Relay device, in-vehicle communication system, vehicle, and in-vehicle communication method

Abstract

The relay device includes: a relay unit that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between multiple functional units; and a relay management unit. The relay unit receives an object frame from the functional unit and outputs the received object frame to the relay management unit. The object frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service. When the content of the object frame received from the relay unit by the relay management unit satisfies a specified condition, the relay management unit stores position information in the object frame and outputs the object frame with the stored position information to the relay unit. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request target of the service related to the object frame in the in-vehicle network. The relay unit sends the object frame received from the relay management unit to the functional unit that is the destination of the object frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay device, a vehicle-mounted communication system, a vehicle, and a vehicle-mounted communication method.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-195298 filed on October 28, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] The following server is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-9559). That is, the server is a server (20) applied to a communication system (10) using a TCP / IP communication protocol and providing services to clients (40 to 44, 50 to 54) in response to subscription requests from the clients. The server includes: a table storage unit (30) configured to store a priority table (32) in which priorities for receiving the services are set for each of the services corresponding to the clients; and a service determination unit (26, S400 to S410) configured to determine whether to permit a subscription request for the service from the client based on the priority table stored in the table storage unit when a subscription request for the service is requested from the client.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-9559 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The relay device of the present disclosure is used for a vehicle-mounted network including a plurality of functional units. The relay device includes: a relay unit that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units; and a relay management unit. The relay unit receives an object frame from the functional unit and outputs the received object frame to the relay management unit. The object frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying a request source of a service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service. When the content of the object frame received from the relay unit satisfies a specified condition, the relay management unit stores position information in the object frame and outputs the object frame storing the position information to the relay unit. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service related to the object frame in the vehicle-mounted network. The relay unit transmits the object frame received from the relay management unit to the functional unit that is the destination of the object frame.

[0008] The in-vehicle communication system of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of functional units; and a relay device that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units in an in-vehicle network. The functional unit sends an object frame to the relay device. The object frame is a frame that has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol. When the content of the object frame received from the functional unit meets a specified condition, the relay device stores position information in the object frame and sends the object frame storing the position information to another functional unit different from the functional unit that sent the object frame to the relay device. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit as the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit as the request target of the service related to the object frame in the in-vehicle network. The other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the object frame based on the position information stored in the object frame received from the relay device.

[0009] The in-vehicle communication method of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle communication method in a relay device. The relay device is used for an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units and relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units. The in-vehicle communication method includes the following steps: receiving an object frame from the functional unit, the object frame being a frame that has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol; when the content of the received object frame meets a specified condition, storing position information in the object frame, the position information being information related to the position of the functional unit as the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit as the request target of the service related to the object frame in the in-vehicle network; and sending the object frame storing the position information to the functional unit that is the destination of the object frame.

[0010] The in-vehicle communication method of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle communication method in an in-vehicle communication system including a plurality of functional units and a relay device. The relay device performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units in an in-vehicle network. The in-vehicle communication method includes the following steps: The functional unit sends an object frame to the relay device. The object frame is a frame that complies with a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of a service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service. When the content of the object frame received from the functional unit satisfies a specified condition, the relay device saves location information in the object frame and sends the object frame with the saved location information to another functional unit different from the functional unit that sent the object frame to the relay device. The location information is information related to the location of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request target of the service related to the object frame in the in-vehicle network. And the other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the object frame based on the location information saved in the object frame received from the relay device.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure can be implemented not only as a relay device having such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a semiconductor integrated circuit that implements part or all of the relay device, or as a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the processing in the relay device. In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure can be implemented not only as an in-vehicle communication system having such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a method having such a characteristic process as a step, or as a semiconductor integrated circuit that implements part or all of the in-vehicle communication system, or as a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the processing in the in-vehicle communication system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing an example of a frame transmitted and received by an in-vehicle ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing an example of a frame transmitted and received by an in-vehicle ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 5This is a diagram showing an example of the address table in the storage unit of the relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of the situation where a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of the allowable addition table in the storage unit of the in-vehicle ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing another example of the situation where a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing another example of the situation where a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing another example of the situation where a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 11 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation procedure when the relay device changes the relay processing setting in the in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing an example of the timing of the process of relaying frames between functional units in the in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing another example of the timing of the process of relaying frames between functional units in the in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing the configuration of a modified example of the relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing the configuration of a modified example of the in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiments

[0027] In recent years, the introduction of service-oriented communication into in-vehicle networks has been promoted.

[0028] In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, there is a further requirement for improving the efficiency of frame relay processing. A technology that can perform relay processing in a vehicle-mounted network more efficiently than the prior art is desired.

[0029] The present disclosure is proposed to solve the above technical problems, and its object is to provide a relay device, a vehicle-mounted communication system, a vehicle, and a vehicle-mounted communication method that can perform relay processing in a vehicle-mounted network more efficiently.

[0030] [Effects of the Present Disclosure]

[0031] According to the present disclosure, relay processing in a vehicle-mounted network can be performed more efficiently.

[0032] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0033] First, the content of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0034] (1) The relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used for a vehicle-mounted network including a plurality of functional units, and the relay device includes: a relay unit that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units; and a relay management unit. The relay unit receives an object frame from the functional unit and outputs the received object frame to the relay management unit. The object frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service. When the content of the object frame received from the relay unit by the relay management unit satisfies a specified condition, the relay management unit stores position information in the object frame and outputs the object frame storing the position information to the relay unit. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request target of the service related to the object frame in the vehicle-mounted network. The relay unit transmits the object frame received from the relay management unit to the functional unit that is the destination of the object frame.

[0035] In this way, by the configuration of transmitting the object frame storing the position information to other functional units, for example, it is possible to determine whether a communication connection can be established between the functional unit and the other functional unit based on the position of the functional unit in the vehicle-mounted network that is difficult to specify in the above communication protocol, or to determine the communication volume between the functional unit and the other functional unit. Therefore, relay processing in a vehicle-mounted network can be performed more efficiently.

[0036] (2) Preferably, the relay unit outputs part information indicating the reception part of the object frame in the relay device to the relay management unit, and the relay management unit stores the part information received from the relay unit in the object frame as the position information.

[0037] With such a configuration, in the functional unit that receives the target frame, it is possible to specify the reception location of the target frame, such as a communication port, in the relay device that has performed the relay process of the target frame, and it is possible to easily grasp the position of the functional unit that is the transmission source of the target frame in the in-vehicle network.

[0038] (3) Preferably, the relay management unit stores the identification information of the relay device in the target frame as the position information.

[0039] With such a configuration, for example, in an in-vehicle network having a plurality of relay devices, in the functional unit that receives the target frame, it is possible to specify the relay device that has performed the relay process of the target frame, and it is possible to more accurately grasp the position of the functional unit that is the transmission source of the target frame in the in-vehicle network.

[0040] (4) The in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of functional units; and a relay device that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units in an in-vehicle network. The functional unit transmits a target frame to the relay device. The target frame is a frame having information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol. When the content of the target frame received from the functional unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay device stores position information in the target frame and transmits the target frame in which the position information is stored to another functional unit different from the functional unit that has transmitted the target frame to the relay device. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the request target of the service related to the target frame in the in-vehicle network. The other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the target frame based on the position information stored in the target frame received from the relay device.

[0041] In this way, with a configuration of transmitting the target frame in which the position information is stored to another functional unit, for example, it is possible to determine whether a communication connection can be established between the functional unit and the other functional unit based on the position of the functional unit in the in-vehicle network that is difficult to specify in the above communication protocol, or to determine the communication volume between the functional unit and the other functional unit. Therefore, it is possible to perform the relay process in the in-vehicle network more efficiently.

[0042] (5) A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the in-vehicle communication system.

[0043] With such a configuration, in a vehicle having an in-vehicle communication system, it is possible to perform the relay process in the in-vehicle network more efficiently.

[0044] (6) The vehicle-mounted communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle-mounted communication method in a relay device for a vehicle-mounted network including a plurality of functional units, and relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units. The vehicle-mounted communication method includes the following steps: receiving an object frame from the functional unit, where the object frame is a frame having information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol; when the content of the received object frame meets a specified condition, saving location information in the object frame, where the location information is information related to the location of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service related to the object frame in the vehicle-mounted network; and sending the object frame with the saved location information to the functional unit that is the destination of the object frame.

[0045] In this way, by sending an object frame with saved location information to another functional unit, for example, it is possible to determine whether a communication connection can be established between the functional unit and the other functional unit or determine the communication volume between the functional unit and the other functional unit based on the location of the functional unit in the vehicle-mounted network that is difficult to specify in the above communication protocol. Therefore, the relay processing in the vehicle-mounted network can be performed more efficiently.

[0046] (7) The vehicle-mounted communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle-mounted communication method in a vehicle-mounted communication system including a plurality of functional units and a relay device, and the relay device relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units in the vehicle-mounted network. The vehicle-mounted communication method includes the following steps: the functional unit sends an object frame to the relay device, where the object frame is a frame having information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol; when the content of the object frame received by the relay device from the functional unit meets a specified condition, saving location information in the object frame and sending the object frame with the saved location information to another functional unit different from the functional unit that sent the object frame to the relay device, where the location information is information related to the location of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service related to the object frame in the vehicle-mounted network; and the other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the object frame based on the location information saved in the object frame received from the relay device.

[0047] In this way, by sending the object frame storing the position information to other functional units, for example, it is possible to determine whether a communication connection can be established between the functional unit and the other functional unit based on the position of the functional unit in the in-vehicle network that is difficult to specify in the above communication protocol, or to determine the communication volume between the functional unit and the other functional unit. Therefore, the relay processing in the in-vehicle network can be performed more efficiently.

[0048] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and their repeated description is omitted. In addition, at least a part of the embodiments described below can be arbitrarily combined.

[0049] [In-Vehicle Communication System]

[0050] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Refer to Figure 1 , the in-vehicle communication system 300 includes a plurality of in-vehicle ECUs (Electronic Control Units) 111 and a relay device 100. Specifically, the in-vehicle communication system 300 includes in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111C as the in-vehicle ECUs 111. The in-vehicle communication system 300 is mounted on the vehicle 1. The in-vehicle ECUs 111 and the relay device 100 constitute the in-vehicle network 12. The relay device 100 is used for the in-vehicle network 12 including a plurality of in-vehicle ECUs 111.

[0052] The in-vehicle ECU 111A includes an application 112A and a storage unit 113A. The in-vehicle ECU 111B includes an application 112B and a storage unit 113B. The in-vehicle ECU 111C includes an application 112C and a storage unit 113C. Hereinafter, the applications 112A, 112B, and 112C are also each referred to as the application 112. In addition, the storage units 113A, 113B, and 113C are also each referred to as the storage unit 113.

[0053] The in-vehicle ECU 111 and the application 112 are an example of functional units in the in-vehicle network 12.

[0054] In the in-vehicle network 12, the in-vehicle ECU 111 is connected to the relay device 100 via, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 11.

[0055] It should be noted that the in-vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration having three in-vehicle ECUs 111, and may also be a configuration having two or four or more in-vehicle ECUs 111. In addition, the in-vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration in which one application 112 is installed in one in-vehicle ECU 111, and may also be a configuration in which two or more applications 112 are installed in one in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0056] In addition, the in-vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration having one relay device 100, and may also be a configuration having two or more relay devices 100.

[0057] The relay device 100 is, for example, a gateway device and can relay data between a plurality of in-vehicle ECUs 111 connected to itself. The relay device 100 can perform relay processing, for example, according to the second layer and a third layer higher than the second layer. For example, the relay device 100 performs relay processing of frames between in-vehicle ECUs 111 belonging to the same VLAN and relay processing of frames between in-vehicle ECUs 111 belonging to different VLANs.

[0058] More specifically, the relay device 100 performs relay processing of frames exchanged between in-vehicle ECUs 111 connected via the Ethernet cable 11, for example, according to the communication standard of Ethernet. Hereinafter, a frame conforming to the communication standard of Ethernet is referred to as an Ethernet frame. An IP data packet is stored in the Ethernet frame.

[0059] It should be noted that in the in-vehicle communication system 300, the configuration is not limited to relaying Ethernet frames respectively according to the communication standard of Ethernet. For example, the configuration may also be one that relays data according to communication standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network), FlexRay (registered trademark), MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) (registered trademark), and LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

[0060] The in-vehicle ECU 111 is, for example, an autonomous driving ECU, an engine ECU, a sensor, a navigation device, a human-machine interface, a camera, or the like.

[0061] In this example, the in-vehicle ECUs 111A, 111B, and 111C are a vehicle speed sensor, an engine ECU, and an autonomous driving ECU, respectively.

[0062] Hereinafter, the in-vehicle ECUs 111A, 111B, and 111C are also referred to as a vehicle speed sensor 111A, an engine ECU 111B, and an autonomous driving ECU 111C, respectively.

[0063] Each application 112 performs a prescribed process in the in-vehicle ECU 111 on which it is mounted, for example, by performing processing at the application layer. For example, the application 112A in the vehicle speed sensor 111A generates speed information indicating the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 at a prescribed cycle.

[0064] For example, the vehicle speed sensor 111A periodically or aperiodically includes speed information indicating the speed of the vehicle 1 in a frame and transmits it to other in-vehicle ECUs 111.

[0065] The engine ECU 111B receives the speed information from the in-vehicle ECU 111A via the relay device 100 and controls the engine based on the received speed information and the like.

[0066] The autonomous driving ECU 111C receives the speed information from the in-vehicle ECU 111A via the relay device 100 and performs autonomous driving control of the vehicle 1 based on the received speed information and the like.

[0067] That is, the vehicle speed sensor 111A is a server ECU that provides the service of notifying speed information. In addition, the engine ECU 111B and the autonomous driving ECU 111C are client ECUs that receive the provision of the service from the vehicle speed sensor 111A.

[0068] Each functional unit transmits and receives frames according to a prescribed protocol. For example, the in-vehicle ECU 111 transmits and receives frames according to the SOME / IP (Scalable Service-Oriented Middleware on Ethernet / Internet Protocol) protocol.

[0069] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing an example of a frame transmitted and received by the in-vehicle ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It shows an example of a frame according to the SOME / IP protocol transmitted and received between in-vehicle ECUs 111.

[0070] Refer to Figure 2 , the frame header of a frame according to the SOME / IP protocol has fields of Message ID, Length, Request ID, ProtocolVersion, Interface Version, Message Type, Return Code, Flags, Reserve, Length of Entries Array, Entries Array, Length of Options Array, and Options Array.

[0071] Figure 3This is a diagram showing an example of a frame transmitted and received by an in-vehicle ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 shows Figure 2 the details of the Entries Array field of the frame shown.

[0072] Referring to Figure 3 , the Entries Array field of a frame according to the SOME / IP protocol has fields such as Type, Index 1stoptions, Index 2nd options, #of opt 1, #of opt 2, Service ID, Instance ID, MajorVersion, TTL (Time To Live), Reserve, Initial Data Requested Flag, Reserve 2, Counter, and Eventgroup.

[0073] The in-vehicle ECU 111 transmits and receives a communication setting frame via the relay device 100, where the communication setting frame is a frame according to the SOME / IP protocol for establishing a communication connection with other in-vehicle ECUs 111.

[0074] The in-vehicle ECU 111 establishes a communication connection with other in-vehicle ECUs 111 by transmitting and receiving a communication setting frame via the relay device 100, and communicates with the other in-vehicle ECUs 111 using a frame according to the SOME / IP protocol.

[0075] For example, the server ECU and the client ECU establish a communication connection by transmitting and receiving a communication setting frame via the relay device 100. Then, the server ECU starts providing services to the client ECU with which the communication connection has been established using a frame according to the SOME / IP protocol.

[0076] Specifically, the server ECU and the client ECU determine to establish a communication connection and start providing and receiving services by transmitting and receiving a communication setting frame. Then, the server ECU periodically or aperiodically sends a service providing frame via the relay device 100 to the client ECU, where the service providing frame is a frame according to the SOME / IP protocol for providing services.

[0077] Here, information for identifying the client ECU as the request source of the service is stored in the request ID field of the communication setting frame transmitted and received between the server ECU and the client ECU. More specifically, the MAC address of the client ECU is stored in the request ID field.

[0078] In addition, information that can identify the content of the service of the server ECU is stored in the message ID field in the communication setting frame transmitted and received between the server ECU and the client ECU. More specifically, information indicating the content of the service provided by the server ECU is stored in the message ID field.

[0079] [Relay device]

[0080] Figure 4 FIG. is an example of the configuration of the relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] Refer to Figure 4 , the relay device 100 includes a forwarding control unit 10, a forwarding management unit 20, and a storage unit 30. The forwarding control unit 10 includes communication ports 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F. The forwarding control unit 10 is an example of a relay unit. The forwarding management unit 20 is an example of a relay management unit.

[0082] The forwarding control unit 10 is implemented, for example, by a semiconductor integrated circuit. The forwarding management unit 20 is implemented, for example, by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The storage unit 30 is, for example, a flash memory.

[0083] The communication ports 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F are, for example, input / output ports. Hereinafter, the communication ports 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F will also be referred to as communication port 13 respectively.

[0084] In Figure 1 and Figure 4 In the example shown, the vehicle speed sensor 111A is connected to the communication port 13A via a wiring pattern and an Ethernet cable 11, the engine ECU 111B is connected to the communication port 13C via a wiring pattern and an Ethernet cable 11, the autonomous driving ECU 111C is connected to the communication port 13E via a wiring pattern and an Ethernet cable 11, and the forwarding management unit 20 is connected to the communication port 13F via a wiring pattern. It should be noted that the communication ports 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E may also be external connectors of the relay device 100, etc.

[0085] [Forwarding control unit]

[0086] The forwarding control unit 10 performs relay processing on the frames transmitted and received between the functional units. More specifically, the forwarding control unit 10 receives, via the corresponding communication port 13, frames sent from the in-vehicle ECU 111 to other in-vehicle ECUs 111, and sends the frames to the other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the corresponding communication port.

[0087] For example, the storage unit 30 stores an address table that associates the communication port 13 with the MAC addresses of the devices connected via the communication port 13.

[0088] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing an example of the address table in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] Refer to Figure 5 , in the address table, for example, the MAC address of the vehicle speed sensor 111A is "MAC-A", the MAC address of the engine ECU 111B is "MAC-B", the MAC address of the autonomous driving ECU 111C is "MAC-C", and the MAC address of the forwarding management unit 20 is "MAC-D".

[0090] When the destination MAC address of the frame received from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the communication port 13A is MAC-B, the forwarding control unit 10 sends the frame to the engine ECU 111B via the communication port 13C corresponding to MAC-B according to the address table in the storage unit 30.

[0091] The forwarding control unit 10 receives the target frame from the functional unit and selectively outputs the received target frame to the forwarding management unit 20, where the target frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service.

[0092] For example, the forwarding control unit 10 does not relay the target frame received from the functional unit to other functional units, but outputs the target frame to the forwarding management unit 20.

[0093] More specifically, the forwarding control unit 10 receives the frame destined for the vehicle speed sensor 111A from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the communication port 13E and confirms the port number of, for example, the UDP header of the received frame. When the port number of the frame is consistent with the port number pre-allocated to the frame according to the SOME / IP protocol, the forwarding control unit 10 determines that the received frame is a target frame. It should be noted that the forwarding control unit 10 may also be configured to determine whether the frame is a target frame based on the MAC address or IP address of the received frame.

[0094] When the forwarding control unit 10 determines that the received frame is a target frame, it rewrites the destination MAC address of the target frame to MAC-D, which is the MAC address of the forwarding management unit 20. Then, the forwarding control unit 10 outputs the target frame to the forwarding management unit 20 via the communication port 13F according to the address table in the storage unit 30.

[0095] On the other hand, when the forwarding control unit 10 determines that the received frame is not an object frame, it sends the frame to the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the communication port 13A according to the address table in the storage unit 30.

[0096] For example, the forwarding control unit 10 outputs the part information indicating the reception part of the object frame in the relay device 100 to the forwarding management unit 20.

[0097] More specifically, for example, the forwarding control unit 10 outputs the port information of the communication port 13 through which the received object frame passes among the multiple communication ports 13 in the relay device 100 as the part information to the forwarding management unit 20.

[0098] Specifically, when the forwarding control unit 10 determines that the frame sent from the autonomous driving ECU 111C to the vehicle speed sensor 111A and received via the communication port 13E is an object frame, it generates the port information indicating that the object frame is received via the communication port 13E, and outputs the generated port information together with the object frame to the forwarding management unit 20.

[0099] [Forwarding Management Unit]

[0100] The forwarding management unit 20 determines whether the content of the object frame received from the forwarding control unit 10 meets the specified conditions. More specifically, as the specified conditions, the forwarding management unit 20 determines whether the object frame is a communication setting frame.

[0101] For example, the forwarding management unit 20 determines whether the object frame is a communication setting frame based on the message ID in the frame header of the object frame according to the SOME / IP communication protocol received from the forwarding control unit 10.

[0102] When the content of the object frame received from the forwarding control unit 10 meets the specified conditions, that is, when the object frame is a communication setting frame, the forwarding management unit 20 saves the location information in the object frame, where the location information is information related to the location of the functional unit that is the request source of the service involved in the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service involved in the object frame in the in-vehicle network 12.

[0103] For example, the forwarding management unit 20 saves the part information received from the forwarding control unit 10 as the location information in the object frame. More specifically, the forwarding management unit 20 saves the port information received from the forwarding control unit 10 as the location information in the object frame.

[0104] In addition, for example, the Forwarding Management Unit 20 saves the identification information of its own relay device 100 as location information in the target frame. More specifically, when the Forwarding Management Unit 20 receives the target frame from the Forwarding Control Unit 10, it obtains the ID of the relay device 100 stored in the Storage Unit 30 and saves the obtained ID in the target frame.

[0105] Refer again to Figure 2 , the Forwarding Management Unit 20 saves location information such as port information and ID in the Options Array field in the target frame.

[0106] Then, the Forwarding Management Unit 20 outputs the target frame with the location information saved to the Forwarding Control Unit 10.

[0107] When the Forwarding Control Unit 10 receives the target frame with the location information saved from the Forwarding Management Unit 20, it sends the received target frame to a functional unit that is the destination of the target frame, such as the in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0108] [Communication connection between functional units]

[0109] Based on the location information saved in the target frame received from the relay device 100, the functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the target frame.

[0110] More specifically, a functional unit such as the in-vehicle ECU 111 receives a communication setting frame from another in-vehicle ECU 111 via the relay device 100 and confirms whether location information is saved in the received communication setting frame.

[0111] When location information is saved in the communication setting frame received from another in-vehicle ECU 111, the in-vehicle ECU 111 obtains the location information and determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the communication setting frame based on the obtained location information, such as whether to perform processing for establishing a communication connection with the other in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0112] Specifically, the server ECU determines whether to perform processing for starting to provide a service to the client ECU that is the source of the communication setting frame based on the location information obtained from the communication setting frame. In addition, the client ECU determines whether to perform processing for starting to subscribe to a service from the server ECU that is the source of the communication setting frame based on the location information obtained from the communication setting frame.

[0113] (Example 1 of communication connection between server ECU and client ECU)

[0114] For example, when a client ECU is added as a new in-vehicle ECU 111 to the in-vehicle network 12, the client ECU generates a service search frame as an example of a communication setting frame, and multicasts the generated service search frame to other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 100. The service search frame includes information indicating that it is searching for a server ECU that can provide the services it needs.

[0115] Figure 6 FIG. is an example showing a situation where a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0116] Refer to Figure 6 , for example, when the autonomous driving ECU 111C as a client ECU is added to the in-vehicle network 12 by connecting to the communication port 13E of the forwarding control unit 10, it generates a service search frame including information indicating that it is searching for a server ECU that can send speed information, and multicasts the generated service search frame to other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 100.

[0117] The forwarding management unit 20 in the relay device 100 saves the location information in the service search frame received from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the forwarding control unit 10, and sends the service search frame with the saved location information to other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the forwarding control unit 10.

[0118] The vehicle speed sensor 111A as a server ECU receives the service search frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100, and acquires the location information saved in the received service search frame. Then, based on the acquired location information, the vehicle speed sensor 111A identifies that the autonomous driving ECU 111C as the source of the service search frame has been connected to the communication port 13E in the relay device 100.

[0119] Refer to again Figure 1 , for example, the storage unit 113 in the in-vehicle ECU 111 stores an allowable addition table, which is information that can identify allowable communication ports and non-allowable communication ports. The allowable communication ports are the communication ports 13 of the allowable addition function unit, and the non-allowable communication ports are the communication ports 13 that do not allow the addition function unit.

[0120] Figure 7 FIG. is an example showing the allowable addition table in the storage unit of the in-vehicle ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Refer to Figure 7 , in the allowable addition table, the communication ports 13A, 13C, and 13E are allowable communication ports, and the communication ports 13B and 13D are non-allowable communication ports.

[0121] For example, when the vehicle speed sensor 111A identifies that the communication port 13E is an allowed communication port based on the allowed increase table in the storage unit 113A, it generates a service provision notification frame as an example of a communication setting frame that includes its own MAC address and the meaning that it can send speed information, and sends the generated service provision notification frame as a response to the service search frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100.

[0122] The autonomous driving ECU 111C receives the service provision notification frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100, generates a service subscription request frame as an example of a communication setting frame that includes its own ID and the meaning of requesting to send speed information, and sends the generated service subscription request frame to the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100.

[0123] The vehicle speed sensor 111A receives the service subscription request frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100, and determines whether to allow the service subscription of the autonomous driving ECU 111C, that is, whether to start sending speed information to the autonomous driving ECU 111C based on the ID of the autonomous driving ECU 111C included in the received service subscription request frame, etc.

[0124] Then, the vehicle speed sensor 111A generates a service subscription availability frame as an example of a communication setting frame that includes information indicating the determination result, and sends the generated service subscription availability frame as a response to the service subscription request frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100.

[0125] When the vehicle speed sensor 111A determines to start providing services to the autonomous driving ECU 111C, it periodically or irregularly sends a service provision frame according to the SOME / IP protocol to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100. More specifically, the vehicle speed sensor 111A periodically or irregularly sends a service provision frame including speed information to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100.

[0126] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing another example of the situation where a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] Refer to Figure 8 , for example, when the autonomous driving ECU 111C as a client ECU is added to the in-vehicle network 12 by connecting to the communication port 13D of the forwarding control unit 10, it generates a service search frame including the meaning of searching for a server ECU that can send speed information, and multicasts the generated service search frame to other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 100.

[0128] The forwarding management unit 20 in the relay device 100 saves the location information in the service search frame received from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the forwarding control unit 10, and forwards the service search frame with the saved location information to other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the forwarding control unit 10.

[0129] The vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is a server ECU, receives the service search frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100, and acquires the location information saved in the received service search frame. Then, based on the acquired location information, the vehicle speed sensor 111A identifies that the autonomous driving ECU 111C, which is the source of the service search frame, has connected to the communication port 13D in the relay device 100.

[0130] For example, when the vehicle speed sensor 111A identifies that the communication port 13D is a non-permitted communication port based on the permission addition information in the storage unit 113A, it discards the received service search frame instead of sending the service provision notification frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100.

[0131] It should be noted that when an application, which is an example of a functional unit, is downloaded to the autonomous driving ECU 111C connected to the communication port 13E or 13D of the forwarding control unit 10 to add the application in the in-vehicle network 12, the same operations as those described above are also performed. Figures 6 - 8 The same operations as those described above are also performed.

[0132] (Example 2 of the communication connection between the server ECU and the client ECU)

[0133] For example, the autonomous driving ECU 111C, which is a client ECU, periodically or aperiodically generates a service search frame, and multicasts the generated service search frame to other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 100.

[0134] Figure 9 It is a diagram showing another example of the situation where a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0135] Refer to Figure 9 , for example, the vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is a server ECU, is added to the in-vehicle network 12 by connecting to the communication port 13A of the forwarding control unit 10, receives the service search frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C, generates a service provision notification frame including its own MAC address and the meaning that it can send speed information, and sends the generated service provision notification frame as a response to the service search frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100.

[0136] The forwarding management unit 20 in the relay device 100 saves the location information in the service provision notification frame received from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the forwarding control unit 10, and sends the service provision notification frame with the saved location information to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the forwarding control unit 10.

[0137] The autonomous driving ECU 111C receives the service provision notification frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100, and acquires the location information saved in the received service provision notification frame. Then, based on the acquired location information, the autonomous driving ECU 111C identifies that the vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is the transmission source of the service provision notification frame, has been connected to the communication port 13A in the relay device 100.

[0138] For example, when the autonomous driving ECU 111C identifies that the communication port 13A is an allowed communication port based on the allowed addition information in the storage unit 113C, it generates a service subscription request frame including information indicating its own ID and the intention to request the transmission of speed information, and sends the generated service subscription request frame to the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100.

[0139] The vehicle speed sensor 111A receives the service subscription request frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100, and determines whether to allow the service subscription of the autonomous driving ECU 111C, that is, whether to start sending speed information to the autonomous driving ECU 111C, based on the ID of the autonomous driving ECU 111C included in the received service subscription request frame.

[0140] Then, the vehicle speed sensor 111A generates a service subscription availability frame including information indicating the determination result, and sends the generated service subscription availability frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100 as a response to the service subscription request frame.

[0141] When the vehicle speed sensor 111A determines to start providing services to the autonomous driving ECU 111C, it periodically or aperiodically sends a service provision frame according to the SOME / IP protocol to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100. More specifically, the vehicle speed sensor 111A periodically or aperiodically sends a service provision frame including speed information to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100.

[0142] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing another example of the situation where a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0143] Refer to Figure 10, as the vehicle speed sensor 111A of the server ECU is added to the in-vehicle network 12 by connecting to the communication port 13B of the forwarding control unit 10, it receives a service search frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C, generates a service provision notification frame including its own MAC address and the meaning that it can send speed information, and sends the generated service provision notification frame as a response to the service search frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100.

[0144] The forwarding management unit 20 in the relay device 100 saves the location information in the service provision notification frame received from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the forwarding control unit 10, and sends the service provision notification frame with the saved location information to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the forwarding control unit 10.

[0145] The autonomous driving ECU 111C receives the service provision notification frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100 and acquires the location information saved in the received service provision notification frame. Then, based on the acquired location information, the autonomous driving ECU 111C identifies that the vehicle speed sensor 111A as the source of the service provision notification frame has been connected to the communication port 13B in the relay device 100.

[0146] For example, when the autonomous driving ECU 111C identifies that the communication port 13B is a non-permitted communication port based on the permission addition information in the storage unit 113A, it does not send a service subscription request frame to the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100, but discards the received service provision notification frame.

[0147] It should be noted that when an application as an example of a functional unit is downloaded to the vehicle speed sensor 111A connected to the communication port 13A or 13B of the forwarding control unit 10 and the application is added to the in-vehicle network 12, the same actions as those described above are also performed. Figure 9 and Figure 10 the actions described are also performed.

[0148] [Flow of Actions]

[0149] Each device in the in-vehicle communication system includes a computer with a memory, and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU in the computer reads and executes a program including some or all of the steps in the following flowchart and timing from the memory. The programs of these multiple devices can be installed from the outside respectively. The programs of these multiple devices are circulated in a state saved in a recording medium.

[0150] Figure 11 It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation process when the relay device changes the setting of the relay process in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0151] Refer to Figure 11 , first, the relay device 100 waits for a frame from a functional unit in the in-vehicle network 12, such as the in-vehicle ECU 111 ( "No" in step S102), receives the frame from the in-vehicle ECU 111 ( "Yes" in step S102), and determines whether the received frame is an object frame. More specifically, the relay device 100 confirms the port number in the UDP header of the received frame, and when the port number of this frame is the same as the port number pre-assigned to the frame according to a communication protocol such as SOME / IP, it determines that the received frame is an object frame (step S104).

[0152] When the relay device 100 determines that the received frame is not an object frame ( "No" in step S106), it sends the frame to the functional unit as the destination, such as the in-vehicle ECU 111. That is, the relay device 100 performs relay processing on this frame (step S108).

[0153] Next, the relay device 100 waits for a new frame from the functional unit ( "No" in step S102).

[0154] On the other hand, when the relay device 100 determines that the received frame is an object frame ( "Yes" in step S106), it determines whether the object frame is a communication setting frame. More specifically, the forwarding control unit 10 in the relay device 100 outputs the object frame to the forwarding management unit 20. For example, the forwarding control unit 10 outputs the port information of the communication port 13 through which the received object frame passes together with the object frame to the forwarding management unit 20. Then, the forwarding management unit 20 determines whether the object frame is a communication setting frame based on the information stored in the frame header of the object frame received from the forwarding control unit 10 (step S110).

[0155] Next, when the relay device 100 determines that the object frame is not a communication setting frame ( "No" in step S112), it sends the object frame to the functional unit as the destination, such as the in-vehicle ECU 111. More specifically, the forwarding management unit 20 in the relay device 100 sends the object frame to the functional unit as the destination, such as the in-vehicle ECU 111, via the forwarding control unit 10. That is, the relay device 100 performs relay processing on this frame (step S108).

[0156] On the other hand, when the relay device 100 determines that the object frame is a communication setting frame ( "Yes" in step S112), it stores the location information of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to this object frame or the location information of the functional unit that is the request object of the service related to this object frame in the object frame (step S114).

[0157] Next, the relay device 100 sends the object frame storing the position information to a functional unit as the destination, such as in-vehicle ECU 111 (step S116).

[0158] Next, the relay device 100 waits for a new frame from the functional unit (No in step S102).

[0159] Figure 12 FIG. is an example of a timing chart showing the process of relaying frames between functional units in the in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0160] Refer to Figure 12 , as an example of a functional unit, the vehicle speed sensor 111A sends a service provision frame including speed information to the relay device 100 at a timing when speed information should be sent to the engine ECU 111B (step S202).

[0161] Next, the relay device 100 receives the service provision frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A and sends the received service provision frame to the engine ECU 111B as an example of a functional unit. That is, the relay device 100 relays the service provision frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A to the engine ECU 111B (step S204).

[0162] Next, as an example of a functional unit, when the autonomous driving ECU 111C is added to the in-vehicle network 12 by connecting to the communication port 13E of the forwarding control unit 10, it sends a service search frame as an example of a communication setting frame to the relay device 100 (step S206).

[0163] Next, the relay device 100 saves the position information in the service search frame received from the autonomous driving ECU 111C (step S208).

[0164] Next, the relay device 100 relays the service search frame storing the position information to other in-vehicle ECUs 111, such as the vehicle speed sensor 111A (step S210).

[0165] Next, the vehicle speed sensor 111A receives the service search frame, obtains the position information saved in the received service search frame, and determines whether to perform processing for establishing a communication connection with the autonomous driving ECU 111C based on the obtained position information. Then, since the communication port 13E is an allowed communication port, the vehicle speed sensor 111A determines to perform processing for establishing a communication connection with the autonomous driving ECU 111C and generates a service provision notification frame as an example of a communication setting frame (step S212).

[0166] Next, as a response to the service search frame, the vehicle speed sensor 111A sends the generated service provision notification frame to the relay device 100 (step S214).

[0167] Next, the relay device 100 relays the service provision notification frame received from the vehicle speed sensor 111A to the autonomous driving ECU 111C (step S216).

[0168] Next, the autonomous driving ECU 111C sends a service subscription request frame, which is an example of a communication setting frame, to the relay device 100 (step S218).

[0169] Next, the relay device 100 relays the service subscription request frame received from the autonomous driving ECU 111C to the vehicle speed sensor 111A (step S220).

[0170] Next, as a response to the service subscription request, the vehicle speed sensor 111A sends a service subscription availability frame, which is an example of a communication setting frame and stores information indicating permission for service subscription, to the relay device 100 (step S222).

[0171] Next, the relay device 100 relays the service subscription availability frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C (step S224).

[0172] Next, at the next transmission timing when the speed information should be sent, the vehicle speed sensor 111A sends a service provision frame destined for the engine ECU 111B and the autonomous driving ECU 111C to the relay device 100 (step S226).

[0173] Next, the relay device 100 receives the service provision frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A and sends the received service provision frame to the engine ECU 111B and the autonomous driving ECU 111C (step S228).

[0174] Figure 13 It is a diagram showing another example of the timing of the process of relaying frames between functional units in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0175] Refer to Figure 13 , at the timing when the vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is an example of a functional unit, should send speed information, it sends a service provision frame including the speed information and destined for the engine ECU 111B to the relay device 100 (step S302).

[0176] Next, the relay device 100 receives a service provision frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A and sends the received service provision frame to the engine ECU 111B, which is an example of a functional unit. That is, the relay device 100 relays the service provision frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A to the engine ECU 111B (step S304).

[0177] Next, when the autonomous driving ECU 111C, which is an example of a functional unit, is added to the in-vehicle network 12 by connecting to the communication port 13D of the forwarding control unit 10, it sends a service search frame to the relay device 100 (step S306).

[0178] Next, the relay device 100 saves the position information in the service search frame received from the autonomous driving ECU 111C (step S308).

[0179] Next, the relay device 100 relays the service search frame with the position information saved therein to other in-vehicle ECUs 111, such as the vehicle speed sensor 111A (step S310).

[0180] Next, the vehicle speed sensor 111A receives the service search frame, obtains the position information saved in the received service search frame, and determines whether to perform processing for establishing a communication connection with the autonomous driving ECU 111C based on the obtained position information. Then, since the communication port 13D is a non-permitted communication port, the vehicle speed sensor 111A determines not to perform processing for establishing a communication connection with the autonomous driving ECU 111C and discards the received service search frame (step S312).

[0181] Next, at the next transmission timing when the speed information should be sent, the vehicle speed sensor 111A sends the service provision frame destined for the engine ECU 111B to the relay device 100 (step S314).

[0182] Next, the relay device 100 receives the service provision frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A and sends the received service provision frame to the engine ECU 111B (step S316).

[0183] [Variant Example 1]

[0184] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a variant example of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0185] Refer to Figure 14 , the relay device 101 includes a forwarding control unit 10, a forwarding management unit 20, a storage unit 30, and a processing unit 40.

[0186] The processing unit 40 is an example of a functional unit in the in-vehicle network 12. The processing unit 40 is connected to, for example, the communication port 13A of the forwarding control unit 10. For example, the processing unit 40 acquires information such as speed information from the in-vehicle ECU 111 in the in-vehicle network 12, and transmits the acquired information to other in-vehicle ECUs 111.

[0187] The processing unit 40 transmits and receives, via the forwarding control unit 10, communication setting frames for establishing a communication connection with the in-vehicle ECU 111 according to the SOME / IP protocol.

[0188] For example, the processing unit 40 functions as a server, establishes a communication connection with the client ECU, and starts providing services to the client ECU using frames according to the SOME / IP protocol. Specifically, the processing unit 40 periodically or aperiodically transmits service provision frames including information such as speed information to the in-vehicle ECU 111 via the forwarding control unit 10.

[0189] Alternatively, the processing unit 40 functions as a client, establishes a communication connection with the server ECU, and receives service provision from the server ECU using frames according to the SOME / IP protocol. Specifically, the processing unit 40 periodically or aperiodically receives service provision frames including information such as speed information from the in-vehicle ECU 111 via the forwarding control unit 10.

[0190] The forwarding control unit 10 performs relay processing on the frames transmitted and received between the processing unit 40 and the in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0191] For example, the forwarding control unit 10 receives a communication setting frame from the processing unit 40, and selectively outputs the received target frame to the forwarding management unit 20. Alternatively, the forwarding control unit 10 receives a communication setting frame from the in-vehicle ECU 111, and selectively outputs the received target frame to the forwarding management unit 20.

[0192] When the content of the target frame received from the forwarding control unit 10 satisfies a specified condition, that is, when the target frame is a communication setting frame, the forwarding management unit 20 saves the location information in the target frame. Then, the forwarding management unit 20 outputs the target frame with the saved location information to the forwarding control unit 10.

[0193] When the forwarding control unit 10 receives a target frame with saved location information from the forwarding management unit 20, the forwarding control unit 10 sends the received target frame to a functional unit such as the processing unit 40 as the destination.

[0194] The processing unit 40 determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the target frame based on the location information saved in the target frame received from the forwarding control unit 10.

[0195] [Variant Example 2]

[0196] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing the configuration of a modified example of the in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0197] Refer to Figure 15 , the in-vehicle communication system 301 includes in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111C and a relay device 100. The in-vehicle communication system 301 includes relay devices 100A and 100B as the relay device 100.

[0198] The relay device 100A and the relay device 100B are connected to each other via an Ethernet cable 11.

[0199] The autonomous driving ECU 111C is connected to a communication port in the relay device 100B via the Ethernet cable 11 and a wiring pattern. The connection relationship among the vehicle speed sensor 111A, the engine ECU 111B, and the relay device 100A is the same as that Figure 4 shown.

[0200] The forwarding control unit 10 in the relay device 100B receives an object frame from the functional unit connected to itself, that is, the autonomous driving ECU 111C, and selectively outputs the received object frame to the forwarding management unit 20 in the relay device 100B.

[0201] When the object frame received by the forwarding management unit 20 in the relay device 100B is a communication setting frame, the forwarding management unit 20 saves the position information, that is, the port information and the ID of the relay device 100B, in the object frame. The forwarding management unit 20 saves the position information in the object frame and outputs the object frame with the saved position information to the forwarding control unit 10.

[0202] When the forwarding control unit 10 in the relay device 100B receives the object frame with the saved position information from the forwarding management unit 20, the received object frame is sent to a functional unit as the destination, such as the vehicle speed sensor 111A, via the relay device 100A.

[0203] The storage unit 113 in the in-vehicle ECU 111 according to the modified example 2 stores an allowable addition table for each relay device 100.

[0204] The vehicle speed sensor 111A receives an object frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay devices 100A and 100B, and refers to the ID saved in the object frame to obtain the allowable addition table corresponding to the relay device 100B indicated by the ID from the storage unit 113. Then, the vehicle speed sensor 111A determines whether to perform processing for establishing a communication connection with the autonomous driving ECU 111C based on the obtained allowable addition table and the port information saved in the received object frame.

[0205] [Other modified examples]

[0206] It should be noted that in the relay device 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the forwarding control unit 10 is configured to output the part information, that is, the port information, to the forwarding management unit 20, but is not limited thereto. The forwarding control unit 10 may also be configured not to output the port information to the forwarding management unit 20. In this case, the forwarding management unit 20 does not save the port information in the object frame, but saves the ID of the relay device 100 as the location information in the object frame.

[0207] In this case, the functional unit that receives the object frame from the relay device 100 determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the object frame according to the difference of the relay device 100 that is the connection object of the functional unit that is the source of the object frame.

[0208] In addition, in the relay device 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the forwarding management unit 20 is configured to save the port information and the ID of the relay device 100 in the object frame, but is not limited thereto. For example, in Figure 1 the in-vehicle communication system 300 shown, in the in-vehicle network 12 having one relay device 100, the forwarding management unit 20 may also be configured not to save the ID of the relay device 100 in the object frame, but to save the port information as the location information in the object frame.

[0209] Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can perform relay processing in an in-vehicle network more efficiently.

[0210] For example, in recent years, the popularization of in-vehicle networks introducing service-oriented communication has been promoted. There is a need for a technology that can adjust the communication volume between such functional units at low cost or improve the security of communication between the functional units based on the topology of the functional units that perform such service-oriented communication.

[0211] In contrast, in the relay device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the forwarding control unit 10 performs relay processing on the frames transmitted and received between the functional units. The forwarding control unit 10 receives an object frame from the functional unit and outputs the received object frame to the forwarding management unit 20. The object frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service. The forwarding management unit 20 saves the location information in the object frame and outputs the object frame with the saved location information to the forwarding control unit 10 when the content of the object frame received from the forwarding control unit 10 meets the specified conditions. The location information is information related to the location of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service related to the object frame in the in-vehicle network 12. The forwarding control unit 10 sends the object frame received from the forwarding management unit 20 to the functional unit that is the destination of the object frame.

[0212] In the in-vehicle communication system 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay device 100 performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between functional units in the in-vehicle network 12. The functional unit sends an object frame to the relay device, and the object frame is a frame that has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol. When the content of the object frame received from the functional unit satisfies a specified condition, the relay device stores position information in the object frame and sends the object frame storing the position information to another functional unit different from the functional unit that sent the object frame to the relay device 100. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request target of the service related to the object frame in the in-vehicle network 12. The other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the object frame based on the position information stored in the object frame received from the relay device.

[0213] The in-vehicle communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle communication method in a relay device. The relay device is used for an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units and performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units. In this in-vehicle communication method, first, the relay device receives an object frame from the functional unit. The object frame is a frame that has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol. Next, when the content of the received object frame satisfies a specified condition, the relay device stores position information in the object frame. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request target of the service related to the object frame in the in-vehicle network 12. Next, the relay device sends the object frame storing the position information to the functional unit that is the destination of the object frame.

[0214] The in-vehicle communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle communication method in an in-vehicle communication system. The in-vehicle communication system includes a plurality of functional units and a relay device. The relay device performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units in the in-vehicle network 12. In this in-vehicle communication method, first, a functional unit transmits an object frame to the relay device. The object frame is a frame that has information capable of identifying the request source of a service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a prescribed communication protocol. Next, when the content of the object frame received from the functional unit satisfies a prescribed condition, the relay device stores position information in the object frame and transmits the object frame storing the position information to another functional unit different from the functional unit that transmitted the object frame to the relay device 100. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request target of the service related to the object frame in the in-vehicle network 12. Next, the other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the object frame based on the position information stored in the object frame received from the relay device.

[0215] In this way, with the configuration and method of transmitting the object frame storing the position information to another functional unit, for example, it is possible to determine whether a communication connection can be established between the functional unit and the other functional unit based on the position of the functional unit in the in-vehicle network 12 that is difficult to specify in the above communication protocol, or to determine the communication volume between the functional unit and the other functional unit.

[0216] Therefore, in the relay device, in-vehicle communication system, and in-vehicle communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, relay processing in the in-vehicle network can be performed more efficiently.

[0217] It should be considered that the above embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0218] The above description includes the following noted features.

[0219] [Note 1]

[0220] A relay device for an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units, the relay device comprising:

[0221] A forwarding control unit that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units; and

[0222] A forwarding management unit,

[0223] The forwarding control unit receives an object frame from the functional unit and outputs the received object frame to the forwarding management unit. The object frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service.

[0224] When the object frame received by the forwarding management unit from the forwarding control unit is a communication setting frame, which is a frame for establishing a communication connection with other functional units, the forwarding management unit saves location information in the object frame and outputs the object frame with the saved location information to the forwarding control unit of the object frame. The location information is information related to the location of the functional unit that is the request source of the service involved in the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service involved in the object frame in the in-vehicle network.

[0225] The forwarding control unit sends the object frame received from the forwarding management unit to the functional unit as the destination.

[0226] [Footnote 2]

[0227] An in-vehicle communication system includes:

[0228] A plurality of functional units; and

[0229] A relay device that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units in the in-vehicle network.

[0230] The functional unit sends an object frame to the relay device. The object frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service.

[0231] When the content of the object frame received by the relay device from the functional unit meets a specified condition, the relay device saves location information in the object frame and sends the object frame with the saved location information to another functional unit different from the functional unit that sent the object frame to the relay device. The location information is information related to the location of the functional unit that is the request source of the service involved in the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service involved in the object frame in the in-vehicle network.

[0232] Another functional unit determines whether to perform processing for establishing a communication connection with the functional unit that is the source of the object frame based on the location information saved in the object frame received from the relay device.

[0233] [Footnote 3]

[0234] A relay device is used for an in-vehicle network including multiple functional units, and includes a processor and a semiconductor integrated circuit.

[0235] The semiconductor integrated circuit implements a forwarding control unit that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units.

[0236] The processor implements a forwarding management unit.

[0237] The forwarding control unit receives an object frame from the functional unit and outputs the received object frame to the forwarding management unit. The object frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service.

[0238] When the content of the object frame received by the forwarding management unit from the forwarding control unit satisfies specified conditions, the forwarding management unit saves location information in the object frame and outputs the object frame with the saved location information to the forwarding control unit. The location information is information related to the location of the functional unit that is the request source of the service involved in the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service involved in the object frame in the in-vehicle network.

[0239] The forwarding control unit sends the object frame received from the forwarding management unit to the functional unit that is the destination of the object frame.

[0240] [Footnote 4]

[0241] An in-vehicle communication system includes:

[0242] Multiple in-vehicle ECUs; and

[0243] A relay device that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the in-vehicle ECUs in the in-vehicle network.

[0244] The in-vehicle ECU sends an object frame to the relay device. The object frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service.

[0245] When the content of the object frame received by the relay device from the in-vehicle ECU satisfies specified conditions, the relay device saves location information in the object frame and sends the object frame with the saved location information to another in-vehicle ECU different from the in-vehicle ECU that sent the object frame to the relay device. The location information is information related to the location of the in-vehicle ECU that is the request source of the service involved in the object frame or the in-vehicle ECU that is the request object of the service involved in the object frame in the in-vehicle network.

[0246] Other described in - vehicle ECUs determine whether to perform processing for the service related to the object frame based on the position information stored in the object frame received from the relay device.

[0247] Description of Reference Numerals

[0248] 1 Vehicle

[0249] 10 Forwarding Control Unit

[0250] 11 Ethernet Cable

[0251] 12 In - vehicle Network

[0252] 13 Communication Port

[0253] 20 Forwarding Management Unit

[0254] 30 Storage Unit

[0255] 40 Processing Unit

[0256] 100 Relay Device

[0257] 101 Relay Device

[0258] 111A Vehicle Speed Sensor (In - vehicle ECU)

[0259] 111B Engine ECU (In - vehicle ECU)

[0260] 111C Autopilot ECU (In - vehicle ECU)

[0261] 112 Application

[0262] 113 Storage Unit

[0263] 300 In - vehicle Communication System

[0264] 301 In - vehicle Communication System.

Claims

1. A relay device for a vehicle-mounted network including a plurality of functional units, the relay device comprising: a relay unit that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units; and a relay management unit, The relay unit receives an object frame from the functional unit and outputs the received object frame to the relay management unit. The object frame is a frame that has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol. When the content of the object frame received from the relay unit by the relay management unit satisfies a specified condition, the relay management unit stores position information in the object frame and outputs the object frame storing the position information to the relay unit. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request target of the service related to the object frame in the vehicle-mounted network. The relay unit transmits the object frame received from the relay management unit to the functional unit that is the destination of the object frame.

2. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein, the relay unit outputs part information indicating the receiving part of the object frame in the relay device to the relay management unit, and the relay management unit stores the part information received from the relay unit in the object frame as the position information.

3. The relay device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the relay management unit stores the identification information of the relay device in the object frame as the position information.

4. A vehicle-mounted communication system comprising: a plurality of functional units; and a relay device that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units in a vehicle-mounted network, The functional unit transmits an object frame to the relay device. The object frame is a frame that has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol. When the content of the object frame received from the functional unit by the relay device satisfies a specified condition, the relay device stores position information in the object frame and transmits the object frame storing the position information to another functional unit different from the functional unit that has transmitted the object frame to the relay device. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request target of the service related to the object frame in the vehicle-mounted network. The other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the object frame based on the position information stored in the object frame received from the relay device.

5. A vehicle-mounted communication method, which is a vehicle-mounted communication method in a relay device. The relay device is used for a vehicle-mounted network including a plurality of functional units and performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units. The vehicle-mounted communication method includes the following steps: Receiving an object frame from the functional unit, where the object frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service; When the content of the received object frame meets the specified conditions, saving location information in the object frame, where the location information is information related to the location of the functional unit that is the request source of the service involved in the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service involved in the object frame in the in-vehicle network; And Sending the object frame with the saved location information to the functional unit that is the destination of the object frame.

6. An in-vehicle communication method, which is an in-vehicle communication method in an in-vehicle communication system including a plurality of functional units and a relay device, where the relay device performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units in the in-vehicle network, and the in-vehicle communication method Includes the following steps: The functional unit sends an object frame to the relay device, where the object frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service; When the content of the object frame received by the relay device from the functional unit meets the specified conditions, saving location information in the object frame and sending the object frame with the saved location information to another functional unit different from the functional unit that sent the object frame to the relay device, where the location information is information related to the location of the functional unit that is the request source of the service involved in the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service involved in the object frame in the in-vehicle network; And Another functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service involved in the object frame based on the location information saved in the object frame received from the relay device.

7. A program product includes a computer program that is used in a relay device for an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units, and the computer program is used to make a computer function as a relay unit and a relay management unit, The relay unit performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units, The relay unit receives an object frame from the functional unit and outputs the received object frame to the relay management unit, where the object frame is a frame that is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol and has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service, When the content of the object frame received by the relay management unit from the relay unit meets the specified conditions, saving location information in the object frame and outputting the object frame with the saved location information to the relay unit, where the location information is information related to the location of the functional unit that is the request source of the service involved in the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service involved in the object frame in the in-vehicle network, The relay unit sends the object frame received from the relay management unit to the functional unit that is the destination of the object frame.

8. A relay device for a vehicle-mounted network including a plurality of functional units, the relay device comprising: A forwarding control unit that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units; and A forwarding management unit, The forwarding control unit receives an object frame from the functional unit and outputs the received object frame to the forwarding management unit. The object frame is a frame that has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a prescribed communication protocol. When the object frame received by the forwarding management unit from the forwarding control unit is a frame for establishing a communication connection with another functional unit, that is, a communication setting frame, the forwarding management unit stores position information in the object frame and outputs the object frame storing the position information to the forwarding control unit of the object frame. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service related to the object frame in the vehicle-mounted network. The forwarding control unit sends the object frame received from the forwarding management unit to the functional unit that is the destination.

9. A vehicle-mounted communication system comprising: A plurality of functional units; and A relay device that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units in a vehicle-mounted network, The functional unit sends an object frame to the relay device. The object frame is a frame that has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a prescribed communication protocol. When the content of the object frame received by the relay device from the functional unit satisfies a prescribed condition, the relay device stores position information in the object frame and sends the object frame storing the position information to another functional unit different from the functional unit that sent the object frame to the relay device. The position information is information related to the position of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the object frame or the functional unit that is the request object of the service related to the object frame in the vehicle-mounted network. Another functional unit determines whether to perform processing for establishing a communication connection with the functional unit that is the transmission source of the object frame based on the position information stored in the object frame received from the relay device.

10. A relay device for a vehicle-mounted network including a plurality of functional units, and comprising a processor and a semiconductor integrated circuit, The semiconductor integrated circuit implements a forwarding control unit that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the functional units, The processor implements a forwarding management unit, The forwarding control unit receives an object frame from the functional unit and outputs the received object frame to the forwarding management unit. The object frame is a frame that has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a prescribed communication protocol. When the content of the target frame received from the forwarding control unit satisfies a specified condition, the forwarding management unit stores the location information in the target frame and outputs the target frame storing the location information to the forwarding control unit. The location information is information related to the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that is the request source of the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the request destination of the service related to the target frame. The forwarding control unit sends the target frame received from the forwarding management unit to the functional unit that is the destination of the target frame.

11. An in-vehicle communication system comprising: a plurality of in-vehicle ECUs; and a relay device that performs relay processing on frames transmitted and received between the in-vehicle ECUs in the in-vehicle network, wherein the in-vehicle ECU sends a target frame to the relay device. The target frame is a frame that has information capable of identifying the request source of the service and information capable of identifying the content of the requested service and is transmitted and received according to a specified communication protocol. When the content of the target frame received from the in-vehicle ECU satisfies a specified condition, the relay device stores the location information in the target frame and sends the target frame storing the location information to another in-vehicle ECU different from the in-vehicle ECU that sent the target frame to the relay device. The location information is information related to the location in the in-vehicle network of the in-vehicle ECU that is the request source of the service related to the target frame or the in-vehicle ECU that is the request destination of the service related to the target frame. The other in-vehicle ECU determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the target frame based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device.

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