Device in a system operating with CAN-protocol and in a control and/or supervision system

• US 7,100,042 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2001
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Kvaser Consultant Aktiebolag
• Inventors: Fredriksson, Lars-Berno
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Kim
• Assistant Examiner(s): GYORFI, THOMAS A
• Application Number:
  US09/847,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20020044660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,944 Days
• Field of Search: 455/39, 455/3.01, 340/7.21, 340/7.29, 340/7.39, 340/7.45, 340/825.5, 380270-274, 380/278, 707/204, 713/151, 370/467, 709/225, 709/227
• US Class Current: 713/151
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 51/007 Loom optimisation
• CPC Class Codes: D03J 1/005 Displays or displaying data
• CPC Class Codes: D03J 1/006 Controlling a group of looms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence

Abstract

A control supervision system incorporates a digital serial communication and modules that are mutually communicable to this and operate with CAN-protocol. A control desk can be wirelessly connected to one or more modules operating with a signal protocol which does not take into account arbitration and/or confirmation functions appearing in the CAN-system. A particular receiving communication part executes the conversion of the signal protocol to the signal protocol of the CAN-system. A device for controlling a function in a first module in a CAN-system via a wireless connection to a second module in the system is provided. A system of mutually separate units, where each unit operates with a CAN-signalling protocol, intercommunicating with an identification system in which a key allocation between the units is based upon identities that are assigned by a module in the unit or a master system is also provided.

Claims

1. A testing device in a CAN-system including a digital serial communication bus and having a group of first modules connected to said digital serial communication bus at different locations (A) for controlling equipment at each location (A), the testing device comprising:

a second module connected to said digital serial communication bus at a location (B), spaced from said locations (A),

said second module including a radio communication means and means for generating an activation message in a complete CAN message format in response to a received message which has a partial CAN message format retaining substantially all of the CAN message format,

wherein said partial CAN message signals one of said first modules over said digital serial connection; and

a portable control unit having a radio communication means for establishing a radio communication link with said second module, and for generating commands for activating said equipment at each of said locations (A),

said portable control unit having an interface means for generating a partial CAN message representing said commands and having a substantially CAN message format,

said portable control unit transferring said partial CAN message via said radio communication link to said second module,

said second module generating said complete CAN message responsive to said partial CAN message and forwarding said complete CAN message via said serial communication connection to said first group of modules,

wherein said commands are capable of being observed at each of said locations (A) in response to said complete CAN message.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the CAN-system produces a first signal between the first modules to perform the particular process of the control system, and a first activation of the portable control unit at the first location gives rise to activation of circuits in the second module, generating the signal activation in the second module to produce said first signal.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the signal activation initiates a message in the second module for transmission over the digital serial communication connection to the first modules.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the second module transmits a message over said serial communication connection according to a predetermined order of priority in the ordinary exchange of messages between the first modules.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the second module causes an interruption in the ordinary exchange of messages or signals within the CAN-system, and the signal activation in the second module controls generation and dispatch of one or more test messages via a communication circuit to the first modules.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the second module, when a signal is activated imitates a control or supervisory function, which normally occurs in the CAN system and generates a supervisory control operation for a testing or fault-searching function.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the radiocommunication means operates with two-way connections such that a stimulation of a controlled or supervised component at a first module produces a feedback from the first module via the digital serial connection to the second module, whereby an information signal representing the stimulation is generated and transferred via the radiocommunication means to the portable control unit at the first module location.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the information in said messages makes it possible for a user to evaluate said control of said component.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the control of said component induces a signal emission via a fixed connection established between the first module means and an information-supplying unit at one of said locations A, and in that the information and signal-emission can be compared at the information-supplying unit in order to discover any defectiveness in the communication path via the serial communication, the second module and the radiocommunication channel.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the operation of equipment connected to said first modules are observable.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the radiocommunication means operates at frequencies of 2.4 GHz or higher.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the radiocommunication means part at the first module location is connected to a control or supervisory equipment part served by the first module.

13. A testing device in a CAN-system connected by a digital serial communication bus, the testing device comprising:

a first group of module means connected to said digital serial communication bus at a first group of locations (A), respective ones of said first group of module means being connected to control equipment at each of said location;

a second module means connected to said digital serial communication bus at a second location (B), and having a radio communication interface means for creating partial CAN messages which retain a substantially CAN message format from complete CAN messages on said digital serial communications bus; and

portable radio communication means for linking each location of said first group of locations (A) to said second module at location (B), whereby complete CAN messages from said first module means relating to the connection of said equipment are sent via said digital serial communication bus to said second module means and transferred as a partial CAN message via said radio link to said portable radio communication means.

14. A testing device which permits testing at a first plurality of locations of a CAN-system, the testing device comprising:

a module at each of said first plurality of locations that operates connected equipment;

a portable control panel connected to a radio communication terminal that is positioned at each of said first plurality of locations for as to receive information related to functioning of said equipment; and

a second module at a second location, said second module being configured to receive and create partial CAN messages which retain a substantially CAN message format from complete CAN messages on said CAN system,

said CAN messages containing information relating to the operation of said connected equipment, said second module including a radio communication terminal configured to forward said partial CAN messages to said control panel,

wherein the information relating to operation of said equipment is monitored by said control panel at each of said first plurality of locations.

15. A testing device for verifying operations of a CAN-system comprising a plurality of modules interconnected on a serial digital communication bus, wherein at least one of said modules at a first location has equipment connected thereto, the testing device comprising:

a control panel adapted to be moved from module to module, said control panel having a radio terminal that receives and transmits information; and

a second module connected to said digital communication bus at a second location, said second module having a radio terminal configured to receive partial CAN messages which retain a substantially CAN message format from said control panel,

wherein said radio terminal establishes a complete CAN messages from said partial CAN messages and transfers information received from said serial digital communication bus as a partial CAN message to said control panel,

wherein commands are issued to said equipment from said control panel, and information generated by said equipment is monitored by said control panel.