WO2008108751A2

WO2008108751A2 - Control module for controlling vehicular systems having different communication protocols

Info

Publication number: WO2008108751A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/005272
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven C. Mann; Jon M. Quigley
Original assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
Priority date: 2007-03-02
Filing date: 2007-03-02
Publication date: 2008-09-12
Also published as: WO2008108751A3

Abstract

A control module (100) includes a user interface (200) for entering user inputs, a micro controller (110) for processing the user inputs and a plurality of communication buses (120, 140, 160, 180) connecting the micro-controller (110) to a plurality of vehicular system controls (320, 340, 360, 380) wherein the buses (120, 140, 160, 180) operate according to different communication protocols.

Description

Control Module by Steven Christopher Mann

Jon Michael Quigley

Background

[0001] This invention relates generally to control modules and more specifically to an electronic control module for controlling various vehicular systems from an interior section of a vehicle. [0002] Certain vehicles such as trucks include a tractor portion and a trailer portion.

The tractor portion includes seating for a driver/operator and a passenger in the front and a sleeper portion in the rear. The sleeper portion provides a resting/working portion for the driver (or others). The sleeper portion includes comfort features such as lighting and HVAC (heating and air conditioning) systems (referred to herein as vehicular systems). For purposes of this description, the sleeper portion can be referred to as the "bunk".

[0003] Each of the vehicular systems is controlled by a respective control unit utilizing discrete settings. For example, in order to control the HVAC system such as the fan speed for example, either the voltage or resistance may be adjusted. A number of potentiometers are used for this purpose. Thermostat settings (HVAC) are also controlled in a similar manner. Each vehicular system (as well as individual functions within a vehicular system) is controlled by a separate circuitry.

[0004] Controls are provided within the bunk for adjusting the temperature setting and fan speed in the bunk. Similarly, controls are provided in the bunk for setting/adjusting lighting functions in the bunk. Typically, these are hardwired. [0005] Truck drivers/operators drive for a certain number of hours and then are required to wait a particular number of hours before they can resume driving. Drivers have the option of resting in the bunk during this down time. The bunk portion is providing increasing functionality and comfort such as accommodating a television or wireless communication for a computer. Therefore, in addition to providing an area for sleeping, such functionality provides the drivers an opportunity to communicate with dispatchers and submitting/receiving information, keeping up with paperwork via the computer, etc. Such features also result in increased use of the bunk.

[0006] Each vehicular system is controlled by a control unit (or module). User choices are entered via the control module. Each control module communicates with the corresponding vehicular system according to a particular communication protocol. [0007] Lighting systems and HVAC systems can be hardwired or can use the CAN

(both CAN 1850 and CAN 1939) protocol. Audio controls can be hardwired, communicate in a wireless manner such as utilizing Bluetooth or can use the CAN (both CAN 1850 and CAN 1939) protocol. Other protocols for communication include LIN and MOST. These standards are recognized by relevant associations such as the SAE (Society of Automobile Engineers) and therefore, are well known. Design for the control units needs to be updated each time a new communication protocol is established or adopted for each of the separate vehicular systems resulting in increased cost for truck manufacturers. [0008] As the use of the bunk increases, it is desirable to have the ability to control vehicular system in other parts of the truck from the bunk utilizing a single control module. Such systems could include, in addition to lighting and HVAC for the bunk, audio and HVAC for the entire truck as well as external lighting, etc. SUMMARY

[0009] Existing systems provide separate controls for separate vehicular systems. A single control for controlling a plurality of vehicular systems operating under different communication protocols can overcome the limitations described above. [0010] In one aspect of this invention, there is provided a control module comprising a user interface for entering user inputs, a micro-controller for processing the user inputs and a plurality of communication buses connecting the micro-controller to a plurality of vehicular system controls wherein the buses operate according to different communication protocols. [0011] In another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for providing user control of a plurality of vehicular systems. The method comprises selecting a vehicular system, entering a user input for controlling at least one function associated with the selected vehicular system, accessing a lookup table corresponding to a communication protocol associated with the selected vehicular system, translating the user input to a control signal based on entries within the lookup table and submitting the control signals to the selected vehicular system.

[0012] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium containing a computer program for a user control of a plurality of vehicular systems. The computer program, when executed on a computing device, causes the computing device to select a vehicular system, enter a user input for controlling at least one function associated with the selected vehicular system, access a lookup table corresponding to a communication protocol associated with the selected vehicular system, translate the user input to a control signal based on entries within the lookup table and submit the control signals to the selected vehicular system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

|0013| The several features, objects, and advantages of Applicants' invention will be understood by reading this description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0014] FIGS. IA and IB illustrate a micro-controller according to exemplary embodiments;

[OOIS] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a control unit user interface according to exemplary embodiments;

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of vehicular systems operating under different communication protocols according to exemplary embodiments; [0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a plurality of vehicular system settings according to exemplary embodiments;

[0017] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate exemplary lookup tables for the different protocols;

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a micro-controller according to another exemplary embodiment; and [0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a method for controlling vehicular systems according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0020] The following description of the implementations consistent with the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. [0021] In general, a control module controls the various vehicular systems from the bunk portion of a truck. Specifically, the control module controls the various systems in or pertaining to other portions of the truck outside the bunk where the systems operate according to various communication protocols. A control module in exemplary embodiments may facilitate control and operation of multiple vehicular systems operating according to a plurality of communication protocols.

[0022] An electronic control unit (ECU) or module according to exemplary embodiments utilizes ports/pins of existing micro-controllers to facilitate communication to various vehicular systems operating in different communication protocols. [0023] A printed circuit board (PCB) 100 is illustrated in FIG. IA. The printed circuit board may include micro-controller 110. Micro-controller 110 may include a plurality of pins 1 12, 1 14, 116 and 118. These pins can be timer input/output pins, synchronous/asynchronous interrupt pins, and the like. Micro-controllers are known and are not described in further detail. An exemplary micro-controller is the MCS-96 controller from Intel® Corporation, Santa Clara, California.

[0024] In exemplary embodiments, each of these pins may be configured to facilitate communication according to a different communication protocol 120, 140, 160 and 180 as illustrated in FIG. IB. For example, pin 112 may be configured to communicate according to the LIN protocol; pin 114 may be configured to communicate according to the MOST protocol; pin 116 may be configured to communicate according to the CAN protocol and pin 118 may be configured to communicate according to the Bluetooth protocol. Each of these pins may thus provide a communication interface (similar to a transceiver) between the micro-controller and the vehicular systems. Each of the illustrated elements 112, 114, 116 and 1 18 may comprise more than a single pin - that is, pin 1 16 may correspond to or comprise two pins for example.

[0024] Integrated circuitry may be designed for providing translation between bus media and the micro controller. The bus media functions as the medium for facilitating communication between the micro controller and each of the vehicular systems present in a vehicle. That is, the integrated circuitry may provide a translation between commands received in a micro controller format to instructions addressed to each of the vehicular systems.

[0025] PCB 100 may correspond to a control unit/module. A user may communicate with the vehicular systems via an exemplary control unit user interface such as control unit interface 200 illustrated in FIG. 2A. Control unit user interface 200 may include a plurality of buttons or touch sensitive input areas 210, 215, 220, 225, 230 and 235. The control unit interface is described in greater detail below. [0Θ26J Micro-controller 110 may receive user inputs from control unit interface 200. Micro-controller may communicate user inputs/choices with a selected one of a plurality of vehicular systems. As illustrated in FIG. 3, micro controller 110 may communicate with vehicular systems 320, 340, 360 and 380 via one of the appropriate communication interface 112, 114, 116 and 118 corresponding to communication protocols 120, 140, 160 and 180. This process is described in greater detail below. Vehicular system 360 may correspond to HVAC and vehicular system 380 may correspond to audio for example.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2A, control unit interface 200 according to exemplary embodiments may control functionality of a plurality of vehicular systems. That is, in place of a separate control unit for each of audio, HVAC, lighting, power, etc., control unit interface 200 may be utilized. Control unit interface 200 may include a button 210 for switching the control unit on and off. Control unit interface 200 may switch between modes using button 215. The various modes may include audio functions, HVAC functions, lighting functions, and the like. In addition, control unit interface 200 may include up/down buttons 220 and 225 and increment/decrement buttons 230 and 235. Each of buttons 220, 225, 230 and 235 may provide different functionality based on mode of operation. [0028] In audio mode, up/down buttons 220 and 225 may provide volume control; in

HVAC mode, they may provide fan speed adjustment and in lighting mode, they may provide dimming control. Increment/decrement buttons 230 and 235 may provide seek function for a tuner or switching between tracks in a CD player within the audio mode; in HVAC mode, these buttons may provide temperature control and in lighting mode, they may provide timer control.

[0029] In some embodiments, control unit interface 200 may also include a display

240 as illustrated in FIG. 2B. Display 240 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) and display information such as mode of the control unit (i.e. audio, HVAC, lighting, etc.) as well as details about each of these modes such as AM/FM/CD, heat/AC, interior/exterior lighting, etc. It may display radio station information, track information (for a CD for example), volume information, fan speed, temperature settings, lighting information, time, etc. Exemplary types of information (though not an exhaustive one) representing various vehicular system settings that may be displayed on display 240 is illustrated in FIG. 4. [0030] Micro-controller 110 may interpret or decipher user inputs from control unit interface 200 by comparing user inputs to entries (or values) in one of a plurality of lookup tables. A separate lookup table may be created for each protocol as illustrated in FIGS. 5A - 5D. For each protocol (MOST, Bluetooth, CAN and LIN), multiple modes (modes 1 to n) may be specified with each mode corresponding to one of the plurality of vehicular systems. Each of the modes may correspond to a separate vehicular system such as audio, HVAC, lighting, etc.

[0030] In operation, if the user selects audio as the mode within Bluetooth protocol for example, then micro-controller 110 may assign a "1" to communication with audio system and a "0" to communication with HVAC and lighting systems within the Bluetooth protocol for example. In this manner, communication with the audio system may be initiated and communication with other systems may not be permitted.

[0031] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment (FIG. 3), communication to the audio system 380 may be via the blue tooth communication protocol 180. Accordingly, communication via interface or pin 118 may take place while communication via the other interfaces (or pins) 1 12, 114 and 116 may be prohibited.

[0032] In some vehicle, multiple vehicular systems may operate according to one communication protocol such CAN 1850 or CAN 1939. Both HVAC and audio may operate under the CAN protocol for example. In this case, micro-controller 110 may also determine the vehicular system that is intended by the user based on comparing the user input to entries in the lookup table.

[0033] The user inputs may then be communicated to the intended vehicular system to achieve the desired functionality. This may include adjusting volume, setting fan speed, switching off lights, etc. in each of the vehicular settings. The message structure for communication between the micro-controller and each of the vehicular systems in each protocol is standardized and defined. Therefore, no additional description of the message structure is provided.

[0034] A micro-controller according to another exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, generic ports may be provided to pins 112, 1 14, 116 and 118. That is, each of these pins may not have to be configured to facilitate communication according to a particular protocol. A generic port may house a USB connection for example. Referring to pin 118 for example, a Bluetooth dongle may be inserted or plugged into the USB port corresponding to pin 1 18 to enable communication according to the Bluetooth protocol. A plug and play connection in a plurality of communication protocols 620, 640, 660 and 680 may be achieved. [0035J The control unit interface 200 may control a plurality of vehicular systems.

An exemplary control unit interface 200 may control various vehicular systems. Actuation (or depression) of power button 210 on control unit interface 200 may display the time via display 240 for example. Actuation (or depression) of the "up" or "+" button 220 repeatedly may result in toggling between displaying and not displaying the time. Actuation of mode button 215 once may change the mode to audio. Actuation of mode button 215 a second time may change the mode to HVAC. Actuation of mode button 215 a third time may change the mode to lighting. That is, mode button 215 may be actuated repeatedly to toggle between the various vehicular systems. [0036] The mode button 215 may be actuated to select the audio mode for example.

Power button 210 may be actuated to activate the audio system. Once the audio mode is activated, mode button 215 may be actuated repeatedly to toggle between and select the various sub-systems within the audio mode. The sub-systems in audio (vehicular system) may include FM, AM, CD and Satellite Radio for example. Similarly, within the HVAC (vehicular system), the sub-systems may include A/C and heating for example. In the lighting (vehicular system), the sub-systems may include interior and exterior lighting. As described above, mode button 215 may be actuated repeatedly to enter or toggle between the vehicular systems. [0037] Actuation of "+" (or "up") and "-" (or "down") buttons 220 and 225 may result in volume being increased or decreased in the audio vehicular system. Actuation of "Increment" and "Decrement" buttons 230 and 235 may result in seeking up and seeking down of frequencies or stations in AM, FM and Satellite Radio modes. In CD mode, actuation of buttons 230 and 235 may result in seeking up and seeking down of tracks or CDs. Actuation of power button 210 in each mode or vehicular system (audio, HVAC, lighting, etc.) may result in the deactivation of the particular mode (audio, HVAC or lighting) and the display may revert to displaying the time.

[0038] Similarly, in other modes (i.e. HVAC, lighting, etc.), buttons 210, 220, 225,

230 and 235 may be actuated in different combinations and order to achieve control over individual functions within each mode. Buttons 220 and 225 may be actuated to adjust fan speed in HVAC vehicular system and buttons 230 and 235 may be actuated to adjust temperature. Buttons 220 and 225 may be actuated to control dimmer settings in lighting vehicular setting and buttons 230 and 235 may be actuated to adjust timers for the lights for example. In addition to the modes highlighted (i.e. audio, HVAC, lighting), other modes may include idle settings and generator setting.

[0039] An exemplary method for controlling the various vehicular systems may be described with reference to process 700 of FIG. 7. A vehicular system may be selected at 710 via control unit interface 200 for example. The exemplary vehicular system may be the audio system. A user may also select the mode and function for the selected vehicular system at 720. The exemplary mode and function may be the radio and volume. The user input may result in micro-controller 110 accessing a lookup table at 730 such as lookup table illustrated in FIG. 5C operating in the CAN protocol for example.

[0040] Mode 1 of FIG. 5C may be associated with the audio system. Therefore, the user input may be translated into a control signal by micro-controller 110 at 740 based on entries in the lookup table. The control signal may be submitted by micro-controller 1 10 to the audio system at 750. The user input may be executed in this manner to achieve the desired functionality.

[0041] The control module as described in exemplary embodiments may be used as a secondary control module to control the functionality of the various vehicular systems from a different portion of a vehicle beside the front cabin portion of a truck for example. [0042] It will be appreciated that procedures described above may be carried out repetitively as necessary. To facilitate understanding, many aspects of the invention are described in terms of sequences of actions that can be performed by, for example, elements of a programmable computer system. It will be recognized that the various actions could be performed by specialized circuits (e.g., discrete logic gates interconnected to perform a specialized function or application-specific integrated circuits), by program instructions executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both.

[0043] Exemplary embodiments as described herein may be equally applicable in a minivan, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), a bus, etc. Any vehicle having separate sections or separate controls for separate sections may implement the methods and apparatus described above. The position of pins 1 12, 1 14, 1 16 and 1 18 as well as the particular protocol corresponding to each of the pins as illustrated is for exemplary purposes. For example, pin 1 12 may correspond to CAN or MOST or Bluetooth instead of LIN. [0044] Moreover, the invention can additionally be considered to be embodied entirely within any form of computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an appropriate set of instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction-execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch instructions from a medium and execute the instructions. As used here, a "computer-readable medium" can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction-execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM,

EEPROM, or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory

(CD-ROM).

[0045] Thus, the invention may be embodied in many different forms, not all of which are described above, and all such forms are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. For each of the various aspects of the invention, any such form may be referred to as "logic configured to" perform a described action, or alternatively as "logic that" performs a described action.

[0046] It is emphasized that the terms "comprises" and "comprising", when used in this application, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[0047] The particular embodiments described above are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is determined by the following claims, and all variations and equivalents that fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A control module, comprising: a user interface for entering user inputs; a micro-controller for processing the user inputs; and a plurality of communication buses connecting said micro-controller to a plurality of vehicular system controls wherein said buses operate according to different communication protocols..

2. The module of claim 1 , wherein the micro-controller comprises a plurality of pins including input, output and interrupt pins.

3. The module of claim 2, comprising integrated circuitry connected to the pins of the micro-controller.

4. The module of claim 3, wherein the integrated circuitry provides an interface between the micro-controller and the plurality of vehicular systems.

5. The module of claim 4, wherein the integrated circuitry translates commands received from the user interface in a micro-controller format to instructions for a designated vehicular system.

6. The module of claim 5, wherein the micro-controller accesses one of a plurality of lookup tables for the translation.

7. The module of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of lookup tables correspond to a particular communication protocol.

8. The module of claim 7, wherein each lookup table includes translation values for a plurality of modes.

9. The module of claim 8, wherein each mode corresponds to a vehicular system.

10. The control module of claim 1, wherein the communication protocols comprise at least one of LIN, CAN, MOST and BlueTooth protocols.

11. The control module of claim 1, wherein the vehicular systems comprise at least one of audio, HVAC and lighting.

12. The module of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of user input buttons.

13. The module of claim 9, wherein the user input buttons are actuated via touch.

14. A method for a user control of a plurality of vehicular systems, the method comprising: selecting a vehicular system; entering a user input for controlling at least one function associated with the selected vehicular system; accessing a lookup table corresponding to a communication protocol associated with the selected vehicular system; translating the user input to a control signal based on entries within the lookup table; and submitting the control signals to the selected vehicular system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the vehicular systems comprise audio system, HVAC system and lighting system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein communication with a plurality of vehicular systems is via at least two different communication protocols.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the communication protocols comprise CAN, LlN, MOST and Bluetooth protocols.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the selection of the vehicular system and user inputs are via a user interface.

19. The method of claim wherein the user interface is located outside of a cab portion of a truck.

20. A computer-readable medium containing a computer program for a user control of a plurality of vehicular systems, the computer program, when executed on a computing device, causes the computing device to: select a vehicular system; enter a user input for controlling at least one function associated with the selected vehicular system; access a lookup table corresponding to a communication protocol associated with the selected vehicular system; translate the user input to a control signal based on entries within the lookup table; and submit the control signals to the selected vehicular system.