Multiplex control system

Claim 2

A multiplex control system, comprising: a plurality of test signal generating means provided, respectively, for each of a plurality of control apparatuses installed in parallel with one another, for diagnosis of abnormality; at least one signal selecting means for selecting from the signals produced by said plurality of control apparatuses a signal for operating a device under control; and a plurality of diagnosis units for deciding presence or absence of abnormality in said signal selecting means on the basis of the signals inputted to said signal selecting means and the signal outputted therefrom.

Claim 3

A multiplex control system according to claim 1, wherein said signal selecting means is so arranged as to output an actuation signal for operating said device under control, when a predetermined number of signals of those outputted from said plurality of control apparatuses indicate that said device under control is to be operated.

Claim 4

A multiplex control system according to claim 1, wherein said diagnosis unit includes said test signal generating means.

Claim 5

A multiplex control according to claim 1, wherein said diagnosis means operate asynchronously with one another.

Claim 6

A multiplex control system, comprising: a plurality of test signal generating means provided, respectively, for each of a plurality of control apparatuses installed in parallel with one another, for diagnosis of abnormality; at least one signal selecting means for selecting from the signals produced by said plurality of control apparatuses a signal for operating a device under control; and a plurality of diagnosis units each including first abnormality decision means for deciding presence or absence of abnormality in said signal selecting means on the basis of the signals inputted to said signal selecting means and the signal outputted therefrom and second abnormality decision means for deciding presence or absence of abnormality in the other diagnosis units on the basis of at least one of said signals inputted to said signal selecting means.

Claim 7

A multiplex control system, comprising: a plurality of test signal generating means provided, respectively, for each of a plurality of control apparatuses installed in parallel with one another, for diagnosis of abnormality; at least one signal selecting means for selecting from the signals produced by said plurality of control apparatuses a signal for operating a device under control; and a plurality of diagnosis units each including first abnormality decision means for deciding presence or absence of abnormality in said signal selecting means on the basis of the signals inputted to said signal selecting means and the signal outputted therefrom and second abnormality decision means for deciding presence or absence of abnormality in the other diagnosis units on the basis of at least one of said signals inputted to said signal selecting means.

Claim 8

A multiplex control system, comprising: a plurality of test signal generating means provided, respectively, for each of a plurality of control apparatuses installed in parallel with one another, for diagnosis of abnormality; at least one signal selecting means for selecting from the signals produced by said plurality of control apparatuses a signal for operating a device under control; latch devices including memory means for storing the signals inputted to said signal selecting means and those of the signals outputted from said signal selecting means which have undergone a change; and a plurality of diagnosis means for deciding presence or absence of abnormality in said signal selecting means on the basis of said signals stored in said latch means.

Claim 9

A multiplex control system, comprising: a plurality of test signal generating means provided, respectively, for each of a plurality of control apparatuses installed in parallel with one another, for diagnosis of abnormality; at least one signal selecting means for selecting from the signals produced by said plurality of control apparatuses a signal for operating a device under control; latch devices including memory means for storing the signals inputted to said signal selecting means and those of the signals outputted from said signal selecting means which have undergone a change; and a plurality of diagnosis means for deciding presence or absence of abnormality in said signal selecting means on the basis of said signals stored in said latch means.

Claim 10

A multiplex control system according to claim 6, wherein said diagnosis means includes means for outputting a reset signal to said memory means of said latch device upon reception of said input signal and said output signal to and from said signal selecting means.

Claim 11

A multiplex control system, comprising: a plurality of control apparatuses disposed in parallel with one another, each of said control apparatuses including control signal generating means for outputting a control signal on the basis of an output signal of a sensor and test signal generating means for diagnosis of abnormality; a plurality of test signal generating means provided, respectively, for each of said plurality of control apparatuses, for producing respective test signals for diagnosis of abnormality; at least one signal selecting means for selecting from the signals produced by said plurality of control apparatus a signal for operating a device under control; and a plurality of diagnosis units for deciding presence or absence of abnormality in said signal selecting means on the basis of the signals inputted to said signal selecting means and the signal outputted therefrom.

Claim 12

A multiplex control system, comprising: a plurality of control apparatuses disposed in parallel with one another, each of said control apparatuses including control signal generating means for outputting a control signal on the basis of an output signal of a sensor and test signal generating means for diagnosis of abnormality; a plurality of test signal generating means provided, respectively, for each of said plurality of control apparatuses, for producing respective test signals for diagnosis of abnormality; at least one signal selecting means for selecting from the signals produced by said plurality of control apparatus a signal for operating a device under control; and a plurality of diagnosis units for deciding presence or absence of abnormality in said signal selecting means on the basis of the signals inputted to said signal selecting means and the signal outputted therefrom.

Claim 13

A multiplex control system, comprising: a plurality of control apparatuses disposed in parallel with one another, each for producing a control signal on the basis of an output signal of a sensor; a plurality of test signal generating means provided, respectively, for each of said plurality of control apparatuses, for diagnosis of abnormality; at least one signal selecting means including a plurality of logical elements for receiving signals outputted form said plurality of control apparatuses to thereby select an operating signal for operating a device under control from said received signals, and output said operating signal upon selection thereof; a plurality of first signal detecting means for detecting individually all the signals inputted to said signal selecting means; a plurality of second signal detecting means for detecting individually the outputs of said logical elements; a plurality of diagnosis units provided in correspondence with said control apparatuses, each of said diagnosis units including abnormality decision means for deciding presence or absence of abnormality in said signal selecting means on the basis of the outputs of test command signal generating means outputting a test command signal and the outputs of said first and second signal detecting means; and a plurality of signal change-over means for transmitting said test signal to said signal selecting means in response to the input of said test command signal.

Claim 14

A multiplex control system, comprising: a plurality of control apparatuses disposed in parallel with one another, each for producing a control signal on the basis of an output signal of a sensor; a plurality of test signal generating means provided, respectively, for each of said plurality of control apparatuses, for diagnosis of abnormality; at least one signal selecting means including a plurality of logical elements for receiving signals outputted form said plurality of control apparatuses to thereby select an operating signal for operating a device under control from said received signals, and output said operating signal upon selection thereof; a plurality of first signal detecting means for detecting individually all the signals inputted to said signal selecting means; a plurality of second signal detecting means for detecting individually the outputs of said logical elements; a plurality of diagnosis units provided in correspondence with said control apparatuses, each of said diagnosis units including abnormality decision means for deciding presence or absence of abnormality in said signal selecting means on the basis of the outputs of test command signal generating means outputting a test command signal and the outputs of said first and second signal detecting means; and a plurality of signal change-over means for transmitting said test signal to said signal selecting means in response to the input of said test command signal.

Claim 15

A multiplex control system according to claim 9, wherein said signal selecting means outputs said operating signal when a predetermined number of the signals of those outputted from said plurality of control apparatuses indicate that said device under control is to be operated.