Method and apparatus for dynamic configuration of multiprocessor system

US 7,778,739 B2
Filed: 08/07/2006
Issued: 08/17/2010
Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2001
Status: Expired due to Fees

- Alert
- Pin

First Claim

Patent Images

1. A system having multiple on-board processors configured to operate within a vehicle, comprising:

one or more of the multiple on-board processors coupled together through multiple links into a multiprocessor network, wherein the multiprocessor network is configured to;

operate a transceiver configured to detect and establish communication between at least one processor in the multiprocessor network and at least one new device brought into or next to the vehicle;

selectively connect the new device to the multiprocessor network;

use a data manager to identify a particular type of data used in the new device and processed with a first software application controlled and operated by the new device;

identify a second software application from among multiple different software applications located in a memory in the multiprocessor network, wherein the second software application is currently not loaded in or operated by any of the on-board processors, and the second software application is also configured to process the same particular type of data processed by the first software application controlled and operated by the new device;

using the data manager to select a particular one of the on-board processors for operating the second software application selected from the memory;

automatically move the second software application from the memory in the multiprocessor network to the particular one of the on-board processors selected by the data manager;

configure the particular one of the on-board processors to run the second software application moved from the memory, wherein running the second software application causes the particular one of the on-board processors to take over control and operation of the new device; and

initiate transfer of the data from the new device to the particular one of the on-board processors and initiate processing of the particular type of data received from the new device with the second software application running on the particular one of the on-board processors.

View all claims

11 Assignments

Timeline View

Assignment View

Litigations

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

A multiprocessor system used in a car, home, or office environment includes multiple processors that run different real-time applications. A dynamic configuration system runs on the multiple processors and includes a device manager, configuration manager, and data manager. The device manager automatically detects and adds new devices to the multiprocessor system, and the configuration manager automatically reconfigures which processors run the real-time applications. The data manager identifies the type of data generated by the new devices and identifies which devices in the multiprocessor system are able to process the data.

191 Citations

32 Claims

1. A system having multiple on-board processors configured to operate within a vehicle, comprising:
- one or more of the multiple on-board processors coupled together through multiple links into a multiprocessor network, wherein the multiprocessor network is configured to;
  
  operate a transceiver configured to detect and establish communication between at least one processor in the multiprocessor network and at least one new device brought into or next to the vehicle;
  
  selectively connect the new device to the multiprocessor network;
  
  use a data manager to identify a particular type of data used in the new device and processed with a first software application controlled and operated by the new device;
  
  identify a second software application from among multiple different software applications located in a memory in the multiprocessor network, wherein the second software application is currently not loaded in or operated by any of the on-board processors, and the second software application is also configured to process the same particular type of data processed by the first software application controlled and operated by the new device;
  
  using the data manager to select a particular one of the on-board processors for operating the second software application selected from the memory;
  
  automatically move the second software application from the memory in the multiprocessor network to the particular one of the on-board processors selected by the data manager;
  
  configure the particular one of the on-board processors to run the second software application moved from the memory, wherein running the second software application causes the particular one of the on-board processors to take over control and operation of the new device; and
  
  initiate transfer of the data from the new device to the particular one of the on-board processors and initiate processing of the particular type of data received from the new device with the second software application running on the particular one of the on-board processors.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- - 2. The system of claim 1 wherein:
    - one of the detected new devices is a data source that generates streaming audio or video data; and
      
      the software application is configured to output the streaming audio data to an in-vehicle speaker or output the video data to a display.
  - 3. The system of claim 1wherein the multiprocessor network is configured to:
    - detect a first and second one of the new devices that generate streaming audio data;
      
      disconnect the streaming audio data generated from the first one of the detected new devices currently connected the speakers; and
      
      connect streaming audio data generated from the second one of the detected new devices to the speakers according to inputs received from a display coupled to the multiprocessor network.
  - 4. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the detected new devices has an integrated display screen.
  - 5. The system of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of content displayed on the display screen of one of the detected new devices is communicated to a display processor in the multiprocessor network for display and generation of information on a display processor display.
  - 6. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the detected new devices includes a data storage device selected from the group of a hard disk drive, solid state device, or compact disk.
  - 7. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the detected new devices is a wired or wireless audio output device.
  - 8. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the detected new devices includes wireless speakers or wireless headphones.
  - 9. The system of claim 1 wherein a data storage coupled to the multiprocessor network includes a readable and writeable data storage media selected from the group of solid state device, hard disk drive, or compact disk.
  - 10. The system of claim 1 wherein a display processor in the multiprocessor network is coupled to an internal car radio system.
  - 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the car radio system receives signals from multiple RF transmitters.
  - 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the car radio system is wired to internal vehicle speakers.
  - 13. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the detected new devices runs a global positioning system application.
  - 14. The system of claim 1 including an external memory, and wherein one of the multiple on-board processors is configured to:
    - detect a data source when the new device is connected to one of the multiple on-board processors;
      
      identify the detected data source; and
      
      communicate the identity of the detected data source to a display processor in the multiprocessor network for indication on the display.
  - 15. The system of claim 1 wherein a display in the multiprocessor network includes a user interface that includes a touch screen.
  - 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the user interface initiates control operations carried out by one or more of the on-board processors in the multiprocessor network.
  - 17. The system of claim 15 wherein the user interface generates feedback to a user of the vehicle, which feedback is derived from information displayed on the display.

18. A method for configuring multiple processors within a vehicle, comprising:
- operating the multiple processors in a multi-processor system, the multiprocessor system configured to;
  
  monitor for wireless signals from a new device not currently coupled to the multiprocessor system and moved into the vehicle, wherein the new device runs a first software application that processes a first type of data;
  
  wirelessly connect the new device to the multiprocessor system;
  
  identify data codes in the wireless signals from the new device and use the data codes to identify the first type of data processed by the first software application running on the new device;
  
  responsive to identifying the data codes from the new device, select a second software application from among multiple different software applications contained within memory in the multiprocessor system, wherein the second software application is configured to process the first type of data processed by the new device;
  
  download a copy of the second software application selected from the memory to a first one of the multiple processors in the multiprocessor system, wherein the second software application is not currently loaded in the first one of the multiple processors;
  
  reconfigure the first one of the multiple processors in the multiprocessor system to run the second software application downloaded from the memory and take over control and operation of the new device with the second software application now running on the first one of the multiple processors; and
  
  processing data received from the new device with the second software application operating in and controlled by the first one of the multiple processors in the multiprocessor system in the vehicle.
- View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- - 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the new device is an audio device, and further comprising streaming audio data from the audio device to the other one of the processors.
  - 20. The method of claim 18 wherein the new device is a cellular telephone.
  - 21. The method of claim 18 wherein the new device is an audio device that includes an integrated display screen.
  - 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising a display in the vehicle, and communicating at least a portion of content displayed on the integrated display screen of the new device to the display in the vehicle.
  - 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the display in the vehicle communicates with a vehicle radio system.
  - 24. The method of claim 23 further comprising receiving at the vehicle radio system signals from multiple RF transmitters.
  - 25. The method of claim 22 wherein the vehicle includes a plurality of speakers, and further comprising (i) displaying at least some of the speakers on the display in the vehicle, and (ii) operating one of the multiple processors to route audio signals from the detected audio device to selected speakers shown on the display.
  - 26. The method of claim 22 further comprising:
    - operating the device manager to monitor for wireless signals from at least a second new device not currently coupled to the network;
      
      determining whether the wireless communication interface used by the second new device is compatible with at least one protocol used in the multiprocessor system;
      
      adding the second new device to the multiprocessor system; and
      
      using the second new device in the mobile vehicle.
  - 27. The method of claim 26 further comprising operating the first and second new devices to communicate with the adhoc network using Bluetooth signals.
  - 28. The method of claim 18 wherein the new device includes a data storage device selected from the group of a hard disk drive, solid state device, or compact disk, and further comprising wirelessly communicating data from the data storage device to the other one of the processors in the adhoc network.
  - 29. The method of claim 18 wherein the new device is a wired or wireless speaker, and further comprising communicating audio signals from one of the other processors in the adhoc network to the speaker.
  - 30. The method of claim 18 wherein the new device comprises a global positioning device, and further comprising receiving with the global positioning device data from a satellite network.

31. A method for configuring multiple processors for operating within a mobile vehicle, comprising:
- operating multiple on-board processors together as a multiprocessor system;
  
  monitoring for wired or wireless signals from a first new device currently not coupled to the multiprocessor system, wherein the first new device runs a first software application that processes a first type of data;
  
  responsive to detecting the signals from the first new device, selecting a second software application from among multiple different software applications contained within memory in the multiprocessor system, wherein the second software application is associated with the first type of data processed by the first new device;
  
  downloading a copy of the second software application from the memory in the multiprocessor system to a first one of the on-board processors, wherein the first one of the on-board processor is currently not loaded with the second software application and is currently not configured to run the second software application;
  
  configuring the first one of the on-board processors to ran the second software application;
  
  controlling the first new device with the second software application running in the first one of the on-board processors;
  
  streaming data from the first new device to the first one of the on-board processors;
  
  processing the streaming data received from the first new device with the second software application running in the first one of the on-board processors;
  
  detecting signals from a second new device currently not connected to the multiprocessor system while the first new device is currently connected to the multiprocessor system, wherein the second new device operates independently of the first new device and runs a third software application different from the first and second software application and processes a second type of data different from the first type of data;
  
  selectively establishing a second connection between the second new device and one of the on-board processors in the multiprocessor system; and
  
  identifying data codes in the signals received from the second new device and using the data codes to identify the second type of data processed by the third software application running in the second new device;
  
  responsive to detecting the signals from the second new device, selecting a fourth software application from among the multiple different software applications contained within memory in the multiprocessor system, wherein the fourth software application is associated with the second type of data processed by the second new device and is not currently loaded into the first one of the on-board processors in the multiprocessor system;
  
  reconfiguring the first one of the on-board processors in the multiprocessor system to run the fourth software application by downloading a copy of the fourth software application from the memory to the first one of the on-board processors;
  
  controlling the second new device with the fourth software application running in the first one of the on-board processors;
  
  streaming data from the second new device to the first one of the on-board processors;
  
  processing the streaming data received from the second new device with the fourth software application running in the first one of the on-board processors.

32. A method of configuring processors in an onboard multiprocessor system to operate within a vehicle, comprising:
- configuring a plurality of the processors to operate together as a local networkdetecting wireless signals from a new device not currently coupled to the onboard multiprocessor system that comes within the vicinity of the vehicle;
  
  reading data codes transmitted in the wireless signals indicating a type of data being processed in the new device;
  
  determining from the data codes whether the type of data being processed by the new device is compatible with at least one protocol available in the onboard multiprocessor system;
  
  selecting a software application from among multiple different software applications stored in memory in the onboard multiprocessor system when the data codes indicate the type of data being processed by the new device is compatible with at least one protocol available in the onboard multiprocessor system;
  
  downloading the software application selected from the memory into a particular one of the processors in the onboard multiprocessor system, wherein the software application is currently not running in the particular one of the processors in the multiprocessor system and is configured to process the same type of data processed by the new device;
  
  responsive to detecting the signals from the new device and determining from the data codes in the wireless signals that the data being processed in the new device is compatible with at least one protocol available in the onboard multiprocessor system, automatically reconfiguring the particular one of the processors in the onboard multiprocessor system of to switch from running a previous different software application to running the software application downloaded from memory;
  
  configuring the particular one of the processors in the onboard multiprocessor system responsive to running the software application to take over control of the new device, receive the data from the new device, and take over processing of the data from the new device.

Specification

Resources

Litigation Campaign Assessment

Litigation Data

Current Assignee
Micropairing Technologies Ltd.
Original Assignee
Medius Inc
Inventors
Preston, Dan Alan, Lutter, Robert Pierce
Primary Examiner(s)
Ngo, Ricky
Assistant Examiner(s)
NGUYEN, PHUONGCHAU BA

Application Number

US11/462,958
Publication Number

US 20060268930A1
Time in Patent Office

1,471 Days
Field of Search

701/22, 701/24, 701/33, 701/1, 712/10, 712/11, 712/16, 712/17, 340/825.72, 717168-178
US Class Current

701/1
CPC Class Codes

B60R 25/00   Fittings or systems for pre...

G06F 11/2028   eliminating a faulty proces...

G06F 11/2035   without idle spare hardware

G06F 11/2046   where the redundant compone...

G06F 11/3013   where the computing system ...

G06F 11/3051   Monitoring arrangements for...

G06F 11/328   Computer systems status dis...

G06F 13/4081   Live connection to bus, e.g...

G06F 9/44505   Configuring for program ini...

G06F 9/46   Multiprogramming arrangements

G06Q 30/0641   Shopping interfaces

G07C 5/08   Registering or indicating p...

H04L 12/40169   Flexible bus arrangements a...

H04L 12/403   with centralised control, e...

H04L 2012/40273   the transportation system b...

H04L 41/00   Arrangements for maintenanc...

H04L 41/0806   for initial configuration o...

H04L 41/0809   Plug-and-play configuration

H04L 41/22   comprising specially adapte...

H04L 67/01   Protocols

H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for propr...

H04L 67/125 : involving control of end-de...

H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols

View All

Method and apparatus for dynamic configuration of multiprocessor system

First Claim

11 Assignments

Litigations

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

191 Citations

32 Claims

Specification

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links

Method and apparatus for dynamic configuration of multiprocessor system

First Claim

11 Assignments

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

Litigations

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

191 Citations

32 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links