Claims:We claim:
1. A system (500) to heat a brake pad (101) of a vehicle, the system (500) comprising:
the brake pad (101) includes:
a pad back plate (101a);
a friction layer (101b);
characterized in that
a heating element (101c) provided in between the pad back plate (101a) and the friction layer (101b) to heat the brake pad (101), the heating element (101c) is coupled with a battery (300) to receive current (300a) to generate heat; and
an ambient temperature sensor (400) provided in the vehicle to determine ambient temperature (TA), the ambient temperature sensor (400) is coupled with an electronic control unit (200) to control supply of the current (300a) from the battery (300) to the heating element (101c) to heat the brake pad (101).
2. The system (500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit (200) comprises:
a brake pad heating control unit (201) coupled with a processor (202), the ambient temperature sensor (600), and the battery (300), the brake pad heating control unit (201) configured to:
receive the determined ambient temperature (TA) inputs from the ambient temperature sensor (600) when door of the vehicle is unlocked or ignition is ON; and
supply the current (300a) from the battery (300) to the heating element (101c) of the brake pad (101) when the determined ambient temperature (TA) is less than first predefined temperature (Ti).

3. The system (500) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the brake pad heating control unit (201):
determines amount of time to supply current (300a) from the battery (300) to the heating element (101c) of the brake pad (101) based on battery voltage and conductivity of the friction layer (101b).

4. The system (500) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the brake pad heating control unit (201):
supplies the current (300a), at predefined regular time interval, from the battery (300) to the heating element (101c) of the brake pad (101) until vehicle is stationary.

5. The system (500) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the brake pad heating control unit (201):
stops supply of the current (300a) from the battery (300) to the heating element (101c) of the brake pad (101) when the vehicle starts moving; and
stops receiving determined ambient temperature (TA) from the ambient temperature sensor (400).

6. A method (600) for controlling heating of a brake pad (101) of a vehicle, the method comprises:
activating (602), a brake pad heating control unit (201) of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (200), when door of the vehicle is unlocked or ignition is ON;
determining (604), by an ambient temperature sensor (400) installed in the vehicle, ambient temperature (TA); and
supplying (606) current from a battery (300) to a heating element (101c) of the brake pad (101) to heat up the brake pad (101) when determined ambient temperature (TA) is less than a first predefined temperature (Ti) and ignition is ON.

7. The method (600) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the supplying (606) comprises:
determining amount of time to supply current (300a) from the battery (300) to the heating element (101c) of the brake pad (101) based on battery voltage and conductivity of the friction layer (101b).

8. The method (600) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method (600) comprises:
supplying (608) the current (300a), at predefined regular time intervals, from the battery (300) to the heating element (101c) of the brake pad (101) until vehicle is stationary.

9. The method (600) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method (600) comprises:
deactivating (610) and stopping supply of the current (300a) from the battery (300) to the heating element (101c) of the brake pad (101) when the vehicle starts moving, and
the brake pad heating control unit (201) stops receiving determined ambient temperature (TA) from the ambient temperature sensor (400).

10. A brake pad (101) comprises:
a pad back plate (101a);
a friction layer (101b);
characterized in that
a heating element (101c) provided in between the pad back plate (101a) and the friction layer (101b) to heat the brake pad (101), the heating element (101c) is coupled with a battery (300) to receive current (300a) to generate heat.

Description:SYSTEM AND METHOD TO HEAT A BRAKE PAD OF A VEHICLE USING AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to a brake system of a vehicle, and in particular, to a method and a system for heating a brake pad to melt ice and remove moisture in between brake pad and brake disc of a vehicle to improve brake efficiency, to protect brake pad from damage, and to avoid low temperature squeal noise between the brake pad and the brake disc.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention.
[0003] In extremely cold conditions, brake pad and brake disc of a brake system stick to each other as moisture or water in between the brake pad and the brake disc tends to freeze forming ice and resulting in interlocking between the brake disc and the brake pad. This may damage brake pad and the brake disc and will also lead to abnormal braking performance.
[0004] Another technical problem is that at low temperature friction coefficient (mue) of friction layer of the brake pad changes, resultantly making brake system more prone to squeal noise.
[0005] Yet another technical problem is that small amount of moisture in brake pad accumulates during over-night standing. This moisture causes brake noise in first few application of brake in morning (till vapours get evaporated due to heat generated by braking).
[0006] Therefore, in order to overcome the limitations of the existing provisions, there is need in the art to provide for a method and a system to heat the brake pad to melt ice and to remove moisture in between the brake pad and the brake disc.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] It is therefore the object of the invention to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior systems by melting ice and removing moisture present in between brake pad and brake disc.
[0008] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a brake pad having a heating element to heat-up the brake pad.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system to measure ambient temperature and communicate the same with Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to withdraw current from the battery and supply the current to the heating element.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a method and a system to melt ice and to remove moisture in between brake pad and brake disc of brake system. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0012] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system to heat a brake pad to melt ice and remove moisture in between the brake pad and the brake disc of a vehicle. The system comprising the brake pad, an electronic control unit (ECU), an ambient temperature sensor, and a battery. The brake pad includes a pad back plate; a friction layer; and a heating element which is provided in between the pad back plate and the friction layer to heat the brake pad. The heating element is coupled with a battery to receive current to generate heat. The ambient temperature sensor is provided in the vehicle to determine real time ambient temperature (TA), the ambient temperature sensor is coupled with the electronic control unit to control supply of the current from the battery to the heating element to heat the brake pad.
[0013] In an aspect, the electronic control unit comprises a brake pad heating control unit that is coupled with a processor, the ambient temperature sensor, and the battery, the brake pad heating control unit configured to receive the determined ambient temperature (TA) inputs from the ambient temperature sensor when door of the vehicle is unlocked or ignition is ON; and supply the current from the battery to the heating element of the brake pad when the determined ambient temperature (TA) is less than first predefined temperature (Ti) and ignition is ON.
[0014] In an aspect, the brake pad heating control unit determines amount of time to supply current from the battery to the heating element of the brake pad based on the battery voltage and conductivity of the friction layer.
[0015] In an aspect, the brake pad heating control unit supplies the current, at predefined regular time intervals, from the battery to the heating element of the brake pad until vehicle is stationary.
[0016] In an aspect, the brake pad heating control unit stops supply of the current from the battery to the heating element of the brake pad when the vehicle start moving; and stops receiving determined ambient temperature (TA) from the ambient temperature sensor.
[0017] In another embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a method for controlling heating of a brake pad of a vehicle. The method comprises activating, a brake pad heating control unit of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), when door of the vehicle is unlocked or ignition is ON; determining, by an ambient temperature sensor installed in the vehicle, ambient temperature (TA); and supplying current from a battery to a heating element of the brake pad to heat up the brake pad when determined ambient temperature (TA) is less than a first predefined temperature (Ti) and ignition is ON.
[0018] In an aspect, the method step the supplying current comprises determining amount of time to supply current from the battery to the heating element of the brake pad based on the battery voltage and conductivity of the friction layer of the brake pad.
[0019] In an aspect, the method includes supplying the current, at predefined regular time intervals, from the battery to the heating element of the brake pad until vehicle is stationary.
[0020] In an aspect, the method includes deactivating and stopping supply of the current from the battery to the heating element of the brake pad when the vehicle start moving, and the brake pad heating control unit stops receiving determined ambient temperature (TA) from the ambient temperature sensor.
[0021] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
[0022] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[0023] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0025] Fig. 1 illustrates a system diagram having brake system, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), an ambient temperature sensor and a battery coupled with each other, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] Fig. 2a illustrates existing structure of brake pad of the brake system;
[0027] Fig. 2b illustrates structure of brake pad having heating element of the brake system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] Fig. 3 illustrates block diagram of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) with a brake pad heating control unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0029] Fig. 4 illustrates a method for controlling heating of the brake pad to melt ice and to remove moisture, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in a computer-readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0032] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0033] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a", “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0034] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[0035] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0037] Micro-Controller: It is a compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system. A typical microcontroller includes a processor, memory and input/output (I/O) peripherals on a single chip. Generally, microcontrollers are designed to be readily usable without additional computing components because they are designed with sufficient on board memory as well as offering pins for general I/O operations, so they can directly interface with sensors and other components.
[0038] Microprocessor: the processor is a processing unit which coupled with memory having executable instructions to process the intended functions.
[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates a system diagram 500 for melting ice and for removing moisture content present in between brake pad and brake disc of a vehicle. As shown in the figure, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) 200 is coupled with a brake system 100 and a battery 300. Further, the battery 300 is wired coupled with the brake pad 101 to supply current. Upon receiving inputs from the ECU 200, the battery 300 supplies current 300a to the brake pad 101. The ECU 200 is coupled with an ambient temperature sensor 400 to receive real time ambient temperature (TA) to control the supply of the current 300a from the battery 300 to the brake pad 101.
[0040] As shown in fig. 2a, the brake system 100 comprises a brake pad 101, a brake disc 103, and a calliper 102. The brake pad 101 is mounted inside the calliper 102 to arrest the movement of the rotating brake disc 103 to apply brake. The brake pad 101 comprises of a pad back plate and a friction layer. The friction layer is made of any of the material comprising organic asbestos, combination of metallic and non-metallic material, and ceramic material. In the present disclosure, the friction layer is made of organic asbestos. However, the friction layer is not limited to organic asbestos material as it can be made of any other known materials.
[0041] As shown in fig. 2b, the brake pad 101 comprises a pad back plate 101a and a friction layer 101b. Further, a heating element 101c is provided in between the pad back plate 101a and the friction layer 101b to heat the brake pad 101. The heating element 101c is coupled with the battery 300 which supplies current to the heating element 101c so as to generate heat.
[0042] The heating element converts electrical energy into heat energy (otherwise known as Joule heating). The electric current passing through the element encounters resistance, which produces heat. The material of the heating element can be one of a metal, a semiconductor, a polymer PTC, a ceramic, etc. The heating element must satisfy following characteristics: a) High melting point to take care of high temp while braking; b) High resistivity; c) Low temperature coefficient of resistance.
[0043] As shown in fig. 1, the ECU 200 is coupled with the brake pad 101, the ambient temperature sensor 400 and the battery 300. Referring to fig. 1, the present subject matter is implemented in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 200 of the vehicle to control heating of the brake pad 101. In another embodiment, the present subject matter can be provided as separate or standalone micro-controller to work in tandem with ECU 200. The ECU 200 comprises a processor(s) 202, an interface(s) 204, a memory 206, and processing units and data 208 as shown in fig. 3.
[0044] The processor(s) 202 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions.
[0045] Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) 202 are configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and one or more routines stored in the memory 206. The memory 206 may store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to control supply of current 300a from the batter based on inputs from the pad temperature sensor. The memory 206 may include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory, such as RAM, or non-volatile memory, such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[0046] The interface(s) 204 may include a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, various sensors, such as ambient temperature sensor 400 and the battery 300. The interface(s) 204 may facilitate communication of the ECU 200 with various devices, such as battery and sensor. The interface(s) 204 may also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the ECU 200. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, processing units, such as brake pad heating control unit 201 and data 208.
[0047] The brake pad heating control unit 201 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities. In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the brake pad heating control unit 201 may be processor-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the brake pad heating control unit 201 may include a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the brake pad heating control unit 201. In such examples, the ECU 200 may include the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to the ECU 200 and the processing resource. In other examples, the brake pad heating control unit 201 may be implemented by electronic circuitry.
[0048] Further, the data 208 may include data that is either pre-stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the components of the processing unit(s). In some aspects, the data 208 may be stored in the memory 206 in the form of various data structures. In the present subject matter, various predefined threshold values, such as predefined temperature, predefined time intervals, conductivity of friction layer can be stored in the memory. For an example, in the present subject matter, a lookup table having battery voltage range, conductivity of friction material, time period to supply current, and predefined regular time interval is stored. The lookup table is stored in the data 208 or in the memory 206. Additionally, data 208 can be organized using data models, such as relational or hierarchical data models. The data 208 may store data, including temporary data and temporary files, generated by the processing unit(s) for performing the various functions of the ECU 200.
[0049] The ambient temperature sensor 400 is coupled with the ECU 200 to send the ambient temperature (TA) inputs for further processing. In operation, when door of the vehicle is unlocked or ignition is ON, the ambient temperature sensor 400 determines the ambient temperature (TA) and sends the determined ambient temperature to the brake pad heating control unit 201 of the ECU 200. The brake pad heating control unit 201 compares the determined ambient temperature (TA) with a first predefined temperature (Ti) which is stored in the memory 206 or in the data 208. When the determined ambient temperature (TA) is less than the first predefined temperature (Ti), the brake pad heating control unit 201 gives instructions to the battery 300 to supply current 300a to the heating element 101c of the brake pad 101.
[0050] The brake pad heating control unit 201 determines time period for supply of current 300a from the battery 300 to the brake pad 101 based on the battery voltage and conductivity of the friction layer 101b. The brake pad heating control unit 201 may determine the time period based on the look up table pre-stored in the memory 206 or the data 208 having values corresponding to range of battery voltage and conductivity of the friction layer 101b of the brake pad 101.
[0051] In another embodiment, the brake pad heating control unit 201 determines the time period to supply current based on a mathematical formula which takes real time battery voltage from the battery 300 and predefined conductivity of the friction layer 101b.
[0052] The heating element converts electrical energy into heat energy (otherwise known as Joule heating). The electric current passing through the element encounters resistance, which produces heat. The material of the heating element can be one of a metal, a semiconductor, a polymer PTC, a ceramic, etc. The heating element must satisfy following characteristics: a) High melting point to take care of high temp while braking; b) High resistivity; c) Low temperature coefficient of resistance.
[0053] The heating starts increasing the temperature of brake pad material surrounding the heating element. Due to temperature difference, heat flux will start flowing from heating element surface to the exposed surface of brake pad through conduction. This will increase the overall temperature of the brake pad. The main affecting parameter will be pad and back plate thermal coefficient, surface area of heating element, outer surface area of brake pad, distance of outer surface of brake pad from heating element and real time temperature gradient. Once the temperature of the outer surface of brake pad increases, it will start melting the ice. In view of conduction process, heat loss through mating parts like brake disc contact and caliper contact can also be considered for better accuracy. Based on the above dependent parameters, time required to raise temperature from T1 to T2 can be derived through computer aided simulation. This logic will be embedded in vehicle ECU for switching off the system when temperature of the brake pad reaches the pre-defined temperature.
[0054] Once the heating is stopped, brake pad temperature will start decreasing through heat losses through convection (from open surface area) and conduction (through contact / mating surface) of other part. Based on the dependent parameters mentioned above, time required to decrease temperature from T2 to T3 can be derived through computer simulation. Based on pre-fed logic in ECU and time passed from stop of heating, re-heating cycle will be restarted automatically to avoid formation of ice again.
[0055] Exemplary calculation:
Heat produced (Q) = Voltage (V) x Current (I) x Time (t)
As per Ohm's law; V = Current (I) x Resistance at particular temp (R),
So, Q = I x R × I x t = I2Rt
For a resistance of 14 ohms, if 3.5 amp current is supplied for 60 sec
Then heat produced will be Q1 = (3.5)2 x 14 x 60= 10290 J
For a resistance of 14 ohms, if 7 amp current is supplied for 60 sec
Then heat produced will be Q2= (7)2 x 14 x 60 = 41160 J
Heat Transfer per unit time through conduction:
Q/t = (-K x A x ?T )/ y = I2R
Where,
Q= Heat transfer
K= Thermal conductivity
?T= Temp difference
T= Time
y= Thickness
A= Surface area
[0056] Above explained formula is for illustration of use of different parameters for calculation of heat produced per unit time. However, actual phenomenon will be transient state so time for heating and cooling will be calculated through computer simulation for accuracy.
[0057] After supplying the current 300a for the determined time period, the brake pad heating control unit 201 determine whether the vehicle has moved from original position. The brake pad heating control unit 201 is coupled with vehicle speed sensor or distance calculation unit to determine whether the vehicle has been moved or has start moving from the original point from where the brake pad heating control unit 201 started supplying the current. If the vehicle has started moving based on the inputs from the vehicle speed sensor or vehicle distance calculation unit, the brake pad heating control unit 201 sends instructions to the battery 300 to stop supplying current to the heating element 101c of the brake pad.
[0058] If the vehicle remains at the same position where the ignition got ON, the brake pad heating control unit 201 supplies the current based on the voltage of the battery 300 and conductivity of the friction layer 101b after a predetermined/predefined time period from previous cycle of current supply. The predefined time interval is pre-stored in memory 206 or data 208.
[0059] FIG. 4 illustrates a method 600 for melting ice and for removing moisture present in between the brake pad and the brake disc of a vehicle based on ambient temperature sensor. The order in which the method 600 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any appropriate order to carry out the method 600 or an alternative method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 600 without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein.
[0060] At step 602, the method includes activating the brake pad heating control unit 201 of the ECU 200 upon unlocking the door or ON of the ignition.
[0061] At step 604, the method includes determining, by ambient temperature sensor installed in the vehicle, ambient temperature (TA).
[0062] At step 606, the method includes supplying current 300a from the battery 300 to the heating element 101c of the brake pad 101 to heat up the brake pad 101 when the determined ambient temperature (TA) is less than a first predefined temperature (Ti) and ignition is ON or vehicle door is unlocked.
[0063] The method step 606 of current supplying includes determining amount of time to supply current 300a from the battery 300 to the heating element 101c of the brake pad 101 based on battery voltage and conductivity of the friction layer 101b.
[0064] At step 608, the method includes supplying current 300a, at predefined regular time intervals, from the battery 300 to the heating element 101c of the brake pad 101 until vehicle is stationary at original position where ignition got ON. The predefined regular time interval is pre-stored in the memory 206 or data 208.
[0065] At step 610, the method includes deactivating the brake pad heating control unit 201 and stopping supply of the current 300a from the battery 300 to the heating element 101c of the brake pad 101 when the vehicle starts moving. Once the vehicle starts moving, the brake pad heating control unit 201 gets de-activated and stops receiving determined ambient temperature (TA) from the ambient temperature sensor 400.
[0066] Technical advantages:
[0067] With the present system implemented in the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and brake pad, ice and moisture present in between the brake pad and the brake disc can be easily removed.
[0068] The present disclosure provides simple and cost effective technical solution as it utilizes the existing ambient temperature sensor.
[0069] With the present disclosure, the brake efficiency is increased.
[0070] With the present system, the brake lifetime is increased.
[0071] The heating element heats the brake pad and thus melt the ice formed between brake pad and the brake disc. This will ensure no jerk or deterioration in braking performance.
[0072] The present disclosure maintains the battery life as it discharges current based on the available voltage in the battery.
[0073] Heating of the brake pad will also ensure quick removal of water vapours from brake pad thus avoiding generation of squeal.
[0074] It should be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the discussion herein, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “receiving,” or “determining,” or “retrieving,” or “controlling,” or “comparing,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of an electronic control unit, or similar electronic device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the control unit’s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the control unit memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
[0075] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0076] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
[0077] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.