Patent · US Expired

System and method for reprogramming vehicle computers

US5278759A · kind A · utility

198Cited by
20References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 7, 1991
Grant dateJan 11, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 7, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R31/007
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for reprogramming a non-volatile memory of one or more on-board vehicle computers through a serial communication link between an off-board controller and the on-board vehicle computer. An interface circuit is also provided on the vehicle in order to process the command signals from the portable controller which will enable the non-volatile memory to receive and store new computer program code. The method follows a predetermined transfer protocol which assists in preventing the existing computer program code stored in the non-volatile memory from being improperly erased or re-written. This transfer protocol includes the transmission of a command signal from the off-board controller which has a voltage level that exceeds the voltage level of any signal which may recognized on the serial communication link.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.