Gateway device

Abstract

To prevent activation of an electronic control device on a network that does not include an electronic control device belonging to the same group as the source electronic control device when the source electronic control device does not support a partial network.SOLUTION: A storage device stores a correspondence map MP. The correspondence map MP indicates the correspondence relationship between a plurality of groups GR, an electronic control device belonging to the groups GR, and a network formed by the electronic control device. In step S22, an execution device refers to the correspondence map MP to identify the group GR to which the node information ND included in the received activation request message belongs. In step S23, the execution device does not set a network that does not include an electronic control unit belonging to the identified group GR as a relay node, but determines a network that includes an electronic control unit belonging to the identified group GR as a relay destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle network system in which a plurality of electronic control units mounted on a vehicle communicate with each other. The CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol is applied to communication via a communication bus in the in-vehicle network system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-144893 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A partial network is known in which only some of the electronic control units among a plurality of electronic control units in an in-vehicle network system such as that described in Patent Document 1 are activated, while the remaining electronic control units are kept in a sleep state. The partial network can reduce the power consumption of the in-vehicle network system.

[0005] When a partial network-enabled electronic control unit receives a wake-up request message containing a specific frame individually assigned to it, it wakes up and transitions to an active state, in which the electronic control unit can execute applications.

[0006] When an electronic control unit that supports a partial network receives a wake-up request message that does not include a specific frame assigned to that electronic control unit, the electronic control unit ignores the wake-up request message, thereby maintaining the sleep state, which is a state in which the function of executing applications is stopped to reduce power consumption.

[0007] Since electronic control units that do not support partial networks are not configured to transmit a startup request message that includes an individually assigned specific frame, an electronic control unit that receives a startup request message sent from an electronic control unit that does not support partial networks will start up even though it does not need to. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle network system in which a plurality of electronic control devices form a network for each communication bus, and the plurality of electronic control devices communicate with each other in accordance with the CAN protocol, and is a gateway device to which the plurality of networks are connected and which relays communication between the plurality of electronic control devices, the gateway device comprising a memory device and an execution device, wherein the memory device stores a correspondence map showing the correspondence between a plurality of groups indicating combinations of some of the plurality of electronic control devices, the electronic control devices belonging to the groups, and the network formed by the electronic control devices, and when a startup request message is received from an electronic control device including information indicating the sender electronic control device, and the received startup request message does not include startup target information indicating the electronic control device to be started, the execution device refers to the correspondence map to identify the group to which the sender electronic control device included in the received startup request message belongs, and determines the network including the electronic control device belonging to the identified group as the relay destination, rather than using the network that does not include the electronic control device belonging to the identified group as the relay destination. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The gateway device can prevent electronic control devices on a network that does not include electronic control devices belonging to the same group as the sending electronic control device from being activated if the sending electronic control device does not support a partial network. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an in-vehicle network system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an activation request message corresponding to a partial network. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a start request message that does not support a partial network. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence map. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a series of processes executed by the gateway device when it receives a start-up request message. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the flow of a start request message. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (One embodiment) An embodiment of a gateway device will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description will be given of a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle network system.

[0012] <In-vehicle network system> As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 10 includes an in-vehicle network system 20. The in-vehicle network system 20 includes a plurality of electronic control units 30, a plurality of communication buses 40, and a gateway device 50. The communication buses 40 are connected to the gateway device 50. Each electronic control unit 30 is connected to the gateway device 50 via a plurality of communication buses 40. In the in-vehicle network system 20, a plurality of electronic control units 30 configure a network 21 for each communication bus 40.

[0013] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle network system 20 includes six electronic control units 30 and three communication buses 40. The six electronic control units 30 configure three networks 21, one for each communication bus 40.

[0014] Specifically, the first electronic control device 31 is connected to the gateway device 50 via a first communication bus 41. A first network 21A is configured on the first communication bus 41 by the first electronic control device 31. The first electronic control device 31 does not support partial networks.

[0015] The second electronic control unit 32, the third electronic control unit 33, and the fourth electronic control unit 34 are connected to the gateway device 50 via a second communication bus 42. A second network 21B is configured on the second communication bus 42 by the second electronic control unit 32, the third electronic control unit 33, and the fourth electronic control unit 34. The second electronic control unit 32 and the third electronic control unit 33 do not support a partial network. The fourth electronic control unit 34 supports a partial network.

[0016] The fifth electronic control unit 35 and the sixth electronic control unit 36 ​​are connected to the gateway device 50 via a third communication bus 43. A third network 21C is configured on the third communication bus 43 by the fifth electronic control unit 35 and the sixth electronic control unit 36. The fifth electronic control unit 35 and the sixth electronic control unit 36 ​​do not support partial networks.

[0017] The electronic control unit 30 stores an application (not shown). The electronic control unit 30 can transition its state between an active state and a sleep state. The active state is a state in which the electronic control unit 30 can execute an application. The sleep state is a state in which the function of executing an application is stopped and power consumption is reduced compared to the active state.

[0018] A plurality of electronic control devices 30 communicate with each other in accordance with the CAN protocol via a gateway device 50. When an electronic control device 30 needs to start another electronic control device 30, it transmits a start-up request message MS to the gateway device 50 via the communication bus 40 to which it is connected.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, an electronic control device 30 that is compatible with a partial network transmits a message including node information ND, control information CT, and activation target information BT as an activation request message MS. The node information ND is information that indicates the sending electronic control device 30. The control information CT is information that indicates a request for activation. The activation target information BT is a specific frame to which information that indicates the electronic control device 30 to be activated is individually assigned. In detail, the node information ND is included in the header of the message. Furthermore, the control information CT and the activation target information BT are included in the payload of the message.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, an electronic control device 30 that does not support a partial network transmits, as an activation request message MS, a message that includes node information ND and control information CT, but does not include activation target information BT.

[0021] When an electronic control device 30 compatible with a partial network receives a wake-up request message MS in a sleep state, if the wake-up request message MS contains a specific frame that is individually assigned, the electronic control device 30 wakes up and transitions to an active state.

[0022] When an electronic control unit 30 that supports a partial network receives an activation request message MS in a sleep state, if the activation request message MS does not include a specific frame that is individually assigned to the electronic control unit 30, the electronic control unit 30 ignores the received activation request message MS, thereby maintaining the sleep state.

[0023] When an electronic control device 30 that does not support a partial network receives a wake-up request message MS in a sleep state, the electronic control device 30 wakes up and transitions to an active state regardless of whether or not a specific frame individually assigned to the electronic control device 30 is present.

[0024] <Gateway device> As shown in Fig. 1, a gateway device 50 is applied to an in-vehicle network system 20. The gateway device 50 is connected to a plurality of networks 21 and relays communications between a plurality of electronic control devices 30. The gateway device 50 relays communications between the electronic control devices 30. The gateway device 50 includes a transmission / reception device 51 and a control device 60.

[0025] The transmitting / receiving device 51 receives messages transmitted from the electronic control device 30 via the communication bus 40. The transmitting / receiving device 51 also transmits messages to the electronic control device 30 via the communication bus 40. In other words, the transmitting / receiving device 51 has a relay function.

[0026] The control device 60 controls the transmitting / receiving device 51. The control device 60 includes an execution device 61, a peripheral circuit 62, a RAM 63, a storage device 64, and an internal bus 65. The internal bus 65 connects the execution device 61, the peripheral circuit 62, the RAM 63, and the storage device 64 so that they can communicate with one another. The peripheral circuit 62 includes a circuit that generates a clock signal that regulates internal operation, a power supply circuit, a reset circuit, etc. The RAM 63 stores data that is generated as the execution device 61 operates. The storage device 64 stores information indicating the relay program PR executed by the execution device 61 and the correspondence map MP that is referenced as the relay program PR is executed.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the correspondence map MP is a map showing the correspondence between a plurality of groups GR, the electronic control units 30 belonging to the groups GR, and the network 21 formed by the electronic control units 30.

[0028] Specifically, the correspondence map MP includes identification information IDs that indicate the multiple electronic control units 30. In this embodiment, the first electronic control unit 31 to the sixth electronic control unit 36 ​​correspond to the numbers "1" to "6" in the identification information IDs.

[0029] The correspondence map MP includes correspondence information PN indicating whether or not each identification information ID is compatible with a partial network. In Fig. 4, the correspondence information PN is indicated by "○" in the column of identification information ID indicating an electronic control unit 30 that is compatible with a partial network. Therefore, "○" is indicated in the column of "4" indicating the identification information ID number of the fourth electronic control unit 34 out of the six electronic control units 30.

[0030] The correspondence map MP includes, for each identification information ID, network information NW indicating the constituting network 21. In Fig. 4, as the network information NW, the column for identification information ID "1" indicating the first electronic control unit 31 shows "first NW" indicating the first network 21A. As the network information NW, the column for identification information ID "2", the column for identification information ID "3", and the column for identification information ID "4" shows "second NW" indicating the second network 21B. As the network information NW, the column for identification information ID "5" and the column for identification information ID "6" shows "third NW" indicating the third network 21C.

[0031] The correspondence map MP includes information indicating a plurality of groups GR. A group GR is a combination of some of the electronic control units 30 included in the in-vehicle network system 20. Specifically, the correspondence map MP includes information indicating a first group G1 and information indicating the electronic control units 30 belonging to the first group G1. The first group G1 is a group GR indicating a combination of electronic control units 30 that need to be in an active state to realize a specific first function of the vehicle 10. That is, the in-vehicle network system 20 realizes the first function of the vehicle 10 through a combination of applications of the electronic control units 30 belonging to the first group G1. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the electronic control units 30 belonging to the first group G1 are the first electronic control unit 31, the second electronic control unit 32, and the third electronic control unit 33. Therefore, a circle is displayed in the column corresponding to the identification information ID "1," the column corresponding to the identification information ID "2," and the column corresponding to the identification information ID "3" for the first group G1.

[0032] The correspondence map MP also includes information indicating a second group G2 and information indicating electronic control units 30 belonging to the second group G2. The second group G2 is a group GR indicating a combination of electronic control units 30 that need to be in an active state to realize a second function different from a first function of the vehicle 10. That is, the in-vehicle network system 20 realizes the second function of the vehicle 10 by a combination of applications of the electronic control units 30 belonging to the second group G2. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the electronic control units 30 belonging to the second group G2 are the third electronic control unit 33, the fourth electronic control unit 34, the fifth electronic control unit 35, and the sixth electronic control unit 36. Therefore, a circle is indicated in the column corresponding to the identification information ID "3," the column corresponding to the identification information ID "4," the column corresponding to the identification information ID "5," and the column corresponding to the identification information ID "6" corresponding to the second group G2.

[0033] When the transmitting / receiving device 51 receives the start request message MS from the electronic control device 30, the execution device 61 starts executing the relay program PR.

[0034] 5, when the execution device 61 starts executing the relay program PR, the execution device 61 first performs the process of step S11. In step S11, the execution device 61 determines whether or not the start-up target information BT is included in the received start-up request message MS. When the execution device 61 determines that the start-up target information BT is included (S11: YES), the execution device 61 proceeds to the process of step S12.

[0035] In step S12, the execution device 61 determines a relay destination based on the activation target information BT included in the activation request message MS. Specifically, the execution device 61 identifies the electronic control device 30 indicated by the activation target information BT included in the activation request message MS. Next, the execution device 61 identifies the network 21 including the identified electronic control device 30. Then, the execution device 61 determines the network 21 including the identified electronic control device 30 as the relay destination, rather than setting a network 21 not including the identified electronic control device 30 as the relay destination. Thereafter, the execution device 61 proceeds to step S13.

[0036] In step S13, the executing device 61 controls the transmitting / receiving device 51 to transmit the activation request message MS only to the determined relay destinations, and then the executing device 61 ends this series of processes.

[0037] On the other hand, when the execution device 61 determines that the received activation request message MS does not include activation target information BT (S11: NO), the execution device 61 proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the execution device 61 acquires node information ND included in the received activation request message MS. Thereafter, the execution device 61 proceeds to step S22.

[0038] In step S22, the execution device 61 refers to the correspondence map MP to identify the group GR to which the electronic control device 30 indicated by the acquired node information ND belongs. After that, the execution device 61 proceeds to step S23.

[0039] In step S23, the executing device 61 determines a relay destination based on the group GR identified in step S22. Specifically, the executing device 61 refers to the correspondence map MP to identify the electronic control units 30 belonging to the identified group GR. Next, the executing device 61 refers to the correspondence map MP to identify the network 21 including the identified electronic control unit 30. Then, the executing device 61 determines the network 21 including the electronic control unit 30 belonging to the identified group GR as the relay destination, rather than setting a network 21 that does not include an electronic control unit 30 belonging to the identified group GR as the relay destination. Thereafter, the executing device 61 proceeds to step S24.

[0040] In step S24, the execution device 61 adds activation target information BT to the received activation request message MS. Specifically, the execution device 61 adds information indicating the electronic control devices 30 belonging to the group GR identified in step S22 as activation target information BT to the payload of the received activation request message MS. The information indicating the electronic control devices 30 belonging to the identified group GR is a specific frame individually assigned to each electronic control device 30 belonging to the group GR. The execution device 61 then proceeds to step S13. In this embodiment, when the process proceeds to step S13 via step S24, the execution device 61 transmits the activation request message MS with the activation target information BT added to it to the relay destination. The execution device 61 then terminates this series of processes.

[0041] (Operation of the embodiment) 6, in the above embodiment, it is assumed that the first electronic control unit 31 transmits an activation request message MS to the gateway device 50. The first electronic control unit 31 does not support a partial network. Therefore, the transmitting / receiving device 51 receives the activation request message MS that does not include activation target information BT.

[0042] In this case, the execution device 61 makes a negative determination in the process of step S11 shown in Fig. 5. Next, the execution device 61 acquires the number "1" of the identification information ID as the node information ND acquired in step S21.

[0043] Next, in step S22, the execution device 61 refers to the correspondence map MP shown in FIG. 4 and identifies the group GR to which the first electronic control unit 31 with the identification information ID of "1" belongs as the first group G1.

[0044] Next, in step S23, the execution device 61 refers to the correspondence map MP and identifies the first electronic control device 31, the second electronic control device 32, and the third electronic control device 33 belonging to the first group G1 as the devices to be activated.

[0045] Next, the execution device 61 determines that the first network 21A including the first electronic control device 31 and the second network 21B including the second electronic control device 32 and the third electronic control device 33 are to be relay destinations. On the other hand, the execution device 61 does not determine that the third network 21C including the first electronic control device 31, the second electronic control device 32, and the third electronic control device 33 is to be a relay destination.

[0046] Next, in step S24, the execution device 61 adds the specific frames assigned to the first electronic control device 31, the second electronic control device 32, and the third electronic control device 33 as activation target information BT to the activation request message MS.

[0047] Then, in step S13, the execution device 61 transmits the activation request message MS to which the activation target information BT has been added to the first network 21A and the second network 21B, which are the relay destinations.

[0048] As a result, as shown in Figure 6, the second electronic control unit 32, the third electronic control unit 33, and the fourth electronic control unit 34 included in the second network 21B receive the activation request message MS. Upon receiving the activation request message MS, the second electronic control unit 32 and the third electronic control unit 33 transition to an active state. The fourth electronic control unit 34 also supports a partial network. Therefore, since the activation request message MS does not include a specific frame assigned to the fourth electronic control unit 34, the fourth electronic control unit 34 receives the activation request message MS, but maintains a sleep state by referring to the activation target information BT. Note that in Figure 6, the electronic control unit 30 maintaining a sleep state is indicated by a dashed line.

[0049] Furthermore, the execution device 61 does not transmit the activation request message MS to the third network 21C that is not a relay destination. As a result, the fifth electronic control device 35 and the sixth electronic control device 36 included in the third network 21C do not receive the activation request message MS. Therefore, the fifth electronic control device 35 and the sixth electronic control device 36 maintain the sleep state.

[0050] In this way, in the in-vehicle network system 20, the first electronic control unit 31, the second electronic control unit 32, and the third electronic control unit 33, which are necessary to realize the first function of the vehicle 10, transition to an active state. On the other hand, the fourth electronic control unit 34, the fifth electronic control unit 35, and the sixth electronic control unit 36, which are not necessary to realize the first function of the vehicle 10, maintain a sleep state.

[0051] (Effects of the embodiment) (1) In the above embodiment, if the activation request message MS received by the gateway device 50 does not include the activation target information BT, this is because the source electronic control device 30 does not support the partial network. According to the above embodiment, in step S22, the execution device 61 refers to the correspondence map MP to identify the group GR to which the source electronic control device 30 belongs. Then, in step S23, the execution device 61 determines, as the relay destination, the network 21 that includes the electronic control device 30 that belongs to the identified group GR, rather than the network 21 that does not include the electronic control device 30 that belongs to the identified group GR. Therefore, the gateway device 50 can prevent the activation of the electronic control device 30 in the network 21 that does not include the electronic control device 30 that belongs to the same group GR as the source electronic control device 30.

[0052] (2) According to the above embodiment, in step S24, the gateway device 50 adds information indicating the electronic control devices 30 belonging to the identified group GR as activation target information BT to the activation request message MS to be sent to the relay destination. Therefore, when the gateway device 50 sends the activation request message MS to the relay destination network 21, there may be an electronic control device 30 that supports the partial network in the network 21. In this case, even when relaying an activation request message MS received from an electronic control device 30 that does not support the partial network, the gateway device 50 can relay the activation request message MS by making it compatible with the partial network. When an electronic control device 30 that supports the partial network is present in the relay destination network 21 and the electronic control device 30 does not belong to the identified group GR, the gateway device 50 can prevent the electronic control device 30 from being activated.

[0053] (3) In the above embodiment, if the activation request message MS received by the gateway device 50 includes activation target information BT, the sending electronic control device 30 is compatible with a partial network. The execution device 61 does not select a network 21 that does not include an electronic control device 30 indicated by the activation target information BT included in the received activation request message MS as a relay destination. On the other hand, the execution device 61 determines a network 21 that includes an electronic control device 30 indicated by the activation target information BT as a relay destination. Therefore, if the activation request message MS were sent to all networks 21, an electronic control device 30 that does not support a partial network would receive the activation request message MS and transition to an active state. According to the above embodiment, even if an electronic control device 30 that does not support a partial network is present in a network 21 that was not selected as a relay destination, the electronic control device 30 can be prevented from transitioning to an active state.

[0054] (4) According to the above embodiment, the execution device 61 determines whether the received activation request message MS includes the activation target information BT. Depending on the determination result, the execution device 61 can proceed with the process when the activation target information BT is not included or the process when the activation target information BT is included.

[0055] (Other embodiments) This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0056] The execution device 61 does not have to determine whether the received activation request message MS includes the activation target information BT. For example, the transmission / reception device 51 may determine whether the received activation request message MS includes the activation target information BT and output the determination result to the execution device 61, so that the execution device 61 can obtain the determination result.

[0057] When the received activation request message MS includes activation target information BT, the executing device 61 may determine all networks 21 as relay destinations. For example, when a high proportion of electronic control devices 30 are compatible with partial networks among the multiple electronic control devices 30, even if all networks 21 are determined as relay destinations, the proportion of electronic control devices 30 that can maintain the sleep state can be ensured.

[0058] The execution device 61 may relay the activation request message MS to be sent to the relay destination without adding information indicating the electronic control device 30 belonging to the identified GR as the activation target information BT. Even in this case, by not sending the activation request message MS to the network 21 that was not selected as the relay destination, it is possible to prevent the electronic control device 30 included in the network 21 that was not selected as the relay destination from transitioning to the active state.

[0059] The execution device 61 may add the activation target information BT only to those networks 21 that include electronic control units 30 that are compatible with the partial network, among the relay destination networks 21. In other words, the execution device 61 may transmit the activation request message MS without adding the activation target information BT to those networks 21 that do not include electronic control units 30 that are compatible with the partial network, among the relay destination networks 21.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the plurality of groups GR are set for each function of the vehicle 10 to be realized, but this is not limited to this. For example, the plurality of groups GR may be set for each control object controlled by each electronic control unit 30.

[0061] The control device 60 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program (software). The control device 60 may also be configured as a circuit including one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), that execute at least some of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10...vehicle, 20...in-vehicle network system, 21...network, 30...electronic control unit, 40...communication bus, 50...gateway device, 51...transmitter / receiver device, 60...control unit, 61...execution unit, 64...storage device, BT...activation target information, GR...group, MP...corresponding map, MS...activation request message

Claims

1. A gateway device is applied to an in-vehicle network system in which a plurality of electronic control devices form a network for each communication bus, and the plurality of electronic control devices communicate with each other in accordance with a CAN protocol, and the plurality of networks are connected to the gateway device, which relays communication between the plurality of electronic control devices, a storage device and an execution device, The storage device stores a correspondence map showing a correspondence relationship between a plurality of groups indicating combinations of some of the plurality of electronic control devices, the electronic control devices belonging to the groups, and the network formed by the electronic control devices; When a start request message including information indicating the electronic control device that is the sender is received from the electronic control device, and the received start request message does not include start target information indicating the electronic control device to be started, The execution device referring to the correspondence map to identify the group to which the electronic control unit of the sender included in the received activation request message belongs; determining, as the relay destination, the network that includes the electronic control unit that belongs to the identified group, without determining, as the relay destination, the network that does not include the electronic control unit that belongs to the identified group. Gateway device.

2. The execution device and adding, to the activation request message to be transmitted to the relay destination, information indicating the electronic control units belonging to the specified group as the activation target information. The gateway device according to claim 1 .

3. When the activation request message is received from the electronic control device and the activation target information is included in the received activation request message, The execution device and determining, as the relay destination, the network including the electronic control unit indicated by the activation target information included in the received activation request message, without determining, as the relay destination, the network that does not include the electronic control unit indicated by the activation target information included in the received activation request message. The gateway device according to claim 1 .

4. When the startup request message is received from the electronic control unit, The execution device further determines whether the received activation request message includes the activation target information. The gateway device according to claim 1 .

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