Method for determination of pre-authorization engine operation time for a vehicle theft deterrent system
First Claim
1. A method for determining the duration a motor vehicle engine may operate during operator authorization for a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- decrementing a pre-authorization timer from a first predetermined time limit and a maximum authorization timer from a second predetermined time limit in response to an ignition request;
initiating an authentication operation;
halting the decrementing of the pre-authorization timer in response to active operation of the motor vehicle'"'"'s starter motor; and
inhibiting operation of the motor vehicle if either the pre-authorization timer or the maximum authorization timer decrements to zero before completion of the authentication operation.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the duration a motor vehicle engine may operate while operator authorization is verified in response to an ignition request. In one embodiment the method includes the steps of decrementing a pre-authorization timer from a first predetermined time limit and a maximum authorization timer from a second predetermined time limit in response to the ignition request. Also upon receipt of the ignition request an authorization process is initiated. Decrementing of the pre-authorization timer is halted in response to active operation of the starter motor of the motor vehicle, and operation of the motor vehicle is inhibited if either the pre-authorization timer or the maximum authorization timer decrements to zero before completion of the authorization operation.
42 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for determining the duration a motor vehicle engine may operate during operator authorization for a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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decrementing a pre-authorization timer from a first predetermined time limit and a maximum authorization timer from a second predetermined time limit in response to an ignition request; initiating an authentication operation; halting the decrementing of the pre-authorization timer in response to active operation of the motor vehicle'"'"'s starter motor; and inhibiting operation of the motor vehicle if either the pre-authorization timer or the maximum authorization timer decrements to zero before completion of the authentication operation.
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2. A method for determining the duration a motor vehicle engine may operate during operator authorization for a motor vehicle in response to an ignition request, the method comprising the steps of:
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setting a pre-authorization timer to a first predetermined time; setting a maximum authorization timer to a second predetermined time; decrementing of each of the pre-authorization timer and the maximum authorization timer; initiating an authentication process; initiating starter operation to start the motor vehicle engine; monitoring rotational speed of the motor vehicle engine; interrupting the step of decrementing the pre-authorization timer in response to monitoring the rotational speed being greater than zero and less than a predetermined rotational speed; interrupting the step of decrementing the pre-authorization timer in response to interruption of the vehicle ignition request; restarting the step of decrementing the preauthorization timer in response to monitoring the rotational speed being greater than the predetermined rotational speed or being zero; and allowing continued operation of the motor vehicle only after successful completion of the authentication process and terminating operation of the motor vehicle engine in response to either of the pre-authorization timer or the maximum authorization timer decrementing to zero before the authentication process is successfully completed. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for motor vehicle engine immobilizer security system comprising:
- a motor vehicle engine;
an engine rotational speed sensor configured to monitor rotational speed of the motor vehicle engine;
a starter motor coupled to the motor vehicle engine;a pre-authorization timer; a maximum authorization timer; an ignition unit configured to receive an ignition key containing authenticating indicia; a memory unit configured to store initial start times for the preauthorization timer and for the maximum authorization timer; a controller configured to; initiate an authorization operation to determine the authenticity of the authentication indicia and to start decrementing the pre authorization timer and the maximum authorization time in response to a first signal from the ignition unit from the ignition key turning in the ignition unit; engage the starter motor to start turning the motor vehicle engine in response to a second signal from the ignition unit from the ignition key turning in the ignition unit; interrupt the decrementing of the pre-authorization timer in response to the engine rotational speed sensor sensing a rotational speed of the motor vehicle engine greater than zero and less than a predetermined non-zero RPM; and inhibit starting and operation of the motor vehicle engine in response to the decrementing to zero of either the pre-authorization timer or the maximum authorization timer before the authorization operation is completed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- a motor vehicle engine;
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14. A motor vehicle engine immobilizer security apparatus configured to limit operation of a motor vehicle and to allow continued operation of an engine of the motor vehicle only to authorized users, the apparatus comprising:
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a first control module configured to receive and communicate ignition requests from an ignition unit; and a second control module configured to control starting and operation of an engine of the motor vehicle and to perform an authorization operation in response to a message received from the first control module;
the second control module comprising a pre-authorization timer, a maximum authorization timer, and a memory configured to store a predetermined time limit for each of the pre-authorization timer and the maximum authorization timer, the pre-authorization timer and the maximum authorization timer configured to begin decrementing upon receipt of the ignition request; and
the second control module configured to inhibit engine operation if either of the pre-authorization timer or the maximum authorization time decrements to zero before completion of the authorization operation.
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15. A method for determining operator authorization for a motor vehicle in response to an ignition request to start the engine of the motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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setting a first time, limit for authorization of an operator and decrementing a first timer from the first time limit; initiating an authorization operation; initiating starting of the engine of the motor vehicle; interrupting the decrementing of the first timer in response to monitoring a rotational speed of the engine exceeding 0 RPM but less than a predetermined RPM; setting a second time limit to a maximum time limit for authorization of an operator and decrementing a second timer from the second time limit; and inhibiting continued operation of the motor vehicle if the authorization operation is not completed before either of the first timer or the second timer decrements to zero. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification