EP0443465A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiplexing of accessories in a vehicle
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1991-02-15
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-02-15
Abstract
Abstract A control system utilizes a multiplex communication system for switchably operating power windows, power seats, power door locks, power mirrors, accessory lighting, etc. Switches mounted on the driver door and elsewhere communicate with a door-mounted microcomputer, which scans the state of each switch, prioritizes the requests, and issues commands in accordance with algorithms to control the windows, door locks, etc. The system has three modes of operation: Asleep, Active, and Awake. In the Asleep mode electrical power consumption is very small, and only a selected few input sensors are periodically monitored as to status. If a door handle is lifted or other action starts, the system changes to an Active mode, in which many more sensors are periodically scanned, and most output motors can be operated. In the Awake mode, windows can also be operated.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Clifton Barthel
- 👤 Charles John Luebke
- 👤 Bernd Erich Rehm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:15
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/03; B60R16/0315; B60R2016/0322; E; E05; E05Y; E05Y2400/00; E05Y2400/10; E05Y2400/40; E05Y2400/41; E05Y2400/415; E05Y2400/42; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
376 words
A multiplex control module for use in automotive vehicles having selected power operated accessories in the vehicle such as door locks, power adjusted seats, power lift windows, interior lights, entry alarm and ignition switch and door key cylinder and including a sensor for detecting the operative state of each such accessory and door ajar, ignition key and door handle, and individual relay means operative upon receipt of a control signal to effect a flow of current to one of said accessories, said module comprising: (a) housing means; (b) individual switch means operative upon user actuation to provide an input signal indicating a desired change of state of one of said accessories; (c) circuit means, including a microcomputer means adapted to be connected in the vehicle to a power bus and to receive along a signal bus a time-multiplexed signal encoded according to a predetermined protocol, said microcomputer means having an ASLEEP mode in which it is operative to periodically scan at a first rate said encoded signal firstly for the state of selected ones of said sensors and secondly for the state of said switches, said microcomputer means having an ACTIVE mode in which it is operative to scan said encoded signal firstly for the state of all of said sensors and secondly to scan for the state of all of said switches at a second rate substantially faster than said first rate, said microcomputer means in said ACTIVE mode operative thirdly to generate a control signal in accordance with a predetermined algorithm for each of said switch input signals and encode said control signal indicative thereof, said microcomputer means operative to go to the ASLEEP mode after a predetermined time interval of inactivity of all of said switch means, said microcomputer means having an AWAKE mode in which it is latched into the ACTIVE mode by the vehicle ignition switch being sensed in the "ON" state, said microcomputer means returning to the ACTIVE mode when the vehicle ignition switch is sensed in the "OFF" state, wherein said microcomputer means is operative to provide an encoded output signal according to said predetermined protocol for changing the state of one of said relays in response to a change of state input from one of said switch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
376 words
A multiplex control module for use in automotive vehicles having selected power operated accessories in the vehicle such as door locks, power adjusted seats, power lift windows, interior lights, entry alarm and ignition switch and door key cylinder and including a sensor for detecting the operative state of each such accessory and door ajar, ignition key and door handle, and individual relay means operative upon receipt of a control signal to effect a flow of current to one of said accessories, said module comprising: (a) housing means; (b) individual switch means operative upon user actuation to provide an input signal indicating a desired change of state of one of said accessories; (c) circuit means, including a microcomputer means adapted to be connected in the vehicle to a power bus and to receive along a signal bus a time-multiplexed signal encoded according to a predetermined protocol, said microcomputer means having an ASLEEP mode in which it is operative to periodically scan at a first rate said encoded signal firstly for the state of selected ones of said sensors and secondly for the state of said switches, said microcomputer means having an ACTIVE mode in which it is operative to scan said encoded signal firstly for the state of all of said sensors and secondly to scan for the state of all of said switches at a second rate substantially faster than said first rate, said microcomputer means in said ACTIVE mode operative thirdly to generate a control signal in accordance with a predetermined algorithm for each of said switch input signals and encode said control signal indicative thereof, said microcomputer means operative to go to the ASLEEP mode after a predetermined time interval of inactivity of all of said switch means, said microcomputer means having an AWAKE mode in which it is latched into the ACTIVE mode by the vehicle ignition switch being sensed in the "ON" state, said microcomputer means returning to the ACTIVE mode when the vehicle ignition switch is sensed in the "OFF" state, wherein said microcomputer means is operative to provide an encoded output signal according to said predetermined protocol for changing the state of one of said relays in response to a change of state input from one of said switch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means is operative to disable all vehicle door lock relays if (a) the key is in the ignition lock and (b) the ignition switch is OFF and (c) a door is ajar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means is operative in said ASLEEP powered down mode to scan said switches and selected ones of said sensors in the initial two milliseconds of the period of said scan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means is operative in said ACTIVE mode to scan all of said sensors in the thirty-two milliseconds following said scan of said switches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means is operative in said ACTIVE mode to perform said control signal computations within two milliseconds following said scan of said sensors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means in said ASLEEP mode is operative to scan said switches and sensors for the initial two milliseconds of each 100 milliseconds elapsed time and is powered down for the remaining 98 milliseconds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means is operative in response to a change of state of said door ajar sensor to change from said ASLEEP to said ACTIVE mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means is operative to go from the ASLEEP to the ACTIVE mode in response to change of state of door handle sensor and operative in response thereto to encode an output signal for activating the vehicle interior lights.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means is operative in response to an "express down" switch input to provide continuous actuation of the corresponding power window lift motor relay until the corresponding window position sensor indicates the window is in the fully lowered state, whereupon said relay is deactuated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
The control module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means remains in the ACTIVE state for a preset time interval after said ignition switch is sensed as being in the OFF state, and thus upon user activation of any of said window lift switch means permits actuation of said window lift relay means and after lapse of said preset time interval said microcomputer means goes to the ASLEEP mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
The control module defined in claim 1, wherein said switch means are arranged in a matrix having eight data lines and four scan lines, and said microcomputer means is operative to scan said matrix for switch state and upon simultaneous actuation of a plurality of said switches on a common scan line and on a common data line to disallow all such switch inputs until only a single such switch is actuated on a data line and scan line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The control module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means is operative in said ASLEEP mode upon sensing a change of state of said door handle sensor to go to said ACTIVE mode and upon sensing a change of state of the door ajar sensor operative to provide an output signal indicative thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The control module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means provides an output signal when the key cylinder sensor has undergone a change of state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The control module defined in claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means is operative to store in memory the limits of movement of the power adjusted seat in response to a limit position signal from the seat power adjustment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
265 words
A multiplex control system for use in automotive vehicles having a plurality of power- operated accessories comprising: (a) energizing means for each of said accessories; (b) housing means; (c) individual switch means operative upon user actuation to provide an input signal indicating the users desire to change the state of a selected one of said accessories; (d) relay means disposed adjacent and connected to operate each motor drive; (e) individual signal generator means operative to provide an electrical pulse for each of a desired amount of movement of each of said energizing means; (f) circuit means, including microcomputer means, adapted to be connected in the vehicle to a power bus and including a signal bus connected to said individual switch means, said microcomputer means adapted to receive along said signal bus a time multiplexed signal encoded according to a predetermined protocol, said microcomputer means operative to periodically scan said encoded signal firstly for the output of said signal generating means and secondly for the state of said individual switch means, said microcomputer means operative in response to an input from said individual switch means to generate a control signal output to one of said relay means in accordance with a predetermined algorithm for each of said switch means; and, (g) said microcomputer is operative to store in memory predetermined limit count number of said pulses; and, upon one of said generating means emitting a number of pulses a specified amount less than said limit count number, said microcomputer operative to disable said appropriate relay means or other energizing means associated with said signal generating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
265 words
A multiplex control system for use in automotive vehicles having a plurality of power- operated accessories comprising: (a) energizing means for each of said accessories; (b) housing means; (c) individual switch means operative upon user actuation to provide an input signal indicating the users desire to change the state of a selected one of said accessories; (d) relay means disposed adjacent and connected to operate each motor drive; (e) individual signal generator means operative to provide an electrical pulse for each of a desired amount of movement of each of said energizing means; (f) circuit means, including microcomputer means, adapted to be connected in the vehicle to a power bus and including a signal bus connected to said individual switch means, said microcomputer means adapted to receive along said signal bus a time multiplexed signal encoded according to a predetermined protocol, said microcomputer means operative to periodically scan said encoded signal firstly for the output of said signal generating means and secondly for the state of said individual switch means, said microcomputer means operative in response to an input from said individual switch means to generate a control signal output to one of said relay means in accordance with a predetermined algorithm for each of said switch means; and, (g) said microcomputer is operative to store in memory predetermined limit count number of said pulses; and, upon one of said generating means emitting a number of pulses a specified amount less than said limit count number, said microcomputer operative to disable said appropriate relay means or other energizing means associated with said signal generating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The control system defined in claim 15, wherein one of said energizing means comprises a drive motor and speed reducer means operatively connected to provide powered adjustment of a passenger seat.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The control system defined in claim 15, wherein one of said motor drive means comprises a drive motor and speed reducer means operatively connected to provide raising and lowering a vehicle door window.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control system defined in claim 15, wherein one of said motor drive means comprises a drive motor and speed reducer means operative connected to provide powered adjustment of vehicle outside mirrors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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