Communication system and communication device

Abstract

To provide a communication system and a communication device which enable a control device to recognize a control object.SOLUTION: In a communication system, a plurality of control devices control operation of each of a plurality of on-vehicle devices. The communication devices communicate with a plurality of control devices. A plurality of switches are provided on each of a plurality of supply passages for supplying power to each of the plurality of control devices. One of the plurality of on-vehicle devices is previously associated with each of the plurality of switches. The communication device has a processing part for executing processing. The processing part instructs switching to ON of a specific switch included in the plurality of switches. The processing part instructs the switching to ON of the specific switch, and then instructs to transmit device data indicating the on-vehicle device corresponding to the specific switch to the plurality of control devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system and a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system in which a plurality of ECUs (Electronic Control Units) transmit data to each other via a communication bus. Each ECU communicates with the other ECUs via the communication bus and controls the operation of in-vehicle devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-158105 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, when the ECU of a communication system is replaced with a new ECU, if the new ECU does not recognize the in-vehicle equipment to be controlled, the new ECU may not be able to properly control the operation of the in-vehicle equipment.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a communication system and a communication device in which a control device can recognize a control target. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A communication system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of control devices that control the operation of each of a plurality of in-vehicle devices, and a communication device that communicates with the plurality of control devices, wherein the communication device has a processing unit that executes processing, and a switch provided in one of a plurality of supply paths for supplying power to each of the plurality of control devices is pre-assigned to one of the plurality of in-vehicle devices, and the processing unit of the communication device instructs the switch to be turned on, and after instructing the switch to be turned on, instructs the transmission of device data indicating the in-vehicle device corresponding to the switch to the plurality of control devices.

[0007] A communication device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication device that communicates with a plurality of control devices that control the operation of each of a plurality of in-vehicle devices, and is equipped with a processing unit that executes processing, and a switch provided in one of a plurality of supply paths for supplying power to each of the plurality of control devices is pre-assigned to one of the plurality of in-vehicle devices, and the processing unit instructs the switch to be turned on, and after instructing the switch to be turned on, instructs the transmission of device data indicating the in-vehicle device corresponding to the switch to the plurality of control devices.

[0008] The present disclosure can be realized not only as a communication system having such characteristic processing units, but also as a communication method having such characteristic processing units as steps, or as a computer program for causing a computer to execute such steps. Furthermore, the present disclosure can be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of a communication system. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the above aspect, the control device can recognize the control target. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a communication system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in which a plurality of electric devices are connected to one ECU. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of a microcomputer and an ECU; [Figure 4] 11 is a diagram showing the contents of an information table. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a change process and a write process. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a microcomputer and a plurality of ECUs. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a communication system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a diagram showing the contents of an information table. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an initial process and a write process. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a microcomputer and a plurality of ECUs. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a communication system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a communication system according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. At least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0012] (1) A communication system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of control devices that control the operation of each of a plurality of in-vehicle devices, and a communication device that communicates with the plurality of control devices, the communication device having a processing unit that executes processing, and a switch provided in one of a plurality of supply paths for supplying power to each of the plurality of control devices is pre-assigned to one of the plurality of in-vehicle devices, and the processing unit of the communication device instructs the switch to be turned on, and after instructing the switch to be turned on, instructs the transmission of device data indicating the in-vehicle device corresponding to the switch to the plurality of control devices.

[0013] (2) In a communication system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of the switches is two or more, the multiple switches are provided in each of the multiple supply paths, and each of the multiple switches is pre-assigned one of the multiple in-vehicle devices, and the processing unit of the communication device instructs a specific switch included in the multiple switches to be switched on, and after instructing the specific switch to be switched on, instructs the transmission of equipment data indicating the in-vehicle device corresponding to the specific switch to the multiple control devices.

[0014] (3) In a communication system according to one aspect of the present application, the communication device includes some or all of the plurality of switches.

[0015] (4) In a communication system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of the supply paths is n, n being an integer greater than or equal to 2, the number of the switches is (n-1), the (n-1) switches are provided on each of the (n-1) supply paths, and each of the (n-1) switches is pre-assigned one of the plurality of in-vehicle devices, and the processing unit of the communication device instructs a specific switch included in the (n-1) switches to be switched on, and after instructing the specific switch to be switched on, instructs the transmission of device data indicating the in-vehicle device corresponding to the specific switch to the plurality of control devices.

[0016] (5) In a communication system according to an aspect of the present application, n is an integer equal to or greater than 3, and the communication device includes some or all of the (n-1) switches.

[0017] (6) In a communication system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control device has a data storage unit to which the equipment data is written and a second processing unit that performs processing, and when power supply to the control device is stopped, the equipment data is erased from the data storage unit, and when the second processing unit receives equipment data from the communication device and the equipment data is not stored in the data storage unit, the second processing unit writes the equipment data received from the communication device to the data storage unit, and when the second processing unit receives equipment data from the communication device and the equipment data is stored in the data storage unit, the equipment data stored in the data storage unit is maintained.

[0018] (7) In a communication system according to an aspect of the present disclosure, when the second processing unit writes the equipment data received from the communication device to the data storage unit, the second processing unit instructs the communication device to transmit the data.

[0019] (8) In the communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the operations of the multiple in-vehicle devices are common to each other.

[0020] (9) A communication device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication device that communicates with a plurality of control devices that control the operation of each of a plurality of in-vehicle devices, and includes a processing unit that executes processing. A switch provided in one of a plurality of supply paths for supplying power to each of the plurality of control devices is pre-assigned to one of the plurality of in-vehicle devices, and the processing unit instructs the switch to be turned on, and after instructing the switch to be turned on, instructs the transmission of device data indicating the in-vehicle device corresponding to the switch to the plurality of control devices.

[0021] In the communication system and the communication device according to the above aspect, the control device connected to the switch operates when the switch is switched on. The control device can recognize the in-vehicle device to be controlled based on the device data received from the communication device after the switch is switched on.

[0022] In the communication system according to the above aspect, a plurality of switches are provided in each of a plurality of supply paths. A control device connected to a specific switch operates when the specific switch is switched on. The control device can recognize an in-vehicle device to be controlled based on device data received from the communication device after the specific switch is switched on.

[0023] In the communication system according to the above aspect, the communication device includes some or all of a plurality of switches arranged on each of the plurality of supply paths.

[0024] In the communication system according to the above embodiment, (n-1) switches are provided in each of the (n-1) supply paths. A control device connected to a specific switch operates when the specific switch is switched on. The control device can recognize the in-vehicle device to be controlled based on device data received from the communication device after the specific switch is switched on.

[0025] In the communication system according to the above aspect, n is an integer equal to or greater than 3. The communication device includes some or all of the (n-1) switches arranged in each of the (n-1) supply paths.

[0026] In the communication system according to the above aspect, when a switch is switched off, the device data is erased from the data storage unit of the control device connected to the switch. When multiple switches are arranged in each of multiple supply paths, each of the multiple switches is switched on in sequence. In this configuration, when the communication device transmits device data to multiple control devices, only the control device connected to a specific switch writes the transmitted device data to the data storage unit. The control device recognizes the in-vehicle device indicated by the device data stored in the data storage unit as the control target.

[0027] In the communication system according to the above aspect, when the control device writes the device data to the data storage unit, the control device transmits the data to the communication device, so that the communication device recognizes the in-vehicle device corresponding to the switch.

[0028] In the communication system according to the above aspect, the plurality of in-vehicle devices are, for example, left and right windows, and in this case, the common operation is to open and close the windows.

[0029] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of communication systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0030] (Embodiment 1) <Communication system configuration> 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a communication system E in the first embodiment. The communication system E is mounted on a vehicle C. The communication system E includes a communication device 1, n ECUs 2, and a communication bus B, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2. In addition to the communication system E, the vehicle C is also mounted with a DC power source 3 and a plurality of electric devices 4. The DC power source 3 is, for example, a battery.

[0031] The communication device 1 has a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as MCU) 10, a drive circuit 11, and n power switches A1, A2,...,An. In Fig. 1, conductors related to power supply are shown with thick lines. Conductors unrelated to power supply and communication lines are shown with thin lines. In the following, k is an arbitrary natural number equal to or smaller than an integer n. The natural number k may be any of 1, 2,...,n.

[0032] The negative electrode of the DC power supply 3 is grounded. The grounding is achieved, for example, by connection to the body of the vehicle C. The positive electrode of the DC power supply 3 is connected to one end of the power switch Ak. The other end of the power switch Ak is connected to the ECU 2. Each ECU 2 is grounded. An electric device 4 is further connected to each ECU 2. The microcomputer 10 and the n ECUs 2 are connected to a communication bus B. The microcomputer 10 is further connected to a drive circuit 11.

[0033] In the example of FIG. 1, one electric device 4 is connected to one ECU 2. However, multiple electric devices 4 may be connected to one ECU 2. FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a configuration in which multiple electric devices 4 are connected to one ECU 2. In the example of FIG. 2, the integer n is 2, and four electric devices 4 are connected to each ECU 2. Mirrors, windows, doors, seats, and tail lights arranged on the left side of the vehicle C are connected to one ECU 2 as the electric devices 4. Mirrors, windows, doors, seats, and tail lights arranged on the right side of the vehicle C are connected to the other ECU 2 as the electric devices 4.

[0034] An electric device 4 having a common operation is connected to each ECU 2. The left and right mirrors are two electric devices 4 having a common operation. The common operation is, for example, adjusting the angle of the mirror. A plurality of windows of the vehicle C are also electric devices 4 having a common operation. The common operation is opening and closing the window. Since an electric device 4 having a common operation is connected to each of the n ECUs 2, when the electric device 4 connected to one ECU 2 is only the window, the remaining ECUs 2 are also connected to the window. The number of each of the mirrors, windows, doors, seats, and tail lamps is usually two or more. The electric device 4 functions as an in-vehicle device. Below, a configuration in which one electric device 4 having a common operation is connected to each ECU 2 will be described.

[0035] The microcomputer 10 outputs an ON signal to instruct the power switch Ak to be switched ON, and an OFF signal to instruct the power switch Ak to be switched OFF, to the drive circuit 11. When the ON signal for the power switch Ak is input, the drive circuit 11 switches the power switch Ak ON. When the OFF signal for the power switch Ak is input, the drive circuit 11 switches the power switch Ak OFF. In this manner, the drive circuit 11 switches each of the n power switches A1, A2, ..., An ON or OFF.

[0036] When the power switch Ak is switched from off to on, a current flows from the positive electrode of the DC power supply 3 to the power switch Ak, the ECU 2, and the negative electrode of the DC power supply 3 in this order, and power is supplied to the ECU 2 connected to the power switch Ak. This causes the ECU 2 to operate. As described above, n power switches are provided in each of the n supply paths for supplying power to each of the n ECUs 2.

[0037] When the power switch Ak is switched from on to off, the power supply to the ECU 2 connected to the power switch Ak is stopped, causing the ECU 2 to stop operating.

[0038] Each ECU 2 outputs an operation signal indicating the operation of the electric device 4 to the electric device 4 connected to the ECU 2. When the electric device 4 receives the operation signal, the electric device 4 executes the operation indicated by the input operation signal. In this way, each ECU 2 controls the operation of the electric device 4 connected to the ECU 2. The ECU 2 functions as a control device.

[0039] The microcomputer 10 and each of the n ECUs 2 transmit data via the communication bus B. The data transmitted via the communication bus B is received by all devices connected to the communication bus B. The communication via the communication bus B is performed, for example, according to a CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol. The multiple devices connected to the communication bus B are the microcomputer 10 and the n ECUs 2. Thus, the microcomputer 10 communicates with the n ECUs 2. The data transmitted via the communication bus B includes main information to be notified to the destination device and destination information indicating the destination. An ID (Identification Data) is assigned to the microcomputer 10 and the n ECUs 2. The destination information indicates the ID as the destination.

[0040] When the microcomputer 10 receives data via the communication bus B, and the destination information of the received data indicates the ID of the microcomputer 10, the microcomputer 10 executes processing based on the received data. Similarly, when the microcomputer 10 receives data via the communication bus B, and the destination information of the received data indicates its own ID, the microcomputer 10 executes processing based on the received data. Each ECU 2 determines the operation of the electric device 4 connected to it based on the received data, and outputs an operation signal indicating the determined operation to the electric device 4.

[0041] One of the data transmitted by the microcomputer 10 via the communication bus B is device data whose main information indicates an electric device 4. Destination information of the device data indicates IDs of the n ECUs 2. As will be described later, by transmitting the device data, one of the n ECUs 2 can recognize the electric device 4 to be controlled.

[0042] The main information includes ID data indicating the ID of the ECU 2 that is the transmission source as one of the data transmitted by each ECU 2. Destination information of the ID data indicates the ID of the microcomputer 10. When the microcomputer 10 receives the ID data, it identifies the ECU 2 that is connected to the power switch Ak based on the ID of the ECU 2 that is indicated by the main information of the received ID data.

[0043] <Configuration of microcomputer 10 and ECU 2> 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the microcomputer 10 and the ECU 2. The configuration of the microcomputer 10 will be described. The microcomputer 10 has a device output unit 50, a device communication unit 51, a device storage unit 52, and a device control unit 53. These are connected to an internal bus 54. The device output unit 50 is further connected to the drive circuit 11. The device communication unit 51 is further connected to a communication bus B.

[0044] The device output unit 50 outputs an on signal and an off signal of the power switch Ak to the drive circuit 11 according to instructions from the device control unit 53. The device communication unit 51 transmits data to the n ECUs 2 via the communication bus B. One example of the data transmitted by the device communication unit 51 is equipment data. The device communication unit 51 receives data transmitted by the ECU 2 via the communication bus B. One example of the data received by the device communication unit 51 is ID data.

[0045] The device storage unit 52 is, for example, a non-volatile memory. The device storage unit 52 stores an information table Ti indicating information on the n power switches A1, A2, . . . , An.

[0046] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of the information table Ti. Fig. 4 shows an example in which the integer n is 4. The information table Ti stores the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch Ak, the state of the power switch Ak, and the ID of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch Ak. The state of the power switch Ak is shown as on or off.

[0047] Each of the power switches A1, A2,..., An is previously associated with one of the multiple electric devices 4. In the example of Fig. 4, the power switches A1, A2, A3, A4 are respectively associated with the front left, front right, rear left, and rear right windows. When the power switch Ak is switched from off to on, the device control unit 53 identifies the ECU 2 connected to the power switch Ak. After that, the device control unit 53 changes the ID of the ECU 2 corresponding to the power switch Ak to the ID of the identified ECU 2.

[0048] The device storage unit 52 further stores a computer program Pm. The device control unit 53 has a processing element that executes processing, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The device control unit 53 functions as a processing unit. The processing element of the device control unit 53 executes the computer program Pm to execute data transmission processing, change processing, and the like. The data transmission processing is a processing for transmitting data different from the device data via the communication bus B. The ECU2 determines the operation of the electric device 4 based on the data transmitted in the data transmission processing. The change processing is a processing for changing the ID of the ECU2 in the information table Ti.

[0049] The computer program Pm may be provided to the microcomputer 10 using a non-transitory storage medium Qm that readably stores the computer program Pm. The storage medium Qm is, for example, a portable memory. Examples of the portable memory include a CD-ROM, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, an SD card, a micro SD card, and a Compact Flash (registered trademark). When the storage medium Qm is a portable memory, the processing element of the device control unit 53 may read the computer program Pm from the storage medium Qm using a reading device (not shown). The read computer program Pm is written to the device storage unit 52. Furthermore, the computer program Pm may be provided to the microcomputer 10 by a communication unit (not shown) of the microcomputer 10 communicating with an external device. In this case, the processing element of the device control unit 53 acquires the computer program Pm through the communication unit. The acquired computer program Pm is written to the device storage unit 52.

[0050] Furthermore, the number of processing elements included in device control unit 53 is not limited to 1, and may be 2 or more. When device control unit 53 has multiple processing elements, the multiple processing elements may cooperate to execute data transmission processing, change processing, and the like.

[0051] Next, the configuration of the ECU 2 will be described. All ECUs 2 have the same configuration. The ECU 2 has an ECU output unit 60, an ECU communication unit 61, a temporary storage unit 62, an ECU storage unit 63, and an ECU control unit 64. These are connected to an internal bus 65. The ECU output unit 60 is further connected to the electric device 4. The ECU communication unit 61 is further connected to a communication bus B.

[0052] The ECU output unit 60 outputs an operation signal to the electric device 4 in accordance with an instruction from the ECU control unit 64. The ECU communication unit 61 receives data transmitted by the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10. The ECU communication unit 61 transmits data via the communication bus B in accordance with an instruction from the ECU control unit 64. One example of the data transmitted by the ECU communication unit 61 is device data.

[0053] The temporary storage unit 62 is a volatile memory, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ECU control unit 64 writes the device data to the temporary storage unit 62. When the power supply to the ECU 2 is stopped, the device data is deleted from the temporary storage unit 62.

[0054] The ECU storage unit 63 is, for example, a non-volatile memory. A computer program Pe is stored in the ECU storage unit 63. The ECU control unit 64 has a processing element, for example, a CPU, that executes processing. The ECU control unit 64 functions as a second processing unit. The processing element of the ECU control unit 64 executes the computer program Pe to execute a control process and a write process. The control process is a process for controlling the operation of the electric device 4. The write process is a process in which the ECU control unit 64 writes device data to the temporary storage unit 62.

[0055] The computer program Pe may be provided to the ECU 2 using a non-transitory storage medium Qe that readably stores the computer program Pe. The storage medium Qe is, for example, a portable memory. When the storage medium Qe is a portable memory, the processing element of the ECU control unit 64 may read the computer program Pe from the storage medium Qe using a reading device (not shown). The read computer program Pe is written to the ECU storage unit 63. Furthermore, the computer program Pe may be provided to the ECU 2 by a communication unit (not shown) of the ECU 2 communicating with an external device. In this case, the processing element of the ECU control unit 64 acquires the computer program Pe through the communication unit. The acquired computer program Pe is written to the ECU storage unit 63.

[0056] Furthermore, the number of processing elements included in the ECU control unit 64 is not limited to one, and may be two or more. When the ECU control unit 64 has multiple processing elements, the multiple processing elements may cooperate to execute control processing, writing processing, and the like.

[0057] <Data transmission processing and control processing> As described above, the device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 executes the data transmission process. In the data transmission process, the device control unit 53 determines whether or not one of the multiple electric devices 4 should perform a new operation. If the device control unit 53 determines that none of the multiple electric devices 4 should perform a new operation, the device control unit 53 waits until a new operation occurs that one of the multiple electric devices 4 should perform.

[0058] When the device control unit 53 determines that one of the multiple electric devices 4 should perform a new operation, it determines whether or not a power switch among the n power switches A1, A2, ..., An corresponding to the electric device 4 that will perform the new operation is on, based on the information table Ti. If the power switch is off, the device control unit 53 waits until the power switch is switched on.

[0059] When the device control unit 53 determines that the power switch is on or when the power switch is switched on, it reads out the ID of the ECU 2 corresponding to the electric device 4 that will perform a new operation from the information table Ti. The device control unit 53 instructs the device communication unit 51 to transmit data indicating the read ID as destination information to the n ECUs 2 via the communication bus B. This data indicates, for example, a new operation to be performed by the electric device 4. After having the device communication unit 51 transmit the data, the device control unit 53 ends the data transmission process. After the data transmission process ends, the device control unit 53 executes the data transmission process again.

[0060] The ECU control unit 64 of each ECU 2 repeatedly executes the control process. In the control process, the ECU control unit 64 first determines whether the ECU communication unit 61 has received data in which the destination information indicates the ID of the ECU 2 that owns the ECU control unit 64 and which is different from the device data. If the ECU control unit 64 determines that the ECU communication unit 61 has not received data, the ECU control unit 64 waits until the ECU communication unit 61 receives data in which the destination information indicates the ID of the ECU 2 that owns the ECU control unit 64 and which is different from the device data.

[0061] When the ECU control unit 64 determines that the destination information indicates the ID of the ECU 2 that owns the ECU control unit 64 and that the ECU communication unit 61 has received data different from the device data, the ECU control unit 64 determines the operation of the electric device 4 connected to the ECU output unit 60 based on the received data. Next, the ECU control unit 64 instructs the ECU output unit 60 to output an operation signal indicating the determined operation to the electric device 4. As a result, the electric device 4 executes the operation determined by the ECU control unit 64. The ECU control unit 64 ends the control process after instructing the ECU output unit 60 to output the operation signal to the electric device 4. Thereafter, the ECU control unit 64 executes the control process again.

[0062] <Modification and writing process> 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the change process and the write process. As described above, the device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 executes the change process. In the change process, the device control unit 53 determines whether or not to switch on one of the n power switches A1, A2, . . . , An (step S1). In step S1, if the device control unit 53 determines that the power switch corresponding to the electric device 4 that will perform a new operation in the data transmission process is off, it determines to switch on one of the n power switches A1, A2, . . . , An.

[0063] If the device control unit 53 determines that none of the n power switches A1, A2, ..., An are to be switched on (S1: NO), it executes step S1 again and waits until the timing arrives to switch on one of the n power switches A1, A2, ..., An.

[0064] In the following, the power switch to be switched on among the power switches A1, A2, ..., An will be referred to as a specific switch. When the device control unit 53 determines that one of the n power switches A1, A2, ..., An is to be switched on (S1: YES), it instructs the drive circuit 11 to switch the specific switch on (step S2). As a result, the specific switch is switched on, and the DC power source 3 supplies power to the electrical device 4 connected to the specific switch. The device control unit 53 instructs the device output unit 50 to output an on signal for the specific switch, thereby instructing the drive circuit 11 to switch the power switch on.

[0065] Next, the device control unit 53 changes the state of the specific switch to ON in the information table Ti (step S3). In FIG. 4, if the specific switch is the power switch A1, the state of the power switch A1 is changed from OFF to ON. After executing step S3, the device control unit 53 instructs the device communication unit 51 to transmit device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the specific switch in the information table Ti via the communication bus B (step S4). In FIG. 4, if the specific switch is the power switch A1, the device control unit 53 instructs the device communication unit 51 to transmit device data indicating the left front window. As described above, the destination information of the device data indicates the IDs of the n ECUs 2.

[0066] As described above, the write process is executed by the ECU control unit 64 of each ECU 2. In the write process, the ECU control unit 64 first determines whether or not the ECU communication unit 61 has received device data from the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10 (step S11). When the ECU control unit 64 determines that the ECU communication unit 61 has not received device data (S11: NO), it executes step S11 again and waits until the ECU communication unit 61 receives the device data.

[0067] When the ECU control unit 64 determines that the ECU communication unit 61 has received the equipment data (S11: YES), it determines whether or not equipment data different from the equipment data received by the ECU communication unit 61 is stored in the temporary storage unit 62 (step S12). When the ECU control unit 64 determines that the equipment data is not stored in the temporary storage unit 62 (S12: NO), it writes the equipment data received by the ECU communication unit 61 to the temporary storage unit 62 (step S13). The temporary storage unit 62 functions as a data storage unit. After executing step S13, the ECU control unit 64 instructs the ECU communication unit 61 to transmit the ID data to the microcomputer 10 and the other ECUs 2 via the communication bus B (step S14). The destination information of the ID data indicates the ID of the microcomputer 10. The main information of the ID data indicates the ID of the ECU 2 that has written the equipment data in the temporary storage unit 62.

[0068] When the ECU control unit 64 determines that the device data is stored in the temporary storage unit 62 (S12: YES), it ends the write process. Therefore, the device data stored in the temporary storage unit 62 is maintained. After executing step S14, the ECU control unit 64 ends the write process. After ending the write process, the ECU control unit 64 executes the write process again.

[0069] In the change process, after executing step S4, the device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 determines whether the device communication unit 51 has received the ID data (step S5). If the device control unit 53 determines that the ECU communication unit 61 has not received the ID data (S5: NO), it executes step S5 again and waits until the device communication unit 51 receives the ID data.

[0070] When the device control unit 53 determines that the device communication unit 51 has received the ID data (S5: YES), the device control unit 53 changes the ID of the ECU 2 corresponding to the specific switch in the information table Ti to an ID indicated by the ID data received by the ECU communication unit 61 (step S6). After executing step S6, the device control unit 53 ends the change process. After the change process ends, the device control unit 53 executes the change process again.

[0071] <Switching power switch Ak off> For example, when the operations of all the electrical devices 4 connected to the power switch Ak are stopped, the device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 causes the drive circuit 11 to switch the power switch Ak off. The device control unit 53 instructs the device output unit 50 to output an off signal for the power switch Ak to the drive circuit 11, thereby causing the drive circuit 11 to switch the power switch Ak off. After all the power switches A1, A2,..., An are switched off, the power supply to the microcomputer 10 is stopped.

[0072] <An example of the operation of the microcomputer 10 and the multiple ECUs 2> Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the microcomputer 10 and the multiple ECUs 2. Fig. 6 shows an example in which the integer n is 3. Fig. 6 shows the operation of the microcomputer 10 and the n ECUs 2 started in a state in which the n power switches A1, A2, ..., An are off. Since the power switches A1, A2, ..., An are off, no device data is stored in the temporary storage units 62 of the n ECUs 2.

[0073] The device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 causes the drive circuit 11 to switch on the power switch A1 functioning as a specific switch in order to operate the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A1. This causes the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A1 to operate. The device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10 transmits device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A1 to the n ECUs 2 via the communication bus B. At this time, since only the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A1 is operating, only the ECU communication unit 61 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A1 receives the device data.

[0074] The ECU control unit 64 of the ECU 2 corresponding to the power switch A1 writes the device data received by the ECU communication unit 61 to the temporary storage unit 62. As a result, the device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A1 is stored only in the temporary storage unit 62 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A1. The ECU control unit 64 recognizes that the electric device 4 stored in the temporary storage unit 62 is the electric device 4 to be controlled.

[0075] After the ECU control unit 64 of the ECU 2 corresponding to the power switch A1 writes the device data in the temporary storage unit 62, the ECU communication unit 61 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A1 transmits ID data, the main information of which indicates the ID of its own ECU 2, to the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10. The device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 changes the ID of the ECU 2 corresponding to the power switch A1 in the information table Ti to the ID indicated by the ID data received by the device communication unit 51.

[0076] In the example of Fig. 6, the device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 switches on the power switch A1, and then causes the drive circuit 11 to switch on the power switch A2 functioning as a specific switch in order to operate the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A2. This causes the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A2 to operate. The device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 transmits device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A2 to the n ECUs 2 via the communication bus B. At this time, since the ECUs 2 connected to the two power switches A1 and A2 are operating, the ECU communication units 61 of the two ECUs 2 connected to the two power switches A1 and A2 receive the device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A2.

[0077] The temporary storage unit 62 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A1 stores device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A1. Therefore, the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A1 maintains the device data stored in the temporary storage unit 62. The device data stored in the temporary storage unit 62 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A1 is not changed to device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A2.

[0078] The ECU control unit 64 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A2 writes the device data received by the ECU communication unit 61 to the temporary storage unit 62. As a result, the device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A2 is stored only in the temporary storage unit 62 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A2. The ECU control unit 64 recognizes that the electric device 4 stored in the temporary storage unit 62 is the electric device 4 to be controlled.

[0079] After the ECU control unit 64 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A2 writes the device data to the temporary storage unit 62, the ECU communication unit 61 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A2 transmits ID data indicating the ID of its own ECU 2, which is main information, to the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10. The device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 changes the ID of the ECU 2 corresponding to the power switch A2 in the information table Ti to the ID indicated by the ID data received by the device communication unit 51.

[0080] In the example of Fig. 6, the device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 switches on the power switch A2, and then causes the drive circuit 11 to switch on the power switch A3 functioning as a specific switch in order to operate the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A3. This causes the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A3 to operate. The device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 transmits device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A3 to the n ECUs 2 via the communication bus B. At this time, the ECUs 2 connected to the three power switches A1, A2, and A3 are operating, so that the ECU communication units 61 of the three ECUs 2 connected to the three power switches A1, A2, and A3 receive the device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A3.

[0081] The temporary storage units 62 of the ECUs 2 connected to the power switches A1 and A2 respectively store device data indicating the electric devices 4 corresponding to the power switches A1 and A2. Therefore, the device data stored in the temporary storage units 62 of the two ECUs 2 connected to the power switches A1 and A2 respectively is maintained. The device data stored in the temporary storage units 62 of the ECUs 2 connected to the power switches A1 and A2 respectively is not changed to device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A3.

[0082] The ECU control unit 64 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A3 writes the device data received by the ECU communication unit 61 to the temporary storage unit 62. As a result, the device data indicating the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A3 is stored only in the temporary storage unit 62 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A3. The ECU control unit 64 recognizes that the electric device 4 stored in the temporary storage unit 62 is the electric device 4 to be controlled.

[0083] After the ECU control unit 64 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A3 writes the device data to the temporary storage unit 62, the ECU communication unit 61 of the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A3 transmits ID data, the main information of which indicates the ID of its own ECU 2, to the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10. The device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 changes the ID of the ECU 2 corresponding to the power switch A3 in the information table Ti to the ID indicated by the ID data received by the device communication unit 51.

[0084] As described above, each ECU 2 can recognize the electric device to be controlled based on the device data received from the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10 after the specific switch is switched on. Furthermore, when the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10 transmits device data to multiple ECUs 2, only the ECU control unit 64 of the ECU 2 connected to the specific switch writes the transmitted device data to the temporary storage unit 62. Each ECU 2 recognizes the electric device 4 indicated by the device data stored in the temporary storage unit 62 as the device to be controlled.

[0085] Furthermore, when each ECU 2 writes the device data to the temporary storage unit 62, it transmits the ID data to the microcomputer 10. Therefore, the device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 recognizes the electric device 4 corresponding to each of the n power switches A1, A2, ..., An. Every time the power switch Ak is switched from off to on, the ECU 2 connected to the power switch Ak is notified of the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch Ak. Therefore, for example, even if the ECU 2 connected to the power switch A1 is changed to another ECU 2, the other ECU 2 can appropriately control the electric device 4 corresponding to the power switch A1.

[0086] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the communication device 1 has n power switches A1, A2, . . . , An. However, the location where the n power switches A1, A2, . . . , An are arranged is not limited to inside the communication device 1. The following describes the differences between embodiment 2 and embodiment 1. Except for the configuration described below, other configurations are common to embodiment 1. For this reason, components common to embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals as embodiment 1, and descriptions of those components are omitted.

[0087] <Configuration of communication system E> Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a communication system E in embodiment 2. Fig. 7 corresponds to Fig. 1. Comparing embodiments 1 and 2, the locations where the n power switches A1, A2,...,An are arranged are different. In embodiment 2, the n power switches A1, A2,...,An are arranged outside the communication device 1. Similar to embodiment 1, communication system E has n power switches A1, A2,...,An.

[0088] When the n power switches A1, A2, . . . , An are arranged outside the communication device 1, the communication device 1 can be made compact. addition In this case, the convenience of the work of adding a new electric device 4 is improved. Furthermore, the communication system E and the communication device 1 in the second embodiment each achieve the same effects as the communication system E and the communication device 1 in the first embodiment.

[0089] The configuration of the communication system E is not limited to a configuration in which all of the n power switches A1, A2, . . . , An are arranged outside the communication device 1. The communication device 1 may have some of the n power switches A1, A2, . . . , An. In this case, the remaining power switches are arranged outside the communication device 1.

[0090] (Embodiment 3) In the first embodiment, the communication device 1 has n power switches A1, A2,...,An. However, the number of power switches included in the communication device 1 may be (n-1). As described in the description of the first embodiment, the integer n is 2 or more. The following describes the differences between embodiment 3 and embodiment 1. Except for the configuration described below, other configurations are common to embodiment 1. Therefore, components common to embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals as embodiment 1, and descriptions of those components are omitted.

[0091] <Configuration of communication system E> FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a communication system E in embodiment 3. FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 1. In FIG. 8, conductors related to power supply are shown with thick lines. Conductors unrelated to power supply and communication lines are shown with thin lines. Comparing embodiments 1 and 3, the number of power switches that the communication device 1 has is different. In embodiment 3, the communication device 1 has (n-1) power switches A2, A3,...,An. The microcontroller 10, the drive circuit 11, and the power switches A2, A3,...,An are connected in the same manner as in embodiment 1.

[0092] The positive electrode of the DC power supply 3 is connected directly to the ECU 2 in addition to one end of the power switches A2, A3,...,An. A current flows from the positive electrode of the DC power supply 3 to the ECU 2 and the negative electrode of the DC power supply 3 in that order. This causes power to be supplied to the ECU 2 which is directly connected to the DC power supply 3. In the third embodiment, (n-1) power switches A2, A3,...,An are provided in each of (n-1) supply paths out of n supply paths for supplying power to n ECUs 2, respectively.

[0093] <Microcontroller 10 Configuration> The device storage unit 52 of the microcomputer 10 stores an information table Ti, as in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of the information table Ti. FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 4. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the integer n is 4. In the example of FIG. 9, the ECU 2 connected to the left front window is directly connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply 3. Therefore, the information table Ti does not show the power switch corresponding to the left front window and the state corresponding to this power switch. In the information table Ti, each of the (n-1) power switches A2, A3,...,An is previously associated with one of the multiple electric devices 4.

[0094] One or more processing elements included in the device control unit 53 execute the computer program Pm to execute an initializing process in addition to the data transmission process and the change process. The initializing process is a process that is executed when the microcomputer 10 is activated. For example, the microcomputer 10 is activated when the ignition switch of the vehicle C is switched from off to on. For example, the microcomputer 10 is deactivated when the ignition switch of the vehicle C is switched from on to off.

[0095] <Initial processing and writing processing> 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the initial process and the write process. The device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 executes the initial process every time the microcomputer 10 operates. In the initial process, first, the device control unit 53 instructs to transmit device data indicating the electric devices 4 whose operation is controlled by the ECU 2 directly connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply 3 in the information table Ti to the n ECUs 2 via the communication bus B (step S21).

[0096] The ECU control unit 64 of each ECU 2 executes the write process in the same manner as in embodiment 1. Therefore, when the ECU communication unit 61 receives device data, if device data different from the device data received by the ECU communication unit 61 is stored in the temporary storage unit 62, the write process is terminated.

[0097] In a similar case, when the equipment data is not stored in the temporary storage unit 62, the ECU control unit 64 writes the equipment data received by the ECU communication unit 61 into the temporary storage unit 62. After writing the equipment data into the temporary storage unit 62, the ECU control unit 64 instructs the ECU communication unit 61 to transmit the ID data to the microcomputer 10 and the other ECU 2 via the communication bus B. Destination information of the ID data indicates the ID of the microcomputer 10. Main information of the ID data indicates the ID of the ECU 2 that wrote the equipment data into the temporary storage unit 62. After instructing the transmission of the ID data, the ECU control unit 64 ends the write process. After ending the write process, the ECU control unit 64 executes the write process again.

[0098] In the initial process, the device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 executes step S21 and then determines whether or not a certain predetermined period of time has elapsed since executing step S21 (step S22). The period of time that has elapsed since executing step S21 is measured, for example, by a timer (not shown). If the device control unit 53 determines that the predetermined period of time has not elapsed (S22: NO), it determines whether or not the device communication unit 51 has received ID data (step S23). If the device control unit 53 determines that the ECU communication unit 61 has not received ID data (S23: NO), it executes step S22 again and waits until the predetermined period of time has elapsed or the device communication unit 51 receives ID data.

[0099] When the device control unit 53 determines that the predetermined period has elapsed (S22: YES), it ends the initial process. When the predetermined period has elapsed without the ECU communication unit 61 receiving the ID data, it is considered that the device data is stored in the temporary storage unit 62 of the ECU 2 that is directly connected to the positive terminal of the DC power supply 3.

[0100] When the device control unit 53 determines that the device communication unit 51 has received the ID data (S23: YES), it changes the ID of the ECU 2 in the information table Ti corresponding to the electric device 4 whose operation is controlled by the ECU 2 directly connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply 3, to the ID indicated by the ID data received by the ECU communication unit 61 (step S24). In the example of FIG. 9, the device control unit 53 changes the ID of the ECU 2 corresponding to the front left window. After executing step S24, the device control unit 53 ends the initial process.

[0101] <Change processing> In step S1 of the change process in the third embodiment, the device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 determines whether or not to switch on one of the (n-1) power switches A2, A3,...,An. The power switch to be switched on among the power switches A2, A3,...,An is the specific switch.

[0102] If the device control unit 53 determines that none of the (n-1) power switches A2, A3,...,An are to be switched on (S1: NO), it executes step S1 again and waits until the timing arrives to switch on one of the (n-1) power switches A2, A3,...,An. If the device control unit 53 determines that one of the (n-1) power switches A2, A3,...,An is to be switched on (S1: YES), it executes step S2.

[0103] <An example of the operation of the microcomputer 10 and the multiple ECUs 2> Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the microcomputer 10 and the multiple ECUs 2. Fig. 11 corresponds to Fig. 6. Fig. 11 shows an example in which the integer n is 3. Fig. 11 shows the operation of the microcomputer 10 and n ECUs 2 that is started when the microcomputer 10 operates in a state in which the (n-1) power switches A2, A3, ..., An are off. Since the power switches A2, A3, ..., An are off, no device data is stored in the temporary storage units 62 of the (n-1) ECUs 2.

[0104] There are three possible situations in which device data is not stored in the temporary storage unit 62 of the ECU 2 directly connected to the DC power supply 3. The first situation is a situation in which the microcomputer 10 has not operated even once after the communication system E is manufactured. The second situation is a situation in which the microcomputer 10 has not operated even once after the ECU 2 directly connected to the DC power supply 3 is replaced with another ECU 2. The third situation is a situation in which the microcomputer 10 has not operated even once after the power supply from the DC power supply 3 to the ECU 2 is stopped.

[0105] When the microcomputer 10 is operating, the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10 transmits device data indicating the electric devices 4 whose operations are controlled by the ECUs 2 directly connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply 3 to the n ECUs 2 via the communication bus B. At this time, since only the ECUs 2 connected to the DC power supply 3 are operating, only the ECU communication units 61 of the ECUs 2 directly connected to the DC power supply 3 receive the device data.

[0106] The ECU control unit 64 of the ECU 2 directly connected to the DC power supply 3 writes the device data received by the ECU communication unit 61 to the temporary storage unit 62. As a result, device data indicating the electric device 4 whose operation is controlled by this ECU 2 is stored only in the temporary storage unit 62 of the ECU 2 directly connected to the DC power supply 3. The ECU control unit 64 recognizes that the electric device 4 stored in the temporary storage unit 62 is the electric device 4 to be controlled.

[0107] The operations of the microcomputer 10 and the n ECUs 2 performed after the device control unit 53 of the microcomputer 10 causes the drive circuit 11 to switch on the power switch A2 functioning as the specific switch are the same as those of the embodiment 1. The communication system E and the communication device 1 in the embodiment 3 similarly achieve the effects achieved by the communication system E and the communication device 1 in the embodiment 1.

[0108] (Embodiment 4) In the third embodiment, the communication device 1 has (n-1) power switches A2, A3,...,An. However, the location where the (n-1) power switches A2, A3,...,An are arranged is not limited to inside the communication device 1. The following describes the differences between the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment. Except for the configuration described below, the other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals as those of the third embodiment are used for the components that are the same as those of the third embodiment, and the description of those components is omitted.

[0109] <Configuration of communication system E> Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a communication system E in embodiment 4. Fig. 12 corresponds to Fig. 8. Comparing embodiments 3 and 4, the locations where the (n-1) power switches A2, A3, ..., An are arranged are different. In embodiment 4, the (n-1) power switches A2, A3, ..., An are arranged outside the communication device 1. Similar to embodiment 3, communication system E has (n-1) power switches A2, A3, ..., An.

[0110] In the case where the (n-1) power switches A2, A3, . . . , An are arranged outside the communication device 1, it is possible to realize a reduction in size of the communication device 1. In addition, after the vehicle C is shipped, it is possible to install a new electric device 4. addition In this case, the convenience of the work of adding a new electric device 4 is improved. Furthermore, the communication system E and the communication device 1 in the fourth embodiment each achieve the same effects as the communication system E and the communication device 1 in the third embodiment.

[0111] When n is an integer of 3 or more, the configuration of the communication system E is not limited to a configuration in which all of the (n-1) power switches A2, A3, ..., An are arranged outside the communication device 1. When n is an integer of 3 or more, the communication device 1 may have some of the (n-1) power switches A2, A3, ..., An. In this case, the remaining power switches are arranged outside the communication device 1. When n is 2, the power switch A2 is arranged outside the communication device 1. In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the connection line directly connecting the positive electrode of the DC power supply 3 and the ECU 2 may pass through the inside of the communication device 1.

[0112] (Embodiment 5) In the first embodiment, the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10 is connected to the ECU communication units 61 of the n ECUs 2 via the communication bus B. However, the connection between the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10 and the ECU communication units 61 of the n ECUs 2 is not limited to the connection via the communication bus B. The following describes the differences between embodiment 5 and embodiment 1. Except for the configuration described below, other configurations are common to embodiment 1. For this reason, components common to embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals as embodiment 1, and descriptions of those components are omitted.

[0113] <Configuration of communication system E> FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the communication system E in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 corresponds to FIG. 1. In FIG. 13, the conductors related to the power supply are indicated by thick lines. The conductors unrelated to the power supply and the communication lines are indicated by thin lines. In the communication system E in the fifth embodiment, the communication bus B is not arranged. The device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10 is connected to the ECU communication units 61 of the n ECUs 2, respectively. The device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10 transmits data to the ECU communication units 61 of the n ECUs 2, respectively, according to an instruction from the device control unit 53. The ECU communication unit 61 of each ECU 2 transmits data to the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10. In the fifth embodiment, it is not necessary to include destination information in the data. The communication between the microcomputer 10 and the ECU 2 is performed according to, for example, the Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol.

[0114] As in the first embodiment, the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10 transmits device data to the ECU communication units 61 of the n ECUs 2. The device communication unit 51 transmits data different from the device data to the ECU communication unit 61 of the ECU 2 of the electric device 4 that is to perform a new operation. The ECU communication unit 61 of the ECU 2 transmits ID data to the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10.

[0115] The communication system E and the communication device 1 in the fifth embodiment have the same effects as those of the communication system E and the communication device 1 in the first embodiment.

[0116] <Modification> In each of the second to fourth embodiments, similarly to the fifth embodiment, the device communication unit 51 of the microcomputer 10 may be connected to the ECU communication units 61 of the n ECUs 2, respectively.

[0117] The technical features (constituent elements) described in the first to fifth embodiments can be combined with each other, and by combining them, new technical features can be formed. The disclosed embodiments 1 to 5 are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1. Communications equipment 2 ECU (control unit) 3 DC power supply 4. Electrical equipment (vehicle equipment) 10 Microcomputer 11 Drive circuit 50 Device output section 51 Device communication unit 52 Device storage 53 Device control section (processing section) 54,65 Internal bus 60 ECU output section 61 ECU communication section 62 Temporary storage unit (data storage unit) 63 ECU storage section 64 ECU control section (second processing section) A1, A2, , An Power Switch B Communication bus C Vehicle E. Communication Systems Pe,Pm computer program Qe, Qm storage media Ti Information Table

Claims

1. A plurality of control devices that control the operation of each of the plurality of in-vehicle devices; a communication device that communicates with the plurality of control devices; Equipped with The communication device has a processing unit that executes processing, a switch provided in one of a plurality of supply paths for supplying power to each of the plurality of control devices is previously associated with one of the plurality of in-vehicle devices; The processing unit of the communication device Instruct the switch to be turned on; instructing the control device to transmit device data indicating an in-vehicle device corresponding to the switch to the plurality of control devices after instructing the control device to turn on the switch; The control device includes: a data storage unit to which the device data is written; A second processing unit that executes processing; having When the power supply to the control device is stopped, the device data is erased from the data storage unit, The second processing unit includes: when receiving the equipment data from the communication device and the equipment data is not stored in the data storage unit, writing the equipment data received from the communication device into the data storage unit; When the equipment data is received from the communication device and the equipment data is stored in the data storage unit, the equipment data stored in the data storage unit is maintained; The second processing unit instructs the communication device to transmit data when the device data received from the communication device is written to the data storage unit. Communication systems.

2. The number of the switches is two or more, A plurality of switches are provided in the plurality of supply paths, Each of the plurality of switches is previously associated with one of the plurality of in-vehicle devices; The processing unit of the communication device instructing a specific switch included in the plurality of switches to be switched on; After instructing to turn on the specific switch, an instruction is given to transmit device data indicating an in-vehicle device corresponding to the specific switch to the plurality of control devices. The communication system according to claim 1 .

3. The communication device includes some or all of the plurality of switches. The communication system according to claim 2 .

4. The number of the supply paths is n, n is an integer of 2 or more, The number of the switches is (n-1), The (n-1) switches are provided in each of the (n-1) supply paths, Each of the (n-1) switches is previously associated with one of the plurality of in-vehicle devices; The processing unit of the communication device Instruct a specific switch included in the (n-1) switches to be switched on; After instructing to turn on the specific switch, an instruction is given to transmit device data indicating an in-vehicle device corresponding to the specific switch to the plurality of control devices. The communication system according to claim 1 .

5. n is an integer of 3 or more, The communication device includes some or all of the (n-1) switches.

5. The communication system according to claim 4.

6. The operations of the multiple in-vehicle devices are common. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A communication device that communicates with a plurality of control devices that control the operation of a plurality of in-vehicle devices, A processing unit for executing a process, a switch provided in one of a plurality of supply paths for supplying power to each of the plurality of control devices is previously associated with one of the plurality of in-vehicle devices; The processing unit includes: Instruct the switch to be turned on; instructing the control device to transmit device data indicating an in-vehicle device corresponding to the switch to the plurality of control devices after instructing the control device to turn on the switch; The control device includes: a data storage unit to which the device data is written; A second processing unit that executes processing; having When the power supply to the control device is stopped, the device data is erased from the data storage unit, The second processing unit includes: when receiving the equipment data from the communication device and the equipment data is not stored in the data storage unit, writing the equipment data received from the communication device into the data storage unit; When the equipment data is received from the communication device and the equipment data is stored in the data storage unit, the equipment data stored in the data storage unit is maintained; The second processing unit instructs the communication device to transmit data when the device data received from the communication device is written to the data storage unit. Communications equipment.

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