Remote start control system including an engine speed data bus reader and related methods

• US 7,369,936 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Flick, Kenneth E.
• Primary Examiner(s): KWON, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US11/096,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20050179322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 701/101, 701/102, 701/113, 340/10.3, 340/426.13, 340/426.14, 340/426.16, 340/426.17, 307/10.6
• US Class Current: 701/113
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1018 Alarm systems characterised by features related to the general power supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 Remote means
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/022 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/304 with other systems inside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00222 by more than one push button
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00825 remotely by lines or wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed

Abstract

A remote start control system may include an engine speed data bus reader at the vehicle for reading the engine speed signal on the vehicle data communications bus, and a remote start controller at the vehicle and connected to the engine speed data bus reader for operating the engine starter based upon a remote start transmitter and based upon the engine speed signal. In some embodiments, the engine speed signal may include a digital code, and the engine speed data bus reader reads the digital code and converts the digital code into a pulsed tachometer emulation signal for the remote start controller. In other embodiments, the engine speed data bus reader generates an output level based upon the digital code exceeding at least one threshold, such as an engine started or engine overspeed threshold. The remote start control system is readily interfaced to a vehicle having a data communications bus to thereby be able to operate using an engine speed signal.

Claims

1. A remote start control system for a vehicle comprising an engine, an engine starter, and a vehicle data communications bus carrying an engine speed signal, the remote start control system comprising:

a remote start transmitter;

an engine speed data bus reader at the vehicle for reading the engine speed signal on the vehicle data communications bus; and

a remote start controller at the vehicle and connected said engine speed data bus reader for operating the engine starter based upon said remote start transmitter and based upon the engine speed signal.

2. A remote start control system according to claim 1 wherein the engine speed signal comprises a digital code;

and wherein said engine speed data bus reader reads the digital code and converts the digital code into a pulsed tachometer emulation signal for said remote start controller.

3. A remote start control system according to claim 2 wherein said remote start controller disengages the engine starter based upon the tachometer emulation signal reaching an engine started threshold in a range corresponding to 50-1000 engine revolutions per minute.

4. A remote start control system according to claim 2 wherein said remote start controller shuts down the engine based upon the tachometer emulation signal reaching an engine overspeed threshold corresponding to more than 2500 engine revolutions per minute.

5. A remote start control system according to claim 1 wherein the engine speed signal comprises a digital code;

and wherein said engine speed data bus reader converts the digital code into at least one output value for said remote start controller.

6. A remote start control system according to claim 5 wherein the at least one output value comprises an engine started output value based upon the digital code reaching an engine started threshold in a range corresponding to 50-1000 engine revolutions per minute;

and wherein said remote start controller disengages the engine starter responsive to the engine started output value.

7. A remote start control system according to claim 5 wherein the at least one output value comprises an engine overspeed output value based upon the digital code reaching an engine overspeed threshold corresponding to more than 2500 engine revolutions per minute;

and wherein said remote start controller shuts down the engine responsive to the engine overspeed output value.

8. A remote start control system according to claim 1 wherein said engine speed data bus reader switches between a sleep mode and an operating mode based upon activity on the vehicle data communications bus.

9. A remote start control system according to claim 1 wherein said engine speed data bus reader comprises a multi-vehicle compatible engine speed data bus reader.

10. A remote start control system according to claim 9 wherein said multi-vehicle compatible engine speed data bus reader stores a set of digital codes for each of a plurality of different vehicles, reads a digital code from the vehicle data communications bus, and determines a match between a read digital code and the stored digital codes to thereby provide compatibility with a plurality of different vehicles.

11. A remote start control system according to claim 9 wherein said multi-vehicle compatible engine speed data bus reader comprises desired signal enabling means for enabling operation using a desired set of digital codes for a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of digital codes for different vehicles to thereby provide compatibility with a plurality of different vehicles.

12. A remote start control system according to claim 1 wherein said engine speed data bus reader comprises a first housing and first circuitry carried thereby;

and wherein said remote start controller comprises a second housing and second circuitry carried thereby.

13. A remote start control system according to claim 1 wherein said remote start transmitter comprises at least one of a remote handheld transmitter to be carried by a user when away from the vehicle and a central station transmitter.