Control apparatus for automobile engine including microcomputer which may be programmed after mounting on a circuit board

Claim 2

A control apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine of an automobile, said control apparatus comprising: a circuit board having a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals; a microcomputer mounted on said circuit board and having an input and an output, said input adapted for connection via a first one of said input terminals to a sensor, external to said circuit board, which senses an operating condition of the automobile, said output adapted for connection via one of said output terminals to an actuator, external to said circuit board, for controlling an operating condition of said internal combustion engine in accordance with the sensed operating condition; program memory means in said microcomputer for storing a control program to control said microcomputer; write control means mounted on said circuit board and responsive to a Write control signal from said microcomputer, for controlling said program memory means to permit writing of the control program into said program memory means; input means mounted on said circuit board and connected to a second one of said input terminals for receiving from a source, external to said circuit board, the control program to be written into said program memory means when said program memory means is under control of said write control means; and isolation means mounted on said circuit board, connected to said microcomputer, to said first one of said input terminals, and to said one of said output terminals, and responsive to the write control signal, for electrically isolating said microcomputer from the sensor and the actuator when said write control means is controlling said program memory means, to inhibit input of signals from the sensor and output of signals to the actuator during writing of the control program into said program memory means.

Claim 3

A control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said microcomputer is adapted for operation in one of a write mode, for writing the control program into said program memory means, and a normal operation mode, for applying output signals to the actuator to control the operating condition of the engine, and wherein said write control means is further responsive to the write control signal from said microcomputer, to cause said microcomputer to operate in a selected one of the write mode and the normal operation mode.

Claim 4

A control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said program memory means is a programmable read only memory.

Claim 5

A control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said one of said output terminals is adapted for connection to an ignition coil of the internal combustion engine.

Claim 6

A control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said one of said output terminals is adapted for connection to a fuel injector of the internal combustion engine.

Claim 7

A control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said isolation means comprises a first buffer circuit coupling said first one of said input terminals to said microcomputer and a second buffer circuit coupling said microcomputer to said one of said output terminals, each buffer circuit being responsive to the write control signal to assume a first state inhibiting passage of signals through that buffer circuit and responsive to absence of the write control signal to assume a second state permitting passage of signals through that buffer circuit.

Claim 8

A control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said write control means comprises switching means responsive to-the write control signal for applying a voltage signal to said program memory means, and said program memory means is responsive to the voltage signal to permit writing of the control program in said program memory means.

Claim 9

A control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said microcomputer is a single chip microcomputer.

Claim 10

A control apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine of an automobile, said control apparatus comprising: a circuit board having a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals; a microcomputer mounted on said circuit board and having an input and an output, said input adapted for connection via a first one of said input terminals to a sensor, external to said circuit board, which senses an operating condition of the automobile, said output adapted for connection via one of said output terminals to an actuator, external to said circuit board, for controlling an operating condition of said internal combustion engine in accordance with the sensed operation condition; program memory means in said microcomputer for storing a control program to control said microcomputer; write control means surface mounted on said circuit board and responsive to a write control signal for controlling said program memory means to permit writing of the control program into said program memory means; input means surface mounted on said circuit board and connected to a second one of said input terminals for receiving from a source, external to said circuit board, the control program to be written into said program memory means when said program memory means is under control of said write control means; and isolation means mounted on said circuit board, connected to said microcomputer, to said first one of said input terminals, and to said one of said output terminals, and responsive to the write control signal, for electrically isolating said microcomputer from the sensor and the actuator when said write control means is controlling said program memory means, to inhibit input of signals from the sensor and output of signals to the actuator during writing of the control program into said program memory means.

Claim 11

A control apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine of an automobile, said control apparatus comprising: a circuit board having a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals; a microcomputer mounted on said circuit board and having an input and an output, said input adapted for connection via a first one of said input terminals to a sensor, external to said circuit board, which senses an operating condition of the automobile, said output adapted for connection via one of said output terminals to an actuator, external to said circuit board, for controlling an operating condition of said internal combustion engine in accordance with the sensed operation condition; program memory means in said microcomputer for storing a control program to control said microcomputer; write control means surface mounted on said circuit board and responsive to a write control signal for controlling said program memory means to permit writing of the control program into said program memory means; input means surface mounted on said circuit board and connected to a second one of said input terminals for receiving from a source, external to said circuit board, the control program to be written into said program memory means when said program memory means is under control of said write control means; and isolation means mounted on said circuit board, connected to said microcomputer, to said first one of said input terminals, and to said one of said output terminals, and responsive to the write control signal, for electrically isolating said microcomputer from the sensor and the actuator when said write control means is controlling said program memory means, to inhibit input of signals from the sensor and output of signals to the actuator during writing of the control program into said program memory means.

Claim 12

A control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said microcomputer is adapted for operation in one of a write mode, for writing the control program into said program memory means, and a normal operation mode, for applying output signals to the actuator to control the operating condition of the engine, and wherein said write control means is further responsive to the write control signal to cause said microcomputer to operate in a selected one of the write mode and the normal operation mode.

Claim 13

A control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said program memory means is a programmable read only memory.

Claim 14

A control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said one of said output terminals is adapted for connection to an ignition coil of the internal combustion engine.

Claim 15

A control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said one of said output terminals is adapted for connection to a fuel injector of the internal combustion engine.

Claim 16

A control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said isolation means comprises a first buffer circuit coupling said first one of said input terminals to said microcomputer and a second buffer circuit coupling said microcomputer to said one of said output terminals, each buffer circuit being responsive to the write control signal to assume a first state inhibiting passage of signals through that buffer circuit and responsive to absence of the write control signal to assume a second state permitting passage of signals through that buffer circuit.

Claim 17

A control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said write control means comprises switching means responsive to the write control signal for applying a voltage signal to said program memory means, and said program memory means is responsive to the voltage signal to permit writing of the control program in said program memory means.

Claim 18

A control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said microcomputer is a single chip microcomputer.

Claim 19

A control apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine of an automobile, said control apparatus comprising: a circuit board having a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals; a single chip microcomputer sealed in plastic, surface mounted on said circuit board, and having an input and an output, said input adapted for connection via a first one of said input terminals to a sensor, external to said circuit board, which senses an operating condition of the automobile, said output adapted for connection via one of said output terminals to an actuator, external to said circuit board, for controlling an operating condition of said internal combustion engine in accordance with the sensed operating condition; program memory means in said microcomputer for storing a control program to control said microcomputer; write control means surface mounted on said circuit board and responsive to a write control signal for controlling said program memory means to permit writing of the control program into said program memory means; input means surface mounted on said circuit board and connected to a second one of said input terminals for receiving from a source, external to said circuit board, the control program to be written into said program memory means when said program memory means is under control of said write control means; and isolation means mounted on said circuit board, connected to said microcomputer, to said first one of said input terminals and to said one of said output terminals, and responsive to the write control signal, for electrically isolating said microcomputer from the sensor and the actuator when said write control means is controlling said program memory means, to inhibit input of signals from the sensor and output of signals to the actuator during writing of the control program into said program memory means.

Claim 20

A control apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine of an automobile, said control apparatus comprising: a circuit board having a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals; a single chip microcomputer sealed in plastic, surface mounted on said circuit board, and having an input and an output, said input adapted for connection via a first one of said input terminals to a sensor, external to said circuit board, which senses an operating condition of the automobile, said output adapted for connection via one of said output terminals to an actuator, external to said circuit board, for controlling an operating condition of said internal combustion engine in accordance with the sensed operating condition; program memory means in said microcomputer for storing a control program to control said microcomputer; write control means surface mounted on said circuit board and responsive to a write control signal for controlling said program memory means to permit writing of the control program into said program memory means; input means surface mounted on said circuit board and connected to a second one of said input terminals for receiving from a source, external to said circuit board, the control program to be written into said program memory means when said program memory means is under control of said write control means; and isolation means mounted on said circuit board, connected to said microcomputer, to said first one of said input terminals and to said one of said output terminals, and responsive to the write control signal, for electrically isolating said microcomputer from the sensor and the actuator when said write control means is controlling said program memory means, to inhibit input of signals from the sensor and output of signals to the actuator during writing of the control program into said program memory means.

Claim 21

A control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said microcomputer is adapted for operation in one of a write mode, for writing the control program into said program memory means, and a normal operation mode, for applying output signals to the actuator to control the operating condition of the engine, and wherein said write control means is further responsive to the write control signal to cause said microcomputer to operate in a selected one of the write mode and the normal operation mode.

Claim 22

A control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said program memory means is a programmable read only memory.

Claim 23

A control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said one of said output terminals is adapted for connection to an ignition coil of the internal combustion engine.

Claim 24

A control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said one of said output terminals is adapted for connection to a fuel injector of the internal combustion engine.

Claim 25

A control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said isolation means comprises a first buffer circuit coupling said first one of said input terminals to said microcomputer and a second buffer circuit coupling said microcomputer to said one of said output terminals, each buffer circuit being responsive to the write control signal to assume a first state inhibiting passage of signals through that buffer circuit and responsive to absence of the write control signal to assume a second state permitting passage of signals through that buffer circuit.

Claim 26

A control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said write control means comprises switching means responsive to the write control signal for applying a voltage signal to said program memory means, and said program memory means is responsive to the voltage signal to permit writing of the control program in said program memory means.

Claim 27

A control apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine of an automobile, said control apparatus comprising: a circuit board having a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals; a single chip microcomputer sealed in plastic, surface mounted on said circuit board, and having an input and an output, said input adapted for connection via a first one of said input terminals to a sensor, external to said circuit board, which senses an operating condition of the automobile, said output adapted for connection via one of said output terminals to an actuator, external to said circuit board, for controlling an operating condition of said internal combustion engine in accordance with the sensed operating condition; program memory means in said microcomputer for storing a control program to control said microcomputer; write control means surface mounted on said circuit board and responsive to a write control signal from said microcomputer, for controlling said program memory means to permit writing of the control program into said program memory means; first input means surface mounted on said circuit board and connected to a second one of said input terminals for serially receiving from a source, external to said circuit board, a control program to be written into said program memory means when said program memory means is under control of said write control means; isolation means mounted on said circuit board, connected to said microcomputer, to said first one of said input terminals, and to said one of said output terminals, and responsive to the write control signal, for electrically isolating said microcomputer from the sensor and the actuator when said write control means is controlling said program memory means, to inhibit input of signals from the sensor and output of signals to the actuator during writing of the control program into said program memory means; serial communication interface means in said microcomputer for serially receiving the control program from said first input means; and second input means surface mounted on said circuit board and connected to a third one of said input terminals for receiving from a source, external to said circuit board, a write mode signal, wherein: said microcomputer is responsive to the write mode signal to apply the write control signal to said write control means; and said write control means is responsive to the write control signal from said microcomputer, for controlling said program memory means to permit writing of the control program received by said serial communication interface means into said program memory means.

Claim 28

A control apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine of an automobile, said control apparatus comprising: a circuit board having a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals; a single chip microcomputer sealed in plastic, surface mounted on said circuit board, and having an input and an output, said input adapted for connection via a first one of said input terminals to a sensor, external to said circuit board, which senses an operating condition of the automobile, said output adapted for connection via one of said output terminals to an actuator, external to said circuit board, for controlling an operating condition of said internal combustion engine in accordance with the sensed operating condition; program memory means in said microcomputer for storing a control program to control said microcomputer; write control means surface mounted on said circuit board and responsive to a write control signal from said microcomputer, for controlling said program memory means to permit writing of the control program into said program memory means; first input means surface mounted on said circuit board and connected to a second one of said input terminals for serially receiving from a source, external to said circuit board, a control program to be written into said program memory means when said program memory means is under control of said write control means; isolation means mounted on said circuit board, connected to said microcomputer, to said first one of said input terminals, and to said one of said output terminals, and responsive to the write control signal, for electrically isolating said microcomputer from the sensor and the actuator when said write control means is controlling said program memory means, to inhibit input of signals from the sensor and output of signals to the actuator during writing of the control program into said program memory means; serial communication interface means in said microcomputer for serially receiving the control program from said first input means; and second input means surface mounted on said circuit board and connected to a third one of said input terminals for receiving from a source, external to said circuit board, a write mode signal, wherein: said microcomputer is responsive to the write mode signal to apply the write control signal to said write control means; and said write control means is responsive to the write control signal from said microcomputer, for controlling said program memory means to permit writing of the control program received by said serial communication interface means into said program memory means.

Claim 29

A control apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said microcomputer is adapted for operation in one of a write mode, for writing the control program received by said serial communication interface means into said program memory means, and a normal operation mode, for applying output signals to the actuator to control the operating condition of the engine, and wherein said write control means is further responsive to the write control signal from said microcomputer, to cause said microcomputer to operate in a selected one of the write mode and the normal operation mode.

Claim 30

A control apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said program memory means is a programmable read only memory.

Claim 31

A control apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said one of said output terminals is adapted for connection to an ignition coil of the internal combustion engine.

Claim 32

A control apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said one of said output terminals is adapted for connection to a fuel injector of the internal combustion engine.

Claim 33

A control apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said isolation means comprises a first buffer circuit coupling said first one of said input terminals to said microcomputer and a second buffer circuit coupling said microcomputer to said one of said output terminals, each buffer circuit being responsive to the write control signal to assume a first state inhibiting passage of signals through that buffer circuit and responsive to absence of the write control signal to assume a second state permitting passage of signals through that buffer circuit.

Claim 34

A control apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said write control means comprises switching means responsive to the write control signal for applying a voltage signal to said program memory means, and said program memory means is responsive to the voltage signal to permit writing of the control program in said program memory means.