Methods and apparatus for controlling operating subsystems of a motor vehicle

• US 5,513,107 A
• Filed: 12/17/1992
• Issued: 04/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Gormley, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): PARK, COLLIN
• Application Number:
  US07/992,371
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 364/424.01, 364/424.03, 364/424.04, 364/424.05, 364/431.04, 364/550, 364/551.01, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.33, 340/825.34, 180/287
• US Class Current: 701/48
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/307 using data concerning maintenance or configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23355 Magnetic card
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24048 Remote test, monitoring, diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24167 Encryption, password, user access privileges
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25083 For each subsystem a configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25084 Select configuration as function of operator
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25171 Serial, RS232
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25175 Modem, codec coder decoder
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25179 Parallel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25432 Multiplex
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2637 Vehicle, car, auto, wheelchair

Abstract

Parameters for operation of a number of vehicle operating subsystems are stored in a vehicle controller and selected to control and configure the operating subsystems. Control and configuration can be based on individual recognized operators of the vehicle or an operating mode can be selected for the vehicle. For example, sport, cruise, luxury, off-road or other performance modes can be set up and selected. If a vehicle is to be operated by an authorized person who is not a recognized operator or is not authorized to select a mode of operation, default operating characteristic parameters are stored and selected. If the authorized person is to be restricted in the possible operation of the vehicle, a further set of limited operating characteristic parameters are stored and selected, preferably by entry of control signals corresponding to a security code. For example, if a valet is parking the vehicle, the limited operating parameters are selected. For security purposes, the limited operating parameters can be invoked after a defined period of time. Diagnostic and maintenance of the vehicle is provided by monitoring at least the operating subsystems connected to the vehicle controller and recording diagnostic data. The controller communicates accumulated data to a service center on a periodic or as needed basis for analysis by the service center. The service center in turn communicates with the controller regarding service needed by the vehicle. The controller then advises operators of the vehicle of the information received from the service center.

Claims

1. An integrated control system for a motor vehicle comprising:

vehicle controller means for controlling and configuring operating characteristics of said motor vehicle in response to control signals, said vehicle controller means comprising memory means for storing vehicle control characteristic parameters selected by said control signals;

suspension control means connected to and configured by said vehicle controller means for controlling a suspension subsystem of said motor vehicle in response to said vehicle control characteristic parameters;

engine control means connected to and configured by said vehicle controller means for controlling an internal combustion engine of said motor vehicle in response to said vehicle control characteristic parameters;

power train control means connected to and configured by said vehicle controller means for controlling a power train connected between said internal combustion engine and driven wheels of said motor vehicle in response to said vehicle control characteristic parameters;

steering control means connected to and configured by said vehicle controller means for controlling a steering subsystem of said motor vehicle in response to said vehicle control characteristic parameters; and

input means for generating said control signals, at least some of said vehicle control characteristic parameters being stored and selected as a plurality of ranges with each of said ranges having a plurality of subrange values which are stored and selected within said ranges, currently selected subrange values within a range defining the value of the range, said input means further providing for generation of selection signals for selecting said ranges and said subrange values within said ranges.

2. A method of controlling operation of a plurality of operating subsystems within a motor vehicle, said plurality of operating subsystems defining operations characteristics of said motor vehicle and said method comprising the steps of:

connecting a master vehicle controller to said operating subsystems;

storing operating characteristic parameters for configuring and controlling said plurality of operating subsystems in a memory of said master vehicle controller by performing the steps of;

storing for at least one of said operating subsystems at least two ranges of operating characteristic parameters; and

storing subrange values of operating characteristic parameters for each of said at least two ranges of operating characteristic parameters;

selecting a set of operating characteristic parameters from said stored operating characteristic parameters by selecting one of said subrange values of operating characteristic parameters for each range of operating characteristic parameters such that said selected one of said subrange values of operating characteristic parameters will be provided upon selection of the corresponding range of operating characteristic parameters; and

transmitting said selected set of operating characteristic parameters to said plurality of operating subsystems for operation of said motor vehicle.