METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REMOTELY STARTING ENGINES OF VEHICLES

• US 20100108008A1
• Filed: 11/06/2008
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Biondo, William A., McCall, Clark E., Proefke, David T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,760,108 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/179.200
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 Remote means
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/306 with external senders or receivers, e.g. receiving signals from traffic lights, other vehicles or base stations

Abstract

A method for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle includes the steps of transmitting a first plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle and transmitting a second plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle. Each of the first plurality of engine start signals having a first power level. Each of the second plurality of engine start signals having a second power level that is less than the first power level.

Claims

1. A method for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a first plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle, each of the first plurality of engine start signals having a first power level; and

transmitting a second plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle, each of the second plurality of engine start signals having a second power level that is less than the first power level.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step of transmitting the first plurality of engine start signals comprises the step of transmitting the engine start signals of the first plurality of engine start signals approximately X milliseconds apart; and

the step of transmitting the second plurality of engine start signals comprises the step of transmitting the engine start signals of the second plurality of engine start signals approximately Y milliseconds apart, with Y being less than X.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the step of transmitting the second plurality of engine start signals comprises the step of transmitting the second plurality of engine start signals approximately Y milliseconds apart, with Y being less than fifty percent of X.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of transmitting the first plurality of engine start signals comprises the step of transmitting the engine start signals of the first plurality of engine start signals approximately one hundred milliseconds apart.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of transmitting the second plurality of engine start signals comprises the step of transmitting the engine start signals of the second plurality of engine start signals approximately thirty milliseconds apart.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step of transmitting the first plurality of engine start signals further comprises the step of transmitting a first number of the first plurality of engine start signals; and

the step of transmitting the second plurality of engine start signals further comprises the step of transmitting a second number of the second plurality of engine start signals, the second number being greater than the first number.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

determining whether a remote start request has been received;

wherein;

the step of transmitting the first plurality of engine start signals comprises the step of transmitting the first plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle upon the further condition that the remote start request has been received; and

the step of transmitting the second plurality of engine start signals comprises the step of transmitting the second plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle upon the further condition that the remote start request has been received.

8. A program product remotely starting an engine of a vehicle, the program product comprising:

(a) a program configured to at least facilitate;

transmitting a first plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle, each of the first plurality of engine start signals having a first power level; and

transmitting a second plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle, each of the second plurality of engine start signals having a second power level that is less than the first power level; and

(b) a computer-readable signal bearing media bearing the program.

9. The program product of claim 8, wherein the program is further configured to at least facilitate:

transmitting the engine start signals of the first plurality of engine start signals approximately X milliseconds apart; and

transmitting the engine start signals of the second plurality of engine start signals approximately Y milliseconds apart, Y being less than X.

10. The program product of claim 9, wherein Y is less than fifty percent of X.

11. The program product of claim 9, wherein the program is further configured to at least facilitate transmitting the engine start signals of the first plurality of engine start signals approximately one hundred milliseconds apart.

12. The program product of claim 10, wherein the program is further configured to at least facilitate transmitting the engine start signals of the second plurality of engine start signals approximately thirty milliseconds apart.

13. The program product of claim 8, wherein the program is further configured to at least facilitate:

transmitting a first number of the first plurality of engine start signals; and

transmitting a second number of the second plurality of engine start signals, the second number being greater than the first number.

14. The program product of claim 8, wherein the program is further configured to at least facilitate:

determining whether a remote start request has been received;

transmitting the first plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle upon the further condition that the remote start request has been received; and

transmitting the second plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle upon the further condition that the remote start request has been received.

15. A system remotely starting an engine of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a processor configured to at least facilitate determining whether a remote start request has been received; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to at least facilitate;

transmitting a first plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle if the remote start request is received, each of the first plurality of engine start signals having a first power level; and

transmitting a second plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle if the remote start request is received, each of the second plurality of engine start signals having a second power level that is less than the first power level.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter is further configured to at least facilitate transmitting the engine start signals of the first plurality of engine start signals are transmitted approximately X milliseconds apart;

and

transmitting the engine start signals of the second plurality of engine start signals are transmitted approximately Y milliseconds apart, Y being less than X.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter is further configured to at least facilitate:

transmitting a first number of the first plurality of engine start signals; and

transmitting a second number of the second plurality of engine start signals, the second number being greater than the first number.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

an interface configured to at least facilitate receiving the remote start request and sending a signal representative thereof to the processor;

wherein the transmitter is further configured to at least facilitate;

transmitting the first plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle upon the further condition that the remote start request has been received; and

transmitting the second plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle upon the further condition that the remote start request has been received.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter is further configured to at least facilitate transmitting the engine start signals of the first plurality of engine start signals approximately one hundred milliseconds apart.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the transmitter is further configured to at least facilitate transmitting the engine start signals of the second plurality of engine start signals approximately thirty milliseconds apart.