Vehicle calibration based on power product detection

Abstract

Vehicle, including: a receiver designed to receive a wireless signal from a converter of a power product, wherein the wireless signal includes a characteristic of the power product and a product type of the power product; a product control system designed to do the following: Based on the characteristics and product type contained in the wireless signal, determine that the power product is authenticated for installation on the vehicle; Based on the characteristics of the power product, determine whether the power product affects the performance of an electronic control unit of the vehicle; and Based on determining that the power product is authenticated for installation on the vehicle, and determining that the power product affects the electronic control unit, sending a calibration instruction to the electronic control unit, which includes the characteristic, to perform a calibration of the electronic control unit; and the electronic control unit, which is designed to do the following: Receiving the calibration instructions; and Adjusting the calibration of the electronic control unit to a target setting based on the calibration instruction.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a vehicle and a method for calibrating a vehicle, and in particular to vehicle calibration based on power product detection. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Vehicles typically contain a variety of electronic control units (ECUs). Generally, each ECU monitors and controls different subsystems within the vehicle. For example, some vehicles include ECUs for monitoring and controlling an internal combustion engine, battery, door functions, human-machine interfaces, suspension, cruise control, telematics, brakes, seats, and so on. The ECUs may include hardware, firmware, circuitry, input devices, and / or output devices for monitoring and controlling the respective subsystem.Various approaches to calibrating a vehicle are known from documents DE 10 2008 037 950 A1, DE 10 2016 006 487 A1 and DE 10 356 136 A1, with the first-mentioned document proposing to adjust braking and driving dynamics parameters on the basis of information acquired by a detection device with identification means on vehicle wheels. SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention proposes a vehicle according to claim 1 and a method for calibrating a vehicle according to claim 11. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0004] Exemplary embodiments of vehicle calibration based on power product detection are shown. An exemplary disclosed vehicle includes a receiver for receiving a wireless signal from a power product converter, which contains characteristics of the power product. The exemplary disclosed vehicle also includes a product controller for authenticating the power product based on the wireless signal and, upon authentication, for sending a calibration instruction containing the characteristics. The exemplary disclosed vehicle also includes an electronic control unit for receiving the calibration instruction and for adapting a calibration to a target setting based on the characteristics.

[0005] An exemplary disclosed method for calibrating vehicles involves receiving, via a receiver of the vehicle, a wireless signal from a converter of a power product, containing characteristics of the power product, and authenticating, via a processor, the power product based on the wireless signal. The exemplary disclosed method also involves sending, upon authentication, a calibration instruction containing the characteristics to an electronic control unit and adjusting a calibration of the electronic control unit to a target setting based on the characteristics. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to embodiments shown in the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and related elements may be omitted, or in some cases, proportions may be enlarged to emphasize and clearly illustrate the novel features described herein. Additionally, system components may be arranged in various ways, as is known in the field. Furthermore, corresponding parts in the different views of the drawings are identified by the same reference numerals. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary vehicle in accordance with the teachings of this document. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates receivers that pick up wireless signals from the vehicle's power products. Fig. 1 received. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the vehicle's electronic components. Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 4 is a flowchart for detecting power products and calibrating the vehicle's electronic control modules. Fig. 1 according to the teachings of this scripture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0007] Although the invention can be implemented in various forms, some non-limiting embodiments are shown in the drawings and described below, it being understood that the present disclosure is to be regarded as an explanation of the invention by means of examples and is therefore not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

[0008] Vehicles typically incorporate a variety of electronic control units (ECUs). Generally, each ECU monitors and controls different subsystems within the vehicle. For example, some vehicles include ECUs for monitoring and controlling an internal combustion engine, battery, door functions, human-machine interfaces, suspension, cruise control, telematics, brakes, seats, and so on. The ECUs may include hardware, firmware, circuitry, input devices, and / or output devices for monitoring and controlling the respective subsystem. In some cases, a vehicle user may install a performance product on the vehicle to influence various aesthetic and / or performance characteristics.The performance product installed on the vehicle by the user can consciously or unconsciously influence the performance of one or more other electronic control units that control the various subsystems of the vehicle.

[0009] In this context, a "performance product" refers to a vehicle component (e.g., a part, a piece of equipment, an accessory, a chemical) that is installed on a vehicle to influence its performance (e.g., to improve or customize it). Examples of performance products may be sold with the vehicle, produced by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), approved by the vehicle's OEM, and / or manufactured and / or sold by a secondary source without OEM approval. Furthermore, examples of performance products include aftermarket products. In this context, an "aftermarket product" refers to a vehicle component (e.g., a part, a piece of equipment, an accessory, a chemical) that is installed on a vehicle after a customer has purchased the vehicle from an OEM.Aftermarket products can be manufactured and / or sold by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and / or a secondary source. Examples of aftermarket products include spark plugs, tires, wheel rims, hoods, kits, spoilers, fenders, shock absorbers, stabilizer bars, mufflers, windows, entertainment systems, speakers, seats, etc. In this context, "original equipment manufacturer" and "OEM" refer to a manufacturer who has produced and / or assembled a vehicle as it was initially sold to a customer.

[0010] Exemplary devices and methods disclosed herein include a power controller that detects power products installed on the vehicle via receivers (e.g., wireless receivers) that receive signals (e.g., wireless signals) transmitted by transducers (e.g., wireless transducers) integrated into the power products. The product controller determines whether the detected power products affect the performance of electronic control units that operate various components of the vehicle, and the electronic control units adjust calibrations based on the detected power products to increase the performance of the electronic control units during vehicle operation.

[0011] For example, a vehicle system disclosed herein detects performance products mounted on a vehicle and adjusts vehicle calibrations based on these performance products to enhance vehicle performance. The vehicle system utilizes the vehicle's wireless systems (e.g., RFID communication, BLE communication, TPMS communication, and / or off-range wireless communication, etc.) to detect the performance products. A product controller receives the collected data and makes it available to other control modules. An electronic control module (ECU) determines whether calibration changes can be made based on the performance products. If calibrations are possible, the ECU calibrates settings based on the performance products.For example, a vehicle dynamics module calibrates settings to enhance vehicle performance based on data relating to performance tires, fenders, etc. A powertrain control module calibrates settings to enhance vehicle performance based on data relating to changes in cooling calibration, power output, etc. Furthermore, an infotainment unit can display information relating to performance products and the calibrations performed by the electronic control modules.

[0012] With reference to the characters, illustrates Fig. 1 An exemplary vehicle according to the teachings of this document. The vehicle 100 can be a standard gasoline-powered vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, and / or a vehicle type with any other propulsion system. The vehicle 100 includes parts related to propulsion, such as a powertrain with an engine, a transmission, a suspension, a driveshaft, and / or wheels, etc. The vehicle 100 can be non-autonomous, semi-autonomous (e.g., some routine driving functions are controlled by the vehicle 100), or autonomous (e.g., driving functions are controlled by the vehicle 100 without direct driver input). In the illustrated example, the vehicle 100 includes a display 102, one or more receivers 104, one or more electronic control units (ECUs) 106, and a product controller 108.

[0013] Display 102 presents information to an occupant (e.g., a driver, a passenger) of vehicle 100. Display 102 includes, for example, a front display and / or a center console display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a flat panel display, a solid-state display, etc. In some examples, display 102 is a touchscreen.

[0014] The receivers 104 in the illustrated example include wireless receivers that receive wireless signals. For example, the vehicle 100 includes a variety of receivers 104 to increase the wireless coverage of the receivers 104 throughout the vehicle 100. The receivers 104 receive wireless signals from wireless transducers of the power products (e.g., transducers 204 of the tires 202). Fig. 2, a converter 208 of a spoiler 206 from Fig. 2, a converter 212 of a fender 210 made of Fig. 2, a converter 216 of a stabilizer bar 214 made of Fig. 2, a converter 220 of a spark plug 218 from Fig. 2, converter 224 from shock absorbers 222 from Fig. 2) The transmitted wireless signals contain information corresponding to the characteristics of the power products, enabling the vehicle 100, for example, to identify the power products. Manufacturers of the power products integrate the wireless transducers into the power products (e.g., by coupling the wireless transducers to them) to enable the vehicle 100 to identify the power product installed on the vehicle 100. Furthermore, in some examples, the receivers 104 include wired receivers that receive signals from wired transducers of the power products. For example, a power product may contain a wired transducer if the power product contains, or is intended to contain, shielded components that prevent wireless communication with wireless receivers.

[0015] All ECU 106 (e.g., a brake control module 324 from Fig. 3, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) control unit 326 made of Fig. 3, a powertrain control module 328 made of Fig. 3, a suspension control module 330 made of Fig. 3) They monitor and control the vehicle's subsystems 100. The ECUs 106, for example, are discrete sets of electronic components that include their own circuitry (e.g., integrated circuits, microprocessors, RAM, data storage, etc.) and firmware, sensors, actuators, and / or mounting hardware. The ECUs 106 communicate via a vehicle data bus (e.g., a vehicle data bus 308). Fig. 3) and exchange information about it. Additionally, the ECU 106 can communicate properties to each other (e.g., ECU 106 status, sensor readings, control state, fault and diagnostic codes, etc.) and / or receive requests from each other. For example, the vehicle 100 can have seventy or more ECU 106s positioned at various locations around the vehicle 100 and communicatively linked via the vehicle data bus.

[0016] The product control unit 108 is communicatively coupled to the receivers 104 to receive the signal(s) of the power product(s) from one or more of the receivers 104. Based on the signal(s), the product control unit 108 detects the power product(s) installed on the vehicle 100. The product control unit 108 determines which of the ECUs 106, if any, are affected by the characteristics of the power product(s). If the product control unit 108 further determines that the performance of one or more of the ECUs 106 is affected by the detected power product(s), the product control unit 108 sends calibration instructions to those ECUs 106 affected by the power product(s).

[0017] During operation, one or more of the receivers 104 receive a signal (e.g., wireless signals) from a converter or power product installed on the vehicle 100. The product controller 108 receives the signal(s) from the receivers 104 and, based on this signal(s), identifies which power product(s), if any, is installed on the vehicle 100. In some examples, the product controller 108 identifies a product type, manufacturer, model number, and / or any other characteristics of the power product based on the received signal. For example, based on the signal(s), the product controller 108 identifies a product type, manufacturer, and / or model number of a performance tire (e.g., an aftermarket tire, one of the tires 202 from Fig. 2), a performance spoiler (e.g. an aftermarket spoiler, a 206 spoiler made of Fig. 2), a performance fender (e.g. an aftermarket fender, a fender 210 made of Fig. 2), a performance stabilizer bar (e.g. an aftermarket stabilizer bar, a stabilizer bar 214 made of Fig. 2), a performance spark plug (e.g. an aftermarket spark plug, a 218 spark plug from Fig. 2), a performance shock absorber (e.g. an aftermarket shock absorber, one of the shock absorbers 222 from Fig. 2), a performance engine hood (e.g. an aftermarket engine hood, an engine hood 226 made of Fig. 2) and / or any other performance and / or aftermarket product that has been installed on the vehicle 100.

[0018] When identifying a power product, the product control unit 108 determines, based on the received signal(s), whether the power product is authenticated for installation on the vehicle 100. For example, if a power product installed on the vehicle 100 is not authenticated by the vehicle 100's OEM, the OEM may void a warranty on the vehicle and / or a component of the vehicle 100 and / or prevent vehicle calibrations from being adjusted based on the unauthenticated power product. When authenticating a power product, the product control unit 108 determines, based on the power product's characteristics, whether the power product affects the performance of any of the ECUs 106.For example, the characteristics of the power product are contained in the signal received by the one or more receivers 104, and / or they are retrieved by the product control 108 when identifying the power product based on the signal (e.g. from a server 322). Fig. 3) In some examples, the display 102 presents information corresponding to the characteristics of the detected performance product(s) to (an) occupant of vehicle 100.

[0019] When it determines that the power product affects the performance of one or more of the ECU 106s, the product controller 108 sends calibration instructions to those ECU 106s affected by the power product. These calibration instructions include the characteristics of the power product to enable the ECU 106s to adjust their calibrations based on the power product. In some examples, the product controller 108 also checks for updated software for those ECU 106s affected by the power product, again based on the power product's characteristics. If the product controller 108 identifies updated software for one or more of the ECU 106s, it sends the updated software to the corresponding ECU 106(s).

[0020] Furthermore, those ECU 106 units affected by the power product receive the calibration instruction(s) from the product control unit 108. The one or more ECU 106 units receiving the calibration instruction(s) adjust one or more calibrations based on the characteristics of the power product. For example, one ECU 106 unit determines a target setting for a calibration based on a current setting and / or the characteristics of the power product and adjusts the calibration to the target setting. In some examples, the display 102 presents information corresponding to the adjusted calibration(s) of the one or more ECU 106 units to a vehicle occupant 100.

[0021] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates the receivers 104 of the vehicle 100, which receive wireless signals from power products that are coupled or integrated within the vehicle 100 to enable the detection of these power products.

[0022] The vehicle 100 in the illustrated example includes tires 202. In the illustrated example, the tires 202 at the front of the vehicle 100 are performance products that include transducers 204 (e.g., wireless transducers). Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the tires 202 at the rear of the vehicle 100 are performance products, and / or one or more of the tires 202 at the front of the vehicle 100 are not performance products. The transducers 204 of the tires 202 that are performance products transmit wireless signals that are received by one or more of the receivers 104 to enable the product controller 108 to detect and identify which of the tires 202 are performance products.

[0023] The vehicle 100 of the illustrated example also includes a spoiler 206, which is a performance product. The spoiler 206 includes a transducer 208 (e.g., a wireless transducer) that transmits a wireless signal which is received by one or more of the receivers 104 to enable the product controller 108 to detect and identify the spoiler 206 as a performance product. The vehicle 100 also includes a fender 210, which is a performance product. The fender 210 includes a transducer 212 (e.g., a wireless transducer) that transmits a wireless signal which is received by one or more of the receivers 104 to enable the product controller 108 to detect and identify the fender 210 as a performance product. The vehicle 100 also includes a stabilizer bar 214, which is a performance product. The stabilizer bar 214 includes a converter 216 (e.g.The vehicle 100 also includes a spark plug 218, which is a performance product. The spark plug 218 includes a transducer 220 (e.g., a wireless transducer) that transmits a wireless signal which is received by one or more of the receivers 104 to enable the product controller 108 to detect and identify the stabilizer bar 214 as a performance product. The vehicle 100 also includes a spark plug 218, which is a performance product. The spark plug 218 includes a transducer 220 (e.g., a wireless transducer) that transmits a wireless signal which is received by one or more of the receivers 104 to enable the product controller 108 to detect and identify the spark plug 218 as a performance product.

[0024] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 2, the vehicle 100 also includes shock absorbers 222 (e.g., suspension shock absorbers) at the rear of the vehicle 100, which are performance products. The shock absorbers 222 include transducers 224 (e.g., wireless transducers) that contain wireless signals. These wireless signals are received by one or more of the receivers 104 to enable the product controller 108 to detect and identify the shock absorbers 222 as performance products. Additionally or alternatively, other suspension shock absorbers of the vehicle 100 may be performance products that include transducers for identifying the performance products. Furthermore, the vehicle 100 in the illustrated example includes a hood 226, which is a performance product. The hood 226 includes a transducer 228 (e.g., a wireless transducer).a wireless transducer) that transmits a wireless signal which is received by one or more of the receivers 104 to enable the product control 108 to detect and identify the hood 226 as a performance product.

[0025] In some examples, one or more of the receivers are 104 RFID readers (e.g., one RFID reader 314 from Fig. 3) The converters of the power products are RFID transponders to enable the detection and identification of the power products via radio-frequency identification (RFID). In some examples, an RFID transponder of a power product is an active RFID transponder. In other examples, an RFID transponder of a power product is a passive RFID transponder, such that the power product does not include a battery and / or other power source for the RFID transponder.

[0026] In some examples, one or more of the receivers 104 are also wireless transceivers capable of both receiving and transmitting wireless signals. For example, one or more of the receivers 104 and / or one or more of the converters of the power products are wireless short-range modules that include all the hardware and firmware necessary to establish communication with each other. In some such examples, the wireless short-range modules are BLE modules (e.g., a BLE module 316 made of Fig. 3) implementing the Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) protocols set forth in Volume 6 of the Bluetooth Specification 4.0 (and subsequent revisions), maintained by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. In other such examples, the short-range wireless modules are tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) modules (e.g., a TPMS 318 module from Fig. 3), which are located near the wheel arches of vehicle 100.

[0027] Fig. Figure 3 is a block diagram of electronic components 300 of the vehicle. Fig. 1. As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3, the electronic components 300 include an on-board computing platform 302, an infotainment main unit 304, the receivers 104, a communication module 306, the ECU 106 and a vehicle data bus 308.

[0028] The onboard computing platform 302 includes a microcontroller unit, a controller or processor 310, and a memory 312. In some examples, the processor 310 of the onboard computing platform 302 is structured to include the product controller 108. Alternatively, in some examples, the product controller 108 is integrated into another electronic control unit (ECU) with its own processor 310 and memory 312. The processor 310 can be any suitable processing device or set of processing devices, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, an integrated circuit, one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The memory 312 can be volatile memory (e.g.,RAM, including non-volatile RAM, magnetic RAM, ferroelectric RAM, etc.; non-volatile memory (e.g., disk memory, FLASH memory, EPROMs, EEPROMs, memristor-based non-volatile solid-state memory, etc.); immutable memory (e.g., EPROMs), read-only memory, and / or high-capacity storage devices (e.g., hard disks, solid-state drives, etc.). In some examples, Memory 312 includes several types of memory, especially volatile and non-volatile memory.

[0029] The memory 312 is a computer-readable medium in which one or more sets of instructions, such as the software for executing the methods of this disclosure, may be embedded. The instructions may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. For example, during execution, the instructions may be located wholly or at least partially within any one or more of the memory 312, the computer-readable medium, and / or the processor 310.

[0030] The terms “non-transitory computer-readable medium” and “computer-readable medium” include one or more media, such as a centralized or distributed database and / or associated caches and servers, on which one or more sets of instructions are stored. Furthermore, the terms “non-transitory computer-readable medium” and “computer-readable medium” include any physical medium capable of storing, encrypting, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor, or capable of causing a system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein. As used herein, the term “computer-readable medium” is expressly defined to include any type of computer-readable storage device and / or storage disk and excludes the propagation of signals.

[0031] The infotainment head unit 304 provides an interface between the vehicle 100 and a user. The infotainment head unit 304 includes digital and / or analog interfaces (e.g., input devices and output devices) to receive input from the user(s) and to display information to them. Input devices include, for example, a control knob, a dashboard, a digital camera for image capture and / or visual command recognition, a touchscreen, an audio input device (e.g., a cabin microphone), buttons, or a touch panel. Output devices may include instrument cluster outputs (e.g., rotary dials, lighting devices), actuators, the display 102 (e.g., a head-up display, a center console display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a flat-panel display, a solid-state display, etc.), and / or speakers.In the illustrated example, the infotainment head unit 304 includes hardware (e.g., a processor or controller, RAM, data storage, etc.) and software (e.g., an operating system, etc.) for an infotainment system (e.g., Ford SYNC® and MyFord Touch®, etc.). Additionally, the infotainment head unit 304 displays the infotainment system, for example, on display 102.

[0032] The receivers 104 include an RFID reader 314, a BLE module 316, and a TPMS module 318. The RFID reader 314 of the vehicle 100 is capable of receiving a signal to identify a power product if one of the power product's transducers is an RFID transponder. The BLE module 316 is capable of receiving a signal to identify a power product if one of the power product's transducers is another BLE module. Furthermore, the TPMS module 318 is capable of receiving a signal to identify a power product if one of the power product's transducers is a TPMS transducer.

[0033] The Communications Module 306 includes wired or wireless network interfaces to enable communication with external networks. The Communications Module 306 also includes hardware (e.g., processors, memory, storage, an antenna, etc.) and software to control the wired or wireless network interfaces. In the illustrated example, the Communications Module 306 includes one or more communication controllers for standards-based networks (e.g., Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16m), Wireless Gigabit (IEEE 802.11ad), etc.). As shown in Fig. Figure 3 illustrates that the communication module 306 communicates wirelessly with a network 320.

[0034] The network 320 in the illustrated example can be a public network, such as the Internet; a private network, such as an intranet; or combinations thereof, and can utilize a variety of network protocols, both currently available and developed in the future, including, but not limited to, TCP / IP-based network protocols. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3, the network 320 includes a server 322. In some examples, the server 322 stores information about known performance products. When the product controller 108 identifies a performance product based on a signal received by one or more of the receivers 104, the product controller 108 can collect additional information and / or characteristics about the identified performance product from the server 322 via the communication module 306. Additionally or alternatively, the server 322 can collect, store, analyze, and / or communicate purchase history information of a user of the vehicle 100. In some such examples, the product controller retrieves the purchase history information from the server 322 via the communication module 306 and, based on this information, determines when the user purchased a performance product for installation on the vehicle 100.In other such examples, the server 322 identifies, based on the purchase history information, when the user purchased a performance product for the vehicle 100 and communicates characteristics of the performance product to the product control 108.

[0035] As in Fig. 3 To illustrate, the vehicle 100's ECU 106 includes a brake control module 324, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) control unit 326, a powertrain control module 328 and a suspension control module 330.

[0036] The brake control module 324 (e.g., an anti-lock braking system (ABS) module) controls the braking of the vehicle 100 to, for example, prevent the vehicle's wheels 100 from locking up (e.g., stopping rotation) and / or to prevent uncontrolled skidding during braking. In some examples, the brake control module 324 adjusts a calibration according to a front brake line locking function, a stability control setting, and / or an anti-lock brake slip threshold based on the characteristics of the tires 202, which are performance products. For example, if the tires 202, which are performance products, are winter or summer tires, the brake control module 324 serves to disable the front brake line locking function.

[0037] The TPMS control unit 326 monitors the air pressure inside a tire and triggers an alarm if the pressure falls below a predetermined threshold. In some cases, the TPMS control unit 326 adjusts a calibration according to an air pressure threshold based on the characteristics of the tires 202, which are performance products. For example, the TPMS control unit 326 is used to raise or lower the air pressure threshold based on the recommended air pressure for the tires 202, which are performance products.

[0038] The powertrain control module 328 controls the operation of the engine and transmission of a vehicle 100. For example, the powertrain control module 328 includes an engine control unit, a transmission control unit, and / or a throttle control unit. The powertrain control module 328 is used to adjust calibrations based on the spark plug 218, the tires 202, the hood 226, the spoiler 206, the fender 210, and / or any other performance product installed on the vehicle 100.

[0039] For example, the powertrain control module 328 is used to adjust engine setting calibrations based on the spark plug 218. The powertrain control module 328 is also used to adjust launch control calibrations, a speed rating for maximum speed, and / or throttle calibrations based on the characteristics of the tires 202, which include the tire 202 compound and / or architecture. Additionally or alternatively, the powertrain control module 328 is used to adjust a calibration for a ratio applied to a driveshaft rotation rate to determine vehicle speed, based on the characteristics of the tires 202, which include the tire 202 outer diameter. The powertrain control module 328 is also used to adjust an engine cooling factor calibration (e.g.,(Delay of engine heat protection mode) to adjust based on the characteristics of an airflow flowing to the engine, caused by the hood 226.

[0040] In some examples, the powertrain control module 328 is also used to adjust calibrations based on the spoiler 206 and / or the fender 210. For example, the powertrain control module 328 is used to adjust a calibration for a ratio applied to a pedal angle to determine engine throttle, based on the characteristics of the spoiler 206 and / or the fender 210, which correspond to drag caused by the spoiler 206 and / or the fender 210 (e.g., the spoiler 206 reduces drag, and the fender 210 increases drag). Additionally or alternatively, the powertrain control module 328 is used to adjust a calibration for pedal angle sensitivity based on characteristics related to tire rolling resistance, final drive ratio, trailer load, etc.Furthermore, in some examples, the powertrain control module 328 serves to adjust a speed rating for a maximum speed, a torque vectoring factor and / or an all-wheel drive torque distribution based on the characteristics of the spoiler 206 and / or the fender 210.

[0041] The suspension control module 330 controls the operation of the vehicle 100's suspension. For example, the suspension control module 330 controls the operation of the stabilizer bar 214 and / or the shock absorbers 222 and adjusts calibrations based on the characteristics of the stabilizer bar 214 and / or the shock absorbers 222. In some examples, the suspension control module 330 is used to adjust a stability control setting and / or an extended track setting based on roll stiffness to influence vehicle response and / or allowable yaw angle while the vehicle 100 is cornering (i.e., cornering).

[0042] The vehicle data bus 308 provides communication between the receivers 104, the ECU 106, the on-board computing platform 302, the infotainment main unit 304, and the communication module 306. In some examples, the vehicle data bus 308 includes one or more data buses. The vehicle data bus 308 can be implemented in accordance with a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus protocol as defined by International Standards Organization (ISO) 11898-1, a Media-Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) bus protocol, a CAN Flexible Data (CAN-FD) bus protocol (ISO 11898-7), a K-line bus protocol (ISO 9141 and ISO 14230-1), an Ethernet™ bus protocol IEEE 802.3 (from 2002 onwards), etc.

[0043] Fig. Figure 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary procedure 400 for detecting power products and calibrating electronic control modules of a vehicle according to the teachings of this document. The flowchart from Fig. 4 is representative of machine-readable instructions stored in memory (such as memory 312). Fig. 3) are stored and contain one or more programs which, when executed by a processor (such as the 310 processor from Fig. 3) cause vehicle 100 to disengage the AM control from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 to implement. While the exemplary program refers to the one in Fig. As described in the illustrated flowchart 4, many other methods can alternatively be used to implement the exemplary AM control. For example, the execution sequence of the blocks can be rearranged, changed, eliminated, and / or combined to perform procedure 400. Since procedure 400, in conjunction with the components from the Fig. Furthermore, as disclosed in Figures 1-3, some functions of these components will not be described in detail below.

[0044] Initially, product control 108 at block 402 determines whether there is time to check for power products installed on vehicle 100. For example, product control is designed to check for power products each time vehicle 100 is started. Additionally or alternatively, product control 108 is scheduled to check for power products at regular intervals (e.g., once per hour, once per day, once per week, etc.). If product control 108 determines that there is no time to check for power products, procedure 400 remains at block 402. Otherwise, if product control 108 determines that there is no time to check for power products, procedure 400 proceeds to block 404.

[0045] In block 404, the product control 108 determines whether one or more of the receivers 104 have received a signal transmitted by a converter of the power product(s). If the product control 108 determines that none of the receivers 104 have received a signal from a converter of a power product, the procedure returns to block 402. Otherwise, if the product control 108 determines that one or more of the receivers 104 have received a signal from a converter of the power product, the procedure 400 proceeds to block 406.

[0046] In block 406, product control 108 attempts to authenticate the service product(s) identified by product control 108. Before attempting to authenticate the service product(s), product control 108 receives, for example, the signal(s) from receivers 104 and identifies the service product(s) based on the received signal(s). In block 408, product control 108 determines whether it was able to authenticate one or more of the service product(s) according to the received signals. In response to product control 108 determining that none of the service product(s) were authenticated, the procedure returns to block 402.Otherwise, in response to the fact that product control 108 determines that at least one of the identified service product(s) has been authenticated, procedure 400 proceeds to block 410 when product control 108 identifies which of the service product(s) has been authenticated.

[0047] In block 410, product control 108 determines whether the performance of any of the ECUs 106 is affected by the authenticated performance product(s). If product control 108 determines that none of the ECUs 106 are affected by the performance product(s), procedure 400 teaches back to block 402. Otherwise, if product control 108 determines that one or more of the ECUs 106 are affected by the performance product(s), procedure 400 proceeds to block 412.

[0048] At block 412, the product control unit 108 identifies or selects one of the ECUs 106 that is affected by one or more of the performance product(s) installed on the vehicle 100. At block 414, the product control unit 108 checks for updated software for the selected ECU 106 and, if updated software is available, sends the updated software to the selected ECU 106 for installation. At block 416, the product control unit 108 sends a calibration instruction, and the selected ECU 106 receives it.

[0049] At block 418, the selected ECU 106 determines whether a calibration exists that needs to be adjusted based on the installation of the power product(s). For example, the selected ECU 106 identifies a calibration it controls, identifies a current calibration setting, determines a target calibration setting based on the characteristics of the power product(s), compares the current setting to the target setting, and determines whether the calibration needs to be adjusted based on the comparison. In response to the selected ECU 106 determining that the calibration needs to be adjusted, procedure 400 proceeds to block 420, where the selected ECU 106 adjusts the calibration to the target setting. At block 422, the selected ECU 106 determines whether another calibration exists that needs to be adjusted based on the power product(s).In response to the selected ECU 106 determining that further calibration is required, the procedure returns to block 420, where the selected ECU 106 adjusts the further calibration.

[0050] Otherwise, in response to the selected ECU 106 determining at block 418 or block 422 that no calibration requiring adjustment is present, the product control 108 determines whether another ECU 106 is affected by the power product(s) installed on the vehicle 100. In response to the product control 108 determining that another ECU 106 is affected, the procedure returns to block 412. Otherwise, in response to the product control 108 determining that no other ECU 106 is affected, the procedure 400 proceeds to block 426, where the display 102 and / or another output device of the vehicle 100 presents information regarding the detected power product(s) and / or the adjusted calibration(s) of the ECU 106.

[0051] In this application, the use of disjunction is intended to include conjunction. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to "the" object or "an" object is also intended to denote one from a possible multitude of such objects. Furthermore, the conjunction "or" can be used to represent features that are present simultaneously, rather than mutually exclusive alternatives. In other words, the conjunction "or" is to be understood as including "and / or." The expressions "includes," "containing," and "include" are inclusive and each have the same scope as "comprises," "comprising," and "comprise," respectively. Additionally, in this context, the terms "module" and "unit" refer to hardware with circuitry for providing communication, control, and monitoring capabilities, often in conjunction with sensors.A "module" and a "unit" can also include firmware that runs on the circuit.

[0052] The embodiments described above, and in particular any "preferred" embodiments, are possible examples and are presented only for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiment(s) described above without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the techniques described herein. Any such modifications are hereby included within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Claims

[1] Vehicle, comprising: a receiver designed to receive a wireless signal from a converter of a power product, wherein the wireless signal includes a characteristic of the power product and a product type of the power product; a product control system designed to do the following: Based on the characteristics and product type contained in the wireless signal, determine that the power product is authenticated for installation on the vehicle; Based on the characteristics of the power product, determine whether the power product affects the performance of an electronic control unit of the vehicle; and Based on determining that the power product is authenticated for installation on the vehicle, and determining that the power product affects the electronic control unit, sending a calibration instruction to the electronic control unit, which includes the characteristic, to perform a calibration of the electronic control unit; and the electronic control unit, which is designed to do the following: Receiving the calibration instructions; and Adjusting the calibration of the electronic control unit to a target setting based on the calibration instruction. [2] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a wireless short-range module or an RFID reader, and wherein the performance product includes an aftermarket product. [3] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the product control determines, on the basis of the wireless signal received by the receiver, that the product type of the performance product includes a tire. [4] Vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the electronic control unit includes a powertrain control module, the characteristic of which includes a tire size, including an outer diameter of the tire, and the calibration includes a ratio that is applied to a rotation rate of a drive shaft to determine a vehicle speed, wherein the ratio is adjusted by the powertrain control module on the basis of the outer diameter. [5] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the product control determines, on the basis of the wireless signal received by the receiver, that the product type of the performance product includes at least one spoiler and one fender. [6] Vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the electronic control unit includes a powertrain control module, the characteristic of which includes an air resistance caused by the at least one of the spoiler and the fender, and the calibration includes a speed rating for a maximum speed, wherein the speed rating is adjusted by the powertrain control module on the basis of the air resistance. [7] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the product control determines, on the basis of the wireless signal received by the receiver, that the product type of the performance product includes a hood. [8] Vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the electronic control unit includes a powertrain control module, the characteristic of which includes an airflow to an engine caused by the hood, and the calibration includes a cooling factor for the engine which is adjusted by the powertrain control module on the basis of the airflow. [9] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the product control determines, on the basis of the wireless signal received by the receiver, that the product type of the performance product includes at least one stabilizer bar and one shock absorber. [10] Vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the electronic control unit includes a suspension control module which includes a characteristic of a roll stiffness corresponding to the stabilizer bar and the shock absorber, and the calibration includes a stability control setting which is adjusted by the suspension control module on the basis of the roll stiffness. [11] Method for calibrating a vehicle, comprising: Receiving, via a receiver of the vehicle, a wireless signal from a converter of a power product, wherein the wireless signal includes a characteristic and the product type of the power product and a product type of the power product; Based on the characteristics and product type included in the wireless signal, determine that the power product is authenticated for installation on the vehicle; Based on the characteristics of the power product, determine whether the power product affects the performance of an electronic control unit. Based on determining that the power product is authenticated for installation on the vehicle, and determining that the power product affects the performance of the electronic control unit, sending a calibration instruction to the electronic control unit, which includes the characteristic, to perform a calibration of the electronic control unit; and Adjusting the calibration of the electronic control unit to a target setting based on the characteristic and product type. [12] Method according to claim 11, further comprising: Check, via a processor and before sending the calibration instruction to the electronic control unit, for updated software for the electronic control unit based on the characteristics of the performance product. [13] Method according to claim 11, further comprising: Adjusting the calibration of the electronic control unit to the target setting based on a current setting.

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