Patent ID: 7447813
Filing Date: 2008-11-04
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
1. A method of identifying incompatibilities in a bus system of a motor vehicle which has several control devices, the method comprising the acts of: storing an identifier identifying the type of the corresponding control device in a first and in a second control device, the identifier permits a conclusion on the operating sequences implemented by the corresponding control device and/or on the hardware version of the corresponding control device; storing version information identifying the sequence control of the corresponding control device in the first and in the second control device, the version information permits a conclusion on the operating sequences carried out by the corresponding control device and/or on the current status of the sequence control and/or on hardware version of the corresponding control device; transmitting, by the first control device, its identifier and its first version information to the second control device; accessing, by the second control device, a compatibility reference table which is stored in the second control device, the compatibility reference table indicates which combinations of identifiers and version information and thus which control devices and their corresponding sequence controls will communicate with the second control device in a compatible manner; transmitting, by the second control device, its identifier and its second version information to the first control device; and accessing, by the first control device, a compatibility reference table which is stored in the first control device, the compatibility reference table indicates which combinations of identifiers and version information and thus which control devices and their corresponding sequence controls will communicate with the first control device in a compatible manner, wherein a communication connection is established between the first and second control devices only when the compatibility reference table in each control device indicates that the first and second control devices can communicate in a compatible manner.