System and methods for encoding, transmitting, and displaying engine operation data
First Claim
1. A vehicle data system for encoding, transmitting, and decoding vehicle operation data, the system comprising a first sensor configured to sense a first operation parameter, a second sensor configured to sense a second operation parameter, a third sensor configured to sense a third operation parameter, a controller connected to the sensors to receive signals indicative of the sensed first, second and third operation parameters, the controller configured to generate a time-varying periodic signal having a repetition frequency related to the first operation parameter, an amplitude as measured between high and low values related to the second operation parameter, and a ratio of time spent at the high value relative to the time spent at the low value related to the third operation parameter, a signal line connected to the controller to transmit the time-varying periodic signal from the controller to a receiver, the receiver configured to decode the time-varying periodic signal to determine and the first, second and third operation parameters.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present vehicle data system collects, encodes, transmits, decodes, and displays engine and vehicle operation information. In one mode, an engine control unit of an outboard boat motor receives a plurality of engine and vehicle operation parameters from a plurality of sensors. The engine control unit encodes the plurality of parameters in a single signal and transmits the encoded signal to a display unit over a signal line. The display unit decodes the encoded signal to extract the plurality of parameters and displays the extracted parameters to the vehicle operator.
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Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A vehicle data system for encoding, transmitting, and decoding vehicle operation data, the system comprising a first sensor configured to sense a first operation parameter, a second sensor configured to sense a second operation parameter, a third sensor configured to sense a third operation parameter, a controller connected to the sensors to receive signals indicative of the sensed first, second and third operation parameters, the controller configured to generate a time-varying periodic signal having a repetition frequency related to the first operation parameter, an amplitude as measured between high and low values related to the second operation parameter, and a ratio of time spent at the high value relative to the time spent at the low value related to the third operation parameter, a signal line connected to the controller to transmit the time-varying periodic signal from the controller to a receiver, the receiver configured to decode the time-varying periodic signal to determine and the first, second and third operation parameters.
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14. A method for encoding vehicle operation data in a signal, the method comprising:
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providing a time-varying periodic signal, wherein the period of the signal is related to a first vehicle operation data;
adjusting the amplitude of the time-varying periodic signal, wherein the adjusted amplitude of the time-varying periodic signal is related to a second vehicle operation data; and
adjusting a portion of the period during which the signal is above a reference value, wherein the duration of the portion is related to a third vehicle operation data. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of encoding vehicle operation data in a signal, the method comprising:
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providing a pulse signal;
adjusting the frequency of the pulse signal in relation to a first vehicle operation parameter;
adjusting the pulse height of the pulse signal in relation to a second vehicle operation parameter; and
adjusting the pulse width of the pulse signal in relation to a third vehicle operation parameter.
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- 17. An apparatus for encoding vehicle operation data, the apparatus comprising a pulse generator configured to generate a periodic pulse signal indicative of a first operation data, a pulse width conversion circuit communicating with the pulse generator and being configured to adjust pulse widths within the pulse signal in relation to a second operation data, and a voltage conversion circuit communicating with the pulse generator and being configured to adjust pulse heights within the pulse signal in relation to a third operation data.
- 19. A method for encoding vehicle operation data in a signal, the method comprising providing an engine operation parameter having a frequency, scaling the parameter to have a frequency within a first frequency range, offsetting the frequency by a base frequency to produce an offset frequency occurring within a second frequency range, the second frequency range not overlapping with the first frequency range, producing a time-varying periodic signal at the offset frequency, transmitting the time-varying signal through a signal line, and decoding the time-varying periodic signal to determine the value of the vehicle operation parameter.
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21. A method of transmitting a plurality of vehicle operation information over a signal line, the method comprising:
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associating a first frequency range with a first set of operation information;
associating a second frequency range with a second set of operation information, wherein the second frequency range does not overlap the first frequency range;
encoding the first set of operation information as a first time-varying periodic signal having a frequency within the first frequency range;
encoding the second set of operation information as a second time-varying periodic signal having a frequency within the second frequency range;
transmitting one of the first and second time-varying periodic signals over a signal line to a receiver; and
determining, at the receiver, whether the transmitted time-varying periodic signal represents the first set of operation information based upon the frequency of the transmitted pulse signal. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification