Engine ECM multi-input/output configuration

• US 20020103955A1
• Filed: 01/23/2002
• Published: 08/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin D. Ehrenhardt, Prasad V. Parupalli
• Original Assignee: Kevin D. Ehrenhardt, Prasad V. Parupalli
• Inventors: Parupalli, Prasad V., Ehrenhardt, Kevin D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,640,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/301
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25123 Change controller pin configuration

Abstract

A engine controller includes a connector having pins that provide an electrical connection between devices external to the controller and internal electrical components. The programming tool is used to program the controller to assign particular pins to transmit or receive certain signals.

Claims

1. An electronic controller, comprising:

a controller connected with a communications bus;

input and output drivers connected with said communications bus;

a connector associated with said input and output drivers, said connector having a plurality of pins each pin capable of receiving or transmitting a signal from said electronic controller to an external device; and

wherein said controller may be programmed to configure the pinout of the connector.

2. The electronic controller of claim 1, further comprising a memory connected with said controller.

3. The electronic controller of claim 2, wherein said memory includes a ROM memory device including storage for software programming and a RAM memory device with storage for data.

4. The electronic controller of claim 1, wherein said controller comprises a microprocessor.

5. An electronic control module, comprising:

a microprocessor connected with an address bus and a data bus, said microprocessor having input and output signals;

input and output drivers connected with said address and data buses;

a protective housing enclosing said microprocessor and said input and output drivers;

a connector connected with said input and said output drivers, said connector providing an electrical connection to said input and output drives for devices external to said protective housing enclosure, said connector having various individual electrical connections;

a programming tool connectable with said connector, wherein said programming tool programs the individual electrical connections to the defined input and output signals.

6. The electronic control module of claim 5, wherein said programming tool includes inferred programming.

7. The electronic control module of claim 5, wherein said programming tool includes direct programming.

8. The electronic control module of claim 5, wherein said programming tool includes a status display.

9. The electronic control module of claim 5, wherein said programming tool includes a special test tool.

10. A method of inputting and outputting signals from an electronic control module, said electronic control module including a controller connected with a connector output, said connector output having a predefined pin-out pattern, said method including:

programming said controller to assign a particular signal to a particular pin on said connector; and

transmitting said particular signal over said particular pin.

11. A method of inputting and outputting signals from an electronic control module, said electronic control module including a controller connected with a connector output, said connector output having a predefined pin-out pattern, said method including:

programming said controller to assign a particular pin on said connector to receive a particular signal; and

receiving said particular signal over said particular pin.

12. The method of claim 11 including:

programming said controller to assign a particular signal to a particular pin on said connector; and

transmitting said particular signal over said particular pin.