http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7313474-fulltext.html
http://www.google.com/patents?id=2CyBAAAAEBAJ
http://www.google.com/patents?id=9EyhAAAAEBAJ
I found this line particularly amusing :
Could they be much further from the mark? The common ground system used pretty much ensures that noise is a big issue for many users. Voltage drops forced onto signal lines by current drawn along them by power components cause extraneous readings to be par for the course. Exemplary grounding can render this a non issue, however the gauge of wire required is significantly increased because of this single ground single power scheme. See the hardware design wish list for some discussion on how to address these severe issues and limitations.Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an EFI system with reduced susceptibility to electronic noise.
It's important to realise something about patents :
http://techdirt.com/articles/20060626/1227245.shtmlThe patent act makes it clear that patents are only supposed to be awarded on ideas that are non-obvious to those who are considered skilled in the field.
Basically that patent (and it's predecessor) are similar to patenting the wheel of a car for being round or a mouse on a computer for being able to move a cursor. It would get thrown out of court so fast it just isn't funny.
The only thing I can see in there which is even remotely out of the norm of published work on EFI is sampling the MAP sensor synchronously. I would definitely argue that this is obvious to someone skilled in the field. In fact, I would argue that this is obvious to someone not overly skilled in the field such as myself. It is very well known that air has inertia and that engines suck it in pulses, due to common sampling frequency properties, you will get excess noise in your signal if you are not in phase with it. Further more, even if you are in phase, you will get different amplitudes depending on where in the phase you are. Common knowledge to any engine enthusiast if you ask me. I'm certain the courts would agree.
Worth a laugh to read anyway :-)
Thank you for the link.
Fred.