Network node with plug-in identification module
First Claim
1. A network node for use in a vehicle control network, comprising:
- a node housing, said node housing comprising an external port;
a processor contained within said node housing;
a transceiver contained within said node housing, said transceiver coupled to an external network bus interconnecting multiple nodes of the control network;
a plurality of input/output ports for controlling or monitoring local electronic vehicle sensors, modules or components;
a detachable module adapted for connection to said external port; and
a programmable memory encapsulated within said detachable module, said programmable memory storing a unique node identifier for the network node;
wherein said programmable memory is accessible to said processor when said detachable module is coupled to said external port;
wherein the network node communicates over said external network bus using said unique node identifier to identify bus traffic intended for the network node;
wherein said programmable memory comprises a writable memory portion for storing data obtained from one or more of the local electronic vehicle sensors, modules or components coupled to the network node; and
wherein said processor is configured to record, in the writable memory portion of said programmable memory, data associated with controlling or monitoring the local electronic vehicle sensors, modules or components.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network node well suited for use in a distributed control network includes a housing containing the node electronics, and an external port for receiving a detachable plug-in module. The plug-in module contains a programmable memory which, when the plug-in module is attached, allows electronic interconnection between the electronics of the network node and the readable memory. The readable memory stores a unique node identifier which becomes associated with the node, and can also store functional program code for the particular node. Thus, a node can be easily and rapidly replaced or reprogrammed, without the need for specialized equipment to download the node identifier or functional program code, and without the possibility of erroneous manual entry of the node identifier. The plug-in module further includes a writable memory portion which can be used to store data during operation of the node, for later retrieval.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A network node for use in a vehicle control network, comprising:
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a node housing, said node housing comprising an external port; a processor contained within said node housing; a transceiver contained within said node housing, said transceiver coupled to an external network bus interconnecting multiple nodes of the control network; a plurality of input/output ports for controlling or monitoring local electronic vehicle sensors, modules or components; a detachable module adapted for connection to said external port; and a programmable memory encapsulated within said detachable module, said programmable memory storing a unique node identifier for the network node; wherein said programmable memory is accessible to said processor when said detachable module is coupled to said external port; wherein the network node communicates over said external network bus using said unique node identifier to identify bus traffic intended for the network node; wherein said programmable memory comprises a writable memory portion for storing data obtained from one or more of the local electronic vehicle sensors, modules or components coupled to the network node; and wherein said processor is configured to record, in the writable memory portion of said programmable memory, data associated with controlling or monitoring the local electronic vehicle sensors, modules or components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 27)
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12. A method of connecting a network node in a vehicle control network, comprising the steps of:
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attaching a detachable module to an external port of a node housing of the network node, thereby placing a processor contained within said housing in electrical communication with a programmable memory encapsulated within said detachable module; connecting the network node to an external network bus interconnecting multiple nodes of the control network, whereby the network node may communicate with other nodes connected to the external network bus; reading a unique node identifier from said programmable memory; receiving messages at the network node over said external network bus; determining which received messages are intended for the network node by comparing a node identifier contained within a received message with said unique node identifier; and writing to the programmable memory, during operation of the network node, data generated from controlling or monitoring local electronic vehicle sensors, modules or components coupled to the network node. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28)
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24. A network node for use in a vehicle control network, comprising:
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a node housing, said node housing comprising an external port; a first processor contained within said node housing; a first transceiver contained within said node housing, said first transceiver having a connection for a first external network bus; a second processor contained within said node housing; a second transceiver contained within said node housing, said second transceiver having a connection for a second external network bus; one or more input/output ports for connection to external local devices deployed in the vehicle; a detachable module adapted for connection to said external port, said detachable module comprising an enclosed module body; and a programmable memory encapsulated within said enclosed module body, said programmable memory comprising storing a unique node identifier for the network node; wherein said programmable memory is accessible to said first processor and to said second processor when said detachable module is connected to said external port; and wherein said programmable memory comprises a writable portion for storing data generated by monitoring or controlling one or more of said external local devices during operation of the network node. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 29)
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30. A network node for use in a vehicle control network, comprising:
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a node housing, said node housing comprising an external port; a processor contained within said node housing; a transceiver contained within said node housing, said transceiver coupled to an external network bus interconnecting multiple nodes of the control network; and a detachable module adapted for connection to said external port, said detachable module comprising; an outer module housing; a programmable memory encapsulated within said outer module housing, said programmable memory storing a unique node identifier for the network node; an electronic connector for making electrical contact with a mating connector of said external port and thereby communicatively coupling the programmable memory to the processor; and a locking mechanism adapted to securely attach the detachable module to the external port whereby the connection between the electronic connector and the mating connector is sealed from exposure to the outside; wherein the network node communicates over said external network bus using said unique node identifier to identify bus traffic intended for the network node. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of connecting a network node in a control network, comprising the steps of:
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securely attaching a detachable module to an external port of a node housing of the network node such that the detachable module locks to the external port, thereby placing a processor contained within said housing in electrical communication with a programmable memory encapsulated within said detachable module, whereby the electrical connection between the detachable module and the external port is sealed from exposure to the outside when the detachable module is securely attached to the external port; connecting the network node to an external network bus interconnecting multiple nodes of the control network, whereby the network node is enabled to communicate with other nodes connected to the external network bus; reading a unique node identifier from said programmable memory; receiving messages at the network node over said external network bus; and determining which received messages are intended for the network node by comparing a node identifier contained within a received message with said unique node identifier. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification