Management device, communication system, vehicle, vehicle communication management method, and vehicle communication management program

Abstract

To provide a management device, a communication system, a vehicle, a vehicle communication management method, and a vehicle communication management program that provide a network that flexibly constructs a new configuration while maintaining stable operation.SOLUTION: A management device includes: a detection unit that detects a new functional unit which is a functional unit that is newly added to a network that includes one or more in-vehicle functional units; a generation unit that acquires functional unit information on the new functional unit detected by the detection unit and functional unit information on the in-vehicle functional units, and generates configuration information of a new network which is the network that further includes the new functional unit based on the acquired functional unit information; and an acquisition unit that acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network which corresponds to the configuration information generated by the generation unit, from a database in a storage device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management device, a communication system, a vehicle, a vehicle communication management method, and a vehicle communication management program. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-39558, filed March 5, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP 2018-192876 A) discloses the following driving assistance device: That is, the driving assistance device is connectable to an in-vehicle network including one or more communication buses, and includes a message acquisition unit that acquires communication messages flowing on the communication bus, a determination unit that determines whether an electronic control unit for vehicle control is connected to the communication bus based on the communication messages acquired by the message acquisition unit, and a communication control unit that stops transmission of communication messages to the communication bus to which the electronic control unit is connected when the determination unit determines that the electronic control unit is connected to the communication bus.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 (JP 2017-220220 A) discloses the following vehicle electronic control device: That is, the vehicle electronic control device is a vehicle electronic control device (1-5) that is connected to an in-vehicle network (6) and executes a predetermined function by a mounted application, and includes a service interface (8) that requests a service that uses a function mounted in another vehicle electronic control device connected to the in-vehicle network in response to a request from the application, and generates and responds to a service when a service request is received from the other vehicle electronic control device, a service bus (9) that transmits and receives messages corresponding to the service request and response between the service interface and the service interface of the other vehicle electronic control device using a predetermined protocol, and a service management unit (11) that manages the location of the service to enable dynamic interoperability of the service. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-192876 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-220220 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The management device disclosed herein includes a detection unit that detects the addition of a functional unit to a network that includes one or more in-vehicle functional units, a generation unit that acquires functional unit information of a new functional unit, which is the functional unit whose addition is detected by the detection unit, and the functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional units, and generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network that further includes the new functional unit, based on the acquired functional unit information, and an acquisition unit that acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network, which corresponds to the configuration information generated by the generation unit, from a database in a storage device.

[0006] The communication system of the present disclosure includes a management device and one or more in-vehicle function units that constitute a network, wherein the management device detects the addition of a function unit to the network and acquires function unit information from the new function unit that detected the addition, wherein the one or more in-vehicle function units transmit their own function unit information to the management device, wherein the management device generates configuration information for a new network that further includes the new function unit based on the function unit information acquired from the new function unit and the function unit information received from the one or more in-vehicle function units, and wherein the management device acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network corresponding to the generated configuration information from a database in a storage device.

[0007] The vehicle communication management method disclosed herein is a vehicle communication management method in a management device, which includes the steps of detecting the addition of a functional unit to a network including one or more in-vehicle functional units, acquiring functional unit information of the new functional unit, which is the functional unit whose addition has been detected, and the functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional units, and generating configuration information of a new network, which is the network further including the new functional unit, based on the acquired functional unit information, and acquiring feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network, which corresponds to the generated configuration information, from a database in a storage device.

[0008] The vehicle communication management method disclosed herein is a vehicle communication management method in a communication system having a management device and one or more on-board functional units that constitute a network, and includes the steps of: the management device detecting the addition of a functional unit to the network and acquiring functional unit information from the new functional unit that detected the addition; one or more of the on-board functional units sending their own functional unit information to the management device; the management device generating configuration information of a new network that further includes the new functional unit based on the functional unit information acquired from the new functional unit and the functional unit information received from the one or more on-board functional units; and the management device acquiring feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network that corresponds to the generated configuration information from a database in a storage device.

[0009] The vehicle communication management program disclosed herein is a vehicle communication management program used in a management device, and is a program that causes a computer to function as a detection unit that detects the addition of a functional unit to a network that includes one or more in-vehicle functional units, a generation unit that acquires functional unit information of a new functional unit, which is the functional unit whose addition is detected by the detection unit, and the functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional units, and generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network that further includes the new functional unit, based on the acquired functional unit information, and an acquisition unit that acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network, corresponding to the configuration information generated by the generation unit, from a database in a storage device.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure may be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of a management device. Also, one aspect of the present disclosure may be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of a communication system. Another aspect of the present disclosure may be realized as a program that causes a computer to execute processing steps in the communication system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a success / failure database stored in a storage device in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting database stored in a storage device in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of a configuration of a new network after a setting change in the vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when the management unit constructs a new network in the communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14]FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In recent years, with the spread of car sharing and the demand for improved processing power of in-vehicle devices, there is a demand for customizing in-vehicle networks by adding applications to the in-vehicle network. Thus, there is a demand for technology that enables various applications to be added or removed from the in-vehicle network according to user needs.

[0013] [Problem to be solved by this disclosure] There is a need for a technology that goes beyond the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 and that allows for flexible construction of networks with new configurations while maintaining stable operation in the network.

[0014] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a management device, a communication system, a vehicle, a vehicle communication management method, and a vehicle communication management program that are capable of flexibly constructing networks with new configurations while maintaining stable operation in the network.

[0015] [Effects of this disclosure] According to the present disclosure, networks with new configurations can be flexibly constructed while maintaining stable operation in the network.

[0016] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0017] (1) A management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a detection unit that detects the addition of a functional unit to a network that includes one or more in-vehicle functional units; a generation unit that acquires functional unit information of a new functional unit, which is the functional unit whose addition is detected by the detection unit, and the functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional units, and generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network that further includes the new functional unit, based on the acquired functional unit information; and an acquisition unit that acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network, corresponding to the configuration information generated by the generation unit, from a database in a storage device.

[0018] In this way, by generating configuration information for a new network including the detected new functional unit and obtaining feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network from a database, a new network can be constructed using the previously generated network feasibility verification results. This allows the construction of a new network whose feasibility is guaranteed, taking into account, for example, the logical configuration and physical configuration, thereby suppressing delays in important communications caused by adding a new functional unit to the network. Therefore, networks with new configurations can be flexibly constructed while maintaining stable network operation.

[0019] (2) Preferably, the management device further includes a notification unit that notifies at least one of the new function unit and one or more of the in-vehicle function units that constitute the new network of the setting contents for communication in the new network based on the feasibility information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0020] With this configuration, the settings of each functional unit can be changed to appropriate settings according to the specifications relating to communication in the new network, such as the topology.

[0021] (3) Preferably, the notification unit identifies a functional unit whose settings need to be changed in order to communicate in the new network from among one or more functional units included in the network before the new functional unit is added and the new functional unit, and notifies the identified functional unit of the settings.

[0022] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to notify functional units whose settings need to be changed of the settings, while omitting to notify functional units whose settings do not need to be changed of the settings, thereby suppressing unnecessary communication between the management device and the functional units.

[0023] (4) Preferably, the generating unit changes a generating condition based on the feasibility information acquired by the acquiring unit, and newly generates the configuration information in accordance with the changed generating condition.

[0024] With this configuration, if it is difficult to establish a new network, for example, it is possible to generate new configuration information for the new network by modifying the content of the new functional unit added to the network, and obtain feasibility information for the new network after the modifications, which allows for more flexible construction of new networks.

[0025] (5) Preferably, the management device further includes a storage unit that stores the configuration information generated by the generation unit and the feasibility information corresponding to the configuration information.

[0026] With this configuration, when a new functional unit is added to a network and a new network is constructed, configuration information of the existing network can be obtained from the storage unit, thereby simplifying the network construction process.

[0027] (6) A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the management device.

[0028] With this configuration, in a vehicle equipped with a management device, it is possible to flexibly build a network with a new configuration while maintaining stable operation in the network.

[0029] (7) A communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a management device and one or more in-vehicle function units that configure a network, wherein the management device detects the addition of a function unit to the network and acquires function unit information from the new function unit that is the function unit whose addition has been detected; One or more of the in-vehicle function units transmit their own function unit information to the management device, and the management device generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network further including the new function unit, based on the function unit information obtained from the new function unit and the function unit information received from one or more of the in-vehicle function units, and the management device obtains feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network corresponding to the generated configuration information from a database in a storage device.

[0030] In this way, by generating configuration information for a new network including the detected new functional unit and obtaining feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network from a database, a new network can be constructed using the results of verification of the feasibility of a previously verified network. This allows the construction of a new network whose feasibility is guaranteed, taking into account, for example, the logical configuration and physical configuration, thereby reducing communication delays caused by adding a new functional unit to the network. Therefore, networks with new configurations can be flexibly constructed while maintaining stable operation of the network.

[0031] (8) Preferably, the communication system further includes an update unit that updates the database in the storage device.

[0032] With this configuration, new combinations of network configuration information and feasibility information can be registered in the database, making it possible to build a variety of networks.

[0033] (9) Preferably, when the management device detects an abnormality in the new network, it transmits the configuration information of the new network and abnormality detection information indicating that the abnormality has occurred to the update unit, and the update unit updates the database based on the abnormality detection information received from the management device.

[0034] With this configuration, any abnormalities occurring in the new network can be reflected in the database, making it possible to build a more stable new network using the updated database.

[0035] (10) Preferably, the communication system further includes a verification unit that verifies the validity of the configuration information generated by the management device when the validity information corresponding to the configuration information generated by the management device does not exist in the database.

[0036] With this configuration, if the feasibility of a new network has not been verified in advance, feasibility information for the new network can be obtained through a new verification, and an attempt can be made to build the new network.

[0037] (11) A vehicle communication management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle communication management method in a management device, and includes the steps of: detecting the addition of a functional unit to a network including one or more in-vehicle functional units; acquiring functional unit information of the new functional unit, which is the functional unit whose addition has been detected, and the functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional unit; and generating configuration information of a new network, which is the network further including the new functional unit, based on the acquired functional unit information; and acquiring feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network, which corresponds to the generated configuration information, from a database in a storage device.

[0038] In this way, by generating configuration information for a new network including the detected new functional unit and obtaining feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network from a database, a new network can be constructed using the previously generated network feasibility verification results. This allows a new network to be constructed with guaranteed feasibility, taking into account, for example, the logical configuration and physical configuration, thereby suppressing delays in important communications caused by adding a new functional unit to the network. Therefore, networks with new configurations can be flexibly constructed while maintaining stable network operation.

[0039] (12) A vehicle communication management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle communication management method in a communication system including a management device and one or more on-board functional units that constitute a network, and includes the steps of: the management device detecting the addition of a functional unit to the network and acquiring functional unit information from the new functional unit that detected the addition; one or more of the on-board functional units transmitting their own functional unit information to the management device; the management device generating configuration information of a new network that further includes the new functional unit based on the functional unit information acquired from the new functional unit and the functional unit information received from the one or more on-board functional units; and the management device acquiring feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network that corresponds to the generated configuration information from a database in a storage device.

[0040] In this way, by generating configuration information for a new network including the detected new functional unit and obtaining feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network from a database, a new network can be constructed using the previously generated network feasibility verification results. This allows a new network to be constructed with guaranteed feasibility, taking into account, for example, the logical configuration and physical configuration, thereby suppressing delays in important communications caused by adding a new functional unit to the network. Therefore, networks with new configurations can be flexibly constructed while maintaining stable network operation.

[0041] (13) A vehicle communication management program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle communication management program used in a management device, and is a program for causing a computer to function as a detection unit that detects the addition of a functional unit to a network that includes one or more in-vehicle functional units, a generation unit that acquires functional unit information of a new functional unit, which is the functional unit whose addition is detected by the detection unit, and the functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional units, and generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network that further includes the new functional unit, based on the acquired functional unit information, and an acquisition unit that acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network, corresponding to the configuration information generated by the generation unit, from a database in a storage device.

[0042] In this way, by generating configuration information for a new network including the detected new functional unit and obtaining feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network from a database, a new network can be constructed using the previously generated network feasibility verification results. This allows the construction of a new network whose feasibility is guaranteed, taking into account, for example, the logical configuration and physical configuration, thereby suppressing delays in important communications caused by adding a new functional unit to the network. Therefore, networks with new configurations can be flexibly constructed while maintaining stable network operation.

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. Furthermore, at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any manner.

[0044] [Communication Systems] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] 1, the communication system 400 includes a server 180 and one or more vehicle communication systems 300. The vehicle communication system 300 is mounted on a vehicle 1.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] 2, the vehicle communication system 300 includes one or more in-vehicle Electronic Control Units (ECUs) 111 and a relay device 112. Specifically, the vehicle communication system 300 includes in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111E as the in-vehicle ECUs 111. The relay device 112 includes a management unit 200.

[0048] Each of the in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111E and the relay device 112 includes an application 100.

[0049] More specifically, as the applications 100, the in-vehicle ECU 111A includes application 100A, the in-vehicle ECU 111B includes application 100B, the in-vehicle ECU 111C includes application 100C, the in-vehicle ECU 111D includes application 100D, the in-vehicle ECU 111E includes application 100E, and the relay device 112 includes application 100F.

[0050] The in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111E and the relay device 112 form a network 12.

[0051] The in-vehicle ECU 111 and the application 100 are examples of in-vehicle functional units that are functional units, ie, objects, installed in the vehicle 1, among the functional units in the network 12. The relay device 112 is an example of a management device.

[0052] The vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration including five in-vehicle ECUs 111, but may be a configuration including one, two, three, four, or six or more in-vehicle ECUs 111. Furthermore, the vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration in which one application 100 is provided in one in-vehicle ECU 111, but may be a configuration in which two or more applications 100 are provided in one in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0053] Furthermore, the vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration including one relay device 112, but may be a configuration including multiple relay devices 112. Furthermore, the vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration in which one application 100 is provided in one relay device 112, but may be a configuration in which two or more applications 100 are provided in one relay device 112.

[0054] Furthermore, the network 12 may include external devices outside the vehicle 1 and applications provided in the external devices as functional units, that is, objects.

[0055] The in-vehicle ECU 111 is, for example, a TCU (Telematics Communication Unit), an automatic driving ECU, an engine ECU, a sensor, a navigation device, a human-machine interface, a camera, and the like.

[0056] In this example, the in-vehicle ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, and 111E are a TCU, an intake pressure sensor, an engine ECU, a temperature sensor, and a water temperature sensor, respectively.

[0057] Hereinafter, the in-vehicle ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, and 111E will also be referred to as the TCU 111A, the intake pressure sensor 111B, the engine ECU 111C, the temperature sensor 111D, and the water temperature sensor 111E, respectively.

[0058] In the network 12, the in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111E are connected to a relay device 112 via an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 11.

[0059] The relay device 112 is, for example, a gateway device, and is capable of relaying data between a plurality of in-vehicle ECUs 111 connected thereto.

[0060] The relay device 112 relays Ethernet frames in accordance with the Ethernet communication standard. Specifically, the relay device 112 relays Ethernet frames exchanged between the in-vehicle ECUs 111. An IP packet is stored in the Ethernet frame.

[0061] In addition, the vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration in which Ethernet frames are relayed in accordance with the Ethernet communication standard, but may also be a configuration in which data is relayed in accordance with communication standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network) (registered trademark), FlexRay (registered trademark), MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) (registered trademark), and LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

[0062] 1 and 2, the TCU 111A is capable of communicating with the server 180. In particular, the TCU 111A is capable of communicating with the server 180 via the wireless base station device 161 using, for example, IP packets.

[0063] More specifically, the TCU 111A is capable of wireless communication with the wireless base station device 161 in accordance with a communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 3G.

[0064] Specifically, when wireless base station device 161 receives an IP packet from server 180 via external network 170, wireless base station device 161 transmits the received IP packet in a wireless signal to TCU 111A.

[0065] For example, when TCU 111A receives a radio signal including an IP packet from server 180 from radio base station device 161, it acquires the IP packet from the received radio signal, stores the acquired IP packet in an Ethernet frame, and transmits it to relay device 112.

[0066] Furthermore, when TCU 111A receives an Ethernet frame from relay device 112, it acquires an IP packet from the received Ethernet frame, and transmits the acquired IP packet to wireless base station device 161 in a wireless signal.

[0067] When the wireless base station device 161 receives the wireless signal from the TCU 111 A, it acquires an IP packet from the received wireless signal and transmits the acquired IP packet to the server 180 via the external network 170 .

[0068] The intake pressure sensor 111B is capable of communicating with other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 112, and measures the intake pressure of the engine in the vehicle 1 periodically, for example.

[0069] The engine ECU 111C can communicate with other vehicle-mounted ECUs 111 via the relay device 112, and controls the engine of the vehicle 1, for example.

[0070] More specifically, the engine ECU 111C acquires information indicating, for example, the engine rotation speed, the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1, the engine torque, the state of the transmission, the state of the throttle valve, and the measurement values ​​of each sensor, and controls the engine based on the acquired information.

[0071] Furthermore, engine ECU 111C can transmit part or all of the acquired information to relay device 112 in response to a request from relay device 112, for example.

[0072] The temperature sensor 111D is capable of communicating with other vehicle-mounted ECUs 111 via the relay device 112, and measures the outside air temperature of the vehicle 1 periodically, for example.

[0073] The water temperature sensor 111E is capable of communicating with other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 112, and periodically measures the temperature of the coolant circulating in the engine of the vehicle 1, for example.

[0074] Each application 100 performs, for example, application layer processing to perform predetermined processing in the in-vehicle ECU 111 or relay device 112 in which the application 100 is installed. For example, application 100D in temperature sensor 111D generates temperature information indicating the outside air temperature of vehicle 1 at a predetermined period.

[0075] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] 3, relay device 112 includes communication ports 120A, 120B, and 120C. Each of communication ports 120A, 120B, and 120C is also referred to as communication port 120. Communication port 120 is, for example, a terminal to which an Ethernet cable 11 can be connected.

[0077] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the TCU 111A is connected to the communication port 120A, the intake pressure sensor 111B and the engine ECU 111C are connected to the communication port 120B, and the temperature sensor 111D and the water temperature sensor 111E are connected to the communication port 120C.

[0078] In addition, in the network 12, the TCU 111A belongs to a virtual local area network (VLAN) 10. The intake pressure sensor 111B and the engine ECU 111C belong to a VLAN 20 that is different from the VLAN 10. The temperature sensor 111D and the water temperature sensor 111E belong to a VLAN 30 that is different from the VLANs 10 and 20.

[0079] The relay device 112 relays Ethernet frames between the in-vehicle ECUs 111 that belong to the same VLAN, for example. Specifically, the relay device 112 transmits the received Ethernet frame to the in-vehicle ECU 111 that is the destination, based on the source MAC (Media Access Control) address and the destination MAC address included in the Ethernet frame.

[0080] Furthermore, the relay device 112 relays IP packets between in-vehicle ECUs 111 that belong to different VLANs, for example. Specifically, the relay device 112 acquires an IP packet from a received Ethernet frame, and transmits the IP packet to the in-vehicle ECU 111 that is the destination, based on the destination IP address of the acquired IP packet.

[0081] [Management Department] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 4, the management unit 200 includes a detection unit 210, a generation unit 220, an acquisition unit 230, a storage unit 240, a notification unit 250, and an abnormality detection unit 260.

[0083] The detection unit 210, the generation unit 220, the acquisition unit 230, the notification unit 250, and the abnormality detection unit 260 are realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), for example.

[0084] [Detection unit] The detection unit 210 detects a new functional unit that is a functional unit that is newly added to the network 12. That is, the detection unit 210 detects the addition of a new functional unit to the network 12. More specifically, the detection unit 210 detects the addition of the in-vehicle ECU 111, the external device, the application 100, and the like to the network 12. As an example, the detection unit 210 detects the in-vehicle ECU 111 that is newly added to the network 12 as a new ECU.

[0085] For example, the new function unit transmits connection request information for requesting a communication connection in the network 12 to the detection unit 210 .

[0086] The detection unit 210 receives the connection request information and detects the new function unit that is the sender of the connection request information.

[0087] The detection unit 210 may be configured to periodically broadcast a search message to detect a new function unit. In this case, the new function unit receives the search message and transmits the connection request information in response to the received search message.

[0088] Hereinafter, the network 12 including the new functional unit will also be referred to as a new network, the network 12 before the new functional unit is added will also be referred to as an existing network, and the functional unit included in the existing network will also be referred to as an existing functional unit. The in-vehicle ECU 111 included in the existing network is an example of an existing functional unit, i.e., an existing ECU.

[0089] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] 5, it is assumed that an in-vehicle ECU 111G is newly added to the network 12. In this example, the in-vehicle ECU 111G is an image sensor. Hereinafter, the in-vehicle ECU 111G will also be referred to as an image sensor 111G. The image sensor 111G includes an application 100G which is a new functional unit.

[0091] When the image sensor 111G is supplied with power and connected to the communication port 120C of the relay device 112 via the Ethernet cable 11, for example, the image sensor 111G transmits connection request information for requesting a communication connection in the network 12 to the detection unit 210.

[0092] More specifically, the application 100G in the image sensor 111G generates an Ethernet frame including connection request information, its own ID, and the MAC address of the relay device 112 as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the relay device 112.

[0093] When the detection unit 210 in the relay device 112 receives the Ethernet frame transmitted from the application 100G, it performs authentication processing for the application 100G using the ID and the like included in the received Ethernet frame.

[0094] When the detection unit 210 successfully authenticates the application 100G, it generates an Ethernet frame including authentication success information indicating that the authentication was successful and the MAC address of the image sensor 111G as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the image sensor 111G.

[0095] Note that the new function unit detected by the detection unit 210 is not limited to the application 100 included in the in-vehicle ECU 111 newly connected to the relay device 112. For example, the detection unit 210 may be configured to detect the application 100 installed in the in-vehicle ECU 111 in the existing network as a new function unit.

[0096] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 6, it is assumed that in network 12, application 100H is newly installed as a new functional unit in engine ECU 111C, which is an existing functional unit.

[0098] When the application 100H is installed in the engine ECU 111C, it generates an Ethernet frame including connection request information, its own ID, and the MAC address of the relay device 112 as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the relay device 112.

[0099] When the detection unit 210 in the relay device 112 receives the Ethernet frame transmitted from the application 100H, it performs authentication processing for the application 100H using the ID and the like included in the received Ethernet frame.

[0100] If the authentication of the application 100H is successful, the detection unit 210 generates an Ethernet frame including authentication success information indicating that the authentication was successful and the MAC address of the engine ECU 111C as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the engine ECU 111C.

[0101] Note that the new function unit detected by the detection unit 210 is not limited to the application 100 included in the in-vehicle ECU 111 newly connected to the relay device 112, or the application 100 installed in the in-vehicle ECU 111. For example, the detection unit 210 may be configured to detect, as a new function unit, the application 100 included in the external device 113 that is added to the network 12 outside the vehicle 1.

[0102] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] 7, it is assumed that an external device 113 is newly added to the network 12. The external device 113 is a device provided outside the vehicle 1. The external device 113 includes an application 100J which is a new function unit.

[0104] The external device 113 is capable of communicating with the TCU 111A. More specifically, the external device 113 is capable of communicating with the TCU 111A via the wireless base station device 161 using, for example, IP packets.

[0105] The external device 113 transmits connection request information for requesting a communication connection in the network 12 to the detection unit 210 via the TCU 111A.

[0106] More specifically, the application 100J in the external device 113 transmits an IP packet including connection request information, its own ID, and the MAC address of the relay device 112 to the wireless base station device 161 via the external network 170.

[0107] When the wireless base station device 161 receives an IP packet from the external device 113 via the external network 170, the wireless base station device 161 transmits the received IP packet to the TCU 111A in a wireless signal.

[0108] When TCU111A receives a wireless signal including an IP packet from application 100J from wireless base station device 161, it acquires the IP packet from the received wireless signal, generates an Ethernet frame including the acquired IP packet and the MAC address of relay device 112 as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to relay device 112.

[0109] When the detection unit 210 in the relay device 112 receives the Ethernet frame from the TCU 111A, it performs authentication processing for the application 100J using the ID and the like included in the IP packet stored in the received Ethernet frame.

[0110] If the authentication of the application 100J is successful, the detection unit 210 generates an Ethernet frame including authentication success information indicating that the authentication was successful and the MAC address of the external device 113 as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the TCU 111A.

[0111] When the TCU 111A receives the Ethernet frame from the detection unit 210, it acquires an IP packet from the received Ethernet frame, includes the acquired IP packet in a wireless signal, and transmits the signal to the external device 113 via the wireless base station device 161.

[0112] When the detection unit 210 has successfully authenticated the new function unit as described above, it outputs detection information indicating the ID of the new function unit to the generation unit 220.

[0113] [Generation part] The generating unit 220 acquires the functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional units and the functional unit information of the new functional unit, and generates configuration information of the new network based on the acquired functional unit information.

[0114] More specifically, when the generation unit 220 receives detection information from the detection unit 210, it acquires function unit information of the new function unit indicated by the detection information, and also acquires function unit information of the existing function units.

[0115] The generating unit 220 generates configuration information for the new network based on the acquired information about each functional unit.

[0116] For example, the generation unit 220 acquires, as the functional unit information, information that allows recognition of the topology of hardware devices in the new network, such as the in-vehicle ECU 111, the relay device 112, and the external device 113. Also, for example, the generation unit 220 acquires, as the functional unit information, information that allows recognition of constraints on the placement of the application 100 in the hardware devices in the new network. Also, for example, the generation unit 220 acquires information that allows recognition of constraints on the communication method between the applications 100.

[0117] The generation unit 220 acquires, as information that can recognize the topology of the hardware devices, for example, vehicle information indicating the manufacturer and model of the vehicle 1 in which the on-board ECU 111 and relay device 112 are installed, additional option information indicating additional options installed in the vehicle 1, an on-board device ID which is an identifier indicating the manufacturer and serial number of the on-board ECU 111, the port number of the communication port in the connection between the hardware devices, and information on the bandwidth of the communication path between the hardware devices.

[0118] The generating unit 220 acquires, for example, the ID of the application 100 as information that allows for recognizing constraints regarding the placement of the application 100 in the hardware device.

[0119] The generating unit 220 acquires information indicating the communication standard used for communication between the applications 100, such as Ethernet and CAN, as information that allows for recognizing restrictions on the communication method between the applications 100.

[0120] For example, the generating unit 220 transmits an information request notification indicating the type of function unit information to be transmitted from among the types of function unit information described above to the existing function unit and the new function unit.

[0121] In response to the information request notification received from the generation unit 220, the existing function unit and the new function unit transmit to the generation unit 220, for example, their own function unit information of the type specified in the information request notification.

[0122] Upon receiving the function unit information from the existing function unit and the new function unit, the generation unit 220 generates configuration information of the new network based on the received function unit information.

[0123] More specifically, the generating unit 220 generates, as the configuration information, information that can identify the functional units in the vehicle 1 and the new network.

[0124] In addition, the generation unit 220 may be configured to acquire configuration information of the existing network as functional unit information of each existing functional unit, and generate configuration information of the new network based on the acquired configuration information of the existing network and the functional unit information of the new functional unit.

[0125] More specifically, the storage unit 240 may store configuration information of an existing network.

[0126] The generation unit 220 refers to the storage unit 240, and if configuration information of the existing network is registered in the storage unit 240, it acquires the configuration information from the storage unit 240. In this case, the generation unit 220 transmits an information request notification to the new function unit but does not transmit it to the existing function unit.

[0127] When the generation unit 220 receives the function unit information from the new function unit, it generates configuration information of the new network based on the received function unit information of the new function unit and the configuration information of the existing network acquired from the storage unit 240. Specifically, the generation unit 220 generates the configuration information of the new network by modifying the configuration information of the existing network acquired from the storage unit 240 using the received function unit information of the new function unit. The generation unit 220 updates the configuration information in the storage unit 240 with the generated new configuration information.

[0128] The generating unit 220 outputs the configuration information of the generated new network to the acquiring unit 230.

[0129] [Acquisition Department] The acquiring unit 230 acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network corresponding to the configuration information generated by the generating unit 220 from the database in the storage device.

[0130] More specifically, the obtaining unit 230 obtains, as the feasibility information, for example, success / failure information indicating the success / failure of the new network, and setting information indicating the setting contents for performing communication in the new network.

[0131] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 8, server 180 includes a storage device 181, a database processing unit 182, an updating unit 183, and a verifying unit 184.

[0133] For example, the storage device 181 stores a success / failure database in which configuration information of the network 12 is associated with success / failure information indicating whether the network 12 is successful or not.

[0134] When the acquiring unit 230 receives the configuration information of the new network from the generating unit 220, the acquiring unit 230 communicates with the server 180 via the TCU 111A to acquire success / failure information corresponding to the configuration information from the success / failure database in the storage device 181.

[0135] More specifically, the acquiring unit 230 transmits the configuration information received from the generating unit 220 to the database processing unit 182 in the server 180 .

[0136] The database processing unit 182 acquires corresponding success / failure information from the success / failure database by using as a search key the configuration information received from the acquisition unit 230. The database processing unit 182 transmits the acquired success / failure information to the acquisition unit 230 in the management unit 200.

[0137] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a success / failure database stored in a storage device in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0138] For convenience, in the following, the ID of application A is assumed to be "ID-A", the ID of application B is assumed to be "ID-B", the ID of application C is assumed to be "ID-C", the ID of application D is assumed to be "ID-D", the ID of application E is assumed to be "ID-E", the ID of application F is assumed to be "ID-F", the ID of application G is assumed to be "ID-G", the ID of application H is assumed to be "ID-H", and the ID of application 100J is assumed to be "ID-J".

[0139] Referring to Figure 8, the success / failure database in the storage device 181 stores vehicle information, configuration information indicating a combination of the ID of the application 100 in the existing network and the ID of the application 100 to be added, and success / failure information of the new network indicated by the configuration information, in association with each other.

[0140] In this example, for convenience, it is assumed that the topology of the hardware devices and the bandwidth of the communication path between the hardware devices can be identified based on the vehicle information and the ID of the application 100.

[0141] In the success / failure database, the success / failure information indicates, for example, "success" or "failure."

[0142] In the success / failure database, if the success / failure information corresponding to the configuration information of a new network indicates "established," it means that the new network will be established; if the success / failure information indicates "not established," it means that the new network will not be established; and "unverified" in the success / failure database means that the success / failure of the new network has not been verified and no success / failure information exists.

[0143] The acquisition unit 230 receives vehicle information and configuration information indicating a combination of the ID of the application 100 in the existing network and the ID of the application 100 to be added from the generation unit 220, and transmits the received configuration information to the database processing unit 182 in the server 180.

[0144] For example, the database processing unit 182 receives configuration information from the acquisition unit 230 indicating that the manufacturer of the vehicle 1 is "Company A," the model is "aaaa," the IDs of the application 100 in the existing network are "ID-A," "ID-B," and "ID-C," and the ID of the application 100 to be added is "ID-G."Then, the database processing unit 182 uses the received configuration information as a search key to acquire success / failure information indicating "success" from the success / failure database, and transmits the acquired success / failure information to the acquisition unit 230.

[0145] For example, the acquisition unit 230 further acquires setting information indicating the setting contents for performing communication in the new network.

[0146] More specifically, the acquisition unit 230 acquires setting information indicating the setting contents of each functional unit for performing communication at layer 4 or below in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model in the new network.

[0147] For example, the storage device 181 stores a setting database in which configuration information of the network 12 is associated with the setting contents of the functional units in the network 12.

[0148] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting database stored in a storage device in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0149] In the following description, for convenience, the port numbers of communication ports 120A, 120B, and 120C of relay device 112 are referred to as "1," "2," and "3," respectively. Also, in-vehicle ECU 111 is assumed to include one communication port, and the port number of this communication port is referred to as "1."

[0150] 10, the setting database in the storage device 181 stores, for example, a configuration ID and the setting contents of each functional unit in the network 12 indicated by the configuration ID, such as a VLAN ID for each communication port 120. Hereinafter, the VLAN ID is also referred to as a "VID."

[0151] 9 and 10, the database processing unit 182 obtains success / failure information indicating "established" from the success / failure database as success / failure information corresponding to the configuration information having the configuration ID "00001", and then obtains the VID of each functional unit from the setting database as the setting information having the configuration ID "00001".

[0152] For example, the success / failure information in the success / failure database and the setting information in the setting database are generated based on the results of prior verification taking into consideration the logical configuration and physical configuration of the network indicated by each piece of configuration information.

[0153] The database processing unit 182 transmits the acquired setting information to the acquisition unit 230 .

[0154] For example, when acquiring feasibility information from the database in the storage device 181 as described above, the acquiring unit 230 registers the configuration information generated by the generating unit 220 and the feasibility information corresponding to the configuration information in the storage unit 240.

[0155] (Example 1) When the acquiring unit 230 acquires the success / failure information and the setting information indicating “established” as the feasibility information, the acquiring unit 230 outputs the acquired success / failure information and the setting information to the notifying unit 250.

[0156] When the notification unit 250 receives the feasibility information from the acquisition unit 230, it notifies at least one of the functional units in the new network of the setting contents for performing communication in the new network based on the received feasibility information.

[0157] More specifically, the notification unit 250 identifies a functional unit from among one or more existing functional units included in the existing network and new functional units whose settings need to be changed in order to communicate in the new network, and notifies the identified functional unit of the setting contents.

[0158] For example, when the notification unit 250 receives setting information from the acquisition unit 230, it acquires setting information indicating the setting contents of each functional unit in the existing network from the storage unit 240. Then, the notification unit 250 compares the setting information received from the acquisition unit 230 with the setting information acquired from the storage unit 240, thereby identifying one or more functional units whose settings need to be changed in order to communicate in the new network. The notification unit 250 transmits the setting information received from the acquisition unit 230 to the identified functional units.

[0159] For example, if there is no functional unit in the new network that needs to have its settings changed, the notification unit 250 does not transmit the setting information to the functional unit.

[0160] When one or more functional units in the new network receive the setting information from the notification unit 250, they change the setting based on the received setting information. The functional units in the new network communicate with each other according to the changed setting contents.

[0161] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the acquisition unit 230 acquires configuration information indicating that the ID of the VLAN to which the image sensor 111G, which includes the new function unit application 100G, belongs is "VLAN20", and that the ID of the VLAN corresponding to the communication port 120C of the relay device 112, which includes application 100F, is "VLAN20".

[0162] The acquisition unit 230 outputs the acquired setting information to the notification unit 250. Based on the setting information received from the acquisition unit 230, the notification unit 250 notifies the image sensor 111G and the relay device 112 of the setting contents.

[0163] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of a configuration of a new network after a setting change in the vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0164] 11, in the new network shown in FIG. 5, the image sensor 111G and the relay device 112 change the settings based on the setting contents notified by the notifying unit 250. This enables the image sensor 111G to perform communication in the VLAN 20.

[0165] Furthermore, when an abnormality occurs in the new network, the notification unit 250 transmits to the server 180 abnormality detection information indicating that an abnormality has occurred.

[0166] For example, a functional unit in the new network, such as the application 100, transmits an error log to the abnormality detection unit 260 when an abnormality such as packet loss occurs in the new network.

[0167] Upon receiving the error log, the abnormality detection unit 260 notifies the notification unit 250 that the error log has been received.

[0168] When the notification unit 250 receives a notification from the abnormality detection unit 260, it acquires the configuration information of the new network from the memory unit 240 and transmits the acquired configuration information and abnormality detection information indicating that an abnormality has occurred to the server 180 via the wireless base station device 161.

[0169] When the update unit 183 in the server 180 receives the abnormality detection information from the notification unit 250, the update unit 183 updates the database in the storage device 181 based on the received abnormality detection information. Specifically, for example, the update unit 183 changes the success / failure information corresponding to the configuration information indicated by the abnormality detection information from "success" to "failure" in the success / failure database.

[0170] (Example 2) When the acquiring unit 230 acquires success / failure information indicating “failure” as the feasibility information, the acquiring unit 230 outputs the acquired success / failure information to the generating unit 220.

[0171] When the generation unit 220 receives success / failure information indicating "failure" as the feasibility information from the acquisition unit 230, the generation unit 220 changes the generation conditions based on the received feasibility information, and generates new configuration information according to the changed generation conditions.

[0172] For example, the generating unit 220 changes the current generating conditions to generating conditions that do not add some of the multiple new function units to the network 12, and generates new configuration information for the new network according to the changed generating conditions.

[0173] Furthermore, for example, the generating unit 220 changes the generation conditions by changing the functional arrangement between the functional units under the current generation conditions, and generates new configuration information for a new network according to the changed generation conditions.

[0174] The generating unit 220 outputs the configuration information of the newly generated new network to the acquiring unit 230.

[0175] When the acquiring unit 230 receives the newly generated configuration information from the generating unit 220, the acquiring unit 230 acquires success / failure information corresponding to the received configuration information from the success / failure database in the storage device 181.

[0176] (Example 3) When obtaining the success / failure information indicating “unverified” as the feasibility information, obtaining unit 230 transmits the corresponding configuration information to verifying unit 184 in server 180 via wireless base station device 161 .

[0177] When receiving the configuration information from the acquisition unit 230, the verification unit 184 verifies the validity of the received configuration information. For example, the verification unit 184 determines whether the new network indicated by the received configuration information is successful by simulating the new network.

[0178] Verification unit 184 generates feasibility information for the configuration information and transmits the generated feasibility information as a verification result to acquisition unit 230 via wireless base station device 161. Verification unit 184 also outputs the configuration information and the feasibility information corresponding to the configuration information to update unit 183.

[0179] For example, the update unit 183 in the server 180 updates the success / failure database and the setting database in the storage device 181 .

[0180] More specifically, the update unit 183 registers the configuration information received from the verification unit 184 and the feasibility information corresponding to the configuration information in a success / failure database and a setting database in the storage device 181 .

[0181] Furthermore, for example, an operator at the manufacturer of vehicle 1 designs and verifies a new network 12 including a newly developed functional unit. By verifying the new network 12, the operator generates feasibility information for the network and inputs the generated feasibility information and configuration information corresponding to the feasibility information into update unit 183.

[0182] The update unit 183 registers the configuration information and feasibility information input by the worker in the success / failure database and the setting database in the storage device 181 .

[0183] Also, for example, an operator performs an operation to input configuration information of a new network 12 including a newly developed functional unit to the verification unit 184. The verification unit 184 generates feasibility information for the configuration information input by the operator, and outputs the configuration information and the generated feasibility information to the update unit 183. The update unit 183 registers the configuration information received from the verification unit 184 and the feasibility information corresponding to the configuration information in a success / failure database and a setting database in the storage device 181.

[0184] [Operation flow] Each device in the vehicle communication system 300 is equipped with a computer including a memory, and a processing unit such as a CPU in the computer reads from the memory and executes a program including some or all of the steps in the following flowcharts and sequences. The programs for these multiple devices can each be installed externally. The programs for these multiple devices are distributed in a state where they are stored on a recording medium.

[0185] FIG. 12 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when the management unit constructs a new network in the communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0186] Referring to FIG. 12, first, the management unit 200 waits for the addition of a new function unit to the network 12 (NO in step S102), and when it detects a new function unit (YES in step S102), it acquires function unit information of the detected new function unit (step S104).

[0187] Next, the management unit 200 acquires the function unit information of the existing function units (step S106).

[0188] Next, the management unit 200 generates configuration information for the new network based on the acquired information on each of the new and existing function units (step S108).

[0189] Next, the management unit 200 acquires success / failure information corresponding to the generated configuration information from the success / failure database in the storage device 181 of the server 180 (step S110).

[0190] Next, if the acquired success / failure information indicates "success" (YES in step S112), the management unit 200 acquires setting information indicating the setting contents for communication in the new network from the setting database in the storage device 181 of the server 180 (step S114).

[0191] Next, the management unit 200 transmits the acquired setting information to one or more function units in the new network (step S116).

[0192] Next, the management unit 200 waits for a new function unit to be added to the new network (NO in step S102).

[0193] On the other hand, if the acquired success / failure information indicates "failed" (NO in step S112 and YES in step S118), the management unit 200 changes the conditions for generating the configuration information and generates new configuration information according to the changed conditions (step S120).

[0194] Next, the management unit 200 acquires success / failure information corresponding to the newly generated configuration information from the success / failure database in the storage device 181 of the server 180 (step S110).

[0195] On the other hand, if there is no success / failure information in the success / failure database (NO in step S112 and NO in step S118), the management unit 200 sends the configuration information to the verification unit 184 in the server 180 and receives correspondence feasibility information from the verification unit 184 (step S122).

[0196] Next, if the success / failure information included in the received feasibility information indicates "success" (YES in step S112), the management unit 200 acquires the setting information included in the feasibility information (step S114) and transmits the acquired setting information to one or more functional units in the new network (step S116).

[0197] Next, the management unit 200 waits for a new function unit to be added to the new network (NO in step S102).

[0198] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0199] Referring to FIG. 13, first, a new function unit to be newly added to network 12 transmits connection request information to management unit 200 (step S202).

[0200] Next, when the management unit 200 receives connection request information from the new function unit, it detects the new function unit and performs authentication processing for the new function unit (step S204).

[0201] Next, when the management unit 200 has successfully authenticated the new function unit, it transmits an information request notification for requesting function unit information to the existing function unit and the new function unit (step S206).

[0202] Next, the new function unit and the existing function unit transmit their own function unit information of the type specified in the information request notice to the management unit 200 in response to the information request notice (step S208).

[0203] Next, the management unit 200 generates configuration information for the new network based on the functional unit information received from the existing functional units and the new functional unit (step S210).

[0204] Next, the management unit 200 transmits the generated configuration information to the server 180 via the wireless base station device 161 (step S212).

[0205] Next, the server 180 obtains feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network corresponding to the configuration information received from the management unit 200 from the database, and transmits the obtained feasibility information to the management unit 200 via the wireless base station device 161 (step S214).

[0206] Next, the management unit 200 registers the generated configuration information and the feasibility information received from the server 180 in the storage unit 240 (step S216).

[0207] Next, if the feasibility information includes success / failure information indicating "validated" and setting information, the management unit 200 transmits the setting information to the existing function unit and the new function unit (step S218).

[0208] Next, the new function unit changes the settings based on the setting information received from the management unit 200 (step S220).

[0209] Furthermore, the existing function unit changes the settings based on the setting information received from the management unit 200 (step S222).

[0210] Next, the new function unit and the existing function unit in the new network communicate with each other in accordance with the changed settings (step S224).

[0211] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0212] Referring to FIG. 14, first, a new function unit to be newly added to network 12 transmits connection request information to management unit 200 (step S302).

[0213] Next, when the management unit 200 receives connection request information from the new function unit, it detects the new function unit and performs authentication processing for the new function unit (step S304).

[0214] Next, when the management unit 200 has successfully authenticated the new function unit, it transmits an information request notification for requesting function unit information to the new function unit (step S306).

[0215] Next, the new function unit transmits its own function unit information of the type specified in the information request notice to the management unit 200 in response to the information request notice (step S308).

[0216] Next, the management unit 200 acquires the configuration information of the existing network from the storage unit 240 (step S310).

[0217] Next, the management unit 200 generates configuration information for the new network based on the function unit information received from the new function unit and the configuration information acquired from the storage unit 240 (step S312).

[0218] Next, the management unit 200, the new function unit, the existing function unit, and the server 180 perform the same processes as steps S212 to S224 in FIG. 12 as the processes from step S314 to step S326.

[0219] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0220] The processing from step S402 to step S414 in FIG. 15 is the same as the processing from step S202 to step S214 in FIG.

[0221] After step S414, if the feasibility information includes success / failure information indicating "failure," the management unit 200 changes the generation conditions for the configuration information and generates new configuration information according to the changed generation conditions (step S416).

[0222] Next, the management unit 200 transmits the newly generated configuration information to the server 180 via the wireless base station device 161 (step S418).

[0223] Next, the server 180 obtains feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network corresponding to the configuration information received from the management unit 200 from the database, and transmits the obtained feasibility information to the management unit 200 via the wireless base station device 161 (step S420).

[0224] Next, the management unit 200, the new function unit, and the existing function unit perform the same processes as steps S216 to S224 in FIG. 12 as the processes from step S422 to step S430.

[0225] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0226] The processing from step S502 to step S514 in FIG. 16 is the same as the processing from step S202 to step S214 in FIG.

[0227] After step S514, if there is no success / failure information in the success / failure database, management unit 200 transmits the corresponding configuration information to server 180 via wireless base station device 161 (step S516).

[0228] Next, the server 180 verifies the validity of the configuration information received from the management unit 200 (step S518).

[0229] Next, server 180 generates validity information for the configuration information, and transmits the generated validity information as a verification result to management unit 200 via wireless base station device 161 (step S520).

[0230] Next, the management unit 200, the new function unit, and the existing function unit perform the same processes as steps S216 to S224 in FIG. 13 or steps S416 to S430 in FIG. 15 as the processes from step S522 to step S530.

[0231] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0232] The processing from step S602 to step S624 in FIG. 17 is the same as the processing from step S202 to step S224 in FIG.

[0233] After step S624, the management unit 200 detects an abnormality that has occurred in the new network (step S626).

[0234] Next, the management unit 200 acquires the configuration information of the new network from the storage unit 240 (step S628).

[0235] Next, the management unit 200 transmits the acquired configuration information and abnormality detection information indicating that an abnormality has occurred to the server 180 via the wireless base station device 161 (step S630).

[0236] Next, the server 180 updates the database in the storage device 181 based on the abnormality detection information received from the management unit 200 (step S632).

[0237] In the management unit 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection unit 210 is configured to detect, when an in-vehicle ECU 111 or an external device is added to the network 12, the application 100 included in the in-vehicle ECU 111 or the external device as a new functional unit, but this is not limited to this. The detection unit 210 may also be configured to detect, as a new functional unit, an in-vehicle ECU 111 or an external device that is added to the network 12 and does not include the application 100.

[0238] Furthermore, in the management unit 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the success / failure information in the success / failure database of the storage device 181 indicates "unverified," the acquisition unit 230 is configured to transmit the corresponding configuration information to the verification unit 184 in the server 180 and receive the correspondence feasibility information from the verification unit 184, but this is not limited to this. When the acquisition unit 230 acquires success / failure information indicating "reverification required" from the success / failure database, or when the configuration information generated by the generation unit 220 is not registered in the success / failure database and the acquisition unit 230 is unable to acquire the success / failure information, the acquisition unit 230 may be configured to transmit the corresponding configuration information to the verification unit 184 in the server 180 and receive the correspondence feasibility information from the verification unit 184.

[0239] Furthermore, in the management unit 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the acquisition unit 230 receives success / failure information and setting information transmitted from the server 180 and outputs them to the notification unit 250, and the notification unit 250 transmits the setting information received from the acquisition unit 230 to each functional unit in the new network, causing each functional unit to change its setting. However, this is not limiting. The server 180 may be configured not to transmit the setting information to the acquisition unit 230. In this case, the management unit 200 may be configured without the notification unit 250.

[0240] Furthermore, in the management unit 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the generation unit 220 is configured to change the generation conditions for the configuration information and generate new configuration information according to the changed generation conditions when it receives success / failure information indicating "failure" from the acquisition unit 230, but this is not limited thereto. The generation unit 220 may also be configured not to generate new configuration information even when it receives success / failure information indicating "failure." In this case, for example, the notification unit 250 notifies the new function unit that the new function unit will not be added to the network 12.

[0241] Furthermore, in the management unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the generation unit 220 is configured to generate configuration information for a new network based on functional unit information of a new functional unit and the acquired configuration information of the existing network when the generation unit 220 acquires configuration information for an existing network from the storage unit 240, but this is not limited to this. Even when the generation unit 220 acquires configuration information for an existing network from the storage unit 240, the generation unit 220 may be configured to acquire functional unit information from one or more existing functional units according to the content of the functional unit information of the new functional unit, and generate configuration information for a new network based on the functional unit information of the new functional unit, the functional unit information of the existing functional unit, and the acquired configuration information of the existing network.

[0242] Furthermore, in the management unit 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification unit 250 is configured to identify a functional unit whose setting needs to be changed from one or more existing functional units and new functional units included in the existing network, and notify the identified functional unit of the setting content, but this is not limited thereto. The notification unit 250 may also be configured to notify all functional units in the new network of the setting content without identifying a functional unit whose setting needs to be changed.

[0243] Furthermore, in the communication system 400 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the management unit 200 is configured to be included in the relay device 112 in the network 12, but this is not limiting. Some or all of the units in the management unit 200 may be included in a device other than the relay device 112 in the network 12, or may be provided outside the network 12. Note that a configuration in which the management unit 200 is included in the relay device 112 in a star topology such as that shown in FIG. 2 allows the management unit 200 to perform the above-described processes more efficiently.

[0244] Furthermore, the management unit 200 may be realized by the server 180. In this case, some or all of the functions of the management unit 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided by cloud computing. That is, the management unit 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured by a plurality of cloud servers or the like.

[0245] Furthermore, in the communication system 400 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when an abnormality occurs in the new network, the notification unit 250 in the management unit 200 transmits the abnormality detection information to the update unit 183 in the server 180, and the update unit 183 in the server 180 updates the database based on the abnormality detection information received from the notification unit 250. However, this is not limiting. The notification unit 250 may be configured not to transmit the abnormality detection information to the update unit 183. In this case, the management unit 200 may be configured not to include the abnormality detection unit 260.

[0246] However, there is a demand for a technology that allows for flexible construction of networks with new configurations while maintaining stable operation in the network.

[0247] For example, when a new network is constructed by adding a new functional unit to a network, there are cases where the communication required by the upper layer cannot be realized due to the network configuration and restrictions of the lower layer.

[0248] One example of such lower-layer network configurations and constraints is the communication bandwidth constraints in the physical layer. In particular, in networks that require low cost, such as networks that include on-board functional units such as on-board ECUs, the above-mentioned communication bandwidth constraints can make it difficult to add new functional units to the network while maintaining stable operation.

[0249] In contrast, in relay device 112 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, detection unit 210 detects the addition of a functional unit to a network including one or more in-vehicle functional units. Generation unit 220 acquires functional unit information of the new functional unit, which is the functional unit whose addition is detected by detection unit 210, and the functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional unit, and generates configuration information of a new network, which is network 12 that further includes the new functional unit, based on the acquired functional unit information. Acquisition unit 230 acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network, which corresponds to the configuration information generated by generation unit 220, from a database in storage device 181.

[0250] In this way, by generating configuration information for a new network including the detected new functional unit and obtaining feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network from a database, it is possible to construct a new network using the previously generated verification results of the network feasibility. This makes it possible to construct a new network whose feasibility is guaranteed by taking into account, for example, the logical configuration and the physical configuration, thereby suppressing the occurrence of delays in important communications caused by, for example, adding a new functional unit to the network.

[0251] Therefore, the relay device 112 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can flexibly build a network with a new configuration while maintaining stable operation in the network.

[0252] In addition, in the relay device 112 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification unit 250 notifies at least one of the new function unit and one or more in-vehicle function units constituting the new network of the setting contents for communication in the new network based on the feasibility information acquired by the acquisition unit 230.

[0253] With this configuration, the settings of each functional unit can be changed to appropriate settings according to the specifications relating to communication in the new network, such as the topology.

[0254] In addition, in the relay device 112 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification unit 250 identifies a functional unit whose settings need to be changed in order to communicate in the new network from among one or more functional units included in the network 12 before the new functional unit was added and the new functional unit, and notifies the identified functional unit of the settings.

[0255] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to notify the setting contents to functional units whose setting contents need to be changed, while omitting to notify the setting contents to functional units whose setting contents do not need to be changed, thereby suppressing unnecessary communication between the relay device 112 and the functional units.

[0256] Furthermore, in the relay device 112 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the generation unit 220 changes the generation conditions based on the feasibility information acquired by the acquisition unit 230, and generates new configuration information according to the changed generation conditions.

[0257] With this configuration, if it is difficult to establish a new network, for example, it is possible to generate new configuration information for the new network by modifying the content of the new functional unit added to the network, and obtain feasibility information for the new network after the modifications, which allows for more flexible construction of new networks.

[0258] Furthermore, in the relay device 112 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage unit 240 stores the configuration information generated by the generation unit 220 and feasibility information corresponding to the configuration information.

[0259] With this configuration, when a new functional unit is added to a network and a new network is constructed, configuration information of the existing network can be obtained from the storage unit, thereby simplifying the network construction process.

[0260] The vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure also includes a relay device 112.

[0261] With this configuration, in the vehicle 1 equipped with the relay device 112, it is possible to flexibly build a network with a new configuration while maintaining stable operation in the network.

[0262] Furthermore, the communication system 400 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a relay device 112 and one or more in-vehicle function units that constitute a network. The relay device 112 detects the addition of a function unit to the network 12 and acquires function unit information from the new function unit that detected the addition. The one or more in-vehicle function units transmit their own function unit information to the relay device 112. The relay device 112 generates configuration information for a new network, which is the network 12 that further includes the new function unit, based on the function unit information acquired from the new function unit and the function unit information received from the one or more in-vehicle function units. The relay device 112 acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network corresponding to the generated configuration information from a database in the storage device 181.

[0263] In this way, by generating configuration information for a new network including the detected new functional unit and obtaining feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network from a database, it is possible to build a new network using the results of verification of the feasibility of a previously verified network. This makes it possible to build a new network whose feasibility is guaranteed, taking into account, for example, the logical configuration and physical configuration, thereby suppressing communication delays caused by adding a new functional unit to the network.

[0264] Therefore, in the communication system 400 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to flexibly construct a network with a new configuration while maintaining stable operation in the network.

[0265] In addition, in the communication system 400 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the update unit 183 updates the database in the storage device 181.

[0266] With this configuration, new combinations of network configuration information and feasibility information can be registered in the database, making it possible to build a variety of networks.

[0267] Furthermore, in communication system 400 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when relay device 112 detects an abnormality in the new network, it transmits configuration information of the new network and abnormality detection information indicating that the abnormality has occurred to update unit 183. Update unit 183 updates the database based on the abnormality detection information received from relay device 112.

[0268] With this configuration, any abnormalities occurring in the new network can be reflected in the database, making it possible to build a more stable new network using the updated database.

[0269] In addition, in the communication system 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the verification unit 184 verifies the validity of the configuration information generated by the relay device 112 when feasibility information corresponding to the configuration information generated by the relay device 112 does not exist in the database.

[0270] With this configuration, if the feasibility of a new network has not been verified in advance, feasibility information for the new network can be obtained through a new verification, and an attempt can be made to build the new network.

[0271] Furthermore, a vehicle communication management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle communication management method in a relay device 112. In this vehicle communication management method, first, the relay device 112 detects the addition of a functional unit to a network 12 that includes one or more in-vehicle functional units. Next, the relay device 112 acquires functional unit information of the new functional unit that is the functional unit whose addition has been detected and functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional unit, and generates configuration information of a new network that is a network 12 that further includes the new functional unit based on the acquired functional unit information. Next, the relay device 112 acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network, corresponding to the generated configuration information, from a database in the storage device 181.

[0272] In this way, by generating configuration information for a new network including the detected new functional unit and obtaining feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network from a database, it is possible to construct a new network using the previously generated verification results of the network feasibility. This makes it possible to construct a new network whose feasibility is guaranteed by taking into account, for example, the logical configuration and the physical configuration, thereby suppressing the occurrence of delays in important communications caused by, for example, adding a new functional unit to the network.

[0273] Therefore, the vehicle communication management method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure makes it possible to flexibly construct a network with a new configuration while maintaining stable operation in the network.

[0274] Furthermore, a vehicle communication management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle communication management method in a vehicle communication system 300 including a relay device 112 and one or more in-vehicle function units that constitute a network 12. In this vehicle communication management method, first, the relay device 112 detects the addition of a function unit to the network 12 and acquires function unit information from the new function unit that detected the addition. Next, the one or more in-vehicle function units transmit their own function unit information to the relay device 112. Next, the relay device 112 generates configuration information for a new network, which is the network 12 that further includes the new function unit, based on the function unit information acquired from the new function unit and the respective function unit information received from the one or more in-vehicle function units. Next, the relay device 112 acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network, corresponding to the generated configuration information, from a database in the storage device 181.

[0275] In this way, by generating configuration information for a new network including the detected new functional unit and obtaining feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network from a database, it is possible to construct a new network using the previously generated verification results of the network feasibility. This makes it possible to construct a new network whose feasibility is guaranteed by taking into account, for example, the logical configuration and the physical configuration, thereby suppressing the occurrence of delays in important communications caused by, for example, adding a new functional unit to the network.

[0276] Therefore, the vehicle communication management method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure makes it possible to flexibly construct a network with a new configuration while maintaining stable operation in the network.

[0277] The above-described embodiments should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0278] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 1] a detection unit that detects a new functional unit that is a functional unit that is newly added to a network including one or more in-vehicle functional units; a generation unit that acquires functional unit information of the new functional unit and functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional unit detected by the detection unit, and generates configuration information of a new network that is the network further including the new functional unit based on the acquired functional unit information; an acquisition unit that acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network from a database in a storage device by using the configuration information generated by the generation unit as a search key; A management device in which the acquisition unit acquires the feasibility information corresponding to the configuration information generated by the generation unit from the database that stores multiple pieces of feasibility information generated by prior verification taking into account the logical configuration and physical configuration of multiple networks.

[0279] [Appendix 2] A management device; one or more in-vehicle functional units that form a network; a new functional unit that is a functional unit that is newly added to the network, the management device detects the addition of the new function unit to the network; the new function unit and one or more of the in-vehicle function units transmit their own function unit information to the management device; the management device generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network further including the new function unit, based on the function unit information received from the new function unit and one or more of the in-vehicle function units; the management device acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network from a database in a storage device by using the generated configuration information as a search key; A communication system in which the management device obtains the feasibility information corresponding to the configuration information generated by the generation unit from the database that stores multiple pieces of feasibility information generated by prior verification taking into account the logical configurations and physical configurations of multiple networks.

[0280] [Appendix 3] A management device comprising a processor, The processor: a detection unit that detects a new ECU, which is a functional unit that is newly added to a network including one or more in-vehicle ECUs; a generation unit that acquires functional unit information of the new ECU and functional unit information of the in-vehicle ECU detected by the detection unit, and generates configuration information of a new network that is the network further including the new ECU based on the acquired functional unit information; an acquisition unit that acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network, corresponding to the configuration information generated by the generation unit, from a database in a storage device; A management device that achieves the above.

[0281] [Appendix 4] A management device; One or more in-vehicle ECUs that form a network; a new ECU that is a functional unit newly added to the network; the management device detects the addition of the new ECU to the network; the new ECU and one or more of the in-vehicle ECUs transmit their own functional unit information to the management device; the management device generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network further including the new ECU, based on the functional unit information received from the new ECU and one or more of the in-vehicle ECUs; The management device acquires feasibility information indicating the feasibility of the new network, corresponding to the generated configuration information, from a database in a storage device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0282] 1 vehicle 10 VLAN 11 Ethernet cable 12 Network 20 VLAN 30 VLAN 100 Applications 111 Automotive ECU 112 Relay Device 113 External device 161 Wireless base station equipment 170 External Network 180 servers 181 Storage device 182 Database processing section 183 Update Department 184 Verification Department 200 Management Department 210 Detection unit 220 Generation part 230 Acquisition Department 240 Storage section 250 Notification Department 260 Abnormality detection unit 300 Vehicle Communication System 400 Communication Systems

Claims

1. a detection unit that detects the addition of a functional unit to a network including one or more in-vehicle functional units; a generation unit that acquires functional unit information of a new functional unit that is the functional unit whose addition has been detected by the detection unit and functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional unit, and generates configuration information of a new network that is the network further including the new functional unit based on the acquired functional unit information; the generation unit generates the configuration information indicating a logical configuration and a physical configuration of the new network; the generation unit is capable of changing a generation condition of the configuration information, and newly generates the configuration information in accordance with the changed generation condition; The generation unit changes the generation conditions to not add some of the plurality of new function units to the network.

2. A management device; One or more in-vehicle function units that configure a network, the management device detects the addition of a functional unit to the network, and acquires functional unit information from the new functional unit, which is the functional unit whose addition has been detected; one or more of the in-vehicle function units transmit their own function unit information to the management device; the management device generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network further including the new function unit, based on the function unit information acquired from the new function unit and the function unit information received from one or more of the in-vehicle function units; the management device generates the configuration information indicating the logical configuration and physical configuration of the new network; the management device is capable of changing a generation condition of the configuration information, and newly generates the configuration information in accordance with the changed generation condition; The management device changes the creation conditions so that some of the new function units are not added to the network.

3. A vehicle communication management method in a management device, comprising: detecting the addition of a function to a network including one or more in-vehicle functions; and acquiring functional unit information of the new functional unit, which is the functional unit whose addition has been detected, and functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional unit, and generating configuration information of the new network, which is the network further including the new functional unit, based on the acquired functional unit information. In the step of generating configuration information, the configuration information indicating a logical configuration and a physical configuration of the new network is generated; The vehicle communication management method further includes: changing a generation condition of the configuration information and newly generating the configuration information in accordance with the changed generation condition; In the step of changing the creation conditions, the creation conditions are changed to not add some of the plurality of new function units to the network.

4. A vehicle communication management method in a communication system including a management device and one or more in-vehicle function units that configure a network, the management device detecting the addition of a functional unit to the network and acquiring functional unit information from the new functional unit, which is the functional unit whose addition has been detected; one or more of the in-vehicle function units transmitting their own function unit information to the management device; generating, by the management device, configuration information of a new network that is the network further including the new function unit, based on the function unit information acquired from the new function unit and the function unit information received from one or more of the in-vehicle function units; In the step of generating the configuration information, the management device generates the configuration information indicating a logical configuration and a physical configuration of the new network; The vehicle communication management method further includes: the management device changes a generation condition of the configuration information and newly generates the configuration information in accordance with the changed generation condition; In the step of changing the creation conditions, the management device changes the creation conditions to those that do not add some of the plurality of new function units to the network.

5. A vehicle communication management program used in a management device, Computer, a detection unit that detects the addition of a functional unit to a network including one or more in-vehicle functional units; a generation unit that acquires functional unit information of a new functional unit, which is the functional unit whose addition has been detected by the detection unit, and functional unit information of the in-vehicle functional unit, and generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network further including the new functional unit, based on the acquired functional unit information; It is a program to function as the generation unit generates the configuration information indicating a logical configuration and a physical configuration of the new network; the generation unit is capable of changing a generation condition of the configuration information, and newly generates the configuration information in accordance with the changed generation condition; The generation unit changes the generation conditions to those that do not add some of the new function units to the network.

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