Actuator controller for selecting a communication language

• US 20030028257A1
• Filed: 08/06/2001
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Carsey, Joyce D., Gyoergy, Thomas E., Crawford, Daniel A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,864,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/3
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0075 For recording or indicating the functioning of a valve in combination with test equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31129 Universal interface for different fieldbus protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31136 Name of bus, canbus, controller area network
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33182 Uart, serial datatransmission, modem
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45018 Car, auto, vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45021 Wheel mounting

Abstract

An embodiment of the invention is an actuator controller for use in an actuator assembly. The actuator controller includes a processor for controlling an actuator associated with the actuator controller. A communication device is in communication with the processor. The communication device receives control commands from a master controller and is capable of communicating in multiple languages. A memory is accessible by the processor and the processor determines the language of the control commands and retrieves a control program from the memory corresponding to the language.

Claims

1. An actuator controller for use in an actuator assembly, the actuator controller comprising:

a processor for controlling an actuator associated with the actuator controller;

a communication device in communication with said processor, said communication device receiving control commands from a master controller, said communication device capable of communicating in multiple languages; and

,

a memory accessible by said processor,

said processor determining a language of the control commands and retrieving a control program from said memory corresponding to said language.

2. The actuator controller of claim 1 wherein said memory includes an actuator identifier, said processor determining said language of the control commands being responsive to the actuator identifier.

3. The actuator controller of claim 2 wherein said actuator identifier is an actuator part number.

4. The actuator controller of claim 2 wherein said actuator identifier is stored in said memory upon calibration of said actuator.

5. The actuator controller of claim 1 wherein said processor determining said language includes determining if said actuator is calibrated.

6. The actuator controller of claim 5 wherein said processor determining said language includes determining if said communication device is actively receiving said control commands.

7. The actuator controller of claim 6 wherein said processor determining said language includes determining if said control commands are valid.

8. The actuator controller of claim 1 wherein said processor determining said language includes said processor detecting said language in response to communication characteristics of said control commands.

9. The actuator controller of claim 1 wherein said processor determining said language is performed repeatedly on a predetermined schedule.

10. The actuator controller of claim 1 wherein if said processor fails to detect said language, said processor generates a default position command for the actuator.

11. The actuator controller of claim 1 wherein said language includes one of UART, CAN, PWM and analog communication techniques.

12. The actuator controller of claim 1 wherein said processor generates a default command position upon failing to determine said language.

13. A method of automatically selecting a language for use with an actuator controller, the method comprising:

receiving control commands from a master controller determining a language of the control commands;

and retrieving a control program corresponding to said language;

wherein said determining said language includes;

determining said language of the control commands in response to an actuator identifier if said actuator is calibrated; and

determining said language in response to communication characteristics of said control commands if said actuator is not calibrated.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said actuator identifier is an actuator part number.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said determining said language includes determining active receipt of said control commands.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said determining said language includes determining if said control commands are valid.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising repeatedly determining said language on a predetermined schedule.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein if said determining fails to detect said language, generating a default position command for the actuator.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein said language includes one of UART, CAN, PWM and analog communication techniques.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising generating a default command position upon failing to determine said language.