Method and device for operating a vehicle

• US 7,363,139 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2004
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Glora, Michael, Rubia, David, Brunner, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli; Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/888,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20050027428A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/93
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/16 having means to prevent or discourage unauthorised use or adjusting of the controlling means vehicle theft prevention in general B60R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0809 Driver authorisation; Driver identity check
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0676 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/18 Distance travelled
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/146 Speed limiting
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/006 for maximum speed control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/009 for maximum speed control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18

Abstract

A method and a device for operating a vehicle provide a convenient and flexible function for limiting a performance quantity, in particular the speed or the engine speed of the vehicle. At least one limiting value is predefined for the performance quantity. The at least one limiting value is predefined at an input unit as a function of at least one criterion. A check is made to determine whether the at least one criterion is satisfied. The at least one limiting value is activated if the at least one criterion is satisfied.

Claims

1. A method for operating a vehicle, comprising:

limiting a performance quantity of the vehicle, the performance quantity being one of speed and engine speed;

predefining at least one limiting value for the performance quantity at an input unit of the vehicle as a function of a first criterion;

selecting an access authorization as the first criterion;

granting permission for predefining the at least one limiting value only to a holder of a valid access authorization;

checking whether a second criterion is satisfied;

activating the at least one limiting value if the second criterion is satisfied; and

allowing a plurality of users to vary the at least one limiting value within a predefined range, at the input unit, as a function of a user ID associated with each user.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting the user ID as the second criterion.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting a mileage as the second criterion.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting a mileage reading of the vehicle as the second criterion.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting an engine temperature as the second criterion.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting a variable derived from an engine temperature as the second criterion.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising canceling the limitation of the performance quantity via an appropriate input at the input unit.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the cancellation of the limitation is only allowed to a holder of a valid access authorization.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising encoding the second criterion in a vehicle key.

10. A device for operating a vehicle comprising:

means for limiting a performance quantity of the vehicle, the performance quantity being one of speed and engine speed;

an input unit at which at least one limiting value for the performance quantity is predefinable as function of a first criterion, the first criterion being an access authorization, wherein permission is granted for predefining the at least one limiting value only to a holder of a valid access authorization;

a verification unit checking whether a second criterion is satisfied; and

means for activating the at least one limiting value if the second criterion is satisfied, wherein a plurality of users are allowed to vary the at least one limiting value within a predefined range, at the input unit, as a function of a user ID associated with each user.