In-vehicle device, information processing method, and program product

Abstract

A vehicle-mounted device is mounted on a vehicle and communicably connected with other vehicle-mounted devices via a vehicle-mounted network, wherein the vehicle-mounted device is provided with a control unit that controls communication of the vehicle-mounted device with the other vehicle-mounted devices, and in the case of causing a state of the vehicle-mounted device to change from a normal state to a dormant state, the control unit generates a notification message determined in accordance with AUTOSAR by including a disable flag for disabling interruption detection in the other vehicle-mounted devices, and outputs the generated notification message.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to vehicle-mounted devices, information processing methods, and program products.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2021-099681, filed on June 15, 2021, and invokes all the contents of the aforementioned Japanese application. Background Technology

[0003] The vehicle is equipped with an on-board unit, which includes on-board equipment such as powertrain systems (engine control, etc.) and body systems (air conditioning control, etc.), an on-board ECU (Electronic Control Unit) for controlling the on-board equipment, and a relay device for relaying communication between the on-board equipment and the on-board ECU. By connecting multiple on-board devices, an on-board network is formed in the vehicle with the on-board devices (on-board equipment, on-board ECU, and relay device) as nodes (e.g., Patent Documents 1 to 4). The multiple on-board devices communicate via the on-board network.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-97851

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-147427

[0008] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-71572

[0009] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-230022 Summary of the Invention

[0010] One aspect of this disclosure relates to an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle and connected to other in-vehicle devices via an in-vehicle network in a communicative manner. The in-vehicle device includes a control unit that controls the communication between the in-vehicle device and the other in-vehicle devices. When the state of the in-vehicle device is changed from a normal state to a sleep state, the control unit generates a notification message determined according to AUTOSAR, including a disable flag, and outputs the generated notification message. The disable flag is used to disable interrupt detection in the other in-vehicle devices. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a vehicle-mounted system including the vehicle-mounted device according to Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 2This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of an onboard device.

[0013] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram (timing diagram) illustrating one method of various processes performed by vehicle-mounted devices, etc.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit of an onboard device.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit of the vehicle-mounted device involved in Embodiment 2 (dormant classification, etc.).

[0016] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an activation marker corresponding to dormancy classification, etc.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit of the vehicle-mounted device according to Embodiment 3 (Activation Flag). Detailed Implementation

[0018] [The problem this disclosure aims to solve]

[0019] In the vehicle ECU of Patent Document 1, etc., when the vehicle ECU enters a dormant state and does not send notification messages such as NM messages, there is a problem that the processing of other vehicle ECUs is not considered.

[0020] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a vehicle-mounted device or the like that can effectively perform processing on other vehicle-mounted devices or the like when it enters a dormant state.

[0021] [Effects of this disclosure]

[0022] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle-mounted device or the like can be provided that can effectively perform processing on other vehicle-mounted devices or the like when transitioning to a dormant state.

[0023] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure]

[0024] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be described by way of example. Additionally, at least a portion of the embodiments described below may be combined in any way.

[0025] (1) In one aspect of this disclosure, the vehicle-mounted device is mounted on a vehicle and is connected to other vehicle-mounted devices in a communicative manner via a vehicle network. The vehicle-mounted device includes a control unit that controls the communication between the vehicle-mounted device and the other vehicle-mounted devices. When the state of the vehicle-mounted device is changed from a normal state to a sleep state, the control unit generates a notification message determined according to AUTOSAR (AUTomotive Open System Architecture) by including a disable flag and outputs the generated notification message. The disable flag is used to disable interrupt detection in the other vehicle-mounted devices.

[0026] In this method, multiple vehicle-mounted devices that are communicatively connected via a vehicle network continuously perform interruption detection-related processing by sending and receiving notification messages to each other. The interruption detection checks whether communication with other vehicle-mounted devices is proceeding normally. These multiple vehicle-mounted devices include not only those directly connected to actuators, sensors, etc., but also relay devices that relay communication between vehicle-mounted devices, equivalent to nodes on the vehicle network. When one of these vehicle-mounted devices transitions from a normal state to a sleep state, the control unit of the vehicle-mounted device outputs (sends) a notification message containing a disable flag to other vehicle-mounted devices besides the one that is currently in use. This disable flag is used to disable interruption detection. This notification message is, for example, a message conforming to the AUTOSAR standard. Other vehicle-mounted devices that receive (receive) the notification message containing the disable flag disable interruption detection on the vehicle-mounted device that is the source of the notification message. Disabling the interruption detection includes invalidating the interruption detection function, stopping the processing, and properly fixing the flag indicating whether the communication status of the target vehicle-mounted device is correct. Even when the control unit of the vehicle-mounted device switches to a sleep state, after outputting a notification message containing a disable flag, it does not output a notification message for a predetermined period determined by a sleep timer or the like. This effectively prevents false detections such as communication loss with the vehicle-mounted device from occurring through other vehicle-mounted devices.

[0027] (2) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification message is periodically sent and received between the vehicle device and the other vehicle devices, and the control unit generates the notification message without the disable flag and outputs the generated notification message while maintaining the state of the vehicle device in a normal state.

[0028] In this method, the control unit of the vehicle device generates and outputs a notification message without including a disable flag while maintaining the state of the vehicle device in the normal state, thus maintaining the state in which interrupt detection is activated in other vehicle devices.

[0029] (3) In a vehicle-mounted device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the control unit changes the state of the vehicle-mounted device from a dormant state to a normal state, it generates a notification message containing an activation flag and outputs the generated notification message, wherein the activation flag is used to activate interrupt detection in the other vehicle-mounted device.

[0030] In this method, when the control unit of the vehicle-mounted device transitions from a sleep state to a normal state, it generates a notification message containing an activation flag and outputs it to the other vehicle-mounted devices. The activation flag is used to activate interrupt detection in the other vehicle-mounted devices. Thus, even if interrupt detection in other vehicle-mounted devices is disabled, interrupt detection in the other vehicle-mounted device can be activated when the vehicle-mounted device subject to interrupt detection transitions from a sleep state to a normal state.

[0031] (4) In one embodiment of the vehicle-mounted device disclosed herein, the communication protocol used in the vehicle network is CAN (Controller Area Network), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), FlexRay (registered trademark), or TCP / IP, and the control unit outputs the notification message via broadcast. Additionally, TCP is short for Transmission Control Protocol, and IP is short for Internet Protocol.

[0032] In this approach, the communication protocol used in the in-vehicle network is CAN, LIN, FlexRay, or TCP / IP, such as NM (Network Management) messages as defined by AUTOSAR. When the communication protocol is TCP / IP, the notification message is output as a broadcast based on UDP (User Datagram Protocol) as defined by TCP / IP. Thus, in an in-vehicle network using an AUTOSAR-based protocol, when transitioning to a sleep state, in-vehicle devices capable of effectively processing other in-vehicle ECUs can be applied.

[0033] (5) In a vehicle-mounted device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the control unit changes from a normal state to a sleep state, it determines a sleep classification representing a sleep state, generates a notification message containing a disable flag corresponding to the determined sleep classification, and disables interrupt detection of the other vehicle-mounted device by outputting the notification message.

[0034] In this method, the control unit of the vehicle-mounted device generates and outputs (sends) a notification message containing a disable flag corresponding to the sleep classification, thus notifying other vehicle-mounted devices that the device is being output to of the sleep classification. Consequently, other vehicle-mounted devices that receive the notification message can perform processing corresponding to the sleep classification of the vehicle-mounted device that is the target of the disabled interruption detection.

[0035] (6) In a vehicle-mounted device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the control unit changes from a normal state to a sleep state, it determines a sleep condition for changing to a sleep state, generates a notification message containing a disable flag corresponding to the determined sleep state, and disables interrupt detection of the other vehicle-mounted device by outputting the notification message.

[0036] In this method, the control unit of the vehicle-mounted device generates and outputs (sends) a notification message containing a disable flag corresponding to the sleep condition, thus notifying other vehicle-mounted devices that the device is sleep-condition. Consequently, other vehicle-mounted devices that receive this notification message can perform processing corresponding to the sleep condition of the vehicle-mounted device that is the target of the disabled interrupt detection.

[0037] (7) One aspect of the information processing method of this disclosure causes a computer to perform the following processing, wherein the computer is mounted on a vehicle and connected to other computers in a communicative manner via an in-vehicle network: when the state of the computer is changed from a normal state to a hibernation state, a notification message containing a disable flag is generated and the generated notification message is output, wherein the disable flag is used to disable interrupt detection in the other computers.

[0038] In this approach, an information processing method can be provided that enables a computer connected to an in-vehicle network to function as an in-vehicle device capable of effectively processing other computers when it enters a dormant state.

[0039] (8) In one aspect of this disclosure, the program causes a computer to perform the following process, wherein the computer is mounted in a vehicle and connected to other computers in a communicative manner via an in-vehicle network: when the state of the computer is changed from a normal state to a hibernation state, a notification message containing a disable flag is generated and the generated notification message is output, wherein the disable flag is used to disable interrupt detection in the other computers.

[0040] In this method, a computer connected to the vehicle network can operate as a vehicle-mounted device capable of effectively processing other computers when it enters a hibernation state.

[0041] [Details of the embodiments disclosed herein]

[0042] Hereinafter, specific examples of vehicle-mounted devices 1 and the like according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and as shown in the claims, it is intended to include all modifications equivalent to and within the scope of the claims.

[0043] (Implementation Method 1)

[0044] The embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a vehicle system S including the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the vehicle-mounted device 1. The vehicle-mounted system S includes multiple vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay devices 2 mounted on the vehicle C, and a vehicle-mounted network 3 connecting the vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay devices 2 as nodes.

[0045] The communication protocol used in the vehicle network 3 is, for example, TCP / IP. Vehicle devices 1 and relay devices 2 are connected to each other via communication lines 31, such as Ethernet cables, in a manner that enables communication. This communication protocol is not limited to TCP / IP; it can also be CAN, LIN, or FlexRay. Multiple vehicle devices 1 and relay devices 2 connected to the vehicle network 3 belong to domains defined by logical or physical groups. Vehicle devices 1 and relay devices 2 belonging to the same domain periodically, regularly, or stably send and receive notification messages to detect interruptions in communication with other vehicle devices 1.

[0046] The vehicle network 3 forms a cascaded topology with all vehicle devices 1 connected to the multiple relay devices 2 at the top. This top-level vehicle device 1 is, for example, an integrated ECU (Electronic Control Unit) such as a vehicle computer, which is responsible for the overall control of the vehicle C. In the cascaded topology of the vehicle network 3, the vehicle devices 1 connected to each relay device 2 are, for example, individual vehicle ECUs connected to sensors such as LiDAR or actuators (ACTs) such as lamp devices. The vehicle devices 1 are not limited to vehicle ECUs pre-installed in the vehicle C; for example, they can be external devices such as electronic devices that correspond to the plug-and-play functionality of the vehicle C. That is, the vehicle devices 1 can also include external devices such as electronic devices connected to the vehicle C through plug-and-play functionality.

[0047] The integrated ECU can also be directly or indirectly connected to an IG switch for starting and stopping the vehicle C. The integrated ECU receives on / off signals (IG on signal, IG off signal) sent from the IG switch. The integrated ECU can also send a sleep signal or a wake-up signal based on the received IG on signal or IG off signal.

[0048] The relay device 2 is, for example, a Layer 2 or Layer 3 switch, used to relay communication between multiple vehicle-mounted devices 1, such as between the integrated ECU and various vehicle-mounted ECUs, or between vehicle-mounted ECUs directly connected to the relay device 2. The relay device 2 can also be a PLB (Power LAN Box) that is connected to a power supply device such as a battery or alternator mounted on the vehicle C via a power line, and distributes the power output from the power supply device to the vehicle-mounted devices 1 directly connected to the relay device 2 for power supply.

[0049] The vehicle-mounted device 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, an in-vehicle communication unit 12, and an input / output (I / O) unit 13. The control unit 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 10 reads and executes various programs (program products) and data pre-stored in the storage unit 11, performing various control and arithmetic processes. The programs stored in the storage unit 11 can also store control programs read from a recording medium 111 that can be read by the vehicle-mounted device 1. Furthermore, the programs (program products) stored in the storage unit 11 can also be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 11. The storage unit 11 is composed of volatile storage elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or non-volatile storage elements such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), or flash memory.

[0050] The in-vehicle communication unit 12 is, for example, an input / output interface (Ethernet PHY unit) using a communication protocol such as Ethernet. The control unit 10 communicates with the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the relay device 2 connected to the vehicle network 3 via the in-vehicle communication unit 12. When the vehicle-mounted device 1 is an integrated ECU, multiple in-vehicle communication units 12 are provided, and each in-vehicle communication unit 12 is connected to a communication line 31 that constitutes the vehicle network 3.

[0051] The input / output I / O pins 13 are, for example, communication interfaces used for serial communication. The vehicle-mounted device 1 communicates with vehicle-mounted equipment such as actuators or sensors via the input / output I / O pins 13.

[0052] Like the vehicle-mounted device 1, the relay device 2 has a control unit, a storage unit, and multiple in-vehicle communication units, and the structure of each functional unit is the same as that of the functional units in the vehicle-mounted device 1. The relay device 2 is, for example, an Ethernet switch (Ethernet SW) that functions as a Layer 2 or Layer 3 switch. The storage unit of the relay device 2 stores network configuration information for relay control (switch control).

[0053] The states of the vehicle-mounted device 1 and relay device 2 connected to the vehicle network 3 include a sleep state where power consumption is reduced (limited) and a normal state other than the sleep state. When in the normal state, the vehicle-mounted device 1 and relay device 2 determine that the sleep condition has been met, for example, by receiving a sleep signal or an IG disconnect signal, and then transition from the normal state to the sleep state. When in the sleep state, the vehicle-mounted device 1 and relay device 2 determine that the wake-up condition has been met, for example, by receiving a wake-up signal or an IG connect signal, and then transition from the sleep state to the normal state.

[0054] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram (timing diagram) illustrating one method of processing performed by the vehicle-mounted device 1, etc. In the illustration of this embodiment, based on the structure consisting of three vehicle-mounted devices 1 connected to the relay device 2 and belonging to the same domain (connected to the segment), the sending and receiving of notification messages and the transition to sleep state in these vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay device 2 are explained.

[0055] As illustrated in this embodiment, in the cascaded vehicle network 3, the vehicle device 1 connected to the topmost level is an integrated ECU, such as a vehicle computer. The vehicle devices 1 connected to the relay device 2 are, for example, individual vehicle ECUs connected to sensors such as LiDAR or actuators (ACT) such as lamp devices. In this embodiment, the vehicle devices 1 belonging to the same domain include the integrated ECU (vehicle device 1A) and two vehicle ECUs (vehicle devices 1B and 1C). The relay device 2 is also treated as a device corresponding to the vehicle device 1 belonging to the same domain and is processed in the same way as the vehicle device 1.

[0056] These vehicle-mounted devices 1 (including relay devices 2) belonging to the same domain periodically or stably send notification messages, such as NM messages determined according to AUTOSAR, to other vehicle-mounted devices 1 (notifying themselves of their own survival). Furthermore, these vehicle-mounted devices 1 determine whether communication with other vehicle-mounted devices 1 is proceeding normally (interruption detection) by receiving notification messages from those other vehicle-mounted devices 1. That is, if each vehicle-mounted device 1, including the relay device 2, does not receive a notification message (NM message) from another vehicle-mounted device 1 within the specified transmission period, it performs an interruption detection, indicating that communication with that other vehicle-mounted device 1 is disconnected. Thus, each vehicle-mounted device 1 and relay device 2 possesses an interruption detection function for detecting situations where communication with other vehicle-mounted devices 1, etc., is interrupted.

[0057] Vehicle-mounted device 1A sends (outputs) a notification message (NM message) (S01). Relay device 2 sends (outputs) a notification message (NM message) (S02). Vehicle-mounted device 1B sends (outputs) a notification message (NM message) (S03). Vehicle-mounted device 1C sends (outputs) a notification message (NM message) (S04). These notification messages (NM messages) are sent (output) to all vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay device 2 connected to the same domain via broadcast based on UDP, a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. Alternatively, the communication protocol can be CAN, LIN, or FlexRay. These vehicle-mounted devices 1 periodically send and receive these notification messages (NM messages) under normal conditions. Communication between these vehicle-mounted devices, such as vehicle-mounted device 1A, vehicle-mounted device 1B, and vehicle-mounted device 1C, is relayed via relay device 2.

[0058] In the vehicle-mounted devices 1 belonging to the same domain, if any vehicle-mounted device 1 (e.g., vehicle-mounted device 1B) receives a signal that triggers the transition to a sleep state, such as a sleep signal, a vehicle C mode change signal, or an IG switch disconnect signal, it determines that the sleep condition is met (S05).

[0059] When the sleep condition is met, the vehicle-mounted device 1B generates a notification message containing a disable flag for disabling interrupt detection for other vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay devices 2, and sends the notification message (disable flag: present) via broadcast, for example (S06). For example, if the notification message is based on an AUTOSAR NM message, the vehicle-mounted device 1B may also generate a notification message containing a disable flag by storing the disable flag in the area (User data area) included in the payload of the NM message. This disable flag may also be defined by a specified bit value, for example. After sending the notification message (disable flag: present), the vehicle-mounted device 1B does not send further notification messages and stops the periodic transmission of notification messages.

[0060] Vehicle device 1A, having received (acquired) a notification message (disable flag: present) sent from vehicle device 1B, disables interrupt detection of vehicle device 1B, which is the source of the notification message (disables the interrupt detection function) (S07). Similarly, relay device 2, having received (acquired) a notification message (disable flag: present), disables interrupt detection of vehicle device 1B (disables the interrupt detection function) (S08). Similarly, vehicle device 1C, having received (acquired) a notification message (disable flag: present), disables interrupt detection of vehicle device 1B (disables the interrupt detection function) (S09).

[0061] Vehicle-mounted device 1A, relay device 2, and vehicle-mounted device 1C disable interruption detection for vehicle-mounted device 1B by receiving a notification message (disable flag: present) sent from vehicle-mounted device 1B. Therefore, even if no notification message is received from vehicle-mounted device 1B, it will not be determined that communication with vehicle-mounted device 1B is disconnected. This prevents false detection of a disconnection in communication with vehicle-mounted device 1B by vehicle-mounted device 1A, relay device 2, and vehicle-mounted device 1C, despite the absence of any abnormalities in communication with vehicle-mounted device 1B.

[0062] After vehicle-mounted device 1B determines that a sleep state determination has been achieved, vehicle-mounted device 1C, relay device 2, and vehicle-mounted device 1A are also sequentially determined to have a sleep state determination (S10, S11, S12). These vehicle-mounted devices 1A, relay device 2, and vehicle-mounted device 1C, having achieved a sleep state determination, similarly to vehicle-mounted device 1B, generate a notification message containing a disable flag for disabling interrupt detection for their respective devices, for example, by broadcasting the notification message (disable flag: present). Subsequently, vehicle-mounted devices 1A, relay device 2, and vehicle-mounted device 1C do not send further notification messages, and the periodic transmission of notification messages is suspended. The sleep state determination occurs at different times in each vehicle-mounted device 1.

[0063] After the sleep determination is established in each of the vehicle-mounted device 1 and relay device 2 belonging to the same domain, for example, after a period predetermined by the sleep timer (sleep timer period) has elapsed, they transition to a sleep state (sleepable state) at the same time (S13). If a predetermined message is received during the waiting period of the sleep timer, the vehicle-mounted device 1 that resets the sleep timer period and the vehicle-mounted device 1 that does not reset the sleep timer period can also belong to the same domain.

[0064] The vehicle-mounted device 1 and the relay device 2 reduce power consumption (reduce dark current value) by switching to a sleep state (sleepable state), for example by reducing the operating frequency of the control unit 10, stopping power supply to parts other than the in-vehicle communication unit 12, or stopping power supply to the connected actuators.

[0065] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1. For example, when the vehicle C is in a starting state (IG switch on) or a stopping state (IG switch off), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 stably performs the following processing.

[0066] The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 outputs a notification message (S101). The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 outputs (sends) a notification message, such as an NM message, to other vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay devices 2 belonging to the same domain via broadcast. Of course, the notification message in this process does not contain a disable flag.

[0067] The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines whether the sleep condition is met (S102). The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines whether the sleep condition is met based on, for example, whether a sleep signal is received, a vehicle C mode change signal, or an IG switch disconnect signal, which are signals that trigger the transition to sleep mode, or whether an event has occurred. If a sleep signal is received, the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines that the sleep condition is met. If no sleep signal is received, the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines that the sleep condition is not met.

[0068] If the sleep condition is not met (S102: No), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 performs cyclic processing in order to execute the processing of S102 again. By performing this cyclic processing, the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 periodically, regularly, or stably outputs a notification message to notify other vehicle-mounted devices 1 of the device's survival status. Other vehicle-mounted devices 1 detect that their communication with the vehicle-mounted device 1, which is the source of the notification message, is in a normal state, i.e., not in a disconnected state, by obtaining (receiving) the notification message.

[0069] When the sleep condition is met (S102: Yes), the control unit 10 of the vehicle device 1 generates a notification message containing a disable flag (S103). When the sleep condition is met by receiving a sleep signal, the control unit 10 of the vehicle device 1 generates a notification message containing a disable flag defined by a specified bit value in the area (User data area) contained in the payload of the NM message.

[0070] The control unit 10 of vehicle-mounted device 1 outputs a notification message containing a disable flag (S104). The control unit 10 of vehicle-mounted device 1, in the same manner as in S101, outputs (sends) notification messages containing a disable flag (disable flag: present) to other vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay devices 2. Other vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay devices 2 that have received the notification message containing the disable flag disable their interruption detection of the vehicle-mounted device 1, which is the source of the notification message. Therefore, even if they cannot receive notification messages from the vehicle-mounted device 1 that is the source of the notification message, these other vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay devices 2 will not determine that communication with the vehicle-mounted device 1 that is the source of the notification message has been disconnected. Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent these other vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay devices 2 from mistakenly detecting that communication with the vehicle-mounted device 1 that is the source of the notification message (disable flag: present) is disconnected (communication abnormal state).

[0071] The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S105). For example, the control unit 10 determines whether a period predetermined by the sleep timer (sleep timer period) has elapsed. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S105: No), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 performs a loop process to execute the process of S105 again. Alternatively, the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 may, before the predetermined time has elapsed, perform initialization processing such as resetting the sleep timer, i.e., setting the elapsed time from the start of the predetermined timer to the current time point to 0, upon receiving an NM message from another vehicle-mounted device 1. By resetting the sleep timer upon receiving an NM message from another vehicle-mounted device 1, the sleep time (the period during which the device transitions to a sleepable state) in multiple vehicle-mounted devices 1 belonging to the same domain can be made consistent.

[0072] If a predetermined time has elapsed (S105: Yes), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 switches to a sleep state (S106). For example, if a period predetermined by a sleep timer (sleep timer period) has elapsed, the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 switches to a sleep state (sleep state), thereby reducing power consumption.

[0073] According to this embodiment, when the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 changes from a normal state to a sleep state, it outputs (sends) a notification message containing a disable flag to other vehicle-mounted devices 1 besides the vehicle-mounted device 1. The disable flag is used to disable interruption detection. Therefore, even when the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 changes to a sleep state, after outputting the notification message containing the disable flag, it does not output a notification message for a predetermined period determined by a sleep timer or the like, which can effectively prevent false detections such as communication disconnection with the vehicle-mounted device 1 from occurring through other vehicle-mounted devices 1.

[0074] (Implementation Method 2)

[0075] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to Embodiment 2 (sleep classification, etc.). For example, when the vehicle C is in a started state (IG switch on) or a stopped state (IG switch off), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 steadily performs the following processing: The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 outputs a notification message (S201). The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines whether the sleep condition is met (S202). The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 performs S201 to S202 in the same way as S101 to S102 in Embodiment 1. If the sleep condition is not met (S202: No), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 performs cyclic processing to repeat the processing of S201.

[0076] When the sleep condition is met (S202: Yes), the control unit 10 of the vehicle device 1 determines a sleep classification, etc., indicating the classification of sleep states corresponding to the determined sleep condition (S203). The sleep state transitioned by the vehicle device 1 is classified into multiple states (sleep classifications), for example, by the length of the sleep timer, the type of domain that is simultaneously in sleep mode, and the power-saving mode during sleep. In addition, the sleep condition that is met when the vehicle device 1 transitions to sleep mode includes multiple conditions, such as the type of trigger signal obtained (received) by the vehicle device 1, the state of the vehicle C when the sleep condition is met, or the driving mode.

[0077] Figure 6This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an activation flag corresponding to a hibernation category, etc. In the storage unit 11 of the vehicle-mounted device 1, for each of the aforementioned hibernation categories and hibernation conditions, a disabling flag corresponding to each combination of hibernation categories and hibernation conditions is defined, for example, by storing (saving) the information in a matrix-like table. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a disabling flag is defined corresponding to each combination of hibernation categories and hibernation conditions, but this is not a limitation; the disabling flag may correspond only to each hibernation category or only to each hibernation condition. That is, the value (flag value) of the disabling flag is different in each of the hibernation category, hibernation condition, or combination of hibernation category and hibernation condition. The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines the hibernation category, hibernation condition, or hibernation category and hibernation condition based on the hibernation conditions established in the processing of S202 and the state of the vehicle C, and determines (selects) the disabling flag corresponding to the combination of hibernation categories and hibernation conditions by referring to the table stored in the storage unit 11 of the vehicle-mounted device 1.

[0078] The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 generates a notification message containing a disabling flag (S204). The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 generates a notification message containing a disabling flag corresponding to the combination of hibernation category and hibernation conditions.

[0079] The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 outputs a notification message containing a disable flag (S205). The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 performs the processing in S205 in the same way as in S104 of Embodiment 1. Similar to Embodiment 1, other vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay devices 2 that have received the notification message containing the disable flag disable interrupt detection against the vehicle-mounted device 1 that is the source of the notification message, thus preventing false detections caused by the other vehicle-mounted devices 1, etc.

[0080] The disable flag included in the notification message sent from vehicle device 1 is selected based on a combination of sleep classification and sleep conditions. Therefore, other vehicle devices 1 and relay devices 2 that receive the notification message can determine the sleep classification and sleep conditions of the vehicle device 1 that sent the notification message based on the disable flag. Thus, other vehicle devices 1 that have obtained (received) the notification message can appropriately perform processing corresponding to the sleep classification or sleep conditions of the vehicle device 1 that is the target of the disabled interruption detection.

[0081] The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S206). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S206: No), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 performs a loop process to repeat the process in S206. If the predetermined time has elapsed (S206: Yes), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 enters a sleep state (S207). The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 performs S206 to S207 in the same manner as S105 to S106 of Embodiment 1.

[0082] (Implementation Method 3)

[0083] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to Embodiment 3 (Activation Flag). For example, when the vehicle C is in a started state (IG switch on) or a stopped state (IG switch off), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 stably performs the following processing. The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 performs S301 to S305 in the same manner as S101 to S105 of Embodiment 1. After a predetermined time has elapsed (S305: Yes), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 transitions to a sleep state (S306). The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 performs S306 in the same manner as S106 of Embodiment 1.

[0084] If the specified time has not elapsed (S305: No), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines whether the wake-up condition is met (S3051). The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines whether the wake-up condition is met based on, for example, whether a wake-up signal has been received, a vehicle C mode change signal, or an IG switch on signal that triggers the transition from sleep state to normal state, or whether an event has occurred. If a wake-up signal is received, the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines that the wake-up condition is met. If no wake-up signal is received, the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 determines that the wake-up condition is not met. If the wake-up condition is not met (S3051: No), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 performs a loop process to repeat the process in S305.

[0085] When the wake-up condition is met (S3051: Yes), the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 generates a notification message containing an activation flag (S3052). When the wake-up condition is met by receiving a wake-up signal, the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 generates a notification message containing an activation flag defined by a predetermined bit value in the area (User data area) contained in the payload of the NM message. Of course, the bit value of this activation flag is different from the bit value of the disable flag.

[0086] The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 outputs a notification message containing an activation flag (activation flag: present) (S3053). The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 outputs (sends) the notification message containing the activation flag (activation flag: present) to other vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay devices 2. After the execution of S3053, the control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 performs loop processing in order to execute the processing from S301 again.

[0087] After the execution of the process in S306, the control unit 10 of the vehicle device 1 completes a series of processes in this process. Alternatively, after the execution of the process in S306, the control unit 10 of the vehicle device 1 may perform the same process as the process from S3051 to S3053 (determination of the wake-up condition).

[0088] The control unit 10 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 periodically, regularly, or stably outputs notification messages to other vehicle-mounted devices 1 to inform them of its operational status. That is, the vehicle-mounted device 1 is in a normal state. Other vehicle-mounted devices 1 and relay devices 2 that have received the notification message containing the activation flag activate interruption detection for the vehicle-mounted device 1 that is the source of the notification message. Therefore, thereafter, these other vehicle-mounted devices 1, by receiving the notification message, can detect whether communication with the vehicle-mounted device 1 that is the source of the notification message is in a normal state, i.e., not in a disconnected state.

[0089] According to this embodiment, even when interruption detection of other vehicle-mounted devices 1 is disabled, when the vehicle-mounted device 1 that is the target of interruption detection changes from a dormant state to a normal state, a notification message containing an activation flag is output, thereby enabling interruption detection of the other vehicle-mounted device 1 to be activated.

[0090] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is not as described above, but is set forth in the claims and is intended to include all modifications equivalent to and within the scope of the claims.

[0091] Label Explanation

[0092] S vehicle system

[0093] Vehicle C

[0094] 1. Vehicle-mounted device

[0095] 10. Control Department

[0096] 11 Storage Department

[0097] 111 Recording media

[0098] P program (program product)

[0099] 12. In-vehicle communication department

[0100] 13 Input / Output (I / F)

[0101] 2 Relay device

[0102] 3. In-vehicle network

[0103] 31. Communication line.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted device, installed in a vehicle, and communicatively connected to other vehicle-mounted devices via a vehicle network, wherein, The vehicle-mounted device includes a control unit that controls communication between the vehicle-mounted device and other vehicle-mounted devices. When the control unit changes the state of the vehicle-mounted device from a normal state to a sleep state, it generates a notification message determined according to AUTOSAR, including a disable flag, and outputs the generated notification message. The disable flag is used to disable interrupt detection in the other vehicle-mounted devices. When the control unit transitions from a normal state to a sleep state, it determines a sleep category representing the sleep state, generates a notification message containing a disable flag corresponding to the determined sleep category, and disables interruption detection of the other vehicle-mounted devices by outputting the notification message.

2. A vehicle-mounted device, installed in a vehicle, and connected to other vehicle-mounted devices in a communicative manner via a vehicle network, wherein, The vehicle-mounted device includes a control unit that controls communication between the vehicle-mounted device and other vehicle-mounted devices. When the control unit changes the state of the vehicle-mounted device from a normal state to a sleep state, it generates a notification message determined according to AUTOSAR, including a disable flag, and outputs the generated notification message. The disable flag is used to disable interrupt detection in the other vehicle-mounted devices. When the control unit transitions from a normal state to a sleep state, it determines the sleep conditions for transitioning to the sleep state, generates a notification message containing a disable flag corresponding to the determined sleep state, and disables the interruption detection of the other vehicle-mounted devices by outputting the notification message.

3. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1, wherein, The notification messages are periodically sent and received between the vehicle-mounted device and the other vehicle-mounted devices. The control unit generates the notification message without including the disable flag while maintaining the state of the vehicle-mounted device in the normal state, and outputs the generated notification message.

4. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 2, wherein, The notification messages are periodically sent and received between the vehicle-mounted device and the other vehicle-mounted devices. The control unit generates the notification message without including the disable flag while maintaining the state of the vehicle-mounted device in the normal state, and outputs the generated notification message.

5. The vehicle-mounted device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, When the control unit changes the state of the vehicle-mounted device from a dormant state to a normal state, it generates a notification message containing an activation flag and outputs the generated notification message. The activation flag is used to activate interrupt detection in the other vehicle-mounted devices.

6. The vehicle-mounted device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The communication protocol used in the in-vehicle network is CAN, LIN, FlexRay, or TCP / IP. The control unit outputs the notification message via broadcast.

7. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 5, wherein, The communication protocol used in the in-vehicle network is CAN, LIN, FlexRay, or TCP / IP. The control unit outputs the notification message via broadcast.

8. An information processing method, wherein a computer is mounted in a vehicle and connected to other computers in a communicative manner via an in-vehicle network, the information processing method causing the computer to perform the following processing: When the state of the computer is changed from normal state to hibernation state, a notification message determined according to AUTOSAR is generated, including a disable flag, and the generated notification message is output. The disable flag is used to disable interrupt detection in the other computer. In the event of transitioning from a normal state to a hibernation state, a hibernation category representing the hibernation state is determined, a notification message containing a disable flag corresponding to the determined hibernation category is generated, and interrupt detection of the other computers is disabled by outputting the notification message.

9. An information processing method, wherein a computer is mounted in a vehicle and connected to other computers in a communicative manner via an in-vehicle network, the information processing method causing the computer to perform the following processing: When the state of the computer is changed from normal state to hibernation state, a notification message determined according to AUTOSAR is generated, including a disable flag, and the generated notification message is output. The disable flag is used to disable interrupt detection in the other computer. In the event of transitioning from a normal state to a hibernation state, a hibernation condition for transitioning to hibernation is determined, a notification message containing a disable flag corresponding to the determined hibernation state is generated, and interrupt detection of the other computer is disabled by outputting the notification message.

10. A program product comprising a program, a computer mounted in a vehicle and communicatively connected to other computers via an in-vehicle network, the program causing the computer to perform the following processing: When the state of the computer is changed from normal state to hibernation state, a notification message determined according to AUTOSAR is generated, including a disable flag, and the generated notification message is output. The disable flag is used to disable interrupt detection in the other computer. In the event of transitioning from a normal state to a hibernation state, a hibernation category representing the hibernation state is determined, a notification message containing a disable flag corresponding to the determined hibernation category is generated, and interrupt detection of the other computers is disabled by outputting the notification message.

11. A program product comprising a program, a computer mounted in a vehicle and communicatively connected to other computers via an in-vehicle network, the program causing the computer to perform the following processing: When the state of the computer is changed from normal state to hibernation state, a notification message determined according to AUTOSAR is generated, including a disable flag, and the generated notification message is output. The disable flag is used to disable interrupt detection in the other computer. In the event of transitioning from a normal state to a hibernation state, a hibernation condition for transitioning to hibernation is determined, a notification message containing a disable flag corresponding to the determined hibernation state is generated, and interrupt detection of the other computer is disabled by outputting the notification message.

Images