter referred to as "right side mirror unit 5"), and steering switch unit 6 among the slave units illustrated in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the combination switch unit 4, the right side mirror unit 5, and the steering switch unit 6 are each provided with a common slave node 7. Each slave node 7 is provided with 12 general-purpose input/output ports P (hereinafter simply referred to as "ports P") for connecting in-vehicle devices. The slave node 7 is realized by, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit).

In this example, in the combination switch unit 4, a wiper switch 41 that accepts a wiper operation is connected to ports P1 to P4, a light switch 42 that accepts a light operation is connected to ports P5 to P9, and a turn lamp is connected to ports P10 and P11. A turn switch 43 that accepts operations is connected. P12 is a reserve port P. The wiper switch 41, the light switch 42, and the turn switch 43 are examples of in-vehicle devices that include sensors.

In the right side mirror unit 5, a turn lamp LED 51 (hereinafter referred to as "turn LED 51") is connected to ports P1 and P2, an indicator LED 52 is connected to ports P3 to P6, and a mirror storage lamp is connected to ports P7 to P12. A motor 53 for use is connected. Here, the turn LED 51, the LED 52, and the motor 53 are an example of an in-vehicle device including a sensor and an operation target. In other words, the turn LED 51, the LED 52, and the motor 53 are an example of a slave node having a sensor and an operation target.

In the steering switch unit 6, auto cruise and audio operation switches 61 are connected to ports P1 to P10, and illumination LEDs 62 are connected to ports P11 and P12. The operation switch 61 is an example of an in-vehicle device including a sensor. The illumination LED 62 is an example of an in-vehicle device that includes an operation target.

[Slave node]
Each slave node 7 includes a communication module 71, a register 72, a selector 73, and a driver group 74.

[Communication module]
The communication module 71 is connected to the communication module 21 of the master node 2 via the communication network B, and is configured to be able to perform bidirectional communication with the communication module 21 in accordance with CXPI. The communication module 71 includes, for example, an input/output circuit connected to the communication network B, an encoder and a decoder connected to the input/output circuit, and the like. Note that as for the specific circuit configuration of the communication module 71, a previously known configuration can be applied, so detailed explanation thereof will be omitted here.

[Driver group]
The driver group 74 includes a plurality of driver units 740 connected to each port P on a one-to-one basis. For example, if the slave node 7 is provided with 12 ports P, the driver group 74 is provided with 12 driver units 740.

The driver unit 740 is an IO circuit that can use port P as an input port or output port depending on external settings. As the driver unit 740, for example, a conventionally known general purpose input/output circuit (GPIO: General Purpose Input/Output) can be applied. FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the driver unit 740.

The driver unit 740 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes an output circuit 743 connected to port P, and a driver circuit 741 that drives the output circuit 743 based on output setting data of an output register 742. The output setting data of the output register 742 can be rewritten by a setting signal input from the OUT terminal.

The driver unit 740 includes an input circuit 745 that receives input to port P, and a receiver circuit 746 that converts the input received by the input circuit 745 into a detection signal. Receiver circuit 746 includes an AD converter 747 and a comparator 748. When the attribute of port P is analog input, AD converter 747 performs analog-to-digital conversion on the input of port P and outputs it from the AI terminal. When the attribute of port P is digital input, comparator 748 outputs the input of port P as a digital signal from the DI terminal.

The driver unit 740 is capable of changing the settings of each component based on a configuration signal based on an operation command signal. For example, the filter constant of the digital filter of the receiver circuit 746 can be changed based on the configuration signal.

〔selector〕
The selector 73 determines which terminal to enable among the terminals (OUT terminal, AI terminal, DI terminal) of each driver unit 740 based on the attribute data of each port P set in the slave configuration area 77, which will be described later. It has the function to select the

When the AI terminal is enabled, an analog input signal is input from port P. In this case, the analog input signal is converted into a digital signal by the input circuit 745 and the AD converter 747, output from the AI terminal, and written into the detection signal area of the register 72 via the selector 73. In FIGS. 7 to 9, which will be described later, the column labeled "detection signal" corresponds to the detection signal area. The detection signal area may or may not be included in the slave configuration area 77.

When the DI terminal is enabled, a digital input signal is input from port P. In this case, the digital input signal is output from the DI terminal via the input circuit 745 and the comparator 748, and is written into the detection signal area of the register 72 via the selector 73.

When the OUT terminal is enabled, output setting data based on the operation command signal is reflected in the output register 742 of the driver circuit 741. The driver circuit 741 drives the output circuit 743 to output from port P an operation signal (either a digital signal, an analog signal, or a PWM signal) based on the output setting data of the output register 742.

Here, the output setting data is generated, for example, based on the operation command signal received from the master node 2, using a logic circuit (not shown) in the selector 73, or using the value of the register 72. . In other words, the output setting based on the operation command signal is made to the output register 742 of the driver circuit 741 connected to the port P based on the operation command signal. Then, the output circuit 743 outputs an operation signal based on the operation command signal via the port P based on the output setting data. The operation command signal is, for example, a signal including identification data of the port P to which the operation target is connected, and output settings of each port P linked to the identification data.

Note that as for the specific circuit configuration of the selector, a conventionally known configuration can be used, so detailed explanation thereof will be omitted here.

〔register〕
The register 72 is provided with a slave configuration area 77 in which configuration data set for each slave node 7 (hereinafter referred to as "slave configuration data") is stored.

The slave configuration data includes, for example, (1) attribute data for each port P, (2) filter constants for a port P whose attribute is input (hereinafter simply referred to as "input port P"), and (3) settings for monitored ports. data, and (4) output setting data for a port P whose attribute is output (hereinafter simply referred to as "output port P"). In this disclosure, the initial setting information of the slave configuration data is referred to as "initial configuration data."

Here, the monitored port Px is the input port P that is monitored during the sleep period. The slave node 7 is configured to transmit a wake-up signal to the master node when an input from the monitored port Px is detected during the sleep period.

The initial configuration data setting flow, sleep operation, and return operation will be described later.

The slave configuration area 77 stores the aforementioned detection signal in addition to the slave configuration data. Note that the detection signal may be stored in a storage area other than the slave configuration area 77.

7 to 9 show an example of the slave configuration area 77 of the slave node 7. FIG. 7 shows an example of the combination switch unit 4, FIG. 8 shows an example of the right side mirror unit 5, and FIG. 9 shows an example of the steering switch unit 6.

In the following description, for convenience, the slave configuration area 77 in FIG. 7 will be referred to as a combination configuration area 771, the slave configuration area 77 in FIG. 8 will be referred to as a side configuration area 772, and the slave configuration area 77 in FIG. 9 will be referred to as a steer configuration area 773. It is sometimes explained by the name.

In FIGS. 7 to 9, the attribute data of each port P is described in the I/O attribute column. DI indicates that port P is a digital input. Further, DO indicates that port P is a digital output, AI indicates that port P is an analog input, AO indicates that port P is an analog output (not shown), and PWM indicates that port P is a PWM output. In other words, DI and AI indicate that port P is set as an input port, and DO, AO, and PWM indicate that port P is set as an output port.

For example, in the initial configuration data (t=T11) of the combination configuration area 771 shown in FIG. 7, ports P1 to P11 are digital inputs, that is, input ports. The filter constants of ports P1 to P11 are Qs1 to Qs11, respectively. The input port P11 is set as the port Px to be monitored during the sleep period, and its monitoring interval is set to Ti1. The monitoring interval indicates the monitoring interval of the monitored port Px during the sleep period. In other words, the slave node 7 of the combination switch unit 4 monitors the input of the input port P11, which is the monitored port Px, at every monitoring interval Ti1. Then, in the combination switch unit 4, the configuration signal sets the value of the digital filter of the driver unit 740 connected to the port P1 to Qs1. The same applies to ports P2 to P11.

In the combination switch unit 4, the input port P11 is connected to the left turn switch, and the master node 2 knows the connection relationship based on device port information. On the other hand, in this example, the slave node 7 of the combination switch unit 4 does not have information about the connection destination of the input port P11.

Furthermore, the selector 73 of the combination switch unit 4 enables the DI terminals of the driver unit 740 connected to the respective ports P1 to P11. As a result, the digital input signals from the ports P1 to P11 are written into the detection signal area of the register 72 via the selector 73, as described above.

For example, in the initial configuration data (t=T11) of the steer configuration area 773 shown in FIG. 9, ports P1 to P3, P6 are digital inputs, and ports P4, P5, P7 to P10 are analog inputs. That is, P1 to P10 are input ports. The filter constants of ports P1 to P3 and P6 are Qu1 to Qu3 and Qu6, respectively. Ports P11 and P12 are PWM ports and output ports. Furthermore, the input port P6 is set as the monitored port Px, and its monitoring interval is set to Ti2. In other words, the slave node 7 of the steering switch unit 6 monitors the input of the input port P6, which is the port Px to be monitored, at every monitoring interval Ti2.

In the steering switch unit 6, the input port P6 is connected to an audio ON/OFF switch, and the master node 2 knows the connection relationship based on device port information. On the other hand, in this example, the slave node 7 of the steering switch unit 6 does not have information about the connection destination of the input port P6.

-Vehicle control system operation-
10 and 11 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the vehicle control system.

[Step S1]
In the vehicle control system 1, when the master node 2 and slave node 7 are powered on, an initial configuration process in step S1 is executed.

First, the master node 2 transmits initial configuration data corresponding to the slave node 7 to the slave node 7. The slave node 7 that has received the initial configuration data SC from the master node 2 via the communication network B executes input/output settings for the port P based on the received initial configuration data SC.

In the example of FIG. 10, the master node 2 first refers to the first master configuration data MC1 and transmits the initial configuration data SC1 to the slave node 7 of the combination switch unit 4. The slave node 7 of the combination switch unit 4 receives the initial configuration data SC1 and stores the received initial configuration data SC1 in the combination configuration area 771 (see t=T11 in FIG. 7). Then, by the action of the selector 73, input/output settings for each port of the driver unit 740 of the combination switch unit 4 are executed. The input/output settings include, for example, settings for input/output attributes of the port P, settings for filter constants for the input port P, settings for monitoring target ports based on configuration data, and the like.

The slave node 7 of the combination switch unit 4 returns an acknowledgment to the master node 2 when input/output settings for each port of the driver unit 740 are completed. At this time, along with the acknowledgment reply, the detection data in the initial state stored in the detection signal area may be sent back in response to the request from the master node 2. The master node 2 stores the detection data received from the combination switch unit 4 in the memory 25 (see column "S1 (reception)" in the upper table of FIG. 12).

Next, the master node 2 determines whether the initial configuration process is completed based on the acknowledgment returned from the slave node 7. As shown in FIG. 10, when the acknowledgment from the combination switch unit 4 is OK, the initial configuration processing of the next slave node 7 is sequentially executed.

For example, the slave node 7 of the right side mirror unit 5 stores the initial configuration data SC2 received from the master node 2 in the side configuration area 772 (see t=T11 in FIG. 8). As in the case of the combination switch unit 4, input/output settings for each port of the driver unit 740 of the right side mirror unit 5 are executed by the action of the selector 73. Further, the right side mirror unit 5 returns an acknowledge RC to the master node 2, and, for example, upon receiving a request from the master node 2, returns detection data in an initial state. The master node 2 stores the detection data received from the combination switch unit 4 in the memory 25 (see column "S1 (reception)" in the lower table of FIG. 12).

For example, the slave node 7 of the steering switch unit 6 stores the initial configuration data SC3 received from the master node 2 in the steering configuration area 773 (see t=T11 in FIG. 9). As in the case of the combination switch unit 4, input/output settings for each port P of the driver unit 740 of the steering switch unit 6 are executed by the action of the selector 73.

When the initial configuration processing for all slave nodes 7 is completed, the flow advances to the next step S3.

On the other hand, for example, in the above example, if the acknowledgment received from the combination switch unit 4 is NG, the master node 2 re-executes the initial configuration process for the slave node 7 where the NG has occurred. Note that the number of times the initial configuration process is re-executed is not particularly limited and can be set arbitrarily.

[Step S3]
In step S3, normal operation is performed. For example, each slave node 7 transmits an input to the input port P or a change in the input as a detection signal to the master node. Upon receiving the detection signal, the master node 2 executes the above-described recognition process, judgment process, and operation process. Then, in the operation process, the master node 2 generates an operation command signal that commands the output content of the output port P set as output in the input/output settings, and sends the command signal to one or more slaves to be operated via the communication network B. Send to node. One or more slave nodes that have received the operation command signal output an operation signal based on the operation command signal from the output port P based on the operation command signal.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, a process will be described when the turn switch 43 is operated by the driver to turn to the right in normal operation.

[Step S31]
When the turn switch 43 is operated to the right turn side, an ON setting signal is input from the digital output port DOR of the turn switch 43 to the input port P10 of the driver group 74. For example, a digital signal that changes from "0" to "1" is input to the input port P10. This change in the digital signal is written into the detection signal area of the combination config area 771 via the driver group 74 and selector 73 (see t=T12 in FIG. 7).

[Step S32]
The slave node 7 transmits an event notification to the master node 2 when a change in the detection signal area is detected. In the event notification, the details of changes in the detection signal area are notified.

In this example, the value of the input port P10 in the detection signal area changes from "0" to "1" by the operation of the turn switch 43 described above (see FIG. 7), so the combination switch unit 4 changes the value of the detection signal area. The master node 2 is notified of the change. Specifically, for example, the combination switch unit 4 transmits to the master node 2, as a detection signal, detection data of the entire detection signal area in which a change in the input port P10 is reflected. In this way, the detection data of the entire detection signal area may be transmitted to the master node 2, or only the detection data of the input port P whose value has changed may be transmitted to the master node 2.

[Steps S33, S34]
In the next step S33, the master node 2 executes processing (also referred to as "event processing") according to the content of the event notification. In the event processing, the above-mentioned recognition processing, judgment processing, and operation processing are executed.

In this example, the master node 2 executes, as the recognition process, information processing based on the difference data between the detection data received in step S1 and the detection data received this time. Specifically, the master node 2 recognizes that the turn switch 43 has been operated to the right turn side based on the change in the port P10 of the combination switch unit 4 and the device port information.

Next, in the determination process, the master node 2 executes a determination process by the purpose determination module 231, action planning module 232, action determination module 233, and response determination module 234. In this example, the action of "turning on the right turn lamp of the vehicle CA (including the right turn lamp of the right side mirror unit 5)" is determined as the action to be executed by the vehicle CA.

Next, as an operation process, the master node 2 determines that the slave node 7 to which the right turn lamp is connected is to be operated, and that the operation content is to blink the right turn lamp. Then, the master node 2 generates an operation command signal C5 that instructs the right turn lamp to blink, and sends it to one or more slave nodes 7 (including the right side mirror unit 5) to which the right turn lamp is connected. Transmit (step S34). Specifically, the operation command signal sent to the right side mirror unit 5 is, for example, a signal instructing the output port P2 to output an ON operation signal (for example, a blinking operation signal).

[Steps S35, S36]
The slave node 7 of the right side mirror unit 5 receives the operation command signal (step S35), and outputs an operation signal based on the operation command signal from the port based on the operation command signal C5. Specifically, the slave node 7 of the right side mirror unit 5 outputs a digital operation signal instructing on-control from the port P2 based on the operation command signal C5 (step S36).

[Steps S37, S38]
In step S37, the master node 2 requests an acknowledgment from the slave node 7 that sent the operation command signal to confirm whether the output setting based on the operation command signal C5 has been made. Then, in the next step S38, the slave node 7 that has received the acknowledge request returns an acknowledge to the master node 2 indicating the status of the output setting based on the operation command signal.

In this example, acknowledgments are transmitted and received between the master node 2 and the slave node 7 of the right side mirror unit 5.

As described above, each time the detection signal changes, an event notification is sent from the slave node 7 to the master node 2, event processing is executed based on the event notification, and an operation target is operated based on the event processing.

[Step S4]
Returning to FIG. 10, in step S4, the master node 2 executes sleep processing. The sleep process is executed when the vehicle CA is unlikely to be used for a while, such as when the vehicle CA is parked in a parking lot and the ignition power is turned off. The trigger for executing the sleep process is not particularly limited, and can be arbitrarily set in the application of the master node 2, for example.

In the sleep process, the master node 2 transmits a sleep signal to the slave node 7 that is the target of sleep, instructing it to transition to a sleep state. The slave node 7 that has received the sleep signal executes a transition process to a sleep state.

In the slave node 7, if there is an input port P whose monitored port Px is set to ON, the monitored port Px is monitored during the sleep period. Further, if a monitoring interval is set in addition to the setting of the monitoring target port Px, the monitoring target port Px is monitored at the specified monitoring interval. In this example, the slave node 7 of the combination switch unit 4 monitors the input of the input port P11, which is the monitored port Px, at every monitoring interval Ti1. Furthermore, the slave node 7 of the steering switch unit 6 monitors the input of the input port P6, which is the port Px to be monitored, at every monitoring interval Ti2.

When the master node 2 finishes sending sleep signals to all the slave nodes 7 targeted for sleep, it transitions to a sleep state.

[Step S5]
During the sleep period, if an input from the monitored port Px is detected, a wake-up signal is sent to the master node. For example, when the audio ON/OFF switch of the steering switch unit 6 is operated during the sleep period, the input of the input port P, which is the monitored port Px, changes. Then, the slave node 7 of the steering switch unit 6 transmits a wake-up signal to the master node 2.

Also, for example, a chatter filter is implemented on the slave side. For example, if a change is detected in the slave node 7 after the chatter filter, the slave node 7 sends a wake-up signal to the master node 2 . By configuring the chatter filter, it is possible to prevent erroneous wake-ups due to noise, etc., and as a result, reduce power consumption.

More specifically, for example, the slave node 7 includes a monitoring circuit for monitoring, a power supply circuit for performing intermittent monitoring, and a communication circuit including a communication module 71 for communicating with the master node 2 . During wake-up monitoring in the sleep state, power is constantly supplied only to the monitoring circuit, and the power supply circuit operates intermittently (for example, it is energized for 10 μsec once every 10 msec). When a wake-up signal is received from the monitored port Px, the communication circuit is energized and the entire slave node 7 is activated. The slave node 7 then transmits a wake-up signal to the master node 2.

[Step S6]
When the master node 2 receives a wake-up signal from the slave node 7 to which the monitored port Px is set during the sleep period, the master node 2 executes the wake-up process. Specifically, power supply is started to each circuit that is in a sleep state. It also transmits a wake-up signal to the slave node 7 that has entered the sleep state. The slave node 7 that has received the wake-up signal executes wake-up processing. Note that, as described above, the slave node 7 (in this example, the slave node 7 of the steering switch unit 6) that received the wake-up signal is in an activated state as a whole at the time of step S5.

[Step S7]
Next, when the wake-up of the master node 2 is confirmed, the steering switch unit 6 issues an event notification to generate an event that triggered the wake-up. In this example, the steering switch unit 6 notifies the master node 2 of a change in the value of the detection signal area. Specifically, for example, the steering switch unit 6 transmits to the master node 2 the detection data of the entire detection signal area in which the change in the input port P6 is reflected.

[Step S8]
The master node 2 executes event processing based on the event notification received from the steering switch unit 6.

Specifically, first, the master node 2 recognizes the information acquired from the monitored port Px based on the event notification signal and device port information received from the slave node 7. In this example, it is recognized that the audio ON/OFF switch has been operated.

Thereafter, judgment processing and operation processing based on the recognition information that the audio ON/OFF switch has been operated are executed as necessary.

As described above, in the vehicle control system of the present embodiment, as a sleep operation and a return operation thereof, (1) the master node 2 specifies a port to be monitored during the sleep period for each slave node 7; 2) The slave node 7 transmits a wake-up signal and an event notification signal to the master node 2 when an input from the monitored port Px is detected during the sleep period. (3) The master node 2 transmits a wake-up signal and an event notification signal to the master node 2. A wake-up operation is performed based on the up signal, and information acquired from the monitored port is recognized based on the event notification signal and device port information.

Thereby, even when the configuration of the slave node 7 is subdivided, an increase in power consumption can be prevented and power consumption can be appropriately managed.

The vehicle control system disclosed herein is useful because it can respond flexibly and quickly to evolution and changes in vehicle functionality.

1 Vehicle control system
2 Master node 7 Slave node B Communication network SC1 Initial configuration data P Port

Claims (3)

A vehicle control system,
a plurality of slave nodes each having a plurality of ports including one or more input ports that accept input from an in-vehicle device;
a master node having device port information of an in-vehicle device connected to the input port of each of the slave nodes and communicating with each of the slave nodes via a communication network;
The master node specifies a monitored port that is the input port to be monitored during a sleep period to each of the slave nodes via the communication network,
The slave node transmits a wake-up signal to the master node when an input from the monitored port is detected during the sleep period, and after the wake-up of the master node is confirmed, the slave node transmits a wake-up signal to the master node. Send an event notification signal to notify of an event based on input from a monitored port;
When the master node receives the wake-up signal during the sleep period, the master node performs a wake-up operation, and acquires information from the monitored port based on the event notification signal and the device port information received from the slave node. A vehicle control system that recognizes the information provided. The master node instructs each of the slave nodes to specify the monitoring target port and a monitoring interval for each monitoring target port,
The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein the slave node monitors input from the monitored port at the monitoring interval during a sleep period. The plurality of ports are general-purpose input/output ports,
The master node is configured to send initial configuration data indicating input/output settings of each of the general-purpose input/output ports to each of the slave nodes, and information about the monitoring target port is included in the initial configuration data. The vehicle control system according to claim 1 or 2.