Power-saving on-vehicle controller

• US 7,394,350 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2005
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Yoshida, Koji, Komura, Akinori
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US11/153,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20060017550A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.11, 340/426.13, 340/539.1, 340/825.69, 340/825.71, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.6, 307/10.7, 342/42
• US Class Current: 340/426.11
• 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 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1018 Alarm systems characterised by features related to the general power supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• 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

Abstract

An on-vehicle controller performs smart control for transmitting a transmission request signal to a predetermined area and for unlocking a door of a vehicle based on a return signal transmitted by a portable device receiving the transmission request signal, security control for providing a warning if improper conduct to the vehicle is detected, remote keyless entry control for locking or unlocking the door according to a manual operation signal, which is transmitted from the portable device according to button manipulation thereof, and immobilizer control for permitting an engine start if an identification code transmitted from a transponder of the portable device coincides with an identification code stored in the vehicle. If a mode switch is switched to an off position, the controller is switched to a power-saving mode for performing only the immobilizer control.

Claims

1. An on-vehicle controller comprising:

smart control means for transmitting a transmission request signal from an on-vehicle transmitter to a predetermined area and for receiving a return signal, which is transmitted by a portable device receiving the transmission request signal, with an on-vehicle receiver, wherein the smart control means controls an on-vehicle device based on the received return signal;

security control means including a security sensor for providing a warning if the security control means detects improper conduct to a vehicle;

immobilizer control means for performing radio communication with the portable device and for reading an identification code for certifying permission for an engine start from the portable device based on the read identification code, wherein the immobilizer control means permits the engine start if the read identification code coincides with a stored identification code; and

a mode switch, which is switchable between on and off positions to switch an operation mode of the on-vehicle controller between a normal mode, in which all of the smart control means, the security control means and the immobilizer control means operate, and a power-saving mode, in which only the immobilizer control means operates.

2. The on-vehicle controller as in claim 1, further comprising:

remote control means for controlling the on-vehicle device in accordance with a manual operation signal transmitted from the portable device when a manual operation is performed at the portable device, wherein

the on-vehicle controller is structured so that the remote control means is also deactivated in the power-saving mode.

3. The on-vehicle controller as in claim 1, wherein

the on-vehicle device is a door lock actuator.

4. The on-vehicle controller as in claim 1, wherein

the mode switch is provided as a dedicated mode switch.

5. The on-vehicle controller as in claim 1, wherein

the mode switch is switched to an on or off position if at least two out of an ignition switch, a door locking-unlocking switch and a door opening-closing switch are manipulated in a predetermined manner.

6. The on-vehicle controller as in claim 1, wherein

the mode switch is switched to an on or off position if at least two out of a dedicated mode switch, an ignition switch, a door locking-unlocking switch and a door opening-closing switch are manipulated in a predetermined manner.

7. The on-vehicle controller as in claim 1, further comprising:

remote control means for controlling the on-vehicle device in accordance with a manual operation signal transmitted from the portable device when a manual operation is performed at the portable device, wherein

the on-vehicle controller is structured so that the remote control means is kept active also in the power-saving mode if an ignition switch or a door locking-unlocking switch is manipulated in a predetermined manner within a predetermined period after the mode switch is switched to bring about the power-saving mode.