In-vehicle device and sleep control method

Abstract

The in-vehicle device includes a communication unit that communicates with in-vehicle devices in an in-vehicle network; a detection unit that detects an in-vehicle device newly added to the in-vehicle network, i.e., a new in-vehicle device; and a sleep processing unit that, in a detection state in which the new in-vehicle device is detected by the detection unit, transmits, to the new in-vehicle device via the communication unit, a sleep request for shifting to a sleep state in synchronization with in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle device and a sleep control method.

[0002] This application claims priority from Japanese Application No. 2020-62820 filed on March 31, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND

[0003] Philip Axer (NXP), Charles Hong (Realtek), Antony Liu (Realtek), “OPEN Sleep / Wake-up Specification”, OPEN ALLIANCE, March 7, 2019, p. 9-10 (Non-Patent Literature 1) discloses a technology of performing sleep control on an ECU in a vehicle Ethernet.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-177785

[0007] NON-PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0008] Non-Patent Literature 1: Philip Axer (NXP), Charles Hong (Realtek), Antony Liu (Realtek), “OPEN Sleep / Wake-up Specification”, OPEN ALLIANCE, March 7, 2019, p. 9-10 SUMMARY

[0009] The in-vehicle device of the present disclosure includes a communication unit that communicates with in-vehicle devices in a vehicle network, a detection unit that detects a new in-vehicle device that is newly added to the vehicle network, and a sleep processing unit that, in a detection state in which the new in-vehicle device is detected by the detection unit, transmits, to the new in-vehicle device via the communication unit, a sleep request for shifting to a sleep state in synchronization with the in-vehicle devices in the vehicle network.

[0010] The sleep control method of the present disclosure is a sleep control method of an in-vehicle device that is capable of communicating with other in-vehicle devices in a vehicle network, and includes a step of detecting a new in-vehicle device that is newly added to the vehicle network, and a step of, in a detection state in which the new in-vehicle device is detected, transmitting, to the new in-vehicle device, a sleep request for shifting to a sleep state in synchronization with the in-vehicle devices in the vehicle network.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure can be implemented not only as an in-vehicle device having such a characteristic processing section but also as a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described characteristic processing. Furthermore, one aspect of the present disclosure can be implemented as a semiconductor integrated circuit that implements part or all of an in-vehicle device or as a system that includes an in-vehicle device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram that shows a structure of an in-vehicle system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram that shows an example of a sequence of sleep processing in the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a diagram that shows a structure of a relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a diagram that shows an example of sleep function information in the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a diagram that shows an example of transfer information in the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a diagram that shows an example of a sequence of addition processing of a new in-vehicle device in the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a diagram that shows another example of a sequence of addition processing of a new in-vehicle device in the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Conventionally, a technology for achieving power saving by performing sleep control on in-vehicle devices such as ECUs (Electronic Control Units) in an in-vehicle network has been developed.

[0020] [PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE]

[0021] In an in-vehicle network, various in-vehicle devices are sometimes added or detached according to user's needs.

[0022] When an in-vehicle device newly added to the in-vehicle network does not have a sleep function as described in Non-Patent Literature 1, for example, the processing of shifting the entire in-vehicle network to a sleep state and the like can unexpectedly fail when abnormal processing is performed or for maintenance work and the like.

[0023] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has an object to provide a vehicle-mounted device and a sleep control method capable of more stably performing sleep control of each vehicle-mounted device in a vehicle-mounted network.

[0024] [Effects of the present disclosure]

[0025] According to the present disclosure, sleep control of each vehicle-mounted device can be more stably performed in a vehicle-mounted network.

[0026] [Explanation of embodiments of the present disclosure]

[0027] First, the content of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained.

[0028] (1) The vehicle-mounted device of the embodiments of the present disclosure has: a communication section that communicates with vehicle-mounted devices in a vehicle-mounted network; a detection section that detects a new vehicle-mounted device that is newly added to the vehicle-mounted network; and a sleep processing section that, in a detection state in which the new vehicle-mounted device is detected by the detection section, transmits, to the new vehicle-mounted device via the communication section, a sleep request for shifting to a sleep state in synchronization with the vehicle-mounted devices in the vehicle-mounted network.

[0029] With such a configuration, it is possible to previously confirm whether or not the vehicle-mounted device newly added to the vehicle-mounted network has a sleep function of shifting to a sleep state in synchronization with other vehicle-mounted devices, and thus it is possible to prevent, for example, a situation in which a process of shifting to a sleep state is unexpectedly failed when the process is performed in the entire vehicle-mounted network for an abnormality process or a maintenance work, and the like. Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted network, sleep control of each vehicle-mounted device can be more stably performed.

[0030] (2) Preferably, the sleep processing section saves, in a storage section, sleep function information indicating whether or not the communication section receives, from the new vehicle-mounted device, a sleep response to the sleep request transmitted in the detection state.

[0031] With such a configuration, using the sleep function information on one or a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices, it is possible to perform a process of appropriate content corresponding to a past confirmation result of whether or not each vehicle-mounted device has the sleep function.

[0032] (3) Preferably, the communication section stops operating in the sleep state, and in a case where the communication section receives, from the new vehicle-mounted device, a sleep response to the sleep request in the detection state, the sleep processing section performs control not to shift the communication section to the sleep state.

[0033] With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the communication section is erroneously shifted to the sleep state in the detection state, with a simple process.

[0034] (4) Preferably, in a case where the communication section receives a sleep response to the sleep request from the new in-vehicle device in the detection state, the sleep processing section transmits a wake-up request for causing in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network to shift from the sleep state to the wake-up state to the new in-vehicle device via the communication section.

[0035] With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a case where the new in-vehicle device erroneously shifts to the sleep state in the detection state, with a simple process.

[0036] (5) The sleep control method of the embodiment of the present disclosure is a sleep control method of an in-vehicle device capable of communicating with other in-vehicle devices in an in-vehicle network, including the steps of detecting a new in-vehicle device, which is an in-vehicle device newly added to the in-vehicle network, and transmitting a sleep request for shifting to a sleep state in synchronization with in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network to the new in-vehicle device in a detection state in which the new in-vehicle device is detected.

[0037] With such a configuration, it is possible to confirm in advance whether or not the in-vehicle device newly added to the in-vehicle network has a sleep function of shifting to the sleep state in synchronization with other in-vehicle devices, and thus it is possible to prevent a case where the process of shifting to the sleep state is unexpectedly failed when the process of shifting to the sleep state is performed in the entire in-vehicle network, for example, for an abnormality process or a maintenance work, and the like. Thus, in the in-vehicle network, it is possible to more stably perform sleep control of each in-vehicle device.

[0038] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using the drawings. Note that the same reference signs are attached to the same or equivalent portions in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted. Also, at least a part of the embodiment described below can be arbitrarily combined.

[0039] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an in-vehicle system of the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1 , the in-vehicle system 301 is mounted on a vehicle, and includes a relay device 101 and one or more in-vehicle ECUs 202.

[0040] Note that the in-vehicle system 301 can also be a configuration including a plurality of relay devices 101. In Figure 1 , as an example, a case where the in-vehicle system 301 includes one relay device 101 and three in-vehicle ECUs 202 is shown.

[0041] The in-vehicle ECUs 202 are, for example, a TCU (Telematics Control Unit), an automatic driving ECU, an engine ECU, a sensor, a navigation device, a human-machine interface, a camera, and the like. The TCU communicates with a device outside the vehicle, such as a server 401, via a wireless base station or the like, which is not shown.

[0042] The relay device 101 is, for example, a gateway device capable of relaying information among a plurality of in-vehicle ECUs 202 connected thereto. In more detail, the relay device 101 is capable of performing, for example, layer 2 relay processing in compliance with the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model. Note that the relay device 101 can also be a structure that performs layer 3 relay processing in compliance with a layer higher than layer 2, in addition to layer 2.

[0043] The relay device 101 and the in-vehicle ECUs 202 constitute an in-vehicle network 151. The in-vehicle ECUs 202 and the relay device 101 are examples of in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network 151. The connection relationship of each in-vehicle device in the in-vehicle network 151 is fixed, for example.

[0044] In the in-vehicle network 151, the in-vehicle ECUs 202 are connected to the relay device 101 via, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) cables 81. In more detail, the relay device 101 includes communication ports 1A, 1B, 1C as communication ports 1. The communication ports 1A, 1B, 1C are, for example, terminals capable of connecting the Ethernet cables 81. The three in-vehicle ECUs 202 are respectively connected to the communication ports 1A, 1B, 1C in the relay device 101 via the corresponding Ethernet cables 81.

[0045] The relay device 101 performs Ethernet frame relay processing in compliance with the communication standard of Ethernet. Specifically, the relay device 101 relays Ethernet frames exchanged among the in-vehicle ECUs 202, for example. The IP packet is stored in the Ethernet frame.

[0046] Note that in the in-vehicle system 301, the structure that relays data in compliance with the communication standard of Ethernet is not limited, and the structure that relays data in compliance with the communication standards of CAN (Controller Area Network) (registered trademark), FlexRay (registered trademark), MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) (registered trademark), and LIN (Local Interconnect Network), and the like can also be used, for example.

[0047] Each device in the in-vehicle system of the embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with a computer including a memory, and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) in the computer reads out a part or all of the programs of each step of the flowchart and the order including the following from the memory and executes them. The programs of the plurality of devices can be respectively installed from the outside. The programs of the plurality of devices are circulated in a state of being stored in a recording medium, respectively.

[0048] Figure 2 is a diagram indicating an example of the order of the sleep processing in the in-vehicle system of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Referring to Figure 2 , first, in a state where the in-vehicle device A and the in-vehicle device B are in the wake state (steps S51 and S52), the in-vehicle device A transmits a sleep request for shifting to the sleep state in synchronization with the in-vehicle device B to the in-vehicle device B (step S53).

[0050] Next, the in-vehicle device B receives the sleep request from the in-vehicle device A, transmits a sleep response to the in-vehicle device A (step S54), and shifts to the sleep state when a prescribed time TB elapses from the transmission of the sleep response. The in-vehicle device B stops the operation of, for example, a part of the devices in the sleep state (step S56).

[0051] In addition, the in-vehicle device A shifts to the sleep state when a prescribed time TA elapses from the transmission of the sleep request to the in-vehicle device B in a case where the sleep response is received from the in-vehicle device B. The in-vehicle device A stops the operation of, for example, a part of the devices in the sleep state (step S55). The prescribed times TA and TB are the same value of several tens of milliseconds as an example.

[0052] Then, the in-vehicle device A shifts to the wake state (step S57), and transmits a wake-up request to the in-vehicle device B (step S58).

[0053] Next, the in-vehicle device B receives the wake-up request from the in-vehicle device A, shifts to the wake state (step S59), and transmits a wake-up response to the in-vehicle device A (step S60).

[0054] Note that, in the in-vehicle device A, in a case where the sleep response is not received from the in-vehicle device B although the prescribed time elapses from the transmission of the sleep request to the in-vehicle device B, the sleep processing fails.

[0055] In the in-vehicle system 301, as an example, the sleep request, the sleep response, the wake-up request, and the wake-up response are transmitted via the Ethernet cable 81. With such a structure, a dedicated line for transmitting the above-described control information in the sleep processing is not needed, and it is possible to simplify the structure of the in-vehicle network 151. The sleep processing described in Non-Patent Literature 1 is an example of such a sleep processing.

[0056] Figure 3 is a diagram indicating the structure of the relay device of the in-vehicle system of the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3 , the relay device 101 includes a detection unit 12, a sleep processing unit 13, a storage unit 14, and one or more communication units 15. In Figure 3In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where the relay device 101 is provided with three communication sections 15A, 15B, 15C corresponding to the communication ports 1A, 1B, 1C, respectively, is shown. Note that the storage section 14 can also be provided outside the relay device 101.

[0057] The detection section 12 and the sleep processing section 13 are implemented by, for example, a CPU or a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) or the like. The communication section 15 is implemented by, for example, a communication circuit such as a communication IC (Integrated Circuit) or the like. The storage section 14 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory.

[0058] Each communication section 15 performs relay processing of Ethernet frames between the in-vehicle ECUs 202. More specifically, when an Ethernet frame is received from a certain in-vehicle ECU 202 via the corresponding Ethernet cable 81 and the communication port 1, each communication section 15 transmits the received Ethernet frame to the in-vehicle ECU 202 of the transmission destination via the corresponding communication section 15, the communication port 1, and the Ethernet cable 81.

[0059] [Sleep Processing]

[0060] The sleep processing section 13 outputs a sleep request to the communication section 15 corresponding to the in-vehicle ECU 202 of the transmission destination. The communication section 15 saves the sleep request accepted from the sleep processing section 13 in an Ethernet frame and transmits it to the in-vehicle ECU 202 via the communication port 1 and the Ethernet cable 81.

[0061] The communication section 15 receives a sleep response to the sleep request transmitted from the in-vehicle ECU 202 via the Ethernet cable 81 and the communication port 1.

[0062] The sleep processing section 13 receives a sleep response to the sleep request transmitted from the in-vehicle ECU 202 via the communication section 15. When a predetermined time elapses from the transmission of the sleep request to the in-vehicle ECU 202, the sleep processing section 13 transitions to a sleep state in which the operation of a part of each unit in the relay device 101 is stopped, in the case where the sleep response is received. Note that the communication section 15 can also be configured to transition to a sleep state in which a part of its own functions is stopped upon reception of the sleep response.

[0063] The sleep processing section 13 outputs a wake-up request to the communication section 15 in the case where it recovers from the sleep state to the active state, and transitions to a wake-up state in which the operation of the stopped units in the relay device 101 is started again.

[0064] The communication section 15 saves the wake-up request accepted from the sleep processing section 13 as an Ethernet frame and transmits it to the in-vehicle ECU 202 via the communication port 1 and the Ethernet cable 81. The communication section 15 receives the wake-up response to the wake-up request transmitted from the in-vehicle ECU 202 via the Ethernet cable 81 and the communication port 1 and outputs it to the sleep processing section 13.

[0065] [Process accompanying addition of new in-vehicle device]

[0066] The communication section 15 establishes a communication connection with a new in-vehicle device by exchanging one or more pieces of communication information between itself and the new in-vehicle device when the in-vehicle ECU 202 newly added to the in-vehicle network 151, i.e., the new in-vehicle device, is connected to the relay device 101 via the corresponding communication port 1 and the Ethernet cable. The communication section 15 updates the value of its register from "not connected" to "connected" or notifies the detection section 12 of the content of the establishment of the communication connection in the case where the communication connection with the new in-vehicle device is established.

[0067] The detection section 12 detects the new in-vehicle device newly added to the in-vehicle network 151. More specifically, the detection section 12 periodically or aperiodically reads the value of the register of the communication section 15 or accepts notification of the content of the establishment of the communication connection from the communication section 15 to detect the case where the new in-vehicle device is connected to the communication port 1 corresponding to the communication section 15. The detection section 12 outputs detection information indicating the content of the connection of the new in-vehicle device and the corresponding communication port 1 to the sleep processing section 13, for example.

[0068] The sleep processing section 13 accepts the detection information from the detection section 12 and shifts from the non-detection state to the detection state for the communication port 1 indicated by the accepted detection information, and transmits the sleep request to the new in-vehicle device via the corresponding communication section 15. The sleep processing section 13 saves the sleep function information in the storage section 14, for example, indicating whether or not the communication section 15 receives the sleep response to the sleep request transmitted in the detection state from the new in-vehicle device for each communication port 1.

[0069] Figure 4 is a diagram indicating an example of the sleep function information in the relay device of the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 The case where the relay device 101 is provided with five communication ports 1, i.e., communication ports A to E, is shown.

[0070] Reference Figure 4 The sleep function information indicates the correspondence relationship of the communication port and the function of the in-vehicle ECU 202 connected to the communication port. Specifically, the in-vehicle ECUs 202 connected to the communication ports A, B, and C have the function of the sleep processing shown in Figure 2 , the in-vehicle ECU 202 connected to the communication port D does not have the function of the sleep processing shown in Figure 2The function of the sleep processing shown is not connected to the vehicle ECU 202 at the communication port E.

[0071] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of transfer information in a relay device that represents an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 The relay device 101 is shown as having five communication ports 1, i.e., communication ports A to E.

[0072] Referring to Figure 5 , the transfer information represents the setting content of which communication port the sleep request and the wake-up request received at the communication port on the transmission side should be relayed to.

[0073] In the case where the sleep function information is Figure 4 , the communication port D connected to the vehicle ECU 202 that does not have the function of the sleep processing shown by Figure 2 , and the communication port E to which the vehicle ECU 202 is not connected are excluded from the transmission destination and the reception source of the sleep request and the wake-up request in the transfer information.

[0074] For example, the sleep processing section 13 makes or updates such transfer information and saves it in the storage section 14 after that.

[0075] Each communication section 15 refers to the transfer information in the storage section 14 and relays the sleep request and the wake-up request received from the vehicle ECU 202 to the other vehicle ECU 202. Note that the communication section 15 can also be a structure that transmits the sleep request and the wake-up request generated by the sleep processing section 13 to the vehicle ECU 202 with reference to the transfer information.

[0076] In this way, using the sleep function information, it is possible to grasp whether each vehicle ECU 202 has the function of performing the sleep processing shown by Figure 2 , and thus it is possible to make detailed transfer settings of the sleep request and the wake-up request.

[0077] In addition, the sleep processing section 13, by using the sleep function information, sets its own function regarding the vehicle ECU 202 that does not have the function of performing the sleep processing shown by Figure 2 to be invalid, and can cause only its own relay device 101 to transition to the sleep state.

[0078] Referring again to Figure 3For example, when the communication unit 15 receives a sleep response from the new vehicle-mounted device in a detection state, the sleep processing unit 13 controls the communication unit 15 to prevent it from transitioning to a sleep state. Specifically, for example, even if the sleep processing unit 13 receives a sleep response from the communication unit 15, it keeps the operation of each unit in the relay device 101 running. Alternatively, if the communication unit 15 is configured to automatically transition to a sleep state, the sleep processing unit 13, for example, receives a sleep response from the communication unit 15 and outputs a wake-up maintenance request to the communication unit 15. The communication unit 15 receives the wake-up maintenance request from the sleep processing unit 13, does not transition to a sleep state, and continues its own operation.

[0079] Additionally, for example, if the sleep processing unit 13 receives a sleep response from the communication unit 15 in the detection state, it will send a wake-up request to the new vehicle device via the corresponding communication unit 15 to the new vehicle device for transferring the vehicle device in the vehicle network 151 from the sleep state to the wake-up state.

[0080] The new vehicle-mounted device receives a wake-up request from the relay device 101 within a specified time after sending the sleep response and maintains the wake-up state.

[0081] Furthermore, when the sleep processing unit 13 receives a sleep response to the sleep request from the new vehicle device in the detection state, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the sleep request was sent to the new vehicle device in the detection state, the communication unit 15 switches the new vehicle device as an existing vehicle device in the vehicle network 151 and the corresponding communication port 1 switches from the detection state to the normal state.

[0082] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the sequence of additional processing of a new vehicle-mounted device in a vehicle-mounted system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 It will show that it has Figure 2 The example shown is a new addition to the vehicle ECU 202, which has a sleep processing function, to the vehicle network 151.

[0083] Reference Figure 6 First, a communication connection is established between the communication unit 15 in the relay device 101 and the new vehicle-mounted device (step S1).

[0084] Next, the detection unit 12 detects the new vehicle-mounted device (step S2) and outputs the detection information representing the corresponding communication port 1 to the sleep processing unit 13 (step S3).

[0085] Next, the sleep processing unit 13 receives detection information from the detection unit 12, and transfers from the undetected state to the detection state regarding the communication port 1 indicated by the received detection information (step S4), and sends the sleep request to the new vehicle device via the corresponding communication unit 15 (step S5).

[0086] Next, the new vehicle-mounted device receives a sleep request from the relay device 101 and sends a sleep response to the relay device 101 (step S6).

[0087] Next, the sleep processing unit 13 receives the sleep response from the new vehicle device via the communication unit 15, and in the sleep function information of the storage unit 14, the corresponding communication port 1 is changed from "not connected" to "corresponding" (step S7).

[0088] Next, the sleep processing unit 13 outputs a wake-up maintenance request to the communication unit 15 (step S8).

[0089] Next, the communication unit 15 receives the wake-up maintenance request from the sleep processing unit 13 and continues its own operation without transitioning to a sleep state (step S9).

[0090] Next, the sleep processing unit 13 sends a wake-up request to the new vehicle device via the communication unit 15 (step S10), and transitions to the normal state for the corresponding communication port 1, setting the new vehicle device as an existing vehicle device in the vehicle network 151 (step S11).

[0091] In addition, the new vehicle-mounted device receives a wake-up request from the relay device 101 within a specified time after sending the sleep response and maintains the wake-up state (step S12).

[0092] Figure 7 This is another example of the sequence of additional processing of a new vehicle-mounted device in a vehicle-mounted system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 It will show that it will not have Figure 2 The example shown is a new addition to the vehicle ECU 202, which has a sleep processing function, to the vehicle network 151.

[0093] Reference Figure 7 The actions in steps S21 to S25 are the same as Figure 6 The steps S1 to S5 shown are the same.

[0094] Next, the new vehicle-mounted device does not have Figure 2 The sleep processing function shown means that even if a sleep request is sent from the relay device 101, a sleep response is not sent (step S26), and the awake state is maintained (step S27).

[0095] Next, since the sleep processing unit 13 has not received a sleep response from the new vehicle device even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the sleep request was sent to the new vehicle device (step S28), it sets the new vehicle device as an existing vehicle device in the vehicle network 151 (step S29) and transitions to the normal state with respect to the corresponding communication port 1 (step S30).

[0096] It should be noted that in the vehicle system of the embodiments of this disclosure, the relay device 101 is responsible for creating or updating the sleep function information, but it is not limited to this. Alternatively, other devices besides the relay device 101 may monitor whether a sleep response to a sleep request is received from a new vehicle device in the detection state, and perform, for example, the creation or updating of sleep function information.

[0097] Furthermore, in the vehicle system of the embodiments of this disclosure, the sleep processing unit 13 controls the communication unit 15 to prevent it from transitioning to a sleep state when the communication unit 15 receives a sleep response from a new vehicle device in a detection state, but it is not limited to this. Alternatively, the communication unit 15 may automatically identify the detection state and not transition to a sleep state even if it receives a sleep response from a new vehicle device.

[0098] Furthermore, in the vehicle system of the embodiments of this disclosure, the sleep processing unit 13 sends a wake-up request to the new vehicle device when the communication unit 15 receives a sleep response from the new vehicle device in the detection state, but it is not limited to this. Alternatively, if the new vehicle device has a function that does not transition to a sleep state even after receiving the initial sleep request upon startup, the sleep processing unit 13 may not send a wake-up request to the new vehicle device in the detection state.

[0099] Furthermore, in the vehicle system of the embodiments disclosed herein, the relay device 101 has a structure that includes a detection unit 12 and a sleep processing unit 13, but it is not limited to this. Other vehicle devices, such as a vehicle ECU 202 that does not have a relay function, may also have a structure that includes a detection unit 12 and a sleep processing unit 13, performing the aforementioned processing for new vehicle devices. In this case, the vehicle system 301 may also be structured without the relay device 101.

[0100] Furthermore, in the vehicle system of the embodiments disclosed herein, the relay device 101 performs the aforementioned processing on new vehicle devices directly connected to it, but it is not limited to this. Alternatively, the vehicle device may perform processing such as sending sleep requests during a detection state to new vehicle devices not directly connected to it via the relay device 101, etc.

[0101] However, when a new vehicle device added to the vehicle network does not have, for example, the sleep function described in Non-Patent Document 1, the process of transferring the entire vehicle network to a sleep state for abnormal handling or maintenance operations may sometimes fail unexpectedly.

[0102] In the in-vehicle device of the embodiment of the present disclosure, in contrast, the communication section 15 communicates with the in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network 151. The detection section 12 detects a new in-vehicle device, i.e., a new in-vehicle device, newly added to the in-vehicle network 151. The sleep processing section 13, in a detection state in which the new in-vehicle device is detected by the detection section 12, transmits a sleep request for shifting to a sleep state in synchronization with the in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network 151 to the new in-vehicle device via the communication section 15.

[0103] In the in-vehicle device of the embodiment of the present disclosure, in contrast, the communication section 15 communicates with the in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network 151. The detection section 12 detects a new in-vehicle device, i.e., a new in-vehicle device, newly added to the in-vehicle network 151. The sleep processing section 13, in a detection state in which the new in-vehicle device is detected by the detection section 12, transmits a sleep request for shifting to a sleep state in synchronization with the in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network 151 to the new in-vehicle device via the communication section 15.

[0104] With such a configuration, it is possible to confirm in advance whether the in-vehicle device newly added to the in-vehicle network has a sleep function of shifting to a sleep state in synchronization with other in-vehicle devices, and thus it is possible to prevent, for example, a situation in which a process of shifting to a sleep state is unexpectedly failed when the process is performed in the entire in-vehicle network for an abnormality process or a maintenance work, or the like. Thus, in the in-vehicle device and the sleep control method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to more stably perform sleep control of each in-vehicle device in the in-vehicle network.

[0105] Note that a part or all of the constituent elements and actions of each example of the in-vehicle device of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be appropriately combined.

[0106] The above-described embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not limiting. Descriptions of the present application should not be construed as limiting, but rather as presenting examples of the present application. The scope of the present application is not to be determined by the above description but instead is to be determined in accordance with the appended claims, such as the following claims.

[0107] The above description includes the following features.

[0108] [Note 1]

[0109] An in-vehicle device includes:

[0110] a communication section that communicates with in-vehicle devices in an in-vehicle network;

[0111] a detection section that detects a new in-vehicle device, i.e., a new in-vehicle device, newly added to the in-vehicle network; and

[0112] a sleep processing section that, in a detection state in which the new in-vehicle device is detected by the detection section, transmits a sleep request for shifting to a sleep state in synchronization with the in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network to the new in-vehicle device via the communication section,

[0113] In a case where the communication section receives a sleep response to the sleep request from the new in-vehicle device in the detection state, or in a case where a prescribed time elapses from the transmission of the sleep request to the new in-vehicle device in the detection state, the sleep processing section shifts from the detection state to a normal state, setting the new in-vehicle device as an existing in-vehicle device in the in-vehicle network,

[0114] The in-vehicle device further includes:

[0115] a plurality of communication ports;

[0116] a plurality of the communication sections, provided corresponding to the communication ports, relaying communication information received from other in-vehicle devices via the corresponding communication ports to the other in-vehicle devices via the corresponding communication ports,

[0117] The sleep processing section stores the sleep function information of each of the communication ports in the storage section.

[0118] Label Explanation

[0119] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Communication port

[0120] 12 Detection section

[0121] 13 Sleep processing section

[0122] 14 Storage section

[0123] 15, 15A, 15B, 15C Communication section

[0124] 101 Relay device

[0125] 151 In-vehicle network

[0126] 202 In-vehicle ECU

[0127] 301 In-vehicle system

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted device, comprising: The communications department communicates with in-vehicle devices in the vehicle network. The detection department detects newly added vehicle-mounted devices, i.e., new vehicle-mounted devices, to the vehicle network; and The sleep processing unit, upon detecting the new vehicle-mounted device by the detection unit, sends a sleep request via the communication unit to the new vehicle-mounted device for synchronously transitioning to a sleep state with other vehicle-mounted devices in the vehicle network. The sleep processing unit determines whether the new vehicle device has a sleep function based on whether the communication unit receives a sleep response from the new vehicle device in response to the sleep request sent in the detection state.

2. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1, wherein, The sleep processing unit stores sleep function information in the storage unit, which indicates whether the communication unit has received a sleep response from the new vehicle device for the sleep request sent in the detection state.

3. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The communication unit stops operating during the sleep state. When the communication unit receives a sleep response to the sleep request from the new vehicle-mounted device in the detection state, the sleep processing unit controls the communication unit to prevent it from transitioning to the sleep state.

4. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the communication unit receives a sleep response to the sleep request from the new vehicle device in the detection state, the sleep processing unit sends a wake-up request, which is used to transition the vehicle device in the vehicle network from a sleep state to an awake state, to the new vehicle device via the communication unit.

5. A sleep control method for an in-vehicle device capable of communicating with other in-vehicle devices in an in-vehicle network, comprising the following steps: Detect any newly added vehicle-mounted devices to the vehicle network, i.e., new vehicle-mounted devices; Upon detecting the new vehicle-mounted device through the aforementioned detection, a sleep request for synchronously transitioning to a sleep state with other vehicle-mounted devices in the vehicle network is sent to the new vehicle-mounted device; and Whether the new vehicle device has a sleep function is determined based on whether a sleep response is received from the new vehicle device in response to the sleep request sent in the detection state.

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