Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for checking the integrity of visual display information and has particular application to checking images displayed in an automotive vehicle, such images containing safety critical information. The image intensity is checked only to an extent commensurate with a human being able to interpret its correct meaning. Hence, images which are defective in some way yet still recognisable by the human eye are not classified as failures. In one embodiment, a part of the image containing safety critical information is segmented into smaller areas and the luminance of pixels in each segmented area is compared with a threshold brightness level and a threshold darkness level. A histogram for each area is generated and compared with a reference.

Abstract: An electronic device is for controlling motor drive circuits for driving a multi-phase motor in a force assisted system. Each motor drive circuit selectively permitting current to flow into or out of a respective phase of the multi-phase motor connected to the motor drive circuit in response to being driven by respective control signals. A motor control circuit generates the control signals. A fault processor detects at least one fault condition causing a fault current in a first motor drive circuit. In the event of the fault condition being detected, at least one alternative control signal is generated for at least one motor drive circuit for permitting at least one compensation current to flow for reducing a faulty force due to the fault current.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for checking the integrity of visual display information and has particular application to checking images displayed in an automotive vehicle, such images containing safety critical information. The image intensity is checked only to an extent commensurate with a human being able to interpret its correct meaning. Hence, images which are defective in some way yet still recognisable by the human eye are not classified as failures. In one embodiment, a part of the image containing safety critical information is segmented into smaller areas and the luminance of pixels in each segmented area is compared with a threshold brightness level and a threshold darkness level. A histogram for each area is generated and compared with a reference.

Abstract: An electronic device is for controlling motor drive circuits for driving a multi-phase motor in a force assisted system. Each motor drive circuit selectively permitting current to flow into or out of a respective phase of the multi-phase motor connected to the motor drive circuit in response to being driven by respective control signals. A motor control circuit generates the control signals. A fault processor detects at least one fault condition causing a fault current in a first motor drive circuit. In the event of the fault condition being detected, at least one alternative control signal is generated for at least one motor drive circuit for permitting at least one compensation current to flow for reducing a faulty force due to the fault current.

Abstract: Multiple modules are connected to a signal output module via first and second busses. Different commands may be transmitted on the two busses. Both busses may be hierarchically constructed so that all units are connected one after the other in a chain like manner on the busses. The modules cooperate to transition an output signal between different duty cycles and activate and deactivate responsive to timer comparisons.

Abstract: Techniques and devices for transmitting data and information via a bus are provided. According to these techniques, data is transmitted in units or frames together with information that is required or useful for one or more of the transmission and the use of the data. If desired, at least some of the units or frames include a time slot within which freely selectable devices can output onto the bus data representing freely selectable information at freely selectable points in time.

Abstract: A coding method for coding control commands for actuators includes a system that is sensitive to data transmission errors and determines a degree of danger for the system by using a system control unit. A current transmission control command is coded to form a control command code word, by using the system control device, whereby the redundancy of the control command code word depends on the determined degree of danger. The control command code word from the system control device is transmitted to an actuator control unit and decoded to form a receiving control command. The receiving control command is checked for transmission errors and at least one actuator for carrying out the receiving control command is controlled when no transmission error is detected. An actuator control unit conducts the method.

Abstract: A method and a system is provided for the processing of data or signals with a number of functional units which are each adapted to apply one or several functions to the data or signals, and which are connected with each other via a connection matrix for the exchange of data or signals between the functional units. At least one functional unit of the system is programmable and/or configurable such that it performs a particular function out of a number of different functions. The connection matrix is programmed and/or configured such that the functional units are connected with each other in a particular configuration out of a number of different configurations.

Abstract: Digital circuits and methods for testing a digital circuit are disclosed. One embodiment provides a digital circuit having a first plurality of storage elements, and a second plurality of storage elements. The digital circuit is operable in a first operation mode and in a second operation mode. In the first operation mode, the storage elements of the first plurality of storage elements operate according to their intended use within the digital circuit and the storage elements of the second plurality of storage elements are connected in series. In the second operation mode, the first plurality of storage elements is connected to the second plurality of storage elements to allow data exchange between the first plurality of storage elements and the second plurality of storage elements.

Abstract: A device and method are provided in which the data to be transmitted is transmitted in units together with information concerning the transmission and/or the use of the data. At least some of the units include at least one region which defines a time slot within which freely selectable devices can output onto the bus data representing freely selectable information at freely selectable points in time.

Abstract: A device and method are provided in which the data to be transmitted is transmitted in units together with information concerning the transmission and/or the use of the data. At least some of the units include at least one region which defines a time slot within which freely selectable devices can output onto the bus data representing freely selectable information at freely selectable points in time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for embedded memory security is disclosed. One embodiment protects data in a memory block from unauthorized reading. When writing or reading data to or from the memory block an error correction code is used to calculate an ECC value, wherein the calculation of the ECC value is based on a combination of the data and a access identifier provided to the memory block prior to reading. The access identifier identifies the requesting program. A read error is signalled in case the calculated ECC value does not match a stored value thus indicating an access violation.

Abstract: In the novel device and the novel method the data to be transmitted is transmitted in units together with information that is required or useful for the transmission and/or the use of the data. At least some of the units comprise at least one region which defines a time slot within which freely selectable devices can output onto the bus data representing freely selectable information at freely selectable points in time.

Abstract: A method and a system is provided for the processing of data or signals with a number of functional units which are each adapted to apply one or several functions to the data or signals, and which are connected with each other via a connection matrix for the exchange of data or signals between the functional units. At least one functional unit of the system is programmable and/or configurable such that it performs a particular function out of a number of different functions. The connection matrix is programmed and/or configured such that the functional units are connected with each other in a particular configuration out of a number of different configurations.

Abstract: Multiple modules are connected to a signal output module via first and second busses. Different commands may be transmitted on the two busses. Both busses may be hierarchically constructed so that all units are connected one after the other in a chain like manner on the busses. The modules cooperate to transition an output signal between different duty cycles and activate and deactivate responsive to timer comparisons.

Abstract: Digital circuits and methods for testing a digital circuit are disclosed. One embodiment provides a digital circuit having a first plurality of storage elements, and a second plurality of storage elements. The digital circuit is operable in a first operation mode and in a second operation mode. In the first operation mode, the storage elements of the first plurality of storage elements operate according to their intended use within the digital circuit and the storage elements of the second plurality of storage elements are connected in series. In the second operation mode, the first plurality of storage elements is connected to the second plurality of storage elements to allow data exchange between the first plurality of storage elements and the second plurality of storage elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting data in a memory block from unauthorized access. When writing or reading data to or from the memory block an error correction code (ECC) is used to calculate an ECC value, wherein the calculation of the ECC value is based on a combination of the data and a password provided to the memory block prior to reading or writing. In case the calculated ECC value does not match a stored ECC value a write or read error is signalled to the device requesting the operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for embedded memory security is disclosed. One embodiment protects data in a memory block from unauthorized reading. When writing or reading data to or from the memory block an error correction code is used to calculate an ECC value, wherein the calculation of the ECC value is based on a combination of the data and a access identifier provided to the memory block prior to reading. The access identifier identifies the requesting program. A read error is signalled in case the calculated ECC value does not match a stored value thus indicating an access violation.

Abstract: A coding method for coding control commands for actuators includes a system that is sensitive to data transmission errors and has the following steps: (a) detecting a degree of danger for the system by using a system control unit, whereby the degree pertains to a current transmission control command; coding the current transmission control command to form a control command code word, by using the system control device, whereby the redundancy of the control command code word depends on the degree of danger, the degree pertaining to the control command for the system; (c) transmitting the control command code word from the system control device to an actuator control unit; (d) decoding the transmitted control command code word to form a receiving control command, by using the actuator control unit; (e) checking the receiving control command for transmission errors; and (f) controlling at least one actuator for carrying out the receiving control command when no transmission error is detected.

Abstract: A coding method for coding control commands for actuators includes a system that is sensitive to data transmission errors and determines a degree of danger for the system by using a system control unit. A current transmission control command is coded to form a control command code word, by using the system control device, whereby the redundancy of the control command code word depends on the determined degree of danger. The control command code word from the system control device is transmitted to an actuator control unit and decoded to form a receiving control command. The receiving control command is checked for transmission errors and at least one actuator for carrying out the receiving control command is controlled when no transmission error is detected. An actuator control unit conducts the method.