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

Abstract

To provide a relay device, vehicle communication system, vehicle, communication method, and communication program for easily obtaining network information when a new functional unit is added to a network.SOLUTION: A relay device 200 installed in a vehicle includes: a detection unit that detects a new functional unit, which is a functional unit (application) that is newly installed in a network, which includes existing functional units, which are one or more functional units; a relay unit that relays frames between the functional units; and an acquisition unit that acquires functional unit information, including information about a network configuration of layers below an application layer, for at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional units, from frames between the new functional unit and the existing functional units that are relayed by the relay unit and detected by the detection unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay device, a vehicle communication system, a vehicle, a communication method, and a communication program. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-142240, filed August 1, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. [Background technology]

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

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

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

[0005] The relay device of the present disclosure is a relay device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a detection unit that detects a new functional unit, which is a functional unit that is newly added to a network that includes one or more existing functional units, a relay unit that relays frames between the functional units, and an acquisition unit that acquires functional unit information, including information regarding the network configuration of at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional unit at a layer lower than the application layer, from the frame between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit detected by the detection unit and relayed by the relay unit.

[0006] The vehicle communication system disclosed herein comprises a relay device mounted on a vehicle, an existing functional unit which is one or more functional units that constitute a network, and a new functional unit which is a functional unit that is newly added to the network, wherein the relay device detects the addition of the new functional unit to the network, and the new functional unit or the existing functional unit transmits a frame addressed to another functional unit that contains functional unit information including information about the network configuration at a layer lower than the application layer, and the relay device acquires the functional unit information from the frame transmitted by the new functional unit or the existing functional unit.

[0007] The communication method disclosed herein is a communication method in a relay device mounted on a vehicle and relaying frames between functional units, and includes the steps of detecting a new functional unit, which is a functional unit that is newly added to a network that includes one or more existing functional units, and acquiring functional unit information from the frames to be relayed between the detected new functional unit and the existing functional unit, the functional unit information including information regarding the network configuration of at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional unit at a layer lower than the application layer.

[0008] The communication method disclosed herein is a communication method in a vehicle communication system that includes a relay device mounted on a vehicle, existing functional units that are one or more functional units that constitute a network, and a new functional unit that is a functional unit that is newly added to the network, and includes a step in which the relay device detects the addition of the new functional unit to the network, a step in which the new functional unit or the existing functional unit transmits a frame addressed to another functional unit that stores functional unit information including information about the network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer, and a step in which the relay device acquires the functional unit information from the frame transmitted by the new functional unit or the existing functional unit.

[0009] The communication program disclosed herein is a communication program used in a relay device mounted on a vehicle, and causes a computer to function as a detection unit that detects a new functional unit, which is a functional unit newly added to a network including one or more existing functional units, a relay unit that relays frames between the functional units, and an acquisition unit that acquires functional unit information, including information regarding the network configuration of at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional unit at a layer lower than the application layer, from the frame between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit detected by the detection unit and relayed by the relay unit.

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

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a relay device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication setting frame transmitted by a functional unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of configuration information generated by a generating unit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a configuration of a new network after a setting change in the vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when a relay device establishes a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 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. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another 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. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another 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 INVENTION

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

[0013] [Problem to be solved by this disclosure] There is a need for a technology that goes beyond the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 and that makes it possible to easily obtain network information when a new functional unit is added to a network.

[0014] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a relay device, a vehicle communication system, a vehicle, a communication method, and a communication program that can easily obtain information about a network to which a new functional unit has been added.

[0015] [Effects of this disclosure] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily obtain information about a network to which a new functional unit has been added.

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

[0017] (1) A relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a relay device mounted on a vehicle, and includes: a detection unit that detects a new functional unit, which is a functional unit newly added to a network including one or more existing functional units; a relay unit that relays frames between the functional units; and an acquisition unit that acquires functional unit information, including information regarding the network configuration of at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional unit at a layer lower than the application layer, from the frame relayed by the relay unit between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit detected by the detection unit.

[0018] In this way, by using a configuration in which functional unit information is acquired from frames between functional units, for example, functional unit information can be acquired from frames to be relayed between a new functional unit and an existing functional unit in order to establish a communication connection between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit, and therefore functional unit information can be acquired without exchanging frames to acquire the functional unit information with the functional units. Therefore, information on a network to which a new functional unit has been added can be easily acquired.

[0019] (2) Preferably, the function unit information is information used to generate configuration information of a new network, which is the network that further includes the new function unit.

[0020] With this configuration, it is possible to use the functional unit information to build a new network that takes into account the network configuration and constraints of layers lower than the application layer, for example, thereby suppressing delays in important communications that may be caused by adding a new functional unit to the network.

[0021] (3) Preferably, the acquisition unit acquires the function unit information from the frame transmitted by the new function unit and relayed to the existing function unit.

[0022] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to acquire function unit information from a frame transmitted by a new function unit that is to transmit data to an existing function unit after a communication connection is established.

[0023] (4) Preferably, the acquisition unit acquires the function unit information from the frame transmitted by the existing function unit and relayed to the new function unit.

[0024] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to acquire function unit information from a frame transmitted by an existing function unit that is to transmit data to a new function unit after a communication connection is established.

[0025] (5) Preferably, the relay unit relays the destination information and source information contained in the frame received from the functional unit to another functional unit without changing them, and the acquisition unit acquires the functional unit information from the frame relayed by the relay unit.

[0026] With this configuration, the relay device that snoops frames between functional units can easily obtain functional unit information.

[0027] (6) Preferably, the relay unit changes at least one of the destination information and the source information contained in the frame received from the functional unit, and relays the changed frame to another functional unit, and the acquisition unit acquires the functional unit information from the frame relayed by the relay unit.

[0028] With this configuration, the relay device functioning as a proxy server can easily obtain function unit information.

[0029] (7) Preferably, the relay device further includes a generation unit that generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network that further includes the new functional unit, based on the functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0030] With this configuration, it is possible to use the functional unit information to build a new network that takes into account the network configuration and constraints of layers lower than the application layer, thereby suppressing delays in important communications that may be caused by adding a new functional unit to the network.

[0031] (8) Preferably, the functional unit information is information that is not to be processed by the functional unit that is to receive the frame.

[0032] With this configuration, it is possible to obtain functional unit information from a frame without increasing the processing load on the functional unit that is to receive the frame.

[0033] (9) Preferably, the detection unit detects at least one of an application included in an on-board ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that is newly added to the network, an application that is newly installed in an on-board ECU in the network, and an application included in an external device that is newly added to the network outside the vehicle as the new function unit, performs authentication processing for the detected new function unit, and notifies the new function unit of the results of the authentication processing.

[0034] With this configuration, it is possible to detect various new functional units and build new networks.

[0035] (10) A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the relay device.

[0036] With this configuration, a vehicle equipped with a relay device can easily obtain information about a network to which a new functional unit has been added.

[0037] (11) A vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a relay device mounted on a vehicle, an existing functional unit that is one or more functional units that constitute a network, and a new functional unit that is a functional unit that is newly added to the network, wherein the relay device detects the addition of the new functional unit to the network, and the new functional unit or the existing functional unit transmits a frame addressed to another functional unit that contains functional unit information including information about the network configuration at a layer lower than the application layer, and the relay device acquires the functional unit information from the frame transmitted by the new functional unit or the existing functional unit.

[0038] In this way, by configuring the network to acquire functional unit information from frames transmitted by the new functional unit or the existing functional unit, it is possible to acquire the functional unit information from frames to be relayed between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit in order to establish a communication connection between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit, and therefore it is possible to acquire the functional unit information without exchanging frames to acquire the functional unit information with the functional unit. Therefore, it is possible to easily acquire information about the network to which the new functional unit has been added.

[0039] (12) 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 frames between functional units, and includes the steps of: detecting a new functional unit, which is a functional unit newly added to a network including one or more existing functional units; and acquiring functional unit information from the frames to be relayed between the detected new functional unit and the existing functional unit, the functional unit information including information regarding the network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer of at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional unit.

[0040] In this way, by using the method of acquiring functional unit information from frames to be relayed between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit, for example, functional unit information can be acquired from frames to be relayed between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit in order to establish a communication connection between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit, so that functional unit information can be acquired without exchanging frames to acquire the functional unit information with the functional unit. Therefore, information about the network to which the new functional unit has been added can be easily acquired.

[0041] (13) A communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication method in a vehicle communication system including a relay device mounted on a vehicle, an existing functional unit that is one or more functional units constituting a network, and a new functional unit that is a functional unit newly added to the network, and includes the steps of: the relay device detecting the addition of the new functional unit to the network; the new functional unit or the existing functional unit transmitting a frame addressed to another functional unit that stores functional unit information including information about the network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer; and the relay device acquiring the functional unit information from the frame transmitted by the new functional unit or the existing functional unit.

[0042] In this way, by using the method of acquiring functional unit information from frames transmitted by the new functional unit or the existing functional unit, it is possible to acquire functional unit information from frames to be relayed between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit in order to establish a communication connection between them, and therefore it is possible to acquire functional unit information without exchanging frames to acquire the functional unit information with the functional unit. Therefore, it is possible to easily acquire information about the network to which the new functional unit has been added.

[0043] (14) 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 causes a computer to function as a detection unit that detects a new functional unit, which is a functional unit newly added to a network including one or more existing functional units, a relay unit that relays frames between the functional units, and an acquisition unit that acquires functional unit information, including information regarding the network configuration of at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional unit at a layer lower than the application layer, from the frame relayed by the relay unit between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit detected by the detection unit.

[0044] In this way, by using a configuration in which functional unit information is acquired from frames between functional units, for example, functional unit information can be acquired from frames to be relayed between a new functional unit and an existing functional unit in order to establish a communication connection between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit, and therefore functional unit information can be acquired without exchanging frames to acquire the functional unit information with the functional units. Therefore, information on a network to which a new functional unit has been added can be easily acquired.

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. Furthermore, at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any manner.

[0046] [Vehicle communication system] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] 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.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] 2, the vehicle communication system 300 includes one or more in-vehicle ECUs 111 and a relay device 200. Specifically, the vehicle communication system 300 includes, as the in-vehicle ECUs 111, in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111E.

[0050] Each of the in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111E includes an application 100.

[0051] More specifically, as the applications 100, the in-vehicle ECU 111A includes an application 100A, the in-vehicle ECU 111B includes an application 100B, the in-vehicle ECU 111C includes an application 100C, the in-vehicle ECU 111D includes an application 100D, and the in-vehicle ECU 111E includes an application 100E.

[0052] The in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111E and the relay device 200 form a network 12.

[0053] The in-vehicle ECU 111 and the application 100 are examples of functional units in the network 12 that are installed in the vehicle 1.

[0054] The vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration including five in-vehicle ECUs 111, but may be a configuration including one, two, three, four, or six or more in-vehicle ECUs 111. Furthermore, the vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration in which one application 100 is provided in one in-vehicle ECU 111, but may be a configuration in which two or more applications 100 are provided in one in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0055] Furthermore, the vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration including one relay device 200, and may be a configuration including a plurality of relay devices 200.

[0056] Furthermore, the network 12 may include, as functional units, an external device outside the vehicle 1 and an application provided in the external device.

[0057] The in-vehicle ECU 111 is, for example, a TCU (Telematics Communication Unit), an automatic driving ECU, an engine ECU, a sensor, a navigation device, a human-machine interface, a camera, and the like.

[0058] In this example, the in-vehicle ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, and 111E are a TCU, an automatic driving ECU, an engine ECU, a temperature sensor, and a water temperature sensor, respectively.

[0059] Hereinafter, the in-vehicle ECUs 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, and 111E will also be referred to as the TCU 111A, the automatic driving ECU 111B, the engine ECU 111C, the temperature sensor 111D, and the water temperature sensor 111E, respectively.

[0060] In the network 12, the in-vehicle ECUs 111A to 111E are connected to a relay device 200 via an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 11.

[0061] The relay device 200 is, for example, a gateway device, and is capable of relaying data between a plurality of in-vehicle ECUs 111 connected thereto.

[0062] The relay device 200 relays Ethernet frames in accordance with the Ethernet communication standard. Specifically, the relay device 200 relays Ethernet frames exchanged between the in-vehicle ECUs 111. The Ethernet frames contain IP packets.

[0063] In addition, the vehicle communication system 300 is not limited to a configuration in which Ethernet frames are relayed in accordance with the Ethernet communication standard, but may also be a configuration in which data is relayed in accordance with communication standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network) (registered trademark), FlexRay (registered trademark), MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) (registered trademark), and LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

[0064] 1 and 2, the TCU 111A is capable of communicating with the server 180. In particular, the TCU 111A is capable of communicating with the server 180 via the wireless base station device 161 using, for example, IP packets.

[0065] More specifically, the TCU 111A is capable of wireless communication with the wireless base station device 161 in accordance with a communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 3G.

[0066] Specifically, when wireless base station device 161 receives an IP packet from server 180 via external network 170, wireless base station device 161 transmits the received IP packet in a wireless signal to TCU 111A.

[0067] For example, when TCU 111A receives a radio signal including an IP packet from server 180 from radio base station device 161, it acquires the IP packet from the received radio signal, stores the acquired IP packet in an Ethernet frame, and transmits it to relay device 200.

[0068] Furthermore, when TCU 111A 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.

[0069] When the wireless base station device 161 receives the wireless signal from the TCU 111 A, it acquires an IP packet from the received wireless signal and transmits the acquired IP packet to the server 180 via the external network 170 .

[0070] The automatic driving ECU 111B can communicate with other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 200, and for example, detects the driving conditions of the vehicle 1 using measurement information from sensors and performs automatic driving control based on the detection results.

[0071] The engine ECU 111C can communicate with other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 200, and controls the engine of the vehicle 1, for example.

[0072] More specifically, the engine ECU 111C acquires information indicating, for example, the engine rotation speed, the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1, the engine torque, the state of the transmission, the state of the throttle valve, and the measurement values ​​of each sensor, and controls the engine based on the acquired information.

[0073] Furthermore, engine ECU 111C can transmit part or all of the acquired information to relay device 200 in response to a request from relay device 200, for example.

[0074] The temperature sensor 111D is capable of communicating with other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 200, and measures the outside air temperature of the vehicle 1 periodically, for example.

[0075] The water temperature sensor 111E is capable of communicating with other in-vehicle ECUs 111 via the relay device 200, and periodically measures the temperature of the coolant circulating in the engine of the vehicle 1, for example.

[0076] Each application 100 performs, for example, processing of an application layer to perform predetermined processing in the in-vehicle ECU 111 in which the application 100 is installed. For example, the application 100D in the temperature sensor 111D generates temperature information indicating the outside air temperature of the vehicle 1 at a predetermined period.

[0077] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] 3, relay device 200 includes communication ports 120A, 120B, and 120C. Each of communication ports 120A, 120B, and 120C is also referred to as communication port 120. Communication port 120 is a terminal to which an Ethernet cable 11 can be connected, for example.

[0079] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the TCU 111A is connected to the communication port 120A, the automatic driving ECU 111B and the engine ECU 111C are connected to the communication port 120B, and the temperature sensor 111D and the water temperature sensor 111E are connected to the communication port 120C.

[0080] In addition, in the network 12, the TCU 111A belongs to a virtual local area network (VLAN) 10. The autonomous driving ECU 111B and the engine ECU 111C belong to a VLAN 20 that is different from the VLAN 10. The temperature sensor 111D and the water temperature sensor 111E belong to a VLAN 30 that is different from the VLANs 10 and 20.

[0081] The relay device 200 relays Ethernet frames between the in-vehicle ECUs 111 that belong to the same VLAN, for example. Specifically, the relay device 200 transmits the received Ethernet frame to the in-vehicle ECU 111 that is the destination, based on the source MAC (Media Access Control) address and the destination MAC address included in the received Ethernet frame.

[0082] Furthermore, the relay device 200 relays IP packets between the in-vehicle ECUs 111 that belong to different VLANs. Specifically, the relay device 200 acquires an IP packet from a received Ethernet frame and transmits the IP packet to the in-vehicle ECU 111 that is the destination based on the destination IP address of the acquired IP packet.

[0083] [Repeater] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a relay device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] 4, relay device 200 includes communication ports 120A, 120B, and 120C, relay unit 220, detection unit 230, acquisition unit 240, generation unit 250, notification unit 260, and storage unit 270. Storage unit 270 is, for example, a flash memory. Hereinafter, each of communication ports 120A, 120B, and 120C will also be referred to as communication port 120.

[0085] Relay unit 220, detection unit 230, acquisition unit 240, generation unit 250, and notification unit 260 are realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), for example.

[0086] [Relay section] The relay unit 220 relays frames between the in-vehicle ECUs 111. Specifically, when the relay unit 220 receives an Ethernet frame from a certain in-vehicle ECU 111 via the corresponding communication port 120, the relay unit 220 performs layer 2 relay processing and layer 3 relay processing on the received Ethernet frame.

[0087] For example, the relay unit 220 relays a frame received from an in-vehicle ECU 111 to another in-vehicle ECU 111 without changing the destination information and source information included in the frame.

[0088] Specifically, when the relay unit 220 receives an Ethernet frame addressed to the engine ECU 111C which also belongs to VLAN 20 from the autonomous driving ECU 111B which also belongs to VLAN 20, the relay unit 220 performs relay processing to the engine ECU 111C according to the destination MAC address and source MAC address contained in the received Ethernet frame without changing the destination MAC address and source MAC address.

[0089] Alternatively, the relay unit 220 changes at least one of the destination information and the source information included in the frame received from the in-vehicle ECU 111, and relays the changed frame to another in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0090] As an example, when the relay unit 220 receives an Ethernet frame addressed to the engine ECU 111C belonging to VLAN 20 from the temperature sensor 111D belonging to VLAN 30, the relay unit 220 changes the destination MAC address and source MAC address contained in the received Ethernet frame and relays the changed Ethernet frame to the destination engine ECU 111C.

[0091] As another example, when the relay unit 220 receives an Ethernet frame from an in-vehicle ECU 111, it changes at least one of the destination IP address and the source IP address contained in the received Ethernet frame, and relays the changed Ethernet frame to another in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0092] Specifically, for example, relay unit 220 functions as a proxy for in-vehicle ECU 111, which is the sender of the Ethernet frame. More specifically, when relay unit 220 receives an Ethernet frame from water temperature sensor 111E, relay unit 220 changes the sender IP address included in the received Ethernet frame to its own IP address, and relays the changed Ethernet frame to engine ECU 111C.

[0093] Then, when the relay unit 220 receives an Ethernet frame from the engine ECU 111C in response to the Ethernet frame, with its own IP address as the destination IP address, it changes the destination IP address included in the received Ethernet frame to the IP address of the water temperature sensor 111E, and relays the changed Ethernet frame to the water temperature sensor 111E.

[0094] In addition, the relay unit 220 may be configured to change the information stored in fields other than the destination information and source information contained in the frame received from the in-vehicle ECU 111, and relay the changed frame to another in-vehicle ECU 111.

[0095] [Detection unit] The detection unit 230 detects a new functional unit that is a functional unit that is newly added to the network 12. More specifically, the detection unit 230 detects functional units such as the in-vehicle ECU 111, the external device, and the application 100 that are newly added to the network 12 as new functional units. As an example, the detection unit 230 detects the in-vehicle ECU 111 that is newly added to the network 12 as a new ECU.

[0096] For example, the new function unit transmits connection request information for requesting a communication connection in the network 12 to the relay device 200 .

[0097] The detection unit 230 receives the connection request information via the relay unit 220 and detects the new function unit that is the sender of the connection request information.

[0098] The detection unit 230 may be configured to periodically broadcast a search message to detect a new function unit. In this case, the new function unit receives the search message and transmits the connection request information in response to the received search message.

[0099] Hereinafter, the network 12 including the new functional unit will also be referred to as a new network, the network 12 before the new functional unit is added will also be referred to as an existing network, and the functional unit included in the existing network will also be referred to as an existing functional unit. The in-vehicle ECU 111 included in the existing network is an example of an existing functional unit, i.e., an existing ECU.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 5, it is assumed that an in-vehicle ECU 111G is newly added to the network 12. In this example, the in-vehicle ECU 111G is an image sensor. Hereinafter, the in-vehicle ECU 111G will also be referred to as an image sensor 111G. The image sensor 111G includes an application 100G which is a new functional unit.

[0102] When the image sensor 111G is supplied with power and connected to the communication port 120C in the relay device 200 via, for example, the Ethernet cable 11, it transmits connection request information for requesting a communication connection in the network 12 to the detection unit 230 in the relay device 200.

[0103] More specifically, the application 100G in the image sensor 111G generates an Ethernet frame including connection request information, its own ID, and the MAC address of the relay device 200 as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the relay device 200.

[0104] When the detection unit 230 in the relay device 200 receives the Ethernet frame transmitted from the application 100G, the detection unit 230 performs authentication processing for the application 100G using the ID and the like included in the received Ethernet frame.

[0105] When the detection unit 230 successfully authenticates the application 100G, it generates an Ethernet frame including authentication success information indicating that the authentication was successful and the MAC address of the image sensor 111G as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the image sensor 111G via the relay unit 220.

[0106] Note that the new function unit detected by detection unit 230 is not limited to application 100 included in in-vehicle ECU 111 newly connected to relay device 200. For example, detection unit 230 may be configured to detect application 100 installed in in-vehicle ECU 111 in the existing network as a new function unit.

[0107] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 6, it is assumed that an application 100H is newly installed in the engine ECU 111C as a new functional unit in the network 12.

[0109] When the application 100H is installed in the engine ECU 111C, it generates an Ethernet frame including connection request information, its own ID, and the MAC address of the relay device 200 as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the relay device 200.

[0110] When the detection unit 230 in the relay device 200 receives the Ethernet frame transmitted from the application 100H, it performs authentication processing for the application 100H using the ID and the like included in the received Ethernet frame.

[0111] When the detection unit 230 successfully authenticates the application 100H, it generates an Ethernet frame including authentication success information indicating that the authentication was successful and the MAC address of the engine ECU 111C as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the engine ECU 111C via the relay unit 220.

[0112] The new function unit detected by detection unit 230 is not limited to the application 100 included in in-vehicle ECU 111 newly connected to relay device 200 or the application 100 installed in in-vehicle ECU 111. For example, detection unit 230 may be configured to detect, as a new function unit, an application 100 included in external device 113 added to network 12 outside vehicle 1.

[0113] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] 7, it is assumed that an external device 113 is newly added to the network 12. The external device 113 is a device provided outside the vehicle 1. The external device 113 includes an application 100J which is a new function unit.

[0115] The external device 113 is capable of communicating with the TCU 111A. More specifically, the external device 113 is capable of communicating with the TCU 111A via the wireless base station device 161 using, for example, IP packets.

[0116] The external device 113 transmits connection request information for requesting a communication connection in the network 12 to the detection unit 230 in the relay device 200 via the TCU 111A.

[0117] More specifically, the application 100J in the external device 113 transmits an IP packet including connection request information, its own ID, and the MAC address of the relay device 200 to the wireless base station device 161 via the external network 170.

[0118] When the wireless base station device 161 receives an IP packet from the external device 113 via the external network 170, the wireless base station device 161 transmits the received IP packet to the TCU 111A in a wireless signal.

[0119] When TCU111A receives a wireless signal including an IP packet from application 100J from wireless base station device 161, it acquires the IP packet from the received wireless signal, generates an Ethernet frame including the acquired IP packet and the MAC address of relay device 200 as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to relay device 200.

[0120] When the detection unit 230 in the relay device 200 receives the Ethernet frame from the TCU 111A, it performs authentication processing for the application 100J using the ID and the like included in the IP packet stored in the received Ethernet frame.

[0121] If the authentication of the application 100J is successful, the detection unit 230 generates an Ethernet frame including authentication success information indicating that the authentication was successful and the MAC address of the external device 113 as the destination MAC address, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the TCU 111A.

[0122] When the TCU 111A receives the Ethernet frame from the detection unit 230, it acquires an IP packet from the received Ethernet frame, includes the acquired IP packet in a wireless signal, and transmits the signal to the external device 113 via the wireless base station device 161.

[0123] When the detection unit 230 has successfully authenticated the new function unit as described above, it stores the ID of the new function unit, for example, the MAC address, in the storage unit 270 .

[0124] [Communication connections between functional units] For example, the new functional unit and the existing functional unit periodically or irregularly transmit discovery frames for detecting the other functional units to one or more other functional units via the relay device 200. Also, for example, the new functional unit and the existing functional unit periodically or irregularly generate communication setting frames, which are frames for establishing communication connections with other functional units, and transmit the generated communication setting frames to one or more other functional units via the relay device 200.

[0125] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication setting frame transmitted by a functional unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0126] 8, the communication setting frame has a header, a source IP address, a destination IP address, an options field, a data field, and an additional information field. The data field stores at least one of information indicating the content of data that the source functional unit can transmit and information indicating the content of data that the source functional unit should receive.

[0127] For example, the new functional unit and the existing functional unit generate a communication setting frame in which information indicating the content of the data that the new functional unit can transmit is stored in a data field in accordance with a protocol such as SOME / IP (Scalable Service-Oriented Middleware on Ethernet / Internet Protocol), and transmit the generated communication setting frame to one or more other functional units via relay device 200.

[0128] Alternatively, the new functional unit and the existing functional unit generate a communication setting frame in which information indicating the content of the data that they should receive is stored in a data field in accordance with a protocol such as SOME / IP, and transmit the generated communication setting frame to one or more other functional units via relay device 200.

[0129] 5 again, as an example, when image sensor 111G including application 100G, which is a new functional unit, receives authentication success information from relay device 200, it generates a communication setting frame in a data field of which is stored information indicating that image sensor 111G is capable of transmitting image data of the surroundings of vehicle 1. Then, image sensor 111G broadcasts the generated communication setting frame to all existing functional units in network 12 via relay device 200, or multicasts the generated communication setting frame to specific existing functional units.

[0130] When the autonomous driving ECU 111B, which includes application 100B, which is one of the existing functional units in network 12, receives the communication setting frame from the image sensor 111G, it generates a communication setting frame in which request information indicating that it should receive image data and its own IP address are stored in the data field, and transmits the generated communication setting frame to the image sensor 111G via the relay device 200 in response to the communication setting frame from the image sensor 111G.

[0131] The image sensor 111G and the autonomous driving ECU 111B establish a communication connection by exchanging communication setting frames, etc. After establishing a communication connection with the autonomous driving ECU 111B, the image sensor 111G transmits image data to the autonomous driving ECU 111B via the relay device 200 periodically or irregularly.

[0132] On the other hand, when existing functional units other than the autonomous driving ECU 111B in the network 12 receive a communication setting frame from the image sensor 111G, they generate a communication setting frame in which information indicating that image data is not required is stored in a data field, and transmit the generated communication setting frame to the image sensor 111G via the relay device 200 in response to the communication setting frame from the image sensor 111G.

[0133] 6 again, as another example, when engine ECU 111C including application 100H, which is an installed new functional unit, receives authentication success information from relay device 200, it generates a communication setting frame having request information in a data field indicating that engine ECU 111C should receive water temperature data of the coolant circulating inside the engine of vehicle 1. Then, engine ECU 111C broadcasts the generated communication setting frame to all existing functional units in network 12 via relay device 200, or multicasts the generated communication setting frame to specific existing functional units.

[0134] When the water temperature sensor 111E, which includes the application 100E, which is one of the existing functional units in the network 12, receives the communication setting frame from the engine ECU 111C, it generates a communication setting frame that stores information indicating that it is able to transmit water temperature data and its own IP address in the data field, and transmits the generated communication setting frame to the engine ECU 111C via the relay device 200 in response to the communication setting frame from the engine ECU 111C.

[0135] The water temperature sensor 111E and the engine ECU 111C establish a communication connection by exchanging communication setting frames, etc. After establishing the communication connection with the engine ECU 111C, the water temperature sensor 111E transmits water temperature data to the engine ECU 111C via the relay device 200 periodically or irregularly.

[0136] On the other hand, when existing functional units other than the water temperature sensor 111E in the network 12 receive the communication setting frame from the engine ECU 111C, they generate a communication setting frame in which information indicating that the water temperature data cannot be transmitted is stored in the data field, and transmit the generated communication setting frame to the engine ECU 111C via the relay device 200 in response to the communication setting frame from the engine ECU 111C.

[0137] [Acquisition Department] The acquisition unit 240 acquires functional unit information including information regarding the network configuration of at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional unit at a layer lower than the application layer from a frame between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit relayed by the relay unit 220.

[0138] More specifically, at least one of the new function unit and the existing function unit transmits a communication setting frame, in which function unit information is stored in the additional information field, to the other function unit via the relay device 200.

[0139] Specifically, among the new and existing functional units that send and receive communication setting frames, the publish functional unit, which is a functional unit that will send data regularly or irregularly using the established communication connection after a communication connection is established by sending and receiving the communication setting frame, etc., sends a communication setting frame with functional unit information stored in the additional information field to other functional units.

[0140] As an example, the image sensor 111G including the application 100G, which is a new functional unit, is a publishing functional unit that transmits a communication setting frame, in a data field of which is stored information indicating that the image sensor 111G is capable of transmitting image data of the surroundings of the vehicle 1, to an existing functional unit, and after establishing a communication connection with another functional unit, transmits image data periodically or irregularly using the established communication connection. For this reason, the image sensor 111G broadcasts or multicasts a communication setting frame, in which function unit information is stored in an additional information field, to each existing functional unit.

[0141] On the other hand, the autonomous driving ECU 111B including the application 100B, which is one of the existing functional units in the network 12, is a subscribe functional unit that transmits a communication setting frame to the image sensor 111G in response to the communication setting frame from the image sensor 111G, the communication setting frame having request information in its data field indicating that the autonomous driving ECU 111B should receive image data, and that does not transmit data using the established communication connection after establishing a communication connection with the image sensor 111G. Therefore, the autonomous driving ECU 111B transmits the communication setting frame to the image sensor 111G without storing functional unit information in the additional information field.

[0142] As another example, engine ECU 111C including application 100H, which is a new functional unit, is a subscribe functional unit that transmits a communication setting frame to an existing functional unit, the data field of which stores request information indicating that the new functional unit should receive water temperature data, and that does not transmit data using the established communication connection after establishing a communication connection with another functional unit. Therefore, engine ECU 111C broadcasts or multicasts the communication setting frame to each existing functional unit without storing functional unit information in the additional information field.

[0143] On the other hand, water temperature sensor 111E including application 100E, which is one of the existing functional units in network 12, is a publishing functional unit that responds to a communication setting frame from engine ECU 111C by transmitting a communication setting frame having information in its data field indicating that it is capable of transmitting water temperature data to engine ECU 111C, and that transmits water temperature data periodically or irregularly using the established communication connection after establishing a communication connection with engine ECU 111C. Therefore, water temperature sensor 111E transmits a communication setting frame having functional unit information in its additional information field to engine ECU 111C.

[0144] (Example of functional unit information) For example, the functional unit information is information that is not processed by the functional unit that is to receive the communication setting frame. More specifically, the functional unit that receives the communication setting frame does not perform the process of obtaining the functional unit information from the additional information field in the communication setting frame, the calculation process using the functional unit information, or the various setting change processes using the functional unit information. For example, the functional unit information is information used to generate configuration information for a new network.

[0145] For example, the new functional unit and the existing functional unit store, as functional unit information, in the additional information field of the communication setting frame, information that can recognize the specifications of hardware devices such as the on-board ECU 111, relay device 200, and external device 113 in the new network and the topology of the new network, information that can recognize at least one of constraints regarding the placement of application 100 in hardware devices in the new network, and constraints on the communication method in the new network.

[0146] The new functional unit and the existing functional unit store at least one type of information in the additional information field of the communication setting frame as information that allows them to recognize the specifications of the hardware device and the topology of the new network, such as the device type indicating the identifier, name, sensor type, etc. of the hardware device, memory size, the number of physical ports provided for each communication protocol, the identifier of the physical port, power supply configuration, power consumption, VLAN ID, subnet address and functional domain, as well as information regarding the specifications of the CPU 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.

[0147] The new function unit and the existing function unit store at least one type of information in the additional information field of the communication setting frame as information that can recognize constraints regarding the placement of application 100 on a hardware device, for example, information regarding the calculation speed required to execute application 100, 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).

[0148] The new functional unit and the existing functional unit store at least one type of information in the additional information field of the communication setting frame as information that allows them to recognize the constraints of the communication method in the new network, including the communication data size of the application 100, 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 100 with which they are communicating, and the messaging method, which indicates whether it is a request-response type or a publish-subscribe type, and information regarding the priority of communication by the application 100.

[0149] For the new function unit and the existing function unit, one piece of function unit information may be stored in the additional information field in the communication setting frame, or multiple pieces of function unit information may be stored in the additional information field in the communication setting frame.

[0150] For example, the new functional unit and the existing functional unit store information indicating the type of functional unit information and information indicating the value of the functional unit information in the additional information field. As an example, the new functional unit and the existing functional unit store information indicating that the functional unit information stored in the additional information field is communication frequency and "20 times / second" indicating the value of the communication frequency in the additional information field.

[0151] When the relay unit 220 receives a communication setting frame from a new function unit to an existing function unit, it stores the received communication setting frame in the storage unit 270. Furthermore, when the relay unit 220 receives a communication setting frame from an existing function unit to a new function unit, it stores the received communication setting frame in the storage unit 270.

[0152] Then, for example, as described above, relay unit 220 acquires a communication setting frame from storage unit 270 and relays the frame to the destination functional unit without changing the destination information and source information included in the acquired communication setting frame. This makes it possible to acquire functional unit information from the frame relayed by relay unit 220 without increasing the processing load on relay unit 220.

[0153] Alternatively, as described above, the relay unit 220 acquires a communication setting frame from the memory unit 270, changes at least one of the destination information and source information contained in the acquired communication setting frame, and relays the changed frame to the destination functional unit.

[0154] In more detail, in addition to the two examples described above, the relay unit 220 can also limit the destination functional units of the broadcasted or multicasted communication setting frames by, for example, receiving communication setting frames broadcast or multicast from one or more functional units and changing the destination MAC address of the received communication setting frame to a destination MAC address corresponding to a specific communication port 120. This improves security and reduces the amount of data in the frames relayed by the relay unit 220.

[0155] The acquisition unit 240 monitors the storage unit 270 , and when the relay unit 220 stores a communication setting frame in the storage unit 270 , acquires the function unit information from the additional information field in the communication setting frame stored in the storage unit 270 .

[0156] That is, the acquiring unit 240 acquires function unit information from at least one of a communication setting frame from a new function unit to an existing function unit and a communication setting frame from an existing function unit to a new function unit.

[0157] The acquiring unit 240 outputs the acquired one or more pieces of functional unit information to the generating unit 250.

[0158] [Generation part] The generating unit 250 generates configuration information for a new network based on one or more pieces of functional unit information received from the acquiring unit 240 .

[0159] More specifically, the generating unit 250 generates configuration information indicating the settings of the existing function units and the new function units for performing communication in the new network.

[0160] For example, based on one or more pieces of functional unit information received from the acquisition unit 240, the generation unit 250 takes into consideration the logical configuration and physical configuration of the new network and generates configuration information indicating the settings of each functional unit in the new network so that the functional unit can communicate at layer 4 or below in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model.

[0161] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of configuration information generated by a generating unit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0162] In the following description, for convenience, the port numbers of communication ports 120A, 120B, and 120C of relay device 200 are respectively referred to as "1," "2," and "3." Also, in-vehicle ECU 111 is assumed to include one communication port, and the port number of this communication port is assumed to be "1."

[0163] Referring to Figure 9, for example, the generation unit 250 generates configuration information indicating that in the new network shown in Figure 5, "VLAN20" is set as the ID of the VLAN to which the image sensor 111G including the application 100G, which is a new functional unit, belongs, and that "VLAN20" is additionally set as the ID of the VLAN corresponding to the communication port 120C of the relay device 200 including the application 100F.

[0164] The generating unit 250 outputs the generated configuration information to the notifying unit 260 and also registers it in the storage unit 270 .

[0165] Upon receiving the configuration information from the generation unit 250, the notification unit 260 notifies at least one of the functional units in the new network of the setting contents for performing communication in the new network based on the received configuration information.

[0166] For example, the notification unit 260 notifies functional units whose settings need to be changed of the setting contents via the relay unit 220 based on the configuration information received from the generation unit 250. If there are no functional units whose settings need to be changed in the new network, the notification unit 260 does not notify the functional units of the setting contents, for example. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 9, the notification unit 260 assigns an IP address corresponding to VLAN 20 to the image sensor 111G including the application 100G, and notifies the image sensor 111G of the assigned IP address.

[0167] When the setting contents are notified to each functional unit in the new network by the notification unit 260, the functional units change various settings in accordance with the notified setting contents. The functional units in the new network communicate with each other in accordance with the changed setting contents.

[0168] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a configuration of a new network after a setting change in the vehicle communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0169] 10, in the new network shown in FIG. 5, the image sensor 111G and the relay device 200 change the settings using the setting contents notified by the notifying unit 260. This enables the image sensor 111G to perform communication in the VLAN 20.

[0170] [Operation flow] Each device in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer including a memory, and a processing unit such as a CPU in the computer reads from the memory and executes a program including some or all of the steps in the following flowcharts and sequences. The programs for each of these devices can be installed externally. The programs for each of these devices are distributed in a state where they are stored on a recording medium.

[0171] FIG. 11 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when a relay device establishes a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 11, first, the relay device 200 waits for a new function unit to be added to the network 12 (NO in step S102), and when it detects a new function unit (YES in step S102), it performs authentication processing of the detected new function unit (step S104).

[0173] Next, the relay device 200 waits for a communication setting frame to be relayed between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit (NO in step S106), and when it receives a communication setting frame from the new functional unit or the existing functional unit (YES in step S106), it acquires the functional unit information of the sending functional unit from the received communication setting frame (step S108).

[0174] Next, the relay device 200 relays the received communication setting frame to the destination functional unit (step S110).

[0175] Next, the relay device 200 generates configuration information for the new network based on the acquired function unit information (step S112).

[0176] Next, the relay device 200 notifies one or more functional units in the new network of the setting contents based on the generated configuration information (step S114).

[0177] Next, the relay device 200 waits for a new function unit to be added to the new network (NO in step S102).

[0178] The order of steps S108 and S110 is not limited to the above, and the order may be reversed.

[0179] 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a new functional unit and existing functional units A and B can transmit and receive data bidirectionally.

[0180] Referring to FIG. 12, first, a new function unit newly added to network 12 transmits connection request information to relay device 200 (step S202).

[0181] Next, the relay device 200 receives connection request information from the new function module, detects the new function module, and performs authentication processing for the new function module (step S204).

[0182] Next, the new functional unit transmits to the relay device 200 a communication setting frame addressed to the existing functional units A and B, which contains information indicating the content of the data it should receive and the content of the data it can transmit, as well as its own functional unit information (step S206).

[0183] Next, when the relay device 200 receives a communication setting frame addressed to the existing function units A and B from the new function unit, it acquires function unit information from the received communication setting frame (step S208).

[0184] Next, the relay device 200 relays the communication setting frame received from the new function unit to the existing function units A and B (step S210).

[0185] Next, the existing function unit A transmits to the relay device 200 a communication setting frame addressed to the new function unit, which contains information indicating the content of data that it should receive and the content of data that it can transmit, as well as function unit information (step S212).

[0186] Next, when the relay device 200 receives a communication setting frame addressed to the new function unit from the existing function unit A, it acquires function unit information from the received communication setting frame (step S214).

[0187] Next, the relay device 200 relays the communication setting frame received from the existing function unit A to the new function unit (step S216).

[0188] Next, existing function unit B transmits to relay device 200 a communication setting frame addressed to the new function unit, which contains information indicating the content of the data it should receive and the content of the data it can transmit, as well as its own function unit information (step S218).

[0189] Next, when the relay device 200 receives a communication setting frame addressed to the new function unit from the existing function unit B, it acquires function unit information from the received communication setting frame (step S220).

[0190] Next, the relay device 200 relays the communication setting frame received from the existing function unit B to the new function unit (step S222).

[0191] Next, the relay device 200 generates configuration information for the new network based on the acquired information about each functional unit (step S224).

[0192] Next, the relay device 200 notifies the new function unit and the existing function units A and B of the setting contents based on the generated configuration information (step S226).

[0193] Next, the new function unit changes various settings in accordance with the setting contents notified from the relay device 200 (step S228).

[0194] Furthermore, the existing function units A and B change various settings in accordance with the setting contents notified from the relay device 200 (step S230).

[0195] Next, the new function unit and the existing function units A and B in the new network communicate with each other in accordance with the changed settings (step S232).

[0196] 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 13 illustrates a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in which existing function units A and B, which are publish function units, can transmit data to a new function unit, which is a subscribe function unit.

[0197] Referring to FIG. 13, first, a new function unit to be newly added to network 12 transmits connection request information to relay device 200 (step S302).

[0198] Next, the relay device 200 receives connection request information from the new function module, detects the new function module, and performs authentication processing for the new function module (step S304).

[0199] Next, the new function unit transmits to the relay device 200 a communication setting frame addressed to the existing function units A and B, which contains information indicating the content of the data that the new function unit should receive and its own function unit information (step S306).

[0200] Next, when the relay device 200 receives a communication setting frame addressed to the existing function units A and B from the new function unit, it relays the received communication setting frame to the existing function units A and B (step S308).

[0201] Next, the existing function unit A transmits to the relay device 200 a communication setting frame addressed to the new function unit, which contains information indicating the content of data that the existing function unit A can transmit and its own function unit information (step S310).

[0202] Next, when the relay device 200 receives a communication setting frame addressed to the new function unit from the existing function unit A, it acquires function unit information from the received communication setting frame (step S312).

[0203] Next, the relay device 200 relays the communication setting frame received from the existing function unit A to the new function unit (step S314).

[0204] Next, the existing function unit B transmits to the relay device 200 a communication setting frame addressed to the new function unit, which contains information indicating the content of data that the existing function unit B can transmit and its own function unit information (step S316).

[0205] Next, when the relay device 200 receives a communication setting frame addressed to the new function unit from the existing function unit B, it acquires function unit information from the received communication setting frame (step S318).

[0206] Next, the relay device 200 relays the communication setting frame received from the existing function unit B to the new function unit (step S320).

[0207] Next, the relay device 200 generates configuration information for the new network based on the acquired information about each functional unit (step S322).

[0208] Next, the relay device 200 notifies the new function unit and the existing function units A and B of the setting contents based on the generated configuration information (step S324).

[0209] Next, the new function unit changes various settings in accordance with the setting contents notified from the relay device 200 (step S326).

[0210] Furthermore, the existing function units A and B change various settings in accordance with the setting contents notified from the relay device 200 (step S328).

[0211] Next, the new function unit and the existing function units A and B in the new network communicate with each other in accordance with the changed settings (step S330).

[0212] 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in a vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 illustrates a sequence of a process for establishing a new network in which new function units A and B, which are publish function units, can transmit data to an existing function unit, which is a subscribe function unit.

[0213] Referring to FIG. 14, first, a new function unit A newly added to network 12 transmits connection request information to relay device 200 (step S402).

[0214] Next, the relay device 200 receives connection request information from the new function module A, detects the new function module A, and performs authentication processing for the new function module A (step S404).

[0215] Next, the new function unit B that is newly added to the network 12 transmits connection request information to the relay device 200 (step S406).

[0216] Next, the relay device 200 receives connection request information from the new function module B, detects the new function module B, and performs authentication processing for the new function module B (step S408).

[0217] Next, the new function unit A transmits to the relay device 200 a communication setting frame addressed to the existing function unit, which contains information indicating the content of data that the new function unit A can transmit and its own function unit information (step S410).

[0218] Next, when the relay device 200 receives a communication setting frame addressed to an existing function unit from the new function unit A, it acquires function unit information from the received communication setting frame (step S412).

[0219] Next, the relay device 200 relays the communication setting frame received from the new function unit A to the existing function unit (step S414).

[0220] Next, the existing function unit transmits to the relay device 200 a communication setting frame addressed to the new function unit A, which contains the contents of the data that the existing function unit should receive and its own function unit information (step S416).

[0221] Next, the relay device 200 relays the communication setting frame received from the existing functional unit to the new functional unit A (step S418).

[0222] Next, the new function unit B transmits to the relay device 200 a communication setting frame addressed to the existing function unit, which contains information indicating the content of data that the new function unit B can transmit and its own function unit information (step S420).

[0223] Next, when the relay device 200 receives a communication setting frame addressed to an existing function unit from the new function unit B, it acquires function unit information from the received communication setting frame (step S422).

[0224] Next, the relay device 200 relays the communication setting frame received from the new function unit B to the existing function unit (step S424).

[0225] Next, the existing function unit transmits to the relay device 200 a communication setting frame addressed to the new function unit B, which contains the contents of the data that the existing function unit should receive and its own function unit information (step S426).

[0226] Next, the relay device 200 relays the communication setting frame received from the existing function unit to the new function unit B (step S428).

[0227] Next, the relay device 200 generates configuration information for the new network based on the acquired information about each functional unit (step S430).

[0228] Next, the relay device 200 notifies the new function units A and B and the existing function units of the setting contents based on the generated configuration information (step S432).

[0229] Next, the new function units A and B change various settings in accordance with the setting contents notified from the relay device 200 (step S434).

[0230] Furthermore, the existing function unit changes various settings in accordance with the setting contents notified from the relay device 200 (step S436).

[0231] Next, the new function units A and B and the existing function units in the new network communicate with each other in accordance with the changed settings (step S438).

[0232] In the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection unit 230 is configured to detect, when an in-vehicle ECU 111 or an external device is added to the network 12, the application 100 included in the in-vehicle ECU 111 or the external device as a new function unit, but this is not limited to this. The detection unit 230 may also be configured to detect, as a new function unit, an in-vehicle ECU 111 or an external device that is added to the network 12 and does not include the application 100.

[0233] Furthermore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the generation unit 250 outputs the generated configuration information to the notification unit 260, and the notification unit 260 notifies the functional units that require configuration changes of the configuration information based on the configuration information received from the generation unit 250. However, this is not limiting. For example, the generation unit 250 may be configured to generate configuration information for a new network that does not require configuration changes in the functional units. In this case, the relay device 200 may not include the notification unit 260.

[0234] In addition, in the vehicle communication system 300 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the functional unit information is information that is not to be processed by the functional unit that is to receive the communication setting frame, but this is not limited to this. The functional unit information may be information that is to be processed by the functional unit that is to receive the communication setting frame.

[0235] In addition, in the vehicle communication system 300 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the functional unit information is used to generate the configuration information of the new network, but this is not limiting. The functional unit information may be used for some processing other than generating the configuration information of the new network.

[0236] Furthermore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the generation unit 250 is configured to generate configuration information of a new network based on the function unit information received from the acquisition unit 240, but this is not limiting. The relay device 200 may be configured without the generation unit 250. Furthermore, the relay device 200 may be configured to include, instead of the generation unit 250, a configuration information acquisition unit that externally acquires configuration information of a new network to be generated based on the function unit information acquired by the acquisition unit 240.

[0237] However, when a new functional unit is added to a network, a technique is desired that makes it possible to easily obtain information about the functional unit in the new network.

[0238] For example, when a new network is constructed by adding a new functional unit to a network, there are cases where the communication required by the upper layer cannot be realized due to the network configuration and restrictions of the lower layer.

[0239] One example of such lower-layer network configurations and constraints is the communication bandwidth constraints in the physical layer. In particular, in networks that require low cost, such as networks that include on-board functional units such as on-board ECUs, the above-mentioned communication bandwidth constraints can make it difficult to add new functional units to the network while maintaining stable operation.

[0240] Therefore, in order to flexibly construct a network with a new configuration while maintaining stable operation in the network, a technology is desired that can easily obtain information about the functional units in the new network.

[0241] In contrast, relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted on vehicle 1. In relay device 200, detection unit 230 detects a new functional unit that is a functional unit to be newly added to network 12 that includes one or more existing functional units. Relay unit 220 relays frames between the functional units. Acquisition unit 240 acquires functional unit information including information about the network configuration of at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional unit at a layer lower than the application layer from the frame relayed by relay unit 220 between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit detected by detection unit 230.

[0242] In this way, by configuring the system to acquire functional unit information from frames between functional units, it is possible to acquire functional unit information from frames to be relayed between a new functional unit and an existing functional unit in order to establish a communication connection between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit, and therefore it is possible to acquire functional unit information without exchanging frames to acquire the functional unit information between the functional units.

[0243] Therefore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily obtain information about a network to which a new functional unit has been added.

[0244] Furthermore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the function unit information is information used to generate configuration information of a new network, which is the network 12 that further includes a new function unit.

[0245] With this configuration, it is possible to use the functional unit information to build a new network that takes into account the network configuration and constraints of layers lower than the application layer, for example, thereby suppressing delays in important communications that may be caused by adding a new functional unit to the network.

[0246] Furthermore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the acquisition unit 240 acquires function unit information from a frame transmitted by a new function unit and relayed to an existing function unit.

[0247] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to acquire function unit information from a frame transmitted by a new function unit that is to transmit data to an existing function unit after a communication connection is established.

[0248] Furthermore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the acquisition unit 240 acquires function unit information from a frame transmitted by an existing function unit and relayed to a new function unit.

[0249] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to acquire function unit information from a frame transmitted by an existing function unit that is to transmit data to a new function unit after a communication connection is established.

[0250] In the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay unit 220 relays the frame received from the functional unit to another functional unit without changing the destination information and source information included in the frame. The acquisition unit 240 acquires the functional unit information from the frame relayed by the relay unit 220.

[0251] With this configuration, the relay device 200 that snoops frames between functional units can easily acquire functional unit information.

[0252] In the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay unit 220 changes at least one of the destination information and the source information included in the frame received from the functional unit, and relays the changed frame to another functional unit. The acquisition unit 240 acquires the functional unit information from the frame relayed by the relay unit 220.

[0253] With this configuration, the relay device 200 functioning as a proxy server can easily obtain functional unit information.

[0254] Furthermore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the generation unit 250 generates, based on the function unit information acquired by the acquisition unit 240, configuration information of a new network that is a network that further includes a new function unit.

[0255] With this configuration, it is possible to use the functional unit information to build a new network that takes into account the network configuration and constraints of layers lower than the application layer, thereby suppressing delays in important communications that may be caused by adding a new functional unit to the network.

[0256] Furthermore, in the relay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the functional unit information is information that is not to be processed by the functional unit that is to receive the frame.

[0257] With this configuration, it is possible to obtain functional unit information from a frame without increasing the processing load on the functional unit that is to receive the frame.

[0258] In addition, in the relay device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection unit 230 detects at least one of the application 100 included in the in-vehicle ECU 111 newly added to the network 12, the application 100 newly installed in the in-vehicle ECU 111 in the network 12, and the application 100 included in the external device 113 newly added to the network 12 outside the vehicle 1 as a new function unit, performs authentication processing for the detected new function unit, and notifies the new function unit of the results of the authentication processing.

[0259] With this configuration, it is possible to detect various new functional units and build a new network 12.

[0260] Moreover, the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a relay device 200.

[0261] With this configuration, vehicle 1 equipped with relay device 200 can easily obtain information about the network to which the new functional unit has been added.

[0262] Furthermore, in the vehicle communication system 300 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the existing functional units configure the network 12. The new functional unit is newly added to the network 12. The relay device 200 mounted on the vehicle 1 detects the addition of the new functional unit to the network 12. The new functional unit or the existing functional unit transmits a frame addressed to another functional unit, in which functional unit information including information about the network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer is stored. The relay device 200 acquires the functional unit information from the frame transmitted by the new functional unit or the existing functional unit.

[0263] In this way, by configuring the system to acquire functional unit information from frames transmitted by a new functional unit or an existing functional unit, it is possible to acquire functional unit information from frames to be relayed between a new functional unit and an existing functional unit in order to establish a communication connection between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit, thereby making it possible to acquire functional unit information without exchanging frames to acquire the functional unit information with the functional unit.

[0264] Therefore, in the vehicle communication system 300 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily obtain information about a network to which a new functional unit has been added.

[0265] Furthermore, a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication method in a relay device 200 mounted on a vehicle 1 and relaying frames between functional units. In this communication method, first, the relay device 200 detects a new functional unit that is a functional unit to be newly added to a network 12 that includes one or more existing functional units. Next, the relay device 200 acquires functional unit information including information about the network configuration of at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional unit, which is a layer lower than the application layer, from a frame to be relayed between the detected new functional unit and the existing functional unit.

[0266] In this way, by using a method of obtaining functional unit information from a frame to be relayed between a new functional unit and an existing functional unit, it is possible to obtain functional unit information from a frame to be relayed between a new functional unit and an existing functional unit, for example, in order to establish a communication connection between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit, and therefore it is possible to obtain functional unit information without exchanging frames to obtain the functional unit information between the functional units.

[0267] Therefore, in the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily obtain information about a network to which a new functional unit has been added.

[0268] Furthermore, a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication method in a vehicle communication system 300 including a relay device 200 mounted on a vehicle 1, one or more existing functional units constituting a network 12, and a new functional unit newly added to the network 12. In this communication method, first, the relay device 200 detects the addition of a new functional unit to the network 12. Next, the new functional unit or the existing functional unit transmits a frame addressed to another functional unit, the frame storing functional unit information including information about the network configuration of a layer lower than the application layer. Next, the relay device 200 acquires the functional unit information from the frame transmitted by the new functional unit or the existing functional unit.

[0269] In this way, by using a method of obtaining functional unit information from a frame transmitted by a new functional unit or an existing functional unit, it is possible to obtain functional unit information from a frame to be relayed between a new functional unit and an existing functional unit in order to establish a communication connection between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit, and therefore it is possible to obtain functional unit information without exchanging frames to obtain the functional unit information with the functional unit.

[0270] Therefore, in the communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily obtain information about a network to which a new functional unit has been added.

[0271] The above-described embodiments should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0272] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 1] a detection unit that detects a new functional unit that is a functional unit to be newly added to a network including one or more existing functional units; a relay unit that relays frames between the functional units; an acquisition unit that acquires functional unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional unit from the frame relayed by the relay unit and detected by the detection unit between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit; a generation unit that generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network further including the new functional unit, based on the functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit; The acquisition unit acquires the function unit information from the frame transmitted by one of the new function unit and the existing function unit that transmits data in the new network.

[0273] [Appendix 2] A relay device; an existing functional unit that is one or more functional units that configure a network; a new functional unit that is a functional unit that is newly added to the network, the relay device detects the addition of the new function unit to the network; A functional unit that transmits data in a new network, which is the network further including the new functional unit, of the new functional unit or the existing functional unit transmits a frame addressed to another functional unit, in which functional unit information including information about a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer is stored; The relay device acquires functional unit information from the frame transmitted by the new functional unit or the existing functional unit.

[0274] [Appendix 3] A relay device including a processor, The processor: a detection unit that detects a new ECU that is an in-vehicle ECU to be newly added to a network including one or more existing ECUs that are in-vehicle ECUs; a relay unit that relays frames between the vehicle-mounted ECUs; an acquisition unit that acquires functional unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of at least one of the new ECU and the existing ECU from the frame relayed by the relay unit between the new ECU and the existing ECU detected by the detection unit; a generation unit that generates configuration information of a new network, which is the network further including the new ECU, based on the functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit; The acquisition unit acquires the functional unit information from the frame transmitted by an in-vehicle ECU that transmits data in the new network, out of the new ECU and the existing ECU.

[0275] [Appendix 4] A relay device; an existing ECU that is one or more in-vehicle ECUs that configure a network; a new ECU that is an in-vehicle ECU to be newly added to the network, a CPU in the relay device detects the addition of the new ECU to the network; an in-vehicle ECU, out of the new ECU or the existing ECU, that transmits data in the new network, which is the network further including the new ECU, transmits a frame addressed to another in-vehicle ECU, in which function unit information including information about a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer is stored; A vehicle communication system, wherein a CPU in the relay device acquires functional unit information from the frame transmitted by the new ECU or the existing ECU. [Explanation of symbols]

[0276] 1 vehicle 10 VLAN 11 Ethernet cable 12 Network 20 VLAN 30 VLAN 100 Applications 111 Automotive ECU 113 External device 120 communication port 161 Wireless base station equipment 170 External Network 180 servers 200 Relay Device 220 Relay Section 230 Detection unit 240 Acquisition Department 250 Generation part 260 Notification Department 270 Storage section 300 Vehicle Communication System 400 Communication Systems

Claims

1. A relay device mounted on a vehicle, a detection unit that detects a new functional unit that is a functional unit to be newly added to a network including one or more existing functional units; a relay unit that relays frames between the functional units; an acquisition unit that acquires function unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of at least one of the new function unit and the existing function unit from the frame relayed by the relay unit and detected by the detection unit between the new function unit and the existing function unit, A relay device, wherein the functional unit information is information capable of recognizing at least one of constraints regarding the placement of applications in hardware devices in a new network, which is the network that further includes the new functional unit, and constraints on the communication method in the new network.

2. The relay device according to claim 1 , wherein the functional unit information is information used to generate configuration information of a new network, which is the network that further includes the new functional unit.

3. 3. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the function unit information from the frame transmitted by the new function unit and relayed to the existing function unit.

4. The relay device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the function unit information from the frame transmitted by the existing function unit and relayed to the new function unit.

5. the relay unit relays the frame received from the functional unit to another functional unit without changing destination information and source information included in the frame; The relay device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the functional unit information from the frame relayed by the relay unit.

6. the relay unit changes at least one of destination information and source information included in the frame received from the functional unit, and relays the changed frame to another of the functional units; The relay device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the functional unit information from the frame relayed by the relay unit.

7. The relay device further comprises:

7. The relay device according to claim 1, further comprising: a generation unit that generates configuration information of a new network, the network further including the new functional unit, based on the functional unit information acquired by the acquisition unit.

8. The relay device according to claim 1 , wherein the functional unit information is information that is not to be processed by the functional unit that is to receive the frame.

9. 8. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects, as the new function unit, at least one of an application included in an in-vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that is newly added to the network, an application that is newly installed in an in-vehicle ECU in the network, and an application included in an external device that is newly added to the network outside the vehicle, performs authentication processing for the detected new function unit, and notifies the new function unit of the result of the authentication processing.

10. a relay device mounted on the vehicle; an existing function unit that is one or more function units that configure a network; a new functional unit that is a functional unit that is newly added to the network, the relay device detects the addition of the new function unit to the network; the new functional unit or the existing functional unit transmits a frame addressed to another functional unit, in which functional unit information including information about a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer is stored; the relay device acquires the function unit information from the frame transmitted by the new function unit or the existing function unit; A vehicle communication system, wherein the functional unit information is information capable of recognizing at least one of constraints regarding the placement of applications in hardware devices in a new network, which is the network that further includes the new functional unit, and constraints on the communication method in the new network.

11. A communication method in a relay device that is mounted on a vehicle and relays frames between functional units, comprising: detecting a new functional unit that is a functional unit to be newly added to a network including one or more existing functional units that are the functional units; and acquiring function unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of at least one of the new function unit and the existing function unit from the frame to be relayed between the detected new function unit and the existing function unit, A communication method in which the functional unit information is information capable of recognizing at least one of constraints regarding the placement of applications in hardware devices in a new network, which is the network further including the new functional unit, and constraints on the communication method in the new network.

12. A communication method in a vehicle communication system including a relay device mounted on a vehicle, an existing functional unit which is one or more functional units constituting a network, and a new functional unit which is a functional unit newly added to the network, the relay device detecting the addition of the new function unit to the network; a step in which the new functional unit or the existing functional unit transmits a frame addressed to another functional unit, the frame storing functional unit information including information about a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer; the relay device acquiring the function unit information from the frame transmitted by the new function unit or the existing function unit; A communication method in which the functional unit information is information capable of recognizing at least one of constraints regarding the placement of applications in hardware devices in a new network, which is the network further including the new functional unit, and constraints on the communication method in the new network.

13. A communication program used in a relay device mounted on a vehicle, Computer, a detection unit that detects a new functional unit that is a functional unit to be newly added to a network including one or more existing functional units; a relay unit that relays frames between the functional units; an acquisition unit that acquires functional unit information including information on a network configuration of a layer lower than an application layer of at least one of the new functional unit and the existing functional unit from the frame relayed by the relay unit and detected by the detection unit between the new functional unit and the existing functional unit; It is a program to function as A communication program in which the functional unit information is information capable of recognizing at least one of constraints regarding the placement of applications in hardware devices in a new network, which is the network that further includes the new functional unit, and constraints on the communication method in the new network.

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