Management device, control program, and control method

Abstract

To provide a management device that allows a new selection for a method of booting a target device when an in-vehicle network system is modified.SOLUTION: A management device is configured, when an in-vehicle network system is modified, to obtain information related to a target device that is active when a predetermined function is executed, out of a plurality of devices connected to the modified in-vehicle network (Step S101). The management device selects, based on the information, a method to boot the target device, from among a first boot method and a second boot method (Step S103--Step S106). The management device causes the target device to be booted through power control in the first boot method. The management device causes the target device to be booted through communication in the second boot method.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a management device, a control program, and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a power control system. This power control system includes a management device and a target device activated by the management device. The management device activates the target device through power control.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an in-vehicle network system. In this in-vehicle network system, the management device activates the target device by requesting activation using communication.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Consider using these two activation methods appropriately. Here, when changes are made to the in-vehicle network system, such as adding a target device, the same activation method as before the change is not necessarily suitable for the in-vehicle network system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Hereinafter, the means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described. The management device for solving the above problem is a management device for an in-vehicle network system. The management device acquires information when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system. The information is information about a target device that operates when a predetermined function is executed in the in-vehicle network system among a plurality of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system after the change is made. Then, the management device selects a startup method for the target device from a first startup method and a second startup method based on the information. In the first startup method, the management device starts the target device by power supply control that controls whether or not to supply power to the target device. On the other hand, in the second startup method, the management device starts the target device by requesting the target device to start up using communication from the management device. The management device starts the target device by the selected startup method.

[0007] A control program for solving the above problem is a control program in an in-vehicle network system including a management device. The control program causes the management device to obtain information when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system. The information is information about a target device that operates when a predetermined function is executed in the in-vehicle network system among a plurality of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system after the change is made. The control program causes the management device to select a startup method for the target device from a first startup method and a second startup method based on the information. In the first startup method, the management device starts the target device by power supply control that controls whether or not to supply power to the target device. Meanwhile, in the second startup method, the management device starts the target device by requesting the target device to start up using communication from the management device. The control program causes the management device to start up the target device by the selected startup method.

[0008] A control method for solving the above problem is a control method for controlling an in-vehicle network system including a management device. The control method includes a step in which the management device acquires information when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system. The information is information about a target device that operates when a predetermined function is executed in the in-vehicle network system among a plurality of target devices connected to the in-vehicle network system after the change is made. The control method includes a step in which the management device selects a startup method for the target device from a first startup method and a second startup method based on the information. In the first startup method, the management device starts the target device by power supply control that controls whether or not to supply power to the target device. On the other hand, in the second startup method, the management device starts the target device by requesting the target device to start up using communication from the management device. The control method includes a step in which the management device starts the target device by the selected startup method. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when a change is made to an in-vehicle network system, the startup method of the target device can be reselected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle network system including a management device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process flow regarding the learning process executed by the management device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to the startup of a target device executed by a management device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a table showing information on target devices that have continued to operate in conjunction with the execution of a function, the information being acquired by the management device through a learning process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a table showing the activation methods of the target devices for each bus network selected by the management device through the learning process. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an aspect of learning processing executed by the management device in the first case. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an aspect in which the management device that has completed the learning processing activates the target device in the first case. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an in-vehicle network system including the management device of the first modification example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to the learning processing executed by the management device of the second modification example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to the learning processing executed by the management device of the third modification example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to the learning processing executed by the management device of the fourth modification example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for selecting processing for activating the target device executed by the management device of the fifth modification example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to the learning processing executed by the management device of the sixth modification example. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to the activation method determination processing executed by the management device of the sixth modification example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the management device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. <Configuration of In-Vehicle Network System 100> As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle network system 100 is composed of a plurality of electronic control devices. In FIG. 1, each electronic control device (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) is shown as a rectangle. The plurality of electronic control devices are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a first communication line 41, a second communication line 42, and a third communication line 43. In this manner, the plurality of electronic control devices constitute an in-vehicle network. Each electronic control device is supplied with power from a power source. The electronic control devices have an operating state in which they can execute processing, and a standby state in which they stop operating to reduce power consumption.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, one of the electronic control devices constituting the in-vehicle network is a management device 10. The management device 10 is connected to the other electronic control devices constituting the in-vehicle network via a first communication line 41, a second communication line 42, and a third communication line 43 so as to be able to communicate with each other. Specifically, the management device 10 is directly connected to the first ECU 21, the second ECU 22, the third ECU 23, the fourth ECU 24, and the fifth ECU 25 via the first communication line 41. In addition, the management device 10 is directly connected to the sixth ECU 26, the seventh ECU 27, the eighth ECU 28, and the ninth ECU 29 via the second communication line 42. Furthermore, the management device 10 is directly connected to the tenth ECU 30, the eleventh ECU 31, the twelfth ECU 32, and the thirteenth ECU 33 via the third communication line 43.

[0013] As shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 1, the management device 10 is also connected to other electronic control devices constituting the in-vehicle network by a first power supply control line 51, a second power supply control line 52, and a third power supply control line 53. Specifically, the management device 10 is directly connected to the first ECU 21, the second ECU 22, the third ECU 23, the fourth ECU 24, and the fifth ECU 25 by the first power supply control line 51. The management device 10 is also directly connected to the sixth ECU 26, the seventh ECU 27, the eighth ECU 28, and the ninth ECU 29 by the second power supply control line 52. Furthermore, the management device 10 is directly connected to the tenth ECU 30, the eleventh ECU 31, the twelfth ECU 32, and the thirteenth ECU 33 by the third power supply control line 53.

[0014] In this manner, the management device 10 is connected to the first ECU 21, the second ECU 22, the third ECU 23, the fourth ECU 24, and the fifth ECU 25 through the first communication line 41 and the first power supply control line 51. As shown in Fig. 1, the first communication line 41, the first power supply control line 51, the first ECU 21, the second ECU 22, the third ECU 23, the fourth ECU 24, and the fifth ECU 25 configure a first bus network 61.

[0015] In addition, the management device 10 is connected to the sixth ECU 26, the seventh ECU 27, the eighth ECU 28, and the ninth ECU 29 through a second communication line 42 and a second power supply control line 52. As shown in FIG. 1, the second communication line 42, the second power supply control line 52, the sixth ECU 26, the seventh ECU 27, the eighth ECU 28, and the ninth ECU 29 configure a second bus network 62.

[0016] The management device 10 is connected to the 10th ECU 30, the 11th ECU 31, the 12th ECU 32, and the 13th ECU 33 through a third communication line 43 and a third power supply control line 53. As shown in Fig. 1, the third communication line 43, the third power supply control line 53, the 10th ECU 30, the 11th ECU 31, the 12th ECU 32, and the 13th ECU 33 configure a third bus network 63.

[0017] In this way, the in-vehicle network system 100 is configured by a first bus type network 61, a second bus type network 62, and a third bus type network 63, which are connected to the management device 10. The number of bus type networks to which the management device 10 is connected is not limited to three. In other words, the management device 10 may be connected to any number of bus type networks. In addition, the manner of connection of each electronic control device, i.e., the topology of the in-vehicle network, is not limited to the same topology as that of this embodiment.

[0018] 1, the management device 10 includes a processing device 11 and a storage device 12. Programs are stored in the storage device 12. The programs stored in the storage device 12 include a control program that controls the start-up of multiple electronic control devices in the in-vehicle network system 100. The processing device 11 executes the programs stored in the storage device 12 to perform various processes. The processing device 11 includes a processor.

[0019] The management device 10 transmits a signal requesting activation to other electronic control devices on the in-vehicle network, thereby activating the other electronic control devices. Hereinafter, the electronic control devices that the management device 10 activates in accordance with a predetermined function executed in the in-vehicle network system 100 are referred to as target devices. The management device 10 selects and activates multiple target devices required to realize a function from among multiple electronic control devices connected to itself in the in-vehicle network system 100. By activating the target devices, the management device 10 transitions the target devices from a standby state to an operating state. The multiple target devices activated by the management device 10 communicate with each other to realize a predetermined function. The combination of target devices differs depending on the function to be realized.

[0020] In the in-vehicle network system 100, the target devices can be the first ECU 21 to the thirteenth ECU 33. The management device 10 selects and starts up a target device from among these devices according to a function to be realized at each time.

[0021] The management device 10 acquires a signal requesting startup from another device. For example, the management device 10 receives a signal requesting startup from another electronic control device connected via any one of the first communication line 41, the second communication line 42, and the third communication line 43.

[0022] In this way, when the management device 10 receives a signal requesting activation from another device, the management device 10 sets the device according to the function to be realized as the target device. Then, the management device 10 selects the activation method of the target device from the first activation method and the second activation method. At this time, the management device 10 selects the activation method of the target device for each bus network. In other words, the management device 10 activates the target devices connected to the same bus network using the same activation method. For example, when the target devices according to the function to be realized are the first ECU 21, the second ECU 22, and the sixth ECU 26, the first ECU 21 and the second ECU 22 connected to the same bus network are activated using the same activation method. The sixth ECU 26 connected to a bus network different from the first ECU 21 and the second ECU 22 may be activated using a different activation method.

[0023] The management device 10 has information on which target device is for each function and which bus type network the target device is connected to. However, the management device 10 does not have information on which bus type network each target device is connected to for multiple target devices.

[0024] In this way, the management device 10 selects the activation method for the target device on a bus network basis for each function to be executed. At this time, for a bus network to which the target device is not connected for a certain function, the management device 10 does not activate the connected electronic control device when the function is realized.

[0025] When starting the target devices by the first startup method, the management device 10 starts up the multiple target devices by power supply control. Specifically, the management device 10 transmits a signal requesting startup to the multiple target devices through a power supply control line. The target devices that receive the signal requesting startup from the management device 10 through the power supply control line respond to the signal and receive power from the power supply to start up. At this time, when the management device 10 transmits a signal requesting startup through the power supply control line, all electronic control devices that receive the signal requesting startup are started up. In other words, all electronic control devices directly connected to the management device 10 through the power supply control line are started up, including electronic control devices that are not target devices. Therefore, when the management device 10 transmits a signal requesting startup through the first power supply control line 51, the first ECU 21, the second ECU 22, the third ECU 23, the fourth ECU 24, and the fifth ECU 25 are started up. When the management device 10 transmits a signal requesting startup through the second power supply control line 52, the sixth ECU 26, the seventh ECU 27, the eighth ECU 28, and the ninth ECU 29 are started up. When the management device 10 transmits a signal requesting startup through the third power supply control line 53, the tenth ECU 30, the eleventh ECU 31, the twelfth ECU 32, and the thirteenth ECU 33 are started up. In this way, in the first startup method, the management device 10 controls whether or not to supply power to the target device by transmitting a signal requesting startup through the power supply control line.

[0026] In this way, when the management device 10 starts up the target device using the first startup method, it also starts up other electronic control devices connected to the power supply control line used to start up the target device. Therefore, in the first startup method, extra power is consumed to start up electronic control devices that are not the target devices.

[0027] When starting up a target device using the second startup method, the management device 10 transmits a message including a signal requesting startup and identification information of the target device to which the signal is addressed through a communication line. The management device 10 transmits the message to the first ECU 21, the second ECU 22, the third ECU 23, the fourth ECU 24, and the fifth ECU 25 through a first communication line 41. The management device 10 transmits the message to the sixth ECU 26, the seventh ECU 27, the eighth ECU 28, and the ninth ECU 29 through a second communication line 42. The management device 10 transmits the message to the tenth ECU 30, the eleventh ECU 31, the twelfth ECU 32, and the thirteenth ECU 33 through a third communication line 43.

[0028] The electronic control device that receives a message from the management device 10 checks the information indicating the destination contained in the received message. If the electronic control device that received the message determines that the message is addressed to itself, that is, if it determines that it is the target device, it starts up in response to the received signal. On the other hand, if the electronic control device that received the message determines that the message is not addressed to itself, it ignores the received signal. In this way, the management device 10 starts up only the target device among the multiple electronic control devices by sending a message through the communication line.

[0029] In this way, the second startup method can prevent the startup of an electronic control unit that is not a target device. However, in the second startup method, the electronic control unit must determine whether the signal requesting startup is addressed to itself, which means that the time it takes to start up the target device is longer than in the first startup method.

[0030] In this way, the management device 10 starts up the target device through a power supply control line when the first start-up method is used, and through a communication line when the second start-up method is used. The multiple target devices started by the management device 10 using the first or second start-up method communicate with each other while each executing a process to realize a predetermined function. While a predetermined function is being realized in this way, the target device realizing the function periodically transmits a signal requesting continued operation to the management device 10. While the management device 10 is receiving a signal requesting continued operation from a target device, it transmits a message including a signal requesting startup to the target device realizing the function via a communication line.

[0031] A target device started by the management device 10 continues to operate for a certain period of time each time it receives a message addressed to itself, including a signal requesting startup, through the communication line to which it is connected. If the target device continues to not receive a message addressed to itself, including a signal requesting startup, from the management device 10 through the communication line to which it is connected, it stops operating and transitions to a standby state.

[0032] In this way, the management device 10 realizes both reduction in power consumption and rapid startup by starting up the target devices by selectively using the first startup method and the second startup method for each bus network according to the functions to be realized. However, if a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100 including such a management device 10, there is a risk that both reduction in power consumption and rapid startup cannot be realized if the startup method used before the change is used.

[0033] Possible changes to the in-vehicle network system 100 include increasing or decreasing the number of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system 100. For example, when an electronic control device connected to a certain bus network is added, the power consumed to start up the target devices connected to the bus network using the first start-up method increases by the amount of power consumed by the added electronic control device.

[0034] A possible change to be made to the in-vehicle network system 100 is a software update in a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle network system 100. For example, when the vehicle software is updated and the target devices to be activated for a certain function are changed or the number of target devices to be activated is changed, the power consumption when the target devices for that function are activated using the first activation method changes.

[0035] A possible change to the in-vehicle network system 100 is to rearrange the arrangement of the devices connected to the in-vehicle network system 100. For example, if the arrangement of the first ECU 21 and the sixth ECU 26 is swapped, the number of target devices to be activated in the first bus network 61 will be reduced for a function that uses the first ECU 21 but does not use the sixth ECU 26. On the other hand, the number of target devices to be activated in the second bus network 62 will be increased.

[0036] Even if a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100 in this manner, the management device 10 uses a different startup method for the target device depending on the in-vehicle network system 100 after the change has been made, so that both a reduction in power consumption and quick startup can be achieved.

[0037] <Flow of learning process executed by the processing device 11> 2 shows the flow of the learning process executed by the processing device 11. This series of processes is executed by the processing device 11 of the management device 10 performing processing in accordance with a control program stored in the storage device 12.

[0038] The learning process is a process in which the management device 10 acquires information about the changed in-vehicle network system 100, and then reselects the startup method of the target device, thereby learning the startup method of the target device in the changed in-vehicle network system 100. More specifically, the information about the changed in-vehicle network system 100 is information about the target devices that operated when a specified function was executed among the multiple devices connected to the changed in-vehicle network system 100. Then, the management device 10 acquires data on the number of target devices that operated in conjunction with the execution of the specified function from among such information.

[0039] This learning process allows the management device 10 to adapt to the in-vehicle network system 100 after changes have been made. Since the management device 10 selects a startup method for each bus network, the learning process is also performed for each bus network. Note that the management device 10 does not perform learning for bus networks to which the target device is not connected.

[0040] Fig. 3 shows a flow of processing related to the startup of a target device executed by the processing device 11. The series of processing in Fig. 3 is executed when the management device 10 receives a signal requesting startup from another device. The learning processing shown in Fig. 2 corresponds to the processing of step S15 in Fig. 3. Therefore, the series of processing shown in Fig. 2 is executed when the management device 10 starts up the target device after receiving a signal requesting startup from another device.

[0041] First, the flow of the learning process will be described with reference to FIG. 2, when this series of processes is started, in the process of step S100, the processing device 11 starts up the target device in the bus network by the second startup method. That is, when the processing device 11 starts up the target device in response to a signal from the management device 10 requesting startup, the processing device 11 starts up the target device by using the second startup method regardless of the startup method used in the bus network in the in-vehicle network system 100 before the change.

[0042] In the next step S101, the processing device 11 records the number of target devices that have continued to operate. While the target devices are realizing the specified function, they periodically transmit a signal to the management device 10 requesting continued operation. In other words, a target device that transmits a signal requesting continued operation is a target device that has continued to operate in order to realize the specified function. The management device 10 can grasp the number of target devices that have continued to operate by counting the signals requesting continued operation.

[0043] The table shown in Fig. 4 shows data on the number of target devices that continued to operate, recorded by the processing device 11 through the processing of step S101. As described above, the series of processes shown in Fig. 2 are executed for each bus network. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, the management device 10 records, for each function, the number of target devices that continued to operate in each bus network. In Fig. 4, multiple different functions are numbered, such as "E1", "E2", and "E3".

[0044] As described above, the management device 10 has information on which bus network the target device to be started is connected to, but does not have information on which bus network each target device is connected to. However, by executing such processing, the management device 10 can obtain data on how many target devices are connected to each bus network.

[0045] In this way, the management device 10 acquires information about the target devices that continued to operate in association with the execution of the function as information about the target devices that operated when the above-mentioned specified function was executed.The management device 10 acquires data on the number of target devices that continued to operate in association with the execution of the above-mentioned specified function as data on the number of target devices that operated in association with the execution of the above-mentioned specified function.

[0046] In the next step S102, the processor 11 determines whether the number of target devices that have continued to operate has been recorded a certain number of times. That is, in the step S102, the processor 11 determines whether the process of step S101 has been executed a certain number of times by executing the series of processes shown in Fig. 2 a certain number of times. Note that this certain number of times may be multiple or may be one time.

[0047] When the processor 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate has not been recorded a certain number of times (step S102: NO), it ends this series of processes. When the processor 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate has been recorded a certain number of times (step S102: YES), the processor 11 advances the process to the next step S103.

[0048] In the next step S103, the processor 11 determines whether the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. As shown in Fig. 4, the predetermined number may be set to a different value for each bus network even if the functions to be executed are the same. Also, the predetermined number may be set to a different value for each bus network depending on the functions to be executed, even for the same bus network.

[0049] The processing device 11 has data on the number of target devices that have continued to operate for a certain number of times by recording the number of target devices that have continued to operate for a certain number of times. The processing device 11 uses the average value of the data for the certain number of times when comparing with the predetermined number in the processing of step S103. The value that the processing device 11 compares with the predetermined number in the processing of step S103 may be the median, mode, or total value of the data for the certain number of times.

[0050] When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S103: YES), the processing device 11 proceeds to the next step S104. In the processing of step S104, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the bus network in which the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than the predetermined number will be started up by the first start-up method. That is, the processing device 11 selects the first start-up method as the start-up method from the first start-up method and the second start-up method.

[0051] When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate is less than the predetermined number (step S103: NO), the processing device 11 advances the process to step S105. In the process of step S105, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the bus type network in which the number of target devices that have continued to operate is less than the predetermined number will be started up by the second start-up method. That is, the processing device 11 selects the second start-up method as the start-up method from the first start-up method and the second start-up method.

[0052] The table shown in Fig. 5 shows the start-up methods stored in the storage device 12 by the processing device 11 in the processes of steps S104 and S105. The processing device 11 selects a start-up method for each bus network in each function executed by the management device 10. Then, as shown in Fig. 5, the processing device 11 learns the start-up method of the target device in the in-vehicle network system 100 by storing the start-up method for each bus network in each function in the storage device 12.

[0053] After executing the process of step S104 or the process of step S105, the processing device 11 advances the process to step S106. In the process of step S106, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the learning process is complete. Specifically, the flag in the management device 10 is switched from a state in which the learning process is incomplete to a state in which the learning process is complete. After executing the process of step S106, the processing device 11 ends this series of processes.

[0054] <Flow of processing related to startup of target device executed by processing device 11> 3 shows the flow of processing related to the startup of a target device executed by the processing device 11 as described above. This series of processing is executed by the processing device 11 of the management device 10 performing processing according to a control program stored in the storage device 12. This series of processing is executed when the management device 10 receives a signal requesting startup from another device. Therefore, the processing device 11 executes this series of processing for each function executed by the management device 10.

[0055] When this series of processes is started, in the process of step S10, the processing device 11 determines whether or not a change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100. If a change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100, this will affect the execution of functions by the management device 10, and therefore updates, etc. are performed on the programs stored in the storage device 12. The processing device 11 makes the determination in step S10 based on whether or not there have been any such indications that a change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0056] When the processing device 11 determines that a change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100 (step S10: YES), the processing device 11 proceeds to step S12. In the processing of step S12, the processing device 11 resets the learning completion flag. In the processing of step S106 in FIG. 2, the processing device 11 switched the flag to a state in which the learning process is completed. In the processing of step S12, the processing device 11 resets this flag to a state in which the learning process is not completed. This flag reset is performed for each function. After resetting the learning completion flag, the processing device 11 proceeds to step S15.

[0057] When the processing device 11 determines that no change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100 (step S10: NO), the processing device 11 proceeds to step S11. In the process of step S11, the processing device 11 determines whether or not learning has been completed. The processing device 11 determines whether or not learning has been completed based on whether or not the flag is in a state indicating that the learning process has been completed.

[0058] If the processing device 11 determines that the learning is not completed (step S11: NO), the processing device 11 advances the process to step S15. In the process of step S15, the processing device 11 executes the learning process shown in Fig. 2 as described above. After executing the learning process in the process of step S15, the processing device 11 ends this series of processes.

[0059] When the processing device 11 determines that the learning is completed (step S11: YES), the processing proceeds to step S13. In the process of step S13, the processing device 11 executes a start-up method determination process. The start-up method determination process is a process of determining a start-up method for each bus type network based on the results of learning in the processes of steps S104 and S105 in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0060] In the next step S14, the processing device 11 starts up the target device using the start-up method determined in the process of step S 13. After starting up the target device, the processing device 11 ends this series of processes.

[0061] <Action of this embodiment> 6 and 7 show an example of a situation where the management device 10 starts up the target device. In the following, a manner in which the management device 10 starts up the target device will be described while showing a specific example of a first case as a situation in which the management device 10 starts up the target device.

[0062] 6 and 7 show a manner in which the management device 10 starts up a target device in the first example. The first example is an example assuming a situation in which, after the fifth ECU 25 and the ninth ECU 29 are added to the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 receives a signal requesting start-up from another device and executes the function "E1". The function "E1" is a function realized by the first ECU 21, the third ECU 23, the fourth ECU 24, the fifth ECU 25, the seventh ECU 27, and the eighth ECU 28.

[0063] FIG. 6 shows a manner in which the learning process is executed in the first example. In the first case, the processing device 11 of the management device 10 first determines that a change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100 in the process of step S10 in FIG. 3 (step S10: YES).

[0064] Thereafter, the processing device 11 resets the learning completion flag in the process of step S12 (step S12), and then executes the learning process shown in FIG. 2 for each bus network to which the target device is connected (step S15).

[0065] In this case, the processing device 11 executes the learning process for the first bus type network 61. The processing device 11 performs the process of step S100 in Fig. 2 to start up the target devices in the first bus network 61 using the second start-up method. The processing device 11 transmits a message addressed to the target devices in the first bus network 61 through the first communication line 41. As a result, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 6, the processing device 11 starts up the first ECU 21, the third ECU 23, the fourth ECU 24, and the fifth ECU 25 through the first communication line 41.

[0066] Next, the processing device 11 records the number of target devices that continued to operate by performing the process of step S101 in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 6, in the first bus network 61, the number of target devices that continued to operate when executing the function of "E1" is four, namely the first ECU 21, the third ECU 23, the fourth ECU 24, and the fifth ECU 25. The third column of the table in Fig. 4 reflects information on the number of target devices that continued to operate, which is obtained through the learning process.

[0067] Next, the processing device 11 determines whether the recording in step S101 has been performed a certain number of times by performing the process in step S102 in Fig. 2. If the recording has been performed a certain number of times, the processing device 11 advances the process to the next step S103.

[0068] In the process of step S103, the processor 11 compares the number of target devices that have continued to operate in the first bus network 61 with a predetermined number, and proceeds to step S104 or step S105 depending on whether the number is larger or smaller than the predetermined number.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 4, the number of target devices that have continued to operate in the first bus type network 61 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. Therefore, in the process of step S104, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the target devices in the first bus type network 61 are started up using the first start-up method as shown in Fig. 5. When learning is completed in this manner, in the process of step S106, the processing device 11 switches the learning completion flag corresponding to the function "E1" for the first bus type network 61 to a state in which the learning process is completed.

[0070] The processor 11 executes the same process for the second bus network 62 . The processing device 11 performs the process of step S100 in Fig. 2 to start up the target devices in the second bus network 62 using the second start-up method. The processing device 11 transmits a message addressed to the target devices in the second bus network 62 through the second communication line 42. As a result, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 6, the processing device 11 starts up the seventh ECU 27 and the eighth ECU 28 through the second communication line 42.

[0071] Next, the processing device 11 records the number of target devices that continued to operate by performing the process of step S101 in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 6, in the second bus type network 62, the number of target devices that continued to operate when E1 was executed was two, the seventh ECU 27 and the eighth ECU 28.

[0072] The processing device 11 performs the same processes as those for the first bus type network 61 for the processes of steps S102 and S103. As shown in Fig. 4, in the second bus type network 62, the number of target devices that have continued to operate is less than a predetermined number. Therefore, in the process of step S105, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the target devices in the second bus type network 62 are started up using the second start-up method as shown in Fig. 5. When the learning is completed in this manner, the processing device 11 switches the learning completion flag corresponding to the function "E1" for the second bus type network 62 to a state in which the learning process is completed in the process of step S106.

[0073] In the third bus network 63, since there is no target device that needs to be started when the function of "E1" is executed, the learning process is not performed. In this way, the processing device 11, which has performed the learning process for the bus network to which the target device that needs to be started in order to execute the function of "E1" is connected, ends the series of processes shown in FIG.

[0074] FIG. 7 shows a state in which, after the learning is completed in this manner, the management device 10 receives a signal requesting activation from another device and executes the function of "E1". When the processing device 11 executes the function of "E1" again after the learning process is completed (step S11: YES), it executes the process shown in step S13 of FIG. 3. In the startup method determination process of step S13, the processing device 11 determines the startup method for each bus-type network for the target device based on the result of the learning process.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5, the processing device 11 determines to start the target device connected to the first bus-type network 61 using the first startup method. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the processing device 11 determines to start the target device connected to the second bus-type network 62 using the second startup method.

[0076] Thereafter, in the process of step S14, the processing device 11 starts the target device for each bus-type network using the startup method determined in the process of step S13. Specifically, the processing device 11 starts the target device connected to the first bus-type network 61 using the first startup method. As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7, the processing device 11 starts all the electronic control devices in the first bus-type network 61 using the first startup method through the first power control line 51. Also, the processing device 11 starts the target device connected to the second bus-type network 62 using the second startup method. The processing device 11 transmits a message addressed to the target device in the second bus-type network 62 through the second communication line 42. Thereby, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7, the processing device 11 starts only the target device using the second startup method through the second communication line 42.

[0077] In this way, when there is a change in the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 acquires information on the target devices that operated when the function was executed in the in-vehicle network system 100 after the change was made. That is, the management device 10 acquires information on the target devices that need to be started to realize a predetermined function. Then, the management device 10 starts the target devices using the startup method selected based on the acquired information.

[0078] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The management device 10 starts up the target device using the startup method selected based on the information acquired through the learning process. Therefore, when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 can reselect the startup method for the target device.

[0079] (2) The management device 10 selects a startup method for the target device based on the acquired information, and then learns the startup method for the target device by storing the selected startup method. The management device 10 then starts up the target device using the learned startup method. The management device 10 stores the startup method selected by itself. Thereafter, the management device 10 starts up the target device based on the stored startup method. This allows the management device 10 to smoothly determine the startup method for the target device without having to select the startup method for the target device every time a function is executed.

[0080] (3) After a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 acquires information by starting the target device using the second startup method. When starting the target device using the second startup method, the management device 10 can start the target device while reducing power consumption compared to when the first startup method is used. The management device 10 starts the target device using the second startup method in order to acquire information about the target device that was operating when a specific function was executed. This allows the management device 10 to acquire the information while starting the target device while reducing power consumption.

[0081] (4) The management device 10 acquires, as information, data on the number of target devices that have been operated in conjunction with the execution of a predetermined function among the multiple devices in the in-vehicle network system 100 after the change has been made.

[0082] The first startup method can start up the target devices quickly, but consumes more power when starting them. On the other hand, the second startup method can reduce power consumption when starting up the target devices compared to the first startup method, but takes time to start up. When there are many target devices that are operated in conjunction with the execution of a predetermined function provided by the vehicle, the difference in power consumption between the first startup method and the second startup method becomes small. The management device 10 selects the startup method for the target devices based on the number of target devices that are operated in conjunction with the execution of a predetermined function provided by the vehicle. This allows the management device 10 to select the startup method based on information that is correlated with the power consumption that can be reduced by selecting the second startup method.

[0083] (5) When selecting a startup method for the target devices, the management device 10 selects the first startup method when the number of target devices operating in association with the execution of a predetermined function is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. In addition, the management device 10 selects the second startup method when the number of target devices operating in association with the execution of a predetermined function is less than the predetermined number. The fewer the number of target devices operating in association with the execution of a predetermined function, the more power consumption can be reduced by selecting the second startup method. On the other hand, when the number of target devices operating in association with the execution of a predetermined function is large, the reduction in power consumption cannot be expected and startup takes time. The management device 10 selects a startup method for the target devices by comparing the number of target devices operating in association with the execution of a predetermined function provided by the vehicle with the predetermined number. In this way, the management device 10 can select a startup method that achieves both reduction in power consumption and quick startup even if a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0084] (6) The in-vehicle network system 100 is configured with a plurality of bus networks connected to the management device 10. A power supply control line is provided for each bus network to start it up using the first startup method. The management device 10 acquires information for each bus network and selects a startup method for each bus network.

[0085] When a vehicle needs to start up many target devices when executing a certain function, the difference in power consumption between the first and second startup methods is small, so that the first startup method is the optimal method for starting up the target devices when considering the vehicle network system 100 as a whole.

[0086] However, the bus networks in the in-vehicle network system 100 may include a bus network that does not have a target device corresponding to the function. Also, the bus networks in the in-vehicle network system 100 may include a bus-side network in which only a small number of electronic control devices are target devices among the connected electronic control devices. It is desirable to start up the target devices connected to such a bus network using the second start-up method. In this way, there may be cases where a start-up method that is optimal for the in-vehicle network system 100 as a whole is not optimal when considered on a bus network basis.

[0087] The management device 10 selects a startup method for a target device for each bus network in the in-vehicle network system 100. This enables the management device 10 to realize startup of a power supply control device that more precisely achieves both reduction in power consumption and rapid startup.

[0088] (7) The change made to the in-vehicle network system 100 is an increase or decrease in the number of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system 100. This allows the management device 10 to select a startup method for a target device in response to a change in the number of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0089] (8) The change applied to the in-vehicle network system 100 is a software update in the vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle network system 100. This allows the management device 10 to select a startup method for the target device in response to the change when the software in the vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle network system 100 is updated.

[0090] (9) The change applied to the in-vehicle network system 100 is a rearrangement of the arrangement of the devices connected to the in-vehicle network system 100. This allows the management device 10 to select a startup method for the target device in response to the change when the arrangement of the devices connected to the in-vehicle network system 100 is rearranged.

[0091] (10) The control program is a control program in the in-vehicle network system 100 including the management device 10. The control program causes the management device 10 to acquire information when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100. The information is information about a target device that operates when a predetermined function is executed in the in-vehicle network system 100 among a plurality of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system 100 after the change is made. The control program causes the management device 10 to select a startup method for the target device according to the function based on the information from a first startup method and a second startup method. In the first startup method, the management device 10 starts the target device by power supply control that controls whether or not to supply power to the target device. In the second startup method, the management device 10 starts the target device by requesting the target device to start using communication. The control program causes the management device 10 to start the target device by the selected startup method.

[0092] When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the control program causes the management device 10 to obtain information about the target devices that were operating when a specified function was executed in the in-vehicle network system 100 after the change was made. That is, the control program causes the management device 10 to obtain information about the target devices that need to be started to realize the specified function. Then, the control program causes the management device 10 to start up the target devices based on the information obtained. In this way, when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the control program can cause the start-up method of the target devices to be reselected.

[0093] (11) The control method is a control method in an in-vehicle network system 100 including a management device 10. The control method includes a step (step S101) in which the management device 10 acquires information when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100. The information acquired by the management device 10 is information on a target device that operates when a predetermined function is executed in the in-vehicle network system 100 among a plurality of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system 100 after the change is made. The control method includes a step (steps S103 to S106) in which the management device 10 selects a startup method for the target device according to the function from a first startup method and a second startup method based on the information. In the first startup method, the management device 10 starts up the target device by power supply control that controls whether or not to supply power to the target device. In the second startup method, the management device 10 starts up the target device by requesting the target device to start up from the management device 10 using communication. The control method includes a step (step S14) in which the management device 10 starts up the target device by the selected startup method.

[0094] When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the control method acquires information on the target devices that were operated when a specified function was executed in the in-vehicle network system 100 after the change was made. That is, the control method acquires information on the target devices that need to be started to realize the specified function. Then, the control method causes the management device 10 to start up the target devices based on the acquired information. In this way, the control method allows the start-up method of the target devices to be reselected when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0095] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 acquires information about the target device that continues to operate in accordance with the execution of the function by booting the target device at the timing when the function is actually executed. However, the management device 10 may acquire the information at a timing other than the timing when the function is actually executed.

[0097] For example, the management device 10 sends a message when starting up a target device using the second start-up method, with a signal indicating that the message is sent for learning processing. The target device that was the destination of the message understands that the message is sent at a different timing from when the function is actually executed, and sends a signal indicating that it has responded to the message without starting up. The target device that is the destination of the message is a target device that continues to operate in order to execute the function when the function is actually executed. Therefore, the management device 10 can obtain information about the target device that continued to operate in conjunction with the execution of the function by receiving a signal indicating that it has responded to the message.

[0098] There are two possible scenarios in which changes may be made to the in-vehicle network system 100. The first scenario is when changes are made to the in-vehicle network system 100 after a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle network system 100 has been sold. The second scenario is when changes are made to the in-vehicle network system 100 during the design and development stage of a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0099] In the second scenario, in addition to a pattern in which changes are actually made to the in-vehicle network system 100, changes may be made in a simulation environment. In this case, the settings of each device in the vehicle are adjusted in a simulation environment that virtually reproduces a state in which a change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100. By connecting the management device 10 to a simulation model that reproduces the in-vehicle network system 100 and executing a learning process, it is possible to obtain information about the target devices that have continued to operate as the functions are executed.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 starts up a plurality of target devices to realize a function. The number of target devices required to realize a function does not have to be a plurality of target devices. The management device 10 may start up a single target device.

[0101] For example, when a target device can realize a predetermined function by itself, the management device 10 may start up one target device. Also, when a different management device 10 is started up depending on the target device, the management device 10 may start up one target device.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the electronic control devices in the in-vehicle network system 100 are communicatively connected to each other via the first communication line 41, the second communication line 42, and the third communication line 43. Meanwhile, the electronic control devices in the in-vehicle network system 100 may be communicatively connected to each other wirelessly. In this case, the management device 10 starts up the target device in the second start-up method wirelessly without using the first communication line 41, the second communication line 42, and the third communication line 43.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the electronic control devices in the in-vehicle network system 100 are supplied with power from a power source. All of the electronic control devices in the in-vehicle network system 100 may be supplied with power from a single power source, or multiple power sources may each supply power to a different electronic control device.

[0104] In the above embodiment, when the second startup method is used, the management device 10 transmits a message including a signal requesting startup and identification information of the target device that is the destination of the signal. When the management device 10 uses the second startup method to start up the target device, it is not necessary to include identification information of the target device that is the destination of the signal in the message. For example, when the management device 10 uses the second startup method to start up the target device, it transmits a signal requesting startup to all electronic control devices via the first communication line 41, the second communication line 42, and the third communication line 43. At this time, the management device 10 transmits a message including the signal requesting startup and identification information of electronic control devices that are not the destination of the signal at the same time.

[0105] All electronic control devices that receive the message check the identification information included in the message. Then, when the identification information included in the message matches its own identification information, each electronic control device ignores the message. On the other hand, when the identification information included in the message does not match its own identification information, each electronic control device receives the message and starts up.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 acquires data on the number of target devices that continued to operate as a function was executed, as information on the target devices that continued to operate as a function was executed, in the process of step S101 in Fig. 2. The information on the target devices that continued to operate as a function was executed, which is acquired by the management device 10, is not limited to such data. For example, the management device 10 may acquire data on the IDs of the target devices that continued to operate as a function was executed, as information on the target devices that continued to operate as a function was executed.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the power supply control lines and communication lines that make up the bus network are connected to all electronic control devices connected to the bus network. In other words, the power supply control lines and communication lines that make up the same bus network are connected to the same combination of electronic control devices. On the other hand, even if the power supply control lines and communication lines make up the same bus network, the combination of connected electronic control devices may be different. For example, for electronic control devices connected to the bus network, the communication lines may be connected to all electronic control devices, but the power supply control lines may be connected to only some of the electronic control devices.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 acquires information about the target devices that continued to operate in association with the execution of a function for each bus network. In addition, the management device 10 selects a startup method for the target devices for each bus network. Meanwhile, the management device 10 does not need to acquire information or select a startup method for each bus network. For example, the management device 10 may acquire information and select a startup method collectively for all electronic control devices connected to the management device 10. In this case, the management device 10 may acquire data on the number of target devices that continued to operate in association with the execution of a function among all electronic control devices connected to the management device 10, and select a startup method based on the data.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the in-vehicle network system 100 is configured by connecting a plurality of bus-type networks, each having one communication line and one power supply control line, to the management device 10. The configuration of the in-vehicle network system 100 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the in-vehicle network system 100 may be configured by one power supply control line connected to the management device 10 and multiple communication lines. Also, for example, the in-vehicle network system 100 may be configured by one communication line connected to the management device 10 and multiple power supply control lines. In this way, the in-vehicle network system 100 is not limited in terms of the number of each of the power supply control lines and the communication lines, as long as it has both the power supply control line and the communication line.

[0110] In the above embodiment, when the management device 10 starts up the target device using the first startup method, the management device 10 transmits a signal requesting startup via the power supply control line. On the other hand, there are cases where the management device 10 can start up the target device using the first startup method that controls the supply of power from the power supply via the power supply control line.

[0111] 8 shows a configuration of an in-vehicle network system 100 including a management device 10 of a first modified example. In the first modified example, the in-vehicle network system 100 includes a first relay 71, a second relay 72, and a third relay 73.

[0112] The first relay 71 is connected to the first power supply control line 51. The first relay 71 controls whether or not to supply power to the first ECU 21, the second ECU 22, the third ECU 23, the fourth ECU 24, and the fifth ECU 25. When the first relay 71 is in a closed state, power is supplied to the first ECU 21, the second ECU 22, the third ECU 23, the fourth ECU 24, and the fifth ECU 25 through the first power supply control line 51.

[0113] The second relay 72 is connected to the second power supply control line 52. The second relay 72 controls whether or not to supply power to the sixth ECU 26, the seventh ECU 27, the eighth ECU 28, and the ninth ECU 29. When the second relay 72 is in a closed state, power is supplied to the sixth ECU 26, the seventh ECU 27, the eighth ECU 28, and the ninth ECU 29 through the second power supply control line 52.

[0114] The third relay 73 is connected to the third power supply control line 53. The third relay 73 controls whether or not to supply power to the 10th ECU 30, the 11th ECU 31, the 12th ECU 32, and the 13th ECU 33. When the third relay 73 is in a closed state, power is supplied to the 10th ECU 30, the 11th ECU 31, the 12th ECU 32, and the 13th ECU 33 through the third power supply control line 53.

[0115] In the first startup method, the management device 10 of the first modified example controls the supply of power to the target device through the power supply control line by operating a first relay 71, a second relay 72, and a third relay 73.

[0116] The management device 10 of this first modified example starts up the electronic control device connected to the first power supply control line 51 by closing the first relay 71. The management device 10 of this first modified example starts up the electronic control device connected to the second power supply control line 52 by closing the second relay 72. The management device 10 of this first modified example starts up the electronic control device connected to the third power supply control line 53 by closing the third relay 73. In this way, even when a configuration is adopted in which the management device 10 controls the supply of power from the power supply through the power supply control line itself, the first startup method can be realized in the same way as in the above embodiment.

[0117] However, when the relay is in an open state, power is not supplied to the electronic control device, and therefore startup by the second startup method cannot be performed. Therefore, the first startup method by controlling the relay is executed during a learning process for starting the target device by the first startup method, as in a second modified example described later. Alternatively, the first startup method by controlling the relay can be executed as the first startup method for a bus-side network for which it is known that startup by the second startup method is not performed for any of the functions.

[0118] When the relay is in the open state, no power is supplied to the electronic control device, so no power is consumed. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which the first startup method is executed in combination with controlling the relay, standby power consumption can be reduced.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the processing device 11 starts up the target device using the second startup method in order to obtain information about the target device that has continued to operate in association with the execution of a function in the process of step S100 in the learning process of Fig. 2. On the other hand, the processing device 11 may start up the target device using the first startup method in the learning process.

[0120] 9 shows a process executed in a learning process by the processing device 11 included in the management device 10 of the second modified example. The processing device 11 executes the series of processes shown in FIG. 9 instead of the series of processes shown in FIG.

[0121] In the process of step S110, the processing device 11 starts up the target device in the bus network by the first startup method. That is, when the processing device 11 starts up the target device in response to a signal from the management device 10 requesting startup, the processing device 11 starts up the target device by using the first startup method regardless of the startup method used in the bus network in the in-vehicle network system 100 before the change.

[0122] In the process of step S111, the processor 11 records the number of target devices that have continued to operate. This process is similar to the process of step S101 in FIG. In the process of step S112, the processor 11 judges whether or not the number of target devices that have continued to operate has been recorded a certain number of times. This process is similar to the process of step S102 in FIG.

[0123] When the processor 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate has not been recorded a certain number of times (step S112: NO), it ends this series of processes. When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate has been recorded a certain number of times (step S112: YES), the processing device 11 proceeds to the next step S113. In the processing of the next step S113, the processing device 11 determines whether the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. This processing is the same as the processing of step S103 in FIG. 2.

[0124] When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S113: YES), the processing device 11 proceeds to the next step S114. In the process of step S114, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the bus network in which the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than the predetermined number is started up by the first start-up method. This process is the same as the process of step S104 in FIG. 2.

[0125] When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate is less than the predetermined number (step S113: NO), the processing device 11 advances the process to step S115. In the process of step S115, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the bus type network in which the number of target devices that have continued to operate is less than the predetermined number will be started up by the second start-up method. This process is the same as the process of step S105 in FIG. 2.

[0126] After executing the process of step S114 or the process of step S115, the processing device 11 advances the process to step S116. In the process of step S116, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the learning process is completed. This process is the same as the process of step S106 in Fig. 2. After executing the process of step S116, the processing device 11 ends this series of processes.

[0127] After a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 acquires the information by starting up the target device using the first start-up method. When starting up a target device using the first startup method, the management device 10 can start up the target device faster than when using the second startup method. The management device 10 starts up the target device using the first startup method in order to obtain information about the target device that was operating when a specific function was executed. This allows the management device 10 to quickly start up the target device and obtain the information while implementing the function.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the processing device 11 starts up the target device using the second startup method in order to obtain information about the target device that has continued to operate in association with the execution of a function in the process of step S100 in the learning process of Fig. 2. On the other hand, the processing device 11 may start up the target device in the learning process using the startup method that was used before the change was made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0129] 10 shows a process executed in a learning process by the processing device 11 included in the management device 10 of the third modified example. The processing device 11 executes the series of processes shown in FIG. 10 instead of the series of processes shown in FIG.

[0130] In the process of step S120, the processing device 11 determines whether or not the first startup method was used in the in-vehicle network system 100 before the change was made. As will be described later, the processing device 11 in the third modified example also selects a startup method for each bus network in the learning process as in the above embodiment, and stores the selected startup method in the storage device 12. Therefore, the processing device 11 can know the startup method that the processing device 11 used in the in-vehicle network system 100 before the change was made.

[0131] In the process of step S120, when it is determined that the first startup method was used in the in-vehicle network system 100 before the change was made (step S120: YES), the processing device 11 advances the process to step S121. In the process of step S121, the processing device 11 starts up the target device in the bus network by the first startup method. This process is the same as the process of step S110 in FIG. 9.

[0132] In the process of step S120, if it is determined that the first startup method was not used in the in-vehicle network system 100 before the change was made (step S120: NO), the processing device 11 proceeds to the process of step S122. In the process of step S122, the processing device 11 starts up the target device in the bus network by the second startup method. This process is the same as the process of step S100 in FIG. 2.

[0133] In the process of step S123, the processor 11 records the number of target devices that have continued to operate. This process is similar to the process of step S101 in FIG. In the process of step S124, the processor 11 judges whether or not the number of target devices that have continued to operate has been recorded a certain number of times. This process is similar to the process of step S102 in FIG.

[0134] When the processor 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate has not been recorded a certain number of times (step S124: NO), it ends this series of processes. When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate has been recorded a certain number of times (step S124: YES), the processing device 11 proceeds to the next step S125. In the processing of the next step S125, the processing device 11 determines whether the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. This processing is the same as the processing of step S103 in FIG. 2.

[0135] When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S125: YES), the processing device 11 proceeds to the next step S126. In the process of step S126, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the bus network in which the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than the predetermined number is started up by the first start-up method. This process is the same as the process of step S104 in FIG. 2.

[0136] When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate is less than the predetermined number (step S125: NO), the processing device 11 advances the process to step S127. In the process of step S127, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the bus type network in which the number of target devices that have continued to operate is less than the predetermined number will be started up by the second start-up method. This process is the same as the process of step S105 in FIG. 2.

[0137] After executing the process of step S126 or the process of step S127, the processing device 11 advances the process to step S128. In the process of step S128, the processing device 11 causes the storage device 12 to store that the learning process is completed. This process is the same as the process of step S106 in Fig. 2. After executing the process of step S128, the processing device 11 ends this series of processes.

[0138] After a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 acquires information by starting up the target device using the start-up method that was used before the change was made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0139] Before a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 selects a startup method that achieves both a reduction in power consumption and a rapid startup. When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the optimal startup method that achieves both a reduction in power consumption and a rapid startup is likely to be the same as the startup method selected by the management device 10 before the change. For example, if the change made to the in-vehicle network system 100 is minor and does not affect the power consumption and startup time, there is no need to change the startup method even if the in-vehicle network system 100 is changed. In order to obtain information about a target device that was operating when a specific function was executed, the management device 10 starts the target device using the startup method that was used before the change was made to the in-vehicle network system 100. This allows the management device 10 to obtain information while using a startup method that is likely to achieve both a reduction in power consumption and a rapid startup.

[0140] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 executes the learning process shown in Fig. 2 for all bus networks to which target devices in the function to be executed are connected. On the other hand, the management device 10 may execute the learning process only for bus networks that have been affected by a change made to the in-vehicle network system 100, among the bus networks to which target devices in the function to be executed are connected.

[0141] FIG. 11 shows the process executed by the processing device 11 included in the management device 10 of the fourth modified example in the learning process. The processing device 11 executes the flow of the series of processes shown in FIG. 11 instead of the series of processes shown in FIG. 2. In the above embodiment, the management device 10 has information on which target device needs to be started to execute a function and information on which bus type network the target device to be started is connected to. When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 in the fourth modified example obtains information indicating the content of the change. In addition to the above information, it is thereby possible to grasp the bus type network that is affected by the change made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0142] In the process of step S130, the processor 11 determines whether or not the bus network on which the learning process is being performed is affected by a change made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0143] In the process of step S130, when it is determined that the bus network in which the learning process is being performed is affected by the change (step S130: YES), the processing device 11 advances the process to step S131. In the process of step S131, the processing device 11 starts up the target device in the bus network by the second start-up method. This process is the same as the process of step S100 in FIG. 2.

[0144] In the process of step S132, the processor 11 records the number of target devices that have continued to operate. This process is similar to the process of step S101 in FIG. In the process of step S133, the processor 11 judges whether or not the number of target devices that have continued to operate has been recorded a certain number of times. This process is similar to the process of step S102 in FIG.

[0145] When the processing device 11 determines that it has not recorded the number of target devices that have continued to operate for a certain number of times (step S133: NO), it ends this series of processes. When the processing device 11 determines that it has recorded the number of target devices that have continued to operate for a certain number of times (step S133: YES), it advances the process to the next step S134. In the process of the next step S134, the processing device 11 determines whether the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. This process is the same as the process of step S103 in FIG. 2.

[0146] When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (step S134: YES), it advances the process to the next step S135. In the process of step S135, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that for a bus-type network in which the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, it is to be started by the first startup method. This process is the same as the process of step S104 in FIG. 2.

[0147] When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate is less than a predetermined number (step S134: NO), it advances the process to step S136. In the process of step S136, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that for a bus-type network in which the number of target devices that have continued to operate is less than a predetermined number, it is to be started by the second startup method. This process is the same as the process of step S105 in FIG. 2.

[0148] The processing device 11 that has executed the process of step S135 or the process of step S136 advances the process to step S137. In the process of step S137, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the learning process has been completed. This process is the same as the process of step S106 in FIG. 2. The processing device 11 that has executed the process of step S137 ends this series of processes.

[0149] In the process of step S130, if it is determined that the bus network undergoing the learning process is not affected by the change (step S130: NO), the processing device 11 proceeds to the process of step S138. In the process of step S138, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the learning process is completed. This process is the same as the process of step S106 in FIG. 2. After executing the process of step S138, the processing device 11 ends this series of processes. In this way, the processing device 11 can end the learning process without re-learning the startup method for the bus network that is not affected by the change.

[0150] When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 grasps the bus networks affected by the change. The management device 10 is configured to acquire information on each bus network and determine whether or not to reselect the startup method. The management device 10 reselects the startup method only for the bus networks affected by the change among the devices to be started.

[0151] When the management device 10 acquires information about a target device that has continued to operate in association with the execution of a function, it is necessary to re-start the target device required for the execution of the function using a startup method that is not known to be optimal for achieving both reduction in power consumption and rapid startup. Therefore, it is desirable for the management device 10 to acquire the information again as little as possible. The above-mentioned management device 10 is configured such that, when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, it is determined whether or not to acquire information again about the bus type network and reselect the startup method for each bus type network. Then, the management device 10 does not acquire information again about bus type networks that are not affected by the change in the in-vehicle network system 100. This allows the management device 10 to reduce the number of times that the management device 10 acquires information again about the target device that operated when a specific function is executed when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0152] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 executes a learning process for all functions to be executed when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100. However, the management device 10 does not need to execute a learning process for all functions to be executed every time. For example, the management device 10 may acquire information on a target device that has continued to operate in association with the execution of each function to be executed, and determine whether to reselect the startup method.

[0153] 12 shows a process flow relating to the startup of a target device executed by a processing device 11 included in a management device 10 of a fifth modified example. The processing device 11 executes the series of processes shown in FIG. 12 instead of the series of processes shown in FIG.

[0154] In the process of step S20, the processing device 11 determines whether or not a change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100. This process is similar to the process of step S10 in FIG.

[0155] When the processing device 11 determines that a change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100 (step S20: YES), the processing device 11 proceeds to step S22. In the processing of step S22, the processing device 11 determines whether the function to be executed has been affected by the change to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0156] The processing device 11 determines that the function to be executed is affected by the change when it is necessary to start up, as a target device, an electronic control device connected to a bus network affected by the change to the in-vehicle network system 100. At this time, the management device 10 needs to be able to grasp the bus network affected by the change made to the in-vehicle network system 100, as in the fourth modified example.

[0157] The processing device 11 may determine that a function to be executed is affected by a change when the function requires the use of a target device affected by the change to the in-vehicle network system 100. For example, when an electronic control device is added to the in-vehicle network system 100, the processing device 11 refers to information on whether or not the function to be executed requires the electronic control device to be started as a target device. Then, when the processing device 11 determines that the electronic control device needs to be started as a target device, it determines that the function is affected by the change. Also, for example, when an electronic control device is removed from the in-vehicle network system 100, the processing device 11 determines that the function is affected by the change when the electronic control device was one of the target devices that was operating to realize the function.

[0158] When the processing device 11 determines that no change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100 (step S20: NO), the processing device 11 proceeds to step S21. In the process of step S21, the processing device 11 determines whether or not learning has been completed. This process is the same as the process of step S11 in FIG. 3.

[0159] When the processor 11 determines that the function to be executed has not been affected by the change to the in-vehicle network system 100 (step S22: NO), the processor 11 advances the process to step S24.

[0160] Also, when the processing device 11 determines in the process of step S21 that the learning is completed (step S21: YES), the processing device 11 advances the process to step S24. In the process of step S24, the processing device 11 executes a start-up method determination process. This process is the same as the process of step S13 in FIG. 3.

[0161] In the next step S25, the processing device 11 starts up the target device using the start-up method determined in step S24. This process is similar to the process in step S14 in Fig. 3. After starting up the target device, the processing device 11 ends this series of processes.

[0162] On the other hand, when the processing device 11 determines that the function to be executed has been affected by the change to the in-vehicle network system 100 (step S22: YES), the processing device 11 advances the processing to step S23. In the processing of step S23, if a processing to store that learning has been completed has been executed in the in-vehicle network system 100 before the change, the processing device 11 resets such a flag to a state in which learning is incomplete. This processing is the same as the processing of step S12 in Fig. 3. After executing the processing of step S23, the processing device 11 advances the processing to step S26.

[0163] Also, when the processing device 11 determines in the process of step S21 that the learning is not completed (step S21: NO), the processing device 11 advances the process to step S26. In the process of step S26, the processing device 11 executes a learning process. This process is the same as the process of step S15 in Fig. 3. After completing the learning process, the processing device 11 ends this series of processes.

[0164] The management device 10 is configured to, when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, acquire information about each function to be executed and determine whether or not to reselect the activation method for that function.

[0165] The above-mentioned management device 10 is configured to determine whether or not to reselect the activation method by acquiring information about each function to be executed when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100. This allows the management device 10 to reduce the number of times it needs to acquire information about the target devices that were operating when a specific function was executed when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0166] The in-vehicle network system 100 is composed of a plurality of bus-type networks connected to the management device 10. In addition, the in-vehicle network system 100 is provided with a power supply control line for starting each bus-type network by the first start-up method. When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 grasps the bus-type networks affected by the change. The management device 10 reselects the start-up method when a function using a target device connected to the bus-type network affected by the change is executed. The management device 10 does not acquire information again for functions that do not use a bus-type network connected to a target device affected by the change in the in-vehicle network system 100. This allows the management device 10 to reduce the number of times that the management device 10 acquires information again.

[0167] When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 grasps the target devices affected by the change. Then, the management device 10 reselects the startup method when a function using the target devices affected by the change is executed. The management device 10 does not acquire information again about functions that do not need to start the target devices affected by the change in the in-vehicle network system 100. This allows the management device 10 to reduce the number of times it needs to acquire information again.

[0168] In the above-mentioned modified example, the management device 10 can be applied to a vehicle in the design and development stage. In this case, the developer of the vehicle may decide for each function whether the management device 10 acquires information about the target device that continues to operate as the function is executed, and reselects the startup method.

[0169] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 learns the startup method of the target device by storing the startup method selected for each bus network in the learning process. The management device 10 then determines the startup method for each bus network by reading from the storage device 12 the results learned in the startup method determination process in step S13 of Fig. 3. On the other hand, the management device 10 does not select a startup method for each bus network in the learning process, and the processing device 11 may select a startup method for each bus network every time in the startup method determination process.

[0170] 13 shows a process executed in a learning process by the processing device 11 included in the management device 10 of the sixth modified example. The processing device 11 executes the series of processes shown in FIG. 13 instead of the series of processes shown in FIG.

[0171] In the process of step S140, the processor 11 starts up the target device in the bus network by the second starting method. This process is similar to the process of step S100 in FIG.

[0172] In the process of step S141, the processor 11 records the number of target devices that have continued to operate. This process is similar to the process of step S101 in FIG. In the process of step S142, the processor 11 judges whether or not the number of target devices that have continued to operate has been recorded a certain number of times. This process is similar to the process of step S102 in FIG.

[0173] When the processor 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate has not been recorded a certain number of times (step S142: NO), it ends this series of processes. When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate has been recorded a certain number of times (step S142: YES), the processing device 11 proceeds to the next step S143. In the process of step S143, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the learning process has been completed. This process is the same as the process of step S106 in Fig. 2. After executing the process of step S143, the processing device 11 ends this series of processes.

[0174] 14 shows a process executed by the processing device 11 included in the management device 10 of the sixth modified example for each bus type network in the start-up method determination process. The processing device 11 executes the process shown in FIG. 14 in the process executed in step S13 in FIG. 3.

[0175] In the process of step S200, the processing device 11 determines whether or not the number of target devices that have continued to operate in the learning process described with reference to FIG. 13 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S200: YES), the processing device 11 proceeds to step S201. In the processing of step S201, the processing device 11 determines to start up the target devices connected to the bus network by the first start-up method. After completing the processing of step S201, the processing device 11 ends this series of processing.

[0176] When the processing device 11 determines that the number of target devices that have continued to operate is less than the predetermined number (step S200: NO), the processing device 11 proceeds to step S202. In the processing of step S202, the processing device 11 determines to start up the target devices connected to the bus network by the second start-up method. After completing the processing of step S202, the processing device 11 ends this series of processing.

[0177] Even when adopting such an aspect of selecting a startup method each time in the startup method determination process, the management device 10 can select a startup method based on information acquired through the learning process and start up the target device using the selected startup method.

[0178] <Additional Notes> The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described. [Appendix 1] A management device for an in-vehicle network system, when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system, obtains information about a target device that operated when a specified function was executed in the in-vehicle network system, among a plurality of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system after the change was made, and based on the information, selects a startup method for the target device from among a first startup method in which the target device is started by power control that controls whether or not power is supplied to the target device, and a second startup method in which the target device is started by a startup request from the management device to the target device using communication, and starts up the target device by the selected startup method.

[0179] [Appendix 2] A management device as described in [Appendix 2], which selects the startup method of the target device based on the acquired information, and then learns the startup method of the target device by storing the selected startup method, and starts up the target device using the learned startup method.

[0180] [Appendix 3] A management device as described in [Appendix 1] or [Appendix 2], which obtains the information by starting up the target device using the first startup method after the change is made to the in-vehicle network system.

[0181] [Appendix 4] A management device as described in [Appendix 1] or [Appendix 2], which obtains the information by starting up the target device using the second startup method after the change is made to the in-vehicle network system.

[0182] [Appendix 5] A management device as described in [Appendix 1] or [Appendix 2], which, after the change is made to the in-vehicle network system, obtains the information by starting up the target device using the startup method used before the change was made to the in-vehicle network system.

[0183] [Appendix 6] A management device described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 5], which acquires, as the information, data on the number of target devices that have operated in conjunction with the execution of the specified function among the multiple devices in the in-vehicle network system after the change has been made.

[0184] [Appendix 7] A management device as described in [Appendix 6], in which, when selecting the startup method for the target devices, if the number of the target devices that have started operating in conjunction with the execution of the specified function is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the first startup method is selected, and if the number of the target devices that have started operating in conjunction with the execution of the specified function is less than the predetermined number, the second startup method is selected.

[0185] [Appendix 8] The in-vehicle network system is composed of a plurality of bus-type networks connected to the management device, and a power control line is provided for each of the bus-type networks for starting them up using the first startup method, and the management device described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 7] obtains the information for each of the bus-type networks and selects the startup method for each of the bus-type networks.

[0186] [Appendix 9] The management device described in [Appendix 8] is configured to, when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system, identify the bus-type networks affected by the change, and for each bus-type network, obtain the information for that bus-type network and decide whether to reselect the startup method, and reselect the startup method only for the bus-type networks affected by the change among the target devices to be started.

[0187] [Appendix 10] A management device as described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 9], configured to, when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system, obtain the information about each function to be executed and determine whether or not to reselect the startup method for that function.

[0188] [Appendix 11] The in-vehicle network system is composed of a plurality of bus-type networks connected to the management device, and a power control line is provided for each bus-type network for starting it up using the first startup method, and when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system, the management device described in [Appendix 10] identifies the bus-type networks affected by the change and reselects the startup method when a function using the target device connected to the bus-type network affected by the change is executed.

[0189] [Appendix 12] A management device as described in [Appendix 10], which, when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system, identifies the target devices affected by the change, and reselects the startup method when a function using the target devices affected by the change is executed.

[0190] [Supplementary Note 13] The management device according to any one of [Supplementary Note 1] to [Supplementary Note 12], wherein the change made to the in-vehicle network system is an increase or decrease in the number of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system.

[0191] [Supplementary Note 14] The management device according to any one of [Supplementary Note 1] to [Supplementary Note 12], wherein the change applied to the in-vehicle network system is a software update in a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle network system.

[0192] [Appendix 15] The change made to the in-vehicle network system is a rearrangement of the arrangement of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0193] 10…Management device 11... Processing equipment 12...Storage device 21…1st ECU 22...2nd ECU 23…3rd ECU 24…4th ECU 25…5th ECU 26…6th ECU 27…7th ECU 28...8th ECU 29…9th ECU 30…10th ECU 31…11th ECU 32…12th ECU 33…13th ECU 41…First communication line 42…Second communication line 43…Third communication line 51…First power supply control line 52…Second power supply control line 53…Third power supply control line 61…First bus network 62…Second bus network 63…Third bus network 71…1st Relay 72…Second Relay 73…3rd Relay 100…In-vehicle network system

Claims

1. A management device for an in-vehicle network system, When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system, obtaining information on a target device that was operated when a predetermined function was executed in the in-vehicle network system among a plurality of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system after the change was made; determining a boot method for the target device based on the information; a first startup method for starting up the target device by power supply control for controlling whether or not to supply power to the target device; a second startup method for starting up the target device by requesting the target device to start up using communication from the management device; Choose from The target device is started by the selected start-up method. Management device.

2. selecting the start-up method of the target device based on the acquired information, and then learning the start-up method of the target device by storing the selected start-up method; The target device is started up according to the learned start-up method. The management device according to claim 1 .

3. After the change is made to the in-vehicle network system, the target device is started up using the first start-up method to acquire the information. The management device according to claim 1 .

4. After the change is made to the in-vehicle network system, the target device is started up using the second start-up method to acquire the information. The management device according to claim 1 .

5. After the change is made to the in-vehicle network system, the target device is started up using the start-up method used before the change is made to the in-vehicle network system, thereby acquiring the information. The management device according to claim 1 .

6. As the information, data on the number of the target devices that have been operated in association with the execution of the predetermined function among the plurality of devices in the in-vehicle network system after the change has been made is acquired. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. When selecting the startup method of the target device, select the first startup method when the number of the target devices that have been activated in association with the execution of the predetermined function is equal to or greater than a predetermined number; When the number of the target devices operated in association with the execution of the predetermined function is less than the predetermined number, the second startup method is selected. The management device according to claim 6.

8. The in-vehicle network system includes: The network is configured by a plurality of bus-type networks connected to the management device, a power supply control line for starting up the bus network by the first start-up method is provided for each bus network; Acquiring the information for each of the bus networks; The startup method is selected for each bus network. The management device according to claim 1 .

9. When the change is made to the in-vehicle network system, Identifying the bus network affected by the change; a bus type network that acquires the information about the bus type network and determines whether or not to reselect the activation method, Among the target devices to be started, the start-up method is reselected only for the bus network affected by the change. The management device according to claim 8.

10. When the change is made to the in-vehicle network system, For each function to be executed, the information about the function is acquired to determine whether or not to reselect the activation method. The management device according to claim 1 .

11. The in-vehicle network system includes: The network is configured by a plurality of bus-type networks connected to the management device, a power supply control line for starting up the bus network by the first start-up method is provided for each bus network; When the change is made to the in-vehicle network system, Identifying the bus network affected by the change; The start-up method is selected again when a function using the target device connected to the bus network affected by the change is executed. The management device according to claim 10.

12. When the change is made to the in-vehicle network system, Identifying the target devices affected by the change; Reselecting the startup method when a function using the target device affected by the change is executed. The management device according to claim 10.

13. The change applied to the in-vehicle network system is an increase or decrease in the number of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system. The management device according to claim 1 .

14. The change applied to the in-vehicle network system is a software update in a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle network system. The management device according to claim 1 .

15. The change applied to the in-vehicle network system is a rearrangement of the arrangement of the devices connected to the in-vehicle network system. The management device according to claim 1 .

16. A control program for an in-vehicle network system including a management device, When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system, acquiring information on a target device that was operated when a predetermined function was executed in the in-vehicle network system among a plurality of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system after the change was made; determining a boot method for the target device based on the information; a first startup method for starting up the target device by power supply control for controlling whether or not to supply power to the target device; a second startup method for starting up the target device by requesting the target device to start up using communication from the management device; and booting the target device using the selected boot method; The management device executes the above. Control program.

17. A control method for controlling an in-vehicle network system including a management device, When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system, a step of the management device acquiring information on a target device that was operated when a predetermined function was executed in the in-vehicle network system among a plurality of devices connected to the in-vehicle network system after the change was made; The management device determines a startup method of the target device based on the information, a first startup method for starting up the target device by power supply control for controlling whether or not to supply power to the target device; a second startup method for starting up the target device by requesting the target device to start up using communication from the management device; selecting from The management device starts up the target device by the selected start-up method. Control methods.

Images