Patent ID: 8204611

Claim:
A method of operating a machine having a master electronic control module and at least one secondary electronic control module, comprising: determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state; determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state; changing the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state by the master electronic control module disconnecting the secondary electronic control module from its power source by opening a power circuit that supplies power to the secondary electronic control module; changing the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state; wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state includes checking a status of at least one operating condition of the master electronic control module; and wherein the step of disconnecting the secondary electronic control module includes changing a condition of a switch of the master electronic control module that is operably coupled to the power circuit for the secondary electronic control module.