JP5131020B2 - Relay device, network system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay device that is interposed between a plurality of networks and relays data communication between these networks.

When data communication between a plurality of networks is relayed by the relay device described above, the data received via any one of the networks may be transferred to the network side that is the destination of this data. It is general (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-333438 A

  In the above configuration, data distributed to each network includes not only data destined for other networks but also data distributed only within that network. Normally, such data is distributed to other networks. Never do.

  Therefore, when performing tests and fault diagnosis on a system formed by multiple networks, the data distributed to each of the multiple networks must be collected and analyzed individually, and the work load Is big.

  Furthermore, in this case, it is necessary to directly or indirectly connect an external device used for data collection to each of the plurality of networks. However, depending on the mounting state of the system formed by the plurality of networks, Access to the connection path is often not easy.

  For example, exemplifying a case where a system formed by a plurality of networks is implemented as a vehicle network system, in this case, a connection path to several networks is covered with other components such as other parts in the vehicle. Therefore, it is difficult to access such a connection path.

  For such a difficult-to-access connection path, a lot of labor is required for performing tests and fault diagnosis, such as removing parts that cover the connection path or pulling the connection path to an accessible position. It becomes necessary. As a result, not only the work efficiency is remarkably lowered, but there is also a risk that the system itself or the system mounting target may be damaged along with the work.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its purpose is to improve the work efficiency and perform the test and failure diagnosis of a system formed by a plurality of networks. It is to provide a technology for preventing damage to the system and the mounting target during work.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a relay apparatus that is interposed between a plurality of networks and relays data communication between these networks may be configured as in a first configuration (claim 1) described below.

In this configuration, data transfer means for transferring data received via one of the networks to the network that is the destination of the data, and data distributed to each of the plurality of networks from any one of the networks are collected. when receiving the acquisition request to the effect that the data transfer mode by the data transfer unit, from the normal mode, a portion of the data received via any of the network, excluding the collection requesting network Mode switching means for switching to a collection mode for transfer to the collection request source network side.

In the relay apparatus having this configuration, the data transfer mode can be switched from the normal mode to the collection mode in response to a collection request from any network side.
In this normal mode, data received via one of the networks is transferred to another destination network. However, while switching to the collection mode, the collection request source network is excluded. In addition, some data received via any one of the networks is transferred to the network side of the collection request source regardless of the destination.

  Therefore, in a system composed of a plurality of networks, if a relay device as described above is interposed between the networks, a part of data distributed to other networks can be obtained by making a collection request from one of the networks. Can be transferred to the network side of the collection request source and distributed to this network.

  As a result, when performing system tests and failure diagnosis, data that is distributed to other networks in which the relay device is interposed in the collection request source network without collecting data individually for each network. Can be collected together. As a result, the work efficiency for testing and fault diagnosis can be greatly improved.

  Furthermore, even if direct or indirect access to the connection path to each network is not easy, if the connection path to one of the networks with the easiest access is secured, the data distributed to other networks can also be summarized. Can be collected.

  Therefore, it is possible to minimize operations such as removing parts covering the connection path to each network and drawing the connection path to an accessible position. From this point of view, it is possible to greatly improve the work efficiency for testing and fault diagnosis.

  In addition, it is possible to reduce the work such as removing parts covering the connection path to each network and pulling out the connection path to an accessible position. It is also possible to reduce the possibility of damaging the subject.

  In the above-described collection mode, “partial data” transferred to the collection request source network is, for example, all data that can be distributed to each network except the collection request source network, collected in the normal mode. It is predetermined as all data that is not distributed to the requesting network. Further, in this collection mode, only these “partial data” may be transferred, or in addition to the data in the normal mode, these “partial data” may be transferred. .

  In the above configuration, when switching the transfer mode, for example, when data transfer is realized based on a routing map in which each of data distributed in a plurality of networks and a destination of the data are registered in association with each other If so, it is conceivable to make the above configuration as a second configuration (claim 2) shown below.

In this configuration, the data transfer unit realizes data transfer with reference to a routing map in which each of data distributed in a plurality of networks and a destination of the data are registered in association with each other. Further, the mode switching means associates at least a plurality of routing maps referred to by the data transfer means with reference to a normal routing map in which a network serving as a destination of the data is registered in association with data distributed in a plurality of networks. The transfer mode is switched from the normal mode to the collection mode by switching to a collection routing map in which the collection request source network is registered in association with each piece of data distributed in the network.

  With this configuration, when a collection request is received from one of the networks, the data transfer mode is changed from the normal mode to the collection mode by a simple method of changing the routing map referred to when transferring the data. Can be switched.

  In this configuration, the collection routing map corresponding to each of the plurality of networks may be stored in advance in the storage unit. In this case, when a collection request is received, the collection request source is obtained from the normal routing map. It is sufficient to switch to the collection routing map corresponding to the network.

  If the external device connected to any network is configured to transmit not only the collection request but also collection information that can identify the collection routing map in accordance with the collection request. It is also possible to switch to the routing map specified from the collected information transmitted in this way.

For this purpose, it can be considered that the second configuration is changed to a third configuration (claim 3) shown below.
In this configuration, there is provided map storage means for storing a collection routing map specified by the collection information transmitted with the collection request in the storage unit. When the mode switching unit receives the collection request from any network side, the collection information received from the normal routing map with the collection request is referred to by the data transfer unit. Based on the above, the map is switched to the collection routing map stored by the map storage means.

  With this configuration, a desired collection routing map is stored by transmitting collection information that can specify a collection routing map to be switched afterwards from an external device connected to any network. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare one corresponding to each of a plurality of networks in advance.

  In this configuration, the collection information transmitted from the external device may be information that can identify the collection routing map, for example, the collection routing map itself, that is, information indicating all correspondences in the collection routing map. It is possible.

  In addition, it may be the information that shows the difference from the normal routing map in the collection routing map, that is, only the correspondence corresponding to the shortage. In this case, the correspondence corresponding to the shortage indicated by the collection information is added to the normal routing map. Then, this may be stored in the storage unit as a collection routing map.

  Here, the collection routing map stored in the storage unit may be stored in the storage unit as a routing map different from the normal routing map. However, the collection routing map has a structure in which some correspondences are additionally registered in the normal routing map, and it can be used as a normal routing map except for this additional registered correspondence. A correspondence relationship may be additionally registered in the routing map, and this may be stored in the storage unit as a collection routing map.

For this purpose, it is conceivable that the third configuration is changed to a fourth configuration (claim 4) as described below.
In this configuration, the collecting routing map, the normal routing map, a structure was additionally registers the collection request source network in association with the respective portion of the data to be distributed to at least a plurality of networks, also It is assumed that the collection information transmitted in response to the collection request is information indicating a correspondence relationship that is a shortage of the normal routing map with respect to the collection routing map. Then, the mode switching means sets each of the correspondence relations excluding the correspondence relation additionally registered in the collected routing map generated by the map storage means as a normal routing map, and the routing map referred to by the data transfer means Is switched from the normal routing map to the collection routing map, thereby switching the transfer mode from the normal mode to the collection mode.

  With this configuration, when the collection routing map is stored in the storage unit, the data amount of the collection information transmitted from the external device can be reduced, so that the communication load on the network can be suppressed.

  In each of the above configurations, as in a fifth configuration (claim 5) described below, the mode switching unit switches the data transfer mode by the data transfer unit from the normal mode to the collection mode. And a switching notification means for notifying the transfer request source network side that the transfer mode has been switched.

  In this configuration, the fact that the transfer mode has been switched can be notified to the user, such as an external device, which is the collection request source, by notifying the collection request source network side that the transfer mode has been switched. I can inform you.

  In each of the above configurations, the transfer mode may be switched whenever a collection request is received. However, the switching may be performed on the condition that another condition is satisfied. Good.

  As a condition in this case, for example, the state of communication through a plurality of networks is in a state suitable for switching the transfer mode, more specifically, the communication load through the plurality of networks. It is conceivable that the traffic is less than a certain level, or that the communication load allows the traffic that can increase after the transfer mode is switched.

For this purpose, each of the above-described configurations may be configured as a sixth configuration (claim 6) described below.
In this configuration, when receiving the collection request, there is provided state determination means for determining whether the state of communication via a plurality of networks is a state suitable for switching the transfer mode. . The mode switching means changes the data transfer mode by the data transfer means from the normal mode to the collection mode when the state determination means determines that the state is suitable for switching the transfer mode. Switch to.

  With this configuration, the transfer mode is switched on condition that not only the collection request is received but also the state of communication through a plurality of networks is suitable for switching the transfer mode. be able to.

  In each of the above-described configurations, it is only necessary to switch the transfer mode to the collection mode at least until the collection of data by an external device or the like is completed. The transfer mode may be returned to the normal mode with the elapse of a period assumed as the time until the collection of the transfer is completed.

  Further, when an external device connected to any network is configured to notify the end of data collection after the collection request, each of the above configurations is described below. It is good to make it like the structure of Claim 7 (Claim 7).

  In this configuration, the mode switching means changes the data transfer mode by the data transfer means from the collection mode to the normal mode when receiving the end notification from any network side after receiving the collection request. Return to.

  With this configuration, it is possible to return the transfer mode to the normal mode upon receiving an end notification from the external device. This end notification is for notifying that the external device has finished collecting data. By receiving this end notification and returning the transfer mode to the normal mode, until the data collection is completed. The transfer mode can definitely be switched to the collection mode only during the period.

  By the way, if it is a relay apparatus in each said structure, a network system can be constructed | assembled by preparing one or more and interposing between each different networks. Here, if only one relay device is interposed between a certain network and another network, even if a collection request is made from either network side, the data distributed from that network to the other network There is no problem because you can collect.

  However, if there is another network from one network to the other network, even if a collection request is made from one network side, the collection request does not reach the other network side as it is, and this other network It becomes impossible to collect the data that is distributed.

  However, in light of the objectives of improving work efficiency when performing system tests and fault diagnosis, and preventing damage to the system and mounting objects associated with the work, It is desirable to be able to collect data distributed from one network to the other.

For this purpose, each of the above-described configurations may be configured as in an eighth configuration (claim 8) described below.
This configuration includes request transfer means for transferring the collection request to each of one or more networks excluding the network when the collection request is received from any network side.

  With this configuration, a collection request from any network side can be transferred to each other network side. Therefore, even if there is another network from one network to the other, by interposing this relay device between the networks, the collection request from one network is relayed and the other network is relayed. Can be delivered to the side.

In this way, the data distributed to the other network is relayed in turn by each relay device, so that it can be distributed and collected on the one network side.
In addition, as a configuration for solving the above-described problem, there are one or more relay apparatuses that are interposed between different networks and relay data communication between the networks, and an external device connected to any one of the networks. The network system as described above may have a ninth configuration (claim 9) as described below.

  In this configuration, the relay device is the relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and the external device is any one of claims 3, 7, and any claim dependent thereon. Is an external device described in 1.

With the network system having such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of any of the first to eighth configurations can be obtained.
Further, as a configuration for solving the above problems, a program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for functioning as all means in any one of the first to eighth configurations (claim 10). It is good.

A computer system controlled by this program can constitute a part of any one of the first to eighth configurations.
Note that the above-described program is composed of an ordered sequence of instructions suitable for processing by a computer system, such as a relay device, a network system, a user who uses this, etc. via various recording media and communication lines. Is provided.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(1) Basic Configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 1 has one or more (in this embodiment, 2) relays that relay data communication between the networks 100 via a plurality of networks (buses). The apparatus 2 includes an external device 3 connected to any one of the networks 100, and a plurality of control devices 4 connected to each network 100. In addition, in this embodiment, it illustrates about the structure which interposed the relay apparatus 2 between the networks (CAN; Controller Area Network) in a vehicle.

  The external device 3 is a terminal device for performing a test or failure diagnosis on the network system 1 and is connected via a connector 5 provided in any one of the networks 100 at the time of the execution. The test and failure diagnosis are performed after collecting data distributed to each of the plurality of networks 100, and the external device 3 collects data distributed to each of the plurality of networks 100 prior to the execution. It is configured to make a collection request to the effect toward the connected network 100.

The control device 4 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that executes processing for controlling the operation of the control target while exchanging various data with other control devices 4 and the like.
As shown in FIG. 2, the relay device 2 performs data communication between a plurality of (two in this embodiment) transmission / reception units 10 connected to different networks 100 and the network 100 via the transmission / reception units 10. A data relay unit 20 for relaying. The data relay unit 20 is composed of a known microcomputer.

  Among these, the transmission / reception unit 10 includes a transceiver 12 that connects the network 100 and the relay device 2 at a physical layer level, a communication control unit 14 that controls communication between the network 100 and the relay device 2, and the like.

  The data relay unit 20 includes a plurality of reception buffers 22 that temporarily store data transferred from the respective transmission / reception units 10, a relay control unit 24 that relays data communication between the networks 100 via the transmission / reception units 10, It is composed of a plurality of transmission buffers 26 each temporarily storing data to be transferred to the transmission / reception unit 10.

  The relay apparatus 2 having such a configuration should transmit data when receiving data transmitted from a network device (in the present embodiment, the control apparatus 4) connected to a network 100, as will be described later. Data communication is relayed by specifying the destination network 100 and transferring the data to the specified network 100.

  This will be described by focusing on the data transmitted from the network device. This data is first received by the transceiver 12 of the transmitting / receiving unit 10 connected to the network 100. The transmitting / receiving unit 10 outputs the data received by the transceiver 12 to the communication control unit 14, and passes the data from the communication control unit 14 to the data relay unit 20.

  The data relay unit 20 that has received the data passed from the transmission / reception unit 10 stores the data in the reception buffer 22, and sequentially inputs the data stored in the reception buffer 22 to the relay control unit 24. To do.

  The relay control unit 24 that has input this data specifies the destination network 100 based on the identification information of the data, the network 100 to which the data is to be transferred, and the routing map indicating the corresponding relationship. Thereafter, in order to transmit the data to the network 100 thus identified, the data is output to the transmission buffer 26 corresponding to the transmission / reception unit 10 reaching the network 100. In this way, the data stored in the transmission buffer 26 is passed to the transmission / reception unit 10.

  In this way, the routing map referred to when specifying the destination includes a normal routing map that is normally used and a collection routing map that is used after receiving a collection request from the external device 3. Any one of them is selectively used in the collection and transfer process described later.

  In this collection routing map, a special correspondence relationship is registered in order to transfer all data distributed to each network 100 except the collection request source network 100 to the collection request source network 100 side.

Then, in the transmission / reception unit 10 that has received the data passed from the data relay unit 20 (the transmission buffer 26 thereof), the data is transmitted to the network 100 via the communication control unit 14 and the transceiver 12.
(2) Processing by Relay Control Unit 24 of Data Relay Unit 20 Hereinafter, a procedure of processing executed by the relay control unit 24 of the data relay unit 20 will be described.
(2-1) Collection / Transfer Processing First, the processing procedure of the collection / transfer processing that is started when a collection request from the external device 3 is received from one of the networks 100 after the relay device 2 is started is based on FIG. I will explain. Here, the collection request by the external device 3 is received by the transceiver 12 of the transmission / reception unit 10 connected to the network 100, and then the relay control unit via the communication control unit 14 and the reception buffer 22 of the data relay unit 20. 24.

  The external device 3 sends collection information that can identify the collection routing map simultaneously with or before or after the collection request, instructs the use of this collection routing map (use instruction), and then finishes collecting data. In this activation, not only the collection request but also the collection information is acquired. This collection information is a shortage of the collection routing map itself, that is, information indicating all correspondences in the collection routing map according to the specifications or settings of the external device 3, and a shortage of the normal routing map with respect to the collection routing map. There are cases where the information indicates only the correspondence.

  When this collection and transfer process is activated, first, the collection routing map specified by the collection information acquired prior to the activation is stored in the storage unit 28 built in the relay control unit 24 (s110). Here, for example, if the collection information is information indicating the collection routing map itself, a collection routing map in which the correspondence is registered is generated and stored in the storage unit 28 (see FIG. 4A).

  Further, if it is information indicating a shortage of the normal routing map with respect to the collection routing map, a correspondence relationship of the shortage indicated by the collection information is added to the normal routing map, and this is stored in the storage unit 28 as a collection routing map. At this time, the collection routing map may be stored in the storage unit 28 as a routing map different from the normal routing map (see FIG. 4A), but the collection routing map is partially included in the normal routing map. The correspondence relationship is additionally registered, and it is also possible to use this as a normal routing map except for the additionally registered correspondence relationship. Therefore, the correspondence relationship is additionally registered in the normal routing map. May be stored in the storage unit as a collection routing map (see FIG. 4B).

  Note that the collection information acquired prior to the start of the collection transfer process is information that can specify all the collection routing maps corresponding to each relay device 2 constituting the network system 1, and in this s110, from the collection information A collection routing map corresponding to the relay device 2 itself is generated and stored in the storage unit 28. That is, the collection routing map shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the storage unit 28 in a certain relay device 2, and the contents stored in the storage unit 28 in another relay device 2 do not always match. .

  After the collection routing map is stored in this way, the check whether or not the use instruction by the external device 3 has been received is continued with the predetermined timeout time as the upper limit (s120 → s130: NO). Here, after the use instruction by the external device 3 is received by the transceiver 12 of the transmission / reception unit 10 connected to the network 100, the relay control unit is connected via the communication control unit 14 and the reception buffer 22 of the data relay unit 20. 24 will receive.

  Thereafter, if it is determined that the use instruction by the external device 3 has been received before the timeout period has elapsed (s120: YES), the collection request and collection information received prior to the start of the collection transfer process are the collection request source. Is transferred to each of the networks 100 excluding the network 100 (s140). Here, the collection request and collection information from the external device 3 are transferred to the transmission buffer 26 connected to the transfer destination network 100 and then transmitted via the communication control unit 14 and the transceiver 12 of the transmission / reception unit 10.

  In addition, here, it is configured to transfer the collection request after waiting for the reception of the use instruction, but by registering the correspondence for transferring the collection request in this way in the normal routing map in advance, The collection request may be transferred immediately.

Next, the data transfer mode by the data relay unit 20 is switched from the “normal mode” which is the initial state to the “collection mode” (s150).
The “normal mode” is a transfer mode in which data received via any one of the networks 100 is transferred to the network 100 side on the condition that the destination is another network 100. "Is a transfer mode in which all data received via any one of the networks 100 excluding the collection request source network 100 is transferred to the collection request source network 100 side regardless of the destination. This transfer mode switching is realized by setting a value corresponding to the corresponding transfer mode in the mode variable stored in the storage unit 28 built in the relay control unit 24.

  Thus, when the transfer mode is switched to the collection mode, as described later, data is transferred with reference to the normal routing map in the normal mode, and data is transferred with reference to the acquisition routing map. . As a result, data distributed only to the network 100 excluding the transfer request source network 100 is also transferred to the transfer request source network 100, and this data is finally collected by the external device 3. become able to.

  Next, the collection request source network 100 is notified that the transfer mode has been switched (s160). Here, notification information for notifying that is passed to the transmission buffer 26 connected to the collection request source network 100, and then transmitted via the communication control unit 14 and the transceiver 12 of the transmission / reception unit 10. Notification is realized.

  This notification information is received by the external device 3 connected to the collection request source network 100 side, and a notification that the transfer mode has been switched on the external device 3 side (for example, display on the display unit, as audio) Output).

  Thus, after the notification that the transfer mode has been switched is made, the check of whether or not the end notification by the external device 3 has been received is continued up to a predetermined timeout time (s170 → s180: NO). Here, the termination notification by the external device 3 is received by the transceiver 12 of the transmission / reception unit 10 connected to the network 100, and then the relay control unit via the communication control unit 14 and the reception buffer 22 of the data relay unit 20. 24 will receive. The “timeout time” is a time that is assumed as a time until data collection ends on the external device 3 side.

  Thereafter, when it is determined that an end notification by the external device 3 has been received before the timeout period has elapsed (s170: YES), this end notification is transferred to the network 100 excluding the collection request source network 100 ( s190). Here, an end notification by the external device 3 is transferred to the transmission buffer 26 connected to the transfer destination network 100, and then transmitted via the communication control unit 14 and the transceiver 12 of the transmission / reception unit 10.

  Note that the transfer of the end notification is not performed in the collection and transfer process, but may be realized by registering a correspondence relationship for transferring the end notification in the collection routing map.

  Thus, after it is determined that the end notification is not received after the end notification is transferred or before the timeout time elapses (s170: YES), the data transfer mode by the data relay unit 20 is “collection mode”. ”To“ notification mode ”(s200), the collection and transfer process ends.

  Thus, when the transfer mode is returned to the normal mode, the data transfer with reference to the collection routing map in the collection mode returns to the state in which the data is transferred with reference to the normal routing map. As a result, data distributed only to each network 100 is not transferred to the network 100 that is the transfer request source.

If it is determined in s120 and s130 that the use instruction has not been received before the timeout period has elapsed (s130: YES), the fact that the transfer mode has not been switched is collected as in s160. After being notified to the requesting network 100 (s210), the collection and transfer process ends.
(2-2) Relay Process Subsequently, the processing procedure of the relay process repeatedly executed by the relay control unit 24 of the data relay unit 20 after the relay device 2 is activated will be described with reference to FIG.

  When this relay processing is started, first, until data is transferred from the transmission / reception unit 10 via any of the reception buffers 22, that is, until the relay device 2 receives data (s310: NO). ).

Thereafter, when data is received (s310: YES), a network that is a destination to which the data is to be transmitted is specified based on the routing map (s320).
Here, if the transfer mode specified from the value set in the mode variable is the normal mode, the destination network is specified based on the normal routing map, whereas if the transfer mode is the collection mode, the collection routing map Based on the above, the destination network is specified. As a specific example, when the data of the identification information “001” is received from the network “CAN1”, the network in which the transmission destination is “1” in both the normal mode and the collection mode. “CAN2” is specified as the data destination (see FIG. 4B).

  Next, in s320, it is checked whether or not the destination network can be specified (s330). If it is determined that the destination network can be specified (s330: YES), in order to transmit data to the specified network, The data transferred in s310 is transferred via the transmission buffer 26 to the transmission / reception unit 10 reaching the network (s340).

  Here, among the plurality of transmission buffers 26, the data transferred in s310 is output to the transmission buffer 26 corresponding to the transmission / reception unit 10 reaching the network specified in s120, and this data is input. The stored data is sequentially transferred from the stored transmission buffer 26 to the transmission / reception unit 10. Thereafter, data is transmitted toward the network 100 via the transmission / reception unit 10.

Thus, after s340 is performed or when the destination network is not specified in s330 (s330: NO), the process returns to s110.
(3) Operation and Effect With the relay device 2 in the network system 1 described above, the data transfer mode can be switched from the normal mode to the collection mode in response to a collection request from one of the networks 100 ( S150 in FIG. 3).

  In this normal mode, data received via one of the networks 100 is transferred to another network 100 that is the destination of the data. Some data received via any one of the networks 100 except 100 is transferred to the network 100 side of the collection request source regardless of the destination.

  Therefore, in the network system 1 composed of a plurality of networks 100, if the relay device 2 as described above is interposed between the networks 100, it can be distributed to other networks 100 by making a collection request from any one of the networks 100. Some data to be transferred can be transferred to the network 100 side of the collection request source and distributed to the network 100.

  As a result, when a system test or failure diagnosis is performed, the network 100 that is the collection request source does not have to collect data individually for each network 100, but the other network 100 in which the relay device 2 is interposed. It becomes possible to collect data distributed in As a result, the work efficiency for testing and fault diagnosis can be greatly improved.

  Furthermore, even if direct or indirect access to the connection path to each network 100 is not easy, a connection path (connector 5 in the above embodiment) to any one of the networks 100 that can be accessed most easily is secured. For example, data distributed to other networks 100 can be collected together.

  For this reason, it is possible to minimize operations such as removing parts covering the connection paths to the networks 100 and pulling the connection paths to accessible positions. From this point of view, it is possible to greatly improve the work efficiency for testing and fault diagnosis.

  Then, it is possible to reduce the work such as removing the parts covering the connection path to each network 100 and pulling the connection path to an accessible position. The possibility of damaging the mounting target (vehicle in this embodiment) can also be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, when a collection request is received from any one of the networks 100, the data transfer mode is collected from the normal mode by a simple method of changing the routing map referred to when transferring the data. The mode can be switched (s150 in FIG. 3).

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, desired collection routing can be obtained by transmitting collection information that can specify a collection routing map to be switched afterwards from an external device 3 connected to any network. Since the map can be stored in the storage unit 28 (s110 in FIG. 3), it is not necessary to prepare a map corresponding to each of the plurality of networks 100 in advance.

  In the above embodiment, the correspondence relationship can be additionally registered in the normal routing map, and this can be stored in the storage unit 28 as a collection routing map (see s110 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). That is, when storing the collected routing map in the storage unit 28, the same correspondence as the normal routing map is not necessary as the correspondence shown as the collection information. Thereby, when storing the collection routing map in the storage unit 28, the data amount of the collection information transmitted from the external device 3 can be reduced, so that the communication load in the network 100 can be suppressed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, by notifying the collection request source network 100 side that the transfer mode has been switched (s160 in FIG. 3), to the user such as the external device 3 that is the collection request source. On the other hand, the fact that the transfer mode has been switched can be notified.

  In the above embodiment, the transfer mode can be returned to the normal mode in response to the end notification from the external device 3 (s170 → s200 in FIG. 3). Since this end notification is for notifying that the external device 3 has finished collecting data, the collection of the data is completed by returning the transfer mode to the normal mode upon receiving this end notification. It is possible to switch the transfer mode to the collection mode without fail until just before.

  In the above embodiment, collection requests and end notifications from any of the networks 100 can be transferred to the other networks 100 (s160 and s190 in FIG. 3).

  Therefore, even in the network system 1 in which there is another network 100 from one network 100 to the other network 100 (see FIG. 1), the collection request from one network 100 side is relayed to the relay device 2 and the other network 100 side can be delivered.

In this way, the data distributed in one network 100 (for example, “CAN3” in FIG. 1) is sequentially relayed by each relay device 2 and distributed to the other network 100 (“CAN1” in FIG. 1). Thus, the data can be collected by the external device 3.
(4) Modifications The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the above embodiment, in the collection mode, the data is transferred based on the correspondence between the data and the destination in the normal mode and the special correspondence for transferring the data to the collection request source network side. It is configured as follows. However, the above-mentioned “special correspondence” may be the only correspondence to be referred to when transferring data in the collection mode. That is, in the collection mode, only a part of data that should be transferred with a special correspondence may be transferred.

  In the above embodiment, the data transfer mode is switched by a method of changing the routing map. However, the configuration for switching the transfer mode is not limited to this.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when a collection request is received, the routing map referred to when data is transferred is changed to a collection routing map generated based on the collection information transmitted along with the collection request. It is configured.

  However, this collection routing map may be stored in advance in the storage unit 28 corresponding to each of the plurality of networks 100. In this case, when a collection request is received, a routing to be referred to when transferring data What is necessary is just to comprise so that a map may be switched to the collection routing map corresponding to the network 100 of the collection request origin. In this case, it is not necessary to prepare and transmit the collected information on the external device 3 side.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transfer mode is switched on condition that a use command is received after receiving a collection request (s120 “YES” in FIG. 3). However, the switching of the transfer mode may always be performed regardless of whether there is a use command.

  Further, the switching may be performed on condition that another condition other than the presence / absence of the use instruction is satisfied. As a condition in this case, for example, the state of communication through a plurality of networks is in a state suitable for switching the transfer mode, more specifically, the communication load through the plurality of networks. It is conceivable that the traffic is less than a certain level, or that the communication load allows the traffic that can increase after the transfer mode is switched.

  For this purpose, in s120 of the collection and transfer process (FIG. 3), it may be configured to determine whether or not the state of communication via a plurality of networks is suitable for switching the transfer mode. .

In the above embodiment, the collection routing map registers a correspondence relationship for transferring all data distributed to each network 100 except the collection request source network 100 to the collection request source network 100 side. It has become. However, as this collection routing map, for example, a correspondence relationship for transferring all data not distributed to the collection request source network in the normal mode may be registered.
(5) Correspondence with the Present Invention In the embodiment described above, s340 in FIG. 5 is the data transfer means in the present invention, s150 and s200 in FIG. 3 are the mode switching means in the present invention, and s110 in FIG. The map storage means in the present invention, s170 in the figure is the switching notification means in the present invention, s120 in the figure is the state determination means in the present invention, and s140 in the figure is the request transfer means in the present invention.

Block diagram showing the configuration of the network system Block diagram showing the configuration of the relay device Flow chart showing collection transfer processing Diagram showing the data structure of the routing map Flow chart showing relay processing

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network system, 2 ... Relay apparatus, 3 ... External apparatus, 4 ... Control apparatus, 5 ... Connector, 10 ... Transmission / reception part, 12 ... Transceiver, 14 ... Communication control part, 20 ... Data relay part, 22 ... Reception buffer, 24 ... Relay control unit, 26 ... Transmission buffer, 28 ... Storage unit, 100 ... Network.

Claims (10)

A relay device that intervenes between a plurality of networks and relays data communication between these networks,
Data transfer means for transferring data received via any network to a network that is the destination of the data;
When receiving either collection request to the effect that acquisition from the network side data to be distributed to each of the plurality of networks, the transfer mode of the data by the data transfer unit, from the normal mode, the collection requesting network Mode switching means for switching to a collection mode for transferring a part of data received via any of the excluded networks to the network side of the collection request source. The data transfer means realizes data transfer with reference to a routing map in which each data distributed in a plurality of networks and a destination of the data are registered in association with each other,
The mode switching unit is configured to associate at least a plurality of networks from a normal routing map in which a routing map referred to by the data transfer unit is associated with each of data distributed to a plurality of networks and a destination network of the data is registered. The transfer mode is switched from the normal mode to the collection mode by switching to a collection routing map in which the collection request source network is registered in association with each piece of data distributed to the network. The relay device according to claim 1. In the case where an external device connected to any network is configured to transmit not only the collection request but also collection information that can identify the collection routing map in accordance with the collection request.
Map storage means for storing a collection routing map specified by the collection information transmitted along with the collection request in a storage unit;
When the mode switching unit receives the collection request from any network side, the mode switching unit refers to the routing map referred to by the data transfer unit based on the collection information received from the normal routing map along with the collection request. The relay apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the switching is switched to the collection routing map stored by the map storage unit. The collected routing map, the normal routing map, a structure was additionally registers the collection request source network in association with the respective portion of the data to be distributed to at least a plurality of networks, also in the collection request In the case where the collected information transmitted together is information indicating a correspondence relationship that is a shortage of the normal routing map with respect to the collected routing map,
After the registration, the map storage means additionally registers the correspondence relationship identified from the collection information transmitted with the collection request into the normal routing map stored in the storage unit. Is generated as the collection routing map,
The mode switching means is a normal routing map for each correspondence excluding the correspondence additionally registered in the collected routing map generated by the map storage means, and the routing map referred to by the data transfer means, The relay apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transfer mode is switched from the normal mode to the collection mode by switching from the normal routing map to the collection routing map. When the data transfer mode by the data transfer unit is switched from the normal mode to the collection mode, the mode switching unit notifies the collection request source network side that the transfer mode has been switched. 5. The relay device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching notification unit configured to perform switching. When receiving the collection request, comprising a state determination means for determining whether the state of communication through a plurality of networks is a state suitable for switching the transfer mode,
The mode switching unit changes the data transfer mode by the data transfer unit from the normal mode to the collection mode when the state determining unit determines that the transfer mode is suitable for switching. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the relay device is switched. In the case where an external device connected to any network is configured to notify the end of data collection after the collection request,
The mode switching means returns the data transfer mode by the data transfer means from the collection mode to the normal mode when receiving the end notification from any network side after receiving the collection request. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 2. A request transfer means for transferring the collection request to each of one or more networks excluding the network when the collection request is received from any one of the networks. 8. The relay device according to any one of 7. A network system comprising one or more relay devices that relay data communication between different networks interposed between different networks, and external devices connected to any of the networks,
The relay device is a relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The network system according to claim 3, wherein the external device is the external device according to claim 3, claim 7, or any claim dependent thereon.   A program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the computer system to function as all means according to claim 1.

Images