(12) United States Patent
`Beckert et al.
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US006175789Bl
`US 6,175,789 Bl
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Jan.16,2001
`
`(75)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`(54) VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH
`OPEN PLATFORM ARCHITECTURE
`Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Lake Stevens;
`Mark M. Moeller, Bellingtham;
`William S. Wong, Redmond, all of WA
`(US)
`(73) Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA
`(US)
`Under 35 U.S.C. 154(b), the term of this
`patent shall be extended for O days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/394,360
`Sep. 10, 1999
`(22) Filed:
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 08/668,781, filed on Jun.
`24, 1996, now Pat. No. 6,009,363, which is a continuation-
`in-part of application No. 08/564,586, filed on Nov. 29,
`1995, now Pat. No. 5,794,164.
`Int. Cl.7 .............................. G06F 7/00; GOlM 17/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................. 701/33; 701/1; 361/679;
`361/683; 361/731; 361/814; 248/27.1; 455/346;
`455/348; 340/825.25
`(58) Field of Search .................................... 701/1, 29, 33;
`340/815.41, 436, 438, 439, 461, 825.25;
`455/456, 345, 348; 370/522, 476, 537;
`361/814, 679, 728, 747, 683, 686, 600,
`729, 730, 731; 248/27.1, 27.3, 551
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1/1978 Maniaci ............................... 455/345
`
`(56)
`
`4,068,175
`
`6/1980 Radtke ..................................... 320/6
`4,207,511
`12/1982 Crosetti et al. ...................... 360/137
`4,365,280
`10/1984 Pollard ................................... 320/62
`4,477,764
`11/1984 Tscheulin et al. .............. 340/825.25
`4,481,512
`1/1985 Diepold-Scharnitzky et al. . 395/290
`4,497,038
`9/1989 Putman et al. ....................... 361/814
`4,868,715
`1/1990 Nimpoeno et al. ................. 248/27.1
`4,895,326
`3/1990 Putman et al. ...................... 248/27.1
`4,911,386
`10/1991 Tyrell et al. ......................... 370/522
`5,060,229
`4/1992 Kowalski ............................ 248/27.1
`5,104,071
`9/1992 Katz ..................................... 248/551
`5,143,343
`3/1993 Dennis ................................ 307/10.1
`5,198,696
`5/1994 Dougherty et al. ...................... 429/9
`5,316,868
`6/1995 Tai .................................. 340/310.01
`5,424,709
`1/1996 Dougherty et al. .................... 320/15
`5,488,283
`10/1996 Berger .................................... 320/15
`5,569,997
`3/1997 Takagi et al. ..................... 200/50.01
`5,610,376
`6/1997 Fisher, Jr .......................... 200/50.12
`5,641,953
`5,794,164 * 8/1998 Beckert et al. .......................... 701/1
`5,859,628 * 1/1999 Ross et al. ........................... 345/173
`6,009,363 * 12/1999 Beckert et al. ........................ 701/33
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Jacques H. Louis-Jacques
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lee & Hayes, PLLC
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A vehicle computer system has a housing sized to be
`mounted in a vehicle dashboard or other appropriate loca-
`tion. A computer is mounted within the housing and executes
`an open platform, multi-tasking operating system. The com-
`puter runs multiple applications on the operating system,
`including both vehicle-related applications ( e.g., vehicle
`security application, vehicle diagnostics application, com-
`munications application, etc.) and non-vehicle-related appli-
`cations (e.g., entertainment application, word processing,
`etc.). The applications may be supplied by the vehicle
`manufacturer and/or by the vehicle user.
`
`20 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`r28
`
`r26
`
`r74
`
`SECURITY
`SYSTEM 1/F
`
`NAVIGATION
`SYSTEM 1/F
`
`r76
`
`INTERNET
`WIRELESS LINK
`
`TV TUNER 1/F
`
`CD-ROM
`CHANGER 1/F
`
`\__ 80
`
`~78
`
`r 64
`
`COMPUTER MODULE
`
`v-66 r62 W"
`
`SUPPORT MODULE
`
`USB HUB
`
`OBD SYSTEM
`1/F
`
`J
`
`v-68
`
`r6o
`
`70_)
`
`FACEPLATE MODULE
`
`JOYSTICK,
`KEYBOARD,
`MOUSE
`\._82
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0001
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.16,2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
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`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0002
`
`

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`
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`/74
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`r2a
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`L64
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0003
`
`

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`(OPTIONAL)
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`]
`[
`]
`[ DISPLAY
`]
`[ KEYPAD
`1s2
`
`r124
`
`r120
`
`r122
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`c56
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`
`60
`
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`I
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`
`66
`
`MEMORY
`FAST DATA
`
`110
`
`198
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`102
`
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`
`VGA
`
`194
`MODULE
`TUNER
`AM/FM
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`901
`
`USB 1/F
`92\
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`96\
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`
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`[ DRIVERS r f-137
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`i------f-138
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`
`100,
`
`I---f-139
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`
`APPLICATION
`NAVIGATION
`APPLICATION
`
`OBD
`
`APPLICATION
`SECURITY
`
`SUPPORT MODULE
`
`COMPUTER MODULE
`
`62
`
`64
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0004
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.16,2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
`
`66 \
`
`CLK
`
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`
`~DD/DATA
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`
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`
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`CNTL ADD DATA
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0005
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.16,2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
`
`CNTL ADD DATA
`
`140-------------._ 144 -
`146 -----------
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`PARALLEL
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`019 ....... 010
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`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0006
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.16,2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
`
`90
`
`12s
`
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`-
`
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`
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`
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`
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`MEMORY
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0007
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.16,2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
`
`,r90
`
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`
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`
`BAUD RATES
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0008
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.16,2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
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`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0009
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.16,2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
`
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`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0010
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.16,2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
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`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0011
`
`

`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
`
`5
`
`1
`VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH
`OPEN PLATFORM ARCHITECTURE
`REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`08/668,781, filed Jun. 24, 1996, which issued as U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,009,363, on Dec. 28, 1999. Patent
`'363
`is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`08/564,586, filed Nov. 29, 1995, which issued as U.S. Pat. 10
`No. 5,794,164, on Aug. 11, 1998.
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`This invention relates to computer systems for vehicles.
`BACKGROUND
`Modern vehicles are typically equipped with several
`independent electronic systems. For instance, most modern
`vehicles have a sound system and a security system. The
`sound system usually consists of an AM/FM radio, a cassette
`or CD ( compact disk) player, an equalizer/amplifier, and
`speakers. The radio and player are arranged in a metal casing
`or housing that is mounted in a dashboard of the vehicle. The
`housing has a standardized size, often expressed in terms of
`DINs (Deutsche Industry Normen), to ensure that the sound
`system is compatible with and can be retrofit into most
`vehicle dashboards.
`The security system is entirely separate from the sound
`system. The security system generally consists of security
`sensors placed
`throughout
`the vehicle, and a central
`application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to monitor the
`sensors and determine whether security is being jeopardized.
`Security System also controls actuators to lock/unlock doors
`or windows, and an alarm or siren.
`Most late model vehicles are also constructed with a
`diagnostic system that analyzes performance of the vehicle's
`engine, transmission and fuel system, and other components
`(1996 or later for OED II, 1993 or later for OED I). The
`diagnostic system can be coupled to an external computer to
`download or monitor diagnostic information that is useful to
`a vehicle mechanic during servicing of the vehicle.
`Additionally, the diagnostic system might include dashboard
`displays that inform the driver of various operating condi-
`tions.
`In some recent models, vehicles are being equipped with
`a navigation system that incorporates a global positioning
`system (GPS) receiver. The GPS receiver has an antenna to
`receive signals from a satellite network. The vehicle navi-
`gation system uses the satellite positioning signals to com- 50
`pute coordinates that locate the vehicle over the surface of
`the earth with regard to longitude, latitude, and altitude.
`Also, with the appropriate map software,
`the vehicle's
`location can then be shown on a map.
`Cellular communications systems have also been added to 55
`vehicles. These communications systems enable the vehicle
`driver or occupant to transact telephone calls from their
`vehicle. Some of the more sophisticated systems are voice
`controlled which permit the driver to initiate or receive calls
`while traveling without removing a hand from the driving 60
`wheel, or diverting his/her eyes from the operation of the
`vehicle.
`While these various electronics systems have proven
`useful to vehicle users, there is a drawback in that the
`systems are unrelated and incompatible. Each system 65
`employs separate proprietary dedicated processors or ASICs
`( application specific
`integrated circuits) which execute
`
`2
`incompatible proprietary software. If a vehicle owner would
`like to add a security system to his/her vehicle, the owner
`must purchase an entire security system from one of the
`vendors and have it customarily installed. There is no way
`to add security functionality
`to an existing electronics
`system, such as the navigation system or the sound system.
`SUMMARY
`This invention concerns a vehicle computer system that is
`capable of integrating these diverse and separate systems as
`well as offering a general purpose computing platform that
`allows for easy expandability. The vehicle computer system
`has a housing sized to be mounted in a vehicle dashboard or
`other convenient location. This system provides an open
`hardware architecture and supports an open platform oper-
`15 ating system. The open platform operating system supports
`multiple different applications that can be supplied by a
`software vendor. For instance, the operating system can
`support applications pertaining to entertainment, navigation,
`communications, security, diagnostics, and others. In the
`20 preferred implementation, the operating system is a multi-
`tasking operating system capable of concurrently running
`multiple applications. The computer has one or more storage
`devices (e.g., hard disk drive, CD drive, floppy disk drive,
`cassette player, or smart card reader) which permits the user
`25 to download programs from a storage medium (e.g., hard
`disk, CD, diskette, or cassette) to the computer. Also, the
`user can read or write data to writeable medium (e.g., hard
`disk, diskette, cassette, or smart card). In this manner, the
`vehicle owner can easily add new systems to his/her vehicle
`30 by installing additional programs.
`In the described implementation,
`the vehicle computer
`system has three modules: a support module, a faceplate
`module, and a computer module. The support module is
`formed as part of a stationary base unit of the housing that
`35 resides in the vehicle dashboard or other location. It has its
`own logic unit which can be implemented in a field pro-
`grammable gate array (FPGA), application specific inte-
`grated circuit (ASIC), customized processor, or the like. The
`support module also has an audio signal processor, such as
`40 a digital signal processor (DSP), which performs the signal
`processing for audio and video data. One could combine this
`DSP into the ASIC if desired.
`The faceplate module is detachably connected to the
`support module. The faceplate module has a logic unit of its
`45 own to control an RF transceiver such as a Cell phone, a
`two-way pager, or a point-to-point
`spread spectrum
`transceiver, a display, a keypad, and a CODEC. The face-
`plate and support modules are connected using a high speed
`serial connection.
`The computer module can be connected to or removed
`from the support module. The computer module and support
`module are interfaced using a multi-bit bus, such as a PCI
`bus. The computer module has a processor and runs an open
`platform operating system. Multiple vehicle-related appli-
`cations execute on the operating system to control operation
`of components in the vehicle. In addition, the computer
`module may execute non-vehicle-related applications con-
`currently with the vehicle-related applications.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The same reference numerals are used throughout the
`drawings to reference like components and features.
`FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a vehicle com-
`puter system.
`FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic
`illustration of the vehicle
`computer system interfaced with multiple external periph-
`eral devices.
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0012
`
`

`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
`
`5
`
`3
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the vehicle computer system
`according to one implementation having a faceplate module,
`a support module, and a computer module.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an interface and internal bus
`structure of the support module. FIG. 4 shows the use of a
`fast data memory as a high speed data communications
`buffer.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a memory access circuit
`which maps data from peripheral devices into storage loca-
`tions within the fast data memory.
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the support module which is
`used to illustrate audio data exchange among multiple serial
`devices through the fast data memory.
`FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a master clock
`generating unit which produces a master audio clock signal
`used throughout the vehicle computer system.
`FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating a serial bit stream
`used to communicate data between the support and faceplate
`modules.
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a power system employed by
`the vehicle computer system.
`illustration of the vehicle
`FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic
`computer system according to another embodiment having a
`centralized server computing unit and one or more client
`computing units distributed on a data network in a vehicle.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIG. 1 shows a vehicle computer system 20 according to
`one implementation of this invention. Vehicle computer
`system 20 has a centralized computer 22 coupled to various
`external peripheral devices, including a monitor 24, security
`sensors 26, a vehicle diagnostic interface 28, speakers 30, a
`vehicle battery 32, a backup battery 33, and antenna(s) 34.
`The computer 22 is assembled in a housing 36 that is sized
`to be mounted in a vehicle dashboard, similar to a conven-
`tional automobile stereo. Preferably, the housing 36 has a
`form factor of a single DIN (Deutsche Industry Normen).
`But, it possibly could be housed in a 2 DIN unit or other
`special form factor for an OEM.
`The computer 22 runs an open platform operating system
`which supports multiple applications. Using an open plat-
`form operating system and an open computer system
`architecture, various software applications and hardware 45
`peripherals can be produced by independent vendors and
`subsequently installed by the vehicle user after purchase of
`the vehicle. This is advantageous in that the software appli-
`cations do not need to be specially configured for uniquely
`designed embedded systems. The open hardware architec-
`ture preferably runs a multitasking operating system that
`employs a graphical user interface. One preferred operating
`system is a Windows® brand operating system sold by
`Microsoft Corporation, such as Windows 95® or Windows
`NT® or other derivative versions of Windows®. A multi-
`tasking operating system allows simultaneous execution of
`multiple applications.
`The computer 22 includes at least one storage drive which
`permits the vehicle user to download programs and data
`from storage medium. In the illustrated implementation, the
`computer 22 has a CD ROM drive 38 which reads
`application-related CDs, as well as musical, video, game, or
`other types of entertainment CDs. In this manner, the CD
`ROM drive 38 performs a dual role of storage drive and
`entertainment player. The computer 22 has an optional 3.5"
`floppy diskette drive 40, a smart card reader 42, and dual
`PCMCIAcard sockets 44 which accept PCMCIAcard types
`
`4
`I, II and III. Two types I or II cards can be simultaneously
`used, but only one card if a type III can be used. Hereinafter,
`the acronym "PC-Card" will be used in place of the acronym
`"PCMCIA." Also, a hard disk drive (not shown) can be
`included on the computer 22 for storing both application
`programs and user data. A DVD (digital video disk) player
`may also be included in the computer 22.
`The storage drives are mounted in a base unit 46 of
`housing 36. The base unit 46 is constructed and sized to be
`10 mounted in the dashboard. Optionally, this base unit may be
`removable in the same fashion as a laptop computer and its
`associated docking station. This high end option allows the
`user to take his vehicle computer to his home or office to
`serve as his portable PC. The housing 36 also has a detach-
`15 able faceplate 48 which is pivotally mounted to the front of
`the base unit 46. The faceplate can be rotated to permit easy
`and convenient access to the storage drives.
`The computer 22 has a keypad 52 and a display 54 on the
`faceplate 48. The operating system executing on the com-
`20 puter 22 controls the faceplate peripheral, which through the
`faceplate processor, can control the faceplate keys 52 and the
`faceplate display 54 as peripheral devices when the faceplate
`is attached to the base unit. Additionally, the computer 22
`has a voice recognition device to permit the user to verbally
`25 enter commands in a hands-free, eyes-free environment.
`These voice commands can be used for controlling most
`operating modes of the vehicle computing platform. The
`computer 22 is also equipped with an IrDA (infrared devel-
`opers association) transceiver port 56 mounted on the face-
`30 plate 48 to transmit and receive data and programs using
`infrared signals. The entire faceplate unit 48 behaves as a
`multifunction peripheral to the computing platform.
`To load an application or data onto the computer 22, the
`vehicle user inserts a CD or other media (if the application
`35 is not already contained on the hard disk) into the appro-
`priate drive and the operating system downloads the appli-
`cation or data therefrom. The installation process can be
`automatically handled by the operating system, or with the
`assistance of commands input from the user in the form of
`40 keyed sequences on the keypad 52 or verbal instructions
`using the voice recognition device. Another technique to
`load data or applications or transfer data with other com-
`puting devices is through the use of the IrDA transceiver port
`56, or the wireless Internet link 76.
`The computer 22 can output visual data to the LCD 54 at
`the faceplate, or to the monitor 24. The display 54 is
`preferably a back lit LCD. The monitor 24 is preferably a
`small flat panel display ( e.g., 6.4" screen) that is movably
`mounted on a stand or yoke and remotely located from the
`50 computer. The monitor 24 is fully adjustable to different
`viewing positions that can be seen by the driver or other
`passengers in the vehicle. The type of data displayed on the
`monitor can range widely from word instructions concerning
`the vehicle's performance, to diagrammatic directions used
`55 by the navigation system, to video movies for in-car enter-
`tainment. The monitor 24 is equipped with an automatic
`override switch 58 which automatically disables the display
`of any non-driving related data when positioned
`to be
`viewed by the driver. When facing the driver, only infor-
`60 mation supportive and helpful to driving (e.g., diagnostics,
`navigation directions) is displayed on the monitor, while
`distracting
`information
`(e.g., video movies, games)
`is
`blocked from display. In one implementation, the switch is
`an electrical cylindrical switch which closes when the dis-
`65 play is capable of being viewed by the driver; thus, the
`software can sense the display position and only allow
`permitted information to be displayed.
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0013
`
`

`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
`
`5
`In general, the vehicle computer system 20 can be used to
`integrate multiple vehicle-related systems onto one open
`platform hardware and software architecture. For instance,
`the vehicle computer system 20 can serve as a multimedia
`entertainment system, a navigation system, a communica-
`tions system, a security system, and a diagnostics system.
`Moreover, the vehicle computer system 20 provides addi-
`tional functionality traditionally associated with desk-top
`and laptop personal computers. For instance, vehicle com-
`puter system 20 can support word processing applications, 10
`spreadsheet
`applications,
`database applications,
`and
`appointment/schedule
`applications.
`Furthermore,
`the
`vehicle computer system 20 can be configured to operate as
`a server to other computing units in the vehicle to distribute
`games, video movies, and the like to passengers.
`FIG. 2 shows the computer 22 according to one imple-
`mentation of the invention. Computer 22 has three primary
`modules: a faceplate module 60, a support module 62, and
`a computer module 64. The computer module 64 is opera-
`tively connected to the support module 62 via a multi-bit bus 20
`66. In the preferred implementation, the multi-bit bus is a
`PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The support
`module 62 and faceplate module 60 are interconnected via
`a high speed serial interface 68 which supports high speed,
`serial data communication. A preferred serial transmission 25
`scheme is described below in more detail with reference to
`FIG. 8.
`In FIG. 2, the support module 62 is also connected to a
`universal serial bus (USE) hub 70 via a multi-bit connector
`72 (e.g., 8 bits). The USE hub 70 provides connections to
`many peripheral devices (e.g., 128 devices). Example
`peripheral devices include the OED (On Board Diagnostic)
`system 28, the security system 26, navigation system 74, a
`wireless link 76 to the Internet, a CD-ROM changer 78, a TV
`tuner 80, and user 1/0 devices such as a joystick, keyboard
`or a mouse 82. This USE hub could be separate as shown in
`FIG. 2 or it could be integrated into one or more of the USE
`peripherals.
`FIG. 3 shows the three modules of the vehicle computer
`22 in more detail. The support module 62 resides in the
`typically stationary base unit 46 (FIG. 1) that is mounted in
`the vehicle dashboard or other convenient location. The
`support module 62 includes a logic unit 90 which is respon-
`sible for facilitating communication among peripheral
`devices, establishing a master audio clock signal used
`throughout the vehicle computer system, and coordinating
`the entertainment functionality of the computer system. The
`logic unit 90 can be implemented as an FPGA (field pro-
`grammable gate array). It is noted that the logic code for an
`FPGA is developed using a hardware description language, 50
`such as VHDL (IEEE standard 1076-1993), and can be
`recompiled for an ASIC (application specific integrated
`circuit) architecture. The logical unit 90 can further be
`implemented as a microprocessor, a RISC (reduced instruc-
`tion set computing) processor, or other processing devices. 55
`The support module 62 has several hardware interfaces. A
`USE interface 92 is driven from the PCI bus 66 and provides
`the interconnection to the various USE peripherals shown in
`FIG. 2. A USE hub may be required as shown if the
`peripherals do not incorporate one and more USE periph-
`erals than supported directly by the support module are
`attached. A VGA controller 94 is provided on the support
`module 62 to drive the display 24 (FIG. 1). The VGA
`controller 94 is also driven from the PCI bus. It is noted that
`the USE interface and VGAcontroller could be incorporated
`into the logic unit 90. An ATAPI-IDE interface (used to drive
`the CD ROM or DVD player), and a PCI interface are
`
`6
`implemented as part of the logic unit 90. For supporting
`higher bandwidth video applications such as multiple video
`screens, a P1394 interface could be added to the system and
`driven from the PCI interface or incorporated in logic unit
`90.
`The support module 62 also includes an audio signal
`processor 96 to perform the sound processing algorithms
`which may include: sound equalization, digital crossover,
`bass, treble, volume, surround sound, Dolby pro-logic™,
`AC-3 and MPEG decoding. The audio signal processor 96
`also drives digital to analog converters for a six channel
`audio output (not shown). The audio signal processor 96 is
`preferably implemented as a DSP (digital signal processor),
`such as a Motorola DSP56009. The support module also
`15 includes an AM/FM tuner module 98, a GPS (global posi-
`tioning system) chipset 100 to provide for satellite naviga-
`tion such that the longitude, latitude, and altitude of the
`vehicle may be readily determined, and one or more audio
`analog to digital converters and digital to analog converters
`(or "CODECS") 102.
`A fast data memory 110 functions as a high speed data
`communications
`buffer between
`the serial peripheral
`devices. The fast data memory is preferably implemented as
`a high speed SRAM (static random access memory) which
`provides high speed buffering and "ping-panging" of audio
`data or USE data to minimize processor interaction. In the
`preferred implementation, the fast data memory 110 acts as
`a fast data memory buffer which accommodates data
`exchange among many devices. The fast data memory 110
`30 is described below in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.
`With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the faceplate module
`60 resides on the detachable faceplate 48 (FIG. 1). The
`faceplate module 60 is connected to the support module
`35 through a connector that facilitates easy detachability of the
`faceplate 48 from the main housing 36. The faceplate
`module 60, through the detachable connector, communicates
`bi-directional data to the support module 62 by means of the
`high speed serial interconnect 68. The faceplate module 60
`40 includes a logic unit 120 which can be implemented as an
`FPGA,ASIC, DSP, or other device. The faceplate module 60
`also includes a keypad 52, a display 54, an IrDA port 56, and
`a CODEC 122. Additionally, the faceplate module contains
`a slot for an optional plug-in RF transceiver 124 such as a
`45 cellphone, two-way pager, or point-to-point spread spectrum
`transceiver.
`Typically,
`the computer module 64 resides
`in the
`dashboard-mounted base unit 46 and includes a processor in
`the form of a microprocessor 130, such as an Intel® x86-
`type microprocessor. When plugged in, the computer mod-
`ule 64 is connected to the PCI bus 66 to communicate with
`the support module 62.
`The microprocessor 130 runs an open platform operating
`system 131, such Windows 95® or Windows NT™ or other
`Windows® derivative operating systems from Microsoft
`Corporation. The operating system 131 is stored in a hard
`disk drive 132 (e.g. typically >200 Mbytes). This hard disk
`drive may be either integrated into the computer module as
`shown or it may be in the form of a PC-Card. The computer
`module 64 supports any variety of applications that the
`vehicle user might desire. These applications can also be
`stored on the hard disk drive 132 or on a removable storage
`medium, such as a CD ROM, cassette, PC-Card Flash
`memory, PC-Card hard disk drive, or floppy diskette.
`65 Additionally, user applications may be downloaded via the
`optional wireless Internet connection 76. A DRAM memory
`133 and Flash memory (or other non volatile memory) 134
`
`5
`
`60
`
`Petitioner Toyota Motor Corp. Exhibit 1104
`1104.0014
`
`

`
`US 6,175,789 Bl
`
`35
`
`7
`are employed in the computer module to support the micro-
`processor 130 in running the operating system and loaded
`applications.
`The computer module 64 has a PC-Card interface 135
`which includes a PC card socket used to support types I, II, 5
`or III PC cards (e.g., extra memory, bard disk drives,
`modems, RF transceivers, network adapters, or other
`PC-Card peripherals). The computer module 64 also has a
`Smart Card interface 136, which accepts Smart Cards.
`The computer module 64 has a set of one or more drivers
`137 including, for example, a CD ROM driver, a diskette
`driver, a display driver, and the like. The computer module
`64 also has a navigation app