Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Vehicle mounted systems – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-20
2001-03-13
Paladini, Albert W. (Department: 2836)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Vehicle mounted systems
Automobile
C307S009100, C370S401000, C701S029000, C701S102000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201316
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates a circuit configuration, in particular for function modules which may be provided in a motor vehicle and can be connected to a power supply and/or a control circuit.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
It is known that multiple function modules can be provided in a motor vehicle. These function modules are generally divided into different groups, which can be assigned to engine management and vehicle body electronics, for example. In addition, there may also be function modules which are used only for special equipment in an automobile, such as radio, car phone, navigation systems, etc. It is known that for data exchange and for driving the individual function modules, the function modules of one group may be connected to a bus system, e.g., a CAN bus, so that drive circuits can be implemented with multiplex technology, i.e., multiple usage of one line. To supply the individual function modules with the data relevant for each, it is known that the individual bus systems can be interconnected through a common gateway, i.e., a network of computers assigned to the individual bus systems. This gateway is responsible for releasing the individual bus systems for information transfer, for example, or for establishing priorities in the transfer and/or exchange of information among the information systems.
Such a gateway is known from IMechE 1989, pages 213-222, where the common gateway is implemented in a central unit having a control unit and a motorist information module. One disadvantage of this arrangement is that the central unit must have a standardized design corresponding to a maximum number of possible function modules, regardless of whether or not the various function modules are present in the vehicle. The motorist information module in particular must keep at readiness all displays which may not actually be needed due to the vehicle equipment selected. Another disadvantage is that, in the implementation of the gateway, a computer must be provided for the gateway in addition to the computer units of the central unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The circuit configuration according to the present invention is advantageous in that it provides a flexible adaptation of the central unit to a certain equipment level of a vehicle plus a common gateway through the central unit without requiring an additional computer. Due to the fact that the central unit with the motorist information module forms one basic unit, with the central unit preferably being detachably connectable to the motorist information module, a first bus system connected to the central unit, a second bus system connected to the motorist information module, the gateway implemented by a network of a computer provided in the central unit and only in the motorist information module. Since the motorist information module is interconnected via an interface, preferably a serial interface, it is possible to perform the gateway functions for all the bus systems using the computers present anyway in both parts, e.g., the central unit or the motorist information module, with the computers communicating over the interface provided. To this extent, it is possible in a simple way to omit the arrangement of an additional microcomputer for performing the gateway functions in the central unit and/or the motorist information module, because the network of computers present in the two parts may also assume the required functions via the interface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5351776 (1994-10-01), Keller et al.
patent: 5369584 (1994-11-01), Kajiwara
patent: 5856976 (1999-01-01), Hirano
patent: 5948025 (1999-09-01), Sonoda
Kenyon & Kenyon
Paladini Albert W.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
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