Methods and apparatuses involving flexible cable/guidewire/interconnects

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatus and methods including communication circuits for communicating between a plurality of compartments in a vehicle. An array of flexible cables provides signal-communication paths between the plurality of compartments in the vehicle, with each cable having a glass or silica core region for conveying optical signals, and communicating signals (electrical signals and optical signals) along at least one of the signal-communication paths and between the plurality of compartments in the vehicle. The apparatus and methods also include a plurality of circuits that communicate status-indication signals between locations along the array of flexible cables. The status-indication signals are communicated via the signal-communication paths in the flexible array of cables and are indicative of vehicle-travel modes for reporting a status of the vehicle in a mode relative to travel of the vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A communication circuit for communicating between a plurality of compartments in a vehicle, the communication circuit comprising:
 an array of flexible cables configured and arranged to provide signal-communication paths between the plurality of compartments in the vehicle, each cable:
 including a glass or silica core region for conveying optical signals, 
 being configured and arranged to communicate signals along a first signal-communication path and between a first compartment and a second compartment in the vehicle, the signals including electrical signals and optical signals, and 
   a plurality of circuits including a first circuit located at the first compartment along the array of flexible cables and a secondary circuit located at the second compartment along the array of flexible cables, the plurality of circuits configured and arranged to communicate status-indication signals between the compartments along the array of flexible cables,   whereby the first circuit is configured and arranged to receive the status-indication signals from the secondary circuit, and in response thereto, report or analyze the vehicle based on the status of the vehicle at the distal location.   
     
     
         2 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising a conductive cladding surrounding the core region. 
     
     
         3 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the status-indication signals include a signal indicative of one or more of: exterior surface functionality or status, vehicle component status, vehicle component alignment, vehicle component movement, vehicle surface status, control surface status, vehicle integrity, vehicle component position, atmospheric conditions, presence of foreign matter, or information sensed by a sensing component. 
     
     
         4 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the status-indication signals are indicative of a seating status of passengers in the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the signals indicate a vehicle-travel mode such as a steady-state movement mode of the vehicle, an acceleration mode of the vehicle, and a deceleration mode of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a terrain-vehicle or an automobile in which the data communication circuit collects vehicle-safety data regarding the status of vehicle while the vehicle or automobile is traveling. 
     
     
         7 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the signal-communication paths are further configured and arranged to pass redundant status-indication signals. 
     
     
         8 . The communication circuit of  claim 7 , wherein a portion of the array of flexible cables is arranged in a bundle, the bundle providing multiple flexible cables that provide redundant signal pathways such that a single cable failure does not result in communication failure. 
     
     
         9 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the signal-communication paths are further configured and arranged to pass complimentary status-indication signals of aspects of the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the signal-communication paths are further configured and arranged to provide a two-way data pathway. 
     
     
         11 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein each cable includes at least one electrically exposed portion, and wherein the cable is further configured and arranged to detect conductive changes in a material of the cable in contact with the at least one electrically exposed portion. 
     
     
         12 . The communication circuit of  claim 11 , wherein the conductive changes are indicative of unwanted moisture. 
     
     
         13 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein each cable includes at least one optically exposed portion, and wherein the cable is further configured and arranged to detect optical changes with the at least one optically exposed portion. 
     
     
         14 . The communication circuit of  claim 13 , wherein the optical changes are indicative of damage to the vehicle or a portion thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary circuit is configured and arranged with mechanical aspects of the vehicle and communicates status-indication signals of the mechanical aspects. 
     
     
         16 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the array of flexible cables is arranged in a mesh. 
     
     
         17 . The communication circuit of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the array of flexible cables is arranged in replaceable section comprising a first connector at the proximal end and a second connector at the distal end. 
     
     
         18 . A method for communicating between a plurality of compartments in a vehicle, the method comprising:
 providing a signal-communication path via an array of flexible cables between a first compartment and a second compartment in the vehicle, each cable including a glass or silica core region for conveying optical signals;   communicating signals along the signal-communication path and between the compartments in the vehicle, the signals including electrical signals and optical signals; and   utilizing a first circuit located at a proximate location along the array of flexible cables and a secondary circuit located at a distal location along the array of flexible cables to communicate status-indication signals between the locations along the array of flexible cables, the status-indication signals being communicated via the signal-communication path in the flexible array of cables   whereby the first circuit is configured and arranged to receive the status-indication signals from the secondary circuit, and in response thereto, report or analyze the vehicle based on the status of the vehicle as indicated at the distal locations.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein utilizing the plurality of circuits further includes determining the vehicle-travel mode being at least one of a steady-state movement mode of the vehicle, an acceleration mode of the vehicle, and a deceleration mode of the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein utilizing the plurality of circuits further includes determining if the status-indication signals are indicative of an operating function of one or more of: exterior control surface functionality or status, vehicle component status, vehicle component alignment, vehicle component movement, vehicle surface status, control surface status, vehicle integrity, vehicle component position, atmospheric conditions, presence of foreign matter, or information sensed by a sensing component.