Relay device, vehicle-mounted communication system, vehicle-mounted communication program, and vehicle-mounted communication method

Abstract

The relay device includes a transfer control unit that relays frames transmitted and received between multiple functional units, and a transfer management unit.The transfer control unit stores location information in the target frame, which is information regarding the location in the in-vehicle network of the on-board ECU that requested the service related to the target frame or the on-board ECU that is the destination of the service related to the target frame, when the target frame is a frame transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and the contents of the target frame received from the transfer control unit satisfy predetermined conditions, and outputs the target frame with the location information stored to the transfer control unit.The transfer control unit then transmits the target frame received from the transfer management unit to the on-board ECU that is the destination of the target frame. [Effect] Relay processing in an in-vehicle network can be performed more efficiently.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay device, an in-vehicle communication system, a vehicle, and an in-vehicle communication method. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-195298, filed on October 28, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP 2019-9559 A) discloses the following server: That is, the server is applied to a communication system (10) that uses a TCP / IP communication protocol, and is a server (20) that provides a service to a client (40-44, 50-54) in response to a subscription request from the client, and includes a table storage unit (30) configured to store a priority table (32) in which a priority for receiving the service is set corresponding to the client for each service, and a service determination unit (26, S400-S410) configured to, when the client requests subscription to the service, determine whether or not to permit the subscription request from the client to the service based on the priority table stored in the table storage unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-9559 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The relay device of the present disclosure is a relay device used in an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units, and comprises a relay unit that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units, and a relay management unit, wherein the relay unit receives a target frame from the functional unit, the target frame being a frame transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and having information that can identify the source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service, and outputs the received target frame to the relay management unit, and when the content of the target frame received from the relay unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay management unit stores location information in the target frame, the location information being information regarding the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the destination of the service related to the target frame, and outputs the target frame with the location information stored to the relay unit, and the relay unit transmits the target frame received from the relay management unit to the functional unit that is the destination of the target frame.

[0005] The in-vehicle communication system of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of functional units and a relay device that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units in an in-vehicle network, wherein the functional units transmit target frames to the relay device, the target frames being frames transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and having information that can identify the source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service, and when the content of the target frame received from the functional units satisfies predetermined conditions, the relay device stores location information in the target frame, the location information being information regarding the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the recipient of the request for the service related to the target frame, and transmits the target frame with the location information stored to another functional unit different from the functional unit that sent the target frame to the relay device, and the other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the target frame based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device.

[0006] The in-vehicle communication method disclosed herein is an in-vehicle communication method in a relay device used in an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units, which relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units, and includes the steps of receiving from the functional unit a target frame, which is a frame transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and has information that can identify the source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service; if the content of the received target frame satisfies a predetermined condition, storing location information in the target frame, which is information regarding the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the destination of the service related to the target frame; and transmitting the target frame with the location information stored to the functional unit that is the destination of the target frame.

[0007] The in-vehicle communication method disclosed herein is an in-vehicle communication method in an in-vehicle communication system having a plurality of functional units and a relay device that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units in an in-vehicle network, and includes the steps of: the functional unit transmitting a target frame to the relay device, the target frame being a frame transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and having information that can identify the source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service; if the content of the target frame received from the functional unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay device storing location information in the target frame, the location information being information regarding the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the recipient of the request for the service related to the target frame, and transmitting the target frame with the location information stored to another functional unit different from the functional unit that transmitted the target frame to the relay device; and the other functional unit determining whether to perform processing for the service related to the target frame based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure may be realized not only as a relay device including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the relay device, or as a program for causing a computer to execute processing steps in the relay device. Furthermore, one aspect of the present disclosure may be realized not only as an in-vehicle communication system including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a method in which such characteristic processing is performed as steps, a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the in-vehicle communication system, or a program for causing a computer to execute processing steps in the in-vehicle communication system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame transmitted and received by an in-vehicle ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame transmitted and received by an in-vehicle ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an address table in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a situation in which a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an addition permission table in the storage unit of the in-vehicle ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a situation in which a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of a situation in which a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a situation in which a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when a relay device changes settings for relay processing in an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence for relaying a frame between functional units in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for relaying a frame between functional units in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a modified example of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a modified example of an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In recent years, service-oriented communication has been increasingly introduced into in-vehicle networks.

[0011] In the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, further improvement is required in terms of the efficiency of frame relay processing. There is a demand for technology that goes beyond the conventional technology and enables more efficient relay processing in an in-vehicle network.

[0012] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a relay device, an in-vehicle communication system, a vehicle, and an in-vehicle communication method that can perform relay processing in an in-vehicle network more efficiently.

[0013] [Effects of this disclosure] According to the present disclosure, relay processing in an in-vehicle network can be performed more efficiently.

[0014] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0015] (1) A relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a relay device used in an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units, and includes a relay unit that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units, and a relay management unit. The relay unit receives a target frame from the functional unit, the target frame being a frame transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and having information that can identify a requester of a service and information that can identify the content of the requested service. The relay unit outputs the received target frame to the relay management unit. If the content of the target frame received from the relay unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay management unit stores location information in the target frame, the location information being information about the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the destination of the request for the service related to the target frame. The relay unit outputs the target frame with the location information stored to the relay unit. The relay unit transmits the target frame received from the relay management unit to the functional unit that is the destination of the target frame.

[0016] In this way, by configuring the device to transmit a target frame containing location information to another functional unit, it is possible to determine whether a communication connection can be established between the functional unit and the other functional unit, and to determine the amount of communication between the functional unit and the other functional unit, based on the location of the functional unit in the in-vehicle network, which was difficult to identify using the above communication protocol. Therefore, relay processing in the in-vehicle network can be performed more efficiently.

[0017] (2) Preferably, the relay unit outputs location information indicating the reception location of the target frame in the relay device to the relay management unit, and the relay management unit stores the location information received from the relay unit in the target frame as the position information.

[0018] With this configuration, the functional unit that receives the target frame can identify the receiving location of the target frame, for example, the communication port, in the relay device that performed the relay processing of the target frame, making it easy to grasp the location of the functional unit that sent the target frame in the in-vehicle network.

[0019] (3) Preferably, the relay management unit stores identification information of the relay device as the location information in the target frame.

[0020] With this configuration, for example, in an in-vehicle network having multiple relay devices, the functional unit that received the target frame can identify the relay device that performed the relay processing of the target frame, and the location of the functional unit that sent the target frame in the in-vehicle network can be more accurately determined.

[0021] (4) An in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of functional units and a relay device that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units in an in-vehicle network. The functional units transmit target frames to the relay device, the target frames being frames transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and having information that can identify the source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service. If the content of the target frame received from the functional units satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay device stores location information in the target frame, the location information being information regarding the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the recipient of the request for the service related to the target frame. The relay device transmits the target frame with the location information stored to another functional unit different from the functional unit that transmitted the target frame to the relay device. The other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the target frame based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device.

[0022] In this way, by configuring the device to transmit a target frame containing location information to another functional unit, it is possible to determine whether a communication connection can be established between the functional unit and the other functional unit and to determine the amount of communication between the functional unit and the other functional unit, based on the location of the functional unit in the in-vehicle network 12, which was difficult to identify using the above communication protocol. Therefore, relay processing in the in-vehicle network can be performed more efficiently.

[0023] (5) A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the in-vehicle communication system.

[0024] With this configuration, relay processing in the in-vehicle network can be performed more efficiently in a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle communication system.

[0025] (6) An in-vehicle communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle communication method in a relay device used in an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units, which relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units, and includes the steps of receiving from the functional unit a target frame, which is a frame transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and has information that can identify a requester of a service and information that can identify the content of the requested service; if the content of the received target frame satisfies a predetermined condition, storing location information in the target frame, which is information regarding the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the recipient of the request for the service related to the target frame; and transmitting the target frame with the stored location information to the functional unit that is the destination of the target frame.

[0026] In this way, by transmitting a target frame containing location information to another functional unit, it is possible to determine whether a communication connection can be established between the functional unit and the other functional unit and to determine the amount of communication between the functional unit and the other functional unit, based on the location of the functional unit in the in-vehicle network 12, which was difficult to identify using the above communication protocol. Therefore, relay processing in the in-vehicle network can be performed more efficiently.

[0027] (7) An in-vehicle communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle communication method in an in-vehicle communication system including a plurality of functional units and a relay device that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units in an in-vehicle network, the method including the steps of: the functional unit transmitting a target frame to the relay device, the target frame being a frame transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and having information that can identify a requester of a service and information that can identify the content of the requested service; the relay device, if the content of the target frame received from the functional unit satisfies a predetermined condition, storing location information in the target frame, the location information being information regarding the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the recipient of the request for the service related to the target frame, and transmitting the target frame with the location information stored to another functional unit different from the functional unit that transmitted the target frame to the relay device; and the other functional unit determining whether to perform processing for the service related to the target frame based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device.

[0028] In this way, by transmitting a target frame containing location information to another functional unit, it is possible to determine whether a communication connection can be established between the functional unit and the other functional unit and to determine the amount of communication between the functional unit and the other functional unit, based on the location of the functional unit in the in-vehicle network 12, which was difficult to identify using the above communication protocol. Therefore, relay processing in the in-vehicle network can be performed more efficiently.

[0029] 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.

[0030] [In-vehicle communication system] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] 1, an in-vehicle communication system 300 includes a plurality of in-vehicle ECUs (Electronic Control Units) 111 and a relay device 100. Specifically, the in-vehicle communication system 300 includes in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111C as the in-vehicle ECUs 111. The in-vehicle communication system 300 is mounted on a vehicle 1. The in-vehicle ECUs 111 and the relay device 100 configure an in-vehicle network 12. The relay device 100 is used in the in-vehicle network 12 including the plurality of in-vehicle ECUs 111.

[0032] The in-vehicle ECU 111A includes an application 112A and a storage unit 113A. The in-vehicle ECU 111B includes an application 112B and a storage unit 113B. The in-vehicle ECU 111C includes an application 112C and a storage unit 113C. Hereinafter, each of the applications 112A, 112B, and 112C will also be referred to as an application 112. Furthermore, each of the storage units 113A, 113B, and 113C will also be referred to as a storage unit 113.

[0033] The in-vehicle ECU 111 and the application 112 are examples of functional units in the in-vehicle network 12.

[0034] In the in-vehicle network 12, the in-vehicle ECU 111 is connected to the relay device 100 via an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 11, for example.

[0035] The in-vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration including three in-vehicle ECUs 111, but may be a configuration including two or four or more in-vehicle ECUs 111. Furthermore, the in-vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration in which one application 112 is mounted in one in-vehicle ECU 111, but may be a configuration in which two or more applications 112 are mounted in one in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0036] Furthermore, the in-vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration including one relay device 100, but may be a configuration including two or more relay devices 100.

[0037] The relay device 100 is, for example, a gateway device, and is capable of relaying data between a plurality of on-board ECUs 111 connected thereto. The relay device 100 is capable of performing relay processing according to, for example, Layer 2 and Layer 3, which is higher than Layer 2, and performs, for example, relay processing of frames between on-board ECUs 111 belonging to the same VLAN and relay processing of frames between on-board ECUs 111 belonging to different VLANs.

[0038] More specifically, the relay device 100 relays frames exchanged between the in-vehicle ECUs 111 connected via the Ethernet cable 11, for example, in accordance with the Ethernet communication standard. Hereinafter, a frame conforming to the Ethernet communication standard will be referred to as an Ethernet frame. An IP packet is stored in the Ethernet frame.

[0039] In addition, the in-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 be a configuration in which data is relayed in accordance with communication standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network), FlexRay (registered trademark), MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) (registered trademark), and LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

[0040] The in-vehicle ECU 111 is, for example, an automatic driving ECU, an engine ECU, a sensor, a navigation device, a human-machine interface, a camera, and the like.

[0041] In this example, the in-vehicle ECUs 111A, 111B, and 111C are a vehicle speed sensor, an engine ECU, and an automatic driving ECU, respectively.

[0042] Hereinafter, the in-vehicle ECUs 111A, 111B, and 111C will also be referred to as the vehicle speed sensor 111A, the engine ECU 111B, and the automatic driving ECU 111C, respectively.

[0043] Each application 112 performs, for example, processing of an application layer to perform predetermined processing in the in-vehicle ECU 111 in which it is mounted. For example, application 112A in vehicle speed sensor 111A generates speed information indicating the traveling speed of vehicle 1 at predetermined intervals.

[0044] For example, the vehicle speed sensor 111A periodically or irregularly transmits speed information indicating the speed of the vehicle 1 to other in-vehicle ECUs 111 by including the speed information in a frame.

[0045] The engine ECU 111B receives the speed information from the in-vehicle ECU 111A via the relay device 100, and controls the engine based on the received speed information and the like.

[0046] The automatic driving ECU 111C receives speed information from the in-vehicle ECU 111A via the relay device 100, and performs automatic driving control of the vehicle 1 based on the received speed information and the like.

[0047] That is, the vehicle speed sensor 111A is a server ECU that provides a service of notifying the vehicle speed information, while the engine ECU 111B and the automatic driving ECU 111C are client ECUs that receive services from the vehicle speed sensor 111A.

[0048] Each functional unit transmits and receives frames that comply with a predetermined protocol. For example, the in-vehicle ECU 111 transmits and receives frames that comply with the SOME / IP (Scalable Service-Oriented Middleware on Ethernet / Internet Protocol) protocol.

[0049] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame transmitted and received by the in-vehicle ECU 111 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure illustrates an example of a frame transmitted and received between the in-vehicle ECUs 111 according to the SOME / IP protocol.

[0050] Referring to Figure 2, the header of a frame conforming to the SOME / IP protocol has the following fields: Message ID, Length, Request ID, Protocol Version, Interface Version, Message Type, Return Code, Flags, Reserve, Length of Entries Array, Entries Array, Length of Options Array, and Options Array.

[0051] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame transmitted and received by an in-vehicle ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and illustrates details of an Entries Array field of the frame illustrated in FIG.

[0052] Referring to Figure 3, the Entries Array fields of a frame conforming to the SOME / IP protocol include Type, Index 1st options, Index 2nd options, # of opt 1, # of opt 2, Service ID, Instance ID, Major Version, TTL (Time To Live), Reserve, Initial Data Requested Flag, Reserve 2, Counter, and Event group.

[0053] The in-vehicle ECU 111 transmits and receives, via the relay device 100, a communication setting frame that conforms to the SOME / IP protocol and is a frame for establishing a communication connection with another in-vehicle ECU 111 .

[0054] The in-vehicle ECU 111 establishes a communication connection with another in-vehicle ECU 111 by transmitting and receiving a communication setting frame via the relay device 100, and communicates with the other in-vehicle ECU 111 using frames conforming to the SOME / IP protocol.

[0055] For example, the server ECU and the client ECU establish a communication connection by transmitting and receiving a communication setting frame via the relay device 100. Then, the server ECU starts providing services to the client ECU with which the communication connection has been established, using frames conforming to the SOME / IP protocol.

[0056] Specifically, the server ECU and the client ECU establish a communication connection by transmitting and receiving a communication setting frame, and determine to start providing and receiving a service. Then, the server ECU periodically or irregularly transmits a service providing frame, which is a frame for providing a service according to the SOME / IP protocol, to the client ECU via the relay device 100.

[0057] The request ID field in the communication setting frame transmitted between the server ECU and the client ECU stores information that can identify the client ECU that is the source of the service request. More specifically, the request ID field stores the MAC address of the client ECU.

[0058] Furthermore, the message ID field in the communication setting frame transmitted between the server ECU and the client ECU stores information that can identify the content of the service provided by the server ECU. More specifically, the message ID field stores information that indicates the content of the service provided by the server ECU.

[0059] [Repeater] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] 4, relay device 100 includes a transfer control unit 10, a transfer management unit 20, and a storage unit 30. Transfer control unit 10 includes communication ports 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, and 13F. Transfer control unit 10 is an example of a relay unit. Transfer management unit 20 is an example of a relay management unit.

[0061] The transfer control unit 10 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit. The transfer management unit 20 is realized by, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The storage unit 30 is, for example, a flash memory.

[0062] The communication ports 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, and 13F are, for example, input / output ports. Each of the communication ports 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, and 13F will also be referred to as a communication port 13 below.

[0063] 1 and 4, a vehicle speed sensor 111A is connected to communication port 13A via a wiring pattern and an Ethernet cable 11, an engine ECU 111B is connected to communication port 13C via a wiring pattern and an Ethernet cable 11, an autonomous driving ECU 111C is connected to communication port 13E via a wiring pattern and an Ethernet cable 11, and a transfer management unit 20 is connected to communication port 13F via a wiring pattern. Note that communication ports 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, and 13E may be external connectors of relay device 100, etc.

[0064] [Transfer control section] The transfer control unit 10 relays frames transmitted and received between functional units. More specifically, the transfer control unit 10 receives a frame addressed to another in-vehicle ECU 111 from an in-vehicle ECU 111 via a corresponding communication port 13, and transmits the frame to the other in-vehicle ECU 111 via the corresponding communication port.

[0065] For example, the storage unit 30 stores an address table in which the communication ports 13 are associated with the MAC addresses of the devices connected via the communication ports 13.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an address table in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] Referring to Figure 5, in the address table, for example, the MAC address of the vehicle speed sensor 111A is "MAC-A", the MAC address of the engine ECU 111B is "MAC-B", the MAC address of the automatic driving ECU 111C is "MAC-C", and the MAC address of the transfer management unit 20 is "MAC-D".

[0068] When the destination MAC address of a frame received from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the communication port 13A is MAC-B, the transfer control unit 10 transmits the frame to the engine ECU 111B via the communication port 13C corresponding to MAC-B according to the address table in the memory unit 30.

[0069] The transfer control unit 10 receives target frames from the functional unit, which are frames sent and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and contain information that can identify the source of the service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service, and selectively outputs the received target frames to the transfer management unit 20.

[0070] For example, the transfer control unit 10 outputs a target frame received from a functional unit to the transfer management unit 20 without relaying the target frame to another functional unit.

[0071] More specifically, the transfer control unit 10 receives a frame addressed to the vehicle speed sensor 111A from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the communication port 13E and checks the port number in the UDP header of the received frame, for example. If the port number of the frame matches a port number pre-assigned to frames conforming to the SOME / IP protocol, the transfer control unit 10 determines that the received frame is a target frame. Note that the transfer control unit 10 may be configured to determine whether the received frame is a target frame based on the MAC address or IP address of the frame.

[0072] If the transfer control unit 10 determines that the received frame is a target frame, it rewrites the destination MAC address of the target frame to MAC-D, which is the MAC address of the transfer management unit 20. Then, the transfer control unit 10 outputs the target frame to the transfer management unit 20 via the communication port 13F in accordance with the address table in the storage unit 30.

[0073] On the other hand, if the transfer control unit 10 determines that the received frame is not a target frame, it transmits the frame to the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the communication port 13A in accordance with the address table in the storage unit 30.

[0074] For example, the transfer control unit 10 outputs to the transfer management unit 20 location information indicating the location in the relay device 100 where the target frame was received.

[0075] More specifically, for example, the transfer control unit 10 outputs port information indicating the communication port 13 through which the received target frame passed, among the multiple communication ports 13 in the relay device 100, to the transfer management unit 20 as location information.

[0076] Specifically, when the transfer control unit 10 determines that a frame addressed to the vehicle speed sensor 111A received from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the communication port 13E is a target frame, it generates port information indicating that the target frame was received via the communication port 13E, and outputs the generated port information to the transfer management unit 20 together with the target frame.

[0077] [Transfer Management Department] The transfer management unit 20 determines whether the contents of the target frame received from the transfer control unit 10 satisfy a predetermined condition. More specifically, the transfer management unit 20 determines, as a predetermined condition, whether the target frame is a communication setting frame.

[0078] For example, the transfer management unit 20 determines whether or not the target frame received from the transfer control unit 10 is a communication setting frame based on the message ID in the header of the target frame conforming to the SOME / IP communication protocol.

[0079] If the contents of the target frame received from the transfer control unit 10 satisfy predetermined conditions, i.e., if the target frame is a communication setting frame, the transfer management unit 20 stores location information in the target frame, which is information regarding the location in the in-vehicle network 12 of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the recipient of the request for the service related to the target frame.

[0080] For example, the transfer management unit 20 stores the location information received from the transfer control unit 10 in the target frame as position information. More specifically, the transfer management unit 20 stores the port information received from the transfer control unit 10 in the target frame as position information.

[0081] Furthermore, for example, the forwarding management unit 20 stores, in the target frame, the identification information of its own relay device 100 as location information. More specifically, when the forwarding management unit 20 receives the target frame from the forwarding control unit 10, it acquires the ID of the relay device 100 stored in the storage unit 30 and stores the acquired ID in the target frame.

[0082] Referring again to FIG. 2, the transfer management unit 20 stores port information and location information such as an ID in the Options Array field of the target frame.

[0083] Then, the transfer management unit 20 outputs the target frame in which the position information is stored to the transfer control unit 10.

[0084] When the transfer control unit 10 receives a target frame in which location information is stored from the transfer management unit 20, the transfer control unit 10 transmits the received target frame to a functional unit, such as the in-vehicle ECU 111, that is the destination of the target frame.

[0085] [Communication connections between functional units] The function unit determines, based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device 100, whether or not to perform processing for the service related to the target frame.

[0086] More specifically, a functional unit, for example, an in-vehicle ECU 111 receives a communication setting frame from another in-vehicle ECU 111 via the relay device 100, and checks whether or not location information is stored in the received communication setting frame.

[0087] When location information is stored in a communication setting frame received from another vehicle ECU 111, the vehicle ECU 111 acquires the location information and, based on the acquired location information, determines whether or not to perform processing for a service related to the communication setting frame, such as processing to establish a communication connection with the other vehicle ECU 111.

[0088] Specifically, the server ECU determines, based on the location information acquired from the communication setting frame, whether to perform processing to start providing a service to the client ECU that sent the communication setting frame.Furthermore, the client ECU determines, based on the location information acquired from the communication setting frame, whether to perform processing to start subscribing to a service from the server ECU that sent the communication setting frame.

[0089] (Example 1 of communication connection between server ECU and client ECU) For example, when a client ECU is added to the in-vehicle network 12 as a new in-vehicle ECU 111, it generates a service search frame, which is an example of a communication setting frame, that includes information that it is searching for a server ECU that can provide the service that it requires, and multicasts the generated service search frame to other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 100.

[0090] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a situation in which a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] Referring to Figure 6, for example, when an autonomous driving ECU 111C, which is a client ECU, is added to the in-vehicle network 12 by being connected to the communication port 13E of the transfer control unit 10, it generates a service search frame including information that it is searching for a server ECU that can transmit speed information, and multicasts the generated service search frame to other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 100.

[0092] The transfer management unit 20 in the relay device 100 stores location information in the service search frame received from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the transfer control unit 10, and transmits the service search frame with the stored location information to another in-vehicle ECU 111 via the transfer control unit 10.

[0093] The vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is a server ECU, receives a service search frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100 and acquires the location information stored in the received service search frame. Then, based on the acquired location information, the vehicle speed sensor 111A recognizes that the autonomous driving ECU 111C, which is the sender of the service search frame, is connected to the communication port 13E of the relay device 100.

[0094] Referring again to Figure 1, for example, the memory unit 113 in the in-vehicle ECU 111 stores an addition permission table, which is information that can recognize permitted communication ports, which are communication ports 13 to which functional units are permitted to be added, and non-permitted communication ports, which are communication ports 13 to which functional units are not permitted to be added.

[0095] 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an additional permission table in the storage unit of the in-vehicle ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 7, in the additional permission table, communication ports 13A, 13C, and 13E are permitted communication ports, and communication ports 13B and 13D are non-permitted communication ports.

[0096] For example, when the vehicle speed sensor 111A recognizes that the communication port 13E is an allowed communication port based on the additional permission table in the memory unit 113A, it generates a service provision notification frame, which is an example of a communication setting frame, including its own MAC address and information that it is capable of transmitting speed information, and transmits the generated service provision notification frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100 as a response to the service search frame.

[0097] The autonomous driving ECU 111C receives a service provision notification frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100, generates a service subscription request frame, which is an example of a communication setting frame, including information requesting the transmission of its own ID and speed information, and transmits the generated service subscription request frame to the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100.

[0098] The vehicle speed sensor 111A receives a service subscription request frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100, and based on the ID of the autonomous driving ECU 111C contained in the received service subscription request frame, decides whether to allow the autonomous driving ECU 111C to subscribe to the service, i.e., whether to start sending speed information to the autonomous driving ECU 111C.

[0099] Then, the vehicle speed sensor 111A generates a service subscription availability frame, which is an example of a communication setting frame, including information indicating the decision content, and transmits the generated service subscription availability frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100 as a response to the service subscription request frame.

[0100] When the vehicle speed sensor 111A decides to start providing a service to the autonomous driving ECU 111C, it periodically or irregularly transmits a service provision frame conforming to the SOME / IP protocol to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100. More specifically, the vehicle speed sensor 111A periodically or irregularly transmits a service provision frame including speed information to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100.

[0101] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a situation in which a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0102] Referring to Figure 8, for example, when an autonomous driving ECU 111C, which is a client ECU, is added to the in-vehicle network 12 by being connected to the communication port 13D of the transfer control unit 10, it generates a service search frame including information that it is searching for a server ECU that can transmit speed information, and multicasts the generated service search frame to other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 100.

[0103] The transfer management unit 20 in the relay device 100 stores location information in the service search frame received from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the transfer control unit 10, and transfers the service search frame with the stored location information to another in-vehicle ECU 111 via the transfer control unit 10.

[0104] The vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is a server ECU, receives a service search frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100 and acquires the location information stored in the received service search frame. Then, based on the acquired location information, the vehicle speed sensor 111A recognizes that the autonomous driving ECU 111C, which is the sender of the service search frame, is connected to the communication port 13D of the relay device 100.

[0105] For example, if the vehicle speed sensor 111A recognizes that the communication port 13D is an unauthorized communication port based on the additional permission information in the memory unit 113A, it discards the received service search frame without sending the service provision notification frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100.

[0106] In addition, when an application, which is an example of a functional unit, is downloaded to the autonomous driving ECU 111C connected to the communication port 13E or 13D of the transfer control unit 10 and the application is added to the in-vehicle network 12, the same operations as those described above using Figures 6 to 8 are performed.

[0107] (Example 2 of communication connection between server ECU and client ECU) For example, the autonomous driving ECU 111C, which is a client ECU, generates a service search frame periodically or irregularly, and multicasts the generated service search frame to other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 100.

[0108] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of a situation in which a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0109] Referring to Figure 9, for example, vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is a server ECU, is added to in-vehicle network 12 by being connected to communication port 13A of transfer control unit 10, receives a service search frame from autonomous driving ECU 111C, generates a service provision notification frame including its own MAC address and information that it is able to transmit speed information, and transmits the generated service provision notification frame to autonomous driving ECU 111C via relay device 100 as a response to the service search frame.

[0110] The transfer management unit 20 in the relay device 100 stores the location information in the service provision notification frame received from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the transfer control unit 10, and transmits the service provision notification frame with the location information stored therein to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the transfer control unit 10.

[0111] The autonomous driving ECU 111C receives the service provision notification frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100, and acquires the location information stored in the received service provision notification frame. Then, based on the acquired location information, the autonomous driving ECU 111C recognizes that the vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is the sender of the service provision notification frame, is connected to the communication port 13A of the relay device 100.

[0112] For example, when the autonomous driving ECU 111C recognizes that the communication port 13A is an authorized communication port based on the additional authorization information in the memory unit 113C, it generates a service subscription request frame including information requesting the transmission of its own ID and speed information, and transmits the generated service subscription request frame to the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100.

[0113] The vehicle speed sensor 111A receives a service subscription request frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100, and based on the ID of the autonomous driving ECU 111C contained in the received service subscription request frame, decides whether to allow the autonomous driving ECU 111C to subscribe to the service, i.e., whether to start sending speed information to the autonomous driving ECU 111C.

[0114] Then, the vehicle speed sensor 111A generates a service subscription approval / disapproval frame including information indicating the determined content, and transmits the generated service subscription approval / disapproval frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100 as a response to the service subscription request frame.

[0115] When the vehicle speed sensor 111A decides to start providing a service to the autonomous driving ECU 111C, it periodically or irregularly transmits a service provision frame conforming to the SOME / IP protocol to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100. More specifically, the vehicle speed sensor 111A periodically or irregularly transmits a service provision frame including speed information to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100.

[0116] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a situation in which a new in-vehicle ECU is connected to the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0117] Referring to Figure 10, the vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is a server ECU, is added to the in-vehicle network 12 by being connected to the communication port 13B of the transfer control unit 10, receives a service search frame from the autonomous driving ECU 111C, generates a service provision notification frame including its own MAC address and information that it is able to transmit speed information, and transmits the generated service provision notification frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the relay device 100 as a response to the service search frame.

[0118] The transfer management unit 20 in the relay device 100 stores the location information in the service provision notification frame received from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the transfer control unit 10, and transmits the service provision notification frame with the location information stored therein to the autonomous driving ECU 111C via the transfer control unit 10.

[0119] The autonomous driving ECU 111C receives the service provision notification frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100, and acquires the location information stored in the received service provision notification frame. Then, based on the acquired location information, the autonomous driving ECU 111C recognizes that the vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is the sender of the service provision notification frame, is connected to the communication port 13B of the relay device 100.

[0120] For example, if the autonomous driving ECU 111C recognizes that the communication port 13B is an unauthorized communication port based on the additional permission information in the memory unit 113A, it discards the received service provision notification frame without sending a service subscription request frame to the vehicle speed sensor 111A via the relay device 100.

[0121] In addition, when an application, which is an example of a functional unit, is downloaded to the vehicle speed sensor 111A connected to the communication port 13A or 13B of the transfer control unit 10 and the application is added to the in-vehicle network 12, the same operations as those described above using Figures 9 and 10 are performed.

[0122] [Operation flow] Each device in the in-vehicle communication system 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. Each of the programs for these multiple devices can be installed externally. Each of the programs for these multiple devices is distributed in a state where it is stored on a recording medium.

[0123] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when a relay device changes settings for relay processing in an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0124] 11, first, the relay device 100 waits for a frame from a functional unit in the in-vehicle network 12, for example, the in-vehicle ECU 111 (NO in step S102), receives the frame from the in-vehicle ECU 111 (YES in step S102), and determines whether the received frame is a target frame. More specifically, the relay device 100 checks the port number in the UDP header of the received frame, and if the port number of the frame matches a port number pre-assigned to frames conforming to a predetermined communication protocol such as SOME / IP, determines that the received frame is a target frame (step S104).

[0125] When the relay device 100 determines that the received frame is not a target frame (NO in step S106), the relay device 100 transmits the frame to a destination functional unit, such as the in-vehicle ECU 111. That is, the relay device 100 relays the frame (step S108).

[0126] Next, the relay device 100 waits for a new frame from the functional unit (NO in step S102).

[0127] On the other hand, if the relay device 100 determines that the received frame is a target frame (YES in step S106), it determines whether or not the target frame is a communication setting frame. More specifically, the transfer control unit 10 in the relay device 100 outputs the target frame to the transfer management unit 20. For example, the transfer control unit 10 outputs port information indicating the communication port 13 via which the received target frame passed, together with the target frame, to the transfer management unit 20. Then, the transfer management unit 20 determines whether or not the target frame is a communication setting frame based on the information stored in the header of the target frame received from the transfer control unit 10 (step S110).

[0128] Next, if the relay device 100 determines that the target frame is not a communication setting frame (NO in step S112), it transmits the target frame to a destination functional unit, such as the in-vehicle ECU 111. More specifically, the transfer management unit 20 in the relay device 100 transmits the target frame to a destination functional unit, such as the in-vehicle ECU 111, via the transfer control unit 10. That is, the relay device 100 relays the frame (step S108).

[0129] On the other hand, if the relay device 100 determines that the target frame is a communication setting frame (YES in step S112), it stores the location information of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the location information of the functional unit that is the destination of the request for the service related to the target frame in the target frame (step S114).

[0130] Next, the relay device 100 transmits the target frame in which the location information is stored to the destination functional unit, for example, the in-vehicle ECU 111 (step S116).

[0131] Next, the relay device 100 waits for a new frame from the functional unit (NO in step S102).

[0132] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence for relaying a frame between functional units in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0133] 12, vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is an example of a functional unit, transmits a service provision frame including speed information and addressed to engine ECU 111B to relay device 100 at the timing when speed information should be transmitted (step S202).

[0134] Next, the relay device 100 receives the service provision frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A and transmits the received service provision frame to the engine ECU 111B, which is an example of a functional unit. That is, the relay device 100 relays the service provision frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A to the engine ECU 111B (step S204).

[0135] Next, when the autonomous driving ECU 111C, which is an example of a functional unit, is added to the in-vehicle network 12 by being connected to the communication port 13E of the transfer control unit 10, it transmits a service search frame, which is an example of a communication setting frame, to the relay device 100 (step S206).

[0136] Next, the relay device 100 stores the location information in the service search frame received from the autonomous driving ECU 111C (step S208).

[0137] Next, the relay device 100 relays the service search frame in which the location information is stored to another in-vehicle ECU 111, for example, the vehicle speed sensor 111A (step S210).

[0138] Next, vehicle speed sensor 111A receives the service search frame, acquires the location information stored in the received service search frame, and determines whether to perform processing to establish a communication connection with autonomous driving ECU 111C based on the acquired location information. Then, because communication port 13E is an authorized communication port, vehicle speed sensor 111A determines to perform processing to establish a communication connection with autonomous driving ECU 111C, and generates a service provision notification frame, which is an example of a communication setting frame (step S212).

[0139] Next, vehicle speed sensor 111A transmits the generated service provision notification frame to relay device 100 as a response to the service search frame (step S214).

[0140] Next, the relay device 100 relays the service provision notification frame received from the vehicle speed sensor 111A to the autonomous driving ECU 111C (step S216).

[0141] Next, the autonomous driving ECU 111C transmits a service subscription request frame, which is an example of a communication setting frame, to the relay device 100 (step S218).

[0142] Next, the relay device 100 relays the service subscription request frame received from the autonomous driving ECU 111C to the vehicle speed sensor 111A (step S220).

[0143] Next, vehicle speed sensor 111A transmits, as a response to the service subscription request, a service subscription permission / denial frame, which is an example of a communication setting frame, storing information indicating that the service subscription is permitted, to relay device 100 (step S222).

[0144] Next, the relay device 100 relays the service subscription approval / disapproval frame to the autonomous driving ECU 111C (step S224).

[0145] Next, the vehicle speed sensor 111A transmits a service provision frame addressed to the engine ECU 111B and the automatic driving ECU 111C to the relay device 100 at the next transmission timing when the speed information should be transmitted (step S226).

[0146] Next, the relay device 100 receives the service provision frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A, and transmits the received service provision frame to the engine ECU 111B and the automatic driving ECU 111C (step S228).

[0147] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for relaying a frame between functional units in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0148] 13, vehicle speed sensor 111A, which is an example of a functional unit, transmits a service provision frame including speed information and addressed to engine ECU 111B to relay device 100 at the timing when speed information should be transmitted (step S302).

[0149] Next, the relay device 100 receives the service provision frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A and transmits the received service provision frame to the engine ECU 111B, which is an example of a functional unit. That is, the relay device 100 relays the service provision frame from the vehicle speed sensor 111A to the engine ECU 111B (step S304).

[0150] Next, when the autonomous driving ECU 111C, which is an example of a functional unit, is connected to the communication port 13D of the transfer control unit 10 and thus added to the in-vehicle network 12, the autonomous driving ECU 111C transmits a service search frame to the relay device 100 (step S306).

[0151] Next, the relay device 100 stores the location information in the service search frame received from the autonomous driving ECU 111C (step S308).

[0152] Next, the relay device 100 relays the service search frame in which the location information is stored to another in-vehicle ECU 111, for example, the vehicle speed sensor 111A (step S310).

[0153] Next, vehicle speed sensor 111A receives the service search frame, acquires the location information stored in the received service search frame, and determines whether to perform processing to establish a communication connection with autonomous driving ECU 111C based on the acquired location information. Then, because communication port 13D is an unauthorized communication port, vehicle speed sensor 111A determines not to perform processing to establish a communication connection with autonomous driving ECU 111C, and discards the received service search frame (step S312).

[0154] Next, the vehicle speed sensor 111A transmits a service provision frame addressed to the engine ECU 111B to the relay device 100 at the next transmission timing when the vehicle speed sensor 111A should transmit the speed information (step S314).

[0155] Next, relay device 100 receives the service provision frame from vehicle speed sensor 111A, and transmits the received service provision frame to engine ECU 111B (step S316).

[0156] [Variation 1] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a modified example of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0157] Referring to FIG. 14, a relay device 101 includes a transfer control unit 10, a transfer management unit 20, a storage unit 30, and a processing unit 40.

[0158] The processing unit 40 is an example of a functional unit in the in-vehicle network 12. The processing unit 40 is connected to, for example, the communication port 13A of the transfer control unit 10. For example, the processing unit 40 acquires information such as speed information from an in-vehicle ECU 111 in the in-vehicle network 12, and transmits the acquired information to another in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0159] The processing unit 40 transmits and receives, via the transfer control unit 10, a communication setting frame for establishing a communication connection with the in-vehicle ECU 111 according to the SOME / IP protocol.

[0160] For example, the processing unit 40 functions as a server, establishes a communication connection with a client ECU, and starts providing a service to the client ECU using a frame conforming to the SOME / IP protocol. Specifically, the processing unit 40 periodically or irregularly transmits a service provision frame including information such as speed information to the in-vehicle ECU 111 via the transfer control unit 10.

[0161] Alternatively, the processing unit 40 functions as a client, establishes a communication connection with the server ECU, and receives a service from the server ECU using a frame conforming to the SOME / IP protocol. Specifically, the processing unit 40 periodically or irregularly receives a service provision frame including information such as speed information from the in-vehicle ECU 111 via the transfer control unit 10.

[0162] The transfer control unit 10 relays frames transmitted and received between the processing unit 40 and the in-vehicle ECU 111 .

[0163] For example, the transfer control unit 10 receives a communication setting frame from the processing unit 40 and selectively outputs the received target frame to the transfer management unit 20. Alternatively, the transfer control unit 10 receives a communication setting frame from the in-vehicle ECU 111 and selectively outputs the received target frame to the transfer management unit 20.

[0164] If the contents of the target frame received from the transfer control unit 10 satisfy a predetermined condition, i.e., if the target frame is a communication setting frame, the transfer management unit 20 stores location information in the target frame. Then, the transfer management unit 20 outputs the target frame with the stored location information to the transfer control unit 10.

[0165] When the transfer control unit 10 receives the target frame in which the position information is stored from the transfer management unit 20, it transmits the received target frame to the destination functional unit, for example, the processing unit 40.

[0166] The processing unit 40 determines, based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the transfer control unit 10, whether or not to perform processing for the service related to the target frame.

[0167] [Variation 2] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a modified example of an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0168] 15, an in-vehicle communication system 301 includes in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111C and a relay device 100. The in-vehicle communication system 301 includes, as the relay device 100, relay devices 100A and 100B.

[0169] The relay device 100A and the relay device 100B are connected to each other via an Ethernet cable 11.

[0170] The autonomous driving ECU 111C is connected to a communication port in the relay device 100B via an Ethernet cable 11 and a wiring pattern. The connection relationship between the vehicle speed sensor 111A, the engine ECU 111B, and the relay device 100A is the same as the connection relationship shown in FIG.

[0171] The transfer control unit 10 in the relay device 100B receives a target frame from a functional unit connected to itself, that is, the autonomous driving ECU 111C, and selectively outputs the received target frame to the transfer management unit 20 in the relay device 100B.

[0172] When the target frame received from the transfer control unit 10 is a communication setting frame, the transfer management unit 20 in the relay device 100B stores location information, i.e., port information and the ID of the relay device 100B, in the target frame. The transfer management unit 20 stores the location information in the target frame and outputs the target frame with the stored location information to the transfer control unit 10.

[0173] When the transfer control unit 10 in the relay device 100B receives the target frame storing the location information from the transfer management unit 20, it transmits the received target frame to the destination functional unit, for example, the vehicle speed sensor 111A, via the relay device 100A.

[0174] The storage unit 113 in the in-vehicle ECU 111 according to the second modification stores an addition permission table for each relay device 100.

[0175] Vehicle speed sensor 111A receives a target frame from autonomous driving ECU 111C via relay devices 100A and 100B, references the ID stored in the target frame, and acquires an addition permission table corresponding to relay device 100B indicated by the ID from storage unit 113. Then, based on the acquired addition permission table and the port information stored in the received target frame, vehicle speed sensor 111A determines whether to perform processing to establish a communication connection with autonomous driving ECU 111C.

[0176] [Other variations] In the relay device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the forwarding control unit 10 is configured to output location information, i.e., port information, to the forwarding management unit 20, but this is not limiting. The forwarding control unit 10 may be configured not to output port information to the forwarding management unit 20. In this case, the forwarding management unit 20 does not store port information in the target frame, but stores the ID of the relay device 100 in the target frame as location information.

[0177] In this case, the functional unit that receives the target frame from the relay device 100 determines whether or not to perform processing for the service related to the target frame, depending on the relay device 100 to which the functional unit that sent the target frame is connected.

[0178] In addition, in the relay device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the forwarding management unit 20 is configured to store port information and the ID of the relay device 100 in the target frame, but this is not limiting. For example, in the in-vehicle network 12 in which the in-vehicle communication system 300 shown in FIG. 1 includes one relay device 100, the forwarding management unit 20 may be configured not to store the ID of the relay device 100 in the target frame, but to store port information as location information in the target frame.

[0179] However, there is a demand for a technology that can perform relay processing in an in-vehicle network more efficiently.

[0180] For example, in recent years, in-vehicle networks incorporating service-oriented communication have become increasingly popular, and there is a demand for technology that can adjust the amount of communication between functional units and improve the security of communication between such functional units at low cost based on the topology of the functional units that perform such service-oriented communication.

[0181] In contrast, in a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the transfer control unit 10 relays frames transmitted and received between functional units. The transfer control unit 10 receives, from a functional unit, a target frame, which is a frame transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and which includes information that can identify the source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service, and outputs the received target frame to the transfer management unit 20. If the content of the target frame received from the transfer control unit 10 satisfies a predetermined condition, the transfer management unit 20 stores, in the target frame, location information that is information about the location, in the in-vehicle network 12, of the functional unit that has requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the destination of the service related to the target frame, and outputs the target frame with the stored location information to the transfer control unit 10. The transfer control unit 10 transmits the target frame received from the transfer management unit 20 to the functional unit that is the destination of the target frame.

[0182] In an in-vehicle communication system 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a relay device 100 relays frames transmitted and received between functional units in an in-vehicle network 12. The functional units transmit target frames, which are transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and include information identifying a service requester and information identifying the content of the requested service, to the relay device. If the content of the target frame received from a functional unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay device stores location information in the target frame, which is information about the location, in the in-vehicle network 12, of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the destination of the request for the service related to the target frame, and transmits the target frame with the stored location information to another functional unit different from the functional unit that transmitted the target frame to the relay device 100. The other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the target frame based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device.

[0183] An in-vehicle communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle communication method in a relay device used in an in-vehicle network including multiple functional units, which relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units. In this in-vehicle communication method, the relay device first receives a target frame from a functional unit, the target frame being a frame transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and including information identifying a service requester and information identifying the content of the requested service. Next, if the content of the received target frame satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay device stores location information in the target frame, the location information being information regarding the location in the in-vehicle network 12 of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the destination of the service related to the target frame. Next, the relay device transmits the target frame with the stored location information to the functional unit that is the destination of the target frame.

[0184] An in-vehicle communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle communication method for an in-vehicle communication system including a plurality of functional units and a relay device that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units in the in-vehicle network 12. In this in-vehicle communication method, first, the functional unit transmits a target frame to the relay device, the target frame being a frame transmitted and received according to a predetermined communication protocol and including information that identifies a service requester and information that identifies the content of the requested service. Next, if the content of the target frame received from the functional unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay device stores location information in the target frame, the location information being information about the location in the in-vehicle network 12 of the functional unit that requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the destination of the service related to the target frame, and transmits the target frame with the stored location information to another functional unit different from the functional unit that transmitted the target frame to the relay device 100. Next, the other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for the service related to the target frame based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device.

[0185] In this way, by using the configuration and method for transmitting a target frame containing location information to another functional unit, it is possible to determine whether a communication connection can be established between the functional unit and the other functional unit, and to determine the amount of communication between the functional unit and the other functional unit, based on the position of the functional unit in the in-vehicle network 12, which was difficult to identify using the above-mentioned communication protocol, for example.

[0186] Therefore, in the relay device, the in-vehicle communication system, and the in-vehicle communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, relay processing in the in-vehicle network can be performed more efficiently.

[0187] 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.

[0188] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 1] A relay device used in an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units, a transfer control unit that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units; a transfer management unit; the transfer control unit receives from the function unit a target frame, which is a frame transmitted and received in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol and which has information that can identify a source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service, and outputs the received target frame to the transfer management unit; when the target frame received from the transfer control unit is a communication setting frame that is a frame for establishing a communication connection with another functional unit, the transfer management unit stores location information in the target frame that is information about a location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that is a requester of a service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is a requestee of a service related to the target frame, and outputs the target frame in which the location information is stored to the transfer control unit of the target frame; The transfer control unit transmits the target frame received from the transfer management unit to the functional unit that is the destination.

[0189] [Appendix 2] A plurality of functional units; a relay device that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units in the in-vehicle network, the functional unit transmits to the relay device a target frame, the target frame being a frame transmitted and received in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol and including information that can identify a source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service; when the content of the target frame received from the functional unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay device stores location information in the target frame, the location information being information about the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that has requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that has received the request for the service related to the target frame, and transmits the target frame in which the location information has been stored to another functional unit different from the functional unit that transmitted the target frame to the relay device; An in-vehicle communication system in which the other functional unit determines whether to perform processing to establish a communication connection with the functional unit that is the sender of the target frame based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device.

[0190] [Appendix 3] A relay device including a processor and a semiconductor integrated circuit, used in an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units, the semiconductor integrated circuit implements a transfer control unit that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units; The processor implements a transfer manager; the transfer control unit receives from the function unit a target frame, which is a frame transmitted and received in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol and which has information that can identify a source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service, and outputs the received target frame to the transfer management unit; when the content of the target frame received from the transfer control unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the transfer management unit stores location information in the target frame, the location information being information about the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that is the source of a request for a service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is the destination of a request for a service related to the target frame, and outputs the target frame in which the location information is stored to the transfer control unit; The transfer control unit transmits the target frame received from the transfer management unit to the functional unit that is the destination of the target frame.

[0191] [Appendix 4] Multiple on-board ECUs, a relay device that relays frames transmitted and received between the in-vehicle ECUs in the in-vehicle network, the in-vehicle ECU transmits to the relay device a target frame, the target frame being a frame transmitted and received in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol, the target frame including information that can identify a source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service; when the content of the target frame received from the on-board ECU satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay device stores location information in the target frame, the location information being information relating to a location in the on-board network of the on-board ECU that has requested a service related to the target frame or the on-board ECU that is the destination of the request for a service related to the target frame, and transmits the target frame in which the location information has been stored to another on-board ECU different from the on-board ECU that transmitted the target frame to the relay device; An in-vehicle communication system in which the other in-vehicle ECU determines whether to perform processing for a service related to the target frame based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0192] 1 vehicle 10 Transfer control section 11 Ethernet cable 12 In-vehicle network 13 Communication Ports 20 Transfer Management Department 30 Storage section 40 Processing section 100 Repeater 101 Relay device 111A Vehicle speed sensor (on-board ECU) 111B Engine ECU (In-vehicle ECU) 111C Autonomous Driving ECU (In-Vehicle ECU) 112 Applications 113 Storage section 300 In-Vehicle Communication System 301 In-Vehicle Communication System

Claims

1. A relay device used in an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units, a relay unit that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units; a relay management unit; the relay unit receives from the function unit a target frame, which is a frame transmitted and received in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol and which includes information that can identify a source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service, and outputs the received target frame to the relay management unit; when the content of the target frame received from the relay unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay management unit stores, in the target frame, location information that is information about a location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that is a requester of a service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is a destination of a request for a service related to the target frame, and outputs the target frame in which the location information is stored to the relay unit; The relay unit transmits the target frame received from the relay management unit to the functional unit that is the destination of the target frame.

2. the relay unit outputs location information indicating a receiving location of the target frame in the relay device to the relay management unit; The relay device according to claim 1 , wherein the relay management unit stores the location information received from the relay unit as the position information in the target frame.

3. The relay device according to claim 1 , wherein the relay management unit stores identification information of the relay device as the location information in the target frame.

4. A plurality of functional units; a relay device that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units in the in-vehicle network, the functional unit transmits to the relay device a target frame, the target frame being a frame transmitted and received in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol and including information that can identify a source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service; when the content of the target frame received from the functional unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay device stores location information in the target frame, the location information being information about the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that has requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that has received the request for the service related to the target frame, and transmits the target frame in which the location information has been stored to another functional unit different from the functional unit that transmitted the target frame to the relay device; An in-vehicle communication system, wherein the other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for a service related to the target frame based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device.

5. A vehicle comprising the in-vehicle communication system according to claim 4.

6. An in-vehicle communication method in a relay device used in an in-vehicle network including a plurality of functional units, which relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units, receiving, from the functional unit, a target frame that is transmitted and received in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol and that includes information that can identify a source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service; When the content of the received target frame satisfies a predetermined condition, storing location information in the target frame, the location information being information about the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that is a requester of a service related to the target frame or the functional unit that is a requestee of a service related to the target frame; transmitting the target frame in which the location information is stored to the functional unit that is the destination of the target frame.

7. An in-vehicle communication method in an in-vehicle communication system including a plurality of functional units and a relay device that relays frames transmitted and received between the functional units in an in-vehicle network, a step in which the functional unit transmits to the relay device a target frame, the target frame being a frame transmitted and received in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol and including information that can identify a source of a service request and information that can identify the content of the requested service; When the content of the target frame received from the functional unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the relay device stores location information in the target frame, the location information being information about the location in the in-vehicle network of the functional unit that has requested the service related to the target frame or the functional unit that has received the request for the service related to the target frame, and transmits the target frame in which the location information is stored to another functional unit different from the functional unit that transmitted the target frame to the relay device; and a step in which the other functional unit determines whether to perform processing for a service related to the target frame based on the location information stored in the target frame received from the relay device.

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