Multiplex communications – Communication techniques for information carried in plural... – Combining or distributing information via time channels
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-06
2001-05-01
Ngo, Ricky (Department: 2731)
Multiplex communications
Communication techniques for information carried in plural...
Combining or distributing information via time channels
C307S029000, C307S038000, C340S459000, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226305
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the years, fire trucks have evolved from simple vehicles for transporting hoses, pumps, and hooks and ladders to sophisticated command centers for controlling all aspects of the firefighting operation, from communications to nozzle pressure regulation. The increased capability of these vehicles is to a large part due to advances in the electronics industry, which have enabled complex and cumbersome mechanical controls to be replaced with more streamlined electronic devices. The conversion from mechanical to electronic controls has been rather haphazard, however, with each electronic device developed independently of the others, each having its own separate set of wires. Because no attempt has been made to integrate the various electronic devices into a single unit, the wiring within a typical fire truck has come to resemble a maze consisting of hundreds of wires. The huge number of wires becomes a problem when an electrical malfunction occurs, forcing a technician to test each of the lines individually in order to diagnose, monitor, and repair the problem.
Accordingly, the object of this invention is to provide a multiplexing system for integrating the electronic controls of a fire truck or similar vehicle in order to reduce sensor duplication, increase flexibility, simplify the wiring and facilitate diagnosis of electronic problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned and other objects of the invention are accomplished by an apparatus multiplexing system which controls and monitors all the electrical functions of a vehicle through a common two-wire data link. The system comprises a switch control unit which receives inputs from a number of sources such as switches and gauges on the dash panel of the vehicle, and converts these inputs into digital signals which are sent through two pairs of redundant wires to a microprocessor which decodes the signals and sends them to a power distribution unit. The power distribution unit then responds to the signals by sending out, shutting off, increasing or decreasing the power to different parts of the vehicle as needed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4639609 (1987-01-01), Floy et al.
patent: 4782330 (1988-11-01), Tindall et al.
patent: 5583419 (1996-12-01), Haller
patent: 5856711 (1999-01-01), Kato et al.
Athanasiades Neocles G.
McLoughlin John E.
Meng Toh Kiam
Heim Louise S.
Ngo Ricky
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