Method and apparatus for matching vehicle ECU programming to current vehicle operating conditions

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having machine instructions stored thereon for remotely monitoring operational data of a vehicle, and determining if different engine control unit (ECU) programming of a vehicle controller would result in improved performance of the vehicle, the machine instructions, when implemented by a processor, carrying out the functions of:

• analyzing the operational data of the vehicle to determine if different ECU programming would lead to improved performance, wherein the operational data of the vehicle includes at least one of information from a vehicle-based sensor, information from a route the vehicle is traveling, and information representing a load the vehicle is carrying;
• when such reprogramming would result in improved performance:
• communicating the different ECU programming to the vehicle via a bi-directional link, wherein communicating the different ECU programming via the bi-directional link includes receiving the different ECU programming via a personal computer, a tablet, or a smart phone;
• storing the different ECU programming in a memory that stores a plurality of ECU programming sets;
• and
• communicating an instruction to change current ECU programming of the vehicle controller to the different ECU programming to improve performance of the vehicle, the instruction causing:
• automatic use of an output device to alert a driver of the vehicle to temporarily halt the vehicle so reprogramming can be implemented while the vehicle is at rest;
• and
• after confirmation by the driver, a change of current ECU programming of the vehicle controller to the different ECU programming.

A method to change current engine control unit (ECU) programming of a vehicle driven by a driver, the current ECU programming arranged to control vehicle performance in response to vehicle operating conditions, the method comprising:

• while the driver is operating the vehicle, automatically collecting vehicle operational data that can be used to evaluate performance of the vehicle;
• receiving, via a bi-directional link, an instruction to change the current ECU programming to different ECU programming that will lead to improved performance of the vehicle;
• receiving, via the bi-directional link, a different ECU programming set;
• storing the different ECU programming set in a memory at the vehicle, the memory storing a plurality of ECU programming sets;
• using an output device in the vehicle to automatically alert the driver to temporarily halt the vehicle so reprogramming can be implemented while the vehicle is at rest;
• enabling the driver to specifically select a particular one of the different ECU programming sets stored in the memory at the vehicle:
• and
• changing the current ECU programming used by a vehicle controller to a selected one of the plurality of ECU programming sets to implement the improved performance of the vehicle after the driver has halted the vehicle.