On-vehicle device, on-vehicle communication system, and data transmission method

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle device for increasing opportunities to update devices in an on-vehicle network, an on-vehicle communication system, and a data transmission method.SOLUTION: In an update system in which an update server, a traffic information server and a plurality of on-vehicle communication systems communicate one another over an external network, the on-vehicle communication system comprises an integration ECU, a plurality of individual ECUs, and a TCU. The integration ECU representing an on-vehicle device comprises: an estimation section for estimating occurrence frequency event messages to be transmitted in an on-vehicle network; and a control section for controlling to transmit update data to devices to be updated in the on-vehicle network, based on an estimation result by the estimation section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle device, an in-vehicle communication system, and a data transmission method. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology has been developed that increases the opportunities to update software for electronic control devices while suppressing restrictions on vehicle functions. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 2018-65410) discloses the following technology. That is, a software update control device is a software update control device that controls the update of software for electronic control devices of a vehicle, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires update information indicating the contents to be updated for the software for electronic control devices, an update rank determination unit that determines an update rank indicating the level of difficulty of the update related to the acquired update information based on at least one of the contents, the state of the electronic control device, and the state of the vehicle, an update rank update unit that updates the determined update rank, an executable rank determination unit that determines an executable rank indicating the level of ease of implementation of the update based on the update information, and an update feasibility determination unit that compares the updated update rank with the determined executable rank to determine whether or not to update the software for electronic control devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-65410 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a need for a technology that goes beyond the technology described in Patent Document 1 and that can increase the opportunities to update devices in an in-vehicle network.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an in-vehicle device, an in-vehicle communication system, and a data transmission method that can increase the opportunities for updating devices in an in-vehicle network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The in-vehicle device of the present disclosure includes an estimation unit that estimates the occurrence frequency of event messages transmitted in an in-vehicle network, and a control unit that controls the transmission of update data to a device to be updated in the in-vehicle network based on the estimation result by the estimation unit.

[0007] The in-vehicle communication system of the present disclosure includes an estimation unit and a control unit, wherein the estimation unit estimates the occurrence frequency of event messages transmitted in an in-vehicle network and notifies the control unit of the estimation result, and the control unit controls the transmission of update data to a device to be updated in the in-vehicle network based on the estimation result notified by the estimation unit.

[0008] The data transmission method disclosed herein is a data transmission method in an in-vehicle communication system having an estimation unit and a control unit, and includes a step in which the estimation unit estimates the occurrence frequency of event messages transmitted in an in-vehicle network and notifies the control unit of the estimation result, and a step in which the control unit controls the transmission of update data to a device to be updated in the in-vehicle network based on the estimation result notified from the estimation unit.

[0009] The present disclosure can be realized not only as an in-vehicle device equipped with such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a data transmission method having such characteristic processing steps, as a program for causing a computer to execute such steps, or as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the in-vehicle device. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to increase the opportunities for updating devices in an in-vehicle network. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an update system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an integrated ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a traveling state of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing another example of a traveling state of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the integrated ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits update data. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart defining another example of an operation procedure when the integrated ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits update data. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a data transmission sequence in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0013] (1) An in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an estimation unit that estimates an occurrence frequency of an event message transmitted in an in-vehicle network, and a control unit that controls transmission of update data to a device to be updated in the in-vehicle network based on an estimation result by the estimation unit.

[0014] In this way, by estimating the occurrence frequency of event messages in the in-vehicle network and controlling the transmission of update data based on the estimation result, it is possible to transmit update data at a timing when the occurrence frequency of event messages decreases, for example, and therefore it is possible to efficiently transmit update data to devices to be updated using the limited communication bandwidth in the in-vehicle network, thereby further increasing the opportunities for updating devices in the in-vehicle network.

[0015] (2) Preferably, the estimation unit estimates the occurrence frequency based on a current position of a vehicle in which the on-vehicle device is mounted and map information.

[0016] The frequency of occurrence of event messages may vary depending on the area in which the vehicle is traveling, and with this configuration, update data can be sent at more times when it is estimated that the frequency of occurrence of event messages will decrease as the vehicle travels through a specific area.

[0017] (3) More preferably, the estimation unit estimates the occurrence frequency further based on congestion information.

[0018] With this configuration, it is possible to transmit update data at a timing when the frequency of occurrence of event messages decreases as the vehicle travels through a congested area.

[0019] (4) Preferably, the estimation unit estimates the occurrence frequency based on an amount of change in a traveling speed of a vehicle in which the on-vehicle device is mounted.

[0020] The frequency of occurrence of event messages may change depending on changes in the external environment around the vehicle. With this configuration, update data can be sent at more times when it is estimated that the frequency of occurrence of event messages will decrease due to changes in the external environment caused by changes in the vehicle's traveling speed.

[0021] (5) Preferably, the estimation unit estimates the occurrence frequency based on a traveling speed of a vehicle in which the on-vehicle device is mounted and a relative speed between the vehicle and another vehicle.

[0022] The frequency of occurrence of event messages may change depending on changes in the external environment around the vehicle. With this configuration, update data can be sent at more times when it is estimated that the frequency of occurrence of event messages will decrease due to changes in the external environment based on the vehicle's traveling speed and its relative speed to other vehicles.

[0023] (6) Preferably, the event message is a message conforming to SOME / IP (Scalable service-Oriented Middleware over IP).

[0024] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to estimate the occurrence frequency of event messages conforming to SOME / IP, and control the transmission of update data based on the estimation result.

[0025] (7) An in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an estimation unit and a control unit, wherein the estimation unit estimates the frequency of occurrence of event messages transmitted in an in-vehicle network and notifies the control unit of the estimation result, and the control unit controls the transmission of update data to a device to be updated in the in-vehicle network based on the estimation result notified by the estimation unit.

[0026] In this way, by estimating the occurrence frequency of event messages in the in-vehicle network and controlling the transmission of update data based on the estimation result, it is possible to transmit update data at a timing when the occurrence frequency of event messages decreases, for example, and therefore it is possible to efficiently transmit update data to devices to be updated using the limited communication bandwidth in the in-vehicle network, thereby further increasing the opportunities for updating devices in the in-vehicle network.

[0027] (8) A data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a data transmission method in an in-vehicle communication system having an estimation unit and a control unit, and includes a step in which the estimation unit estimates an occurrence frequency of an event message transmitted in an in-vehicle network and notifies the control unit of the estimation result, and a step in which the control unit controls the transmission of update data to a device to be updated in the in-vehicle network based on the estimation result notified by the estimation unit.

[0028] In this way, by estimating the occurrence frequency of event messages in an in-vehicle network and controlling the transmission of update data based on the estimation result, it is possible to transmit update data at a timing when the occurrence frequency of event messages decreases, for example, and therefore it is possible to efficiently transmit update data to devices to be updated using the limited communication bandwidth in the in-vehicle network, thereby further increasing the opportunities for updating devices in the in-vehicle network.

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, at least some of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0030] [Configuration and basic operation] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an update system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to Fig. 1, an update system 401 includes an update server 181, a traffic information server 182, and a plurality of in-vehicle communication systems 301. The in-vehicle communication system 301 is mounted on a vehicle 1. The update server 181 is provided, for example, in an OTA (Over The Air) center. The update server 181 transmits update data for updating software of devices in the in-vehicle communication system 301 to the in-vehicle communication system 301 on a regular or irregular basis. The traffic information server 182 transmits congestion information to the in-vehicle communication system 301 on a regular or irregular basis.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 2, an in-vehicle communication system 301 includes an integrated ECU 101, individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D, an individual ECU 121, and a TCU 131. The integrated ECU 101 is an example of an in-vehicle device. Hereinafter, each of the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D will also be referred to as an individual ECU 111.

[0032] The individual ECU 111, the individual ECU 121, and the TCU 131 are connected to the integrated ECU 101 via a cable 2. The cable 2 is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable. The integrated ECU 101, the individual ECU 111, the individual ECU 121, and the TCU 131 configure an in-vehicle network.

[0033] 1 and 2, the TCU 131 can communicate with the update server 181 and the traffic information server 182 via the wireless base station device 161 using, for example, IP packets.

[0034] More specifically, the TCU 131 is capable of performing wireless communication with the wireless base station device 161 in accordance with a communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 3G.

[0035] When the wireless base station device 161 receives an IP packet P1 including update data from the update server 181 via the external network 171, the wireless base station device 161 transmits the received IP packet P1 to the TCU 131 by incorporating it into a wireless signal. Also, when the wireless base station device 161 receives an IP packet P2 including congestion information from the traffic information server 182 via the external network 171, the wireless base station device 161 transmits the received IP packet P2 to the TCU 131 by incorporating it into a wireless signal.

[0036] For example, when the TCU 131 receives a wireless signal including an IP packet P1 from the update server 181 from the wireless base station device 161, the TCU 131 acquires the IP packet P1 from the received wireless signal, stores the acquired IP packet P1 in an Ethernet frame, and transmits the IP packet P1 to the integrated ECU 101. Also, when the TCU 131 receives a wireless signal including an IP packet P2 from the traffic information server 182 from the wireless base station device 161, the TCU 131 acquires the IP packet P2 from the received wireless signal, stores the acquired IP packet P2 in an Ethernet frame, and transmits the IP packet P2 to the integrated ECU 101.

[0037] The individual ECU 121 acquires the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 measured by a vehicle speed sensor mounted on the vehicle 1 at a predetermined interval or in response to a request from the integrated ECU 101, and generates speed information indicating the acquired traveling speed. Then, the individual ECU 121 stores the generated speed information in an Ethernet frame and transmits it to the integrated ECU 101.

[0038] Furthermore, the individual ECU 121 acquires the current position of the vehicle 1 based on radio waves from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite at a predetermined interval or in response to a request from the integrated ECU 101, and generates position information indicating the acquired current position. Then, the individual ECU 121 stores the generated position information in an Ethernet frame and transmits it to the integrated ECU 101.

[0039] Furthermore, the individual ECU 121 acquires detection results of objects around the vehicle 1 from a millimeter wave sensor mounted on the vehicle 1 at a predetermined period or in response to a request from the integrated ECU 101, and generates relative speed information indicating the relative speed between the vehicle 1 and another vehicle, for example, an oncoming vehicle, based on the acquired detection results. Then, the individual ECU 121 stores the generated relative speed information in an Ethernet frame and transmits it to the integrated ECU 101.

[0040] The individual ECU 111 acquires detection results of objects around the vehicle 1 from a radar mounted on the vehicle 1. As an example, the individual ECU 111A acquires detection results of objects in a left front area of ​​the vehicle 1 from a radar R1 mounted on a left front portion of the vehicle 1, the individual ECU 111B acquires detection results of objects in a left rear area of ​​the vehicle 1 from a radar R2 mounted on a left rear portion of the vehicle 1, the individual ECU 111C acquires detection results of objects in a right front area of ​​the vehicle 1 from a radar R3 mounted on a right front portion of the vehicle 1, and the individual ECU 111D acquires detection results of objects in a right rear area of ​​the vehicle 1 from a radar R4 mounted on a right rear portion of the vehicle 1.

[0041] When the individual ECU 111 detects a change in the external environment around the vehicle 1, the individual ECU 111 transmits an event message to the integrated ECU 101.

[0042] More specifically, the individual ECU 111 calculates a distance D between an object around the vehicle 1 and the vehicle 1 based on a detection result acquired from a corresponding radar, for example, at a calculation timing TD according to a predetermined calculation cycle CD, and stores the calculated distance D in a storage unit. For example, when the individual ECU 111 calculates the distance D at the calculation timing TD, the individual ECU 111 calculates a change in the distance D over time based on the distance D and a previously calculated distance D in the storage unit, and if the calculated change in time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, generates an event message including distance information indicating the most recently calculated distance D and transmits the event message to the integrated ECU 101. On the other hand, if the calculated change in time is less than the predetermined value, the individual ECU 111 does not transmit an event message, but stores the calculated distance D in the storage unit and waits for a new calculation timing TD.

[0043] For example, the event message is a message conforming to SOME / IP (Scalable service-Oriented Middleware over IP), which is an application layer protocol of the Ethernet protocol group. More specifically, the individual ECU 111 generates an event message including distance information conforming to SOME / IP (Scalable service-Oriented Middleware over IP), stores the generated event message in one or more Ethernet frames, and transmits the generated event message to the integrated ECU 101.

[0044] When the integrated ECU 101 receives an Ethernet frame from the individual ECU 111, it acquires distance information from an event message included in the received Ethernet frame and processes the acquired distance information. For example, the integrated ECU 101 performs driving assistance such as a lane departure warning to the driver based on the acquired distance information. In addition, for example, the integrated ECU 101 performs a process of transferring the acquired distance information to an autonomous driving ECU (not shown). The autonomous driving ECU performs autonomous driving control based on the distance information received from the integrated ECU 101.

[0045] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an integrated ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 3, the integrated ECU 101 includes a receiver 11, a processor 21, a transmitter 31, an estimator 41, a controller 51, and a memory 61. The receiver 11, the processor 21, the transmitter 31, the estimator 41, and the controller 51 are realized by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a digital signal processor (DSP). The memory 61 is, for example, a non-volatile memory.

[0046] The storage unit 61 stores map information. For example, the map information is stored in the storage unit 61 by the manufacturer of the vehicle 1 when the vehicle 1 is shipped. For example, the map information in the storage unit 61 is updated by the user of the vehicle 1 on a regular or irregular basis.

[0047] When the receiver 11 receives an Ethernet frame including an event message from the individual ECU 111 , the receiver 11 obtains distance information from the event message and stores the distance information in the memory unit 61 .

[0048] The receiving unit 11 also receives an Ethernet frame from the TCU 131, acquires congestion information from the received Ethernet frame, and stores the congestion information in the storage unit 61. The receiving unit 11 also receives an Ethernet frame from the TCU 131, acquires update data from the received Ethernet frame, and stores the update data in the storage unit 61. As an example, the receiving unit 11 acquires update data for updating software of the individual ECU 111 from the Ethernet frame received from the TCU 131, and stores the update data in the storage unit 61.

[0049] Furthermore, the receiver 11 receives an Ethernet frame from the individual ECU 121 , acquires position information, speed information or relative speed information from the received Ethernet frame, and stores the information in the memory 61 .

[0050] For example, the processing unit 21 performs driving assistance such as a lane departure warning to the driver based on the distance information stored in the storage unit 61 by the receiving unit 11. Specifically, the processing unit 21 performs processing to display a lane departure warning on a display device (not shown) based on the distance information. Also, for example, the processing unit 21 periodically or irregularly acquires distance information from the storage unit 61 and outputs the acquired distance information to the transmitting unit 31.

[0051] The transmitting unit 31 stores the distance information received from the processing unit 21 in an Ethernet frame and transmits it to an autonomous driving ECU (not shown).

[0052] Furthermore, the transmitter 31 acquires update data from the storage unit 61, stores the acquired update data in an Ethernet frame, and transmits the data to the individual ECU 111, which is the device to be updated. More specifically, the transmitter 31 receives control information, which will be described later, from the control unit 51, and transmits the update data to the individual ECU 111 in accordance with a transmission timing based on the received control information.

[0053] The estimation unit 41 performs an estimation process to estimate the occurrence frequency of an event message transmitted in an in-vehicle network. For example, the estimation unit 41 waits for update data to be stored in the storage unit 61, and starts the estimation process when the update data is stored in the storage unit 61 by the receiving unit 11. The estimation unit 41 notifies the control unit 51 of the estimation result obtained by the estimation process.

[0054] The control unit 51 controls the transmission of update data to the individual ECU 111 based on the estimation result by the estimation unit 41. More specifically, the control unit 51 generates control information based on the estimation result notified by the estimation unit 41, and outputs the generated control information to the transmission unit 31, thereby controlling the transmission of update data to the individual ECU 111 by the transmission unit 31.

[0055] The estimation unit 41 repeats the estimation process until the transmission unit 31 has completed transmitting the update data to the individual ECU 111, and when the transmission unit 31 has completed transmitting the update data to the individual ECU 111, it terminates the estimation process and waits for new update data to be stored in the memory unit 61.

[0056] (Example 1 of sending update data) The estimation unit 41 performs estimation processing based on the current position and map information of the vehicle 1. More specifically, the estimation unit 41 predicts a period during which the frequency of transmission of event messages by the individual ECU 111 will be less than a predetermined value based on the current position and map information of the vehicle 1, which are information acquired from outside the vehicle 1. Then, the control unit 51 controls the transmission of update data based on the prediction result by the estimation unit 41.

[0057] 4 is a plan view showing an example of a traveling state of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to FIG. 4, while vehicle 1 is traveling through a tunnel, a wall W, which is part of the tunnel, is present on the left side of vehicle 1 in the traveling direction.

[0058] In this case, the distance D calculated in the individual ECU 111A based on the detection result acquired from the radar R1, and the distance D calculated in the individual ECU 111B based on the detection result acquired from the radar R2 indicate the distance between the vehicle 1 and the wall W. Furthermore, the change over time in the distance D calculated by the individual ECUs 111A and 111B is relatively small when the vehicle 1 continues to travel in the same lane in the tunnel. Therefore, the frequency with which the individual ECUs 111A and 111B generate event messages including distance information and transmit them to the integrated ECU 101 is relatively low during the period in which the vehicle 1 travels in the tunnel.

[0059] On the other hand, the distance D calculated in the individual ECU 111C based on the detection result acquired from the radar R3, and the distance D calculated in the individual ECU 111D based on the detection result acquired from the radar R4 indicate the distance between the vehicle 1 and an oncoming vehicle. When there are a certain number or more of oncoming vehicles, the change over time of the distance D calculated by the individual ECUs 111C and 111D is larger than the change over time of the distance D calculated by the individual ECUs 111A and 111B. Therefore, the individual ECUs 111C and 111D generate event messages including distance information and transmit them to the integrated ECU 101 relatively frequently.

[0060] The estimation unit 41 acquires map information and location information from the storage unit 61, and predicts a tunnel driving period during which the vehicle 1 drives through a tunnel based on the acquired map information and location information. Then, the estimation unit 41 notifies the control unit 51 of an estimation result indicating that the frequency of transmission of event messages by the individual ECUs 111A, 111B during the predicted tunnel driving period will be less than a predetermined value.

[0061] For example, upon receiving the estimation result, the control unit 51 outputs, to the transmission unit 31, control information indicating that update data should be transmitted to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B during the tunnel traveling period indicated by the estimation result.

[0062] The transmitter 31 receives the control information from the control unit 51, acquires update data from the storage unit 61 based on the received control information, stores the acquired update data in an Ethernet frame, and transmits the frame to the individual ECUs 111A and 111B. More specifically, the transmitter 31 starts transmitting the update data to the individual ECUs 111A and 111B when the tunnel traveling period starts, and stops transmitting the update data to the individual ECUs 111A and 111B when the tunnel traveling period ends.

[0063] In the above description, the estimation unit 41 is configured to predict the tunnel driving period based on the map information and the position information, and notify the control unit 51 of the estimation result that the frequency of event message transmission by the individual ECUs 111A, 111B will be less than a predetermined value during the predicted tunnel driving period, but this is not limited to the above. When the estimation unit 41 determines that the current position of the vehicle 1 is inside a tunnel based on the map information and the position information, the estimation unit 41 may be configured to estimate that the current frequency of event message transmission by the individual ECUs 111A, 111B is less than a predetermined value, and notify the control unit 51 of the estimation result.

[0064] (Example 2 of sending update data) The estimation unit 41 performs estimation processing based on traffic congestion information in addition to the current position and map information of the vehicle 1. More specifically, the estimation unit 41 predicts a period during which the frequency of transmission of event messages by the individual ECU 111 will be less than a predetermined value based on the current position of the vehicle 1, map information, and traffic congestion information, which are information acquired from outside the vehicle 1. Then, the control unit 51 controls the transmission of update data based on the prediction result by the estimation unit 41.

[0065] 5 is a plan view showing another example of a traveling state of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, the lane in which vehicle 1 is traveling and the oncoming lane are congested, and vehicle 1 is traveling at a low speed, for example, 5 km / h or less.

[0066] In this case, the distance D calculated in the individual ECU 111A based on the detection result acquired from the radar R1 indicates the distance between the vehicle 1 and the vehicle traveling ahead of the vehicle 1. The distance D calculated in the individual ECU 111B based on the detection result acquired from the radar R2 indicates the distance between the vehicle 1 and the vehicle traveling behind the vehicle 1. The distance D calculated in the individual ECU 111C based on the detection result acquired from the radar R3 indicates the distance between the vehicle 1 and the vehicle traveling ahead of the vehicle 1, or the distance between the vehicle 1 and an oncoming vehicle. The distance D calculated in the individual ECU 111D based on the detection result acquired from the radar R4 indicates the distance between the vehicle 1 and the vehicle traveling behind the vehicle 1, or the distance between the vehicle 1 and an oncoming vehicle.

[0067] The change over time of the distance D calculated by the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is relatively small when the lane in which the vehicle 1 is traveling and the oncoming lane are congested. Therefore, the frequency with which the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D generate and transmit to the integrated ECU 101 event messages including distance information is relatively low while the vehicle 1 is traveling in an area with congestion.

[0068] The estimation unit 41 acquires map information, location information, and congestion information from the storage unit 61, and predicts a congestion driving period during which the vehicle 1 travels through a congested area based on the acquired map information, location information, and congestion information. Then, the estimation unit 41 notifies the control unit 51 of an estimation result that the frequency of event message transmission by the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D during the predicted congestion driving period will be less than a predetermined value.

[0069] For example, upon receiving the estimation result, the control unit 51 outputs to the transmission unit 31 control information indicating that update data should be transmitted to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D during the traffic jam driving period indicated by the estimation result.

[0070] The transmitter 31 receives the control information from the control unit 51, acquires update data from the storage unit 61 based on the received control information, stores the acquired update data in an Ethernet frame, and transmits the data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. More specifically, when a traffic jam driving period starts, the transmitter 31 starts transmitting the update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D, and when the traffic jam driving period ends, stops transmitting the update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D.

[0071] In the above description, the estimation unit 41 is configured to predict a traffic jam driving period based on map information, position information, and traffic congestion information, and to notify the control unit 51 of an estimation result indicating that the frequency of event message transmission by the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D will be less than a predetermined value during the predicted traffic jam driving period, but this is not limited to the above. When the estimation unit 41 determines that the current position of the vehicle 1 is in a traffic jam area based on the map information, position information, and traffic congestion information, the estimation unit 41 may estimate that the current frequency of event message transmission by the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is less than a predetermined value, and notify the control unit 51 of the estimation result.

[0072] (Update data transmission example 3) The estimation unit 41 performs estimation processing based on the amount of change in the traveling speed of the vehicle 1. More specifically, the estimation unit 41 predicts the current frequency of transmission of event messages by the individual ECU 111 based on the amount of change in the traveling speed, which is a measurement result of the vehicle 1. Then, the control unit 51 controls the transmission of update data based on the prediction result by the estimation unit 41.

[0073] More specifically, for example, when the vehicle 1 decelerates in accordance with the driver's operation, the change over time of the distance D between the vehicle 1 and an object around the vehicle 1, such as a stationary object, becomes smaller. Also, for example, when the vehicle 1 decelerates in accordance with the driver's operation as the vehicle 1 enters an area of ​​congestion, the change over time of the distance D between the vehicle 1 and the preceding and following vehicles and the oncoming vehicle becomes smaller.

[0074] Therefore, the frequency with which the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D generate and transmit to the integrated ECU 101 event messages including distance information decreases when the vehicle 1 decelerates.

[0075] For example, at a calculation timing TV according to a predetermined calculation cycle CV, the estimation unit 41 calculates the amount of change in the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 based on the speed information in the storage unit 61. If the amount of decrease in the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the estimation unit 41 estimates that the current frequency of transmission of event messages by the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D is less than a predetermined value, and notifies the control unit 51 of the estimation result.

[0076] For example, in response to the estimation result, the control unit 51 outputs, to the transmission unit 31, control information indicating that transmission of update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D should be started.

[0077] The transmission unit 31 receives the control information from the control unit 51, and starts transmitting update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D based on the received control information.

[0078] Thereafter, for example, if the increase in the traveling speed of vehicle 1 per unit time calculated at a certain calculation timing TV is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the estimation unit 41 estimates that the current frequency of sending event messages by individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and notifies the control unit 51 of the estimation result.

[0079] For example, in response to the estimation result, the control unit 51 outputs, to the transmission unit 31, control information indicating that the transmission of update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D should be stopped.

[0080] The transmitter 31 receives the control information from the controller 51 and stops the transmission of update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D based on the received control information.

[0081] (Update data transmission example 4) The estimation unit 41 performs estimation processing based on the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 and the relative speed between the vehicle 1 and other vehicles. More specifically, the estimation unit 41 predicts the current transmission frequency of event messages by the individual ECU 111 based on the traveling speed and the relative speed, which are measurement results of the vehicle 1. Then, the control unit 51 controls the transmission of update data based on the prediction result by the estimation unit 41.

[0082] More specifically, for example, if the lane in which vehicle 1 is traveling is congested while the oncoming lane is not congested and the vehicle is traveling at high speed, the change over time in distance D between vehicle 1 and the vehicles in front and behind it is small, while the change over time in distance D between vehicle 1 and the oncoming vehicle is large.

[0083] Therefore, the frequency with which the individual ECUs 111A and 111B generate event messages including distance information and transmit them to the integrated ECU 101 is relatively low when the vehicle 1 is traveling at a low speed and the oncoming vehicle is traveling at a high speed. On the other hand, the frequency with which the individual ECUs 111C and 111D generate event messages including distance information and transmit them to the integrated ECU 101 is relatively high when the vehicle 1 is traveling at a low speed and the oncoming vehicle is traveling at a high speed.

[0084] The estimation unit 41 acquires speed information and relative speed information from the memory unit 61, and if the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 indicated by the acquired speed information is lower than a predetermined value and the relative speed indicated by the acquired relative speed information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it estimates that the frequency of event message transmission by the current individual ECUs 111A, 111B is less than a predetermined value, while the frequency of event message transmission by the current individual ECUs 111C, 111D is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and notifies the control unit 51 of the estimation result.

[0085] For example, upon receiving the estimation result, the control unit 51 outputs, to the transmission unit 31, control information indicating that transmission of update data to the individual ECUs 111A and 111B should be started.

[0086] The transmission unit 31 receives the control information from the control unit 51, and starts transmitting update data to the individual ECUs 111A and 111B based on the received control information.

[0087] Thereafter, for example, when the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 indicated by the speed information acquired from the memory unit 61 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the estimation unit 41 estimates that the current frequency of sending event messages by the individual ECUs 111A, 111B is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and notifies the control unit 51 of the estimation result.

[0088] For example, in response to the estimation result, the control unit 51 outputs, to the transmission unit 31, control information indicating that the transmission of update data to the individual ECUs 111A and 111B should be stopped.

[0089] The transmitter 31 receives the control information from the controller 51 and stops transmitting the update data to the individual ECUs 111A and 111B based on the received control information.

[0090] The above-mentioned update data transmission examples 1 to 4 are merely examples. The integrated ECU 101 may be configured not to perform at least one of the update data transmission examples 1 to 4. In addition, in the integrated ECU 101, the estimation unit 41 may be configured to perform estimation processing based on, for example, time information instead of some or all of the map information, the position information, the traffic jam information, the speed information, and the relative speed information, or in addition to these five information.

[0091] [Operation flow] Each device in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer including a memory, and a processor such as a CPU in the computer reads out from the memory a program including some or all of the steps of the following sequence and executes it. Each of the programs for the multiple devices can be installed from the outside. Each of the programs for the multiple devices is distributed in a state stored in a recording medium or via a communication line.

[0092] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure when the integrated ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits update data. FIG 6 shows a flowchart corresponding to the above-mentioned update data transmission example 1.

[0093] 6, first, the integrated ECU 101 waits for update data from the update server 181 (NO in step S102), and when it receives the update data from the update server 181 via the TCU 131 (YES in step S102), performs estimation processing. As an example, the integrated ECU 101 predicts a tunnel driving period based on map information and position information, and estimates that the frequency of transmission of event messages by the individual ECUs 111A and 111B during the predicted tunnel driving period will be less than a predetermined value (step S104).

[0094] Next, the integrated ECU 101 waits for the start time of the predicted tunnel driving period (NO in step S106), and when the start time of the predicted tunnel driving period arrives (YES in step S106), it starts transmitting update data to the individual ECUs 111A and 111B (step S108).

[0095] Next, the integrated ECU 101 continues to send update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B until the predicted end time of the tunnel driving period arrives (NO in step S110), and when the predicted end time of the tunnel driving period arrives (YES in step S110), the integrated ECU 101 stops sending update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B (step S112).

[0096] Next, if the transmission of the update data to the individual ECUs 111A and 111B is not yet completed (NO in step S114), the integrated ECU 101 performs the estimation process again (step S104).

[0097] On the other hand, when the transmission of the update data to the individual ECUs 111A and 111B is completed (YES in step S114), the integrated ECU 101 waits for new update data from the update server 181 (NO in step S102).

[0098] 7 is a flowchart showing another example of an operation procedure when the integrated ECU according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits update data. FIG. 7 shows a flowchart corresponding to the above-mentioned update data transmission example 3.

[0099] 7, first, the integrated ECU 101 waits for update data from the update server 181 (NO in step S202), and when it receives the update data from the update server 181 via the TCU 131 (YES in step S202), starts the estimation process. As an example, the integrated ECU 101 estimates the current transmission frequency of event messages by the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D (step S204).

[0100] Next, the integrated ECU 101 waits for the frequency of event message transmission by the current individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D to become less than a predetermined value (NO in step S206), and if it estimates that the frequency of event message transmission by the current individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is less than the predetermined value, it starts transmitting update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D (step S208).

[0101] Next, the integrated ECU 101 continues sending update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D until the frequency of event message transmission by the current individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D reaches or exceeds a predetermined value (NO in step S210), and when it estimates that the frequency of event message transmission by the current individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is greater than or equal to the predetermined value (YES in step S210), it stops sending update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D (step S212).

[0102] Next, if the transmission of update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D has not been completed (NO in step S214), the integrated ECU 101 waits for the current frequency of event message transmission by the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D to again become less than the predetermined value (NO in step S206).

[0103] On the other hand, if the transmission of the update data to the individual ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is completed (YES in step S214), the integrated ECU 101 ends the estimation process and waits for new update data from the update server 181 (NO in step S202).

[0104] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a data transmission sequence in the in-vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] 8, first, the estimation unit 41 performs the estimation process. For example, the estimation unit 41 performs the estimation process based on map information and position information. Alternatively, the estimation unit 41 performs the estimation process based on map information, position information, and congestion information. Alternatively, the estimation unit 41 performs the estimation process based on speed information. Alternatively, the estimation unit 41 performs the estimation process based on speed information and relative speed information (step S302).

[0106] Next, the estimation unit 41 notifies the control unit 51 of the estimation result (step S304).

[0107] Next, the control unit 51 controls the transmission of update data to the individual ECU 111 based on the estimation result by the estimation unit 41. More specifically, the control unit 51 generates control information based on the estimation result notified by the estimation unit 41, and outputs the generated control information to the transmission unit 31 (step S306).

[0108] Next, the transmission unit 31 transmits the update data to the individual ECU 111 in accordance with the transmission timing based on the control information received from the control unit 51 (step S308).

[0109] In the in-vehicle communication system 301 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated ECU 101 is configured to receive update data for updating software of the individual ECU 111 from the update server 181 via the TCU 131 and transmit the received update data to the individual ECU 111, but this is not limited thereto. The integrated ECU 101 may be configured to receive update data for updating software of a device other than the individual ECU 111 in the in-vehicle network and transmit the received update data to that device.

[0110] In addition, in the in-vehicle communication system 301 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the individual ECU 111 is configured to transmit an event message conforming to SOME / IP to the integrated ECU 101, but this is not limited thereto. The individual ECU 111 may be configured to transmit an event message conforming to CAN (Controller Area Network) (registered trademark) to the integrated ECU 101, for example. In this case, the individual ECU 111 is connected to the integrated ECU 101 via a CAN bus instead of the cable 2.

[0111] In addition, in the integrated ECU 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit 51 is configured to control the start and stop of transmission of update data to the individual ECUs 111 by the transmission unit 31, but this is not limited to the above. The control unit 51 may be configured to control the transmission rate of update data to the individual ECUs 111 by the transmission unit 31.

[0112] In the in-vehicle communication system 301 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the estimation unit 41 and the control unit 51 are configured to be provided in the integrated ECU 101, but this is not limited thereto. The estimation unit 41 and the control unit 51 may be configured to be provided in a device other than the integrated ECU 101, such as a switch device. Furthermore, the estimation unit 41 and the control unit 51 may be configured to be provided in different devices.

[0113] The above-described embodiments should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0114] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 1] an estimation unit that estimates an occurrence frequency of an event message transmitted in an in-vehicle network; a control unit that controls transmission of update data to a device to be updated in the in-vehicle network based on an estimation result by the estimation unit; The estimation unit predicts a period during which the occurrence frequency will be less than a predetermined value based on a current position of the vehicle and map information; The control unit controls transmission of the update data based on a result of the prediction by the estimation unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1 vehicle 2 Cable 11 Receiving section 21 Processing section 31 Transmitter 41 Estimation part 51 Control section 61 Storage section 101 Integrated ECU 111,111A,111B,111C,111D Individual ECU 121 Individual ECU 131 TCU 171 External Network 161 Wireless base station equipment 181 Update Server 182 Traffic Information Server 301 In-vehicle communication system R1, R2, R3, R4 Radar W Wall

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, an estimation unit that estimates an occurrence frequency of an event message transmitted in an in-vehicle network; a control unit that controls transmission of update data to a device to be updated in the in-vehicle network based on an estimation result by the estimation unit; the event message is a message that is generated and transmitted by each of a plurality of other in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network, the event message being generated based on a calculated distance between the vehicle and objects in different areas around the vehicle; the estimation unit estimates, based on a current position of the vehicle and map information, from among the plurality of other in-vehicle devices, the other in-vehicle devices which transmit the event message at a frequency less than a predetermined value; The control unit starts transmission of update data to the other in-vehicle device estimated by the estimation unit.

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the estimation unit estimates the other in-vehicle device based further on congestion information.

3. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the estimation unit estimates the other in-vehicle device based on an amount of change in a traveling speed of a vehicle in which the in-vehicle device is mounted.

4. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the estimation unit estimates the other in-vehicle device based on a traveling speed of a vehicle in which the in-vehicle device is mounted and a relative speed between the vehicle and the other vehicle.

5. 5. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the event message is a message conforming to Scalable service-oriented Middleware over IP (SOME / IP).

6. An in-vehicle communication system mounted in a vehicle, comprising: An estimation unit; A control unit. The estimation unit estimates an occurrence frequency of an event message transmitted in an in-vehicle network and notifies the control unit of an estimation result; the control unit controls transmission of update data to a device to be updated in the in-vehicle network based on the estimation result notified by the estimation unit; the event message is a message that is generated and transmitted by each of a plurality of in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network, the event message being generated based on the calculated distances between the vehicle and objects in different areas around the vehicle; the estimation unit estimates, from among the plurality of in-vehicle devices, an in-vehicle device that transmits the event message at a frequency less than a predetermined value based on a current position of the vehicle and map information; The control unit starts transmission of update data to the in-vehicle device estimated by the estimation unit.

7. A data transmission method in an in-vehicle communication system mounted on a vehicle and including an estimation unit and a control unit, the estimation unit estimating an occurrence frequency of an event message transmitted in an in-vehicle network and notifying the control unit of an estimation result; and controlling, by the control unit, transmission of update data to a device to be updated in the in-vehicle network based on the estimation result notified by the estimation unit; the event message is a message that is generated and transmitted by each of a plurality of in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network, the event message being generated based on the calculated distances between the vehicle and objects in different areas around the vehicle; In the step of estimating the occurrence frequency, the estimation unit estimates, from among the plurality of in-vehicle devices, an in-vehicle device that transmits the event message at a frequency less than a predetermined value, based on a current position of the vehicle and map information; In the step of controlling the transmission of the update data, the control unit starts transmission of the update data to the in-vehicle device estimated by the estimation unit.

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