# US 5,710,703 A · Method and system for sharing a hardware resource > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,710,703 A - Document ID: US5710703A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/476,617 - Filed: 1995-06-07 - Granted: 1998-01-20 - Earliest claimed: 1995-06-07 - Assignees: Chrysler Corporation - Inventors: Larry Joseph Kirn; John Merritt; Gary K. Lowe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5710703A ## CPC - F02D 41/28: Interface circuits - F02D 41/263: {the program execution being modifiable by physical parameters} - B60R 16/0315: {using multiplexing techniques (multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J)} - F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A method and system for sharing a hardware resource in a multistate system is provided. The method includes the steps of monitoring changes in state in the multistate system using a pickup device, accessing a memory containing control parameters required by the hardware resource in response to a state signal from the pickup device, applying a control signal that is related to the accessed control parameters to the hardware resource, and connecting the hardware resource to a selected one of several output devices. The system for sharing a hardware resource includes a memory for storing control parameters, a microprocessor in communication with the memory for updating the control parameters, a pickup device for generating a state signal corresponding to the state of the system, a selection device, for example, a multiplexer, that is responsive to the state signal for selecting one of the control parameters from the memory, a device for applying a control signal related to the selected control parameter to the shared hardware resource, and a switch in communication with the shared hardware resource and selectively in communication with one of a plurality of input or output drivers. The input/output devices for both the method and the system are selected in relation to the state signal, and may be selected based on the present state (Nth state) of the system or a previous state, for example, the Nth-1 state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for sharing a hardware resource in a multistate system comprising the steps of: monitoring changes in state in the multistate system using a pickup device; accessing a memory containing control parameters required by the hardware resource in response to a state signal from the pickup device; applying a control signal that is related to the accessed control parameters to the hardware resource; and connecting the hardware resource to a selected one of several output devices, the output device being selected in relation to the state signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of applying a different one of the accessed control parameters to the hardware resource in response to a second signal. ### Claim 3 A method for sharing a hardware resource in a system for an engine operation, comprising the steps of: monitoring changes in state in the cylinder of the engine using a pickup device; accessing a memory containing control parameters required by the hardware resource in response to a state signal from the pickup device; applying one of a start and a duration signal to the hardware resource, the start and duration signals being related to the accessed control parameters; and connecting the hardware resource to a selected one of several output devices, each of said output devices being associated with a particular cylinder of the engine and being selected in relation to the state signal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method as in claim 3, wherein the engine operation is at least one of fuel injection, spark plug control, or valve control. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method as in claim 3, further comprising the step of accessing or updating the memory containing control parameters using a microprocessor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The method as in claim 3, wherein the control parameters are related to engine cylinder positions and are calculated by a microprocessor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method as in claim 5, wherein the pickup device is a crankshaft pickup device and the state signal is related to a position of the crankshaft. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method as in claim 6, wherein the shared hardware resource is a position counter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The method as in claim 3, wherein the control parameters are calculated by a microprocessor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method as in claim 9, wherein the pickup device is a crankshaft pickup device and the state signal is related to a position of a crankshaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method as in claim 10, wherein the shared hardware resource is an elapsed timer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method as in claim 10, wherein the accessing and connecting steps are based on the state signal from the pickup device with respect to the position of the crankshaft at different times. ### Claim 13 A method for sharing hardware resources in a system for an engine operation, comprising the steps of: monitoring changes in state in the engine using a pickup device; accessing a memory containing control parameters required by a first hardware resource in response to a state signal from the pickup device; applying a start signal to said first hardware resource, the start signal being related to the accessed control parameters; connecting said first hardware resource to a selected one of several output devices, each of said output devices being selected in relation to the state signal; accessing a memory containing control parameters required by a second hardware resource in response to the state signal from the pickup device; applying a duration signal to said second hardware resource, the duration signal being related to the accessed control parameters; and connecting said second hardware resource to one of said several output devices, the one of said several output devices being selected in relation to the state signal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as in claim 13, wherein said second hardware resource is connected to said selected one of said several output devices. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method as in claim 13, further comprising the step of accessing or updating the memory containing control parameters using a microprocessor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method as in claim 13, wherein the control parameters are related to engine positions calculated by a microprocessor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method as in claim 13, wherein the pickup device is a crankshaft pickup device and the state signal is related to position of the crankshaft. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as in claim 17, wherein the accessing and connecting steps are based on the state signal from the crankshaft pickup device with respect to the position of the crankshaft at different times. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method as in claim 13, wherein said first shared resource is a position counter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method as in claim 13, wherein the control parameter stored at the second one of the predetermined memory addresses is related to fuel injection durations calculated by a microprocessor. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The method as in claim 13, wherein said second shared resources is an elapsed timer. ### Claim 22 A system for sharing a hardware resource, comprising: a memory for storing control parameters; a microprocessor in communication with the memory for updating the control parameters; a pickup device for generating a state signal corresponding to the state of the system; selection means responsive to the state signal for selecting one of the control parameters from the memory; means for applying a control signal related to the selected control parameter to the shared hardware resource; and a switch in communication with the shared hardware resource and selectively in communication with one of a plurality of output devices, the one of the plurality of output devices being selected in relation to the state signal. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The system as in claim 22, wherein the system is an engine, and wherein each of the plurality of output devices are fuel injection output drivers and are adapted to drive a fuel injector. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The system as in claim 22, wherein said pickup device is a crankshaft pickup device which is in communication with a crankshaft of the engine. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The system as in claim 22, wherein said shared hardware resource is one of a position counter and an elapsed timer. ### Claim 26 A system for sharing a hardware resource, comprising: a memory having control parameters stored therein; a microprocessor in communication with said memory; a pickup device connected to the system, said pickup device generating a state signal corresponding to a state of the system; a data selector responsive to the state signal, said data selector connecting one of the control parameters from the memory to the shared hardware resource; and a switch responsive to the state signal to connect one of a plurality of output devices to the shared hardware resource. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The system as in claim 26, wherein the system is an engine, and wherein each of the plurality of output devices are fuel injection output drivers and are adapted to drive a fuel injector. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The system as in claim 26, wherein said pickup device is a crankshaft pickup device which is in communication with a crankshaft of the engine. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The system as in claim 26, wherein said shared hardware resource is one of a position counter and an elapsed timer. ### Claim 30 A system having N states for sharing at least two hardware resources, comprising: a memory having control parameters stored therein; a microprocessor in communication with said memory; a pickup device connected to the system, said pickup device generating state signals, each of said state signals corresponding to different one of the N system states; a first data selector responsive to one of said state signals, said data selector connecting one of the control parameters from said memory to a first shared hardware resource; a first switch responsive to one of said state signals to connect one of a plurality of output devices to the first shared hardware resource; a second data selector responsive to another of said state signals, said data selector connecting another of the control parameters from said memory to a second shared hardware resource; and a second switch responsive to another of said state signals to connect another of the plurality of output devices to the second shared hardware resource. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The system as in claim 30, wherein the system is an engine, and wherein each of the plurality of output devices are fuel injection output drivers and are adapted to drive a fuel injector. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The system as in claim 30, wherein said pickup device is a crankshaft pickup device which is in communication with a crankshaft of the engine. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The system as in claim 30, wherein said first shared hardware resource is a position counter and said second shared hardware resource is an elapsed timer.