Interactive vehicle engine control unit (ecu) reprogramming

Abstract

Disclosed herein are techniques and structures to update vehicle controller programming in a vehicle. Such updating includes logically coupling at least one data link to a vehicle controller and alerting a driver, via an output device, about an impending update to the vehicle controller. Approval for the wirelessly received impending update to the vehicle controller is received from the driver via an input device. The controller update from a remote source is passed via the at least one data link; and upon receiving the controller update, the controller update is used to change programming of the vehicle controller.

The disclosure in which an exclusive right is claimed is defined by the following: 
     
         1 . A system for use in a vehicle to enable wireless updating of at least one vehicle controller, the system comprising:
 at least one data link configured to logically couple to a vehicle controller, the at least one data link further configured to pass a controller update wirelessly received from a remote source;   an output device to alert a driver about an impending update to the vehicle controller;   an input device enabling the driver to approve the impending update to the vehicle controller; and   at least one processor, the at least one processor directing functions to:
 upon receiving the controller update from the remote source, use the output device to alert the driver about the impending update to the vehicle controller; and 
 use the controller update to change programming of the vehicle controller in response to receiving an input from the driver approving the impending update to the vehicle controller. 
   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vehicle controller is a vehicle engine control unit (ECU). 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one data link is arranged for bi-directional communications. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the remote source provides vehicle monitoring services. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the remote source initiates the controller update. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein a user in the vehicle initiates the controller update. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1 , the system comprising:
 a data port communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, the data port arranged to receive a cable that is communicatively coupled to the at least one data link.   
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one data link comprises a personal computer, a tablet, or a smart phone. 
     
     
         9 . A method to update vehicle controller programming in a vehicle, the method comprising:
 logically coupling at least one data link to a vehicle controller;   alerting a driver, via an output device, about an impending update to the vehicle controller;   receiving from the driver, via an input device, approval for the impending update to the vehicle controller;   wirelessly receiving a controller update from a remote source, the controller update passed via the at least one data link; and   upon receiving the controller update from the remote source, using the controller update to change programming of the vehicle controller.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one data link is a bi-directional data communications data link. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9 , the method further comprising:
 receiving an indication of the impending update to the vehicle controller from the remote source.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 9 , the method further comprising:
 communicating a request for the controller update from the driver of the vehicle.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 9 , the method further comprising:
 coupling a cable that is communicatively coupled to the at least one data link to a data port that is communicatively coupled to the vehicle controller.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one data link comprises a personal computer, a tablet, or a smart phone. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having machine instructions stored thereon to enable wireless updating of at least one vehicle controller that is integrated in a vehicle, the machine instructions, when implemented by a processor, carrying out the functions of:
 logically coupling a wireless data link to a vehicle controller integrated in the vehicle;   alerting a driver, via an output device, about an impending update to the vehicle controller integrated in the vehicle;   receiving from the driver, via an input device, approval for the impending update to the vehicle controller integrated in the vehicle;   wirelessly receiving updated programming for the vehicle controller integrated in the vehicle from a remote source, the updated programming corresponding to the impending update, the updated programming passed via the wireless data link; and   upon receiving the updated programming from the remote source, changing a current programming of the vehicle controller integrated in the vehicle.   
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 15 , wherein the wireless data link is arranged for bi-directional communications. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 15 , wherein the wireless data link is arranged to pass at least one of vehicle performance data and vehicle location data. 
     
     
         18 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 15 , wherein the updated programming is arranged to enhance efficiency of vehicle operation. 
     
     
         19 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 15 , wherein the wireless data link includes a combination radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 15 , wherein the wireless data link comprises a personal computing device.