Patent ID: 8738270
Filing Date: 2014-05-27
Classification: F02D

Abstract:
1. An electronic device comprising: a housing; a processor and a memory disposed within the housing; an interface that allows the processor and to communicate with a vehicle controller associated with a vehicle having a variable displacement engine, the vehicle controller arranged to direct operation of the vehicle in a plurality of different displacement states; a connector that allows the electronic device to be coupled to a diagnostic port associated with the vehicle; wherein the processor is configured to 1) receive from the vehicle controller, power train state data characterizing a current displacement state of the vehicle, 2) based upon the power train state data, determine whether to send a control command recognized by the vehicle controller wherein the control command is sent through the diagnostics port and affects the displacement of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven and wherein the control command is arranged to direct the vehicle controller to direct operation of the vehicle in a selected one of the plurality of different displacement states that is different than the displacement state that the vehicle controller would otherwise direct operation in; and 3) when the control command is sent, receive a message from the vehicle controller indicating whether the control command has been implemented or rejected by the vehicle controller.