Vehicle engine start control apparatus including interface device facilitating installation and related method
First Claim
1. A remote engine starting apparatus for bypassing a theft-deterring start control circuit to permit remote starting of a vehicle engine, the theft-deterring start control circuit comprising an ignition switch for receiving a designated key having a preselected resistance, a first connector coupled to the ignition switch, a resistance sensing circuit portion for preventing starting of the vehicle engine unless the preselected resistance is sensed, and a second connector coupled to the resistance sensing circuit portion, the second connector being matable with the first connector;
- said remote engine starting apparatus comprising;
an interface device comprisinga housing,bypass means positioned in said housing and comprising a bypass resistor and switching means for selectively coupling the bypass resistor to the resistance sensing circuit portion of the theft-deterring start control circuit to thereby enable vehicle engine starting without the designated key being received in the ignition switch, said bypass resistor having the preselected resistance of the designated key,third and fourth connectors coupled to said bypass means and being removably mated with the first and second connectors, respectively, of the theft-deterring start control circuit to facilitate installation and removal of said interface device from the theft-deterring start control circuit;
a remote transmitter for sending a remote engine starting signal; and
a receiver operatively connected to said bypass means for coupling the bypass resistor to the resistance sensing circuit portion to enable vehicle engine starting responsive to receiving the remote engine starting signal from the remote transmitter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A remote engine starting apparatus is for installation in a vehicle for bypassing a theft-deterring start control circuit to permit remote starting of a vehicle engine. The theft-deterring start control circuit includes: an ignition switch for receiving a designated key having a preselected resistance, a first connector coupled to the ignition switch, a resistance sensing circuit portion for preventing starting of the vehicle engine unless the preselected resistance is sensed, and a second connector coupled to the resistance sensing circuit portion. The second connector is preferably matable with the first connector. The remote engine starting apparatus includes an interface device which, in turn, includes: a housing, a bypass circuit comprising a bypass resistor and a switching relay for selectively coupling the bypass resistor to the resistance sensing circuit portion to thereby enable starting of the vehicle engine without the designated key being in the ignition switch. Third and fourth connectors are coupled to the bypass circuit and are removably mated with the first and second connectors, respectively, of the theft-deterring start control circuit to facilitate installation and removal of the interface device. A receiver is operatively connected to the bypass circuit for coupling the bypass resistor to the resistor sensing circuit portion to enable engine starting responsive to receiving the remote engine starting signal from the remote transmitter.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A remote engine starting apparatus for bypassing a theft-deterring start control circuit to permit remote starting of a vehicle engine, the theft-deterring start control circuit comprising an ignition switch for receiving a designated key having a preselected resistance, a first connector coupled to the ignition switch, a resistance sensing circuit portion for preventing starting of the vehicle engine unless the preselected resistance is sensed, and a second connector coupled to the resistance sensing circuit portion, the second connector being matable with the first connector;
- said remote engine starting apparatus comprising;
an interface device comprising a housing, bypass means positioned in said housing and comprising a bypass resistor and switching means for selectively coupling the bypass resistor to the resistance sensing circuit portion of the theft-deterring start control circuit to thereby enable vehicle engine starting without the designated key being received in the ignition switch, said bypass resistor having the preselected resistance of the designated key, third and fourth connectors coupled to said bypass means and being removably mated with the first and second connectors, respectively, of the theft-deterring start control circuit to facilitate installation and removal of said interface device from the theft-deterring start control circuit; a remote transmitter for sending a remote engine starting signal; and a receiver operatively connected to said bypass means for coupling the bypass resistor to the resistance sensing circuit portion to enable vehicle engine starting responsive to receiving the remote engine starting signal from the remote transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- said remote engine starting apparatus comprising;
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11. An interface device for a theft-deterring start control circuit comprising an ignition switch for receiving a designated key having a preselected resistance, a first connector coupled to the ignition switch, a resistance sensing circuit portion for preventing starting of the vehicle engine unless the preselected resistance is sensed, and a second connector coupled to the resistance sensing circuit portion, the second connector being matable with the first connector;
- said interface device comprising;
a housing; bypass means positioned in said housing and comprising a bypass resistor and switching means for selectively coupling the bypass resistor to the resistance sensing circuit portion of the theft-deterring start control circuit to thereby enable vehicle engine starting without the designated key being received in the ignition switch, said bypass resistor having the preselected resistance of the designated key; and third and fourth connectors coupled to said bypass means and being removably mated with the first and second connectors, respectively, of the theft-deterring start control circuit to facilitate installation and removal of said interface device from the theft-deterring start control circuit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- said interface device comprising;
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17. An interface device for a theft-deterring start control circuit comprising an ignition switch for receiving a designated key having a preselected resistance, a first connector coupled to the ignition switch, a resistance sensing circuit portion for preventing starting of the vehicle engine unless the preselected resistance is sensed, and a second connector coupled to the resistance sensing circuit portion, the second connector being matable with the first connector;
- said interface device comprising;
bypass means comprising a bypass resistor being a fixed value resistor having the preselected resistance, switching means for selectively coupling the bypass resistor to the resistance sensing circuit portion of the theft-deterring start control circuit to thereby enable vehicle engine starting without the designated key being received in the ignition switch, and a pair of spaced apart clip fasteners for removably securing said bypass resistor; and third and fourth connectors coupled to said bypass means and being removably mated with the first and second connectors, respectively, of the theft-deterring start control circuit to facilitate installation and removal of said interface device from the theft-deterring start control circuit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
- said interface device comprising;
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21. A remote engine starting apparatus for bypassing a theft-deterring start control circuit to permit remote starting of a vehicle engine, the theft-deterring start control circuit comprising an ignition switch for receiving a designated key having a preselected resistance, a first connector coupled to the ignition switch, a resistance sensing circuit portion for preventing starting of the vehicle engine unless the preselected resistance is sensed, and a second connector coupled to the resistance sensing circuit portion, the second connector being matable with the first connector;
- said remote engine starting apparatus comprising;
bypass means comprising a bypass resistor and switching means for selectively coupling the bypass resistor to the resistance sensing circuit portion of the theft-deterring start control circuit to thereby enable starting of the vehicle engine without the designated key being received in the ignition switch, said bypass resistor having the preselected resistance; and third and fourth connectors coupled to said bypass means and being removably mated with the first and second connectors, respectively, of the theft-deterring start control circuit. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
- said remote engine starting apparatus comprising;
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32. A method for bypassing a theft-deterring start control circuit to permit remote starting of a vehicle engine, the theft-deterring start control circuit comprising an ignition switch for receiving a designated key having a preselected resistance, a first connector coupled to the ignition switch, a resistance sensing circuit portion for preventing starting of the vehicle engine unless the preselected resistance is sensed, and a second connector coupled to the resistance sensing circuit portion, the second connector being matable with the first connector;
- the method comprising the steps of;
positioning in the vehicle an interface device to the theft-deterring start control circuit to permit remote starting of the vehicle, the interface device comprising a bypass resistor and switching means for selectively coupling the bypass resistor to the resistor sensing circuit portion of the theft-deterring start control circuit, and third and fourth connectors coupled to the bypass resistor and switching means; disengaging the first and second connectors of the theft-deterring start control circuit from each other; and mating the third and fourth connectors of the interface device with the first and second connectors, respectively, of the theft-deterring start control circuit to thereby removably install the interface device to the theft-deterring start control circuit. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
- the method comprising the steps of;
Specification