Data processing: structural design – modeling – simulation – and em – Emulation – Of peripheral device
Reexamination Certificate
1994-06-29
2001-04-24
Teska, Kevin J. (Department: 2123)
Data processing: structural design, modeling, simulation, and em
Emulation
Of peripheral device
C703S026000, C716S030000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223146
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing programmed electronic control units (ECUs) and, in particular, to methods and apparatus for manufacturing programmed ECUs for use in an anti-lock braking system (ABS).
BACKGROUND ART
Typically, ECUs for use on automotive vehicles such as for use in controlling anti-lock braking (ABS) systems are programmed by the semiconductor manufacturer. Then the programmed devices are shipped to the circuit board manufacturer and placed in electronic control units (ECUs).
One problem with this approach is the relatively long period of time from the time the semiconductors are programmed to the time they are placed on a circuit board by the circuit board manufacturer. This is a problem because this requires that the software for programming the semiconductors be finalized long before the semiconductors are to be manufactured by the circuit board manufacturer. Because of this, new algorithms cannot be introduced into the software at the last moment. Also, oftentimes the software cannot be completely debugged prior to programming the semiconductors. This may result in a large number of programmed semiconductors being scrapped.
At least one semiconductor manufacturer has sought to provide guidance by way of suggestions to the customers of such semiconductors so that the customers can create a programming center for programming such semiconductors. Such guidance and suggestions are contained in the document entitled “EMD Automotive—OTP Programming Guidelines And Areas Of Consideration”, Revision 7, dated Jun. 24, 1993. However, this document provides little specific guidance in order to program semiconductor ECUs and provides no guidance at all as to how to reduce lead times during software changes and risk of software obsolescence.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for manufacturing a programmed ECU for use in an anti-lock braking (ABS) system in a manufacturing area wherein a semiconductor of the programmed ECU is programmed a relatively short period of time before it is placed on a circuit board to reduce lead times during software changes and risk of software obsolescence.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing a programmed ECU for use in an anti-lock braking (ABS) system in a manufacturing area wherein semiconductors of the ECUs are programmed, tested, marked, and mounted on a circuit board and tested after mounting on the circuit board, all based on programs downloaded from a common computer such as a personal computer.
In carrying out the above objects and other objects of the present invention, a method is provided for manufacturing a programmed ECU for use in an anti-lock braking (ABS) system. The method includes the steps of providing a memory programmer having a programming head in the manufacturing area, programming the memory programmer with an ABS control program for the ABS system and at least one test program, and conveying a semiconductor having non-volatile memory space to the programming head. The programming head receives and retains the semiconductor. The method also includes the steps of utilizing the memory programmer to program at least a portion of the non-volatile memory space with the ABS control program, utilizing the memory programmer to test the programmed semiconductor with the at least one test program, providing a marker in the manufacturing area, programming the marker with a marking program, and conveying the programmed semiconductor to the marker. The programmed semiconductor is received and retained on the marker. Finally, the method includes the steps of utilizing the marker to mark a surface of the semiconductor with indicia related to the ABS system based on the marking program, providing a semiconductor mounting system in the manufacturing area, conveying the marked semiconductor to the mounting system, and utilizing the mounting system to automatically mount the marked semiconductor at a predetermined position on a circuit board to obtain the programmed ECU.
Still further in carrying out the above objects and other objects of the present invention, apparatus is provided for manufacturing programmed ECUs for use in anti-lock braking (ABS) systems in a manufacturing area. The apparatus includes a memory programmer having a programming head located in the manufacturing area, a marker located in the manufacturing area, and a handler in the manufacturing area for receiving at least one storage device having semiconductors stored therein. The handler also conveys semiconductors from the at least one storage device to the memory programmer and later conveys the programmed semiconductors from the memory programmer to the marker. Each of the semiconductors has a non-volatile memory space. The apparatus also includes a computer for programming the memory programmer with an ABS control program for the ABS system and with at least one test program and for programming the marker with a marking programmer. The programming head of the memory programmer receives and retains semiconductors from the handler so that the memory programmer can program at least a portion of each non-volatile memory space with the ABS control program and so that the memory programmer can test the programmed semiconductors with the at least one test program. After the programmed semiconductors are conveyed from the memory programmer to the marker by the handler, the programmed semiconductors are received and retained on the marker so that the marker can mark a surface of each of the semiconductors with indicia related to the ABS system based on the marking program. Finally, the apparatus further includes an automatic semiconductor mounting system in the manufacturing area for mounting the marked semiconductors at predetermined positions on circuit boards to obtain the programmed ECUs.
Preferably, the non-volatile memory space is ROM space and the at least one test program verifies the ROM space.
Also preferably, the marker is a laser marker and the marker marks the surface of the semiconductor with indicia based on the results of the test with the at least one test program.
The advantages accruing to the method and apparatus of the present invention as described below are numerous. For example, the semiconductors can be programmed at a circuit board manufacturer in a manufacturing area so that programming lead times are short, thereby minimizing the risk of software obsolescence.
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EMD Automotive, “OTP Programming Guidelines and Areas of Consideration”, Rev. 7 Dated Jun. 24, 1993.
Lyons Robert P.
Pinkowski Mark C.
Shaya Jeffrey E.
Kelsey-Hayes Company
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
Phan Thai
Teska Kevin J.
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