KR101412289B1 - ECU management system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The ECU management system includes a fault diagnosis unit for checking the state of ECUs in the vehicle and determining whether the ECU needs to be analyzed and reprogrammed, a storage unit for storing backup information for normal operation of the ECUs, In the case where it is determined that reprogramming of the failed ECU is necessary, reprogramming information is received from the fault diagnosis unit, the backup information corresponding to the failed ECU is received from the storage unit, And a control unit for controlling operations of the unit and the failure diagnosis unit, the storage unit, and the reprogramming unit. Therefore, since the ECU management system is provided in the vehicle, it is possible to diagnose and repair the ECU at any time, thereby improving the safety of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an ECU management system and method,

The present invention relates to an ECU management system and method, and more particularly, to an ECU management system and method for diagnosing and reprogramming an ECU that controls the operation of a part provided in a vehicle.

In general, work such as fault diagnosis of the vehicle and reprogramming of the ECU (electronic control unit) takes place in the workshop. Specifically, the vehicle can be diagnosed and the cause of the failure can be detected by connecting the vehicle and the diagnostic apparatus at the workshop. There is a method of repairing faults caused by various causes during repairs of the vehicle through reprogramming of the ECU.

According to the related art, a terminal installed in a vehicle transmits a fault code generated from an ECU using a wireless communication network to a diagnostic server outside the vehicle, and the diagnostic server analyzes the fault code, Information to the vehicle terminal. The above vehicle diagnostic technology is disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2006-0038700.

However, the above-described technique has a disadvantage that when a fault occurs in the ECU of the vehicle, it is necessary to visit the workshop for troubleshooting the ECU. In addition, although it is possible to grasp the state of the vehicle in real time, there is a limitation in applying it to an area where communication through the wireless communication network is limited.

The present invention provides an ECU management system capable of fault diagnosis and reprogramming of an ECU in a vehicle.

The present invention provides an ECU management method capable of fault diagnosis and reprogramming of an ECU in a vehicle.

The ECU management system according to the present invention includes a fault diagnosis unit for checking the state of the ECUs of the vehicle and determining whether the ECUs need to be analyzed for the cause of the fault and whether reprogramming is required; a storage unit for storing backup information for the normal operation of the ECUs; And if the failure diagnosis unit determines that the ECU needs to be reprogrammed, receives the failure cause and reprogramming information of the failed ECU from the failure diagnosis unit, and transmits backup information corresponding to the failed ECU from the storage unit A reprogramming unit for receiving and reprogramming the failed ECU, and a control unit for controlling operations of the failure diagnosis unit, the storage unit, and the reprogramming unit.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ECU management system may further include a wireless communication unit for receiving the upgraded backup information of the ECUs of the vehicle from the information providing center and providing the upgraded backup information to the storage unit.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ECU management system may further comprise an input and display unit connected to the control unit, for displaying an input of an instruction and a progress state of the instruction to manage the ECUs .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the failure diagnosis unit, the storage unit, the reprogramming unit, the control unit, the wireless communication unit, the input and the display unit may be provided in the vehicle.

A method for managing an ECU according to the present invention includes the steps of performing a failure diagnosis for ECUs of a vehicle, determining whether a faulty ECU exists among the ECUs, determining whether or not reprogramming of the failed ECU is necessary, And performing the reprogramming if it is determined that reprogramming of the failed ECU is necessary.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of performing the reprogramming includes receiving a failure cause of the failed ECU and reprogramming information, receiving backup information corresponding to the failed ECU, And storing the backup information in the storage unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ECU management method may further include checking whether or not the reprogramming is normally completed after performing the reprogramming.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the ECU management method determines that reprogramming of the failed ECU is unnecessary, it may further include the step of guiding the workshop for repairing the vehicle.

According to the present invention, the user can easily and quickly check the status of the vehicle and the cause of the failure by using the ECU management system provided in the vehicle, reprogram the failed ECU as backup information to repair the failure, can do. Therefore, it is possible to easily check and confirm the safety state of the ECU and to cope with the failure of the ECU, thereby improving the safety of the vehicle. In addition, since the user can check and process the state of the vehicle in real time without visiting the repair shop, the efficiency of ECU management can be improved.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an ECU management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a flowchart for explaining an ECU management method using the ECU management system of FIG.

Hereinafter, an ECU management system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is capable of various modifications and various forms, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of the structures are enlarged to illustrate the present invention in order to clarify the present invention.

The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component.

The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprises", "having", and the like are used to specify that a feature, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a part or a combination thereof is described in the specification, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the contextual meaning of the related art and are to be interpreted as either ideal or overly formal in the sense of the present application Do not.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an ECU management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, the ECU management system 100 is for managing ECUs 12 that control the components of the vehicle 10 and includes an input and display unit 110, a control unit 120, a failure diagnosis unit 130, a reprogramming unit 140, a storage unit 150, and a wireless communication unit 160. An ECU management system (100) is provided in the vehicle (10). That is, the vehicle 10 is provided with the input and display unit 110, the control unit 120, the fault diagnosis unit 130, the reprogramming unit 140, the storage unit 150 and the radio communication unit 160 .

The input and display unit 110 is connected to the control unit 120 and can display the input of the command and the progress of the command to manage the ECUs 12. [ The input and display unit 110 may be separately provided and the multimedia device mounted on the vehicle 10 may be used as the input and display unit 110. Examples of the multimedia device include navigation, display, and the like. In addition, the user's cellular phone may be used as the input and display unit 110. [ At this time, the mobile phone may be directly connected to the vehicle 10 or may be connected to the vehicle 10 through wireless communication.

The control unit 120 is connected to the input and display unit 110, the fault diagnosis unit 130, the reprogramming unit 140, the storage unit 150 and the radio communication unit 160, do.

The control unit 120 controls operations such as fault diagnosis, reprogramming, and backup information upgrade of the ECUs 10 in accordance with an instruction input through the input and display unit 110. [ It is possible to monitor the operation of the input and display unit 110, the fault diagnosis unit 130, the reprogramming unit 140, the storage unit 150 and the wireless communication unit 160 via the control unit 120, The control unit 120 can inform the user via the input and display unit 110 that the abnormality of the diagnostic unit 130, the reprogramming unit 140, the storage unit 150 and the wireless communication unit 160 occurs.

The fault diagnosis unit 130 checks the state of the ECUs 12 to identify the faulty ECU 10. [ Further, the failure diagnosis unit 130 analyzes the cause of failure of the failed ECU 10, and determines whether or not the failed ECU 10 requires reprogramming based on the analysis result.

When the user inputs the diagnosis start for the ECU 12 via the input and display unit 110, the control unit 120 receives the diagnosis start command and transfers it to the fault diagnosis unit 130. [ The fault diagnosis unit 130 requests a diagnosis trouble code (DTC) stored in each ECU 12 through vehicle communication such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) according to the diagnosis start command, And receives the diagnostic trouble code from the diagnostic trouble code.

The fault diagnosis unit 130 includes a fault code database of the ECU 12 and a fault cause database. Therefore, the failure diagnosis unit 130 compares the diagnostic failure code received from each ECU 12 with the cause of the failure, and outputs a corresponding failure cause message. Based on the cause of the failure, Determine whether you need it. The failure diagnosis unit 130 transmits information such as the failure cause message and necessity of reprogramming to the control unit 120. The control unit 120 inputs and outputs information such as the failure cause message and necessity of reprogramming, And notifies the user through the display unit 110. [

When the fault diagnosis unit 130 determines that the above-mentioned reprogramming is unnecessary because the ECU 12 has a trouble but can not solve the fault through reprogramming, it is necessary to find a vehicle repair shop to repair the failure of the ECU 12 . Thus, the control unit 120 informs the user of the nearest vehicle workshop via the input and display unit 110. [ The control unit 120 can guide the vehicle workshop in conjunction with the navigation of the vehicle 10. [ In addition, the control unit 120 can guide the vehicle 10 to the workshop through the navigation of the vehicle 10. In particular, when the input and display unit 110 is navigation, the vehicle 10 can be more easily guided to the workshop.

The reprogramming unit 140 performs reprogramming for the ECUs 12. [ Specifically, when the user confirms the information on the failure cause message and the necessity of the reprogramming through the input and display unit 110 and selects reprogramming, the control unit 120 receives the reprogramming command, And transmits the failure cause and reprogramming information received from the unit 130 to the reprogramming unit 140. [ The reprogramming information may include the name or number of the failed ECU 12 and the position where the reprogramming is required. On the other hand, the reprogramming unit 140 can receive the cause of the failure of the ECU 12 and the reprogramming information directly from the failure diagnosis unit 130. [

The reprogramming unit 140 requests the storage unit 150 for the ECU backup information corresponding to the failed ECU 12 in accordance with the reprogramming command and receives the backup information and then communicates with the ECUs 12 The ECU 12 performs the reprogramming by storing the backup information.

The storage unit 150 stores backup information for normal operations of the ECUs 12. [ The backup information may include software, configuration data, and the like.

The storage unit 150 transmits the backup information to the reprogramming unit 140 in accordance with the backup information request of the reprogramming unit 140. [ When the transmission of the backup information is normally performed, the storage unit 150 sends a notification message to the control unit 120. [ The control unit 120 notifies the user of the transmission status of the backup information through the input and display unit 110. [

The wireless communication unit 160 receives and downloads upgrade information on the backup information of the ECU 12 through wireless communication with an information providing center such as a workshop.

The wireless communication unit 160 stores the version number of the last received backup information. The wireless communication unit 160 receives the latest version of the backup information through wireless communication with the information providing center, and compares the version number of the received backup information with the previously stored version number. If the version number of the received backup information does not match the previously stored version number, the wireless communication unit 160 sends the version number of the received backup information to the control unit 120, And that it exists. The control unit 120 notifies the user of the presence of a new version of backup information in a message via the input and display unit 110. [ An instruction for receiving or rejecting the new version of the backup information is transmitted to the wireless communication unit 160 via the control unit 120 according to the user's selection.

On the other hand, the reception of the backup information of the new version can be performed by the automatic upgrade option without selecting the user. The manual upgrade by user selection and the automatic upgrade can be selected by the user.

If the user chooses to receive the new version of the backup information, the control unit 120 sends a message requesting the new version of the backup information to the information providing center via the wireless communication unit 160 with information for vehicle authentication send. The information for the vehicle authentication may include a vehicle registration number, a vehicle number, and the like. The information providing center confirms the vehicle 10 through the commercial vehicle authentication process and transmits the new version of the backup information to the wireless communication unit 160. [

The new version of the backup information received via the wireless communication unit 160 is stored in the storage unit 150 and the wireless communication unit 160 stores the version number in the new version of the backup information.

When the upgrade of the backup information is normally performed, the storage unit 150 informs the user by transmitting a notification message to the input and display unit 110 via the control unit 120. [

The ECU management system 100 can quickly diagnose the ECUs 12 in the vehicle 10, identify the cause of the failure, and repair the failed ECU 12 through reprogramming. The ECU management system 100 may then store the backup information for reprogramming and upgrade the new version of the backup information for reprogramming via wireless communication.

2 is a flowchart for explaining an ECU management method using the ECU management system of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, an ECU management method for managing the ECUs 12 that control the components of the vehicle 10 is as follows.

First, the ECU 12 of the vehicle 10 is diagnosed for failure (S110).

Specifically, when the user inputs the diagnosis start for the ECUs 12 via the input and display unit 110, the control unit 120 receives the diagnosis start command and transfers it to the fault diagnosis unit 130. [ The fault diagnosis unit 130 requests a diagnostic fault code stored in each ECU 12 through vehicle communication such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) in accordance with the diagnosis start command.

On the other hand, the failure diagnosis of the ECUs 12 of the vehicle 10 can be automatically performed at predetermined time intervals without the user's input.

As a result of the failure diagnosis, it is determined whether or not the failed ECU 12 among the ECUs 12 exists (S120).

Specifically, the presence of the failed ECU 12 is checked according to whether or not the diagnostic trouble code is received from each ECU 12 in the fault diagnosis unit 130 in response to the diagnostic trouble code request. When the diagnostic trouble code is received by the fault diagnosis unit 130, it is determined that the ECU 12 has failed. If the diagnostic trouble code is not received by the fault diagnosis unit 130, it is determined that the ECUs 12 are normal.

Thereafter, it is determined whether reprogramming of the failed ECU 12 is necessary (S130).

Specifically, the diagnostic trouble code received from each ECU 12 is compared with the cause database of the fault diagnosis unit 130 to check the cause of the fault, and whether the respective ECU 12 needs to be reprogrammed . If the cause of the failure of the ECU 12 is resolved by the reprogramming of the ECU 12, the failure diagnosis unit 130 judges that reprogramming is necessary. If the cause of the failure of the ECU 12 is not eliminated by the reprogramming of the ECU 12, the failure diagnosis unit 130 determines that the reprogramming is not necessary.

The failure diagnosis unit 130 transmits information such as a failure cause message and necessity of reprogramming to the control unit 120, and the control unit 120 inputs and displays information such as the failure cause message and necessity of reprogramming And notifies the user through the unit 110. [

If it is determined that the defective ECU 12 needs to be reprogrammed, the reprogramming is performed (S140).

Specifically, when the user confirms the information on the failure cause message and the necessity of the reprogramming through the input and display unit 110 and selects reprogramming, the control unit 120 receives the reprogramming command, And transmits the failure cause and reprogramming information received from the unit 130 to the reprogramming unit 140. [ Therefore, the reprogramming unit 140 receives the cause of the failure of the failed ECU 12 and the reprogramming information. The reprogramming information may include the name or number of the failed ECU 12 and the position where the reprogramming is required. The reprogramming unit 140 may receive the failure cause of the failed ECU 12 and the reprogramming information directly from the failure diagnosis unit 130. [

The reprogramming unit 140 requests the storage unit 150 for ECU backup information corresponding to the failed ECU 12 according to the reprogramming command and receives the backup information from the storage unit 150. [ The backup information may include software, configuration data, and the like.

When the reprogramming unit 140 receives the backup information, the reprogramming is performed by storing the backup information in the failed ECU 12 through communication with the ECUs 12. [

After performing the reprogramming, it is checked whether the reprogramming is normally completed (S150).

Specifically, the reprogramming unit 140 delivers the results of the reprogramming to the control unit 120, and the control unit 120 notifies the user through the input and display unit 110 of the results of the reprogramming. When the reprogramming of the failed ECU 12 is normally performed, the management of the ECU 12 is completed. If the reprogramming of the failed ECU 12 is not normally performed, the reprogramming of the failed ECU 12 is performed again.

On the other hand, if it is determined that reprogramming of the failed ECU 12 is unnecessary, a repair shop for repairing the vehicle is guided (S160).

Specifically, the fact that the failure diagnosis unit 130 determines that reprogramming is not necessary means that the cause of the failure of the ECU 12 is not resolved by the reprogramming of the ECU 12. [ Accordingly, the control unit 120 guides the workshop through the input and display unit 110. [ The workshop guidance may be made in conjunction with the navigation of the vehicle 10 by the control unit 120. At this time, the nearest repair shop can be guided based on the current position. Further, the control unit 120 can be guided to the workshop through the navigation of the vehicle 10. [

As described above, according to the ECU management system and method of the present invention, diagnosis and repair of the ECU can be performed regardless of time and place. Therefore, the safety of the vehicle can be improved.

In addition, by providing the ECU management system, a new service model for a vehicle can be developed, thereby securing interests of an automobile company and improving an image.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. It can be understood that it is possible.

100: ECU management system 110: input and display unit
120: control unit 130: fault diagnosis unit
140: reprogramming unit 150: storage unit
160: wireless communication unit 10: vehicle
12: ECU

Claims (8)

A fault diagnosis unit for checking the state of the ECUs of the vehicle and determining whether the ECUs need to be analyzed and reprogrammed;
A storage unit for storing backup information for normal operation of the ECUs;
When the failure diagnosis unit determines that the ECU needs to be reprogrammed, receives the failure cause and reprogramming information of the failed ECU from the failure diagnosis unit, receives the backup information corresponding to the failed ECU from the storage unit A reprogramming unit for storing and reprogramming the failed ECU;
A control unit for controlling operations of the failure diagnosis unit, the storage unit, and the reprogramming unit;
A wireless communication unit for receiving the upgraded backup information of the ECUs of the vehicle from the information providing center and providing the upgraded backup information to the storage unit; And
And an input and display unit, connected to the control unit, for displaying an input of a command and a progress status of the command to manage the ECUs,
Wherein the fault diagnosis unit, the storage unit, the reprogramming unit, the control unit, the wireless communication unit, the input and display unit are provided in the vehicle. delete delete delete Performing a fault diagnosis on the ECUs of the vehicle;
Determining whether a faulty ECU among the ECUs is present;
Determining whether reprogramming of the failed ECU is necessary;
Performing the reprogramming if it is determined that reprogramming of the failed ECU is necessary; And
And guiding a repair shop for repairing the vehicle when it is determined that reprogramming of the failed ECU is unnecessary. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein performing the reprogramming comprises:
Receiving a failure cause of the failed ECU and reprogramming information;
Receiving backup information corresponding to the failed ECU; And
And storing the backup information in the failed ECU. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: after the step of performing the reprogramming, checking whether or not the reprogramming is normally completed. delete

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