`Uchidaet al.
`
`[54] VEHICLE INFORMATION
`COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND VEHICLE
`INFORMATION COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`|75]
`
`Inventors: Toshihiro Uchida; Hiroshi Honda;
`Akihiro Tanaka; Kazunori Sakai;
`Norimasa Hiramatsu,all of Aichi-ken,
`Japao
`
`|73|] Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisa,
`Toyota, Japan
`
`{21} Appl. No.:
`
`09/297,963
`
`[22]
`
`PCTFiled:
`
`Noy. 13, 1997
`
`[86]
`
`PCT No.
`
`PCT/JP97/04147
`
`§
`
`Jul. 12, 1999
`
`$ 102(¢) Date: Jul. 12, 1999
`
`[87]
`
`PCT Pub. No. WO98/21077
`
`PCTPub. Date: May 22, 1998
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Noy. 13,1996
`ETP]
`Japan ccssessccsserseessesmessssestesves 8-302164
`Nov. 25,1996
`[JP]
`Japan cesscsscessssinaens, 8313908
`PSU) (UO ccnascininncssticcccssscsicic
`ainal OO OU
`
`[52] US. CMe occcessseercsteesene 340/999; 340/439; 340/539;
`701/24; 455/420
`[58] Field of Search oo... 340/639, 539,
`340/531, 999; 73/116, 701/24; 770/338,
`455/420; 702/122
`
`\56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,853,850
`5.278.759
`5,442,553
`5,499,181
`5,513,107
`
`8/1989 Brass, Ir et ab. sss TOL/35
`1/1994 Berra et al.
`..
`we TOL
`
`455/420
`8/1995 Parrillo......
`
`3/1996 Smith ....
`455/456
`4/1996 Gormley cccsueesessseneens 701/48
`
`USO06127947A
`
`(1) Patent Number:
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,127,947
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`SSTSOFU
`5.844.473
`5,848,004
`5,867,089
`5.908454
`6,029,508.
`
`senssscccccscascasicinenseeieasiic 340/439
` GALBOE Doyle:
`« 440/439
`12/1998 Kaman .
`
`12/1998 Cowan .....
`» 370/338
`
`2/1999 Zyburt etal.
`...
`340/323 R
`6/1999 Zyburt eb al.
`...
`eee TOL/24
`2/2000 Schoenbeck et al.
`............--...-- T3/1LL6
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0383 593
`299439
`5-195859
`6-219187
`6-229767
`6-266997
`6-207983
`7-223516
`3-203770
`§-95488
`
`8/1990
`4/1990
`8/1993
`8/1994
`8/1994
`9/1994
`10/1994
`8/1995
`«99/1995
`4/1996
`
`European Pat. Off.
`Japan -
`Japan .
`Japan .
`Japan .
`Japan .
`Japan .
`Japan .
`Japan .
`Japan .
`
`Primary Examiner—Beojamin C. Lee
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Burns, Doane, Swecker &
`Mathis, LLP
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A vehicle onboard device having characteristics capable of
`being changed communicates with a vehicle to set a char-
`acteristic value lo an optimumvalue. Parameters for setting
`conditions of an electronic device are called out of an
`E*PROM 14, ofthe vehicle 10, and are transmitted to a
`technology center 40 via a dealer 20,, and an information
`center 30,. Each dealer 20,, the information center 30),, and
`the technology center 40 accumulate the parameters. The
`technology center 40 can collect the parameters of numerous
`vehicles and characteristic values for electronic control of
`eachof the vehicles and can calculate newest and optimum
`parameters, ‘The technology center 40) transmits this newest
`and optimum vehicle information to the vehicle 10,, and
`each vehicle updates the parameters thereofto these newest
`and optimum parameters. Accordingly, the parameters of the
`vehicle are set as the newest parameters.
`
`13 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
`
`12a
`
`
`
` Tm)
`
`UL) MEMORY i
`
`| (EPROM) ;
`
`B04
`
`PCNA Ex. 1034
`U.S. Patent No. 9,955,551
`
`PCNA Ex. 1034
`U.S. Patent No. 9,955,551
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`Paf hire
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`al
`Ww
`
`=
`tT
`Te}
`
`©
`
`14i
`
`=a
`
`t
`ina
`
`ao
`
`u
`oO
`
`8
`
`ai
`
`3
`
`
`
`—- oO
`
`EP
`
`x
`
`O
`
`Le
`
`Si
`
`=
`iad
`ou
`uD
`a
`
`re
`
`KH
`Ss
`—
`el
`4
`
`64i
`
`66i
`
`681
`
`701
`
`fq
`2
`
`= alle||
`
`33
`oO
`-
`
`oS
`
`e4
`b
`=
`
`QO,
`KH
`=
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 15
`
`FIG. 8
`
`PROCESSING IN VEHICLE ECU
`
`N
`
`N
`
`START
`
`100
`
`IS HARNESS
`CONNECTED ?
`
`Y
`
`Oe
`
`104
`
`DATA OUTPUT
`REQUEST MADE
`ry
`READ DATA
`
`106~.
`
`TRANSMIT DATA
`
`108
`
`>—TRITE
`REQUEST MADE ?
`
`N
`
`109
`
`RECEIVE DATA
`
`WRITE DATA TO E*PROM
`
`110
`
`We~“STS HARNESS
`DISCONNECTED
`
`N
`
`
`
`Y
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`FIG. 4
`
`PROCESSING BY DEALER
`
`START
`
`200
`
`TS CONNECTOR
`CONNECTED ?
`
`N
`
`-
`202
`OUTPUT OF DATA OUTPUT
`REQUEST SIGNAL
`
`204 (RECEIVE VEHICLE DATA
`FROM MOUNTED ECU
`
`
`
`206|ACCUMULATE DATA
`
`208|TRANSMIT DATA
`
`210
`
`DATA
`RECEIVING REQUEST
`MADE ?
`
`Y
`
`212
`
`N
`
`ACCUMULATE
`RECEIVED DATA
`
`214
`
`TRANSMIT VEHICLE DATA
`WRITE REQUEST AND DATA
`TO MQUNTED ECU
`
`IS CONNECTOR
`DISCONNECTED ?
`
`Y
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`FIG.
`
`5
`
`PROCESSING AT INFORMATION CENTER
`
`S00 COMMUNICATION
`REQUEST MADE
`
`fi
`
`STARTk
`302—\FROM DEALERti304—|
`
`READ VEHICLE DATA
`
`ACCUMULATE DATA
`
`306—|
`
`TRANSMIT DATA
`
`308
`
`DATA RECEIVED ?
`N
`
`5 10
`Y
`ACCUMULATE
`RECEIVED DATA
`
`TRANSMIT DATA WRITE
`REQUEST AND DATA TO
`DEALER
`
`314 rhCOMMUNICATION
`
`TERMINATED ?
`
`312
`
`
`
`Y
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 6 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`FIG. 6
`
`PROCESSING IN TECHNICAL CENTER
`
`START
`
`-400
`
`COMMUNICATION
`REQUEST MADE ?
`
`Y
`READ VEHICLE DATA FROME
`INFORMATION CENTER
`
`N
`
`aos
`
`ACCUMULATE DATA
`
`[~404
`
`STATISTIC PROCESSING
`
`}-406
`
`-408
`CHANGED PORTION
`EXISTS ?
`
`¥.
`
`410
`
`N
`
`TRANSMIT VEHICLE DATA
`RECEIVING REQUEST AND
`DATA TO PERTINENT
`INFORMATION CENTER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IS ae
`
`COMMUNICATION
`TERMINATED ?
`
`Y
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 7 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`wazrrtaonnt||¥20THOO)|xa08eaa
`HelOZL3Zél
`
`isWoodIwas
`az.OZL
`
`el
`
`6seis
`
`
`
`oranySedu
`
`
`
`(NOILVOIAYN)NOG
`
`VIGINILTON
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 8 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`E fii. S
`
`INTERRUPTION PROCESSING EXECUTED
`AT REGULAR PREDETERMINED TIMES
`
`SELECT ECU
`
`502
`
`VEHICLE INFORMATION
`ENQUIRY (MEMORY)
`
` 500_-{_
`
`
`
` S06
`
`504
`
`IS
`VEHICLE INFORMATION
`CHANGED ?
`
`ADD TO BACKUP DATA
`REQUESTING BACKUP
`
`ARE ALL ECUS
`COMPLETED ?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 9 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`FJG. 9
`
`ESSING
`
`EXECUTED IN ECU
`
`START
`
`LOG-IN PROCEDURE
`COMPLETED ?
`
`Y
`
`
`INFORMATION REQUEST
`
`TRANSMITTED ?
`
`514
`Y
`
`RECEIVE REQUESTED
`INFORMATION
`
`
` 516
`IS REQUESTED
`
`INFORMATION INPUT
`STARTED ?
`
`
`
` Y
`
`518—~
`
`START BACKUP DATA
`TRANSMISSION
`
`
`
`IS REQUESTED
`
`INFORMATION RECEPTION
`
`COMPLETED ?
`
`
`
` 924 Y
`
` CONTINUE BACKUP
`
`TERMINATE BACKUP
`DATA TRANSMISSION
`
`
`(HOLD INFORMATION TO
`
`
`CONTINUE NEXT TIME)
`
`DATA TRANSMISSION
`
`END
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 10 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`FIG. 10
`
`PROCESSING IN TECHNICAL CENTER
`
`
`
`
`
` 542 TS INFORMATION
`
`REQUEST RECEIVED ?
`
`
`z
`544
`START REQUESTED
`INFORMATION TRANSMISSION
`
`546
`
`1S BACKUP
`DATA RECEIVED ?
`
`CONTINUE BACKUP
`DATA RECEPTION
`559
`
`
`
`
`
`IS BACKUP
`DATA RECEIVED ?
`y
`TERMINATE REQUESTED
`
`INFORMATION TRANSMISSION]
`
`(HOLD INFORMATION TO
`
`
`CONTINUE NEXT TIME)
`
`
`END
`
`
`
`
`START BACKUP DATA RECEPTION
`
`550
`
`IS TRANSMISSION
`COMPLETED ? =
`Y
`
`552
`
`N
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 11 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`elveL@O€rehoasiSesiee4Sl
`VN@sUéSg2ésVes|||||
`
`NekUSLUpylLUSLavia@eltvrtVet
`
`
`
`XYOWSNAYOWIWKYOWINKYOWIN
`
`el
`
`bkOS)4
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 12 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`Ves
`
`Verl
`
`
`VOSSJINOWLOYTY
`Ves VoL
`
`ee
`NOISNadsns}y~29
` gian4°4|(aadadSuwo)|»
`
`YOSNAS|HONYNINNTTI
`YANOTLIGNOD
`
` dIvaAWiasIa.||
`|WidIM|89
`
`WaLaW
`
`Oe
`
`ve
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 13 of15
`
`6,127,947
`
`FIG. 13
`
`
`
`INITIALPROCESSINGINECU
`
`BATTERY CONNECTION
`
`602
`
`READ MEMORY
`
`604
`
`
`
`
`N
`
`608
`
`ARE DATA
`PREFERABLE ?
`Y
`
`606
`
`
`START OF
`
`ECU'S OWN E°PROM
`
`UNWRITTEN ?
`N
`Y
`COMMUNICATE WITH THE OTHER ECUSK-6IO
`612
`
`N
`DO THE
`OTHER ECUS HOLD
`OUTPUT OF
`ae
`WARING SIGNAL|-©!4
`ay
`618
`616
`_N
`620
`PLURALITY OF ECUS
`eee HOLD DATA ?
`
`
`PERTINENT ECU|24> YevnieueNe
`READ DATA OF|ISPECIFICATION
`PERTINENT ECU}
`|QSING EXTERIOR
`WRITE READ
`
`
`
`DATA AS DATA] go
`TOOL, ETC.
`
`THREE
`ECU
`N
`
`OR MORE ECUS ?
`630
`
`628
`Y
`CONEAREWRITING
`ECUS BY MAJORITY AND WRITE]
`[WRITENEWDATA
`
`
`622
`
`JUDGE DATA OF THE OTHER
`
`
`
`THIS DATA TO OWN ECU
`
`
`
`632
`OWN _ECU
`WRITING PRESENT ?
`
`
`
`
`OUTPUT DATA OF OWN
`
`ECU (BACKUP REQUEST)
`
`
`
`
`
`OK FROM
`
`THE OTHER ECUS ?
`
` REQUEST MADE
`
`
`
`FROM THE OTHER ECUS ?
`
`
`
`END
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 14 of15
`
`6,127,947
`
`FIG. 14
`
`TOOL PROCESSING IN ECU
`
`1S REQUEST
`SIGNAL RECEIVED ?
`
`Y
`
`-644
`
`WRITING REQUEST ?
`
`
` 652
`
`READ DATA
`
`READ CHARACTERISTIC
`VALUES FROM MEMORY
`
`
`646
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`648
`
`WRITE READ
`DATA TO MEMORY
`
`OUTPUT DATA
`
`BACKUP
`PROCESSING
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 15 of 15
`
`6,127,947
`
`FIG. 15
`
`PROCESSING OF ADJUSTER
`
`START
`
`TURN ON POWER
`
`660
`
`OUTPUT READING
`REQUEST SIGNAL
`
`6
`
`6
`
`2
`
`READ/DISPLAY DATA
`FROM CONNECTED ECU
`
`6
`
`64
`
`DETERMINE CHANGED DATA
`(CHARACTERISTIC VALUES)
`
`666
`
`OUTPUT WRITE
`REQUEST SIGNAL
`
`6
`
`6
`
`8
`
`OUTPUT DATA
`(CHARACTERISTIC VALUES)
`
`670
`
`
`
`6,127,947
`
`1
`VEHICLE INFORMATION
`COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND VEHICLE
`INFORMATION COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`invention relates to a vehicle information
`The present
`communication device and a vehicle information commu-
`nication syslem, and particularly relates to a vehicle infor-
`mation communication device and a vehicle information
`communication system communicating information with a
`vehicle when characteristics of a vehicle onboard device
`which characteristics are capable of being changed are
`changed intentionally by a user, or by geographical factors,
`elc.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`In revent years, a plurality of electronic control units
`(hereinafier, called ECUs) have been mounted in a vehicle.
`This plurality of ECUs are connected to each other by a bus
`so thai a local area network (hereimalter, called a LAN) is
`constructed. Data can be communicated between these
`ECUs.
`
`20)
`
`Each ofthe plurality of ECUs controls the characteristics
`of a vehicle onboard device. Characteristic values for deter-
`mining the characteristics of the vehicle onboard devices
`governed by of each ECU ts stored in that ECUs. For
`example, when the vehicle onboard device is a headlamp,
`there is an ECU for controlling a turning-on operation in
`which the headlamp is automatically turned on when the
`vehicle enters a tunnel and is also automatically turned on in
`the evening, etc. In this case, the headlamp is turned on when
`illuminance from an illuminance sensor
`is less than a
`predetermined value. This automatic turning-on Lime, 1.e.,
`the predetermined illuminance value can be set as a different
`value in depending on the user and the local area,
`Accordingly,
`there are cases in which a change in the
`predeterminedilluminance value is required.
`A general control system for an automobile is proposed as
`asystem capable of changing the control parameter program
`of each of the ECUs mounted in such a vehicle in accor-
`dance with a user's taste (see Japanese Patent Application
`Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 6-219187). In this technique, a char-
`acteristic value for electronic control of the vehicle is
`obtained by a controller and is sent to 4 service center and
`the analyzed results of the characteristic value can be shown
`to a driver. Further, it is possible to maintain and check the
`characteristic value as to whether or not there is a problem
`with the characteristic value proper to the vehicle.
`However,
`in the conventional system, the characteristic
`values of the individual vehicle can be maintained and
`checked, but characteristics arising from the intentions of the
`user of from the local geography can be automatically
`reflected. Puriher, the characteristic values of the individual
`vehicle can be maintained and checked, but characteristics
`arising from the intentions of the user or from the local
`geography cannot be reflected. Furthermore, the character-
`istic values must be finely adjusted for each individual
`vehicle, For example, changes in the characteristics arising
`from the tastes of many users and the characteristic values
`of a particular vehicle are continually changing.
`Accordingly, the user's intentions, etc. cannot be reflected
`by only simply maintaining and checking the characteristic
`values.
`there is a case in which the vehicle onboard
`Further,
`device is replaced with a new deviceor other parts due to the
`passage of time, device replacement, cic. In this case, the
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Sl
`
`55
`
`6
`
`65
`
`2
`characteristic values of Ihe ECU governing, the new vehicle
`onboard device are different or are unrecorded. Accordingly,
`il
`is necessary to set al
`least
`the pertinent characteristic
`values every time the vehicle onboard device ts replaced
`with a new device or other parts.
`However, in the conventional system, the characteristic
`values for electronic control ofthe vehicle are obtained and
`are maintained and checked in accordance with the sugges-
`lion of the analyzed results of the service center.
`Accordingly,it is necessary lo perform a complicated opera-
`lion in which the characteristics of all vehicle onboard
`devices are oblained and the pertinent characteristic values
`in the maintenance and checking are sel to suitable values
`every time a vehicle onboard device is replaced with a new
`device or with another part.
`Further, there are now vehicles capable of being equipped
`with controllers such as a telephone system, a navigation
`system, a TV system, etc., and information according to the
`tastes of the main user, e.g, the driver, may be recorded to
`each of these controllers. This information may consist of
`personal information such as a rest of telephone numbers,
`address data, a list of recorded locations relating to desti-
`nations of the navigation system, etc. set by an individual,
`This personal
`information is not as widely used as the
`control information, but there is a desire for temporarily and
`reliably holding this personal information.
`However, in the conventional system, the characteristic
`value of the individual vehicle can be maintained and
`checked, but no non-geoeral use information such as per-
`sonal information can be held.
`
`In consideration of the above facis, an object of the
`present invention is to provide a velucle information com-
`munication device and a vehicle information communica-
`lion system capable of communicating with a vehicle to set
`a characteristic value of a vehicle onboard device capable of
`changing the characteristics to their optimum values.
`Further, in addition to the above object, another object of
`the present invention is to provide a vehicle information
`communication device and a vehicle information commu-
`nication system capable of simply setting the characteristics
`of the vehicle onboard device capable of changing the
`characteristics,
`
`DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
`
`a vehicle information
`To achieve the above objects,
`communication device in the invention described in claim 1
`comprises control means for a vehicle which is mounted in
`the vehicle and is connected to a vehicle onboard device
`having characteristics capable of being changed, and which
`stores characteristic values for determining the characteris-
`tics of the vehicle onboard device and controls the charac-
`teristics of the vehicle onboard device using these chirac-
`terisuic values; and communication control means which can
`be connected to said control means for a vehicle, and which
`stores characteristic values for determining characteristics of
`said vehicle onboard device, including previously predeter-
`mined characteristic values of said control means for a
`vehicle, and also reads characteristic values stored in said
`control means for a vehicle and obtains stored characteristic
`values corresponding to the read characteristic values, and
`updates characteristic values stored in said control means for
`a vehicle to said obtained characteristic values.
`In the vehicle information communication device
`described in claim 1, the invention deseribed in claim 2 is
`characterized in that said communication control means
`accumulates, as said stored characteristic values, vehicle
`
`
`
`6,127,947
`
`3
`information including previously determined characteristic
`values of said control means for a vehicle and reads char-
`acteristic values stored in said contro] means for a vehicle as
`vehicle information and obtains accumulated vehicle infor-
`mation corresponding to read vehicle information, and
`updates characteristic values stored in said control means for
`a vehicle with characteristic values includedin the obtained
`vehicle information.
`In the vehicle information communication device
`described in claim 2, the invention described in claim 3 is
`characterized in thal said communication control means
`comprises accumulating means for accumulating the vehicle
`information including, previously determined characteristic
`values of said control means for a vehicle; and communi-
`calion control means which is connected to said control
`means fora vehicle and said accumulating means and reads
`the characteristic values stored in said control means for a
`vehicle as vehicle information and obtains the vehicle infor-
`mation accumulated in said accumulating means and which
`corresponds to read vehicle information, and updates char-
`acteristic values stored in said control means for a vehicle to
`characteristic values included in the obtained vehicle infor-
`mation.
`In the vehicle information communication device
`described in claim 2 or 3, the invention described in claim
`4 is characterizedin that said contro! means for a vehicle is
`connected via a local area network for a vehicle to a plurality
`of vehicle onboard devices each of whose characteristics are
`capable of being altered, and stores cach characieristic value
`for determining each of the characteristics ofsaid plurality
`of vehicle onboard devices, and controls the characteristics
`of each of said plurality of vehicle onboard devices by each
`characteristic value.
`In the vehicle information communication device
`described in any one of claims 2 to 4, the invention described
`in claim 5 is characterized in that said accumulating means
`accumulates vehicle information calculated on the basis of
`information of a plurality of vehicles read by said commu-
`nication control means.
`In the vehicle information communication device
`deseribed in claim 1, the invention deseribed in claim 6 is
`characterized in that said communication control means is
`provided externally of said vehicle and can be connected to
`said control means for a vehicle by wireless communication
`and comprises receiving means for receiving said informa-
`tion by said communication control means from said control
`means fora vehicle, and transmitting means for transmitting
`said information to said control means for a vehicle; and,
`when information including characteristic values is trans-
`mitted and received between said control means for a
`vehicle and said communication control means, said receiv-
`ing means and said transmitting means simultaneously per-
`form al least one portion ofthe reception of said information
`in said receiving means and the transmission of said infor-
`mation in said transmitting means.
`In the vehicle information communication device
`described in claim 6, the invention described in claim 7 is
`characterized in that said communication contro] means
`receives request information requested from a vehicle from
`said control means for a vehicle, and transmits response
`information expressing a response Lo said request informa-
`lion from said communication conirol means to said control
`means for 4 vehicle.
`In the vehicle information communication device
`described in claim 6 or 7, the invention described in claim
`8 is characterized in that said communication control means
`
`4
`is connected to said control means for a vehicle by wireless
`communicalion using a mobile wireless telephone circuit.
`In the vehicle information communication device
`described in claim 1, the invention described in claim 9 is
`characterized in thal said control means for a vehicle com-
`prises a plurality of device control means each controlling
`characteristics for determining, characteristics of cach
`vehicle onboard device governed by cach device control
`means, and each device control means stores characteristic
`values for determining characteristics of said vehicle
`onboard devices a8 main characteristic values in memory
`means, and the memory means is capable of storing char-
`acteristic values for determining characteristics of another
`vehicle onboard device as subcharacteristic values, and
`controls characteristics of a governed vehicle onboard
`device on ihe basis of the main characteristic value stored in
`the memory means; and said communication control means
`comprises register means for storing characteristic values of
`the governed vehicle onboard devicesin each of the memory
`means of said device contro] means as the main character-
`istic values and storing main characteristic values other than
`the main characteristic values to be stored in at least one of
`said memory means in this memory means as subcharacter-
`istic values; and update means which obtains the main
`characteristic values and the subcharacteristic values stored
`in each of the memory means of said device control means,
`and calculates the main characteristic values of the device
`control means relative to the obtained subcharacteristic
`values on the basis of the obtained subcharacteristic values
`and the main characteristic values stored in the memory
`means of the device control means relative to these sub-
`characteristic values, and updates the main characteristi¢
`values of the memory means ofsaid device control means to
`the calculated main characteristic values.
`In the vehicle information communication device
`described in claim 9, the invention described in claim 10 is
`characterizedin that the vehicle information communication
`device further comprises changing means for changing main
`characteristic values stored in said memory means wherein,
`when the main characteristic values are changed by said
`changing means, said register means stores in main charac-
`teristic values in the memory means apart from the memory
`means having the changed main characteristic values as the
`subcharacteristic values,
`In the vehicle information communication device
`described in claim 9 or 10, the invention deseribed in claim
`LL is characterized in that
`the plurality of device control
`means of said control means for a vehicle are connected to
`each other by a local area network for a vehicle.
`The invention described in claim 12 resides in a vehicle
`information communication system characterized in that
`information is communicated between control means for a
`vehicle for controlling characteristics of a vehicle onboard
`device mounted in the vehicle using of characteristic values
`for determining the characieristics of ihe vehicle onboard
`device and characteristic value memory means provided
`externally of said vehicle and storing said characteristic
`values, wherein: characteristic values for determining the
`characteristics of said vehicle onboard device,
`including,
`previously determined characteristic values of said control
`means for a vehicle are stored in said characteristic value
`memory means;
`the characteristic values stored in said
`control means for a vehicle are read;
`the characteristic
`values corresponding to the read characteristic values and
`stored in said characterisuc values memory means are
`obtained; and the characteristic values stored in said control
`means for a vehicle are updated to said obtained character-
`istic values.
`
`10
`
`40
`
`60)
`
`65
`
`
`
`6,127,947
`
`5
`The invention described in claim 13 resides in a vehicle
`information communication system characterized in that
`information is communicated between control means for a
`vehicle for controlling characteristics of a vehicle onboard
`device mountedin the vehicle using characteristic values for
`determining the characteristics of the vehicle onboard device
`and characteristic value memory means provided externally
`of said vehicle and storing said characteristic values,
`wherein the vehicle information communication system
`simultaneously performs at
`least one portion of each of
`processing for receiving information including said charac-
`teristic values from said control means for a vehicle con-
`nected by wireless communication, and processing for trans-
`mitting information including said characteristic values to
`said control means for a vehicle connected by wireless
`communication,
`The invention described in claim 14 resides in a vehicle
`information communication system characterized in that
`information is communicated between control means for a
`vehicle for controlling characteristics of a vehicle onboard
`device mounted in the vehicle using characteristic values for
`determining the characteristics of the vehicle onboard device
`and characteristic value memory means provided externally
`of said vehicle and storing said characteristic values,
`wherein: said control means for a vehicle comprises a
`plurality of device control means each controlling charac-
`teristics for determining the characteristics of each vehicle
`onboard device governed by the device control means and
`each device contro] means stores characteristic values for
`determining the characteristics of said vehicle onboard
`device as main characteristic values, and has memory means
`capable of storing characteristic values for determining
`characteristics of another vehicle onboard device as sub-
`characteristic values, and controls the characteristics of the
`governed vehicle onboard device on the basis of the matin
`characteristic values stored in the memory means; said
`control means for a vehicle stores the characteristic values of
`the governed vehicle onboard device in each of the memory
`means of said device control means as main characteristic
`values, and stores main characteristic values other than the
`main characteristic values to be stored in ai least one of said
`memory means in this memory means as subcharacteristic
`values; and said control means for a vehicle obtains the main
`characteristic values and the subcharacteristic values stored
`in each of the memory meansof said device control means,
`and calculates the main characteristic values of the device
`control means relative to the obtained subcharacteristic
`values on the basis of the oblained subcharacteristic values
`and the main characteristic values slored in the memory
`means of the device control means relative lo these sub-
`characterisiic values, and updates the calculated main char-
`acteristic value to the main characteristic values of the
`memory means of said device control means.
`lo ihe invention of claim 1, the cootrol means for the
`vehicle controls the characieristics of a vehicle onboard
`device mounted in the vehicle by the stored characteristic
`values. Vehicle onboard devices include interior electric
`mounted devices such as a headlamp device, ctc., chassis
`devices such as 4 suspension device, etc. Guiding devices
`such as a communication device, a navigation system, etc.
`capable of changing characteristic values ofa telephone and
`the like provided within the vehicle can be adopted as a
`vehicle onboard device, The characteristic values of these
`communication devices may consist of a telephone directory
`for storing dial mumbers determined in advance and regis-
`lered by a user, sound volumes at
`the time of
`communicating, and the like. The characteristic values of the
`
`10
`
`20)
`
`a5
`
`40
`
`50)
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`guiding device may consist of display ranges of destinations
`and map information, ete. This control means for the vehicle
`can be connected to the communication control means. This
`communication control means stores the characteristic val-
`ues for determining the characteristics of
`the vehicle
`onboard device including the previously determined char-
`acterisuic values of the control means for the vehicle. The
`communication control means reads the characteristic val-
`ues stored in the contro! means for the vehicle and obtains
`the stored characteristic values corresponding to the read
`characteristic values. The communication control means
`also updates the characteristic values stored in the control
`means for the vehicle to the obtained characteristic values.
`Thus, the characteristic values stored in the control means
`for the vebicle are read and the corresponding characteristic
`values are obtained and updated so that the characteristic
`values stored in the control means for the vehicle can be
`updated to optimum characteristic values and the character-
`istic values of the control means for the vehicle can be
`adjusted to the best state.
`In the invention of claim 2, as mentioned above, the
`control means for the vehicle controls the characteristics of
`the vehicle onboard device such as a interior electric
`mounted device such as a headlamp device, ete. mounted in
`the vehicle, a chassis device, cic. such as a suspension
`device, ete. by the stored characteristic values. There is an
`ECU for performing control governing each of these vehicle
`onboard devices in this contro! means for the vehicle. This
`control means for a vehicle is connected to the communi-
`cation control means, This communication control means
`can be connected to accumulating means for accumulating
`vehicle information including the previously determined
`characteristic values of the control means for a vehicle, The
`accumulating means consists of a technology center and a
`central processing center for collecting various kinds of
`technical
`information, etc. In the vehicle information, the
`type of vehicle having the characteristic values can be set as
`atiribute information with respect to the characteristic val-
`UES,
`
`It is possible to treat the characteristic values in accor-
`dance with the type of car by adding the type of car to the
`vehicle information even when the characteristic values are
`different for cach type of car. The conmunieation control
`means reads the characteristic values stored in the control
`means for the vehicle as vehicle information and obtains the
`vehicle information accumulated in the accumulating means
`and corresponding to the read vehicle information. The
`vehicle information can be read when the characterisucs of
`the vehicle onboard device are adjusted by a dealer, etc.
`The communication control means also updates the char-
`aclerislic values stored in the control means for the vehicle
`to characteristic values included in the obtained vehicle
`information, The communication control means consists of
`a controller of a dealer, an automobile inspection place, etc.
`able to be connected to the vehicle and able to be also
`connected to the technology center, elec. by a telephone
`circuit ete. Thus,
`the characteristic values stored in the
`control meansfor the vehicle are read and the corresponding
`vehicle information is obtained and the characteristic values
`are updated so that the characteristic values stored in the
`control means for the vehicle can be updated to optimum
`characteristic values and the characteristic values of the
`control means for a vehtele can be adjusted to the best static,
`In the invention of claim 3, the communication control
`means is connected to the control means for the vehicle and
`the accumulating means. The communication control means
`reads the characteristic value stored to the control meansfor
`
`
`
`6,127,947
`
`on
`
`20
`
`7
`the vehicle as vehicle information and obtains the vehicle
`information accumulated in the accumulating means and
`corresponding to the read vehicle information, The commu-
`nication control means then updates the characteristic value
`stored to the control means for the vehicle to a characteristic
`value included in the obtained vehicle information, Thus, the
`characieristic value stored to the control means for
`the
`vehicle is read and the corresponding vehicle information
`accumulated in the accumulating means is obtained andthe
`characteristic value is updated. Accordingly, the character-
`istic value stored to the control means for the vehicle can be
`updated to an optimum characteristic value and the charac-
`teristic value of the control means for the vehicle can be
`adjusted to a best state.
`There are a plurality of vehicle onboard devices con-
`nected to each other by a local area network for the vehicle
`within the vehicle and constructed such that operations of
`the respective vehicle onboard devices are generalized and
`managed within the vehicle. In this case, there is a case in
`which the characteristic value is stored together when char-
`acteristics of the individual vehicle onboard devices are
`changed. Therefore, as described in claim 4, if said control
`means for the vehicle is connected to the plurality of vehicle
`onboard devices capable of respectively changing charac-
`teristics by the local area network for the vehicle and each ,
`characterisuic value for determining the characteristics of
`each of said plurality of vehicle onboard devices is stored
`and the characteristics of each of said plurality of vehicle
`onboard devices are controlled by this each characteristic
`value, the characteristic value corresponding to cach of the
`plurality of vehicle onboard devices can be requested and
`managed logether.
`is
`it
`treating many vehicles,
`In a vehicle dealer for
`possible to collect many characteristic values for electronic
`control of electronic devices mounted to each vehicle. These
`many characteristic values include many characteristic val-
`ues changed so far by a user's intention and area character-
`istics. Accordingly, as described in claim
Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.
After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.
Accept $ ChargeStill Working On It
This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.
Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.
A few More Minutes ... Still Working
It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.
Thank you for your continued patience.
This document could not be displayed.
We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.
Your account does not support viewing this document.
You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.
Your account does not support viewing this document.
Set your membership
status to view this document.
With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll
get a whole lot more, including:
- Up-to-date information for this case.
- Email alerts whenever there is an update.
- Full text search for other cases.
- Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.
One Moment Please
The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.
Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.
Your document is on its way!
If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.
Sealed Document
We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.
If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.
Access Government Site