US5999876A — Method and system for communication with an engin…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 241 words

An engine control system for controlling and monitoring engine operation in response to execution of a sequence of commands stored onboard the vehicle and modifiable by an external data transmission tool, comprising: an engine control module (ECM) executing operating commands to monitor engine operation and to control engine operation based upon modifiable operating parameters, and having a memory for storing the modifiable operating parameters and data indicative of monitored engine operating conditions; a plurality of data links operatively connected to said ECM for the transmission of data to and from said ECM, at least one data link providing communication between said ECM and an external data transmission tool; a sleep mode task module within said ECM for placing the ECM in a sleep mode of reduced power consumption in which said ECM ceases executing the operating commands, said sleep mode task module including; a sleep mode termination timer for timing the length of time the ECM is in the sleep mode; communication processor means within said ECM for permitting communication with the external data transmission tool only over said at least one data link during said sleep mode to access said memory of said ECM to download said data indicative of monitored engine operating conditions or to modify said operating parameters within said memory; and power down means for placing the ECM in a power down state upon expiration of a predetermined time period counted by said sleep termination mode timer.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 241 words

An engine control system for controlling and monitoring engine operation in response to execution of a sequence of commands stored onboard the vehicle and modifiable by an external data transmission tool, comprising: an engine control module (ECM) executing operating commands to monitor engine operation and to control engine operation based upon modifiable operating parameters, and having a memory for storing the modifiable operating parameters and data indicative of monitored engine operating conditions; a plurality of data links operatively connected to said ECM for the transmission of data to and from said ECM, at least one data link providing communication between said ECM and an external data transmission tool; a sleep mode task module within said ECM for placing the ECM in a sleep mode of reduced power consumption in which said ECM ceases executing the operating commands, said sleep mode task module including; a sleep mode termination timer for timing the length of time the ECM is in the sleep mode; communication processor means within said ECM for permitting communication with the external data transmission tool only over said at least one data link during said sleep mode to access said memory of said ECM to download said data indicative of monitored engine operating conditions or to modify said operating parameters within said memory; and power down means for placing the ECM in a power down state upon expiration of a predetermined time period counted by said sleep termination mode timer.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 35 words

The engine control system according to claim 1, wherein said sleep mode task module further includes means for resetting said sleep mode termination timer upon receipt of data on said at least one data link.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

The engine control system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one data link includes an RS-232 data port.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The engine control system according to claim 3, wherein said at least one data link further includes an RS-232 data port configured for wireless reception of data.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The engine control system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one data link includes a J-1939 data port.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 39 words

The engine control system according to claim 1, wherein said communication processor means includes means for disabling interrupts at the ECM associated only with ones of said plurality of data links other than said at least one data link.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 54 words

The engine control system according to claim 1, wherein: the system includes a vehicle key switch operable to generate an "OFF" signal when the key switch is turned to an off position; and said sleep mode task module is initiated by said ECM when said ECM receives said "OFF" signal from said key switch.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 52 words

The engine control system according to claim 7, wherein: said ECM includes means for controlling a plurality of task modules that execute the operating commands; and said sleep mode task module includes means for disabling said plurality of task modules after a predetermined period of time after being initiated by said ECM.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 111 words

The engine control system according to claim 7, wherein: said ECM includes means for controlling a plurality of task modules that execute the operating commands, data caches for temporary storage of data used by said task modules, and a task scheduler for prioritizing operation of said task modules and data communication to and from said ECM; and said sleep mode task module includes means for flushing the data caches, wherein said task scheduler is operable to assign said means for flushing the highest priority for a predetermined period of time and thereafter to assign said at least one data link highest priority and said sleep mode task module next highest priority.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 55 words

The engine control system according to claim 1, wherein: said ECM includes non-volatile memory for storing data to be read by said ECM when said ECM exits the sleep mode; and said power down means of said sleep mode task module includes means for storing in non-volatile memory operating parameters modified during the sleep mode.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 188 words

In an engine control system having an engine control module (ECM) for controlling and monitoring engine operations, the ECM having a task scheduler and a communication processor for controlling data communications to and from the engine and data communications to and from at least one external data transmission device, a method for placing the ECM in a mode of reduced power consumption comprising the steps of: monitoring the vehicle key switch to determine if the key switch has been placed in an "off" position; and upon receipt of a key switch "off" signal, disabling non-essential tasks and communications controlled by the ECM; in the ECM task scheduler, assigning the highest priority within the communications processor to data communications with the at least one external data transmission device; starting a sleep mode termination timer (SMT timer); comparing the SMT timer to a predetermined time period; placing the ECM in a power down mode when the SMT timer counts a time exceeding the predetermined time period; and permitting data communication only between the ECM and the at least one external data transmission device prior to expiration of the SMT timer.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 188 words

In an engine control system having an engine control module (ECM) for controlling and monitoring engine operations, the ECM having a task scheduler and a communication processor for controlling data communications to and from the engine and data communications to and from at least one external data transmission device, a method for placing the ECM in a mode of reduced power consumption comprising the steps of: monitoring the vehicle key switch to determine if the key switch has been placed in an "off" position; and upon receipt of a key switch "off" signal, disabling non-essential tasks and communications controlled by the ECM; in the ECM task scheduler, assigning the highest priority within the communications processor to data communications with the at least one external data transmission device; starting a sleep mode termination timer (SMT timer); comparing the SMT timer to a predetermined time period; placing the ECM in a power down mode when the SMT timer counts a time exceeding the predetermined time period; and permitting data communication only between the ECM and the at least one external data transmission device prior to expiration of the SMT timer.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of resetting the SMT timer upon receipt by the communication processor of data from the at least one external data transmission device.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of using the external data transmission device to download data stored in a memory of the ECM prior to expiration of the SMT timer.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of using the external data transmission device to upload data to a memory of the ECM prior to expiration of the SMT timer.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 72 words

The method according to claim 14, including the steps of: setting a data flag when data is uploaded to the ECM memory; during the unloading step, receiving the transmitted data into a volatile memory of the ECM; upon expiration of the SMT timer, saving data changed during the upload into a non-volatile memory of the ECM; and then flushing the volatile memory prior to placing the ECM to the power down mode.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 47 words

The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of saving changed data includes: starting a save timer; saving the changed data to non-volatile memory; comparing the save timer to a predetermined time period; and ending the changed data saving step upon expiration of the save timer.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 52 words

The engine control system according to claim 10, wherein: said ECM includes a volatile memory; said communication processor means is operable to upload data to modify said operating parameters into said volatile memory; and said means for storing is operable to upload said data from said volatile memory into said non-volatile memory.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-12-06	2003-06-07	2003-12-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-12-06	2007-06-07	2007-12-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-12-06	2011-06-07	2011-12-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and system for communication with an engine control module in sleep mode

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