ROBUST SYNCHRONIZATION OF DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION AMONG POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULES
First Claim
1. In a system having a primary control module configured for connection to a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a secondary control module in communication with the primary control module, a method for synchronizing diagnostic data between the primary and secondary control modules, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first diagnostic status record associated with the primary control module, the first status record containing first diagnostic data;
providing a second diagnostic status record associated with the secondary control module, the second status record containing second diagnostic data;
communicating a status signal set, which includes a fault present signal, a diagnostic testing complete signal and an MIL request signal, from the secondary control module to the primary control module, the signal set being generated in accordance with the second diagnostic status record; and
synchronizing, at the primary control module, the first diagnostic status record with the second diagnostic status record based on the communicated signal set.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automotive system has a primary control module, such as an engine control module (ECM) configured for connection to a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), and a secondary control module, such as a transmission control module (TCM), each in communication with each other over a bus. Each control module includes a respective diagnostic data status record. Each record includes a pending fault field, a confirmed fault field and an MIL control status field. An improved method for synchronizing the diagnostic data contained in the respective status records includes an extended status signal set that is used to communicate over the bus. The set includes a diagnostic testing complete signal, a fault present signal and a MIL request signal indicative of a request to illuminate the MIL. Logic in the receiving control module (ECM) interprets the extended status signal set to properly synchronize its diagnostic data status record with the TCM'"'"'s, including both pending and confirmed faults.
7 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a system having a primary control module configured for connection to a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a secondary control module in communication with the primary control module, a method for synchronizing diagnostic data between the primary and secondary control modules, comprising the steps of:
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providing a first diagnostic status record associated with the primary control module, the first status record containing first diagnostic data; providing a second diagnostic status record associated with the secondary control module, the second status record containing second diagnostic data; communicating a status signal set, which includes a fault present signal, a diagnostic testing complete signal and an MIL request signal, from the secondary control module to the primary control module, the signal set being generated in accordance with the second diagnostic status record; and synchronizing, at the primary control module, the first diagnostic status record with the second diagnostic status record based on the communicated signal set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification