WO2021251150A1 - Onboard device, onboard system, and information transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

This onboard device comprises a control unit, a storage unit, and a transmission unit. The control unit acquires results of detection performed by a plurality of detection devices that detect information relating to the vehicle, generates detection information based on the detection results for each detection result, saves the generated detection information in the storage unit, and stores a plurality of detection information acquired from the storage unit in one frame. The transmission unit transmits the frame to another onboard device in the vehicle.

Description

In-vehicle device, in-vehicle system and information transmission method

The present disclosure relates to in-vehicle devices, in-vehicle systems and information transmission methods.
This application claims priority on the basis of Japanese application Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-101969 filed on June 12, 2020 and incorporates all of its disclosures herein.

Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-99951) discloses the following communication control device for vehicles. That is, the vehicle communication control device is a vehicle communication control device that controls the transmission timing of an in-vehicle LAN network in which a plurality of ECUs mounted on the vehicle are connected to each other so as to be able to transmit and receive, and the vehicle communication control device is at least one of the plurality of ECUs. A message generation means for grouping a plurality of types of transmission data having different data generation sources into one ECU for each transmission cycle to be transmitted and generating a message collected for each group, and each of these messages. Each of the messages is provided with a transmission timing control means that is different from each other and is transmitted in a predetermined short cycle and a predetermined long cycle longer than the short cycle, and the long cycle is a reference unit for setting the transmission timing. A period in which a multiple of time is a prime number.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-99951

(1) The in-vehicle device of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a transmission unit, and the control unit has a plurality of detections for detecting information about the vehicle. The detection result by the device is acquired, the detection information based on the detection result is generated for each detection result, the generated detection information is stored in the storage unit, and a plurality of the detection information acquired from the storage unit is stored in the storage unit. Stored in one frame, the transmitter transmits the frame to other in-vehicle devices in the vehicle.

(8) The in-vehicle system of the present disclosure includes a first in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a second in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle, and the first in-vehicle device provides information about the vehicle. The detection results of the plurality of detection devices to be detected are acquired, the first in-vehicle device generates detection information based on the acquired detection results for each detection result, and the first in-vehicle device generates the above-mentioned. The detection information is stored in the storage unit, and the first in-vehicle device acquires a plurality of the detection information from the storage unit, stores the acquired detection information in one frame, and stores the second in-vehicle device in one frame. It is possible to send to.

(9) The information transmission method of the present disclosure is an information transmission method in an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and is a step of acquiring detection results by a plurality of detection devices that detect information about the vehicle, and the acquired detection. A step of generating detection information based on the result for each detection result, a step of storing the generated detection information in a storage unit, and a plurality of the detection information acquired from the storage unit, and each of the acquired detection information is obtained. It includes a step of storing in one frame and transmitting to another in-vehicle device in the vehicle.

One aspect of the present disclosure can be realized not only as an in-vehicle device provided with such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a program for causing a computer to execute such a characteristic processing step, or an in-vehicle device. It can be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes a part or all of the above.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an area ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission management table stored in a storage unit in the area ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an integrated ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a reception management table stored in a storage unit in the integrated ECU according to a modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the area ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure generates detection information. FIG. 7 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the area ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits detection information. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of communication processing in the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of communication processing in the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Conventionally, a technique for suppressing transmission delay by controlling transmission timing when transmitting data received from a plurality of sensors mounted on a vehicle to another in-vehicle device has been proposed.

[Problems to be solved by this disclosure]
In the technique described in Patent Document 1, in a system that collects data from a plurality of sensors at different cycles, the communication load may increase when the collected data is transmitted to another in-vehicle device.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to suppress an increase in communication load when transmitting detection information based on detection results collected from a plurality of detection devices to other in-vehicle devices. It is to provide an in-vehicle device, an in-vehicle system, and an information transmission method that can be used.

[Effect of this disclosure]
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress an increase in communication load when transmitting detection information based on detection results collected from a plurality of detection devices to other in-vehicle devices.

[Explanation of Embodiments of the present disclosure]
First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

(1) The in-vehicle device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a transmission unit, and the control unit stores information about the vehicle. A plurality of detection results obtained by a plurality of detection devices to be detected are acquired, detection information based on the detection results is generated for each detection result, the generated detection information is stored in the storage unit, and a plurality of detection information are acquired from the storage unit. The detection information is stored in one frame, and the transmission unit transmits the frame to another in-vehicle device in the vehicle.

In this way, detection information based on the detection results of a plurality of detection devices is generated and stored in the storage unit, and the plurality of detection information acquired from the storage unit at the transmission timing is stored in one frame and transferred to another in-vehicle device. Depending on the configuration for transmission, for example, a plurality of detection information can be periodically collectively transmitted to another in-vehicle device regardless of the acquisition cycle of each detection result. When the detection information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device, the transmission operation is stable and the frequency of transmitting the frame to another in-vehicle device can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in communication load when transmitting detection information based on detection results collected from a plurality of detection devices to other in-vehicle devices.

(2) Preferably, the control unit can set the transmission cycle of the frame to the other in-vehicle device as a predetermined cycle.

With such a configuration, the reception operation in other in-vehicle devices is stable, so that the processing in other in-vehicle devices can be simplified.

(3) Preferably, the control unit can set the data size of the frame to a predetermined size.

With such a configuration, the upper limit of the amount of detection information data stored in one frame is a fixed amount, so that the processing operation in the other in-vehicle device is stable and the processing load in the other in-vehicle device is increased. It can be suppressed.

(4) Preferably, the control unit can change the transmission cycle of the frame to the other in-vehicle device.

With such a configuration, for example, the transmission cycle may be lengthened according to the occurrence status of processing delay in the other in-vehicle device, or the transmission cycle may be shortened according to the urgency based on the state of the vehicle. The transmission cycle of the frame to other in-vehicle devices can be flexibly changed.

More preferably than (5), the control unit makes the transmission cycle when the vehicle is in the ignition off state longer than the transmission cycle when the vehicle is in the ignition on state.

With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of each in-vehicle device by lengthening the transmission cycle of the frame in the ignition off state where it is less necessary to transmit the detection information to other in-vehicle devices.

(6) Preferably, the storage unit stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the detection device and the elapsed time from the latest transmission time of the detection information based on the detection result by the detection device.

With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to manage the transmission history of a plurality of types of detection information corresponding to a plurality of detection devices for each type.

(7) Preferably, the storage unit stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence relationship between the detection device and the elapsed time from the latest transmission time of the detection information based on the detection result by the detection device. The control unit identifies the detection device corresponding to the elapsed time exceeding a predetermined threshold value based on the corresponding information in the storage unit, and the detection information based on the detection result by the specified detection device. Is preferentially stored in the frame.

With such a configuration, it is possible to preferentially transmit the type of detection information that has not been transmitted for more than a certain period of time from the latest transmission time to other in-vehicle devices. Therefore, each type of detection is performed according to the required transmission frequency. Information can be transmitted to other in-vehicle devices.

(8) The in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a second in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle, and the first in-vehicle device is The first in-vehicle device acquires detection results by a plurality of detection devices that detect information about the vehicle, generates detection information based on the acquired detection results for each detection result, and the first in-vehicle device. Stores the generated detection information in a storage unit, the first in-vehicle device acquires a plurality of the detection information from the storage unit, stores the acquired detection information in one frame, and the above-mentioned. It is possible to transmit to the second in-vehicle device.

In this way, the detection information based on the detection results of the plurality of detection devices is generated and stored in the storage unit, and the plurality of detection information acquired from the storage unit at the transmission timing is stored in one frame to be stored in the second in-vehicle device. Depending on the configuration for transmitting to, for example, a plurality of detection information can be periodically collectively transmitted to the second in-vehicle device regardless of the acquisition cycle of each detection result, so that the limited communication band in the vehicle is used. When the detection information is transmitted to the second vehicle-mounted device, the transmission operation is stable and the frequency of transmitting the frame to the second vehicle-mounted device can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in communication load when transmitting detection information based on detection results collected from a plurality of detection devices to other in-vehicle devices.

(9) The information transmission method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is an information transmission method in an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a step of acquiring detection results by a plurality of detection devices that detect information about the vehicle. , A step of generating detection information based on the acquired detection result for each detection result, a step of storing the generated detection information in a storage unit, and a plurality of the detection information acquired from the storage unit. The step includes storing each of the detection information in one frame and transmitting the detection information to another in-vehicle device in the vehicle.

In this way, detection information based on the detection results of a plurality of detection devices is generated and stored in the storage unit, and the plurality of detection information acquired from the storage unit at the transmission timing is stored in one frame and transferred to another in-vehicle device. Depending on the transmission method, for example, a plurality of detection information can be periodically collectively transmitted to another in-vehicle device regardless of the acquisition cycle of each detection result. When the detection information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device, the transmission operation is stable and the frequency of transmitting the frame to another in-vehicle device can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in communication load when transmitting detection information based on detection results collected from a plurality of detection devices to other in-vehicle devices.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[Configuration and basic operation]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to FIG. 1, the in-vehicle system 301 includes an integrated ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 201, area ECUs 101A, 101B, 101C, a plurality of detection devices 51A, a plurality of detection devices 51B, and a plurality of detection devices 51C. , A plurality of actuators 61A, a plurality of actuators 61B, and a plurality of actuators 61C. The in-vehicle system 301 is mounted on the vehicle 1.

The integrated ECU 201 and the area ECU 101A are connected via the cable 3. The area ECU 101A and the area ECU 101B are connected via the cable 3. The area ECU 101B and the area ECU 101C are connected via the cable 3. The network topology of the integrated ECU 201 and the area ECU 101 may be a bus type or a star type centered on the integrated ECU 201.

The detection device 51A and the actuator 61A are connected to the area ECU 101A via the corresponding cables 5. The detection device 51B and the actuator 61B are connected to the area ECU 101B via the corresponding cables 5. The detection device 51C and the actuator 61C are connected to the area ECU 101C via the corresponding cables 5. Hereinafter, each of the detection devices 51A, 51B, 51C is also referred to as a detection device 51, each of the actuators 61A, 61B, 61C is also referred to as an actuator 61, and each of the area ECUs 101A, 101B, 101C is also referred to as an area ECU 101. The area ECU 101 is an example of the first in-vehicle device. The integrated ECU is an example of the second in-vehicle device.

Cables 3 and 5 include, for example, CAN (Control Area Network) (registered trademark), FlexRay (registered trademark), MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transmission) (registered trademark), Ethernet (registered trademark), and LIN (Local Interface) Net. It is a transmission line that complies with standards such as. The cable 5 may be, for example, a signal line capable of transmitting an analog signal.

The detection device 51 detects information about the vehicle 1. For example, the detection device 51 is various sensors or various switches. For example, various sensors generate measurement results by performing measurements on a regular basis, store the sensor data indicating the measurement results in a frame conforming to the CAN, Ethernet, or LIN standard, and transmit the measurement results to the area ECU 101. Alternatively, the various sensors transmit an analog signal indicating the measurement result to the area ECU 101. The measurement result is an example of the detection result. For example, various switches monitor the on / off state of the switch, store the monitor data indicating the monitor result in a frame conforming to the CAN, Ethernet, or LIN standard, and transmit the monitor data to the area ECU 101. Alternatively, the various switches transmit an analog signal indicating the monitor result to the area ECU 101. The monitor result is an example of the detection result.

The in-vehicle system 301 may be configured to include two or more integrated ECUs 201. Further, the in-vehicle system 301 may be configured to include one, two, or four or more area ECUs 101.

For example, the network configuration of the in-vehicle system 301 is a central area type. More specifically, each area ECU 101 generates detection information D based on the detection result by the detection device 51 connected to itself, and integrates the frame in which the generated detection information D is stored directly or via another area ECU. It is transmitted to the ECU 201.

The integrated ECU 201 is a central device that processes the detection information D received from the area ECU 101. The integrated ECU 201 generates control information for controlling the actuator 61, and transmits a frame in which the generated control information is stored to the area ECU 101. The area ECU 101 receives control information from the integrated ECU 201, and drives the actuator 61 connected to itself based on the received control information. In the central area type network configuration, new functions can be added to the in-vehicle system 301 by a simple method such as updating the firmware of the integrated ECU 201, so that the needs for adding functions to the in-vehicle system 301 can be flexibly met. be able to.

[Area ECU]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an area ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to FIG. 2, the area ECU 101 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 30, a transmission unit 40, a reception unit 50, and a drive unit 60. The control unit 10, the transmission unit 40, the reception unit 50, and the drive unit 60 are realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), for example. The storage unit 30 is, for example, a non-volatile memory. The storage unit 30 may be provided outside the area ECU 101.

The control unit 10 acquires the detection results of the plurality of detection devices 15, generates the detection information D based on the detection results for each detection result, stores the generated detection information D in the storage unit 30, and acquires it from the storage unit 30. The plurality of detection information Ds are stored in one CAN frame. The control unit 10 outputs the CAN frame in which a plurality of detection information Ds are stored to the transmission unit 40. When the transmitting unit 40 receives the CAN frame from the control unit 10, the transmitting unit 40 transmits the received CAN frame to the integrated ECU 201. The control unit 10 includes an acquisition unit 11, a generation unit 12, and a storage unit 13. Hereinafter, the operations of the acquisition unit 11, the generation unit 12, and the storage unit 13 in the control unit 10 will be described in detail.

(Acquisition department)
The acquisition unit 11 acquires the detection results of the plurality of detection devices 51. More specifically, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the detection result by the illuminance sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, the unlock switch, the courtesy switch and the lamp switch connected to the area ECU 101. The illuminance sensor, vehicle speed sensor, unlock switch, cartridge switch and lamp switch are examples of the detection device 51.

The illuminance sensor, vehicle speed sensor, unlock switch, cartridge switch, and lamp switch transmit frames in which data of different amounts of information are stored to the area ECU 101 at different cycles. For example, the illuminance sensor transmits a frame in which 16-bit sensor data is stored to the area ECU 101 at a cycle of 5 milliseconds. The vehicle speed sensor transmits a frame in which 2-bit sensor data is stored to the area ECU 101 at a cycle of 3 milliseconds. The unlock switch transmits a frame in which 8-bit monitor data is stored to the area ECU 101 at a cycle of 10 milliseconds. The courtesy switch transmits a frame in which 4-bit monitor data is stored to the area ECU 101 at a cycle of 1 millisecond. The lamp switch transmits a frame in which 8-bit monitor data is stored to the area ECU 101 at a cycle of 20 milliseconds.

The acquisition unit 11 receives the frame in which the sensor data is stored from the illuminance sensor and the vehicle speed sensor, and acquires the sensor data from the received frame. The acquisition unit 11 outputs the acquired sensor data to the generation unit 12. The acquisition unit 11 receives an analog signal from at least one of the illuminance sensor and the vehicle speed sensor, and AD (Analog Digital) conversion of the analog signal at a predetermined sampling cycle to generate sensor data. There may be.

Further, for example, the acquisition unit 11 receives the frame in which the monitor data is stored from the unlock switch, the courtesy switch, and the lamp switch, and acquires the monitor data from the received frame. The acquisition unit 11 outputs the acquired monitor data to the generation unit 12. The acquisition unit 11 receives an analog signal from at least one of an unlock switch, a courtesy switch, and a lamp switch, and AD-converts the analog signal at a predetermined sampling cycle to generate monitor data. It may be configured to be used.

(Generator)
The generation unit 12 generates detection information D based on the detection result acquired by the acquisition unit 11 for each detection result. More specifically, the generation unit 12 receives various data such as sensor data and monitor data from the acquisition unit 11 and performs processing such as format change on the received data, so that the detection information D based on the data is performed. Therefore, the detection information D to be stored in the frame to be transmitted to the integrated ECU 201 is generated.

Specifically, the generation unit 12 generates the detection information Ds1 based on the sensor data from the illuminance sensor, generates the detection information Ds2 based on the sensor data from the vehicle speed sensor, and converts the detection information Ds2 into the monitor data from the unlock switch. Based on this, the detection information Dm1 is generated, the detection information Dm2 is generated based on the monitor data from the cartridge switch, and the detection information Dm3 is generated based on the monitor data from the lamp switch.

For example, the area ECU 101 and the integrated ECU 201 are connected via a cable 3 according to the CAN standard. The area ECU 101 stores various information in a CAN frame, which is a frame conforming to the CAN standard, and transmits the CAN frame. In this case, the generation unit 12 generates the detection information D to be stored in the CAN frame for each data by performing processing such as format change on the data received from the acquisition unit 11.

When the generation unit 12 generates the detection information D, the generated detection information D is stored in the storage unit 30. The generation unit 12 may store the detection result itself acquired by the acquisition unit 11 in the storage unit 30 as the detection information D. That is, the generation unit 12 may store various data such as sensor data and monitor data acquired by the acquisition unit 11 in the storage unit 30 as detection information D.

(Storage part)
The storage unit 13 acquires the detection information D from the storage unit 30, and stores the acquired detection information D in the CAN frame. The storage unit 13 can store a plurality of detection information Ds in one CAN frame. For example, the storage unit 13 acquires a plurality of detection information Ds from the storage unit 30 according to at least one of the priority set preset for each type of the detection information D and the generation order of each detection information D, and the plurality of acquired detection information Ds. The detection information D of is stored in the data field in the CAN frame. Specifically, the storage unit 13 acquires, for example, from the storage unit 30 in order from the oldest detection information D and stores it in the CAN frame. The storage unit 13 outputs the CAN frame in which a plurality of detection information Ds are stored to the transmission unit 40.

For example, the storage unit 13 can set the data size of the CAN frame to a predetermined size. Specifically, the storage unit 13 generates, for example, a CAN frame having a 32-bit length data field, and outputs the generated CAN frame to the transmission unit 40. In this case, the storage unit 13 acquires a plurality of detection information Ds from the storage unit 30 so that the total is 32 bits or less, and stores the acquired plurality of detection information Ds in the data field in the CAN frame. If the storage unit 13 cannot store a plurality of detection information Ds in the CAN frame due to the limitation of the bit length of the data field of the CAN frame, the storage unit 13 may store one detection information D in the CAN frame.

For example, the storage unit 13 can set the transmission cycle of the CAN frame to the integrated ECU 201 to a predetermined cycle. Specifically, the storage unit 13 generates a CAN frame in which a plurality of detection information Ds are stored and outputs the CAN frame to the transmission unit 40, for example, at a cycle of 5 milliseconds.

For example, the storage unit 13 can change the transmission cycle of the CAN frame to the integrated ECU 201. More specifically, for example, when the receiving unit 50 receives the CAN frame in which the change request information indicating that the transmission cycle should be changed is received from the integrated ECU 201, the receiving unit 50 acquires and stores the change request information from the received CAN frame. Output to unit 13. The storage unit 13 changes the CAN frame transmission cycle, that is, the CAN frame generation cycle, according to the content of the change request information received from the reception unit 50.

For example, the storage unit 13 makes the transmission cycle when the vehicle 1 is in the ignition off state longer than the transmission cycle when the vehicle 1 is in the ignition on state. Specifically, the storage unit 13 generates a CAN frame at a cycle of 5 milliseconds and outputs it to the transmission unit 40 in the ignition on state, and generates a CAN frame at a cycle of 20 milliseconds in the ignition off state. Is output to the transmission unit 40. More specifically, the receiving unit 50 receives from another area ECU 101 or the integrated ECU 201 a frame in which switching information indicating that the ignition power has been switched on / off has been stored. The receiving unit 50 acquires switching information from the frame and outputs it to the storage unit 13. The storage unit 13 switches the CAN frame transmission cycle, that is, the CAN frame generation cycle according to the switching information received from the reception unit 50.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission management table stored in a storage unit in the area ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 3, the storage unit 30 stores the transmission management table R1 showing the correspondence relationship between the detection device 51 and the elapsed time t from the latest transmission time of the detection information D. The transmission management table R1 is an example of correspondence information.

In the transmission management table R1 shown in FIG. 3, the elapsed time tm1 from the latest transmission time of the detection information Dm1 generated based on the monitor data from the unlock switch is 2 milliseconds, and the monitor data from the cartesi switch is used. The elapsed time tm2 from the latest transmission time of the detection information Dm2 generated based on is 2 milliseconds, and the elapsed time ts1 from the latest transmission time of the detection information Ds1 generated based on the sensor data from the illuminance sensor. Shows that is 6 milliseconds.

The elapsed time t in the transmission management table R1 is updated using, for example, a clock from a clock generation circuit (not shown). The storage unit 13 acquires a plurality of detection information Ds from the storage unit 30, stores the acquired plurality of detection information Ds in a CAN frame, and outputs the plurality of detection information Ds to the transmission unit 40. The corresponding elapsed time t is reset, that is, updated to zero seconds.

For example, the storage unit 13 identifies the detection device 51 corresponding to the elapsed time t exceeding the predetermined threshold value A based on the transmission management table R1 in the storage unit 30, and the detection result by the specified detection device 51 is used. Based on the detection information D, the detection information D is preferentially stored in the CAN frame.

More specifically, the transmission management table R1 in the storage unit 30 includes the threshold value A set for the elapsed time t. In the transmission management table R1 shown in FIG. 3, the threshold value Am1 set for the elapsed time tm1 is 10 milliseconds, and the threshold value Am2 set for the elapsed time tm2 is 1 millisecond. The threshold value As1 set for the elapsed time ts1 is 5 milliseconds.

For example, when the storage unit 13 refers to the transmission management table R1 in the storage unit 30 and detects that the elapsed time tm2 exceeds the threshold value Am2 of 1 millisecond, the storage unit 13 detects one or more detection information in the storage unit 30. The detection information Dm2 based on the monitor data from the cartridge switch is searched from D. Then, when the storage unit 13 detects the detection information Dm2 from one or a plurality of detection information Ds in the storage unit 30, the storage unit 13 preferentially stores the detection information Dm2 in the CAN frame.

Further, for example, when the storage unit 13 refers to the transmission management table R1 in the storage unit 30 and detects that the elapsed time ts1 exceeds the threshold value As1 of 5 milliseconds, one or more of the storage units 30 From the detection information D, the detection information Ds1 based on the sensor data from the illuminance sensor is searched. Then, when the storage unit 13 detects the detection information Ds1 from the one or a plurality of detection information Ds in the storage unit 30, the storage unit 13 preferentially stores the detection information Ds1 in the CAN frame.

When the receiving unit 50 receives the CAN frame containing the transmission request information indicating that the detection information D of a specific type should be preferentially transmitted from the integrated ECU 201, the receiving unit 50 acquires the transmission request information from the received CAN frame. The acquired transmission request information is output to the storage unit 13. When the storage unit 13 receives the transmission request information from the reception unit 50, the storage unit 13 searches for the detection information D of the type indicated by the transmission request information from the one or a plurality of detection information D in the storage unit 30. Then, when the storage unit 13 detects the detection information D to be searched from among the one or a plurality of detection information D in the storage unit 30, the storage unit 13 preferentially stores the detected detection information D in the CAN frame.

When the receiving unit 50 receives the CAN frame in which the control information is stored from the integrated ECU 201, the receiving unit 50 acquires the control information from the received CAN frame and outputs it to the driving unit 60. The drive unit 60 drives the actuator 61 connected to its own area ECU 101 based on the control information received from the reception unit 50.

The receiving unit 50 may be configured to receive a frame from another area ECU 101 and output the received frame to the transmitting unit 40. In this case, for example, the transmission unit 40 transmits the frame received from the reception unit 50 to the integrated ECU 201 or another area ECU 101.

[Integrated ECU]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an integrated ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to FIG. 4, the integrated ECU 201 includes a receiving unit 110, a storage unit 120, a processing unit 130, and a transmitting unit 140. The receiving unit 110, the processing unit 130, and the transmitting unit 140 are realized by a processor such as a CPU and a DSP, for example. The storage unit 120 is, for example, a non-volatile memory. The storage unit 120 may be provided outside the integrated ECU 201.

When the receiving unit 110 receives the CAN frame in which one or more detection information Ds are stored from the area ECU 101, the receiving unit 110 acquires the detection information D from the received CAN frame. The receiving unit 110 stores the acquired detection information D in the storage unit 120.

The processing unit 130 acquires the detection information D from the storage unit 120 and processes the acquired detection information D to generate control information for controlling the actuator 61. For example, the processing unit 130 processes the detection information Dm1 and Dm2 to generate control information for controlling the actuator 61 corresponding to the door lock function. Further, for example, the processing unit 130 processes the detection information Ds1 and Ds2 to generate control information for controlling the actuator 61 corresponding to the wiper function. Further, for example, the processing unit 130 processes the detection information Dm3 to generate control information for controlling the actuator 61 corresponding to the illumination function. The processing unit 130 outputs the generated control information to the transmission unit 140.

When the transmission unit 140 receives the control information from the processing unit 130, the transmission unit 140 stores the received control information in the CAN frame and transmits it to the area ECU 101.

For example, the processing unit 130 generates change request information indicating that the transmission cycle should be changed according to the occurrence status of the processing delay, the state of the vehicle 1, and the like, and outputs the change request information to the transmission unit 140. The transmission unit 140 stores the change request information received from the processing unit 130 in the CAN frame and transmits it to the area ECU 101.

[Modification example]
In the in-vehicle system 301, the storage unit 30 in the area ECU 101 is configured to store the transmission management table R1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The storage unit 30 may be configured not to store the transmission management table R1. In this case, for example, the storage unit 120 in the integrated ECU 201 stores the reception management table R2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a reception management table stored in a storage unit in the integrated ECU according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 5, the storage unit 120 stores the reception management table R2 showing the correspondence relationship between the detection device 51 and the elapsed time p from the latest reception time of the detection information D.

In the reception management table R2 shown in FIG. 5, the elapsed time pm1 from the latest reception time of the detection information Dm1 generated based on the monitor data from the unlock switch is 2 milliseconds, and the monitor data from the cartesi switch is used. The elapsed time pm2 from the latest reception time of the detection information Dm2 generated based on is 2 milliseconds, and the elapsed time ps1 from the latest reception time of the detection information Ds1 generated based on the sensor data from the illuminance sensor. Shows that is 6 milliseconds.

The elapsed time p in the reception management table R2 is updated using, for example, a clock from a clock generation circuit (not shown). When the receiving unit 110 acquires one or a plurality of detection information Ds from the CAN frame received from the area ECU 101, the receiving unit 110 resets the elapsed time p corresponding to the detected information D in the reception management table R2, that is, updates it to zero seconds.

For example, the transmission unit 140 identifies the detection device 51 corresponding to the elapsed time p exceeding a predetermined threshold value B based on the reception management table R2 in the storage unit 120, and is based on the detection result by the detection device 51. The transmission request information indicating that the detection information D should be transmitted preferentially is generated. The transmission unit 140 stores the generated transmission request information in the CAN frame and transmits it to the area ECU 101.

More specifically, the reception management table R2 in the storage unit 120 includes the threshold value B set for the elapsed time p. In the reception management table R2 shown in FIG. 5, the threshold value Bm1 set for the elapsed time pm1 is 10 milliseconds, and the threshold value Bm2 set for the elapsed time pm2 is 1 millisecond. The threshold value Bs1 set for the elapsed time ps1 is 5 milliseconds.

For example, when the transmission unit 140 refers to the reception management table R2 in the storage unit 120 and detects that the elapsed time pm2 exceeds the threshold value Bm2 of 1 millisecond, the detection information based on the monitor data from the cartridge switch is detected. Generates transmission request information indicating that Dm2 should be transmitted preferentially. Further, for example, when the transmission unit 140 refers to the reception management table R2 in the storage unit 120 and detects that the elapsed time ps1 exceeds the threshold value Bs1 of 5 milliseconds, it is based on the sensor data from the illuminance sensor. The transmission request information indicating that the detection information Ds2 should be transmitted preferentially is generated. The transmission unit 140 stores the generated transmission request information in the CAN frame and transmits it to the area ECU 101.

[Operation flow]
Each device in the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer including a memory, and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU in the computer includes a program including a part or all of each step of the following flowchart and sequence. Read from the memory and execute. The programs of these plurality of devices can be installed from the outside. The programs of these plurality of devices are distributed in a state of being stored in a recording medium or via a communication line, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the area ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure generates detection information.

With reference to FIG. 6, first, when the acquisition unit 11 in the area ECU 101 listens for a frame from the detection device 51 (NO in step S102) and receives a frame from the detection device 51 (YES in step S102), the received frame. Various data such as sensor data and monitor data are acquired from (step S104).

Next, the generation unit 12 in the area ECU 101 generates the detection information D based on various data acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (step S106).

Next, the generation unit 12 in the area ECU 101 stores the generated detection information D in the storage unit 30 (step S108).

Next, the acquisition unit 11 in the area ECU 101 waits for a new frame from the detection device 51 (NO in step S102).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the area ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits detection information.

With reference to FIG. 7, first, the storage unit 13 in the area ECU 101 waits for a transmission timing according to a predetermined transmission cycle (NO in step S202), and at the transmission timing (YES in step S202), a plurality of storage units 30 from the storage unit 30. Acquire the detection information D (step S204).

Next, the storage unit 13 in the area ECU 101 stores each acquired detection information D in one CAN frame and outputs it to the transmission unit 40 (step S206).

Next, the transmission unit 40 in the area ECU 101 transmits the CAN frame to the integrated ECU 201 (step S208).

Next, the storage unit 13 in the area ECU 101 determines whether or not the transmission cycle needs to be changed. Specifically, has the storage unit 13 received at least one of the change request information indicating that the transmission cycle should be changed and the switching information indicating that the ignition power has been turned on / off from the receiving unit 50? Based on whether or not, it is determined whether or not the transmission cycle needs to be changed (step S210).

Next, when the storage unit 13 in the area ECU 101 determines that it is necessary to change the transmission cycle (YES in step S212), the storage unit 13 changes the transmission cycle according to at least one of the change request information and the switching signal (step S212). ).

Next, the storage unit 13 in the area ECU 101 waits for a new transmission timing according to the changed transmission cycle (NO in step S202).

On the other hand, when the storage unit 13 in the area ECU 101 determines that it is not necessary to change the transmission cycle (NO in step S212), the storage unit 13 waits for a new transmission timing without changing the transmission cycle (NO in step S202).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of communication processing in the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 8, as an example of the detection device 51, an illuminance sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and an unlock switch will be described.

With reference to FIG. 8, first, the illuminance sensor transmits a frame in which the sensor data is stored to the area ECU 101 (step S302).

Next, the area ECU 101 acquires sensor data from the frame received from the illuminance sensor, and generates detection information Ds1 based on the acquired sensor data (step S304).

Next, the vehicle speed sensor transmits the frame in which the sensor data is stored to the area ECU 101 (step S306).

Next, the area ECU 101 acquires sensor data from the frame received from the vehicle speed sensor, and generates detection information Ds2 based on the acquired sensor data (step S308).

Next, the unlock switch transmits the frame in which the monitor data is stored to the area ECU 101 (step S310).

Next, the area ECU 101 acquires monitor data from the frame received from the unlock switch, and generates detection information Dm1 based on the acquired monitor data (step S312).

Next, the area ECU 101 selects, for example, the detection information Ds1 and Ds2 having the earliest generation order from the storage unit 30 at the transmission timing according to the predetermined transmission cycle, and stores the acquired detection information Ds1 and Ds2 in the CAN frame F1. (Step S314).

Next, the area ECU 101 transmits the CAN frame F1 to the integrated ECU 201 (step S316).

Next, the integrated ECU 201 acquires the detection information Ds1 and Ds2 from the CAN frame F1 received from the area ECU 101, and processes the acquired detection information Ds1 and Ds2 to control the actuator 61 corresponding to the wiper function. Generate control information (step S318).

Next, the integrated ECU 201 stores the generated control information in the CAN frame F2 and transmits it to the area ECU 101 (step S320).

Next, the area ECU 101 acquires control information from the CAN frame F2 received from the integrated ECU 201, and drives the actuator 61 based on the acquired control information (step S322).

Next, the area ECU 101 detects that the elapsed time tm1 exceeds the threshold value Am1 based on, for example, the transmission management table R1 (step S324).

Next, the area ECU 101 preferentially acquires the detection information Dm1 generated based on the monitor data from the unlock switch from the storage unit 30 at the new transmission timing, and transfers the acquired detection information Dm1 to the CAN frame F3. Store. The area ECU 101 may store the detection information D other than the detection information Dm1 in the CAN frame F3 in addition to the detection information Dm1 (step S326).

Next, the area ECU 101 transmits the CAN frame F3 to the integrated ECU 201 (step S328).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of communication processing in the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 shows a sequence of communication processing in the in-vehicle system according to the above-mentioned modification. Further, in FIG. 9, an illuminance sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and an unlock switch will be described as an example of the detection device 51.

With reference to FIG. 9, first, the illuminance sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, the unlock switch, the area ECU 101, and the integrated ECU 201 perform the same processing as in steps S302 to S322 in FIG. 8 as the processing from step S402 to step S422.

Next, the integrated ECU 201 detects that the elapsed time pm1 exceeds the threshold value Bm1 based on, for example, the reception management table R2 (step S424).

Next, the integrated ECU 201 generates transmission request information indicating that the detection information Dm1 based on the monitor data from the unlock switch should be preferentially transmitted (step S426).

Next, the integrated ECU 201 stores the generated transmission request information in the CAN frame F3 and transmits it to the area ECU 101 (step S428).

Next, the area ECU 101 acquires transmission request information from the CAN frame F3 received from the integrated ECU 201, and is generated based on the monitor data from the unlock switch at a new transmission timing based on the acquired transmission request information. The detected detection information Dm1 is preferentially acquired from the storage unit 30, and the acquired detection information Dm1 is stored in the CAN frame F4. The area ECU 101 may store the detection information D other than the detection information Dm1 in the CAN frame F4 in addition to the detection information Dm1 (step S430).

Next, the area ECU 101 transmits the CAN frame F4 to the integrated ECU 201 (step S432).

In the area ECU 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage unit 13 has a configuration in which the CAN frame transmission cycle to the integrated ECU 201 can be set to a predetermined cycle, but the storage unit 13 is not limited to this. No. For example, the storage unit 13 may be configured to receive a transmission request from the integrated ECU 201 irregularly via the reception unit 50 and output the CAN frame to the transmission unit 40 according to the received transmission request.

Further, in the area ECU 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage unit 13 has a configuration in which the data size of the CAN frame can be set to a predetermined size, but the storage unit 13 is not limited to this. The storage unit 13 is configured to receive, for example, designated information for designating a data size from the integrated ECU 201 via the receiving unit 50, and output a CAN frame of the data size indicated by the received designated information to the transmitting unit 40. May be good.

Further, in the area ECU 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage unit 13 has a configuration in which the transmission cycle of the CAN frame to the integrated ECU 201 can be changed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The storage unit 13 may be configured such that the transmission cycle cannot be changed. In this case, the storage unit 13 generates a CAN frame at a preset transmission cycle, for example, and outputs the CAN frame to the transmission unit 40.

By the way, a technology that can suppress an increase in communication load when transmitting detection information based on detection results collected from a plurality of detection devices to other in-vehicle devices is desired.

On the other hand, in the area ECU 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit 10 acquires the detection results by the plurality of detection devices 51 that detect the information about the vehicle 1, and detects the detection information D based on the detection results. Generated for each result, the generated detection information D is stored in the storage unit 30, and a plurality of detection information D acquired from the storage unit 30 are stored in one frame. The transmission unit 40 transmits the frame to the integrated ECU 201 in the vehicle 1.

In the in-vehicle system 301 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the area ECU 101 acquires the detection results by the plurality of detection devices 51 that detect the information about the vehicle 1. The area ECU 101 generates detection information D based on the acquired detection result for each detection result. The area ECU 101 stores the generated detection information D in the storage unit 30. The area ECU 101 can acquire a plurality of detection information Ds from the storage unit 30, store each of the acquired detection information Ds in one CAN frame, and transmit the detected information Ds to the integrated ECU 201.

The information transmission method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is the information transmission method in the area ECU 101 mounted on the vehicle 1. In this information transmission method, first, the area ECU 101 acquires the detection results by the plurality of detection devices 51 that detect the information about the vehicle 1. Next, the area ECU 101 generates detection information D based on the acquired detection result for each detection result. Next, the area ECU 101 stores the generated detection information D in the storage unit 30. Next, the area ECU 101 acquires a plurality of detection information Ds from the storage unit 30, stores each of the acquired detection information Ds in one CAN frame, and transmits the acquired detection information Ds to the integrated ECU 201.

In this way, the detection information D based on the detection results of the plurality of detection devices 51 is generated and stored in the storage unit 30, and the plurality of detection information D acquired from the storage unit 30 at the transmission timing is stored in one frame. Depending on the configuration and method of transmitting to the integrated ECU 201, for example, a plurality of detection information D can be periodically collectively transmitted to the integrated ECU 201 regardless of the acquisition cycle of each detection result, so that a limited communication band is used. In the vehicle-mounted network that transmits the detection information D to the integrated ECU 201, the transmission operation can be stabilized and the frequency of transmitting the frame to the integrated ECU 201 can be reduced.

Therefore, in the area ECU 101, the in-vehicle system 301, and the information transmission method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication load when transmitting the detection information based on the detection results collected from a plurality of detection devices to other in-vehicle devices is increased. It can be suppressed.

It should be considered that the above embodiment is exemplary in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

The above description includes the features described below.
[Appendix 1]
An in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle
Control unit and
Memory and
Equipped with a transmitter
The control unit acquires detection results from a plurality of detection devices that detect information about the vehicle, generates detection information based on the detection results for each detection result, and stores the generated detection information in the storage unit. Then, the plurality of detection information acquired from the storage unit is stored in one frame.
The transmission unit transmits the frame to other in-vehicle devices in the vehicle, and the transmission unit transmits the frame to other in-vehicle devices.
The control unit stores data of different amounts of information as the detection result, receives a plurality of frames transmitted from the plurality of detection devices at different cycles, and acquires the data from each of the received frames. In-vehicle device.

[Appendix 2]
An in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle
Control unit and
Memory and
Equipped with a transmitter
The control unit acquires detection results from a plurality of detection devices that detect information about the vehicle, generates detection information based on the detection results for each detection result, and stores the generated detection information in the storage unit. Then, the plurality of detection information acquired from the storage unit is stored in one frame.
The transmission unit transmits the frame to other in-vehicle devices in the vehicle, and the transmission unit transmits the frame to other in-vehicle devices.
The control unit and the transmission unit are in-vehicle devices realized by a processor.

[Appendix 3]
The first in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle and
It is equipped with a second in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle.
The first in-vehicle device acquires detection results by a plurality of detection devices that detect information about the vehicle, and obtains detection results.
The first in-vehicle device generates detection information based on the acquired detection result for each detection result.
The first in-vehicle device stores the generated detection information in a storage unit, and stores the detected information in the storage unit.
The first in-vehicle device can acquire a plurality of the detection information from the storage unit, store each of the acquired detection information in one frame, and transmit the detected information to the second in-vehicle device.
The second in-vehicle device generates control information for controlling the actuator by processing the detection information received from the plurality of the first in-vehicle devices, and the generated control information is used as the first in-vehicle device. Send to the in-vehicle device,
The first in-vehicle device is an in-vehicle system that drives the actuator based on the control information received from the second in-vehicle device.

[Appendix 4]
The first in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle and
It is equipped with a second in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle.
The first in-vehicle device acquires detection results by a plurality of detection devices that detect information about the vehicle, and obtains detection results.
The first in-vehicle device generates detection information based on the acquired detection result for each detection result.
The first in-vehicle device stores the generated detection information in a storage unit, and stores the detected information in the storage unit.
The first in-vehicle device can acquire a plurality of the detection information from the storage unit, store each of the acquired detection information in one frame, and transmit the detected information to the second in-vehicle device.
The first in-vehicle device is an area ECU.
The second in-vehicle device is an in-vehicle system which is an integrated ECU.

1 Vehicle 3 Cable 5 Cable 10 Control unit 11 Acquisition unit 12 Generation unit 13 Storage unit 30 Storage unit 40 Transmission unit 50 Receiver unit 51 Detection device 60 Drive unit 61 Actuator 101 Area ECU
110 Receiver 120 Storage 130 Processing 140 Transmitter 201 Integrated ECU
301 In-vehicle system

Claims (9)

1. An in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle
   Control unit and
   Memory and
   Equipped with a transmitter
   The control unit acquires detection results from a plurality of detection devices that detect information about the vehicle, generates detection information based on the detection results for each detection result, and stores the generated detection information in the storage unit. Then, the plurality of detection information acquired from the storage unit is stored in one frame.
   The transmission unit is an in-vehicle device that transmits the frame to another in-vehicle device in the vehicle.
2. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit can set the transmission cycle of the frame to the other vehicle-mounted device as a predetermined cycle.
3. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit can set the data size of the frame to a predetermined size.
4. The vehicle-mounted device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit can change the transmission cycle of the frame to the other vehicle-mounted device.
5. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit makes the transmission cycle when the vehicle is in the ignition off state longer than the transmission cycle when the vehicle is in the ignition on state.
6. The storage unit stores the corresponding information indicating the correspondence relationship between the detection device and the elapsed time from the latest transmission time of the detection information based on the detection result by the detection device, claims 1 to 5. The in-vehicle device according to any one of the above items.
7. The storage unit stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the detection device and the elapsed time from the latest transmission time of the detection information based on the detection result by the detection device.
   The control unit identifies the detection device corresponding to the elapsed time exceeding a predetermined threshold value based on the correspondence information in the storage unit, and the detection based on the detection result by the specified detection device. The vehicle-mounted device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information is preferentially stored in the frame.
8. The first in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle and
   It is equipped with a second in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle.
   The first in-vehicle device acquires detection results by a plurality of detection devices that detect information about the vehicle, and obtains detection results.
   The first in-vehicle device generates detection information based on the acquired detection result for each detection result.
   The first in-vehicle device stores the generated detection information in a storage unit, and stores the detected information in the storage unit.
   The first in-vehicle device can acquire a plurality of the detection information from the storage unit, store each of the acquired detection information in one frame, and transmit the detected information to the second in-vehicle device. In-vehicle system.
9. It is a method of transmitting information in an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle.
   A step of acquiring detection results by a plurality of detection devices that detect information about the vehicle, and
   A step of generating detection information based on the acquired detection result for each detection result, and
   A step of saving the generated detection information in the storage unit,
   An information transmission method including a step of acquiring a plurality of the detection information from the storage unit, storing each of the acquired detection information in one frame, and transmitting the detected information to another in-vehicle device in the vehicle.

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