Engine state-based control of software functions

• US 20080133105A1
• Filed: 11/30/2006
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Oilar, Sean P., Harris, James W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,392,882 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/101
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue

Abstract

Systems and methods provide engine state-based control of software functions. In one implementation, a system is provided that includes an engine and an engine control module. The engine control module determines a state of the engine and stores the determined state as an engine state variable. The engine state variable is interpretable by a plurality of components.

Claims

1. A system for providing engine state-based control of software functions, the system comprising:

an engine; and

an engine control module, the engine control module determining a state of the engine and storing the determined state as an engine state variable, wherein the engine state variable is interpretable by a plurality of components.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the engine state variable is stored in a memory of the engine control module.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein upon storing the engine state variable, the engine control module transmits the engine state variable to the plurality of components.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the engine control module transmits the engine state variable to at least one of the plurality of components upon receiving a request from the at least one of the plurality of components.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of components comprise at least one of engine components, external components of a machine, or an off-board communications component.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the engine control module updates the engine state variable upon a state transition of the engine.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the updated engine state variable is transmitted to one or more of the plurality of components.

8. A method for providing software-based control of an engine, the method comprising:

determining, by an engine control module, a state of the engine; and

storing the determined state as an engine state variable, wherein the engine state variable is interpretable by a plurality of components.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the engine state variable is stored in a memory of the engine control module.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein upon storing the engine state variable, the method further comprising:

transmitting the engine state variable to the plurality of components.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting the engine state variable to at least one of the plurality of components upon receiving a request from the at least one of the plurality of components.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of components comprise at least one of engine components, external components of a machine, or an off-board communications component.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

updating the engine state variable upon a state transition of the engine.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

transmitting the updated engine state variable to one or more of the plurality of components.

15. A computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor for providing software-based control of an engine according to a method, the method comprising:

determining, by an engine control module, a state of the engine; and

storing the determined state as an engine state variable, wherein the engine state variable is interpretable by a plurality of components.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the engine state variable is stored in a memory of the engine control module.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein upon storing the engine state variable, the method further comprising:

transmitting the engine state variable to the plurality of components.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, further comprising:

transmitting the engine state variable to at least one of the plurality of components upon receiving a request from the at least one of the plurality of components.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the plurality of components comprise at least one of engine components, external components of a machine, or an off-board communications component.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising:

updating the engine state variable upon a state transition of the engine.