Electronic control device

Abstract

To provide an electronic control device that can appropriately input or output signals based on activation factor information that is the factor of activation in a vehicle and software status information that indicates the state of software operating inside the electronic control device.SOLUTION: An input / output control unit 40 selectively switches an input signal to one of multiple disclosure destination applications A67 and B68 depending on activation factor information and software status information stored in an information storage area 30a and information stored in a linking information storage area 50, or selectively switches a reference source of post-execution output by an execution application C69 and an execution application D70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic control device. [Background technology]

[0002] An electronic control device for a vehicle has multiple communication ports and is capable of communicating with other electronic control devices through the communication ports (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the electronic control device described in Patent Document 1, when the electronic control device is started, it is configured to identify a communication port among the multiple communication ports to which a communication signal is input. The electronic control device then sets an operation mode that is determined in accordance with the communication port identified as having received the communication signal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-053405 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors are considering varying the application to which the signal input to the communication port is made available, or selectively outputting the post-execution output by the internally executed application, based on start-up factor information that causes startup within the vehicle and software status information that indicates the state of the software running inside the electronic control unit.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic control device that can appropriately input or output signals based on start-up factor information that is the cause of startup within a vehicle and software status information that indicates the status of software operating inside the electronic control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the invention described in claim 1, the vehicle control system includes an information storage area for storing multiple pieces of startup cause information that are factors for startup within the vehicle and multiple pieces of software status information that indicate the state of software operating internally, an application memory area for storing multiple destination applications and multiple executed applications, and a linking information storage area in which information on destination applications that selectively inputs an input signal linked to the multiple pieces of startup cause information and the multiple pieces of software status information, or a reference source for post-execution output by the executed application is correspondingly linked.

[0007] In addition, the control unit selectively switches the input signal to one of the multiple destination applications according to the activation cause information and software status information stored in the information storage area and the information stored in the linking information storage area, or selectively switches the reference source of the post-execution output by the executing application, thereby making it possible to appropriately input or output a signal based on the activation cause information that is a cause of activation in the vehicle and the software status information that indicates the state of the software operating inside the electronic control device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an electrical configuration diagram illustrating an electronic control device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation for switching a destination application of a signal to be input in accordance with software status information in the first embodiment; [Diagram 3] Example of linking software status information and a destination application in the first embodiment [Figure 4] 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation performed when switching a destination application of a signal to be input in accordance with start-up cause information in the first embodiment; [Diagram 5] Example of linking launch cause information and a destination application in the first embodiment [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation when switching a reference source of an output signal based on software status information in the first embodiment; [Figure 7]Example of linking software status information and reference source buffer in the first embodiment [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation when switching a reference source of an output signal due to a trigger in the first embodiment; [Figure 9] Example of linking activation cause information and reference source buffer in the first embodiment [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an electrical configuration diagram showing an electronic control device when referring to information on a start cause of an external ECU and software status information of an external ECU in a second embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the electronic control device will be described. In the respective embodiments, parts having the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle system 101 is configured by connecting an electronic control device 20 (corresponding to the vehicle's own electronic control device), an input node 90 that inputs a signal to the electronic control device 20, and an output node 100 that refers to and uses an output signal from the electronic control device 20. The electronic control device 20 is also called an ECU (Electronics Control Unit). The input node 90 is based on various types of vehicle sensors or an external ECU. The output node 100 is based on various types of vehicle actuators or an external ECU.

[0011] The electronic control device 20 for a vehicle includes a microcomputer 30. The microcomputer 30 includes a processor, a memory, and an input / output control unit 40 as a control unit. An input port of the input / output control unit 40 of the microcomputer 30 is connected to an input node 90 via a communication line. An output port of the input / output control unit 40 of the microcomputer 30 is connected to an output node 100 via a communication line.

[0012] The memory is composed of, for example, a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and includes an information storage area 30a and an application storage area 30b. The information storage area 30a stores a plurality of start-up cause information 31 that is a cause of start-up in the vehicle, and a plurality of software status information 32 that indicates the status of software operating inside the electronic control unit 20.

[0013] The processor executes a plurality of application programs stored in the application storage area 30b of the memory. The application storage area 30b stores an application A67, an application B68, an application C69, and an application D70 for executing different functions. Here, the application A67 and the application B68 correspond to the disclosure destination application of the present disclosure, and the application C69 and the application D70 correspond to the execution application of the present disclosure. The memory is used as a non-transitive substantial recording medium.

[0014] The input / output control unit 40 is configured to selectively switch and input an input signal to one of a plurality of destination applications A67 and B68, depending on the activation cause information 31 and software status information 32 stored in the information storage area 30a and the information stored in the association information storage area 50. Note that the association information storage area 50 stores association information 51 between the activation cause information 31 and the destination / source of access, and association information 52 between the software status information 32 and the destination / source of access. For specific examples, see Figs. 3, 5, 7, and 9 described below.

[0015] Several embodiments are exemplified below. These embodiments may be combined. (1) <Aspect of switching the disclosure destination of an input signal according to software status information 32> 2, the I / O control unit 40 acquires an input signal from an input port at A10, and checks whether or not there is a software status update interrupt at A20. If a software status update interrupt has occurred, the I / O control unit 40 updates the software status information 32 to the software status information after switching when the software status is switched at A30. On the other hand, if there is no software status update interrupt at A20, the I / O control unit 40 refers to the previous software status information 32.

[0016] The input / output control unit 40 checks the association between the application A67 and application B68 to which the signal input in A40 is to be disclosed and the software status information 32. The association information holding area 30a holds information on the application A67 and application B68 that are associated with a plurality of pieces of software status information 32 and selectively input the signal to be input.

[0017] 3, when the software status is at startup, application B68 is linked to be the application to which the application is to be disclosed. When the software status is at regular rotation during vehicle control, application A67 is linked to be the application to which the application is to be disclosed.

[0018] Furthermore, when the software status is at the time of termination arbitration, the application B 68 is linked to be the application to which the application is to be disclosed. Furthermore, when the software status is at the time of control termination, the application B 68 is linked to be the application to which the application is to be disclosed.

[0019] The input / output control unit 40 switches between the application A67 and the application B68 to which the input signal is to be made public in A50, A60, and A70 according to the software status information 32. The method of switching the public destination can be realized by switching the storage buffers 63 and 64 that store values.

[0020] 2, when the software status is during regular rotation, the input / output control unit 40 refers to the contents stored in the association information storage area 50, and stores the value of the input signal in the storage destination buffer 63 referenced by the application A67 of the disclosure destination. For example, when it is determined that the software status is not during regular rotation in A50, the input / output control unit 40 refers to the contents stored in the association information storage area 50, switches the storage destination of the input value to the storage destination buffer 64 by the disclosure destination switching process 61, and stores the value of the input signal in the storage destination buffer 64 referenced by the application B68 of the disclosure destination.

[0021] Thus, the microcomputer 30 can execute application A67 according to the value of the input signal by executing application A67 when the software status is in a regular cycle. Also, when the software status is different from that in the regular cycle, the microcomputer 30 can execute application B68 according to the value of the input signal by executing application B68.

[0022] Next, another aspect will be described. (2) <Aspect of switching the disclosure destination of an input signal according to the activation cause information 31> As shown in Fig. 4, the I / O control unit 40 acquires input information of an input port at B10, and checks whether or not an interrupt for updating a startup cause has occurred at B20. If an interrupt for updating a startup cause has occurred, the I / O control unit 40 updates the startup cause to a state after switching the startup cause at B30. If no interrupt has occurred, the I / O control unit 40 refers to the previous startup cause information 31. The I / O control unit 40 checks the association of the applications A67 and B68 to which the input signal is to be published with the startup cause information 31 at B40.

[0023] The association information holding area 30a holds information on an application A 67 and an application B 68 that are associated with a plurality of pieces of activation cause information 31 and that selectively input a signal to be input.

[0024] 5 shows the contents of the association information 51 stored in the association information storage area 50. In the association information 51, when the start-up factor is an ignition switch (hereinafter, abbreviated as IG switch) ON, the application A67 is associated as the application to be disclosed. When the start-up factor is a charging connection ON, the application A67 is associated as the application to be disclosed.

[0025] Also, if the start-up factor is the opening of the fuel tank, app B 68 is linked to be the application to which the application is to be disclosed. Also, if the start-up factor is waking up due to a soak timer, app B 68 is linked to be the application to which the application is to be disclosed. Furthermore, if the start-up factor is receiving a start-up signal via the CAN bus (communication line), app B 68 is linked to be the application to which the application is to be disclosed.

[0026] The input / output control unit 40 switches the destination of the input signal in response to a trigger in B50, B60, B70, and B80. The destination can be switched by switching the storage buffers 63 and 64 that store the values ​​of the input signals.

[0027] For example, when the activation factor is the IG switch being turned ON in B50 shown in FIG. 4, the input / output control unit 40 refers to the contents stored in the linking information storage area 30a, and in B70 stores the value of the input signal in the storage destination buffer 63 referenced by the destination application A67.

[0028] If the activation factor is not IG switch ON in B50, the I / O control unit 40 determines whether the activation factor is charging connection ON in B60. If charging connection is ON, the I / O control unit 40 stores the value of the input signal in storage destination buffer 63 referenced by application A67 in B70. If charging connection is not ON in B60, the I / O control unit 40 stores the value of the input signal in storage destination buffer 64 referenced by application B68 in B80.

[0029] As a result, when the activation factor is the IG switch ON, the microcomputer 30 can execute the process of the app A67 according to the value of the input signal. Also, when the activation factor is not the IG switch ON and the activation factor is the charging connection ON, the microcomputer 30 can execute the process of the app A67 according to the value of the input signal. Furthermore, when the activation factor is not the IG switch ON and the activation factor is not the charging connection ON, the microcomputer 30 can execute the process of the app B68 according to the value of the input signal. For example, in the case of the present embodiment (2), the app A67 may be considered as an app for hybrid automobiles, and the app B68 may be considered as an app for gasoline automobiles. Even when the apps A67 and B68 are installed simultaneously in various vehicle types, the apps A67 and B68 can be used separately according to the input signal.

[0030] Further, another example will be described. (3) <Aspect of switching the external reference source according to the software status information 32> 6, the input / output control unit 40 checks whether or not there is a software status update interrupt in C10. If a software status update interrupt occurs, the input / output control unit 40 updates the software status information 32 to the software status information after switching when the software status is switched in C20. On the other hand, if there is no software status update interrupt in C20, the input / output control unit 40 refers to the previous software status information 32.

[0031] The input / output control unit 40 checks in the C30 whether the buffers 65, 66 referred from outside are linked to the software status information 32. In the linked information holding area 50, the buffers 65, 66 referred from outside are held in association with a plurality of pieces of software status information 32.

[0032] For example, as shown in Fig. 7, when the software status is the state at the time of startup, the linking information 52 is linked to switch the external reference source to buffer 66. Buffer 66 is a storage area for output after execution by application D70. When the software status is during regular rotation of vehicle control, the linking information 52 is linked to switch the external reference source to buffer 65. Buffer 65 is a storage area for output after execution by application C69.

[0033] Furthermore, when the state of the software status is at the time of termination arbitration, the buffer 66 is linked to switch the reference source from outside. When the state of the software status is at the time of termination, the buffer 66 is linked to switch the reference source from outside.

[0034] The post-execution outputs of application C69 and application D70 are stored in buffers 65 and 66, respectively. At this time, the input / output control unit 40 selectively switches the storage area of ​​the buffers 65 and 66 according to the software status information 32 stored in the information storage area 30a and the stored information of the linking information storage area 50, and outputs to the outside, that is, switches the reference source from the external output node 100 to either the buffer 65 or 66.

[0035] The input / output control unit 40 switches the reference source from outside to either the buffer 65 or 66 in accordance with the software status in C40, C50, and C60. The switching process of the buffers 65 and 66 can be realized by switching the reference source buffer 65 or 66 by the reference source switching process 62.

[0036] 6, when the software status is during regular rotation, the input / output control unit 40 refers to the contents stored in the association information holding area 30a, and switches in C50 the buffer 65 in which the post-execution output of application C69 is stored as the reference source from the outside by reference source switching process 62. For example, when it is determined that the software status is not during regular rotation in C40, the input / output control unit 40 refers to the contents stored in the association information holding area 30a, and switches in C60 the buffer 66 in which the post-execution output of application D70 is stored as the reference source from the outside by reference source switching process 62.

[0037] The input / output control unit 40 can output the result after execution of application C69 or application D70 from the output port in C70 by switching the reference source from the outside to buffer 65 or 66 using reference source switching process 62. This allows the output node 100 to switch and input the post-execution output of application C69 or application D70 in response to a change in the software status.

[0038] Further aspects will be described. (4) <Aspect of switching the external reference source according to the start-up cause information 31> As shown in Fig. 8, the I / O control unit 40 checks whether or not there is an interrupt for updating a start cause in D10. If an interrupt for updating a start cause occurs, the I / O control unit 40 updates the start cause state after switching the start cause in D20. If no interrupt occurs, the previous start cause information 31 is referenced. The I / O control unit 40 checks the association between the external reference source and the start cause information 31 in D30.

[0039] 9 shows the contents of linked information 51 stored in linked information storage area 50, when the start-up factor is IG switch ON, the execution contents of application C69 are output, that is, the external reference source is linked to buffer 65. When the start-up factor is charging connection ON, the execution contents of application C69 are output, that is, the external reference source is linked to buffer 65.

[0040] Furthermore, when the start-up factor is opening the fuel tank, the execution contents of the app D70 are output, that is, the buffer 66 is linked to the source of the external reference. When the start-up factor is waking up the soak timer, the execution contents of the app D70 are output, that is, the buffer 66 is linked to the source of the external reference. When the start-up factor is start-up by a CAN signal, the execution contents of the app D70 are output, that is, the buffer 66 is linked to the source of the external reference.

[0041] The input / output control unit 40 selectively switches the holding areas of the buffers 65, 66 depending on the trigger factor information 31 held in the information holding area 30a and the information held in the linking information holding area 50, and outputs the information to the outside, i.e., makes the buffers 65, 66 the source of reference from the external output node 100.

[0042] The input / output control unit 40 switches the external reference source to either the buffer 65 or 66 in response to a start-up cause at D40, D50, D60, or D70. The switching process of the external reference source buffer 65 or 66 can be realized by switching the reference source buffer 65 or 66 by the reference source switching process 62.

[0043] For example, when it is determined that the start-up factor is IG switch ON in D40 in FIG. 8, the input / output control unit 40 refers to the contents stored in the association information storage area 50, and performs a reference source switching process 62 to switch the buffer 65 in which the post-execution output of the application C69 is stored as the reference source from the outside in D60. For example, when it is determined that the start-up factor is not IG switch ON in D40, the input / output control unit 40 refers to the contents stored in the association information storage area 50, and determines whether the start-up factor is charging connection ON in D50. If the start-up factor is charging connection ON, the input / output control unit 40 performs a reference source switching process 62 to switch the buffer 65 in which the post-execution output of the application C69 is stored as the reference source from the outside in D60. If the start-up factor is not charging connection ON, the input / output control unit 40 performs a reference source switching process 62 to switch the buffer 66 in which the post-execution output of the application D70 is stored as the reference source from the outside in D70.

[0044] The input / output control unit 40 can output the result after execution of the application C69 or the application D70 from the output port in D80 by switching the reference source from the outside to the buffer 65 or 66 by the reference source switching process 62. This allows the output node 100 to switch and input the post-execution output of the application C69 or the application D70 in response to a change in the activation cause.

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, the input / output control unit 40 selectively switches the input signal to one of the multiple disclosure destination applications A67 and B68, or selectively switches the output of the reference source buffers 65 and 66 that hold the post-execution output by the execution application C69 and execution application D70, and outputs it to the outside, depending on the start-up cause information 31 and software status information 32 held in the information holding area 30a and the information held in the linking information holding area 50. This makes it possible to appropriately input and output signals based on the start-up cause information 31 that is a start-up cause in the vehicle and the software status information 32 that indicates the state of the software operating inside the electronic control unit 20.

[0046] In the above example, the following four modes are shown for ease of understanding. (1) A mode in which reference destination applications A 67 and B 68 are selected to reference an input signal in accordance with software status information 32. (2) A mode in which reference destination applications A 67 and B 68 are selected to reference an input signal in accordance with activation cause information 31. (3) A mode in which post-execution outputs of applications C 69 and D 70 are selected in accordance with software status information 32, i.e., buffers 65 and 66 are selected as external reference sources. (4) A mode in which post-execution outputs of applications C 69 and D 70 are selected in accordance with activation cause information 31, i.e., buffers 65 and 66 are selected as external reference sources.

[0047] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned aspects (1) to (4). For example, the present invention may be applied to an aspect in which the application A67 and the application B68, which are reference destinations for referring to an input signal, are selected according to combination information obtained by classifying two types of information, namely, the software status information 32 and the activation cause information 31, in a matrix. Also, for example, the present invention may be applied to an aspect in which the post-execution output of the application C69 and the application D70 is selected according to combination information obtained by classifying two types of information, namely, the buffers 65 and 66, which are reference sources from outside, are selected. By making it possible to make a selection according to such combination information, the input and output of signals can be managed according to complex information.

[0048] Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the electronic control unit 20 cooperates with one or more other electronic control units 80 that hold individual start-up cause information 71 and software status information 72 that are independent of the electronic control unit 20 itself.

[0049] The start-up factor information 71 and the software status information 72 may be information held by the own microcomputer 30 or the own electronic control device 20, or information held by another external electronic control device 80 or an external microcomputer (not shown) built into the other external electronic control device 80. Here, the information communication method may be a method such as CAN communication, communication between microcomputers, or direct line communication using terminal input / output.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the input / output control unit 40 selectively switches the input signal to one of the multiple destination applications A67 and destination application B68 depending on multiple activation cause information 31, 71 including other electronic control devices 80 and its own electronic control device 20 and multiple software status information 32, 72, or selectively switches the reference source of the post-execution output by the executing application C69 and the executing application D70 and outputs it to the outside.

[0051] In such a case, by taking into account the trigger information 71 and software status information 72 held by the other electronic control device 80, it is possible to selectively input the input signal to the destination application A67 and the destination application B68, and selectively switch the reference source for the post-execution output by the executing application C69 and the executing application D70, thereby improving convenience.

[0052] (Other embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications and extensions are possible.

[0053] The techniques described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a special purpose computer provided by configuring a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the techniques described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a special purpose computer provided by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the techniques described in the present disclosure may be implemented by one or more special purpose computers configured by a combination of a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions and a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. Also, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions executed by the computer.

[0054] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the above-mentioned embodiment, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment or the structure described in the embodiment. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, and other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and concept of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] In the drawings, 101 and 201 indicate vehicle systems, 20 indicates an electronic control unit (own electronic control unit), 30a indicates an information storage area, 30b indicates an application storage area, 31 and 71 indicate activation cause information, 32 and 72 indicate software status information, 40 indicates an input / output control unit (control unit), 50 indicates a linking information storage area, 63 and 64 indicate storage destination buffers, 65 and 66 indicate reference source buffers, 67 indicates application A (disclosed application), 68 indicates application B (disclosed application), 69 indicates application C (executing application), 70 indicates application D (executing application), and 80 indicates another electronic control unit.

Claims

1. an information storage area (30a) for storing a plurality of pieces of startup cause information that are startup causes in a vehicle and a plurality of pieces of software status information that indicate the status of software operating therein; an application storage area (30b) for storing a plurality of destination applications and a plurality of execution applications; a linking information holding area (50) in which information on the destination application that selectively inputs a signal to be input in association with the plurality of pieces of activation cause information or the plurality of pieces of software status information, or a reference source of a post-execution output by the execution application is associated with the information, An electronic control device having a control unit (40) that selectively switches an input signal to one of the multiple destination applications depending on the trigger information and the software status information stored in the information storage area, and the information stored in the linking information storage area, or selectively switches a reference source for post-execution output by the executing application.

2. Cooperating with one or more other electronic control devices that hold individual activation factor information and software status information independent of the electronic control device itself; The electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selectively switches an input signal to one of a plurality of destination applications depending on a plurality of trigger information and a plurality of software status information including the other electronic control devices and the electronic control device itself, or selectively switches a reference source of a post-execution output by the executed application and outputs it to the outside.

3. The control unit is When the start factor is changed, the information is updated to reflect the new start factor. An electronic control device as described in claim 1 or 2, which references linking information between the launch cause and the application to which the input signal is to be made public from the linking information storage area, and switches the storage buffer for the input signal, thereby switching the application to which the input signal is to be made public in accordance with the launch cause information.

4. The control unit is When the software status changes, the software status information is updated. An electronic control device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein linking information between the software status information and the destination of the input signal is referenced from the linking information storage area, and the destination application of the input signal is switched in accordance with the software status information by switching the storage buffer of the input signal.

5. The control unit is When the start factor is changed, the information is updated to reflect the new start factor.

3. The electronic control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a linking information storage area for linking information between the start-up factor information and the reference source; and a reference source buffer for the post-execution output of the executed application being switched in accordance with the start-up factor information.

6. The control unit is When the software status changes, the software status information is updated.

3. The electronic control device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a linking information storage area for linking information between the software status information and the reference source; and a reference source buffer for the post-execution output of the executed application being switched in accordance with the software status information.

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