Integrated wiring systems for a vehicle control system
First Claim
1. An integrated communications apparatus for use in a vehicle control system for monitoring and controlling operational status of a plurality of vehicle systems, each vehicle system having a local control unit for controlling operation thereof, said local control units being accessible by means of a data communication line, said integrated communications apparatus comprising:
- at least one memory unit;
a central processing unit for receiving and processing signals transmitted from said local control units, which signals are indicative of operational status of said plurality of vehicle systems, according to control programs stored in one of said at least one memory unit, and for generating control signals for transmission to said plurality of vehicle systems by means of said data communication line; and
a programmable subprocessor for controlling communications between said central processing unit and said local control units by means of said data communication line, according to at least one of said control programs stored in one of said at least one memory unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated wiring system for controlling multiple vehicle systems comprising a plurality of terminal control units having different information processing speed and a central control unit. A communications interface is provided in the central control unit in the form of a dedicated programmable input/output processor for performing data communication based on a plurality of communication protocols.
114 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An integrated communications apparatus for use in a vehicle control system for monitoring and controlling operational status of a plurality of vehicle systems, each vehicle system having a local control unit for controlling operation thereof, said local control units being accessible by means of a data communication line, said integrated communications apparatus comprising:
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at least one memory unit; a central processing unit for receiving and processing signals transmitted from said local control units, which signals are indicative of operational status of said plurality of vehicle systems, according to control programs stored in one of said at least one memory unit, and for generating control signals for transmission to said plurality of vehicle systems by means of said data communication line; and a programmable subprocessor for controlling communications between said central processing unit and said local control units by means of said data communication line, according to at least one of said control programs stored in one of said at least one memory unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of monitoring and controlling operational status of a plurality of vehicle systems, each having a local control unit for controlling operation thereof, said local control units being accessible by means of a data communication line, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a microprocessor having a central processing unit and a dedicated programmable subprocessor external to said central processing unit; operating said central processing unit to process signals transmitted from said local control units indicative of operational status of said plurality of vehicle systems, and to generate control signals for transmission to said plurality of vehicle systems, according to control programs stored in a memory; and operating said subprocessor to control communications between said central processing unit and said local control units according to at least one data communication processing program stored in a memory. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An integrated communication apparatus for a vehicle control, said apparatus comprising:
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an engine control unit for determining and sending a value for at least one of a plurality of control variables, said plurality of control variables including at least a fuel injection amount and ignition timing, and for controlling at least one system of a vehicle engine; a transmission control unit for automatically controlling a vehicle transmission; local control units for controlling vehicle body installations; a transmission line for transmitting signals among said control units; a plurality of sensors and actuators connected to said control units via said transmission line; and a transmission input and output device for controlling communication among said control units, sensors and actuators; wherein transmission of signals for said engine and transmission control units is executed at a faster rate than transmission of signals for said local control units. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. An integrated communication apparatus for a vehicle control, said apparatus comprising:
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local control units for controlling vehicle body installations; a display control unit for controlling a display device installed in a vehicle; and a transmission line which constantly connects said control units with each other; wherein control states of said vehicle body installations controlled by said local control units are sent to said display control device and displayed on said display device.
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32. An integrated communication apparatus for a vehicle control, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of control units, including control units having a microcomputer and control units having no microcomputer, wherein signal sending and receiving for said control units having no microcomputer is controlled by at least one of said control units having a microcomputer; and a transmission input and output device for controlling signal transmission for said control units which have a microcomputer at a faster rate than signal transmission for said control unit which have no microcomputer. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A vehicle integrated siring system having a communication control unit comprising:
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a main processor for processing data communicated between said communication control unit and other elements provided in a vehicle via a bus to which said other elements are connected; at least one memory for storing data processing procedures and communication procedures; and a dedicated programmable subprocessor for executing communication between said communication control unit and said other elements according to at least one of said processing procedures stored in said at least one memory device.
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35. A communication control unit for a vehicle integrated wiring system, said communication control unit comprising:
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a main processor for processing data communicated between said communication control unit and other elements provided in a vehicle via a bus to which said other elements are connected; at least one memory for storing data processing procedures and communication procedures; and a dedicated programmable subprocessor for executing communication between said communication control unit and said other elements according to at least one of said processing procedures stored in said at least one memory device.
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Specification