Vehicle control device for emergency control of vehicle

• US 8,294,559 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoshizawa, Akihiro, Kurita, Hiroaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): KING, CURTIS J
• Application Number:
  US11/831,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20090021361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,911 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.2
• US Class Current: 340/426.36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/306 Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/20 indicating unauthorised use, e.g. acting on signalling devices alarm locks in general E05B45/00, e.g. alarm cable or chain lock E05B45/005
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/00 Motorcycles, engine-assisted cycles or motor scooters with one or two wheels fairings or streamlining parts not forming part of the frame B62J; transmission of drive from engines to wheels B62M
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/14 Handlebar constructions, or arrangements of controls thereon, specially adapted thereto hand controls per se B62K23/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2202/00 Motorised scooters

Abstract

A vehicle control device simplifies input work of a password that puts a vehicle in a usable state, on an emergency occasion, in which a portable equipment (smart key) cannot be used. A system display unit flashes on an emergency occasion when a password is input without the use of the smart key. A hazard switch is operated to enter a character of the password corresponding to a number of times that the system display unit flashes.

Claims

1. A vehicle control device, in which certification of use permission of a vehicle is made by a communication system making use of a portable equipment, the vehicle control device comprising:

a display unit that flashes on an emergency occasion when a password for certification of use permission of the vehicle is input without the use of the portable equipment, and

a password input unit, with which the password is input according to a number of times that the display unit flashes,

wherein the password input unit includes a first switch, and

in a case where the password is to be input, timing of the ON and OFF operations of the first switch coinciding with a number of times that the display unit flashes determines each character of the password to be input, and

wherein a second switch is provided on the vehicle, and

the second switch is operated plural times within a predetermined period of time to bring about a state in which the password can be input, and

wherein the display unit is a system display unit that displays a state of the communication system.

2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein even when an operating force is relaxed in respective ON and OFF states, the first switch maintains respective states.

3. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, further comprising a flash control unit that flashes the display unit at predetermined intervals.

4. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a storage unit that stores the password, and

a collation unit that collates the input password with the password stored in the storage unit.

5. The vehicle control device according to claim 4, wherein when the collation unit collates the input password with a password stored in the storage unit, the display unit displays results of the collation.

6. The vehicle control device according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays, in different lighting patterns, agreement and disagreement as results of the collation.

7. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a handle grip portion provided on the vehicle to steer the vehicle, and

wherein the password input unit is provided in the vicinity of the handle grip portion.

8. The vehicle control device according to claim 7, wherein:

a hazard lamp is provided on the vehicle, and

the password input unit includes a hazard switch to flash the hazard lamp.

9. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein

the second switch includes a detection switch that detects opened and closed states of a predetermined opening and closing portion provided on the vehicle, and

the opening and closing portion is opened and closed plural times within the predetermined period of time to bring about the state, in which the password can be input.

10. The vehicle control device according to claim 9, wherein

the opening and closing portion includes a trunk portion, and

the trunk portion is opened and closed plural times within the predetermined period of time to bring about the state in which the password can be input.

11. The vehicle control device according to claim 10, wherein the trunk portion includes a lock portion for locking the trunk portion.

12. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, further comprising an input operation mode starting switch mounted to the vehicle and pushed on an emergency occasion before operation of the second switch to begin a password input operation mode.

13. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the portable equipment is a smart key.

14. The vehicle control device according to claim 13, wherein the smart key includes a mechanical key for unlocking a seat of the vehicle.

15. The vehicle control device according to claim 14, wherein the mechanical key when mounted conceals the password affixed to the smart key.

16. A vehicle comprising the vehicle control device according claim 1.

17. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the state in which the password can be input also includes determining if the inputted password corresponds to a stored password.

18. A vehicle control device, in which certification of use permission of a vehicle is made by a communication system making use of a portable equipment, the vehicle control device comprising:

a display unit that flashes on an emergency occasion when a password for certification of use permission of the vehicle is input without the use of the portable equipment,

a password input unit, with which the password is input according to a number of times that the display unit flashes,

wherein the password input unit includes a first switch,

in a case where the password is to be input, timing of the ON and OFF operations of the first switch coinciding with a number of times that the display unit flashes determines each character of the password to be input, and

a handle grip portion provided on the vehicle to steer the vehicle, and

wherein the password input unit is provided in the vicinity of the handle grip portion,

a hazard lamp is provided on the vehicle,

the password input unit includes a hazard switch to flash the hazard lamp,

wherein in inputting the password, the display unit is controlled to flash when the hazard switch is made ON, without flashing the hazard lamp.