Electronic control device for controlling autonomously controllable assemblies

• US 6,512,970 B1
• Filed: 02/14/2000
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Albert, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US09/485,611
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 701/48, 701/29, 701/36, 701/31, 701/33, 701/35, 701/115, 701/102, 731/181, 731/173, 731/16, 340/438, 340/439, 340/459, 714/23, 714/46, 714/24, 702/185, 702/182, 702/183, 706/905, 706/911
• US Class Current: 701/48
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1819 Propulsion control with control means using analogue circuits, relays or mechanical links
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic control unit for controlling individual, autonomously controlled assemblies. The inventive electronic control unit comprises a central control device, a memory and control interfaces. The memory has several non-overlapping memory zones, each of which is assigned a diagnostic address and a programming address. The central control device is connected to the different memory zones in such a way that it cooperates with these in a time division multiplex, thus forming a virtual control unit for each assembly. The central control device has a diagnostic interface, and is so designed that the memory are assigned to the respective address can be accessed individually from outside by means of the diagnostic interface and using the addresses. Furthermore, the control interfaces are also connected to the central control device, and a control interface is assigned to each virtual control unit. The electronic control unit is used for controlling autonomously controlled assemblies in motor vehicles.

Claims

1. An electronic control device for controlling separate autonomously controllable assemblies, the electronic control device comprising:

a central control device having a diagnostic interface;

a memory having a plurality of non-intersecting memory areas, a diagnostic address and a programming address being assigned to each of said plurality of memory areas;

wherein said central control device includes a single microprocessor that operatively couples to each of said memory areas in a time multiplexed manner to form virtual control units, and further wherein said memory areas are accessed through the diagnostic interface separately from outside of the electronic control device using diagnostic and programming addresses associated with the respective memory area; and

control interfaces, said control interfaces being operatively coupled with the central control device, the respective virtual control units having one of said control interfaces associated therewith.

2. The electronic control device according to claim 1, further comprising a public memory area which stores common data accessible by each of the respective virtual control units.

3. An electronic control device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a central vehicle electronic unit having a diagnostic interface;

a memory having a plurality of non-intersecting memory areas, a diagnostic address and a programming address being assigned to each of said plurality of memory areas;

wherein said central vehicle electronic unit includes a single microprocessor that operatively couples to each of said memory areas in a time multiplexed manner to form virtual control units, and further wherein said memory areas are accessed through the diagnostic interface separately from outside of the electronic control device using diagnostic and programming addresses associated with the respective memory area;

control interfaces, said control interfaces being operatively coupled with the central vehicle electronic unit, the respective virtual control units having one of said control interfaces associated therewith; and

autonomously controllable vehicle assemblies, each of said vehicle assemblies being operatively coupled with one of said control interfaces and being controlled thereby.

4. The electronic control device according to claim 3, further comprising a public memory area for storing common data accessible by each of the respective virtual control units.

5. The electronic control device according to claim 4, wherein a first of said virtual control units forms a motor vehicle engine control and a second of said virtual control units forms a motor vehicle transmission control.

6. The electronic control device according to claim 5, wherein a third of said virtual control units forms evaluation electronics for a vehicle oil level sensor.

7. The electronic control device according to claim 4, wherein a third of said virtual control units forms evaluation electronics for a vehicle oil level sensor.

8. The electronic control device according to claim 3, wherein a first of said virtual control units forms a motor vehicle engine control and a second of said virtual control units forms a motor vehicle transmission control.

9. The electronic control device according to claim 8, wherein a third of said virtual control units forms evaluation electronics for a vehicle oil level sensor.

10. The electronic control device according to claim 3, wherein a third of said virtual control units forms evaluation electronics for a vehicle oil level sensor.