Remote interface modules with programmable functions

A control system for a vehicle having a plurality of differentiated devices connected thereto, the control system comprising:

• a serial data link;
• a remote interface module having a communication port connected to the serial data link and a plurality of device ports connected to selected ones of the differentiated devices, the remote interface module being responsive to signals received on the communication port over the serial data link for assuming a functionality specified by the signals to produce particular states characterized by predetermined signal levels on the plurality of device ports;
• a vehicle component connected to a device port for control through the predetermined signal levels on the device ports;
• and
• an electronic system controller coupled to the serial data link for multiplexing signals on the serial data link, and comprising memory and microcomputer means for storing data structures defining functionality for the remote interface module and for generating signals for transmission over the serial data link to the remote interface module to apply the functionality and to produce the particular states.

A control system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a serial communication link;
• a first specialized remote controller connected to the serial communication link and responsive to selected signals received over the link and to locally sensed conditions for internally generating output states for any devices connected to the specialized remote controller;
• a non-specialized remote interface module connected to the serial communication link and responsive to selected signals received over the link for assuming selected output states;
• a vehicle component connected to the non-specialized remote interface module for control;
• and
• a central system controller connected to the serial communication link for multiplexing signals on the serial communication link, the central system controller comprising data storage for data structures defining the selected output states of the non-specialized remote interface module and defining signal specifications for the first specialized remote controller, and processing means for developing input signals for the remote interface module and the specialized remote controller.

A method of applying vocations to a vehicle wherein the vehicle includes an electronic system controller having a memory, a communication link extending from the electronic system controller and an access port into the communication link and devices requiring control, the method comprising the steps of:

• installing a non-specialized remote interface module on the vehicle, the remote interface module including a plurality of input and output ports for connection to devices installed on the vehicle to be controlled by the non-specialized remote interface module, the remote interface module being responsive to specific input triggering signals for assuming a specific state where states are characterized by the generation of certain signals on the output ports;
• providing a data structure of possible states for the remote interface module on an external computer;
• attaching the external computer to a vehicle via the access port and identifying the vehicle;
• and
• responsive to the identification of the vehicle, writing a data structure mapping of the states for the remote interface module to the memory of the electronic system controller over the access port from the external computer.

A vehicle comprising:

• a controllable component;
• an interface module coupled to the controllable component which may assume a function and a plurality of controller states for regulating actuation and energization of the controllable component;
• a communication link;
• and
• a system controller including memory for storing a data structure delineating permissible controller states and functions for the interface module for the actuation of the controllable component;
• and
• the interface module being connected to the system controller over the communication link for assuming selected controller states as directed by the system controller through signals applied from the system controller to the interface module over the communication link.

A control system for a plurality of accessories installed on a motor vehicle, the control system comprising:

• a plurality of device ports connected to the plurality of accessories;
• a signal converter and director connected to the device ports for executing a process responsive to triggering signals which applies predetermined sequences of signals to a first selected set of device ports and to transmit data from a second selected set of device ports;
• a serial data link for applying triggering signals to the signal converter and director and carrying data transmitted by the signal converter and director;
• and
• a programmable system controller connected to the serial data link for multiplexing signals and data on the serial data link and for executing a programmed process responsive to the data generating and transmitting triggering signals to the signal converter and director.