REDUCED COMPLEXITY VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CONTROL USING RETURN CHANNEL TRANSMISSION

Abstract

Instrument control system (100) which is at least partially arranged in a vehicle and comprises the following: a data storage device (113); a processor (101) which communicates with both the data storage (113) and a control bus (111) of the vehicle; a display (103) which communicates with the processor (101) via a display channel (104) which has a maximum transmission bandwidth, wherein the display (103) receives display data from the processor (101) with a first transmission bandwidth which is less than the maximum transmission bandwidth; and an instrument cluster (105) comprising several instruments (107) which communicate with the processor (101) via the display channel (104), wherein the several instruments (107) include at least one of the following: a general-purpose input / output expander (107a), a stepper motor driver (107c), a speedometer, a tachometer, an engine thermometer, a fuel gauge or a warning tone generator; wherein the multiple instruments (107) jointly receive data from the processor (101) with a second transmission bandwidth that is not greater than the difference between the maximum transmission bandwidth and the first transmission bandwidth, and the processor (101) is capable of controlling each of the multiple instruments (107); wherein the unused bandwidth of the display channel (104) forms a return channel (109) between the processor (101) and the instrument cluster (105); wherein the instruments (107) using the return channel (109) have common bandwidth requirements which are less than the difference between the maximum transmission bandwidth and the first transmission bandwidth, the second transmission bandwidth is used for the exchange of control data between the processor (101) and the instrument cluster (105).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the control of human-machine interfaces and in particular a human-machine interface arranged in a console of a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] Instruments in a vehicle provide a user with an interface for controlling the vehicle's functions. The instruments can be operated in groups called instrument clusters, which are connected to a central control bus capable of coordinating the vehicle's functions. Individual instrument clusters can be controlled by a dedicated controller for each instrument or cluster. Controllers can include a circuit or a processor. Some instrument clusters may be dedicated to driving-related functions, while others may be dedicated to non-driving-related functions, such as heating / cooling, multimedia functions, and interior lighting.The control signals transmitted between the instruments and their respective control systems can have a relatively small bandwidth and use a bidirectional transmission channel.

[0003] DE 11 2013 006 557 T5 relates to a vehicle information display system comprising a processor connected to multiple display units via a display communication channel.

[0004] DE 10 2011 000 621 A1 relates to a vehicle display and control system in which a central processor communicates via a data bus with one or more visual display units to present vehicle information to the driver. SUMMARY

[0005] Using dedicated controllers for each instrument or instrument cluster increases the cost and complexity of the vehicle's instrument clusters. Using a single controller for multiple instruments or instrument clusters advantageously reduces the cost and complexity of the vehicle's control systems. Instruments or instrument clusters may require a relatively limited transmission bandwidth. Therefore, an existing channel between a controller and a device can have a bandwidth high enough to accommodate additional transmissions in a side channel or return channel of the existing channel. Such implementations can advantageously allow the control of multiple instruments with fewer controllers, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of the vehicle's control system.Some embodiments may advantageously include programmable control processors that can be further modified using software or firmware updates.

[0006] The present invention provides an instrument control system according to claim 1, a non-volatile machine-readable medium according to claim 12 and a method according to claim 14.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a data processing system that is at least partially arranged in a vehicle. The data processing system may include a data storage device, a processor that communicates with the data storage device and a control bus of the vehicle, a display that communicates with the processor via a display channel having a maximum transmission bandwidth, and several instruments that communicate with the processor. The several instruments can achieve data communication with the processor using the display channel. The display may require a bandwidth that is less than the maximum transmission bandwidth, and the several instruments can utilize any bandwidth remaining in the display channel via the return channel.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a non-volatile, machine-readable medium comprising machine-readable data which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the following steps: transmitting image data to a display over a data channel having a maximum bandwidth, receiving operational data from an instrument cluster, and transmitting instruction data to the instrument cluster. The operational data and the instruction data can be used to control the functions of the instrument cluster. The operational data and the instruction data can be transmitted over the data channel using bandwidth not required for transmitting the image data.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method comprising steps that involve establishing a primary data connection between a data processor and a display using a transmission channel. The transmission channel can additionally accommodate transmission between the data processor and the multiple instruments, utilizing bandwidth not required for the primary data connection.

[0010] The above aspects of the present revelation and other aspects are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a control system that uses a return channel of a display transmission channel. Fig. Figure 2 is a flowchart that describes the use of a display transmission channel as a return channel for use in a control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The illustrated embodiments are disclosed with reference to the drawings. It is understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples that can be implemented in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of certain components. The disclosed specific structural and functional details are not to be considered limiting, but rather a representative basis for teaching a person skilled in the art how to implement the disclosed concepts.

[0012] Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an instrument control system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention disclosed herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the instrument control system 100 can be associated with the operating processes of a vehicle, although other embodiments may include different configurations without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. The instrument control system 100 comprises a processor 101 which communicates with a display 103 using a display channel 104. The display channel 104 may comprise a digital transmission channel with a maximum potential bandwidth, although other embodiments may include different implementations of the display channel 104 without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.In some embodiments, the maximum potential bandwidth of the display channel 104 can be characterized as the maximum processing capacity of the processor 101, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. The display channel 104 can comprise a high-bandwidth transmission protocol, such as FPD-Link, OpenLDI, Embedded DisplayPort, a Reduced-Swing Differential Signaling (RSDS) protocol, or any other transmission protocol for transmitting display data known to persons skilled in the art, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. The display 103 can be color, non-color (e.g., grayscale), or a combination of both, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.The Display 103 can be implemented as any type of display, including LCD, LED, VGA, OLED, SVGA, CRT, or any other alternative configuration known to the average person skilled in the art, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. The Display 103 can provide touchscreen functionality without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0013] The display channel 104 can have a bandwidth sufficiently high so that the data transmission between the processor 101 and the display 103 is less than the maximum potential bandwidth of the display channel 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the unused bandwidth of the display channel 104 can be used to exchange control data with an instrument cluster 105, which comprises several instruments 107. By utilizing the unused bandwidth of the display channel 104, a return channel 109 can be established between the processor 101 and the instrument cluster 105. The return channel 109 can provide bidirectional communication between the processor 101 and the instrument cluster 105. Communications using the return channel 109 can conform to a digital communication standard. In the illustrated embodiment, the return channel 109 can be an Inter-Integrated Circuit (IIC). 2The C protocol is used, although other embodiments may use other standards without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may include other return channels in addition to return channel 109 without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In any embodiment, the common bandwidth requirements of the return channels are less than the difference between the maximum potential bandwidth of display channel 104 and the bandwidth used by the display 103.

[0014] The instrument cluster 105 can comprise several instruments 107. Advantageously, the combined bandwidth requirements of the instruments 107 sharing the return channel 109 may not exceed the difference between the maximum potential bandwidth of the display channel 104 and the bandwidth required for the operation of the display 103. In some embodiments, the bandwidth required by the display 103 may be a fixed bandwidth with respect to time, thus advantageously leaving a constant amount of bandwidth available for use by the return channel 109. In some such embodiments, the data required by the display 103 may include video data having a fixed bit rate and describing the display of a human-machine interface with a vehicle, such as the menu system of a vehicle's main unit.In some embodiments, the display 103 may include a touchscreen display, such that the display channel 104 may provide bidirectional communication between the processor 101 and the display 103, while other embodiments may provide only unidirectional communication without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In some such embodiments, the touchscreen components of the display 103 may be functional for a person to interact with graphical elements on the screen, such as a human-machine interface menu system presented by the display 103.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, the instrument cluster 105 comprises three instruments 107a, 107b, and 107c, although other embodiments may include a different number of instruments without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In the illustrated embodiment, instrument 107a may include a general-purpose input / output or GPIO expander, instrument 107b may include a light-emitting diode or LED driver, and instrument 107c may include a stepper motor driver. Other embodiments may include other instruments without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein, such as an LED display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a speedometer, a tachometer, an engine thermometer, a fuel gauge, a warning tone generator, or any other instrument known to a person skilled in the art.The instruments 107 may comprise components of a human-machine interface or may comprise other instruments that can be used to monitor or control functions of the instrument control system 100, the associated vehicle, or another device, or any other device known to persons skilled in the art, without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. In any embodiment, the common bandwidth requirements of the instruments 105 using the return channel 109 are less than the difference between the maximum potential bandwidth of the display channel 104 and the bandwidth used by the display 103.In the illustrated embodiment, the display channel 104 and the return channel 109 comprise a single interface with the processor 101, although other embodiments may include configurations with separate data communication channels as display channel 104 and return channel 109 without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0016] In some embodiments, the instruments 107 may be designed to comply with a specific operating standard, such as Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) protocols. In the illustrated embodiment, the instrument 107b may include an LED driver that meets ASIL-B compliance requirements, although other embodiments may include different configurations without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. By way of example, and not as a limitation, other configurations of the instrument 107 may include an ASIL-B compliant LCD image display or an ASIL-A compliant warning tone generator. Other embodiments may include configurations of the instruments 107 that comply with other standards, such as...Standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), standards developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), or standards determined by local, regional, national, or international laws or regulations, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. Some of several of the instruments 107 may conform to one or more operating standards without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0017] The processor 101 can be configured to communicate efficiently with the instruments 107 via the return channel 109. In some embodiments, the processor 101 can include a deserializer designed to receive data in a specific format and to deserialize the data for communication with one of the instruments 107, so that specific instructions in the data can be extracted by the processor 101 and transmitted to a suitable instrument 107. The processor 101 can receive data from a vehicle control bus 111, a data storage device 113, or an external data source 115 in data communication with the processor 101. By way of example, and without limitation, the processor 101 can receive serialized data from the vehicle control bus 111, which is capable of controlling one or more of the instruments 107.The processor 101 can deserialize the received data and deliver the control data in response to the appropriate one or several of the instruments 107.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle control bus 111 can conform to a specific protocol, such as a Controller Area Network or CAN standard, or any other protocol sufficiently known to those skilled in the art for controlling devices, without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. The processor 101 can include a deserializer capable of deserializing the data received from the vehicle control bus 111 into a series of instructions formatted such that they are readable by an I 2 The C-format is to be used with the instruments 107. Other embodiments may have other limitations without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0019] The data storage 113 can contain data useful for the operation of the processor 101 and the display 103. The data storage 113 can be implemented as a non-volatile, computer-readable storage medium or a machine-readable medium for carrying or indicating computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such non-volatile, computer-readable storage media or machine-readable media can be any available media implemented in hardware or in a physical form accessible by a general-purpose or specialized computer.As an example, and without limitation, such non-volatile computer-readable storage media or machine-readable media may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, linear magnetic data storage, magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of protection of the non-volatile computer-readable storage media or machine-readable medium.

[0020] In some embodiments, the data memory 113 can include instructions that can be used by the processor 101 for its operation. The data memory 113 can include graphic data useful for controlling the display 103, such as graphic components of a human-machine interface, or analytical data describing the operation of the vehicle, or other data whose usefulness for presentation to a user of the vehicle is recognized by those skilled in the art, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor 101 can receive additional analytical data from the vehicle control bus 111.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the processor 101 also communicates with an external data source 115, which may be capable of providing other data useful for the operation of the instrument control system 100, the display 103, one or more of the instruments 107, or the associated vehicle, or any other alternative data whose usefulness would be recognized by a person skilled in the art without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. The external data source 115 may be in a wired or wireless connection with the processor 101 without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. The external data source 115 may include instruction data that is functional with the processor 101, the display 103, one or more of the instruments 107, or the vehicle control bus 111.In some embodiments, the processor 101 may be configured to deserialize data and instructions from the vehicle control bus 111, the data memory 113, or the external data source 115 for transmission via the display channel 104. In some embodiments, the processor 101 may be configured to function as a serializer. In some embodiments, the processor 101 may be configured to serialize data and instructions from the vehicle control bus 111, the data memory 113, or the external data source 115 for transmission via the display channel 104, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.In some embodiments, the processor 101 may be designed to serialize data and instructions from the display 103 and / or the instruments 107 and / or the vehicle control bus 111 and / or the data storage 113 and / or the external data source 115 for transmission to the vehicle control bus 111 and / or the data storage 113 and / or the external data source 115, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0022] Fig. Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for creating a control feedback channel within a display channel of a vehicle control system according to an embodiment of the teachings disclosed herein. In step 200, a processor establishes a primary data connection with a display. The primary data connection includes a potential maximum bandwidth.

[0023] In step 202, display data is transferred from the processor to the display using the primary data connection and a total bandwidth that is less than the potential maximum bandwidth of the primary data connection.

[0024] Continuing with step 204, the processor establishes alternative data connections between the processor and other instruments of the vehicle, distinct from the display. These instruments may include human-machine interface components or analytical instruments useful in operating the vehicle, such as an LED display, an LCD, a speedometer, a tachometer, an engine thermometer, a fuel gauge, a warning tone generator, a GPIO module, a stepper motor driver, an LED driver, or any other instruments whose usefulness in operating a vehicle is known to a person of average skill without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. The total bandwidth requirements of the instruments may be less than the difference between the maximum potential bandwidth of the primary data connection and the bandwidth used by the display.The bandwidth of the primary data connection not used by the display can form a return channel with a bandwidth that can be used for other transmissions. Thus, in step 206, instrument data is transmitted between the processor and the instruments using the return channel bandwidth.

[0025] Some embodiments may include different numbers of instruments using the return channel without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In some embodiments with a plurality of instruments, data connections may be established individually with each instrument, or the data connection may be established jointly with some or all of the instruments as part of an instrument cluster.

[0026] In some embodiments, the establishment of data connections may be completed before the transmission of any data using the primary data connection, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the transmission of step 206 may cause the method to return to step 202 to transmit additional display data using the primary data connection. In some embodiments, one or more of the steps of the method may be iteratively repeated cyclically to update the display and continue transmitting instrument data using the return channel. In some embodiments, the display may be designed to utilize a fixed bandwidth, such as constant bit-rate image data transmission. In such embodiments, the use of a fixed bandwidth may ensure more efficient utilization of the return channel bandwidth.In some embodiments, the processor may be designed to receive serialized data from an external source and to deserialize the data for the transmission of instructions or other data to the display and multiple instruments.

Claims

[1] Instrument control system (100) which is at least partially arranged in a vehicle and comprises the following: a data storage device (113); a processor (101) which communicates with both the data storage (113) and a control bus (111) of the vehicle; a display (103) which communicates with the processor (101) via a display channel (104) which has a maximum transmission bandwidth, wherein the display (103) receives display data from the processor (101) with a first transmission bandwidth which is less than the maximum transmission bandwidth; and an instrument cluster (105) comprising several instruments (107) which communicate with the processor (101) via the display channel (104), wherein the several instruments (107) include at least one of the following: a general-purpose input / output expander (107a), a stepper motor driver (107c), a speedometer, a tachometer, an engine thermometer, a fuel gauge or a warning tone generator; wherein the multiple instruments (107) jointly receive data from the processor (101) with a second transmission bandwidth that is not greater than the difference between the maximum transmission bandwidth and the first transmission bandwidth, and the processor (101) is capable of controlling each of the multiple instruments (107); wherein the unused bandwidth of the display channel (104) forms a return channel (109) between the processor (101) and the instrument cluster (105); wherein the instruments (107) using the return channel (109) have common bandwidth requirements which are less than the difference between the maximum transmission bandwidth and the first transmission bandwidth, the second transmission bandwidth is used for the exchange of control data between the processor (101) and the instrument cluster (105). [2] Instrument control system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the processor (101) comprises a deserializer. [3] Instrument control system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the operation of the deserializer is an inter-integrated circuit, I 2 C, standard complies. [4] Instrument control system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the control bus (111) of the vehicle comprises a controller area network, CAN bus. [5] Instrument control system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the display data includes image data. [6] Instrument control system (101) according to claim 5, wherein the display data meets an OpenLDI standard, an Embedded DisplayPort eDP standard or a Reduced Swing Differential Signaling RSDS standard. [7] Instrument control system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the display data comprises video data encoded at a specified bit rate. [8] Instrument control system (101) according to claim 7, wherein the display (103) comprises a touchscreen display and the video data comprises human-machine interface data which the touchscreen display can use to provide a human-machine interface. [9] Instrument control system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the multiple instruments (107) comprise a general-purpose input / output processor capable of controlling a human-machine interface for a user of the instrument control system (100). [10] Instrument control system (100) according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the multiple instruments (107) meets an Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) operating standard. [11] Instrument control system (100) according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the multiple instruments (107) meets an ASIL-B operating standard. [12] Non-volatile machine-readable medium comprising machine-readable data which, when executed by a processor (101), causes the processor (101) to perform the following steps: Transmission (202) of image data to a display (103) via a data channel (104) having a maximum bandwidth, wherein the image data transmission includes a defined initial bandwidth which is less than the maximum bandwidth; Receiving (206) operational data from an instrument cluster (105) via the data channel (104), wherein the operational data comprise a second bandwidth; Transmission of command data to the instrument cluster (105) via the data channel (104), wherein the command data includes a third bandwidth, wherein the sum of the second bandwidth and the third bandwidth is not greater than the difference between the maximum bandwidth and the first bandwidth; wherein the instrument cluster (105) comprises several instruments (107) which communicate with the processor (101) via the data channel (104) and include at least one of the following instruments: a general-purpose input / output expander (107a), a stepper motor driver (107c), a speedometer, a tachometer, an engine thermometer, a fuel gauge or a warning tone generator; wherein the processor (101) is capable of controlling each of the multiple instruments (107), wherein the unused bandwidth of the data channel (104) forms a return channel (109) between the processor (101) and the instrument cluster (105), wherein the instruments (107) using the return channel (109) have common bandwidth requirements that are less than the difference between the maximum bandwidth and the first bandwidth, and wherein the sum of the second bandwidth and the third bandwidth is used to transmit control data between the processor (101) and the instrument cluster (105). [13] Non-volatile machine-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein the machine-readable data is designed to be executed by a processor (101) comprising a deserializer capable of transmitting the image data and the instruction data. [14] Method comprising the following: Establishing a primary data connection between a data processor (101) and a display (103) in a transmission channel (104), wherein the transmission channel (104) has a maximum bandwidth; Transfer of display output data from the data processor (101) to the display (103) via the primary data connection, wherein the display output data uses a display bandwidth that is less than the maximum bandwidth; Establishing a second data connection between the data processor (101) and a first instrument (107) in the transmission channel (104); and Transfer of first instrument data from the data processor (101) to the first instrument (107) via the second data link, wherein the instrument data utilizes a first instrument bandwidth that is less than the difference between the maximum bandwidth and the display bandwidth, wherein the first instrument (107) belongs to an instrument cluster (105) comprising several instruments (107) which communicate with the data processor (101) via the transmission channel (104) and which include at least one of the following instruments: a general-purpose input / output expander (107a), a stepper motor driver (107c), a speedometer, a tachometer, an engine thermometer, a fuel gauge or a warning tone generator; the multiple instruments (107) jointly receive data from the data processor (101) with a second instrument bandwidth that is not greater than the difference between the maximum bandwidth and the display bandwidth, and the data processor (101) is functional to control each of the multiple instruments (107), wherein the unused bandwidth of the transmission channel (104) forms a return channel (109) between the data processor (101) and the instrument cluster (105); wherein the instruments (107) using the return channel (109) have common bandwidth requirements which are less than the difference between the maximum bandwidth and the display bandwidth, and wherein the second instrument bandwidth is used for exchanging control data between the data processor (101) and the instrument cluster (105). [15] Method according to claim 14, further comprising transmitting first response data from the first instrument (107) to the data processor (101) via the primary data link, wherein the combined first instrument data and first response data utilize a combined bandwidth that is less than the difference between the maximum bandwidth and the display bandwidth. [16] The method of claim 14, further comprising: Establishing a third data connection between the data processor (101) and a second instrument (107) in the transmission channel (104); and Transfer of second instrument data from the data processor (101) to the second instrument (107) via the third data link, wherein the combined first instrument data and second instrument data utilize a combined bandwidth that is less than the difference between the maximum bandwidth and the display bandwidth. [17] Method according to claim 14, wherein the display bandwidth comprises a bandwidth usage that is constant with respect to time.

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