Communication system and method utilizing message frames having multiple thresholds for a multi-device vehicle occupant protection system
First Claim
1. A communication system comprising:
- an electrical conductor interconnecting a plurality of units for conducting electrical energy;
energy supply means for providing electrical energy, having a voltage, onto said conductor;
voltage messaging means for modulating voltage to convey messages from a first unit to a second unit via said conductor; and
voltage receiver means for monitoring the voltage of the electrical energy to discern messages from the first unit;
wherein said voltage messaging means includes means for adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a first predetermined threshold to provide a first type message frame and for modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the first type message frame to convey a first type message, and means for adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a second predetermined threshold to provide a second type message frame and for modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the second type message frame to convey a second type message.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication system (10) includes a communication bus (16) through which a power/voltage transmitter (44) conveys electrical energy and messages to a plurality of units (18, 20). The power/voltage transmitter (44) includes components for adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a first predetermined threshold to provide a first type message frame and modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the first type message frame to convey a first type message. The power/voltage transmitter (44) also includes components for adjusting the voltage past a second predetermined threshold to provide a second type message frame and modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the second type message frame to convey a second type message.
60 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A communication system comprising:
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an electrical conductor interconnecting a plurality of units for conducting electrical energy;
energy supply means for providing electrical energy, having a voltage, onto said conductor;
voltage messaging means for modulating voltage to convey messages from a first unit to a second unit via said conductor; and
voltage receiver means for monitoring the voltage of the electrical energy to discern messages from the first unit;
wherein said voltage messaging means includes means for adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a first predetermined threshold to provide a first type message frame and for modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the first type message frame to convey a first type message, and means for adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a second predetermined threshold to provide a second type message frame and for modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the second type message frame to convey a second type message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An occupant protection system for protecting a vehicle occupant, said system comprising:
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an actuatable occupant protection device for protecting the vehicle occupant;
a central unit for controlling actuation of said protection device, said protection device being located remote from said central unit; and
an electrical conductor interconnecting said central unit and said protection device for conducting electrical energy;
said central unit including energy supply means for providing electrical energy, having a voltage, onto said conductor and including voltage messaging means for modulating voltage to convey messages from said central unit to said protection device;
said protection device including voltage receiver means for monitoring the voltage of the electrical energy to discern messages from said central unit;
wherein said voltage messaging means includes means for adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a first predetermined threshold to provide a first type message frame and for modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the first type message frame to convey a first type message, and means for adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a second predetermined threshold to provide a second type message frame and for modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the second type message frame to convey a second type message.
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19. A method of communicating between a plurality of units, said method comprising:
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providing electrical energy, having a voltage, onto a conductor that interconnects the units;
adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a first predetermined threshold to provide a first type message frame from a first unit;
modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the first type message frame to convey a first type message from the first unit to the second unit;
adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a second predetermined threshold to provide a second type message frame from the first unit;
modulating the voltage of the electrical energy during the second type message frame to convey a second type message from the first unit to the second unit; and
monitoring the voltage of the electrical energy at the second unit to discern the message frames and the messages from the first unit. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification