Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral adapting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-14
2001-02-13
Lee, Thomas C. (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral adapting
C701S033000, C307S010600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189057
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to accessory modules for use in connection with an electrical system of a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a module for providing a connecting point to a serial data bus of an onboard computer of a motor vehicle to allow communication between the serial data bus and an external accessory device.
2. Discussion
As computers and other sophisticated electronic devices become more powerful and more compact, the opportunity increases to use such devices in motor vehicles such as automobiles and trucks. In particular, the increasing availability of lap top or palm top computers is accelerating this trend.
In present day motor vehicles an on-board computer, typically known in the industry as an electronic control module (ECM), is used which is capable of controlling a large number of various electronic components of a vehicle. This is facilitated, in part, by a data bus which is used to transfer information between the ECM and the various electronic sub systems of the vehicle. The data bus of the vehicle carries a large amount of useable electronic information relating to the operation of the vehicle and its numerous electronically controlled subsystems.
In view of the large amount of useful information that is transmitted over the vehicle's data bus, it would be highly desirable to provide some form of relatively inexpensive apparatus which directly interfaces with the vehicle's data bus and allows communication of information from the vehicle's data bus to an external accessory device such as a lap top computer, an electronic compass, etc., and which also is capable of allowing a limited amount of information to be transferred between the device and the vehicle's data bus. In this matter, the information on the vehicle's data bus could be used to enhance operation of the external accessory devices, such as enhancing the operation of an application program running on a lap top computer. Conversely, in certain applications, the operation of the vehicle could be enhanced by information provided to the vehicle data bus by the external device. Also, by providing a convenient point to make electrical connections, such an external device as a lap top computer or an electronic compasses could be quickly and easily coupled and uncoupled to the vehicle's data bus without special tools or time consuming procedures.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an apparatus which is capable of allowing an external device such as a lap top computer, an electronic compass, etc., to be quickly and easily interfaced to a vehicle's data bus so as to be able to receive information from the data bus or to transmit information to the data bus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The apparatus of the present invention relates to a module that provides a convenient connection point to a vehicle's serial data bus to allow external accessory devices such as lap top computers, electronic compasses, etc., to be quickly and easily interfaced to the serial data bus of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus comprises a controller, and more preferably a microcontroller which is interfaced to the vehicle's serial data bus via a vehicle data bus interface circuit. The microcontroller is also interfaced to an accessory data bus interface circuit which allows the external accessory device to be coupled to the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a power terminal for providing power to the external accessory device. In one preferred installation the power terminal receives power from the vehicle power source continually. In another preferred embodiment the power terminal receives DC power through an ignition power relay switch which is controlled by the controller. Accordingly, in this embodiment, power is only available when the ignition of the vehicle is turned on. An accessory ground terminal is also provided.
In one preferred embodiment the accessory data bus interface circuit comprises an RS-232 interface circuit. In an alternative preferred embodiment the accessory data bus interface circuit comprises an RS-485 interface circuit.
The vehicle data bus interface circuit, in one preferred embodiment, comprises an interface circuit, and more preferably an SAE J1850 serial data bus circuit. In another preferred embodiment it comprises an interface circuit to a Chrysler collision detection (CCD) data bus developed by the assignee of the present application. In a third preferred embodiment it comprises a CAN (Controller Area Network) presently used in Europe.
The apparatus of the present invention forms a compact, relatively low cost means for providing a connection point for an external device such as a lap top computer, electronic compass, etc. to exchange information from a serial data bus of a vehicle. Advantageously, the external device can be quickly and easily uncoupled to the apparatus to allow the accessory device to be used only when needed.
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Pruett David A.
Schwanz Kevin A.
Stanyer Tracey
Chrysler Corporation
Fuller III Roland A.
Lee Thomas C.
Wang Albert
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