US 7,725,230 B2 · Method and computer system for operating at least two interconnected control units

Abstract

A method and a computer system for operating at least two interconnected control units. The control units access sensor data and each execute at least one computer program for controlling operational sequences, in particular in a vehicle. The control units exchange synchronization information with one another. In order to design and refine a computer system in a way that will enable even especially complex operational sequences, as required in a modern motor vehicle, for example, to be controlled and/or regulated simply and cost-effectively with the aid of the computer system, using conventional control units, the control units execute the same computer program time-synchronously using a settable time lag.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method for operating at least two interconnected control units, the method comprising:

accessing sensor data with the control units, each of the control units having a housing with a plurality of inputs for connecting to a plurality of sensors and processors, wherein one of the control units is a master control unit and the remaining control unit is a slave control unit that receives synchronization information from the master unit;
executing at least one software program for controlling operational sequences on all the control units, in a vehicle;
and
continuously synchronizing the control units by continuously transmitting synchronization information between the control units;
wherein the control units execute the same software program time-synchronously using a settable time lag.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and computer system for operating at least two interconnected control units

Life of this patent

Method and computer system for operating at least two interconnected control units

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17