Management device

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 boots a target device in accordance with a predetermined function to be executed, out of a plurality of devices, in an in-vehicle network system. The management device acquires, when an in-vehicle network system is modified, information on power consumed when the target device is booted in a first boot method and power consumed when the target device is booted in a second boot method (Step S102 and Step S104). The management device boots the target device through power control in the first boot method. The management device boots the target device through communication in the second boot method. The management device selects a boot method of the target device according to the function based on the information, from among the first and second boot methods (Step S106-Step S108).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply control system. This power supply control system includes a management device and a target device that is started up by the management device. The management device starts up the target device by controlling the power supply.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an in-vehicle network system. In this in-vehicle network system, a management device starts up a target device by requesting the target device to start up using communication. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-33321 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-11228 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system, such as when a target device is added, the same start-up method as that used before the change is not necessarily suitable for the in-vehicle network system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described below. A management device for solving the above problem starts up a target device corresponding to a predetermined function to be executed among a plurality of devices in an in-vehicle network system in which a plurality of devices are communicatively connected. The management device acquires information when a change is made to the in-vehicle network system. The information includes power consumption when the target device in the in-vehicle network system after the change is started up using a first start-up method and the power consumption when the target device in the in-vehicle network system after the change is started up using a second start-up method. In the first start-up method, the management device starts up the target device by power supply control that controls whether or not to supply power to the target device. In the second start-up method, the management device starts up the target device by requesting the target device to start up using communication from the management device. The management device selects a start-up method for the target device according to the function from the first start-up method and the second start-up method based on the information. The management device starts up the target device by the selected start-up method. Effect of the Invention

[0007] 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]

[0008] [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 power consumption when a target device is started, 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. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the management device will be described with reference to FIGS. <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 via a first communication line 41, a second communication line 42, and a third communication line 43 so that they can communicate with each other. In this way, 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 1, the management device 10 includes a processing device 11 and a storage device 12. A program is stored in the storage device 12. The processing device 11 executes the program stored in the storage device 12 to perform various processes. The processing device 11 includes a processor.

[0017] 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 activated varies depending on the function to be realized.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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 through any one of the first communication line 41, the second communication line 42, and the third communication line 43.

[0020] In this way, when the management device 10 receives a signal requesting activation from another device, the management device 10 sets a device according to the function to be realized as a target device. The management device 10 selects a method of activating the target device from a first activation method and a second activation method. At this time, the management device 10 selects a method of activating 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. Since the sixth ECU 26 is connected to a bus network different from the first ECU 21 and the second ECU 22, it may be activated using a different activation method from the first ECU 21 and the second ECU 22.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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. 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. In this way, the management device 10 transmits a signal requesting startup through the power supply control line in the first startup method. In this way, the management device 10 controls whether or not to supply power to the target device.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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 electronic control devices that the management device 10 has started up using the first or second start-up method transmit a signal indicating that they have started up together with the identification information of the sender to the management device 10 via a communication line. This allows the management device 10 to know which electronic control devices it has started up.

[0029] Among the multiple started electronic control devices, the target devices corresponding to the functions to be realized communicate with each other and execute processes to realize the predetermined functions. While the predetermined functions are being realized in this way, the target devices that realize the functions periodically transmit signals requesting continued operation to the management device 10. While the management device 10 is receiving a signal requesting continued operation from the target devices, it transmits a message including a signal requesting startup to the target devices that realize the corresponding functions via the communication line.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] <Flow of learning process executed by the processing device 11> FIG. 2 shows the flow of the learning process executed by the processing device 11. 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. This learning process allows the management device 10 to adapt to the changed in-vehicle network system 100. Since the management device 10 selects the 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 the learning process for bus networks to which the target device is not connected.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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 determines whether or not it has recorded the power consumption when starting up a target device on the bus network by the first startup method. At this time, the processing device 11 determines whether or not it has executed the process of step S102. As will be described later, in the process of step S102, the processing device 11 causes the storage device 12 to record the power consumption by the first startup method. Therefore, in the process of step S100, the processing device 11 determines whether or not the power consumption by the first startup method has been recorded in the storage device 12.

[0039] When the processing device 11 determines that the power consumption by the first startup method has not been recorded (step S100: NO), the processing device 11 advances the processing to step S101. In the processing of step S101, 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. Thereafter, the processing device 11 advances the processing to step S102.

[0040] In the process of step S102, the processor 11 records the power consumption when the target device on the bus network is started up by the first starting method. For example, the management device 10 stores the power consumed when each electronic control device is started up in the in-vehicle network system 100. As described above, when an electronic control device is started up, it transmits a signal indicating that it has been started up. The processing device 11 identifies the started electronic control device based on such a signal. Then, the processing device 11 can calculate the power consumption when a target device on the bus network is started up by the first start-up method by adding up the power consumed by each electronic control device when it is started up.

[0041] If the power consumption of the electronic control devices is uniform, the processing device 11 may calculate the power consumption when the target device on the bus network is started up by the first start-up method based on the number of started-up electronic control devices in the bus network. In this case, the processing device 11 counts the signals transmitted by the electronic control devices indicating that they have started up, to determine the number of started-up electronic control devices. Then, the processing device 11 can calculate the power consumption when the target device on the bus network is started up by the first start-up method by multiplying the power consumed by one electronic control device at start-up by the number of started-up electronic control devices.

[0042] The processing device 11 may receive power consumption at startup from an electronic control device that has been started up in the bus network, thereby determining the power consumption when the target device on the bus network is started up by the first startup method. In this case, the electronic control device transmits, at startup, a signal indicating that it has been started up, along with information on the power consumed by its own startup, to the management device 10. The processing device 11 can determine the power consumption when the target device on the bus network is started up by the first startup method by adding up the power consumed by each electronic control device on the bus network based on such information received from the electronic control devices.

[0043] In this way, the processing device 11, which has obtained the power consumption when the target device on the bus network is started by the first start-up method, records the power consumption by storing the obtained power consumption in the storage device 12. The table shown in FIG. 4 describes the power consumption when the target device on the bus network is started by the first start-up method, which is recorded by the processing device 11 through the process of step S102. 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 the power consumption by the first start-up method in each bus network for one function executed by the management device 10. In FIG. 4, multiple different functions are numbered as "E1", "E2", and "E3". In FIG. 4, the power consumption by the first start-up method obtained in the process of step S101 is also numbered as "A1", "A2", and "A3".

[0044] The processing device 11, which has recorded the power consumption when the target device on the bus network is started up by the first start-up method, ends this series of processes. When the processing device 11 determines that the power consumption by the first startup method has been recorded (step S100: YES), the processing device 11 advances the processing to step S103. In the processing of step S103, 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. Thereafter, the processing device 11 advances the processing to step S104.

[0045] In the process of step S104, the processor 11 records the power consumption when the target device on the bus network is started up by the second start-up method. The method of calculating the power consumption when the target device on the bus network is started up by the second start-up method and the method of recording the power consumption are the same as the method executed in the process of step S102 above.

[0046] The table shown in FIG. 4 also shows the power consumption when the target devices on the bus network are started up by the second start-up method, which is recorded by the processing device 11 through the process of step S104. In FIG. 4, the power consumption by the second start-up method obtained in the process of step S104 is also indicated by numbers such as "B1", "B2", and "B3". When the target devices are started up by using the second start-up method, the number of electronic control devices started up in the bus network is not greater than when the target devices are started up by using the first start-up method. Therefore, for the same bus network, the power consumption by the first start-up method is equal to or greater than the power consumption by the second start-up method. For example, in FIG. 4, "A1" is never smaller than "B1".

[0047] In the next step S105, the processor 11 performs an index value calculation process. The index value is a value calculated to compare the power consumption by the first activation method with the power consumption by the second activation method. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the index value is represented as XN.

[0048] In the process of step S105, the processor 11 calculates the index value XN using the formula shown below.

[0049]

number

[0050] As shown in the above formula, the processor 11 calculates the ratio of the difference between the power consumption by the first startup method and the power consumption by the second startup method to the power consumption by the first startup method as the index value XN.

[0051] In the next step S106, the processor 11 determines whether the index value XN calculated in step S105 is equal to or greater than a preset value. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the preset value is denoted as X. The larger the index value XN, the smaller the power consumption by the second startup method is compared to the power consumption by the first startup method. The preset value X is a threshold value for determining that power consumption can be reduced by selecting the second startup method based on the index value XN being equal to or greater than the preset value X.

[0052] In Fig. 4, the default values ​​X are indicated by numbers such as "C1", "C2", and "C3". The default values ​​X may be set to different values ​​for each bus type network even if the function to be executed is the same. Also, the default values ​​X may be set to different values ​​depending on the function to be executed even for the same bus type network.

[0053] When the processing device 11 determines that the index value XN is equal to or greater than the preset value X (step S106: YES), the processing device 11 advances the process to step S107. In the process of step S107, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the target device connected to the bus network, whose index value XN is equal to or greater than the preset value X, is to 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.

[0054] When the processing device 11 determines that the index value XN is less than the preset value X (step S106: NO), the processing device 11 advances the process to step S108. In the process of step S108, the processing device 11 stores in the storage device 12 that the target device connected to the bus network whose index value XN is less than the preset value X is to 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.

[0055] 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 S107 and S108. 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.

[0056] After executing the process of step S107 or the process of step S108, the processing device 11 advances the process to step S109. In the process of step S109, 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 S109, the processing device 11 ends this series of processes.

[0057] <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 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.

[0058] 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 also affect the execution of functions by the management device 10. Therefore, if a change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100, an update or the like is performed on the programs stored in the storage device 12. The processing device 11 makes the determination of step S10 based on whether or not there has been any such indication that a change has been made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0059] 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 S109 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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 S107 and S108 in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0063] 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.

[0064] <Action of this embodiment> When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system 100, the management device 10 acquires information on the power consumption when the target device is started up using the first startup method and the second startup method in the in-vehicle network system 100 after the change is made. Then, the management device 10 selects the startup method based on the information on the power consumption in each startup method.

[0065] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The management device 10 can select the startup method taking into consideration the difference in power consumption in the in-vehicle network system 100 after a change is made. 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.

[0066] (2) When acquiring information, the management device 10 calculates the percentage of the difference between the power consumption when the target device is started up using the first startup method and the power consumption when the target device is started up using the second startup method, relative to the power consumption when the target device is started up using the first startup method. Then, when selecting a startup method for the target device, the management device 10 selects the second startup method if the calculated percentage is equal to or greater than a default value. Also, when selecting a startup method for the target device, the management device 10 selects the first startup method if the calculated percentage is less than the default value.

[0067] The first startup method can start up the target device quickly, but consumes more power when starting up. On the other hand, the second startup method can reduce the power consumption when starting up the target device compared to the first startup method, but it takes longer to start up. The greater the proportion of the difference between the power consumption by the first startup method and the power consumption by the second startup method compared to the power consumption by the first startup method, the greater the power consumption that can be reduced when using the second startup method. On the other hand, if this proportion is small, not much reduction in power consumption can be expected even when using the second startup method, and it ends up taking longer to start up.

[0068] The management device 10 selects the startup method for the target device by comparing the ratio of the difference between the power consumption by the first startup method and the power consumption by the second startup method to the power consumption by the first startup method with a default value X. This allows the management device 10 to select a startup method that achieves both reduced power consumption and quick startup even when changes are made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0069] (3) 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] <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.

[0074] 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, when starting up the target device by the second start-up method, the management device 10 starts up the target device wirelessly without using the first communication line 41, the second communication line 42, and the third communication line 43.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 acquires information on power consumption by each start-up method for each bus network. In addition, the management device 10 selects a start-up method for the target device for each bus network. Meanwhile, the management device 10 does not need to acquire information or select a start-up method for each bus network. For example, the management device 10 may acquire information and select a start-up method collectively for all electronic control devices connected to the management device 10. In this case, the management device 10 may acquire information on power consumption by each start-up method by using the same start-up method for all electronic control devices connected to the management device 10, and select a start-up method based on the data.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 acquires information on the power consumption of each of the start-up methods by executing each of the start-up methods once each. However, the management device 10 may execute each of the start-up methods any number of times to acquire the power consumption as long as the management device 10 executes each of the start-up methods at least once each.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 executes both the first and second startup methods in order to obtain information on power consumption by each startup method. At this time, the processing device 11 starts up the target device by the first startup method in the process of step S101 in Fig. 2, and then starts up the target device by the second startup method in the process of step S103 in Fig. 2. The order of executing the first and second startup methods may be reversed.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 calculates, as the index value XN, the ratio of the difference between the power consumption by the first startup method and the power consumption by the second startup method to the power consumption by the first startup method. On the other hand, the management device 10 may calculate, as the index value XN, the difference between the power consumption by the first startup method and the power consumption by the second startup method.

[0079] In this case, when acquiring the information, the management device 10 calculates the difference between the power consumption when the target device is started up using the first startup method and the power consumption when the target device is started up using the second startup method. Then, when selecting a startup method for the target device, the management device 10 selects the second startup method if the calculated difference is equal to or greater than a preset value. Also, when selecting a startup method for the target device, the management device 10 selects the first startup method if the calculated difference is less than the preset value.

[0080] The greater the difference between the power consumption by the first startup method and the power consumption by the second startup method, the greater the power consumption reduction that can be achieved by using the second startup method. On the other hand, if the difference in power consumption is small, the reduction in power consumption cannot be expected very much even if the second startup method is used, and startup takes a long time.

[0081] The management device 10 selects a startup method for the target device by comparing the difference in power consumption between the first startup method and the second startup method with a default value. This allows the management device 10 to select a startup method that achieves both reduced power consumption and rapid startup even when changes are made to the in-vehicle network system 100.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the management device 10 calculates, as the index value XN, the ratio of the difference between the power consumption by the first startup method and the power consumption by the second startup method to the power consumption by the first startup method. On the other hand, the management device 10 may calculate, as the index value XN, the ratio of the power consumption by the second startup method to the power consumption by the first startup method.

[0083] In this case, when acquiring the information, the management device 10 calculates the ratio of the power consumption when the target device is started up using the second startup method to the power consumption when the target device is started up using the first startup method. Then, when selecting a startup method for the target device, the management device 10 selects the first startup method if the calculated ratio is equal to or greater than a preset value. Also, when selecting a startup method for the target device, the management device 10 selects the second startup method if the calculated ratio is less than the preset value.

[0084] The smaller the ratio of power consumption by the second startup method to the power consumption by the first startup method, the greater the power consumption reduction that can be achieved by using the second startup method. On the other hand, if the ratio is high, the reduction in power consumption cannot be expected very much even if the second startup method is used, and startup takes a long time.

[0085] The management device 10 selects a startup method for the target device by comparing the ratio of power consumption by the second startup method to the power consumption by the first startup method with a default value. This allows the management device 10 to select a startup method that achieves both reduced power consumption and rapid startup even when changes are made to the in-vehicle network system 100. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 10... management device, 11... processing device, 12... storage device, 21... first ECU, 22... second ECU, 23... third ECU, 24... fourth ECU, 25... fifth ECU, 26... sixth ECU, 27... seventh ECU, 28... eighth ECU, 29... ninth ECU, 30... tenth ECU, 31... eleventh ECU, 32... twelfth ECU, 33... thirteenth 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 type network, 62... second bus type network, 63... third bus type network, 100... in-vehicle network system

Claims

1. A management device that starts up a target device corresponding to a predetermined function to be executed among a plurality of devices in an in-vehicle network system in which the plurality of devices are communicatively connected, When a change is made to the in-vehicle network system, power consumption when the target device in the in-vehicle network system after the change is made is started up using a first start-up method for starting up the target device by power supply control that controls whether or not to supply power to the target device; and the power consumption when starting up the target device in the in-vehicle network system after the change is made, using a second startup method in which the management device requests the target device to start up using communication; and Obtain information including selecting a startup method for the target device according to the function from the first startup method and the second startup method based on the information; The target device is started by the selected start-up method. Management device.

2. When obtaining said information, The power consumption when the target device is started up using the first start-up method; and Calculating a difference between the power consumption when the target device is started up using the second start-up method and the power consumption when the target device is started up using the second start-up method; When selecting the startup method of the target device, When the calculated difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the second startup method is selected; When the calculated difference is less than the preset value, the first startup method is selected. The management device according to claim 1 .

3. When obtaining said information, With respect to the power consumption when the target device is started up using the first start-up method, Calculating a ratio of the power consumption when the target device is started up using the second start-up method; When selecting the startup method of the target device, When the calculated ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the first startup method is selected; When the calculated ratio is less than the preset value, the second startup method is selected. The management device according to claim 1 .

4. When obtaining said information, With respect to the power consumption when the target device is started up using the first start-up method, Calculating a ratio of a difference between the power consumption when the target device is started up using the first start-up method and the power consumption when the target device is started up using the second start-up method; When selecting the startup method of the target device, When the calculated ratio is equal to or greater than a preset value, the second startup method is selected; When the calculated ratio is less than the preset value, the first startup method is selected. The management device according to claim 1 .

5. 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 any one of claims 1 to 4.

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