Method and apparatus for motor vehicle lockout

• US 7,712,568 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2008
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brisighella, Dario G. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming; Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US12/099,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20090255749A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/273, 180/279, 180/285, 701/36
• US Class Current: 180/273
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/04 responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers

Abstract

A lockout system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system can include a source of input that identifies a status of a driver of the motor vehicle. The system can further include a source of passenger input that indicates if at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle. The system can also include a lockout control module operable to disable the operation of the motor vehicle if at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle, based on the status of the driver.

Claims

1. A lockout system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a source of input that identifies a status of a driver of the motor vehicle;

a source of passenger input that indicates if at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle; and

a lockout control module operable to disable the operation of the motor vehicle if at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle, based on the status of the driver.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the source of input is a key that is operable to transmit the status of the driver.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the motor vehicle includes an ignition switch in communication with the lockout control module, the ignition switch operable to receive the key and generate a signal that indicates the status of the driver to the lockout control module.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the source of passenger input further comprises:

at least one passenger sensor in communication with the lockout control module and responsive to an input received from at least one passenger seat in the motor vehicle to generate a signal that indicates if at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a driver sensor in communication with the lockout control module and responsive to an input received from a driver seat in the motor vehicle to generate a signal that indicates if a driver is present in the motor vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the lockout control module further comprises:

a passenger control module that determines if a passenger is present in the motor vehicle based on the signal from the at least one passenger sensor;

a driver control module that determines if a driver is present in the motor vehicle based on the signal from the driver sensor;

a key control module that determines the status of the driver based on the signal from the ignition switch; and

wherein the status of the driver is limited access, supervisor access or full access.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the motor vehicle includes a powertrain in communication with and responsive to the lockout control module, and the lockout control module further comprises:

an ignition control module that outputs start data to start the powertrain based on whether at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle, whether a driver is in the motor vehicle, and the status of the driver.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a driver seat belt sensor in communication with the driver control module and responsive to an input received from a driver seat belt in the motor vehicle to generate a signal that indicates if the driver seat belt is engaged; and

wherein the driver control module determines if the driver seat belt is engaged based on the signal, and the ignition control module outputs start data to start the powertrain based on whether at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle, whether a driver is in the motor vehicle, whether the driver seat belt is fastened, and the status of the driver.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein if the status of the driver is limited access, and at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle, then the ignition control module does not start the powertrain.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the status of the driver is limited access based on an age of the driver.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein if the status of the driver is supervisor access, and at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle, then the ignition control module starts the powertrain.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein if the status of the driver is full access, then the ignition control module starts the powertrain.

13. A lockout system in combination with a motor vehicle having a frame that defines a passenger cabin that includes a driver seat and at least one passenger seat, with at least one wheel coupled to the frame, and a powertrain operable to drive the at least one wheel to propel the motor vehicle, the lockout system comprising:

a key that is operable to indicate a status of a driver;

an ignition switch disposed in the passenger cabin and operable to receive the key and generate a signal that indicates the status of the driver and a request to enable the powertrain;

at least one passenger sensor responsive to an input received from the at least one passenger seat to generate a signal that indicates if at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle; and

a lockout control module in communication with the ignition switch, the at least one passenger sensor, and the powertrain of the motor vehicle, the lockout control module operable to disable the powertrain if at least one passenger is present in the passenger cabin, based on the status of the driver.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a driver sensor responsive to an input received from a driver seat in the motor vehicle to generate a signal that indicates if a driver is present in the motor vehicle;

a passenger control module that determines if the passenger is present in the motor vehicle based on the signal from the at least one passenger sensor;

a driver control module that determines if the driver is present in the motor vehicle based on the signal from the driver sensor;

a key control module that determines the status of the driver based on the signal from the ignition switch; and

an ignition control module that outputs start data to enable the powertrain based on whether the at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle, whether the driver is in the motor vehicle, and the status of the driver.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein if the status of the driver is restricted, and at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle, then the ignition control module does not enable the powertrain.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the status of the driver is restricted based on an age of the driver.

17. A method for selectively enabling a powertrain of a motor vehicle comprising:

determining a status of a driver in the motor vehicle;

determining if at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle; and

preventing the operation of the motor vehicle if the status of the driver is restricted and at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a status of a driver further comprises:

determining if a key input into an ignition switch by the driver is a restricted access key.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

enabling the operation of the motor vehicle if the status of the driver is full access; and

enabling the operation of the motor vehicle if the status of the driver is supervisor access and at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

determining if a seat belt associated with the driver is engaged; and

preventing the operation of the motor vehicle if the status of the driver is restricted and the seat belt is disengaged.