Engine off time tracking
First Claim
1. A timer apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a monitor module configured to monitor a power connection that provides electrical power from an engine control unit for powering the timer apparatus;
a timer module configured to begin a time interval in response to the power connection transitioning from a powered state to an unpowered state, and further configured to end the time interval in response to the power connection transitioning from the unpowered state to the powered state; and
a communication module configured to communicate the time interval to the engine control unit by switching a connection connecting the timer apparatus and the engine control unit between a high state and a low state, wherein the connection is one of the power connection and a second switch connection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An approach to tracking the engine off time of a system including an internal combustion engine. A timer apparatus may electrically couple to the engine control unit by way of a power connection that provides electrical power to the timer apparatus from the engine control unit. The timer apparatus may include a monitor module that monitors the power connection. A timer module may begin a time interval in response to the power connection transitioning from a powered state to an unpowered state. The timer module may end the time interval in response to the power connection transitioning from the unpowered state to the powered state. A communication module may communicate the time interval to the engine control unit by switching the power connection between the high state and the low state.
29 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A timer apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
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a monitor module configured to monitor a power connection that provides electrical power from an engine control unit for powering the timer apparatus; a timer module configured to begin a time interval in response to the power connection transitioning from a powered state to an unpowered state, and further configured to end the time interval in response to the power connection transitioning from the unpowered state to the powered state; and a communication module configured to communicate the time interval to the engine control unit by switching a connection connecting the timer apparatus and the engine control unit between a high state and a low state, wherein the connection is one of the power connection and a second switch connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system comprising:
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an internal combustion engine; an engine control unit configured to provide control functions for the internal combustion engine, the engine control unit comprising one or more power connections that are in a powered state in response to the internal combustion engine being on and that are in an unpowered state in response to the internal combustion engine being off; a timer apparatus electrically coupled to the engine control unit by one power connection that provides electrical power for the timer apparatus from the engine control unit, the timer apparatus further comprising; a monitor module configured to monitor the power connection; a timer module configured to begin a time interval in response to the one power connection transitioning from the powered state to the unpowered state, and further configured to end the time interval in response to the one power connection transitioning from the unpowered state to the powered state; and a communication module configured to communicate the time interval to the engine control unit by switching the one power connection between a high state and a low state. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method comprising:
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monitoring a state of an internal combustion engine; beginning a time interval in response to the internal combustion engine transitioning from an on state to an off state; ending the time interval in response to the internal combustion engine transitioning from the off state to the on state; and switching a connection between a timer apparatus and an engine control unit between a high state and a low state to communicate the time interval to the engine control unit in response to the internal combustion engine transitioning from the off state to the on state. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification