Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
Patent
1997-12-23
2000-08-15
Nguyen, Tan
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
701 33, G05B 1942
Patent
active
061049719
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control apparatus and especially to a motor vehicle control apparatus; that is, especially a motor vehicle control apparatus having a first control unit, a first programmable memory unit and a first interface. The memory unit is assigned to the first control unit and programs and data can be stored therein for the first control unit. Programs and data, which are to be stored from an external source in the control apparatus, can be transmitted to the first control unit via the first interface. The first control unit can receive the programs and data transmitted thereto and effect storage of the same in the first memory unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such a control apparatus is known, for example, from DE 43 32 499 A1.
The configuration of the control apparatus described in this publication makes it possible, in a simple way, to store programs and data in a programmable memory unit provided within the control apparatus. These programs and data are prepared by an external source (programming apparatus in the form of a PC and the like). The programmable memory unit is assigned to a first control unit (microprocessor, microcontroller and the like) and functions to store programs and data for the first control unit. Stated more precisely, the measures for the programming (especially when a so-called flash EPROM or the like is used as a memory unit) are limited essentially so that the external source is connected via an interface line (via an interface cable) or the like electrically to the terminal on the control apparatus provided therefor.
A configuration of this kind therefore makes possible a first time programming or reprogramming of the memory unit even in the built-in state of the control apparatus at any time and in a relatively simple manner.
The situation becomes more complicated, however, when one or several further memory units of a control unit or of several additional control units are to be programmed within the control apparatus.
The provision of several control units can, inter alia, be required because the function of a first control unit (main computer) should be monitored by a second control unit (second or safety computer).
In a corresponding application of the teaching disclosed in the above-mentioned DE 43 32 499 A1, an interface, which is accessible for the connection of external programming apparatus, could be provided in such a case for each control unit. This, in turn, would however make the first-time programming of the control apparatus (such as the programming at the end of an assembly line in a motor vehicle manufacturing facility) as well as also the later reprogramming of the control apparatus (for subsequent error removal or corresponding individual customer desires) considerably more complicated and more susceptible to malfunction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention therefore has the object to further improve a control apparatus in such a manner that the programming of several programmable memory units, which are assigned to control units, is always simple and can be carried out free of error.
Accordingly, a second interface is provided via which programs and data received via the first interface can be transmitted from the first control unit to a second control unit. These programs and data are provided for storage in a second programmable memory unit for storing programs and data for the second control unit. The second programmable memory unit is assigned to the second control unit.
In this way, it is sufficient to provide only one single interface for the connection of an external programmable apparatus or the like independently of the number of control units provided in the control apparatus and independently of the number of memory units assigned to these control units.
The first control unit is in the position to selectively store the programs and/or data transmitted to it via this interface, into the memory unit assigned to it or to transmit to another control unit for storage in the memory u
REFERENCES:
patent: 4751633 (1988-06-01), Henn et al.
patent: 5008814 (1991-04-01), Mathur
patent: 5019799 (1991-05-01), Oshiage et al.
patent: 5521588 (1996-05-01), Kuhner et al.
patent: 5712969 (1998-01-01), Zimmermann et al.
patent: 5826205 (1998-10-01), Koelle et al.
Nguyen Tan
Ottesen Walter
Robert & Bosch GmbH
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