Patent ID: 7900739

Claim:
A control system for controlling engine speed of a vehicle system having an engine and a required power output, the control system comprising: a user interface including a first adjustable control configured for selecting a maximum bound of a sub-range of engine speeds from a plurality of engine speeds and a second separately adjustable control configured for separately selecting a minimum bound of the sub-range of engine speeds from the plurality of engine speeds; and a processor coupled to the engine and to the user interface and adapted to, based on the required power output of the vehicle system, select a discrete engine speed from the sub-range of engine speeds; the first and second controls configured for movement within a range of positions both in first and second linear directions corresponding to operable engine speeds of the vehicle, wherein the first control and the control are independently movable such that the first control designates the maximum bound an the second sliding control designates the minimum bound; and the first control and the second control further include an interlocking mechanism wherein at least one of the first or second controls extends into the linear path of the other control such that the maximum bound control cannot be moved to a position below the minimum bound control and the minimum bound control cannot be moved to a position above the maximum bound control.