Abstract: A vehicle emergency communication device and a method of utilizing the device are provided. The device includes a portable housing having a first diagnostic link connector, a microprocessor, and an RF transmitter disposed therein. The first diagnostic link connector is configured to be removably connected to a vehicle communication bus, and is further configured to receive a signal indicating deployment of a vehicle airbag from the vehicle communication bus. The microprocessor is configured to induce the RF transmitter to transmit an RF signal having an emergency call message therein in response to receiving the signal from the first diagnostic link connector. The emergency call message has data for inducing a cellular phone receiving the RF signal to further communicate with an emergency call center computer.

Abstract: A system for discrimination of spurious crankshaft encoder signals. A position encoder connected to an engine crankshaft sends a pulsed signal indicative of crankshaft rotational performance to an engine controller. The controller is programmed to trigger an interrupt service routine (ISR) on every falling or rising edge of each pulse. The ISR calculates and stores the period of each pulse and the period of the previous pulse and calculates the rotational speed and instantaneous acceleration or deceleration of the engine at all times. The controller is further programmed with realistic engine acceleration and deceleration limits and recognizes a next signal only within a time window corresponding to those limits and the engine speed. Signals arriving outside the calculated time window are considered spurious and are rejected. The system improves engine performance by preventing loss of synchronization between spark and fuel injection and piston and valve timing.

Abstract: A system for discrimination of spurious crankshaft encoder signals. A position encoder connected to an engine crankshaft sends a pulsed signal indicative of crankshaft rotational performance to an engine controller. The controller is programmed to trigger an interrupt service routine (ISR) on every falling or rising edge of each pulse. The ISR calculates and stores the period of each pulse and the period of the previous pulse and calculates the rotational speed and instantaneous acceleration or deceleration of the engine at all times. The controller is further programmed with realistic engine acceleration and deceleration limits and recognizes a next signal only within a time window corresponding to those limits and the engine speed. Signals arriving outside the calculated time window are considered spurious and are rejected. The system improves engine performance by preventing loss of synchronization between spark and fuel injection and piston and valve timing.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic code communication device and a method for transmitting diagnostic data utilizing the vehicle diagnostic code communication device are provided. The vehicle diagnostic code communication device includes a diagnostic link connector configured to receive signals indicating a diagnostic code associated with vehicle operation and a microprocessor operably coupled to the diagnostic link connector. The microprocessor is configured to determine at least one of diagnostic textural data and diagnostic audio data based on the diagnostic code and to induce an RF transmitter to transmit a first RF signal having at least one of the diagnostic textual data and the diagnostic audio data.

Abstract: A vehicle emergency communication device and a method for transmitting emergency textual data utilizing the vehicle emergency communication device are provided. The vehicle emergency communication device includes a diagnostic link connector configured to receive a signal indicating an emergency code associated with vehicle operation and a microprocessor operably coupled to the diagnostic link connector. The microprocessor is configured to determine emergency textual data based upon the emergency code and to induce the cellular phone transceiver to transmit an RF signal having the emergency textual data for initiating an emergency phone call.