United States Patent (19)
`Parrillo
`
`US005442553A
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`11
`45
`
`5,442,553
`Aug. 15, 1995
`
`54 WIRELESS MOTOR VEHICLEDIAGNOSTIC
`AND SOFTWARE UPGRADE SYSTEM
`75 Inventor:
`Louis C. Parrillo, Austin, Tex.
`73 Assignee: Motorola, Schaumburg, Ill.
`(21) Appl. No.: 976,750
`22 Filed:
`Nov. 16, 1992
`51 Int. Cl. ............................................... H04B 1/38
`52 U.S. Cl. .......................... 364/424.04; 364/424.01;
`364/424.02: 364/424.03; 364/551.01; 395/2.83;
`395/2; 379/144; 379/59; 379/93
`58) Field of Search ...................... 364/424.04, 424.03,
`364/551.01, 424.01, 513, 550, 138, 431.12,
`424.02, 424.1, 424.07, 403; 379/59, 144, 145,
`147, 63,98, 58; 395/325, 84, 86, 99,95, 88, 163,
`575, 180/169,318/.568.12; 123/479
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,344,136 8/1982 Panik ................................... 364/424
`4,398,258 8/1983 Naitoh et al. ....
`... 364/551
`4,654,867 3/1987 Labedz et al. ........................ 379/59
`4,853,850 8/1989 Krass, Jr. et al.....
`... 364/424.1
`4,989,146 l/1991 Imajo.............................. 364/424.04
`
`56)
`
`
`
`4,996,643 2/1991 Sakamoto et al. ............. 364/424.03
`5,005,142 4/1991 Lipchak et al. ..................... 364/550
`5,249,218 9/1993 Sainton ................................. 379/59
`5,255,208 10/1993 Thakore et al...
`... 364/424.04
`5,270,931 12/1993 Appleford .....
`... 364/424.04
`5,272,747 12/1993 Meads ................................... 379/59
`5,276,619 1/1994. Ohara et al. ..
`... 364/424.04
`5,278,759 1/1994 Berra et al. ...
`... 364/424.01
`5,289,378 2/1994 Miller et al. .................... 364/424.04
`5,307,271 4/1994 Everett, Jr. et al. ........... 364/424.02
`Primary Examiner-Kevin J. Teska
`Assistant Examiner-Jacques Louis-Jacques
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Eugene A. Parsons
`57
`ABSTRACT
`A transceiver and additional memory are connected to
`the microprocessor in a vehicle so that all, or selected
`portions, of operating data is stored in the memory and
`periodically transmitted to a remote station. The data is
`diagnosed at the remote station and, for minor repairs, a
`fix is transmitted back to the vehicle. The information
`for a large population of vehicles is used by the manu
`facturer to determine if a problem is generic to a specific
`model and to generate repairs and/or model changes.
`
`15 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`REMOTE
`STATION
`
`BASE
`STATION
`
`Page 1 of 7
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 15, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`5,442,553
`
`REMOTE
`STATION
`
`BASE
`STATION
`
`22
`BODY INTEGRITY:
`AIR BAGS
`
`24
`
`
`
`V/
`
`MEMORY - 27
`3O
`TRANSCEIVER
`is
`C
`g- 2 - MODEM
`s: 5
`
`s
`
`TIRES
`LIGHTS
`
`BRAKES
`
`TRANSMISSION
`
`(f)
`
`n
`
`O
`
`31
`
`25
`
`20
`
`ENGINE/
`CARBURETOR
`
`s
`
`28
`
`AvZG 2 AUDIO-VISUAL DISPLAY
`
`Page 2 of 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 15, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
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`5,442,553
`
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`
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`PORT A REG
`
`PORT B REG
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`PORT A
`I/O LINES
`
`PORT B
`MO LINES
`
`Page 3 of 7
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`

`

`1.
`
`WIRELESS MOTOR VEHICLE DAGNOSTIC AND
`SOFTWARE UPGRADE SYSTEM
`
`5,442,553
`2
`FIG.2 is a block diagram of the vehicular portion of
`the system illustrated in FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of a portion of
`FIG. 2
`
`10
`
`25
`
`The present invention pertains to the diagnosis and
`repair of mobile and stationary vehicles and more spe
`cifically to the diagnosis, repair and/or system upgrade
`in the field of mobile and stationary vehicles.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The vehicle industry, and particularly the automotive
`industry, is a very dynamic industry with constant
`change and improvement occurring. It is common in
`the automotive industry to receive information on prob
`lems and desirable features from the manufacturer's
`15
`repair shops and from the field by way of independent
`repair shops, where possible.
`Problems become evident in repair shops when a
`specific problem reoccurs many times. Desirable new
`features may be determined by poling customers, con
`versing with customers at repair shops, etc. However,
`this process has a relatively slow correction rate and
`much information is not obtained that might otherwise
`result in improved performance and much more satis
`fied customers.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a
`new and improved wireless diagnostic system for mo
`bile and stationary vehicles.
`30
`It is a further purpose of the present invention to
`provide a new and improved wireless software upgrade
`system for mobile and stationary vehicles.
`It is a further purpose of the present invention to
`provide a new and improved wireless mobile and sta
`35
`tionary vehicle diagnostic and software upgrade system
`with a relatively fast response time and improved accu
`racy.
`The above described problems and others along with
`the above purposes and others are realized in a method
`of diagnosis and software upgrade in a vehicle with an
`engine and manual controls, including the steps of pro
`viding a plurality of sensors positioned to sense a vari
`ety of dynamic data and a plurality of mechanical con
`trols coupled to the vehicle and the engine for mechani
`45
`cally controlling the operation of various components
`thereof, providing a microprocessor coupled to the
`plurality of mechanical controls and including pro
`grams to cause functioning of the mechanical controls
`in accordance with signals from the manual controls,
`50
`the microprocessor further having access to a variety of
`selectable program constants, each program constant
`producing a modified functioning of the mechanical
`controls, collecting and sending the variety of dynamic
`data to a remote diagnostic station, receiving signals
`55
`from the remote diagnostic station indicative of pro
`gram changes, and selecting different program con
`stants in response to the received signals.
`The above described problems and others along with
`the above purposes and others are further realized in
`apparatus for performing the method of diagnosis and
`software upgrade in a vehicle.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Referring to the drawings:
`65
`FIG.1 is a simplified diagram of a diagnostic and
`software upgrade system embodying the present inven
`tion;
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`Referring specifically to FIG.1 a simplified diagram
`of a diagnostic and software upgrade system 10 em
`bodying the present invention is illustrated. Basically,
`system 10 includes a remote station 12 and a vehicle 15
`which it is desired to monitor and to modify if it is
`determined, as a result of the monitoring, to be neces
`sary. It should be noted that data is transmitted between
`remote station 12 and vehicle 15 by any convenient
`means, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radios,
`pagers, etc. Further, remote station 12 can be one of a
`plurality of stations permanently situated at prime cites
`in a particular area of a city (as in the present embodi
`ment), or it can be one of a plurality of mobile units
`which travel a particular route.
`As will become apparent presently, actual diagnosis
`of information received from vehicle 15, and others, can
`be performed at the remote station or at a base station 17
`in communication with the plurality of remote stations.
`Generally, some of the information will be used to per
`form diagnosis and to transmit repair information back
`to vehicle 15, while potentially all of the information
`will go into a permanent storage for review and use in
`developing permanent changes to future models of the
`same, or advanced, vehicles.
`Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the automo
`tive portion 20 of system 10 is illustrated. Portion 20
`includes a plurality of sensors, designated s, positioned
`to sense a variety of dynamic data from a plurality of
`components 22 of vehicle 15. Some examples of compo
`nents 22 are: “body integrity” or status of the doors,
`windows, hood, trunk, etc of the various parts of vehi
`cle 15; “airbags” or whether or not the airbags (if any)
`are ready to function; "tires' or whether the tires have
`the correct air pressure; "lights' or the status of the
`lights and whether they are ready to function; "brakes'
`or status of the emergency brake and whether all of the
`brakes are ready to function, possibly also including
`information as to how well they are functioning when
`applied; “transmission' or the status of the transmission,
`as well as the status of variables in the transmission
`including fluid level, etc.; and "engine/carburetor'
`including information such as engine R.P.M.s, fuel/air
`mixture, emissions and pollution content, etc. It will of
`course be understood by those skilled in the art that this
`list is only for purposes of example and, depending upon
`the vehicle and the components incorporated therein,
`additional and/or other dynamic data may be desired.
`Portion 20 further includes a plurality of mechanical
`controls, designated c, coupled to some or all of compo
`nents 22. The plurality of mechanical controls are uti
`lized for mechanically controlling the operation of the
`various ones of components 22 to which they are at
`tached. In some instances, such as body integrity, air
`bags and tires there may not be a control or the control
`may be only partial, for example locking the doors after
`vehicle 15 is moving. In some instances there may be
`more than one control, as will become apparent pres
`ently.
`Also, vehicle 15 includes a plurality of manual con
`trols designed to be operated by the driver and to me
`chanically control components 22 in accordance with
`
`Page 4 of 7
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`

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`10
`
`15
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`5,442,553
`3
`4.
`signals from the manual controls. Typically such man
`troller can be virtually any 8 bit, 16 bit, etc. device/sys
`ual controls include a fuel pedal, a brake pedal, a shift
`tem having a non-volatile memory with functions
`ing mechanism, light switch and dimmer, electric door
`which are remotely alterable using the present system.
`locks, etc. In this specific embodiment the actual func
`Components 22 are connected, through selector and
`tion of each of the various manual controls is performed
`A/D converter 24, to either of a pair of eight bit input
`by the control c associated with each component of
`/output ports A and B. Memory 27 is connected to
`components 22, as will become apparent presently.
`eight bit input/output port C. The decision as to
`The plurality of sensors and controls associated with
`whether ports A and B are receiving data from the
`components 22 of vehicle 15 are coupled to a selector
`sensors, (as well as which sensors), or supplying data to
`and A/D converter 24 which in turn connects the plu
`the controls is determined by the programming of mi
`rality of sensors and controls to data inputs of a micro
`croprocessor 25. Also, data is normally flowing into
`processor 25. In some specific embodiments, selector
`memory 27 from port C, except during the times that
`and A/D converter 24 may actually be included in
`remote station 12 is interrogating vehicle 15, at which
`microprocessor 25 but the two are illustrated separately
`time data flows from memory 27 into port C.
`in this embodiment for ease of explanation. In general,
`The SCI systems block of microprocessor 25 is a
`microprocessor 25 controls (including the timing) selec
`full-duplex asynchronous serial communications inter
`tor and A/D converter 24, accepting data therefrom
`face with functionally independent transmitter and re
`when available, and when microprocessor 25 is ready,
`ceiver that use the same data format and bit rate. The
`and providing control information when necessary.
`SCI system is provided with a variety of baud rates so
`A memory 27 is connected to microprocessor 25 for
`that, for example, data can be stored at a first rate (e.g.
`20
`receiving and storing dynamic data as it is received by
`real time) and transmitted to remote station 12 at a
`microprocessor 25 from the sensors associated with
`second, much faster rate. The receive data in (RDI) line
`components 22. The size of memory 27 is dependent
`is connected to a data output of modem 31 for receiving
`upon the frequency with which stored data is communi
`data from transceiver 30. The transmit data out (TDO)
`cated to remote station 12 and the amount of data being
`line is connected to modem 31 for supplying data to
`25
`monitored. Further, memory 27 is connected to supply
`modem 31 for transmission by transceiver 30. Since the
`all stored data, or selected portions thereof, to micro
`RDI line and TDO line are already designed for serial
`processor 25 on demand.
`data, no conversion is necessary before connection to
`An audio-visual display 28 is connected to micro
`modem 31.
`processor 25 to provide a continuous supply of visual
`Microcomputer 25 contains internal memory includ
`30
`ing read-only-memories (ROMs) 40 and 41 and a ran
`information to the driver of vehicle 15. In this embodi
`ment the visual information includes the usual informa
`dom-access-memory (RAM) 42. It should be under
`tion available to the driver in a vehicle, i.e. speed, fuel
`stood that a large variety of memories could be utilized,
`remaining, status of lights, brakes, etc., and some infor
`including “flash' EEPROMs, EPROMs, etc. Gener
`mation that is available only by operating controls (not
`ally, ROM 40 contains programs utilized for the normal
`shown) associated with audio-visual display 28, e.g. tire
`operation of vehicle 15. The programs utilize constants
`pressure, brake and transmission fluid level, miles trav
`stored in RAM42 to perform the required functions. As
`elled per gallon of fuel, etc.
`a very simplified example, Ram 42 contains the con
`A transceiver 30 is attached to microprocessor 25
`stant, 35 pounds of pressure, which is the desired tire
`through a modem 31. In this embodiment, transceiver
`pressure. Each time the sensors in the tires are interro
`30 is a cellular phone that is supplied as a part of vehicle
`gated by microprocessor 25 the stored program utilizes
`12. However, transceiver 30 can be any convenient
`the stored constant, 35 pounds, to compare to the actual
`transceiver, such as a special miniature transceiver in
`sensed tire pressure. If the pressure does not compare
`corporated into automotive portion 20 only for the
`within a predetermined range contained in the program,
`purpose of transmitting data to remote station 12 and
`audio-visual display 28 indicates that there is a problem.
`45
`receiving data therefrom. When utilizing a transceiver
`Similarly, an engine timing program provides energy to
`provided especially for the purpose of system 10, well
`the spark plugs to detonate each cylinder at the correct
`known paging communication techniques can be uti
`time relative to the mechanical position of the piston in
`lized to insure communication with only the selected
`the cylinder. A preferred constant for this timing is
`vehicle. In either instance, transceiver 30 is constructed,
`again stored in RAM 42.
`using well known techniques, to respond to remote
`Through use and age, parts of vehicle 15 wear and
`station 12 only when interrogated and to provide all
`change. This wear and change causes very slight, or
`data stored in memory 27, or selected portions thereof.
`gradual, changes in the timing (relative movement) of
`FIG. 3 illustrates a typical microprocessor utilized in
`the mechanical parts in vehicle 15. Generally, this
`automotive vehicles, which microprocessor is utilized
`change can be so gradual that the operator may not
`in this specific embodiment as microprocessor 25. It will
`even notice the diminished, or impaired, operation.
`of course be understood by those skilled in the art that
`However, the timing information, or history, is stored in
`other and more complex microprocessors may be uti
`memory 27 by microprocessor 25. Simultaneously, in
`lized in the future, but the microprocessor illustrated in
`formation from each of the other sensors 22 is stored in
`FIG. 3 is utilized herein for purposes of explanation and
`memory 27. It will be understood that, when specific
`60
`because of its availability. Microprocessor 25, illus
`programs are upgraded or new algorithms are develo
`trated in FIG. 3, is a MC68HC05C4 8-bit single-chip
`ped/adapted, the upgrade or complete new program is
`microcomputer, manufactured by MOTOROLA, Inc.
`transmitted to microprocessor 25 during a time that
`and is commercially available off the shelf. It should be
`automotive portion 20 is not being used.
`understood that this embodiment is only for example
`In the operation of the wireless diagnostic and soft
`65
`ware upgrade system, remote station 12 interrogates
`and the vehicle could include controllers with electri
`cally alterable, non-volatile memories, e.g. commer
`vehicle 15 at some time when it is not being used, for
`cially available 68HC11, 68HC16, etc. That is, the con
`example during the night. Since transceiver 30 is a cellu
`
`50
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`35
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`55
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`Page 5 of 7
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`O
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`5,442,553
`5
`6
`lar telephone, remote station 12 has only to transmit the
`mechanical controls and including programs to
`correct telephone number to interrogate vehicle 15.
`cause functioning of the mechanical controls in
`Utilizing a program in microprocessor 25, similar to a
`accordance with signals from the manual controls;
`common answering machine, the interrogate message is
`and
`received in microprocessor 25 and data stored in mem
`a transceiver coupled to the microprocessor to re
`5
`ory 27 is transmitted, by way of modem 31 and trans
`ceive the dynamic data from the memory and
`transmit the dynamic data to a remote diagnostic
`ceiver 30, to remote station 12. As an alternative, micro
`processor 25 actuates transceiver 30 during selected
`station and to provide program upgrades to the
`microprocessor in response to signals received
`times when vehicle 15 is not being used. In this way
`microprocessor 25 is programmed to periodically send
`from the remote diagnostic station.
`information stored in memory 27 to remote station 12,
`2. A wireless diagnostic and software upgrade motor
`rather than requiring remote station 12 to interrogate
`vehicle system, which system includes a vehicle with an
`vehicle 15.
`engine and manual controls, as claimed in claim 1,
`As an example, the history of the engine timing is
`wherein the plurality of sensors include a sensor posi
`tioned to sense emission pollution content and the mi
`received at remote station 12 and reviewed and ana
`15
`lyzed. If it appears that the timing has deteriorated to
`croprocessor has stored therein a plurality of program
`the point that a change should be made, remote station
`constants designed to alter emission pollution content.
`12 sends a message to vehicle 15 to change the timing
`3. A wireless diagnostic and software upgrade motor
`constant in RAM 42 to a more appropriate constant. In
`vehicle system, which system includes a vehicle with an
`the present embodiment this is accomplished by simply
`engine and manual controls, as claimed in claim 1,
`selecting a different constant of a variety of constants
`wherein the microprocessor has stored therein an up
`gradeable software program.
`stored in RAM 42. It will of course be understood that
`a single timing constant could be stored in RAM 42 and
`4. A wireless diagnostic and software upgrade motor
`remote station 12 could simply transmit a new constant
`vehicle system, which system includes a vehicle with an
`to replace the old one. If the replacement system is
`engine and manual controls, as claimed in claim 1
`25
`utilized, RAM 42 must be a memory that is changeable
`wherein the transceiver includes a cellular telephone.
`by an appropriate signal, such as an EPROM, EE
`5. A wireless diagnostic and software upgrade motor
`PROM, or the like. In either case, a message is dis
`vehicle system, which system includes a vehicle with an
`played on display 28 after the repair advising the opera
`engine and manual controls, as claimed in claim 4
`tor that vehicle 15 has been repaired.
`wherein the transceiver includes a modem connecting
`30
`Simultaneously, the information received from vehi
`an output terminal of the microprocessor to an input of
`the cellular telephone.
`cle 15 is transmitted to base station 17 for general stor
`age and diagnosis. This information is then used by the
`6. A wireless diagnostic and software upgrade motor
`manufacturer to determine if a particular problem is
`vehicle system, which system includes a vehicle with an
`generic to a specific model. In this way the manufac
`engine and manual controls, as claimed in claim 1
`35
`turer can remotely sample the internal databases of a
`wherein the plurality of sensors includes sensors for
`sensing a plurality of tire pressure, body integrity, air
`population of similar vehicles, thus shortening the re
`sponse time to diagnose and correct problems in the
`bags, lights, brakes and transmission operation.
`field. Thus, relatively simple problems can be diagnosed
`7. In a vehicle including an engine and manual con
`and, sometimes, repaired in the field. For major prob
`trols, a method of diagnosis and software upgrade com
`prising the steps of:
`lems the owner can be contacted and the vehicle
`providing a plurality of sensors positioned to sense a
`brought to a repair center. However, because the prob
`lem has already been diagnosed, the repair time is mini
`variety of dynamic data and a plurality of mechani
`cal controls coupled to the vehicle and the engine
`mized. Further, the information is used in the next de
`for mechanically controlling the operation of vari
`sign phase of new vehicles to correct deficiencies or
`45
`unnecessary margin in the design of components.
`ous components thereof;
`providing a microprocessor coupled to the plurality
`While I have shown and described specific embodi
`ments of the present invention, further modifications
`of mechanical controls and including programs to
`and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art.
`cause functioning of the mechanical controls in
`I desire it to be understood, therefore, that this inven
`accordance with signals from the manual controls,
`50
`the microprocessor further including a variety of
`tion is not limited to the particular forms shown and I
`intend in the append claims to cover all modifications
`selectable program constants, each program con
`that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this
`stant producing a modified functioning of the me
`invention.
`chanical controls;
`collecting and sending the variety of dynamic data to
`What is claimed is:
`55
`1. A wireless diagnostic and software upgrade motor
`a remote diagnostic station;
`receiving signals from the remote diagnostic station
`vehicle system, which system includes a vehicle with an
`engine and manual controls, the system comprising:
`indicative of program changes; and
`a plurality of sensors positioned to sense a variety of
`selecting different program constants in response to
`dynamic data in the vehicle;
`the received signals.
`60
`a plurality of mechanical controls coupled to the
`8. In a vehicle including an engine and manual con
`vehicle and the engine for mechanically control
`trols, a method of diagnosis and software upgrade as
`ling the operation of various components thereof;
`claimed in claim 7 wherein the microprocessor pro
`vided further includes a memory connected thereto and
`a memory;
`a microprocessor coupled to the plurality of sensors
`the plurality of sensors are connected to the micro
`processor, the method further including the step of
`and to the memory to receive the dynamic data and
`store the dynamic data in the memory, the micro
`providing a cellular telephone coupled to the micro
`processor further being coupled to the plurality of
`processor with the step of collecting the variety of
`
`65
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`5,442,553
`7
`8
`dynamic data being performed by the microprocessor
`program constants at the remote diagnostic station,
`and the steps of sending and receiving being performed
`selecting one of the variety of selectable program con
`by the cellular telephone and the microprocessor.
`stants in response to diagnoses of operating problems
`9. In a vehicle including an engine and manual con
`and transmitting signals, from the remote diagnostic
`trols, a method of diagnosis and software upgrade as 5
`station, indicative of the selected program constant.
`claimed in claim 7 including the step of utilizing the
`14. In a motor vehicle system including a vehicle
`variety of dynamic data at the remote diagnostic station
`with an engine and manual controls, a method of diag
`to determine required program changes and transmit
`nosis and software upgrade comprising the steps of:
`ting signals to the vehicle indicative of the program
`providing a plurality of mechanical controls coupled
`10
`changes.
`to the vehicle and the engine for mechanically
`10. In a vehicle including an engine and manual con
`controlling the operation of various components
`trols, a method of diagnosis and software upgrade as
`thereof;
`claimed in claim 7 including the step of utilizing some of
`providing a microprocessor coupled to the plurality
`the variety of dynamic data at the remote diagnostic
`of mechanical controls and including microproces
`station to generate permanent changes in a next genera- 15
`sor programs to cause functioning of the micro
`tion of the vehicle.
`processor and the mechanical controls in accor
`11. In a motor vehicle system including a vehicle
`dance with signals from the manual controls;
`with an engine and manual controls, a method of diag
`transmitting, from the remote diagnostic station, sig
`nosis and software upgrade comprising the steps of:
`nals indicative of microprocessor program
`providing a plurality of sensors positioned to sense a 20
`changes;
`variety of dynamic data and a plurality of mechani
`receiving, at the vehicle, the transmitted signals from
`cal controls coupled to the vehicle and the engine
`the remote diagnostic station indicative of the mi
`for mechanically controlling the operation of vari
`croprocessor program changes; and
`ous components thereof;
`changing the microprocessor programs in response to
`providing a microprocessor coupled to the plurality 25
`the received transmitted signals.
`of mechanical controls and including programs to
`15. In a motor vehicle system including a vehicle
`cause functioning of the mechanical controls in
`with an engine and manual controls, a method of diag
`accordance with signals from the manual controls,
`nosis and software upgrade comprising the steps of:
`the microprocessor further having access to a vari
`providing a plurality of sensors positioned to sense a
`ety of selectable program constants, each program 30
`variety of dynamic data and a plurality of mechani
`constant producing a modified functioning of the
`cal controls coupled to the vehicle and the engine
`mechanical controls;
`for mechanically controlling the operation of vari
`collecting and transmitting the variety of dynamic
`ous components thereof;
`data to a remote diagnostic station;
`providing a microprocessor coupled to the plurality
`receiving, at the remote diagnostic station, the trans- 35
`of mechanical controls and including microproces
`mitted dynamic data and utilizing the dynamic data
`sor programs to cause functioning of the micro
`to diagnose operating problems;
`processor and the mechanical controls in accor
`transmitting, from the remote diagnostic station, sig
`dance with signals from the manual controls;
`nals indicative of different program constants;
`collecting and transmitting the variety of dynamic
`receiving, at the vehicle, the transmitted signals from 40
`data to a remote diagnostic station;
`the remote diagnostic station indicative of program
`receiving, at the remote diagnostic station, the trans
`changes; and
`mitted dynamic data and utilizing the dynamic data
`selecting different program constants in response to
`to determine the status of the microprocessor pro
`the received signals.
`grams;
`12. In a motor vehicle system including a vehicle 45
`transmitting, from the remote diagnostic station, sig
`with an engine and manual controls, a method of diag
`nals indicative of microprocessor program
`changes;
`nosis and software upgrade as claimed in claim 11 in
`cluding the step of storing in a memory of the micro
`receiving, at the vehicle, the transmitted signals from
`processor the variety of selectable program constants.
`the remote diagnostic station indicative of the mi
`13. In a motor vehicle system including a vehicle 50
`croprocessor program changes; and
`with an engine and manual controls, a method of diag
`changing the microprocessor programs in response to
`nosis and software upgrade as claimed in claim 11 in
`the received transmitted signals.
`cluding the step of providing the variety of selectable
`
`k
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`sk
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`55
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`60
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`65
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