Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-06-26
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
C340S461000, C455S086000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253131
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to data communication in a vehicle, and more particularly to data communication interfaces for communicating control data in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When a vehicle is driven, it is desirable to keep the driver's attention as close to the road as possible. It is therefore desirable to place frequently-used vehicle controls on the steering wheel to minimize the driver's attention away from the road when adjusting the controls. Such vehicle controls are typically used to control the vehicle's headlights, horn, windshield wipers, cruise control, etc.
With the growth of computer technology, it is now common for electronically-controlled devices in a vehicle to exchange control data or status information via a data communication bus implemented in the vehicle. For heavy-duty vehicle applications, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has established a number of protocols to help standardize such data communication, e.g., SAE J1708/1587 and SAE J1939. The SAE J1939 protocol is an extended address protocol conforming with the Controller Area Network (CAN) standard that is well-known in the industry.
However, present day steering wheel controls for vehicles in the heavy truck and trailer industry are not configured to take advantage of the vehicle's data communication bus. Currently, steering wheel inputs, such as switches and controls on a truck's steering wheel assembly for controlling headlights, cruise control, windshield wipers, etc., are directly wired to relays in the vehicle that control the respective devices. Present means for wiring the steering wheel inputs to the devices in the vehicle are heavyweight, complex, and do not readily allow for future developments or modifications. Furthermore, changing the steering wheel wiring to accommodate individual preferences for the steering wheel inputs is difficult and expensive.
A need, therefore, exists for a steering wheel electronic interface that reduces the wiring required and increases the flexibility to add or modify functions and controls to the steering wheel inputs without having to redesign the truck electrical system. The present invention is directed to satisfy these needs and other shortcomings in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a steering wheel assembly that interfaces steering wheel inputs with electronically-controlled devices located elsewhere in the vehicle. In accordance with the present invention, a data communication bus is incorporated into the steering wheel assembly. When the steering wheel assembly is installed in a vehicle, the data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly is connected to a data communication bus in the vehicle.
The steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel interface module connected between the steering wheel inputs and the data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly. The steering wheel inputs provide control information to the steering wheel interface module, which in turn formulates data messages based on the control information. The steering wheel interface module transmits the data messages on the data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly to the data communication bus in the vehicle. The electronically-controlled devices in the vehicle are connected to the data communication bus in the vehicle and receive the data messages sent by the steering wheel interface module. The electronically-controlled devices may also transmit data messages back to the steering wheel interface module. In one embodiment of the invention, the data communication bus in the vehicle is connected to the data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly through a slip ring connection.
The steering wheel interface module preferably includes a processing unit and a memory in communication with the processing unit. The processing unit operates in accordance with programmed instructions in the memory to formulate the data messages that are transmitted on the data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly. The data messages may be embedded in the programmed instructions or may be in a collection of data messages stored in the memory and accessed by the processing unit when the control information is received from the steering wheel inputs.
The programmed instructions and data messages may be stored in the memory at the time the steering wheel interface module is manufactured, or may be programmed in the memory later in the vehicle production process or in servicing of the vehicle. In that regard, the processing unit includes a communication port for receiving the programmed instructions and/or data messages to be stored in the memory. Preferably, the processing unit receives the programmed instructions and/or data messages via the data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly.
The steering wheel interface module may further include a bus interface transceiver in communication with the processing unit and the data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly. Data messages formulated by the processing unit are communicated to the bus interface transceiver and transmitted by the bus interface transceiver on the data communication bus. The steering wheel interface module may also have a communication connection with one or more outputs on the steering wheel assembly to display status information.
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Bargewell Jeffrey E.
Bertalan Richard P.
Plummer Lew E.
Quigley Jon M.
Scherzinger Ted
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Marc-Coleman Marthe
Paccar Inc
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