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Multiplexing of accessories in a vehicle

  • US 5,081,586 A
  • Filed: 02/20/1990
  • Issued: 01/14/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A multiplex control module and switch apparatus for use in automotive vehicles having selected power-operated accessories in the vehicle including at least one of door locks, power adjusted seats, power windows, interior lights, ignition switch and door key cylinder and including sensors for detecting the operative state of such accessories and of door ajar, ignition key presence and door handle movement operative upon actuation for providing sensor signals indicating a change of state of said sensors, and individual relay means operative upon receipt of relay-control signals to effect flow of current to said accessories, said module comprising:

  • (a) means for housing said control module;

    (b) individual switch means operative upon user actuation for providing a switch signal indicating a desired change of state of one of said accessories.,(c) circuit means, including microcomputer means connectable in the vehicle to a power bus and to a multiplex signal bus, said microcomputer means comprising multiplexer means for communicating by multiplexing via said signal bus using a plurality of signals including said sensor signals;

    said microcomputer means having an ASLEEP mode using reduced average system power, in which it is operative to periodically scan at a first predetermined repetition rate, including scanning of said sensor signals for the states of only predetermined ones less than all of said sensor signals, and including scanning to detect the states of said switch means, and including a powered-down interval;

    said microcomputer means having an ACTIVE more in which it is operative to scan said sensor signals for the state of all of said sensors and to scan for the state of said switch means, said microcomputer means in said ACTIVE mode being operative to generate said relay-control signals in accordance with predetermined algorithms in response to said switch means and said sensor signals;

    said microcomputer means being operative to go to said ASLEEP mode after a predetermined time interval of inactivity of all of said switch means;

    said microcomputer means having an AWAKE mode into which it goes when said vehicle ignition switch is sensor as being in an "ON" state and in which, in addition to the capabilities of the ACTIVE mode, control of certain ones of said accessories is also enabled, said microcomputer means returning to said ACTIVE mode after said ignition switch is sensed in an "0FF" state;

    wherein said microcomputer means is operative to provide said relay-control signals for operation of said accessories in response to a change of state of said input signal from at least one of said switch and sensor means.

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