Apparatus for and method of performing start preparation for vehicular engine

• US 20070073469A1
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Watanabe, Satoru
• Granted Patent: US 7,620,491 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/113
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/062 for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/08 Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/04 by heating of fluids used in engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/2006 using prediction of future conditions

Abstract

Person authentication for determining if there is a specified driver is performed by biometrics or the like. Then when authenticated that there is a previously registered driver, it is predicted that the engine will be started, and prior to the driver operating the ignition key, operation of a fuel pump, or a heater fitted to an engine fuel injection valve, is commenced. Thereafter when the ignition key is operated by the driver, control shifts to normal control.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing start preparation for a vehicular engine, comprising at least:

a first section for performing person authentication; and

a second section for performing start preparation for the engine, when a specified person is authenticated by the section for performing person authentication.

2. An apparatus for performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 1 wherein,

the engine is provided with an electric heater, and

the second section for performing start preparation commences electric power supply to the electric heater prior to starting the engine.

3. An apparatus for performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 1 wherein,

the engine is provided with an electric pump, and

the second section for performing start preparation allows the electric pump to start operation thereof prior to starting the engine.

4. An apparatus for performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 1 wherein,

the first section for performing person authentication performs person authentication based on a driving license.

5. An apparatus for performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a third section for stopping operation of the second section for performing start preparation, when an operating time of the second section exceeds a threshold value.

6. An apparatus for performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fourth section for permitting starting of the engine, when a specified person is authenticated by the first section for performing person authentication.

7. An apparatus for performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fifth section for detecting a movable body in the vicinity of a vehicle; and

a sixth section for supplying electric power to the first section for performing person authentication and the second section for performing start preparation, when the movable body in the vicinity of the vehicle is detected.

8. An apparatus for performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 7, further comprising:

a seventh section for measuring a time from after supplying electric power to the first section for performing person authentication and the second section for performing start preparation; and

an eighth section for cutting off power supply to the first section for performing person authentication and the second section for performing start preparation, when the time exceeds a threshold value.

9. An apparatus for performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a ninth section for detecting a movable body in the vicinity of a vehicle;

a tenth section for outputting a warning, when the movable body is detected;

an eleventh section for canceling operation of the tenth section for outputting a warning; and

a twelfth section for supplying electric power to the first section for performing person authentication and the second section for performing start preparation, when operation of the tenth section for outputting a warning is cancelled.

10. An apparatus for performing start preparation for a vehicular engine, comprising:

means for performing person authentication; and

means for performing start preparation for the engine, when a specified person is authenticated by the means for performing person authentication.

11. A method of performing start preparation for a vehicular engine, comprising the steps of:

performing person authentication, and

performing start preparation for the engine, when a specified person is authenticated.

12. A method of performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 11 wherein,

the step of performing start preparation comprises the following step of:

commencing electric power supply to an electric heater provided in the engine prior to starting the engine.

13. A method of performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 11 wherein,

the step of performing start preparation comprises the following step of:

commencing electric power supply to an electric pump provided in the engine prior to starting the engine.

14. A method of performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 11 wherein,

the step of performing person authentication comprises the following steps of:

reading information of a driving license; and

performing person authentication based on the read information.

15. A method of performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

measuring a time while the start preparation is executed;

determining whether or not the time exceeds a threshold value; and

stopping execution of the start preparation, when the time exceeds a threshold value.

16. A method of performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 11, further comprising the step of:

permitting starting of the engine, when the specified person is authenticated.

17. A method of performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 11, further comprising the following steps of:

detecting a movable body in the vicinity of a vehicle; and

permitting execution of the person authentication and execution of the start preparation, when the movable body is detected in the vicinity of the vehicle.

18. A method of performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 17, further comprising the following steps of:

measuring a time from after permitting execution of the person authentication and execution of the start preparation; and

canceling execution of the person authentication and execution of the start preparation, when the time exceeds a threshold value.

19. A method of performing start preparation for a vehicular engine according to claim 11, further comprising the following steps of:

detecting a movable body in the vicinity of a vehicle;

outputting a warning, when the movable body is detected,

canceling output of the warning, and

permitting execution of the person authentication and execution of the start preparation, when output of the warning is cancelled.