United States Patent r19i
`Hapka
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll llllll Ill lllll llll
`5,619,412
`Apr. 8, 1997
`
`US0056I9412A
`[Ill Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`(54] REMOTE CONTROL OF ENGINE IDLING
`TIME
`
`(75]
`
`Inventor: Roger J, Hapka, Columbus, Ind.
`
`[73] Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.,
`Columbus, Ind.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 325,908
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Oct. 19, 1994
`
`Int. Cl.6
`...................................................... G06F 11/30
`(51]
`[52] U.S. CI . .............................. 364/424.045; 364/424.03;
`364/431.09; 123/179.2; 123/179.4; 340/825.29
`[58] Field of Search ......................... 364/424.03, 424.04,
`364/424.07, 424.05, 550, 431.09; 123/198 D,
`198 DC, 179.2, 179.3, 179.4; 340/439,
`441, 825.06, 825.29
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Re. 30,686
`4,102,316
`4,258,421
`4,307,455
`4,804,937
`4,926,331
`5,025,253
`5,072,703
`5,303,163
`5,426,585
`5,448,479
`
`7/1981 Bucher .................................. 290/38 R
`7/1978 Valbert ............................. 123/198 DB
`3/1981 Juhasz et al ....................... 364/424.03
`12/1981 Juhasz et al ............................ 364/900
`2/1989 Barbiaux t;t al ................... 364/424.01
`5/1990 Windle et al ...................... 364/424.04
`6/1991 DiLullo et al ..................... 340/825.06
`12/1991 Sutton .................................. 123/179.4
`4/1994 Ebaugh et al ........................... 364/550
`6/1995 Stepper et al ...................... 364/424.03
`9/1995 Kemner et al ..................... 364/424.02
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`SAE Technical Paper Series 902215, "Data Link Overview
`for Heavy Duty Vehicle Applications" by Mark R. Stepper,
`Cummins Electronics Co., Inc. Oct. 29 -Nov. 1, 1990, pp.
`81-94.
`Cummins CELEC'fTM, "Programmable Engine Parameters;
`CELECT", Feb. 1993, Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
`Primary Examiner-Kevin J. Teska
`Assistant Examiner-Tan Nguyen
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sixbey, Friedman, Leedom &
`Ferguson; Charles M. Leedom, Jr.; Karlton C. Butts
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`
`A system for remotely accessing an engine control system
`and selectively controlling and changing an existing engine
`algorithm. In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises
`an on-board vehicle communications system which receives
`and sends data to a remote central fixed base site. A truck
`operator contacts the fleet base manager via the on-board
`communications system and requests, for example, that the
`engine idle for a specified period of time. The fleet base
`manager at the remote central fixed based site then transmits
`data from a computer over a communications channel to the
`vehicle's on-board communications system. The data is sent
`through a remote command interface device which translates
`the data in language recognizable by an engine control
`device. Based on the data transmitted, the engine control
`device disables an existing idle shutdown system and per(cid:173)
`mits the engine to remain idle for an amount of time
`specified by the truck fleet manager.
`
`25 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`33
`MICROPROCESSOR
`
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`~-----------------------------1
`
`Page 1 of 14
`
`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1008
`
`

`

`Apr. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`5,619,412
`
`37
`
`U.S. Patent
`FIG. ta
`~----------F---------1
`
`I
`:
`
`24
`
`12
`FIXED BASE
`SITE
`COMPUTER
`
`25
`
`MODEM
`
`RADIO
`: TELEPHONE
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`
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`CHANNEL
`I
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`! _____________ -----!_/
`22 I
`I
`7
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`ON-BOARD
`COMMUNICATIONS
`MODULE
`
`ALPHA-
`NUMERIC
`KEYPAD
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`TELE-
`PHONE
`
`1
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`32
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`: SOFTWARE
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`DATA BUS
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`29
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`REMOTE COMMAND
`INTERFACE DEVICE
`
`-=_-=_ -=--=--=_-:_ _____ r= 36 _ -I
`
`33
`MICROPROCESSOR
`
`I
`I
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`
`9
`34 ENGINE CONTROL
`ELECTRONIC
`DEVICE
`CONTROL
`MODULE
`
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`
`3
`
`ENGINE
`
`Page 2 of 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`5,619,412
`I
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`Page 3 of 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 1997
`Sheet 3 of 7
`FIG.2
`
`START
`
`5,619,412
`
`201
`RESET FLAGS
`AND TIMERS
`
`206
`START INHIBIT
`TIMER FOR
`COMMANDED
`PERIOD
`
`203
`
`208
`
`210
`SET WARNING FLAG
`211
`
`START30
`SECOND COUNTER
`
`NO
`
`SHUT OFF ENGINE
`
`END
`
`Page 4 of 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`5,619,412
`
`FIG.3
`
`START
`
`301
`RECEIVE COMMAND DATA FROM
`COMMUNICATIONS MODULE
`
`303
`DISPLAY RECEIVED
`MESSAGE FOR
`OPERATOR
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`304
`DETERMINE COMMAND
`DESTINATION
`
`305
`DETERMINE COMMANDED
`PARAMETERS
`
`306
`CODE COMMAND FOR
`TRANSMISSION TO DESTINATION
`DEVICE
`
`307
`TRANSMIT CODED COMMAND
`ON SAE VEHICLE BUS
`
`END
`
`Page 5 of 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`5,619,412
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`FIG. 4
`
`START
`
`401
`READ DATA
`FROM DATA BUS
`
`YES
`
`404
`IDENTIFY CODED REMOTE
`ENGINE COMMAND IN
`RS232 FORMAT
`405
`MATCH RS232 FORMAT
`CODE WITH SAE ST AND ARD
`FORMAT CODE
`
`406
`REFORMAT CODED REMOTE
`ENGINE COMMAND INTO
`SAE STANDARDIZED FORMAT
`
`END
`
`Page 6 of 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`5,619,412
`
`FIGS
`,
`
`)
`
`C START
`,
`/501
`TRANSMIT DATA SIGNALS FROM
`A REMOTE FIXED SITE TO A
`VEHICLE AT A DISTANT LOCATION
`
`/502
`RECEIVE DATA SIGNALS USING
`AN ON-BOARD
`COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
`
`/503
`''
`ROUTE DATA SIGNALS FROM
`ON-BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
`SYSTEM TO ON DATA BUS
`,
`/504
`MODIFY DATA SIGNALS TO
`ENABLE ENGINE CONTROL DEVICE
`TO READ DATA FROM A DATA BUS
`
`/505
`'
`INTERPRET DATA SIGNALS TO
`IDENTIFY INFORMATION TRANSMITIED
`BY A REMOTE USER AND INITIATE TIMER
`
`-·
`
`/506
`''
`CONTROL ENGINE ALGORITHMS
`IN ACCORDANCE WITH
`TRANSMITTED INFORMATION
`
`,r
`
`END
`
`Page 7 of 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`5,619,412
`
`r;, 6a
`
`/32
`
`TRANSLATING
`SOFTWARE
`
`FIG. 6b
`32
`r
`TRANSLATING
`SOFTWARE
`
`rl. 6c
`FA
`
`/32
`TRANSLATING
`SOFTWARE
`
`37
`(
`FIXED BASE SITE
`EQUIPMENT
`
`/4
`+
`ON-BOARD
`COMMUNICATIONS
`SYSTEM
`
`/36
`
`+
`ENGINE
`CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`37
`(
`FIXED BASE SITE
`EQUIPMENT
`/4
`+
`ON-BOARD
`COMMUNICATIONS
`SYSTEM
`
`/36
`
`+
`ENGINE
`CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`37
`(
`FIXED BASE SITE
`EQUIPMENT
`/4
`+
`ON-BOARD
`COMMUNICATIONS
`SYSTEM
`!
`ENGINE
`CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`/36
`
`Page 8 of 14
`
`

`

`5,619,412
`
`1
`REMOTE CONTROL OF ENGINE IDLING
`TIME
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to vehicle control
`systems, and more particularly, to control systems which can
`remotely modify operating functions of a vehicle's engine
`via an on-board vehicle communications system.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`calibration in a plurality of vehicles from a central location.
`A plurality of communication modules attached to a stan(cid:173)
`dardized data bus in the vehicle transmit operating status
`information to a control module. The communications con-
`trol module records the transmitted information and subse(cid:173)
`quently transmits the information to a base station via a radio
`frequency (RF) transmitter. The system also includes a
`driver interface module for transmitting information to and
`from a vehicle operator and a recorder for receiving and
`10 recording information supplied by the communications
`modules. However, like the system in U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,
`421, this system fails to provide a system for remotely
`varying vehicle engine operating algorithms, that is, the
`system is not able to modify the sequence of operating
`15 commands implemented by a computer operated engine
`controller.
`Systems have also been developed for starting engines by
`remote control. U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,686 discloses a remote
`control starting system for a vehicle engine which can also
`20 stop the engine under specified circumstances. Specifically,
`the starting system is activated by a coded control signal
`from a transmitter carried by the user. Once activated, the
`starter system stops the engine after a predetermined time
`period has lapsed. Nevertheless, systems of the type dis-
`25 closed in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,686 do not provide the
`capability to remotely override and/or modify an existing
`engine control algorithm and do not control multiple
`vehicles from a central dispatch station.
`Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system that
`30 overcomes these problems and deficiencies in present sys(cid:173)
`tems.
`
`35
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Remote monitoring of the operation and location of
`vehicles has long been considered desirable by those
`charged with managing vehicle fleets. For example, remote
`monitoring systems have been used in trucks engaged in
`interstate travel to monitor engine functions by remotely
`accessing data recorded from sensors placed within the
`engine. Truck fleet managers can use this data to evaluate
`engine performance and necessary maintenance schedules.
`One concern of truck fleet managers is excessive idling of
`heavy duty truck engines which results in increased fuel
`usage and maintenance costs. A way to control these costs is
`to automatically tum the engine off after a predetermined
`amount of idle time. For example, existing engine control
`systems such as those developed by the assignee, Cummins
`Engine Company, detect unattended idling and stop the
`engine after a predetermined time. Such systems make use
`of an electronic data link and control system such as that
`disclosed in SAE Technical Paper Series 902215, "Data
`Link Overview for Heavy Duty Vehicle Applications," by
`Mark R. Stepper, Cummins Electronics Co., Inc.
`Many truck operators, however, need to idle the engine
`for long periods of time to heat or cool the truck cabin. To
`facilitate idling for this purpose, some idle shutoff systems
`are provided with an override feature. As an example, a
`warning light may be illuminated thirty seconds before the
`engine is to be shut down after a long period of idling. Then,
`if the driver presses the accelerator or brake pedal while the
`warning light is on, the idle shutdown is bypassed. None of
`these alternatives are entirely satisfactory. If the control
`system is not provided with an override feature to prevent
`automatic shutdown, it may be impossible to maintain a
`desired temperature in a sleeper cab, making it necessary for
`the driver to rent a motel room at considerable cost. How- 45
`ever, if the driver is able to override an automatic shutdown,
`the system will not be highly effective for reducing operating
`costs since the driver can override the automatic shutdown
`at will, even in situations where an override is not appro(cid:173)
`priate.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,421 discloses an on-board system
`comprising a plurality of sensors, a data processing ~d
`recording device, a portable data link and a central comput(cid:173)
`ing apparatus, which analyzes the data and provides sum(cid:173)
`mary reports. The sensors detect the vehicle's operating
`parameters and generate data signals. The data processing
`and recording device processes the data signals. The por(cid:173)
`table data link reads stored data signals into a non-volatile
`memory from which they can be downloaded to the central
`computing apparatus, which analyzes the data and provides 60
`summary reports. The system disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
`4,258,421 does not provide real-time monitoring, nor does it
`transmit data to a vehicle for modifying existing engine
`control parameters.
`Systems of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,937
`improve upon the aforementioned design by allowing a base
`station to transmit driver instructions and control sensor
`
`40
`
`Therefore, it is a general object of the present invention to
`provide a system for remotely modifying engine control
`system parameters.
`It is further an object of the present invention to provide
`a system that can change an existing engine algorithm from
`a remote location.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a system
`that stores transmitted data in the memory of an engine
`control system to subsequently change an existing engine
`algorithm.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`system that bypasses an existing engine algorithm and
`controls engine operation for a finite time period.
`It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
`system that can translate the format of a data signal trans(cid:173)
`mitted to a vehicle from a remote location.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a system
`for controlling and modifying the idle time of an engine
`from a remote location.
`It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
`system for controlling and modifying idle times of a plu(cid:173)
`rality of vehicle engines from a central dispatch location.
`It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide
`the capability to override an existing idle shutdown feature
`through the use of an on-board communications system.
`It is another object of the present invention to remotely
`enable or disable an idle shutdown feature for an agreed
`65 period of time.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a system
`that stores transmitted data in the memory of an engine
`
`50
`
`55
`
`Page 9 of 14
`
`

`

`5,619,412
`
`3
`control system to subsequently enable or disable an engine
`idle shutdown feature for an agreed period of time.
`It is further another object of the present invention to
`provide a system that bypasses an existing engine idle
`shutdown system and controls engine operation for a finite 5
`time period.
`These, as well as other objects of the present invention,
`are achieved by providing a system for remotely accessing
`and modifying the engine control system and selectively
`modifying vehicle operating parameters. In a preferred
`embodiment, the system enables or disables an existing idle
`shutdown feature in response to commands from a central
`dispatch station or fixed base site. The system may include
`an on-board vehicle communication system which receives
`and sends data to a remote fixed site. The truck operator can
`contact a fleet base manager via the on-board communica(cid:173)
`tions system and request that the engine be allowed to idle
`for a specified period of time. The fleet base manager at the
`remote fixed site then transmits data from a computer
`terminal over satellite, RF link or other communicative
`means to the on-board vehicle communications system. The
`data is sent through a remote command interface device via
`a data link or serial communications data bus. The remote
`command interface device modifies the data using translat(cid:173)
`ing software so it is readable by the engine control system.
`Based on the data transmitted, the engine control system
`disables the idle shutdown device and permits the engine to
`remain idle for an amount of time specified by the truck fleet
`manager. The translating software may be housed in a
`separate remote command interface device or it may be
`incorporated into other system components. For example,
`the translating software may be incorporated into the com(cid:173)
`puter terminal at the fixed base site, the on-board vehicle
`communications system or the engine control system. This
`system solves the problem of excessive idling by allowing a 35
`fleet manager to remotely control the idle time of a vehicle
`engine to reduce fuel usage and maintenance costs.
`
`25
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. la is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment
`of the vehicle control system.
`FIG. lb is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of
`the vehicle idle control system.
`FIG. 2 is a flowchart of idle shutdown operation in the
`preferred embodiment.
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the remote command interface
`operation of the vehicle control system in the preferred
`embodiment.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the translating software algorithm
`of the remote command interface in the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a preferred method of
`implementing the present invention.
`FIG. 6a is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 6a is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 6c is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention relates generally to remote control
`of engine operation algorithms. The invention will be
`
`4
`explained using remote control of an idle shutdown device
`as an example, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that
`the same principles can be used to modify any engine
`operating algorithm from a remote station as desired.
`FIG. la of the drawings illustrates a preferred embodi-
`ment of the present invention. Vehicle control system 1
`comprises fixed base site equipment 37, an on-board com(cid:173)
`munications system 4 located on a vehicle remote from the
`fixed base site, a remote command interface section 35 and
`10 an engine control system 36. The fixed base site equipment
`includes a computer 12 with a radio telephone 24, a modem
`25, and a communications channel 26. The on-board com(cid:173)
`munications system 4 includes an on-board communications
`module 7 with a display 21, alphanumeric keypad 22, and a
`radio telephone 23. The remote command interface section
`15 35 comprises a data bus 28 and a remote command interface
`device 8. Data bus 28 connects the on-board communica(cid:173)
`tions module 7 with remote command interface device 8.
`The remote command interface device 8 is a digital infor(cid:173)
`mation processing circuit constructed using an integrated
`20 circuit or a circuit made up of integrated circuit devices.
`Furthermore, remote command interface device 8 is pro(cid:173)
`vided with software or firmware that implements the func(cid:173)
`tions described herein with reference to the flowchart of
`FIG. 3. The software provided with the remote command
`interface device 8 translates the data on data bus 28. Engine
`control system 36 comprises an engine control device 9
`which includes a microprocessor 33 for storing, processing,
`and implementing a sequence of data commands received
`from data bus 29. The engine control device 9 is directly
`30 connected to an idle shutdown device 2 which houses an
`electronic control module 34 for monitoring the throttle,
`clutch, and service brake for activity before the engine 3 is
`shut down.
`In the preferred embodiment, vehicle control system 1
`allows a remote user, typically a fleet manager, to enable or
`disable an engine idle shutdown device 2 attached to a
`vehicle's engine 3. Operation of this system allows the
`engine 3 to idle for a period of time entered by the remote
`user. Specifically, the vehicle control system 1 includes an
`40 on-board communications system 4 which comprises trans(cid:173)
`ceiver circuitry for sending and receiving messages from a
`remote user located at a fixed base site 10, shown in FIG. lb,
`via a communications channel 26. The communications
`channel 26 may be a satellite uplink, radio frequency (RF)
`transmission, or any other communication means for trans(cid:173)
`mitting data from a mobile location to a fixed base site.
`Communications channel 26 may comprise a combination of
`several communications channels, such as a cellular radio
`telephone link in conjunction with a satellite packet data
`link. The radio telephone 23 of the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises standard circuitry used in current cellular radiotele(cid:173)
`phone systems for transmitting and receiving wireless infor(cid:173)
`mation from a remote location.
`The remote user of the vehicle control system 1 is located
`55 at a fixed base site, from which she can send and receive
`voice and data messages from one or more vehicle operators.
`The fixed base site equipment 37 includes a communications
`channel 26, such as a satellite or RF link, modem 25 and
`computer 12, on which data messages are received and
`transmitted. Modem 25 can operate at any speed, however,
`a high speed modem such as one operating at 14,400 baud
`is preferred. These modems may be purchased from any
`major modem manufacturer such as Hayes or Intel. Com(cid:173)
`puter 12 is a standard desktop computer system such as those
`65 manufactured by IBM or Apple. Preferably, computer 12 has
`at least an Intel 486DX processor or equivalent, to efficiently
`process the data received from the remote vehicle operators.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`Page 10 of 14
`
`

`

`5,619,412
`
`5
`
`10
`
`5
`In operation, the end user or fleet manager dispatches a
`vehicle equipped with the vehicle control system 1 for a
`distant destination. The engine idle shutdown device 2 is
`programmed to stop engine 3 after an idle time of a specified
`duration is detected, for example, an idle condition persist-
`ing for five minutes would cause automatic stoppage of the
`engine. An electronic control module (ECM) 34 monitors
`the throttle, clutch and service brake for activity and also
`monitors the vehicle and engine speed for any change in
`engine idling activity. If the vehicle operator does not use the
`throttle, clutch, or service brake within the programmed time
`and no changed engine idle activity is detected, the idle
`shutdown device 2 will proceed to shut down engine 3. In
`the preferred embodiment, a yellow warning lamp in the cab
`of the vehicle will flash for 30 seconds prior to engine
`shutdown to alert the vehicle operator that the idle shutdown 15
`system is activated and will stop the engine after 30 seconds
`have expired. The vehicle operator can prevent engine
`shutdown by pressing the brake, clutch or accelerator pedals
`during the warning period. Once the vehicle operator takes
`appropriate measures to prevent engine shutdown, the idle 20
`shutdown detection timer is restarted for the programmed
`period. The timer in the idle shutdown device 2 can be
`programmed for any predetermined period of time, such as
`sixty minutes. The idle shutdown device may be constructed
`by appropriately modifying a conventional idle shutdown 25
`device as found in the CELECT Engine Control System
`currently manufactured by the assignee, Cummins Engine
`Company. Specifically, according to the present invention,
`the conventional idle shutdown device 2 is provided with a
`novel override feature which will be described in detail later 30
`with reference to FIG. 2.
`When the vehicle operator determines that the vehicle's
`engine 3 needs to remain idle for a period of time longer than
`allowed by the engine idle shutdown device 2, the operator
`contacts the remote user or fleet manager via the on-board
`communications system 4. A vehicle operator may choose to
`request that the engine 3 remain idle for an extended period,
`for example, in order to heat or cool the cabin of the vehicle
`overnight.
`In a less preferred embodiment, the fleet manager may
`allow the vehicle operator the option of overriding the idle
`shutdown device 2 from the cabin of the vehicle. In this
`embodiment, no contact with the remote user or fleet man(cid:173)
`ager is needed in order for the vehicle operator to modify the
`engine control device 9 and control existing engine func(cid:173)
`tions. This embodiment provides the advantage of reducing
`communications costs and allowing the operator to have
`more control over the vehicle operation. Nevertheless, this
`embodiment is less preferred because the vehicle operator is
`able to override the idle shutdown device in situations where
`an override is not appropriate, thus increasing operating
`costs unnecessarily.
`In the preferred embodiment, however, the vehicle opera-
`tor has the option of sending a voice or data message to the 55
`fleet manager via on-board communications system 4. The
`on-board communications module 7 may comprise a radio
`telephone 23, as illustrated in FIG. la, for communicating
`with the fleet manager in a voice mode. In this mode of
`operation, the vehicle operator dials the telephone number of 60
`the fixed base site 10 on an alphanumeric keypad 22 and
`verbally requests that the engine 3 remain idle for agreed
`period of time (e.g. up to 10 hours). The vehicle operator
`may also use the alphanumeric keypad 22 for entering data
`messages to transmit to the fixed base site 10. The alpha- 65
`numeric keypad 22 allows the vehicle operator to type in
`both letters and numbers to identify the vehicle, the operator,
`
`6
`location of the vehicle, and the amount of idle time needed
`by the vehicle operator. The onboard communications mod(cid:173)
`ule also includes a display 21 which shows the characters
`entered by the vehicle operator and allows the entered
`message to be edited before transmission to the fixed base
`site 10. The display 21 can be either a light emitting diode
`(LED), liquid crystal display (LCD), or other similar type of
`display.
`FIG. lb illustrates a remote vehicle control system 1
`comprising a computer 12 located at a fixed site 10, a
`satellite dish 11 for transmitting data via satellite 13 to
`satellite dish 6 located on the vehicle and controlled by
`controller 5. The remote vehicle system 1 further comprises
`an on-board communications module 7, remote command
`interface device 8, engine control device 9, idle shutdown
`device 2 and an engine 3. When the vehicle operator uses the
`radio telephone 23 to make a voice call or the alphanumeric
`keypad 22 to enter a data message, as shown in FIG. la, the
`information is transmitted by RF link, satellite 13, or other
`similar communicative means using communications chan(cid:173)
`nel 26. If transmitted by satellite, the data or voice message
`is transmitted from the satellite dish 6 located on the top of
`the vehicle. The satellite dish controller 5 positions the
`satellite dish 6 to transmit the message in the direction of a
`predetermined satellite 13. If the vehicle operator is in radio
`range of the fixed base site 10 and chooses to transmit the
`voice or data message over an RF link, the signal is sent at
`a predetermined frequency to the fixed base site 10 or on an
`RF communications network linking the vehicle to the fixed
`base site 10, such as a cellular telephone network.
`The remote user or fleet manager receives the vehicle
`operator's voice or data message via satellite 13 or RF link.
`If a data signal is transmitted via satellite 13 or RF link, the
`signal is received by the satellite dish 11 or antenna 15,
`respectively, and sent via modem 25 to the fixed base
`computer 12 for processing. The fleet manager is able to
`view the transmitted message on the computer 12 screen and
`determine from which vehicle the message was sent. Using
`the computer 12 keyboard, the fleet manager then activates
`transmission of a control message to the vehicle control
`system to disable the idle shutdown device 2 of the identified
`vehicle and allow the vehicle to idle for the period of time
`requested by the vehicle operator.
`FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the idle shutdown algorithm
`45 of the present invention. In operation, the remote control
`message is detected by the engine control device 9, shown
`in FIG. la, and a timer is activated for the period of time
`programmed by the fleet manager. After the idle shutdown
`device 2 is disabled by the control message sent by the fleet
`50 manager, the timer runs for the programmed time allowing
`the engine to idie for that agreed period. When the timer has
`expired, the engine control system 36 enables the idle
`shutdown device 2, as illustrated in FIG. la. Idle shutdown
`algorithm begins with resetting the flags and timer, as shown
`in block 201, in the idle shutdown device 2 of FIG. la.
`As shown in block 202, a command is received in idle
`shutdown device 2. If the command is received, an inhibit
`flag is set in block 203, and a timer located in the idle
`shutdown device 2 begins. If an inhibit command is not
`received, the idle shutdown device 2 determines whether a
`remote command inhibit flag has been set, as shown in block
`204. If the inhibit flag is set, the idle shutdown device 2 then
`determines in block 205, whether the inhibit timer has timed
`out. If so, the inhibit flag is reset in block 208. If the remote
`command inhibit flag is not set, the idle shutdown device 2
`attempts to identify a warning flag in block 207. If the
`warning flag is set, device 2 determines whether the 30
`
`35
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`40
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`10
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`15
`
`7
`second counter has expired in block 212. If a warning flag
`is not set, the idle shutdown device 2 then compares the idle
`time to the preset time limit in block 209. If the idle time
`exceeds the preset time limit, a warning flag is set in block
`210, and a 30 second counter begins, as indicated in block 5
`211. If the idle time is less than the preset time limit, idle
`shutdown device 2 determines whether the 30 second clock
`has expired in block 212. If so, the engine is shut off in block
`213. If not, device keeps checking to determine when the 30
`second clock times out. Once the engine is shut off, the
`vehicle operator must tum the key to the "OFF' position,
`prior to restarting the engine.
`In another less preferred embodiment of the invention,
`vehicle control system 1 can function for remote manual
`activation and deactivation of the idle shutdown device 2.
`The fleet manager can transmit a control message to the
`vehicle to disable the idle shutdown device 2. Instead of
`using a timer housed in the engine control device 9, the fleet
`manager would keep track of the time at the fixed base site
`10 and transmit a second control message to enable the idle
`shutdown device 2 at the agreed time. This alternative mode 20
`of operation could be used when the fleet manager cannot
`predict the idling time necessary for the vehicle operator to
`heat or cool her cabin.
`If the vehicle operator sends a voice transmission to the
`fleet manager, the vehicle operator can verbally request that
`the idle shutdown device 2 be disabled and the fleet manager
`can then transmit a data message to the vehicle to tempo(cid:173)
`rarily disable the idle shutdown device 2 for extended engine
`idling time. Based on the origin of the voice call, the fleet
`manager can identify the vehicle and the operator who is
`requesting more engine idling time.
`The fleet manager may transmit data to the vehicle
`requesting extended engine idling time via the same com(cid:173)
`municative means used by the vehicle operator (i.e., satel(cid:173)
`lite, RF link, or by another communications link). The data
`is received by the satellite dish 6 or antenna 14, and is sent
`directly to the on-board communications module 7. The
`vehicle operator is prompted when the data reaches the
`on-board communications module 7. A message is shown on
`the display 21 informing the vehicle operator that data has
`been sent and successfully received by the on-board com(cid:173)
`munications module 7. The data is then routed from the
`on-board communications molecule 7 via a data port, such
`as an RS 232 port, which is connected to a high speed data
`communications bus 31, which may be, for example, an
`SAE J1708/11587 data bus. The high speed data communi(cid:173)
`cations bus 28 connects the on-board communications mod(cid:173)
`ule 7 with the remote command interface device 8.
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the remote
`command interface section 35, as shown in FIG. la. The
`operation begins with block 301, in which command data is
`received from the on-board communications module 7 via
`data bus 28. In block 302, the remote command interface
`device 8 then analyzes the data on data bus 28 to determine
`if the data is a remote engine control command sent from a
`remote user to modify existing engine parameters to control
`engine idle time or a similar engine function. If the data is
`not a remote engine control command, it is displayed on the
`on-board communications module 7 as a message for the
`vehicle operator, as shown in block 303. If the data is a
`remote control engine command, the remote command
`interface device 8 determines the engine function to which
`the remote command relates and calculates the destination of
`the com