Method for checking an interface module

• US 8,386,206 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Otterbach, Jens, Taufer, Peter, Tschentscher, Harald, Lukacic, Davor, Straub, Bernhard, Ulmer, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Teixeira Moffat, Jonathan C
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUN, XIUQIN
• Application Number:
  US10/095,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20020194541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,005 Days
• Field of Search: 702/122, 702/123, 702/116, 702/117
• US Class Current: 702/122
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/221 to test buses, lines or interfaces, e.g. stuck-at or open line faults

Abstract

A method for checking an interface module, the interface module returning to the processor, using a second data message, stored values representing sensor values, after a request for a test by a processor using a data message. Using these firm sensor values, the processor can check the functioning of the interface module and its own algorithm. A safety module, which also picks up the sensor values, also checks its functioning with them, since the safety module is a redundant hardware path to the processor and is used as a plausibility check for the release decision of means of restraint. The interface module is changed into a test mode as soon as it receives the first data message from the processor, and it then suppresses the transmission of the real sensor values which were received from connected sensors.

Claims

1. A method for checking an interface module, comprising:

initiating a checking by a processor by a transmission of a first data message to the interface module;

responsive to the first data message;

suppressing transmission, by the interface module and to the processor, of values of a sensor; and

returning, by the interface module, in a second data message, and to the processor, values that are permanently stored in registers of the interface module and that emulate values of the sensor; and

carrying out the checking of the interface module by the processor on the basis of the stored values.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second data messages are transmitted synchronously.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first data message is transmitted over a first line and the second data message is transmitted over a second line.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stored values represent an upper and a lower boundary of sensor values.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising using, by the processor, the stored values for checking a processing of the sensor values.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising checking a function of a safety module with the aid of the stored values, the safety module being connected to the interface module.

7. A device comprising:

a processor;

a safety module; and

an interface module;

coupled to at least one sensor, the processor, and the safety module; and

configured to transmit to the processor values from the at least one sensor;

wherein;

the processor is configured to initiate a checking of the interface module by a transmission of a first data message to the interface module;

the interface module is configured to, in reply to the first data message, return, in a second data message, to the processor, and instead of values received by the interface module from the at least one sensor, values permanently stored in registers of the interface module, the stored values emulating values of the at least one sensor; and

the processor is configured to carry out the checking of the interface module on the basis of the stored values received from the interface module.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the processor, the interface module and the safety module are situated in a control device.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the control device is adapted to be connected to a restraint device.