Many devices other than computers have built-in computer systems for controlling their operations. Such built-in computers are based around a microprocessor or microcontroller, and are known as embedded computing systems. A huge number of non-computer devices have embedded computing systems, such as televisions, caiculators, mobile phones, microwave ovens, automobiles, etc. Unlike a personal computer, which can be programmed with a large variety of software to perform many different functions, an embedded computing system is configured to perform limited tasks specific to the device it is embedded inside.

Devices with embedded computing systems allow users limited or no access to the functions of the microprocessor because of limited space available on device's mechanical control panel, or because the manufacturer wishes to restrict user choices in controlling the device. For example, a vending machine controller dispenses a product when enough money is inserted, but does not provide any additional information or functions. An automobile engine management system controls engine operation by managing fuel flow, ignition timing, etc. , but does not provide information on actual fuel efficiency, enable user control of the ignition delay, etc. A computer mouse controller translates detected motion into cursor position information, but does not respond to the user other than through the movement-of the mouse.

An add-on interface with a display and pushbutton control may be provided to access the functions of the embedded computing system, for example, to read engine operating information measured by an engine management system and to change its settings. However, a specific interface must be made for each type or model of device since different embedded

computing systems have different communication protocols, so that the cost will be very high. Alternatively, a personal computer may be loaded with software and connected to the embedded computing system to serve as an interface.

However, a specific program must be provided for communicating with each embedded computing system.

An object of the present invention is to overcome at least some of the above disadvantages.

A virtual control panel system is comprised of a control device, and an adapter connected between the control device and an embedded computing system. The control device is comprised of a microprocessor connected to memory storing a, preferably, standardized control program, a display, and a communications link for communicating with the adapter. The adapter is comprised of a microprocessor connected to memory storing a translation program specific to the embedded computing system, and a communications link for communicating with the control device. The translation program enables the embedded computing system to communicate with the control program. A virtual control panel is displayed on the control device to enable control of the embedded computing system. Different adapters may be provided with different translation programs for different embedded computing systems. The same control program may be provided in different control devices, so that any control device can be used to control any embedded computing system.

The invention enables any of a variety of add-on control devices to be connected to the embedded computing system and/or enables any control device to communicate with any embedded computing system. The invention provides a virtual control panel on a display of the control device for the embedded computing system. It enables retrieval of information from the embedded computing system. The invention provides user control of the embedded computing system.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the present virtual control panel system; Fig. 2 is an exemplar virtual control panel displayed by the virtual control panel system; Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of an adapter of the virtual control panel system; Fig. 4 is an exemplar lookup table stored in the adapter; and Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of a control device of the virtual control panel system.

A preferred embodiment of the present virtual control panel system is shown the block diagram in Fig. 1. It is comprised of a control device 10, and an adapter 11 connected between control device 10 and an embedded computing system 12. Control device 10 may be comprised of anything with a touch sensitive display, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a palm top computer, etc. Although control device 10 preferably includes standalone functionality, such as the computing capabilities of a PDA, it may be a dedicated control device specifically arranged for controlling embedded computing systems, and is devoid of any standalone functionality. Embedded computing system 12 is in a computer controlled device 28, such as an automobile, a vending machine, etc. In this example, embedded computing system 12 is connected to sensors 26 and actuators 27.

Control device 10 is comprised of a microprocessor 13 connected to memory 14 storing a standardized control program, a display 15, and a communications link 16 for communicating with adapter 11. Display 15 is preferably comprised of a touch sensitive display, and communication link 16 may be a cable connection, or a wireless connection based on any suitable wireless technology, such an infrared or radio frequency. Control device 10 is arranged to display a virtual control panel on display 15 to enable control of embedded computing system 12.

Adapter 11 is comprised of a microprocessor 17 connected to memory 18 storing a translation program specific to the corresponding embedded computing

system 12, and a compatible communications link 19 for communicating with control device 10. The translation program enables embedded computing system 12 to communicate with the control program in control device 10.

Since different embedded computing systems use different communication protocols, different adapters are provided with different translation programs to enable communication between different embedded computing systems and the control program in control device 10. The same control program is provided in different control devices, so that any control device can be used to control any embedded computing system.

An example of a virtual control panel 20 displayed on display 15 (Fig. 1) is shown in Fig. 2. Virtual control panel 20 may include a title 21 indicative of the embedded system being controlled, which in this example is an automotive engine management system; control readouts 22 and 23 of operating parameters being monitored by embedded computing system 12 (Fig. 1), which in this example are fuel efficiency and ignition delay ; and adjustment controls 24 and 25 for changing one or more of the operating parameters, and are comprised in this example of up/down arrows for increasing or decreasing ignition timing.

A flowchart showing the operation of the translation program in the adapter is shown in Fig. 3. After starting at block 30, the adapter checks for the presence of the control device at block 31. If the control device is not connected, the process proceeds to block 38.

If the control device is connected, the adapter checks whether the control device wants control panel information at block 32, such as for updating the display on the control device. If so, control panel data is read from a lookup table (Fig. 4) stored in the adapter's memory at block 33 and arranged to provide display and control information specific to the corresponding embedded computing system. Control panel data is transmitted to the control device at block 34.

If the control device does not want control panel information at block 32, but the control device wants to update displayed values or parameters at block

35, new values are obtained from the control device and stored in the lookup table at block 36. The new values are transmitted to the embedded system at block 37.

If the control device does not want to update displayed values at block 35, but the embedded system wants to update displayed values at block 38, new values are obtained from the embedded computing system and stored in the lookup table at block 39. Further, if the control device is connected, the new values are transmitted to the control device at block 40.

If the embedded system does not want to update displayed values at block 38, but wants to look up a value at block 41, a new value is obtained from the lookup table at block 42. The new value is transmitted to the embedded system at block 43.

If the embedded system does not want to look up a value at block 41, the process returns to block 31.

An exemplar lookup table is shown in Fig. 4. In this example, it is arranged for an automotive engine management system. Some examples of data which can be displayed on the control device display are listed on the Data Type column. For example, the device name to be shown is"Engine Mgt (Management) System" ; there are two displayed controls (fuel efficiency and ignition delay in Fig. 2); the displayed control which is not user modifiable is"fuel efficiency" ; the current value shown in the fuel efficiency display is"25", the user modifiable displayed control is"ignition delay"with a minimum displayable value of"0"and a maximum displayable value of"100" ; and the currently displayed ignition value is"60".

A flowchart of the operation of a control device of the virtual control panel system is shown in Fig. 5. After starting at block 50, if the adapter is not connected at block 51, the control device searches for the adapter at block 52. If the adapter is not found at block 53, the display is cleared at block 54, and the process is returned to block 51.

If the adapter is found at block 53, lookup table data is obtained at block

55, and the controls readouts are displayed at block 56.

If the adapter is connected at block 51, or the controls are displayed at block 56, and the adapter wants to transmit new values to the control device at block 57, new values are obtained from the adapter at block 58. The display on the control device is updated with the new values at block 59. The process is returned to block 51.

If the adapter does not want to send new values at block 57, but the user modified control values via the control device display at block 60, the new values are obtained at block 61, and the control device is updated at-block 62. The process is returned to block 51.

Accordingly, the translation program in the adapter translates information generated by the embedded system into a format understood by the control program in the control device. The translation program also translates requests for information and control inputs generated by the control program in the control device into a format that can be understood by the embedded system. Different control devices are provided with the same control program. Therefore, different control devices can be used to control the embedded system, regardless of the native communication format used by the embedded system. Further, any control device can be used to gather information from and control any embedded system which is connected to an adapter.

For example, a PDA provided with the control program can be used to control an automotive computer connected to an adapter, so as to provide a user with additional information and to enable the user greater control of the automotive computer. The same PDA may be used to control a vending machine, a video tape recorder, or any other device with an embedded computing system and an adapter. Similarly, the automotive computer, video tape recorder, etc. can be controlled by other control devices, such as a palm top computer, a notebook computer, etc.

Although the foregoing description is specific, it should not be considered as a limitation on the scope of the invention, but only as an example of the preferred embodiment. Many variations are possible within the teachings of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, not by the examples given.