Electronic device with self-monitor for an automotive vehicle

• US 5,019,799 A
• Filed: 04/15/1987
• Issued: 05/28/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Hosaka, Akio, Oshiage, Katsunori, Yamamoto, Akito
• Primary Examiner(s): Weldon, Ulysses
• Application Number:
  US07/038,442
• Time in Patent Office: 1,504 Days
• Field of Search: 73/117.3, 371/16, 371/29, 364/424, 364/426, 364/551, 364/431.04, 340/438, 340/439
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/402 Back-up
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/406 Test-mode; Self-diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/885 using electrical circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/10 using counting means or digital clocks

Abstract

A self-monitoring system for an automotive electronc control system such as an engine control system, an electronic anti-skid control system or electronic automatic transmission control system is adapted to check each segment of the electronic control system in order to detect faulty segments. To detect faulty segments, the self-monitor system checks inputs and outputs of the electronic control system. The checked data is stored in a memory which is not erased when the power supply is turned off. The self-monitoring system is associated with another automotive microcomputer which includes a display unit. The other automotive microcomputer is adapted to display the results of the checking operation of the self-monitoring system in response to a display request manually inputted from a manual unit to display identification of the fault segment and/or error condition thereof. The monitor can also be associated with a fault indicator, such as an LED, which is responsive to detection of error in any of the segments to turn on.

Claims

1. A self-monitor system for an automotive electronic control system, comprising:

a first sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle component to be controlled by said electronic control system and producing a first sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed operational parameter;

a second sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle operating condition and producing a second sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed vehicle operating condition;

a first digital processor permanently mounted on said vehicle and responsive to said first sensor signal to derive a control signal for controlling operation of said vehicle component on the basis of said first sensor signal values, said first digital processor performing a self-checking checking program for checking operation of segments of said control system and said sensor and detecting faulty operation of each segment and sensor whenever failure occurs;

a memory associated with said first digital processor for storing fault data including identification of the faulty segment;

a second digital processor also permanently mounted on said vehicle and normally operable independently of said first digital processor and being responsive to said second sensor signal to derive information corresponding to said vehicle operating condition, said second digital processor having an external connector terminal for connection to said first digital processor through a data bus, a display unit, and a manually operable input device, said second digital processor further responsive to a check demand manually input through said input device to establish communication with said first digital processor to feed said demand to said first digital processor in order to trigger the latter for performing said self-checking program to said first digital processor and to display fault data stored in said memory on said display unit; and

said second digital processor operative for receiving a plurality of vehicle operation parameters from a plurality of sensors and for processing same to provide output data to said display unit, said output data including vehicle trip and speed data selectively displayed in response to actuation of said input device.

2. The self-monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said input device of said second digital processor is a keyboard adapted for manual operation.

3. The self-monitoring system as set forth in any one of claims 1, or 2, wherein said memory is a non-volatile memory which is connected to first external terminals of said first digital processor to receive said fault data therefrom through a data bus connecting therebetween.

4. The self-monitoring system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said non-volatile memory is an external memory positioned external to said first digital processor.

5. The self-monitoring system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said non-volatile memory is incorporated in said second digital processor and responsive to said check demand to feed fault data stored therein to said display unit.

6. The self-monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, or 2, which further comprises a fault indicator which becomes active whenever failure of any segment is detected, said fault indicator incorporated with said first digital processor.

7. The self-monitoring system as set forth in claim 4, which further comprises a fault indicator which becomes active whenever failure of any segment is detected, said fault indicator included in said display unit of said second digital processor.

8. A fail-monitor system for an automotive engine control system, comprising:

a first sensor for detecting an engine operating parameter and for producing a first sensor signal having a value indicative of the detected engine operating parameter;

a plurality of additional sensors for detecting vehicle operating parameters and for producing a plurality of sensor signals having values indicative of the detected vehicle operating parameters;

a first digital processor permanently mounted on said vehicle receiving said first sensor signal to derive a control signal for controlling operation of the engine based on the first sensor signal value, said first digital processor including a first external terminal and operative for performing self-monitoring program for detecting a failure of the sensor and for producing a fault signal, said first digital processor further detecting failure of segments of said control system during the control operation to produce said fault signal;

a memory associated with said first digital processor and responsive to said fault signal for storing fault data including identification of the faulty segment;

a second digital processor also permanently mounted on said vehicle and normally operable independently of said first digital processor, said second digital processor having an external terminal connected to said first external terminal of said first digital processor through a bus line, a manually operable input device and a display unit, said manually operable input device for inputting a check command upon manual operation thereof, said second digital processor responsive to said check command to feed a demand to said first digital processor for executing said self-monitoring program, and said second digital processor responsive to a display command input through said input device for displaying on said display unit the result of said self-monitoring program and fault data stored in said memory; and

said second digital processor operative for receiving a plurality of said vehicle operation parameters from said plurality of sensors and for processing same to provide output data to said display unit, said output data including vehicle trip and speed data selectively displayed in response to actuation of said input device.

9. The fail-monitor system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said memory is a non-volatile external memory connected to said first digital processor through a second external terminal of said first digital processor and a data bus, said memory being responsive to said fault signal to accept write-in of fault data and responsive to said display command to allow reading out of the stored fault data.

10. The fail-monitor system as set forth in claim 9, which further comprises a fault indicator associated with said first digital processor and responsive to said fault signal to be active for indicating failure of the control system.

11. The fail-monitor system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first sensor detects one of an engine coolant temperature, a load condition on the engine, a revolution speed of the engine, an oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas, a temperature of the exhaust gas, crank shaft angular position, transmission gear position and a vehicle speed.

12. The fail-monitor system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said second digital processor performs operations to provide information relative to vehicle condition including travelling distance, travelling time and average speed.

13. The fail-monitor system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said second digital processor has a second external terminal connected to said memory for reading out the stored fault data when said display command is input through said input device.

14. A self-monitor system for an automotive electronic control system, comprising:

a first sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle component to be controlled by said electronic control system and producing a first sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed operational parameter;

a second sensor for sensing a relevant vehicle operational parameter relative to a vehicle operating condition and producing a second sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed vehicle operating condition;

a first digital processor permanently mounted on said vehicle and responsive to said first sensor signal to derive a control signal for controlling operation of said vehicle component on the basis of said first sensor signal values, said first digital processor performing a self-checking program for checking operation of segments of said control system and said sensor and detecting faulty operation of each segment and sensor whenever failure occurs;

a memory associated with said first digital processor for storing fault data including identification of the faulty segment; and

a second digital processor also permanently mounted on said vehicle and normally operable independently of said first digital processor and being responsive to said second sensor signal to process said vehicle operating condition to provide output data, said second digital processor having an external connector terminal for connection to said first digital processor through a data bus, a display unit, and a manually operable input device, said second digital processor further responsive to a check demand manually input through said input device to feed said demand for performing said self-checking program to said first digital processor and to display fault data stored in said memory on said display unit.

15. A fail-monitor system for an automotive engine control system, comprising:

a first sensor for detecting an engine operating parameter and for producing a first sensor signal having a value indicative of the sensed engine operating parameter;

a second sensor for detecting a vehicle operating parameter and for producing a second sensor having a value indicative of the sensed vehicle operating parameter;

a first digital processor permanently mounted on a vehicle receiving said first sensor signal to derive a control signal for controlling operation of the engine based on the first sensor signal value, said first digital processor including a first external terminal and operative for performing self-monitoring program for detecting a failure of the sensor and for producing a fault signal, said first digital processor further detecting failure of segments of said control system during the control operation to produce said fault signal;

a memory associated with said first digital processor and responsive to said fault signal for storing fault data including identification of the faulty segment; and

a second digital processor also permanently mounted on said vehicle and normally operable independently of said first digital processor and being responsive to said second sensor signal to process said vehicle operating condition to provide output data, said second digital processor having an external terminal connected to said first external terminal of said first digital processor through a bus line, a manually operable input device and a display unit, said manually operable input device for inputting a check command upon manual operation thereof, said second digital processor further responsive to said check command to feed a demand to said first digital processor for executing said self-monitoring program, and said second digital processor responsive to a display command input through said input device for displaying on said display unit the result of said self-monitoring program and fault data stored in said memory.

16. A self monitor system for an automotive electronic system, comprising:

a first sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle component to be controlled by said electronic control system and producing a first sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed operational parameter;

a second sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle operating condition and producing a second sensor signal having a value representative of the second vehicle operating condition;

a first digital processor permanently mounted on a vehicle and responsive to said first sensor signal to derive a control signal for controlling operation of said vehicle component on the basis of said first sensor signal values, said first digital processor performing a self-checking program for checking operation of segments of said control system and said sensor and detecting faulty operation of each segment and sensor whenever failure occurs;

a memory associated with said first digital processor for storing fault data including identification of the faulty segment; and

a second digital processor also permanently mounted on a vehicle and having an interface for external connection of at least a manually operable input unit and a display, said second digital processor being also interfaced with said first digital processor for data communication therebetween, said second digital processor normally performing preset operations independently of said first digital processor including being responsive to said second sensor signal to process said vehicle operating condition to provide output data, and said second digital processor further responsive to a check demand manually input through said input device to establish communication with said first digital processor to feed said demand to said first digital processor in order to trigger the latter for performing said self-checking program to said first digital processor and to display fault data stored in said memory on said display unit thereof.

17. A self-monitor system for an automotive electronic system, comprising:

a first sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle component to be controlled by said electronic control system and producing a first sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed operational parameter;

a second sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle operating condition and producing a second sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed vehicle operating condition;

a first digital processor permanently mounted on a vehicle and responsive to said first sensor signal to derive a control signal for controlling operation of said vehicle component on the basis of said sensor signal values, said first digital processor performing a self-checking program for checking operation of segments of said control system and said sensor and detecting faulty operation of each segment and sensor whenever failure occurs;

a memory associated with said first digital processor for storing fault data including identification of the faulty segment; and

a second digital processor also permanently mounted on a vehicle and having an interface for external connection to at least a manually operable input unit and a display, said second digital processor being also interfaced with said first digital processor for data communication therebetween, said second digital processor normally performing preset operations independently of said first digital processor for data communication therebetween, said second digital processor normally performing preset operations independently of said first digital processor in response to manual input through said input unit including being responsive to said second sensor signal to process said vehicle operating condition to provide output data, and said second digital processor further responsive to a check demand manually input through said input device to establish communication with said first digital processor to feed said demand to said first digital processor in order to trigger the latter for performing said self-checking program to said first digital processor and to display fault data stored in said memory on said display unit thereof.

18. A self-monitor system for an automotive electronic system, comprising:

a first sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle component to be controlled by said electronic control system and producing a first sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed operational parameter;

a second sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle operating condition and producing a second sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed vehicle operating condition;

a first digital processor permanently mounted on a vehicle and responsive to said first sensor signal to derive a control signal for controlling operation of said vehicle component on the basis of said first sensor signal values, said first digital processor performing a self-checking program for checking operation of segments of said control system and said first sensor and detecting faulty operation of each segment and sensor whenever failure occurs;

a memory associated with said first digital processor for storing fault data including identification of the faulty segment; and

a second digital processor also permanently mounted on a vehicle and having an interface for external connection to at least a manually operable input unit and a display, said second digital processor being also interfaced with said first digital processor for data communication therebetween, said second digital processor normally performing preset operations including display processing said vehicle operating condition for deriving vehicular driving information and control for displaying said vehicular driving information including mileage as triggered through said input unit independently of said first digital processor, and said second digital processor responsive to a check demand manually input through said input device to establish communication with said first digital processor to feed said demands to said first digital processor in order to trigger the latter for performing said self-checking program to said first digital processor and to display fault data stored in said memory on said display unit thereof.

19. A self-monitor system for an automotive electronic system, comprising:

a first sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle component to be controlled by said electronic control system and producing a first sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed operational parameter;

a second sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle operating condition and producing a second sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed vehicle operating condition;

a first digital processor permanently mounted on a vehicle and responsive to said first sensor signal to derive a control signal for controlling operation of said vehicle component on the basis of said first sensor signal values, said first digital processor performing a self-checking program for checking operation of segments of said control system and said sensor and detecting faulty operation of each segment and sensor whenever failure occurs;

a memory associated with said first digital processor for storing fault data including identification of the faulty segment; and

a second digital processor also permanently mounted on a vehicle and having an interface for external connection to at least a manually operable input unit and a display, said second digital processor being also interfaced with said first digital processor for data communication therebetween, said second digital processor normally performing preset operations governing display of vehicular driving information, which, is derived by processing said vehicle operating condition in response to said second sensor signal, at least including vehicular speed data independently of said first digital processor in response to manual input through said input unit, and said second digital processor responsive to a check demand manually input through said input device to establish communication with said first digital processor to feed said demand to said first digital processor in order to trigger the latter for performing said self-checking program to said first digital processor and to display fault data stored in said memory on said display unit thereof.

20. A self-monitor system for an automotive electronic system, comprising:

a first sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle component to be controlled by said electronic control system and producing a first sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed operational parameter;

a second sensor sensing a relevant operational parameter relative to a vehicle operating condition and producing a second sensor signal having a value representative of the sensed vehicle operating condition;

a first digital processor permanently mounted on a vehicle and responsive to said first sensor signal to derive a control signal for controlling operation of said vehicle component on the basis of said first sensor signal values, said first digital processor performing a self-checking program for checking operation of segments of said control system and said sensor and detecting faulty operation of each segment and sensor whenever failure occurs;

a memory associated with said first digital processor for storing fault data including identification of the faulty segment; and

a second digital processor also permanently mounted on a vehicle and having an interface for external connection to at least a manually operable input unit and a display, said second digital processor being also interfaced with said first digital processor for data communication therebetween, said second digital processor normally performing preset operations governing operation of vehicular electric equipment under control of a manually input command through said input unit independently of said first digital processor in response to manual input through said input unit and being responsive to said second sensor signal to process said vehicle operating condition to provide output data, and said second digital processor responsive to a check demand manually input through said input device to establish communication with said first digital processor to feed said demand to said first digital processor in order to trigger the latter for performing said self-checking program to said first digital processor and to display fault data stored in said memory on said display unit thereof.