Engine starting apparatus with antitheft function, vehicle incorporating the apparatus, and method of using same
First Claim
1. An engine starting apparatus with an antitheft function for permitting or inhibiting starting of an engine depending upon whether or not two codes have a relationship set in advance, said engine starting apparatus with an antitheft function comprising:
- an authentication mechanism for comparing an authentication code, fed in from outside of a vehicle, and a reference code registered in advance in the vehicle, wherein the authentication mechanism is operable to generate a permission signal if the authentication code correlates with the reference code, and is further operable to generate an inhibition signal if the authentication code and the reference code fail to correlate, as an authentication result; and
a starting control mechanism for beginning starting control before the authentication result is sent out in response to actuation of a kick starting mechanism, said starting control involving steps of executing an initialization process, inhibiting energization of the headlamp, and starting a timer;
wherein said starting control mechanism is operable to continue the starting control in response to the permission signal, and is further operable to disable engine operation in response to the inhibition signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An engine starting apparatus with an antitheft function enables rapid and secure starting of a kick-started engine. The engine starting apparatus includes an immobilizer CPU and an ignition CPU, which cooperate to enable authorized engine startup and to prevent unauthorized access. The immobilizer CPU outputs a permission signal if an authentication code from the outside corresponds to a reference code in a vehicle, but outputs an inhibition signal if the authentication code and the reference code fail to correspond. When a starting pedal is kicked, the ignition CPU begins to energize the engine'"'"'s ignition system, in response to a predetermined engine starting instruction, before the input reference code is verified. If proper authentication is verified by the permission signal, the ignition CPU continues to allow normal engine starting procedure. If the inhibition signal is received from the immobilizer CPU, the ignition CPU interrupts the normal procedure and inhibits engine starting.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An engine starting apparatus with an antitheft function for permitting or inhibiting starting of an engine depending upon whether or not two codes have a relationship set in advance, said engine starting apparatus with an antitheft function comprising:
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an authentication mechanism for comparing an authentication code, fed in from outside of a vehicle, and a reference code registered in advance in the vehicle, wherein the authentication mechanism is operable to generate a permission signal if the authentication code correlates with the reference code, and is further operable to generate an inhibition signal if the authentication code and the reference code fail to correlate, as an authentication result; and a starting control mechanism for beginning starting control before the authentication result is sent out in response to actuation of a kick starting mechanism, said starting control involving steps of executing an initialization process, inhibiting energization of the headlamp, and starting a timer; wherein said starting control mechanism is operable to continue the starting control in response to the permission signal, and is further operable to disable engine operation in response to the inhibition signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of controlling engine starting in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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a) beginning to energize an engine ignition system of the vehicle via a starting control mechanism in response to actuation of a kick switch using a starting control sequence which comprises steps of executing an initialization process, inhibiting energization of the headlamp, and starting a timer; b) comparing an authentication code, fed in from outside of the vehicle, with a reference code stored in the vehicle, c) generating a signal as an authentication result in response to the result of the comparing step using an authentication mechanism, wherein the authentication result is a permission signal if the authentication code correlates with the reference code, and the authentication result is an inhibition signal if the authentication code and the reference code fail to correlate, as an authentication result; wherein the beginning to energize step takes place before the authentication result is sent out in response to a predetermined engine starting instruction; and d) continuing to energize the starting control if the authentication result is a permission signal, or disabling engine operation if the authentication result is an inhibition signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification