Vehicle engine control system having wireless and automatic engine start operation
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a vehicle engine, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining a predetermined start operation that is usually performed by a driver when the driver starts a parked vehicle and that is not exclusively performed for starting the vehicle engine;
verifying a code with a portable device (50) after determining the predetermined start operation; and
starting an engine automatically after successfully verifying the code.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling a vehicle engine involves determining a predetermined start operation, which is usually performed by a driver when the driver starts a parked vehicle, and that is not exclusively performed for starting the vehicle engine, verifying a code with a portable device after determining the predetermined start operation, and starting an engine automatically after successfully verifying the code. An engine control device has a start determining means for determining a predetermined start operation, which is usually performed by a driver when the driver starts a parked vehicle, and that is not exclusively performed for starting a vehicle engine, a verifying means for verifying a code with a portable device after determining the predetermined start operation, and a starting means for controlling an automatic engine start after successfully verifying the code.
51 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a vehicle engine, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a predetermined start operation that is usually performed by a driver when the driver starts a parked vehicle and that is not exclusively performed for starting the vehicle engine;
verifying a code with a portable device (50) after determining the predetermined start operation; and
starting an engine automatically after successfully verifying the code.
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2. An engine control device for a vehicle, the engine control device comprising:
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a start determining means for determining a predetermined start operation that is usually performed by a driver when the driver starts a parked vehicle and that is not exclusively performed for starting a vehicle engine;
a verifying means for verifying a code with a portable device after determining the predetermined start operation; and
a starting means for controlling an automatic engine start after successfully verifying the code. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 11)
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7. A method of controlling an engine of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a predetermined stop operation, which is usually performed by a driver when the driver parks the vehicle by stopping the engine of the vehicle, and that is not exclusively performed to stop the engine of the vehicle; and
stopping the engine automatically after determining the predetermined stop.
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8. An engine control device for an engine of a vehicle, the device comprising:
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a stop determining means for determining a predetermined stop operation, which is usually performed by a driver when the driver leaves a parked vehicle by stopping an engine of the vehicle, and that is not exclusively performed for stopping the engine of the vehicle; and
a stopping means for controlling an automatic engine stop after determining the predetermined stop operation. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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12. An ignition switching device for a vehicle, the device comprising:
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a rotary switch capable of invoking one of a first, second, third and fourth settings; and
a manipulating knob which is used by an operator to directly manipulate to choose one of the settings of the rotary switch, wherein, at the first setting, power is not supplied from a vehicle battery, wherein, at the second setting, power is supplied from the vehicle battery, wherein, at the third setting, engine starting occurs, wherein, at the fourth setting, automatic engine starting occurs by successful verification of a code with a portable device after determination of a predetermined start operation which is conducted by a driver until the driver starts to operate a parked vehicle and which is not exclusively operated for starting the engine of the vehicle, and wherein the second setting is positioned next to the first setting in a first rotative direction, the third setting is positioned next to the second setting in the first rotative direction, and the fourth setting is positioned next to the first setting in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. An engine control system for a vehicle, wherein the system includes an engine control device for a vehicle and a portable device, the system comprising:
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a start determining means for determining a predetermined start operation which is usually performed by a user when the user begins to operate a parked vehicle and which is not exclusively performed for starting an engine of the vehicle;
a verifying means for verifying a code between the engine control device and the portable device after determining the predetermined start operation;
a starting means for controlling an automatic engine start after successfully verifying the code;
a mode accepting means for accepting, from the user, a mode state of setting to, or releasing from, an automatic mode which allows automatic engine starting by the starting means, wherein, only during setting to the automatic mode, the starting means executes to control the automatic engine start; and
an informing means for informing the user of the mode state accepted by the mode accepting means, wherein the start determining, verifying and starting means are installed in the engine control device, wherein the mode accepting means is installed in at least one of the engine control device and the portable device, and wherein the informing means is installed in at least one of the engine control device and the portable device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A portable device, along with an engine control device, included in an engine control system for a vehicle, wherein the system includes:
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a start determining means for determining a predetermined start operation, which is usually performed by a user when the user starts a parked vehicle and which is not exclusively performed to start an engine of the vehicle;
a verifying means for verifying a code between the engine control device and the portable device after determining the predetermined start operation;
a starting means for controlling an automatic engine start after successfully verifying the code; and
a mode accepting means for accepting, from the user, a mode state of setting to or releasing from an automatic mode which allows automatic engine starting by the starting means, wherein only during setting to the automatic mode, the starting means executes control of the automatic engine start, wherein the start determining, verifying and starting means are installed in the engine control device, and wherein the mode accepting means is installed in at least one of the engine control device and the portable device, the portable device further comprising;
an informing means for informing the user of the mode state accepted by the mode accepting means.
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Specification