Vehicle control system and apparatus therefor
AssigneeCNH America LLC
InventorBert Paquet
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a vehicle control system comprising electronic modules used for the automatic control of vehicle operation. The method for automatic storing of configuration file data of at least three electronic modules for the automatic control of vehicle operation, the electronic modules being coupled in a network. Automatically collecting a value of a parameter stored in the electronic modules, deciding which of the collected values should be maintained as being a correct value of the parameter, and sending and/or storing the correct value of the parameter to electronic modules which did not send this value for the parameter during the collection step. A corresponding device is also provided.
Claims32
- A method for automatic storing of configuration file data of at least three electronic modules for the automatic control of vehicle operation, the electronic modules being coupled in a network, the method comprising the steps of, at start-up of the vehicle:
- collecting automatically via the network a value of a parameter stored in the electronic modules,
- deciding which of the collected values should be maintained as being a correct value of the parameter,
- sending and/or storing , the correct value of the parameter to electronic modules which did not send this value for the parameter during the collection step.
- A method according to claim 1, wherein the deciding step is based on a majority decision obtained by voting on the collected values.
- A method according to claim 1, furthermore comprising a step of releasing the network for engine startup after the sending step.
- A method according to claim 2, furthermore comprising a step of releasing the network for engine startup after the sending step.
- A method according to claim 1, wherein the collecting step is carried out by sending messages over the network.
- A method according to claim 4, wherein the collecting step is carried out by sending messages over the network.
- A method according to claim 1, wherein the collecting step includes reading from an EEPROM.
- A method according to claim 4, wherein the collecting step includes reading from an EEPROM.
- A method according to claim 6, wherein the collecting step includes reading from an EEPROM.
- A method according to claim 1, wherein the collecting step includes reading from a RAM.
- A method according to claim 2, wherein the collecting step includes reading from a RAM.
- A method according to claim 4, wherein the collecting step includes reading from a RAM.
- A method according to claim 5, wherein the collecting step includes reading from a RAM.
- A method according to claim 7, wherein the collecting step includes reading from a RAM.
- A method according to claim 1, wherein the storing step includes writing the correct value into a RAM.
- A method according to claim 2, wherein the storing step includes writing the correct value into a RAM.
- A method according to claim 4, wherein the storing step includes writing the correct value into a RAM.
- A method according to claim 5, wherein the storing step includes writing the correct value into a RAM.
- A method according to claim 7, wherein the storing step includes writing the correct value into a RAM.
- A method according to claim 14, wherein the storing step includes writing the correct value into a RAM.
- A method according to claim 1, there being no synchronisation between the different modules.
- A method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration file data includes at least one of:
- configuration data concerning the configuration of the vehicle, calibration data which control outputs of the vehicle, settings data concerning vehicle parameters chosen by the user.
- A method according to claims 1, wherein the sending step comprises the sending of the correct value of the parameter to electronic modules via the network.
- A storing device for automatic storing of configuration file data of a plurality of electronic modules for the automatic control of vehicle operation, the electronic modules each comprising a memory, the electronic modules and the storing device being coupled in a network, the storing device comprising:
- collecting means for automatically collecting values via the network of a parameter retrieved from the memories of the electronic modules,
- a decision taking means for deciding which of the collected values should be maintained as a correct value,
- a distribution and/or storing means for sending and/or storing the correct value to electronic modules which do not have that value for said parameter.
- A device according to claim 24, wherein the decision taking means decides based on a majority decision in accordance with a voting algorithm using the collected values.
- A device according to claim 24, furthermore comprising means for releasing the network for engine startup.
- A device according to claim 25, furthermore comprising means for releasing the network for engine startup.
- A device according to claim 24, wherein the memory is an EEPROM.
- A device according to claim 24, wherein the memory is a RAM.
- A device according to claim 28, wherein the memory is a RAM.
- A device according to claim 24, the modules not being provided with synchronisation means.
- A device according to claim 24, wherein the distribution and/or storing means include means for sending the correct value via the network to electronic modules which do not have that value for said parameter.