Patent ID: 7206672

Claim:
A vehicle data bus system ( 30 ), comprising: a communication unit ( 40 ) for bidirectional wireless communication with at least one unit ( 20 ) outside of the vehicle ( 10 ) and with vehicle units ( 50 , 60 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 90 , 110 , 220 , 130 , 140 ) which are in data transmission communication with the communication unit ( 40 ) via at least one data bus ( 150 , 152 , 154 ), wherein data as to status of the vehicle units ( 50 , 60 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 90 , 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 ) is transmitted via the at least one data bus ( 150 , 152 , 154 ) to the communication unit ( 40 ) and transmittable via the communication unit ( 40 ) to the at least one unit ( 20 ) outside the vehicle, wherein communication between the communication unit ( 40 ) and the at least one unit ( 20 ) outside the vehicle is enabled following occurrence of a triggering event (E) and prior to expiration of a first predetermined time interval (T 1 ) and an inactive operating mode in which the communication unit is switched off is initiated following conclusion of the first predetermined time interval (T 1 ), wherein a second operating mode is assumed by the vehicle units ( 50 , 60 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 90 , 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 ) following the occurrence of the triggering event (E) and alter expiration of a second predetermined time interval (T 2 ) where energy consumption is reduced in comparison to a normal operating mode, wherein the triggering event (E) is received by the vehicle units ( 50 , 60 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 90 , 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 ) via the at least one data bus ( 150 , 152 , 154 ), wherein the vehicle units ( 50 , 60 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 90 , 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 ) upon receipt of the triggering event (E) transmit their status data via the at least one data bus ( 150 , 152 , 154 ) to the communication unit ( 40 ) for storage therein during the second predetermined time interval (T 2 ), and wherein the first predetermined time interval (T 1 ) is longer than the second predetermined time interval (T 2 ), during the time period after the conclusion of the second predetermined time interval (T 2 ) and before the completion of the first predetermined time interval (T 1 ), the communication unit ( 40 ) answers interrogation about the status of the vehicle units ( 50 , 60 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 90 , 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 ) on the basis of the status data received via the data bus ( 30 ) and stored in the communication unit ( 40 ).