Multiplex transmission system for vehicles

A multiplex transmission system for a vehicle comprising:

• a multiplex transmission path;
• a plurality of multiplex nodes, said multiplex nodes being connected to said multiplex transmission path, the multiplex nodes being capable of sending and receiving respective electrical signals containing information of each respective multiplex node to and from said multiplex transmission path, each of said electrical signals including a portion indicating a priority of said electrical signal, said multiplex nodes including means for giving said portion of said electrical signals a plurality of priorities, means for storing said plurality of priorities and means for determining the priority of said electrical signals in a predetermined manner such that a signal with higher priority is sent prior to a signal with lower priority when said multiplex nodes are sending respective electrical signals at the same time;
• a control node operatively connected to said multiplex transmission path, said control node including a detecting means for detecting a traffic condition on the multiplex transmission path;
• and
• priority changing means operatively connected to said multiplex nodes for changing the priority of said portion of said electrical signals sent by at least one of the multiplex nodes in response to the traffic condition detected by the detecting means.

A multiplex transmission system for a vehicle comprising:

• a multiplex transmission path;
• a plurality of multiplex nodes, said multiplex nodes being connected to said multiplex transmission path, the multiplex nodes being capable of sending and receiving respective electrical signals containing information of each respective multiplex node to and from said multiplex transmission path, each of said electrical signals including a portion indicating a priority of said electrical signal, said multiplex nodes including means for giving said portion of said electrical signals a plurality of priorities and means for determining the priority of said electrical signals in a predetermined manner such that a signal with higher priority is sent prior to a signal with lower priority when said multiplex nodes are sending respective electrical signals at the same time;
• a control node operatively connected to said multiplex transmission path, said control node including a detecting means for detecting a traffic condition on the multiplex transmission path;
• and
• priority changing means operatively connected to said multiplex nodes for changing the priority of said portion of said electrical signals sent by at least one of the multiplex nodes in response to the traffic condition detected by the detecting means, said priority changing means switches the priority of signals between a first order and a second order so that said nodes having a higher priority based on said first order have a lower priority based on said second order.