System for enhanced vehicle performance and efficiency
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring and controlling operating parameters of a moving vehicle comprising:
- a device adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle diagnostic data port;
the device being capable of communicating through the diagnostic data port with at least one built-in or factory-installed vehicle electronic control module, audible warning chime, gauge, visual warning light, or other display; and
the device incorporating a predetermined set of one or more of (i) vehicle operating parameters or conditions, (ii) communications settings and (iii) commands;
wherein the device monitors at least one vehicle operating parameter or condition that is within desired and normal vehicle operational limits to detect when vehicle performance or efficiency or operation may be improved or altered in a useful way; and
wherein the device communicates with and sends data port communications and commands to at least one vehicle electronic control module, which data port communications and commands alter normal factory behavior of the at least one vehicle electronic control module to perform a different behavior than it would otherwise have performed without modifying the at least one vehicle electronic control module while ensuring vehicle operating parameters remain within desired and normal limits, the different behavior comprising at least one of;
(a) enable or disable one or more fuel injectors;
(b) increase or decrease intake or exhaust valve lift, duration, position, or overlap without completely stopping valve activity;
(c) increase or decrease fuel injection timing or duration;
(d) increase or decrease or vary intake geometry, runner length, or volume;
(e) increase or decrease fuel pressure or fuel pump output;
(f) alter transmission shift points;
(g) set or hold a predetermined transmission gear;
(h) increase or decrease transmission gear ratio;
(i) increase or decrease transmission line pressure or shift firmness;
(j) limit vehicle speed to a predetermined operating range;
(k) limit acceleration rate to a predetermined maximum rate;
(l) increase or decrease commanded or actual power or torque output;
(m) increase or decrease commanded or actual electric current;
(n) bring the vehicle to a stop;
(o) limit engine or motor speed to a predetermined operating range; and
(p) lock or unlock the torque converter or alter the slip speed.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring and controlling operating parameters of a moving vehicle comprises a device adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle diagnostic data port. The device communicates through the vehicle diagnostic data port with various vehicle electronic control modules (such as an engine, transmission, exhaust, or other control modules). The device monitors vehicle operating parameters or conditions to detect when vehicle performance or efficiency or operation may be altered in a useful way. If so, the device commands the vehicle electronic control modules to alter the normal vehicle behavior to perform a different behavior. The device may be removable, and may command a moving or stationary vehicle. The device may also monitor and control an aftermarket exhaust valve attached to a vehicle, based on monitored vehicle operating parameters and conditions.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring and controlling operating parameters of a moving vehicle comprising:
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a device adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle diagnostic data port; the device being capable of communicating through the diagnostic data port with at least one built-in or factory-installed vehicle electronic control module, audible warning chime, gauge, visual warning light, or other display; and the device incorporating a predetermined set of one or more of (i) vehicle operating parameters or conditions, (ii) communications settings and (iii) commands; wherein the device monitors at least one vehicle operating parameter or condition that is within desired and normal vehicle operational limits to detect when vehicle performance or efficiency or operation may be improved or altered in a useful way; and wherein the device communicates with and sends data port communications and commands to at least one vehicle electronic control module, which data port communications and commands alter normal factory behavior of the at least one vehicle electronic control module to perform a different behavior than it would otherwise have performed without modifying the at least one vehicle electronic control module while ensuring vehicle operating parameters remain within desired and normal limits, the different behavior comprising at least one of; (a) enable or disable one or more fuel injectors; (b) increase or decrease intake or exhaust valve lift, duration, position, or overlap without completely stopping valve activity; (c) increase or decrease fuel injection timing or duration; (d) increase or decrease or vary intake geometry, runner length, or volume; (e) increase or decrease fuel pressure or fuel pump output; (f) alter transmission shift points; (g) set or hold a predetermined transmission gear; (h) increase or decrease transmission gear ratio; (i) increase or decrease transmission line pressure or shift firmness; (j) limit vehicle speed to a predetermined operating range; (k) limit acceleration rate to a predetermined maximum rate; (l) increase or decrease commanded or actual power or torque output; (m) increase or decrease commanded or actual electric current; (n) bring the vehicle to a stop; (o) limit engine or motor speed to a predetermined operating range; and (p) lock or unlock the torque converter or alter the slip speed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for monitoring and controlling operating parameters of a moving vehicle having an exhaust system comprising:
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a device adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle diagnostic data port; the device being capable of communicating through the diagnostic data port with at least one built-in or factory-installed vehicle electronic control module, audible warning chime, gauge, visual warning light, or other display; and the device incorporating a predetermined set of one or more of (i) vehicle operating parameters or conditions, (ii) communications settings and (iii) commands; wherein the device monitors at least one vehicle operating parameter or condition that is within desired and normal vehicle operational limits to detect when vehicle performance or efficiency or operation may be improved or altered in a useful way; and wherein the device communicates with and sends data port communications and commands to at least one vehicle electronic control module, which data port communications and commands alter normal factory behavior of the at least one vehicle electronic control module to perform a different behavior than it would otherwise have performed without modifying the at least one vehicle electronic control module while ensuring vehicle operating parameters remain within desired and normal limits, the different behavior comprising at least one of; (a) open or start exhaust flow; (b) close or stop exhaust flow; (c) alter exhaust flow; (d) increase exhaust noise, tone, or sound; (e) decrease exhaust noise, tone, or sound; and (f) alter exhaust noise, tone, or sound. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for monitoring vehicle operating parameters and controlling an aftermarket exhaust valve attached to a moving vehicle comprising:
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a device adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle diagnostic data port; the device being capable of communicating through the diagnostic data port with at least one built-in or factory-installed vehicle electronic control module, audible warning chime, gauge, visual warning light, or other display; and the device incorporating a predetermined set of one or more of (i) vehicle operating parameters or conditions, (ii) communications settings and (iii) commands; the device being attached to, connected to, or in communication with an aftermarket exhaust valve and the device being capable of commanding, controlling, or instructing the aftermarket exhaust valve in a predetermined way while keeping the exhaust valve operating within desired and normal operational limits; wherein the device may be configured to monitor at least one vehicle operating parameter or condition that is within desired and normal vehicle operational limits to detect when performance or efficiency or operation may be improved or altered in a useful way; and wherein the device communicates with and sends commands to the aftermarket exhaust valve, the aftermarket exhaust valve communications and commands being based in part on monitored vehicle operating parameters and conditions and the communications and commands alter the performance of the exhaust valve while ensuring vehicle operating parameters remain within desired and normal limits. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification