JP2834268B2 - In-vehicle control device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle capable of realizing advanced and improved use of a vehicle.

[Conventional technology]

As is well known, a conventional automobile is provided with a key switch in a driver's seat. The control unit that controls various devices of the power system such as the engine starter, the fuel control device, and the transmission control device, and the control unit that controls the auxiliary devices (accessory devices) such as the air conditioner, power window, and car radio are as follows. Turn the key switch
When turned on, power is supplied, and the apparatus is activated or activated.

Therefore, when one vehicle is shared by several people, in some cases, the same number of keys as the number of people are required. If a plurality of vehicles are used jointly by a plurality of vehicles, managing the keys of the vehicles becomes quite troublesome. Further, in such a case, there arises a problem that the driving or running characteristics of the automobile do not always match the preferences of all the co-users.

Related prior art is, for example, JP-A-62-273649, JP-A-63-26138 and JP-A-63-223901, and JP-A-60-90947 cited in the last reference. It has been disclosed. Neither of these cited inventions is directly related to the present invention, but their description suggests the background of the present invention and will be helpful for understanding the embodiments of the present invention.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

An object of the present invention is to provide a system manager control unit for integrally controlling the operations and functions of various control unit devices and accessory devices when starting up, operating, and rewriting data, etc. It is to realize effective and flexible control of the unit.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention relates to at least various types of microprocessor control units each having a function capable of autonomously controlling various types of microprocessor control units or various accessory devices each having a function capable of autonomously controlling various driving states of an automobile. Either of these microprocessors is connected to one bus or a plurality of bus systems, controls the right to use the one bus or the plurality of bus systems, and is capable of autonomous control of each. A system manager control unit that integrally controls the operation and functions of the entire unit, and a part or all of the memories of the various microprocessor control units are transmitted through the system manager control unit to the system manager control unit and the various controls. Other than unit It is achieved by the vehicle control apparatus characterized by having a means for rewriting the part data or program.

[Action]

When controlling the operation of various control units for controlling the operation of a vehicle and the control unit of an accessory device, a system manager control unit that supervises these control units controls a right to use a bus to which the various units are connected and data rewriting. Thus, effective and flexible control of various control units can be realized.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automobile control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a main part of the apparatus of the embodiment, and indicates a system manager constituted by a well-known microprocessor. That is, the system manager 1 has a central processing unit (CPU) 3 and an internal recording device 5, which are connected by an internal bus 6 so that data can be exchanged with each other. Internal bus 6
Is further connected to the interface 7. A numeric keypad device 11, a card unit 13, and a display device 15 are connected to the interface 7 by a line 9.

The numeric keypad device 11 is a normal one to which numerical data can be input. The card unit 13 can read information recorded on a card inserted by a use vehicle which is going to drive a car, and write data transferred from the system manager 1 there. The information to be recorded on the card includes at least a code (ID) for specifying the user and information indicating that the card is registered in advance.

Other information desirably recorded on the card will be described later. Desirably, the data and information are magnetically recorded on the card, but other well-known types of recording media, such as so-called IC cards, can be used.

The display device 15 is used to display various guidances or messages issued by the system manager 1. The user performs the necessary operations according to the guidance or message, thereby constructing a desirable system for controlling the automatic operator and the accessory device. This display device 15 is called a system display device for another display unit used for displaying various instruments described later.

The interface 7 is further connected to an external bus 17, to which control units for various devices and accessory devices are connected. As shown in FIG. 1, such a unit includes an engine control unit 1
9, Converter control unit 21, Power steering unit 2
3, an air conditioner unit 25, a sensor unit 27, a disk unit 29, a display unit 31, a communication unit 33, and various accessory device units 35 such as a car unit 37, for example.

There are several types of units as described above. First, each unit has a microprocessor having a dedicated memory, and the memory always stores a program and data necessary for executing the program. Such a unit can autonomously achieve its own function by executing the program under the management of the system manager 1. Conventionally known engine control units, automatic transmission control units and the like may be used as this type of unit.

In another type of unit, the dedicated memory of the microprocessor does not always store the programs to be executed by the microprocessor, and transfers the program from the system manager 1 to the dedicated memory as needed. Is done. This type of unit functions exactly like the first type of unit once the program has been transferred to dedicated memory. The size of existing programs for car control is generally at most 30-
Since it is about 40 kilobytes, the storage device 5 of the system manager 1 can sufficiently store all such programs.

In addition, other types of units do not have a microprocessor. In this type, the system manager 1 stores all necessary programs in its storage device 5 and executes them to generate commands to each unit. Each unit drives and controls its control target in response to a command given from the system manager 1.

The invention can be applied to any type of unit described above. However, in this embodiment, the first type of unit is assumed. Therefore, each unit has a microprocessor and necessary peripheral devices, and performs its own function autonomously under the control of the system manager 1.

As already mentioned, the construction and architecture of such a unit is well known and further description will be omitted here. In the following, some of the units shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described only in relation to the present invention. Note that the operating states of the units described below and the relationship between them and the operating states of the system manager 1 are as follows.
FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (a) showing the operating state of each unit.
This will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

First, the engine control unit 19 itself has a microprocessor having a dedicated memory for storing a well-known engine control program. By executing the program, various types of engine control such as fuel control and ignition timing control are performed. Perform a function. In the operation of this unit 19,
Acceleration response characteristics with respect to the amount of depression of the access pedal, so-called acceleration correction coefficients in fuel control, ignition timing control, and the like can be changed by selecting corresponding constants stored in the memory. As a result, the user can change the driving characteristics of the car he drives,
For example, it can be freely selected from economic operation, normal operation, sporty operation, and the like.

The transmission control unit 21 has almost the same components as the unit 19. However, it is natural that the programs stored in the dedicated memory of the microprocessor of the unit 21 are different. The unit 21 operates in cooperation with the unit 19, and performs a gear shift according to the stored program each time the traveling speed of the vehicle or the rotation speed of the engine reaches a predetermined value. As in the case of the unit 19, by changing the upper predetermined value, the running characteristics of the vehicle can be arbitrarily selected from among "economy", "normal", "sporty" and the like.

The power steering unit 23 allows the user to select a factor equivalent to the gear ratio in a normal non-powered steering system that determines operating characteristics such as light but dull or heavy but sharp. This is performed by changing the corresponding constant stored in the dedicated memory of the microprocessor of the unit 23. The air conditioner unit 25 has a temperature set by the numeric keypad 11 via the system manager 1.
Based on the air volume, the air conditioner controls the room temperature of the vehicle and the air conditioner blower according to the program stored in the dedicated memory of the microprocessor of the unit 25.

The disk unit 29 is a well-known device capable of writing information to and reading information from a prop-disk. Such floppy disks record the programs needed to control the vehicle. Therefore, for example, a new engine control program can be supplied from the unit 29 to the dedicated memory of the engine control unit 19 via the system manager 1. Thus, it is possible to easily respond to the version up of the engine control program.

The display unit 31 selects necessary instruments according to the user's request from, for example, a speedometer, a tachometer, a fuel gauge, a cooling water temperature gauge, an engine oil pressure gauge, a charging voltage or ammeter, a clock, and the like. And display them on the display screen.
This unit 31 operates in cooperation with the sensor unit 27.

The communication unit 33 transfers data between units under the management of the system manager 1. Further, in addition to the above, as shown by a line 34 having an arrow, wireless data communication can be performed with an external facility such as a service station or a navigation center. For example, a diagnostic signal from the service station can be received to diagnose the entire system of the control device. Further, the user can receive guidance information from the navigation center and be guided to the destination.

Further, the illustrated control device has a unit 35 for other accessory devices, such as a car radio unit 37.
The car radio unit 37 performs tuning and volume adjustment in response to an instruction given by the user via the system manager 1. Similarly, the units of other accessory devices are controlled by the system manager 1,
The respective accessory devices are controlled.

Here, it should be noted that the unit shown in FIG. 1 is an example. Some of these units may be omitted and others may be added. For example, if the vehicle does not have an automatic transmission, transmission control unit 21 would not be necessary.
In the case of a vehicle with a non-powered steering device, the power steering unit 23 is not required. If an automotive power window is provided, the other accessory device unit 35 must include a power window unit.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, not all of the units initially installed in the vehicle are always operational,
It should be noted that only the necessary ones are selectively enabled. As will become clear later, only the units registered in the registration area of the storage device of the system manager 1 can operate. This registration can, of course, be changed at the appropriate time.

Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of an arrangement of various devices and instruments in the driver's seat. In the figures, the same ones as in the first illustration are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 2, the card unit 13 has a slit 39 for inserting a card and an eject button 41 for taking out the inserted card. As will be described later, when the eject button 41 is pressed, the card is ejected and an interrupt signal to the system manager 1 is generated.

The disk unit 29 has an opening 43 for inserting a floppy disk, an indicator 45 that lights up when the unit is operating, and an eject button 47 for removing the inserted floppy disk.

Button switch for starter motor (not shown)
49 is provided, and when it is pressed, the starter motor is driven and the engine starts to crank. The key switch 51 is a conventional key switch, which is provided as a back-up. Therefore, in this embodiment, the vehicle engine can be started either by inserting it into the card unit 13 or by operating the key switch 31 with a key.

Reference numerals 53 and 55 indicate the display screens of the system display device 15 and the display unit 31, respectively. Push button switch
A change / registration button switch 57, which will be described in detail later, is pressed when the user wants to change the units to be used and their specifications and register them. Reference numeral 59 indicates an operation handle.

FIG. 3 shows an example of allocation of storage areas for various programs or information in the storage device 5 of the system manager 1. As shown, the storage area has three areas 61, 63, and 65.
Is divided into The area 61 stores programs related to management of the entire system of the control device. In this figure, as an example, four programs, namely, SYS, MGR, CR
D, CMNCTN and DSK are indicated. Program SYS, MGR
Is a system management main program executed by the system manager 1 to manage the entire system. This program will be described in detail later with reference to a flowchart.

The programs CRD, CMNCTN and DSK are programs for the card unit 13, the communication unit 33 and the disk unit 29, respectively. In this embodiment, since these programs are executed at an early stage of the processing of the programs SYS and MGR, they are stored in this area 61. However, the types of programs stored in the area 61 largely depend on how the system is managed. Further, the contents of the programs CRD, CMNCTN, and DSK, that is, the processing contents of the card unit 13, the communication unit 33, and the disk unit 29 are not related to the essence of the present invention, and therefore, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

An area 63 in the storage device 5 is an area for registering the selected units and their specifications. In the figure,
EGNCTR, TRNSCTR, PWST, and DSP indicate the program names of the engine control unit 19, the transmission control unit 21, the power steering unit 3, and the display unit 31, respectively, and show examples in which each of the above units is registered. ing. Although not shown in the figure, the area in which each unit is registered is further divided into several parts, in which various codes, flags, and the like are written. As described below, such codes and flags indicate whether or not the unit is used and the specifications required for them.

The area 65 is an area for storing arbitrary data or programs that may be required for system management or various devices, accessory devices, and the like. This figure shows an example in which a list of registered card codes is stored. This is because, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of users own their own cards and use one or more automobiles jointly. In this case, for example, in order to prevent theft, the card of a valid user is
It must be registered in advance in these vehicle control devices.

Next, the processing operation of the system manager 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).
In this flowchart, the steps indicated by the dashed lines indicate the steps of the operation performed by the user.

When the user inserts his card into the card unit 13, the power of the system manager 1 is turned on, and the processing operations in these figures are started. When the processing operation starts,
The program CRD of the card unit 13 stored in the area 61 of the storage device 5 is started (step 71), and it is checked whether or not the inserted card is valid (step 71).
72).

If it is determined in step 72 that the inserted card is not valid, guidance is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 73), and the processing operation ends. For example,
A guidance such as "Invalid card. Insert valid card or start with key" is displayed. If it is determined in step 72 that the inserted card is valid, guidance such as "Please enter your specific code (ID)" is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 74).

The input ID is checked in step 75, and if it is determined that the ID is not correct, guidance is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 76), and the processing operation ends.
An example of this guidance is, for example, "Your ID is wrong. Please enter your ID again or start with a key." If it is determined in step 75 that the input ID is correct, the program CMNCTN for the communication unit 33 is started (step 77).

The processing operation up to this stage will be described later in more detail with reference to FIG. Therefore, further description is omitted here.

When the program CMNCTN starts in step 77, the communication unit 33 first performs a self-diagnosis (step 78).
If it is determined that the communication unit 33 is not normal, guidance is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 7).
9) End the processing operation. For example, this guidance is "The communication unit is abnormal. Please contact the service station."

If it is determined in step 78 that the communication unit 33 is normal, it is determined whether the disk unit 29 should be used. If the user wants to change the engine control program from the old version to the version-up version, use the disk unit 29 and replace the new program supplied from the floppy disk with the disk unit 29.
Engine control unit via system manager 1
Must be transferred to the dedicated memory of 19 microprocessors.

For the above judgment, for example, "Do you want to use a disk unit? If you use it," 1 "
Please enter from the numeric keypad. Is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 80). If there is no need to use the disk unit 29, “2”
Is input (step 81), the processing operation proceeds to step 96 (FIG. 4 (b)) described later.

If the user selects "1", the program DSK for the disk unit 29 is started (step 82). When the program DSK starts, the self-diagnosis of the disk unit 29 is first executed (step 83). Accordingly, if the disk unit 29 is diagnosed as abnormal, guidance is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 8).
Four). An example of this guidance is, for example, "The disk unit is abnormal. Do you want to use the internal memory? Enter" 1 "from the numeric keypad if using, or" 2 "if not using." . The internal memory in this guidance refers to the storage device 5 of the system manager 1, and the meaning of using it will be described later.

When the user inputs "2" in step 85, a guidance such as "Please contact the service station." Is displayed (step 86), and the processing operation ends. “1”
Is input, the processing operation proceeds to step 87 (FIG. 4B), after the above guidance is deleted.
Go to 96 (FIG. 4 (b)).

Returning to step 83, if it is determined in this step that the disk unit 29 is normal, the record on the card inserted in the card unit 13 is read (step 88), and it is displayed on the system display device 15. Is displayed (step 89).

Thereafter, the processing operation proceeds to the group of steps shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether the units to be used and their specifications need to be changed. To do this, ask "Do you want to change the units or their specifications?
To change the value, enter “1”. Otherwise, enter “2” from the numeric keypad. Is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 90).

If the user enters “2” and chooses not to change the units to use or their specifications (step 9
1) The processing operation proceeds to step 96. If not, step 92 determines whether the vehicle is parked. This determination can be made by a signal indicating that the shift lever is at the parking position, that the engine is idling or that the engine is stopped, and the like. If the car is parked, the units and their specifications cannot be changed.
This is because, for example, sudden changes in running characteristics while the vehicle is running can be dangerous.

If the units and their specifications are not allowed to be changed, guidance to that effect is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 93). Examples of this guidance include:
For example: "No changes are allowed. To park the car or use internal memory or park the car, enter" 1 "
Enter “2” to use the internal memory, or enter “3” to not use the internal memory. If the user selects "1" at step 94, the processing operation returns to step 92, and the loop operation of steps 92, 93 and 94 is repeated until the vehicle is parked. When "2" is selected, the guidance displayed in step 93 is deleted (step 95), and the processing operation is stopped in step 96.
Proceed to. In addition, if the user selects "3", the car is not parked, and the units used at that time and their specifications cannot be changed,
The processing operation ends immediately.

If it is determined in step 92 that the car is in a parking state, guidance such as "Please insert a disk." Is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 97). When the disk is inserted into the disk unit 29 (step 98), the operation is performed in accordance with the record of the units and their specifications in the area 63 of the storage device 5 of the system manager 1 (step 99).
Thereafter, a menu screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the system display device (step 100). If the card is still in its initial state (when it is the first time that the card is used to select the units to be used and determine their specifications), all the equipment and accessories installed in the car Items about the device are displayed.
The vehicle used will select the unit to be used.

The user operates the numeric keypad 11 in accordance with the displayed menu to change the units to be used and their specifications (step 101). For example, first, the first item “1”
Engine control unit "is highlighted. When the user inputs “1” from the numeric keypad 11, this means that the economic operation characteristic has been selected as the specification of the engine control unit 19. The input numerical data is temporarily stored in an appropriate area of the recording device 5 and moves to the second item "2 power steering unit" on the menu.

Then, when the user inputs “1” from the numeric keypad 11,
This means that the normal operation characteristics were selected as the specifications of the power steering unit 23. This input numerical data is also stored in the applicable area of the storage device 5, and the highlight shifts to the next item.

If the user repeats the above operation while referring to the menu screen and completes all the items, for example, the guidance such as “If the above is all right, press the change / registration button.” It is displayed on the bottom line of the menu screen in FIG.

When the user presses the change / register button 57 (FIG. 2),
The registered contents in the area 63 of the storage device 5 of the system manager 1 are updated according to the units determined in this way and their specifications (step 102). Then, for example, "Do you want to update the record of the card? If you want to update,
Enter “1”. If you do not want to update, enter “2”. Is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 103).

If the user inputs "2" at step 104, the processing operation proceeds to step 106 without updating the card record.
If "1" is selected, the processing operation proceeds to step 106 after updating the card record (step 105). In addition,
If the card is in the initial state, by selecting "1" here, the selected units and their specifications are recorded on the card for the first time. Updating the card record in this step has the following advantages. That is, the next time the user tries to use another car, the user simply inserts his card into the card unit 13 of that car, and the car having the same driving characteristics and accessory device as this time selected and prepared is provided. Can be used.

At step 106, a start command signal is generated.
As a result, power is supplied to the selected units, and the programs for those units are updated in accordance with the specifications selected in step 101 (step 107). As a result, those units are changed from the stop state to the standby state. Thereafter, the processing operations of FIGS. 4A and 4B are completed.

Incidentally, the start-up command signal is also generated at step 96. That is, when the use vehicle selects the use of the storage device 5 in steps 85 and 94, and when the user does not want to change the units to be used and their specifications in step 91. In such a case, the system of the control device is stored in the area 63 of the storage device 5 of the system manager 1.
Is constructed according to the contents of the previous registration in. Therefore, in this case, there is no need to update the program.
When the start command signal is generated at 96, the processing operation of FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) is immediately terminated.

Next, from the start in FIG.
The processing operation up to will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

After the start, initialization of the system manager 1 and self-diagnosis of the card unit 13 are performed (step 111). Next, at step 112, it is checked whether the card has been correctly inserted. If the card has not been correctly inserted, for example, a guidance such as "Please insert the card correctly." Is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 113), and the processing operation proceeds to step 114. In this step, it is monitored whether or not a card has been removed from the card unit 13. The operation of step 114 is to check that the card
Repeat until removed from 13.

If the incorrectly inserted card is removed, processing passes through step 115 and returns to step 112. This is because the step 115 is executed only when the guidance of “invalid card” is displayed as described later. The processing operation as described above is repeated until the card is correctly inserted.

If the card is correctly inserted into the card unit 13, it is determined in step 116 whether or not the inserted card is a registered card. This is performed by comparing the code uniquely assigned to the inserted card and the code assigned to the registered card with the code list of the registered card stored in the storage device 5. If the card has not been registered, the processing operation proceeds to step 117, where the guidance of "invalid card." Is displayed. Thereafter, the processing operation proceeds to step 114.

In step 114, the same processing operation as described above is performed. Then, if the card is removed from the card unit 13, the processing operation proceeds to step 112 after deleting the guidance displayed in step 117. Thereafter, the same processing operation as described above is performed, but this loop operation continues until the inserted unregistered card is removed and another registered card is inserted.

If it is determined in step 116 that the inserted card has been registered, processing proceeds to step 118, where it is determined whether the card is valid. As described later, for example, when a card is misused, a flag indicating “invalid” is recorded on the card. Therefore, in this step, the presence of such a flag is checked. If in step 118,
If the inserted card is determined to be invalid,
The processing operation proceeds to step 117, where the same processing operation as described above is performed.

When it is determined in step 118 that the card is valid, the contents of the counter prepared in the microprocessor of the card unit 13 are initialized to "1" (= n) (step 119). Please enter your ID. "
Is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 120). When the user inputs his ID (step 121), it is checked whether the ID is correct (step 122). As already mentioned, this is done by comparing the entered ID with an ID pre-recorded on the card.

If the input ID is correct, the processing operation is as shown in FIG.
Proceeding to the flow chart step 77, the subsequent operations are as described above. If the input ID is correct, the content n of the counter is compared with a predetermined value N (for example, "3") (step 123). If n does not exceed N, 1 is added to n and guidance such as "Please enter your ID again" is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 125). This loop operation is repeated until a correct ID is input.

If it is determined in step 123 during this loop operation that n has exceeded N, the processing operation proceeds to step 126,
Therefore, a flag indicating "invalid" is recorded on the card,
After the guidance is displayed on the system display device 15, the processing operation ends. This guidance is, for example, "None of the entered IDs is correct." Thereby, for example, theft of a car can be prevented.

By the way, during execution of the processing operations shown in FIGS. 4 (a), (b) and FIG.
You could press 49. As is well known, when the starter motor is driven, the voltage of the power supply drops significantly, which can cause the microprocessor of each unit to malfunction. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the starter motor is driven, an interruption process as shown in FIG. 6 is executed.

When the starter motor is driven, a starter signal as described later is generated. The system manager 1
For example, at an appropriate time interval such as 5 msec, the generation of the starter signal is monitored, and if the signal is generated, an interrupt processing operation is started (step 131).

When the starter signal occurs, the system manager 1
Instructs all units to save the state of the processing in their respective dedicated memories, whereby the saving operation is performed in each unit (step 132). When the starter signal disappears (step 133), the system manager 1 instructs all units to restore the state of the process saved in the dedicated memory, whereby each unit performs a return operation (step 133). Step 134). After that, the interrupt processing operation ends.

As previously mentioned, in steps 73 and 96 of FIG. 4 (a), the user is provided with selective guidance such as "Please start with... Or a key." Also, for some reason, the key may have to start the car. In such a case, an interrupt processing operation as shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

When the user inserts the key into the key switch 51 and turns it on, a key switch-on signal is generated. The system manager 1 monitors the generation of this signal at an appropriate time interval, for example, 50 msec. If the signal is generated, the interrupt processing operation is started (step 141).

When this signal occurs, the system manager 1
The processing operation shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and FIG. 5 is stopped (step 142). At that time, the system display device 1
All guidance displayed in 5 is deleted (step 143). After that, the system manager 1
The processing operation after step 77 in FIG. 7A is executed (step 144). Therefore, once the control device is activated by the key, the subsequent operations are the same as when activated by the card.

After the control device is started, the system manager 1 executes the tasks shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10. Both tasks are executed periodically, but in this embodiment, the task in FIG. 9 has a higher execution priority than that shown in FIG. Therefore, for example, the former task is executed every 5 msec., And the latter task is executed every 50 msec.

First, the tasks shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 will be described. After the start of this task, it is checked in step 151 whether or not the unit has issued a data transfer request. If such a request has been issued, the priority of the request is determined (step 152), and the order of data transfer is determined according to the priority (step 153). The decision result in step 153 is sent to the communication unit 33 (step 154).

The system manager 1 transfers the right to use the bus 17 to the communication unit 33 (step 155), and ends the operation shown in this figure. Thereafter, the unit 33 uses the bus 17 and gives it from the system manager 1. In accordance with the received information, data transfer between the corresponding units is performed.

The priority of such a request (ie data transfer)
It is arbitrarily determined in advance and stored in the storage device 5 of the system manager 1. For example, the engine control unit 19
The data transfer between the transmission and the transmission control unit 21 will be given the highest rank execution priority. The priority of data transfer between accessory device units will generally be low.

Next, the processing operation of the task shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 will be described. After the start of this task, it is determined whether or not a card has been removed from the card unit 13 (step 161). If the card has been removed, this means that the user is about to stop the operation of the engine and therefore generates an engine stop signal (step 162).

If the card has not been removed, step 163
It is determined whether there is any request from the user. Such a request is generated by the operation of the change / registration button switch 57 (FIG. 2) by the user. If there is no request, the processing operation ends.
However, if it is detected that a user request has occurred, a menu screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the system display device 15 (step 164).

In this case, the menu screen will be displayed with some of the items (units) face down. As a result, the unit corresponding to the item
Prevent users from performing any operations. For example,
Items of a unit, such as an engine control unit or a power steering unit, where changes while the vehicle is running can be dangerous can be hidden.

For example, if a menu as shown in FIG. 8 (although part of it is hidden) is displayed and “5 air conditioner” is highlighted, the user can select “3 change”. If so, the program for the air conditioner unit 25 is activated (step 165). Air conditioner unit 25
Executes the program, whereby the necessary guidance is displayed on the system display device 15, and the user
According to the guidance, it is possible to interactively change the specifications of the air conditioner, such as the set value of the temperature inside the vehicle and the blower air volume.

In this way, by periodically executing the task of FIG. 10, the user's request including the engine stop is
It can be monitored every 50 msec.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (d), a description will be given of the system manager 1 operating as described above and the transition of the operating state of each unit.

FIG. 11A shows the state transition of the operation of the system manager including the card unit 13, the disk unit 29, and the communication unit 33. That is, the transition of the operation state shown in this figure relates to a unit that operates according to the program stored in the system management program area 61 of the storage device 5.

These units in the stopped state are put in a standby state by inserting a card. When the user enters his ID (FIG. 4 (a), step 74) or turns on the key switch 51 (FIG. 2) using a key (simultaneously, steps 73, 76), These units are brought into an operating state, and after executing necessary steps, a start-up command signal A is generated (FIG. 4 (b), steps 96 and 106).

When the starter signal B is generated while these units are in operation, the system manager 1 executes the interrupt processing operation shown in FIG.
These units remain in a standby state until disappears. When the stop signal C is generated (FIG. 10, step
162), these units, from any state,
It is stopped.

FIG. 11 (b) shows the operation state transition of the engine control unit 19. The unit 19 in the stop state shifts to the standby state by the start command signal A generated as described above. Normally, in this state, the engine control unit 19
Self-diagnosis is performed. Thereby, if any abnormality is found, the unit 19 shifts to the back-up state. The content of the back-up depends on the engine control unit installed, but it is not directly related to the present invention.

When the user turns on the starter switch 49 (FIG. 2), a starter signal B is generated and the unit 19 is turned on.
Is in a start state. In this state, the starter motor is driven and the engine is cranked. During this state, the cranking signal D is generated. When the engine starts to rotate by cranking, the unit
19 moves to the operating state and performs the well-known engine control. In this condition, unit 19 generates a signal E indicating that the engine is running continuously.

As is well known, the unit 19 performs a self-diagnosis even in an operating state. Thus, if any abnormality is found, the unit 19 shifts to the back-up state. As before, the content of the back-up depends on the engine control unit installed. When an engine stall (so-called engine stall) occurs and the engine stall signal F is generated, the unit 19 in the operating state shifts to the standby state. When the stop signal C is generated, the unit 19 is stopped in any state.

Transmission control unit 21 and power steering unit
The transition of the operation state 23 is almost the same as that of the engine control unit 19 as described above.

FIG. 11 (c) shows the transition of the operating state of the display unit 31. That is, the unit 31 in the stopped state shifts to the standby state when the start-up command signal A is generated. In this state, the self-diagnosis of the unit 31 is performed. If any abnormality is found, the unit 31 moves to the back-up state. This back-up depends on the display unit being used.

After completion of the self-diagnosis, the unit 31 shifts to an operation state and performs a predetermined display operation. Even in the display operation state,
The unit 31 periodically performs a self-diagnosis. Thereby, if any abnormality is found, the unit 31 shifts to the back-up state.

When the engine stall signal F occurs, the unit 31
Is put on standby, whatever the state may be. The stop signal C also causes the state of the unit 31 to be in a stopped state, whatever the state may be.

Note that many of the accessory device units 35 show almost the same state transition as FIG. 11 (c). Although the air conditioner unit 25 belongs to one of the accessory device units 35, the operation state transition thereof is slightly different from that of the other accessory device units 35, so that it is particularly shown in FIG. 11 (d).

As is apparent from this figure, the unit 25 shifts from the standby state to the operating state only when the signal E indicating the self-rotation exists. That is, the air conditioner can operate only when the engine is running stably.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, various devices mounted on an automobile, such as a power system device and an accessory device, are activated or made operable by a card. This makes it possible to realize easy and flexible management of automobiles, particularly when a plurality of users jointly use one or more automobiles.

Such a card records a code for identifying the user. Also, the cards have their own assigned codes, while the control device mounted on the vehicle is provided with a code list of pre-registered and acceptable cards. By these two means, only a legitimate user can use an automatic person, and it is possible to prevent theft, abuse, and the like of a car.

Further, the present invention selects a necessary unit from various devices and control units for accessory devices,
There is a further advantage when applied to an automotive control device that has a system manager that freely determines their specifications and manages and controls the operation of the selected control unit. In this case, once the user selects the control units to be used and their specifications and records them on his card, he can use the card even when he uses another car. Thus, a vehicle having the same driving characteristics and accessory device can always be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an automobile control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of various devices and instruments in a driver's seat of an automobile to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of allocation of storage areas in an internal storage device of a system manager included in the control device of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 4 (a) and (b) are diagrams of the control device of FIG. This is executed by the system manager during the start-up operation period. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing operation, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing operation of FIG. 4 (a) in more detail, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are FIG. 4 (a).
(Or FIG. 5) and FIG. 8 (b) are flowcharts of an interrupt processing operation started by a user's operation or request generated during execution of the processing of FIG. 8 (b). 9) and FIG. 10 are diagrams partially showing an example of a menu screen used during execution of the processing of FIG. 10. FIGS. 9 and 10 show a system manager after the start-up operation period of the control device of FIG. FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (d) are flow charts showing the processing operations executed by the control unit shown in FIG. 1 ... system manager, 3 ... CPU, 5 ... internal storage device, 7 ... interface, 11 ... numeric keypad, 13
…… Card unit, 15… System display unit, 19 ……
Engine control unit, 21 ... Transmission control unit, 23
... Power steering unit, 25 ... Air conditioner unit, 27 ... Sensor unit, 29 ... Disk unit, 31 ... Display unit, 33 ... Communication unit, 37 ... Car radio unit, 35 ... Other Accessory device unit of 41, Card inject button of card unit, 47 Inject button of disk unit, 49 Starter button switch, 51 Key switch, 53 Display screen of system display device 15, 55
…… Display screen of display unit 31, 57 …… Change / register button switch.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Ishii 2520 Takada, Katsuta-shi, Ibaraki Inside Sawa Plant, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Hideharu Takahashi 4-6-6 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Hitachi, Ltd. (56) References JP-A-63-209394 (JP, A) JP-A-56-64130 (JP, A) JP-A-59-134028 (JP, A) JP-A-64-67050 (JP, A) A) JP-A-2-2743 (JP, A)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. Various microprocessor control units each having a function of autonomously controlling various driving states of an automobile or various microprocessor control units each having a function of autonomously controlling various accessory devices. Is connected to one bus or a plurality of bus systems, and controls the right to use the one bus or the plurality of bus systems, and is capable of autonomously controlling each of the various micro systems. A system manager control unit that controls the overall operation and functions of the processor control unit,
A vehicle that has means for rewriting a part or all of the memory of the various microprocessor control units to external data or programs other than the system manager control unit and the various control units via the system manager control unit. Control device. 2. The in-vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein a part or all of the memory is rewritten based on an external storage medium other than the system manager and various control units. An in-vehicle control device, comprising: 3. The in-vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein a part or all of the memory is rewritten based on selection information input from outside the system manager. An in-vehicle control device characterized in that all or a part of data or a program stored in the memory is selected and sent to various control units for rewriting. 4. The on-vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the system manager control unit is a controller for the various microprocessor control units connected to the one bus or a plurality of bus systems. An in-vehicle control device comprising means for performing data transmission control with priority given to data transmission control over data change externally requested by a driver.