Combined system consisting of a control device and a plurality of smart integrated circuits for controlling electrical or electronic components, headlamp and headlamp pairing

Abstract

The invention relates to a combination system with a control device, with a plurality of smart integrated circuits for controlling electrical or electronic assemblies, with a bus for communication between the control device and the smart integrated circuits, wherein each of the smart integrated circuits has a plurality of terminals, including a terminal for activating the smart integrated circuit, if necessary, a terminal for indicating the activation of the smart integrated circuit in the event of activation, at least one terminal for the bus for communication between the control device and the smart integrated circuit, a terminal for specifying a mode of operation of the smart integrated circuit, which can be changed if necessary, and at least one terminal for connecting the smart integrated circuit to an electrical or electronic assembly, wherein the control device has a plurality of terminals, including at least one terminal for the bus for communication between the control device and the smart integrated circuits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combined system having a control device, a plurality of smart integrated circuits (smart ICs) for controlling electrical or electronic components, and a bus for communication between the control device and the integrated circuits. Background Technology

[0002] A combined system is known from the prior art, comprising a control device, a microcontroller for controlling electrical or electronic components, and a bus for communication between the control device and the microcontroller. The electrical or electronic components are connected to the microcontroller. Each component is assigned an address, and with the aid of these addresses, the microcontroller and the components can communicate via the bus. Thus, the control device can send control commands, specifically to the components, and these components can receive commands. Conversely, the components can, for example, pass sensor parameters to the microcontroller.

[0003] Over the past few years, intelligent integrated circuits, or so-called Smart ICs, have replaced microcontrollers in various application areas (including automotive technology). However, in architectures with a control device, a microcontroller connected to that control device, and multiple components connected to that microcontroller, problems arise when multiple (potentially identical) Smart ICs should replace a microcontroller with different functions controlling these different components. Therefore, for example, in a headlight assembly system with a control device, a microcontroller, connections between the control device and the microcontroller, and components connected to the microcontroller, the microcontroller cannot be replaced without problems by identical Smart ICs. It must be ensured that each Smart IC can be addressed by the control device in order to control the components connected to it.

[0004] A combined system comprising a control device, a microcontroller for controlling electrical or electronic components, and a bus for communication between the control device and the microcontroller can be used for different purposes within the same (electrical or electronic) topology. The purpose for which the combined system is used can be determined by coding or programming. For example, this type of headlight combination system can be deployed on the right side of a vehicle as a right headlight or on the left side as a left headlight. For coding or programming, a resistive element is connected to the terminals of the microcontroller, which pre-determines the operating mode of the microcontroller. By establishing a voltage at the terminals of the microcontroller via this resistive element, the microcontroller can identify which combination system it is used for or which headlight it is used for—that is, the right headlight or the left headlight. The microcontroller can then inform the control device of this, which sends control signals to the microcontroller accordingly to its use in the right or left headlight. In known headlight combination systems, the resistive element is integrated into a connector through which the components connected to the microcontroller are connected.

[0005] In a topology where the microcontroller is preferably replaced by individual Smart ICs, it is essential to ensure that the control device is aware of the intended purpose of the combined system and that it controls each Smart IC according to that purpose. If, in a similar topology, the same components are to be controlled via multiple Smart ICs instead of a microcontroller, it is crucial to ensure that all Smart ICs receive the correct instructions from the control device for their respective functions, based on the intended use of the combined system. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention is based on this premise.

[0007] The problem this invention aims to solve is to provide a combined system of the type described at the beginning, in which the control device is informed of the purpose for which the combined system should be used and how it can address the individual Smart ICs.

[0008] According to the present invention, the problem is solved by a combined system having the features of claim 1. Therefore, the combined system of the type described at the beginning has the following features:

[0009] - Each of the smart integrated circuits has multiple terminals, the multiple terminals including:

[0010] -- Terminals used to activate the smart integrated circuit.

[0011] -- Indicates the activated terminal when the smart integrated circuit is activated.

[0012] -- At least one terminal for a bus used for communication between the control device and the intelligent integrated circuit.

[0013] -- Terminals used to specify the operating mode of the intelligent integrated circuit and

[0014] -- At least one terminal for connecting the smart integrated circuit to an electrical or electronic component.

[0015] - The control device has multiple terminals, including at least one terminal for a bus used for communication between the control device and the intelligent integrated circuit.

[0016] - The first intelligent integrated circuit in the intelligent integrated circuit is configured as follows:

[0017] -- The address of the first intelligent integrated circuit is defined by the specified operating mode of the first integrated circuit, and the intelligent integrated circuit can be addressed by the control device via the bus using this address, and

[0018] -- The first intelligent integrated circuit informs the control device via the bus which operating mode is specified or which address is selected for use by the first intelligent integrated circuit.

[0019] - Wherein, each of the nth (where n>1) intelligent integrated circuits in the intelligent integrated circuits

[0020] -- Its terminal for activating the nth smart integrated circuit is connected to the following terminal of the (n-1)th smart integrated circuit, wherein the terminal indicates the activation of the (n-1)th smart integrated circuit when the (n-1)th smart integrated circuit is activated.

[0021] Each nth (where n > 1) intelligent integrated circuit in the aforementioned intelligent integrated circuits can be configured such that, after the nth intelligent integrated circuit is activated, it is assigned an address via a bus from the control device according to an operating mode or address sent from the first intelligent integrated circuit to the control device. Alternatively, the operating mode of each nth intelligent integrated circuit can be determined at a terminal for specifying the operating mode of the first intelligent integrated circuit, as intended for the combined system. At the terminal for specifying the operating mode of the nth intelligent integrated circuit, the operating mode of the nth intelligent integrated circuit can be determined permanently rather than merely temporarily.

[0022] In principle, this combined system can be used for different purposes. The purpose of the combined system can be determined by a terminal used to define the operating mode of the first smart integrated circuit. Due to the defined operating mode, an address is assigned to the first smart integrated circuit (i.e., the first Smart IC) and this address is communicated to the control device. The control device then identifies the purpose for which the combined system is intended using the determined address. Furthermore, the first Smart IC activates the second Smart IC via a terminal that indicates its activation when the first Smart IC is activated and is connected to a terminal used to activate the second Smart IC. The address of the second Smart IC is initially an initial address. The second Smart IC reports to and receives from the control device an address corresponding to its function in the combined system. The second Smart IC replaces the initial address with a new, assigned address and can then be addressed at this new address. Once the second Smart IC is reachable at this new address, the second Smart IC activates the third Smart IC via a terminal that indicates its activation after the second Smart IC is activated and is connected to a terminal used to activate the third Smart IC. The third Smart IC is then assigned an address and function in the same manner as the second Smart IC. Then, addresses and functions are assigned to all other Smart ICs in the same manner until the last Smart IC of the combined system is activated and has been assigned addresses and functions by the control device.

[0023] According to the present invention, in order to connect to a component of a first intelligent integrated circuit, the combined system has at least one first plug-in connector. If the combined system also has a component that can be driven by the first integrated circuit, the driveable component may have a second plug-in connector, which is connected to a control device via the first plug-in connector. An encoding element may be provided in the second plug-in connector, which can be connected via the first plug-in connector to a terminal for defining an operating mode of the first intelligent integrated circuit. The operating mode of the first intelligent integrated circuit can be defined by this encoding element. This encoding element may be a resistive element, which sets a voltage at the terminal for defining the operating mode of the first intelligent integrated circuit relative to a reference potential, or sets a current through the terminal to define the operating mode. The operating mode can then be defined by the potential at the terminal.

[0024] According to the present invention, a terminal for specifying the operating mode of the nth (where n > 1) intelligent integrated circuit can be connected to a reference potential of the combined system via a resistor. This resistor can be an encoding element specifying the operating mode of the first intelligent integrated circuit.

[0025] The electrical or electronic components of the combined system according to the invention can be light-emitting devices. The electrical or electronic components of the combined system according to the invention may also include all other components of a headlight, particularly a headlight for a motor vehicle, particularly a headlight for a passenger car or truck. The combined system according to the invention can therefore form a headlight according to the invention.

[0026] According to the invention, a headlight pair can also be specified, the headlight pair having two headlights according to the invention. Then the coding element of one headlight can be different from the coding element of the other headlight. Thus, it can be specified that one headlight is a right headlight and the other headlight is a left headlight. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The assembly system according to the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a portion of the combined system according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figure 1 The illustrated portion of the combined system according to the invention shows three Smart ICs 1, 2, and 3. These three Smart ICs 1, 2, and 3 are identical. Each of them has:

[0030] Terminal EN is used to activate the smart integrated circuit.

[0031] The MODE terminal is used to specify the operating mode of intelligent integrated circuits.

[0032] The COM terminal is used for communication between control devices and intelligent integrated circuits.

[0033] Terminal OUT and used for connecting intelligent integrated circuits to electrical or electronic components

[0034] The terminal GPO is used to indicate the activation when the smart integrated circuit is activated.

[0035] The first Smart IC 1 of the three Smart ICs 1, 2, and 3 is connected to the voltage source VCC via its activation terminal EN. Once the voltage source VCC is turned on, the first Smart IC 1 is activated.

[0036] The terminal MODE, used to specify the operating mode of the first Smart IC 1, is connected to the reference potential of the combined system via a voltage divider consisting of two resistors, R1 and R2. The node between these two resistors R1 and R2 is also connected to the reference potential of the combined system via switch S. Depending on the position of switch S, terminal MODE is connected to the reference potential to specify the operating mode of the first Smart IC 1—that is, via resistor R1 alone or via a series connection of resistors R1 and R2. This is used to specify the operating mode of the first Smart IC. If a voltage specified by Smart IC 1 exists at terminal MODE, which specifies the operating mode, a high voltage or a low voltage exists at terminal MODE, depending on the position of switch S. Using the voltage that can be detected in Smart IC 1, Smart IC 1 can identify the operating mode specified by the position of switch S. Using the specification of the operating mode, an address is simultaneously assigned to the first Smart IC 1, via which the first Smart IC 1 can be addressed via the bus. Both the operating mode and the address are communicated by the first Smart IC 1 to the control device.

[0037] The operating mode and address of the second and third Smart ICs 2 and 3 are determined based on the operating mode specified by the first Smart IC 1. The operating mode and address of the second and third Smart ICs 2 and 3 are communicated to them by the control device. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0038] The second Smart IC 2 of the three Smart ICs 1, 2, and 3 is connected to the first Smart IC 1's terminal GPO via its activation terminal EN. This terminal indicates activation when the first Smart IC 1 is activated. Once the activation of the first Smart IC 1 is indicated to the second Smart IC 2 at terminal GPO, the second Smart IC 2 is activated.

[0039] The terminal MODE, used to specify the operating mode of the second Smart IC 2, is connected to the reference potential of the combined system via resistor R3. Resistor R3 sets a voltage at terminal MODE of the second Smart IC 2. This initially determines the operating mode and temporary address assignment (i.e., the initial address) of the second Smart IC 2 after its activation. Once the control device has recognized the activation of the second Smart IC 2, it assigns an address and operating mode to it. This overwrites the operating mode and initial address initially specified by resistor R3. Once this is completed, the activation of the second Smart IC 2 is indicated at terminal GPO.

[0040] The third Smart IC 3 of the three Smart ICs 1, 2, and 3 is connected to the second Smart IC 2's terminal GPO via its activation terminal EN. This terminal indicates activation when the second Smart IC 2 is activated and when an address and operating mode are assigned via a control device. Once the activation of the second Smart IC 2 is indicated to the third Smart IC 3 at terminal GPO, the third Smart IC 3 is activated.

[0041] The terminal MODE, used to specify the operating mode of the third Smart IC 3, is also connected to the reference potential of the combined system via a resistor, namely resistor R4. Resistor R4 sets the voltage at the MODE terminal of the third Smart IC 3. This initially determines the temporary allocation of the operating mode and address (i.e., the initial address) of the third Smart IC 3 after its activation. Once the control device has recognized the activation of the third Smart IC 3, it assigns an address and operating mode to it, thus overwriting the operating mode and initial address initially specified by resistor R4.

[0042] The first, second, and third Smart ICs 1, 2, and 3 are connected to the control device (not shown) via a terminal COM of a bus used for communication between the control device and the first, second, and third Smart ICs 1, 2, and 3 (and, if necessary, all other Smart ICs in other combined systems according to the invention). The first, second, and third Smart ICs 1, 2, and 3 are capable of receiving and sending signals to the control device via this bus and terminal COM. Therefore, for example, the first, second, and third Smart ICs 1, 2, and 3 can receive control signals from the control device and / or signals for configuring the first, second, or third Smart IC 2, 3 and / or send sensor signals to the control device. Therefore, for example, the second and third Smart ICs 2, 3 can be assigned addresses and operating modes by the control device.

[0043] The first, second, and third Smart ICs 1, 2, and 3 are respectively connected to the first electrical or electronic component K1, the second electrical or electronic component K2, or the third electrical or electronic component K3 via the OUT terminal. Through these terminals, Smart ICs 1, 2, and 3 can control these components K1, K2, and K3.

[0044] List of reference numerals

[0045] 1. First Smart IC

[0046] 2. Second Smart IC

[0047] 3. Third Smart IC

[0048] EN is used to activate the terminals of the smart integrated circuit.

[0049] MODE is a terminal used to specify the operating mode of a smart integrated circuit.

[0050] COM refers to the terminals of a bus used for communication between control devices and intelligent integrated circuits.

[0051] OUT is a terminal used to connect intelligent integrated circuits to electrical or electronic components.

[0052] GPO indicates the activated terminal when the smart integrated circuit is activated.

[0053] R1 is the first resistor element.

[0054] R2 is the second resistor element.

[0055] R3 is the third resistor element.

[0056] R4 is the fourth resistor element.

[0057] S Operating Mode Switch

[0058] K1 First Electrical or Electronic Components

[0059] K2 Second Electrical or Electronic Components

[0060] K3 Third Electrical or Electronic Components

Claims

1. A combined system having a control device comprising a plurality of intelligent integrated circuits (1, 2, 3) for controlling electrical or electronic components (K1, K2, K3), the combined system having a bus for communication between the control device and the intelligent integrated circuits (1, 2, 3), in, Each of the intelligent integrated circuits (1, 2, 3) has multiple terminals, the multiple terminals including: - Terminals (EN) used to activate the smart integrated circuits (1, 2, 3). - (If necessary) Indicate the activated terminal (GPO) when the smart integrated circuit (1, 2, 3) is activated. - At least one terminal (COM) of a bus for communication between the control device and the intelligent integrated circuits (1, 2, 3). - A terminal (MODE) for specifying the (changeable if necessary) operating mode of the intelligent integrated circuits (1, 2, 3), and - At least one terminal (OUT) for connecting the smart integrated circuit (1, 2, 3) to electrical or electronic components (K1, K2, K3). The control device has multiple terminals, including at least one terminal for a bus, which is used for communication between the control device and the intelligent integrated circuits (1, 2, 3). The first intelligent integrated circuit (1) in the intelligent integrated circuit is configured as follows: - The address of the intelligent integrated circuit is defined by the specified operating mode of the first integrated circuit (1), and the first intelligent integrated circuit (1) can be addressed by the control device via the bus using this address, and - The first intelligent integrated circuit (1) informs the control device via the bus which operating mode is specified or which address is selected for the first intelligent integrated circuit (1). Each of the nth (where n>1) smart integrated circuits (2, 3) in the smart integrated circuits is connected to the terminal of the (n-1)th smart integrated circuit (1, 2) with its terminal for activating the nth smart integrated circuit (2, 3), and the terminal indicates the activation of the (n-1)th smart integrated circuit (1, 2) when the (n-1)th smart integrated circuit (1, 2) is activated.

2. The combined system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the nth (where n>1) smart integrated circuits (2, 3) in the smart integrated circuits is configured such that after the nth smart integrated circuit (2, 3) is activated, the nth smart integrated circuit (2, 3) is assigned an address via the bus from the control device according to the operating mode or address sent from the first smart integrated circuit (1) to the control device.

3. The combined system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In order to enable connection to the components (K1) of the first intelligent integrated circuit (1), the combined system has at least one first plug-in connector.

4. The combined system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The combined system also has at least a component (K1) that can be controlled by a first integrated circuit (1), the component being connected to a control device via a second plug-in connector and a first plug-in connector, wherein an encoding element is provided in the second plug-in connector, the encoding element being connected to a terminal of the first intelligent integrated circuit for specifying an operating mode via the first plug-in connector, and the operating mode of the first intelligent integrated circuit is specified by the encoding element.

5. The combined system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The terminals (MODE) of the nth (where n>1) smart integrated circuit (2, 3) are connected to the reference potential of the combined system via resistors (R3, R4).

6. A headlight having a combination system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The electrical or electronic components (K1, K2, K3) of the combined system include light-emitting devices.

7. A headlight pair having two headlights according to claim 6, characterized in that, The coding element of one headlight is different from that of the coding element of another headlight, and the one headlight is the right headlight while the other headlight is the left headlight.

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