System and method of detecting and particularly identifying controlled devices
OwnerBarbara Jane Wightinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method of ensuring multiple devices, which are connected in series with a controller, can be detected by and particularly identified by the controller.
Claims19
A control system comprising:
- a controller;
- a wiring harness including a first plurality of electrical couplings connected in series with the controller, a first one of the first plurality of electrical couplings being located along the harness closest to the controller, and a last one of the first plurality of electrical couplings being located along the harness furthest from the controller;
- and
- a plurality of devices electrically connected via the wiring harness to the controller, each of the plurality of devices being electrically connected to a respective one of the first plurality of electrical couplings via a corresponding one of a second plurality of electrical couplings;
- wherein sequential electrical connection of the corresponding one of the second plurality of electrical couplings with the first through the last ones of the first plurality of electrical couplings increases a closed path of detected and identified devices, as recognized with the controller.
A climate control system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a controller directing airflow to at least one of a footwell, interior vents and a windshield defroster;
- a wiring harness including a first plurality of electrical couplings connected in series with the controller, a first one of the first plurality of electrical couplings being located along the harness closest to the controller, and a last one of the first plurality of electrical couplings being located along the harness furthest from the controller;
- and
- a plurality of devices electrically connected via the wiring harness to the controller, each of the plurality of devices being electrically connected to a respective one of the first plurality of electrical couplings via a corresponding one of a second plurality of electrical couplings;
- wherein sequential electrical connection of the corresponding one of the second plurality of electrical couplings with the first through the last ones of the first plurality of electrical couplings increases a closed path of detected and identified devices, as recognized with the controller.
A method of assembling a system including a controller, a wiring harness having at least two electrically open ports connected in series with the controller, and at least two devices, the method comprising:
- identifying with the controller a first one of the devices when an electrical connection via a first one of the ports creates a closed path;
- and
- identifying with the controller a second one of the devices when an electrical connection via a second one of the ports expands the closed path.
A method of assembling a system including a controller, a wiring harness having a plurality of electrically open ports connected in series with the controller, and a plurality of devices, the method comprising:
- defining a closed path including only the controller and a first recognized one of the plurality of devices;
- and
- expanding the closed path so as to include only the controller, the first recognized one of the plurality of devices, and a second recognized one of the plurality of devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.