Vehicle controller (VCON) for automated durability road (ADR) facility
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle control computer (VCON) positionable in the passenger compartment of a vehicle to guide the vehicle around a test track in response to signals from a base computer, comprising:
- a vehicle transceiver in communication with the base computer;
a master central processing unit (cpu) in communication with the vehicle transceiver;
a slave cpu electrically connected to the master cpu, the slave cpu being associated with a servo controller;
a plurality of servo amplifiers connected to the servo controller and coupled to the vehicle for moving controls of the vehicle;
a guide circuit electrically connected to a guide antenna for receiving a guide signal therefrom and for outputting the guide signal for use by the VCON, the guide circuit comprising a bandpass filter;
a frequency generator for generating a plurality of frequencies;
means for receiving from the base computer a signal identifying a predetermined frequency;
a decoder connected to the receiving means and frequency generator for causing the bandpass filter to pass only signals having the predetermined frequency; and
a detector for generating a detection signal when a guide frequency having the predetermined frequency has been passed by the bandpass filter, the detector being electrically connected to the mater cpu; and
computer readable code means for causing the vehicle to stop in the absence of a detection signal or when the VCON cannot communicate with the base computer.
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Abstract
A computer-implemented vehicle controller (VCON) is positioned in the passenger compartment of a vehicle on a test track. The VCON communicates with a base computer for receiving commands therefrom. In response, the VCON, which includes a servo controller and associated servos that are coupled to the controls of the vehicle, operates the controls of the vehicle to drive the vehicle around the test track.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A vehicle control computer (VCON) positionable in the passenger compartment of a vehicle to guide the vehicle around a test track in response to signals from a base computer, comprising:
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a vehicle transceiver in communication with the base computer; a master central processing unit (cpu) in communication with the vehicle transceiver; a slave cpu electrically connected to the master cpu, the slave cpu being associated with a servo controller; a plurality of servo amplifiers connected to the servo controller and coupled to the vehicle for moving controls of the vehicle; a guide circuit electrically connected to a guide antenna for receiving a guide signal therefrom and for outputting the guide signal for use by the VCON, the guide circuit comprising a bandpass filter;
a frequency generator for generating a plurality of frequencies;
means for receiving from the base computer a signal identifying a predetermined frequency;
a decoder connected to the receiving means and frequency generator for causing the bandpass filter to pass only signals having the predetermined frequency; and
a detector for generating a detection signal when a guide frequency having the predetermined frequency has been passed by the bandpass filter, the detector being electrically connected to the mater cpu; andcomputer readable code means for causing the vehicle to stop in the absence of a detection signal or when the VCON cannot communicate with the base computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of vehicles disposed on a test track; a base station for transmitting signals to the vehicle; for each vehicle, a respective vehicle controller (VCON) for receiving the signals and moving controls of the vehicle in response, each VCON comprising; a central processing unit (cpu) in communication with the base station; a servo controller in communication with the cpu; a plurality of servo amplifiers connected to the servo controller and coupled to the vehicle for moving the brake pedal, accelerator pedal, steering wheel, and shift lever of the vehicle; a guide circuit electrically connected to a guide antenna for receiving a guide signal therefrom and for outputting the guide signal for use by the VCON to control the vehicle, the guide circuit comprising; a bandpass filter; a frequency generator for generating a plurality of frequencies; means for receiving from the base station a signal identifying a predetermined frequency; a decoder connected to the receiving means and frequency generator for causing the bandpass filter to pass only signals having the predetermined frequency; a detector for generating a detection signal when a guide frequency having the predetermined frequency has been passed by the bandpass filter, the detector being electrically connected to the cpu; computer readable code means for causing the vehicle to stop in the absence of a detection signal or when the VCON cannot communicate with the base station; and each VCON including a respective power up device (PUD) for receiving data from the vehicle, the PUD being electrically connected to the cpu and including a flight recorder electrically connected to a data bus of the respective vehicle for receiving data therefrom, the data being representative of at least engine rpm, vehicle speed; a decoder electrically connected to the flight recorder; a manual input device electrically connected to the decoder; and a select switch electrically connected to the decoder for enabling control of the vehicle by the VCON, wherein the select switch can be moved to; a disable position, wherein no electrical power is substantially supplied to the VCON; a power position, wherein electrical power is substantially supplied to the VCON and the VCON does not control the vehicle; a local position, wherein the VCON controls the vehicle in response to manipulation of the manual input device; and a remote position, wherein the VCON controls the vehicle in response to signals from the base station.
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10. A VCON for remotely operating a vehicle in response to signals from a base computer, comprising:
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a transceiver for communicating with the base computer; a computer connected to the transceiver for receiving the signal; servo means associated with the computer and coupled to the vehicle for controlling the vehicle; the computer including a master cpu and a slave cpu associated with a servo amplifier; a guide circuit electrically connected to a guide antenna for receiving a guide signal therefrom and for outputting the guide signal for use by the VCON to control the vehicle, the guide circuit comprising; a bandpass filter; a frequency generator for generating a plurality of frequencies; means for receiving from the base computer a signal identifying a predetermined frequency; a decoder connected to the receiving means and frequency generator for causing the bandpass filter to pass only signals having the predetermined frequency; a detector for generating a detection signal when a guide frequency having the predetermined frequency has been passed by the bandpass filter, the detector being electrically connected to the master cpu; and computer readable code means for causing the vehicle to stop in the absence of a detection signal or when the VCON cannot communicate with the base computer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification