Electronic control device, control system, control method, computer program product, and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides an electronic control device, a control system, a control method, a computer program product, and a storage medium, which suppress unintentional obstruction of processing in a transition process to a mode in which an operation is at least partially stopped. An electronic control device (10, 20, 30) mounted on a vehicle is provided with at least one transceiver (42) and a controller (41). The controller is configured to operate in one of a plurality of modes by transitioning between the plurality of modes including a first mode (A101), a second mode (A102), and a third mode (A103). The controller is configured so as to transition to the first mode when communication occurs in the second mode, but not to transition to the first mode when the communication is reception of a wake-up request requesting the controller to transition to the first mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to an electronic control device. Background Art

[0002] In order to control the on-board equipment, a vehicle is equipped with multiple electronic control devices, so-called ECUs (Electronic Control Units). These ECUs are connected to a communication bus to build a network system with ECUs as nodes. In such a network system, the following technology is known: if there is no data packet flowing on the network for a certain period of time, the ECU's operation mode changes from normal mode to power saving mode. In normal mode, various functions operate. In power saving mode, some functions that operate in normal mode stop. Power consumption is reduced by stopping.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a network system that forms a power supply control method based on the communication control of the CAN (registered trademark, Controller Area Network) protocol standard specified by ISO11898-6, namely a partial network, and enables nodes forming the network to be individually started or put to sleep as needed, thereby achieving low power consumption.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-069980 Summary of the invention

[0007] Each ECU has a transceiver as a communication interface for communicating with other ECUs. When the transceiver is in a link-off state where the link to other ECUs on the network is interrupted, the other ECU is regarded as being in power saving mode, and a wake-up request may be sent to the other ECU requesting it to switch to normal mode.

[0008] When the transceiver mistakenly recognizes that a certain link is in a link-down state due to, for example, deterioration of the communication state of the network, the transceiver may transmit a wakeup request to the ECU attempting to shift from the normal mode to the power saving mode.

[0009] Therefore, a technical problem has been found that, when the ECU is in transition to the power saving mode, if a wakeup request is received before a process of partially stopping the operation of the normal mode of the ECU is executed, the execution of the process is inadvertently prevented.

[0010] One aspect of the present application is to prevent, in an electronic control device having a mode such as a power saving mode in which an operation being executed is at least partially stopped, from being inadvertently prevented from occurring due to reception of a wakeup request.

[0011] One embodiment of the present application is an electronic control device mounted on a vehicle, comprising at least one transceiver and a controller. The transceiver is configured to communicate with a communication device. The controller is configured to switch between a plurality of modes including a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode, thereby operating in one of the plurality of modes.

[0012] When communicating via at least one transceiver, the controller operates in a first mode and executes a process related to communication.

[0013] When the controller no longer communicates in the first mode, the controller transitions to the second mode.

[0014] When the state where no communication is performed continues for a predetermined period in the second mode, the controller shifts to the third mode.

[0015] The controller at least partially stops communication-related processing in the third mode.

[0016] The controller is configured to transition to the first mode when communication occurs in the second mode, but not to transition to the first mode when the communication is reception of a wakeup request requesting the controller to transition to the first mode.

[0017] According to such a configuration, in the second mode during the transition from the first mode to the third mode, the transition to the first mode based on the reception of the wake-up request is suppressed. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to suppress the inadvertent obstruction of the transition of the controller of the electronic control device to the third mode due to the reception of the wake-up request. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a state transition diagram showing the operation mode of the controller.

[0020] Figure 3 1 is a flowchart of a process for transitioning from the bus pre-sleep mode to the network mode or the bus sleep mode.

[0021] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the process of transitioning from sleep mode to network mode.

[0022] Figure 5 1 is a flowchart of a process for transitioning from the bus pre-sleep mode to the sleep mode via the bus sleep mode.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a diagram for explaining the operation mode of the controller and the transition of the state of the transceiver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] [1. First embodiment]

[0026] [1-1. Structure]

[0027] Figure 1 The control system 1 of the present embodiment shown is mounted on a vehicle. The control system 1 includes a first ECU 10, a second ECU 20, and a third ECU 30. The first ECU 10, the second ECU 20, and the third ECU 30 are connected to the same vehicle network. The first ECU 10 and the third ECU 30 may be, for example, an ECU that processes information obtained from sensors such as cameras and radars for automatic driving, an ECU that processes information output to display instruments such as displays and meters of the vehicle, and an ECU that communicates with an external terminal. The second ECU 20 may be a relay device having a function of transmitting data received from other ECUs connected to the second ECU 20, such as a gateway or an Ethernet switch.

[0028] The first ECU 10, the second ECU 20, and the third ECU 30 each include a controller 41 and at least one transceiver 42. In this embodiment, the first ECU 10 and the third ECU 30 include one transceiver 42. The second ECU 20 includes at least one transceiver 42, namely, transceivers 42a and 42b.

[0029] The controller 41 is a microcontroller having a processor 411 and a memory 412. The processor 411 is configured to execute processing according to a computer program recorded in the memory 412. The memory 412 can include, for example, a RAM and a flash memory. The RAM is used as a work area when the processor 411 executes processing. The flash memory can store a computer program.

[0030] The transceiver 42 is a communication interface configured to communicate with other transceivers 42 via the vehicle network. The communication mentioned here includes the transmission and reception of various signals, data, etc. In the present embodiment, each transceiver 42 communicates with other transceivers 42 on a one-to-one basis.

[0031] The first ECU 10 and the second ECU 20 are connected to each other via a link 50a which is a transmission path in the vehicle network. The first ECU 10 can communicate with the second ECU 20 via the transceiver 42 of the first ECU 10 and the link 50a. The second ECU 20 can communicate with the first ECU 10 via the transceiver 42a of the second ECU 20 and the link 50a. The first ECU 10 and the second ECU 20 can also be configured to communicate using an Ethernet protocol. The communication protocol is not limited to Ethernet, and can also be CAN or FlexRay. Ethernet is a registered trademark. CAN is a registered trademark. FlexRay is a registered trademark.

[0032] The second ECU 20 and the third ECU 30 are connected to each other via a link 50b which is a transmission path in the vehicle network. The second ECU 20 can communicate with the third ECU 30 via the transceiver 42b of the second ECU 20 and the link 50b. The third ECU 30 can communicate with the second ECU 20 via the transceiver 42 of the third ECU 30 and the link 50b. The second ECU 20 and the third ECU 30 can also be configured to communicate using an Ethernet protocol. The communication protocol is not limited to Ethernet, and may also be CAN or FlexRay.

[0033] The first ECU 10 and the third ECU 30 are not directly connected to each other in the in-vehicle network, but can communicate with each other via the second ECU 20 .

[0034] [1-2. Processing]

[0035] [1-2-1. Transceiver operation status and functions]

[0036] The transceiver 42 operates in one of a plurality of states. The plurality of states include a normal state, a sleep state, and a sleep handshake state. The transceiver 42 transitions between the normal state, the sleep state, and the sleep handshake state according to a prescribed protocol. As an example of a prescribed protocol, there is TC10 (Technical Committee 10) prescribed by the non-profit organization OPEN Alliance (One-Pair Ether-Net Alliance). The transceiver 42 also has a sleep function, a wake-up function, and a transmission function.

[0037] The normal state is a state in which the transceiver 42 can communicate with other transceivers 42. The sleep state is a state in which a prescribed function of the transceiver 42 that operates in the normal state is stopped. An example of a prescribed function of the transceiver 42 is a function of sending various signals, data, etc. to other transceivers 42. The sleep state is a state in which power is not supplied to operate the stopped prescribed function, and is a power saving state in which power consumption is reduced compared to the normal state. The transceiver 42 changes to the sleep state when the ignition switch of the vehicle is switched from off to on.

[0038] The sleep handshake state is a state that is passed through during the transition from the normal state to the sleep state. In the sleep handshake state, the transceiver 42 performs a handshake to notify the ECU (hereinafter referred to as the adjacent ECU) that is an adjacent node in the vehicle network of the transition to the sleep state. After the handshake is completed, the transceiver 42 stops the specified function of the transceiver 42 and transitions to the sleep state. If the handshake of the transceiver 42 is not completed within a specified time (for example, within 16 milliseconds), it is regarded as a handshake failure and transitions to the normal state.

[0039] The sleep function is a function that is executed when there is a request from the controller 41 of the ECU (hereinafter, referred to as the present ECU) to which the transceiver 42 belongs. By executing the sleep function, a process for stopping a prescribed function of the transceiver 42 is performed. In other words, the sleep function is a function for the transceiver 42 to transition from the normal state to the sleep state via the sleep handshake state based on a request from the controller 41.

[0040] The sleep function includes handshaking for notifying the adjacent ECU of the transition to the sleep state. That is, when the transceiver 42 executes the sleep function, it sends a signal (hereinafter referred to as the sleep signal) to the adjacent ECU to convey the execution of the sleep function, and after receiving a signal (hereinafter referred to as the sleep response) corresponding to the sleep signal from the adjacent ECU, the transceiver 42 stops the prescribed function.

[0041] In addition, the sleep function is also executed when the transceiver 42 receives a sleep signal from an adjacent ECU. At this time, the transceiver 42 notifies the controller 41 of the ECU that the sleep signal has been received, and sends a sleep response to the adjacent ECU, and then stops its own prescribed function.

[0042] The transceiver 42 changes from the normal state to the sleep handshake state when sending or receiving the sleep signal, and changes from the sleep handshake state to the sleep state after receiving or sending the sleep response and completing the process for stopping the predetermined function of the transceiver 42.

[0043] The wakeup function is a function for performing a process of restarting a predetermined function of the transceiver 42 that was stopped by the sleep function. In other words, the wakeup function is a function for the transceiver 42 to shift from the sleep state to the normal state.

[0044] The wake-up function is executed when the transceiver 42 receives a wake-up request. The wake-up request is a signal requesting the controller 41 to shift to the network mode A101 described later.

[0045] The wake-up request received by the transceiver 42 includes not only the wake-up request sent from the adjacent ECU but also the wake-up request sent from the controller 41 of the own ECU to the adjacent ECU. When the transceiver 42 receives the wake-up request from the adjacent ECU, it notifies the controller 41 that the wake-up request has been received. When the transceiver 42 receives the wake-up request sent from the controller 41 of the own ECU to the adjacent ECU, it sends the wake-up request to the adjacent ECU.

[0046] The transceiver 42 changes from the sleep state to the normal state after the processing for restarting the prescribed function of the transceiver 42 stopped by the sleep function is completed. The transmission function is a function of transmitting the wake-up request to other transceivers 42 of the ECU when the transceiver 42 receives the wake-up request from the adjacent ECU. The transceiver 42 of the transmission destination can be arbitrarily selected. In the present embodiment, for example, in the second ECU 20, when the transceiver 42a receives the wake-up request from the first ECU 10, the transceiver 42a transmits the wake-up request to the transceiver 42b through the transmission function. The transmitted wake-up request is sent to the transceiver 42 of the third ECU 30 through the transceiver 42b.

[0047] [1-2-2. Controller operation mode]

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the controller 41 has a network mode A101, a bus pre-sleep mode A102, a bus sleep mode A103, and a sleep mode A104 as an action mode. The controller 41 switches between the network mode A101, the bus pre-sleep mode A102, the bus sleep mode A103, and the sleep mode A104 according to a prescribed protocol. As an example of a prescribed protocol, there is UdpNm (UDP Network Management) prescribed by AUTOSAR (AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture), a global development partner in the automotive industry.

[0049] The network mode A101 is an operation mode in which the controller 41 communicates with the adjacent ECU via the transceiver 42. The controller 41 in the network mode A101 performs processing related to the communication with the adjacent ECU. As an example of the processing related to the communication, there is a process of generating various signals and data to be sent to the adjacent ECU and sending them to the transceiver 42, and a process of obtaining various signals and data received by the transceiver 42 from the adjacent ECU. The network mode A101 is maintained from the end of the communication with the adjacent ECU until a predetermined time has passed. The predetermined time is, for example, several milliseconds to several thousand milliseconds.

[0050] The bus pre-sleep mode A102 is an action mode in which the ECU waits for a specified time to pass when no communication occurs between the ECU and the adjacent ECU. The specified time may be, for example, several milliseconds to several thousand milliseconds, but may be different from the specified time in the network mode A101. The network mode A101 and the bus pre-sleep mode A102 are normal modes for various functional actions of the ECU.

[0051] The bus sleep mode A103 is an operation mode in which the processing required to stop a part of the functions operating in the network mode A101 is performed when the bus pre-sleep mode A102 is changed. As an example of the stopped function, there is a function of generating various signals and data to be sent to the adjacent ECU and sending them to the transceiver 42. As an example of the processing required to stop the part of the function, there is a process of setting the setting value related to the function sent to the transceiver 42 among the setting values ​​of the controller 41 to be invalid, and a process of stopping the operation clock, timer, etc. used in the stopped function.

[0052] Furthermore, bus sleep mode A103 is an action mode in which the processing required to start the action in network mode A101 is performed when the controller 41 is switched from sleep mode A104 or when power is supplied to the controller 41. As an example of the required processing, there is a process of setting the setting value related to the function sent to the transceiver 42 among the setting values ​​of the controller 41 to be valid, and a process of starting the action clock, timer, etc. used in the function of generating various signals and data to be sent to the adjacent ECU and sending them to the transceiver 42. The processing performed by the controller 41 in bus sleep mode A103 in this case includes restarting the function that was stopped after the transition from bus pre-sleep mode A102 to bus sleep mode A103. Furthermore, the controller 41 sends a wake-up request to the adjacent ECU. As a result, the controller 41 of the adjacent ECU transitions to the network mode A101 in which communication is possible.

[0053] The sleep mode A104 is an operation mode in which some functions operating in the network mode A101 are stopped. Or it is a state in which power is not supplied to the controller 41. The functions stopped in the sleep mode A104 are functions that have been processed to stop in the bus sleep mode A103. Since some functions are stopped in the sleep mode A104, it is a power saving mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to the normal mode.

[0054] [1-2-3. Transition of the controller's operating mode]

[0055] use Figure 2 The transition of the action mode of the controller 41 is described. When the ignition switch of the vehicle is switched from off to on, the controller 41 becomes the bus sleep mode A103 as the initial mode. In addition, it can also be a configuration in which the initial mode is the sleep mode A104, and the controller 41 changes to the bus sleep mode A103 when the ignition switch of the vehicle is switched from off to on. In the bus sleep mode A103, the controller 41 performs the processing required to start the action under the network mode A101. As an example of this processing, there is a process of setting the setting value related to the function sent to the transceiver 42 among the setting values ​​of the controller 41 to be valid, and a process of starting the action clock, timer, etc. used in the function of generating various signals and data sent to adjacent ECUs and sending them to the transceiver 42. If the processing is completed, the controller 41 determines that the transition condition C1 is established and changes to the network mode A101. The transition condition C1 refers to the condition that the processing required to start the action under the network mode A101 is completed.

[0056] When the controller 41 determines that the transition condition C2 is satisfied in the network mode A101, the controller 41 transitions to the bus pre-sleep mode A102. The transition condition C2 refers to the condition that a predetermined time (e.g., several milliseconds to several thousand milliseconds) has passed without communication with an adjacent ECU. In addition, the transition condition C2 may also include that the ECU receives information or instructions indicating a transition to the bus pre-sleep mode A102 from an adjacent ECU.

[0057] When the controller 41 determines that the transition condition C3 is satisfied in the bus pre-sleep mode A102, it transitions to the network mode A101. The transition condition C3 refers to the condition that communication with the adjacent ECU occurs. However, in the bus pre-sleep mode A102, even if a wake-up request is received as the communication, the controller 41 does not transition to the network mode A101. That is, the transition condition C3 refers to the condition that communication other than the reception of the wake-up request occurs as the communication with the adjacent ECU.

[0058] When the controller 41 determines that the transition condition C4 is satisfied in the bus pre-sleep mode A102, the controller 41 transitions to the bus sleep mode A103. The transition condition C4 refers to the condition that a specified time (for example, several milliseconds to several thousand milliseconds) has passed in a state where no communication with the adjacent ECU other than the reception of the wake-up request has occurred. The specified time in the transition condition C4 may be different from the specified time in the transition condition C2, or may not be set. In other words, the specified time may also be 0 seconds. In addition, the start of the count of the specified time in the transition condition C4 may be the moment of transition to the bus pre-sleep mode A102, or the moment when the last communication occurred in the network mode A101. In addition, in the case where the start of the count of the specified time in the transition condition C4 is the moment when the last communication occurred in the network mode A101, the specified time in the transition condition C4 becomes longer than the specified time in the transition condition C2.

[0059] For transition conditions C3 and C4, use Figure 3 The flowchart of FIG. 4 illustrates the processing in the bus pre-sleep mode A102 of the controller 41. In the bus pre-sleep mode A102, the controller 41 waits until a predetermined time has passed without communication with an adjacent ECU (S100: No, S110: No).

[0060] In S110, if the controller 41 determines that the predetermined time has passed (S110: Yes), it determines that the transition condition C4 is satisfied and transitions to the bus sleep mode A103. On the other hand, in S110, if the controller 41 determines that communication has occurred (S100: Yes), it moves to S105 to determine whether the communication that has occurred is reception of a wake-up request.

[0061] When the controller 41 determines in S105 that the generated communication is reception of a wakeup request (S105: YES), the process returns to S100. At this time, the time counter for determining whether the predetermined time has elapsed is not reset but maintained.

[0062] On the other hand, when the controller 41 determines in S105 that the generated communication is not reception of a wakeup request (S105: No), it determines that the transition condition C3 is satisfied and transitions to the network mode A101.

[0063] In this way, the controller 41 changes from the bus pre-sleep mode A102 to the network mode A101 or the bus sleep mode A103. When it is determined that the transition condition C5 is satisfied in the bus sleep mode A103, the controller 41 changes to the sleep mode A104. The transition condition C5 refers to the condition that the processing required to stop a part of the functions operating in the network mode A101 (for example, the processing of setting the setting values ​​related to the function sent to the transceiver 42 among the setting values ​​of the controller 41 to invalid, the processing of stopping the action clock and timer used in the stopped function, etc.) ends. The transition condition C5 includes the condition that the specified function of the transceiver 42 (for example, the function of sending various signals, data, etc. to other transceivers 42) is stopped by the sleep function.

[0064] When the controller 41 determines that the transition condition C6 is met in the sleep mode A104, it transitions to the bus sleep mode A103. Transition condition C6 refers to the condition that a factor for restoring from the power saving mode to the normal mode (hereinafter referred to as the recovery factor) has occurred. The recovery factor also includes receiving a wake-up request from an adjacent ECU. The recovery factor may also be different for each ECU. As an example of a recovery factor, the vehicle's door locks are unlocked and the TCU (Telematics Control Unit) mounted on the vehicle receives a specified signal from the outside of the vehicle (for example, an operation signal of the vehicle's engine, air conditioner, etc.).

[0065] When the controller 41 determines that the transition condition C7 is satisfied in the bus sleep mode A103, the controller 41 transitions to the network mode A101. The transition condition C7 refers to the condition that the processing required for transitioning to the network mode A101 based on the recovery factor (for example, the processing of setting the setting value related to the function of sending to the transceiver 42 among the setting values ​​of the controller 41 to be valid, and the processing of starting the action clock, timer, etc. used in the function of generating various signals and data to be sent to the adjacent ECU and sending them to the transceiver 42) ends. The transition condition C7 includes the condition that the specified function of the transceiver 42 (for example, the function of sending various signals, data, etc. to other transceivers 42) is restarted by the wake-up function.

[0066] [1-2-4. Validation and invalidation of transceiver functions accompanying controller operation mode change]

[0067] use Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The flowchart of FIG. 4 illustrates the process of enabling or disabling the sleep function, wake-up function, and transmission function of the transceiver 42 in accordance with the change of the operation mode of the controller 41 .

[0068] If the controller 41 changes to the sleep mode A104, it starts Figure 4 First, the controller 41 repeats the process of S200 until it determines that the transition condition C6 is satisfied (the recovery factor occurs) (S200: No).

[0069] If the controller 41 determines in S200 that the transition condition C6 is satisfied (S200: YES), the process moves to S205 and transitions to the bus sleep mode A103. Next, in S210, the controller 41 executes processing required for transitioning to the network mode A101 based on the recovery factor. This processing includes executing the wake-up function of the transceiver 42.

[0070] Next, in S215, the controller 41 determines whether the transition condition C7 is satisfied (processing required for transition to the network mode A101 based on the recovery factor). The controller 41 repeats the process of S215 until it is determined in S215 that the transition condition C7 is satisfied (S215: No).

[0071] If the controller 41 determines in S215 that the transition condition C7 is satisfied (S215: Yes), the process proceeds to S220, and after disabling the sleep function, wake-up function, and transmission function of the transceiver 42, the process transitions to the network mode A101 and ends. Figure 4 processing.

[0072] In this way, when the controller 41 returns from the sleep mode A104 of the power saving mode to the network mode A101 of the normal mode, it changes to the network mode A101 after disabling the sleep function, wake-up function, and transmission function of the transceiver 42 .

[0073] When the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON, the controller 41 in bus sleep mode A103 similarly performs the above-mentioned processing after S210. However, the transition condition C7 in S215 is changed to transition condition C1 (the processing required to start the operation in network mode A101 is completed).

[0074] On the other hand, when the controller 41 changes from the bus pre-sleep mode A102 to the bus sleep mode A103, it starts Figure 5 First, in S300 , the controller 41 enables the sleep function, wake-up function, and transmission function of the transceiver 42 .

[0075] Next, in S305 , the controller 41 executes a process necessary to stop a part of the functions operating in the network mode A 101 . This process includes executing the sleep function of the transceiver 42 .

[0076] Next, in S310 , the controller 41 repeats the process of S310 until it is determined that the transition condition C5 is satisfied (the predetermined function of the transceiver 42 is stopped by the sleep function) ( S310 : No).

[0077] If the controller 41 determines in S310 that the transition condition C5 is satisfied (S310: YES), the controller 41 transitions to the sleep mode A104 and ends the sleep mode. Figure 5 Thus, when the controller 41 changes from the normal mode bus pre-sleep mode A102 to the power saving mode sleep mode A104 via the bus sleep mode A103, the controller 41 enables the sleep function, wake-up function, and transmission function of the transceiver 42 after changing from the bus pre-sleep mode A102 to the bus sleep mode A103.

[0078] As described above, the controller 41 performs processing to enable and disable the sleep function, wakeup function, and transmission function of the transceiver 42 in the bus pre-sleep mode A102 so that these functions do not operate.

[0079] [1-2-5. Transition between normal mode and power saving mode of each ECU in the overall control system]

[0080] [1-2-5-1. Transition from power saving mode to normal mode]

[0081] In control system 1, use Figure 6 The transition of the operation mode and the operation state of the controller 41 and the transceiver 42 of each ECU in each case of returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode and transitioning from the normal mode to the power saving mode will be described.

[0082] The first ECU 610, the second ECU 620, and the third ECU 630 described below correspond to the first ECU 10, the second ECU 20, and the third ECU 30, respectively. The first controller 611, the second controller 621, and the third controller 631 correspond to the controller 41 of the first ECU 10, the second ECU 20, and the third ECU 30, respectively. The first transceiver 612 and the third transceiver 632 correspond to the transceiver 42 of the first ECU 10 and the third ECU 30, respectively. The second A transceiver 622a and the second B transceiver 622b correspond to the transceiver 42a and the transceiver 42b of the second ECU 20, respectively.

[0083] First, the first ECU 610, the second ECU 620 and the third ECU 630 in the control system 1 are all in the power saving mode. At this time, the controllers 611, 621, 631 of each ECU are in the sleep mode A104, and the transceivers 612, 622a, 622b, 632 are in the sleep state.

[0084] When a recovery factor occurs, a specified ECU corresponding to the recovery factor among the first ECU 610, the second ECU 620, and the third ECU 630 changes to the bus sleep mode A103. Then, the specified ECU corresponding to the recovery factor starts the processing required to start the action in the network mode A101. In addition, when the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON, the specified ECU also enters the bus sleep mode A103. Afterwards, an example in which the first ECU 610 changes from the sleep mode A104 to the bus sleep mode A103 is described as the specified ECU corresponding to the recovery factor. In addition, the description is the same when the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON and the first ECU 610 enters the bus sleep mode A103.

[0085] In the first ECU 610, when the processing required to start the operation in the network mode A101 is completed, the first controller 611 of the first ECU 610 determines that the transition condition C1 is satisfied and transitions to the network mode A101. In addition, the first controller 611 sends a wake-up request to the second ECU 620 as an adjacent ECU to the first transceiver 612. Figure 6 The description "WU" in means sending of a wake-up request. The arrows associated with the description "WU" indicate the sending source and the sending destination of the wake-up request.

[0086] When the first transceiver 612 receives the wakeup request from the first controller 611 , it executes a process for restarting its own predetermined function stopped by the sleep function and changes from the sleep state to the normal state. Thereafter, the first transceiver 612 sends the wakeup request to the second ECU 620 .

[0087] When receiving the wakeup request, the second A transceiver 622a of the second ECU 620 executes a process for restarting its own predetermined function stopped by the sleep function and changes from the sleep state to the normal state. In addition, the second A transceiver 622a notifies the second controller 621 of the receipt of the wakeup request. Figure 6 The “WU notification” in the description means a notification of receiving a wake-up request. And, the second A transceiver 622a transmits the wake-up request to the second B transceiver 622b via the second controller 621 through the transmission function.

[0088] If the second controller 621 receives the above notification, it changes from the sleep mode A104 to the bus sleep mode A103 and executes the processing required to start the operation in the network mode A101. If the execution of the processing is completed, the second controller 621 changes from the bus sleep mode A103 to the network mode A101. In addition, the second controller 621 sends the wake-up request transmitted by the transmission function of the second A transceiver 622a to the second B transceiver 622b.

[0089] When receiving the wakeup request, the second B transceiver 622 b executes a process for restarting its own predetermined function stopped by the sleep function, and transitions from the sleep state to the normal state. Thereafter, the second B transceiver 622 b transmits a wakeup request to the third ECU 630 .

[0090] When receiving the wakeup request, the third transceiver 632 of the third ECU 630 executes a process for restarting its own predetermined function stopped by the sleep function and transitions from the sleep state to the normal state. In addition, the third transceiver 632 notifies the third controller 631 of the receipt of the wakeup request.

[0091] Upon receiving the notification, the third controller 631 changes from the sleep mode A104 to the bus sleep mode A103 and executes processing required to start the operation in the network mode A101. When the processing is completed, the third controller 631 changes from the bus sleep mode A103 to the network mode A101.

[0092] Thus, the wakeup request sent from the first ECU 610 is sent to the second ECU 620 and the third ECU 630. As a result, the controllers 611, 621, 631 of each ECU transition to the network mode A101, and the transceivers 612, 622a, 622b, 632 of each ECU transition to the normal state, and each ECU transitions to the normal mode.

[0093] [1-2-5-2. Transition from normal mode to power saving mode]

[0094] On the other hand, in an ECU operating in the normal mode, when a transition condition C2 is satisfied due to a predetermined time elapsed without communication with an adjacent ECU, the controller 611 , 621 , 631 of the ECU transitions to the bus pre-sleep mode A102 .

[0095] In the bus pre-sleep mode A102, when a predetermined time has passed without communication with an adjacent ECU and a transition condition C4 is satisfied, the controller 611, 621, 631 of each ECU transitions to the bus sleep mode A103. Hereinafter, as an example, the operation when the transition condition C4 is satisfied in the order of the first ECU 610, the second ECU 620, and the third ECU 630 will be described.

[0096] The first controller 611 of the first ECU 610 which shifts to the bus sleep mode A103 requests the first transceiver 612 to execute the sleep function. Figure 6 The "request" in means a request to execute the sleep function. If the first controller 611 requests the execution of the sleep function, the first transceiver 612 changes to the sleep handshake state and sends a sleep signal to the second ECU 620 as an adjacent ECU. Figure 6 The description "SS" in means a sleep signal. The arrows associated with the description "SS" indicate a transmission source and a transmission destination of the sleep signal.

[0097] The second A transceiver 622 a of the second ECU 620 that has received the sleep signal from the first ECU 610 transitions to the sleep handshake state and returns a sleep response to the first transceiver 612 .

[0098] When the first transceiver 612 receives the sleep response from the second ECU 620 , it stops its own predetermined function and shifts to the sleep state. Figure 6 The description "SR" in means sleep response. The arrows associated with the description "SR" indicate the transmission source and the transmission destination of the sleep response.

[0099] When confirming that the transition condition C5 is satisfied because the predetermined function of the first transceiver 612 is stopped by the sleep function, the first controller 611 transitions to the sleep mode A104 .

[0100] When receiving the sleep signal from the first ECU 610 , the second A transceiver 622 a of the second ECU 620 notifies the second controller 621 of the receipt of the sleep signal. Figure 6 The description "SS notification" in means a notification of receiving a sleep signal. After that, the second A transceiver 622a stops its own prescribed function and changes to the sleep state.

[0101] If the second controller 621 receives the above notification while in the state of transitioning to the bus sleep mode A103, it requests the second B transceiver 622b to execute the sleep function. If the second controller 621 requests the execution of the sleep function, the second B transceiver 622b transitions to the sleep handshake state and sends a sleep signal to the third ECU 630 as an adjacent ECU.

[0102] The third transceiver 632 of the third ECU 630 that has received the sleep signal from the second ECU 620 transitions to the sleep handshake state and returns a sleep response to the second B transceiver 622b.

[0103] The second B transceiver 622b stops its own prescribed function and transitions to the sleep state when receiving the sleep response from the third ECU 630. The second controller 621 transitions to the sleep mode A104 when confirming that the transition condition C5 is satisfied because the prescribed functions of both the second A transceiver 622a and the second B transceiver 622b are stopped by the sleep function.

[0104] When receiving the sleep signal from the second ECU 620, the third transceiver 632 of the third ECU 630 notifies the third controller 631 of the receipt of the sleep signal. Thereafter, the third transceiver 632 stops its own predetermined function and shifts to the sleep state.

[0105] When the third controller 631 transitions to the bus sleep mode A103 and confirms that the transition condition C5 is satisfied because the predetermined function of the third transceiver 632 is stopped by the sleep function, the third controller 631 transitions to the sleep mode A104.

[0106] [1-3. Effect]

[0107] According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0108] (1a) Figure 3 As shown in S105 of FIG. 1 , the controller 41 does not change to the network mode A101 when receiving a wake-up request in the bus pre-sleep mode A102. Therefore, for an ECU in which the controller 41 attempts to change from the bus pre-sleep mode A102 to the bus sleep mode A103, even if a wake-up request is accidentally sent from an adjacent ECU connected to a link with the ECU, the controller 41 of the ECU is inhibited from changing from the bus pre-sleep mode A102 to the network mode A101. That is, it is possible to prevent the controller 41 of the ECU from being inadvertently hindered from changing to the bus sleep mode A103.

[0109] (1b) Figure 4As shown in S220, when the controller 41 changes to the network mode A101, the sleep function, wake-up function and transmission function of the transceiver 42 are invalidated. Afterwards, even when the controller 41 changes to the bus pre-sleep mode A102, the sleep function, wake-up function and transmission function of the transceiver 42 are also invalidated. Therefore, for the ECU in which the controller 41 attempts to change from the bus pre-sleep mode A102 to the bus sleep mode A103, even if a wake-up request or sleep signal is accidentally sent from an adjacent ECU, the transceiver 42 of the ECU does not perform the sleep function and the wake-up function. That is, the transceiver 42 of the ECU does not notify the controller 41 of the ECU that the wake-up request or sleep signal has been received. Therefore, the controller 41 of the ECU is inhibited from changing from the bus pre-sleep mode A102 to the network mode A101. That is, the change of the controller 41 of the ECU to the bus sleep mode A103 can be inhibited from being accidentally hindered.

[0110] In addition, when the controller 41 operates in the bus pre-sleep mode A102, since the transmission function of the transceiver 42 is invalidated, each ECU does not send the wake-up request received from the adjacent ECU to other adjacent ECUs. Therefore, in the case where the controller 41 of the other adjacent ECU attempts to change from the bus pre-sleep mode A102 to the bus sleep mode A103, the controller 41 of the other adjacent ECU can also be suppressed from changing from the bus pre-sleep mode A102 to the network mode A101. That is, it is possible to suppress the controller 41 of the other adjacent ECU from being inadvertently hindered from changing to the bus sleep mode A103.

[0111] (1c) When the controller 41 changes from the bus pre-sleep mode A102 to the bus sleep mode A103, the sleep function, wake-up function and transmission function of the transceiver 42 are enabled. Therefore, when the controller 41 is in the bus sleep mode A103, the transceiver 42 can execute the sleep function, wake-up function and transmission function.

[0112] [1-4. Correspondence between terms]

[0113] In the above-described embodiment, the network mode A101 corresponds to an example of the first mode, the bus pre-sleep mode A102 corresponds to an example of the second mode, and the bus sleep mode A103 corresponds to an example of the third mode.

[0114] [2. Other embodiments]

[0115] As mentioned above, although embodiment of this application was described, this application is not limited to the said embodiment, It is a matter of course that various forms can be adopted.

[0116] (2a) In the above embodiment, the control system 1 includes three ECUs, namely the first ECU 10 , the second ECU 20 , and the third ECU 30 . However, the number of ECUs is not limited to three, and may be two or four or more.

[0117] (2b) In the above embodiment, each ECU included in the control system 1 includes the controller 41 and one or two transceivers 42 , but at least one transceiver 42 may be provided, and for example, three or more transceivers may be provided.

[0118] Furthermore, the ECU included in the control system 1 may include an ECU that does not include the controller 41 but includes a plurality of transceivers 42 and operates as a switch.

[0119] (2c) In the above embodiment, when the controller 41 recovers from the sleep mode A104 of the power saving mode to the network mode A101 of the normal mode, the sleep function, the wake-up function and the transmission function of the transceiver 42 are disabled and then the network mode A101 is changed. However, the timing of disabling the sleep function, the wake-up function and the transmission function of the transceiver 42 may not be before the controller 41 changes to the network mode A101, as long as it is before the change from the network mode A101 to the bus pre-sleep mode A102. For example, the controller 41 may also disable the sleep function, the wake-up function and the transmission function before changing to the bus pre-sleep mode A102 when the transition condition C2 is met in the network mode A101.

[0120] (2d) The function of one component in the above-mentioned embodiment may be dispersed into a plurality of components, or the functions of a plurality of components may be integrated into a single component. In addition, a part of the components in the above-mentioned embodiment may be omitted. In addition, at least a part of the components in the above-mentioned embodiment may be added to or replaced with the components in other above-mentioned embodiments.

[0121] (2e) In addition to the above-mentioned ECU and control system, the present application can also be implemented in various ways. For example, it can be implemented in the form of a control system with the ECU as a component, a computer program for causing a computer to function as the ECU, a non-transient physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory recording the computer program, a control method, etc.

Claims

1. An electronic control device mounted on a vehicle, characterized in that: have: at least one transceiver configured to communicate with a communication device; The controller is configured to switch between a plurality of modes including a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode, thereby operating in one of the plurality of modes, The controller is composed of: In case of performing the communication through the at least one transceiver, operating in the first mode to perform processing related to the communication; When the communication is no longer performed in the first mode, transition to the second mode; If the state in which the communication is not performed continues for a predetermined period in the second mode, transition to the third mode; In the third mode, at least partially stopping processing related to the communication; as well as When the communication occurs in the second mode, the mode is changed to the first mode. However, when the communication is reception of a wakeup request for requesting the controller to change to the first mode, the mode is not changed to the first mode.

2. The electronic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one transceiver has: a sleep function, the sleep function being a function executed upon a request from the controller, and performing a process for stopping a prescribed function of the transceiver; as well as a wake-up function, the wake-up function being executed when the wake-up request is received, and performing processing for restarting the predetermined function stopped by the sleep function, The controller is configured to enable and disable the sleep function and the wake-up function so that the sleep function and the wake-up function do not operate in the second mode.

3. The electronic control device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The controller is configured to enable the sleep function and the wake-up function in the third mode.

4. The electronic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first transceiver and a second transceiver are provided as the at least one transceiver, The first transceiver has a transmission function of transmitting the wake-up request to the second transceiver when the wake-up request is received from the communication device, The controller is configured to enable and disable the transmission function so that the transmission function does not operate in the second mode.

5. The electronic control device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The controller is configured to enable the transmission function in the third mode.

6. A control system, characterized in that: The control system comprises a plurality of electronic control devices according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of electronic control devices function as nodes constituting an in-vehicle network. Each of the plurality of electronic control devices is configured to communicate as the communication device with an adjacent electronic control device among the plurality of electronic control devices in the in-vehicle network.

7. A control method, executed by a computer of an electronic control device, characterized in that: The computer of the electronic control device includes: a computer that switches between a plurality of modes including a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode, thereby operating in one of the plurality of modes; The electronic control device further comprises at least one transceiver configured to communicate with the communication device. In one of the multiple modes, the actions include: In case of performing the communication through the at least one transceiver, operating in the first mode to perform processing related to the communication; When the communication is no longer performed in the first mode, transition to the second mode; If the state in which the communication is not performed continues for a predetermined period in the second mode, transition to the third mode; In the third mode, at least partially stopping processing related to the communication; and When the communication occurs in the second mode, the mode is shifted to the first mode. However, when the communication is reception of a wakeup request for requesting a shift to the first mode, the mode is not shifted to the first mode.

8. A computer program product comprising a computer program for causing a computer of an electronic control device to execute a process of switching between a plurality of modes including a first mode, a second mode and a third mode and thereby operating in one of the plurality of modes, characterized in that: The electronic control device further comprises at least one transceiver configured to communicate with the communication device. When the computer program is executed by the computer, the following processing is realized: In case of performing the communication through the at least one transceiver, operating in the first mode to perform processing related to the communication; When the communication is no longer performed in the first mode, transition to the second mode; If the state in which the communication is not performed continues for a predetermined period in the second mode, transition to the third mode; In the third mode, at least partially stopping processing related to the communication; as well as When the communication occurs in the second mode, the mode is shifted to the first mode. However, when the communication is reception of a wakeup request for requesting a shift to the first mode, the mode is not shifted to the first mode.

9. An electronic control device mounted on a vehicle, characterized in that: have: at least one transceiver configured to communicate with a communication device; at least one processor; and at least one memory, The at least one processor is configured as: upon receiving a wake-up request, transitioning from sleep mode to network mode; In case of said communication being conducted through said at least one transceiver, acting in a network mode to perform processing related to said communication; When the communication is no longer performed in the network mode, transition to a bus pre-sleep mode; If the state in which the communication is not performed continues for a predetermined period in the bus pre-sleep mode, transition to the bus sleep mode; In the bus sleep mode, at least partially stopping processing related to the communication; as well as When the communication occurs in the bus pre-sleep mode, the mode is shifted to the network mode. However, when the communication is reception of the wakeup request, the mode is not shifted to the network mode.

10. The electronic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one transceiver has: a sleep function, the sleep function being a function executed upon a request from the controller, and performing a process for stopping a prescribed function of the transceiver; as well as a wake-up function, the wake-up function being executed when the wake-up request is received, and performing processing for restarting the predetermined function stopped by the sleep function, The controller is configured to disable the wake-up function before transitioning to the second mode.

11. The electronic control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A first transceiver and a second transceiver are provided as the at least one transceiver, The first transceiver has a transmission function of transmitting the wake-up request to the second transceiver when the wake-up request is received from the communication device, The controller is configured to disable the transmission function before transitioning to the second mode.

12. A storage medium, a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer of an electronic control device to execute a process of switching between a plurality of modes including a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode and thereby operating in one of the plurality of modes, wherein the storage medium is characterized in that: The electronic control device further comprises at least one transceiver configured to communicate with the communication device. When the computer program is executed by the computer, the following processing is realized: In case of performing the communication through the at least one transceiver, operating in the first mode to perform processing related to the communication; When the communication is no longer performed in the first mode, transition to the second mode; If the state in which the communication is not performed continues for a predetermined period in the second mode, transition to the third mode; In the third mode, at least partially stopping processing related to the communication; as well as When the communication occurs in the second mode, the mode is shifted to the first mode. However, when the communication is reception of a wakeup request for requesting a shift to the first mode, the mode is not shifted to the first mode.

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