Patent ID: 8214114

Claim:
Method for controlling an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled to a hybrid transmission to transfer power to a driveline, comprising: monitoring operator inputs to an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal; determining immediate and predicted accelerator output torque requests based upon the operator input to the accelerator pedal; determining an axle torque response type comprising one of active and inactive response; determining a preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission based upon the predicted accelerator output torque request; determining an allowable range of input torques from the engine to react with the hybrid transmission based upon the immediate accelerator output torque request and the axle torque response type; operating the engine to meet the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the allowable range of input torques from the engine; and operating the engine within the allowable range of input torques from the engine when the preferred input torque is outside the allowable range of input torques from the engine.