Method for coding control devices in means of conveyance

• US 20040024473A1
• Filed: 05/02/2003
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Longhorn Automotive Group LLC (Alpha Alpha Intellectual Partners LLC)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Kuehn, Christian, Kersten, Thomas, Branz, Guenter, Seefried, Volker
• Granted Patent: US 6,904,339 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/99 Suspension element selection procedure depending on loading or performance requirements, e.g. selection of damper, spring or bush
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/1877 Adaptive Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/87 System configuration based on vehicle type or model
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0045 using databus protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40 Bus networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40169 Flexible bus arrangements arrangements for maintenance or administration involving management of faults; events, alarms H04L41/06; automatic restoration of network faults H04L41/0654
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40208 characterized by the use of a particular bus standard
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40273 the transportation system being a vehicle

Abstract

In a method and apparatus for configuration of networked controllers in a vehicle that can be manufactured with various outfitting variants (that is, differing components and features), at least one controller being configurable to different outfitting variants of the vehicle, characterizing information is stored for the various outfitting variants of the vehicle. The data for configuring the controllers are stored in an outfitting variant controller on board the vehicle. A particular controller that is to be configured in this manner transmits characterizing information to the outfitting variant controller for configuration to a specified outfitting variant of the vehicle in which it is installed. The outfitting variant controller assembles the data for configuring the particular controller using the characterizing information and the data stored on the outfitting variant controller. The data assembled in this manner are written into a memory unit of the particular controller to configure to accommodate the specified outfitting variant.

Claims

1. A method for configuring networked controllers in a vehicle that may be manufactured with various outfitting variants having different vehicle components, wherein:

the networked controllers exchange data via a data bus;

at least one of said controllers can be configured for various outfitting variants of the vehicle, using stored characterization information for the various outfitting variants of the vehicle;

data for configuring the controllers are stored in an outfitting variant controller of the vehicle;

a particular controller that is to be configured transmits characterization information to the outfitting variant controller for configuration to accommodate an existing outfitting of particular vehicle in which the particular controller is installed;

the outfitting variant controller assembles the data for configuring the particular controller using the characterizing information and data stored in the outfitting variant controller; and

the data assembled in this manner are written into a memory unit of the particular controller to configure it to the existing outfitting of the vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

data for configuring the controllers stored in the outfitting variant controller include at least one set of characterization information and a value allocated to said at least one set of this characterization information.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein data assembled for configuring the particular controller are determined on the basis of a sequence of the characterization information transmitted by the particular controller and stored in the outfitting variant controller.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data for configuring the controllers stored in the outfitting variant controller include rules for configuring the controllers.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the rules contain logical links between a plurality of sets of characterizing information, on the basis of which a value of a set of characterizing information can be ascertained.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein at least one set of characterizing information and a value thereof for the particular controller is called up by the outfitting variant controller when a controller is being installed.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one set of characterization information and a value thereof for the particular controller is stored by the outfitting variant controller for redundant memory in the memory unit.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein writing the compiled data into the memory unit of the one controller takes place securely.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein access to the memory unit of the particular controller is secured by means of a security access algorithm which can be individually configured by adjustment of parameters.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration of the particular controller can occur only in a safe operating state of the vehicle.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein in the safe operating state, the vehicle is standing still.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein in the safe operating state the vehicle is shut off.

13. Apparatus for performing the method according to claim 1, wherein at least one particular controller of said networked controllers is configured to adapt it to various outfitting variants of the vehicle using a stored set of characterizing information for the various outfitting variants of the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

an outfitting variant controller with a memory unit having stored therein data for configuring controllers for different outfitting variants of the vehicle; and

an executable program stored in said outfitting variant controller, which program is compiled on the basis of a sequence of characterizing information transmitted from the particular controller, as well as the rules for configuration of data for configuring the particular controller;

wherein the outfitting variant controller writes data compiled by the outfitting variant controller into the memory unit of the particular controller to configure it to a particular outfitting variant.