US4969099A — Double-detecting, trouble-judging and failsafe de…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 124 words

A trouble-detecting device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; means for determining predetermined time durations in a non-performing region of control using said communication lines, wherein said predetermined time durations in the non-performing region includes a predetermined time duration from turn-ON of an ignition switch of said engine; means for repetitively outputting ON-OFF signals through said communication lines at least once within said predetermined time durations; and means for detecting a trouble state in said communication lines by sensing said repetitive output.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 124 words

A trouble-detecting device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; means for determining predetermined time durations in a non-performing region of control using said communication lines, wherein said predetermined time durations in the non-performing region includes a predetermined time duration from turn-ON of an ignition switch of said engine; means for repetitively outputting ON-OFF signals through said communication lines at least once within said predetermined time durations; and means for detecting a trouble state in said communication lines by sensing said repetitive output.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising, means for outputting a warning when the trouble state is detected.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 139 words

A trouble-detecting device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; means for determining predetermined time durations in a non-performing region of control using said communication lines; means for repetitively outputting ON-OFF signals through said communication lines at least once within said predetermined time durations; predetermined means for detecting a trouble state in said communication lines by sensing said repetitive output; and means for detecting whether a throttle opening is less than a predetermined value, wherein said predetermined time durations in the non-performing region includes a time duration during which said throttle opening is less than the predetermined value.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 139 words

A trouble-detecting device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; means for determining predetermined time durations in a non-performing region of control using said communication lines; means for repetitively outputting ON-OFF signals through said communication lines at least once within said predetermined time durations; predetermined means for detecting a trouble state in said communication lines by sensing said repetitive output; and means for detecting whether a throttle opening is less than a predetermined value, wherein said predetermined time durations in the non-performing region includes a time duration during which said throttle opening is less than the predetermined value.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 30 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising, means for changing engine torque during shifting, wherein the engine torque control information is transmitted through said communication lines.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 126 words

A trouble-detecting device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; means for determining predetermined time durations in a non-performing region of control using said communication lines; means for repetitively outputting ON-OFF signals through said communication lines at least once within said predetermined time durations; means for detecting a trouble state in said communication lines by sensing said repetitive output; and means for detecting whether a voltage between battery terminals is low, wherein the detection of the trouble state is stopped when the voltage is low.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 126 words

A trouble-detecting device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; means for determining predetermined time durations in a non-performing region of control using said communication lines; means for repetitively outputting ON-OFF signals through said communication lines at least once within said predetermined time durations; means for detecting a trouble state in said communication lines by sensing said repetitive output; and means for detecting whether a voltage between battery terminals is low, wherein the detection of the trouble state is stopped when the voltage is low.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 44 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for detecting whether the voltage between said battery terminals is low includes means for detecting whether a predetermined time duration has elapsed after a starter motor of said engine is turned ON.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 153 words

A trouble-judging device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; trouble detecting means for repetively sensing operation of said communication lines and detecting a malfunction in said communication lines to determine whether the communication lines are in a trouble state when a malfunction is detected and in a normal state when said operation is detected; means for detecting whether the trouble state detected by said trouble detecting means is repeated; means for detecting whether the number of repetitions of the trouble state is greater than a predetermined number; and means for verifying that the communication lines are in the trouble state when said number of repetitions is greater than a predetermined number.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 153 words

A trouble-judging device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; trouble detecting means for repetively sensing operation of said communication lines and detecting a malfunction in said communication lines to determine whether the communication lines are in a trouble state when a malfunction is detected and in a normal state when said operation is detected; means for detecting whether the trouble state detected by said trouble detecting means is repeated; means for detecting whether the number of repetitions of the trouble state is greater than a predetermined number; and means for verifying that the communication lines are in the trouble state when said number of repetitions is greater than a predetermined number.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 30 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 7 further comprising, means for changing engine torque during shifting, wherein the engine torque control information is transmitted through said communication lines.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 117 words

A trouble-detecting device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means, for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other, and for transmitting control information therebetween; parity check means for detecting a trouble state in said communication lines by comparing its own parity information with said control information; means for detecting when the parity information should be changed due to a change in said control information; and means for checking whether said parity check means is in a trouble state when the parity information is changed.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 117 words

A trouble-detecting device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means, for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other, and for transmitting control information therebetween; parity check means for detecting a trouble state in said communication lines by comparing its own parity information with said control information; means for detecting when the parity information should be changed due to a change in said control information; and means for checking whether said parity check means is in a trouble state when the parity information is changed.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 52 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 9, wherein one of said communication lines is the communication line for transmitting shift output information from said automatic transmission control means, and said parity check means checks for a trouble state in said one communication line when said shift output information is produced.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 9 further comprising, means for outputting a warning when the trouble state is detected.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 36 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 9 further comprising, means for detecting whether a voltage between battery terminals is low, wherein the detection of the trouble state is stopped when said voltage is low.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 44 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means for detecting whether the voltage between the battery terminals is low includes means for detecting whether a predetermined time duration has elapsed after a starter motor of said engine is turned ON.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 9 further comprising, means for changing engine torque during shifting, wherein the engine torque control information is transmitted through said communication lines.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 102 words

A trouble-judging device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means, for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; trouble detecting means for repetitively detecting whether a malfunction exists in said communication lines; means for detecting whether said malfunction detected by said trouble detecting means has occured a plurality of times; and means for verifying a trouble state when said detections of said malfunction have occurred a plurality of times.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 102 words

A trouble-judging device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means, for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; trouble detecting means for repetitively detecting whether a malfunction exists in said communication lines; means for detecting whether said malfunction detected by said trouble detecting means has occured a plurality of times; and means for verifying a trouble state when said detections of said malfunction have occurred a plurality of times.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 39 words

A trouble-judging device as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means for detecting whether the malfunction detections have occurred a plurality of times includes means for detecting whether the malfunction detections have continuously occurred a plurality of times.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 39 words

A trouble-judging device as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means for detecting whether the malfunction detection has occurred a plurality of times includes means for detecting whether the malfunction detections have cumulatively occurred a plurality of times.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 22 words

A trouble-judging device as set forth in claim 15 further comprising means for outputting a warning when the trouble state is verified.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 30 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 15 further comprising, means for changing engine torque during shifting, wherein the engine torque control information is transmitted through said communication lines.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 22 words

A trouble-judging device as set forth in claim 19, further comprising means for outputting a warning when the trouble state is verified.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 107 words

A trouble-judging device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; trouble detecting means for repetitively sensing operation of said communication lines and detecting a malfunction in said communication lines; means for judging whether said trouble detecting means has detected said operation a plurality of times after a malfunction is determined; and means for judging a normal state when said operation is detected a plurality of times.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 107 words

A trouble-judging device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other; trouble detecting means for repetitively sensing operation of said communication lines and detecting a malfunction in said communication lines; means for judging whether said trouble detecting means has detected said operation a plurality of times after a malfunction is determined; and means for judging a normal state when said operation is detected a plurality of times.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 30 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 21 further comprising, means for changing engine torque during shifting, wherein the engine torque control information is transmitted through said communication lines.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 23 words

A trouble-judging device as set forth in claim 21 further comprising means for outputting a warning when the normal state is not judged.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 127 words

A failsafe device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means, for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other for communication in a predetermined arrangement; means for detecting whether at least one communication line out of said communication lines is malfunctioning; means for changing the predetermined arrangement used for communication to a changed arrangement of the remaining communication lines in accordance with the type of malfunction detected in the communication line; and means for maintaining communication by use of at least one of the remaining normal functioning communication lines in accordance with said changed arrangement.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 127 words

A failsafe device in a system for integrally controlling an automatic transmission and an engine, comprising: means for controlling said engine; means formed separately of said engine control means, for controlling said automatic transmission; communication lines for connecting said engine control means and said automatic transmission control means to each other for communication in a predetermined arrangement; means for detecting whether at least one communication line out of said communication lines is malfunctioning; means for changing the predetermined arrangement used for communication to a changed arrangement of the remaining communication lines in accordance with the type of malfunction detected in the communication line; and means for maintaining communication by use of at least one of the remaining normal functioning communication lines in accordance with said changed arrangement.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 30 words

A trouble-detecting device as set forth in claim 24 further comprising, means for changing engine torque during shifting, wherein the engine torque control information is transmitted through said communication lines.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 28 words

A failsafe device as set forth in claim 24, further comprising, means for outputting a warning when the malfunction is detected in any one of the communication lines.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 40 words

A failsafe device as set forth in claim 24, further comprising, means for individually identifying the malfunctioning communication line by delivering pulses through the communication lines, the number of said pulses being preset in accordance with said type of malfunction.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-11-05	1994-05-07	1994-11-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-11-05	1998-05-07	1998-11-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-11-05	2002-05-07	2002-11-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Double-detecting, trouble-judging and failsafe devices in system for integrally controlling automatic transmission and engine

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