Programmable automotive computer system
First Claim
1. A method for enabling a user to control, monitor, and evaluate performance of a vehicle via a portable device, the vehicle having an onboard diagnostic system for monitoring a set of operational characteristics of the vehicle and for enabling control of the vehicle'"'"'s engine computer and having a diagnostic port for enabling access to the engine computer and onboard diagnostic system and selected data accessible therefrom, comprising the steps of:
- accessing the onboard diagnostic system and engine computer via said diagnostic port;
enabling selection by the user of a plurality of distinct device modes of operation provided via the portable device including;
a performance tuning mode for enabling the user to reprogram engine tuning calibration settings stored in a programmable memory of the engine computer of the vehicle via said diagnostic port;
a dynamometer mode for providing calculations and the display of horsepower and torque characteristics for the vehicle based on vehicle speed data read from said diagnostic port; and
a drag strip mode for enabling the calculation and selective display of times associated with driving the vehicle based on vehicle speed data read from said diagnostic port; and
providing a touch screen user interface for enabling selection of the modes and operations of the device by the user.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and corresponding method for enabling a user to accurately control, monitor, and evaluate performance of a vehicle. The system includes a portable programmable computer device that a user can readily install by plugging it into a diagnostic connector port of the vehicle for providing the controlling, monitoring, and evaluating functions. The present invention enables a user to perform performance tuning of the engine, provides dynamometer type functions such as horsepower and torque measurements, and provides a virtual drag strip function for accurately measuring acceleration data. According to an alternative embodiment, a monitor mode is provided for enabling the user to monitor selected characteristics of the vehicle and a diagnostics mode is provided for providing for the identification and display of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) with informative text descriptions. The present invention also enables the clearing of selected DTCs without requiring expensive customized equipment for that purpose.
69 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for enabling a user to control, monitor, and evaluate performance of a vehicle via a portable device, the vehicle having an onboard diagnostic system for monitoring a set of operational characteristics of the vehicle and for enabling control of the vehicle'"'"'s engine computer and having a diagnostic port for enabling access to the engine computer and onboard diagnostic system and selected data accessible therefrom, comprising the steps of:
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accessing the onboard diagnostic system and engine computer via said diagnostic port;
enabling selection by the user of a plurality of distinct device modes of operation provided via the portable device including;
a performance tuning mode for enabling the user to reprogram engine tuning calibration settings stored in a programmable memory of the engine computer of the vehicle via said diagnostic port;
a dynamometer mode for providing calculations and the display of horsepower and torque characteristics for the vehicle based on vehicle speed data read from said diagnostic port; and
a drag strip mode for enabling the calculation and selective display of times associated with driving the vehicle based on vehicle speed data read from said diagnostic port; and
providing a touch screen user interface for enabling selection of the modes and operations of the device by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An electronic portable device for enabling a user to control, monitor, and evaluate performance of a vehicle, the vehicle having an onboard diagnostic system for monitoring a set of operational characteristics of the vehicle and for enabling control of the vehicle'"'"'s engine computer and having a diagnostic port for enabling access to the engine computer and the onboard diagnostic system and selected data accessible therefrom, said device comprising:
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an input/output port for coupling said device to said diagnostic port for accessing the onboard diagnostic system and the engine computer;
a microcontroller operative for providing a plurality of modes and operations of said device;
wherein said modes include;
a performance tuning mode for enabling the user to reprogram engine tuning calibration settings stored in a programmable memory of the engine computer of the vehicle via said diagnostic port;
a dynamometer mode for providing calculations and the display of horsepower and torque characteristics for the vehicle based on vehicle speed data read from said diagnostic port; and
a drag strip mode for enabling the calculation and selective display of times associated with driving the vehicle based on vehicle speed data read from said diagnostic port;
a memory for providing storage in said device of data associated with said modes and operations of said device; and
a touch screen display for enabling user selection of said plurality of modes and said operations of said device.
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Specification