Engine ECM multi-input/output configuration
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsKevin D. Ehrenhardt, Prasad V. Parupalli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A engine controller includes a connector having pins that provide an electrical connection between devices external to the controller and internal electrical components. The programming tool is used to program the controller to assign particular pins to transmit or receive certain signals.
Claims12
An electronic controller, comprising:
- a controller connected with a communications bus;
- input and output drivers connected with said communications bus;
- a connector associated with said input and output drivers, said connector having a plurality of pins each pin capable of receiving or transmitting a signal from said electronic controller to an external device;
- and
- wherein said controller may be programmed to configure the pinout of the connector.
An electronic control module, comprising:
- a microprocessor connected with an address bus and a data bus, said microprocessor having input and output signals;
- input and output drivers connected with said address and data buses;
- a protective housing enclosing said microprocessor and said input and output drivers;
- a connector connected with said input and said output drivers, said connector providing an electrical connection to said input and output drives for devices external to said protective housing enclosure, said connector having various individual electrical connections;
- a programming tool connectable with said connector, wherein said programming tool programs the individual electrical connections to the defined input and output signals.
A method of inputting and outputting signals from an electronic control module, said electronic control module including a controller connected with a connector output, said connector output having a predefined pin-out pattern, said method including:
- programming said controller to assign a particular signal to a particular pin on said connector;
- and
- transmitting said particular signal over said particular pin.
A method of inputting and outputting signals from an electronic control module, said electronic control module including a controller connected with a connector output, said connector output having a predefined pin-out pattern, said method including:
- programming said controller to assign a particular pin on said connector to receive a particular signal;
- and
- receiving said particular signal over said particular pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.