Enhanced module chipping system

• US 6,633,807 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2001
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Audi Performance & Racing
• Original Assignee: Audi Performance & Racing
• Inventors: Dudel, Frank, Burwell, Eddie, Augsburger, Brett
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T.
• Application Number:
  US09/929,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20020077739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 701/115, 711/103, 711/100, 711/163, 340/825.44, 340/825.27, 340/825.34, 340/825.31
• US Class Current: 701/115
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/00 Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator fittings acting on two or more sub-units B60W30/14; speedometers G01P; systems or devices for controlling speed in general G05D13/00 ; in traffic anti-collision system for road vehicles G08G1/16
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0004 In digital systems, e.g. discrete-time systems involving sampling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0005 Processor details or data handling, e.g. memory registers or chip architecture
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0006 Digital architecture hierarchy
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0045 using databus protocols
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2487 Methods for rewriting
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1466 Key-lock mechanism

Abstract

A memory system for limiting access of a protected portion of a memory to a predetermined accessing device. The memory system includes a memory having a protected portion. The system further includes a control unit in communicative relation with an accessing device and the memory, wherein the control unit monitors the accessing device'"'"'s pattern of access to the memory in order to determine if the accessing device is the predetermined accessing device and permits only the predetermined accessing device to access the protected portion of the memory.

Claims

1. A memory system for limiting access of a protected portion of a memory to a predetermined accessing device, comprising:

(a) a memory having a protected portion; and

(b) a control unit in communicative relation with an accessing device and the memory, wherein the control unit monitors a pattern of access to the memory of the accessing device in order to determine if the accessing device is the predetermined accessing device and permits only the predetermined accessing device to access the protected portion of the memory.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a data multiplexer in communicative relation with the control unit and the accessing device; and

(b) an address translator in communicative relation with the accessing device and the memory.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the memory is encrypted.

4. A system according to claim 3, further comprising a memory decryptor in communicative relation with the address translator, the data multiplexer, and the memory.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit monitors the accessing device'"'"'s reads of the memory.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit monitors the accessing device'"'"'s writes to the memory.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined accessing device is an engine control unit of an automobile.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the memory is selected from a group consisting of Flash memory, ROM, OTP, and RAM.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the memory system is implemented on a single integrated circuit.

10. An enhanced module chipping system for use in conjunction with an engine control unit of an automobile comprising:

(a) a memory having loaded thereon at least one performance profile for the engine control unit to run;

(b) a control unit in communicative relation with the memory; and

(c) an interface port in communicative relation with the control unit and the memory, wherein the interface port is configured for connection to a programming device for modifying the at least one performance profile.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the memory has loaded thereon a plurality of performance profiles.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the engine control unit selects one of the plurality of performance profiles to run based upon input from a user.

13. A system according to claim 10, wherein the interface port is configured for connection to diagnostic equipment.

14. A system according to claim 10 further comprising:

(a) a data multiplexer in communicative relation with the control unit and the memory; and

(b) an address translator in communicative relation with the memory.

15. A system according to claim 10, wherein the memory is selected from a group consisting of Flash memory, ROM, OTP, and RAM.

16. A system according to claim 10, wherein the memory is encrypted.

17. A system according to claim 16, further comprising a memory decryptor in communicative relation with the address translator, the data multiplexer, and the memory.

18. A method of modifying performance characteristics of an automobile that includes a subsystem for performing a predetermined function, the method comprising:

(a) modifying data stored in a memory of an engine control system; and

(b) reprogramming the subsystem of the automobile such that the subsystem is capable of both performing the predetermined function and controlling access of the engine control unit to the modified data.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the subsystem is the cruise control system.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the cruise control system is used to provide a security code to the engine control unit.