Relay device, control method, and control program

Abstract

To provide a relay device, a control method, and a control program for performing appropriate control for a new in-vehicle device when the new in-vehicle device is connected to an in-vehicle network.SOLUTION: In an in-vehicle system, a control circuit 110 of a relay device that relays communications between multiple in-vehicle devices includes: an extraction unit that extracts header information from a PDU received from a new in-vehicle device; a determination unit that determines a control pattern to be used for the new in-vehicle device on the basis of information in a specific area in the header information extracted by the extraction unit; and a control unit that executes control processing based on the control pattern determined by the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay device, a control method, and a control program.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with various in-vehicle devices such as a control system ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls an engine, a transmission, etc., a body system ECU that controls a headlight, a power window, etc., and an information system ECU such as a navigation device and a multimedia device. Each in-vehicle device is connected to an in-vehicle network and can communicate with each other.

[0003] By adding a new ECU to the in-vehicle network, new functions can be added to the vehicle. Patent Document 1 discloses a system for authenticating an additional ECU when a new additional ECU is connected to an in-vehicle integrated ECU. In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the integrated ECU receives the terminal ID of the additional ECU from the additional ECU and transmits an authentication request including the received terminal ID and the vehicle-side ID of the integrated ECU to a server outside the vehicle. The server collates the combination of the vehicle-side ID and the terminal ID included in the received authentication request with the combination of the vehicle-side ID and the terminal ID registered in the registration unit, and determines the authentication level of the additional ECU.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When a new in-vehicle device is connected to an in-vehicle network, control suitable for the in-vehicle device (for example, power control, communication control) must be performed. In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, unless the authentication level by the server is determined, control suitable for the additional ECU cannot be performed, and the terminal ID assigned to the additional ECU is required for authentication by the server. That is, when the additional ECU is connected to the integrated ECU, it must have a function of transmitting the terminal ID to the integrated ECU in response to a request from the integrated ECU in accordance with a predetermined specification.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A relay device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a relay device that relays communication between a plurality of in-vehicle devices, and includes a communication port for connecting a new in-vehicle device, an extraction unit that extracts header information from a PDU received at the communication port from the new in-vehicle device connected to the communication port, a determination unit that determines a control pattern used for the new in-vehicle device based on information in a specific area in the header information extracted by the extraction unit, and a control unit that executes a control process according to the control pattern determined by the determination unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to perform control suitable for an in-vehicle device corresponding to a communication protocol used in an in-vehicle network.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <Summary of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> The summary of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described below.

[0010] (1) The relay device according to this embodiment is a relay device that relays communication between a plurality of in-vehicle devices, and includes a communication port for connecting a new in-vehicle device, an extraction unit that extracts header information from a PDU received at the communication port from the new in-vehicle device connected to the communication port, a determination unit that determines a control pattern used for the new in-vehicle device based on information in a specific area in the header information extracted by the extraction unit, and a control unit that executes a control process according to the control pattern determined by the determination unit. A PDU (Protocol Data Unit) is the smallest unit of data to be communicated, defined by a communication protocol, and includes a header and a payload. With the above configuration, a control pattern can be determined using the header information of a PDU compliant with the communication protocol used in the in-vehicle network. Therefore, control suitable for in-vehicle devices corresponding to the communication protocol can be performed.

[0011] (2) In the above (1), the specific area is an internal area of the source address, and a code corresponding to the control pattern may be stored in the internal area of the source address. Thus, by storing a code in the internal area of the source address in the PDU, a control pattern corresponding to the new in-vehicle device can be determined.

[0012] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the PDU may be an Ethernet frame. This makes it possible to easily apply the present disclosure to in-vehicle devices corresponding to Ethernet.

[0013] (4) In the above (1) or (2), the PDU may be an IP packet. This makes it possible to easily apply the present disclosure to in-vehicle devices corresponding to IP (Internet Protocol).

[0014] (5) In the above (1), the PDU includes a first PDU used in a first communication protocol and a second PDU used in a second communication protocol belonging to a layer higher than the layer to which the first communication protocol belongs. The header information includes first header information of the first PDU and second header information of the second PDU. The specific area may include a first specific area in the first header and a second specific area in the second header. Thereby, the present disclosure can be easily applied to in-vehicle devices corresponding to the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol.

[0015] (6) In the above (5), the first area may include an internal area of the source address of the first communication protocol. Thereby, based on the information stored in the internal area of the source address in the first PDU, a control pattern can be determined.

[0016] (7) In the above (5) or (6), the second area may include an internal area of the source address of the second communication protocol. Thereby, based on the information stored in the internal area of the source address in the second PDU, a control pattern can be determined.

[0017] (8) In any one of the above (5) to (7), a first code corresponding to a first control pattern used for the new in-vehicle device is stored in the first specific area, and a second code corresponding to a second control pattern used for the new in-vehicle device is stored in the second specific area. The determination unit determines the first control pattern based on the first code stored in the first specific area, and determines the second control pattern based on the second code stored in the second specific area. The control unit may execute a first control process according to the determined first control pattern and a second control process according to the determined second control pattern. Thereby, each of the first control process according to the first control pattern corresponding to the new in-vehicle device and the second control process according to the second control pattern can be executed.

[0018] (9) In the above (8), the determination unit may determine the first control pattern corresponding to the first code stored in the first specific area according to a first table defining the correspondence between the first code and the first control pattern, and determine the second control pattern corresponding to the second code stored in the second specific area according to a second table defining the correspondence between the second code and the second control pattern. Thereby, using the first table and the second table, each of the first control pattern corresponding to the first code and the second control pattern corresponding to the second code can be determined.

[0019] (10) In any one of the above (5) to (7), the first specific area stores a first code, the second specific area stores a second code, and the determination unit may determine the control pattern based on the first code stored in the first specific area and the second code stored in the second specific area. Thereby, since the first code and the second code can be used to determine the control pattern, a large number of control patterns can be defined.

[0020] (11) In the above (10), the determination unit may determine the control pattern corresponding to the combination of the first code stored in the first specific area and the second code stored in the second specific area according to a table defining the correspondence between the combination of the first code and the second code and the control pattern. Thereby, using the table, the control pattern corresponding to the combination of the first code and the second code can be determined.

[0021] (12) In the above (1), the specific area may be at least one area of the port number, destination address, protocol type, and response time in the header information. Thereby, by storing the code in at least one area of the port number, destination address, protocol type, and response time in the PDU, the control pattern corresponding to the new in-vehicle device can be determined.

[0022] (13) The control method according to this embodiment is a control method used by a relay device that relays communication between a plurality of in-vehicle devices. The method includes extracting header information from a PDU received at the communication port from a new in-vehicle device connected to the communication port, determining a control pattern used for the new in-vehicle device based on information in a specific area of the extracted header information, and executing a control process according to the determined control pattern. Thereby, a control pattern can be determined using the header information of a PDU compliant with the communication protocol used in the in-vehicle network. Therefore, it is possible to perform control suitable for an in-vehicle device corresponding to the communication protocol.

[0023] (14) The control program according to this embodiment is a control program used by a relay device that relays communication between a plurality of in-vehicle devices. The program causes a computer to execute steps of extracting header information from a PDU received at the communication port from a new in-vehicle device connected to the communication port, determining a control pattern used for the new in-vehicle device based on information in a specific area of the extracted header information, and executing a control process according to the determined control pattern. Thereby, a control pattern can be determined using the header information of a PDU compliant with the communication protocol used in the in-vehicle network. Therefore, it is possible to perform control suitable for an in-vehicle device corresponding to the communication protocol.

[0024] The present disclosure can be realized not only as a relay device having the above-described characteristic configuration, a control method including the characteristic steps executed in the relay device, and a control program for causing the relay device to execute the characteristic process, but also as an in-vehicle system including the relay device, or as a semiconductor integrated circuit of part or all of the relay device.

[0025] <Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> Hereinafter, the details of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0026] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. In-Vehicle System] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a partial configuration of an in-vehicle system according to an embodiment.

[0027] The in-vehicle system 10 is mounted on a vehicle. The in-vehicle system 10 includes a first relay ECU 100, a second relay ECU 200, and an ECU 300.

[0028] The first relay ECU 100 and the second relay ECU 200 are connected via a communication line 20A. A plurality of relay ECUs including the first relay ECU 100 and the second relay ECU 200 and a plurality of communication lines including the communication line 20A constitute an in-vehicle network. The in-vehicle network according to the first embodiment is an Ethernet network having a star-type network topology (where "Ethernet" is a registered trademark) and is an IP (Internet Protocol) network. The communication line 20A is an Ethernet cable. The ECU 300 is connected to the second relay ECU 200 via a communication line.

[0029] The first relay ECU 100 is an example of a "relay device". The first relay ECU 100 includes a plurality of communication ports 121A, 121B, 121C, 121D, and communication devices corresponding to the IP network can be connected to each of the communication ports 121A, 121B, 121C, 121D.

[0030] For example, a new ECU 400A can be connected to the first relay ECU 100. In another example, a new sensor 400B can be connected to the first relay ECU 100. Note that in this specification, an "in-vehicle device" means a device connected to an in-vehicle network and includes an ECU, a sensor, and an actuator. That is, the ECU 400A and the sensor 400B are examples of "in-vehicle devices".

[0031] The ECUs 300 and 400A control the hardware of each part of the vehicle individually, monitor the state of the hardware of each part of the vehicle, and process information related to the vehicle. Each of the ECUs 300 and 400A has one or more functions as a control system ECU, a body system ECU, and an information system ECU. The sensor 400B detects the state or object of the vehicle or the periphery of the vehicle. The sensor 400B is, for example, a camera, a radar, a LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), a human sensor, a hydraulic sensor, a temperature sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, an engine (or motor) rotation speed sensor, an accelerator pedal stroke sensor, a brake pedal stroke sensor, a steering angle sensor, etc.

[0032] In the example of FIG. 1, the ECU 400A is connected to the communication port 121B via the communication line 20B. The sensor 400B is connected to the communication port 121C via the communication line 20C.

[0033] In the first embodiment, the first relay ECU 100 has a communication relay function. That is, the first relay ECU 100 includes a communication circuit 120. The communication circuit 120 is a switch including communication ports 121A, 121B, 121C, and 121D. For example, the communication circuit 120 is an L2 (layer 2) switch, and in other examples, the communication circuit 120 is an L3 (layer 3) switch.

[0034] The first relay ECU 100 can relay Ethernet frames (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "frames") between the connected devices (the second relay ECU 200, the ECU 400A, and the sensor 400B). The second relay ECU 200 can relay frames between the connected devices (the first relay ECU 100 and the ECU 300). Note that at least one of the first relay ECU 100 and the second relay ECU 200 may be connected to a communication device (for example, a relay device, an ECU, a sensor) other than those shown in the figure.

[0035] In the first embodiment, the first relay ECU 100 has a power supply function. That is, the first relay ECU 100 includes a power supply circuit 130. The power supply circuit 130 includes power supply ports 131A, 131B, 131C, and 131D. Devices to be powered can be connected to the power supply ports 131A, 131B, 131C, and 131D. In the example of FIG. 1, the second relay ECU 200 is connected to the power supply port 131A via the power supply line 30A, the ECU 400A is connected to the power supply port 131B via the power supply line 30B, and the sensor 400B is connected to the power supply port 131C via the power supply line 30C.

[0036] The power supply circuit 130 is connected to an in-vehicle auxiliary battery (not shown) via a power supply line. The power supply port 131A is connected to the DC bus connected to the auxiliary battery via the relay 132A. Similarly, the power supply port 131B is connected to the DC bus via the relay 132B, the power supply port 131C is connected to the DC bus via the relay 132C, and the power supply port 131D is connected to the DC bus via the relay 132D. The power supply circuit 130 can switch the supply / cutoff of power from the auxiliary battery by turning on / off each of the relays 132A, 132B, 132C, and 132D for the devices (the second relay ECU 200, the ECU 400A, the sensor 400B) connected to the power supply ports 131A, 131B, 131C, and 131D.

[0037] The first relay ECU 100 further includes a control circuit 110. The control circuit 110 can control the communication circuit 120 and the power supply circuit 130. For example, the control circuit 110 may output commands to the second relay ECU 200, the ECU 300, the ECU 400A, and the sensor 400B via the communication circuit 120, or may receive data transmitted from the second relay ECU 200, the ECU 300, the ECU 400A, and the sensor 400B.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control circuit according to the first embodiment.

[0039] The control circuit 110 includes a processor 111, a non-volatile memory 112, a volatile memory 113, and an interface (I / F) 114. The processor 111 is connected to the non-volatile memory 112, the volatile memory 113, and the interface (I / F) 114 via a bus 115 for transmitting data.

[0040] The volatile memory 113 is a semiconductor memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The non-volatile memory 112 is a semiconductor memory such as flash memory, ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

[0041] The processor 111 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the processor 111 is not limited to the CPU. The processor 111 may be a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The processor 111 is configured to be able to execute a computer program. However, the processor 111 may include, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) in part or a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) in part.

[0042] The non-volatile memory 112 stores a control program 140, which is a computer program, and a code table 150 used for the execution of the control program 140. The control program 140 can be stored in a recording medium such as flash memory, ROM, or CD-ROM. The processor 111 can execute control regarding the new ECU 400A or sensor 400B according to the control program 140.

[0043] The interface 114 includes an input / output interface. Specifically, the interface 114 of the control circuit 110 is connected to the communication circuit 120 and the power supply circuit 130. The processor 111 can control the communication circuit 120 and the power supply circuit 130 connected to the interface 114.

[0044] Returning to FIG. 1. For example, the first relay ECU 100 may have not only the frame relay function and the power supply function, but also a function of controlling the hardware mounted on the vehicle or monitoring the state of the hardware. That is, the first relay ECU 100 may have one or more functions as a control system ECU, a body system ECU, and an information system ECU.

[0045] The second relay ECU 200 is connected to each of the first relay ECU 100 and the ECU 300 via a communication line. The second relay ECU 200 has, for example, the function of an L2 switch or an L3 switch. The second relay ECU 200 may have other functions, for example, one or more functions as a control system ECU, a body system ECU, and an information system ECU. The second relay ECU 200 may be an ECU that comprehensively controls the entire vehicle or an ECU that comprehensively controls a part of the vehicle.

[0046] Each of the ECU 300, the ECU 400A, the sensor 400B, the first relay ECU 100, and the second relay ECU 200 can perform communication using the Internet protocol (IP). That is, each of the ECU 300, the ECU 400A, the sensor 400B, the first relay ECU 100, and the second relay ECU 200 can transmit and receive an Ethernet frame containing an IP packet.

[0047] [1-2.PDU] Describe the frame which is the PDU of the Ethernet protocol. In the first embodiment, the Ethernet frame is used to determine the pattern (control pattern) of the control process related to the in-vehicle device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the format of the Ethernet frame. The Ethernet frame includes a header area and a payload area.

[0048] The header area includes a destination MAC address area (field), a source MAC address area, and a type code area.

[0049] In the destination MAC address area, the MAC address of the device that is the communication partner is stored (in the case of unicast). In the case of a multicast frame, the multicast address is stored in the destination MAC address area, and in the case of a broadcast frame, the broadcast address is stored in the destination MAC address area.

[0050] In the source MAC address area, the MAC address of the device that transmits the Ethernet frame is stored. That is, when ECU400A is the source of the Ethernet frame, the MAC address of ECU400A is stored in the source MAC address area. When sensor 400B is the source of the Ethernet frame, the MAC address of sensor 400B is stored in the source MAC address area.

[0051] In the type code area, the identification code of the upper protocol of Ethernet is stored. In the type code area, the length of the Ethernet frame may also be stored.

[0052] In the payload area, the data to be transmitted is stored. In the first embodiment, an IP packet is stored in the payload area.

[0053] The end of the Ethernet frame (after the payload area) is the FCS (Frame Check Sequence) area. In the FCS area, a code for error detection is stored.

[0054] [1-3. MAC Address] A unique MAC address is assigned to each communication device (node) that performs Ethernet communication. However, the MAC address of an in-vehicle device connected to an in-vehicle network does not leak from the in-vehicle network to an external network (such as the Internet). In the first embodiment, the MAC address assigned to the in-vehicle device is defined by a specification different from the specification of a general MAC address. Hereinafter, the specification of the MAC address (or the specification of the IP address) used in the in-vehicle system 10 is referred to as the "specific control specification".

[0055] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the specific control specification of the MAC address. The MAC (Media Access Control) address is composed of six octets: the first octet, the second octet, the third octet, the fourth octet, the fifth octet, and the sixth octet.

[0056] In the general specification, the upper three octets (the first octet, the second octet, and the third octet) are the vendor ID part. However, in the specific control specification, it is not limited to the vendor ID part and can be set arbitrarily.

[0057] The fourth octet and the fifth octet store the control code. The control code is a code associated with a control pattern for the in-vehicle device. The control code will be described later.

[0058] The sixth octet stores the identifier of the node. That is, the sixth octet stores a unique ID in the in-vehicle system 10. In the in-vehicle system 10, the nodes are identified by the sixth octet of the MAC address.

[0059] [1-4. Code Table] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the code table according to the first embodiment.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the code table 150 is used to determine the power control pattern of the in-vehicle device based on the control code included in the MAC address. In the code table 150, the bit position, the vehicle state, and the power control pattern are associated with each other.

[0061] The bit position in the code table 150 indicates the bit positions in the fourth and fifth octets (16 bits) where the control code is stored in the MAC address. The bit positions are defined from "1" to "16". The bit position "1" is the least significant bit in the fourth and fifth octets. The bit position "2" is the bit one above the least significant bit (the second bit), and the bit position "3" is the bit two above the least significant bit (the third bit). That is, the numbers of the corresponding bit positions increase in order from the lower bits to the higher bits of the fourth and fifth octets.

[0062] The vehicle state includes various states such as the power state of the vehicle, the state related to the user's boarding, and the state related to the vehicle's running. For example, the vehicle state includes, as the power state, the IG (ignition) ON state and the IG OFF state, as the state related to boarding, the user boarding state and the user non-boarding state, and as the state related to running, the stopped state and the running state. Here, the IG ON state is a power state in which the vehicle can run, and the IG OFF state is a power state in which the vehicle cannot run.

[0063] In the first embodiment, the power control pattern of the in-vehicle device is switched according to the vehicle state. FIGS. 6A and 6B are graphs showing examples of the power control pattern of the ECU. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the vertical axis indicates the on / off state of the relay for power control, and the horizontal axis indicates time. For example, consider a case where the vehicle is in a state where the user is not in the vehicle, the user holding the key fob approaches the vehicle, and the door lock is released when the face authentication of the user is successful. In this case, the smart entry ECU that receives the authentication signal transmitted from the key fob is kept operating, and when the approach of the user is detected (receiving the authentication information), the camera for imaging the user and the image processing ECU that performs face authentication processing are activated. To perform such an operation, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the vehicle is in a state where the user is not in the vehicle, the relay corresponding to the smart entry ECU is turned on, and the relay is switched to the off state at the timing when the door lock is released. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the vehicle is in a state where the user is not in the vehicle, the relays corresponding to the camera and the image processing ECU are turned off, each relay is switched to the on state at the timing when the approach of the user is detected, and further, each relay is switched to the off state at the timing when the door lock is released. In this way, by supplying power to the in-vehicle device only when it is necessary to operate the in-vehicle device and stopping the power supply to the in-vehicle device when it is not necessary to operate the in-vehicle device, power consumption can be reduced and the consumption of the auxiliary battery can be suppressed. The above-described smart entry ECU, camera, and image processing ECU turn off all of the above relays and stop the power supply when the vehicle state is a state where the user is in the vehicle.

[0064] [1-5. Function of the First Relay ECU] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the function of the first relay ECU according to the first embodiment.

[0065] When the processor 111 of the first relay ECU 100 executes the control program 140, the functions of the acquisition unit 141, the extraction unit 142, the determination unit 143, the decision unit 144, and the control unit 145 are realized.

[0066] In the first embodiment, a new in-vehicle device connected to an in-vehicle network transmits an Ethernet frame in which the MAC address of the new in-vehicle device is specified as the source MAC address. In the example of FIG. 1, the new in-vehicle devices are ECU 400A and sensor 400B. In the Ethernet frame transmitted from ECU 400A, the MAC address of ECU 400A is stored in the area of the source MAC address. In the Ethernet frame transmitted from sensor 400B, the MAC address of sensor 400B is stored in the area of the source MAC address. The Ethernet frame transmitted from the new in-vehicle device connected to the first relay ECU 100 is received by the communication port in the first relay ECU 100. For example, the Ethernet frame transmitted from ECU 400A is received by communication port 121B. The Ethernet frame transmitted from sensor 400B is received by communication port 121C. The acquisition unit 141 acquires the Ethernet frame received by the communication port.

[0067] The extraction unit 142 extracts header information from the Ethernet frame acquired by the acquisition unit 141. In the first embodiment, the header information is the source MAC address.

[0068] The determination unit 143 determines whether or not the header information extracted by the extraction unit 142 conforms to a specific control specification that is the specification of the header information for determining the control pattern. In a specific example, the determination unit 143 determines whether or not the source MAC address extracted by the extraction unit 142 conforms to the specific control specification.

[0069] For example, a code indicating a specific control specification may be stored in at least a part of the first octet, the second octet, and the third octet of the MAC address. In one example, the second octet is an area used for determining the specific control specification, and the code of the specific control specification is "FF" in hexadecimal notation (i.e., "11111111" in binary notation). That is, if "FF" is stored in the second octet of the source MAC address, the determination unit 143 determines that it conforms to the specific control specification; if "FF" is not stored in the second octet of the source MAC address, the determination unit 143 determines that it does not conform to the specific control specification.

[0070] The determination unit 144 determines a control pattern to be used for the new in-vehicle device based on the information in a specific area in the header information extracted by the extraction unit 142. For example, when the header information extracted by the extraction unit 142 is determined by the determination unit 143 to conform to the specific control specification, the determination unit 144 determines a control pattern based on the information in the specific area in the header information.

[0071] In a specific example, the specific area in the header information is the area of the fourth octet and the fifth octet in the source MAC address. The determination unit 144 collates the control code that may be included in the fourth octet and the fifth octet in the source MAC address with the code table 150, and determines the power control pattern corresponding to the control code.

[0072] For example, the determination unit 144 can identify the bit positions that are "1" in the control code stored in the fourth and fifth octets, and determine the power control pattern corresponding to the bit positions identified in the code table 150. For example, when the MAC address of the ECU 400A is "A0:FF:D5:00:05:B3" in hexadecimal notation, the control code is "00000000000000101" in binary notation. That is, the values of the bit positions "1" and "3" in the control code are "1". In the example shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle state "user not on board" and the power control pattern "P1" correspond to the bit position "1", and the vehicle state "stopped" and the power control pattern "P3" correspond to the bit position "3". Therefore, the determination unit 144 determines the power control pattern "P1" in the vehicle state "user not on board" and the power control pattern "P3" in the vehicle state "stopped" for the ECU 400A (with the MAC address "A0:FF:D5:00:05:B3").

[0073] The control unit 145 executes the control process according to the control pattern determined by the determination unit 144. For example, P1, P2, P3, P4,... in the code table 150 are codes indicating power control patterns (hereinafter referred to as "control pattern codes"). For example, the control program 140 includes control program codes for each control pattern code. The control unit 145 reads out the control program code corresponding to the control pattern code, and executes the read control program code to execute the control process according to the determined power control pattern. More specifically, the control process according to the power control pattern is realized by on / off control of the relay. The control unit 145 performs power control of the new in-vehicle device by performing on / off control of the relay corresponding to the power port to which the new in-vehicle device is connected according to the power control pattern.

[0074] For example, when the header information does not conform to the specific control specification, the control unit 145 can execute control processing according to a predetermined control pattern. The predetermined control pattern is a general-purpose control pattern corresponding to all in-vehicle devices. For example, a general-purpose power control pattern supplies power to the in-vehicle device in the IG ON state (turns on the relay) and stops the power supply to the in-vehicle device in the IG OFF state (turns off the relay).

[0075] [1-6. Operation of the First Relay ECU] Next, the control operation of the new in-vehicle device by the first relay ECU 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation of the new in-vehicle device in the first relay ECU according to the first embodiment.

[0076] When adding an in-vehicle device, the new in-vehicle device is connected to the communication port and power port of the first relay ECU 100. When the new in-vehicle device is connected to the first relay ECU 100, it transmits an Ethernet frame designated with the MAC address of the new in-vehicle device as the source MAC address. The Ethernet frame (PDU) transmitted from the new in-vehicle device is received by the processor 111 of the first relay ECU 100 via the communication port (step S101).

[0077] The processor 111 extracts the source MAC address (header information) from the received Ethernet frame (step S102).

[0078] The processor 111 refers to the second octet of the source MAC address and determines whether the extracted MAC address conforms to the specific control specification (step S103).

[0079] When the MAC address does not conform to the specific control specification (NO in step S103), the processor 111 executes control processing according to the general-purpose power control pattern (step S104).

[0080] When the MAC address conforms to the specific control specification (YES in step S103), the processor 111 identifies the control codes stored in the fourth and fifth octets of the MAC address (step S105).

[0081] Next, the processor 111 collates the identified control code with the code table 150 and determines the power control pattern (control pattern code) corresponding to the control code (step S106).

[0082] The processor 111 executes a control process for controlling the relay according to the determined power control pattern (step S107). Thus, the control operation of the new in-vehicle device ends.

[0083] [2. Second Embodiment] The configuration of the in-vehicle system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the in-vehicle system 10 according to the first embodiment, so the description is omitted.

[0084] In the second embodiment, the control pattern is determined based on the IP address stored in the header of the IP packet, which is the PDU of IP.

[0085] [2-1. PDU] The IP packet, which is the PDU of IP, will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the format of the IP packet. The IP packet includes a header area and a payload area.

[0086] The header area includes a version area, a header length area, a ToS area, a packet length area, an ID area, a flag area, a fragment offset area, a TTL area, a protocol number area, a header checksum area, a source IP address area, a destination IP address area, and an option area.

[0087] In the version field, the IP version is stored. In the header length field, the length (size) of the header field is stored. In the ToS field, ToS (Type of Service), which is information indicating the type of the IP packet, is stored. ToS is used for controls related to QoS (Quality of Service) such as priority control, bandwidth control, and congestion control. In the packet length field, the length (size) of the IP packet is stored. In the ID field, the identifier of the IP packet is stored. In the flag field, flags used for controlling fragmentation (division) of the IP packet are stored. In the fragment offset field, information (offset) indicating the position of the fragment in the original IP packet is stored. In the TTL field, TTL (Time To Live), which is the lifetime information of the IP packet, is stored. In the protocol number field, the number of the protocol used in the upper transport layer is stored. The protocol number of TCP is "6", and the protocol number of UDP is "17". In the header checksum field, the checksum, which is information for checking the integrity of the header, is stored.

[0088] In the source IP address field, the IP address of the device that sends the IP packet is stored. That is, when ECU400A is the source of the IP packet, the IP address of ECU400A is stored in the source IP address field. When sensor 400B is the source of the IP packet, the IP address of sensor 400B is stored in the source IP address field.

[0089] In the destination IP address field, the IP address of the device that is the communication partner is stored (in the case of unicast). In the case of a multicast packet, the multicast address is stored in the destination IP address field, and in the case of a broadcast packet, the broadcast address is stored in the destination IP address field.

[0090] [2-2. IP Address] Each communication device (node) that performs communication via IP is assigned a unique IP address. However, the IP address of an in-vehicle device connected to an in-vehicle network functions as a gateway (router) and does not exceed an external communication device (not shown) that relays communication between the in-vehicle device and a communication device on an external network. Here, the external communication device is, for example, a TCU (Telematics Control Unit) and is connected to both the in-vehicle network and an external network (e.g., a fifth-generation mobile communication system network). In a specific example, the IP address assigned to the in-vehicle device is a private IP address.

[0091] In the second embodiment, the IP address assigned to the in-vehicle device is determined by a specific specification (specific control specification).

[0092] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the specific control specification of an IP address. An IP (Internet Protocol) address is composed of four octets: a first octet, a second octet, a third octet, and a fourth octet.

[0093] In the general specification of a class C private IP address, the first octet is "192" and the second octet is "168" in decimal notation, but the specific control specification is not limited to this and can be set arbitrarily.

[0094] The third octet stores a control code.

[0095] The fourth octet stores an identifier of the node. That is, the fourth octet stores a unique ID in the in-vehicle system 10. In the in-vehicle system 10, nodes are identified by the fourth octet of the IP address.

[0096] [2-3. Code Table] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a code table according to the second embodiment.

[0097] In the second embodiment, the code table 150 is used to determine the communication control pattern of the in-vehicle device according to the control code included in the IP address. In the code table 150, the bit position, the vehicle state, and the control pattern are associated with each other.

[0098] The bit position in the code table 150 indicates the bit position in the third octet (8 bits) where the control code is stored in the IP address. The bit positions are defined from "1" to "8". The bit position "1" is the least significant bit in the third octet. The bit position "2" is the bit one above the least significant bit (the second bit), and the bit position "3" is the bit two above the least significant bit (the third bit). That is, the numbers of the corresponding bit positions increase in order from the lower bit to the upper bit of the third octet.

[0099] The vehicle state is the same as that in the first embodiment, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0100] In the second embodiment, the communication control pattern of the in-vehicle device is switched according to the vehicle state. For example, a high level of security is required for a driving support ECU capable of executing autonomous driving. For this reason, when the vehicle is in a running state, it is considered that the driving support ECU during autonomous driving does not relay packets from an external network. An example of the communication control pattern by the first relay ECU 100 in this case is that while autonomous driving is not being executed, all IP packets are relayed to the driving support ECU, and after autonomous driving is started, IP packets from the external network are not relayed to the driving support ECU and the IP packets are discarded.

[0101] [2-4. Function of the First Relay ECU] Referring to FIG. 7, the function of the first relay ECU 100 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0102] In the second embodiment, a new in-vehicle device connected to the in-vehicle network transmits an IP packet in which the IP address of the new in-vehicle device is specified as the source IP address. In the example of FIG. 1, the new in-vehicle devices are ECU 400A and sensor 400B. In the IP packet transmitted from ECU 400A, the IP address of ECU 400A is stored in the source IP address field. In the IP packet transmitted from sensor 400B, the IP address of sensor 400B is stored in the source IP address field. The IP packet transmitted from the new in-vehicle device connected to the first relay ECU 100 is received by the communication port in the first relay ECU 100. For example, the IP packet transmitted from ECU 400A is received by communication port 121B. The IP packet transmitted from sensor 400B is received by communication port 121C. The acquisition unit 141 acquires the IP packet received by the communication port.

[0103] The extraction unit 142 extracts header information from the IP packet acquired by the acquisition unit 141. In the second embodiment, the header information is the source IP address.

[0104] The determination unit 143 determines whether or not the header information extracted by the extraction unit 142 conforms to a specific control specification that is the specification of the header information for determining the control pattern. In a specific example, the determination unit 143 determines whether or not the source IP address extracted by the extraction unit 142 conforms to the specific control specification.

[0105] For example, at least a part of the first octet and the second octet of the IP address may store a code indicating a specific control specification. In one example, the second octet is an area used for determining the specific control specification, and the code of the specific control specification is "255" in decimal notation ("11111111" in binary notation). That is, if "255" is stored in the second octet of the source IP address, the determination unit 143 determines that it conforms to the specific control specification, and if "255" is not stored in the second octet of the source MAC address, it determines that it does not conform to the specific control specification.

[0106] For example, when the header information extracted by the extraction unit 142 is determined by the determination unit 143 to conform to the specific control specification, the determination unit 144 determines a control pattern based on the information in a specific area in the header information.

[0107] In a specific example, the specific area in the header information is the area of the third octet in the source IP address. The determination unit 144 collates the control code that may be included in the third octet in the source IP address with the code table 150, and determines the communication control pattern corresponding to the control code.

[0108] For example, the determination unit 144 can identify the bit positions that are "1" in the control code stored third, and determine the communication control pattern corresponding to the bit positions identified in the code table 150. For example, when the MAC address of the ECU 400A is "192.255.50:100" in hexadecimal notation, the control code is "00110010" in binary notation. That is, the values of the bit positions "2", "5", and "6" of the control code are "1". In the example shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle state "running" and the communication control pattern "R2" correspond to the bit position "2". Although not shown, it is assumed that the vehicle state "stopped" and the communication control pattern "R5" correspond to the bit position "5", and the vehicle state "IG OFF" and the communication control pattern "R6" correspond to the bit position "6". In this case, the determination unit 144 determines the communication control pattern "R2" in the vehicle state "running", the communication control pattern "R5" in the vehicle state "stopped", and the communication control pattern "R6" in the vehicle state "IG OFF" for the ECU 400A (with the IP address "192.255.50.100").

[0109] The control unit 145 executes control processing according to the control pattern determined by the determination unit 144. For example, R1, R2, R3, R4,... in the code table 150 are control pattern codes indicating communication control patterns. The control unit 145 reads out the control program code corresponding to the control pattern code, and executes the read control program code to execute control processing according to the determined communication control pattern. More specifically, the control processing according to the communication control pattern is realized by packet relay control in the communication circuit 120.

[0110] For example, when the header information does not conform to the specific control specification, the control unit 145 can execute control processing according to a general-purpose control pattern. For example, the general-purpose communication control pattern is a pattern that relays all IP packets with the in-vehicle device as the source and IP packets with the in-vehicle device as the destination in the IG ON state.

[0111] [2-5. Operation of the First Relay ECU] Referring to FIG. 8, the control operation of the new in-vehicle device of the first relay ECU 100 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0112] When adding an in-vehicle device, the new in-vehicle device is connected to the communication port and power port of the first relay ECU 100. When the new in-vehicle device is connected to the first relay ECU 100, it transmits an IP packet with the IP address of the new in-vehicle device specified as the source IP address. The IP packet (PDU) transmitted from the new in-vehicle device is received by the processor 111 of the first relay ECU 100 via the communication port (step S101).

[0113] The processor 111 extracts the source IP address (header information) from the received IP packet (step S102).

[0114] The processor 111 refers to the second octet of the source IP address and determines whether the extracted IP address conforms to the specific control specification (step S103).

[0115] If the IP address does not conform to the specific control specification (NO in step S103), the processor 111 executes control processing according to a general communication control pattern (step S104).

[0116] If the IP address conforms to the specific control specification (YES in step S103), the processor 111 identifies the control code stored in the third octet of the IP address (step S105).

[0117] Next, the processor 111 collates the identified control code with the code table 150 and determines the communication control pattern (control pattern code) corresponding to the control code (step S106).

[0118] The processor 111 executes control processing for controlling packet relay according to the determined communication control pattern (step S107). Thus, the control operation of the new in-vehicle device ends.

[0119] [3. Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, a first control pattern is determined based on the MAC address, and a second control pattern is determined based on the IP address.

[0120] In a specific example, the non-volatile memory 112 of the first relay ECU 100 stores the code table 150 described in the first embodiment (hereinafter also referred to as the "first table 150A") and the code table 150 described in the second embodiment (hereinafter also referred to as the "second table 150B").

[0121] Refer to FIG. 7. In the third embodiment, a new in-vehicle device connected to the in-vehicle network transmits an Ethernet frame in which an IP packet with the IP address of the new in-vehicle device specified as the source IP address and the MAC address of the new in-vehicle device specified as the source MAC address is accommodated. In the example of FIG. 1, the new in-vehicle devices are ECU 400A and sensor 400B. In the Ethernet frame transmitted from ECU 400A, the IP address of ECU 400A is stored in the area of the source IP address of the IP packet accommodated in the Ethernet frame, and the MAC address of ECU 400A is stored in the area of the source MAC address of the Ethernet frame. In the Ethernet frame transmitted from sensor 400B, the IP address of sensor 400B is stored in the area of the source IP address of the IP packet accommodated in the Ethernet frame, and the MAC address of sensor 400B is stored in the area of the source MAC address of the Ethernet frame. The Ethernet frame transmitted from the new in-vehicle device connected to the first relay ECU 100 is received by the communication port in the first relay ECU 100. For example, the Ethernet frame transmitted from ECU 400A is received by communication port 121B. The Ethernet frame transmitted from sensor 400B is received by communication port 121C. The acquisition unit 141 acquires the Ethernet frame received by the communication port.

[0122] In the third embodiment, the Ethernet frame corresponds to the "first PDU", and the IP packet accommodated in the Ethernet frame corresponds to the "second PDU". The source MAC address corresponds to the "first header information", and the source IP address corresponds to the "second header information".

[0123] The extraction unit 142 extracts the first header information and the second header information from the Ethernet frame acquired by the acquisition unit 141.

[0124] The determination unit 143 determines whether each of the first header information and the second header information extracted by the extraction unit 142 conforms to a specific control specification which is the specification of the header information for determining the control pattern. In a specific example, the determination unit 143 determines whether the source MAC address extracted by the extraction unit 142 conforms to the specific control specification of the MAC address, and determines whether the source IP address conforms to the specific control specification of the IP address.

[0125] For example, when it is determined by the determination unit 143 that the first header information extracted by the extraction unit 142 conforms to the specific control specification, the determination unit 144 determines the first control pattern based on the information in a specific area (first specific area) in the first header information. When it is determined by the determination unit 143 that the second header information extracted by the extraction unit 142 conforms to the specific control specification, the determination unit 144 determines the second control pattern based on the information in a specific area (second specific area) in the second header information. That is, the determination unit 144 collates the control code (first control code) stored in the fourth and fifth octets of the source MAC address in the Ethernet frame with the first table 150A, and determines the power control pattern corresponding to the first control code. The determination unit 144 collates the control code (second control code) stored in the third octet of the source IP address in the IP packet contained in the Ethernet frame with the second table 150B, and determines the communication control pattern corresponding to the second control code.

[0126] The control unit 145 executes control processing according to the first control pattern and the second control pattern determined by the determination unit 144. That is, the control unit 145 turns on / off-controls the relay corresponding to the power port to which the new in-vehicle device is connected according to the power control pattern determined by the determination unit 144 (first control processing). The control unit 145 performs packet relay control in the communication circuit 120 according to the communication control pattern determined by the determination unit 144 (second control processing).

[0127] For example, when the first header information does not conform to the specific control specification, the control unit 145 controls the relay to be turned on / off according to a general-purpose power control pattern. When the second header information does not conform to the specific control specification, the control unit 145 performs packet relay control according to a general-purpose communication control pattern.

[0128] [4. Fourth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment, a control pattern is determined based on the MAC address and the IP address.

[0129] In a specific example, the first control code stored in the MAC address and the second control code stored in the IP address are combined, and the combined first control code and second control code are used to determine the control pattern. In the code table 150 stored in the non-volatile memory 112 of the first relay ECU 100, the correspondence between the combination of the first control code and the second control code and the control pattern is defined.

[0130] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the code table according to the fourth embodiment.

[0131] The code table 150 according to the third embodiment includes a MAC table 151, an IP table 152, and an integrated table 153.

[0132] In the MAC table 151, the bit position of the first control code included in the MAC address is associated with the first key. The first key is information for searching for a control pattern in the integrated table 153. In the example of FIG. 12, the first key "KA1" is associated with the bit position "1" of the first control code. The first key "KA2" is associated with the bit position "2" of the first control code. The first key "KA3" is associated with the bit position "3" of the first control code. The first key "KA4" is associated with the bit position "4" of the first control code.

[0133] The IP table 152 associates the bit position of the second control code included in the IP address with the second key. The second key is information for searching for a control pattern in the integrated table 153. In the example of FIG. 12, the second key "KB1" is associated with the bit position "1" of the second control code. The second key "KB2" is associated with the bit position "2" of the second control code. The second key "KB3" is associated with the bit position "3" of the second control code. The second key "KB4" is associated with the bit position "4" of the second control code.

[0134] The integrated table 153 associates a combination of the first key and the second key, a match type (exact match, partial match), and a control pattern. In the example of FIG. 12, the first key "KA1" and the second key "KB1", the match type "partial match", and the control pattern code "P1" are associated. The first key "KA1", the second keys "KB1" and "KB2", the match type "exact match", and the control pattern code "R2" are associated. The first key "KA3", the second keys "KB2" and "KB3", the match type "exact match", and the control pattern code "R3" are associated. The first keys "KA1" and "KA3", the second keys "KB2" and "KB3", the match type "exact match", and the control pattern code "R4" are associated.

[0135] For example, when the first control code of the MAC address is "0000000000000101" and the second control code of the IP address is "00000110", in the example of FIG. 12, the first keys "KA1" and "KA3" are obtained from the MAC table 151, and the second keys "KB2" and "KB3" are obtained from the IP table 152. Since the combinations of the obtained first keys and second keys include "KA3", "KB2", and "KB3", the control pattern code "R3" is specified in the integrated table 153. Further, since the combinations of the first keys and second keys include "KA1", "KA3", "KB2", and "KB3", the control pattern code "P4" is specified in the integrated table 153.

[0136] Refer to FIG. 7. In the fourth embodiment, the new in-vehicle device connected to the in-vehicle network transmits an Ethernet frame in which the IP address of the new in-vehicle device is specified as the source IP address and the MAC address of the new in-vehicle device is specified as the source MAC address. The Ethernet frame transmitted from the new in-vehicle device connected to the first relay ECU 100 is received by the communication port in the first relay ECU 100. The acquisition unit 141 acquires the Ethernet frame received by the communication port.

[0137] In the fourth embodiment, the Ethernet frame corresponds to the "first PDU", and the IP packet accommodated in the Ethernet frame corresponds to the "second PDU". The source MAC address corresponds to the "first header information", and the source IP address corresponds to the "second header information".

[0138] The extraction unit 142 extracts the first header information and the second header information from the Ethernet frame acquired by the acquisition unit 141.

[0139] The determination unit 143 determines whether or not each of the first header information and the second header information extracted by the extraction unit 142 conforms to a specific control specification which is the specification of the header information for determining the control pattern. Since the function of the determination unit 143 is the same as that of the third embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[0140] For example, when it is determined by the determination unit 143 that each of the first header information and the second header information extracted by the extraction unit 142 conforms to the specific control specification, the determination unit 144 determines a control pattern based on the combination of the first control code stored in the specific area (first specific area) in the first header information and the second control code stored in the specific area (second specific area) in the second header information. That is, the determination unit 144 collates the first control code stored in the fourth and fifth octets of the source MAC address in the Ethernet frame with the MAC table 151 to identify the first key corresponding to the first control code. The determination unit 144 collates the second control code stored in the third octet of the source IP address in the IP packet accommodated in the Ethernet frame with the IP table 152 to identify the second key. The determination unit 144 collates the combination of the identified first key and second key with the integrated table 153 to determine the control pattern.

[0141] The control unit 145 executes control processing according to the control pattern determined by the determination unit 144.

[0142] For example, when at least one of the first header information and the second header information does not conform to the specific control specification, the control unit 145 executes control processing according to a general-purpose control pattern.

[0143] [5. Fifth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment, a control pattern regarding the new in-vehicle device is determined using header information other than the source address in the PDU transmitted from the new in-vehicle device.

[0144] In FIG. 1, assume that ECU 400A is an image processing ECU and sensor 400B is a camera. Hereinafter, in the fifth embodiment, ECU 400A is referred to as "image processing ECU 400A" and sensor 400B is referred to as "camera 400B".

[0145] An imaging image acquired by camera 400B is transmitted from camera 400B to image processing ECU 400A. Camera 400B captures an image (video image) and transmits the image (including audio) using RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) and RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol). Image processing ECU 400A receives the image transmitted from camera 400B using RTSP and RTP.

[0146] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of communication between the camera and the image processing ECU according to the fifth embodiment.

[0147] Image processing ECU 400A transmits DESCRIBE defined by RTSP and requests notification of the format of the image (content) (step S201). The IP packet of DESCRIBE is relayed by the first relay ECU 100 and transmitted to camera 400B.

[0148] Camera 400B responds to DESCRIBE and notifies the image format (step S202). The IP packet including the format information is relayed by the first relay ECU 100 and transmitted to image processing ECU 400A.

[0149] Image processing ECU 400A transmits setting information regarding the stream transmission of the image by SETUP defined by RTSP (step S203). The setting information includes, for example, the protocol and port number used for image transmission. The IP packet of SETUP is relayed by the first relay ECU 100 and transmitted to camera 400B.

[0150] Camera 400B transmits a response message to SETUP (step S204). The response IP packet is relayed by the first relay ECU 100 and transmitted to the image processing ECU 400A.

[0151] The image processing ECU 400A transmits PLAY defined by RTSP and requests the start of video transmission (step S205). The PLAY IP packet is relayed by the first relay ECU 100 and transmitted to the camera 400B.

[0152] Camera 400B transmits a response message to PLAY (step S206). The response IP packet is relayed by the first relay ECU 100 and transmitted to the image processing ECU 400A.

[0153] Camera 400B transmits an image (step S207). The image is transmitted by the protocol notified in SETUP, for example, RTP. The IP packet containing the image is relayed by the first relay ECU 100 and transmitted to the image processing ECU 400A.

[0154] In the communication between the image processing ECU 400A and the camera 400B as described above, the first relay ECU 100 refers to the header of the IP packet to be relayed. For example, in the header of the IP packet transmitted from the image processing ECU 400A to the camera 400B, the IP address of the camera 400B is specified as the destination IP address, RTSP is specified as the communication protocol type (protocol number), and the source port number is specified. The extraction unit 142 of the first relay ECU 100 extracts the destination IP address, communication protocol type, and source port number as header information from the IP packet.

[0155] In the code table 150, a control pattern code corresponding to the destination IP address, communication protocol type, and source port number is associated. The determination unit 144 determines the control pattern code based on the extracted destination IP address, communication protocol type, and source port number.

[0156] [6. Modification Example] In each of the above-described embodiments, the power control pattern and the communication control pattern have been described as control patterns. However, the control pattern is not limited to the power control pattern and the communication control pattern as long as it is a control pattern related to the in-vehicle device.

[0157] [7. Supplementary Note] The embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the rights of the present invention is shown by the claims rather than the above-described embodiments, and includes all modifications within the meaning equivalent to the claims and within their scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0158] 10 In-vehicle system 20A, 20B, 20C Communication lines 30A, 30B, 30C Power lines 100 First relay ECU 110 Control circuit 111 Processor 112 Non-volatile memory 113 Volatile memory 114 Interface (I / F) 115 Bus 120 Communication circuit 121A, 121B, 121C, 121D Communication ports 130 Power supply circuit 131A, 131B, 131C, 131D Power supply ports 132A, 132B, 132C, 132D Relays 140 Control program 141 Acquisition unit 142 Extraction unit 143 Determination unit 144 Decision unit 145 Control unit 150 Code table 150A First table 150B Second table 151 MAC table 152 IP table 153 Integrated Table 200 Second Relay ECU 300 ECU 400A ECU (Image Processing ECU) 400B Sensor (Camera)

Claims

1. A relay device that relays communication between a plurality of in-vehicle devices, a communication port for connecting a new in-vehicle device, an extraction unit that extracts header information from a PDU received at the communication port from the new in-vehicle device connected to the communication port, a determination unit that determines a control pattern used for the new in-vehicle device based on information in a specific area in the header information extracted by the extraction unit, a control unit that executes control processing according to the control pattern determined by the determination unit, comprising: a relay device.

2. The specific area is an internal area of the source address, and a code corresponding to the control pattern is stored in the internal area of the source address, The relay device according to claim 1.

3. The PDU is an Ethernet frame, The relay device according to claim 1.

4. The PDU is an IP packet, The relay device according to claim 1.

5. The PDU includes a first PDU used in a first communication protocol and a second PDU used in a second communication protocol belonging to a layer higher than the layer to which the first communication protocol belongs, the header information includes first header information of the first PDU and second header information of the second PDU, the specific area includes a first specific area in the first header and a second specific area in the second header, The relay device according to claim 1.

6. The first area includes an internal area of the source address of the first communication protocol, The relay device according to claim 5.

7. The second area includes an internal area of the source address of the second communication protocol, The relay device according to claim 5.

8. A first code corresponding to a first control pattern used for the new in-vehicle device is stored in the first specific area, a second code corresponding to a second control pattern used for the new in-vehicle device is stored in the second specific area, the determination unit determines the first control pattern based on the first code stored in the first specific area and determines the second control pattern based on the second code stored in the second specific area, the control unit executes first control processing according to the determined first control pattern and second control processing according to the determined second control pattern, The relay device according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. The determination unit: determines the first control pattern corresponding to the first code stored in the first specific area according to a first table defining the correspondence between the first code and the first control pattern; determines the second control pattern corresponding to the second code stored in the second specific area according to a second table defining the correspondence between the second code and the second control pattern. The relay device according to claim 8.

10. The first code is stored in the first specific area; The second code is stored in the second specific area; The determination unit determines the control pattern based on the first code stored in the first specific area and the second code stored in the second specific area. The relay device according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

11. The determination unit: determines the control pattern corresponding to the combination of the first code and the second code stored in the first specific area and the second code stored in the second specific area according to a table defining the correspondence between the combination of the first code and the second code and the control pattern. The relay device according to claim 10.

12. The specific area is at least one of the port number, destination address, protocol type, and response time in the header information. The relay device according to claim 1.

13. A control method used by a relay device that relays communication between a plurality of in-vehicle devices, comprising: extracting header information from a PDU received at the communication port from a new in-vehicle device connected to the communication port; determining a control pattern used for the new in-vehicle device based on information in a specific area in the extracted header information; executing a control process according to the determined control pattern. The control method includes: A control method.

14. A control program used by a relay device that relays communication between a plurality of in-vehicle devices, causing a computer to: extract header information from a PDU received at the communication port from a new in-vehicle device connected to the communication port; determine a control pattern used for the new in-vehicle device based on information in a specific area in the extracted header information; execute a control process according to the determined control pattern. For causing the above to be executed, ​ Control program.

Images