System and method for transmission of application software to an embedded vehicle computer

Abstract

A system and method for controlling an engine or machine at a remote unit from a central office, which may be a fixed location, contemplates a transmit/receive interface connected to the computer or microprocessor of the engine or machine controller. This interface is integrated with a communications module that is configured to establish communications with a World Wide Web server on the Internet. A similar system is established at the location of the central office connected to a computer controlled by a fleet owner/operator, for example. The fleet owner can upload machine control data or machine control application software to an intermediate digital file storage maintained by the Web server via the Internet. This data or application software can be accessed and downloaded at any time by the remote operator without any direct interface or communication with the central office. The remote machine controller includes a data entry device that allows the remote operator to issue commands to the Web server to upload or download information, input password or security information for access to the data in intermediate file storage, or leave messages for the central office. The transmit/receive interface at the remote unit includes means for receiving the downloaded information, determining whether the information is application data or application software, and updating the machine controller accordingly. In this manner, either specific data can be downloaded to modify the performance of the controlled machine, or entirely new application software or modified application software can be downloaded directly to the machine controller.