U.S. patent application number 12/267657 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-12 for control unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hitachi, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Toru Irie, Hiroaki Komatsu, Junji Miyake, Wataru NAGAURA.
Application Number | 20090070023 12/267657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37137426 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090070023 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAGAURA; Wataru ; et
al. |
March 12, 2009 |
Control Unit
Abstract
Upon initiation of a initiation processing by a task management,
reference is made to a initiation table for processing of
initiation, and processing of measurement is performed by an input
measurement processing in response to the preset timing. Then the
input value is stored in a input value storage buffer. When an
application program is acquired, an input value acquisition
processing is initiated, the input value is from the buffer, and is
transferred to the application program. When the application
program is set, an output value updating is initiated, the output
value having been transferred from the application program is
updated, and the result is stored in an output value storage
buffer. Further, output processing means is initiated in response
to the timing preset on the initiation table and an output value is
outputted from the output value storage buffer.
Inventors: |
NAGAURA; Wataru;
(Hitachinaka, JP) ; Miyake; Junji; (Hitachinaka,
JP) ; Komatsu; Hiroaki; (Mito, JP) ; Irie;
Toru; (Farmington Hills, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROWELL & MORING LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
P.O. BOX 14300
WASHINGTON
DC
20044-4300
US
|
Assignee: |
Hitachi, Ltd.
Chiyoda-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
37137426 |
Appl. No.: |
12/267657 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
11907399 |
Oct 11, 2007 |
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12267657 |
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|
11504628 |
Aug 16, 2006 |
7299124 |
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11907399 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
701/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02D 41/28 20130101;
F02D 41/345 20130101; F02D 2250/12 20130101; F02D 41/263 20130101;
Y02T 10/40 20130101; Y02T 10/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/115 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20060101
G06F019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 17, 2005 |
JP |
2005-236567 |
Claims
1. A method for controlling a unit, comprising: (a) separately
storing a value of an input signal from outside the unit or of an
output signal to the outside for each such signal; (b) measuring an
input signal from the outside and updating the stored input value;
(c) issuing an output signal to the outside according to the stored
output value; (d) transferring the stored input value to an
application program associated with the unit; (e) storing the
transferred output value; and (g) initiating steps (b) and (c) in
response to a stored timing for controlling the unit.
2. A method for controlling a unit, comprising: (a) separately
storing an input value of an input signal from outside the unit or
of a value of an output signal to the outside separately for each
such signal; (b) measuring input from the outside and updating the
stored input value; (c) issuing the output value to the outside
according to the stored output value; (d) transferring the stored
input value to an application program associated with the unit; (e)
storing the transferred output value; and (f) initiating steps (b)
and (c) in response to a timing set in said application
program.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (g) occurs in
response to the stored timing and implements processing of each
signal.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said stored timing in
step (f) is set and stored by an initiation timing register.
5. The method according to claim 2, wherein said application
program initiates step (b).
6. The method according to claim 2, wherein said application
program initiates step (c).
7. A method for controlling a vehicle engine control unit,
comprising: (a) storing a value of an output signal from a sensor
or of an output signal to an engine control unit separately for
each such signal; (b) measuring input from the sensor and updating
the stored input signal value; (c) outputting an output signal to
the engine control unit according to the stored value; (d)
transferring the stored input value to an engine control program;
(e) storing the transferred value; (f) storing initiation timing;
and (g) initiating steps (b) and (c) in response to the stored
timing.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input or output
signals include data which the unit receives or transmits through a
network connected thereto.
9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the input or output
signals include data which the unit receives or transmits through a
network connected thereto.
10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the input or output
signals include data which the control unit receives or transmits
through a network connected thereto.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/907,399, filed Oct. 11, 2007, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/504,628 filed
Aug. 16, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,299,124, which claims priority
to Japanese patent application No. 2005-236567, filed Aug. 17,
2005, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated in
their entireties.
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0002] The present application claims priority from Japanese patent
application no. 2005-236567, filed on Aug. 17, 2005, the content of
which is hereby incorporated by reference into this
application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a control unit for
controlling an actuator based on external states through a sensor
or network, particularly to a control unit for initiating
processing synchronous with an event.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A vehicle engine control unit controls the amount of fuel
and injection timing, based on the input such as a crank angle
sensor signal. Engine control belongs to an area where high-level
real-time processing is required. In recent years, standardization
of vehicle control software is processing mainly in Europe. One
example is found in the OSEK-OS disclosed in OSEK/VDX Version,
OSEK/VDX Operating System, which is the code for a real time
operating system.
[0005] In the description of Japanese Patent Laid-open No.
2004-192541 and Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 7 (1995)-407942,
the software incorporated in the control unit is classified into an
application program and an interface program. The interface program
transfers the information of the input/output signal connected to a
control unit over to the application program, and does not require
a change of the application program in response to hardware
modification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In the aforementioned interface program, the input value to
be transferred to the application is not restricted to the input
signal value connected to the control unit when the input interface
has been called. Namely, when the input value acquired through the
input interface is a value measured and stored at a predetermined
time of an event. In the output, it does not necessarily follow
that the output signal connected to the control unit is outputted
when the output interface has been called. To be more specific, the
output value set through the output interface is the value
outputted from the control unit at a predetermined event.
[0007] The timing for measuring the input signal in the interface
program and the timing for outputting the output signal are
incorporated at the time of developing the interface program.
Accordingly, when the aforementioned timing is to be changed, the
interface program per se must be modified.
[0008] The object of the present invention is to solve the
aforementioned prior art problems and to provide a control unit
that can be easily changed the timing, without having to modify the
interface program.
[0009] The following describes the structure of the control unit of
the present invention achieving the aforementioned object:
[0010] The control unit of the present invention comprises:
[0011] storage means for storing an input value from the outside or
an output value to the outside separately for each input/output
signal;
[0012] input means for measuring the input signal from the outside
and updating the input value stored in the storage means;
[0013] output means for outputting an output signal to the outside
in according with the value stored in the storage means;
[0014] input value acquisition means for transferring the input
value stored in the storage means to an application program;
[0015] output value updating means for storing the output value
transferred from the application program into said storage
means;
[0016] initiation means for initiating said input means and output
means; and
[0017] initiation timing storage means for storing the initiation
timing,
[0018] wherein said input means and output means are initiated by
said initiation means in response to the timing stored on said
initiation timing storage means.
[0019] Alternatively, the control unit of the present invention is
characterized in that the input means and output means are
initiated in response to the timing set on the aforementioned
application program, without having the aforementioned initiation
means.
[0020] The present invention provides an advantage of easy
modification of the timing of measuring the input signal connected
to the control unit or the output signal output timing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 shows the function block diagram representing a
control unit as the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a flow chart representing the flow of 10-msec
processing;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram representing the initiation
table;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a flow chart representing the initiation
processing;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a flow chart representing the digital input in
input processing;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing the analog input in
input processing;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a flow chart representing the communication input
in input processing;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a flow chart representing the frequency input in
input processing;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a flow chart representing the digital output in
output processing;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a flow chart representing the analog output in
output processing;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a flow chart representing the communication
output in output processing;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a flow chart representing the frequency output in
output processing;
[0033] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the input value
storage buffer;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the output value
storage buffer;
[0035] FIG. 15 is a flow chart representing the digital input in
input value acquisition processing;
[0036] FIG. 16 is a flow chart representing the analog input in
input value acquisition processing;
[0037] FIG. 17 is a flow chart representing the communication input
in input value acquisition processing;
[0038] FIG. 18 is a flow chart representing the frequency input in
input value acquisition processing;
[0039] FIG. 19 is a flow chart representing the digital output in
the output value updating processing;
[0040] FIG. 20 is a flow chart representing the analog output in
the output value updating processing;
[0041] FIG. 21 is a flow chart representing the communication
output in the output value updating processing;
[0042] FIG. 22 is a flow chart representing the frequency output in
the output value updating processing;
[0043] FIG. 23 is a flow chart representing the 10-msec task
processing;
[0044] FIG. 24 is a flow chart representing the 10-msec application
processing;
[0045] FIG. 25 is a timing chart representing the operation of
input processing;
[0046] FIG. 26 is a timing chart representing the operation of
output processing; and
[0047] FIG. 27 is a flow chart representing the processing wherein
the processing of timing is called by the application program.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0048] The control unit of the present invention has implemented
interrupt-synchronous task initiation of reduced OS overhead by
improving the software, without having to modify the hardware
configuration or OS. The following describes a plurality of
examples of the present invention with reference to drawings:
Embodiment 1
[0049] FIG. 1 shows the function block diagram representing a
control unit as the first embodiment of the input/output control
unit of the present invention. A control unit 1 is connected with a
sensor 2 and an actuator 3, and is also connected with another
control unit 5 via the network 4. More than one sensor 2, actuator
3 and the control unit 5 can be connected to the control unit
1.
[0050] The control unit 1 is composed of a memory 11, CPU 12 and
I/O module 13. The I/O module 13 is connected with the sensor 2,
actuator 3 and network 4, and is used to capture an input value or
to output data. The CPU 12 executes the program stored in the
memory 11.
[0051] The memory 11 contains a task management 120 for managing
the task initiation, an application program 111, input value
acquisition processing 112 for transferring the input value to the
application program, and output value updating 113. The memory 11
also contains an input value storage buffer 114 for storing the
input value to be transferred to the application program, an output
value storage buffer 115 for storing the output value transferred
from the application program, an input measurement processing 116
for measuring the input value to be transferred to the application
program, and an output processing 117 for outputting the output
value. The memory 11 also contains an initiation table 118 that
stores what processing is initiated in a predetermined event by an
initiation processing 119 for initializing the input value
measurement and output processing. The initiation table 118 can be
set and modified by the initiation table setting means 6. In the
setting or modification of the initiation table 118 by the
initiation table setting means 6, the source file corresponding to
the initiation table 118 prior to storage into the memory 11 is
modified and the modified initiation table 118 is stored at the
time of storage into stored in the memory 11.
[0052] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram representing the flow of
the processing of a program in the control unit. It explains the
flow of the processing of the program stored in the control unit 1
with reference to an example of the 10-msec task as one of the
tasks 121 to be initiated by the task management 120.
[0053] In part of the I/O module 13, the task management 120 is
initiated by a timer (not illustrated). The task management 120
refers to the 10-msec timing in this case, and initiates the
10-msec task 121. The 10-msec task includes 10-msec event
pre-processing 1211, 10-msec application 112, and 10-msec event
post-processing 1213, as shown in FIG. 23.
[0054] The 10-msec application 112 initiates the 10-msec event
pre-processing 1211. The 10-msec event pre-processing 1211
initiates the initiation processing 119. The initiation processing
119 will be described later.
[0055] The initiation processing 119 initiates the input
measurement processing 116 registered in the 10-msec before timing
of the initiation table 118. The update_in1 is executed in the
processing 11651 of the input value measurement 116, and update_in2
is executed in the processing 11652.
[0056] Then the 10-msec application 112 is initiated. Input value
acquisition processing 1212 is initiated in the 10-msec application
to acquire in1 and in2. The get_in1 is executed in processing
121251, and get_in2 is executed in processing 122152.
[0057] After executing a predetermined processing, the application
initiates the output value updating 113, and set_out1 is executed
in processing 11351.
[0058] Upon termination of the 10-msec application, the 10-msec
event post-processing 1213 is initiated. The output processing 117
registered in the 10-msec after timing of the initiation table 118
is executed in the 10-msec event post-processing. The update_out1
is executed in processing 11751. Upon termination of the 10-msec
event post-processing, the system goes back to the 10-msec task,
and the 10-msec task terminates.
[0059] The following describes the configuration and function of
the components stored in the memory 11 of FIG. 1.
[0060] FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the initiation table 118.
In this example, four items in the first half of the event are
concerned with synchronization in time, while the two in the latter
half are related to synchronization in engine rotation. Input
signals are made up of input signal 1, input signal 2, input signal
3 and input signal 4, while output signals are made up of output
signal 1, output signal 2, output signal 3 and output signal 4. The
input signal 1 is measured at the timing of 10-msec pre-processing
initiation. The input signal 2 is measured at the timing of 10-msec
pre-processing. The input signal 3 is measured at the timing of
20-msec pre-processing. The input signal 4 is measured at the
timing of engine REF timing pre-processing. The output signal 1 is
outputted at the timing of 10-msec post-processing. The output
signal 2 is outputted at the timing of 20-msec post-processing. The
output signal 3 is outputted at the timing of 20-msec
post-processing. The output signal 4 is outputted at the timing of
engine REF timing post-processing.
[0061] In the present Embodiment, the initiation timing of each
event, and the head address for measurement corresponding to the
name of the signal to be inputted and measured, or the head address
for output processing corresponding to the signal name to be
outputted are stored in the initiation table 118 in advance. The
input measurement processing 116 for measuring the input signal in
response to the pre-processing and post-processing at each timing,
and the output processing 117 for outputting the output signal are
executed for each signal.
[0062] FIG. 4 is a flow chart representing the initiation
processing 119, which will be explained with reference to 10-msec
pre-processing as an example. The initiation processing 119 is
initiated by 10-msec event pre-processing and 10-msec event
post-processing in the example of FIG. 2
[0063] In processing 1191, timing at this moment is acquired.
Processing 1192 executes signal processing. In the first plate, the
input measurement processing update_in1 of the input signal in1
registered in the initiation table 118 is implemented. In decision
processing 1193, a decision is made to see whether or not there is
next signal processing. Since the input processing in2 is
registered, the system goes back to processing 1192 to execute the
input measurement processing update_in2 of the input signal in2. In
decision processing 1193, processing terminates since the next
signal processing is not registered.
[0064] The initiation processing 119 is applies to the input
measurement and output processing of other signals in the same
manner. To be more specific, the input processing update_in3 of the
input signal in3 is initiated in the 20-msec pre-processing, and
update_out2 as the output processing of the output signal out2 and
update_out3 as the output processing of the output signal out3 are
initiated in the 20-msec post-processing. The input measuring
update_in4 of the input signal in4 is initiated in the pre-process
of engine REF, and the output measuring update_out4 of the output
signal out4 is initiated in the post-process of engine REF.
[0065] FIG. 5 is a flow chart representing the input processing
1161. Processing 11611 measures the input value in1. For example,
if the input signal is a digital input signal, the value measured
is inputted into the input value storage buffer 114 for updating
the stored value.
[0066] FIG. 6 shows the processing of input measurement for analog
input. Processing 11621 measures the input value in2, and starts
analog-to-digital conversion. Processing 11622 updates the input
value storage buffer 114, subsequent to analog-to-digital
conversion.
[0067] FIG. 7 shows the processing of input measurement by another
control unit. It represents processing of the data received via the
network from another control unit through communication. Processing
11631 executes bit-based conversion of the received data (input
value in3) to update the input value storage buffer 114. For
example, when the data in3 multiplied by 2 to the power of 3 is
used by the application, the value in3 is shifted left three bit
positions, and the result is stored in the input value storage
buffer 114.
[0068] FIG. 8 shows the processing of input measurement for
frequency input. Processing 11641 measures the frequency (input
value in4), and inputs the result of unit-based conversion of the
frequency value into the input value storage buffer 114 for
updating.
[0069] FIG. 9 is a flow chart representing the processing of output
11711. Processing 11711 acquires the value (out1_buff) of the
output value storage buffer 115 and outputs the result of port
output conversion to the output signal. For example, if the output
signal is a digital output signal, the port value of out1 is
outputted in response to the ON/OFF value stored in the output
value storage buffer. For example, if the value corresponding to
the ON operation is 0, and that corresponding to the OFF is 1, 0
will be outputted if the ON is specified, and 1 will be outputted
if the OFF is specified.
[0070] FIG. 10 shows the case of an analog signal. In processing
11721, the analog value (duty of out2) is outputted in response to
the result of converting the register set value of the value
(out2_buff) of the output value storage buffer 115.
[0071] FIG. 11 shows the processing of transmitting the output
value to the network. Processing 11731 updates the transmission
data (out3_buff value) to a value corresponding to the out3 bit.
For example, if two-bit data from the least significant position of
the transmission buffer out3_buff is the data corresponding to the
out3, only the two-bit data is updated to the value of out3.
[0072] FIG. 12 shows the frequency output. Processing 11741 outputs
the frequency of the out4 in response to the value (out4_buff) of
the output value storage buffer 115. For example, if the frequency
is set at 1 kHz, a 1 kHz-bit pulse is outputted.
[0073] FIG. 13 represents the configuration of the input value
storage buffer 114. The measured value of the in1 is stored in the
in1_buff storage buffer 1141. The measured value of the in2 is
stored in the in2_buff storage buffer 1142. The measured value of
the in3 is stored in the in3_buff storage buffer 1143. The measured
value of the in4 is stored in the in4_buff storage buffer 1144.
[0074] FIG. 14 represents the configuration of the output value
storage buffer 115. The out1 is stored in the out1_buff storage
buffer 1151. The out2 is stored in the out2_buff storage buffer
1152. The out3 is stored in the out3_buff storage buffer 1153. The
out4 is stored in the out4_buff storage buffer 1154.
[0075] FIGS. 15 through 18 are flow charts representing the input
value acquisition processing 112. Processing 1121 of FIG. 15
returns the information in1_buff stored in the input value storage
buffer 114. The information to be transferred is the result of
unit-based conversion performed in conformity to the specifications
described in the interface.
[0076] Processing 1122 of FIG. 16 corresponds to the input value
acquisition processing of the in2. Processing 11221 returns the
result of converting the value of the in2_buff based on a
predetermined unit.
[0077] Processing 1123 of FIG. 16 corresponds to the input value
acquisition processing of the in3. Processing 11231 returns the
value of in3_buff directly to the application program 111.
[0078] Processing 1124 of FIG. 18 corresponds to the input
acquisition of the in4. Processing 11241 returns the value of
in4_buff directly.
[0079] FIGS. 19 through 22 are flow charts representing the output
value updating 113. FIG. 19 shows the processing of updating the
output value of the out1. Processing 11311 updates the value
out1_val transferred from the application program 111, directly to
the out1_buff.
[0080] FIG. 20 shows the processing of updating the output value
out2. Processing 11321 updates the value out2_val transferred from
the application program 111, directly to the out2_buff.
[0081] FIG. 21 shows the processing of updating the output value
out3. Processing 11331 converts the value out3_val transferred from
the application program 111, according to a predetermined
conversion formula and updates the result of conversion to the
out3_buff.
[0082] FIG. 22 shows the processing of updating the output value
out4. Processing 11341 converts the value out4_val transferred from
the application program, according to a predetermined conversion
formula and updates the result of conversion to the out4_buff.
[0083] FIG. 23 indicates a 10-msec task processing flow. Processing
1211 by the 10-msec task described with reference to FIG. 2
initiates the 10-msec application. Then processing 1213 initiates
the 10-msec event post-processing. Initiation processing 119 is
initiated in processing 1211 and 1213, as described above.
[0084] FIG. 24 is a flow chart representing the appl.sub.--10-msec
by the 10-msec application 1212 as one of the application programs
111. Processing 8221 acquires the value of in1 through the get_in1,
and updates it to in1_val. Processing 8212 acquires the value of
in2 through the get_in2, and updates it to in2_val. Processing 8213
executes 10-msec processing in response to these input values and
internal states, and updates the out1_val. Processing 8214 sets the
out1_val to the output value storage buffer 115 through the
set_out1.
[0085] The following describes the input operation in the present
Embodiment. FIG. 25 shows the input 1 and timing chart related
thereto. Timing 9111 and timing 9112 refer to 10-msec event. Timing
9113 and timing 9114 refer to the timing when update_in1 (10-msec
pre-processing) is executed. The appl.sub.--10 m is executed at
timing 9115 and 9116. Processing 9117 and 9118 update the in1_buff.
Processing 9119 and 9120 updates the in1_val.
[0086] FIG. 26 shows the output signal out1 and timing chart
related thereto. Timing 9511 and timing 9512 refer to 10-msec
event. Timing 9513 and timing 9514 refer to the timing when
set_out1 (10-msec post-processing) is executed. The out1_buffer is
updated at this timing. The subsequent timing refers to the timing
when update_out1 is called. Processing 9117 and 9118 update the
out1_buff. Processing 9519 and 9520 updates the output signal out1
in conformity to the value of out1_buff.
[0087] In the present embodiment, timing for measurement and output
can be changed easily by adjusting settings of the initiation table
118, without having to change the interface software. For example,
when the measurement timing of the input signal in1 is to be
changed from the 10-msec pre-processing to the 20-msec
pre-processing, the update_in1 of the initiation table 118 should
be shifted from the 10-msec pre-processing to the 20-msec
pre-processing. No other change is necessary.
[0088] The present invention is applicable to a control unit
constituting a control system required to provide real-time
processing, as in automotive control. It easily changes the timing
for the measurement of the input value of the external signal
connected to the control unit as well as the timing for
outputting.
Embodiment 2
[0089] In Embodiment 1, the input measurement processing 116 and
output processing 117 are initiated by initiation processing 119.
They can also be initiated by the application program 111.
[0090] The control unit of the present embodiment includes: storage
means for storing an input value from the outside or an output
value to the outside separately for each input/output signal; input
means for measuring the input signal from the outside and updating
the input value stored in the storage means; and output means for
outputting the output signal to the outside in response to the
output value stored in the storage means. This control unit further
contains: input value acquisition means for transferring to an
application program the input value stored in the storage means;
and output value updating means for storing into the storage means
the output value transferred from the application program. Further,
the input means and output means are initiated in response to the
timing preset in the aforementioned application program.
[0091] In the conventional art, acquisition of the input value by
the input value acquisition processing 112 and updating of the
output value by the output value updating 113 have been
implemented, but the timing for measuring the input value
measurement and outputting the output value has been fixed. By
contrast, the Embodiment 2 allows the initiation timing to be
changed as desired, through direction description of the input
measurement processing 116 and output processing 117 by the
application program, although there is no initiation means
described with reference to the Embodiment 1. To put it more
specifically, the processing 9117 and processing 9118 can be called
from the application, as is apparent from FIG. 25.
[0092] FIG. 27 is a flow chart representing the 10-msec application
processing wherein the processing of timing is called by the
application program. Processing 8215 measures the input value in1.
Processing 8211 receives the in1 and stores it in the int_val.
Processing 8213 executes the application processing. Processing
8214 sets the out1 calculated in the processing 8213. Processing
8216 outputs the out1. In the present example, the in2 is a value
having been obtained by measurement at a predetermined timed
interval. Measurement processing is not called by the application
program.
[0093] In the present embodiment, the timing for measurement can be
changed without having to change the interface software. This
description is also applicable to the output process: The output
timing can be changed by calling the update_out1 from the
application program 111, without having to change the interface
software.
[0094] The present invention is applicable to a control unit
constituting a control system required to provide real-time
processing, as in automotive control. It easily changes the timing
for the measurement of the input value of the external signal
connected to the control unit as well as the timing for
outputting.
Embodiment 3
[0095] The following describes the case wherein the aforementioned
embodiment 1 is applied to a vehicle engine control. The vehicle
engine control unit of the present invention includes: storage
means for storing an input value from a sensor and others or an
output value to an engine control unit separately for each
input/output signal; input means for measuring the input from the
sensor and others, and updating the input value stored in the
storage means; and output means for outputting an output signal to
the engine control unit in according with the value stored in said
storage means. This vehicle engine control unit also includes:
input value acquisition means for transferring the input value
stored in said storage means to an engine control program; output
value updating means for storing the output value transferred from
the engine control program into the storage means; initiation means
for initiating said input means and output means, and initiation
timing storage means for storing the initiation timing. Further,
the input means and output means are initiated by said initiation
means in response to the timing stored on said initiation timing
storage means.
[0096] According to the above description, the input signal in1 of
the embodiment 1 refers to a digital input and corresponds to the
ignition switch or the like. The digital output signal out1
corresponds to a power train relay or the like. The input signal
in2 is an analog input and corresponds to a water temperature or
oxygen sensor.
[0097] Input signal in3 is the information received from another
control unit through communication, and corresponds to vehicle
speed or gear position (e.g. first gear or neutral position), for
example. The output signal out3 is the information to be sent to
another control unit, and corresponds to the state of the control
unit (e.g. engine speed), for example. The input signal in4 is a
pulse input and corresponds to the sensor outputting pulses in
response to the crank angle. The output signal out4 is a pulse and
corresponds to ignition signal or injection signal, for
example.
[0098] In the engine control, processing is divided into two forms;
the processing at fixed intervals and processing synchronous with
engine rotation. In processing synchronous with engine rotation,
the ignition control (ignition position and current application
time before ignition) and injection control (injection timing and
amount of injection) are performed in response to the state of the
vehicle such as engine speed.
* * * * *