US5041976A — Diagnostic system using pattern recognition for e…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 158 words

A method for identifying selected conditions in an electronically controlled automotive system comprising the steps of: conducting a plurality of system operating trials using a test system, each trial including at least one respective one of a plurality of known selected conditions; collecting system operating data during said operating trials corresponding to a plurality of system parameters, said operating data including signals passing to and from an electronic control; inputting said system parameters and corresponding known system fault identities as training vectors to a trainable pattern recognition system; recursively adjusting said pattern recognition system to converge to a configuration of said pattern recognition system for matching input vectors with said system fault identities; conducting a system operating trial using a system to be diagnosed; collecting system diagnostic data corresponding to said plurality of system parameters; and inputting said system parameters based on said diagnostic data as input vectors to said pattern recognition system to identify said selected conditions.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 158 words

A method for identifying selected conditions in an electronically controlled automotive system comprising the steps of: conducting a plurality of system operating trials using a test system, each trial including at least one respective one of a plurality of known selected conditions; collecting system operating data during said operating trials corresponding to a plurality of system parameters, said operating data including signals passing to and from an electronic control; inputting said system parameters and corresponding known system fault identities as training vectors to a trainable pattern recognition system; recursively adjusting said pattern recognition system to converge to a configuration of said pattern recognition system for matching input vectors with said system fault identities; conducting a system operating trial using a system to be diagnosed; collecting system diagnostic data corresponding to said plurality of system parameters; and inputting said system parameters based on said diagnostic data as input vectors to said pattern recognition system to identify said selected conditions.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said pattern recognition system performs a neural network simulation.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 172 words

A method for identifying selected conditions in a combustion engine comprising the steps of: conducting a plurality of engine operating trials using a test engine, each trial including at least one respective one of a plurality of known selected conditions; collecting engine operating data during said operating trials corresponding to a plurality of engine parameters, said parameters including individual firing events; inputting said engine parameters and condition codes as training vectors to a trainable pattern recognition system, each condition code identifying one of said selected conditions; recursively adjusting said pattern recognition system to converge to a configuration of said pattern recognition system for matching input vectors with said condition codes; conducting an engine operating trial using an engine to be diagnosed; collecting engine diagnostic data corresponding to said plurality of engine parameters; and inputting said engine parameters based on said diagnostic data as input vectors to said adjusted pattern recognition system to generate at least one condition code corresponding to one of said selected conditions present in said engine to be diagnosed.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 172 words

A method for identifying selected conditions in a combustion engine comprising the steps of: conducting a plurality of engine operating trials using a test engine, each trial including at least one respective one of a plurality of known selected conditions; collecting engine operating data during said operating trials corresponding to a plurality of engine parameters, said parameters including individual firing events; inputting said engine parameters and condition codes as training vectors to a trainable pattern recognition system, each condition code identifying one of said selected conditions; recursively adjusting said pattern recognition system to converge to a configuration of said pattern recognition system for matching input vectors with said condition codes; conducting an engine operating trial using an engine to be diagnosed; collecting engine diagnostic data corresponding to said plurality of engine parameters; and inputting said engine parameters based on said diagnostic data as input vectors to said adjusted pattern recognition system to generate at least one condition code corresponding to one of said selected conditions present in said engine to be diagnosed.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said selected conditions include a proper running condition of said combustion engine and conditions corresponding to fault conditions causing improper operation of said combustion engine.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of: calculating at least one of said engine parameters in said training vectors from said engine operating data; and calculating at least one of said engine parameters in said input vectors from said diagnostic data.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said test engine and said engine to be diagnosed include an electronic engine control and wherein said engine parameters are derived from input signals to and output signals from said electronic engine control.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 6 wherein said input signals and said output signals include both analog and digital representations.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said parameters include engine conditions averaged over a predetermined time period.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 8 wherein said predetermined time period is one engine cycle.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 8 wherein said averaged conditions include idle speed control duty cycle.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 8 wherein said averaged conditions include engine speed.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 8 wherein said averaged conditions include engine acceleration.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 8 wherein said averaged conditions include throttle position.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said parameters include engine conditions determined once per cylinder firing.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 14 wherein said conditions determined once per engine cycle include air charge temperature.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 14 wherein said conditions determined once per engine cycle include engine coolant temperature.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said pattern recognition system is comprised of a microcomputer programmed to perform a neural network simulation.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said pattern recognition system is comprised of a microcomputer programmed to perform a backpropagation analysis.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said firing events include spark advance for each engine cylinder.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said firing events include spark duration for each engine cylinder.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said firing events include manifold absolute pressure.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said firing events include engine position.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said firing events include deviation of acceleration of a single cylinder from average acceleration over one engine cycle.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said firing events include exhaust gas oxygen content.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said firing events include exhaust gas recirculating pressure.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said firing events include each fuel injector pulse width.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said firing events include each fuel injector pulse timing.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 3 wherein each of said vectors includes engine parameters corresponding to each cylinder firing within a single engine cycle.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 91 words

Apparatus for identifying possible fault conditions in a combustion engine comprising: monitor means for collecting a plurality of time-referenced values corresponding to selected engine parameters during operation of said engine, said parameters including individual firing event information; processing means coupled to said monitor means for processing said values to derive said engine parameters and organizing said engine parameters as vectors; memory means coupled to said processing means for storing said vectors; and pattern recognition means coupled to said memory means for classifying said stored vectors according to said possible fault conditions.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 91 words

Apparatus for identifying possible fault conditions in a combustion engine comprising: monitor means for collecting a plurality of time-referenced values corresponding to selected engine parameters during operation of said engine, said parameters including individual firing event information; processing means coupled to said monitor means for processing said values to derive said engine parameters and organizing said engine parameters as vectors; memory means coupled to said processing means for storing said vectors; and pattern recognition means coupled to said memory means for classifying said stored vectors according to said possible fault conditions.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 48 words

The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said pattern recognition means includes a data base derived from a plurality of test vectors corresponding to said selected engine parameters collected during operation of a test engine for a plurality of trials, said trials including a plurality of known engine faults.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said time-referenced values include digital values and analog values, said digital values being monitored upon occurrence of a transition therein, and said analog values being monitored at predetermined intervals.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said pattern recognition means is comprised of a neural network.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said pattern recognition means performs a back propagation analysis.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 168 words

The method for identifying selected conditions in a combustion engine comprising the steps of: conducting a plurality of engine operating trials using a test engine, each trial including at least one respective one of a plurality of known selected conditions; collecting engine operating data during said operating trials corresponding to a plurality of engine parameters, said parameters including individual firing events, said individual firing events including deviation of acceleration of a single cylinder from median filtered acceleration over one engine-cycle; inputting said engine parameters and respective condition codes are training vectors to a pattern recognition system to correlate patterns in said engine parameters with respective selected conditions; conducting an engine operating trial using an engine to be diagnosed; collecting engine diagnostic data corresponding to said plurality of engine parameters; and inputting said engine parameters based on said diagnostic data as input vectors to said pattern recognition system to generate at least one condition code corresponding to one of said selected conditions present in said engine to be diagnosed.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 168 words

The method for identifying selected conditions in a combustion engine comprising the steps of: conducting a plurality of engine operating trials using a test engine, each trial including at least one respective one of a plurality of known selected conditions; collecting engine operating data during said operating trials corresponding to a plurality of engine parameters, said parameters including individual firing events, said individual firing events including deviation of acceleration of a single cylinder from median filtered acceleration over one engine-cycle; inputting said engine parameters and respective condition codes are training vectors to a pattern recognition system to correlate patterns in said engine parameters with respective selected conditions; conducting an engine operating trial using an engine to be diagnosed; collecting engine diagnostic data corresponding to said plurality of engine parameters; and inputting said engine parameters based on said diagnostic data as input vectors to said pattern recognition system to generate at least one condition code corresponding to one of said selected conditions present in said engine to be diagnosed.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 178 words

Apparatus for identifying selected conditions in a combustion engine comprising: trial means for conducting a plurality of engine operating trials using a test engine, each trial including at least one respective one of a plurality of known selected conditions; data means coupled to said trial means for collecting engine operating data during said operating trials corresponding to a plurality of engine parameters, said parameters including individual firing events; pattern recognition means for receiving said engine parameters and condition codes as training vectors and for recursively adjusting to a configuration of said pattern recognition means for matching input vectors with said condition codes, each condition code identifying one of said selected conditions; and operating means coupled to said pattern recognition means for collecting engine diagnostic data corresponding to said plurality of engine parameters in an engine to be diagnosed; said engine parameters based on said diagnostic data being input as input vectors to said adjusted pattern recognition means to generate at least one condition code corresponding to one of said selected conditions present in said engine to be diagnosed.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 178 words

Apparatus for identifying selected conditions in a combustion engine comprising: trial means for conducting a plurality of engine operating trials using a test engine, each trial including at least one respective one of a plurality of known selected conditions; data means coupled to said trial means for collecting engine operating data during said operating trials corresponding to a plurality of engine parameters, said parameters including individual firing events; pattern recognition means for receiving said engine parameters and condition codes as training vectors and for recursively adjusting to a configuration of said pattern recognition means for matching input vectors with said condition codes, each condition code identifying one of said selected conditions; and operating means coupled to said pattern recognition means for collecting engine diagnostic data corresponding to said plurality of engine parameters in an engine to be diagnosed; said engine parameters based on said diagnostic data being input as input vectors to said adjusted pattern recognition means to generate at least one condition code corresponding to one of said selected conditions present in said engine to be diagnosed.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-08-19	1995-02-18	1995-08-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-08-19	1999-02-18	1999-08-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-08-19	2003-02-18	2003-08-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Diagnostic system using pattern recognition for electronic automotive control systems

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag