Remotely controlled electronic interface module for multi-application systems

• US 20030103519A1
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Published: 06/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Spartan Motors Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Spartan Motors Incorporated
• Inventors: Hummel, John, Burger, Roger Morris, Hochstetler, Daryl Duane, Balasundram, Murali, Hannold, Ronald, Campeau, Michael Allen
• Application Number:
  US10/304,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20030103519A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/442
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/212 Time-division multiple access [TDMA]

Abstract

A time division-multiplexing system for a vehicle, using data signals adapted to pass through the system in a cyclical manner during each of a series of time intervals, comprising at least one system controller. The system controller includes a microcontroller and generates at least one controller output in the form of a multiple byte waveform and the at least one controller output is communicatively connected to a remote system controller. The remote system controller monitors bits in a binary configuration to identify time intervals associated with said at least one controller output.

Claims

1. A time division multiplexing system, using data signals adapted to pass through the system in a cyclical manner during each of a series of time intervals, comprising:

at least one system controller generating at least one controller output in the form of a multiple byte waveform, said at least one controller output communicates with a remote system controller using said multiple byte waveforms; and

wherein said system controller monitors bits in a binary configuration to identify time intervals associated with said at least one controller output.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote system controller relays signals to said at least one system controller to actuate a function.

3. The system of claim 1 further including at least one system bus communicatively connected to said at least one system controller and said remote system controller.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said system bus includes a controller area network configuration.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said system bus includes an SAE J1939.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said system bus includes an SAE J1708.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one system controller includes a microcontroller circuit.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one system controller includes an encoder board.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said controller outputs include an encoded signal.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein said remote system controller signals include a decoded signal.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote system controller sends relay signals to actuate indicators.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said multiple byte waveform comprises a 7-byte waveform.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one system controller includes a daytime running light module.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said at least one system controller includes circuitry to monitor low headlamp failure and upon failure of both low beams to activate high beams at daytime running light intensity.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one system controller includes a controller to dim the back lighting on a steering wheel.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one system controller includes diagnostics capabilities.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one system controller includes a power foot pedal control having position memory.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one system controller includes a power column tilt and telescope control having position memory.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one system controller includes auxiliary brake controls.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one system controller includes a power seat controller having position memory.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one system controller includes a power mirror controller having position memory.

22. The system of claim 1 further including at least one vehicle sensor communicatively connected to said at least one system controller.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said at least one vehicle sensor includes an engine RPM sensor.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein said at least one vehicle sensor includes an accelerator position sensor.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein said at least one vehicle sensor includes a brake position sensor.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein said at least one vehicle sensor includes an engine temperature sensor.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein a specific time interval is associated with a specific vehicle component and wherein said bits associated with said time interval represent a command to actuate said associated vehicle component.

28. A time division multiplexing system for a vehicle, using data signals adapted to pass through the system in a cyclical manner during each of a series of time intervals, comprising:

at least one system controller generating at least one controller output and including a microcontroller circuitry, said at least one controller output communicatively connected to a vehicle system controller using a multiple byte waveform signal to communicate with said vehicle system controller.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said vehicle system controller monitors bits in a binary configuration to identify time intervals associated with said at least one controller output.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein a specific time interval is associated with a specific vehicle component and wherein said bits associated with said time interval represent a command to actuate said associated vehicle component.

31. A time division multiplexing system for a vehicle, using data signals adapted to pass through the system in a cyclical manner during each of a series of time intervals, comprising:

at least one system controller generating at least one controller output in the form of multiple byte waveforms, said at least one controller output communicatively connected to a serial bus system;

said serial bus system communicatively connected to a vehicle system controller; and

said vehicle system controller configured to monitor bits in a binary configuration to identify time intervals associated with said at least one controller output.

32. A time division-multiplexing system according to claim 31, wherein a specific time interval is associated with a specific vehicle component and wherein said bits associated with said time interval represent a command to actuate said associated vehicle component.

33. A time division multiplexing system according to claim 31, wherein said at least one system controller includes microcontroller circuitry.