Remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system

• US 20080114501A1
• Filed: 11/15/2006
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Directed, LLC (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: DEI Headquarters Inc (DEI Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wu, Anthony M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,112,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/209 Remote starting of engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 Remote means
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0848 with means for detecting successful engine start, e.g. to stop starter actuation

Abstract

A remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system includes a transmitter and a controller capable of receiving and processing transmitter signals, the controller comprising a monitoring circuit for detecting a first pulsed voltage pattern and a second pulsed voltage pattern across the battery during an engine start procedure, a signaling circuit for signaling the disengagement of the starter from the engine after a detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern, and an initiation circuit for initiating the monitoring of a vehicle condition, such as overheating or low fuel, after the detection. A method for controlling the vehicle operation includes detecting an occurrence of a vehicle condition and performing an operation based on the detection, such as terminating ignition voltage or fuel supply or notifying the operator of the vehicle condition via the transmitter.

Claims

1. A remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system for use in a vehicle having a battery, a starter, and an engine having a flywheel attached thereto, the system including a transmitter and a controller capable of receiving and processing signals from the transmitter to initiate a remote engine start procedure, the controller comprising:

a) means for detecting a first pulsed voltage pattern and a second pulsed voltage pattern across the resistance of the battery during a remote engine start procedure, the second pulsed voltage pattern having a higher frequency than the first pulsed voltage pattern;

b) means for signaling the disengagement of the starter from the flywheel after a detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern; and

c) means for initiating the monitoring of a vehicle condition after the detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern

whereby when a user remotely starts the vehicle engine via the transmitter, the means for detecting a first pulsed voltage pattern and a second pulsed voltage pattern across the resistance of the battery detects the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern indicating that the engine has been started, the means for signaling the disengagement of the starter from the flywheel sends a signal to disengage the starter from the flywheel, and the means for initiating the monitoring of a vehicle condition initiates the monitoring of a vehicle condition.

2. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 1, wherein the means for detecting a first pulsed voltage pattern and a second pulsed voltage pattern across the resistance of the battery is a monitoring circuit.

3. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 2, wherein the monitoring circuit comprises an alternating current-voltage amplifying circuit connected in parallel with the battery.

4. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 3, wherein the alternating current-voltage amplifying circuit includes a digital amplifier.

5. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 3, wherein the alternating current-voltage amplifying circuit includes a transistor, at least one capacitor, and at least one resistor.

6. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 1, wherein the means for signaling the disengagement of the starter from the flywheel after a detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed pattern is a processor operatively connected to the input of the starter.

7. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle condition is engine temperature.

8. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 7, wherein the means for initiating the monitoring of an engine condition after the detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern is a processor operatively connected to a vehicle temperature sensor.

9. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 1, wherein the engine condition is fuel level.

10. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 9, wherein the means for initiating the monitoring of a vehicle condition after the detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern is a processor operatively connected to a vehicle fuel sensor.

11. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle condition is engine revolutions per minute.

12. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 11, wherein the means for initiating the monitoring of an engine condition after the detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern is a processor operatively connected to a vehicle tachometer.

13. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 1 further comprising a means for initiating an engine start procedure.

14. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 13, wherein the means for initiating an engine start procedure includes means for enabling a fuel pump, means for enabling an ignition, and means for enabling the starter.

15. A remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system for use in a vehicle having a battery, a fuel pump, an ignition, a starter, a safety system, a comfort system and an engine having a flywheel attached thereto, the system including a transmitter and a controller capable of receiving and processing signals from the transmitter, the controller comprising:

a) means for initiating an engine start procedure;

b) means for detecting a first pulsed voltage pattern and a second pulsed voltage pattern across the resistance of the battery during an engine start procedure, the second pulsed voltage pattern having a higher frequency than the first pulsed voltage pattern;

c) means for signaling the disengagement of the starter from the flywheel after a detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern; and

d) means for initiating the monitoring of a vehicle condition after the detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern

whereby when a user remotely starts the vehicle engine by use of the transmitter, the means for initiating an engine start procedure initiates the engine start procedure, the means for detecting a voltage pattern across the resistance of the battery detects the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern indicating that the engine has been started, the means for signaling the disengagement of the starter from the flywheel sends a signal to disengage the starter from the flywheel, the means for initiating the monitoring of a vehicle condition initiates the monitoring of a vehicle condition.

16. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 15 further comprising means for enabling the safety system at the termination of the second pulsed voltage pattern.

17. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 15, wherein the safety system is selected from the group consisting of a window defroster system, an airbag system, a passenger restraint system, and a vehicle collision warning system.

18. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 15 further comprising means for enabling the comfort system at the termination of the second pulsed voltage pattern.

19. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 15, wherein the comfort system is a heating and air conditioning system.

20. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 15, wherein the means for initiating an engine start procedure includes means for enabling a fuel pump, means for enabling an ignition, and means for enabling the starter.

21. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 15, wherein the means for detecting a voltage pattern across the resistance of the battery is a monitoring circuit comprising an alternating current amplifier circuit connected in series with the battery.

22. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 21, wherein the alternating current-voltage amplifier circuit is a digital amplifier circuit.

23. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 15, wherein the means for signaling the disengagement of the starter from the flywheel after a detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern is a processor operatively connected to the input of the starter.

24. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle condition is engine temperature and the means for initiating the monitoring of an engine condition after the detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern is a processor operatively connected to a vehicle temperature sensor.

25. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 15, wherein the engine condition is fuel level and the means for initiating the monitoring of a vehicle condition after the detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern is a processor operatively connected to a vehicle fuel sensor.

26. The remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle condition is engine revolutions per minute and the means for initiating the monitoring of an engine condition after the detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern is a processor operatively connected to a vehicle tachometer.

27. A remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system for use in a vehicle having a battery, a starter, and an engine having a flywheel attached thereto, the system including a transmitter and a controller capable of receiving and processing signals from the transmitter, the controller comprising:

a) a monitoring circuit for detecting a first pulsed voltage pattern and a second pulsed voltage pattern across the resistance of the battery during an engine start procedure, the second pulsed voltage pattern having a higher frequency than the first pulsed voltage pattern;

b) a signaling circuit for signaling the disengagement of the starter from the flywheel after a detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern; and

c) an initiation circuit for initiating the monitoring of a vehicle condition after the detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern

whereby when the monitoring circuit detects the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern indicating that the engine has been started, then the signaling circuit sends a signal to disengage the starter from the flywheel and the initiation circuit initiates the monitoring of a vehicle condition.

28. A method for confirming the starting of a vehicle having a battery, a starter, and an engine having a flywheel attached thereto, the system including a transmitter and a controller, the method comprising the steps of:

a) detecting a first pulsed voltage pattern and a second pulsed voltage pattern across the resistance of the battery during an engine start procedure, the second pulsed voltage pattern having a higher frequency than the first pulsed voltage pattern; and

b) signaling the disengagement of the starter from the flywheel after a detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern.

29. The method for confirming the starting of a vehicle of claim 28 further comprising the step of notifying the user that the engine has been started.

30. The method for confirming the starting of a vehicle of claim 29, wherein the step of notifying the user that the engine has been started includes the step of sending a signal to the transmitter.

31. A method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle having a battery, an ignition, a starter, and an engine having a flywheel attached thereto, the system including a transmitter and a controller capable of receiving and processing signals from the transmitter, the method comprising the steps of:

a) initiating a remote engine start procedure;

b) detecting a first pulsed voltage pattern and a second pulsed voltage pattern across the resistance of the battery during the engine start procedure, the second pulsed voltage pattern having a higher frequency than the first pulsed voltage pattern;

c) signaling the disengagement of the starter from the flywheel after a detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern;

d) initiating the monitoring of a vehicle condition after the detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern;

e) detecting an occurrence of a vehicle condition; and

f) performing an operation based on the detection of an occurrence of a vehicle condition.

32. The method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 31, wherein the step of initiating a remote engine start procedure comprises the steps of:

a) enabling the starter motor

b) enabling the ignition; and

c) enabling the fuel pump.

33. The method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 31, wherein the step of detecting an occurrence of a vehicle condition comprises the steps of:

a) detecting values of the vehicle condition;

b) determining a range of acceptable stored values associated with the vehicle condition;

c) comparing the range of acceptable stored values of the vehicle condition with the detected values of the vehicle condition; and

d) determining when the detected values are outside of the range of acceptable stored values.

34. The method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 33, wherein the step of determining a range of acceptable stored values associated with a vehicle condition is accomplished by the controller monitoring and recording the values associated with the vehicle condition during normal operation of the vehicle.

35. The method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 31, wherein the step of performing an operation based on the detection of a vehicle condition includes terminating the operation of the vehicle.

36. The method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 35, wherein the step of terminating the operation of the vehicle includes stopping the fuel supply and to the engine.

37. The method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 35, wherein the step of terminating the operation of the vehicle includes disabling the ignition.

38. The method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 31, wherein the step of performing an operation based on the detection of a vehicle condition includes sending a signal to the transmitter to inform a user of the occurrence of a vehicle condition.

39. The method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 31, wherein the step of performing an operation based on the detection of a vehicle condition includes activating an audio indicator.

40. The method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 39, wherein the audio indicator is a vehicle horn or siren.

41. The method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 31, wherein the step of performing an operation based on the detection of a vehicle condition includes activating a visual indicator.

42. The method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a vehicle of claim 39, wherein the visual indicator is at least one light of the vehicle.