Method and system to prevent unauthorized uses of engine controllers

• US 8,056,538 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2008
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Cubr, Anthony E., Felix, Steven B, Harnack, Donald W., Allison, Aaron T, Dholakia, Sandip P
• Primary Examiner(s): MOULIS, THOMAS N
• Application Number:
  US12/326,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20100138133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 123/479, 123/480, 123/198.D, 123/198.DB, 701/102, 701/106, 701/107, 701/112, 701/114, 701/115, 340/426.11, 34042613-42617, 340/426.35, 340/426.2, 340/438, 340/531, 340/533, 340/534, 340/5.2, 340/5.3
• US Class Current: 123/479
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/11 After-sales modification devices designed to be used to modify an engine afterwards
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/263 the program execution being modifiable by physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue

Abstract

A method and control module for enabling or disabling control of an engine includes a check module receiving signals through a wiring harness and comparing the check signals to a threshold. The control module also includes an engine control module disabling the engine when the check signals correspond to an unauthorized use.

Claims

1. A method of checking an electronic control module associated with an engine comprising:

receiving check signals through a wiring harness at the electronic control module;

comparing the check signals to a threshold model year; and

when the check signals correspond to a year that is later than the threshold model year, disabling an engine control module of the electronic control module.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein receiving check signals comprises receiving identifier signals from an identifier circuit in an engine connector.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein receiving check signals comprises receiving check signals through an engine wiring harness.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein receiving check signals comprises receiving sensor signals from sensors associated with the engine through the wiring harness.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein receiving check signals comprises receiving serial data bus signals.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein receiving check signals comprises receiving least two of identifier signals from an identifier circuit in an engine connector, sensor signals from sensors associated with the engine through the wiring harness and serial data bus signals.

7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein disabling an engine control module comprises disabling fuel delivery.

8. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein disabling an engine control module comprises disabling spark delivery.

9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein disabling an engine control module comprises disabling spark delivery and fuel delivery.

10. A control module for enabling or disabling control of an engine comprising:

a check module receiving check signals through a wiring harness and comparing the check signals to a threshold model year;

an engine control module disabling the engine when the check signals correspond to a year later than the threshold model year.

11. A control module as recited in claim 10 further comprising an engine connector, said check module receiving the check signals from an identifier circuit in an engine connector.

12. A control module as recited in claim 10 wherein further comprising an engine wiring harness communicating check signals therethrough.

13. A control module as recited in claim 10 wherein the check signals comprise sensor signals from sensors associated with the engine.

14. A control module as recited in claim 10 wherein the check signals comprises serial data bus signals.

15. A control module as recited in claim 10 wherein check signals comprise at least two of identifier signals from an identifier circuit in an engine connector, sensor signals from sensors associated with the engine through the wiring harness and serial data bus signals.

16. A control module as recited in claim 10 wherein the engine control module disables fuel delivery.

17. A control module as recited in claim 10 wherein the engine control module disables spark delivery.

18. A control module as recited in claim 10 wherein the engine control module disables spark delivery and fuel delivery.

19. A control module as recited in claim 10 wherein the threshold comprises an unauthorized use threshold.

20. A system comprising:

an engine;

a control module as recited in claim 10; and

a wiring harness coupling the engine and the control module.