Electronic engine control method and system for internal combustion engines

Claim 2

An electronic control method for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine having a plurality of electronic engine control modes, including acceleration control mode, deceleration control mode, idle control mode, and air-to-fuel ratio control mode, comprising the steps of: measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator and a brake of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; measuring the vehicle operating conditions, including the vehicle speed, engine RPM, engine intake fuel to air ratio, driveline torque and engine coolant temperature; selecting one engine control mode among said plurality of engine control modes in accordance with said measured degree of said depression and one or more of said measured vehicle operating conditions, including said vehicle speed and engine RPM; selecting a target among a plurality of target references, including target engine RPM, target air-to-fuel ratio, and target torque, in accordance with said selected engine control mode; and controlling an operation of actuators, including a fuel injection volume actuator, an ignition timing actuator, and an intake air valve actuator, for controlling said engine in response to the selected target reference.

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1, wherein said target reference selecting step sets a range of values of the selected target reference in accordance with the measured degree of depression and the measured vehicle operating conditions.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 1 wherein said controlling step calculates and supplies manipulating values to said actuators such that said engine attains the selected target reference.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 1 wherein said target reference selecting step selects an air-fuel ratio as said target reference when the selected engine control mode of said engine is any one of acceleration control, deceleration control and air-fuel control and selects an engine speed as said target reference when the selected engine control mode is idle speed control.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 1, wherein said degree of depression is measured by an accelerator pedal position sensor for detecting an accelerator pedal position, and said target reference selecting step selects an air-fuel ratio as said selected target reference when it is determined according to an output of said accelerator pedal position sensor that an accelerator pedal is depressed and selects a value of engine speed when it is determined that said accelerator pedal is not depressed.

Claim 7

A method according to claim 3, wherein said controlling step calculates the control values of said actuators in accordance with at least one predictive calculation model from among a plurality of predictive calculation models according to the selected target reference.

Claim 8

A method according to claim 6, wherein said measuring vehicle operating condition includes measuring a combustion result of each cylinder of said engine and said predictive calculation model includes a correction factor corresponding to each cylinder of said engine, and said controlling step updates said correction factors of said predictive calculation model for each cylinder of said engine in accordance with said measured combustion results of each said cylinder.

Claim 9

A method according to claim 6, wherein when said engine control mode selecting step selects any one of acceleration control, deceleration control and cruising control in accordance with said measured degree of depression and said measured vehicle operating condition, said controlling step predicts an intent of said driver for engine operation in accordance with a change in at least one of said measured degree of depression and said measured vehicle operating condition to determine a control value for each of said actuators in accordance with said predictive calculation model based on said prediction.

Claim 10

A method according to claim 6, wherein said controlling step updates said predictive calculation model according to said measured vehicle operating condition.

Claim 11

A method according to claim 6, wherein said vehicle operating conditions are measured by an intake air flow sensor for measuring a rate of intake air flow at a plurality of points in time, and wherein said predictive calculation model includes a predictive value of intake air flow, whereby when the selected engine control mode does not change, said predictive value is calculated on the basis of said plurality of measured values of said intake air flow sensor on the assumption that variation of intake air flow continues until the next combustion cycle.

Claim 12

A method according to claim 7, wherein said measurements of said combustion result measuring step are made in synchronism with given rotational angles of a crankshaft of said engine in consideration of time delays of measuring timings due to the flow of clusters of intake air, fuel and exhaust gas having bearing on the combustion in each cylinder and positions of a sensor for measuring said clusters of gases for each cylinder of said engine so as to track and measure said clusters of gases and thereby measure combustion results for each said cylinder.

Claim 13

A method according to claim 6, wherein said target reference selecting step updates said target reference, and said controlling step also updates said predictive calculation model.

Claim 14

A method according to claim 6, wherein said actuators include at least one fuel injector, and said predictive calculation model is one for predictive calculation of a fuel injection quantity for attaining said value of said selected target reference.

Claim 15

A method according to claim 12, wherein said target reference selecting step updates said target references for each said engine control mode of said engine in accordance with long-term measured results of said measured degree of depression and said vehicle operating condition.

Claim 16

A method according to claim 12, wherein said controlling step updates said predictive calculation model in accordance with short-term measured results of said measured degree of depression and said vehicle operating condition.

Claim 17

A method according to claim 12, further comprising a step of determining combustion results from said measured vehicle operating condition, wherein said controlling step updates correction factors of said predictive calculation model in accordance with said measured results, and said target reference selecting step updates said selected target reference in accordance with said measured results.

Claim 18

A method according to claim 12, wherein said target reference selecting step updates said selected target reference in accordance with a deviation between a reference value indicated by said measured results and a value of said selected target reference, and said controlling step updates a corrector factor of said predictive calculation model in accordance with a deviation between a reference value indicated by said measured results and a value of said selected target reference.

Claim 19

A method according to claim 10, wherein when the selected engine control mode does not change, a measured value of intake air flow on a current combustion cycle is selected as said predicted value of intake air flow in said predicted calculation model.

Claim 20

A method according to claim 2, wherein said target reference selecting step sets a range of values of the target reference in accordance with the measured degree of depression, the conditions of the vehicle and a signal from a driver's preference switch.

Claim 21

A method according to claim 6, wherein said degree of depression is measured by an accelerator pedal position sensor for detecting a position of an accelerator pedal, said vehicle operating condition is measured by a sensor for measuring a load on said engine and an intake air flow sensor for measuring a rate of intake air flow, and said actuators include a fuel injector, said target reference selecting step determines a desired value of air-fuel ratio in accordance with a rate of change of the accelerator pedal position and a value indicating the engine load, and said controlling step determines a predicted value of intake air flow in accordance with a change of a measured value of intake air flow measured by said intake air flow sensor to calculate a fuel injection quantity, said fuel injection quantity being said controlling value from said predictive calculation model according to said predicted intake air flow value, and then supplies said controlling value to said fuel injector to attain said determined desired value of air-flow ratio.

Claim 22

A method according to claim 6, wherein said actuators include ignition plugs, and said predictive calculation model is for predictive calculation of ignition timings for said ignition plugs for attaining said value of said selected target reference.

Claim 23

A method according to claim 1, wherein said degree of depression is measured by an accelerator pedal position sensor for detecting a position of an accelerator pedal and a throttle valve opening sensor for detecting an opening degree of a throttle valve, said target reference based on the detected opening degree of the throttle valve and a rate of change of the accelerator pedal position.

Claim 24

An electronic control system in a vehicle for an internal combustion engine comprising: a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating condition; selecting means for selecting one engine control mode among plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said first and second sensing means; target reference selecting means for selecting one among a plurality of target references in accordance with the engine control mode selected by said selecting means; and control means for manipulating actuators for controlling said engine in response to the selected target reference.

Claim 25

An electronic control system in a vehicle for an internal combustion engine comprising: a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating condition; selecting means for selecting one engine control mode among plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said first and second sensing means; target reference selecting means for selecting one among a plurality of target references in accordance with the engine control mode selected by said selecting means; and control means for manipulating actuators for controlling said engine in response to the selected target reference.

Claim 26

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating condition; target reference selecting means for selecting one among a plurality of target references in accordance with outputs from said first and second sensing means; control means for generating a control signal in response to the set target reference; and an actuator means for controlling said engine in response to said control signal.

Claim 27

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating condition; target reference selecting means for selecting one among a plurality of target references in accordance with outputs from said first and second sensing means; control means for generating a control signal in response to the set target reference; and an actuator means for controlling said engine in response to said control signal.

Claim 28

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating condition; and target reference selecting means for selecting one among a plurality of target references in accordance with outputs from said first and second sensing means and for outputting the selected target reference for controlling the engine.

Claim 29

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating condition; and target reference selecting means for selecting one among a plurality of target references in accordance with outputs from said first and second sensing means and for outputting the selected target reference for controlling the engine.

Claim 30

A system according to claim 23, wherein one of said second sensing means is a switch set by a driver indicating the a driver's preference as to an air-fuel ratio pattern.

Claim 31

A system according to claim 23, wherein said first sensing means includes an accelerator pedal position sensor for detecting a position of an accelerator pedal and a throttle valve opening sensor for detecting an opening degree of a throttle valve, and said target reference selecting means selects one target reference based on the detecting opening degree of the throttle valve and a rate of change of the accelerator pedal position.

Claim 32

A system according to claim 24, wherein said target reference selecting means sets a range of values of the target reference in accordance with the measured degree of depression and the conditions of the vehicle.

Claim 33

A system according to claim 28, wherein said target reference selecting means modifies a value of the target reference in accordance with a switch set by a driver.

Claim 34

A system according to claim 24, wherein one of said second sensing means is a switch set by a driver indicating the driver's preference as to an air-fuel ratio pattern.

Claim 35

A system according to claim 24, wherein said first sensing means includes a accelerator pedal position sensor for detecting a position of an accelerator pedal and a throttle valve opening sensor for detecting an opening degree of a throttle valve, said target reference selecting means selects one target reference based on the detected opening degree of the throttle valve and a rate of change of the accelerator pedal position.

Claim 36

A system according to claim 25, wherein said target reference selecting means sets a range of values of the target reference in accordance with the measured degree of depression and the conditions of the vehicle.

Claim 37

A system according to claim 25, wherein said target reference selecting means modifies a value of said selected target reference in accordance with a switch set by a driver.

Claim 38

A system according to claim 25, wherein one of said second sensing means is a switch set by a driver indicating the driver's preference.

Claim 39

A system according to claim 25, wherein said first sensing means includes an accelerator pedal position for detecting a position of an accelerator pedal and a throttle valve opening sensor for detecting an opening degree of a throttle valve, and said target reference selecting means selects one target reference based on the detected opening degree of the throttle valve and a rate of change of the accelerator pedal position.

Claim 40

A system according to claim 34, wherein said switch indicating a driver's preference is capable of performing a plurality of preference selections including a comfortable selection, a sporty selection, and an economy selection.

Claim 41

A system according to claim 24, wherein said control means includes a predictive calculating means which predictively adjusts said control signal for controlling the actuator means in accordance with said selected target reference and an output of the second sensing means.

Claim 42

A system according to claim 37, wherein said control means further includes a predictive calculation updating means which updates a parameter in said predictive calculating means.

Claim 43

A system according to claim 38, wherein said predictive calculation updating means further includes an adaptive means which adaptively corrects a parameter representing a combustion characteristic in a predictive calculation model in accordance with a measured result of combustion including air-fuel-ratio.

Claim 44

An adaptive control system for an automotive vehicle for adaptively controlling a vehicle performance characteristic to the intent and preference of an operator of the vehicle comprising, in combination: memory means for storing time serial data of an operator actuated devices, a vehicle condition detected from an operational parameter of said vehicle and an environmental condition; means for recurrently (A) sensing the values of the operator actuated device, the value of the environmental condition and the value of the vehicle operating condition, (B) retrieving the stored value of the operator actuated device in accordance with the sensed value of the environmental condition and the sensed value of the vehicle operating condition, (C) comparing the retrieved and sensed values of the operator actuated device to determine a dynamic characteristic of the operator representing the intent and preference of the operator, (D) updating the stored value of the operator actuated device in said memory means with the time serial stored data of the sensed values of the operator actuated device; and means for adjusting the vehicle performance characteristics in accordance with the determined dynamic characteristic of the operator, the vehicle characteristic being automatically adjusted based on the deviation of the values of the operator actuated device from past values thereof.

Claim 45

An adaptive control system for an automotive vehicle for adaptively controlling a vehicle performance characteristic to the intent and preference of an operator of the vehicle comprising, in combination: memory means for storing time serial data of an operator actuated devices, a vehicle condition detected from an operational parameter of said vehicle and an environmental condition; means for recurrently (A) sensing the values of the operator actuated device, the value of the environmental condition and the value of the vehicle operating condition, (B) retrieving the stored value of the operator actuated device in accordance with the sensed value of the environmental condition and the sensed value of the vehicle operating condition, (C) comparing the retrieved and sensed values of the operator actuated device to determine a dynamic characteristic of the operator representing the intent and preference of the operator, (D) updating the stored value of the operator actuated device in said memory means with the time serial stored data of the sensed values of the operator actuated device; and means for adjusting the vehicle performance characteristics in accordance with the determined dynamic characteristic of the operator, the vehicle characteristic being automatically adjusted based on the deviation of the values of the operator actuated device from past values thereof.

Claim 46

A system according to claim 40, wherein said recurrent means further includes means for (E) predicting the operator actuated device in accordance with said sensed values of the operator actuated device, the environmental condition and the vehicle operating condition.

Claim 47

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, comprising: a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating conditions; selecting means for selecting one engine control mode among plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said first and second sensing means; target reference selecting means for selecting one among a plurality of target references in accordance with the engine control mode selected by said engine control mode selecting means; means for gathering a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion in a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point; means for calculating control values on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions; means for generating control signals based on said calculated control values; and actuator control means for controlling said engine in response to the selected target reference and said generated control signals.

Claim 48

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, comprising: a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating conditions; selecting means for selecting one engine control mode among plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said first and second sensing means; target reference selecting means for selecting one among a plurality of target references in accordance with the engine control mode selected by said engine control mode selecting means; means for gathering a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion in a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point; means for calculating control values on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions; means for generating control signals based on said calculated control values; and actuator control means for controlling said engine in response to the selected target reference and said generated control signals.

Claim 49

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, comprising: a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating condition; selecting means for selecting one engine control mode among a plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said first and second sensing means; target reference selecting means for selecting one among a plurality of target references in accordance with the engine control type selected by said engine control mode selecting means; means for generating a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion in a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point; means for calculating control values on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions; means for generating control signals based on said calculated control values; means for identifying combustion characteristics of said cylinder on the basis of said variable data items; means for correcting said control values on the basis of said identified combustion characteristics in a following calculation of control values; and actuator control means for controlling said engine in response to the selected target reference and said generated control signals.

Claim 50

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, comprising: a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating condition; selecting means for selecting one engine control mode among a plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said first and second sensing means; target reference selecting means for selecting one among a plurality of target references in accordance with the engine control type selected by said engine control mode selecting means; means for generating a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion in a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point; means for calculating control values on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions; means for generating control signals based on said calculated control values; means for identifying combustion characteristics of said cylinder on the basis of said variable data items; means for correcting said control values on the basis of said identified combustion characteristics in a following calculation of control values; and actuator control means for controlling said engine in response to the selected target reference and said generated control signals.

Claim 51

An electronic adaptive control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine having driver controlled elements, comprising: a first subsystem which includes means for detecting a driver's action in controlling said element, means for detecting a vehicle condition from an operational parameter of said vehicle, means for selecting one engine control mode among a plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said first and second sensing means, means for gathering a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion of a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point of crankshaft position, means for calculating reference signals on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions for each engine control mode; and a second subsystem which includes a feedback control, for controlling said vehicle in accordance with said reference signal.

Claim 52

An electronic adaptive control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine having driver controlled elements, comprising: a first subsystem which includes means for detecting a driver's action in controlling said element, means for detecting a vehicle condition from an operational parameter of said vehicle, means for selecting one engine control mode among a plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said first and second sensing means, means for gathering a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion of a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point of crankshaft position, means for calculating reference signals on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions for each engine control mode; and a second subsystem which includes a feedback control, for controlling said vehicle in accordance with said reference signal.

Claim 53

An electronic adaptive control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine having driver controlled elements, comprising: first subsystem which includes means for detecting a driver's action in controlling said elements, means for detecting a vehicle condition from an operational parameter of said vehicle, means for selecting one engine control mode among a plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said first and second sensing means, means for gathering a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion of a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point of crankshaft position, means for calculating control values on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions for each engine control mode, means for identifying combustion characteristics of said cylinder on the basis of said variable data items for each engine control mode, means for correcting said control values for each engine control mode on the basis of said identified combustion characteristics, and generates a reference signal in accordance with the outputs of said correcting means; and a second subsystem which includes a feedback control, for controlling said vehicle in accordance with said reference signal.

Claim 54

An electronic adaptive control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine having driver controlled elements, comprising: first subsystem which includes means for detecting a driver's action in controlling said elements, means for detecting a vehicle condition from an operational parameter of said vehicle, means for selecting one engine control mode among a plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said first and second sensing means, means for gathering a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion of a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point of crankshaft position, means for calculating control values on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions for each engine control mode, means for identifying combustion characteristics of said cylinder on the basis of said variable data items for each engine control mode, means for correcting said control values for each engine control mode on the basis of said identified combustion characteristics, and generates a reference signal in accordance with the outputs of said correcting means; and a second subsystem which includes a feedback control, for controlling said vehicle in accordance with said reference signal.

Claim 55

A vehicle comprising: a first subsystem which includes means for detecting the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, means for detecting a vehicle condition, means for gathering a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion of a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point of crankshaft position, means for selecting one engine control mode among a plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said detecting means, means for calculating control values on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions, and generates a signal in accordance with outputs of both said detecting means; and second subsystem which controls the vehicle in accordance with said signal.

Claim 56

A vehicle comprising: a first subsystem which includes means for detecting the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, means for detecting a vehicle condition, means for gathering a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion of a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point of crankshaft position, means for selecting one engine control mode among a plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said detecting means, means for calculating control values on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions, and generates a signal in accordance with outputs of both said detecting means; and second subsystem which controls the vehicle in accordance with said signal.

Claim 57

A vehicle comprising: first subsystem which includes means for detecting the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, means for detecting a vehicle condition, means for gathering a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion of a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point of crankshaft position, means for selecting one engine control mode among a plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said detecting means, means for calculating control values on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions, means for identifying combustion characteristics of said cylinder on the basis of said variable data items means for correcting said control values on the basis of said identified combustion characteristics in a following calculation of control values and generates a signal in accordance with outputs of both said detecting means; and a second subsystem which controls the vehicle in accordance with said signal.

Claim 58

A vehicle comprising: first subsystem which includes means for detecting the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, means for detecting a vehicle condition, means for gathering a plurality of variable data items relating to a combustion of a cylinder of the engine upon occurrence of respective predetermined reference engine crank angle positions measured relative to a predetermined reference point of crankshaft position, means for selecting one engine control mode among a plurality of engine control modes based on outputs from said detecting means, means for calculating control values on the basis of at least some of said variable data items gathered upon occurrence of said reference engine crank positions, means for identifying combustion characteristics of said cylinder on the basis of said variable data items means for correcting said control values on the basis of said identified combustion characteristics in a following calculation of control values and generates a signal in accordance with outputs of both said detecting means; and a second subsystem which controls the vehicle in accordance with said signal.

Claim 59

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: a memory means for storing digital data; a plurality of engine control programs, including an acceleration control program, a deceleration control program, and an engine idle program, said programs stored as digital data in said memory means and each of said programs including an associated parameter data set and an associated target reference data set; a processing means, operatively connected to said memory means for executing an instruction set associated with each of said engine control programs and for updating said associated parameter data and for outputting a control signal based on said instruction set execution; a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating condition; a conversion means, operatively connected to said first and second sensing means, for converting outputs of said first and second sensing means into a digital data format compatible with a data format of said memory means and said processor means; an engine control program selection means which causes said processing means to select one engine control program with associated parameter data set and associated target reference data set among said plurality of engine control program, said selection based on outputs from said first and second sensing means; and an engine control actuator means responsive to said control signal, whereby when said program selection means selects an engine control program, a value of said control signal is output causing said actuator means to control said engine such that said vehicle condition corresponds to said selected associated target reference data set and said processing means updates said associated parameter data set based on said control signal and outputs from said first and second sensing means.

Claim 60

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: a memory means for storing digital data; a plurality of engine control programs, including an acceleration control program, a deceleration control program, and an engine idle program, said programs stored as digital data in said memory means and each of said programs including an associated parameter data set and an associated target reference data set; a processing means, operatively connected to said memory means for executing an instruction set associated with each of said engine control programs and for updating said associated parameter data and for outputting a control signal based on said instruction set execution; a plurality of first sensing means for measuring the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of said vehicle, which is made to effect a change in the operating condition of the vehicle and the engine; a plurality of second sensing means for measuring the vehicle operating condition; a conversion means, operatively connected to said first and second sensing means, for converting outputs of said first and second sensing means into a digital data format compatible with a data format of said memory means and said processor means; an engine control program selection means which causes said processing means to select one engine control program with associated parameter data set and associated target reference data set among said plurality of engine control program, said selection based on outputs from said first and second sensing means; and an engine control actuator means responsive to said control signal, whereby when said program selection means selects an engine control program, a value of said control signal is output causing said actuator means to control said engine such that said vehicle condition corresponds to said selected associated target reference data set and said processing means updates said associated parameter data set based on said control signal and outputs from said first and second sensing means.

Claim 61

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: (A) means for sensing and outputting a signal indicative of an accelerator pedal depression, a brake pedal depression, a vehicle speed and an engine RPM; (B) a plurality of sensors for measuring vehicle operating conditions, including engine RPM, air to fuel ratio and driveline torque; (C) means for selecting from among said a plurality of predetermined target references including target engine RPM, target air to fuel ratio, and target torque in accordance with said sensing means output signal; (D) means for comparing said selected predetermined target reference with corresponding measured operating conditions; (E) actuating means responsive to said comparing means to control the engine to achieve said engine target reference; and (F) means for updating said stored plurality of predetermined target reference values in accordance with said comparing means.

Claim 62

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: (A) means for sensing and outputting a signal indicative of an accelerator pedal depression, a brake pedal depression, a vehicle speed and an engine RPM; (B) a plurality of sensors for measuring vehicle operating conditions, including engine RPM, air to fuel ratio and driveline torque; (C) means for selecting from among said a plurality of predetermined target references including target engine RPM, target air to fuel ratio, and target torque in accordance with said sensing means output signal; (D) means for comparing said selected predetermined target reference with corresponding measured operating conditions; (E) actuating means responsive to said comparing means to control the engine to achieve said engine target reference; and (F) means for updating said stored plurality of predetermined target reference values in accordance with said comparing means.

Claim 63

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: (A) means for sensing and outputting a signal indicative of an accelerator pedal depression, a brake pedal depression, a vehicle speed and an engine RPM; (B) means for measuring actual vehicle reference values; (C) means for selecting among a plurality of predetermined target references in accordance with outputs from said sensing means; (D) means for comparing actual engine reference values to said selected predetermined target reference values; and (E) actuating means responsive to said comparing means to control the engine to achieve said selected predetermined target reference values.

Claim 64

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: (A) means for sensing and outputting a signal indicative of an accelerator pedal depression, a brake pedal depression, a vehicle speed and an engine RPM; (B) means for measuring actual vehicle reference values; (C) means for selecting among a plurality of predetermined target references in accordance with outputs from said sensing means; (D) means for comparing actual engine reference values to said selected predetermined target reference values; and (E) actuating means responsive to said comparing means to control the engine to achieve said selected predetermined target reference values.

Claim 65

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: (A) means for sensing and outputting a signal indicative of an accelerator pedal depression, a brake pedal depression, a vehicle speed and an engine RPM; (B) means for measuring actual vehicle reference values; (C) means for selecting among a plurality of predetermined target reference values in accordance with outputs from said sensors; (D) means for comparing said actual measured reference values to said selected predetermined target reference values; (E) means for updating said stored plurality of predetermined target reference values; and (F) actuating means responsive to said comparing means to control the engine to achieve said selected predetermined target reference values.

Claim 66

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: (A) means for sensing and outputting a signal indicative of an accelerator pedal depression, a brake pedal depression, a vehicle speed and an engine RPM; (B) means for measuring actual vehicle reference values; (C) means for selecting among a plurality of predetermined target reference values in accordance with outputs from said sensors; (D) means for comparing said actual measured reference values to said selected predetermined target reference values; (E) means for updating said stored plurality of predetermined target reference values; and (F) actuating means responsive to said comparing means to control the engine to achieve said selected predetermined target reference values.

Claim 67

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: (A) means for sensing and outputting a signal indicative of an accelerator pedal depression, a brake pedal depression, a vehicle speed and an engine RPM; (B) a plurality of sensors for measuring engine operating conditions; (C) means for selecting among a plurality of predetermined target references in accordance with said sensing means outputted signal; (D) means for comparing said selected engine target reference value with corresponding measured engine operating conditions; and (E) actuating means responsive to said comparing means to control the engine to achieve said selected predetermined.

Claim 68

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine comprising: (A) means for sensing and outputting a signal indicative of an accelerator pedal depression, a brake pedal depression, a vehicle speed and an engine RPM; (B) a plurality of sensors for measuring engine operating conditions; (C) means for selecting among a plurality of predetermined target references in accordance with said sensing means outputted signal; (D) means for comparing said selected engine target reference value with corresponding measured engine operating conditions; and (E) actuating means responsive to said comparing means to control the engine to achieve said selected predetermined.

Claim 69

An electronic control system for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine according to claim 48 wherein said associated parameter data set is updated in accordance with digital data output from said first and second sensing means and said associated parameter.