Control unit for vehicle and total control system therefor

• US 20040249986A1
• Filed: 04/08/2003
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Katayama, Hiroshi, Minowa, Toshimichi, Yoshida, Yoshiyuki, Morinaga, Shigeki, Ishii, Junichi, Kayano, Mitsuo, Kurata, Kenichiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,130,723 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0005 Processor details or data handling, e.g. memory registers or chip architecture
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 11/007 the diagnostic devices measuring oxygen or air concentration downstream of the exhaust apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2550/02 Catalytic activity of catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/285 the sensor having a signal processing unit external to the engine control unit
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0404 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0406 Intake manifold pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/501 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 one of the functions being ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1454 the characteristics being an oxygen content or concentration or the air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/187 using a hot wire flow sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/263 the program execution being modifiable by physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/00 Programme-control systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21015 Easy expansion, extension of I-O
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21021 Intelligent I-O, executes tasks independently from main cpu
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21127 Signal adaption I-O
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21137 Analog to digital conversion, ADC, DAC
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21138 Variable filtering as function of kind of sensor signal
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23277 Use of separate interface software, main program calls functions from it
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23371 : Fixed and variable memory for parameters or user program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24125 : Watchdog, check at timed intervals
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25243 : Digital filter
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25301 : Expansion of system, memory
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25341 : Single chip programmable controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25435 : Multiplex for analog signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25451 : Connect module to bus using interface with adaptive logic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2637 : Vehicle, car, auto, wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0802 : Addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means, e.g. caches
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/66 : of program code stored in read-only memory [ROM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/70 : Software maintenance or management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a control unit for vehicle where increase in number of input/output and upgrading of function can easily be performed and, in addition to this, changing of a program in a control unit can easily be performed even when a single-chip micro-computer is used.

In order to cope with an increase in input/output points and addition of function, a control unit is constructed such as to comprise interface software memory means storing an interface software program for connecting an application software program with an OS (operating system) in an internal ROM, a CPU (central processing unity for performing computation of the application software program and the interface software program, a RAM (erasable memory) storing data such as the result of computation, an I/O unit for extending the control unit, and extending means for communicating memory data through a bus or a LAN.

A single-chip micro-computer used in vehicle control can easily cope with increase in input/output points or addition of function, and an application software program can continuously be used only by rewriting an interface software program, and further re-manufacturing of a core unit is unnecessary. Therefore, development of a control unit including programs becomes easy.

Claims

1-25. -25. (Cancelled)

26. An automobile control unit comprising:

an input unit into which signals from a plurality of sensors for detecting operating conditions of an automobile are input, and which outputs signals for controlling a plurality of actuators in the automobile, based on the signals from the sensors;

a memory in which a program for controlling the automobile is stored; and

a CPU which performs computation of the program;

wherein,

the program includes an application software portion and an interface software portion;

the application software portion includes a function of causing computation for controlling the actuators;

the interface software portion includes a function of causing signal transmission and reception between the application software portion and the input unit/output nit;

signal transmission and reception between the application software portion and the interface software portion are performed via a standardized interface;

the application software portion and the interface software portion are modifiable independently of each other; and

either of the software portions which is not being modified can be used as it is, without modification to accommodate the modification of the other software portion.

58. The control unit according to claim 26, wherein the interface program includes a plurality of functions.

27. An automobile control unit comprising:

an input unit into which signals from a plurality of sensors of an automobile are input;

an output unit which outputs signals for controlling a plurality of actuators in the automobile;

a memory in which a control program for controlling the automobile is stored; and

a CPU which performs computation of the control program, wherein,

the control program includes an application software program and an interface software program;

the application software program includes a function of processing control data for the actuators based on signals from the sensors;

the interface software program includes a function of processing signals from the sensors into signals which can be used in the application software and a function of processing the control data for the actuators which are processed in the application software program into control signals to be output to the actuators;

signal transmission and reception between the application software program and the interface software program are performed via a standardized interface; and

the application software program and the interface software program are modifiable independently of each other; and

either of the application and interface software programs which is not being modified can be used as it is, without modification to accommodate a modification of the other of said application in interface software programs.

28. A process for manufacturing a vehicle control unit having an application function and an interface function for communicating with a plurality of peripheral systems, including a plurality of sensors, comprising:

preparing an interface program having a standardized interface for performing said interface function;

preparing an application program having a standardized interface separately from said interface program, for performing said application function;

compiling said interface program and said application program to form a single object code; and

storing said object code in a single chip memory.

29. The process according to claim 28, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least an air flow sensor and an engine speed sensor.

30. The processing according to claim 29, wherein said engine speed sensor comprises a crank angle sensor.

31. A vehicle control unit having an application function and an interface function for communicating with a plurality of peripheral systems, including a plurality of sensors, said control unit being produced by a process comprising:

preparing an interface program having a standardized interface for performing said interface function;

preparing an application program having a standardized interface separately from said interface program, for performing said application function;

compiling said interface program and said application program to form a single object code; and

storing said object code in a single chip memory.

32. The control unit for a vehicle according to claim 31, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least an air flow sensor and an engine speed sensor.

33. The control unit for a vehicle according to claim 32, wherein said engine speed sensor comprises a crank angle sensor.

56. The vehicle control unit according to claim 31, wherein the interface program includes a plurality of functions.

59. The automobile control unit according to claim 31, wherein the interface program includes a plurality of functions.

34. A one-chip microcomputer with an internal memory, for performing an application function and an interface function for communicating with a plurality of peripheral systems, including plurality of sensors, said microcomputer being produced through a process comprising:

preparing an interface program having a standardized interface for performing said interface function;

preparing an application program having a standardized interface separately from said interface program, for performing said application function;

compiling said interface program and said application program to form a single object code; and

storing said object code in a single chip memory.

35. The one-chip microcomputer with an internal memory according to claim 34, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least an air flow sensor and an engine speed sensor.

36. The one-chip microcomputer with an internal memory according to claim 35, wherein said engine speed sensor comprises a crank angle sensor.

57. The one-chip microcomputer according to claim 34, wherein the interface program includes a plurality of functions.

37. A process for manufacturing a vehicle control unit having an application function and an interface function for communicating with a plurality of peripheral systems, including a plurality of sensors, comprising:

preparing an interface program for performing said interface function;

preparing an application program separately from said interface program, for performing said application function;

compiling said interface program and said application program; and

storing the compiled interface program and application program in a single chip memory;

wherein, signal transmission and reception between the application program and the interface program are performed via a standardized interface.

38. The process according to claim 37, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least an air flow sensor and an engine speed sensor.

39. The processing according to claim 38, wherein said engine speed sensor comprises a crank angle sensor.

40. A vehicle control unit having an application function and an interface function for communicating with a plurality of peripheral systems, including a plurality of sensors, said control unit being produced by a process comprising:

preparing an interface program for performing said interface function;

preparing an application program separately from said interface program, for performing said application function;

compiling said interface program and said application program; and

storing the compiled interface program and application program in a single chip memory;

wherein, signal transmission and reception between the application program and the interface program are performed via a standardized interface.

41. The control unit for a vehicle according to claim 40, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least an air flow sensor and an engine speed sensor.

42. The control unit for a vehicle according to claim 41, wherein said engine speed sensor comprises a crank angle sensor.

43. A one-chip microcomputer with an internal memory, for performing an application function and an interface function for communicating with a plurality of peripheral systems, including plurality of sensors, said microcomputer being produced through a process comprising:

preparing an interface program for performing said interface function;

preparing an application program separately from said interface program, for performing said application function;

compiling said interface program and said application program; and

storing the compiled interface program and application program in said internal memory of said one-chip microcomputer;

wherein, signal transmission and reception between the application program and the interface program are performed via a standardized interface.

44. The one-chip microcomputer with an internal memory according to claim 43, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least an air flow sensor and an engine speed sensor.

45. The one-chip microcomputer with an internal memory according to claim 44, wherein said engine speed sensor comprises a crank angle sensor.

46. A process for manufacturing a vehicle control unit having an application function and an interface function for communicating with a plurality of peripheral systems, including a plurality of sensors, comprising:

preparing an interface program having a standardized interface for performing said interface function;

preparing an application program having a standardized interface separately from said interface program, for performing said application function;

compiling said interface program and said application program; and

storing the compiled interface program and application program in a single chip memory.

47. The process according to claim 46, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least an air flow sensor and an engine speed sensor.

48. The processing according to claim 47, wherein said engine speed sensor comprises a crank angle sensor.

55. The process according to claim 46, wherein the interface program includes a plurality of functions.

49. A vehicle control unit having an application function and an interface function for communicating with a plurality of peripheral systems, including a plurality of sensors, said control unit being produced by a process comprising:

preparing an interface program having a standardized interface for performing said interface function;

preparing an application program having a standardized interface separately from said interface program, for performing said application function;

compiling said interface program and said application program; and

storing the compiled interface program and application program in a memory.

50. The control unit for a vehicle according to claim 49, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least an air flow sensor and an engine speed sensor.

51. The control unit for a vehicle according to claim 50, wherein said engine speed sensor comprises a crank angle sensor.

52. A one-chip microcomputer with an internal memory, for performing an application function and an interface function for communicating with a plurality of peripheral systems, including plurality of sensors, said microcomputer being produced through a process comprising:

preparing an interface program having a standardized interface for performing said interface function;

preparing an application program having a standardized interface separately from said interface program, for performing said application function;

compiling said interface program and said application program; and

storing the compiled interface program and application program in a memory.

53. The one-chip microcomputer with an internal memory according to claim 52, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least an air flow sensor and an engine speed sensor.

54. The one-chip microcomputer with an internal memory according to claim 53, wherein said engine speed sensor comprises a crank angle sensor.

60. A control unit for an automobile having sensors for detecting an operational condition of the automobile and automobile devices, including control actuators for controlling the automobile on the basis of signals from the sensors, said control unit comprising a core unit one-chip microcomputer having a first memory which stores a first control program for controlling said control actuators, and a CPU for performing a computation of said control program, wherein:

said first control program includes a first application software program for controlling the automobile devices and a first interface software program for converting signals from the sensors to data which can be used in the application software program;

the CPU performs computation of the first application software program and the first interface software program;

the core unit one-chip microcomputer includes a second memory for storing computation results;

said first control program is configured with the first interface software program being modifiable independently of the first application software program in response to automobile type modification, including modification of sensors and automobile devices, without modification of the first application software program;

whereby the first application software program can be commonly used for multiple automobile types without modification, by modifying only the first interface software program as a function of automobile types.

61. The automobile control unit according to claim 60, wherein said first application software program and said first interface software are stored in different memory areas.

62. The automobile control unit according to claim 60, further comprising an extended memory which is external to said core unit one-chip microcomputer.

63. The automobile control unit according to claim 62, wherein said core unit one-chip microcomputer includes extension means for communicating with said extended memory through a bus.

64. The automobile control unit according to claim 63, further comprising a cache memory.

65. The automobile control unit according to claim 63, further comprising an extended I/O means having a number of I/O ports, which number exceeds a number of I/O ports of said extension means after subtraction of I/O ports for use in extension.

66. The automobile control unit according to claim 62, wherein said core unit one-chip microcomputer includes extension means for communicating with said extended memory through a local area network.

67. The automobile control unit according to claim 66, further comprising a cache memory.

68. The automobile control unit according to claim 66, further comprising an extended I/O means having a number of ports, which number exceeds a number of I/O ports of said extension means after subtraction of I/O ports for use in extension.

69. The automobile control unit according to claim 61, further comprising:

an extension means for communicating with said extended memory; and

an extended I/O means having a number of I/O ports, which number exceeds a number of I/O ports of said extension means after subtraction of I/O ports for use in extension.

70. The automobile control unit according to claim 60, wherein:

the first application software program includes at least one program selected from the group consisting of an engine control program, an automatic transmission control program, an ABS control program, a traction control program, an automobile comprehensive control program, a cruising speed driving control program, an in-panel control program, an automobile diagnosis program, a flag operation program and an automobile control monitoring program; and

the first interface software program includes at least one program selected from the group consisting of an I/O processing program, an I/O ports allocating program, an interruption processing program having interruption level allocation, a task dispatching and task timing allocating program, a debug processing program, an automatic matching processing program for learning control and an input signal combining processing program.

71. The automobile control unit according to claim 70, wherein the I/O processing program in the first interface software program includes basic processing functions in which I/O variables are formulated into functions after being defined and declared as a specification which is utilized for developing or for modifying the first application software program.

72. The automobile control unit according to claim 60, wherein the first application software program is prepared based on a program described in a C language.

73. The automobile control unit according to claim 60, further comprising a second core unit one-chip microcomputer including a third memory which stores an additional control program including an additional application software program for controlling the automobile devices and an additional interface software program for processing data which can be used in the additional application software program, a CPU for performing computation of the additional application software program and the additional interface software program, and a fourth memory for storing computational results, wherein:

the additional control program stored in said third memory is designed such that the additional interface software program is modifiable independently of the additional application software program, in response to automobile type modification including modification of sensors and automobile devices, without modification of the additional application software program; and

both core unit one-chip microcomputers are connected by a LAN via respective buses, communication connectors and communication circuits which are controlled by the respective CPUs and are permitted to communicate with each other through the LAN so as to share common data stored in either of the second and fourth memories.

74. The automobile control unit according to claim 60, wherein:

said first application software program includes a function of causing computation for controlling the actuators;

the first interface software program includes a function of causing signal transmission and reception between the first application software program and an output unit, and between the first application software program and an output unit which outputs signals for controlling said plurality of actuators in the automobile based on the signals from the sensors; and

the signal transmission and reception between the first application software program and the first interface software program is performed by making use of a standardized function.