Data input interface for power and speed controller
First Claim
1. An apparatus for interfacing with a vehicular engine electronic control unit (ECU) having a throttle control, said apparatus for purposes of allowing the owner of a vehicle to limit the performance aspects of said vehicle'"'"'s performance for purposes of limiting said vehicle to a particular performance level, said ECU having an input for receiving signals from a user interface keypad for programmably inputting engine performance limitation data, security codes, and user identification codes, said ECU processing a plurality of input signals to produce control signals for a plurality of engine control devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable interface which connects to an engine control device and allows convenient entry of engine performance limitation data such as maximum allowable vehicle speed and engine RPM'"'"'s. Such entered data is stored and processed so as to interface with existing and/or modified engine controllers to produce the desired vehicle performance limitations. Programmable data entry devices include an alphanumeric keypad, a wireless remote keypad, a keychain unit, and an encoded ignition key. Wireless transfer of data can be achieved through RF or light transmitters/receivers, or active and passive transponders/interrogators. Once processed, the data can be used, for instance, to alter or generate pulse trains which control ignition spark, fuel injection, or carburetion.
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Citations
25 Claims
- 1. An apparatus for interfacing with a vehicular engine electronic control unit (ECU) having a throttle control, said apparatus for purposes of allowing the owner of a vehicle to limit the performance aspects of said vehicle'"'"'s performance for purposes of limiting said vehicle to a particular performance level, said ECU having an input for receiving signals from a user interface keypad for programmably inputting engine performance limitation data, security codes, and user identification codes, said ECU processing a plurality of input signals to produce control signals for a plurality of engine control devices.
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5. An apparatus for interfacing with a vehicular engine control device having a throttle control, said apparatus for purposes of allowing the owner of a vehicle to limit the rpm, speed, or power of said vehicle'"'"'s engine performance for purposes of limiting said vehicle to a particular performance level, said apparatus comprising:
- a user interface keypad for programmably inputting engine performance rpm, speed, or power limitation data, a memory and processor means for receivably storing and processing said limitation data, said processor means producing engine control signals which are used by said vehicular engine control device to effectuate said performance limits on said engine.
- View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
Specification