U.S. patent application number 16/706993 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-10 for exhaust brake torque systems.
The applicant listed for this patent is GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC. Invention is credited to Maqsood Rizwan ALI KHAN, Mark R. CLAYWELL.
Application Number | 20210171007 16/706993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005608795 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210171007 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ALI KHAN; Maqsood Rizwan ;
et al. |
June 10, 2021 |
Exhaust Brake Torque Systems
Abstract
An exhaust brake torque system for a vehicle including an engine
includes a controller configured to determine a current exhaust
brake torque and a maximum exhaust brake torque. A display is
configured to display at least one of the current exhaust brake
torque, the maximum exhaust brake torque and a percentage
corresponding to the current exhaust brake torque divided by the
maximum exhaust brake torque. An engine speed sensor determines an
engine speed of an engine. A pressure sensor is configured to sense
turbine inlet pressure. The controller is configured to calculate
the current exhaust brake torque and the maximum exhaust brake
torque in response to the engine speed and the turbine inlet
pressure.
Inventors: |
ALI KHAN; Maqsood Rizwan;
(Troy, MI) ; CLAYWELL; Mark R.; (Birmingham,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005608795 |
Appl. No.: |
16/706993 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60W 2050/146 20130101;
B60W 10/198 20130101; B60W 2510/0633 20130101; B60W 40/12
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60W 10/198 20060101
B60W010/198; B60W 40/12 20060101 B60W040/12 |
Claims
1. An exhaust brake torque system for a vehicle including an
engine, comprising: a controller configured to determine a current
exhaust brake torque and a maximum exhaust brake torque; and a
display configured to display at least one of the current exhaust
brake torque, the maximum exhaust brake torque and a percentage
corresponding to the current exhaust brake torque divided by the
maximum exhaust brake torque, wherein the controller is further
configured to receive an exhaust brake torque setpoint and to
selectively apply mechanical brakes of the vehicle in response to
the current exhaust brake torque exceeding the exhaust brake torque
setpoint.
2. The exhaust brake torque system of claim 1, further comprising:
an engine speed sensor to determine an engine speed of an engine,
wherein the controller is configured to calculate the current
exhaust brake torque and the maximum exhaust brake torque in
response to the engine speed.
3. The exhaust brake torque system of claim 1, further comprising:
a pressure sensor configured to sense turbine inlet pressure,
wherein the controller is configured to calculate the current
exhaust brake torque and the maximum exhaust brake torque in
response to the turbine inlet pressure.
4. The exhaust brake torque system of claim 1, further comprising:
a pressure sensor configured to sense turbine inlet pressure; and
an engine speed sensor to determine an engine speed of an engine,
wherein the controller is configured to calculate the current
exhaust brake torque and the maximum exhaust brake torque in
response to the turbine inlet pressure and the engine speed.
5. The exhaust brake torque system of claim 1, further comprising:
an engine speed sensor to determine an engine speed of an engine,
wherein the controller further comprises a lookup table, and
wherein the controller is configured to determine the current
exhaust brake torque and the maximum exhaust brake torque by
indexing the lookup table using the engine speed.
6. The exhaust brake torque system of claim 1, further comprising:
a pressure sensor to determine a turbine inlet pressure, wherein
the controller further comprises a lookup table, and wherein the
controller is configured to determine the current exhaust brake
torque and the maximum exhaust brake torque by indexing the lookup
table using the turbine inlet pressure.
7. (canceled)
8. The exhaust brake torque system of claim 1, wherein the
controller is further configured to selectively release the
mechanical brakes of the vehicle in response to the current exhaust
brake torque exceeding the exhaust brake torque setpoint minus a
predetermined exhaust brake torque delta.
9. The exhaust brake torque system of claim 1, wherein the
controller is further configured to control a vehicle speed of the
vehicle to a vehicle speed setpoint of a cruise control system
using exhaust brake torque of the exhaust brake torque system and
mechanical brakes of the vehicle.
10. The exhaust brake torque system of claim 9, wherein the
controller is further configured to: receive an exhaust brake
torque setpoint; and when the vehicle speed is greater than the
vehicle speed setpoint, selectively apply the mechanical brakes of
the vehicle in response to the current exhaust brake torque
exceeding the exhaust brake torque setpoint.
11. The exhaust brake torque system of claim 10, wherein the
controller is further configured to selectively release the
mechanical brakes of the vehicle in response to the current exhaust
brake torque exceeding the exhaust brake torque setpoint minus a
predetermined exhaust brake torque delta.
12. A method comprising: determining a current exhaust brake torque
and a maximum exhaust brake torque; displaying at least one of the
current exhaust brake torque, the maximum exhaust brake torque and
a percentage corresponding to the current exhaust brake torque
divided by the maximum exhaust brake torque; receiving an exhaust
brake torque setpoint; and selectively applying mechanical brakes
of a vehicle in response to the current exhaust brake torque
exceeding the exhaust brake torque setpoint.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining at
least one of an engine speed of an engine and a turbine inlet
pressure; and calculating the current exhaust brake torque and the
maximum exhaust brake torque in response to the at least one of the
engine speed and the turbine inlet pressure.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining at
least one of an engine speed of an engine and a turbine inlet
pressure; and determining the current exhaust brake torque and the
maximum exhaust brake torque by indexing a lookup table using the
at least one of the engine speed and the turbine inlet
pressure.
15. (canceled)
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising selectively
releasing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle in response to the
current exhaust brake torque exceeding the exhaust brake torque
setpoint minus a predetermined exhaust brake torque delta.
17. The method of claim 12, further comprising controlling a
vehicle speed of the vehicle to a vehicle speed setpoint of a
cruise control system using exhaust brake torque of an exhaust
brake torque system and mechanical brakes of the vehicle.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving an
exhaust brake torque setpoint; and when the vehicle speed is
greater than the vehicle speed setpoint, selectively applying the
mechanical brakes of the vehicle in response to the current exhaust
brake torque exceeding the exhaust brake torque setpoint.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising selectively
releasing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle in response to the
current exhaust brake torque exceeding the exhaust brake torque
setpoint minus a predetermined exhaust brake torque delta.
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] The information provided in this section is for the purpose
of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the
presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this
section, as well as aspects of the description that may not
otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither
expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present
disclosure.
[0002] The present disclosure relates to exhaust brake torque
systems.
[0003] Exhaust brake torque systems can be used to slow vehicles.
For example, exhaust brake torque may be used to slow vehicles or
trucks including diesel engines. The exhaust brake torque systems
restrict an exhaust path of the diesel engine causing compression
of exhaust gases in the exhaust manifold and cylinders of the
diesel engine. When the exhaust is being compressed and no fuel is
supplied to the cylinders, the engine can be used to slow the
vehicle down. The amount of negative torque that is generated is
related to the back pressure of the engine.
[0004] The exhaust brake torque systems include a flow control
device that selectively restricts the exhaust system to create the
exhaust back pressure, which retards engine speed. The flow control
device removes the restriction in the exhaust system when engine
braking is disabled.
[0005] The exhaust brake torque system can be used for supplemental
braking. For example, the exhaust brake torque can be used to slow
a loaded vehicle on a moderate downgrade without the need to apply
mechanical brakes. However, higher loads and/or higher downgrades
may also require mechanical braking.
SUMMARY
[0006] An exhaust brake torque system for a vehicle including an
engine includes a controller configured to determine a current
exhaust brake torque and a maximum exhaust brake torque. A display
is configured to display at least one of the current exhaust brake
torque, the maximum exhaust brake torque and a percentage
corresponding to the current exhaust brake torque divided by the
maximum exhaust brake torque.
[0007] In other features, an engine speed sensor determines an
engine speed of an engine. The controller is configured to
calculate the current exhaust brake torque and the maximum exhaust
brake torque in response to the engine speed. A pressure sensor is
configured to sense turbine inlet pressure. The controller is
configured to calculate the current exhaust brake torque and the
maximum exhaust brake torque in response to the turbine inlet
pressure.
[0008] In other features, a pressure sensor is configured to sense
turbine inlet pressure. An engine speed sensor determines an engine
speed of an engine. The controller is configured to calculate the
current exhaust brake torque and the maximum exhaust brake torque
in response to the turbine inlet pressure and the engine speed.
[0009] In other features, an engine speed sensor determines an
engine speed of an engine.
[0010] The controller further comprises a lookup table. The
controller is configured to determine the current exhaust brake
torque and the maximum exhaust brake torque by indexing the lookup
table using the engine speed.
[0011] In other features, a pressure sensor determines a turbine
inlet pressure. The controller further comprises a lookup table.
The controller is configured to determine the current exhaust brake
torque and the maximum exhaust brake torque by indexing the lookup
table using the turbine inlet pressure.
[0012] In other features, the controller is further configured to
receive an exhaust brake torque setpoint and to selectively apply
mechanical brakes of the vehicle in response to the current exhaust
brake torque exceeding the exhaust brake torque setpoint. The
controller is further configured to selectively release the
mechanical brakes of the vehicle in response to the current exhaust
brake torque exceeding the exhaust brake torque setpoint minus a
predetermined exhaust brake torque delta.
[0013] In other features, the controller is further configured to
control a vehicle speed of the vehicle to a vehicle speed setpoint
of a cruise control system using exhaust brake torque of the
exhaust brake torque system and mechanical brakes of the vehicle.
The controller is further configured to receive an exhaust brake
torque setpoint and when the vehicle speed is greater than the
vehicle speed setpoint, selectively apply the mechanical brakes of
the vehicle in response to the current exhaust brake torque
exceeding the exhaust brake torque setpoint.
[0014] In other features, the controller is further configured to
selectively release the mechanical brakes of the vehicle in
response to the current exhaust brake torque exceeding the exhaust
brake torque setpoint minus a predetermined exhaust brake torque
delta.
[0015] A method includes determining a current exhaust brake torque
and a maximum exhaust brake torque. The method includes displaying
at least one of the current exhaust brake torque, the maximum
exhaust brake torque and a percentage corresponding to the current
exhaust brake torque divided by the maximum exhaust brake
torque.
[0016] In other features, the method includes determining at least
one of an engine speed of an engine and a turbine inlet pressure
and calculating the current exhaust brake torque and the maximum
exhaust brake torque in response to the at least one of the engine
speed and the turbine inlet pressure. The method includes
determining at least one of an engine speed of an engine and a
turbine inlet pressure and determining the current exhaust brake
torque and the maximum exhaust brake torque by indexing a lookup
table using the at least one of the engine speed and the turbine
inlet pressure.
[0017] In other features, the method includes receiving an exhaust
brake torque setpoint and selectively applying mechanical brakes of
the vehicle in response to the current exhaust brake torque
exceeding the exhaust brake torque setpoint. The method includes
selectively releasing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle in
response to the current exhaust brake torque exceeding the exhaust
brake torque setpoint minus a predetermined exhaust brake torque
delta.
[0018] In other features, the method includes controlling a vehicle
speed of the vehicle to a vehicle speed setpoint of a cruise
control system using exhaust brake torque of the exhaust brake
torque system and mechanical brakes of the vehicle. The method
includes receiving an exhaust brake torque setpoint, and when the
vehicle speed is greater than the vehicle speed setpoint,
selectively applying the mechanical brakes of the vehicle in
response to the current exhaust brake torque exceeding the exhaust
brake torque setpoint. The method includes selectively releasing
the mechanical brakes of the vehicle in response to the current
exhaust brake torque exceeding the exhaust brake torque setpoint
minus a predetermined exhaust brake torque delta.
[0019] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims and
the drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are
intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to
limit the scope of the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The present disclosure will become more fully understood
from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example of an
engine control system and an exhaust brake torque control system
for a vehicle according to the present disclosure;
[0022] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of exhaust brake torque
displays according to the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example of a method for
displaying exhaust brake torque according to the present
disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 4 is functional block diagram of an example of a method
for setting an exhaust brake torque value and selectively
modulating mechanical brakes according to the present
disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating an example of exhaust brake
torque percentage as a function of time when the vehicle is
travelling on a downhill grade according to the present disclosure;
and
[0026] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of a cruise control
system using a combination of exhaust brake torque and mechanical
brakes to maintain vehicle speed on a downhill grade according to
the present disclosure.
[0027] In the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to identify
similar and/or identical elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for
calculating, monitoring, displaying, controlling vehicle speed
and/or otherwise using exhaust brake torque. The systems and
methods calculate and display exhaust brake torque to alert an
operator of a vehicle and to allow manual and/or automatic
mechanical braking. In some examples, the exhaust brake torque
display outputs data only when the operator engages the exhaust
brake torque system.
[0029] In some examples, the exhaust brake torque calculation is
based on a formula, function, lookup table and combinations
thereof. For example, exhaust brake torque can be calculated as a
function of engine RPM and/or turbine inlet pressure. In other
examples, the exhaust brake torque for the engine can be stored in
a lookup table developed during calibration of the engine. The
exhaust brake torque display outputs current, maximum exhaust brake
torque and/or a percentage of maximum available exhaust brake
torque.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1, an engine control system 100 is
shown. The engine control system includes an engine 110 having a
plurality of cylinders 114. An exhaust manifold 118 receives
exhaust gas output by the cylinders. In some examples, a flow
restriction can be introduced by a turbocharger 122 such as a
variable geometry turbo (VGT). The turbocharger 122 uses the
exhaust gases to spin a turbine in the turbocharger 122. The
turbocharger 122 pressurizes intake air which is supplied to an
intake and throttle assembly 124. As can be appreciated, the
turbocharger 122 may include variable vanes 123 that can be used to
selectively create and/or remove a flow restriction. While a system
including a VGT is shown, other methods for introducing a flow
restriction in the exhaust system are contemplated.
[0031] In some examples, a pressure sensor 128 senses pressure at a
turbine inlet of the turbocharger 122. The measured pressure value
is indicative of exhaust back pressure and exhaust brake torque. In
some examples, an engine speed sensor 134 such as a crankshaft
sensor senses an engine speed (e.g. in revolutions per minute
(rpm)) of the engine 110.
[0032] A controller 138 receives an output of the engine speed
sensor 134 and/or the pressure sensor 128. In some examples, the
controller 138 includes an exhaust brake torque module 142 that
estimates exhaust brake torque based upon the engine speed and/or
the turbine inlet pressure. In some examples, the exhaust brake
torque module 142 includes one or more formulas, functions, lookup
tables and/or models that allow the exhaust brake torque to be
determined based upon the engine speed and/or the turbine inlet
pressure. An example of a model or set of formulas for calculating
the exhaust brake torque can be found in commonly-assigned U.S.
Pat. No. 9,175,617, filed on Aug. 8, 2013 and entitled "System and
Method for Controlling Exhaust Braking in a Vehicle", which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0033] In some examples, the controller 138 includes an exhaust
brake torque lookup table (LUT) 144 storing exhaust brake torque
values indexed by the engine speed, the turbine inlet pressure,
and/or another vehicle parameter. In some examples, values in the
exhaust brake torque LUT 144 can be determined during engine
development and/or calibration.
[0034] The engine control system 100 further includes a cruise
control system 148 including a user input device (not shown) to
allow a user to enable and disable the cruise control system 148,
to set a cruise control speed setpoint and/or to increase, decrease
or cancel the speed setpoint.
[0035] An exhaust brake torque display 154 provides a visual
indication of the current exhaust brake torque as a function of the
maximum exhaust brake torque for the vehicle. In some examples, the
exhaust brake torque display 154 shows a percentage of the maximum
exhaust brake torque for the vehicle. In other examples, the
display shows a current value of the exhaust brake torque and the
maximum exhaust brake torque for the vehicle. An exhaust brake
torque input device 158 includes one or more switches, knobs,
touchpads, and/or other devices to allow an operator to enable or
disable exhaust brake torque. In some examples, the exhaust brake
torque input device 158 also allows an operator to enter an exhaust
brake torque setpoint (value or percentage of maximum exhaust brake
torque). In some examples, the controller 138 selectively actuates
mechanical brakes 160 as will be described further below.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, examples of the exhaust
brake torque display are shown. The exhaust brake torque display
154 can be arranged on the instrument panel 220, as part of a
heads-up display, or at another location visible to the operator of
the vehicle. In FIG. 2A, the exhaust brake torque display 154
includes a scale 218 defining a range of exhaust brake torque
values or percentages. The exhaust brake torque display 214
includes a needle or other indicator 224 that identifies the
current exhaust brake torque value or percentage. In FIG. 2B, the
exhaust brake torque display 154 outputs a current exhaust brake
torque value and/or a maximum exhaust brake torque value.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 3, a method 300 for displaying exhaust
brake torque is shown. At 310, the engine speed, engine load,
and/or pressure (e.g. turbine inlet pressure) are monitored. At
314, the method determines whether the exhaust is in an engine
braking mode. If 314 is true, the method continues at 318 and
determines the current exhaust brake torque. At 322, the method
determines whether the absolute exhaust brake torque is to be
displayed. If 322 is true, the exhaust brake torque value and/or
the maximum exhaust brake torque are displayed at 326. If 322 is
false, the exhaust brake torque is displayed as a percentage of the
total available exhaust brake torque at 330.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 4, a method 400 for setting an exhaust
brake torque value and modulating the mechanical brakes is shown.
In some examples, the operator of the vehicle may set a
predetermined exhaust brake torque (value or percentage). The
mechanical brakes are periodically applied when the exhaust brake
torque exceeds the predetermined exhaust brake torque and released
when the exhaust brake torque falls below a second exhaust brake
torque value. In some examples, the operator of the vehicle can use
this approach to control speed on downhill grades using exhaust
brake torque and the mechanical brakes without exceeding the
desired exhaust brake torque level and without overheating the
mechanical brakes (by applying them for an extended period).
[0039] At 410, the method determines whether the vehicle is in
exhaust brake mode. If 410 is false, the method returns to 410. If
410 is true, the method determines at 414 whether the exhaust brake
torque is greater than a predetermined exhaust brake torque
setpoint T.sub.setpoint. If 414 is false, the method returns to
410. If 414 is true, the method applies the mechanical brakes at
418. At 422, the method determines whether the exhaust brake torque
is greater than T.sub.setpoint minus a predetermined exhaust brake
torque delta value (.DELTA.). If 422 is true, the method returns to
410. If 422 is false, the method returns to 418.
[0040] As can be appreciated, a combination of mechanical braking
and exhaust brake torque can be used to slow the vehicle during a
descent on a downhill grade without overheating the mechanical
brakes or exceeding the maximum brake torque of the engine. By
modulating the mechanical brakes on and off, a particular exhaust
brake torque setpoint can be maintained. As a result, vehicle speed
may also be maintained in a predetermined range.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 5, an example of the exhaust brake
torque percentage is shown as a function of time. When the exhaust
brake torque system is turned on, the vehicle is initially slowed
by the exhaust brake torque. If the vehicle is loaded and/or on a
steep grade, the exhaust brake torque may be insufficient to slow
the vehicle and may continue to increase until a predetermined
exhaust brake torque percentage or value is reached. When the
predetermined exhaust brake torque percentage or value is reached,
the mechanical brakes are applied by the controller in addition to
the exhaust brake torque to further slow the vehicle until
T.sub.setpoint-.DELTA. is reached. Then, the mechanical brakes are
released (until the exhaust brake torque is greater than
T.sub.setpoint and then the process is repeated).
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 6, a method 500 uses a combination of
exhaust brake torque and mechanical brakes to maintain vehicle
speed on a downhill grade using a cruise control system. At 510,
the method determines whether the cruise control system and the
exhaust brake torque system are both on. If 510 is true, method
continues at 514 and determines whether the current vehicle speed
(V.sub.current) is greater than a vehicle speed setpoint
(V.sub.setpoint). If 514 is true, method determines whether the
throttle is closed at 518. At 520, the method applies exhaust brake
torque to slow the vehicle. At 522, the method determines whether
the exhaust brake torque is greater than a predetermined exhaust
brake torque setting T.sub.setpoint.
[0043] If 522 is true, the method continues at 524 and applies the
mechanical brakes. At 528, the method determines whether the
exhaust brake torque is greater than T.sub.setpoint minus a
predetermined exhaust brake torque value (.DELTA.). If 528 is true,
the method releases the mechanical brakes at 532. If 528 is false,
the method returns to 510.
[0044] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature
and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application,
or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented
in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes
particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be
so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a
study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.
It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may
be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering
the principles of the present disclosure. Further, although each of
the embodiments is described above as having certain features, any
one or more of those features described with respect to any
embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented in and/or combined
with features of any of the other embodiments, even if that
combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the
described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations
of one or more embodiments with one another remain within the scope
of this disclosure.
[0045] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for
example, between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers,
etc.) are described using various terms, including "connected,"
"engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on top of," "above,"
"below," and "disposed." Unless explicitly described as being
"direct," when a relationship between first and second elements is
described in the above disclosure, that relationship can be a
direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present
between the first and second elements, but can also be an indirect
relationship where one or more intervening elements are present
(either spatially or functionally) between the first and second
elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C
should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a
non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean "at
least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."
[0046] In the figures, the direction of an arrow, as indicated by
the arrowhead, generally demonstrates the flow of information (such
as data or instructions) that is of interest to the illustration.
For example, when element A and element B exchange a variety of
information but information transmitted from element A to element B
is relevant to the illustration, the arrow may point from element A
to element B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no
other information is transmitted from element B to element A.
Further, for information sent from element A to element B, element
B may send requests for, or receipt acknowledgements of, the
information to element A.
[0047] In this application, including the definitions below, the
term "module" or the term "controller" may be replaced with the
term "circuit." The term "module" may refer to, be part of, or
include: an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); a
digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital discrete circuit; a
digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital integrated circuit; a
combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array
(FPGA); a processor circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that
executes code; a memory circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that
stores code executed by the processor circuit; other suitable
hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a
combination of some or all of the above, such as in a
system-on-chip.
[0048] The module may include one or more interface circuits. In
some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless
interfaces that are connected to a local area network (LAN), the
Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or combinations thereof. The
functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be
distributed among multiple modules that are connected via interface
circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow load balancing.
In a further example, a server (also known as remote, or cloud)
module may accomplish some functionality on behalf of a client
module.
[0049] The term code, as used above, may include software,
firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines,
functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. The term
shared processor circuit encompasses a single processor circuit
that executes some or all code from multiple modules. The term
group processor circuit encompasses a processor circuit that, in
combination with additional processor circuits, executes some or
all code from one or more modules. References to multiple processor
circuits encompass multiple processor circuits on discrete dies,
multiple processor circuits on a single die, multiple cores of a
single processor circuit, multiple threads of a single processor
circuit, or a combination of the above. The term shared memory
circuit encompasses a single memory circuit that stores some or all
code from multiple modules. The term group memory circuit
encompasses a memory circuit that, in combination with additional
memories, stores some or all code from one or more modules.
[0050] The term memory circuit is a subset of the term
computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as
used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or
electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a
carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium may therefore be
considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a
non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium are nonvolatile
memory circuits (such as a flash memory circuit, an erasable
programmable read-only memory circuit, or a mask read-only memory
circuit), volatile memory circuits (such as a static random access
memory circuit or a dynamic random access memory circuit), magnetic
storage media (such as an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard
disk drive), and optical storage media (such as a CD, a DVD, or a
Blu-ray Disc).
[0051] The apparatuses and methods described in this application
may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer
created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or
more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The
functional blocks, flowchart components, and other elements
described above serve as software specifications, which can be
translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a
skilled technician or programmer.
[0052] The computer programs include processor-executable
instructions that are stored on at least one non-transitory,
tangible computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also
include or rely on stored data. The computer programs may encompass
a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardware of
the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with
particular devices of the special purpose computer, one or more
operating systems, user applications, background services,
background applications, etc.
[0053] The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to
be parsed, such as HTML (hypertext markup language), XML
(extensible markup language), or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
(ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by
a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter, (v)
source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time
compiler, etc. As examples only, source code may be written using
syntax from languages including C, C++, C #, Objective-C, Swift,
Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java.RTM., Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl,
OCaml, Javascript.RTM., HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language 5th
revision), Ada, ASP (Active Server Pages), PHP (PHP: Hypertext
Preprocessor), Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Flash.RTM.,
Visual Basic.RTM., Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK, and Python.RTM..
* * * * *