Abstract: A data communication system for use on a motor vehicle includes at least one master unit and at least one slave unit which are connected to a communication bus. When the master unit is enabled, the master controller of the master unit outputs connection request demand data to the slave unit. The slave unit has a slave controller which transmits its own connection request information to the master unit in response to the connection request demand data from the master unit. The slave controller transmits, to the master unit, first change information indicating whether the connection information stored in a first memory and connection information of the slave unit that has been transmitted to the master unit are identical to each other or not. The master controller transmits some or all of connection information stored in a second memory to slave units based on the first change information of the slave units.

Abstract: When a vehicular electric apparatus, such as an audio apparatus, is switched on, an anti-theft procedure is initiated. The electric apparatus is inhibited from becoming operational if a predetermined code is not input, when the electric apparatus is switched on after it was disconnected from a vehicle battery or after a prescribed period has passed.

Abstract: A polling system for use in an audio system in which a plurality of controllers for controlling a plurality of input/output devices of the audio system and a system controller for controlling the status of the plurality of controllers are connected via a bus line. In an initial polling operation upon power-up of the system, the system controller in order confirms the connection of the plurality of controllers to the system and stores the results of confirmation. When the absence of connection of the controllers is confirmed in the initial polling operation, the system controller further monitors the level on a transmission line provided in the bus line for transmitting a requesting signal from the plurality of controllers to the system controller, and performs the polling operation once more if the presence of the requesting signal is confirmed.

Abstract: An electronic unit operable in conjunction with a body unit and used by mounting it on an automotive vehicle. The electronic unit includes first and second connectors which produces a coupled-status signal when the electronic unit is coupled to the body unit and a decoupled-status signal when the electronic unit is decoupled from the body unit. A microcomputer is coupled to the first connector and is selectively placed to a start mode when the coupled-status signal is received from the first connector and to a stop mode when the decoupled-status signal is received therefrom. The microcomputer produces clock pulses when it is in the start mode and a stop signal when it is in the stop mode. A timer is coupled to the microcomputer and outputs a reset signal to the microcomputer when the clock pulses are not received for more than a predetermined period of time. The timer further inhibits the reset signal from being outputted when the stop signal is received.

Abstract: In a touch panel control device for providing control signals to select an operation mode for an electronic device according to how the finger touches a touch panel, a timer starts its operation from the time instant when the finger touches the touch panel, and the direction and distance of movement of the finger in a predetermined period of time are detected, to control the operation of the electronic device or the like.

Abstract: An information reproducing system, such as an audio tape player, for automotive use, whereby errors which would otherwise occur when the engine is started are inhibited. The information reproducing system of the invention includes a voltage detector circuit for detecting the voltage of the automobile's battery, an operating unit for operating the recording medium in response to the supply of power from the battery so as to reproduce information stored on the recording medium, and a control unit for controlling the operating unit. In this system, the application of an operation command input to the control unit is inhibited when the voltage detector circuit detects a drop in the voltage of the battery at the time the engine is started. In addition, the inhibition of the operation command input is cancelled when the restoration of the voltage of the battery is detected.

Abstract: A method of display control is disclosed for an audio tape deck having a display unit employing an array of light-emitting segments, whereby both data relating to playback audio signals and tape transport data can be selectively displayed in the same display region. Any change in operating status from a normal play mode of operation during display of audio playback signal data is sensed, causing changeover to display of tape transport data, and after a fixed time has elapsed following return to the play mode the display of audio playback signal data is restored.

Abstract: A power supply circuitry for a microcomputer system made up of a control unit including a microprocessor and a peripheral circuit, is provided with a delay switch circuit (55) for controlling the operation of the second regulator means (41) which provides a power current to the peripheral circuit of the microcomputer system. The delay switch circuit is responsive to a reset signal produced by a reset signal generating means connected to a first regulator means (34) for the control unit, and generates a signal for activating the second regulator means shortly after the extinction of the reset signal so that the operation of the peripheral circuit is prevented during a period of a reset operation of the microprocessor.