Apparatus for electrically controlling device, and a method of operating it

摘要

A control system for electrical devices in a vehicle has solid state output/relay (12) modules with processing and memory capability. The output/relay module (12) is programmable to store configuration data corresponding to predetermined states for the various devices to be controlled. The output/relay (12) module has memory capability including a non-volatile component (EEROM, 47). A solid state input module also has processing capability, and includes memory capability. The input module has selector switches for preselecting a variety of device states. The input module further provides a visual indication of the states for these devices. A data bus (203) provides communication between said input and output modules, and a dongle (201) is selectively connected to said relay module data bus (203) for allowing changes to the configuration data (217) stored therein. The dongale (201) is programmable from a personal computer or work station.