Management device, function unit, in-vehicle communication system, and vehicle communication management program

Abstract

This management device is used in an in-vehicle network including one or a plurality of in-vehicle function units, and is provided with: a detection unit that detects the addition of a function unit to the in-vehicle network; a determination unit that determines, on the basis of necessary condition information indicating necessary conditions necessary for communication between the in-vehicle function unit and a new function unit, whether or not the in-vehicle function unit satisfies the necessary conditions, the necessary conditions being transmitted from the new function unit in which the additional function unit has been detected by the detection unit; and an update request unit that, when the determination unit determines that the in-vehicle function unit does not satisfy the necessary condition, transmits update request information requesting an update of the in-vehicle function unit to an external device different from the in-vehicle function unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management device, a functional unit, an in-vehicle communication system, and a vehicle communication management program.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Japanese patent application No. 2022-123579, filed on August 2, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] Patent document 1 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-220220) discloses the following vehicle electronic control device. That is, the vehicle electronic control device is a vehicle electronic control device (1-5) connected to an in-vehicle network (6) and executing a predetermined function through an installed application, wherein the vehicle electronic control device comprises: a service interface (8) for requesting the use of a service of a function installed in another vehicle electronic control device connected to the in-vehicle network according to a request from the application, and generating and responding to a service when receiving a service request from the other vehicle electronic control device; a service bus (9) for transmitting and receiving messages corresponding to the service request and response between the service interface and the service interface of the other vehicle electronic control device through a predetermined protocol; and a service management unit (11) for managing the location of the service so that the service can be dynamically used by each other.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-220220 Summary of the invention

[0007] The management device disclosed in the present invention is used in an in-vehicle network including one or more in-vehicle functional units, wherein the management device comprises: a detection unit for detecting the addition of a functional unit to the in-vehicle network; a determination unit for determining whether the in-vehicle functional unit satisfies the necessary condition based on necessary condition information sent from the new functional unit and indicating the necessary condition required for the in-vehicle functional unit to communicate with the new functional unit, wherein the new functional unit is the functional unit detected to be added by the detection unit; and an update request unit for sending update request information requesting an update of the in-vehicle functional unit to an external device different from the in-vehicle functional unit when the determination unit determines that the in-vehicle functional unit does not satisfy the necessary condition.

[0008] One embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented not only as a management device including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a method with the characteristic processing as steps, or as a semiconductor integrated circuit that implements part or all of the management device. One embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as a method with the processing in the functional unit as steps, or as a semiconductor integrated circuit that implements part or all of the functional unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the structure of the vehicle-mounted communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the structure of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a new network in the in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of version information of a functional unit in an in-vehicle network according to a comparative example.

[0014] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the structure of a new functional unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a new network construction process in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing another example of the sequence of the new network construction process in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] A technology is required to add various functional units to the vehicle network according to user needs.

[0018] [Problems to be Solved by the Present Disclosure]

[0019] However, if the functional units in the vehicle-mounted network before the new functional unit is added do not support communication with the added functional unit, communication between the functional units may not proceed smoothly or may not be possible.

[0020] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a management device, a functional unit, an in-vehicle communication system, and a vehicle communication management program that can more reliably perform communication between functional units in an in-vehicle network with a new structure.

[0021] [Effects of the present disclosure]

[0022] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to more reliably perform communication between functional units in an in-vehicle network having a new structure.

[0023] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0024] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described.

[0025] (1) The management device of the embodiment of the present disclosure is used in an in-vehicle network including one or more in-vehicle functional units, and comprises: a detection unit for detecting the addition of a functional unit to the in-vehicle network; a determination unit for determining whether the in-vehicle functional unit satisfies the necessary condition based on necessary condition information sent from the new functional unit and indicating the necessary condition required for the in-vehicle functional unit to communicate with the new functional unit, wherein the new functional unit is the functional unit detected to be added by the detection unit; and an update request unit for sending update request information requesting an update of the in-vehicle functional unit to an external device different from the in-vehicle functional unit when the determination unit determines that the in-vehicle functional unit does not satisfy the necessary condition.

[0026] With this configuration, when the management device detects the addition of a new functional unit in the vehicle network, it can update the vehicle functional unit to a state where it can communicate with the new functional unit. Therefore, in the vehicle network with a new configuration, communication between the functional units can be performed more reliably.

[0027] (2) Based on the above (1), the management device may further include an acquisition unit, which, when receiving the necessary condition information from the new function unit, acquires functional unit information of the vehicle-mounted functional unit for determining the necessary condition from the vehicle-mounted functional unit, and the determination unit may determine whether the vehicle-mounted functional unit satisfies the necessary condition based on the necessary condition information and the functional unit information.

[0028] With this structure, when determining whether the vehicle-mounted functional unit supports communication with the new functional unit, for example, the latest functional unit information can be considered, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination by the determination unit. In addition, since it is not necessary to obtain the functional unit information of the vehicle-mounted functional unit from an external device such as outside the vehicle-mounted network, the acquisition process of the functional unit information can be simplified.

[0029] (3) In addition to the above (1), the management device may further include an acquisition unit that acquires functional unit information of the vehicle-mounted functional unit used to determine the necessary condition from the external device, and the determination unit may determine whether the vehicle-mounted functional unit satisfies the necessary condition based on the necessary condition information and the functional unit information.

[0030] With this structure, when determining whether the vehicle-mounted functional unit supports communication with the new functional unit, for example, the latest functional unit information can be considered, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination by the determination unit. In addition, the functional unit information of the vehicle-mounted functional unit can be obtained from the vehicle-mounted functional unit in the vehicle network, for example, so that the functional unit information can be obtained.

[0031] (4) Based on any one of the above (1) to (3), the necessary condition may be that the version of the software installed in the vehicle-mounted functional unit is the same as the version of the software installed in the new functional unit, or the version of the software installed in the vehicle-mounted functional unit is newer than the version of the software installed in the new functional unit.

[0032] With this configuration, when the in-vehicle functional unit and the new functional unit communicate with each other, the software installed in the in-vehicle functional unit can be updated to an appropriate state.

[0033] (5) The functional unit of the embodiment of the present disclosure is used in an in-vehicle network including one or more in-vehicle functional units and a management device, wherein the functional unit includes a processing unit that, when the functional unit is added to the in-vehicle network, sends necessary condition information to the management device in the in-vehicle network, wherein the necessary condition information indicates necessary conditions required for the functional unit to communicate with the in-vehicle functional unit.

[0034] With this structure, when a functional unit is added to the vehicle-mounted network, the management device can obtain the necessary condition information from the functional unit, and thus can determine whether the vehicle-mounted functional unit satisfies the necessary condition contained in the necessary condition information. Furthermore, when the vehicle-mounted functional unit does not satisfy the necessary condition, the management device can perform various processes required for the added functional unit to communicate normally with the vehicle-mounted functional unit. Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted network with a new structure, communication between the functional units can be performed more reliably.

[0035] (6) The in-vehicle communication system of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a management device used in an in-vehicle network including one or more in-vehicle functional units; and a functional unit, the management device detects the addition of the functional unit to the in-vehicle network, the new functional unit sends necessary condition information to the management device, the new functional unit is the functional unit detected to be added to the in-vehicle network, the necessary condition information is information indicating necessary conditions required for the in-vehicle functional unit to communicate with the new functional unit, the management device determines whether the in-vehicle functional unit satisfies the necessary conditions based on the necessary condition information received from the new functional unit, and when the management device determines that the in-vehicle functional unit does not satisfy the necessary conditions, it sends update request information requesting an update of the in-vehicle functional unit to an external device different from the in-vehicle functional unit.

[0036] With this configuration, when the management device detects the addition of a new functional unit in the vehicle network, it can update the vehicle functional unit to a state where it can communicate with the new functional unit. Therefore, in the vehicle network with a new configuration, communication between the functional units can be performed more reliably.

[0037] (7) The vehicle communication management program of an embodiment of the present disclosure is used in a management device, which is used in a vehicle network including one or more vehicle-mounted functional units, wherein the vehicle communication management program is used to cause a computer to operate as the following units: a detection unit that detects the addition of a functional unit to the vehicle network; a determination unit that determines whether the vehicle-mounted functional unit satisfies the necessary conditions based on necessary condition information sent from the new functional unit and indicating the necessary conditions required for the vehicle-mounted functional unit to communicate with the new functional unit, wherein the new functional unit is the functional unit added by the detection unit; and an update request unit that, when the determination unit determines that the vehicle-mounted functional unit does not satisfy the necessary conditions, sends update request information requesting an update of the vehicle-mounted functional unit to an external device different from the vehicle-mounted functional unit.

[0038] With this configuration, when the management device detects the addition of a new functional unit in the vehicle network, it can update the vehicle functional unit to a state where it can communicate with the new functional unit. Therefore, in the vehicle network with a new configuration, communication between the functional units can be performed more reliably.

[0039] The following drawings are used to illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the same or equivalent parts in the drawings are marked with the same reference numerals and their descriptions are not repeated. In addition, at least a part of the embodiments described below can be arbitrarily combined.

[0040] [Communication System]

[0041] Figure 1It is a diagram showing the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Reference Figure 1 The communication system 501 includes a server 180 and one or more vehicle-mounted communication systems 301 . The vehicle-mounted communication system 301 is mounted on the vehicle 1 .

[0043] [In-vehicle communication system]

[0044] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the structure of the vehicle-mounted communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Reference Figure 2 The in-vehicle communication system 301 includes, for example, one or more in-vehicle ECUs (Electronic Control Units) 202 and one or more relay devices 101 .

[0046] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, the vehicle communication system 301 includes vehicle ECUs 202A and 202B as vehicle ECUs 202 and a relay device 101. The vehicle ECUs 202 and the relay device 101 constitute a vehicle network 401. The vehicle ECU 202 is an example of a vehicle functional unit mounted on the vehicle 1. The relay device 101 is an example of a management device.

[0047] It should be noted that the vehicle communication system 301 is not limited to a structure having two vehicle ECUs, but may be a structure having one or more vehicle ECUs 202. Furthermore, the vehicle communication system 301 is not limited to a structure having one relay device 101, but may be a structure having multiple relay devices 101.

[0048] In the in-vehicle network 401 , the in-vehicle ECU 202 is connected to the relay device 101 via, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 11 .

[0049] More specifically, the relay device 101 includes a plurality of communication ports 51 . The communication port 51 is, for example, a terminal to which the Ethernet cable 11 can be connected. The relay device 101 and each in-vehicle ECU 202 are connected to other in-vehicle ECUs 202 via the communication port 51 and the Ethernet cable 11 .

[0050] The relay device 101 is used in the vehicle network 401 including a plurality of vehicle ECUs 202. The relay device 101 is, for example, a gateway device, and can relay data between the plurality of vehicle ECUs 202 connected to the relay device 101. The relay device 101 can perform relay processing according to, for example, layer 2 and layer 3 higher than layer 2.

[0051] More specifically, the relay device 101 performs a relay process of frames exchanged between the vehicle-mounted ECUs 202 connected via the Ethernet cable 11 in accordance with, for example, the communication standard of Ethernet.

[0052] It should be noted that, in the vehicle communication system 301, the structure for relaying frames is not limited to that according to the Ethernet communication standard, but may also be a structure for relaying frames according to communication standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (CAN with Flexible Data Rate), FlexRay (registered trademark), MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) (registered trademark), and LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

[0053] The relay device 101 and each in-vehicle ECU 202 generate a frame including various information described later, and transmit the frame to another in-vehicle ECU 202 or the relay device 101 .

[0054] The vehicle-mounted ECU 202 includes, for example, a TCU (Telematics Communication Unit), an automatic driving ECU, an engine ECU, a sensor, a navigation device, a human-machine interface, a camera, and the like.

[0055] In this example, the in-vehicle ECU 202A and the in-vehicle ECU 202B are the engine ECU and the TCU, respectively.

[0056] Hereinafter, the in-vehicle ECU 202A and the in-vehicle ECU 202B are also referred to as engine ECU 202A and TCU 202B, respectively.

[0057] The engine ECU 202A can communicate with the TCU 202B via the relay device 101 , and controls the engine in the vehicle 1 , for example.

[0058] More specifically, the engine ECU 202A obtains information indicating, for example, the engine speed, the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1, the engine shaft torque, the state of the transmission, the state of the throttle valve, and the measurement values ​​of each sensor, and controls the engine based on the obtained information.

[0059] Furthermore, the engine ECU 202A can transmit part or all of the acquired information to the relay device 101 , for example, in response to a request from the relay device 101 .

[0060] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 2, TCU 202B can communicate with server 180. Specifically, TCU 202B can communicate with server 180 via wireless base station device 161 using, for example, IP packets.

[0061] More specifically, the TCU 202B can perform wireless communication with the wireless base station apparatus 161 in accordance with a communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 5G.

[0062] Specifically, when receiving an IP packet from the server 180 via the external network 170 such as the Internet, the wireless base station device 161 includes the received IP packet in a wireless signal and transmits it to the TCU 202B.

[0063] When receiving a wireless signal including an IP packet from the server 180 from the wireless base station device 161 , the TCU 202B obtains the IP packet from the received wireless signal, stores the obtained IP packet in an Ethernet frame, and transmits the obtained IP packet to the relay device 101 .

[0064] When receiving an Ethernet frame from the relay device 101 , the TCU 202B obtains an IP packet from the received Ethernet frame, includes the obtained IP packet in a wireless signal, and transmits the signal to the wireless base station device 161 .

[0065] When receiving a wireless signal from TCU 202B, wireless base station device 161 obtains an IP packet from the received wireless signal and transmits the obtained IP packet to server 180 via external network 170 .

[0066] The server 180 is, for example, an OTA (Over The Air) server, and is provided outside the vehicle 1. The server 180 is an example of an external device different from the vehicle-mounted functional unit. The server 180 holds an update program for updating the software installed in the vehicle-mounted ECU 202. As described later, the server 180 transmits the update program to the designated vehicle-mounted ECU 202 in response to a request from the relay device 101.

[0067] [Relay device]

[0068] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the structure of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] Reference Figure 3 The relay device 101 includes a relay unit 111 , a detection unit 112 , an acquisition unit 113 , a determination unit 114 , an update request unit 115 , a generation unit 116 , a setting unit 117 , and a storage unit 118 .

[0070] Part or all of the relay unit 111, the detector 112, the acquirer 113, the determiner 114, the update requester 115, the generator 116, and the setter 117 are implemented by, for example, a processing circuit including one or more processors. The storage unit 118 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory included in the processing circuit.

[0071] The relay unit 111 relays frames transmitted and received between the vehicle-mounted ECUs 202. More specifically, when receiving a frame from a certain vehicle-mounted ECU 202, the relay unit 111 transmits the received frame to the vehicle-mounted ECU 202 of the transmission destination.

[0072] Furthermore, when the relay unit 111 receives a frame addressed to its own relay device 101 from the functional unit newly added to the in-vehicle network 401 , the relay unit 111 outputs the received frame to the detection unit 112 .

[0073] Hereinafter, the function unit newly added to the vehicle network 401 is also referred to as a new function unit, the vehicle network 401 including the new function unit is also referred to as a new network, and the vehicle network 401 before the new function unit is added is also referred to as an existing network. Furthermore, the function unit included in the existing network is also referred to as an existing function unit.

[0074] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a new network in the in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 Shown in Figure 2 The in-vehicle network 401 shown has a configuration in which an in-vehicle ECU 202C is newly added to the in-vehicle network 401 .

[0075] Reference Figure 4 The vehicle-mounted ECU 202C is connected to the communication port 51 in the relay device 101 via, for example, the Ethernet cable 11. In this example, the vehicle-mounted ECU 202C is a navigation device. Hereinafter, the vehicle-mounted ECU 202C is also referred to as the navigation device 202C.

[0076] Refer again Figure 3 , the detection unit 112 in the relay device 101 detects the addition of the new functional unit to the in-vehicle network 401. Here, the detection unit 112 detects the in-vehicle ECU 202C.

[0077] The detection unit 112 receives the frame from the in-vehicle ECU 202C via the relay unit 111 , and performs authentication processing of the in-vehicle ECU 202C using the ID and the authentication password included in the frame.

[0078] When the authentication of the in-vehicle ECU 202C is successful, the detection unit 112 transmits a frame including authentication success information indicating that the authentication is successful to the in-vehicle ECU 202C via the relay unit 111 .

[0079] When the authentication of the new functional unit succeeds as described above, the detection unit 112 outputs a frame including, for example, detection information indicating the ID of the new functional unit to the acquisition unit 113 .

[0080] It should be noted that the detection unit 112 may be configured to periodically broadcast a search message for detecting a new functional unit via the relay unit 111. In this case, the new functional unit receives the search message and transmits the connection request information as a response to the received search message.

[0081] Furthermore, the detection unit 112 may be configured by adding an application program installed in the existing in-vehicle ECU 202 in the in-vehicle network 401 as a new functional unit. That is, the new functional unit may be hardware or software.

[0082] Hereinafter, software that realizes the application program in the vehicle-mounted ECU 202 will also be simply referred to as “software”.

[0083] [Topic]

[0084] However, in the new network, if the existing functional units do not support communication with the new functional units, there is a possibility that communication between the functional units cannot be performed normally.

[0085] For example, in Figure 4 In the case where the software installed in the onboard ECU 202B as an example of the original functional unit (hereinafter also referred to as the "original software") does not support communication with the software installed in the onboard ECU 202C as the new functional unit (hereinafter also referred to as the "new software"), the communication between the onboard ECU 202C and the onboard ECU 202B may become unsmooth or impossible.

[0086] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of version information of software of an in-vehicle ECU installed in an in-vehicle network according to a comparative example.

[0087] exist Figure 5 In the example, the original software version is "Ver.1" and the new software version is "Ver.2". In this case, if the original software version is older than the new software version, normal communication may not be ensured in the new network.

[0088] On the other hand, in the vehicle-mounted communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned problem is solved by the following configuration and operation.

[0089] [New Features Department]

[0090] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the structure of a new functional unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 The structure of the vehicle-mounted ECU202C is shown.

[0091] Reference Figure 6 The vehicle-mounted ECU 202C includes a communication unit 211, a processing unit 212, and a storage unit 213. One or both of the communication unit 211 and the processing unit 212 are implemented, for example, by a processing circuit including one or more processors. The storage unit 213 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory included in the processing circuit.

[0092] When receiving a frame addressed to its own in-vehicle ECU 202C from the relay device 101 or another in-vehicle ECU 202 , the communication unit 211 outputs the received frame to the processing unit 212 .

[0093] The processing unit 212 performs various processes based on information included in the frame received from the communication unit 211. For example, upon receiving authentication success information from the relay device 101, the processing unit 212 transmits requirement information indicating requirements for communication with other functional units to the relay device 101.

[0094] More specifically, the processing unit 212 transmits a frame including the requirement information for communicating with the original functional unit to the relay device 101 via the communication unit 211. Here, the processing unit 212 transmits a frame including the requirement information for communicating with the vehicle-mounted ECU 202B to the relay device 101.

[0095] The requirement information includes, for example, version information of existing software and version information of new software that are requirements for communication between the existing function unit and the new function unit.

[0096] The requirement information includes a requirement (hereinafter also referred to as "requirement R"), for example, that the versions of the existing software and the new software are the same. Specifically, the requirement R is, for example, that the versions of the software installed in the vehicle ECU 202B and the software installed in the vehicle ECU 202C are the same.

[0097] It should be noted that the necessary condition R may also be that the version of the original software is newer than the version of the new software.

[0098] Furthermore, the necessary condition R may be a necessary condition indicating the setting content of the communication action requested to the existing functional unit. For example, the necessary condition R may be a necessary condition regarding the communication frequency band in the existing functional unit and a necessary condition regarding the transmission cycle of information sent from the existing functional unit to the new functional unit.

[0099] Furthermore, the requirement information may be information indicating the specifications of the new functional unit. More specifically, the requirement information may be information indicating the content of the service provided by the new functional unit.

[0100] Furthermore, when the requirement information is information indicating the content of the service requested by the new function unit, the requirement R may be that the new function unit receives a frame including information indicating that the service can be provided from the existing function unit within a predetermined time.

[0101] [Acquisition Department]

[0102] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 The acquisition unit 113 in the relay device 101 acquires the necessary condition information of the new functional unit and the functional unit information of the existing functional unit.

[0103] More specifically, when receiving the required condition information from the newly added new function unit detected by the detection unit 112, the acquisition unit 113 acquires the function unit information of the existing function unit for determining the required condition R from the existing function unit. When receiving the detection information from the detection unit 112, the acquisition unit 113 transmits an information request notification for requesting the required condition information to the new function unit via the relay unit 111. When receiving the required condition information from the new function unit via the relay unit 111, the acquisition unit 113 transmits an information request notification for requesting the function unit information to the existing function unit via the relay unit 111.

[0104] The acquisition unit 113 acquires, for example, version information of the existing software as the function unit information of the existing function unit. The acquisition unit 113 outputs the required condition information received from the new function unit and the function unit information received from the existing function unit to the determination unit 114. It should be noted that the acquisition unit 113 may also acquire the function unit information of the existing function unit from the server 180 when receiving the required condition information from the new function unit.

[0105] [Judgment Department]

[0106] The determination unit 114 determines whether the existing functional unit satisfies the requirement R based on the requirement information transmitted from the new functional unit.

[0107] More specifically, the determination unit 114 determines whether the existing functional unit satisfies the requirement R based on the requirement information and the functional unit information received from the acquisition unit 113. For example, the determination unit 114 may be as described above. Figure 5 As shown, when the version of the existing software is older than the version of the new software, it is determined that the existing functional part does not satisfy the requirement R. When determining that the existing functional part does not satisfy the requirement R, the determination unit 114 outputs information indicating that the determination result is negative (hereinafter also referred to as “negative determination information”) to the update request unit 115.

[0108] On the other hand, when determining that the existing functional unit satisfies the requirement R, the determination unit 114 outputs information indicating that the determination result is affirmative (hereinafter also referred to as “affirmative determination information”) to the generation unit 116 .

[0109] [Update Request Section]

[0110] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 When the determination unit 114 determines that the original functional unit does not satisfy the necessary condition R, the update request unit 115 sends update request information requesting the update of the original functional unit to the external device via the relay unit 111 and the TCU 202B. More specifically, when the update request unit 115 receives negative determination information from the determination unit 114, it outputs the update request information to the relay unit 111. When the relay unit 111 receives the update request information from the update request unit 115, it sends the Ethernet frame storing the update request information to the TCU 202B via the communication port 51.

[0111] When receiving the Ethernet frame from the relay unit 111 , the TCU 202B obtains the IP packet from the received Ethernet frame, includes the obtained IP packet in a wireless signal, and transmits the signal to the server 180 via the wireless base station device 161 .

[0112] It should be noted that the update request information may also include functional unit information of the new functional unit. For example, the Ethernet frame storing the update request information may also include information specifying the updated version of the original software. As information specifying the updated version of the original software, the Ethernet frame may also include information indicating a version that is the same as the new software version or information indicating a version that is newer than the new software version.

[0113] When receiving a wireless signal including an IP packet from TCU 202B, server 180 transmits an IP packet including an update program for the existing software, its own ID, and a MAC (Media Access Control) address of an existing functional unit to be updated to wireless base station device 161 via external network 170. Here, the MAC address of the existing functional unit to be updated included in the IP packet is set to the MAC address of TCU 202B.

[0114] When receiving an IP packet from the server 180 via the external network 170 , the wireless base station device 161 includes the received IP packet in a wireless signal and transmits the signal to the TCU 202B.

[0115] When receiving a wireless signal including an IP packet from the wireless base station device 161, the TCU 202B obtains the IP packet from the received wireless signal and installs the update program included in the IP packet. This allows the existing software installed in the TCU 202B to be updated.

[0116] When the software update is completed, the TCU 202B sends a predetermined notification to other devices in the communication system 501. Specifically, the TCU 202B sends an IP packet including an update completion notification indicating that the software update is completed to the server 180 via the wireless base station device 161. In addition, the TCU 202B sends the update completion notification to the relay device 101.

[0117] It should be noted that the external device in the communication system 501 is not limited to the server 180 outside the vehicle network 401, and may also be, for example, a device for reprogramming a program installed in an existing functional unit (hereinafter also referred to as a "reprogramming device"). The relay device 101 can communicate with the reprogramming device via a communication cable. That is, the relay device 101 is not limited to a wireless line, and may also be connected to an external device in the vehicle network 401 via a wired line.

[0118] [Generation Department]

[0119] Refer again Figure 3 When receiving the affirmative determination information from the determination unit 114 or receiving the update completion notification from the existing functional unit, the generation unit 116 in the relay device 101 obtains the functional unit information of the existing functional unit and the functional unit information of the new functional unit. The generation unit 116 generates the configuration information of the new network based on the functional unit information of the existing functional unit and the functional unit information of the new functional unit.

[0120] More specifically, the generating unit 116 acquires the functional unit information of the existing functional unit and the functional unit information of the new functional unit via the relaying unit 111 .

[0121] The generation unit 116 generates configuration information of a new network based on the acquired functional unit information of the existing functional units and the acquired functional unit information of the new functional units.

[0122] For example, the generator 116 obtains information that can identify the topology of hardware devices such as the vehicle-mounted ECU 202 and the relay device 101 in the new network as the functional unit information. Also, for example, the generator 116 obtains information that can identify restrictions on the configuration of the application to the hardware device in the new network. Also, for example, the generator 116 obtains information that can identify restrictions on the communication method in the new network.

[0123] The generation unit 116 obtains, for example, vehicle information indicating the manufacturer and model of the vehicle 1 on which the onboard ECU 202 and the relay device 101 are mounted, additional accessory information indicating additional accessories mounted on the vehicle 1, an identifier indicating the manufacturer and manufacturing number of the onboard ECU 202, i.e., the onboard device ID, the port number of the communication port at the connection between the hardware devices, and information on the bandwidth of the communication path between the hardware devices, as information capable of identifying the topology of the hardware devices.

[0124] The generation unit 116 obtains at least one of information related to, for example, the computing speed required for the execution of the application in the vehicle-mounted ECU 202, the memory usage, the limitations of the OS (Operating System) environment, and the limitations of communication protocols such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User datagram Protocol) as information capable of identifying the limitations related to the configuration of the application to the hardware device.

[0125] The generation unit 116 obtains at least one of the following information, including the communication data size of the application in the vehicle-mounted ECU 202, the communication frequency, the need for burst transmission, the allowable delay time, the allowable loss amount, the required security level, the action timing, the communication type indicating, for example, periodic communication or irregular communication, the identifier of the application as a communication partner, the message delivery method indicating a request-response type or a publication-subscription type, and the information related to the priority of the application-based communication, as information capable of identifying the restrictions on the communication method in the new network.

[0126] For example, the generation unit 116 specifies one or more types of function unit information required in the setting information of the new network among the types of function unit information described above.

[0127] The generating unit 116 transmits an information request notification for requesting the function unit information of the specified type to the existing function unit and the new function unit via the relay unit 111 .

[0128] As a response to the information request notification received from the generating unit 116 , the existing function unit and the new function unit transmit their own function unit information of the type specified in the information request notification to the generating unit 116 .

[0129] When receiving the function unit information of the existing function unit and the function unit information of the new function unit via the relay unit 111 , the generating unit 116 generates the setting information of the new network based on the received information of each function unit.

[0130] More specifically, the generating unit 116 generates, as setting information, information capable of identifying the functional units in the vehicle 1 and the new network.

[0131] More specifically, the generator 116 generates setting information indicating setting contents of the relay device 101 for performing communication in the new network.

[0132] For example, the generating unit 116 generates setting information indicating the setting contents of the relay device 101 for communication between each functional unit and the relay device 101 in the new network, such as filtering, communication bandwidth, and VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) settings, based on the acquired functional unit information of the original functional unit and the acquired functional unit information of the new functional unit. The generating unit 116 outputs the setting information to the setting unit 117. It should be noted that the acquiring unit 113 is not limited to the structure of acquiring the version information of the original software as the functional unit information for judging the necessary condition R, and may also be a structure of acquiring the functional unit information as described above.

[0133] [Settings Department]

[0134] When the setting content is notified by the generating unit 116 , the setting unit 117 performs various setting changes according to the notified setting content.

[0135] It should be noted that the generation unit 116 may be configured to generate setting information further indicating the setting contents of the existing function unit and the new function unit and notify the existing function unit and the new function unit of the setting contents for communicating in the new network based on the setting information.

[0136] Each functional unit and the relay device 101 in the new network communicate with each other according to the changed setting contents.

[0137] It should be noted that the relay device 101 is not limited to sending the update request information to the server 180, and may also be a structure in which the update request information is sent to an external device such as a display device in the vehicle network 401. Figure 4 The navigation device 202C in the in-vehicle network 401 shown in the figure transmits the update request information. Upon receiving the update request information, the navigation device 202C displays a message on the screen to urge the updating of the existing functional unit, for example.

[0138] [Flow of Action]

[0139] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a new network construction process in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0140] Reference Figure 7First, the new function unit sends connection request information to the relay device 101 (step S11 ).

[0141] Next, when the connection request information is received, the relay device 101 detects the new functional unit and performs authentication processing on the new functional unit (step S12 ).

[0142] Next, when the authentication of the new functional unit is successful, the relay device 101 transmits authentication success information to the new functional unit (step S13 ).

[0143] Then, when the authentication of the new functional unit is successful, the relay device 101 transmits an information request notification for requesting the requirement information to the new functional unit (step S14 ).

[0144] Next, the new function unit transmits the requirement information to the relay device 101 as a response to the information request notification (step S15 ).

[0145] Next, upon receiving the requirement information from the new function unit, the relay device 101 transmits an information request notification for requesting the function unit information of the existing function unit to the existing function unit (step S16 ).

[0146] Next, the original function unit transmits its own function unit information to the relay device 101 as a response to the information request notification. Here, the original function unit transmits the original software version information as its own function unit information to the relay device 101 (step S17).

[0147] Next, the relay device 101 determines whether the existing functional unit satisfies the requirement R based on the requirement information and the functional unit information (step S18 ).

[0148] Next, when the relay device 101 determines that the original function unit does not satisfy the requirement R (No in step S18 ), it transmits update request information requesting update of the original software to the server 180 (step S19 ).

[0149] Next, the server 180 transmits the update program including the version specified in the update request information from the relay device 101 to the original function unit (step S20 ).

[0150] Next, the original function unit updates the original software by installing the update program received from the server 180 (step S21 ), and transmits an update completion notification to the server 180 when the update is completed (step S22 ).

[0151] Then, when the updating of the original software is completed, the original function unit transmits an updating completion notification to the relay device 101 (step S23 ).

[0152] Next, upon receiving the update completion notification from the existing functional unit, the relay device 101 generates setting information of the new network based on the functional unit information of the existing functional unit and the functional unit information of the new functional unit (step S24 ).

[0153] Next, the relay device 101 changes various settings of itself based on the generated setting information (step S25 ).

[0154] Next, the relay device 101 , the new function unit, and the existing function unit in the new network communicate with each other according to the changed setting contents (step S26 ).

[0155] On the other hand, when the relay device 101 determines that the original function unit satisfies the requirement R (“Yes” in step S18 ), it performs the processes from step S24 to step S26 .

[0156] <Modification>

[0157] In the above example, the acquisition unit 113 in the relay device 101 acquires the function unit information of the existing function unit from the existing function unit when receiving the necessary condition information from the new function unit detected by the detection unit 112. In the following example, the server 180 holds the function unit information of the existing function unit in the existing network and transmits the function unit information to the relay device 101. In other words, in the following example, the relay device 101 acquires the function unit information of the existing function unit from the server 180.

[0158] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing another example of the sequence of the new network construction process in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0159] Reference Figure 3 as well as Figure 8 First, the server 180 periodically or irregularly sends the function unit information of the original function unit to the relay device 101. More specifically, the server 180 maintains the version information of the original software as the function unit information. The server 180 sends the version information to the relay device 101 when the original software in the original network is updated. For example, when the original network includes a plurality of original function units, the server 180 sends the function unit information of each original function unit to the relay device 101 (step S31).

[0160] Next, the relay device 101 stores the function unit information of the original function unit received from the server 180 in the storage unit 118 (step S32 ).

[0161] Next, the new function unit transmits connection request information to the relay device 101 (step S33 ).

[0162] Next, when the connection request information is received, the relay device 101 detects the new functional unit and performs authentication processing on the new functional unit (step S34 ).

[0163] Next, when the authentication of the new functional unit is successful, the relay device 101 transmits authentication success information to the new functional unit (step S35 ).

[0164] Then, when the authentication of the new functional unit is successful, the relay device 101 transmits an information request notification for requesting the requirement information to the new functional unit (step S36 ).

[0165] Next, the new function unit transmits the requirement information to the relay device 101 as a response to the information request notification (step S37 ).

[0166] Figure 8 The processing from step S38 to step S46 shown in FIG. Figure 7 The processes from step S18 to step S26 shown are respectively the same.

[0167] It should be noted that the management device of the embodiment of the present disclosure is set as a structure included in the relay device 101 in the vehicle communication system 301, but it is not limited to this. Part or all of the units in the relay device 101 except the relay unit 111 may also be included in a device other than the relay device 101 in the vehicle communication system 301, or may be provided outside the vehicle communication system 301.

[0168] Furthermore, the management device of the embodiment of the present disclosure may also be implemented by a server (not shown) that can communicate with the vehicle-mounted communication system 301. In this case, part or all of the functions of the management device of the embodiment of the present disclosure may also be provided by cloud computing. That is, the management device of the embodiment of the present disclosure may also be composed of multiple cloud servers, etc.

[0169] Each process (function) of the above-mentioned embodiment is implemented by a processing circuit including one or more processors. The above-mentioned processing circuit can also be constituted by an integrated circuit that combines one or more memories, various analog circuits, and various digital circuits in addition to the above-mentioned one or more processors. The above-mentioned one or more memories store programs (commands) that enable the above-mentioned one or more processors to perform the above-mentioned processes. The above-mentioned one or more processors can perform the above-mentioned processes according to the above-mentioned programs read from the above-mentioned one or more memories, or according to the logic circuits designed in advance for performing the above-mentioned processes. The above-mentioned processor can also be a CPU (Central Processing Unit: Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit: Graphics Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor: Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array: Field Programmable Gate Array) and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit: Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and other various processors suitable for computer control. It should be noted that the above-mentioned multiple processors separated physically can also cooperate with each other and perform the above-mentioned processes. For example, the processors respectively mounted in a plurality of physically separated computers may cooperate with each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the Internet to perform the above-mentioned processes. The above-mentioned program may also be installed into the above-mentioned memory from an external server device or the like via the above-mentioned network, or may be circulated in a state of being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), and a semiconductor memory, and installed into the above-mentioned memory from the above-mentioned recording medium.

[0170] The above embodiments are to be considered as illustrative in all points and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0171] The above description includes the features described below.

[0172] [Note 1] A management device, used in an in-vehicle network including one or more in-vehicle functional units, comprises: a detection unit configured to detect the addition of a functional unit to the vehicle-mounted network; a determination unit that determines whether the in-vehicle functional unit satisfies the necessary condition based on necessary condition information indicating necessary conditions required for the in-vehicle functional unit to communicate with the new functional unit, the new functional unit being the functional unit detected to be added by the detection unit; and an update request unit that transmits update request information requesting update of the in-vehicle function unit to an external device when the determination unit determines that the in-vehicle function unit does not satisfy the required condition, The update request information includes function unit information of the new function unit.

[0173] [Note 2] A management device is used in a vehicle network including one or more vehicle function units, wherein: The management device comprises a processing circuit, The processing circuit detection function unit is added to the vehicle network, the processing circuit determines whether the in-vehicle functional unit satisfies the necessary condition based on necessary condition information indicating necessary conditions required for the in-vehicle functional unit to communicate with the new functional unit, the new functional unit being the functional unit detected to be added by the detection unit, The processing circuit transmits update request information requesting update of the in-vehicle function unit to an external device when the determination unit determines that the in-vehicle function unit does not satisfy the required condition.

[0174] [Note 3] A functional unit is used in a vehicle network including one or more vehicle functional units, wherein: The functional unit includes a processing circuit, The processing circuit transmits requirement information indicating a requirement required for the function unit to communicate with the in-vehicle function unit to a management device in the in-vehicle network when the function unit is added to the in-vehicle network. The requirement information indicates a requirement required for the function unit to communicate with the in-vehicle function unit.

[0175] [Note 4] A management method is a management method used in a management device of an in-vehicle network including one or more in-vehicle functional units, wherein the management method comprises the following steps: detecting the addition of a functional unit to the in-vehicle network; determining whether the in-vehicle function unit satisfies the necessary condition based on necessary condition information indicating necessary conditions required for the in-vehicle function unit to communicate with the new function unit, the new function unit being the function unit detected to be added; and When it is determined that the in-vehicle functional unit does not satisfy the required condition, update request information requesting update of the in-vehicle functional unit is transmitted to an external device.

[0176] [Note 5] A communication control method is a communication control method used in a functional part of an in-vehicle network including one or more in-vehicle functional parts, wherein the communication control method comprises the following steps: When the functional unit is added to the in-vehicle network, requirement information indicating a requirement required for the functional unit to communicate with the in-vehicle functional unit is transmitted to a management device in the in-vehicle network.

[0177] [Note 6] A communication control program is used in a functional unit of an in-vehicle network including one or more in-vehicle functional units, wherein: The communication control program is used to make the computer operate as a processing unit. The processing unit transmits requirement information indicating a requirement required for the function unit to communicate with the in-vehicle function unit to a management device in the in-vehicle network when the function unit is added to the in-vehicle network.

[0178] Description of symbols

[0179] 1 Vehicle

[0180] 11 Ethernet cable

[0181] 51 Communication port

[0182] 101 Relay Device

[0183] 111 Relay Department

[0184] 112 Testing Department

[0185] 113 Acquisition Department

[0186] 114 Judgment Department

[0187] 115 Update Request Department

[0188] 116 Generation Department

[0189] 117 Setting Department

[0190] 118, 213 Storage

[0191] 161 Wireless base station device

[0192] 170 External Network

[0193] 180 Servers

[0194] 202A, 202B, 202C Vehicle ECU

[0195] 211 Ministry of Communications

[0196] 212 Processing Department

[0197] 301 Vehicle Communication System

[0198] 401 In-vehicle network

[0199] 501 Communication System

Claims

1. A management device for use in an in-vehicle network including one or more in-vehicle functional units, wherein: The management device comprises: a detection unit configured to detect the addition of a functional unit to the vehicle-mounted network; a determination unit that determines whether the vehicle-mounted functional unit satisfies the necessary condition based on necessary condition information indicating necessary conditions required for the vehicle-mounted functional unit to communicate with the new functional unit, the new functional unit being the functional unit detected to be added by the detection unit; as well as The update request unit transmits update request information for requesting update of the in-vehicle function unit to an external device different from the in-vehicle function unit when the determination unit determines that the in-vehicle function unit does not satisfy the required condition.

2. The management device according to claim 1, wherein: The management device further includes an acquisition unit that, when receiving the required condition information from the new function unit, acquires function unit information of the in-vehicle function unit for determining the required condition from the in-vehicle function unit. The determination unit determines whether the in-vehicle functional unit satisfies the required condition based on the required condition information and the functional unit information.

3. The management device according to claim 1, wherein: The management device further includes an acquisition unit that acquires functional unit information of the vehicle-mounted functional unit used for determining the required condition from the external device. The determination unit determines whether the in-vehicle functional unit satisfies the required condition based on the required condition information and the functional unit information.

4. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The necessary condition is that the version of the software installed in the vehicle-mounted function unit is the same as the version of the software installed in the new function unit, or the version of the software installed in the vehicle-mounted function unit is newer than the version of the software installed in the new function unit.

5. A functional unit used in an in-vehicle network including one or more in-vehicle functional units, wherein: The functional unit includes a processing unit that transmits requirement information indicating a requirement required for the functional unit to communicate with the in-vehicle functional unit to a management device in the in-vehicle network when the functional unit is added to the in-vehicle network. The requirement information indicates a requirement required for the functional unit to communicate with the in-vehicle functional unit.

6. A vehicle communication system comprising: A management device for use in an in-vehicle network including one or more in-vehicle functional units; and Functional Department, The management device detects the addition of the functional unit to the in-vehicle network, The new function unit sends necessary condition information to the management device, wherein the new function unit is the function unit detected to be added to the in-vehicle network, and the necessary condition information is information indicating necessary conditions required for the in-vehicle function unit to communicate with the new function unit. The management device determines whether the vehicle-mounted functional unit satisfies the required condition based on the required condition information received from the new functional unit, The management device transmits update request information requesting update of the in-vehicle function unit to an external device different from the in-vehicle function unit, when determining that the in-vehicle function unit does not satisfy the required condition.

7. A vehicle communication management program, used in a management device, the management device being used in a vehicle network including one or more vehicle-mounted functional units, wherein: The vehicle communication management program is used to enable the computer to operate as the following units: a detection unit configured to detect the addition of a functional unit to the vehicle-mounted network; a determination unit that determines whether the vehicle-mounted functional unit satisfies the necessary condition based on necessary condition information indicating necessary conditions required for the vehicle-mounted functional unit to communicate with the new functional unit, the new functional unit being the functional unit detected to be added by the detection unit; as well as The update request unit transmits update request information for requesting update of the in-vehicle function unit to an external device different from the in-vehicle function unit when the determination unit determines that the in-vehicle function unit does not satisfy the required condition.

Images