US 6,243,630 B1 · Vehicle control system

Abstract

A vehicle control system reduces the number of times learned value data is written into an electrically rewritable non-volatile ROM (EEPROM),. Learned value data (attained through learning control operation of a vehicle) is saved into the EEPROM, and then on battery disconnection, it can be transferred from the EEPROM back to an ordinary RAM instead of being lost. Each time engine rotating speed NE reaches a predetermined value (e.g., 500 rpm) after the ignition switch is turned on, a counter is incremented. When the counter reaches a predetermined count (e.g., the learned value data as of that time is written into the EEPROM for safe keeping and the counter is reset. Consequently, learned value data is written into the EEPROM in a manner which requires the vehicle to actually run a number of times, thereby making it possible to safely reduce the number of times the learned value data is written into the EEPROM for safe keeping.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method of controlling operation of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting vehicle operational data if the vehicle has entered a run mode;
(b) temporarily storing the vehicle operational data along with vehicle operational data collected during previous run modes;
and
(c) permanently storing temporarily stored vehicle operational data after a predetermined number of run modes if motor vehicle speed is above a predetermined motor vehicle speed threshold.

1 more element

A vehicle control system equipped with an electrically rewritable nonvolatile ROM and arranged so that learned value data attained through learning control operation of a vehicle is written into said novolatile ROM under a predetermined condition and retained therein, said system comprising:

a drive detector that checks whether said vehicle is actually running after an ignition switch thereof is turned on,
a counter that calculates a number of detections made by said drive detector in case of actual drive of said vehicle,
a drive count checker for determining whether a count value indicated by said counter reaches a predetermined value,
wherein, if said drive count checker determines that a count value indicated by said counter is said predetermined value or more, said learned value data is written into said nonvolatile ROM and said count value indicated by said counter is initialized;
and
a travel state detector for checking whether or not said vehicle is running at a vehicle travel speed higher than or equal to a predetermined travel speed level,
wherein, if said drive count checker determines that a count value indicated by said counter is said predetermined value or more and also said travel state detector determines that said vehicle is running at a vehicle travel speed higher than or equal to said predetermined travel speed level, said learned value data is written into said nonvolatile ROM and said count value indicated by said counter is initialized.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle control system

Life of this patent

Vehicle control system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13