Control apparatus, control system and computer program

• US 8,776,072 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2009
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Kishita, Yuri
• Primary Examiner(s): Bullock, Jr., Lewis A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lu, Kevin X
• Application Number:
  US12/994,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20110078694A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,835 Days
• Field of Search: 718/103
• US Class Current: 718/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4881 Scheduling strategies for dispatcher, e.g. round robin, multi-level priority queues
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/52 Program synchronisation; Mutual exclusion, e.g. by means of semaphores

Abstract

A system management layer changes a current program with a program (door lock failure diagnosis judgment program, security judgment program, door lock judgment program, keyless entry judgment program or the like) to be executed by an application layer, in accordance with an operation mode of on-vehicle equipment. Priorities of programs are previously stored for each operation mode, and a priority judgment program contributes to judge the priority of operation request based on the operation mode. Thus, plural programs of each hierarchal layer are categorized into groups per operation mode, although complicating in the single hierarchal layer. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the priority judgment processing from complicating for the operation request output by each computer program.

Claims

1. A first control apparatus that controls a connected first device and the first control apparatus being connected to a second control apparatus that controls a connected second device, wherein

the first control apparatus comprises:

a first storing unit that stores plural programs which are categorized into plural executive groups;

a first obtaining unit that obtains first operation condition information representing an operation condition of the first device from the first device;

a first group selecting unit that selects an executive group from the plural executive groups, in accordance with the first operation condition information obtained by the first obtaining unit;

a sending unit that sends information about the executive group selected by the first group selecting unit to the second control apparatus;

a first priority table that registers priorities of programs categorized in the executive group which is selected by the first group selecting unit;

a first program selecting unit that selects a program based on the first priority table from programs categorized into the executive group which is selected by the first group selecting unit;

wherein

the first storing unit further stores plural programs for obtainment which are categorized in plural obtainment groups,

the first group selecting unit selects an obtainment group from the plural obtainment groups, in accordance with the first operation condition information obtained by the first obtaining unit,

the first priority table further registers priorities of obtainment programs categorized in the obtainment group which is selected by the first group selecting unit,

the first program selecting unit selects an obtainment program based on the first priority table from the obtainment programs categorized in the obtainment group which is selected by the first group selecting unit,

the first obtaining unit converts the obtained first operation condition information in accordance with the obtainment program selected by the first program selecting unit and sends the converted first operation condition information to a first executing unit, and

the first executing unit performs a first execution processing of the program selected by the first program selecting wherein the first execution processing is based on the converted first operation condition information,

a first controlling unit that controls the device in accordance with a result of the execution processing performed by the executing unit, and

the second control apparatus comprises;

a second storing unit that stores plural programs which are categorized into plural executive groups;

a second obtaining unit that obtains second operation condition information representing an operation condition of the second device from the second device;

a receiving unit that receives the information about the executive group selected by the first group selecting unit, sent from the sending unit;

a second group selecting unit that selects the executive group from the plural executive groups, in accordance with the information received by the receiving unit;

a second priority table that registers priorities of programs categorized in the executive group which is selected by the second group selecting unit;

a second program selecting unit that selects a program based on the second priority table from programs categorized into the executive group which is selected by the second group selecting unit;

wherein

the second storing unit further stores plural programs for obtainment which are categorized in plural obtainment groups,

the second group selecting unit selects an obtainment group from the plural obtainment groups, in accordance with the information received by the receiving unit,

the second priority table further registers priorities of obtainment programs categorized in the obtainment group which is selected by the second group selecting unit,

the second program selecting unit selects an obtainment program based on the second priority table from the obtainment programs categorized in the obtainment group which is selected by the second group selecting unit,

the second obtaining unit converts the obtained second operation condition information in accordance with the obtainment program selected by the second program selecting unit and sends the converted second operation condition information to a second executing unit, and

the second executing unit performs a second execution processing of the program selected by the second program selecting unit wherein the second execution processing is based on the converted second operation condition information,

a second controlling unit that controls the second device in accordance with a result of the second execution processing performed by the second executing unit.

2. The first control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the program selected by the first program selecting unit has a priority highest in the programs categorized in the executive group which is selected by the first group selecting unit.

3. The first control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the first storing unit further stores plural programs for controlment which are categorized in plural controlment groups,

the first group selecting unit selects an controlment group from the plural controlment groups, in accordance with the first operation condition information obtained by the first obtaining unit,

the first priority table further registers priorities of controlment programs categorized in the controlment group which is selected by the first group selecting unit,

the first program selecting unit selects a controlment program based on the first priority table from the controlment programs categorized in the controlment group which is selected by the first group selecting unit,

the first controlling unit converts a result of the performed execution processing in accordance with the controlment program selected by the first program selecting unit, and

the first controlling unit controls the first device in accordance with the converted result of the execution processing.

4. The first control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said second control apparatus selects the executive group in which the program to be selected by the program selecting unit is categorized, from the plural executive groups stored by the second storing unit, in accordance with the first operation condition information obtained by the first obtaining unit.

5. The first control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the first control apparatus is an electronic control unit mounted on a vehicle,

the first device is mounted on the vehicle, and

the plural executive groups include a group for driving the vehicle and a group for carrying out a maintenance on the vehicle.

6. The first control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

the plural programs stored by the first storing unit are for locking a door mounted on the vehicle.

7. The first control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

a sensor and an actuator are connected, as the first device, to the first control apparatus,

the first obtaining unit obtains the first operation condition information from the sensor, and

the first controlling unit controls the actuator.

8. A control system having a first control apparatus that controls a connected first device and having a second control apparatus that controls a connected second device and is connected to the first control apparatus, wherein

the first control apparatus comprises:

a first storing unit that stores plural programs which are categorized into plural executive groups;

a first obtaining unit that obtains first operation condition information representing an operation condition of the first device from the first device;

a first group selecting unit that selects an executive group from the plural executive groups, in accordance with the first operation condition information obtained by the first obtaining unit;

a sending unit that sends information about the executive group selected by the first group selecting unit to the second control apparatus;

a first priority table that registers priorities of programs categorized in the executive group which is selected by the first group selecting unit;

a first program selecting unit that selects a program based on the first priority table from programs categorized into the executive group which is selected by the first group selecting unit;

wherein

the first storing unit further stores plural programs for obtainment which are categorized in plural obtainment groups,

the first group selecting unit selects an obtainment group from the plural obtainment groups, in accordance with the first operation condition information obtained by the first obtaining unit,

the first priority table further registers priorities of obtainment programs categorized in the obtainment group which is selected by the first group selecting unit, the first program selecting unit selects an obtainment program based on the first priority table from the obtainment programs categorized in the obtainment group which is selected by the first group selecting unit,

the first obtaining unit converts the obtained first operation condition information in accordance with the obtainment program selected by the first program selecting unit and sends the converted first operation condition information to a first executing unit, and

the first executing unit performs a first execution processing of the program selected by the first program selecting unit wherein the first execution processing is based on the converted first operation condition information;

a first controlling unit that controls the first device in accordance with a result of the first execution processing performed by the first executing unit, and

the second control apparatus comprises;

a second storing unit that stores plural programs which are categorized into plural executive groups;

a second obtaining unit that obtains second operation condition information representing an operation condition of the second device from the second device;

a receiving unit that receives the information about the executive group selected by the first group selecting unit, sent from the sending unit;

a second group selecting unit that selects an executive group from the plural executive groups, in accordance with the information received by the receiving unit;

a second priority table that registers priorities of programs categorized in the executive group which is selected by the second group selecting unit;

a second program selecting unit that selects a program based on the second priority table from programs categorized into the executive group which is selected by the second group selecting unit;

wherein

the second storing unit further stores plural programs for obtainment which are categorized in plural obtainment groups,

the second group selecting unit selects an obtainment group from the plural obtainment groups, in accordance with the information received by the receiving unit,

the second priority table further registers priorities of obtainment programs categorized in the obtainment group which is selected by the second group selecting unit,

the second program selecting unit selects an obtainment program based on the second priority table from the obtainment programs categorized in the obtainment group which is selected by the second group selecting unit,

the second obtaining unit converts the obtained second operation condition information in accordance with the obtainment program selected by the second program selecting unit and sends the converted second operation condition information to a second executing unit, and

the second executing unit performs a second execution processing of the program selected by the second program selecting unit wherein the second execution processing is based on the converted second operation condition information,

a second controlling unit that controls the second device in accordance with a result of the second execution processing performed by the second executing unit.

9. A control system according to claim 8, wherein

the program selected by the first program selecting unit has a priority highest in the programs categorized in the executive group which is selected by the first group selecting unit, and

the program selected by the second program selecting unit has a priority highest in the programs categorized in the executive group which is selected by the second group selecting unit.

10. A control system according to claim 8, wherein

the second control apparatus further comprises:

a select information obtaining unit that obtains information required by the first group selecting unit for selecting; and

a select information sending unit that sends the information required by the first group selecting unit to the first control apparatus,

the first control apparatus further comprises a select information receiving unit that receives the information sent by the select information sending unit, and

the first group selecting unit utilizes the information received by the select information receiving unit, for selecting the executive group from the plural executive groups.

11. A control system according to claim 8, further comprising:

a third control apparatus, wherein

the sending unit sends the information about the executive group selected by the first group selecting unit, not only to the second control apparatus but also the third control apparatus, at once.

12. A control system according to claim 8, wherein

the first storing unit further stores plural programs for controlment which are categorized in plural controlment groups,

the first group selecting unit selects an controlment group from the plural controlment groups, in accordance with the first operation condition information obtained by the first obtaining unit,

the first priority table further registers priorities of controlment programs categorized in the controlment group which is selected by the first group selecting unit,

the first program selecting unit selects a controlment program based on the first priority table from the controlment programs categorized in the controlment group which is selected by the first group selecting unit,

the first controlling unit converts the result of the first execution processing in accordance with the controlment program selected by the first program selecting unit,

the first controlling unit controls the first device in accordance with the converted result of the execution processing,

the second storing unit further stores plural programs for controlment which are categorized in plural controlment groups,

the second group selecting unit selects an controlment group from the plural controlment groups, in accordance with the information received by the receiving unit,

the second priority table further registers priorities of controlment programs categorized in the controlment group which is selected by the second group selecting unit,

the second program selecting unit selects a controlment program based on the second priority table from the controlment programs categorized in the controlment group which is selected by the second group selecting unit,

the second controlling unit converts the result of the second execution processing in accordance with the controlment program selected by the second program selecting unit, and

the controlling unit controls the second device in accordance with the converted result of the second execution processing.

13. A control system according to claim 8, wherein

the first control apparatus and the second control apparatus are electronic control units mounted on a vehicle,

the first device and the second device are mounted on the vehicle, and

the plural executive groups stored by the first storing unit and the plural executive groups stored by the second storing unit respectively include a group for driving the vehicle and a group for carrying out a maintenance on the vehicle.

14. A control system according to claim 8, wherein

the plural programs stored by the first storing unit are for locking a door mounted on the vehicle.

15. A control system according to claim 8, wherein

a sensor and an actuator are connected, as the first device, to the first control apparatus,

the first obtaining unit obtains the first operation condition information from the sensor, and

the first controlling unit controls the actuator.

16. A first non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a first computer executable program for controlling a first device connected to a first control apparatus having a first storing unit that stores plural programs and the first non-transitory computer readable medium connected to a second non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a second computer executable program for controlling a second device connected to a second control apparatus having a second storing unit that stores plural programs, wherein

the first computer program when executed causes a computer system to execute steps of:

categorizing the plural programs stored by the first storing unit into plural executive groups;

obtaining operation condition information representing a first operation condition of the first device, from the first device;

selecting an executive group from the plural executive groups, in accordance with the obtained first operation condition information;

sending information about the selected executive group selected in accordance with the obtained first operation condition information to the second control apparatus;

selecting a program having the highest priority in programs categorized into the selected executive group;

wherein;

the first storing unit stores further plural programs for obtainment, and

the first computer program when executed causes the computer system to execute further steps of;

categorizing the plural programs for obtainment stored by the first storing unit, into plural obtainment groups;

selecting an obtainment group from the plural obtainment groups, in accordance with the obtained first operation condition information;

selecting a program for obtainment having the highest priority in programs for obtainment categorized into the selected obtainment group; and

converting the obtained first operation condition information in accordance with the selected program for obtainment;

performs a first execution processing of the selected program while utilizing the converted first operation condition information, and

controlling the first device in accordance with performed first execution processing of the selected program, and

the second computer program when executed causes a computer system to execute steps of;

categorizing the plural programs stored by the second storing unit into plural executive groups;

obtaining operation condition information representing a second operation condition of the second device, from the second device;

receiving information about the selected executive group selected in accordance with the obtained first operation condition information, sent by the first computer program;

selecting an executive group from the plural executive groups, in accordance with the information received from the first computer program;

selecting a program having the highest priority in programs categorized into the selected executive group;

wherein

the second storing unit stores further plural programs for obtainment, and

the computer program when executed causes the computer system to execute further steps of;

categorizing the plural programs for obtainment stored by the second storing unit, into plural obtainment groups;

selecting an obtainment group from the plural obtainment groups, in in accordance with the information received from the first computer program;

selecting a program for obtainment having the highest priority in programs for obtainment categorized into the selected obtainment group; and

converting the obtained second operation condition information in accordance with the selected program for obtainment;

performs a second execution processing of the selected program while utilizing the converted second operation condition information; and

controlling the second device in accordance with performed second execution processing of the selected program.

17. The first non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 16, wherein

the first storing unit stores further plural programs for controlment, and

the first computer program when executed causes the computer system to execute further steps of:

categorizing the plural programs for controlment stored by the first storing unit, into plural controlment groups;

selecting a controlment group from the plural controlment groups, in accordance with the obtained first operation condition information;

selecting a program for controlment having the highest priority in programs for controlment categorized into the selected controlment group;

converting a result of the performed first execution processing in accordance with the selected controlment program; and

utilizing the converted result of the performed first execution processing for controlling the first device.