Method and apparatus for initializing vehicle-mounted computers

In a vehicle control system having an engine, a battery, a starter motor adapted to crank said engine with the electric power supplied thereto, a digital computer programmed to be initialized and perform calculations required for vehicle controls according to a preestablished operating sequence with the electric power supplied thereto, and a key switch connected to said battery and movable to a first terminal for supplying said digital computer with the electric power and to a second terminal for supplying said digital computer and said starter motor with the electric power, an initializing apparatus comprising:

• first pulse generator means responsive to the voltage change developed on said first terminal when said key switch is moved thereto and effective to generate a first pulse having a first constant time period;
• second pulse generator means responsive to the voltage change developed on said second terminal when said key switch is moved therefrom and effective to generate a second pulse having a second constant time period;
• third pulse generator means responsive to said first and second pulses and effective to generate a third pulse in synchronism with each disappearance of said first and second pulses, said third pulse being applied to said digital computer to initialize the same;
• and
• a battery circuit means including a diode and a capacitor which are connected such that said capacitor is charged by said battery through said diode with said key switch being moved to said first and second terminals and supplies said three pulse generator means with the electric power therefrom.