128 Combustion, Inc.

Powerteq LLC

Kendall J Mosher

Chester Silvestri

David R Emberson

Adam Raper

Michael Jebb

Anthony R Pitman

Aaron Stewart

Implementations described herein relate to leveraging corresponding streams of speed readings of a vehicle generated by different speed sensors of different computing devices to automatically determine an updated tire size of tires of the vehicle. For example, while a user of the vehicle is driving, a first stream of speed readings can be generated by a vehicle speed sensor of an in-vehicle computing device of the vehicle and a second stream of speed readings can be generated by a mobile speed sensor of a mobile computing device of the user of the vehicle. Processor(s) can obtain the different streams of speed readings from the different computing devices and process the different streams using various operations to determine the update tire size of the tires of the vehicle. The updated tire size can be subsequently utilized to update operational parameter(s) of the vehicle that influence how the vehicle operates.

Automatically determining an updated tire size of tires of a vehicle and influencing operation of the vehicle based thereon

A secondary controller for controlling the performance of an automobile is described. The secondary controller can be configured to temporarily reprogram one or more vehicle controllers, such as the engine control unit, after the automobile has been powered on. The secondary controller can substitute command sets with different command sets by rewriting the corresponding portion of RAM. The secondary controller can receive vehicle information from the engine control unit to determine the particular type of vehicle to locate the particular command in RAM in order to rewrite the command set. In one embodiment, the secondary controller communicates with the vehicle controller via the vehicle's diagnostic port, such as an OBD-II port. In another embodiment, the secondary controller can be configured to control a variable displacement engine in a vehicle to command the vehicle to operate using all available cylinders.

Method and apparatus for modifying an automobile engine control unit

A secondary controller for controlling the performance of a vehicle is described. The secondary controller sends control commands to a vehicle controller while the vehicle is being driven to effect the operation of the vehicle's power train without requiring any modification of the vehicle controller and without falsifying any information sent to the vehicle controller. In some embodiments, the secondary controller communicates with the vehicle controller via the vehicle's diagnostic port, such as an OBD-II port. In one aspect, the secondary controller is used to direct the vehicle controller not to utilize a start/stop feature to automatically turn off the engine in the selected circumstances during normal operation of the vehicle. As such, the control command causes the vehicle controller to operate the vehicle in the selected operating mode in manner dictated by the engine controller.

Supplementing engine control via a diagnostics port

A secondary controller for controlling the performance of a moving automobile is described. The secondary controller can be configured to communicate with one or more vehicle controllers, such as the engine control unit, while the automobile is being driven. The secondary controller can send control commands, such as self-test or diagnostic commands to the vehicle controller to effect the operation of the vehicle's power train. The secondary controller can receive power train related data from the engine control unit and based upon the received power train data determine when to send the control commands. In one embodiment, the secondary controller communicates with the vehicle controller via the vehicle's diagnostic port, such as an OBD-II port. In another embodiment, the secondary controller can be configured to control a variable displacement engine in a vehicle to improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle while it is driven.

Method and apparatus for improving the fuel economy of a variable displacement engine

A secondary controller for controlling the performance of a moving automobile is described. The secondary controller can be configured to communicate with one or more vehicle controllers, such as the engine control unit, while the automobile is being driven. The secondary controller can send control commands to the vehicle controller to effect the operation of the vehicle's power train. The secondary controller can receive power train related data from the engine control unit and based upon the received power train data determine when to send the control commands. In one embodiment, the secondary controller communicates with the vehicle controller via the vehicle's diagnostic port, such as an OBD-II port. In another embodiment, the secondary controller can be configured to control the operational displacement of a variable displacement engine while the vehicle is driven.

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Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Kendall J Mosher