Apparatus and method for modifying control of an originally manufactured engine control module

An improved automotive computer for controlling engine performance comprising:

• a first computer for providing control signals to said engine, said control signals comprising engine operating parameters;
• at least one memory coupled to said first computer for providing at least one originally provided programmed mode for operating said engine;
• a bus coupled to said first computer and said memory;
• a diagnostic/emulation port coupled to said bus to permit communication with said bus from exterior sources;
• wherein said first computer, bus and memory are combined to provide a fixed system of control to said engine, said fixed system having at least one originally provided fixed programmed mode for operating said engine;
• a control coupled to said bus through said diagnostic/emulation port to select at least one additional programmed mode from said memory for operating said engine, said additional programmed mode not being originally included in said memory, said memory having said additional programmed mode being coupled to said first computer to control the operation of said engine according to said programmed mode corresponding to said memory,
• whereby engine operation is made responsive to said control.

An automotive computer control system for an engine to control engine performance comprising:

• a computer coupled to said engine operative to control operating performance of said engine;
• a memory coupled to said computer for storing a plurality of originally provided programs, each of said originally provided programs for use in controlling said operating performance of said engine;
• a bus coupling said computer and memory;
• and
• a diagnostic/emulation port coupled to said bus for communicating with exterior sources;
• wherein said computer, memory, bus and diagnostic/emulation port are combined in a fixed system design;
• a control means coupled to said diagnostic/emulation port of said fixed system design for allowing selection of at least one additional program not included as one of said originally provided programs stored within said memory, said selection through said control means designating one of said plurality of originally provided and said at least one additional program for use in controlling said engine during actual transit as may be determined.

An improvement in a vehicle having a predetermined combination of operational elements for controlling vehicular operation according to at least one originally provided program, said predetermined combination of operational elements being defined in a fixed system having a bus with a predetermined operable design for operation of said vehicle, said operational elements of said system controlled by an electronic control module according to said originally provided program, said electronic control module being coupled to said bus and exteriorly accessible for at least diagnostic purposes through an engine harness, said improvement comprising:

• a module coupled to said bus through said engine harness for arbitrarily reconfiguring programmed control of said electronic control module through said engine harness coupled to said bus in which said electronic control module is employed, said module for permitting selection of at least one additional operational protocol not originally included within said fixed system design, said module comprising:
• a plurality of preprogrammed memories, each of said memories for storing at least one additional program for use in controlling operation of said vehicle in a distinguishable protocol in addition to those provided by said originally provided program and in lieu of control provided by said originally provided program;
• and
• a control coupled only to said plurality of preprogrammed memories for selectively communicating one of said plurality of preprogrammed memories to said electronic control module, operation of said vehicle being changed by said control and thereafter becomes controlled according to said additional program in said selected preprogrammed memory in lieu of said originally provided program,
• whereby said vehicle is caused to operate in a protocol selected from among a plurality of alternatives available in said preprogrammed memories.

A method of controlling an automotive computer comprising the steps of:

• providing control signals to an engine from a first computer, said control signals comprising engine operating parameters;
• providing at least one originally provided programmed mode for operating said engine from at least one originally provided memory coupled to said first computer;
• communicating a superseding signal to a bus coupled to said first computer and said at least one originally provided memory through a diagnostic/emulation port or harness coupled to said bus from an adapter module, said superseding signal to alter control of said engine by said first computer;
• selectively controlling said engine by means of said first computer through at least one additional programmed mode provided by said adapter module, said additional programmed mode not being originally included in said originally provided memory.