United States Patent
`
`119]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,017,916
`
`
`Londt let :1].
`[45] Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
`
`[54] SHIFI' PRONIPTER/DRIVER
`INFORMATIONDISPLAY
`
`.................... 364/4241
`4,723,215 2/1988 Hibino et al.
`4,800,360 1/ 1989 Dunkley et a1.
`.................... 340/456
`
`{75]
`
`Inventors: Edward E. Londt, Ft. Wayne; James
`w_ Km“, New Haven, both of 1nd
`
`_
`[73] Assrgnee: Navistar International Transportation
`Corp, Chicago,» Ill.
`
`,
`[21] App]. No" 321381
`[22] Filed:
`Mar. 9, 1989
`
`.
`5
`Int. Cl.
`[51]
`........................... G06F 3/14, B60Q 1/00
`[52] US. Cl. ........................... .. Mil/870.130; 340/439,
`.
`340/461, 364/424 l
`[58] Field of Search ............................. 364/442, 424.1;
`340/438, 439, 441, 453, 456, 461, 462, 870.13
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`us- PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Ito .........................,.......... .. D12/192
`D. 275,944 10/1984
`D12/192
`Tanaka
`D. 276,039 10/1984
`
`D. 277,176
`1/1985 Komuro
`D12/192
`
`4,267,545 ' 3/1981 Drone et al.
`340/439
`
`4,419,654 12/1983 Funk .......... ..
`340/438
`
`. ... .
`. . .... 362/30
`4,447,860 5/1984 Stone et a1.
`
`4,463,427 7/1984 Bonnetain et al.
`364/442
`1/1985 Strifler .. ..... ... . ..
`. . .. .. 73/113
`4,494,404
`
`. 364/424.1
`4,539,868
`9/1985 Habu .......
`
`4,544,909 10/1985 DiNunzio
`340/439
`
`4,570,226 2/1986 Aussedat .............
`364/442
`4,593,357 6/1986 Van Ostrand et a1
`340/439
`
`...........
`. 364/424.1
`4,622,637 11/1986 Tomita et a1.
`
`1/1987 Tokuyama et a1.
`.
`4,635,034
`340/441
`
`5/1987 Augello et al.
`..
`4,663,718
`364/444
`
`4,683,455
`7/1987 Kido et a1.
`340/439
`
`
`. .... 364/4241
`4,701,852 10/ 1987 Ulveland ... . ..
`
`.. 340/825.06
`4,706,083 11/1987 13th et a1.
`..
`
`Primary Examiner—Donald 1' Yusko
`Assistant Examiner—Yuk H. Lau
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Dennis K. Sullivan
`'
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A shift prompter/driver information display for a high-
`way truck is disclosed. The display is operable to cruis-
`ing, prompting, and shifting modes of operation. In the
`cruising mode of operation the driver of the vehicle can
`select, via a set of keypad switches, information about
`.
`,
`.
`.
`the vehicle s operation that he desires to see presented
`f.“ a mm'd‘g.“ dim?“ read” °f‘1‘? d’splayalnmhtg‘c‘?‘
`1°“ °°“°°m“.‘3 “‘3 “mf’my’ 693‘“ SP“? ’ W 3
`speed, travel time, travel distance and engine hours can
`be selected. In the prompting mode of operation the
`display indicates that operation of the transmission to a
`different gear is appropriate. The shifting mode com-
`mences when the driver initiates a shift to a different
`gear. In the shifting mode the target gear to which the
`transmiSsion should be shifted is presented on the dis-
`play. Additional displays are included to aid the driver
`in completing the shifting procedure and these involve
`indicating when the engine speed is substantially equal
`to the synchronous meshing speed of the target gear.
`One of these is a linear analogue display that is associ-
`ated with the digital display and is operational in both
`the cruising mode and in the shifting :node; in the shift-
`ing mode it indicates approach of engine speed to syn-
`chronous meshing speed, and in the cruising mode it
`indicates actual fuel economy relative to a desired fuel
`economy goal.
`
`11 C1aims,’12 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`41>
`INTEGRATED
`
`
`
`30
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MPG
`
`MLES
`
`38
`
`24
`zo—dnzc-n TOTAL GOAL AVG.
`
`L SHIFL
`
`Ll] LIIULH L1
`L11 10
`1|]
`1
`€ka0
`
`
`
`EE E E
`
`24
`INST. REMAIN
`
`
`
`
`
`
`UNIFIED 1006
`
`UNIFIED 1006
`
`1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 21, 1991
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`5,017,916
`
`713—57.].
`
`MICRO-
`
`COMPUTER
`
`POWERTRAIN
`SENSORS
`
`DISPLAY
`
`MODULE
`
`POWER TRAIN
`
`
`
`4D
`INTEGRATED
`
`
`
`
`MP6 ZE'FL .. '
`
`
`H
`‘ TIME - =3 '0
`
`
`ENG. +£35.38
`SHIFT
`'2:
`
`
`
`
`INST. REMAIN
`
`TOTAL GOAL AVG.
`
`NUDE
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 21, 1991
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`5,017,916
`
`E—g_3_
`
`INTEGRATED POWER TRAIN LCD
`DISPLAY FUNCTIONS AND MODELS
`
`r— INS .—--—INSTANTANEOUS MPG
`I
`I
`MPG — —l—- AVG.—-- - AVERAGE MPG SINCE LAST RESET
`l--—GOAI.—— — DRIVER SELECTED MPG GOAL (INPUT MODE)
`
`RPM -— —I—- INST. — — - REAL TIME ENGINE SPEED
`
`MpH— —:—- AVG. ——-' —- AVERAGE ROAD SPEED SINCE LAST RESET
`
`TIME— _I—- TOTAL— — —TOTAL TIME ELAPSED SINCE LAST RESET
`
`--REMAIN ---T|ME TO DESTINATION BASED ON CURRENT SPEED
`
`I L
`
`l—-TOTAL—— -— TOTAL MILES SINCE LAST RESET (COUNT UP)
`I
`'
`"(Les—1n GOAL— — —- DRIVER SELECTED DESTINATION MILEAGE (INPUT MODE)
`L- — REMAIN — -—'MII.ES TO DESTINATION (COUNT DOWN)
`
`I— -TOTAL— — —TOTAL ENGINE HOURS AS A FUNCTION OF RPM
`ENG.
`‘
`Has,—--:-—GOAL——~—— DRIVER SELECTED OIL CHANGE INTERVAL (INPUT MODE)
`
`'— -REMAIN———ENGINE HOURS REMAINING UNTIL OIL CHANGE
`
`3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 21, 1991
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`5,017,916
`
`BEGIN MAIN
`
`INITIALIZ E =
`CONFIG REGISTERS
`ATA INTERFACE
`
`MEMORY VARIABLES
`
`_
`
`CLEAR LCD
`
`DISPLAY _
`
`.5
`
`.4.
`
`ENABLE TIMER
`INTERRUPT AND ATA
`INTERRUPT ROUTINES.
`CALL RPM INST
`
`DISPLAY
`
`~
`
`,
`
`_
`
`
`
`
`ARE
`ANY JOB
`
`BITS ARE
`
`
`SET
`
`I?
`
`YES
`
`
` CALL
`
`OF CASE 0
`
`
`WATCHRESET; :
`RETURN
`
`
`
`IF A JOB BIT IS
`SET CALL THE
`
`
`ANY BIT
`ROUTINE:
`
`OF CASE I
`LCD-QUT
`
`
`TRUE
`SWITCH AVERAGE
`
`
`?
`SWITCH INTERPRET
`
`-
`LCD-UPDATE
`EXTRACT
`
`
`
`
`IFA JOB BIT IS SET
`
`'CALLTHECOMPUTA‘I‘ION‘
`
`‘ANYBITS‘
`
`or CASE 2
`ROUTINE=
`
`TRUE
`MPH - DATA
`
`?
`RPM- DATA
`
`FUEL- DATA
`TARGET- GEAR
` MAIN JOB SERVICE ROUTINE
`
`
`
`
` '
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 21, 1991
`
`Sheet 4 ‘of 12
`
`5,017,916
`
`COMPUTE CURRENT
`MILES PER
`GALLON. STORE
`MPG - INST AS
`FUEL - DIS.
`
`COMPUTE ENGINE
`HOURS TOTAL.
`8 GALLONS USED
`= I ENGINE HOUR.
`
`
`BEGIN FUEL DATA
`COMPUTATION
`ROUTINES.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` COMPUTE TOTAL
`GALLONS USED
`
`
`IN UNITS OF 8
`GALLONS.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` COMPUTE AND
`INCREMENT ENG-HRS
`TOTAL WHILE
`DECREMENTING
`ENG HRS REMAIN.
`CALL ENG- HRS REMAIN
`DISPLAY WHEN
`HOURS - REMAIN = O.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMPUTE MILES
`PER GALLON
`
`AVERAGE.
`
`
`
`END FUEL DATA
`COMPUTATION
`
`ROUTINE.
`FUEL DATA AND ENGINE HOUR COMPUTATION ROUTINE.
`
`5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 21, 1991
`
`Sheet 5 of 12
`
`5,017,916
`
`
`
`BEGIN SHIFT
`mum
`ROUTINE
`
`
`
`VEHICLE SPEED
`
`IS GREATER
`
`THAN 4 MPH.
`GEARS MPH
`
`CLEAR JOB BIT
`WHICH CAUSED
`MAIN TO CALL
`THIS ROUTINE.
`
`FIND THE
`CURRENT MPH
`WITHIN TI'E
`MPH RANGESOF
`
`
`
`IS THE
`
`
`VEHICLE
`
`SPEED LESS
`
`
`THAN 4
`
`MPH
`
`'?
`YES
`
`‘
`
`NO
`
`CALCULATE
`CURRENT GEAR
`RATIO=
`GEAR RATIO =
`
`RPM/ MPH
`
` NO
`
`
`
`IS
`
`
`THE RPM
`IN A ND SHIFT
`
`
`PROMPTER RANGE
`FOR THIS
`
`
`"'2."
`
`
`YES
`
`GEARLIEISPLAYM
`
`532.5%??3
`D|SPLAY
`hm -
`POI
`'
`
`.
`
`TURN OFF SHIFT
`PROMPTERS.
`- DISABLE TARGET -
`
`RESET I
`ECWD AND
`TEN SECOM)
`TIME
`
`COUNTERS.
`
`
`
` RESTORE
`
`
`PREVIOUS LCD
`DISPLAY
`
`
`SELECTION.
`
`
`
`ENABLE SHIFT '
`“mm.”
`CALCLLATIONS
`BOTH can RATIO
`
`AND RPM LIMITS.
`
`'
`
`RESET. AND '
`ID SECOND
`TIMERS-
`
`'
`
`._l 9— ..
`
`TO FIG. SB
`
`TO FIG. ea
`
`6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 21, 1991
`
`Sheet 6 .of 12
`
`5,017,916
`
`bursa—IOUNth
`
`
`
`
`
`2.1.5?m.0.5.5.“(we
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`
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`
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`
`$255343
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`
`7
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`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`1 US. Patent
`
`May 21, 1991
`
`Sheet 7 of 12
`
`5,017,916
`
`BEGIN RPM
`COMPUTATIONS
`
`
`
`CLEAR JOB BIT
`
`
`WHICH CAUSED
`MAIN TO CALL
`THIS ROUTINE.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMPARE NEW
`VALUE OF RPM
`WITH OLD VALUE
`FROM TI-E LAST
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` APPLY SHORT
`TIME CONSTANT
`
`FILTER TO THE
`
`RPM DISPLAY
`
`VALUE .
`
`
`
` APPLY LONG
`
`TIME CONSTANT
`
`FILTER TO THE
`
`RPM DISPLAY
`VALUE.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`STORE THE
`FINAL RPM
`DISPLAY VALUE
`AS RPM-DIS.
`
`
`
` END RPM DATA
`
`
`COMPUTATION
`ROUTINE.
`
`
`RPM DATA COMPUTATION ROUTINE
`
`8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 21, 1991
`
`Sheet 8 ‘of 12
`
`5,017,916
`
`» 7:4 g_8_
`ESIN MILES AND
`
`
`MILES PER HOUR
`COMPUTATIONS.
`
`' CUMPUTE'MILlES '
`PER HOIR FROM
`WI-I- KW OF
`THE ATA LINK.
`
`STORE MPH INST
`AS MPH-DIS.
`
`COMPUTE VII-EN
`
`
`I MILE HAS
`ELAPSED BASED
`
`ON MPH.
`
`
`INCREMENT
`
`MILES TOTAL
`
`BY I.
`
`
`DECREMENT
`
`
`MlLEg; REMAIN .
`
`
`
`
`
`BEGIN XTRACT
`ROUTINE.
`
`
`
`
`
`CLEAR JOB BIT
`
`WHICH CALLED
`
`XTRACT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IDENTIFY ATA
`DATA FROM THE
`SERIAL PORT.
`
`
`
`
`
`LOAD DATA
`
`
`INTO MPH‘NEW.
`
`SET JOB BIT
`
`J. MPH-DATA.
`
`
`
`LOAD DATA
`
`INTO
`FUEL‘NEW.
`SET JOB BIT
`
`J. FUEL-DATA.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CALL
`
`MILES-REMAIN
`
`
`DISPLAY WHEN
`
`
`MILES REMAIN
`=0
`
`
`USE HILES~TOTAL
`
`
`AND ELAPSED
`TIME TO
`CALCULATE
`
`MPH- AVG.
`
`EDD MPH-DATA
`
`
`COMPUTATION
`ROUTINE .
`
`NILE PER HOUR DATA'CMPUTATION
`ROUTINE
`
`
`
`LOAD DATA
`
`
`INTO RPM-NEW.
`
`SET JOB BIT
`
`J. RPM-DATA.
`
`
`
`
`END ATA LINK
`SERVICE .
`
`ATA SERIAL DATA LINK
`SERVICE ROUTINE
`
`9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 21,1991
`
`I Sheet 9 of 12
`
`5,017,916
`
`.
`
`seem LCD OUT
`.
`“WINE
`
`
`
`
`
`359'” LCD
`DISPLAY UPDATE
`ROUTINES.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CLEAR TI'E LCD
`JOB BIT WHICH
`CAUSED MAIN
`TO CALLTHIS
`ROUTINE .
`
`CLEAR JOB BIT
`WHICH CAUSED
`MAIN TO CALL
`THIS ROUTINE.
`
`
` CALL DISPLAY
`
`ROUTINES AS
`
`
`
`IDENTIFIE BY THE
`
`
`CODES IN
`IG'SOO,
`DIG-50, BUL-§oo’
`
`
`
`-
`'
`
`
`AND BUL 50.
`LCD DRIVER.
`
`
`FUNCTION NAME
`
`
`CODE INTO THE
`
`
`DATA BUFFER.
`
`END LCD OUT
`
` SEND OUT
`
`SERIAL DATA
`BIT SCREAM
`
`WITH CLOCK TO
`
` LOAD THE PROPER
`
`
`7:17.—57.10.
`
`
`
`
`
`LOAD THE PROPER
`MODE NAME CODE
`INTO THE DATA
`BUFFER.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CALL "Boo" To
`FORMAT DISPLAY
`DATA N aco
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Foam.
`
` CALL "cow" To LDAD
`
`
`FORMATTED DATA
`INTO LCD SERIAL DATA
`
`
`BUFFER. SET JOB BIT
`IN MAIN To CALL
`
`LCD-OUT.
`
` END THE LCD
`UPDATE
`
`ROUTINE.
`
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 21, 1991
`
`Sheet 10- of 12
`
`5,017,916
`
`
`
`
`
`EGIN THE SWITCH
`SERVCE ROUTINES.
`ACTIVATED BY TIMER
`5 EVERY 50 MSEC.
`
`
`
`CLEAR JOB BIT
`WHICH CAUSED
`THIS ROUTINE
`
`TO BE CALLED.
`
`E—g._/1_
`
`READ SWITCH
`INPUTS. VERIFY
`IF TWO SWITCHES
`HAVE BEEN
`
`INTERPRET. PUSHED AT ONCE.
`
`
`
`SET JOB BIT
`_
`L
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CLEAR JOB BIT
`SET aoa‘ BIT TO
`
`
`
`WHICH CAUSED
`CALL SWITCH
`
`
`
`
`MAIN TO CALL
`AVERAGE ROUTINE
`
`
`THIS ROUTINE.
`TO DEBOUNCE
`
`
`
`SWITCH ACTIONS.
`
`
`CLEAR SWITCH
`AVERAGE JOB
`BIT.
`
`RESET THE
`DISPLAY
`POINTERS DUE
`TO SWITCH
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` ACTIONS.
` HAS A
`
`SWITCH ACT -0
`
`OCCLRRED FOR AT
`
`LEAST I50
`
`MSOEC.
`
`
`
`
`
`DO COMPUTATIONS
`OR ADJUSTMENTS
`TO VALUES AS
`NECESSARY.
`
`
`
`
`
`END SWITCH
`SERVICE
`
`ROUTINES.
`
`SWITCH SERVICE ROUTINES
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 21, 1991
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`5,017,916
`
`""5" 4
`INTERRUPT
`
`
`
`INCREMENT
`2 MSEC TIME
`COLNTER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RESET
`INTERRUPT TO
`
`OCCUR AGAIN-
`N 2 MSEC.
`
`TIMER 4
`COMPLETED '
`
`IPT SYNCHRONOUS AND
`ASYCHRONOUS INTERRUPT
`ROUTINES.
`
`7":__2. g_]24_
`
`
`
`TIMER I
`INTERRUPT
`
`
`
`MEASURE ON TIME AND
`OFF TIbE OF PULSE
`WIDTH MODULATION
`INPUT FROM
`BACKLIGHTING
`CONTROL. INTERRUPT
`ON EACH RISING AND
`FALLING EDGE.
`
`'
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RESET TIMER I
`INTERR UFT.
`STORE
`"BULB-ON"
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TIMER I
`COMPLETED
`
`
`ATA INTERRUPT
`
`
`
`SERIAL
`
`COMMUNICATION
`
`
`INTERRUPT
`OCCURS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESSOR
`STORES RAW
`DATA.
`RESETS ATA
`INTERRUPT.
`
`JOB BIT SET TO
`CALL XTRACT
`ROUTINE FROM
`MAIN JOB HANDLER.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`END ATA
`INTERRUPT
`SERVICE.
`
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 21, 1991
`
`Sheet 12. of 12
`
`' 5,017,916
`
`TIMER 7
`INTERRUPT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SET UP INTERRUPTS
`TO CAUSE PULSE
`WIDTH MODLI.ATION
`DRIVE OUTPUT EQUAL
`TO THE ON TIME
`DEFINED BY
`"BULB-0N1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` TURN ON
`BACKLIGHT
`
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`SHIFI' PROMPTER/DRIVER INFORMATION
`DISPLAY
`
`BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`'
`
`This invention relates generally to instrumentation
`displays for automotive vehicles; more specifically it
`relates to a'shift prompter/driver information display
`for a highway truck.
`The development of microelectronic circuits that are
`suitable for automobile usage has resulted in the cre-
`ation of information displays for presenting useful infor-
`mation to the driver of the vehicle.
`Typical data that is presented by an on-board mi-
`crocomputer-based display comprises; engine speed,
`vehicle speed, fuel consumption, truck mileage, elapsed
`trip time. Instantaneous and average values of these
`parameters can also be displayed. Examples of such
`displays are found in the following US. Pat. Nos.:
`4,447,860; 4,463,427; D 275,944; D 276,039; D 277,176;
`4,635,034; 4,663,718; and 4,706,083.
`in certain
`Another form of display that is useful
`‘ motor vehicles is one that is used to indicate when a
`transmission is being operated in gear that for one rea-
`son or another is not the optimal gear for the particular
`operating conditions. The intent of displaying this type
`of information is to encourage the driver of the vehicle
`to shift to a more optimal gear. Typically these gear
`change signaling systems monitor fuel consumption and
`are intended to inform the driver that better fuel econ-
`omy can be obtained in a different gear and therefore
`they serve to encourage the driver to shift to a gear that
`will result in more, economical fuel consumption.
`Examples of change gear signaling systems are found
`in the following US. Pat. Nos.: 4,494,404; 4,539,868;
`4,544,909; 4,570,226; 4,683,455; and 4,701,852.
`The present invention relates to a new and improved
`integrated powertrain display in which information
`about the operation of the vehicle powertrain is pres-
`ented to the driver of the vehicle in a display that is
`organized and arranged in a new and unique format.
`The display is operable to three different modes of oper-
`ation which are respectively referred to as the cruise
`mode, the prompt mode, and the shift mode.
`The cruise mode of operation is characterized by
`engagement of the clutch and the transmission in gear.
`In the cruise mode of operation the display presents
`informatiOn concerning the powertrain operation and
`selected by the driver from the following functions: fuel
`economy; engine speed; vehicle speed; trip time; trip
`distance; and engine operating time. A particular gener-
`alized function (principal category of information) that
`is selected for display by the driver of the vehicle is
`often characterized by different modes (or sub-catego-
`ries) and therefore the display has: the ability to further
`refine the selection in terms of a particular selectable
`mode. In the illustrated display these selectable modes
`are as follows: total; goal; average; instantaneous; and
`remaining. Obviously not all of these modes are applica-
`ble to all of the functions. For example, the remaining
`mode would have no meaning with respect to engine
`speed. However, in the case of fuel economy the instan—
`taneous, the goal and the average modes would all be
`applicable.
`v
`The prompt mode of operation is initiated during the
`cruising mode whenever the microcomputer control
`determines that the transmission should be operated in a
`
`2
`different gear from the particular gear in which it is
`presently operating. Accordingly, the display contains
`an upshift indicator and downshift indicator that are
`activated whenever upshifting or downshifting is called
`for. The intent is that the driver will observe the signal
`for either an upshift or a downshift and then make the
`appropriate gear change.
`-
`The display operates to the shift mode whenever the
`control determines that the driver is in the process of
`shifting the transmission. Specifically the shift mode
`occurs when either the clutch pedal is depressed and/or
`the transmission lever is placed in neutral. The display
`advises the driver of the identity of the target gear that
`is indicated and it also activates a two color indicator
`lamp that is used to aid the shifting. The two color
`indicator lamp serves the purpose of indicating, first by
`one color (red), the initiation of a non-proportionality
`indicative of a shifting operation being in progress; then
`once the engine speed has been brought to a speed that
`is within a predetermined range of synchronous speed
`for the target gear, the light switches to the second
`color (green) indicating that the shift can be completed.
`Once the transmission has been placed into gear and the
`clutch reengaged, the shift mode of operation ceases
`and the display reverts to the cruising mode of opera-
`tion.
`
`Associated with a numerical digital read-out of the
`display is an analogue display that is in the form of a
`series of bars that can be selectively illuminated. The
`particular number of segments that are illuminated pro-
`duces a corresponding illuminated length of this ana-
`logue display, and hence by controlling the number of
`segments that are illuminated, the length of the display
`is selectively illuminated. The length is related to differ-
`ent functions in the cruise and shift modes of operation
`of the display. In the cruise mode of operation,
`the
`analogue display provides a useful analogue indication
`in conjunction with a digital miles per gallon display
`and in the shift mode of operation the analogue display
`can provide an indication of the approach of engine
`speed to synchronous gear meshing speed.
`The foregoing, along with additional features, advan-
`tages, and benefits of the invention, will be seen in the
`ensuing description and claims which should be consid-
`ered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`The drawings disclose a presently preferred embodi-
`ment of the invention according to the best mode con-
`templated at the present time in carrying out the inven-
`tion.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the shift
`prompter/driver information display of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the module that contains
`the display.
`FIG. 3 is a chart illustrating the categories and sub-
`categories of information that can be displayed on the
`display of FIG. 2.
`FIGS. 4—12 are respective flow diagrams for various
`routines that are performed by the microcomputer
`shown in FIG. 1.
`
`65
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`The shift prompter/driver information display 10 of
`the present invention comprises a number of different
`
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`5,017,916
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`4
`chronous with the synchronous meshing speed of the
`target gear so that the shifting of the transmission to the
`target gear can be completed substantially at the syn-
`chronous meshing speed. Having briefly described the
`three modes of operation of the display, attention can
`now be directed to more specific details of each of these
`three particular modes.
`
`Cruising Mode
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`powertrain sensors, 12 generally, that are coupled via a
`data bus 14 to a microcomputer control; 16 generally.
`The microcomputer control 16_ is in turn coupled via a
`data bus 18 to a display module 20. Also forming an
`input to the microcomputer control 16 is a set of four
`keypad switches, 22 generally.
`Display module 20 is located in the instrument cluster
`of the vehicle where it is readily visible to the driver of
`the vehicle. The set of keypad switches 22 is disposed in
`a location where they can be conveniently depressed by
`the driver whenever particular information is desired to
`be displayed and/or certain display parameters are to be
`set or reset.
`
`The powertrain sensors are mounted at various loca-
`tions on the vehicle’s powertrain to provide inputs to
`microcomputer control 16 via data bus 14. Examples of
`powertrain sensors that are used in conjunction with the
`display are a fuel rate sensor that measures the rate at
`which fuel is being combusted in the engine, an engine
`speed sensor that provides a signal of engine speed, and
`a vehicle speed sensor that provides a signal of vehicle
`speed. Additional inputs from the powertrain‘ include
`switches which indicate whether the clutch is engaged.
`or disengaged and whether the transmission is in or out
`of gear. The microcomputer contains its own clock
`circuit that is used to develop time information.
`FIG. 2 shows further details of display module 20.
`The display module is contained within a container 23
`that is adapted to fit into an instrument cluster space
`previously allocated to a tachometer. While the display
`is capable of providing engine tachometric information,
`it provides a multitude of additional pieces of informa-
`tion that provide the driver with more judicious infor-
`mation to assist him than is available with a standard
`tachometer type of display.
`The display functions in three modes of operation:
`cruising; prompting; and shifting. The cruising mode of
`display is automatically brought into operation when-
`ever the transmission is in gear and the clutch is en-
`gaged. The display serves to provide a digital indication
`to the driver of the value of various categories of infor-
`mation associated with powertrain operation. While the
`display is designed to default to displaying engine ta-
`chometer information, other information can be dis-
`played through use of the keypad switch 22. Exactly
`how this occurs will be explained in more detail later
`on.
`
`Basically the cruising mode presents information to
`the driver in what may be considered the manner of a
`trip computer. The means by which this information is
`presented is unique.
`,
`The display shown in FIG. 2 comprises a four digit
`decimal display 24 that‘consists of conventional seven
`segment bars that are selectively illuminated to display
`decimal numbers. The value of data presented appears
`on display 24.
`The particular data presented is organized by cate-
`gory (function) and sub-category (mode). Running ver-
`tically along the left hand side of display 24 are a series
`26 of six data categories, namely MPG (fuel economy in
`7 miles per gallon); RPM (engine speed in revolutions per
`minute); MPH (vehicle speed in miles per hour); Time
`25
`(in minutes and seconds); Miles (distance in terms of
`miles); Engine Hours (engine operating time as mea-
`sured in hours). Running horizontally along the bottom
`of the diSplay are the following sub-categories 28: To-
`,tal; Goal; Average (Avg); Instantaneous (Inst); Re-
`maining (Remain).
`When a value is being presented on display 24, the
`appropriate one of the six function categories and the
`appropriate one of the five mode sub-categories is illu-
`minated. For example if the information presented on
`display 24 were the instantaneous fuel consumption,
`MPG would be illuminated under the function catego-
`ries and Inst. would be illuminated under the mode
`sub-categories.
`FIG. 3 identifies thirteen sub-categories of informa-
`tion that can be presented on display 24. Under the
`category MPG, instantaneous, Average and Goal sub-
`categories can be provided; under the category RPM,
`the Instantaneous sub-category can be provided; under
`the MPH category, the Average sub-category can be
`provided, under the Time category the Total and Re-
`maining subcategories can be provided; under the
`Miles category, Total, Goal and Remaining sub-catego-
`ries can be provided; and under the Engine Hours cate-
`gory, the Total, Goal and Remaining sub-categories can
`be provided.
`Keypad switch 22 is used to select the particular
`category and sub-category. The keypad has four indi
`vidual
`switches
`labeled “function-up”,
`“function-
`down”, “reset”, and “mode”. The function-up and func-
`tion-down switches are used in selecting the particular
`function, or category. The two switches are arranged to
`cause a scrolling of the function indicators. As such,
`only one of the function indicators is illuminated at any
`particular time. Pressing the function-up switch Will
`cause an upward scrolling whereby the particular func-
`tion that is illuminated will move upwardly along the
`indicators; in similar manner, depressing the function-
`down switch will cause a downward scrolling wherein
`the illuminated indicator will move downwardly.
`The mode switch is used to select the particular sub-
`category, but it only has uni-directional scrolling. Thus,
`depressing the mode switch will cause the illuminated
`sub-category to move fromleft to right across the dis-
`
`45
`
`In the prompting mode of operation the microcom-
`puter 16 senses conditions of certain of the powertrain
`sensors that indicate that shifting from the presently
`selected transmission gear to another gear is desirable.
`For example, the microcomputer may sense conditions
`indicating that better fuel economy can be obtained by
`upshifting to a higher gear. As another example, the
`microcomputer can sense conditions that are suggestive
`of a need to downshift.
`'
`
`The shift mode of operation is automatically acti-
`vated whenever the microcomputer senses that the
`transmission is in the process of being shifted. Specifi—
`cally the shift mode state occurs when the clutch pedal
`is depressed to disengage the clutch and/or the trans-
`mission lever is placed in a neutral position to disengage
`the transmission. During the shift mode of operation a
`target gear to which the engine should be shifted is
`indicated on the display and the display also indicates
`the instantaneous relationship of engine speed to the
`synchronous meshing speed of the target gear to inform
`the driver when the engine speed is substantially syn-
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`play with the scrolling wrapping around from right
`hand end to left hand end. The bidirectional scrolling
`of the function indicators also has wrap around.
`Therefore, in order to have a particular piece of infor-
`mation presented on display 24 the driver depresses the
`function-up and/or functiorkdown keys and the mode
`key in such a manner that the desired category indicator
`and sub-category indicator are illuminated. When these
`are illuminated the corresponding value of that selected
`data appears on display 24. For example by depressing
`the function-up and/or function-down switches to illu-
`minate the MPG category and by operating the mode
`switch to the average sub-category, display 24 will
`present the average MPG since it was last reSet. The
`average can be obtained by the microcomputer per-
`‘ forming calculations on the fuel rate and distance trav-
`,eled, the distance traveled being obtained by integrating
`the vehicle speed signal. In corresponding manner, the
`microcomputer performs other calculations as required
`in order to produce the values for the various sub-
`categories of information that can be presented on dis-
`play 24.
`~
`At the far right of display 22 is a display segment in
`the form of an indicator bar 30. The bar extends in two
`equal lengths from a center point 32. The bar comprises
`a number of individual consecutive segments each of
`which can be selectively illuminated. By controlling the
`extent of illumination from the center point, the indica—
`tor can function as an analogue type display. In the
`implementation of the present invention the display
`functions to indicate the extent to which the value of a
`particular selected sub-category of information that is
`presented on the multi—digit numerical display 24 is
`above or below a target value. In the case of fuel econ-
`omy it is used to show the extent to which the actual
`fuel economy is above or below a goal that has been
`established for fuel economy by either the driver or the
`fleet operator. The target goal would be located at the
`center and the extent to which the display is illuminated
`above the center would show the extent to which the
`target fuel economy is being surpassed; correspondingly
`a length of illumination below the center target would
`show the extent to which fuel economy is not being
`attained.
`
`Promoting Mode
`
`When the microcomputer control senses from the
`powertrain sensors that the transmission is being oper-
`ated in other than an optimal gear, the prompting mode
`comes into play. Display 22 contains an upshift lamp 36
`and a downshift lamp 38. The upshift lamp is illumi-
`nated when upshifting of the transmission is sensed as
`being desirable while the downshift lamp is illuminated
`when downshifting of the transmission is sensed as
`being desirable.
`
`Shift Mode
`
`Upon initiating steps to shift the transmission from
`the presently selected gear to a new gear, the display
`automatically operates in the shift mode. Based upon
`information received from the powertrain sensors, mi-
`crocomputer 16 determines the identity of the particu-
`lar target gear to which the transmission should be
`shifted and causes this identification to be displayed on
`display 24. In the embodiment of the invention that is
`illustrated in FIG. 2 the least significant of the four
`digits of display 24 is used to identify the target gear.
`There is also associated with the shift mode of operation
`
`6
`a target gear indicator lam 40 that directly overlies the
`least significant digit of display 24. This lamp is a two
`color lamp which can be selectively illuminated to two
`different colors, typically red andlgreen.
`Initiation of a shift is sensed whenever the transmis-
`sion is shifted out of gear and/or the clutch pedal is
`depressed to disengage the clutch. The microcomputer
`senses When the engine speed and the vehicle road
`speed are no longer proportional indicating clutch dis-
`engagement and/or that the transmission lever has been
`moved into a neutral position. For non-proportional
`speeds greater than 20 RPM the target geariight will
`illuminate red. As the engine speed is adjusted to within
`500 RPM of synchronous meshing speed of the target
`gear, the light will continue to glow red until the rela-
`tive speed is within 10 RPM. At this time the indicator
`switches to green to inform the driver that the shift
`should be completed because the engine speed is sub-
`stantially at the synchronous meshing speed for the
`target gear.
`,.
`As a further aid to determining when the synchro-
`nous meshing speed will be reached, the analogue dis-
`play 30 along the right side of the display is also used.
`The target gear is located at the center of the display.
`The extent to which the lighted segments extend either
`above or below the target gear speed indicates the ex-
`tent to which engine speed is above or below the syn-
`chronous meshing speed for'the target gear. As the
`speed is adjusted closer to synchronous speed, the ex-
`tent to which the display is lighted decreases until fi-
`nally only the center point 32 is left on and the synchro-
`nous speed indicator light 40 is activated green indicat-
`ing that the driver can complete the shift into the target
`gear. After the shift has been completed the display
`reverts to the cruise mode of operation.
`The microcomputer is programmed in accordance
`with the foregoing description so that the functions that
`haVe been described can be performed. FIGS. 4—12
`present flow diagrams for various routines that are per-
`formed. The flow diagrams contain sufficient detail for
`a programmer of ordinary skill in the art to develop
`suitable programming of the microcomputer. Accord-
`ingly, and in the interest of conciseness, the illustrated
`flow diagrams will not be described in detail since they
`themselves contain detailed descriptions.
`FIG. 4 shows the main job service routine which
`calls the computational routines. The computational
`routines are: fuel data-and engine hour computation
`routine (FIG. 5);
`target gear computation routines
`(FIG. 6A and 6B); RPM data computation routine
`(FIG. 7); and mile per hour data computation routine
`(FIG. 8). The ATA serial data link service routine of
`FIG. 9 reads input data on the vehicle’s data link. The
`routine of FIG. 10 updates and controls the display.
`The switch service routine of FIG. 11 reads the switch
`inputs. FIGS. 12A and 12B portray IPT synchronous
`and asynchronous interrupt routines.
`From the foregoing description it can be seen that a
`display with multi-functional capabilities has been dis-
`closed. In addition to providing information about gen-
`eral vehicle operation such as speed, distance, etc., the
`display is useful in aiding the driver to shift gears. While
`a preferred embodiment of the invention has been dis-
`closed, it will be appreciated that principles are applica-
`ble to other embodiments.
`What is claimed is:
`1. For a vehicle having a powertrain which com-
`prises an engine that drives a shiftable multi-gear trans-
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`mission through a clutch, an on-board microcomputer-
`based display that provides information about the vehi-
`cle pow