CONTROL MODULE FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20110054769A1
• Filed: 08/12/2010
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sexton Partners, LLC
• Original Assignee: JBNK Enterprises, Sexton Partners, LLC
• Inventors: Krengiel, Nick
• Granted Patent: US 8,949,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/123
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/00 Testing of engines
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 7/70 for vehicles, e.g. to determine permissible loading of ships , centre of gravity, necessary fuel
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/00 Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A control module for a vehicle for increasing fuel efficiency can include a controller configured to receive at least one input signal containing at least one vehicle operating parameter and to generate at least one output signal based upon the vehicle operating parameters. The output signal is configured to modify at least one of the operating characteristics of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A control module for use in a vehicle having vehicle operating parameters and characteristics, an On-board Diagnostics (OBD) system with an OBD II port, the control module comprising:

a controller adapted to receive at least one input signal containing at least one vehicle operating parameter, the controller further adapted to generate at least one output signal based upon the at least one vehicle operating parameter, the output signal adapted to modify at least one of the operating characteristics of the vehicle to reduce fuel consumption.

2. The control module of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer-readable storage medium adapted to receive a fuel-saver computer program from a product website for a specific type of vehicle.

3. The control module of claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to receive the at least one input signal from the OBD system.

4. The control module of claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to be coupled to the OBD II port.

5. The control module of claim 1, wherein the at least one operating characteristic of the vehicle is the amount of fuel to specific fuel injectors.

6. The control module of claim 1, wherein the at least one operating characteristic of the vehicle is the volume of air into the engine.

7. The control module of claim 1, wherein the at least one operating characteristic of the vehicle is the spark timing to certain cylinders

8. The control module of claim 1, further comprising:

a transceiver adapted to be connected to the OBD II port, the transceiver adapted to receive the at least one input signal and wirelessly broadcast the input signal to the controller, the controller configured to generate the at least one output signal and wirelessly broadcast the output signal to the transceiver.

9. A control module for use in a vehicle having vehicle operating parameters and characteristics, an On-board Diagnostics (OBD) system with an OBD II port, the control module comprising:

a computer-readable storage medium adapted to be programmed to bear instructions for controlling a predetermined vehicle of a particular make and model to conserve fuel;

a processor adapted to execute the instructions on the computer-readable storage medium; and

a controller adapted to receive at least one input signal containing at least one vehicle operating parameter, the controller further adapted to generate at least one output signal based upon the at least one vehicle operating parameter, the output signal adapted to modify at least one of the operating characteristics of the vehicle;

wherein the controller generates the output signal based upon the instructions for controlling the predetermined vehicle.

10. A method for controlling at least one vehicle operating characteristic:

receiving, by a control module connected to an OBD II port of the vehicle, at least one input signal containing at least one vehicle operating parameter;

generating, by the control module, at least one output signal based upon the at least one vehicle operating parameter;

modifying at least one of the operating characteristics of the vehicle based upon the output signal.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

downloading a vehicle fuel conservation program from a product website onto the control module, the vehicle fuel conservation program adapted to interact with at least one predetermined vehicle.