Web-enabled engine reprogramming
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for programming a computer in a vehicle via the Internet, said system being comprised of:
- a server computer, operatively coupled to the Internet, said server computer comprised of;
a first memory device, storing computer program instructions, which when executed, cause the server computer to send to at least one client computer via the Internet, at least one of;
data and instructions, which are to be loaded into the computer in a vehicle;
at least one client computer, operatively coupled to the server computer via the Internet, said client computer comprised of;
a second memory device, storing computer program instructions, which when executed, cause the client computer to receive from said server computer via the Internet, at least one of;
data and instructions, for a computer in a vehicle, said at least one client computer including an interface device that couples the client computer to said computer in a vehicle and which enables at least one of the, data and instructions received from the server computer to be copied into said computer in the vehicle; and
an interface device for coupling the at least one client computer to an interface of said computer in a vehicle.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Program instructions and/or data used in vehicle computers can be downloaded into the vehicle from a personal computer, which obtains the information from a web server. Different types of programmed modifications can be readily downloaded into a vehicle simply by downloading the appropriate program. Once the program instructions and/or data are downloaded, they can be copied into a vehicle computer using available interfaces, such as the onboard diagnostic system connector (OBD-2) available on many vehicles.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A system for programming a computer in a vehicle via the Internet, said system being comprised of:
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a server computer, operatively coupled to the Internet, said server computer comprised of;
a first memory device, storing computer program instructions, which when executed, cause the server computer to send to at least one client computer via the Internet, at least one of;
data and instructions, which are to be loaded into the computer in a vehicle;
at least one client computer, operatively coupled to the server computer via the Internet, said client computer comprised of;
a second memory device, storing computer program instructions, which when executed, cause the client computer to receive from said server computer via the Internet, at least one of;
data and instructions, for a computer in a vehicle, said at least one client computer including an interface device that couples the client computer to said computer in a vehicle and which enables at least one of the, data and instructions received from the server computer to be copied into said computer in the vehicle; and
an interface device for coupling the at least one client computer to an interface of said computer in a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A server computer, for remotely programming a computer in a motor vehicle comprised of:
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a first processor, operatively coupled to the Internet;
at least one memory device, operatively coupled to said first processor, said at least one memory device storing;
at least one of;
data and instructions, for an engine controller of at least one make and model of a motor vehicle;
computer program instructions, which when executed, enable the first processor to send to a second processor via the Internet, at least one of;
data and instructions for a computer of a vehicle, said data and instructions to be downloaded by said second processor into a computer in a motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A client computer for re-programming a computer in a motor vehicle, said client computer comprised of:
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a processor, capable of being coupled to the Internet and to a computer in a motor vehicle;
a vehicle interface device, operatively coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to be operatively coupled a computer in a motor vehicle;
a memory device operatively coupled to said processor, said memory device storing computer program instructions, which when executed, cause the processor to receive via the Internet, at least one of;
data and instructions, for the computer in a motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of remotely re-programming an engine control unit of a motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving at a server computer from a client computer via the Internet, data that identifies an engine control unit of a motor vehicle;
said server computer;
accessing a data base wherein data for a plurality of engine control units is stored;
selecting from the data base, data for the engine control unit identified by said data; and
sending said data to said client computer via the Internet. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 29, 30)
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28. A method of re-programming an engine control unit of a motor vehicle via the Internet, said method comprising the steps of:
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sending a first data via the Internet from a first computer to a server computer, said first data identifying an engine control unit of a motor vehicle;
receiving from said remotely located server via the Internet, a second data to be loaded into the engine control unit for said motor vehicle;
downloading the second data received from the server computer, into the engine control unit for said motor vehicle.
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31. A system for remotely programming a computer in a vehicle via the Internet comprised of:
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a server means for distributing vehicle processor control information;
a client computer means for obtaining processor control information, said client computer means being operatively coupled to said server means via the Internet; and
an interface means, operatively coupled to the client computer means, said interface means for allowing access to programming data and/or instructions.
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32. A device for remotely programming a computer in a vehicle via the Internet comprised of:
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a server means for distributing vehicle processor control information; and
a data link, operatively coupling the server means to the Internet.
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33. A device for remotely programming a computer in a vehicle via the Internet comprised of:
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a client computer means for obtaining processor control information, said client computer means being operatively coupled to said server means via the Internet; and
an interface means, operatively coupled to the client computer means, said interface means for allowing access to programming data and/or instructions.
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Specification