Relay device, communication method, and communication program

Abstract

To provide a relay device, a communication method, a communication program, and a vehicle equipped with the relay device that enable the easy use of information about the network configuration of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths in a system equipped with a plurality of in-vehicle networks.SOLUTION: A relay device 200A includes: an acquisition unit that acquires second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information about the network configuration of layers lower than an application layer of a functional unit connected to a second transmission path; and a conversion unit that performs a conversion process to convert the second functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit into information that can be registered in a database of one or more pieces of first functional unit information, which is functional unit information about one or more functional units connected to a first transmission path (for example, Ethernet cable).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay device, a vehicle, a communication method, and a communication program. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-142205, filed on August 1, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 2017-212728) discloses a network hub as follows: That is, the network hub is a network hub connected to a bus of a first network and a second network in an in-vehicle network system including a first network in which a first type frame related to vehicle driving control is transmitted over a bus in accordance with a first communication protocol, and a second network in which a second type frame is transmitted in accordance with a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, and the network hub includes a first receive buffer, a second receive buffer, a first transmit buffer, a second transmit buffer, a first receiver that sequentially receives first type frames from the bus and stores data in the first type frames in the first receive buffer, and a second receiver that sequentially receives second type frames from the second network and stores data in the second type frames in the second receive buffer. the data transmission unit performs priority transmission control so that untransmitted data in a priority transmission buffer, which is one of the first transmission buffer and the second transmission buffer, is transmitted in priority over untransmitted data in a non-priority transmission buffer, which is the other of the first transmission buffer and the second transmission buffer; a selection unit that selects whether the destination of data that is the content of either the first reception buffer or the second reception buffer is a first network or a second network, and if the first network is selected, stores the data in the first transmission buffer, and if the second network is selected, stores the data in the second transmission buffer; and a transmission unit that transmits the untransmitted data in the first transmission buffer and the untransmitted data in the second transmission buffer, [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-212728 A Summary of the Invention

[0004] (1) A relay device of the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle and relays information transmitted and received between a functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a functional unit connected to a second transmission path, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information about a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of the functional unit connected to the second transmission path, and a conversion unit that performs a conversion process to convert the second functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, which is functional unit information of one or more of the functional units connected to the first transmission path.

[0005] (8) A relay device of the present disclosure is a relay device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a communication unit that performs a first communication that complies with a first communication protocol and a second communication that complies with a second communication protocol, and a generation unit that generates network information to be used for the first communication based on network information to be used for the second communication.

[0006] (11) A communication method disclosed herein is a communication method in a relay device mounted on a vehicle and relaying information transmitted and received between a functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a functional unit connected to a second transmission path, the method including the steps of: acquiring second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information regarding a network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer of the functional unit connected to the second transmission path; and performing a conversion process of converting the acquired second functional unit information into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information regarding a network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer of one or more of the functional units connected to the first transmission path.

[0007] (12) A communication program disclosed herein is a communication program used in a relay device mounted on a vehicle and relaying information transmitted and received between a functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a functional unit connected to a second transmission path, the program causing a computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information about a network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer of the functional unit connected to the second transmission path, and a conversion unit that performs a conversion process to convert the second functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information about a network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer of one or more functional units connected to the first transmission path.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure may be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes a part or all of a relay device, or as a system including a relay device. Also, one aspect of the present disclosure may be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes a part or all of a system including a relay device, or as a program for causing a computer to execute processing steps in a system including a relay device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the updated database in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conversion table in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the updated database in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a support table in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of the updated database in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication to be newly performed in a new network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of a configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of communication to be newly performed in a new network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of a configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication that is stopped in a new network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when a relay device provides functional unit information to another relay device in the vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19]FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in the vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a demand for technology for transmitting various types of data between a plurality of in-vehicle networks that perform communication via transmission paths according to different communication protocols.

[0011] [Problem that this disclosure aims to solve] In such a system having multiple in-vehicle networks, a technique is desired that makes it possible to easily use information about the network configurations of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths.

[0012] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a relay device, a vehicle, a communication method, and a communication program that can easily use information regarding the network configuration of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths in a system having multiple in-vehicle networks.

[0013] [Effects of this disclosure] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily use information regarding the network configuration of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths.

[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 mounted on a vehicle and relays information transmitted and received between a functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a functional unit connected to a second transmission path, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information regarding a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of the functional unit connected to the second transmission path, and a conversion unit that performs a conversion process to convert the second functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, which is functional unit information of one or more of the functional units connected to the first transmission path.

[0016] In this way, by performing a conversion process that converts the second functional unit information of the functional unit connected to the second transmission path into information that can be registered in a database of the first functional unit information of the functional unit connected to the first transmission path, the converted functional unit information can be registered in the database, and the second functional unit information can be referenced and used in the same way as the first functional unit information. Therefore, information on the network configuration of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths can be easily used.

[0017] (2) Preferably, the conversion process includes a process of matching a second element, which is an element of the second functional unit information, to a first element, which is an element of the first functional unit information and has a different definition from the second element.

[0018] With this configuration, an element of the second functional unit information can be read as an element of the first functional unit information, and the value of the element in the second functional unit information can be referred to and used as the value of the element of the first functional unit information.

[0019] (3) Preferably, the conversion process includes converting a value of an element of the second functional unit information in accordance with a predetermined rule.

[0020] With this configuration, the value of the element of the second functional unit information converted according to a predetermined rule can be referred to and used as the value of the element of the first functional unit information.

[0021] (4) Preferably, the relay device further includes a storage unit, and the conversion process includes a process of acquiring information corresponding to the second functional unit information or information based on the second functional unit information from the storage unit.

[0022] With this configuration, information corresponding to the second functional unit information or information based on the second functional unit information in the storage unit can be referred to and used as the first functional unit information.

[0023] (5) Preferably, the conversion process includes a process of changing the data size of a second element, which is an element of the second functional unit information, to the data size of a first element, which is an element of the first functional unit information and corresponds to the second element.

[0024] With this configuration, the elements of the second functional unit information after the data size has been changed can be referred to and used as elements of the first functional unit information.

[0025] (6) Preferably, the conversion unit further performs at least one of registering the second functional unit information after the conversion process in the database and deleting the second functional unit information registered in the database based on the second functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0026] With this configuration, the database can be flexibly updated based on the contents of the second functional part information.

[0027] (7) Preferably, the relay device further includes an assignment unit that assigns the second functional unit information converted by the conversion unit to a management unit that updates configuration information of a network including one or more functional units connected to the first transmission path and one or more functional units connected to the second transmission path based on the database.

[0028] With this configuration, the converted second function part information can be used to construct a network that takes into account the network configuration and constraints of layers lower than the application layer.

[0029] (8) A relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a relay device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a communication unit that performs a first communication that complies with a first communication protocol and a second communication that complies with a second communication protocol, and a generation unit that generates network information to be used for the first communication based on network information to be used for the second communication.

[0030] In this manner, by using a configuration in which network information to be used for the first communication is generated based on network information to be used for the second communication, two types of network information to be used for communication via different types of transmission paths can be registered in the same database, making it possible to refer to and use the two types of network information. Therefore, it is possible to easily use information on the network configurations of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths.

[0031] (9) Preferably, the first communication protocol is Ethernet (registered trademark), and the second communication protocol is CAN (Controller Area Network) (registered trademark).

[0032] With this configuration, in a network that performs Ethernet-compliant communication and CAN-compliant communication, network information used for Ethernet-compliant communication and network information used for CAN-compliant communication can be registered in the same database.

[0033] (10) A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the relay device.

[0034] With this configuration, in a vehicle equipped with a relay device, information regarding the network configuration of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths can be easily used.

[0035] (11) A communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication method in a relay device mounted on a vehicle and relaying information transmitted and received between a functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a functional unit connected to a second transmission path, the method including the steps of: acquiring second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information regarding a network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer of the functional unit connected to the second transmission path; and performing a conversion process of converting the acquired second functional unit information into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information regarding a network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer of one or more of the functional units connected to the first transmission path.

[0036] In this way, by performing a conversion process that converts the second functional unit information of the functional unit connected to the second transmission path into information that can be registered in a database of first functional unit information of the functional unit connected to the first transmission path, the converted second functional unit information can be registered in the database, and the second functional unit information can be referenced and used in the same way as the first functional unit information. Therefore, information on the network configuration of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths can be easily used.

[0037] (12) A communication program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication program used in a relay device mounted on a vehicle and relaying information transmitted and received between a functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a functional unit connected to a second transmission path, the program causing a computer to function as: an acquisition unit that acquires second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information regarding a network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer of the functional unit connected to the second transmission path; and a conversion unit that performs a conversion process to convert the second functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information regarding a network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer of one or more functional units connected to the first transmission path.

[0038] In this manner, by performing a conversion process for converting the second functional unit information of the functional unit connected to the second transmission path into information that can be registered in the database of the first functional unit information of the functional unit connected to the first transmission path, the converted functional unit information can be registered in the database DB, and the second functional unit information can be referenced and used in the same way as the first functional unit information. Therefore, information on the network configuration of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths can be easily used.

[0039] 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.

[0040] [Vehicle communication system] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] 1, the communication system 400 includes a server 180 and one or more vehicle communication systems 300. The vehicle communication system 300 is mounted on a vehicle 1.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] 2, vehicle communication system 300 includes one or more in-vehicle Electronic Control Units (ECUs) 111, one or more in-vehicle ECUs 112, and relay devices 200A and 200B. Specifically, vehicle communication system 300 includes in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111D as in-vehicle ECUs 111, and includes in-vehicle ECUs 112A to 112D as in-vehicle ECUs 112. Hereinafter, each of relay devices 200A and 200B will also be referred to as relay device 200.

[0044] Each of the in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111D includes an application 101. Each of the in-vehicle ECUs 112A to 112D includes an application .

[0045] More specifically, as the applications 101, the in-vehicle ECU 111A includes an application 101A, the in-vehicle ECU 111B includes an application 101B, the in-vehicle ECU 111C includes an application 101C, and the in-vehicle ECU 111D includes an application 101D.

[0046] As the applications 102, the in-vehicle ECU 112A includes an application 102A, the in-vehicle ECU 112B includes an application 102B, the in-vehicle ECU 112C includes an application 102C, and the in-vehicle ECU 112D includes an application 102D.

[0047] The in-vehicle ECU 111 is connected to the relay device 200 via an Ethernet cable 21. The in-vehicle ECU 112 is connected to the relay device 200 via a CAN bus 22. The multiple Ethernet cables 21 are an example of a first transmission path. The CAN bus 22 is an example of a second transmission path.

[0048] Specifically, the in-vehicle ECUs 111A and 111B are connected to the relay device 200A via an Ethernet cable 21, the in-vehicle ECUs 112A and 112B are connected to the relay device 200A via a CAN bus 22, the in-vehicle ECUs 111C and 111D are connected to the relay device 200B via the Ethernet cable 21, and the in-vehicle ECUs 112C and 112D are connected to the relay device 200B via the CAN bus 22.

[0049] The relay device 200A and the relay device 200B are connected to each other via an Ethernet cable 21.

[0050] The in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111D, the in-vehicle ECUs 112A to 112D, and the relay devices 200A and 200B form a network 12.

[0051] The in-vehicle ECU 111, the in-vehicle ECU 112, the application 101, and the application 102 are examples of functional units in the network 12 that are installed in the vehicle 1.

[0052] The vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration including four in-vehicle ECUs 111, but may be a configuration including three or less or five or more in-vehicle ECUs 111. The vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration including four in-vehicle ECUs 112, but may be a configuration including three or less or five or more in-vehicle ECUs 112.

[0053] Furthermore, the vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration in which one application 101 is mounted on one in-vehicle ECU 111, but may be a configuration in which two or more applications 101 are mounted on one in-vehicle ECU 111. Furthermore, the vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration in which one application 102 is mounted on one in-vehicle ECU 112, but may be a configuration in which two or more applications 102 are mounted on one in-vehicle ECU 112.

[0054] Furthermore, the vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration including two relay devices 200, but may be a configuration including only relay device 200A or relay device 200B, or may be a configuration including three or more relay devices 200.

[0055] Furthermore, the network 12 may include, as functional units, an external device that is outside the vehicle 1 and is capable of communicating with a TCU (described later) and an application provided in the external device.

[0056] The in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 are, for example, a TCU (Telematics Communication Unit), an automatic driving ECU, an engine ECU, a sensor, a navigation device, a human-machine interface, a camera, and the like.

[0057] The relay device 200 is, for example, a gateway device, and is capable of relaying data between a plurality of on-board ECUs 111, 112 connected thereto. The relay device 200 is capable of performing relay processing according to, for example, layer 2 and layer 3 higher than layer 2, and performs, for example, relay processing of frames between on-board ECUs 111, 112 belonging to the same VLAN and relay processing of frames between on-board ECUs 111, 112 belonging to different VLANs.

[0058] More specifically, relay device 200 relays frames in accordance with at least one of the communication standards of Ethernet and CAN. Ethernet is an example of a first communication protocol, and CAN is an example of a second communication protocol. Hereinafter, a frame conforming to the Ethernet communication standard is referred to as an Ethernet frame, and a frame conforming to the CAN communication standard is referred to as a CAN frame. An IP packet is stored in the Ethernet frame.

[0059] The relay device 200 relays Ethernet frames exchanged between the in-vehicle ECUs 111 connected via an Ethernet cable, and relays CAN frames exchanged between the in-vehicle ECUs 112 connected via a CAN bus.

[0060] Furthermore, the relay device 200 generates a CAN frame based on an Ethernet frame received from the in-vehicle ECU 111 connected via an Ethernet cable, and relays the generated CAN frame to the in-vehicle ECU 112 via the CAN bus.

[0061] Furthermore, the relay device 200 generates an Ethernet frame based on a CAN frame received from the in-vehicle ECU 112 connected via a CAN bus, and relays the generated Ethernet frame to the in-vehicle ECU 111 via an Ethernet cable.

[0062] In addition, the vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration in which Ethernet frames and CAN frames are relayed according to the Ethernet communication standard and the CAN communication standard, respectively, but may be a configuration in which data is relayed according to communication standards such as FlexRay (registered trademark), MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) (registered trademark), and LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

[0063] 1 and 2, a TCU, which is an example of the in-vehicle ECUs 111, 112, is capable of communicating with a server 180. In particular, the TCU is capable of communicating with an external device such as the server 180 via a wireless base station device 161 using, for example, an IP packet.

[0064] More specifically, the TCU is capable of wireless communication with the wireless base station device 161 in accordance with a communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 3G.

[0065] Specifically, for example, when the in-vehicle ECU 111 is a TCU, the wireless base station device 161 receives an IP packet from the server 180 via the external network 170, and transmits the received IP packet in a wireless signal to the TCU.

[0066] For example, when the TCU receives a wireless signal including an IP packet from the server 180 from the wireless base station device 161, the TCU acquires the IP packet from the received wireless signal, stores the acquired IP packet in an Ethernet frame, and transmits the frame to the relay device 200.

[0067] Furthermore, when the TCU receives an Ethernet frame from relay device 200 , it acquires an IP packet from the received Ethernet frame, and transmits the acquired IP packet to wireless base station device 161 in a wireless signal.

[0068] When the wireless base station device 161 receives a wireless signal from the TCU, it acquires an IP packet from the received wireless signal and transmits the acquired IP packet to the server 180 via the external network 170 .

[0069] In addition, the autonomous driving ECU, which is an example of the in-vehicle ECUs 111, 112, is capable of communicating with other in-vehicle ECUs 111, 112 via the relay device 200, and, for example, detects the driving conditions of the vehicle 1 using measurement information from sensors, and performs autonomous driving control based on the detection results.

[0070] Each of the applications 101, 102 performs a predetermined process in the in-vehicle ECUs 111, 112 in which it is mounted, for example, by performing processing of an application layer. For example, the applications 101, 102 in a temperature sensor, which is an example of the in-vehicle ECUs 111, 112, generate temperature information indicating the outside air temperature of the vehicle 1 at a predetermined period.

[0071] [Repeater] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 3 illustrates a configuration of a relay device 200A.

[0072] 3, relay device 200A includes communication ports 121A, 121B, 121C, 121D, and 122, relay unit 210, detection unit 220, acquisition unit 230, conversion unit 240, assignment unit 250, and storage unit 260. Storage unit 260 is, for example, a flash memory.

[0073] 4 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 4 shows the configuration of a relay device 200B.

[0074] 4, relay device 200B includes an update unit 270 and a notification unit 280 instead of adding unit 250, as compared to relay device 200A.

[0075] The communication ports 121A, 121B, 121C, and 121D are terminals to which, for example, an Ethernet cable 21 can be connected. Hereinafter, each of the communication ports 121A, 121B, 121C, and 121D will also be referred to as a communication port 121.

[0076] The communication port 122 is, for example, a terminal to which the CAN bus 22 can be connected.

[0077] In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, in relay device 200A, relay device 200B is connected to communication port 121A, in-vehicle ECU 111A is connected to communication port 121B, in-vehicle ECU 111B is connected to communication port 121C, and in-vehicle ECU 112A and in-vehicle ECU 112B are connected to communication port 122.

[0078] In the example shown in Figures 2 and 4, in relay device 200B, relay device 200A is connected to communication port 121A, in-vehicle ECU 111C is connected to communication port 121B, in-vehicle ECU 111D is connected to communication port 121C, and in-vehicle ECU 112C and in-vehicle ECU 112D are connected to communication port 122.

[0079] [Relay section] The relay unit 210 relays information transmitted and received between the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112. The relay unit 210 performs communication conforming to Ethernet and communication conforming to CAN. The relay unit 210 is an example of a communication unit.

[0080] (Relay processing example 1) The relay unit 210 relays information transmitted and received between the in-vehicle ECUs 111 connected to the Ethernet cable 21 .

[0081] More specifically, for example, when the relay unit 210 receives an Ethernet frame addressed to an in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to its own relay device 200 from a certain in-vehicle ECU 111 via a corresponding communication port 121, the relay unit 210 relays the received Ethernet frame to the destination in-vehicle ECU 111 via the corresponding communication port 121.

[0082] When relay unit 210 receives an Ethernet frame addressed to an in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to another relay device 200 from an in-vehicle ECU 111 via a corresponding communication port 121, relay unit 210 relays the received Ethernet frame to the other relay device 200 via communication port 121A.

[0083] When the relay unit 210 receives an Ethernet frame addressed to the in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to its own relay device 200 from another relay device 200 via the communication port 121A, the relay unit 210 relays the received Ethernet frame to the destination in-vehicle ECU 111 via the corresponding communication port 121.

[0084] (Relay processing example 2) The relay unit 210 relays information transmitted and received between the in-vehicle ECUs 112 connected to the CAN bus 22 .

[0085] More specifically, for example, when the relay unit 210 receives a CAN frame addressed to an in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to its own relay device 200 from a certain in-vehicle ECU 112 via the communication port 122, the relay unit 210 relays the received CAN frame to the destination in-vehicle ECU 112 via the communication port 122.

[0086] When relay unit 210 receives a CAN frame addressed to an in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to another relay device 200 from an in-vehicle ECU 112 via communication port 122, relay unit 210 acquires data from the received CAN frame and generates an Ethernet frame including the acquired data. Then, relay unit 210 relays the generated Ethernet frame to the other relay device 200 via communication port 121A.

[0087] When relay unit 210 receives an Ethernet frame addressed to in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to relay unit 200 from another relay device 200 via communication port 121A, relay unit 210 acquires data from the received Ethernet frame and generates a CAN frame including the acquired data. Then, relay unit 210 relays the generated CAN frame to destination in-vehicle ECU 112 via communication port 122.

[0088] (Relay processing example 3) The relay unit 210 relays information transmitted and received between the in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to the Ethernet cable 21 and the in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to the CAN bus 22 .

[0089] More specifically, for example, when relay unit 210 receives an Ethernet frame addressed to in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to its own relay device 200 from a certain in-vehicle ECU 111 via a corresponding communication port 121, relay unit 210 acquires data from the received Ethernet frame and generates a CAN frame including the acquired data. Then, relay unit 210 relays the generated CAN frame to the destination in-vehicle ECU 112 via communication port 122.

[0090] When relay unit 210 receives a CAN frame addressed to in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to its own relay device 200 from a certain in-vehicle ECU 112 via communication port 122, relay unit 210 acquires data from the received CAN frame and generates an Ethernet frame including the acquired data. Then, relay unit 210 relays the generated Ethernet frame to the destination in-vehicle ECU 111 via the corresponding communication port 121.

[0091] When relay unit 210 receives an Ethernet frame addressed to in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to another relay device 200 from an in-vehicle ECU 111 via a corresponding communication port 121, relay unit 210 relays the received Ethernet frame to the other relay device 200 via communication port 121A.

[0092] When relay unit 210 receives a CAN frame addressed to in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to another relay device 200 from an in-vehicle ECU 112 via communication port 122, relay unit 210 acquires data from the received CAN frame and generates an Ethernet frame including the acquired data. Then, relay unit 210 relays the generated Ethernet frame to the other relay device 200 via communication port 121A.

[0093] [Detection unit] The detection unit 220 detects at least one of the addition of a new functional unit and the removal of a functional unit in the network 12 .

[0094] More specifically, the detection unit 220 detects, as new functional units, functional units such as the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112, the external devices, and the applications 101 and 102 that are newly added to the network 12. Furthermore, when a functional unit such as the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112, the external devices, and the applications 101 and 102 is deleted from the network 12, the detection unit 220 detects that the functional unit has been deleted.

[0095] For example, the detection unit 220 broadcasts a search message for detecting the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 in the network 12 via the relay unit 210 periodically or irregularly.

[0096] The in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 in the network 12 receive the search message from the detection unit 220, and transmit connection information including their own IDs, for example MAC addresses, in response to the received search message.

[0097] The detection unit 220 receives connection information from the in-vehicle ECUs 111, 112 via the relay unit 210, and detects the addition of new in-vehicle ECUs 111, 112 and the removal of in-vehicle ECUs 111, 112 based on the received connection information.

[0098] The in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 newly added to the network 12 may be configured to transmit connection request information for requesting a communication connection in the network 12 to the relay device 200.

[0099] In this case, the detection unit 220 receives the connection request information via the relay unit 210, and detects the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 that are the senders of the connection request information.

[0100] Hereinafter, the network 12 including the new functional unit and the network 12 after the functional unit has been removed will also be referred to as the new network, and the network 12 before the new functional unit is added and the network 12 before the functional unit is removed will also be referred to as the existing network.

[0101] (Detection example 1) FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0102] 5, it is assumed that the in-vehicle ECU 112E is newly added to the network 12 by being connected to the relay device 200 via the CAN bus 22. The in-vehicle ECU 112E includes an application 102E.

[0103] The in-vehicle ECU 112E is connected to, for example, the CAN bus 22 which is connected to the communication port 122 of the relay device 200A.

[0104] The in-vehicle ECU 112E receives the search message from the detection unit 220 in the relay device 200A, and transmits connection information including its own ID, for example, a MAC address, to the detection unit 220 in the relay device 200A in response to the received search message.

[0105] More specifically, the in-vehicle ECU 112E generates a CAN frame including the connection information, and transmits the generated CAN frame to the relay device 200A.

[0106] When the detection unit 220 in the relay device 200A receives the CAN frame transmitted from the in-vehicle ECU 112E, the detection unit 220 performs authentication processing of the in-vehicle ECU 112E by using the ID and the like included in the received CAN frame.

[0107] When the detection unit 220 succeeds in authenticating the in-vehicle ECU 112E, the detection unit 220 generates a CAN frame addressed to the in-vehicle ECU 112E, which includes authentication success information indicating that the authentication has been successful, and transmits the generated CAN frame to the in-vehicle ECU 112E via the relay unit 210.

[0108] (Detection example 2) FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0109] 6, it is assumed that the in-vehicle ECU 111E is newly added to the network 12 by being connected to the relay device 200 via the Ethernet cable 21. The in-vehicle ECU 111E includes an application 101E.

[0110] The in-vehicle ECU 111E is connected to a communication port 121D in the relay device 200A via an Ethernet cable 21, for example.

[0111] The in-vehicle ECU 111E receives the search message from the detection unit 220 in the relay device 200A, and transmits connection information including its own ID, for example, a MAC address, to the detection unit 220 in the relay device 200A in response to the received search message.

[0112] More specifically, the in-vehicle ECU 111E generates an Ethernet frame including the connection information, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the relay device 200A.

[0113] When the detection unit 220 in the relay device 200A receives the Ethernet frame transmitted from the in-vehicle ECU 111E, the detection unit 220 performs authentication processing for the in-vehicle ECU 111E by using the ID and the like included in the received Ethernet frame.

[0114] When the detection unit 220 succeeds in authenticating the in-vehicle ECU 111E, the detection unit 220 generates an Ethernet frame addressed to the in-vehicle ECU 111E, which includes authentication success information indicating that the authentication has been successful, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the in-vehicle ECU 111E via the relay unit 210.

[0115] When the detection unit 220 succeeds in authenticating the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 that are new function units as described above, the detection unit 220 outputs detection information indicating the IDs of the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 to the acquisition unit 230.

[0116] Note that the new functional unit detected by the detection unit 220 is not limited to the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 newly connected to the relay device 200. For example, the detection unit 220 may be configured to detect the applications 101 and 102 installed in the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 in the existing network as new functional units.

[0117] [Acquisition Department] 3 and 4 again, the acquisition unit 230 acquires functional unit information F1 including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of the in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to the Ethernet cable 21. The functional unit information F1 is an example of first functional unit information.

[0118] The acquisition unit 230 acquires functional unit information F2 including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer of the in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to the CAN bus 22. The functional unit information F2 is an example of second functional unit information.

[0119] More specifically, the acquisition unit 230 acquires functional part information F1 of the in-vehicle ECU 111 and functional part information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112 indicated by the detection information received from the detection unit 220, and also acquires functional part information F1 of the in-vehicle ECU 111 and functional part information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112 in the existing network.

[0120] For example, the acquisition unit 230 acquires, as the functional unit information F1, F2, information capable of recognizing at least one of the following: information capable of recognizing the specifications of hardware devices such as the in-vehicle ECUs 111, 112, the relay device 200, and external devices in the new network and the topology of the new network; information capable of recognizing constraints on the placement of the applications 101, 102 in the hardware devices in the new network; and information capable of recognizing constraints on the communication method in the new network.

[0121] The acquisition unit 230 acquires at least one of the following information as information capable of recognizing the specifications of the hardware devices and the topology of the new network: device type indicating the identifier, name, sensor type and function, etc. of the hardware device, memory size, number of physical ports provided for each communication protocol, identifier of the physical ports, power supply configuration, power consumption, VLAN ID, subnet address and functional domain; information regarding the specifications of the CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) installed in the hardware device; information regarding the connection relationship between the hardware devices; information regarding the bandwidth of communication between the hardware devices; and information regarding the specifications of the relay device 200.

[0122] The acquisition unit 230 acquires at least one type of information, such as information regarding the computation speed required for execution of the applications 101 and 102, memory usage, constraints of the OS (Operating System) environment, and constraints of communication protocols such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User datagram Protocol), as information that enables recognition of constraints regarding the placement of the applications 101 and 102 on a hardware device.

[0123] The acquisition unit 230 acquires at least one of the following information, as information capable of recognizing the constraints of the communication method in the new network: the communication volume of the applications 101, 102, whether LAG (Link Aggregation) is supported, the communication frequency, whether burst transmission is required, the allowable delay time, the allowable amount of loss, the required security level, the operation timing, the communication type, for example, indicating whether the communication is periodic or irregular, the identifier of the application 101, 102 with which the communication is to be performed, and the messaging method, indicating, for example, a request-response type or a publish-subscribe type, and information regarding the priority of communication by the applications 101, 102.

[0124] The in-vehicle ECU 111, for example, periodically transmits a functional unit information frame FA1, which is an Ethernet frame including its own functional unit information F1 and a time stamp, to the relay device 200. The in-vehicle ECU 111 periodically transmits the functional unit information frame FA1 to the relay device 200 in accordance with, for example, LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol).

[0125] For example, the acquisition unit 230 transmits, via the relay unit 210, to the in-vehicle ECU 112, an information request notification RA indicating that the functional unit information F2 should be transmitted.

[0126] In response to the information request notification RA received from the acquisition unit 230, the in-vehicle ECU 112 transmits to the acquisition unit 230 a functional unit information frame FA2, which is a CAN frame including its own functional unit information F2 and a time stamp.

[0127] For example, the storage unit 260 includes a database of functional unit information F1 of one or more in-vehicle ECUs 111.

[0128] When the acquiring unit 230 receives the functional unit information frame FA1 from the in-vehicle ECU 111 via the relay unit 210, the acquiring unit 230 acquires the functional unit information F1 from the received functional unit information frame FA1. The acquiring unit 230 registers the acquired functional unit information F1 in the database in the storage unit 260 for each in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0129] Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 230 receives the functional unit information frame FA2 from the in-vehicle ECU 112 via the relay unit 210, the acquisition unit 230 outputs the received functional unit information frame FA2 to the conversion unit 240.

[0130] [Conversion section] The conversion unit 240 is an example of a generation unit that generates network information used for communication conforming to the Ethernet, such as functional unit information F1, based on network information used for communication conforming to the CAN, such as functional unit information F2.

[0131] More specifically, when the conversion unit 240 receives a functional part information frame FA2 from the acquisition unit 230, it performs a conversion process to convert the functional part information F2 contained in the received functional part information frame FA2 into information that can be registered in the database of functional part information F1 in the memory unit 260.

[0132] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0133] 7, for example, in database DB in storage unit 260 of relay device 200A, functional unit information F1 of in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to relay device 200A via Ethernet cable 21 is registered for each in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0134] Specifically, for example, the database DB registers, as the functional part information F1 of the in-vehicle ECU 111A, the ID of the in-vehicle ECU 111A, "0x04", the function of the in-vehicle ECU 111A, "G function", "True" indicating that Ethernet, the communication protocol conforming to the in-vehicle ECU 111A, has LAG support, the ID of the in-vehicle ECU 111C to which the in-vehicle ECU 111A sends data, "0x1A", and "20" indicating the amount of communication from the in-vehicle ECU 111A to the in-vehicle ECU 111C. Note that "0x" means that the following number is in hexadecimal notation.

[0135] For example, the functional part information F2 in the functional part information frame FA2 that the conversion unit 240 receives from the acquisition unit 230 includes source information indicating the source ID of the functional part information F2, ECU function information indicating the function of the in-vehicle ECU 112 that sent the functional part information F2, and status information indicating the status of the in-vehicle ECU 112 that sent the functional part information F2.

[0136] The conversion unit 240 converts the various pieces of information included in the functional unit information frame FA2 received from the acquisition unit 230 into information that can be registered in the database DB, and registers the converted information in the database DB.

[0137] (Conversion process example 1) As the conversion process, the conversion section 240 performs a process of applying the element E2 of the functional part information F2 to an element E1, which is an element of the functional part information F1 and has a different definition from that of the element E2.

[0138] The conversion unit 240 acquires the functional unit information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112A from the functional unit information frame FA2 received from the acquisition unit 230.

[0139] For example, when the acquired functional part information F2 includes a "sender ID" as element E2 in the functional part information F2, the conversion unit 240 performs a conversion process in which the "sender ID", which is element E2 in the functional part information F2, is assigned to element E1 of the ID of the in-vehicle ECU 112A in the functional part information F1.

[0140] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the updated database in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0141] Referring to Figure 8, the conversion unit 240 matches the sender ID, which is element E2 in the functional part information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112A, to element E1 of the ID of the in-vehicle ECU 112 in the functional part information F1, and registers the value of the sender ID in the functional part information F2, "0x01", in the database DB as the ID of the in-vehicle ECU 112.

[0142] (Conversion process example 2) As a conversion process, the conversion unit 240 converts the value of the element E2 of the functional part information F2 according to a predetermined rule.

[0143] The conversion unit 240 acquires the functional unit information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112A from the functional unit information frame FA2 received from the acquisition unit 230.

[0144] For example, when the acquired functional part information F2 includes “ECU function information” as element E2 in the functional part information F2, the conversion unit 240 performs a conversion process in which the function indicated by the ECU function information in the functional part information F2 is converted into a corresponding function in the functional part information F1.

[0145] For example, the storage unit 260 further stores a conversion table indicating the correspondence between the ECU function information in the function information F2, the functions defined in the function information F2, and the corresponding functions in the function information F1.

[0146] The conversion table is a table that defines a conversion rule, which is an example of the above-mentioned predetermined rule, for converting the value of the element E2 of the functional part information F2. The conversion unit 240 converts the value of the element E2 of the functional part information F2 into information that can be registered in the database DB, for example, in accordance with the conversion rule defined by the conversion table.

[0147] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conversion table in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0148] 9, for example, when the ECU function information included in the functional part information F2 is "0b00", the conversion table CT indicates that the function of the in-vehicle ECU 112 defined in the functional part information F2 is "Function A", and the corresponding function of the in-vehicle ECU 112 in the functional part information F1 is "Function D". Note that "0b" means that the following numerical value is expressed in binary notation.

[0149] When the ECU function information contained in the acquired functional part information F2 is “0b01”, the conversion unit 240 determines, based on the conversion table CT in the memory unit 260, that the corresponding function in the functional part information F1 that corresponds to the ECU function information is “D function”.

[0150] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the updated database in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0151] Referring to Figure 10, the conversion unit 240 registers in the database DB, based on the conversion table CT in the memory unit 260, the "D function", which is the corresponding function in the functional part information F1 that corresponds to the ECU function information "0b01" included in the functional part information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112A, as a function of the in-vehicle ECU 112.

[0152] (Conversion process example 3) As part of the conversion process, the conversion unit 240 acquires, from the storage unit 260, information corresponding to the functional unit information F2 or information based on the functional unit information F2.

[0153] The conversion unit 240 refers to the header field of the functional unit information frame FA2 received from the acquisition unit 230 to identify that the functional unit information frame FA2 is a CAN frame.

[0154] For example, the storage unit 260 stores a support information table indicating communication protocols that have LAG support and communication protocols that do not have LAG support.

[0155] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a support table in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 11, the support information table ST indicates, for example, that Ethernet has LAG support, and CAN does not have LAG support.

[0157] When the conversion unit 240 identifies that the functional unit information frame FA2 received from the acquisition unit 230 is a CAN frame, it recognizes, based on the support information table ST in the memory unit 260, that CAN, the communication protocol that the in-vehicle ECU 112A complies with, does not have LAG support.

[0158] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of the updated database in the storage unit of the relay device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0159] Referring to Figure 12, when the conversion unit 240 determines based on the support information table ST in the memory unit 260 that the communication protocol to which the in-vehicle ECU 112A conforms does not have LAG support, the conversion unit 240 registers in the database DB that the communication protocol to which the in-vehicle ECU 112A conforms does not have LAG support.

[0160] (Conversion process example 4) As the conversion process, the conversion section 240 performs a process of changing the data size of element E2 of the functional part information F2 to the data size of element E1, which is an element of the functional part information F1 and corresponds to element E2.

[0161] The conversion unit 240 acquires the functional unit information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112A from the functional unit information frame FA2 received from the acquisition unit 230.

[0162] For example, if the acquired functional part information F2 includes a "sender ID" as element E2 in the functional part information F2 and the value of the "sender ID" is "0x00000001", the conversion unit 240 performs a process of changing the data size of element E2 in the functional part information F2 to the data size of element E1 of the ID of the in-vehicle ECU 112A in the functional part information F1.

[0163] Specifically, referring again to FIG. 7, in the database DB, "0x04" which is 1-byte information indicating the ID of the in-vehicle ECU 111A is registered.

[0164] When the obtained functional unit information F2 contains the four-byte value "0x00000001" as the source ID, the conversion unit 240 changes the value of the source ID to the one-byte value "0x01" as a conversion process.

[0165] Referring again to Figure 8, the conversion unit 240 matches the source ID, which is element E2 in the functional part information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112A, to element E1 of the ID of the in-vehicle ECU 112 in the functional part information F1, and registers the value of the source ID after the data size change, "0x01", in the database DB as the ID of the in-vehicle ECU 112.

[0166] The change processing by the conversion section 240 is not limited to a configuration in which the data size of the element E2 of the functional part information F2 is reduced, and may be a configuration in which the data size of the element E2 of the functional part information F2 is increased.

[0167] (Database update) For example, the conversion unit 240 acquires the functional part information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112A from the functional part information frame FA2 received from the acquisition unit 230, and deletes the functional part information F2 registered in the database DB based on the acquired functional part information F2.

[0168] More specifically, the conversion unit 240 acquires the functional unit information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112A from the functional unit information frame FA2 received from the acquisition unit 230.

[0169] For example, if the acquired functional part information F2 includes status information indicating the status of the in-vehicle ECU 112 that sent the functional part information F2 as element E2 in the functional part information F2, the conversion unit 240 deletes the functional part information F2 registered in the database DB based on the status information.

[0170] Specifically, when the functional unit information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112A includes state information indicating “passive”, the conversion unit 240 records in the storage unit 260 the time stamp included in the functional unit information frame FA2.

[0171] Then, the conversion unit 240 refers to the timestamp in the memory unit 260, and when a predetermined time has elapsed since receiving the functional part information frame FA2 including status information indicating "passive", it deletes the functional part information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112A registered in the database DB.

[0172] [Granting section] The attachment unit 250 in the relay device 200A transmits the functional unit information F1 and the functional unit information F2 to the relay device 200B based on the database DB in the storage unit 260.

[0173] Relay device 200A transmits each functional unit information F1 and each functional unit information F2 registered in database DB in its own storage unit 260 to relay device 200B according to, for example, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).

[0174] 2 and 3 again, for example, acquisition unit 230 in relay device 200B transmits, to relay device 100A via relay unit 210, an information request notification RB indicating that functional unit information should be transmitted.

[0175] When the relay unit 210 in the relay device 200A receives the information request notification RB from the relay device 200B via the communication port 121A, the relay unit 210 outputs the received information request notification RB to the assignment unit 250.

[0176] When the assignment unit 250 receives an information request notification RB from the relay unit 210, it acquires each functional part information F1 and each functional part information F2 registered in the database DB in the memory unit 260, and transmits the acquired functional part information F1 and each functional part information F2 to the relay device 200B via the relay unit 210.

[0177] In addition, the assignment unit 250 in the relay device 200B may be configured to periodically or irregularly acquire each piece of functional part information F1 and each piece of functional part information F2 registered in the database DB in the memory unit 260, and transmit the acquired each piece of functional part information F1 and each piece of functional part information F2 to the relay device 200B via the relay unit 210.

[0178] In this case, when the relay unit 210 in the relay device 200B receives each functional unit information F1 and each functional unit information F2 from the relay device 200A via the communication port 121A, it outputs the received each functional unit information F1 and each functional unit information F2 to the acquisition unit 230.

[0179] When the acquiring unit 230 in the relay device 200B acquires each piece of functional unit information F1 and each piece of functional unit information F2 from the relay unit 210, the acquiring unit 230 uses the acquired each piece of functional unit information F1 and each piece of functional unit information F2 to update the database DB in the storage unit 260. Specifically, the acquiring unit 230 uses the acquired each piece of functional unit information F1 and each piece of functional unit information F2 to add each piece of functional unit information F1 and each piece of functional unit information F2 to the database DB, and to change and delete each piece of functional unit information F1 and each piece of functional unit information F2 registered in the database DB.

[0180] [Updated section] The update unit 270 in the relay device 200B updates configuration information of the network 12 including one or more in-vehicle ECUs 111 connected to the Ethernet cable 21 and one or more in-vehicle ECUs 112 connected to the CAN bus 22. The update unit 270 is an example of a management unit.

[0181] The update unit 270 generates configuration information indicating the setting contents of the relay device 200 and the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 for performing communication in the new network, based on the database DB in the storage unit 260.

[0182] More specifically, when the database DB in the memory unit 260 is updated by the acquisition unit 230 or the conversion unit 240, the update unit 270 generates configuration information indicating the setting contents of the relay device 200 and the on-board ECUs 111, 112 for the relay device 200 and the on-board ECUs 111, 112 to communicate at layer 4 or below in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model in the new network, taking into consideration the logical configuration and physical configuration of the new network, based on the functional unit information F1 and the functional unit information F2 registered in the updated database DB.

[0183] (Update example 1) Referring again to Figure 5, for example, assume that the database DB in the memory unit 260 of the relay device 200B is updated with the functional part information F1 and the functional part information F2 in a new network in which the in-vehicle ECU 112E is connected to the relay device 200A via the CAN bus 22.

[0184] For example, based on each functional part information F1 and each functional part information F2 in the updated database DB, the update unit 270 recognizes the communication paths to be used for new communication in the new network to which the in-vehicle ECU 112E has been added, and the communication volume in each communication path in the new network.

[0185] Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication to be newly performed in a new network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 13 illustrates communication paths used for communication to be newly performed in the new network to which the in-vehicle ECU 112E is added, and the amount of communication in each communication path in the new network.

[0186] Referring to FIG. 13, based on each functional part information F1 and each functional part information F2 in the updated database DB, the update unit 270 recognizes that by starting communication along communication paths R11, R13, which require relaying between the relay device 200A and the relay device 200B, among the communication along communication paths R11, R12, and R13, the communication volume between the relay device 200A and the relay device 200B will increase by 20.

[0187] In the following, it is assumed that the upper limit of the available bandwidth between relay device 200A and relay device 200B is 100. Also, it is assumed that the bandwidth usage between relay device 200A and relay device 200B in the existing network shown in FIG.

[0188] When the communication volume between relay device 200A and relay device 200B increases by 20 by starting communication via communication paths R11 and R13, the update unit 270 determines that communication via communication paths R11 and R13 is possible because the total bandwidth usage volume between relay device 200A and relay device 200B in the new network becomes 90, which is less than the upper limit value of 100.

[0189] Then, the update unit 270 generates configuration information indicating various settings of the relay device 200 and the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 for newly performing communications on the communication routes R11, R12, and R13 in the new network.

[0190] The update unit 270 outputs the generated configuration information to the notification unit 280 and also registers it in the storage unit 260 .

[0191] When the notification unit 280 receives the configuration information from the update unit 270, the notification unit 280 notifies at least one of the relay device 200A and the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 in the new network of the setting contents for communication in the new network based on the received configuration information.

[0192] For example, the notification unit 280 notifies the relay device 200A and the in-vehicle ECUs 111A, 111C, 112C, and 112E of the setting contents that need to be changed, based on the configuration information received from the update unit 270. If there are no in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 that need to be changed in the new network, the notification unit 280 does not notify the relay device 200A and the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 of the setting contents, for example.

[0193] When the relay device 200A and the in-vehicle ECUs 111A, 111C, 112C, and 112E in the new network are notified of the setting contents from the notification unit 280, they change various settings according to the notified setting contents. The relay device 200B changes various settings based on the generated configuration information. The relay device 200 and the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 in the new network communicate with each other according to the changed setting contents.

[0194] (Update example 2) FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of a configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0195] 14, it is assumed that in the network 12 shown in FIG. 5, the in-vehicle ECU 112F is connected to the relay device 200B via the CAN bus 22, so that the in-vehicle ECU 112F is newly added to the network 12, and the database DB in the storage unit 260 of the relay device 200B is updated with the respective functional unit information F1 and the respective functional unit information F2 in the new network to which the in-vehicle ECU 112F has been added. The in-vehicle ECU 112F includes an application 102F.

[0196] For example, based on each functional part information F1 and each functional part information F2 in the updated database DB, the update unit 270 recognizes the communication paths to be used for new communication in the new network to which the in-vehicle ECU 112F has been added and the communication volume in each communication path in the new network.

[0197] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing another example of communication to be newly performed in the new network according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 15 shows communication paths used for communication to be newly performed in the new network to which the in-vehicle ECU 112F is added and the communication volume in each communication path in the new network.

[0198] Referring to FIG. 15, based on the functional part information F1 and the functional part information F2 in the updated database DB, the update unit 270 recognizes that by starting communication along communication path R15, which requires relaying between relay device 200A and relay device 200B, among the communications along communication paths R14 and R15, the bandwidth usage between relay device 200A and relay device 200B will increase by 20.

[0199] As described above, the bandwidth usage between relay device 200A and relay device 200B in network 12 shown in FIG.

[0200] If the bandwidth usage between relay device 200A and relay device 200B increases by 20 by starting communication via communication path R15, the total bandwidth usage between relay device 200A and relay device 200B in the new network will be 110, which exceeds the upper limit of 100, and therefore the update unit 270 determines that communication using communication path R15 is not possible.

[0201] Then, the update unit 270 generates configuration information indicating various setting contents of the relay device 200 and the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 for newly performing communication on the communication path R14 in the new network. The update unit 270 also registers the communication using the communication path R15 in the storage unit 260 as a suspended communication.

[0202] The update unit 270 outputs the generated configuration information to the notification unit 280 and also registers it in the storage unit 260 .

[0203] (Update example 3) FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of a configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0204] Referring to Figure 16, it is assumed that in the network 12 shown in Figure 14, the in-vehicle ECU 111B is deleted, and the database DB in the memory unit 260 of the relay device 200B is updated with the functional part information F1 and the functional part information F2 in the new network after the deletion.

[0205] For example, based on each functional part information F1 and each functional part information F2 in the updated database DB, the update unit 270 recognizes the communication paths used for the communication that will be stopped in the new network from which the in-vehicle ECU 111B has been deleted, and the communication volume on each communication path in the new network.

[0206] Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication that is stopped in a new network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 17 illustrates a communication path used for communication that is stopped due to the deletion of the in-vehicle ECU 111B in the new network from which the in-vehicle ECU 111B is deleted, and the communication volume in each communication path in the new network.

[0207] Referring to FIG. 17, based on the functional part information F1 and the functional part information F2 in the updated database DB, the update unit 270 recognizes that by stopping communication on the communication paths R1 and R2 that require relaying between the relay device 200A and the relay device 200B, the bandwidth usage between the relay device 200A and the relay device 200B will be reduced by 30.

[0208] As described above, the bandwidth usage between relay device 200A and relay device 200B in network 12 shown in FIG.

[0209] The update unit 270 recognizes that if the bandwidth usage between the relay device 200A and the relay device 200B decreases by 30 by stopping communication on the communication paths R1 and R2, the total bandwidth usage between the relay device 200A and the relay device 200B in the new network will be 60.

[0210] In addition, when the bandwidth usage between relay device 200A and relay device 200B increases by 20 by starting communication on communication path R15, which is a pending communication registered in memory unit 260, update unit 270 determines that communication on communication path R15 can be performed because the total bandwidth usage between relay device 200A and relay device 200B in the new network becomes 80, which is less than the upper limit of 100.

[0211] Then, the update unit 270 generates configuration information indicating various settings of the relay device 200 and the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 for stopping communication on the communication paths R1 and R2 and starting communication on the communication path R15 in the new network.

[0212] The update unit 270 outputs the generated configuration information to the notification unit 280 and also registers it in the storage unit 260 .

[0213] [Operation flow] Each device in the 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 and executes a program including some or all of the steps in the following flowcharts and sequences. 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 in which it is stored in a recording medium.

[0214] FIG. 18 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when a relay device provides functional unit information to another relay device in the vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0215] Referring to FIG. 18, first, the relay device 200A waits for functional part information from the in-vehicle ECUs 111, 112 in the network 12 (NO in step S102), and upon receiving the functional part information (YES in step S102), determines whether the received functional part information is functional part information F1 of the in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to the Ethernet cable 21 (step S104).

[0216] If the received functional unit information is functional unit information F1 (YES in step S104), relay device 200A registers the received functional unit information F1 in database DB in storage unit 260 (step S108).

[0217] On the other hand, if the received functional part information is not functional part information F1, for example, functional part information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to the CAN bus 22 (NO in step S104), the relay device 200A converts the received functional part information F2 into information that can be registered in the database DB of functional part information F1 in the memory unit 260 (step S106).

[0218] Next, the relay device 200A registers the converted functional unit information F2 in the database DB (step S108).

[0219] Next, the relay device 200A acquires each piece of functional unit information F1 and each piece of functional unit information F2 registered in the database DB, and transmits the acquired pieces of functional unit information F1 and each piece of functional unit information F2 to the relay device 200B (step S110).

[0220] Next, the relay device 200A waits for functional unit information from the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 in the network 12 (NO in step S102).

[0221] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in the vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0222] 19, first, in-vehicle ECU 111A connected to relay device 200A via Ethernet cable 21 transmits its own functional unit information F1 to relay device 200A (step S202).

[0223] Next, the relay device 200A registers the functional unit information F1 received from the in-vehicle ECU 111A in the database DB in the storage unit 260 (step S204).

[0224] Next, the in-vehicle ECU 112E, which is newly added to the network 12 by being connected to the relay device 200A via the CAN bus 22, transmits connection request information to the relay device 200A (step S206).

[0225] Next, the relay device 200A receives the connection request information from the in-vehicle ECU 112E, detects the in-vehicle ECU 112E, and performs authentication processing for the in-vehicle ECU 112E (step S208).

[0226] Next, the in-vehicle ECU 112E transmits its own functional unit information F2 to the relay device 200A (step S210).

[0227] Next, the relay device 200A converts the functional unit information F2 received from the in-vehicle ECU 111E into information that can be registered in the database DB of the functional unit information F1 in the storage unit 260 (step S212).

[0228] Next, the relay device 200A registers the converted functional unit information F2 in the database DB (step S214).

[0229] Next, the relay device 200A acquires each piece of functional part information F1 and each piece of functional part information F2 registered in the database DB in its own memory unit 260, and transmits the acquired pieces of functional part information F1 and each piece of functional part information F2 to the relay device 200B (step S216).

[0230] Next, relay device 200B generates configuration information for the new network based on each functional unit information F1 and each functional unit information F2 registered in database DB in its own memory unit 260 and each functional unit information F1 and each functional unit information F2 received from relay device 200A (step S218).

[0231] Next, the relay device 200B notifies the relay device 200A and the in-vehicle ECUs 111A and 112E of the setting contents based on the generated configuration information (step S220).

[0232] Next, the relay device 200A and the in-vehicle ECUs 111A and 112E change various settings in accordance with the setting contents notified from the relay device 200B (step S222).

[0233] Furthermore, the relay device 200B changes various settings based on the generated configuration information (step S224).

[0234] Next, the relay devices 200A, 200B and the in-vehicle ECUs 111A, 112E in the new network communicate with each other according to the changed settings (step S226).

[0235] In the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the conversion unit 240 is configured to perform the above-mentioned conversion process examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 as the conversion process, but is not limited thereto. The conversion unit 240 may be configured not to perform part or all of the conversion process examples 1, 2, 3, and 4. Furthermore, the conversion unit 240 may be configured to perform conversion processes other than the conversion process examples 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0236] In addition, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the conversion unit 240 is configured to register the converted functional unit information F2 in the database DB, but this is not limited to this. The conversion unit 240 may be configured to transmit the converted functional unit information F2 to another relay device 200 via the relay unit 210, for example, without registering it in the database DB.

[0237] In addition, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the conversion unit 240 is configured to convert the functional unit information F2 into information that can be registered in a database DB in the storage unit 260 of the relay device 200, but this is not limiting. The relay device 200 may be configured not to include the storage unit 260 that includes the database DB. Furthermore, the conversion unit 240 may be configured to convert the functional unit information F2 into information that can be registered in a database in another device other than the relay device 200.

[0238] In addition, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the conversion unit 240 is configured to delete the functional unit information F2 registered in the database DB based on the functional unit information F2 acquired from the functional unit information frame FA2, but this is not limited to the above. The conversion unit 240 may be configured to delete the functional unit information F2 registered in the database DB based on information other than the functional unit information F2.

[0239] In addition, in the vehicle communication system 300 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay device 200B is configured to include the update unit 270 and the notification unit 280, but this is not limited thereto. The relay device 200B may be configured not to include the update unit 270 and the notification unit 280. In this case, for example, the functional unit information F1 and the converted functional unit information F2 may be used for abnormality detection or failure detection of the in-vehicle ECUs 111 and 112 in the network 12. Alternatively, a device other than the relay devices 200A and 200B may be configured to include the update unit 270 and the notification unit 280.

[0240] In a system having a plurality of in-vehicle networks, a technique is desired that enables easy use of information regarding the network configuration of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths.

[0241] For example, in recent years, with the spread of car sharing and the demand for improved processing power of in-vehicle devices installed in vehicles, there is a demand for customizing the in-vehicle network by adding applications to the in-vehicle network. Thus, there is a demand for a technology that enables users to add or remove various applications to or from the in-vehicle network according to their needs.

[0242] Furthermore, when constructing a new network by adding or removing applications to the in-vehicle network, it may not be possible to realize the communication required by the upper layer due to the network configuration and constraints of the lower layer.

[0243] Therefore, in a system having multiple in-vehicle networks, in order to flexibly construct networks with new configurations, a technology is desired that can easily obtain information about the network configuration that can be used to construct the network.

[0244] In contrast, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the acquisition unit 230 acquires functional unit information F2, which is functional unit information including information on the network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer of the in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to the CAN bus 22. The conversion unit 240 performs a conversion process to convert the functional unit information F2 acquired by the acquisition unit 230 into information that can be registered in the database DB of functional unit information F1 of one or more in-vehicle ECUs 111 connected to the Ethernet cable 21.

[0245] In this way, by performing a conversion process that converts the functional part information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to the CAN bus 22 into information that can be registered in the database DB of the functional part information F1 of the in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to the Ethernet cable 21, the converted functional part information F2 can be registered in the database DB, and the functional part information F2 can be referenced and used in the same way as the functional part information F1.

[0246] Therefore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily use information regarding the network configuration of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths.

[0247] Furthermore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the conversion process involves applying element E2 of the functional part information F2 to element E1, which is an element of the functional part information F1 and has a different definition from element E2.

[0248] With this configuration, the element E2 of the functional part information F2 can be read as the element E1 of the functional part information F1, and the value of the element E2 in the functional part information F2 can be referred to and used as the value of the element E1 of the functional part information F1.

[0249] Furthermore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the conversion process includes a process of converting the value of the element E2 of the functional unit information F2 according to a predetermined rule.

[0250] With this configuration, the value of element E2 of the functional part information F2 converted according to a predetermined rule can be referenced and used as the value of element E1 of the functional part information F1.

[0251] Furthermore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the conversion process includes a process of acquiring, from the storage unit 260, information corresponding to the functional unit information F2 or information based on the functional unit information F2.

[0252] With this configuration, information in the storage unit 260 that corresponds to the functional unit information F2 or information based on the functional unit information F2 can be referenced and used as the functional unit information F1.

[0253] In addition, in the relay device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the conversion process includes a process of changing the data size of element E2 of the functional part information F2 to the data size of element E1, which is an element of the functional part information F1 and corresponds to element E2.

[0254] With this configuration, the element E2 of the functional part information F2 after the data size change can be referred to and used as the element E1 of the functional part information F1.

[0255] Furthermore, in the relay device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the conversion unit 240 further performs at least one of registering the functional part information F2 after the conversion process in the database DB and deleting the functional part information F2 registered in the database DB based on the functional part information F2 acquired by the acquisition unit 230.

[0256] With this configuration, the database DB can be flexibly updated based on the contents of the functional part information F2.

[0257] In addition, in the relay device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the assigning unit 250 assigns the functional unit information F2 converted by the conversion unit 240 to the update unit 270, which updates the configuration information of the network 12 including one or more on-board ECUs 111 connected to the Ethernet cable 21 and one or more on-board ECUs 112 connected to the CAN 22 based on the database DB.

[0258] With this configuration, the converted functional unit information F2 can be used to construct a network that takes into account the network configuration and constraints of layers lower than the application layer.

[0259] In the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay unit 210 performs a first communication conforming to a first communication protocol and a second communication conforming to a second communication protocol. The conversion unit 240 generates network information to be used in the first communication based on network information to be used in the second communication.

[0260] In this manner, by generating network information to be used for the first communication based on network information to be used for the second communication, it is possible to register two types of network information to be used for communication via different types of transmission paths, for example, in the same database, and therefore the two types of network information can be referenced and used.

[0261] Therefore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily use information regarding the network configuration of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths.

[0262] In the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first communication protocol is Ethernet, and the second communication protocol is CAN.

[0263] With this configuration, in a network that performs Ethernet-compliant communication and CAN-compliant communication, network information used for Ethernet-compliant communication and network information used for CAN-compliant communication can be registered in the same database.

[0264] Moreover, the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a relay device 200.

[0265] With this configuration, in the vehicle 1 equipped with the relay device 200, information on the network configuration of the functional units connected to different types of transmission paths can be easily used.

[0266] Moreover, a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication method in a relay device 200 that relays information transmitted and received between an in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to an Ethernet cable 21 and an in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to a CAN bus 22. In this communication method, first, the relay device 200 acquires functional unit information F2 including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of the in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to the CAN bus 22. Next, the relay device 200 performs a conversion process to convert the acquired functional unit information F2 into information that can be registered in a database DB of one or more pieces of functional unit information F1 including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of one or more in-vehicle ECUs 111 connected to the Ethernet cable 21.

[0267] In this way, by performing a conversion process that converts the functional part information F2 of the in-vehicle ECU 112 connected to the CAN bus 22 into information that can be registered in the database DB of the functional part information F1 of the in-vehicle ECU 111 connected to the Ethernet cable 21, the converted functional part information F2 can be registered in the database DB, and the functional part information F2 can be referenced and used in the same way as the functional part information F1.

[0268] Therefore, in the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily use information regarding the network configuration of functional units connected to different types of transmission paths.

[0269] 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.

[0270] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 1] A relay device mounted on a vehicle, a relay unit that relays information transmitted and received between an in-vehicle ECU connected to the Ethernet cable and an in-vehicle ECU connected to the CAN bus; an acquisition unit that acquires second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information regarding a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of the in-vehicle ECU connected to the CAN bus; a conversion unit that performs a conversion process to convert the second functional part information acquired by the acquisition unit so that it can be registered in a database of one or more first functional part information, which is functional part information of one or more of the in-vehicle ECUs connected to the Ethernet cable.

[0271] [Appendix 2] A communication method used in a relay device that performs a first communication conforming to a first communication protocol and a second communication conforming to a second communication protocol, the method comprising: receiving network information for use in the second communication; and generating network information to be used for the first communication based on the received network information.

[0272] [Appendix 3] A communication program for use in a relay device mounted on a vehicle, Computer, a communication unit that performs a first communication that is a communication conforming to a first communication protocol and a second communication that is a communication conforming to a second communication protocol; a generation unit that generates network information to be used in the first communication based on network information to be used in the second communication; A communications program that functions as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0273] 1 vehicle 21 Ethernet cable (first transmission line) 22 CAN bus (second transmission line) 12 Network 100 Applications 111 Automotive ECU 112 Automotive ECU 161 Wireless base station equipment 170 External Network 180 Servers 200 Repeater 210 Relay section (communication section) 220 Detection unit 230 Acquisition Department 240 Conversion unit (generation unit) 250 Grant Department 260 Storage section 270 Update Department (Management Department) 280 Notification Department 300 Vehicle Communication System 400 Communication Systems

Claims

1. A relay device that is mounted on a vehicle and relays information transmitted and received between a first functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a second functional unit connected to a second transmission path, an acquisition unit that acquires second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of the second functional unit; a conversion unit that performs a conversion process to convert the second functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, the information being functional unit information of one or more first functional units; A relay device, wherein the first functional unit information and the second functional unit information are at least one of information regarding the calculation speed, memory usage, OS (Operating System) environment constraints, communication volume, communication frequency, whether or not burst transmission is required, allowable delay time, allowable amount of loss, operation timing, and messaging method required to execute an application loaded on each of the first functional unit or the second functional unit.

2. A relay device mounted on a vehicle, which relays information transmitted and received between a first functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a second functional unit connected to a second transmission path, an acquisition unit that acquires second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of the second functional unit; a conversion unit that performs a conversion process to convert the second functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, the information being functional unit information of one or more first functional units; A relay device, wherein the first functional unit information and the second functional unit information are information that can recognize the communication path to be used for communication to be newly performed in a new network after the first functional unit or the second functional unit is added or removed from a network that includes one or more of the first functional units and one or more of the second functional units, and the communication volume in each of the communication paths.

3. A communication method in a relay device that is mounted on a vehicle and relays information transmitted and received between a first functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a second functional unit connected to a second transmission path, comprising: acquiring second functional unit information, the second functional unit being functional unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer; and performing a conversion process for converting the acquired second functional unit information into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, the information being functional unit information including information about a network configuration of one or more first functional units at a layer lower than an application layer, A communication method, wherein the first functional unit information and the second functional unit information are at least one of information regarding the calculation speed, memory usage, OS (Operating System) environment constraints, communication volume, communication frequency, whether or not burst transmission is required, allowable delay time, allowable amount of loss, operation timing, and messaging method required to execute an application mounted on each of the first functional unit or the second functional unit.

4. A communication method in a relay device mounted on a vehicle, which relays information transmitted and received between a first functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a second functional unit connected to a second transmission path, comprising: acquiring second functional unit information, the second functional unit being functional unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer; and performing a conversion process for converting the acquired second functional unit information into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, the information being functional unit information including information about a network configuration of one or more first functional units at a layer lower than an application layer, A communication method, wherein the first functional unit information and the second functional unit information are information that enables recognition of the communication path to be used for communication to be newly performed in a new network after the first functional unit or the second functional unit is added or removed from a network including one or more of the first functional units and one or more of the second functional units, and the communication volume in each of the communication paths.

5. A communication program used in a relay device that is mounted on a vehicle and relays information transmitted and received between a first functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a second functional unit connected to a second transmission path, the communication program comprising: Computer, an acquisition unit that acquires second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of the second functional unit; a conversion unit that performs a conversion process to convert the second functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, the information being functional unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of one or more of the first functional units; It is a program to function as A communication program, wherein the first functional unit information and the second functional unit information are at least one of information regarding the calculation speed, memory usage, OS (Operating System) environment constraints, communication volume, communication frequency, whether or not burst transmission is required, allowable delay time, allowable amount of loss, operation timing, and messaging method required to execute an application loaded on each of the first functional unit or the second functional unit.

6. A communication program used in a relay device mounted on a vehicle and relaying information transmitted and received between a first functional unit connected to a first transmission path and a second functional unit connected to a second transmission path, comprising: Computer, an acquisition unit that acquires second functional unit information, which is functional unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of the second functional unit; a conversion unit that performs a conversion process to convert the second functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit into information that can be registered in a database of one or more first functional unit information, the information being functional unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of one or more of the first functional units; It is a program to function as A communication program, wherein the first functional unit information and the second functional unit information are information that can recognize the communication path to be used for new communication in a new network after the first functional unit or the second functional unit is added or removed from a network including one or more of the first functional units and one or more of the second functional units, and the communication volume in each of the communication paths.

Images