Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle diagnosis or maintenance indication
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-10
2001-03-13
Louis-Jacques, Jacques H. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle diagnosis or maintenance indication
C701S001000, C307S010200, C340S870030, C340S870030, C340S870030, C361S689000, C361S725000, C361S731000, C361S733000, C455S552100, C455S557000, C248S027100, C248S558000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202008
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to computer systems for vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Modem vehicles are typically equipped with several independent electronic systems. For instance, most modern vehicles have a sound system and a security system. The sound system usually consists of an AM/FM radio, a cassette or CD (compact disk) player, an equalizer/amplifier, and speakers. The radio and player are arranged in a metal casing or housing that is mounted in a dashboard of the vehicle. The housing has a standardized size, often expressed in terms of DINs (Deutsche Industry Normen), to ensure that the sound system is compatible with and can be retrofit into most vehicle dashboards.
The security system is entirely separate from the sound system. The security system generally consists of security sensors placed throughout the vehicle, and a central application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to monitor the sensors and determine whether security is being jeopardized. Security System also controls actuators to lock/unlock doors or windows, and an alarm or siren.
Most late model vehicles are also constructed with a diagnostic system that analyzes performance of the vehicle's engine, transmission and fuel system, and other components (1996 or later for OBD II, 1993 or later for OBD I). The diagnostic system can be coupled to an external computer to download or monitor diagnostic information that is useful to a vehicle mechanic during servicing of the vehicle. Additionally, the diagnostic system might include dashboard displays that inform the driver of various operating conditions.
In some recent models, vehicles are being equipped with a navigation system that incorporates a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The GPS receiver has an antenna to receive signals from a satellite network. The vehicle navigation system uses the satellite positioning signals to compute coordinates that locate the vehicle over the surface of the earth with regard to longitude, latitude, and altitude. Also, with the appropriate map software, the vehicle's location can then be shown on a map.
Cellular communications systems have also been added to vehicles. These communications systems enable the vehicle driver or occupant to transact telephone calls from their vehicle. Some of the more sophisticated systems are voice controlled which permit the driver to initiate or receive calls while traveling without removing a hand from the driving wheel, or diverting his/her eyes from the operation of the vehicle.
While these various electronics systems have proven useful to vehicle users, there is a drawback in that the systems are unrelated and incompatible. Each system employs separate proprietary dedicated processors or ASICs (application specific integrated circuits) which execute incompatible proprietary software. If a vehicle owner would like to add a security system to his/her vehicle, the owner must purchase an entire security system from one of the vendors and have it customarily installed. There is no way to add security functionality to an existing electronics system, such as the navigation system or the sound system.
SUMMARY
This invention concerns a vehicle computer system that is capable of integrating these diverse and separate systems as well as offering a general purpose computing platform that allows for easy expandability. The vehicle computer system has a housing sized to be mounted in a vehicle dashboard or other convenient location. This system provides an open hardware architecture and supports an open platform operating system. The open platform operating system supports multiple different applications that can be supplied by a software vendor. For instance, the operating system can support applications pertaining to entertainment, navigation, communications, security, diagnostics, and others. In the preferred implementation, the operating system is a multitasking operating system capable of concurrently running multiple applications. The computer has one or more storage devices (e.g., hard disk drive, CD drive, floppy disk drive, cassette player, or smart card reader) which permits the user to download programs from a storage medium (e.g., hard disk, CD, diskette, or cassette) to the computer. Also, the user can read or write data to writeable medium (e.g., hard disk, diskette, cassette, or smart card). In this manner, the vehicle owner can easily add new systems to his/her vehicle by installing additional programs.
In the described implementation, the vehicle computer system has three modules: a support module, a computer module, and faceplate module. The support module is formed as part of a stationary base unit of the housing that resides in the vehicle dashboard or other location. It has its own logic unit which can be implemented in a field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), customized processor, or the like. The support module also has an audio signal processor, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), which performs the signal processing for audio and video data. One could combine this DSP into the ASIC if desired.
The computer module can be connected to or removed from the support module. The computer module has a processor, such as an x86-type microprocessor, which runs the operating system. The computer module and support module are interfaced using a multi-bit bus, such as a PCI bus.
The faceplate module is detachably connected to the support module. The faceplate module has a logic unit of its own to control an RF transceiver such as a Cell phone, a two-way pager, or a point-to-point spread spectrum transceiver, a display, a keypad, and a CODEC. The faceplate and support modules are connected using a high speed serial connection. Data is exchanged between the faceplate and support module as a synchronized serial bit stream which is organized into multiple frames. Each frame has multiple data bits and at least one valid bit to indicate whether the data bits are valid.
The computer module stores and executes multiple applications. The computer module is connected to an Internet wireless link that provides access to the Internet. Individual user applications may be downloaded using the Internet wireless link.
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Beckert Richard D.
Moeller Mark M.
Wong William S.
Lee & Hayes PLLC
Louis-Jacques Jacques H.
Microsoft Corporation
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