Patent ID: 8880753

Claim:
A vehicle electronic controller, comprising: a microcomputer having a signal input port and a first communication port, the microcomputer configured to provide an instruction; and a port expansion element having: (i) a second communication port electrically connected to the first communication port of the microcomputer, (ii) a plurality of signal output ports that output signals in response to receipt of the instruction from the microcomputer, and (iii) an internal oscillation circuit, wherein automatic switching is performed, based on whether communication via the second communication port is being suspended, the automatic switching including switching between a waiting mode in which the internal oscillation circuit is suspended, and a normal mode in which the internal oscillation circuit is operated, and wherein the microcomputer performs determination processing that determines whether an output condition is established that is based on a direct input signal that is input via the signal input port of the microcomputer, such that: 1) when the output condition is established in the determination processing, output instruction processing is performed, which transmits a signal output instruction to the port expansion element via the first communication port, and 2) when the output condition is not established in the determination processing, the output instruction processing is not performed.