Programmable engine parameter verification apparatus and method of operating same

• US 5,884,210 A
• Filed: 08/27/1996
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Rettig, Mark E., Sandborg, Thomas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOLFE JR, WILLIS RAY
• Application Number:
  US08/703,590
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 123/436, 180/167, 701/2, 701/36, 701/48, 701/101, 701/102, 701/115, 340/438, 340/439, 340/459, 340/825.3, 340/825.31, 340/425.5, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.4, 307/10.5
• US Class Current: 701/115
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/16 having means to prevent or discourage unauthorised use or adjusting of the controlling means vehicle theft prevention in general B60R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0063 Manual parameter input, manual setting means, manual initialising or calibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/215 Selection or confirmation of options
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/604 Engine control mode selected by driver, e.g. to manually start particle filter regeneration or to select driving style
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2422 Selective use of one or more tables
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/263 the program execution being modifiable by physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue

Abstract

A programmable electronic engine controller includes customer programmable engine and vehicle operating parameters. A communications device is connectable to said engine controller. Stored in the communications device are a predetermined set of parameters. The communications device downloads the engine and vehicle operating parameters that are present in the engine controller, compares those values to corresponding predetermined parameters, and prints an exception report based on that comparison.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in connection with an compression ignition engine, said apparatus comprising:

an electronic controller;

memory connected to said electronic controller, said memory having stored therein a plurality of customer programmed vehicle operating parameters;

a communication device connected to said electronic controller, said communication device permitting customer selected vehicle parameters to be programmed into said electronic controller and read from said electronic controller;

wherein said electronic controller controls said engine at least in part based on said customer selected vehicle parameters; and

wherein said communication device compares said programmed vehicle parameters to a predetermined set of desired engine and vehicle operating parameters, and produces an output indicating the programmed vehicle parameters that differ from said predetermined set of desired engine and vehicle operating parameters.

2. An apparatus for use in connection with an compression ignition engine, said apparatus comprising:

an electronic controller;

memory connected to said electronic controller, said memory having stored therein a plurality of customer programmed engine operating parameters;

a communication device connected to said electronic controller, said communication device permitting customer selected parameters to be programmed into said electronic controller and read from said electronic controller;

wherein said electronic controller controls said engine at least in part based on said customer selected parameters; and

wherein said communication device compares said programmed engine to a predetermined set of desired engine operating parameters, and produces an output indicating the programmed engine and vehicle parameters that differ from said predetermined set of desired engine and vehicle operating parameters.

3. A method of verifying customer programmed vehicle operating parameters, said method used in connection with an electronic controller on a compression ignition engine, said electronic controller having an input/output device which permits input of data into the electronic controller and output of data from the electronic controller, said method comprising:

downloading customer programmed vehicle operating parameters;

comparing said downloaded parameters with a predetermined set of expected vehicle operating parameters; and

producing an output in response to said step of comparing.

4. A method of verifying customer programmed engine operating parameters, said method used in connection with an electronic controller on a compression ignition engine, said electronic controller having an input/output device which permits input of data into the electronic controller and output of data from the electronic controller, said method comprising:

downloading customer programmed engine operating parameters;

comparing said downloaded parameters with a predetermined set of expected engine operating parameters; and

producing an output in response to said step of comparing.

5. The method according to claim one including:

downloading customer programmed vehicle operating parameters;

comparing said downloaded parameters with a predetermined set of expected vehicle operating parameters; and

producing an output in response to said step of comparing.