JPS59113724A - Computer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] This invention relates to computers, particularly gate computers for automobiles.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

The much-talked-about gate computers for automobiles, in addition to a number of measured values such as driving speed, engine speed, oil tank volume, fuel consumption values, and coolant temperature, also contain, among other things, time data such as the time or date. It is also a display device that has become known. Typically, microcomputers or microprocessors are used in these MD computers.

Traditionally, these microcomputers and microprocessors have relatively high current consumption.

Therefore, the current supply for this type of computer is particularly problematic if it is supplied from the car battery, which in any case is heavily loaded, since it is possible to use multiple values, e.g. the distance traveled. The gate computer must keep the voltage constant even when the vehicle's operating switch (ignition switch) is turned off, so that the generation of the necessary signals for time or date is not interrupted. This is because it must be supplied without interruption.

To this day, computers with all switching stages are connected directly to the car battery.

[Purpose of the invention]

The invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a computer that can at least temporarily reduce current consumption. , the invention comprises a plurality of electronic switching stages (actual microcomputers) necessary for processing signals such as measurement value signals and time signals, and also for displaying the date in addition to the data extracted from the measurement value signals. Possible display device and/? a current supply device having an actuation switch for supplying power from the switch to said switching stage, said current supply device supplying power to at least a part of the switching stage dedicated to processing the measured value signal and operating the switching stage in the off position. at least two circuits including a first circuit that is switched off by a switching signal outputted by the switch and a second circuit that is at least temporarily connected to the battery even in the off position of the activation switch and powers the other switching stages. The above problem is solved by a computer having two circuits. The invention is based on the knowledge that not all switching stages of computers of this type must always appear connected to a voltage source. On this basis, the invention is based on the idea that each switching stage should be supplied with voltage by a separate circuit, i.e. a switching stage dedicated to the processing of these measurement signal It is powered by a circuit that can be turned off by an activation switch. In practice, this already considerably reduces the current consumption 1 in order to prevent the motor vehicle battery from discharging into an unacceptable manner during periods of vehicle standstill. This is because the switching stages necessary for the generation of the time signal are supplied by other circuits that are permanently connected to the voltage source, so that it is always possible to see the time display.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the microcomputer and the different switching stages dedicated to processing the measured values are all powered from a first circuit, and this first
The circuit is interrupted when the activation switch is in the OFF state. Each separate clock module is powered by a second circuit that is permanently connected to a voltage source, and the Conoclock module provides the necessary signals to indicate the time and date. The display element of the display device is controlled by the signal of this clock module and is electrically separated from the display element for the measured values. That is, this embodiment allows circuit partitioning to
It is based on the knowledge that it is particularly easy to achieve, and therefore the time data are not connected to the display device by an actual microcomputer.

However, the basic idea of this invention is also (
This can also be realized when one and the same display element of the display device is used for displaying measured value data and time data (although this is the most common case), so that the time signals are also combined and transferred to the display device by the microcomputer. must be conveyed. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, all of the switching stages dedicated to the generation of the time signal are powered by a second circuit permanently connected to the battery, and the switching stages serving for the processing of the measurement value signal and the time signal An embodiment is proposed in which the stage is powered by a third circuit, so that upon turning on the activation switch, said third circuit:
It is permanently connected to a voltage source and temporarily connected when the operating switch is turned off. In this case, it is only essential that such a computer has a switching stage which, when the operating switch is off, must be turned on only when the time signal changes. Therefore, if, for example, the time has to be displayed only in exact minutes, it is sufficient to connect these switching stages to a battery for a constant time interval every minute, and therefore the time will change Time signals can be received.

[Embodiments of the invention]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows its circuit configuration, and 10 is a microcomputer, which has an internal ROM and RAM. Furthermore, an analog-to-digital converter 1 may be integrated into the microcomputer. The measured value signal is conducted via an input terminal 12 to the transducer 1, which can also be constructed as a separate, single module. Furthermore, the input or output stage for acquiring or outputting the signals of the data bus 13 is configured as part of the microcomputer.

In FIG. 1, the switching stage for storing individual data is indicated at 14. This switching stage is composed of a nonvolatile memory 14hi or a volatile memory 14b. A so-called clock memory is indicated by 15 in the figure. This clock memory has an internal clock generator, and the signal is
A date, for example a time, is supplied to the output of the clock memory from which it can be extracted. In most cases, a switching stage 16 is required to operate the computer, which converts the signals on the data bus 13 so that the display elements of the display device 17 are controlled. In this case, for example, the switching stage is concerned with increasing the voltage level of the signal supplied by the microcomputer. In most cases, it is used to control the display elements of a type of display, such as an LCD. Whereas a voltage level varying between zero and zero is required, a microcomputer actually provides a signal at a voltage of five or zero and four voltages. The switching stage I6 then supplies the necessary power supply voltage for the display device 17.

The entire computer is powered by a battery 18. The activation switch is indicated by 19 in the figure, which is
For example, the ignition switch of a car is used because, according to the prior art, microcomputers are not manufactured in CMO8 technology.

The current consumption of this type of microcomputer is 50 m
It is on the order of A. If the car's battery were to carry this much load current for several days, as it would recharge throughout the car's operation, one would expect that the car's engine would no longer be started. It won't happen. To prevent this drawback, the current supply system of the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 1 has two independent circuits 2θ and 2NO. The first circuit 20 can be switched off by means of an activation switch, which in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 supplies a switching stage dedicated to processing the measurement signal.

These switching stages are, in addition to the switching stage 16 for powering the display device 17, the microcomputer 10, the analog-to-digital converter 11, and the memory switching stage 14a. These switching stages are not necessary when the vehicle is stationary. In contrast, clock module 1
5 and, if required, the volatile memory switching stage 14b is controlled by a second circuit 21, which is manufactured in CMO8 technology and consumes only a small amount of current. do not have. This second circuit 2
1 is constantly connected to the car battery 18. However, this circuit division is only possible when the power of the display element of the display device 17 is controlled by the clock module 15;
It is electrically separated from the display element for the measured values.

This corresponds to two partial areas 17m and 1 in Figure 1.
Symbolically indicated by the display being divided into 7b, only area 77b is used for displaying the time. Therefore, in Jin's system, no time signal is provided to the data bus 13, which is part of the microcomputer 10. Rather, the clock module 150 time signal is conveyed directly to the display elements of area 17b of display device 17 by a further data bus 221C.

Additionally, with reference to FIG. 1, it is noted that when volatile memory storage 14b is used, standby battery 2
3 is required to retain special data, such as mileage, when the car's battery is turned off. Of course, it is not absolutely necessary that all of the switching stages dedicated to processing the measurement signal are powered by the first circuit 20. A reduction in current consumption is already achieved when at least part of the switching stage dedicated to processing the measurement value signal is powered by the first circuit, which can be interrupted.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment in which the measured value and time data are displayed by the same display element of the display device 17. FIG. That is, compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the display element for measured values in this embodiment is not electrically separated from the display element for time. The output signal of the clock module 15 is transmitted to the data station 13 in this case and input to the microcomputer IOK. At that time, the microcomputer switches the display device 17 by the switching stage 16.
The signal is transformed into a signal suitable for controlling the display elements of. In comparison to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the display element of this embodiment serves not only for processing measurement value signals, but also for processing time signals. For this purpose, the microcomputer 10 of this type of embodiment is powered by a third circuit 30VC, in which a transistor 3 is inserted as a switching element. This transistor 3
1 is controlled by the ort 32. Oake 9
- input is controlled by the first circuit 20, so that the transistor 31 becomes conductive when the activation switch 19 is closed. Therefore, the activation switch 19
When turned on, this third circuit 30 is always conductive, so that the measured value signals can be processed continuously when the vehicle is being driven. Furthermore, lead 33 is controlled by orate 32, which lead is connected to one output of clock module 15.

Clock module 15 periodically provides a control signal to provide a constant time interval at the output to which lead 33 is connected. This control signal is displayed when the time changes by the smallest unit to be displayed, e.g.
generated.

Therefore, the transistor 31 and the third
circuit 30 is temporarily connected and the microcomputer IO is also energized when the operating switch-f-19 is turned off. At that time, the microcomputer receives the output signal from the clock module 15.

If it is assumed that the switching stage 16 includes a memory, the second circuit 21 is permanently connected to the battery so that the time is also displayed on the display when the activation switch 19 is turned off. 17 is always displayed. Therefore, as a limitation with respect to this embodiment, the switching stages 1 and 14a dedicated to the processing of the measurement value signal are powered by the first circuit 2θ, and the switching stage 15 dedicated to the generation of the time signal is supplied by the second circuit 2θ. a switching stage, which is powered by and necessary for both the purpose of processing the measured value signal and the time signal;
That is, the microcomputer 10 uses the third circuit 30
, whereby the first circuit 20 can be turned off by the actuation switch 19 and the second circuit 21 is permanently connected to the battery 18 and remains in the far right position of the actuation switch. The third circuit 30 is connected continuously or temporarily.

In FIG. 2, yet another transistor, ? 41d
, is provided as a switching switch for the actuation switch 19. This transformer is controlled by the output signal of the microcomputer 10, which is also applied to another input terminal of the output lead 3 of the microcomputer 10.
5, a signal is generated as long as the microcomputer 10 is executing the program. Therefore, if the third circuit 3o is closed and the microcomputer 1
If o is activated, this lead is 35, or'
r'-t, q2, and transistor 31,
A self-holding circuit that lasts until the program running on the microcomputer 10 ends is effectively configured. This third circuit 3o is then turned off again. Similarly, it is ensured that the @1 circuit remains connected by conductive transistor 34 until the end of programming. Moreover, it memorizes the value throughout the execution of the program when the activation switch is turned off! It becomes possible to write to 774 as well. Therefore, compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in the embodiment shown in FIG. It is turned off slowly and indirectly.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, one input terminal of the OR gate 32 is connected to a non-locking switch 40 that can be activated arbitrarily.

The switching signal of this non-locking switch therefore replaces the control signal measured on lead 33 and generated periodically by clock module 150. That is, when the activation switch 19 is turned off, the time signal of this embodiment is transmitted only to the microcomputer 10 by the activation of the non-locking switch 40, and the switching stage 16 transmits the time signal to the display device e.
Guided by 17. If the non-locking switch 40 is reset to the position shown in the figure when the activation switch 19 is turned off, the third circuit 30
It is interrupted again and the microcomputer is turned off. This is because the switching stage 16 for supplying the display device 17 is also powered by the third circuit 30 and is not connected to the second circuit 20 compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. This is because the drive switching stage 16 and the display device 17 are also cut off when the non-locking switch 40 is released.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a special microcomputer module 50 is used. This module 50 has an internal clock generator 51 which clocks at a constant time interval.
A switching signal is generated at its output. This switching signal is given to the multivibrator 52, and the output terminal of this multivibrator is OR? -G53
The actual microcomputer with the switching stages necessary to run the O program that controls the transistor 54 is powered through this transistor 54. ing. The multivibrator 52 is reset by a signal from the microcomputer 10 when the program ends. Therefore, this embodiment shows the circuit partitioning for the microcomputer module 50.

Whereas the actual microcomputer 10 is powered by the third circuit 30 and the transistor 54,
Kuro Noxo Enerator 5, Multivibrator 52
, and ort 5J are continuously powered by the second circuit 2. In the on position of the activation switch 19, this third circuit is continuously connected. When the operating switch 19 is in the OFF position, this third circuit 30 is activated by the clock generator 51.
generates a control signal and multivibrator 52 is connected only when set.

At that time, the microcomputer 10 executes the program and receives the signal from the clock module 15. When the program is finished, the multiplitter is reset, thereby interrupting the third circuit again and turning off the actual microcomputer 10. Therefore, it is possible for the microcontroller to realize, at certain time intervals, a signal which is energized by the internal clock generator and which is therefore conveyed by the switching stage 16 to the display device 17. can. In this embodiment, it is now possible to read the time on the display device 17 at any time.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the clock generator is, for example, a counter that provides a control signal at periodic intervals. This control signal is then processed by the microcomputer 1θ to generate the necessary control signals to indicate the time and date. However, an embodiment is also conceivable in which, instead of this clock generator 51, a clock module is integrated directly into a microcomputer which outputs the control signals necessary for indicating the time. Therefore, the clock module 15 can be omitted. Such a module is
~ It is called a single 1000-horn microcomputer with an integrated clock.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, two microcomputer systems are used. The microcomputer module 50 shown in FIG. 4 operates only to extract time signals and to control the switching stage 16 and display device 17. Fourth
Similar to the figure, this microcomputer module 50
is controlled by two circuits.

Clock generator 51, multipipe rake 52,
and or r-) 53 is powered by a second circuit 21, which is continuously connected to a battery. However, the actual microcomputer 10 is in this case also powered by a transistor 54, which is continuously conductive when the activation switch 19 is turned on, and the time is realized. It becomes conductive only temporarily when it should be. A further computer system including a microprocessor 60, an analog-to-digital converter 11, and a memory switching stage 14 operates for processing the measurement signal. These switching stages dedicated to the processing of the measurement signal are all powered by the first circuit 20 . The operation of this system is such that when the activation switch 19 is turned on, data on the data bus 13 from the microprocessor 10 is transferred to the display device 17 by the switching stage 16 to the microcomputer module 5.
You can think of 0 as the input.

In contrast, when the activation switch 19 is turned off, there is no signal available on the data bus 13 and only time data is displayed on the display 17, which time data is transmitted to the clock generator 51. It is calculated by the microcomputer 50 based on the signal.

In this case, the clock generator 5 and the multi/regulator 5 in the microcomputer module 50 are
It must be emphasized that the switching action generated by 2, and or p -) 5 J, for the modules shown in succession, is usually realized by software. A comparison between the circuit diagrams shows that the switching stage 16, which is necessary for the display of the signal and is actually unnecessary for the processing of No. 41, can be powered by different circuits. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, this switching stage 16 is powered by a first circuit 20, and the switching stage 16 is powered only when the measured value is to be indicated. This is because it is needed. In contrast, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
The switching stage 16 is continuously powered by the second circuit 2, since the switching stage is also required for continuous display of time data. In contrast, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
is powered by. That is, the activation switch 19
When the switch is turned off, only the switching signal will be displayed on the display while the non-locking switch 4θ is energized. Besides, if you need it,
The current consumption of the entire system can be further reduced, even taking into account especially the energization of the lighting devices for the display device.
It will be less.

Overall, compared to the conventional one, the current consumption is significantly reduced due to the suitable division of the current supply system of several circuits for the supply of each switching stage, and therefore: This type of computer is particularly suitable for use in motor vehicles. In these embodiments, the current consumption from the vehicle's battery is so low that there is no need to worry about battery discharge even if the vehicle is not driven for long periods of time. Furthermore, in addition to using solar cells and/or thermocouples to conserve batteries, it is also conceivable to use the energy generated by these elements for powering the circuit. In that case, for example, the Mt pair is preferably installed in one or both of the engine and the exhaust system, so that high temperature differences can be exploited. Large area solar cells can be installed in the engine hood, roof or trunk cover. The energy generated by these elements can be used, for example, to power the rational memory 14b and thus replace the standby battery 23, or at least be used to recharge it. It is something that can be done. Of course, this energy can also be used to recharge the car battery 18. In particular, the energy of these elements can be used to power components whose reliable operation is not completely necessary.

This is used, for example, to illuminate the instruments when the vehicle is stopped. The use of elements of this type is also particularly advantageous when computers are used to control anti-theft systems.

This is because the system is not disabled by turning off the main battery.

Of course, these ideas can be used independently of the idea of circuit partitioning.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a computer according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 5 are diagrams showing other embodiments. 1θ...Microcomputer, 1NO...Analog-digital converter, 14...Memory switching stage, 14IL...Nonvolatile memory switching stage, 14b...Volatile memory switching stage, 15...Clock Module, 17... Display device, 18... Battery, 19... Operation switch, 20
...First circuit, 21...Second circuit 1.9θ-.
・Third circuit, 4θ...non-locking switch, 5
0...Microcomputer module, 5...
Clock generator, 60...Micro processor. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue■ Continuation from page 1? ?・Inventor Horst Rahner, Federal Republic of Germany 7120 Bietechheim-Bitssingen Weingal 1-Beek 8 @Inventor T--Mas Teurer Federal Republic of Germany 7530 Bucholzheim Steingelstrasse 10

Claims (9)

[Claims] (1) What is necessary for processing signals such as measurement value signals and time signals? ! a number of electronic switching stages (actual microcomputer), a display device capable of displaying the date as well as the data extracted from the measured value signal, and an activation switch for supplying power to said switching stages from a battery. A computer comprising a current supply device, wherein the current supply device supplies power to at least a part of the switching stage dedicated to processing the measured value signal, and the current supply device supplies power to at least a part of the switching stage dedicated to processing the measurement value signal, and the current supply device supplies power to at least a part of the switching stage dedicated to processing the measured value signal, and the current supply device of A computer, characterized in that it has at least two circuits, including one circuit and a second circuit that is at least temporarily connected to the battery even in the off position of the activation switch and powers the other switching stages. (2) Microcombi dedicated to processing measured value signals! -1(
1θ) and other switching stages (11, 14)
are powered by the first circuit (2o) and the second circuit (21), which is permanently connected to the battery even in the off position of the activation switch (19), supplies the display device (17).
Another clock module (15) electrically isolated from and controlling the display element for the measured values of
2. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the computer supplies power to a computer. (3) The second circuit (21) is permanently connected to the patch') (Il!> even in the OFF position of the actuation switch (I9) and supplies power to the switching stage (15) dedicated to the generation of the time signal, so that the measured value signal and The switching stage (10) serving to process the time signal has a third stage which is permanently connected to the batch!J (1B) when the activation switch (19) is turned on and temporarily connected when it is turned off. Circuit (3
2. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the computer is powered by a power source 0). (4) A time signal is generated in the clock module (z5) powered by the second circuit (21), and the microcomputer (10) generates a control signal extracted from the clock module (15) in the off position of the operating switch. 4. Computer according to claim 3, characterized in that it is supplied by a third circuit (30) which is periodically connected at regular time intervals. (5) A time signal is generated in the clock module powered by the second circuit (21), and the microcomputer (io) is operated by a non-locking switch ( Claim 3 characterized in that the third circuit (30) is supplied by a third circuit (30) which can be connected by
Computers mentioned in section. (6) When the activation switch (19) is turned off, the clock generator (5) is also powered by the second circuit (21).
1) Microcomputer module (50
) also serves to process time signals, and the switching stages of the microcomputer module (50) necessary for the execution of the program are periodically connected at predetermined time intervals by the control signal of the clock generator (51). 4. The computer according to claim 3, wherein the computer is powered by the circuit (3o) of No. 3. (7) The clock generator (51) is connected to the third circuit (
The microcomputer (10) of the microcomputer module (50) periodically outputs a control signal for connecting the second circuit (21) when the third circuit (30) is connected. 7. Computer according to claim 6, characterized in that it receives the time signal of a clock module (15) powered by a clock module (15). (8) Clock generator (51) is a microphone
□Computer module (s o ) K collection, t
7. The computer according to claim 6, wherein the computer is a clock module with an IF value. (9) Another microprocessor (6o) powered by the first circuit (2o) processes the measured value signals, the data of this microprocessor (6o) being displayed via a microcomputer module (50). Device (17)
75. of any of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that The computer mentioned. Qt)) Even if the operating switch -/- (19) is off, the first circuit (20) remains connected until interrupted by a switching signal output by the microcomputer (1o) at the end of the program. A computer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: α→ The stored data is stored in a non-volatile memo'J (7
4a) t* is made by a switching stay u (J 4 ) comprising at least one volatile memory (14b) powered by a standby terminal (23), said non-volatile memory (74m) being connected to the first circuit ( 2o) and the volatile memory (14b) is powered by the second circuit (2o).
1) A computer according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the computer is powered continuously. (a) Analog-digital converter is the first circuit (20)
A computer according to any one of claims 1 to 11fF', wherein the computer is powered by a computer. 01 Switching stage (I6) for setting the output signal mechanism of the microcomputer (1o)
), memory if necessary, and a drive stage for the display elements of display device t (17).
) is fed either by a second or third circuit (2X, SO), insofar as the same display element of the clock module (15) serves to indicate the time and measured value signals, and the time signal has a drive stage. If the display element is electrically separated from the display element for the measured value and is supplied by the first circuit (20), α→ is generated by the solar cell and/or thermocouple. Energy is utilized for the current supply of each circuit, thermocouples are mounted on the car's engine and/or exhaust system, and solar cells are installed on the roof, on the engine, and on the computer. 0 → Each circuit is powered exclusively by a solar cell and/or thermocouple, and the vehicle's power supply, power supply, and/or power supply are recharged by them. 15. The computer according to claim 14, characterized in that the computer is constructed in such a manner that the computer is constructed as follows.