Title: System for controlling a built-in device.

The invention relates to a system provided with a built-in control unit for controlling a built-in device, such as a sliding roof or a sunroof, of a vehicle or a building, and further provided with a built-in operation panel being arranged to be actuated by a user and being communicatively connected with the built-in control unit for, in use, operating the built-in control unit.

A built-in control unit, such as a control unit for a sunroof of a car, which needs to be adapted or read out for diagnosis, must be removed from the car. After adapting or reading out, the control unit needs to be built in again. This is cumbersome and can be costly. Furthermore, the steps of removing and again building in are susceptible to human error. It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved system of a built-in control unit and a built-in operation panel.

The invention provides a built-in operation panel characterised in that the built-in operation panel is provided with communication means arranged for establishing a communication connection between the built-in operation panel and a diagnostic unit for enabling communication between the built-in control unit and the diagnostic unit via the built-in operation panel. In this way, adapting or reading out the built-in control unit can be performed without removing the built-in control unit, which saves time. Such adapting can for example include making changes to the software of the built-in control unit, or changing parameters of the built-in control unit. Such reading out can precede diagnosis of the built-in device in operational condition.

In particular, the communication means are arranged for establishing the communication connection using wireless communication. This further facilitates communication via the communication connection.

Preferably, the built-in operation panel is provided with operation means, for example buttons, for operation of the built-in control unit by a user. The operation panel being provided with both the operation means and the

communication means is of particular advantage for the user of the operation panel.

Preferably, the system is a stand-alone system that is not connected to a network or a bus system, wherein the network or the bus system are included by the vehicle or the building prior to building in at least one of the built-in operation panel, the built-in control unit, and the built-in device. This facilitates building in of the built-in device and promotes reliable operation of the build-in control unit.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the system further includes the diagnostic unit. Preferably, the diagnostic unit is arranged for analysing quality of the built-in device in operational condition. In this way a quick and reliable analysis can be obtained.

Preferably, the diagnostic unit is arranged for communication with a central unit. This can be done for example via the internet, which enables quick, versatile, and reliable communication.

In a more particular embodiment, the system further include the central unit. Preferably, the central unit can be arranged for sending a message that is based on the quality of the built-in device in operational condition to at least one of a producer of the built-in device, a producer of the vehicle or the building, a vendor of the vehicle or the building, a vendor of the built-in device, and a customer related to the built-in device, and/or to the vehicle or the building. In this way, a process of building in the built-in device in the vehicle or the building can become more transparent. This has a positive effect on satisfaction of the customer and for example brand image of the built-in device. The invention will now be described in more detail, in a non- restrictive way, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an example of an operational panel;

Figure 3 shows an example of an electrical current as a function of time;

Figure 4A shows the system in an alternative embodiment according the invention; and Figure 4B shows a possible use of a central unit of figure 4A.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a system 2 according to the invention. The system 2 includes a built-in control unit 4 for controlling a built-in device of a vehicle or a building. The system 2 also includes a built-in operation panel 6 for operating the built-in control unit 4. The built-in control unit 4 can for example be built into the vehicle or the building together with the built-in device. This can be done for example when a user and/or owner of the vehicle or the building wants to improve the vehicle or the building. The user and/or owner can for example want to replace an old built-in device by a new built-in device. Alternatively, this can be done for example during assembly of the vehicle or the building before it has been used by the user and/or owner, for example during assembly by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the vehicle or the building. The built-in operation panel 6 is arranged to be actuated by the user and is communicatively connected with the built-in control unit 4 for, in use, operating the built-in control unit 4. The built-in operation panel 6 is provided with communication means arranged for establishing a communication connection 8 between the built-in operation panel 6 and a diagnostic unit 10 for enabling communication between the built-in control unit 4 and the diagnostic unit 10 via the built-in operation panel 6.

The vehicle can for example be one of a car, a motor bike, a bike, a van, a plane, and a boat. The built-in device can for example includes a transparent panel. In particular, the built-in device is a sunroof and the vehicle is a car.

The communication means can be arranged for establishing the communication connection 8 using wireless communication. For example, the communication means can be arranged for establishing the communication connection 8 using one of RF communication, optical communication, such as infra-red communication, capacitive communication, and inductive communication. Alternatively or additionally, the communication means may for example be arranged for establishing the communication connection 8 using wired communication.

The built-in operation panel 6 is connected with the built-in control unit 4 for example by using wireless communication, for example using one of RF communication, optical communication, such as infra-red communication, capacitive communication, and inductive communication. Alternatively or additionally, the built-in operation panel 6 is connected with the built-in control unit 4 by wired communication. A first communication link HA, via which communication between the built-in control unit 4 and the diagnostic unit 10 via the built-in operation panel 6 can take place, may be distinct from or formed by a second communication link HB, via which operation of the built-in control unit 4 by means of the operation panel 6 can take place. The first and second communication link 11A,B can for example be formed by an electrical cable. Preferably, communication between the built-in control unit 4 and the diagnostic unit 10 via the built-in operation panel 6 includes two-way communication.

Figure 2 shows an example of the operational panel 6, in the preferred embodiment of the system 2 according to the invention. The operational panel 6 in this example is provided with an electrical connector 12 having contacts 14 arranged for connection to the electrical cable connected to the built-in control unit 4. The operational panel 6 in this example is further provided with a wireless interface 16 arranged for wireless communication with the diagnostic unit 8. The wireless interface 16 in this example is

comprised by the communication means. The operational panel 6 in this example is further provided with switches 18 and a lighting unit 20. The operational panel further can have a power supply 22 that is arranged to supply power to the lighting unit 20, the wireless interface 16, and the switches 18. By operating the switches 18, the built-in control unit 4 can be operated and can be connected to the operational panel 6.

The built-in operation panel 6 can be provided with buttons for operation by a user. The buttons can be connected to the switches 18, so that the switches 18 can be operated by for example pushing the buttons. By pushing the buttons the built-in device can be activated by means of the built- in control unit 4. In this way for example the sunroof can be opened or closed. By pushing the buttons, also the communication connection 8 can be established. This can be achieved via connections 23 and by closing the switches 18 connected to the connections 23, and by activating the wireless interface 16 for communication with the diagnostic unit 10. The lighting unit is for example arranged for lighting the buttons, so that the user can more easily operate the built-in operation panel 6 in the dark.

In an alternative embodiment of the system 2 according to the invention, the system 2 further includes the diagnostic unit 10. The system 2 in the alternative embodiment can for example be arranged for diagnosing a condition of the built-in device, by means of the diagnostic unit 10. In particular, the system 2 in the alternative embodiment can be arranged for analysing quality of the built-in device in operational condition by means of the diagnostic unit 10. An example of such analysing is shown in reference to figure 3. The quality of the built-in device in operational condition can represent a quality of functioning of the built-in device. The quality of the built-in device in operational condition is related to quality of a process of building in of the built-in device.

Figure 3 shows an example of an electrical current 24 as a function of time, needed to close the sunroof. The system 2 in the alternative

embodiment can be arranged for comparing the quality of the built-in device in operational condition to a predetermined specification, by means of the diagnostic unit 10. In particular, the diagnostic unit 10 is arranged for determining whether the quality of the built-in device in operational condition agrees with the predetermined specification. The predetermined specification can for example be defined using a first current limit value IA and a second current limit value IB. If the quality of the built-in device in operational condition agrees with the predetermined specification, for most, for example 80%, of the interval to-ti the electrical current 24 is substantially within a range with boundaries defined by the first current limit value IA and the second current limit value IB. In the example of figure 3 the electrical current 24 is outside the range with boundaries defined by the first current limit value IA and the second current limit value IB, SO that the quality of the built-in device in operational condition does not agree with the predetermined specification.

The diagnostic unit 10 includes for example a laptop or another type of computer, on which analysis software can run. An example of such analysis software is 'Nedap Diagnose Software'. The analysis software can for example generate a quality code that depends on comparing the electrical current 24 with the predetermined specification. As a result, the quality code is based on the electrical current 24. The quality code can contain information about the quality of the built-in device in operational condition. The quality code can for example be an error code that for example represents a case wherein the electrical current 24 is larger than the first current limit value IA. The system 2 in the alternative embodiment can be arranged for carrying out a compliance test of building in the built-in device.

The system 2 in the alternative embodiment can also be arranged for adapting parameters of the control device 2. Such parameters may for example substantially determine a speed of closing of the sunroof. Alternatively or additionally, the system 2 in the alternative embodiment can

be arranged for adapting and/or updating software of the built-in control unit. This can be done for example when a new and improved version of the software of the built-in control unit is released.

The system 2 in the alternative embodiment may also be arranged for writing and/or reading data and/or parameters to and/or from the built-in control unit, by means of the diagnostic unit 10. Besides for carrying out control of the quality of the built-in device in operational condition, this can be relevant for quality control of the built-in device in general. In this way, the system 2 in the alternative embodiment enables the quality control of the process of building in of the built-in device to be relatively easy and quick. The quality control can then be carried out regularly, for example in combination with regular control of the vehicle or the building. In this way for example a warning may be generated that the built-in device needs service, for example cleaning or repair, so that unexpected failure of the built-in device can be prevented.

Figure 4A shows the system 2 in the alternative embodiment according the invention, wherein the diagnostic unit 10 is further arranged for communication with a central unit 25. The diagnostic unit 10 can be arranged for communication with the central unit 25 via at least one of the internet, a mobile phone network, a wired phone network, a radio-frequency network, and a physical carrier. The system 2 in the alternative embodiment of figure 4A, can have one or more features of the system of the preferred embodiment of figures 1-3. The system 2 in the preferred embodiment of figures 1-3, can have one or more features of the system of the alternative embodiment of figure 4A. Figure 4B shows a possible use of the central unit 25 of figure 4A, in another embodiment of the system 2 according to the invention. In the other embodiment, the system 2 is further provided with the central unit 25. The system 2 in the other embodiment may be arranged for sending a message 30 that can be based on the quality of the built-in device in operational condition to at least one stakeholder of the process of building in, such as a producer 32

of the built-in device, a producer 34 of the vehicle or the building, a vendor 36 of the vehicle or the building, a vendor 38 of the built-in device, and a customer 40 related to the vehicle or the building, and/or to the built-in device. The message 30 can be sent via the central unit 25 and may for example contain the quality code. Alternatively or additionally, the message can for example contain a number of movements that the built-in device has made, for example a number of times the sunroof has opened. Alternatively the message 30 can be sent directly from the diagnosis unit 10 and not via the central unit 25. In that way for example the customer 40, or another one of the stakeholders in the process of building in, can be informed about the quality of the built-in device in operational condition. In particular this is done when the quality of the built-in device in operational condition is within the predetermined specification. This has the advantage that the customer 40 can be assured of sufficient quality of the built-in device in operational condition. Analogously, a similar message 30 may be sent to the vendor 38 of the built-in device. In this way the vendor 38 of the built-in device, which is usually responsible for building-in, can limit its liability, in case a defect related to the built-in device and/or the vehicle or the building occurs at a later instance.

In particular, the central unit 25 may also be arranged for performing diagnosis of a condition, for example an operational condition, of the built-in device. Hence the central unit 25 is for example arranged for analysing the quality of the built-in device in operational condition.

Data about for example the quality of the built-in device in operational condition, a serial number of the built-in device, an age of the built-in device, and/or a type of the built-in device may be collected by means of the central unit for a multitude of individual built-in devices. The system 2 in the other embodiment can include a multitude of individual diagnostic units 10, each positioned at individual vendors 38 of the built-in device where the built-in device can be build into the vehicle or the building. This enables all kinds of methods of analysis on the data, that can be beneficial to at least one

of the stakeholders of the process of building in. For example, a systematic error made by the vendor 38 when building in the built-in device in the vehicle or house, may be detected. Also, an error in the built-in device for a certain range of serial numbers may be detected. In particular, the process of building in of the built-in device in the vehicle or the building can become more transparent to at least one of the stakeholders of the process of building in. In general this for example enables a relatively quick response to the user and/or owner of the vehicle or the building.

The system 2 in the alternative embodiment of figure 4A, can have one or more features of the system of the other embodiment of figure 4B. The system 2 in the other embodiment of figure 4B, can have one or more features of the system of the alternative embodiment of figure 4A.

A system provided with the central unit, the diagnostic unit, the controlling unit, and the operation panel without the communication means is also inventive. In such a system communication from the control unit to the central unit, possibly via the diagnostic unit, can take place by other means known to the person skilled in the art.

It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. The invention is not limited to any embodiment herein described and, within the purview of the skilled person, modifications are possible which should be considered within the scope of the appended claims. Equally all kinematic inversions are considered inherently disclosed and to be within the scope of the present invention. The term comprising when used in this description or the appended claims should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense but rather in an inclusive sense. Expressions such as: "means for ..." should be read as: "component configured for ..." or "member constructed to ..." and should be construed to include equivalents for the structures disclosed. The use of expressions like: "in particular", "preferably", "more preferably" etc. is not intended to limit the invention. Features which are not specifically or explicitly

described or claimed may be additionally included in the structure according to the present invention without deviating from its scope.