Method for operating a vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
a vehicle body disposed on the frame;
a power pack supported at least in part by the frame for powering the vehicle, the power pack including an engine;
an electronic control unit (ECU) electrically connected to the power pack;
at least one seat supported by the frame for receiving a rider thereon;
a steering assembly disposed at least in part forwardly of the seat for steering the vehicle;
a startup switch electrically connected to the ECU, actuation of the startup switch causing a signal to be sent to the ECU indicative of a desired operation of the vehicle;
a display device disposed forwardly of the seat for displaying information to the rider, the display device being electrically connected to the ECU, the information being at least one of at least one previously stored text message and at least one previously stored graphical image, the information being displayed only after the ECU has been activated; and
a confirmation switch electrically connected to the ECU, actuation of the confirmation switch causing a confirmation signal to be sent to the ECU indicative of a display of information to a rider;
wherein upon activation of the ECU, the ECU prevents the vehicle from moving unless one of;
information is displayed by the display device and the confirmation signal is received by the ECU; and
the activation of the ECU is within a predetermined period of time after a previous activation of the ECU, the previous activation of the ECU having been followed by operation of the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle is disclosed, including a startup switch electrically connected to the ECU. Actuation of the startup switch causes a signal to be sent to the ECU indicative of a desired operation of the vehicle. A display device is disposed forwardly of the seat for displaying information to the rider. Actuation of a confirmation switch causes a confirmation signal to be sent to the ECU indicative of a display of information to a rider. Upon actuation of the startup switch, the ECU prevents the vehicle from moving until information is displayed by the display device and the confirmation signal is received by the ECU. A method of operating a vehicle is also disclosed.
10 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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a frame; a vehicle body disposed on the frame; a power pack supported at least in part by the frame for powering the vehicle, the power pack including an engine; an electronic control unit (ECU) electrically connected to the power pack; at least one seat supported by the frame for receiving a rider thereon; a steering assembly disposed at least in part forwardly of the seat for steering the vehicle; a startup switch electrically connected to the ECU, actuation of the startup switch causing a signal to be sent to the ECU indicative of a desired operation of the vehicle; a display device disposed forwardly of the seat for displaying information to the rider, the display device being electrically connected to the ECU, the information being at least one of at least one previously stored text message and at least one previously stored graphical image, the information being displayed only after the ECU has been activated; and a confirmation switch electrically connected to the ECU, actuation of the confirmation switch causing a confirmation signal to be sent to the ECU indicative of a display of information to a rider; wherein upon activation of the ECU, the ECU prevents the vehicle from moving unless one of; information is displayed by the display device and the confirmation signal is received by the ECU; and the activation of the ECU is within a predetermined period of time after a previous activation of the ECU, the previous activation of the ECU having been followed by operation of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23)
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14. A method of operating a vehicle, the vehicle comprising:
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a frame; at least one seat supported by the frame for receiving a rider thereon; a power pack supported by the frame for powering the vehicle, the power pack including an engine; an electronic control unit (ECU) electrically connected to the power pack; and a display device disposed forwardly of the seat for displaying information to the rider; the method comprising; activating the ECU; transmitting to the ECU a first signal indicative of a desired operation of the vehicle; and displaying information to the rider via the display device, the information being at least one of at least one previously stored text message and at least one previously stored graphical image, the information being displayed only after activation of the ECU; transmitting to the ECU a second signal confirming that the information has been displayed to the rider; and preventing the vehicle from moving unless one of; the ECU receiving the second signal; and the ECU being activated within a predetermined period of time after a previous activation of the ECU, the previous activation of the ECU having been followed by operation of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of operating a vehicle, the vehicle comprising:
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a frame; at least one seat supported by the frame for receiving a rider thereon; a power pack supported by the frame for powering the vehicle, the power pack including an engine; an electronic control unit (ECU) electrically connected to the power pack; and a display device disposed forwardly of the seat for displaying information to the rider, the information having a plurality of parts, the information being at least one of at least one previously stored text message and at least one previously stored graphical image; the method comprising; activating the ECU; transmitting to the ECU a first signal indicative of a desired operation of the vehicle; after the ECU is activated, sequentially displaying the parts of the information to the rider via the display device until at least one of; a) receipt by the ECU of a second signal initiated by the rider in response to at least one of the parts of the information being displayed; and b) the sequential display of all of the plurality of parts of the information to the rider; and preventing the vehicle from moving during the sequential displaying of the parts of the information unless the ECU is activated within a predetermined period of time after a previous activation of the ECU, the previous activation of the ECU having been followed by operation of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification