Abstract: An engine control system that regulates first and second throttles of an internal combustion engine includes a primary control module that generates a throttle area based on an operator input and a second control module that determines a second throttle position based on the throttle area. The second control module determines a redundant throttle position based on the throttle area and regulates a position of the second throttle based on the second throttle position if the second throttle position and the redundant throttle position correspond with one another.

Abstract: Integrity of data stored in a memory space associated with a vehicle-based control system (such as a traction enhancement system) is verified through the use of sub-module checksums. A checksum for one or more subsystem modules is initially calculated based upon a checksum routine and the values of data residing in the portions of the memory space associated with the subsystem of interest. A global checksum is also initially calculated based upon data associated with the entire memory space. If the global checksum matches an expected value, the subsystem checksum(s) are stored as expected subsystem checksums. During subsequent operation, a second subsystem checksum is calculated and compared against the expected checksum value for the subsystem to verify the integrity of data residing within the memory space associated with the subsystem.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostics clearing system that detects a clear diagnostic faults flag and clears diagnostic faults from a control module includes a clear diagnostic faults flag monitoring module and a clear diagnostic faults module. The clear diagnostic faults flag monitoring module periodically monitors the clear diagnostic faults flag in the control module. When the clear diagnostic faults flag monitoring module detects that the clear diagnostic faults flag is set, the clear diagnostic faults module clears the diagnostic faults from the control module for a predetermined period.

Abstract: An engine control system that regulates operating of an engine of a motor vehicle includes a first module that determines whether a throttle of the motor vehicle is closed and a second module that determines whether the engine is idling while a cruise control is active. A third module selectively inhibits an RPM-based idle speed control of the engine if the throttle is closed and the engine is idling while the cruise control is active.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for placing a transmission into a desired operating state in response to a multi-position actuator manipulated by a vehicle operator. Several switch contacts, including at least one ternary switching contact, provide input signals representative of the position of the actuator. Control logic then determines the desired state for the transmission based upon the input signals received. The desired transmission operating state is determined from any number of operating states defined by ternary and/or discrete values of the input signals, and can. be electronically selected and/or indicated to the vehicle operator.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described for robustly determining a desired operating state of a controlled device in response to the position of a multi-position actuator. Two or more switch contacts provide input signals representative of the position of the actuator that are selected between a reference signal and an intermediate signal. Control logic then determines the desired state for the controlled device based upon the input signals received. The desired operating state is determined from any number of operating states defined by the input values.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described for determining a state of a multi-position actuator such as a four-state switch with a return-to-default position. A circuit for detecting the state of the multi-position actuator suitably includes two or more switches coupled to the actuator and configured to provide input signals as a function of the state of the actuator. At least one of the switches is a ternary (three-state) switch to increase the number of states that can be represented. Control logic receives the input signals from the switches and determines the state of the multi-position actuator as a function of the input signals. This circuit is useful in a number of automotive and other applications, including joysticks, transfer case controls, electric mirror controls, power take-off (PTO) and other devices.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described for robustly determining a desired operating state of a controlled device in response to the position of a multi-position actuator. Two or more ternary switch contacts provide input signals representative of the position of the actuator. Control logic then determines the desired state for the controlled device based upon the input signals received. The desired operating state is determined from any number of operating states defined by the input values. Robustness is provided by selecting each of the operating states such that transitions between any operating states to another result from changes in each of the first and second ternary input values.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described for placing a controlled device into a desired operating state in response to the position of a multi-position actuator. Two or more switch contacts provide input signals representative of the position of the actuator. Control logic then determines the desired state for the controlled device based upon the input signals received. The desired operating state is determined from any number of operating states defined by the input values. In various embodiments, ternary switching may be used in combination with binary switching to efficiently implement multi-state rotary or linear switches capable of identifying six, twelve, eighteen or any other number of switchable states.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described for robustly determining a desired operating state of a controlled device in response to the position of a multi-position actuator. Two or more ternary switch contacts provide input signals representative of the position of the actuator. Control logic then determines the desired state for the controlled device based upon the input signals received. The desired operating state is determined from any number of operating states defined by the ternary input values. Robustness is provided by selecting each of the operating states such that transitions between any operating states to another result from changes in each of the first and second ternary input values.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described for placing a controlled device into a desired operating state in response to the position of a multi-position actuator. Two or more switch contacts provide input signals representative of the position of the actuator. Control logic then determines the desired state for -the controlled device based upon the input signals received. The desired operating state is determined from any number of operating states defined by the input values. In various embodiments, ternary switching may be used alone or in combination with binary switching to efficiently implement multi-state rotary or linear switches capable of identifying six, eight, nine, twelve, eighteen, twenty-six, twenty-seven or any other number of switchable states.

Abstract: A throttle control system is presented. A throttle has a throttle actuator coupled to a throttle plate. A control module is coupled to the throttle actuator. The control module sends a first signal within a gear change time period to the throttle actuator to position the throttle plate for an increased throttle opening. The control module terminates the first signal after the gear change time period. The control module sends a second signal to the throttle actuator to position the throttle plate. The control module positions the throttle plate by the throttle actuator to attain a lower throttle opening limit. A downshift from a higher gear to a lower gear occurs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling a voltage output of an alternator having a regulated voltage control (RVC). The apparatus includes a processor configured to transmit one of at least two control signals and a switch coupled to the processor and configured to select one of the control signals. One of the control signals is an RVC enable signal, and another control signal is a voltage boost signal. The method includes determining whether RVC requires override, selecting an output voltage mode of the alternator, activating a boosted voltage mode of the alternator by disabling RVC when RVC requires override, and activating an RVC mode by enabling RVC when the RVC does not require override or upon an occurrence of a lapse of a pre-determined amount of time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for limiting engine operation during fueling. The apparatus comprises, an engine control for enabling or disabling operation of the engine, one or more sensors for detecting whether (i) a cap is on the vehicle fuel fill-pipe, and (ii) a fueling nozzle is in the fuel fill-pipe, a processor coupled to the engine control and the one or more sensors receiving information therefrom and directing the engine control to enable or disable the vehicle engine depending upon the sensor outputs, thereby, disabling the engine when the cap is not on the fill-pipe and/or a fueling nozzle is in the fill-pipe, and enabling the engine when not true. In a further embodiment, a fuel level sensor coupled to the processor is used to detect whether a fuel level change rate R(t)?Rc where Rc is a predetermined value, and if so, disabling the engine.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for robust power take off (PTO) and/or cruise enable. The apparatus includes a control module for PTO enable having a first input connected to one of a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage, and a second input connected to one of the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage. An inverse reference voltage operator is connected to both of the inputs and configured such that the second input is connected to the second reference voltage when the first input is connected to the first reference voltage and the second input is connected to the first reference voltage when the first input is connected to the second reference voltage. Based on the received voltage at the first and second inputs, the control module enables/disables PTO and/or cruise.

Abstract: A system for protectively storing a variable from a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal comprises an input module that receives the PWM signal and measures times of rising and falling edges of the PWM signal. A memory module has storage for at least two variables. An arithmetic module performs subtraction and division. A control module communicates with the input module, the memory module, and the arithmetic module, and instructs the arithmetic module to calculate an on time, an off time, a period, a duty cycle, and a complementary percentage. The control module stores the duty cycle and the complementary percentage in the memory module.

Abstract: A throttle limit control for an internal combustion engine throttle control is disclosed. Rate limiting is applied to prevent excessive rates of change in throttle actuation. Throttle pedal authority is continually maintained and throttle headroom is not compromised thereby. Application to various systems including conventional and adaptive cruise systems and power take-off systems is envisioned.

Abstract: An engine fault diagnostic system includes a diagnostic module that generates a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) error signal and that generates a mass air flow (MAF) error signal. A security module generates an air flow fault when the MAP error signal exceeds a MAP threshold and the MAF error signal exceeds a MAF threshold.

Abstract: A throttle control method includes generating a throttle request based on a drag torque request and setting a throttle command equal to the throttle request when the throttle request is less than a throttle idle maximum. A throttle maximum increase is determined when the throttle request is greater than the throttle idle maximum and the throttle command is determined based on the throttle maximum increase. The throttle is controlled based on the throttle command.

Abstract: A vehicular powertrain includes a throttle controlled engine and a power take-off system for driving external loads. A power take-off control executed in a first processor seeks to have engine control authority in accordance with operator invoked switch states including an enable switch and set switches. Power take-off switch data is provided to a second processor to determine the power take-off system status and provide an integrity diagnosis of the power take-off system.