Daimler Chrysler Ag

Volker Seefried

Juergen Minuth

Peter Lohrmann

Thilo Kuehner

Bernd Saeufferer

Christian Kuehn

Guenter Branz

Martin Huber

Werner Preuschoff

Thomas Kersten

Helmar Kuder

In a method and apparatus for configuration of networked controllers in a vehicle that can be manufactured with various outfitting variants (that is, differing components and features), at least one controller being configurable to different outfitting variants of the vehicle, characterizing information is stored for the various outfitting variants of the vehicle. The data for configuring the controllers are stored in an outfitting variant controller on board the vehicle. A particular controller that is to be configured in this manner transmits characterizing information to the outfitting variant controller for configuration to a specified outfitting variant of the vehicle in which it is installed. The outfitting variant controller assembles the data for configuring the particular controller using the characterizing information and the data stored on the outfitting variant controller. The data assembled in this manner are written into a memory unit of the particular controller to configure to accommodate the specified outfitting variant.

Method for coding control devices in means of conveyance

An electronic vehicle controller has a processor unit and a communication output stage for coupling the controller to a databus. A data protocol device, which is connected between the processor unit and the communication output stage, variably defines the data protocol to be used for a particular data transfer, as a function of protocol control information which is supplied to its input side. The data protocol device may be in the form of hardware or software, and allows flexible data protocol selection even at the end of the controller development process.

Electronic vehicle controller with a databus capability

Growing community of inventors

Esslingen, Germany

Volker Seefried