Method and apparatus for matching vehicle ECU programming to current vehicle operating conditions
First Claim
1. A system to deploy vehicle controller programming that controls at least one performance characteristic of a vehicle, the system comprising:
- at least one vehicle operational data generating component;
at least one bi-directional link;
at least one memory to store a plurality of vehicle controller programming sets;
at least one processor, the at least one processor directing functions to;
collect the vehicle operational data in real-time;
communicate the vehicle operational data via the bi-directional link;
receive an instruction to load a different vehicle controller programming set, wherein the different vehicle controller programming set is loaded via the bi-directional link and stored in the at least one memory as one of the plurality of vehicle controller programming sets; and
change the programming of the vehicle controller to improve performance of the vehicle;
a user interface component at the vehicle that is logically coupled to the at least one processor; and
an output device to alert a driver of the vehicle to temporarily halt the vehicle so reprogramming can be implemented while the vehicle is at rest, wherein the at least one processor further directs functions to receive an input from the driver via the user interface component, the input permitting the reprogramming.
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are techniques for implementing vehicle ECU reprogramming, so the ECU programming, which plays a large role in vehicle performance characteristics, is tailored to current operational requirements, which may be different than the operational characteristics selected by the manufacturer when initially programming the vehicle ECU (or ECUs) with specific instruction sets, such as fuel maps. In one embodiment, a controller monitors the current operational characteristics of the vehicle, determines the current ECU programming, and determines if a different programming set would better suited to the current operating conditions. In the event that the current programming set should be replaced, the controller implements the ECU reprogramming. In a related embodiment, users are enabled to specify the ECU programming to change, such as changing speed limiter settings.
482 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system to deploy vehicle controller programming that controls at least one performance characteristic of a vehicle, the system comprising:
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at least one vehicle operational data generating component; at least one bi-directional link; at least one memory to store a plurality of vehicle controller programming sets; at least one processor, the at least one processor directing functions to; collect the vehicle operational data in real-time; communicate the vehicle operational data via the bi-directional link; receive an instruction to load a different vehicle controller programming set, wherein the different vehicle controller programming set is loaded via the bi-directional link and stored in the at least one memory as one of the plurality of vehicle controller programming sets; and change the programming of the vehicle controller to improve performance of the vehicle; a user interface component at the vehicle that is logically coupled to the at least one processor; and an output device to alert a driver of the vehicle to temporarily halt the vehicle so reprogramming can be implemented while the vehicle is at rest, wherein the at least one processor further directs functions to receive an input from the driver via the user interface component, the input permitting the reprogramming. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having machine instructions stored thereon for remotely monitoring operational data of a vehicle, and determining if different engine control unit (ECU) programming of a vehicle controller would result in improved performance of the vehicle, the machine instructions, when implemented by a processor, carrying out the functions of:
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analyzing the operational data of the vehicle to determine if different ECU programming would lead to improved performance, wherein the operational data of the vehicle includes at least one of information from a vehicle-based sensor, information from a route the vehicle is traveling, and information representing a load the vehicle is carrying; when such reprogramming would result in improved performance; communicating the different ECU programming to the vehicle via a bi-directional link, wherein communicating the different ECU programming via the bi-directional link includes receiving the different ECU programming via a personal computer, a tablet, or a smart phone; storing the different ECU programming in a memory that stores a plurality of ECU programming sets; and communicating an instruction to change current ECU programming of the vehicle controller to the different ECU programming to improve performance of the vehicle, the instruction causing; automatic use of an output device to alert a driver of the vehicle to temporarily halt the vehicle so reprogramming can be implemented while the vehicle is at rest; and after confirmation by the driver, a change of current ECU programming of the vehicle controller to the different ECU programming. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method to change current engine control unit (ECU) programming of a vehicle driven by a driver, the current ECU programming arranged to control vehicle performance in response to vehicle operating conditions, the method comprising:
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while the driver is operating the vehicle, automatically collecting vehicle operational data that can be used to evaluate performance of the vehicle; receiving, via a bi-directional link, an instruction to change the current ECU programming to different ECU programming that will lead to improved performance of the vehicle; receiving, via the bi-directional link, a different ECU programming set; storing the different ECU programming set in a memory at the vehicle, the memory storing a plurality of ECU programming sets; using an output device in the vehicle to automatically alert the driver to temporarily halt the vehicle so reprogramming can be implemented while the vehicle is at rest; enabling the driver to specifically select a particular one of the different ECU programming sets stored in the memory at the vehicle; and changing the current ECU programming used by a vehicle controller to a selected one of the plurality of ECU programming sets to implement the improved performance of the vehicle after the driver has halted the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification