VEHICLE CONTROLLER FOR STRADDLE TYPE VEHICLE

• US 20060261675A1
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: Unno, Hitoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,528,501 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/306 Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02153 comprising a locking member radially and linearly moved towards the steering column
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02156 comprising a locking member axially moved along the steering column

Abstract

The vehicle controller is provided with a portable transmitting device and an authentication system that receives and authenticates the signal. If the authentication is successful, power is supplied from a control unit to a steering lock and an encrypted signal is communicated between the control unit and the steering lock. If the encrypted signal is successfully authenticated, the steering lock is unlocked.

Claims

1. A vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle comprising:

a control unit in communication with a steering lock mechanism;

a power supply electrically connected to said control unit and said steering lock mechanism;

a portable transmitting device adapted to transmit a first signal;

said control unit comprising a receiver adapted to receive said first signal and an authentication system adapted to authenticate said first signal, wherein if said first signal is authenticated then power is supplied from said control unit to said steering lock mechanism and an encrypted signal is transmitted from said steering lock to said control unit, and if said encrypted signal is authenticated then an unlocking mechanism of said steering lock unit is actuated to unlock said steering lock.

2. The vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle controller also comprises a vehicle activation switch and said portable device is adapted to transmit said first signal upon receiving a request signal transmitted from the vehicle through operation of said activating switch.

3. The vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking mechanism comprises an actuator.

4. A method of securing a vehicle with a vehicle controller, the method comprising providing a portable transmitter adapted to transmit a code signal, receiving the code signal with a receiver, authenticating the received code signal, supplying power to a steering lock mechanism if said code signal is properly authenticated, transmitting an encrypted signal to said vehicle controller upon power supply to said steering lock mechanism, authenticating said encrypted signal and unlocking said steering lock mechanism if said encrypted signal is properly authenticated.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said portable transmitter transmits said code only after being polled.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said portable transmitter is polled by a signal transmitted by said vehicle controller.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein unlocking said steering mechanism is automatically performed by said vehicle controller.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein unlocking said steering mechanism comprises a manual user operation.