Electronic system for controlling coach resources

Abstract

An electrical system for controlling coach resources for improved reliability and economy. The electrical system may comprise a plurality of smart modules networked together on a multiple channel network, one or more work modules each communicably connected with one of the smart modules, and one or more electrical devices controllably connected with one of the work modules. In one embodiment, the multiple channel network comprises multiple CAN busses and the work modules communicate to smart modules via RS422/485.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . An electrical system for a vehicle comprising:
 (a) a first work module that provides a first control signal to a first electrical device;   (b) a second work module that provides a second control signal to a second electrical device;   (c) a first smart module electrically interconnected to said first work module;   (d) a second smart module electrically interconnected to said second work module;   (e) said first smart module electrically interconnected to said second smart module;   (f) said first smart module receives power from a power source and provides power to said first work module, said first smart module is not capable of providing power to said second work module;   (g) said second smart module receives power from said power source and provides power to said second work module, said second smart module is not capable of providing power to said first work module.   
     
     
         4 . The electrical system of claim  1  wherein said first smart module contains sufficient configuration information to be interchangeable with said second smart module to provide the same network functionality as said first smart module. 
     
     
         5 . The electrical system of claim  1  wherein said first smart module further includes an analog signal input and a digital input. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical system of claim  1  wherein said first smart module is electrically interconnected to a sensor that provides a first regulated direct current voltage, a second regulated direct current voltage, a third regulated direct current voltage, wherein said first, second, and third regulated direct current voltages are different from one another, and wherein said first, second, and third direct current voltages are provided from a battery that provides energy independent of whether an engine of said vehicle is running. 
     
     
         7 . The electrical system of claim  1  wherein said battery is independent of an engine battery that provides operational power for starting of said vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The electrical system of claim  1  wherein a plurality of network connections are provided between said first smart module and said second smart module, where each of said plurality of network connections are not connected to any other devices. 
     
     
         9 . The electrical system of claim  1  wherein said first smart module and said second smart module each include configuration information that may be retrieved through an interface sufficient to characterize said vehicle electrical system confirmation information. 
     
     
         10 . The electrical system of claim  1  wherein said first smart module and said second smart module each include documentation information that may be retrieved through an interface related to said electrical system of said vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The electrical system of claim  1  wherein said first smart module include programming information for said first work module. 
     
     
         12 . The electrical system of claim  1  wherein said first smart module includes configuration information that may be retrieved through an interface for configuration of said first work module and said second work module. 
     
     
         13 . The electrical system of  claim 12  wherein said second smart module includes configuration information that may be retrieved through an interface for configuration of said first work module and said second work module. 
     
     
         14 . The electrical system of claim  1  wherein said first smart module further includes:
 (a) a first interface for communicating with said second smart module; 
 (b) a second interface for communicating with said first work module; 
 (c) an analog interface that receives analog signals; 
 (d) a digital interface that receives digital signals.