Keyless ignition system with washout feature

• US 6,236,120 B1
• Filed: 10/09/1998
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clark Equipment Company (Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Clark Equipment Company (Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Company Limited)
• Inventors: Loraas, Orlan J., Jacobson, Scott B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Stephen W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIOS CUEVAS, ROBERTO JOSE
• Application Number:
  US09/169,379
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10-- 1
• US Class Current: 307/10.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Abstract

A security system for a vehicle includes a keyboard including a start key and a washout key and adapted to receive a user code. A processor is operably coupled to the keyboard for receiving signals indicative of entry of the user code actuation of the washout key and, wherein the processor provides an output signal if the user code is entered and is followed by actuation of the start key. The processor also provides the output signal if the start key has been entered during an adjustable time period after the vehicle has been turned off. However, if the washout key is actuated, the processor does not provide the output signal upon actuation of the start key during the time period after the vehicle is turned off. A controlled device is operably connected to the processor and controls a component of the vehicle to allow the vehicle to start when the output signal from the processor is received.

Claims

1. A security system for a vehicle comprising:

a keyboard including a start key and a washout key and adapted to receive a user code;

a processor operably coupled to the keyboard for receiving signals indicative of entry of the user code, actuation of the start key and actuation of the washout key, wherein the processor provides an output signal if the user code is entered and is followed by actuation of the start key, but wherein, if the washout key is actuated, the processor does not provide the output signal upon further entry of the user code followed by actuation of the start key; and

a controlled device operably connected to the processor and controlling a component of the vehicle to allow the vehicle to start when the output signal from the processor is received.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor invalidates the user code upon actuation of the washout key.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor provides the output signal if the start key is actuated during a delay period which commences when the vehicle is turned off.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the delay period is adjustable in a range from zero to a selected maximum value.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the delay period is selected from a plurality of selected time periods.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the processor eliminates the delay period if the washout key is actuated.

7. A security system for a vehicle comprising:

a keyboard including a start key and a washout key and adapted to receive a user code;

a processor operably coupled to the keyboard for receiving signals indicative of entry of the user code, actuation of the start key and actuation of the washout key, wherein the processor provides an output signal if the user code is entered and is followed by actuation of the start key, wherein the processor provides the output signal if the start key is actuated during a delay period of a predetermined duration that commences when the vehicle is turned off, but wherein, if the washout key is actuated, the processor eliminates the delay period; and

a controlled device operably connected to the processor and controlling a component of the vehicle to allow the vehicle to start when the output signal from the processor is received.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the processor invalidates the user code upon actuation of the washout key.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the delay period is adjustable in a range from zero to a selected maximum value.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the delay period is selected from a plurality of selected time periods.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein the processor sets the duration of the delay period to substantially zero if the washout key is actuated.

12. The system of claim 7, further comprising a memory device storing a status variable indicative of whether non-secured starting is available, wherein the processor provides the output signal if the start key is actuated during the delay period and the status variable has a first value, and wherein the processor gives the status variable a second value, not equal to the first value, if the washout key is actuated.

13. A method for starting a vehicle comprising:

providing a keyboard including a start key and a washout key and adapted to receive a user code;

detecting actuation of the start key and the washout key and entry of the user code;

providing an output signal if the user code is entered and is followed by actuation of the start key;

providing an output signal if the start key is actuated during a delay period of a predetermined duration that commences when the vehicle is turned off;

eliminating the delay period if the washout key is actuated; and

controlling a component of the vehicle to allow the vehicle to start as a function of the output signal.

14. The method of claim 13 and further comprising invalidating the user code upon actuation of the washout key.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the delay period is adjustable in a range from zero to a selected maximum value.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the delay period is selected from a plurality of selected time periods.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein eliminating the delay period comprises setting the duration of the delay period to substantially zero.

18. A security system for a vehicle comprising:

a keyboard adapted to receive a user code and including a start key and a washout key that is not a codeinput;

a processor operably coupled to the keyboard for receiving signals indicative of entry of the user code, actuation of the start key and actuation of the washout key, wherein the processor provides an output signal if the user code is entered and is followed by actuation of the start key, but wherein, if the washout key is actuated, the processor does not provide the output signal upon further entry of the user code followed by actuation of the start key; and

a controlled device operably connected to the processor and controlling a component of the vehicle to allow the vehicle to start when the output signal from the processor is received.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the processor invalidates the user code upon actuation of the washout key.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the processor provides the output signal if the start key is actuated during a delay period which commences when the vehicle is turned off and wherein the processor eliminates the delay period if the washout key is actuated.